Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Personal safety

–Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dimly lit or isolated areas.

–If you are carrying a bag keep it close to your body and in front of you at all times.

–Do not carry large amounts of cash and limit the number of credit cards to only what is necessary.

–If your wallet or handbag is demanded from you, throw the item as far as you can and then flee in the opposite direction.

–Consider carrying a personal alarm device.

Safety on the street

–Plan ahead and avoid danger spots such as isolated or poorly lit alleys or parking lots, which can create opportunities for criminals to operate out of sight.

–When walking on a sidewalk, stay on the side closest to the street. Be sure to create a space between yourself and any shrubbery, dark doorways, trees and shadows.

–Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them.

–Be extra vigilant when using an ATM. Watch out for anyone hovering nearby and never count your money within public view. Return to your vehicle or a public place as quickly as possible.

–Do not keep all of your valuables in one place.

Driving Safety

–Plan your journey carefully. Know what route you are taking and let other people know where you are going and when you hope to arrive.

–Have a map or GPS in the car so you don’t have to stop and ask for directions.

–Never leave your keys in the ignition while you are out of the car for any reason. Keep the doors locked when you are driving and keep bags and other valuables out of sight.

–If someone approaches your car while stopped, never roll the window down. If you feel threatened sound the horn and flash your lights to attract attention. Drive off if possible.

–Avoid breaking down in dangerous areas by serving your car regularly.

Parking Safety

–Avoid using poorly lit parking spaces.

–Reverse into the parking space, if possible, and hide all valuables.

–Lock the doors and shut your windows.

–When returning to your car, have your keys ready. Scan under the car and inside your car before getting in. Lock your doors once you are inside.

 

Consumer protection tips

–Read sales ads and coupons carefully to make sure you understand any limitations.

–Look for price-matching policies.

–Pay attention to the scanner during checkout to be sure you were properly charged and be sure to save your receipts.

–Find out refund and return policies before you purchase your items.

–If you’re planning to use lay-away, be sure you understand the policy and be sure to follow the terms.

–Pay by credit card to give yourself the best protection for disputing unauthorized charges.

–Shop online only with companies you know and trust. When going to a company’s website, type in the website. Don’t click on one that pops up on your company because that may take you to a fake website.

–Keep a paper copy of whatever you order online and the confirmation number for your records, so you can track it down if the order does not arrive.

 

Sources: Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Agency.

 

By B.C. Manion

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Christian Brothers Automotive – a Texas-based automotive repair business with locations in several states – is making its entry into the Florida market with a new shop being built on SR 54, just east of Livingston Road.

The business is a full-service automotive repair shop, providing everything from oil changes to engine replacements, and a range of services in between, said Josh Wall, vice president of franchise and strategic development for the company.

The shop will have an upscale look and feel  – with a brick and stone exterior, wood flooring, leather couches, artwork and Wi-Fi, Wall said.

Like most repair shops, it will have a selection of magazines in the waiting room. But unlike the majority, it also will likely have a Bible and may have a prayer request journal, as well, Wall said.

However, the company doesn’t encourage its patrons to sit around in the waiting room killing time.

It also provides a shuttle service, to deliver its customers to work, home or shopping.

“We want to make it as convenient as possible for them,” Wall said.

The shuttle is driven by the franchise operation’s owner, — and that’s for a reason.

“It allows them to really connect with their customers.”

The company has 93 franchise operations in 11 states, and expects to open its 100^th location sometime in 2012. Florida will be the company’s 12^th state and it has current commitments for stores in 16 states.

Besides the Land O’ Lakes location, it also plans to open a store on Bruce B. Downs, south of County Line Road, on May 21 and another on June 11 on Race Track Road near Countryway Boulevard.

“We’ve had our eye on the Tampa market for some time. We’re really optimistic about the growth,” Wall said. “We believe this is a service that customers want and need.”

The economy has caused many people to delay purchasing new cars and, as a result, they are investing more to maintain their car and keep it on the road, he said.

“We have seen this as a national trend,” Wall said.

When Christian Brothers Automotive is considering a new franchise location it considers a combination of factors, Wall said. It wants to make sure there’s a market for its services and it wants to give its franchise operator the best possible chance for success, he said.

Christian Brothers Automotive uses a model similar to Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, Wall said. It builds its stores and leases them back to franchisees.

So far, the company, which is 29 years old, has a solid track record, Wall said.  “We’ve been franchising for 15 years with a 100 percent success rate.”

The shop under construction in Land O’ Lakes is expected to open on Feb. 13. The 5,000-square-foot facility will have nine automotive repair bays. Eventually, it is expected to have about a dozen employees.

The chain’s normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, when a new location opens, it also is open on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the first six to nine months.

The idea is to introduce the shop’s services to the local community, including to that segment of the market that only get repairs and maintenance done on Saturdays, Wall said.

The company is closed on weekends to allow its employees to relax, spend time with their families and worship, Wall said.

The policy of being closed on weekends has helped the company to recruit outstanding employees, Wall said.

While the new automotive shop goes up near the northeast corner of SR 54 and Livingston Road, two other projects are being built on the southwest corner of the intersection. One is a RaceTrac gas station and the other is an apartment development.

By B.C. Manion

Al Giovannelli was just 6 years old when he fried his first egg, and that was the beginning of a lifelong passion for cooking.

As a young boy, he sat at the kitchen table, while his mother, Maria, schooled him in the art of Italian cooking.

“I made everything. Bread. Cookies. Homemade meatballs. Homemade sausage,” he said. “When we needed tomatoes or parsley or basil, we went to the backyard in the garden and we picked it.”

His sister, Susan Meschino, also grew up learning the ins and outs of Italian cuisine.

She remembers that they had to be sure to pick the right kind of tomatoes for the sauce, Some kinds of tomatoes simply have too much water in them to be good in sauce, she explained.

While the siblings were learning how to make Italian foods, Al’s wife, Janette, was growing up in a household where her mother, Juanita Valentin, was teaching her how to create Spanish dishes.

And now, Al and his wife and his sister are combining their talents to offer a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dessert items at Simple and Delicious Bakery & Café, 24832 SR 54 in Lutz.

The restaurant, which is about 1,000 square feet, has a simple décor.

The east side of the dining room is dominated by a pastry case – loaded with Italian and Spanish treats. The west side has a collection of five wooden tables, each with five chairs.

The family-owned operation aims to be a place where people come looking for a good meal or a tasty treat and keep coming back for more.

“We cook like we do when we have company,” Meschino said. “You want to impress your guests when they come to your house for dinner. That’s exactly what we do here.”

There’s a sense of satisfaction from serving someone delicious food, Meschino said.

“It’s just the pleasure of seeing someone smiling — that they’re enjoying what they’re eating,” she said.

“Everything is fresh,” Giovannelli said. “There’s nothing frozen that you throw in the microwave.”

Breakfast items include eggs, egg sandwiches, sausage and bacon. For lunch, they serve a variety of sub sandwiches for lunch and various pasta dishes. There are also grilled chicken, ham and turkey dinners, salads and lots of sides.

And then there are the desserts. The bakery case is filled with enticing selections including Italian cookies, guava pastries and cheesecakes.

“Up North, if you really wanted a good cannoli, you went to an Italian bakery,” Meschino said. They hope that transplanted Northerners will beat a path to their door, once they find out what they offer.

“Our cookies are fresh. We bake them from flour. Everything is from scratch,” Giovannelli said.

They aim to please.

“If we don’t have it on our list and someone suggests something, we’ll make it for them – no problem,” Giovannelli said.

They carry items that are gluten-free, that are low in carbohydrates and that are tailored to diabetics. They understand those special needs: Al is watching his carbs, Janette is diabetic and their daughter needs gluten-free foods.

Meschino said she loves working with her brother because they’re on the same wavelength when it comes to food.

“There are times when we are doing something and we don’t even have to say anything. We’ll look at each other and we know what we’re going to do,” she said.

There are times, though, the trio agrees, when they don’t see exactly eye-to eye.

“We’ll butt heads once in awhile: Too much salt, a little more sugar,” Giovannelli said.

Nancy Leeper, who lives in Plantation Palms, recently dropped by the café to check it out.

She tried a pignoli cookie, an almond-flavored treat that is crunchy outside, soft in the middle and has pine nuts.

“It’s to die for,” she proclaimed.

She also tried some sesame cookies, and by the time she left, she had ordered a holiday platter.

That’s precisely the reaction the trio of cooks hopes to inspire.

 

/glance box

Simple and Delicious Bakery & Café, 24832 SR 54. Lutz

Store hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information: (813) 528-8714

 

 

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to get distracted – and that’s all a criminal needs to spoil the joy of your season.

It almost goes without saying that many steps people can take to avoid being victimized are a matter of common sense.

But it never hurts to hear some reminders.

During the holidays, criminals like to break into cars in parking lots near shopping centers and restaurants, said Cpl. Alan Wilkett, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The best line of defense is simple: Lock your doors and roll up your windows, Wilkett said.

Criminals are looking for an easy target and often will walk between rows of cars, rattling the door handles to see which will open. If your doors are locked and your windows are closed, chances are they’ll keep moving, he said.

It’s also important to keep valuables and packages out of sight, either locked in the trunk or under something in the car. Criminals are more likely to break into a car if they see something of value, the law enforcement officer said.

When parking your car, try to minimize the distance between where you’re parked and where you’re going. That makes you less vulnerable to a potential crime.

When returning to your car, pay attention to where you’re going. Resist the urge to talk on a cell phone or text. Distraction is a criminal’s best friend – and the less observant you are, the more likely you are to become a crime victim, Wilkett said.

When you are approaching your car, be sure to scan underneath it and look inside the car before getting in, to make sure no one is hiding near your car or inside.

Be wary if you see a large panel truck parked next to your vehicle, especially if there’s someone in it and it isn’t moving.

Trust your instincts, the law enforcement officer said.

“There’s a little bell that goes off if things just aren’t right,” he said. Listen to those internal warning signals.

If you have any concerns about your safety, go back to the place where you were and ask for someone on the staff at the shop or restaurant to escort you to your car.

If you’re out shopping at night and you can see in through the shop’s windows, take a look inside. That may prevent you from walking into a robbery in progress.

When shopping, women should carry their handbag in front of them, and men should carry their wallets in the front pocket, he said. Doing so makes them harder to snatch.

Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use credit cards because they can be cancelled if they are lost or stolen.

It’s a good idea to stay in well-lit places and to carry a whistle or a personal alarm, which can be activated when a danger arises.

“Noise is the No. 1 deterrent to a criminal. They don’t like drawing attention,” Wilkett said.

When it comes to holiday shopping, Kevin Jackson, chief investigator for Hillsborough County’s Consumer Protection Agency, had some advice.

If you’re purchasing items on layaway, be sure to understand the store’s policies and pay special attention to any time constraints or minimum payments that must be made.

If you’re doing online shopping, go to the site yourself, don’t just click on one that pops up on your computer. “It could be a fake website,” Jackson warned.

Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, especially of high-end watches, purses and clothing. If something is being offered at bargain basement prices, it may turn out to be counterfeit, instead of the genuine article, he said.

It’s also a good idea to ask about a store’s return policies – whether the store provides a store credit or cash, whether it charges a restocking fee and other limitations.

Stores are supposed to post their return policy. If you don’t see it anywhere, ask someone at the store to show it to you, Jackson said.

Wilkett reminds holiday merrymakers not to drink and drive. Besides watching out for yourself, watch out for your friends, as well, he said.

“Call a taxi. Call a parent. Call a friend. Do what it takes,” he said.

Parents should also remember that if minors to drink on their property, the liability will fall onto them, Wilkett said.

To help prevent underage drinking and prescription drug use, alcohol and medicine cabinets should be locked and an inventory kept of their contents, he said. That’ll help the adults stay on top of what’s happening in their home.

Erik Thomas keeps up family tradition

By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel High junior Erik Thomas learned from a young age his passion is basketball, and it’s a good thing considering the family he was born into.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound forward is younger brother of Sthefany Thomas, who scored a Pasco County girls record 2,563 points while playing at Wesley Chapel. He is also the son of James Thomas, who played forward for two seasons for the Atlanta Hawks.

“Basketball means the world to my family,” Erik said. “My dad played in the NBA and later in Europe and Argentina, and then my sister was a superstar here. Basketball is basically in my blood. As soon as I came into this life I’ve loved basketball.”

Erik can even attribute being born to basketball. James moved to Argentina in order to continue playing professionally. It was in the South American country where he met his wife and Erik’s mother, Fabiana.

“She played basketball and she went to a basketball class that he was teaching,” Erik said. “That’s how they met.”

Erik said his first memory with basketball was at age 3 when he participated in one of his dad’s classes. The family moved to Wesley Chapel when he was 6, where his passion for the game only grew.

“I was always the tallest kid in my class, so I played down low when I was young,” Erik said. “Then in middle school I played point guard.”

It was when Erik was in middle school that Sthefany started to shine on the Wildcats court. The Clemson University graduate plays shooting guard, and Erik said he tried to model his game after the way she played on the perimeter.

“I was at every one of her games,” Erik said. “Everything she did I looked up to her.”

Then Erik started growing to the point where playing guard was basically out of the question.

“I hit my growth spurt in eighth grade,” Erik said. “I actually grew really fast and when it first happened it was really hard to run up and down the court. When I got to Wesley Chapel High School coach (Doug) Greseth got me in shape to play down low, and he also got me bigger and stronger.”

His newly found height forced him to incorporate more of his father’s style of power play in the post into his own game.

Greseth said his ability to play inside and outside makes him a matchup problem for any defender.

“The sky is the limit for him,” Greseth said. He then added, “The one good thing about him is most people think because he’s big, he doesn’t have good hands. He has really good hands. He can catch the ball and pass the ball. He’s got all the tools that a lot of big guys just don’t have. We give him a little bit of freedom on the perimeter, but he’s really hard to handle on the inside.”

Last season Erik put up 15.2 points per game while adding 220 rebounds, 75 assists, 52 steals and 21 blocks.

“He’s a big factor for us,” said senior guard Julian Vann. “He helps us down in the post and gets us on the scoreboard. Hopefully we can feed him the ball more this year and let him show off his size and strength.”

Erik’s efforts made him the All-Laker/All-Lutz News Boys Basketball Player of the Year last season, but he is not satisfied with his game.

“Right now my strength is getting to the basket and drawing contact fouls,” Erik said. “The thing I’m working on getting better at is driving with my left hand and shooting with defense on me. I’ve been spending a lot of time with those two during the offseason.”

Erik said he would like to play basketball at a Division I college, and if a career in the NBA happens it “would be a dream come true.”

Erik and the Wildcats play at Fivay on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

—All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.