The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Walgreens, OneBlood trading gift cards for blood

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Throughout April, Walgreens and OneBlood have joined forces to host a series of blood drives, with each donor earning a free $10 gift card to the drug store chain.

Select Walgreens locations in the Tampa Bay region will host bloodmobiles from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 5 and April 12, as well as April 7, April 14 and April 28.

All donors also will receive a wellness checkup, which includes blood pressure, temperature and iron count, as well as a cholesterol screening.

Local Walgreens participating are:

April 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
12807 U.S. 301, Dade City

April 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
22829 State Road 54, Land O’ Lakes
20741 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa

April 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
7925 Gunn Highway, Tampa
17511 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa
22829 State Road 54, Land O’ Lakes
12807 U.S. 301, Dade City

April 14 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
18511 U.S. 41, Lutz

April 28 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
20741 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa
22829 State Road 54, Land O’ Lakes

The bloodmobile is seeking generally healthy people 16 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information, visit OneBlood.org.

Hollywood comes to Land O’ Lakes

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HairPowerDee Sandillo, owner of Hair Power, brings Hollywood hair styles from the past, present and future to the Land O’ Lakes / Tampa area. Dee and her stylists are able to create any look from classic to modern and trendy.

Dee is a master stylist with 37 years of experience. Before moving to Florida four years ago, she owned eight salons in Connecticut. She managed a salon in Tampa until she opened Hair Power on November 15, 2013.

“I worked for someone else when I first came to Florida, but quick- ly realized that I have one more salon in me,” says Dee. “I love styling hair. It’s in my blood.” Dee is gifted in the art of classic Hollywood hair styling.

Dee focuses on senior citizens, specializing in roller sets. “Not many salons are willing to do roller sets these days,” says Dee. “We do it all. We intend to be one of the best salons in the Land O’ Lakes area.”

Hair Power is a spacious, full-service salon with three styling stations and a shampoo area. Dee employs two master stylists, Cheryl Cardinale and Matty Murphy.

Cheryl is a top colorist and an exceptional stylist with 25 years of experience in the Tampa area. She specializes in modified color, highlights, lowlights and roots. For coloring she uses the Alfaparf Milano product line. It’s a top-of-the-line product from Italy.

Matty was a stylist in New York City for four years before moving to Florida and joining Hair Power. Matty specializes in contour trendy cuts. “He’s an amazing stylist,” says Dee, “a true artist.”

“We have received so many compliments in the short time we’ve been open,” says Dee. “Our customers really appreciate our warm and inviting atmosphere.”

The salon is painted in warm colors and decorated with a Hollywood theme. Photographs, paintings and murals of Hollywood legends adorn the walls. Comfortable seating and soft pillows add to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Dee’s fiance, Louis, did all of the paint- ing and decorating in the salon.

Hair Power uses and sells the very best hair care products from Alfaparf Milano, Abba and JKS Professional. They also provide basic waxing of eyebrows, lips and chin.

“We have been experiencing excellent growth,” says Dee. “I want to thank the public who have come already. We are thrilled over the number of personal recommendations we’ve received. It feels great serving the people of Land O’ Lakes.”

Hair Power is located at 2410 Raden Drive in Land O’ Lakes, just off U.S. 41 near all the Pasco resorts. They can be reached at (813) 455-6100, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/hair-power.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

In Print: Profiling community leaders who make a difference

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When Todd Patrick learned there was a homeless teenager living behind a supermarket about to face freezing cold temperatures, he knew he had to do something about it.

Patrick, the director of sales at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, pulled out his personal credit card and booked the teen a room in his hotel. And that moved earned him one of the top individual awards an employee of the national hotel chain can receive: a Spirit of Hampton Award.

“I love the fact that to you, people just don’t go unnoticed,” Scott Schrank, a vice president with the Hampton chain, told Patrick last week on a conference call. “This had nothing to do with hospitality, and that’s what I love about examples like this. You believe you were born to care, and you look for opportunities to give, and that’s what you did.”

While Patrick is keeping his eye out for people in need, Lisa Bekiaris wants to make sure pets don’t get overlooked.

A few short years ago, Bekiaris learned how many pets go hungry — or even worse, how many owners will go hungry just to make sure their pets eat — and decide to do something about it. She started Raffle Rescue where people don’t just donate cash, they enter a chance to win prizes. And all the proceeds make sure pets in disadvantaged families get the food they need.

Daphne is just one of the many animals whose pet bowls have been filled, thanks to Raffle Rescue's efforts throughout the county. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Bekiaris)
Daphne is just one of the many animals whose pet bowls have been filled, thanks to Raffle Rescue’s efforts throughout the county. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Bekiaris)

“I have had people tell me, ‘I didn’t eat today because I had to buy dog food,'” Bekiaris told reporter Michael Hinman. “We as humans can go out and ask for help, but our animals solely rely on us as a pet parent, and too often we’ll make sacrifices for ourselves to keep them fed.”

Both Patrick and Bekiaris are prime examples of people who give back to the community, but reporter B.C. Manion helps remember one woman who helped start the very charity fundraising that has become a tradition in Lutz.

Alice Joan “Jo” Van Bebber was the original Lutz Guv’na, and spent decades of her life serving the community. She died March 5.

“To me, we lost a truly great lady,” said longtime friend Marilyn Wannamaker. Not only was Van Bebber a community activist, she was a vital member of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, and was quite involved at the First United Methodist Church of Lutz.

All of these stories and more are in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Only renew auto tags for one year, tax collector says

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There’s no up-selling this time around when people visit the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office.

It might be tempting to renew auto tags for two years to get it out of the way, but a new bill could save you money if you just renew for one year. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
It might be tempting to renew auto tags for two years to get it out of the way, but a new bill passed by lawmakers could save you money if you just renew for one year. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

Mike Fasano is encouraging everyone who renews their auto tags and registration to only renew for one year, and ignore the option to pay two years at once. Otherwise, those looking to pay ahead could pay much more than those who take it year-by-year.

“It is imperative that those who decide to renew their auto registration between now and the end of August strongly consider not renewing for two years,” Fasano said, in a release. “If you do, you will not be eligible to receive the benefits those who renew for one year starting Sept. 1 will receive.”

Fasano is referring to a bill currently awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature that would reduce auto tag fees beginning Sept. 1. The move reverses a budget emergency measure that had significantly raised fees in 2009 to help compensate for budget shortfalls. The reduction proposal was announced by Scott last December, and would create an average annual savings of $25, according to his office.

However, one thing the bill does not do is provide any refunds to the more than 750,000 motor vehicle owners statewide who renew their tags in two-year increments, Fasano said.

“The Florida Legislature has excluded the hundreds of thousands of people statewide who have, thus far, renewed for two years,” he said. “That number will only grow daily unless we can help Florida vehicle owners understand how much money they will lose once this bill becomes law.”

Dade City, Zephyrhills offering homeless, low-income services Tuesday

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Pasco County tax collector Mike Fasano and The Volunteer Way will offer four services in one place at locations in both Zephyrhills and Dade City on Tuesday.

The Volunteer Way Mobile Pantry, the Public Defender Medical Mobile Unit, Mobile Hot Showers, and the Florida Licensing on Wheels — better known as the FLOW Mobile — have all teamed up to offer their services to homeless and low-income people in the morning in Zephyrhills, and in the afternoon in Dade City.

The first stop is at Victorious Church of God in Christ, 7517 Bayleaf St., in Zephyrhills, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After that, the collection of services will move to the New Life Assembly of God, 38012 Trilby Road in Dade City from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“These excellent community programs will be available for all who may be in need,” Fasano said in a release. “From medical care to state-issued ID cards, services that people may not have easy access to will be in one convenient location. I encourage anyone who may be in need to come out and receive the services that you require.”

The Volunteer Way Mobile Pantry will give free boxes of food to homeless and low-income people in these areas that do no have transportation ore access to food pantries. No identification is required.

The Pasco Public Defender Medical Mobile Unit will provide free flu shots and medical care for uninsured individuals.

Mobile Hot Showers will be available for homeless people who want to take a hot shower, a service offered for free.

The FLOW Mobile will issue learners permits, issue or renew Florida ID cards, replace licenses or ID cards, renew existing Florida licenses that require a chance of name or address, and replace out-of-state licenses with a Florida license.  ID cards are free for homeless people who provide a letter.

For fees and required documents for the FLOW Mobile, visit GatherGoGet.com.

For information, call Martha O’Brien at (727) 815-0433, or Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Lake Park to get help from Macy’s

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Lake Park in Lutz is one of the latest beneficiaries of “Heart Your Park,” a public-private partnership that matches donations from Hillsborough County residents with those from Macy’s department stores.

It joins E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin as parks poised to benefit from the program.

The National Recreation and Parks Association and selected Macy’s locations jointly identified the local parks and green spaces that would receive special funds from this project, in addition to ongoing support for county parks, recreation and conservation programs.

Lake Park appears to sportsmen and offers hiking trails, an archery range, BMX bicycle track, equestrian arenas and a radio-controlled car track, according to a release.

Macy’s wil provide a matching contribution for every $1 donated by customers, up to $250,000. Residents can contribute when visiting Macy’s store locations, and asking to donate to “Heart Your Park.” No purchase is necessary to participate.

Donations will be used to make improvements, maintain park amenities, or support infrastructure and programming.

The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people, according to a release.

The closest Macy’s locally is at The Shops at Wiregrass, 2230 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Macy’s has eight locations in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Gas prices still climbing … thanks to Russia?

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A gallon of gas in the greater Tampa Bay area is 8 cents more expensive than it was a month ago, and at least part of the blame can land at the feet of Vladimir Putin.

Auto club group AAA says gas prices in the state are at their highest level since last September — $3.56 in Florida, and $3.49 locally — because of shorter supplies of ethanol and continued tension in Europe between Russia and the Ukraine.

“When there is no ethanol blend in the gasoline, you could see the price of gas increase,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in a release. “That is because a higher costing product, premium gasoline, is being used to increase the octane level.”

Gas prices in most areas of Florida can contain as much as 10 percent ethanol, which helps keep prices down but octane levels where they need to be. When ethanol is in short supply, petroleum companies instead have to use more expensive gasoline to make a blend that remains at 87-octane grade material, according to the Oil Price Information Service.

On top of that, tensions in the Ukraine could disrupt supply that runs through and from the country, which could cause prices to spike.

Gasoline prices have remained mostly steady over the past week, and is still cheaper than the $3.59 per gallon reported a year ago. The highest gas has ever been was in July 2008 when regular unleaded topped $4.

Diesel has remained steady over the past year, currently at $4.05 per gallon, compared to $4.03 in March 2013. Its highest price was $4.82, also in July 2008.

But there is good news on the horizon. Although there is the potential that gas could climb another 20 cents per gallon in the coming weeks nationally, it is expected to start falling as April continues on. That will especially be the case when gas stations switch over to its summer blend gasoline May 1.

Prices in March typically climb 20 cents during March, but so far this year, that average has been 8 cents nationwide. AAA says it’s not expecting prices to finish as high as they were last year.

The most expensive gas in Florida is in West Palm Beach where prices are $3.67 per gallon. The cheapest is in Tallahassee at $3.45 for regular unleaded.

City manager fights for job Monday night

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Jim Drumm is feeling the same pressure his predecessor Steve Spina did for many years as the chief administrator for Zephyrhills: keeping his job as city manager.

Drumm, who was hired by the city in 2011, is facing some tough questions by a couple city council members who recently expressed concern about renewing his contract. And that could be just enough to force Drumm out.

Zephyrhills selected Drumm after an exhaustive search. At the time, Drumm had just left a similar position in High Springs, a city of 5,300. He resigned before the council there had a chance to terminate him in what published reports at the time called “philosophical differences” with the city council there.

There seems to be philosophical differences in Zephyrhills as well, with both Lance Smith and Ken Burgess both saying they won’t approve a new contract for Drumm citing, among other things, communication issues. Later, Zephyrhills city attorney Joe Poblick determined it would indeed take four of the five councilman to approve a contract for Drumm to continue in his position.

The city council meets Monday night beginning at 6, and Drumm’s future is on the agenda. However, no decision is expected to be reached at this meeting, that is if the council moves forward with a proposed workshop to discuss Drumm’s performance.

Spina retired from government work in 2011 soon after Drumm took over. While he worked on a variety of projects, including streetscaping downtown, the creation of the one-way road pairs parallel to Gall Boulevard, and a variety of other projects, it seemed he struggled to find appreciation from the council as well. However, in the end, Spina was able to depart on his own schedule and on his own terms after 15 years.

Housing recovery proven by Connerton success

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Connerton is trumpeting evidence of a housing recovery in Florida after selling 70 new homes in the past year, and projecting to do 120 more in 2014.

The reason for its success has come from moves its developer, Hayman Woods, did during the housing crisis, according to a release. And it started with protecting the investments of the 300 families already living there, while at the same time preparing for new buyers.

Among the things the Dallas-based developer did was:

* Pay subsidies to the homeowners association, which allowed club amenities to continue to operate at a high level throughout the downturn.

* Made what it called a substantial investment in the community development district to make sure landscaping, security and infrastructure were maintained.

* Provided incentives to bring quality home builders into the community and restart construction in early 2013. Those companies include Ryland Homes, M/I Homes, Taylor Morrison and Homes by WestBay. There are six furnished models available from these builders.

“The investments we made during the downturn are really paying dividends now,” said John Helton, senior managing director of Hayman Woods, in a release. “While lesser communities struggled and changed course, we believed in preserving the vision and continuing with the quality execution that sets Connerton apart.”

Houses at Connerton are priced between $191,990 and $524,990.

The community is located on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, and features two miles of nature trails, a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, and miles of winding roads and walkways.

Region added 3,300 construction jobs in January

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It may not lead the nation, or even the state, but the Tampa Bay region added 3,300 construction jobs in January compared to the year before, fueling a 6 percent increase in the industry.

That’s part of a new report from Associated General Contractors of America, which warned that while growth is always good, the region and the country still has room to rebound.

“It is a sign of the continued strengthening of the construction industry that nearly 60 percent of metros added construction jobs from a year earlier despite the severe winter conditions in much of the country this January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a release. “Nevertheless, the industry’s recovery has a long way to  go with only a smattering of metro areas exceeding their previous peak January level of employment.

The largest construction growth came from the greater Los Angeles area, which added 8,100 jobs, followed by the Houston region in Texas with 7,900 jobs.

Florida added 36,900 construction jobs, creating 11 percent growth year-over-year. That was led by the Fort Lauderdale area with 4,400 jobs — ranked 16th in the nation — and Orlando with 4,200 jobs, ranked 41st in the nation. Tampa Bay was ranked 89th.

Only two regions of Florida showed no growth. Gainesville lost 400 jobs, or 9 percent of its workforce, while the Panama City area was flat.

Tampa Bay still has the most construction workers in the state with 56,700, followed by Orlando with 51,000 and Fort Lauderdale with 35,600.

There could be some problems coming this summer when it’s anticipated that some federally funded transportation projects will dry up, the association said. Congress and the Obama administration will need to find ways to fund that shortfall in order to prevent the loss of construction jobs in the coming months, said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive.

The complete state-by-state ranking can be found by clicking here.