The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Public input sought on naming new Pasco high school

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Pasco County Schools is seeking the public’s help in suggesting names for a new high school that will be focused on technology and business programs, and is set to open in August of 2022 in East Pasco.

The school will be located at Curley Road and Keifer Road in Wesley Chapel on the former Kirkland Ranch property, according to a news release from the Pasco school district.

Program plans for the school include academies for business, finance and marketing; digital technology; engineering technology; health science and human services; transportation technology; and building technology.

The school will serve grades nine through 12, and will offer industry certification in high-demand career fields.

School Board policy encourages community members, educators and students to provide suggestions for school names.

The board will have the final say on the school’s name, and once adopted, the name will be considered permanent unless the facility or its use changes, the news release adds.

Suggested names should be accompanied by a brief explanation. Submit individual name options by email to , with the subject line “school name.” Submissions also can be faxed to (813) 794-2716.

Published July 10, 2019

Enjoying summer food gatherings — safely

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Summer is a popular time for eating outdoors — whether it’s at the beach or a park, or in someone’s backyard for a pool party or barbecue.

A pasta salad with chickpeas makes a nice meatless side dish for barbecues, pool parties and other summer gatherings. (Courtesy of Shari Bresin)

Most of us are thinking more about having fun than thinking about food safety.

But, it’s a good idea to keep food safety in mind, as you prepare your summer get-togethers.

After all, foodborne illness rates typically increase during the summer months, and the Centers for Disease Control says that one in six Americans gets a foodborne illness each year. Some of those easily preventable illnesses can lead to a costly hospitalization.

Here are some basics to keep your food safe, whether you are packing up for a picnic, or having a party in your own backyard.

  • Wash your hands with hot soap and water. If you will be at an outdoor space without sinks, be sure to pack moist towelettes.
  • Use separate utensils. The spatula that you used to place the raw burger on the grill should not be used when serving the cooked burgers. If you are going to an outdoor public space, make sure you pack plenty of utensils, plates, cutting boards and so on.
  • Have a food thermometer, and use it. Color is not an indicator that food is done; be sure to check the temperature with a food thermometer.

As a reminder, the cooking temperature should read as follows:

  • Beef, pork, veal and lamb (roast, steaks, and chops): 145 degrees F
  • Ground meat (hamburger, fish patties): 160 degrees F
  • Poultry – whole, part, or ground (such as a turkey burger): 165 degrees F
  • Egg and egg dishes: 160 degrees F (Be sure the yolk and white are both firm)
  • When using an insulated cooler be sure to keep it in the shade and, if possible, avoid opening it repeatedly. The temperature of a full cooler stays lower than one that is half-full.
  • Perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours. (If it is sitting out in 90-degree heat or higher, the window of time is only 1 hour. Bacteria thrive off of this warm temperature and can replicate much faster).

Florida is known to get hot, so let’s not take any chances — when planning an outdoor gathering, be sure to keep food safety in mind.

It may not be the most exciting or enjoyable part of your day, but it will keep spoiled food from spoiling the experience.

By Shari Bresin, Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Pasta Salad
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups tri-color rotini pasta (or any shape), cooked

2-3 medium heads of broccoli, chopped

1 head of cauliflower, chopped

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 6-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 medium onion, sliced

3/4 cup sliced black olives

3 Roma tomatoes, chopped

1 avocado, chopped

1 can of beans (chickpea or kidney)

Directions:
Combine the cooked pasta with the broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, artichoke and onion.

Toss with the dressing (recipe below), then cover and chill for 4 hours.

Before serving, add the black olives, chopped tomato, avocado and beans.

Serves 8-10

Italian Dressing:
1 ½ cups olive oil

¾ cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Don’t forget: Transport this in a cooler, if you are serving it outdoors. Also, don’t let it sit out for more than 1 hour to 2 hours.

Published July 10, 2019

New ICI Homes Opens New Model In Asturia

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ICI Homes is celebrating the grand opening of its new model home in Asturia this weekend, June  29 and 30. In addition to enjoying a guided tour and light refreshments, visitors can enter a $500 gift card giveaway being sponsored by Caliber Home Loans.

“Our new model, the Costa Mesa, is one of our most popular floor plans, and this model is absolutely stunning,” said Leah Turner, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes. “The decorating is gorgeous, and the lake view is incredible. This is definitely a model home that must be toured to be fully appreciated.”

The spacious Costa Mesa kitchen features an extra-large island, and opens graciously into a large great room that overlooks the home’s outside living areas.

The Costa Mesa model is easy to find not far from the entrance to Asturia, an award-winning, master-planned community in Odessa. It is conveniently located just west of the Suncoast Parkway along the in-demand State Road 54 corridor in Pasco County, giving residents quick access to downtown Tampa, the Westshore district and area beaches.

The new Costa Mesa model is located in Asturia’s recently-opened Phase III. Visitors can also tour ICI Homes’ other model, the Serena, located in Asturia’s second phase in the rear of the community. Models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Costa Mesa is a one-story home that showcases 2,565 square feet of living area, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a three-car garage.

“This home’s open floor plan brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space that incorporate lots of windows to bring in natural light,” said Turner. “It is perfect for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and couples who are downsizing.”

Turner adds that one-story plans are always in demand because of the natural flow from one room to the next, and the convenience of having everything on the same level.

ICI Homes has 38 homesites available in Asturia’s Phase III, and offers buyers over a dozen distinctive floor plans to choose from. The builder also has a few homesites remaining in the community’s Phase II, including its Serena model home and several showcase homes at various stages of construction.

ICI Homes in Phase III begin in the mid $300s, which include the home, lot and design center options. Many homesites back up to conservation and water.

“A lot of families have been waiting for Asturia’s Phase III to open because of its pristine home sites with conservation views and attractive pricing,” said Ron Ferguson, division manager for ICI Homes. “Buyers love Asturia’s affordability, convenient location and outstanding amenities.”

Amenities in this 550-home community include a unique trails system that winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and an award-winning Amenity Center that includes a zero-entry pool, contemporary community center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Final Homes In Bexley
If you’re looking for a new home in Land O’ Lakes, this is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley, an award-winning development by Newland that is located just east of Asturia and easily accessible to the Suncoast Parkway.

Bexley offers thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, parks and playgrounds, and miles of walking and bike trails. Other amenities include a clubhouse, pools, fitness center, bike shop and café.

ICI Homes is building its final three homes in Bexley, all on large 70-foot lots. A Costa Mesa quick move-in home will soon be ready, and the slightly smaller Egret VII will soon be under construction. Both homes have very open plans with lots of windows and natural lighting.

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most acclaimed builders, builds new homes in desirable master-planned communities that offer beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, (813) 359-0264.

Published June 26, 2019

Be Comfortable and Safe If Your Power Goes Out

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With Hurricane season officially underway, many families are looking at installing a whole house generator to keep their family comfortable and safe in case the power goes out.

“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing generators in their homes in case their power goes out due to summer thunderstorms and hurricanes,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes. “This is especially true when a family member has medical issues that require treatments needing power.”

Cornerstone installs Generac generators, the country’s largest and most advanced manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator for your home is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Silva.

Because generators can be costly, Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing in place to make monthly payments affordable.

“We want to encourage everyone who wants to protect their family’s health, comfort and safety to give us call,” said Silva. “We do everything possible to make a generator fit their budget and payment ability. Plus, we’re currently offering $150 off all generator installations.”

Modern generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances, all at the same time.

“Many people think of backup generators as giant, noisy units that can be heard all around the neighborhood. This is no longer the case,” said Silva.

A generator will prevent almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.

Plus, the American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators because they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.

“Because all generators emit carbon dioxide, which is a dangerous, odorless gas that can kill, proper installation and venting is imperative for all generators,” said Silva. “Our technicians specify the safest and most economical location for a generator, and pull all necessary permits from the county to complete the install.”

Silva adds that portable generators can also be dangerous if they are not properly installed.

“A new transfer switch is usually needed for portable generators, so that a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” said Silva. “And, when that happens, the homeowner has no power until the panel is replaced, plus it can be a very dangerous situation if someone is near the electrical panel when it blows.”

Cornerstone Pros pulls all the permits needed to install a generator, and the permitting process typically takes between two and five weeks.

“Because of the time permits take, people need to call now to get their generator installed before the peak storm and hurricane season,” said Silva.

For homes with natural gas, Cornerstone Pros technicians do the plumbing that ties the generator directly into the home’s natural gas line, so the homeowner never has to worry about filling a gas tank. Homes without natural gas require a propane tank, which Cornerstone Pros connect to during its installation.

“Generators provides protection 24/7 whether you’re home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage,” said Silva. “Plus, most models today offer Wi-Fi connectivity, so no matter where you are, you can monitor the status of your power and generator’s operations from a smartphone, tablet or computer.”

Call Cornerstone Pros with your generator questions and to request a quote at (813) 990-0561.

Published June 26, 2019

Quick Move-In Townhomes Now Ready at Mattamy Homes

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Mattamy Homes’ popular townhome communities in Lutz and Citrus Park have an array of Quick Move-In townhomes ready now, just in time for a summer move in and to get settled  before the 2019-20 school year begins.

This beautiful kitchen flows into the dining and living areas of the Santa Rosa, a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome available at Avea Pointe in Lutz.

A wide selection of thoughtfully-designed townhomes is available at both Avea Pointe in Lutz and Lakeview at Citrus Park, with special savings and paid closing costs available for a limited time. Models are open daily, and Open House events are being hosted every weekend in July at both communities.

Avea Pointe In Lutz
This community’s first residents recently began moving into Avea Pointe, Mattamy’s second  Lutz community located off Van Dyke Road, just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

“Our floorplans are perfect for first-time homebuyers, families with children and even empty-nesters,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes. “We offer some of the largest townhomes in Tampa Bay, all designed to live like single-family homes.”

Avea Pointe offers three unique floor plans that feature open floor plans and 2-car garages. The sales center just debuted on location, and is open daily at 5653 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

All townhomes feature large open kitchens, optimized living spaces, covered lanais and 2-car garages.  The Santa Rosa is 1,913 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an owner’s suite on the first level; the Sebring is 2,230 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; and the Venice is 2,574 square feet with 4 bedrooms (including a first-floor bedroom) and 3 baths. Prices begin in the low $300s.

This gated community’s pool and cabana are nearing completion and will be ready for residents to enjoy in late July.

In addition to its convenient location, excellent schools are another reason many families choose Avea Pointe. Children attend Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all less than three miles away on Lutz Lake Fern Road.

Avea Pointe is just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and the Veterans Expressway, which makes it an easy commute to Tampa Regional Airport, the Westshore district, downtown Tampa and area beaches.

Lakeview at Citrus Park
Lakeview at Citrus Park is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area. Mattamy Homes has been selling in this community for less than a year, and has already sold close to 50 homes in this 124-townhome community.

“Our new Lakeview models are beautifully decorated and furnished, and feel as spacious and private as single-family homes. Plus, prices in this community are very affordable, beginning in the mid $200s,” said Dec.

Five floor plans are available. The Marianna (1,667 sq. ft.) and Ormond (1,888 sq. ft.) have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and single garages. The Santa Rosa (1,928 sq. ft.) has 3 bedrooms, one of which is located downstairs, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage. The Sebring (2,230 sq. ft.) has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2-car garage. The Venice (2,574 sq. ft.) has 4 bedrooms, including one downstairs, 3 baths and a double garage.

“Both Avea Pointe and Lakeview at Citrus Park are selling fast because buyers love the fantastic assortment of close-by things to do, from recreational outings to fabulous shopping to an epicurean array of restaurants,” said Dec.

Avea Pointe is five minutes from Hillsborough County’s expansive Lake Park with its non-motorized boat access, hiking trails, BMX track and multiple playgrounds. Homes in Lakeview at Citrus Park overlook tranquil Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, where residents have a community pier for fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding.

When it comes to shopping, Avea Pointe is a mile or so from shopping on Dale Mabry.  Lakeview at Citrus Park is literally minutes away to Westfield Citrus Park Mall. Both communities are a quick trip down the Veterans Expressway to International Plaza and Westshore Plaza in Tampa.

“Our buyers at Avea Pointe and Lakeview love being close to so many things to do,” said Dec. “These are perfect communities for people who want fun things to do with family and friends of all ages.”

Visit MattamyHomes.com, or call (813) 580-7303, to learn more about these communities. Buyers of quick move-in homes enjoy special savings and incentives.

Published June 26, 2019

Third Generation Owns and Manages Lutz Stanley Steemer

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It’s hard to miss the gleaming new, 7,500-square-foot Stanley Steemer building on State Road 54, across the entrance from Oakstead. It sits proudly by itself on this premium piece of real estate in the booming Lutz and Land O’ Lakes communities, surrounded by thousands of new and existing homes and businesses.

The White family owns the Lutz Stanley Steemer operation. (left to right) CJ White with daughter, Olivia; Natalie White with son, Landon; Brandie Ballard and Chet White.

Most people passing by do not realize that this Stanley Steemer is locally owned and part of a decades-old business that employs three generations of family members.

The Lutz operation is co-owned by Chet and CJ White, a father-and-son team that has owned the Stanley Steemer operation in Pasco for five years.

CJ is a Lutz resident, living off Newberger Road with his wife, Natalie, and their two young children. Natalie also works in the business, in Human Resources. CJ’s sister, Brandie Ballard, heads up sales and marketing for the company, and his mother, Jo, handles Accounts Payable for their franchises.

“Business is very personal to us – we are local owners who live here,” said CJ. “This is not an out-of-town franchise — we are vested in our business and in a position to grow as Pasco continues to grow.”

The Whites invested $2.2 million in their new Lutz building, which opened in May 2018. The building has six bays that can house up to 18 service vehicles, a customer service area for reps, a large training room and several offices.

Currently, the Lutz operation employs 13 technicians, three customer service reps and CJ. All employees live in the area, and many are involved in local chambers of commerce and civic organizations.

“Our building is designed for future growth, and is a reflection of the commitment we have to Pasco County and the future,” said CJ. “We are building our business for another 41 years of operation.”

Forty-one years is a significant number for CJ, because it was 41 years ago, back in 1978, that his father and grandfather, Chester, opened their first Stanley Steamer franchise in Lake County. The Whites came from Columbus, Ohio, which is where Stanley Steemer was founded in 1947. When Chester retired in 1978, the company had just begun selling franchises, and he saw it as an opportunity to start a business with his son.

After a successful first year, the Whites bought a second franchise in Citrus County, and have continued to add locations almost every year since. Today, the family has franchises in 66 counties in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Lutz is one of the company’s eight regional offices, with others in Inverness, Leesburg, Ocala, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Panama City, as well as in Dothan, Alabama. The Whites plan to take the design of their new Lutz office and replicate it in in their other regional locations.

When Chet and CJ decided to expand into Tampa Bay, they looked first to a longtime Pasco franchise in New Port Richey, another family owned Steemer franchise that had been in Pasco for 35 years, and was a second-generation operation.

“It just goes to show how important family owned franchises are for Stanley Steemer,” said Chet. “CJ and I are very proud to be carrying on the family legacy tradition in Pasco.”

The Whites have expanded Stanley Steemer’s presence in Pasco, and now services homes and businesses from Dade City and Zephyrhills in the east, to Hudson and New Port Richey in the west. Much of their business comes from the middle portion of the county, in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

“If you walk on it, we can clean it,” said Chet. “We clean carpet, tile and grout, laminate, hardwood, and even luxury vinyl flooring.”

Stanley Steemer is the only carpet cleaning company that manufactures its equipment, which uses hot water and steam to extract dirt and grime from flooring. Its proprietary equipment is considered the best in the industry, and its customers get the same quality service every time, no matter where they live.

Companywide, the Whites’ franchises clean 250 houses a day, employ 135 people and maintain a fleet of 55 service vans.

All of their employees meet high standards – including background checks and extensive training before going out in the field. They wear Stanley Steemer uniforms and take great pride in their appearance.

“We are very cognizant that we are welcomed into someone’s home, and we make sure our employees meet the high standards we set for them,” said CJ’s sister, Brandie.

Stanley Steemer never uses subcontractors, and its techs always work in teams of two.

“Most homeowners feel safer with two techs in their home, plus two techs move furniture better and get the job done twice as fast,” said Brandie. “We also stand behind our work with a 10-Day Redo Policy, which fortunately we are seldom asked about, because we strive to get the job done right the first time.”

You can schedule same-day service with The Lutz Stanley Steemer, by calling 1-800-STEEMER, going to StanleySteemer.com, or locally calling (727) 372-7296.

Published June 26, 2019

David Weekley Opens New Grenada Model At Bexley

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David Weekley Homes is celebrating the introduction of its new Manor Home Series with the opening of its Grenada model in Bexley, a Newland community located in Land O’ Lakes along the in-demand State Road 54 corridor.

This is Weekley’s third model home in Bexley, and the latest to open. This beautiful home showcases an open-concept layout on the first floor, with spacious kitchen, dining and living areas, an office/den, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3-car garage. On the second floor are a large bonus room and half bath. The home has a total of 2,938 square feet.

The Grenada showcases an open-concept layout on the first floor.

“This is one of our most innovative new floor plans,” said Jennifer Cole, senior marketing director for David Weekley Homes in Tampa. “Buyers love the openness and convenience of first floor living, and the bonus room on the second floor gives families a getaway space for teens and hobbies.”

The Grenada’s gourmet kitchen is open and airy with loads of soft close cabinets, features an oven and microwave combination, a gas range and stylish wood hood, and wine cooler off the dining room. A large quartz island dramatically separates the kitchen from the formal dining room and family room.

The Owner’s Retreat has large windows overlooking the pool with breathtaking, long views of wetlands, cypress trees and wilderness. The spa-like bathroom has a freestanding modern tub and oversized, open shower designed for two. The walk-in closet is as large as a small bedroom, with built-in shelves and space that extends under the stairwell.

The Grenada is one of seven floor plans available in the Manor Series, which range from 2,537to 3,783square feet in one- and two-story floor plans, all with 3-car garages. Homes in the Manor Series are built on 70-foot lots — some of the largest in Bexley — with most backing up to wetlands and protected conservation areas.

The Grenada’s gourmet kitchen is open and airy with loads of soft close cabinets.

Two inventory homes are currently being built — the Boulevard and Beckwith. Both will be completed before the start of the 2019-20 school year.

“If you’re looking for a new home before the new school year begins, look no farther than our Manor Series of homes in Bexley and its top-rated schools,” said Cole. Bexley families attend Bexley Elementary, located inside the community, and Charles S. Rushe Middle and Sunlake High schools, and located less than two miles away.

At 3,197 square feet, the Boulevard home under construction is another one-story plan. Its open-concept plan features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, office/study and a unique retreat that’s perfect as a playroom or hobby area. From the home’s stunning entry, one can see to the back of the home into the oversized backyard. The gourmet gas kitchen has stainless appliances, trendy farmhouse sink and classic white quartz countertops. The bath in the owner’s suite has a walk-in super shower, white cabinets, quartz countertop with double sinks, and a huge closet.

The second inventory home in the Manor Series is the award-winning Beckwith. This two-story plan, which features the master suite on the first floor, has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3-car garage. A beautiful foyer opens to the dining room on the left, and a study on right, with sight-lines to the back of the home.  Stunning RevWood  flooring is planned for throughout the first floor to give this home a rich character. The gourmet gas kitchen has spacious granite countertops, stainless appliances and stylish vent hood. The private owner’s suite includes a comfortable sitting area, with a bath that boasts a massive walk-in shower and huge walk-in closet. Upstairs the home has 3 bedrooms and bonus room.

Manor Series homes start from the $460s. David Weekly also offers the Cottage and Village Series in Bexley, which combined offer 10 floor plans ranging from 2,300 to 3,500 square feet built on 50- and 60-foot homesites. Each series has a beautifully furnished model home opened Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

David Weekley Homes is offering a 5 percent discount on all Quick Move-In Homes at Bexley that are contracted by July 31 during their Summer Savings Event. This discount can be applied toward the purchase price , closing costs, or toward an appliance package and blinds.

For more information about David Weekley Homes in Bexley and its Summer Savings Event, call (813) 422-6186, or go to DavidWeekleyHomes.com.

About Bexley

Bexley is an 1,800-acre, master-planned community that emphasizes pedestrian-friendly activities for outdoor fun among its 1,200 acres dedicated to open spaces. Over 10 miles of trails made by Avid Trails lead through preserves and wetlands, around ponds and lakes, and to pocket parks, a dog park and sports fields.

The community has award-winning amenities, including The Bexley Club with its fitness center, pools, and festival lawn for concerts and cookouts. Bexley also boasts a picturesque, lakeside clubhouse with a fully staffed bike shop and the full-service Twisted Sprocket Café, which is open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour.

Bexley is located next to the Suncoast Parkway, making it convenient to Tampa Regional Airport, Westshore business district, downtown Tampa and area beaches and attractions.

About David Weekley Homes

David Weekley Homes is the nation’s largest privately held builder and has closed more than 90,000 homes. It was founded in 1976, is headquartered in Houston and operates in 20 cities across the United States. It was the first builder in the United States to be awarded the Triple Crown of American Home Building, an honor which includes “America’s Best Builder,” “National Housing Quality Award” and “National Builder of the Year.” Weekley has also appeared 13 times on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Artisan-Style Pizza Served Fast At Mod Pizza

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If you’re looking for artisan-style pizza served lighting fast with unlimited toppings, then you’ll want to check out MOD Pizza in Lutz, located near the Tampa Premium Outlets on State Road 56.

Scott and Ally Svenson founded MOD Pizza 10 years ago, because they love Italian street pizza and wanted to improve upon the usual pizzeria experience.  MOD stands for Made On Demand, because their customers order pizza to individual tastes and specifications, knowing the price remains the same regardless of the number of toppings they want.

“If you go to northern Italy, the pizzas aren’t necessarily perfectly round,” said Michael Mark, operations director for the company. “The crust is thinner and a little crispier on the bottom, and there is a slightly doughy texture between the underside and top part of the dough. Our crust is like this — it’s not your traditional New York or Chicago-style crust.”

MOD Pizza bakes its thin-crust, irregular-shaped pizza in 700-degree ovens, which turns out custom-made pizzas served in under four minutes. Every pizza is made-to-order at one convenient low price.

“The main thing about our pizza concept is that it’s one price for as many toppings as you’d like,” Mark said.  “We have over 30 toppings to choose from, so there is an incredible variety, including vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free cheeses.

In addition to pizza, the restaurant also serves salads, garlic strips, cinnamon strips, cheesy garlic bread, hand-blended milkshakes and house-made iced teas and lemonades. It carries draft and bottled beer, canned wines and bottled Boylan beverages made with cane sugar.

MOD Pizza is one of those rare businesses that you can actually feel good about patronizing. It encourages diversity and individuality in the workplace, and believes in giving back to the community.

“On the first day of business, we donate 100 percent of pizza proceeds to a local charity,” Mark said. “We partner with schools and different charities, and hold fundraisers where we give back 20 percent or more to the fundraising partner.”

So, feel good about yourself and discover a new way to enjoy pizza by dropping by MOD Pizza. You can also download their rewards application to earn points toward free pizzas, receive custom offers and skip long lines when picking up your pizza.

Daily – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. •(813) 777-5524

227 Sun Vista Dr. • Lutz, FL 33559 • State Road 56, in front of Tampa Premium Outlets

 

Published June 5, 2019

 

A Modern Approach to Traditional Karate

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L-R Elvis Ramic, Sabina Ramic, Benjamin Harrison

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When Shihan Wayne R. Shockness II was 7 years old, his friends dared him to sneak into a karate dojo.

“I was shocked,” Shockness said.  “I saw this guy throw a roundhouse kick directly over his head, and he literally did a split in the air, balanced on the one leg and put the other leg directly over him. I stood there and said to myself, ‘Wow—I’ve got to learn how to do that!’”

The course of his life was set that day, and soon Shockness began karate training. It has now been 50 years, and he has completed 15 world championship tournaments, placing in the top three no matter when or where he competed. Shockness’ achievements have been so significant, that in 2016 he was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame.

Today, Shockness focuses on the achievements of his students, who have also reached great success.

“My students do well,” Shockness said. “The three top instructors here are Sensei Elvis Ramic, Sensei Sabina Ramic and Sempai Benjamin Harrison. All are on the U.S.A. National Team for kumite, and all are at the top level of competitors.”

Shockness has five dojo schools throughout the country. The newest is Shockness Shotokan Karate in Lutz on State Road 54, where he teaches a traditional Japanese style of karate that also satisfies modern desires.

“We’re a traditional school with modern ideals,” Shockness said. “We believe in honor, respect, self-development, upholding certain manners and traditions. On the modern side, we like going to competitions, and we enjoy modern styles of training and exercise to develop ourselves even further.”

At Shockness Karate, students learn physical karate, such as blocking, punching and kicking. They also learn to focus their mind, develop a strong personality and persevere in overcoming obstacles.

“Karate is life to us,” Shockness said. “We’re a ‘karate-do’ school — the ‘do’ meaning way or path. We’re not just teaching how to kick and punch, we’re also teaching the path, philosophies and ideals of karate.”

Competition is very important at Shockness Karate, but not everyone competes.

“If our students win a million trophies, it doesn’t really matter if their lives are not good as well.” said Shockness. “Our students develop everything.  They are confident, polite, well-mannered, strong, honest and respectful. They’re learning to become better people, because karate changes people in a positive way. The goal is to be better than you were the day before.”

Shockness Karate offers classes six days a week, with flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules.

(813) 406-4718 •

23600 State Road 54 (just east of Livingston)• Lutz, FL 33559

Published May 22, 2019

 

A Craft Beer Delight at BJ’s

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By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you like a delicious meal with a high-quality craft beer, then BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Wesley Chapel is the place for you.

Six BJ’s breweries supply the restaurant chain with its own line of craft beers that complement any meal perfectly. From its signature Chicago-style, deep dish pizza to its extensive menu of appetizers, burgers, slow-roasted items and enLIGHTened entrees, there’s an award-winning craft beer to match.

Since opening their first brewery restaurant in 1996, BJ’s craft beers have won more than200 awards.  The restaurant is always rotating BJ’s own seasonal beers and a wide selection of local craft beers to its menu,and has even partnered with a local Florida brewer to create a new beer.

Dustin Wiltshire

“Right now, we have a pretty successful beer called Driving Me Hazy that we collaborated on with Brew Bus, a great brewer here in Tampa,” said General Manager Dustin Wiltshire. “It’s a New England-style Hazy IPA that we brew for the entire state of Florida.”

BJ’s is a restaurant, as well as a craft brewery. It started as a California pizzeria in 1978, and has since expanded to more than 200 restaurants in 27 states.

“Deep dish pizza is a constant that’s been with us for our entire existence,” Wiltshire said. “We have 16 signature flavors of pizza, including tavern-cut, deep dish and made-to-order combinations”.

“The menu is extensive, and covers everything from prime rib, tri-tip, pasta, and handcrafted burgers to healthy low-calorie and gluten-free options, like the bison burger and Peruvian quinoa bowls.

“Our culinary team did a fantastic job creating enlightened dishes that are that are full of flavors using herbs and different vegetables that bring out a lot of flavor and keep that calorie count low,” Wiltshire said. “They even offer gluten-free pizza crust, burger buns and a gluten-free chocolate chip Pizookie®.”

No trip to BJ’s would be complete without indulging in their signature and sinful dessert, the Pizookie®— a one-of-a-kind pizza cookie served gooey-hot from the oven and topped with two scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream.

“Not only are we about great food, great beer, great cocktails and great times, but we put just as much energy and effort into building great communities through our TASC Force or Team Action to Support Communities, BJ’s Restaurants Foundation and our Cookies 4 Kids Program,” said Wiltshire.

Check out BJ’s daily and happy hour specials at BJsRestaurants.com, or better yet, drop by BJ’s on State Road 56 at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Published May 15, 2019