Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

The recession has created budget shortfalls at every level, but road construction projects continue to be funded and move forward in east Pasco County.

The Pasco County Commission is expected to approve the low-bid contract of $22 million to widen SR 54 to six lanes form I-75 to Curley Road in Wesley Chapel on March 16.

“Pepper Contracting Services, which is based in Clearwater, had the lowest bid for the project at just more than $22 million,” said Pasco chief project manager Robert Shepherd. “They will get the project because they passed all of our background checks and were the lowest bidder. The project will add the lanes to 3.47 miles of (SR) 54.”

Shepherd said construction would likely begin April 5 and could take 21 months to complete.

“We need to keep building, especially new roads because the population in east Pasco is still growing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader. “We sometimes get complaints sometimes from the people who drive the roads every day and want road projects completed faster. They don’t understand how much goes into a project. A lot happens behind the scenes to start a project.”

Schrader is from Pasco District 1, which covers all of Zephyrhills, Dade City, much of Wesley Chapel and some of northern Land O’ Lakes.

SR 54 is already four lanes at the western end of the project zone, but the road shrinks to two lanes at Pointe Pleasant Boulevard near Heritage Ford.

Schrader said the county had already purchased the land needed for the expansion and many of the affected businesses have relocated within Pasco. The construction that is currently happening on SR 54 is on utilities in preparation for the widening.

There are several steps before a county project can begin. The job is first advertised for at least 30 days and bids are then evaluated. The lowest bidder wins the contract unless they have something that disqualifies them.

“Companies can be disqualified if they have a history of not completing projects or other similar red flags,” Shepherd said. “The county has attorneys look at the bids also to make sure the math is correct and everything is as it should be. Basically it’s to insure the company can finish the project.”

The last steps are the contract is awarded and the winning company has to then get bonded and insured to protect the public’s investment.

“It’s very important that companies are bonded in case they can’t complete the project,” Schrader said. “When a company is fired from a Pasco County project the bonding company is responsible for getting another company to complete the project. The bonding company then pays any cost over the original contract. No additional public money would be used in those cases.”

These safeguards are especially important now after Pasco’s head of finance recently said the county would likely lose $17 million this year without property tax increases.

This bonding process will help Pasco complete two other projects in Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes. The largest of these is the extension of Collier Parkway through Hale Road and Parkway Boulevard. WDG Construction Inc. was working on the project before it was fired by the county Feb. 9.

“The bonding company has narrowed its list of companies to finish the Collier extension to six and they should make their recommendation soon,” Shepherd said. “The original building company received $1,489,000 for the work they had done, and 10 percent of that is withheld until the projects completion. The company that finishes the project will get that 10 percent.”

The original contract with WDG was for $4.3 million. The company was also fired from the project to connect Mansfield and Meadow Pointe boulevards in Wesley Chapel. Shepherd said that project is still scheduled to be completed in April even though a replacement company had yet to be named as of March 5.

Additional construction on Meadow Pointe from S.R. 54 to near Smith Road all started March 7. The project includes milling, resurfacing and restriping the road and one lane will be open at any point in time.  The project is expected to be completed within 30 days. The improvements to Meadow Pointe will provide a detour for residents and commuters during the widening of SR 54.

“We want all of Pasco County to continue to grow and that requires road projects,” Schrader said. “It’s a problem during the project with traffic being delayed and occasionally you have problems with the contractor, but in the end it will benefit all the people and businesses in the area.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

During the 26-year history of Gaither High School, only one man has managed the Cowboy’s baseball team. Now Frank Permuy will live forever as a hall of famer.

Permuy was named to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Hall of Fame Feb. 25.

“When the FHSAA called me I was actually worried because they usually will only call if you’ve broken some rule,” Permuy said jokingly. “When they told me I was named to the hall I was very surprised and extremely honored. There are so many great coaches in the FHSAA Hall of Fame and it’s a pleasure to be among them.”

It is the second hall of fame the coach has been inducted into. The first is the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, which he was named to last year.

“The FACA is for coaches only, so this one is even a little more prestigious you could say,” Permuy said. “The FHSAA has officials, student-athletes and other athletic personnel along with coaches.”

The 2010 class is the 18th group named to the FHSAA hall. The group will be officially inducted at a ceremony April 25 in Gainesville.

“Frank Permuy will join official Clement Brooks, former swimmer Andrew Coan, baseball coach Pat McQuaid, writer Larry Blustein, former football coach Harry Jacobs, the late baseball coach Guy Garrett, official Joseph Rider and the late former football coach Sam Sirianni,” said Seth Polansky, FHSAA spokesperson. “Permuy and the others are all very deserving new members of the hall of fame.”

Permuy, 67, was born in Ybor City and grew up playing baseball, football and many other sports. After a short career in the minor leagues was cut short because of knee problems, he took over as the skipper at Leto High School for the 1971-72 school year.

“We won our district my first year at Leto and I’m proud of that,” Permuy said.

He then coached at the University of Tampa for four years before moving to Tampa Catholic High School. He guided the Crusaders to the 1982 Class 3A state championship.

Permuy took the coaching job at Gaither when the school opened in 1984. He was a physical education teacher for most of that time, but retired from teaching three years ago.

“Now I just coach and it’s a little different,” Permuy said. “Before I could deal with problems as soon as they happen. Now I wait until I come in and get my mail to hear if there are any problems.”

The Cowboys have won eight district titles under Permuy, who was also named the 2007 National Federation of State High School Association’s coach of the year. Gaither’s best finish under Permuy was the 2005 6A state runner-up. He has won more than 500 games during his high school coaching career.

“We went 2-20 my first season at Gaither and that’s the only losing season I’ve had here,” Permuy said. “The next year we won the district, so we got things going in the right direction fast.

“I want to keep coaching because I think I can contribute and help the kids,” he continued. “Although my wife (Danae) might tear the uniform off me before I’m ready. She thought it was time years ago.”

Several of Permuy’s former players became coaches too. One that has stayed in Hillsborough County is Wharton’s Scott Hoffman.

“He’s the reason I got into coaching,” said Hoffman, who graduated from Gaither in 1989. “I’m not the only one of his players that is still in Hillsborough. Landy Faedo at Alonso and Jason Gordon at Tampa Bay Tech did too. He’s got quite a coaching tree going…All I can say is he’s a great coach and deserves to be in the hall of fame for sure.”

During his career at Gaither, Permuy has coached several players who were drafted by Major League Baseball franchises. Of those, Kevin Cash, who played last season for the New York Yankees, and Chad Zerbe, who played four years for the San Francisco Giants, reached the big leagues.

“It’s great when a kid gets drafted, but I’m more proud when they sign with a college,” Permuy said. “I think that’s what coaches should be doing. Getting kids prepared to play at the next level.”

One of the most recent of Permuy’s players to get a college scholarship is senior first baseman Brady North. When he signed to play at Hillsborough Community College, North said of Permuy, “He’s a great coach and I’ve loved playing for him here. He really is Gaither baseball.”

One of the coach’s younger players is sophomore left-handed pitcher Alex Milne.

“It’s a privilege to play for coach P,” Milne said. “He runs a class program and I hope he coaches for many more years. He has all the experience in the world and anyone would benefit from having him as their coach.”

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

They call him Hurricane Sammy.

Samuel Valentin is a 15-year-old boxing champion with one thing on his mind—fighting his way to the 2012 Summer Olympics.

“My dream has always been to go to the Olympics and represent my country,” Hurricane said, taking time out from training at his home gym in Wesley Chapel. “I want to become a professional boxer so I can travel and see the world.”

Hurricane tried on his first pair of boxing gloves at age 5. His father, Samuel Valentin Sr., is a former kick-boxer who was training boxers in Plant City when his young son unexpectedly stepped up to the punching bag.

“He just started hitting the bag and mimicking everything the boxers were doing,” Valentin said. “I knew then he had a natural talent.”

Hurricane began boxing in amateur fights at 9 years old. He has since placed in three world championships and acquired more than 20 state titles, including 2009 Police Athletic League (PAL) State Champion. His record is currently 96-14.

“He has never been knocked out,” Valentin said. “He’s such a talented kid, the way he moves; he has never even been really hurt.”

Hurricane will compete in the Junior Olympics April 31 through May 2 in Ybor City. He has six Junior Olympic Championship belts already. They are displayed on the wall in his garage, along with an impressive trophy collection.

“To be a good boxer, you have to be self disciplined,” Hurricane said. “You have to be dedicated. It isn’t just about having skills. You have to want it.”

Hurricane is a sophomore at Wharton High School, where he maintains good grades and has gained the support of friends. He works out everyday after school, usually at Calta’s boxing gym in Temple Terrace.

He tries to get his homework finished before heading to the gym around 6 p.m. He trains for three hours a night. He lifts weights, practices moves in the ring and spars with his trainer, Luis ‘Hurricane Tony’ Arreola, the former professional boxer who gave Sammy his name.

“I’ve known Sammy since he was 5 years old,” Arreola said. “It’s been exciting watching him grow. When he wins, it feels like I’m winning as well. It’s like I’m in the ring with him.”

Hurricane said Arreola and his father support him in all his efforts.

“Working with my dad, it feels good because when it’s just me and him, there are no distractions,” Hurricane said. “It feels good because not a lot people have a support system and I have someone who is always by my side, helping me get to where I want to be.”

Hurricane has been an inspiration to his dad.

“The hunger that my son has to achieve his goals is inspiring,” Valentin said. “He has changed my life. A few years ago I weighed almost 600 pounds. Working out with Sammy, I’ve lost more than 287 pounds. He gave me a reason to really live life again.”

Hurricane adheres to a strict diet that includes daily protein shakes. He currently competes in the 132 to 138-pound weight class; so healthy eating is essential. He said pizza is his weakness.

“I love pizza so I have it every couple weeks, but I can’t eat it all the time,” he said. “I hardly ever drink soda.”

Hurricane does not mind making sacrifices. He knows what it takes to stand in the Olympic ring. Every time he fights, he’s one step closer to the London games 2012.

“I will compete in Olympic trials in 2011,” he said. “Before that, I’ll be in a tournament to make the team that travels around the world competing pre-Olympics.”

Hurricane is not worried about being distracted by all the attention and excitement.

“It’s all about focus,” he said. “When I’m in the ring and the crowd is cheering me on, there’s a lot of adrenaline. I take that energy and I focus on the fight. The best fighters are people who are humble.”

For more information, visit www.hurricanesammy.net.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Pasco County residents will not be stuck paying to finish three road projects left uncompleted when contractors of three major road projects were recently fired by the Pasco County Commission.

WDG Construction Inc. was fired by the county Feb. 3 from the Collier Parkway extension in Land O’ Lakes and the completion of a road connecting Mansfield and Meadow Pointe boulevards in Wesley Chapel.

Kearny Construction Company had its contract terminated in January from a project replacing waterlines along US 41 between Ehren Cutoff and SR 52.

Despite the problems, additional Pasco public funds will not needed to complete the projects because both companies were fully bonded.

“It’s very important that companies are bonded in case they can’t complete the project,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader. “When a company is fired from a Pasco County project the bonding company is responsible for getting another company to complete the project. The bonding company then pays any cost over the original contract. No additional public money would be used in those cases.”

Schrader is from Pasco District 1, which covers all of Zephyrhills, Dade City, much of Wesley Chapel and some of northern Land O’ Lakes.

This bonding process will help Pasco complete all three projects.

“The bonding company has narrowed its list of companies to finish the Collier extension to six and they should make their recommendation soon,” said Pasco chief project manager Robert Shepherd. “The original building company received $1,489,000 for the work they had done, and 10 percent of that is withheld until the project’s completion. The company that finishes the project will get that 10 percent.”

The original contract with WDG was for $4.3 million. A replacement company for the Meadow Point connector road had not been named as of March 5, but Shepherd said the project is still scheduled to be completed in April.

Less information was available about the US 41 waterline project because it is not fully under the jurisdiction of the county.

“That project involved Federal stimulus money and had to meet certain checkpoints if it was going to continue to get funding,” Schrader said. “So the commission voted to end that contract.”

The construction currently happening on US 41 is under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation. That project is widening the highway to four lanes, but Pasco County has nothing to do with the funding. The county was however replacing the waterlines at the same time to take advantage of the equipment and the ready-made holes.

There are several steps before a county project can begin, with the last being the company getting bonded and insured to protect the public’s investment.

These safeguards are especially important now after Pasco’s head of finance recently said the county would likely lose $17 million this year without property tax increases.

Before a project is awarded, it must be advertised for at least 30 days while bids are evaluated. The lowest bidder wins the contract unless they have something that disqualifies them.

“Companies can be disqualified if they have a history of not completing projects or other similar red flags,” Shepherd said. “The county has attorneys look at the bids also to make sure the math is correct and everything is as it should be. Basically it’s to insure the company can finish the project.”

In this case the checks were unable to discover the issues within Kearny Construction and WDG that prevented them from completing their contracts.

“We want all of Pasco County to continue to grow and that requires road projects,” Schrader said. “It’s a problem during the project with traffic being delayed and occasionally you have problems with the contractor, but in the end it will benefit all the people and businesses in the area.”

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

Every Friday, children at Kids ‘R’ Kids Meadow Pointe arrive smiling because it is Silly Sam day.

Silly Sam The Music Man, or Eric Halvorsen, teaches his music curriculum to the students where they learn about rhythm, instruments and musical terminology.

“I teach an original curriculum based around my songs,” Halvorsen said. “I want the kids to have fun with music. It is amazing what they can learn. By the end of the year, they should be able to understand musical values.”

The Lutz resident writes interactive songs to keep the children singing and dancing.

“When I was coming up with the curriculum, I knew it had to be interactive,” Halvorsen said. “I didn’t want to just stand up in front of them and play. I write songs so there is a lot of movement and motions.”

Children either learn about songs from Halvorsen’s instruction or through the music itself. Halvorsen teaches his curriculum at Seaborn Day School in South Tampa as well.

“Some songs cater to a specific rhythm or there are some other educational aspects to the delivery of the song,” Halvorsen said. “I teach rhythm by letting them either sing or clap along in the melody. They learn music is fun and about the value of notes like what a treble clef is.”

Each class has a different purpose. During the last class of the month, Halvorsen introduces students to a new instrument.

“I have a lot of friends that are musicians who let me borrow their instruments,” Halvorsen said. “They get to look at it and they hear me play it.”

Showing the instruments to the students helps to reinforce the ear training lessons Halvorsen teaches.

“I play CD’s of different music for them,” Halvorsen said. “This way they can learn to recognize different instruments they wouldn’t normally hear like bagpipes.”

Jaya Sriram, lead teacher for the voluntary pre-kindergarten program, is a big fan of music and Silly Sam’s curriculum.

“The kids learn a lot about music,” Sriram said. “They will remember some comment he made or some music he taught. It gives them an idea of what music is. The curriculum is simple, but at the same time it covers all the basic stuff they can learn at this age.”

Halvorsen thinks music is important for children to know about.

“It is something that is always around us,” Halvorsen said. “Music comes from our hearts, it doesn’t just come from an instrument. I hope they will have an appreciation of music and an understanding that everybody can make music.”

Music has been a part of Halvorsen’s life since he wrote his first song in the seventh-grade. He started writing contemporary music and added children’s music five years ago. Recently he added writing jingles.

“I write everything from love songs to pop songs,” Halvorsen said. “I am just a guy with an acoustic guitar.”

Leighton Lewis, 4, said he always has lots of fun when Silly Sam performs.

“He likes to do silly things,” Lewis said. “I like it when we get to line up and dance and then he tells us to freeze and then we get to start dancing again. When he plays the violin and the drums it is really fun.”

Jenna Horne, 4, said she loves it when Silly Sam comes to her school.

“I like the silly stuff he does,” Horne said.

Halvorsen will be performing as Silly Sam at the Festival of States at 5 and 6:30 p.m. March 25 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg.

Halvorsen also owns Clowning Around, which provides children’s entertainment including clowns, look-alike characters, balloon animals and face painters. His company can do everything from children’s parties to corporate events.

Before becoming a children’s entertainer, Halvorsen, 36, was assistant director of a day care in Richmond, Virginia for eight years. He then moved to Florida and began working with Clowning Around when it was still owned by Mary Lynch. He is married to Michelle Halvorsen with two young daughters Ember, 6, and Abigail, 8. For more information visit www.clowningaroundtampa.com.

Silly Sam also has a CD full of educational and fun songs for sale. For more information or to hear samples of his songs, visit www.myspace.com/sillysamsings.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

It will be the largest celebration Zephyrhills has seen in 100 years and thousands will flock to the city to participate in Founder’s Day this weekend.

“We are ready to present a memorable experience,” said Brenda Welcher, executive director for Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. “I’m not sure how long we’ve been doing the event, but Main Street has been putting Founder’s Day together for a number of years now. We are honored to be doing it for the centennial celebration.”

The three-day event begins March 12 with a “barn dance” at Zephyrhills High School from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

The majority of the celebration will happen March 13, with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. on Fifth Avenue.

“The parade is the highlight for me,” said Madonna Wise, who is on Main Street’s centennial committee. “This year it will be even more special with how Main Street is doing it.”

There will be 10 grand marshals this year — one for each decade the city has been in existence. Each grand marshal was selected to represent the decade that they or their family made significant contributions to Zephyrhills. The parade’s theme is “celebration of generations” and each marshal will ride in the float for his or her decade.

One of the grand marshals is George Neukom, whose family moved to the area before it was called Zephyrhills. Then it was called Abbott Station.

“Zephyrhills is my home and I think a lot of it,” said George Neukom, whose family will be representing the 1910s. “I’ve been here all my life. Zephyrhills is a huge part of my life and what we are as a family…My family has seen this city go from Abbott Station to Zephyrhills, so we’ve seen it literally go from A to Z.”

The festivities will go from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 13 at Zephyr Park and around the city. The event will continue the next day at the park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Founder’s day will kick-off the celebration of the centennial in the city,” Wise said. “We will be having events later in the year to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Zephyrhills High School in October and that will basically end the celebration. It’s great how everyone has gotten together for the anniversary.”

Founder’s Day was first celebrated at least as far back as 1926. At that time it was called Homecoming Day and one of the events was the selection of Miss Zephyrhills according to an article in the Sept. 29, 1927 edition of an old newspaper called the Colonist.

“For their parade everyone just marched up and down the street,” said Margie Partain, a member of the board of directors of the Zephyrhills Historical Association. “It’s not like now where they have floats and everything else. It has gotten a lot bigger today.”

For more information and for a complete list of Founder’s Day events, visit zephyrhills100.com.

Founder’s Day events

Event                                                                            Time                         Date                         Place

Barn dance                                                             6 to 10 p.m.             March 12             Zephyrhills High School

Archeological exploration                                TBA                            March 13             Corner of Seventh Avenue and Sixth Street

Capt. Jeffries look-alike contest                      2 p.m.                        March 13             Eiland Bandstand on Fifth Avenue

First Zephyrhills High School dedication    2 p.m.                        March 13             Stewart Middle School

Community Church Service                              11 a.m.                       March 14             Zephyr Park

Annual pig roast                                                 11 a.m. to  3 p.m.     March 14             Masonic Lodge

Time capsule                                                    3:30 p.m.                       March 14             Zephyr Park

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Sleep apnea does more than prevent people from getting a good night’s rest.

People with the disorder stop breathing, sometimes for more than a minute. Fortunately, area doctors offer several treatments to correct the disorder.

“There is a tremendous need in this area of medicine,” said Dr. Jay Nelson, who practices dentistry in Lutz. “Sleep apnea is a serious health issue in our country and 18 million people in the U.S. suffer from it. If left untreated, it can be life threatening.”

Nelson is now offering a sleep apnea treatment called SomnoDent, an alternative to the commonly used Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP). A CPAP machine delivers pressure through a hose to a mask, opening the airway.

With SomnoDent, an appliance is fitted for the mouth that patients wear while sleeping. The appliance, called a Mandibular Advancement Splint, works by moving the jaw slightly forward, tightening the muscles of the upper airway to prevent obstruction while sleeping.

“All it takes is a fitting and a couple of visits,” Nelson said. “The device is for people who can’t wear a CPAP. With this appliance, patients can still open their mouths, eat and drink. It opens the airway so patients can breathe again.”

Dr. Juan Cevallos, doctor of pulmonology with Florida Medical Clinic, said not all patients should use an oral device like SomnoDent, in particular obese patients.

“I try to use the CPAP as much as possible because it has the highest success rate,” Cevallos said. “If someone can not use the CPAP, then we talk about other treatments like oral devices.”

Cevallos sees sleep apnea patients on a daily basis. Most are referred to him by family physicians that suspect a sleeping disorder. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, continuous daily fatigue, hypertension and even diabetes.

“I bring people in for a consultation and then I send them to the sleep clinic,” Cevallos said.

Cevallos uses the sleep clinic at Pasco Regional Medical Center. Somnomedics is another diagnostic clinic with several sleep study centers in the Tampa area. To be seen at a sleep clinic, patients must have a doctor’s referral.

“If someone is presenting with symptoms the doctor sends them for an overnight study,” said Carol Pollice, clinical director for Somnomedics in North Tampa. “We monitor their breathing, brain activity, heart activity and the air flow through the nose and the mouth. We take audio and video.”

Once a diagnosis is made, the next step is testing to determine what treatment will work.

“If the diagnosis is sleep apnea, we work to find what treatment is best for the patient,” Cevallos said. “It’s like trying on shoes, not every person can wear every size shoe. We have to find the one that fits.”

Only dentists offer SomnoDent. Nelson is the first certified provider in Central and East Pasco County, and will see anyone with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Even though the device is not covered by medical or dental insurance like a CPAP, Nelson still considers it a good choice.

“It’s more comfortable and it doesn’t make noise,” Nelson said. “Some patients just won’t wear a CPAP. This may be a better option for them.”

Dr. Jay Nelson’s practice is located at 1928 Highland Oaks Blvd. in Lutz. For an appointment call (813) 949-0424. Dr. Juan Cevallos practices at Florida Medical Clinic in Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills. For an appointment, call (813) 782-1329 or (813) 615-1740.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

In the first year of operation it is reported that half of all small businesses fail. The Small Business Development Center offers counseling, seminars and workshops in order to help prevent that failure.

Jerry Karp, certified business analyst for the Small Business Development Center, offers his expertise to help small business start-ups and existing businesses with marketing and sales.

“I have 40 years of experience in sales and marketing,” Karp said. “I was the CEO of two different companies and I had my own business for 15 years. I can help with determining what the target market is and helping the business to focus on marketing to them.”

One of the best ways to prevent failure in the first year is to have a well-written and thought out business plan.

“We have research that states writing a business plan can cut the failure rate by 60 percent,” Karp said. “A lot of entrepreneurs take the leap, but don’t plan. When somebody comes in to get help with a business plan, we write out the idea and do a feasibility study. It gives them a good plan to follow.”

The center helps small businesses with less than 500 employees; most have fewer than 50 employees.

“Our counselors will be able to help with a wide variety of business solutions,” Karp said. “Small business owners looking for help get one-on-one counseling where they can talk about their challenges. They can sit with the counselor with the appropriate experience to find out what they need to get them on the right track. We have 16 counselors with different areas of expertise. Most of the business counselors have small business experience because they have run their own business.”

The counselors areas of expertise include marketing, marketing research, advertising, financial analysis, business planning, family businesses, business valuation and franchises.

The one-on-one business counseling the center offers is free.

“We can do business health checks or help with expansion,” Karp said. “Through the counseling business owners can come in for counseling as many times as they want for as long as they want.”

Helping small businesses succeed is important for the economy of the whole country.

“Many people think the economic engine in the U.S. is driven by big business, but really it is driven by small businesses,” Karp said. “With the economy the way it is, lots of people are looking to start their own business. We are here to help make sure the business is profitable and not making a detrimental mistake.”

David West, executive director of the Wesley Chapel Chamber, said he decided to invite Karp to speak at the chamber’s monthly breakfast earlier this month because he thinks small businesses should know about the center.

“The Wesley Chapel Chamber’s purpose is to help its members find the counsel and services they need to bring their businesses to the next level,” West said. “The small business development council is one of the local organizations that most people are not aware of.”

Karp said he would advise small business owners to contact the center because even if they do not think they need help, there is something the center can do for them. Everything the counselor and business owner talk about is confidential.

“Many small business entrepreneurs want to do everything themselves,” Karp said. “That is where they run into trouble sometimes because they don’t think to reach out for help or they think it is too costly.”

Low cost workshop topics include business taxes, women and minority certification, Small Business Association loans, steps to starting a small business and disaster preparedness. Seminar topics include building the ultimate business plan, bookkeeping, Quickbooks, business taxes, Internet strategies, financing your business and understanding stimulus loans.

One seminar focuses on how to build the ultimate business plan. The cost for the seminar is $90, which is well worth it according to Karp because business owners will leave with a copy of the ultimate business plan software, which costs hundreds of dollars.

Karp said the computer is one of the best resources at the main office, 1101 Channelside Drive, Suite 210 in Tampa.

“We have two computers that are connected to USF’s servers,” Karp said. “With these computers, you get access to sites you wouldn’t have access to unless you paid thousands of dollars each year for the membership.”

Even though currently the seminars are provided at the Channelside office, Karp said he is hoping to start offering seminars in Pasco.

The center is funded through a partnership between the Small Business Association and the University of South Florida. In addition to having an office in Channelside, they have recently opened an office in Lutz at 16506 Pointe Village, Suite 101.

For more information, visit sbdc.usf.edu.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

The need in Haiti is still great even two months after the earthquake, especially for the Maranatha Orphanage.

A Wesley Chapel family is doing what they can to help the orphanage where they just adopted two children, Gino, 3, and Samuel, 3 by having a F-U-N-draiser from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 12 at BounceU, 5419 Village Market in Wesley Chapel. Jen and Tim Pearson and their daughter’s Zoe, 7, and Addie, 4, are all working together to raise money for Heartline Ministries, a nonprofit organization in Haiti that runs the orphanage.

“It will be an open bounce where parents can drop off kids and come back in two hours or they can stay and watch,” Pearson said. “The event is open to kids of all ages. We are hoping for a great big turnout.”

Pearson and her daughter Zoe along with her friends Judah Otero, 7, and Hannah Concepcion, 8, could not wait to do everything they could to help the children in Haiti. They already had a bake sale that raised about $1,000.

“The kids really wanted to do this,” Pearson said. “They are special kids. They have already given every dime they had in their piggy banks. It is almost like they can’t do enough. They already had the bake sale, but the kids wanted to have a fun fundraiser for the kids.”

Debbie Kopycienski, owner of BounceU, said she is happy to help.

“I was taught to always give back,” Kopycienski said. “This is my way to help and be a part of the community.”

Pearson and her husband were two years into the process of adopting two children from Haiti when the earthquake hit. The week of the earthquake, Tim went to Haiti to pick up kids from the orphanage.

“The earthquake expedited everything because we were so close to finishing the process,” Pearson said. “My husband spent a week there. He helped bring 17 kids to the states to be adopted.”

Pearson said her sons are still adjusting to their new environment.

“I can’t imagine life without them,” Pearson said. “It is like they have always been here. We are so glad they are home.”

Now instead of just taking care of kids, the orphanage has been turned into a hospital.

“They have four children remaining there and they have turned it into a hospital until things can be back to normal,” Pearson said. “They are now taking care of tons of people young and old.”

Even before the earthquake, Pearson and her family have been working to help people in Haiti. She and her husband and a few other families in Wesley Chapel have a nonprofit organization called Praxis Haiti. The organization was recently incorporated.

“We have gone to Haiti as a family,” Pearson said. “I love the children of Haiti. We have been trying to help for a couple years. There is so much that needs to be done. So many people in Haiti need help.”

This fundraiser is for Heartline Ministries because they are already an established nonprofit there in Haiti, but Pearson said she is looking forward to future fundraisers because they will be raising money for Praxis Haiti. She said she hopes it will become an international organization one day.

“We are trying to help with long-term sustainability,” Pearson said. “We want to help them to have things that can be reproduced even if we are not there. Also they need schools, running water and other health-related facilities. This is just the first of many fundraisers we hope to have. We are looking for sponsors and partners for not just this event but also in the long term.”

For more information, visit PraxisHaiti.org.

If you go:

• What: open bounce
• When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 12
• Where: BounceU, 5419 Village Market in Wesley Chapel
• Admission: $8
• For information or to help visit PraxisHaiti.org

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Is it time to ‘fireproof’ your marriage?

It’s a question many couples ask after seeing the movie “Fireproof,” the highest grossing Christian film of all time. To help couples answer that question, Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz is hosting a conference inspired by the movie March 26 and 27.

“Fireproof” is about a husband and wife who have stopped communicating,” said Mike Kahn, minister to adults at Idlewild. “Our church has been very receptive to the movie. We hope people who liked the movie will come to the conference.”

The conference will feature a variety of speakers including “Fireproof” writers and producers Michael Catt, and Stephen and Alex Kendrick. Psychologist Charles Lowery will provide marriage counseling and gospel artist Alicia Williams Garcia will perform.

The two-day event includes lectures on a wide of range of topics. Sessions include “Speaking the Language of Love” and “Crossing the Finish Line.”

“The speakers will talk about how important it is for a husband and wife to meet one another’s needs,” Kahn said.

Kahn said the success of “Fireproof” is great because the movie helps married couples tackle tough issues. The film’s main character Caleb Holt, played by Kirk Cameron of “Growing Pains” sitcom fame, deals with issues like anger and resentment.

“It gets couples talking,” Kahn said. “It is important for couples to talk, not just about practical things but about their feelings.”

The “Fireproof” phenomenon began at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, the home of Sherwood Pictures. The church began making films in 2003 with the release of the family film “Fly Wheel.” Senior pastor Michael Catt acted as executive producer. The Kendricks were writers and co-producers.

“Fireproof,” was Sherwood’s third film and went to theaters in fall 2008. It grossed more than $33 million in theaters and has went on to gross almost $70 million through books and bible studies written by the Kendricks, including the book “The Love Dare,” which challenges couples with 41 daily devotions. Attendees of the Idlewild conference will receive the book as part of the $40 conference fee.

“’The Love Dare’ is a book that was birthed around the same time as “Fireproof,” Stephen Kendrick said. “They work together. ‘The Love Dare’ gives readers a daily challenge to lead them back to falling in love with their spouse.”

Conference attendees will have heard Kendrick’s philosophies on love and marriage.

“When a man or woman comes to me and says I have fallen out of love with my spouse, what I hear is I don’t really understand what that love is about,” Kendrick said.

The conclusion of “Fireproof” isn’t the typical end to a romantic film. It represents a beginning. Through the healing powers of Christ, the main characters discover the meaning of unconditional love and start a renewed life together.

Kahn hopes couples will leave Idlewild’s conference feeling renewed as well.

If You Go

• What:  Fireproof Your Marriage Conference
• When: 7 – 9:30 p.m. March 26 and 8:30 a.m. – noon March 27
• Where: Idlewild Baptist Church
• How much: $40 per person, $80 per couple
• Register at www.idlewild.org or www.lifeway.com