Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Steve Lee

Sports Editor

WESLEY CHAPEL — Like many commuters, Greg Brown and his wife, Tamara, live in Land O’ Lakes and work in Hillsborough County. Along the way, they travel — or sometimes crawl — along a clogged Wesley Chapel highway interchange.

Just north of where I-75 and I-275 converge is the SR 56 exit, a four-lane off-ramp for vehicles traversing east to Wesley Chapel and west to Land O’ Lakes with two lanes going in each direction. During rush hours, that exit is occasionally transformed into a parking lot.

“If I get there at 5:30 or 6 (p.m.), you’re stopped,” Tamara said. “That’s when everybody’s coming through. You have to watch out on both sides. It’s crazy.”

Added Greg, “The most dangerous part of it is the people trying to come over from I-75 to I-275. At dusk or dawn, some people have their lights on and some people don’t.”

Inclement weather only makes matters worse.

“One light rain in the stop-and-go (traffic) and it’s all over,” Greg said. “Every time you turn around you’re almost hitting someone or someone’s almost hitting you.”

The Department of Transportation is working to change all that. Trees have been cleared along the east side of I-75, just south of the SR 56 exit as part of a $30 million road-widening project. Landclearing began in mid-October with two new off-ramps to SR 56 targeted for a 2012 completion.

DOT figures report that more than 113,000 vehicles pass through the I-75, I-275 interchange daily. That includes northbound and southbound traffic. The off-ramps would eliminate the current merger setup by making it possible to exit onto SR 56 from both interstates.

“That might be really good,” Greg said.

Warren DeGroot, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, coaches lacrosse in Wesley Chapel and works in New Tampa off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, is somewhat skeptical.

“I get on the highway and I get scared,” DeGroot said. “The whole merging there. I’m surprised there’s not more people who have died. I try to avoid that area as much as possible.”

Pasco County traffic numbers reveal 101 accidents, two of which were fatal, in 2008. And in Ocotber, one man died when a pickup truck ran into the back of a fuel tanker near the 56 exit.

All the more reason for the road widening project to get under way before the nearby Cypress Creek Town Center is built, said State Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel). That project recently received a 10-year construction deadline to 2021.

“We’re just playing a little bit of catch-up,” Weatherford said, alluding to road projects catching up to residential and commercial development. “We need the infrastructure. Eventually, it’s going to get there.”

Air Force official auxiliary for all who love flying

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

PASCO COUNTY — Until recently, Civil Air Patrol Members from Wesley Chapel had to journey outside their town for meetings.

“It is a little drive to get out here each week,” said 1st Lt. Steve Lampasona, Senior Deputy Commander for the Pasco Cadet Squadron of the CAP.

The Pasco Squadron meets in New Port Richey, and Lampasona, 54, has been a member for nine years. His wife, 1st Lt. Joyce, and son, cadet 1st Lt. Alec, are also members.

Lampasona has lived in Wesley Chapel for the last 11 years and recently helped bring a squadron to his hometown.

“I’m helping run both squadrons now so that the Pasco Squadron doesn’t get hurt by me and some of the cadets going to the Wesley Chapel Squadron,” Lampasona said.

The Wesley Chapel Squadron’s first meeting was Oct. 21, and it meets each Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Tampa North Aero Park.

There is also a new CAP squadron in Zephyrhills. For more information on the Zephyrhills Squadron, e-mail Rebekah Davison at .

Lampasona explained the CAP is the official auxiliary of the Air Force that started during World War II, during which it worked directly with the military and sunk several German U-boats. Some involved in the CAP have military backgrounds, but many, like Lampasona, do not.

“I joined because I was a pilot and was looking for additional reasons to fly,” Lampasona said. “The (CAP) has the largest single-engine fleet in the world with almost 600 aircrafts. So it’s a good thing for a pilot to be involved in.”

Today, cadets in the CAP are both girls and boys between 12 and 21 years old. After age 21, they can be senior members and continue to enjoy the organization.

The CAP now has three missions: emergency services; aerospace education; and cadet programs. The first mission involves providing support during homeland security and disaster recovery situations. Lampasona said that the CAP helps with search and rescue of 90 percent of the inland aircraft crashes in the United States.

The education mission provides educational materials to schools, and the cadet programs are all the activities at the weekly meetings. At CAP meetings, cadets learn about the Air Force and other aerospace topics. Members go through physical and written tests to earn rank and also go through character development programs.

The national CAP is broken into eight regions and further into wings for each state. Florida CAPs are in the Southeast Region, Florida Wing.

For kids who love flying, the CAP is just what they need to express their talents and interests.

“I want to go to the Air Force Academy, so the patrol is great for me,” Tyler Gay, 13, said. “When I was about 5, my parents would find drawings of plans in my stuff…The program teaches a lot of leadership and different qualities that will help me later.”

Gay, of Land O’ Lakes, attends Pine View Middle and is a cadet tech sergeant in the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron, which meets at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse on US 41 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday. For more information on the North Tampa-Lutz Squadron, visit www.northtampacadetsquadron.com.

“We have kids from all over north Tampa and up into Land O’ Lakes,” said Diane Westcott, senior member of the North Tampa-Lutz Squadron. “One of our big events is our Santa Breakfast that kicks off the nights of the decorated Christmas house at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse.”

The breakfast is Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon and the first night of the Christmas house is that evening.

Some of the more exciting activities CAP members do is fly airplanes and gliders. They also fly around the perimeter during operations like shuttle launches to make sure the airspace is clear.

Gay has not gone gliding yet but has flown a Cessna 172.

“It was amazing to fly,” he said. “At first, I was just thinking don’t crash. After I got over that, it was like the plane was me and I was the plane. I love every minute of it.”

For more information on the CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Local Civil Air Patrol Squadrons

Wesley Chapel Squadron meets at the Tampa North Aero Park on Wednesdays. E-mail

Zephyrhills Squadron meets at the AeroCenter at the Zephyrhills Airport on Wednesdays. E-mail .

North Tampa-Lutz Squadron meets at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse on Tuesdays. E-mail .

Pasco Cadet Squadron meets at River Ridge High on Mondays. E-mail .

Holiday gifts and local art brings people of all ages together

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

LUTZ — When it comes to craft shows, The Lake Park Arts and Craft Festival is one that stands out — literally.

“It’s kind of hard to miss the huge sign that goes up on the corner of Van Dyke (Road) and Dale Mabry each year,” said Edwina Kraemer. “That’s how I learned about it the first time I went. Everybody knows about the festival.”

The 49th annual event will take place Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lutz Lake Park. The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club Inc., which is part of the larger General Federation of Women’s Clubs, is organizing the event for the 30th time.

Kraemer, who was the Lutz Guv’na in 2006, is the second vice president of the club but attended the festival before becoming a member. Kraemer and her husband, David, moved to Lutz from Carrollwood five years ago. She is a retired science teacher and taught at Gaither during its first year in 1984.

One of the draws for vendors is there is something for people of all ages at the festival.

“It is such a great time with a very family-friendly atmosphere,” said Kraemer. “It’s a great place to do your Christmas shopping for anyone. There will be people selling baby clothes to great local artwork and jewelry too. The Boy Scouts will be selling food and there will be vendors in the 70s, too.”

Lutz resident Shirley Simmons, festival co-chairperson with Phyllis Hoedt, said between 35,000 and 40,000 people came to the two-day event last year. Simmons was also the Women’s Club president from 1984 to 1986.

“The festival started at the Old Lutz School House on (US) 41 and later moved to the train depot across the street,” said Simmons. “It moved to Lake Park about nine years ago. This year, we’ll have 260 vendors and several spots we give to local groups for free, like Lutz Patriots, Relay For Life, Boy Scout Troop 12 and one to Steinbrenner High who will be selling their textiles.”

Simmons also said there would be vendors from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and New Tampa at the event.

Simmons’ first festival was in 1980, and she keeps coming back for similar reasons as Kraemer.

“It is just a one-stop place to shop for Christmas presents,” said Simmons. “There are items for as little as 50 cents to art and jewelry as expensive as a few thousand dollars. There will be items to suit everyone’s tastes.”

One vendor who has been at the festival three times is Pauline Atkinson, of Zephyrhills. Atkinson makes her living selling clothing and jewelry at craft shows since retiring from a job with the University of South Florida in 2004.

“The clothing line is called Camerton Designs that I sell with my sister in Atlanta,” said Atkinson. “We also sell purses with the line. I also will sell handmade glass bead jewelry with my line called Katie’s Kloset…I like doing this show because it’s a nice, small and safe festival where lots of people always show up.”

Atkinson also plans to sell her items at the Gasparilla Art Festival in March 2010.

Kraemer explained the Lutz festival has three goals: to provide the community with access to local arts and crafts; to give artists a place to display and sell their products; and for the Women’s Club to raise money that will go back into the community.

“Everything we collect will go to several groups in the community,” said Kraemer. “We give money to Boy Scout troops, the Civil Air Patrol, to youth scholarships, to the Lutz volunteer fire department, to libraries and many more groups.”

The North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the CAP will be helping park cars at the event, and Boy Scout Troop 12 will be helping with overnight security for the vendors.

Besides the arts and crafts, many vendors will be selling a variety of foods, such as: barbecue, sandwiches, canned foods, breakfast breads, ice-cream, kettle corn and homemade baked goods.

“The Women’s Club will be selling hotdogs and our excellent peach cobbler,” said Kraemer. “I mean we’re talking homemade peach cobbler. It is so good.”

Admission is free for the festival and parking is $2 per vehicle. People of all ages are welcome, but no dogs are allowed except service dogs.

“It’s always a great time and we plan on the same this year,” said Kraemer. “The weather is usually good, and it’s a beautiful park to have the festival at.”

For more information about the event, call Simmons at (813) 949-7060.

Men and women kick for fun

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

NORTHDALE — Almost everyone played kickball during their childhood, and many adults from Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties are united in reviving that game.

“I joined to meet new people and just for the fun,” Andrew Medlin said.

Medlin, 28, is a first baseman for Blue Moon of the Northdale Champs League, which is part of the Kickball Society of Tampa Bay. Medlin, of Land O’ Lakes, joined the league after playing more than two years with a different league in South Tampa.

“This league is much more into the social aspect of the game,” Medlin said. “The other league was much more competitive and people didn’t even try to get to know the other teams.”

The Blue Moon has players from Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa and north Hillsborough. Medlin explained that the society puts people from different places together, because those are the people less likely to meet on their own.

“Playing in the league has really helped me meet people from all over,” Medlin said.

The Champs represent another league in the society, which includes the Northdale Kickers and Temple Terrace Busch League. The combined leagues list 24 teams, 18 of which are co-ed.

Players must be at least 21 to participate. Medlin said players on the Blue Moon range from ages 24 to 33, but some teams have players older than 50.

The Champs play on Wednesday nights and the Kickers on Sunday evenings. The Busch League plays on Tuesday nights.

While the social aspect might be the first reason people join the society, childhood memories of kickball comes in at a close second.

“When I was a kid, kickball was so much fun,” said Rosemary Curtiss, co-founder of the society. “I like to say I was the queen of kickball because I was pretty good. So one day my husband (Wayne) and I were driving on the Howard Franklin (Bridge) and said ‘why don’t we start a kickball league?’ So we did.”

The Curtiss’, of Lutz, founded the society with Kermit Kauffman last April. The society had 600 members by the fall season.

“We wanted to make it fun for everyone, but we wanted people to meet new people too,” Curtiss said. “We have married couples and singles, and the players get a much better workout than they expect.”

The Lutz couple plays on a Kickers team called The Young and the Breastless.

“None of us signed up for kickball to show-off our tremendous athletic ability,” Medlin said. “I think of it as new softball, because people my age are starting to play kickball now.”

After games, Champs teams go to the Tampa Ale House on North Dale Mabry Highway to socialize. Each week, about 150 players crowd the bar with their kickball T-shirts having a laugh with their teammates and opponents.

Seasons are eight weeks long and end with a night of playoffs. Blue Moon made it to the championship game of the Champs League’s first season in the spring, but fell short of the title.

The Champs’ fall season ended when I’d Hit That won the title game on Nov. 21 over Swift Kick in the Grass. The Kicker’s crown went to Balls Deep, which defeated team Stanky Legz. Royal Pains beat team Drunk Again and Looking to Score for the Busch League crown.

“Even if people don’t want to play in the league we encourage them to come out and watch our games,” Curtiss said. “The games aren’t that long. We play five innings and have a time limit of 50 minutes, so the last games are over and we are off the field by about 9 (p.m.) during the week. We make sure we are done to keep the neighborhood quiet when people are sleeping.”

The winter season begins in January. To sign up or for more information, visit www.kickballsociety.com or call (813) 454-1178.

Kickball Society of Tampa Bay

Leagues: Northdale Kickers, Northdale Champs, Temple Terrace Busch League.

Next season: Starts second week of January.

When: Kickers plays Sunday evenings, Champs on Wednesday evenings, Busch League on Tuesday evenings.

For more information: call (813) 454-1178 or visit www.kickballsociety.com.

Emma is a 13-year-old purebred boxer born in Boca Raton. She loved swimming in the Florida oceans and Tennessee rivers, but Emma’s knees started giving out on her this past summer. Walk’n Wheels from www.handicappedpets.com helps her get around a lot better. Emma recently became a therapy dog with Canines for Christ through Van Dyke United Methodist Church. It is a wonder to see the children at Suncoast Kids pet and hug her. She brings giggles and smiles to the handicapped children that play basketball at Van Dyke on Sundays. Each day with Emma is a gift for owner, Linda McKeighen of Lutz.

Brannagh is a 50 pound Borador (border collie/lab mix). She loves peanut butter, bananas, honey and squeaky toys. Brannagh is an educated lady who has her Ph.D. from Petsmart training classes. She enjoys long park walks and beach frolics. Brannagh lives with her owner, Megan Sanborn and family, in Wesley Chapel, who ridiculously spoil her.

By Steve Lee

Sports Editor

LUTZ — The founder of a martial arts studio that opened in October and combines three disciplines equates his new endeavor to a college curriculum.

Hence, the name: Kombat Arts Institute.

“We kind of consider this school like a college for martial arts” said Sijo (founder) Dominador Uy, who teaches Nijuki Combat Jujitsu. “A student can come in, register for their course of study like they do in college, and then study and get their degree.”

Uy is one third of an instructing trio that includes his brother and fencing teacher, Don Conrad Uy; and Woody Anderson, who teaches Filipino stickfighting among other forms of combat and defense.

Unlike numerous martial arts schools geared toward after-school karate for young students, Uy had a different focus in mind: “The idea was to build the school around the instructor.”

Kombat Arts Institute, located at 2020 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is a 1,200-square-foot facility with a long mirrored wall and training mat that takes up two-thirds of the room. Males and females, 12 and older, are welcome to a place where quality trumps quantity.

“We’re not looking so much for the volume,” Uy said. “When you’re teaching in volume you’re limited in how you teach.

“We’re looking for small groups,” he continued, mentioning 6-8 students per class. “You have a more personable relationship with your instructor. The transference of the art; you feel it’s much more exclusive.”

While there are plenty of weapons to choose from — staffs, wooden knives and swords, foils and sabers — there also are caged helmets and padded uniforms to avoid injuries. When fencing, protective gear is required.

“Safety is the maIn concern here, because with the arts we’re not teaching paddy-cake,” Uy explained. “We’re teaching them defensive moves that can be lethal.”

Uy, a chiropractor who also owns a business in the adjacent Harbor Village Shopping Center, teaches a full-range of jujitsu that includes fighting in close quarters and combat that can include knives and sticks.

Another factor in establishing Kombat Arts Institute, Uy noted, is to ensure that the disciplines taught are passed on to others.

“The progression of the arts is more important than any financial gain,” Uy said. “Ultimately, this passion I have for the arts dies with me unless I have students with passion and the desire to keep it going.”

By Gary S. Hatrick

The Laker Correspondent

ZEPHYRHILLS — Renovations on Zephyrhills Fire Station No. 2 have finally begun with city employees pulling down drywall and insulation almost two years after flooding damaged its interior.

The fire station, located next to City Hall on Sixth Avenue, has been vacant since Jan. 23, 2008, when the flooding occurred. Since then, firefighters have been housed at the World War II barracks at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

“We finally got it started,” said Zephyrhills Fire Chief Keith Williams. “This is just the first stage.”

City officials were evaluating the building last week to determine how to best proceed with the renovations. City Council authorized $250,000 for the first stage of restorations, which will make the building livable once again for on-call firefighters.

“To avoid a lot of permitting, we’re doing the work ourselves,” said Public Works Director Rick Moore.

City Manager Steve Spina proposed, and the City Council approved, two stages of restoration at the Oct. 26 council meeting. Spina proposed that the City serves as general contractor rather than go out for bid on the renovations.

Under this plan, restoration will be done in two phases. In the first phase, city crews will do the demolition of the interior of the living quarters. Since this is interior work, architects and engineers will not be needed, saving the City money. However, remodeling of the living spaces will be bid out. When completed, firefighters could then be moved back into the station.

In phase two, the western bays will be converted to office space. Since that will require exterior work and a new roof, a civil engineer will be needed. The City hopes to fund these improvements through grants.

Moving firefighters to the World War II barracks was thought to be a temporary housing solution but stretched into nearly two years as the Zephyrhills City Council deliberated over whether the station should be abandoned and additional space added to Fire Station No. 1 on Dairy Road, or whether a new station should be built on the current footprint or in another location.

The council seemed to be leaning toward a new station until the current economic downturn required budget cuts and leaner spending. A price tag of more than $1 million caused the council to seek a less expensive solution.

Council members expressed frustration in several meetings at the length of time it took to come to a decision on the matter.

Zephyrhills City Council President Jodi Wilkeson said she is glad to see progress.

“I’m very glad that the project is underway and that the staff pulled together to do this as cost effectively as possible,” Wilkeson said.

By Rachel Nelson

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

TAMPA — Six of Santa’s reindeer have begun their journey to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo for Wild Wonderland, the zoo’s 10th annual nighttime festival of lights and seasonal celebrations, presented by Publix Super Market Charities. The Zoo has launched a Wild Wonderland Web site (www.lowryparkzoo.com/wildwonderland) where families can track the reindeer and read postcards from their travels, play reindeer games, have some holiday fun and preview the event, which opens Dec. 4 and 5.

During Wild Wonderland, the zoo is illuminated with holiday lights, sights and sounds on select nights in December.

Millions of twinkling lights and glimmering holiday displays light up the night. Thousands of LEDs (energy efficient lights) bring new technology to animated displays. A new Visions of Sugarplums display features a forest with giant trees, holiday fairies, magical scenes and sounds of music boxes.

Meet Santa and his real reindeer who have made the journey from the North Pole. See a dazzling Frozen Forest with crystal animals, trees and dancing fountains set to the sounds of festive music. Hear the jingle bells ring on a special holiday horse-drawn carriage ride.

Have a wild time with free unlimited zoo rides like the Skyfari sky ride featuring tree-top views of twinkling lights or take a spin on the Jungle Carousel radiant with lights. Children can frolic in Frosty’s Foam Factory where Frosty and his pals will create a bubble (foam) snow. Holiday themed games will be added to the new Key West Arcade.

Not only a feast for the eyes, Wild Wonderland offers a wide assortment of holiday delights located around the zoo. A new Sweet Shoppe is opening just in time for the holidays, offering tasty treats including a variety of gourmet cupcakes, specialty cookies, hand-dipped ice cream, candy apples, nostalgic candies and seasonal surprises.

Holiday magic runs wild at Wild Wonderland Dec. 4 and 5, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. General admission is $13 for adults (ages 12 and older), $11 for children (ages 3 to 11) and free for children age 2 and younger. Annual Zoo Pass holders receive discounted admission. Admission includes free unlimited rides, with the exception of the Jingle Bells horse drawn carriage ride, which is $4 per person. Tickets are on sale now at www.lowryparkzoo.com.

The event is a fund-raiser for the zoo, a nonprofit organization, and proceeds will benefit animal care and education programs.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo gratefully acknowledges the sponsors and partners who make this event possible: Publix Super Markets Charities; Grow Financial Federal Credit Union; AT&T Real Yellow Pages; Filippo Berio Olive Oil; Ierna’s Heating and Cooling; and Mix1.

Rachel Nelson is the director of Public Relations for Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.