Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Straighter roads and easier intersections

By Kyle LoJacono

Those who drive Boyette Road regularly know how dangerous the thin and curved street is, but Pasco County is working to make this and other roads easier and safer for the public.

It is part of a plan by the county commissioners to make such winding roads straight, according to Pasco chief engineer James Widman.
“The commission wants to make the roads safer by straightening roads and intersections like Boyette,” Widman said. “Our engineering study of the area from (2004) showed the S-curve in Boyette to be dangerous and the project is working to create a straighter road for most of the traffic.”
The project will create a new southern starting point for Boyette about 1/4 mile east of the current connection with SR 54. The new road will be called New Boyette Road while the existing street will be Old Boyette Road, according to project manager Andy Alipour.
Boyette will be closed to through traffic until Aug. 15 with drivers being diverted to Wells and Curley roads. Widman said New Boyette will be about 0.3-miles long and will open in September.
“We have to do the project very carefully because there is an isolated wetland area there,” Alipour said. “We had to get approval from (Southwest Florida Water Management District) before we could start the project. It’s being done so water can flow under the road to keep the wetlands intact. The frogs and other animals will be able to cross.”
It was the wetlands that forced the county to build the road with the curve originally.
A stop sign will be placed at the connection of Old and New Boyette roads. Parts of existing Boyette will also have several feet added to its width.
Another change is the stoplight at the current intersection of Boyette and SR 54 will be removed and a new one will be placed where New Boyette connects with the highway once the project is finished.
“The S-curve will still be there, but most of the traffic will use New Boyette,” Widman said. “Most of the people still using Old Boyette will be those living on the road.”
The few businesses on the southern end of Boyette will remain open and accessible during the entirety of the project. One of those is the Wesley Chapel Post Office, which is a contracted unit owned by Kelly Rossi.
“Well I’m not happy about not having a traffic light, but the road will be safer,” Rossi said. “Business was very slow when word started to get out about the project because people thought we were closing, but those phone calls have gone away. Our customers are returning and I want to thank all those people for supporting us.”
Rossi has owned the post office since 1997 when it was located further west on SR 54. It moved to its present location eight years ago.
Rossi herself had taken Boyette south to get to work each day before the project started July 19. She lives in Quail Hollow and the curved road is the fastest way to get to the post office, but she also knows how dangerous Boyette can be.
“There have been a lot of accidents on Boyette,” Rossi said. “My son got into an accident during a rainstorm when he was in a new Mustang. The police and the other driver said he wasn’t speeding, but because of the curves he still hydroplaned into the other car.”
Rossi said her son was not charged with a crime in the accident.
“Things will be safer when the new road is built,” Rossi continued. “Especially when school starts back up because a lot of the kids drive fast through the area. I’m glad the county is working to making road safer.”
School begins Aug. 16 and the road will open so buses can pick up students, according to Alipour. By then much of the work on the curve will be finished and the construction company, Pepper Contracting Services, can focus on building the new road.
Pepper is also doing the project to widen SR 54 and the work on Boyette was part of the $28 million contract from the county.

Uncurling Curley
Just east of Boyette is another intersection that needed improvements — Curley Road and SR 54. That corner is not at a 90-degree angle, but a proposed road would straighten that.
“It will be called South Curley and it will line up with Meadow Pointe Boulevard at a 90 degree angle,” Widman said. “That project will be done by a private developer so no county money will be needed, but the project is not finalized yet.
“When the new road is built, Curley will remain where it is without a stoplight and the new intersection with South Curley will use the light at Meadow Pointe now,” Widman continued. “Curley won’t connect with Wells Road directly anymore because it wouldn’t work with the engineering, but a small road will connect it with the new road for those who still want to drive on Curley.”
The distance from the existing Curley and Meadow Pointe is more than a mile drive on SR 54. Widman said there is no timeline for the South Curley project.

Walk/run celebrates opening of SR 56 extension

By Maggie Schiller

To celebrate the long-awaited opening of the SR 56 extension, Wiregrass Ranch and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce held a celebratory Walk/Run on Saturday, July 31.
Despite the sweltering heat, nearly 400 community members, along with several local businesses came out to support the cause.

“This is the day that many people thought would never come,” said David West, executive director of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. “Many people built their houses expecting this road to come through and make it convenient to get to their home. It has been delayed quite awhile, but I am glad so many people came out to witness and actually see the barricades removed and the road actually opened for traffic.”
The walk/run was a four-mile loop, with an optional two and one mile loop, beginning at the intersection of Mansfield Boulevard and the new extension of SR 56.
Kurt Stone, 8, who ran alongside his brother, Evan Stone, 10, said the run was a lot of fun.
“It was hot and sweaty,” he said. “But I made it.”
Two weeks ago, the event was merely a ribbon cutting ceremony, but thanks to the help of J.D. Porter, one of the developers of Wiregrass Ranch, it took on a whole new life.
“It started off just as a ribbon cutting but Porter called the chamber of commerce and asked us to get involved in making it an event, so we began to bring in the walk/run and the food vendors and then really tried to help the members of the chamber who are suffering through July and August,” West said.
Porter said that the completion of the project is godsend for anybody living in the Wesley Chapel area.
“Basically the way we are looking at it is that it is a gateway that has opened up a lot more business opportunities, a lot more traction opportunities and a lot more things the community has been screaming for,” he said. “A lot more things that Wesley Chapel people have been wanting we are going to provide off of a major highway. It kind of opens up everything that has been back here for so long.”
Alexandra Williamson, from Meadow Pointe, ran in the event with her husband and said she thinks SR 56 will do many positive things for the community.
“For one it alleviates all the traffic, especially with all the construction that is going on at Bruce B. Downs, so this is going to be a big plus just with the shortcut going through Meadow Pointe,” she said. “Plus all the nice walkways that they have along the road brings people out on long walks, more bike riding. Just for that aspect of it I love it.”
The road will alleviate traffic along construction-heavy SR 54 and cut miles off the drive from locations such as deep inside Meadow Pointe.
“I drive to work downtown and I currently live on the northeast side of Meadow Pointe, so I take 54 which is currently under construction and sometimes it takes about 15 to 20 minutes just to get to the interstate,” said Michael Ruiz. “I can take this road which cuts in through Meadow Pointe over to the interstate 75 and it should cut my time back a lot.”
Eventually, SR 56 is expected to continue east to US 301 in Zephyrhills.
But even now, this new extension makes a huge difference, said County Commissioner Pat Mulieri.
“Our motto is bringing opportunities home,” she said. “It is going to bring more things in and roads are extremely important for an industry. I just say hallelujah this road is opening.”

Trend in healthcare trades sterile look for friendlier feel

By Kyle LoJacono

Many area hospitals are changing the traditional, institutional look for one many might mistake for an upscale hotel.
During the last few years both Pasco Regional Medical Center and Florida Hospital Zephyrhills have had portions of the facilities updated with the new style. The Wesley Chapel Medical Center will break ground this summer and will also use the new trend in its blueprints and James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital is doing the same with its renovations.
FLORIDA HOSPITAL ZEPHYRHILLS
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills completed renovations of 96 general medical rooms in January, adding a home-like element to the facility.
“I wouldn’t say it’s like a hotel, but more of a homey look,” said Florida Hospital Zephyrhills president and CEO John Harding. “… When we remodeled the rooms we put in simulated wood floors and a new color scheme. We’ve used more Florida colors — lots of yellows and greens.
The simulated wood prevents the growth of microorganisms.
“We also made its so the rooms are a lot brighter and airy to improve the healing environment,” Harding said. “Also, the safety of our patients is one of the most important things so we wanted to make sure everything felt very clean while making it feel more like a home.”
The renovations were done to the second and third floors and included adding new artwork while things like trashcans were also hidden from patients’ view. The halls and nurses stations were also remolded in a similar fashion.
“I think the hospital was always nice, but now it’s even better to look at from the inside,” Harding said. “But it’s not what I think that matters, it’s what our patients and the staff think and they love it. When the patients have a bright and airy environment they can heal better and faster.”
Harding would not elaborate on how much the improvements cost, but said they tried to balance the fact that the hospital is a nonprofit facility while giving patients attractive rooms.
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is located at 7050 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills.
PASCO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Pasco Regional joined the trend in November 2007 when all of its birthing, or obstetrics, facilities were remodeled. That includes five labor and delivery and six postpartum suites.

“These rooms feature all the comforts of home, such as beautiful faux hardwood floors, plantation shutters, a glider rocking chair and a comfortable sleep chair for guests,” said Katie Bryant, hospital spokeswoman.
The walls are a mint hue with soft wall lighting. Flat panel televisions provide cable service and telephones are located at each bedside.”
Paintings and other pieces of art are placed in the room to hide some of the medical equipment. Also every mom is given a gift basket for her stay that has baby blankets, baby clothes, a robe and slippers.
The fathers are also part of this process. During the mother’s stay, fathers are provided with three meals a day and a chair that folds out into a bed. The parents also receive a celebratory meal after their baby arrives.
“All of these little details are just part of the broader picture of making both parents comfortable during the delivery process,” Bryant said.
“Pasco Regional has adopted a plan to apply a more home-like environment to all current and future renovations,” Bryant continued. “Based on the increasing number of births each year, an expansion of the unit was planned.”
Bryant also said any future projects will use this concept, such as the hospital’s emergency room expansion that will start in September and the waiting rooms and main lobby renovations are set to start in 2011.
Pasco Regional is located at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City.
WESLEY CHAPEL MEDICAL CENTER
Construction on the Wesley Chapel Medical Center will begin later this summer and will use evidence-based design from start to finish.
The facility is a joint venture of Adventist Health System and University Community Health (UCH). The Adventists use the Florida Hospital name, which includes Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.
Jan Baskin, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills assistant vice president of marketing, said it will use natural elements to enhance the healing process.
“We will have healing gardens and it will be built to allow as much light as possible to enter the hospital,” Baskin previously said. “… It will be a beautiful facility.”
Once completed, the facility will have 80 beds and offer obstetrics, pediatrics, women’s and men’s services, general surgery, an emergency department with helicopter pad, a comprehensive medical fitness program, orthopedics and sports medicine.
The hospital will be located one half-mile north of SR 56 and the Shops at Wiregrass on the east side of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and will take 18 months to complete. The original plans are for the facility to cost $121 million, but that number could change.

JAMES A. HALEY VETERANS’ HOSPITAL
The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital recently started a three-year expansion project. While much of the work is to expand the hospital’s capacity and renovate the facility, evidence-based design is also part of the plan.
The project, which costs $22 million, will add 56 private rooms that will allow relatives to stay with the patients. All the rooms will be in groups of six so patients and relatives have access to a family living room, a kitchen and a laundry room.
These additions will let families stay closer to those in the hospital.
“Many of the wounded are just waking up from having severe trauma and having loved ones there, they tell me, is like being home,” said Steven Scott, the hospital’s medical director at the polytrauma rehabilitation center. “… The most important part of rehabilitation is having family there.”
The project will be completed in three parts, which will include adding 178,000 square feet to the hospital and renovating the spinal cord injury center and therapy pool.
The hospital is located 13000 at Bruce B. Downs Blvd. near the University of South Florida. It also has an out patient clinic at 6937 Medical View Lane in Zephyrhills.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Four women business owners have come together in Wesley Chapel to help men and women get healthy from head to toe.
Facials by Judy, Inc., Nails by Donna, Inc., Star’s Organic Spa and A Focus on Fitness have all teamed up under one roof to provide a place where clients can get their hair and nails done, their skin taken care, work out with a personal trainer and lose weight.

Star’s Organic Spa Group, 2136 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, opened at the end of June. Star Ryan and Donna Guillaume have both been in their professions for almost 37 years. Kelly Mothershead has been a personal trainer for 12 years and Judy Matheson has been a licensed aesthetician for seven years.
Guillaume and Matheson have known each other for seven years and Ryan has known them both for three years. Mothershead just recently met all three ladies. They searched for a place for months before finding the place in Wesley Chapel.
“When Star and I met at a networking meeting, I was a personal trainer meeting with people in their homes,” Mothershead said. “I was looking for a place. Star suggested we all go and look together. We figured it would be more cost effective if we all shared a place.”
Ryan said the thing that sets her apart from other salons is her use of organic products. She said the color is not only better for the client it is also longer lasting. Another advantage is if a woman is pregnant, she can still get color and highlights because there are no fumes.
“I use organic color with no ammonia in the developer or the color,” Ryan said. “I do it because it is healthier for me and my clients. There is no smell. I switched because I learned that other dyes that are not organic have been linked to breast cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and bladder cancer.”
Having no fumes is helpful to Mothershead’s business. She said she would not be able to have personal training sessions in the spa if there were fumes.
Mothershead helps people with weight loss solutions through the Ideal Protein program.
“The Ideal Protein program was developed to help people lose weight but not lose muscle mass,” Mothershead said. “There is no MSG, GMOs and it is gluten free. All of my female weight loss clients lose from three to five pounds a week and all of my male clients lose from five to seven pounds a week.”
Mothershead said she is a breast cancer recovery exercise specialist as well as a kickbox instructor in addition to being a personal trainer.
“I have been a training coach for the three day walk since 2004,” Mothershead said. “I have been doing the walk for years. It is a lot of hard work to walk 60 miles in three days, but it is absolutely worth it. Being able to help just a little bit is totally worth all the pain.”
Matheson said she wants to help her clients have beautiful healthy skin, which is why she carries the Sanitas line of products. The products are for corrective skin care that helps to correct issues like acne, hyper pigmentation and dehydration.
Matheson also offers facials, waxing, micro-dermabrasions and glycolic peels.
“It is a biogenic skin care product line with ingredients that are naturally found in the skin,” Matheson said. “I have found that it causes less irritation and allergic skin reactions. It is also a kosher line with no animal byproducts and no animal testing. Everything is natural and there are even vitamin supplements because the pharmacist who created it believes in beauty inside and out.”
Guillaume said along with giving pedicures and manicures in a beautiful, relaxed space, she also cares about her clients. She said she wants her clients to have natural beautiful nails.

“This is not some place where you just take a number and someone does your nails,” Guillaume said. “I have a relaxing, private room where I give personal treatment. I am also very clean. I make sure everything is sterilized between each person. I don’t just have clients, everyone turns into friends.”
For more information about the spa, call (813) 973-8787.
“We roll out the red carpet for our clients,” Ryan said. “When they walk through our door, they become our stars.”

Organic Spa Group raises money for Susan G. Komen
Star’s Organic Spa Group, 2136 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, opened at the end of June. The owners of the businesses, Star Ryan, Kelly Mothershead, Judy Matheson and Donna Guillaume, will have a grand opening and fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 featuring organic wine tasting, live music, food and vendors offering jewelry, makeovers and more.
“It is just a little thing we can do to help,” Mothershead said. “That is something we all have in common that we try to make our clients healthy inside and out from head to toe. We also want to make sure all of our clients feel comfortable and special. It is nice to have all of these services in one place so people don’t have to drive from one place to another.”
There will also be a balloon pop to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The cost will be $10 for a balloon. The balloon will have a number in it corresponding to a prize. All prizes have been donated by local businesses like the Rays tickets, the Lancaster wallet with a real diamond, jewelry, makeup and travel bags.
The spa is seeking donations of food, drink and prizes for the balloon pop. For more information, call (813) 973-8787.

By Suzanne Schmidt

In many classrooms, students are using computers more and more for their homework and for assignments.
For many students that is not a problem since most have computers at home. Those who do not have a computer can receive help from a nonprofit run by bikers.

Land O’ Lakes resident Greg Reaster, director of operations for B.I.K.E.R.S.C.A.P., said he started the nonprofit to help children become better students. B.I.K.E.R.S.C.A.P. stands for Building Intellect Knowledge Education Resources & Schooling with a Computer Acquisition Program.
“The primary thing is to get the computers into the hands of kids who need them,” Reaster said. “We help the kids whose moms and dads don’t have a way to get one. It is not about us, it is about the kids. We have to help them with their education.”
Many of the applications Reaster receives are from people in Hillsborough County. Reaster said he wants to get applications from Pasco so he can help people locally.
Reaster started the nonprofit in 2001 after learning how to fix and refurbish computers.
“I ended up with a bunch of computers,” Reaster said. “My buddies and I decided that I should give them away.”
Reaster has been able to keep the nonprofit going through donations from bikers and by getting old computers and computer parts from companies and people who upgrade.
“We are not funded; every dollar we get comes from bikers,” Reaster said. “The organization is 100 percent volunteer run. All of the money raised and donations we get go to our mission.”
Children only get a refurbished computer from the nonprofit if they fit into a certain criteria, but Reaster said he also likes to look at each case on an individual basis.
“We have to have a referral agency,” Reaster said. “We will call the school and get the student’s grades. We investigate every application because we want to see how we can help. We only have a certain amount of computers that we can put out there so we try to make sure that we are helping the kids that truly need it.”
Each computer comes with basic software donated by Microsoft. For children with special needs, Reaster said he can load special software on the computer.
“We have to pay for postage,” Reaster said. “We put basic operating software on the computers so they can learn the basics. Our target is to give computers to middle school and high school students, but we will also give computers to the younger kids.”
Shirley Maggiacomo of Tampa said she has been a volunteer with the nonprofit for three years helping to find computers and to find children in need.
“So many kids need computers and can’t get them,” Maggiacomo said. “We are helping the kids who would not have the opportunity to get the advantage a computer gives them. These kids can’t get a computer without help. I also think it is a great because it is a way to utilize old computers.”
Maggiacomo said she was able to see firsthand what getting a computer does for kids.
“I was able to help two kids who needed a computer,” Maggiacomo said. “They were so excited to get a computer that they couldn’t stop smiling.
She said she thinks it is important for students to get computers because every job is leaning towards having computer skills.
“If they don’t know how to use technology, then they won’t be able to get a job,” Maggiacomo said. “You have to be able to understand how to use the computer to get a job. It is also great for research because there is so much information they can find.”
Even though the organization has a place to download the application on their site, Reaster said he prefers for people to print one out and mail it to the P.O. Box 2744, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639.
The nonprofit is also in need of monetary donations and computers. The organization also does computer repair work for people for a donation.
For more information, visit www.bikerscap.org.

By Karen Rodriguez

The three golden words “Vaso De Unicion” displayed on a blue background with black shadow cutouts of people outlining the edge of the display, sets up the atmosphere of unity that one feels when they enter Iglesia Cristiana Casa del Alfarero.
Monday, Aug. 2 marked the one-year anniversary since the church opened its doors with a mission to spread the word of God in the Lutz community.

It began with about three families and has now multiplied in the past year to about eight or 10.
“Rev. Lugo and his wife one day realized that many of his friends were traveling at least 45 minutes to Tampa to go to church,” said Kelly Torres, deacon of the church. “So he began to have meetings at his house until he decided to gather everyone together and open a church of his own here in Lutz.”
This church is small and feels like one big family. Newcomers stick out like a sore thumb and are welcomed with a friendly “God bless you” by every church member.
“We have people from different faiths and backgrounds come and worship,” said the Rev. Mario T. Lugo. “As long as you embrace the word of God, anyone is welcome.”
The church is formally known as Pentecostal.
Lenny Morrero, 23, started to attend this church four months ago and fell in love with the atmosphere and attitude of the church. “I started coming only on Sundays and now I go to every service and event,” he said. “ I like that I wasn’t pressured to love God.  The people here made me comfortable.”
Joanna Robles, a teacher of the youth and missionary programs, is among the first group of people who helped Lugo found the church.
“He (Rev. Lugo) came to my husband and I with a vision, and so here we are making his vision come true,” she said.
This vision is to preach the word of God based on the Bible in a tight-knit community.
“As a church we direct a lot of our energy towards helping people,” Lugo said. “However, because we are so small we are limited on the way we help our community. So we do small things such as translate legal documents and I notarize documents for those who need it.”
The size, however, does not deter the impact the church has on its members and surrounding community.
“Last Sunday we had a youth revival where we went around the Lutz area giving out free bottles of water and business cards letting people know we exist,” Morrero said. “I felt so good and impacted by this act of good we were doing for the community.”
Even 9-year-old Yessenia Gomez feels the impact of the church in her life.
“I get to learn about God here and show off to him. I also like that I can sing and dance,” she giggled.
The church has ministries for children, teenagers, adults, missions, Christian education and music. It is also bilingual with sermons in both Spanish and English. And it provides live stream videos of the sermons on its website, www.iglesiacasadelalfarero.net.
Iglesia Cristiana Casa del Alfarero
24156 SR 54, Suite 2, Lutz
Translation: Potter’s House Christian Church

Services: Sunday, 2 p.m.
Bible Study: Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Ministries: Friday 7:30 p.m.

Online: www.iglesiacasadelalfarero.net.

By Jake Bittle

Thousands of cars trundle down its lanes every day. Almost anyone who lives in the area can recognize its multicolored strip malls and wide gray berth instantly. But, however busy Dale Mabry Highway is, a majority of Lutz residents don’t know who Dale Mabry actually was.
Cynthia Lamb, a resident of Heritage Harbor, has lived in the Tampa area for 12 years, and says she uses the highway at least four times a day. “All I know is he was an aviator,” Lamb said when asked what she knew about the man behind the road.
Another resident of Lutz, Beth Robinson, is not familiar with the story of Dale Mabry. Robinson said that she knows very little to nothing at all about the street’s history. A Lutz resident since 1984, she uses Dale Mabry, “Every day, several times a day.”
So just who was Dale Mabry?
The highway’s namesake was a U.S. Army captain from Florida born in 1891. Mabry also piloted airships for the Army. He was on a test flight for a recently constructed army dirigible, the Roma, on Feb. 21, 1922. While flying above Norfolk, Va., the craft lost control and crashed into electrical wires, bursting into flames, according to an old Virginia newspaper called the Langley Field Times. Mabry was killed, along with 33 other people. Eight more were injured, and only three escaped unscathed.
The reason behind the crash is still not certain, but it is believed that the box rudder system (a mechanism that allowed the airship to move sharply) encountered some severe problems. The Roma was the last hydrogen-using aircraft that the Army used; every airship from then on was powered by helium. The failure of the Roma was the largest aeronautical disaster in the history of America up to that date.
The highway was named in memoriam of Capt. Mabry when it opened in 1943 during World War II. The original purpose of the road was to serve as a connector between MacDill Air Force Base in the south and Drew Field in the north. Years after World War II ended, Drew Field would go on to grow into what is now known as Tampa International Airport. Years later, Dale Mabry Highway was extended until it stretched to its current northern end point at US 41 in Pasco County, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Dale Mabry features all the typical characteristics of a road set in an area of suburban retail sprawl. It has traffic lights hung on wires rather than the more advanced metal mast method, exposed drainage, and in most sections no sidewalks. For these reasons, a group of New Urbanists nominated Dale Mabry Highway as an honorable mention in a selection of “The Worst Streets in North America.” New Urbanism is a movement towards people-friendly streets and walkable neighborhoods.
In addition to the highway, Dale Mabry Municipal Airport in Tallahassee (the first built in the city) and Dale Mabry Elementary School in nearby Tampa are also named to honor the demise of Capt. Mabry.

Have a suggestion for a historic name we should profile in a future issue? E-mail it to .