Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Zack Peterson

Last year, Michael Davis had a vision of a place where the community could have something active to do. His vision culminated in X-treme Indoors, the newest activities center in Wesley Chapel.

Along with two others, fellow neighborhood friends Glen Samuels and Jermaine Perkins, Davis opened X-treme Indoors on May 9.

“It took us about a month and a half to build,” Davis said. “But we’d been thinking about the concept for about a year.”

Davis explained that he, Samuels, and Perkins all live in the neighborhood and have little ones.

“There’s typically nothing to do in the area but go to the movies or travel elsewhere to do something,” Davis said. “We built what we think is something good for the community.”

Now that it’s completed and open for business, X-treme Indoors offers a variety of activities.

Upon first entering the building, adventure seekers will see the batting cages that allow both baseball and softball players to practice their hitting.

“The speeds go as low as 20 miles an hour and as high as 85 to 90 miles an hour,” Davis said. “It accommodates for all skill levels starting with Little League and traveling all the way up to semi-pro ball.”

Where X-treme Indoors takes a turn is with its state-of-the-art racing simulators.

“We were looking to do a different venture with our project, saw a racing simulator at a trade show and thought it would go over well,” Davis said.

The racing simulators are single seating race cars that plant the driver in a virtual setting where they can race other opponents or friends.

But according to Davis, they can offer another dimension of game play.

“The race simulators allow you to race against someone with you or with others elsewhere across the country,” Davis said.

Wired to the Internet, the simulators allow for global game play. Someone may just be sitting in X-treme Indoors, but in the simulator they’re the driver of an Indy car, a stock car or Rally Racing, a form of auto racing that spawns over a large course with multiple checkpoints instead of a traditional circuit-style race.

Someday, Davis and his business partners also want to see X-treme Indoors serving as something more than just game play, something inspiring even.

“Honestly, most business people will tell you that they want to make a lot of money. We’d like to do the same and survive the economic crisis,” Davis said. “But it’d be real nice if one day we hear someone say to a camera, ‘ the time I spent in the cages at X-treme Indoors really helped my career.’ With the racing simulators I’d like it to be an activity where people get other people to do virtual racing as a big friendly, family activity.”

“In a way, I’d like to give back to the community through this.”

For those interested in the activities at X-treme Indoors, prices are set according to the blocks of time that can be spent on either virtual racing or in the batting cages. The batting cages are measured in 15-, 30- and 60-minute time blocks starting at $15 and ranging up to $50. Virtual racing is measured in the same increments at $8 to $29.

Discounts are available for customers who become members of the organization.

For more information, call X-treme Indoors at (813) 929-7254.

 

X-treme Indoors

27233 SR 56, Wesley Chapel

Monday through Thursday 2-10 p.m.

Friday 2-11 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

Even though only $950,000 of the $615 million vetoed from Florida’s budget by Gov. Rick Scott was from Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), it came as a shock to the organization.

The portion of the budget cuts could be crushing for the regional board, which has had an annual budget of $1.75 million since it was established in 2007 by the state Legislature. It was created to plan transportation strategies for the seven counties that make up the Tampa Bay area, which includes both Pasco and Hillsborough.

“The transportation needs of the region have not changed; traffic congestion has not diminished,” TBARTA officials said in a statement responding to the cut. “We need a vision for the long term and solutions for the short term.”

TBARTA spokeswoman Amy Ellis added, “Our funding and revenue vary year to year and some are multi-year contracts. Other dollars may make up the shortfall. It’s too early to know. We are still reviewing and will budget accordingly.”

TBARTA has yet to release its own budget, but one would have to be in place by the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Ellis said TBARTA members are using information gathered during six recent telephone town hall meetings, which drew involvement from 60,000 people.

Pasco Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand is her county’s representative on TBARTA’s board and was disappointed with the cut.

“I think we’ve done a lot with the small budget we had,” Hildebrand said. “We’ll continue to do everything we can with the money we have for the growing region.”

TBARTA estimations show traffic congestion is expected to double by 2035 in its region and triple by 2050.

TBARTA currently has a staff of 13. Of those positions, three are vacant. It oversee the planning and operations of the Bay Area Commuter Services, a ride matching program including car and van-pooling alternatives in TBARTA’s five northern counties.

For more information on TBARTA or to read its entire response to the budget cut, visit www.tbarta.com.

By Kyle LoJacono

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader is seeking his fourth term on the board after filing the necessary paperwork earlier this month.

Schrader, 55, said it will be the last time he runs for the post. He filed to end rumors he would seek another political office, such as the Florida House seat currently occupied by Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, which will be open in two years.

“I wanted to dispel any notion that I’d be running for another political office,” Schrader said. “It’s not my desire to go to Tallahassee. My focus is to continue to provide quality representation to the citizens of Pasco County.”

Schrader is the representative for Pasco District 1, which represents all or portions of Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, San Antonio, Saint Leo and Lacoochee. It is the biggest of the county’s five districts in terms of landmass.

Fellow county Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who represents most of central Pasco and portions of Wesley Chapel within District 2, is pleased Schrader decided to run again.

“Ted is a thoughtful hard working commissioner,” Mulieri said. “I believe we have a good board now with him on it.”

Mulieri has been on the commission the last 17 years, which includes all three of Schrader’s terms.

Schrader, a Republican, is also a citrus grower and Realtor. He first ran for the District 1 spot in 2000. No one ran against him when he was elected. He defeated San Antonio developer John Nicolette in the 2008 Republican primary en route to earning his third term.

His family has a long history in Pasco’s politics as his grandfather, Arthur Schrader, served as the District 1 commissioner for more than 20 years.

Schrader said he won’t serve as long as his grandfather, promising that his fourth term would be his last.

“I’ve always thought that politicians shouldn’t have everlasting careers,” Schrader said. “If I win, that will be enough for me. There are other things I want to do and it will give someone else the opportunity.”

By B.C. Manion

When Lorraine Dabney joined the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club about four decades ago, she had two goals.

She wanted to meet new friends and she wanted to volunteer.

She had just moved to Florida from Tennessee, her children were grown and she had extra time on her hands.

“One of my neighbors invited me to come to a club meeting and I was hooked,” said the 79-year-old Land O’ Lakes woman who is the club’s longest active member.

Through four decades, Dabney has served the club in a multitude of roles, including president. This year, as the club celebrates its 50^th anniversary, she received its coveted honor of Woman of the Year.

“I was kind of surprised,” said Dabney, who has a warm and humble way about her.

“I knew I had been nominated,” she said. But she didn’t think she would win.

“I’m still active in the club, but nowhere near where I used to be because of physical limitations,” she said.

Typically, the award goes to someone who has been extremely active in the immediate past year, Dabney said.

She should know. She’s seen lots of club members come and go. The honor is awarded just once a year and a member can win it just one time.

After she won, Dabney said, “Several people said, “Well, I thought you’d already been the Woman of the Year,” Dabney said.

Dabney deserves the distinction, said club president Edwina Kraemer.

“Lorraine was selected for her years of faithful duty. She was a chair on almost every committee. She has been so active,” Kraemer said.

To even qualify for consideration, members must exhibit extensive leadership and longevity in the club, Kraemer said.

Dabney, who was born in Alabama, exudes grace and goodwill, Kraemer said.

“She’s just a genteel Southern lady. With that charisma, she has increased our membership. She’s increased cooperation. She is the epitome of what a leader should be,” Kraemer said.

She is also outgoing and fun, Kraemer said.

Dabney said she subscribes to a philosophy that she believes is shared by fellow club members: “We know that beating people over the head doesn’t work. You almost have to love people into doing things. I think when people know that you really care about them and what is happening in their lives, then they recognize you as a good force, not something to fight against,” Dabney said.

The group enjoys a sterling reputation for its long history of community service.

It’s a reputation that the club has earned, Dabney said. “I think we’re proud of it, but we’re not resting on our laurels.”

Every summer the group has a planning meeting to evaluate what it is doing and to decide if they want to continue specific efforts or let them go, Dabney said.

During her time with the club, Dabney said the total number of members hasn’t changed, but its outreach efforts have expanded enormously.

In the beginning, the club helped a few community groups. Now, it helps numerous community organizations and causes beyond the communities of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

Helping others goes beyond pitching in at events. The club also must raise money so it can provide financial help to the groups it supports.

“I think one of the coolest things that we do is we sponsor the big art show that we do in December in Lake Park. That is one of our biggest fundraisers,” Dabney said.

Another cause, one of Dabney’s favorites, is providing canine companions for people who need service dogs.

The club began buying puppies for that program about a quarter-century ago, when Dabney was the chairwoman of the club’s Home Life committee.

“I ran into a young man at Kash n’ Karry who had his service dog. Being a nosy person, I went up to him and I said, ‘Our state (organization) has canine companions as one of our projects. Tell me a little about it.’

“He was a quadriplegic. He’d broken his neck on his honeymoon. We became friends. He came to our club and had his dog demonstrate his skills and the woman’s club became totally enamored of canine companions.”

Ever since then, the club has provided money to purchase a puppy each year. The dogs are then trained by an organization that provides them to people in need.

“Another thing we do is scholarships. These are not only for high school seniors but also women who are returning to the workforce,” she said.

The club also works to raise awareness to prevent spouse abuse, Dabney said, noting that such abuse is on the rise during these difficult economic times.

Dabney said helping others has helped her, too.

“I feel like I’ve grown as a person. I think that I’ve touched lives,” she said.

Club members also provide a huge support network for one another, during their times of need.

“I had the experience of losing my son (Kennon Dabney) last year and if it had not been for the members of this club and Women of Faith at my church, I don’t know what I would have done,” Dabney said.

“They hosted a marvelous reception at his memorial and there must have been 150 people there. My son didn’t even live in Tampa. He lived in Bradenton. So I think that’s testimony to their heart.”

Her son died of lung cancer. He was just 54.

“The one good thing that came of his death is that everyone in my family who were smokers, quit. So good did come of it. I’m a firm believer that God brings good out of tragedy.”

Dabney said the woman’s club gives women a chance to work together collectively for the good of the community.

“I think the most important thing that anybody can think is: ‘What kind of an imprint am I going to leave when I’m gone?”

“Will I really make a difference, not only in my family’s life, but in my neighbor’s, my community, my state? So many tend to think, Well, I’m only one person. I can’t do anything.

The woman’s club offers individual women a venue for coming together to become an incredible force for good, Dabney said.

“We’re part of the largest international women’s club in the world. So we wield a lot of power. We can bring about change.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Drivers who frequent the I-75/I-275 split at the Hillsborough/Pasco county line have seen the beginning of the multi-stage, multi-million dollar project to widen the interstates.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is expanding the roadways from Bearss Avenue in Hillsborough to the Pasco/Hernando county line north of SR 52. Expected completion is 2015.

The overall idea to widen the interstates will relieve high traffic volume due to increasing population in northern Hillsborough and central and east Pasco counties.

“It’s been on the radar for a while,” said John McShaffrey, FDOT Public Information Officer. “The Tampa interstate study goes back to the 1980s. It wasn’t needed back then, but they could see there’d be a need for a widening in the future.”

FDOT statistics from 2010 show that as many as 75,550 vehicles drive on the two interstates through the project zone.

“The interstate is being widened according to the master plan for the interstate system in the Tampa Bay area, which calls for at least three lanes in each direction to reduce congestion and improve safety,” McShaffrey said. “Finishing this section will complete I-275 widening north of downtown and will also work in conjunction with the coming widening of I-75.”

The southern end of the project is already underway. It started in fall 2009 and includes improvements to the SR 56 exit ramps from both I-275 and I-75. That portion comes with a $29.9 million price tag and is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2015.

Additionally, construction crews began the $20.5 million widening of I-275 from Bearss to where it splits with I-75 from four to six lanes, a stretch of 5.7 miles. New lanes will not be added in the 2.3-mile stretch where the Hillsborough and southern-most Pasco projects meet.

“In that location the new exit ramps are very long and will act as the widened lanes,” McShaffrey said.

The remaining widening in Pasco is not yet fully funded and parts are still about a year from starting, but FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said it will happen.

The first step is to take the 4.3-mile stretch of I-75 from just south of SR 56 to north of SR 54 from four to eight lanes at a cost of $22.5 million. That job is fully funded and began in March. It will also improve drainage and add overhead signage and high-mast lighting. There will be periodic lane closures from 8 p.m.-5 a.m.

The project will be complicated near the Tampa North Aero Park in Wesley Chapel, as that facility is very close to the existing lanes. The new roadway will shift slightly east, which will avoid the small airport and reduced the price of right-of-way land purchase.

The widening from SR 56 to SR 54 is scheduled for completion by fall 2012, but McShaffrey said the job is well ahead of that pace.

“It is likely this project will finish around eight months ahead of schedule,” McShaffrey said.

The next step is to take I-75 from four to six lanes from SR 54 to north of SR 52, a stretch of about 16 miles. It will also include resurfacing the existing lanes, lengthening of the interstate’s bridge over SR 52 to accommodate the state road’s future widening and building a new loop ramp to allow more drivers facing west on SR 52 to enter I-75.

Very little of the SR 54 to SR 52 widening is funded, with only $6 million allocated toward funding.

The northern portion will expand I-75 from four to six lanes from just north of SR 52 to the Hernando County Line, a distance of about 10 miles. FDOT has allocated $13.8 million for right-of-way land purchases and $3.3 million for design, but the actual construction is not yet funded.

 

Steinbrenner flag football, boys track also impress

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner High athletic department is fast becoming a powerhouse both on the field and in the classroom.

That is illustrated by the Warriors capturing the 2011 Vernon Korhn Award, given annually by the Hillsborough Athletic Department to the top school. County athletic director Lanness Robinson said the judges factor in academic achievement, athletic success and sportsmanship.

“We had the third highest overall GPA for our athletes the whole year,” said Steinbrenner athletic director Eddie Henderson. “We also had our girls soccer team win a state championship, a girls track athlete (Alexis Wright) win an individual state title and our boys cross country team was state runner-up, but what pushed us over the edge was we had no coach or student ejected from a competition this year.”

Henderson said there was one ejection to a player in 2009-10; one too many for his tastes.

“The school district had a positive coach’s alliance training before the school year,” Henderson said. “Myself and Principal (Brenda) Grasso attended that and we put the word out to the coaches. We stressed class on the field.”

In addition to the sportsmanship and state championships, the Warriors also scored big by winning seven team district championships and finishing as district runner-up in five sports this school year.

Two of the Warriors spring sports teams also received top academics honors.

Steinbrenner’s flag football team’s 3.460 and boys track and field’s 3.385 were the highest combined GPA of any other county program. It is the first time any Warriors team has received the award in the school’s two-year history.

“It’s a great honor and I’m very pleased that two of our teams placed so high academically,” Henderson said. “Our football team finished second in the fall to Plant, but this is the first time we’ve been first.”

Warriors flag football coach Jennifer Graham said her team had study hall every game day, twice a week during the season.

“We’d have our pregame meal and then quiet study hall,” Graham said. “That means no cellphones or iPods with books out. My thought was even if you don’t have any assignments due, you can study.”

She gave credit to math teacher Marie Puskas and science teachers Gregory Puskas and Cathy Tintera for helping students during study hall.

“They were a big help and so were the older girls on the team,” Graham said. “They would take the younger girls under their wing and help them with anything they needed for school. They have been very self motivated, but the great thing is we have very strong athletic programs at Steinbrenner. That’s a carrot for the players because they know if they struggle in the classroom, there is someone just as good who could replace them. It keeps them focused.”

Graham was a volleyball assistant for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was recently named the program’s head coach. She said the study hall policy is the same for the fall sport.

“A lot of the kids talk about playing in college, but 99 percent of them won’t get that chance, so we make sure they know how important grades are,” Graham said. “That’s something that our administration has stressed since the school opened.”

One of the leaders on Graham’s squad this year was junior defensive back Cary Anne Bame, who was also the volleyball team’s libero. She had never played flag football before this season, but recorded 27 flag pulls, 13 interceptions and six passes defensed. She was named to the All-Laker/All-Lutz News flag football and All-Western Conference first team for her efforts.

Bame was also a standout in the classroom, posting a 5.48 weighted grade point average, the fourth highest at Steinbrenner through her first five semesters. Graham said she remembers seeing Bame pulling out flash cards during water breaks in the volleyball season to grab a little more study time.

“We weren’t shocked we won because of the work we put in, but we were all excited too,” Bame said. She then added. “It was more about setting a good example for the younger girls. The other thing is there is a lot of competition to be a good student at Steinbrenner. The top five kids in the class all know it and want to stay there.”

Newsome also took home two team academic awards, in baseball and girls track and field, while Plant has the top overall GPA for the entire year.

“We had some friendly competition going with Newsome and Plant,” Henderson said.

Hillsborough School Board members and Superintendent MaryEllen Elia attended the award ceremony and Henderson said that made the event even more special for Steinbrenner’s student-athletes.

“It showed them they care about athletics,” Henderson said. “They have a lot to take care of at the end of the school year, and for them to take time out of their day to support the student-athletes was a treat.”

For more information on the Hillsborough awards or the county’s athletic department, visit athletics.mysdhc.org.