The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

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Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your every need, and we are down to only a few homes left.

Our perfectly located community has quality-built homes rich with amenities and plenty of opportunities for residents —discover why so many others have decided to call Del Webb Bexley home.

ABUNDANT AMENITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS
At Del Webb Bexley, community relationships and lifestyle are everything. The community’s expansive 19,000-square-foot amenity campus serves as a standing testament to its residents’ important lifestyle priorities. This all-encompassing social and activity hub is the center of operations that brings the entire community together, focusing on health, inspiration and fitness.

The fittingly named “Meridian” is inspired by a warm, coastal Florida theme. It offers all the joy of seaside living plus convenient access to all Tampa Bay offers. It is here that you can meet for a game of Mahjong, enjoy a snack or watch TV while playing a game of cards and enjoying a glass of wine. The facility is not yet three years old and was designed utilizing Del Webb’s vast experience as the leading active adult community developer in the nation. 

“Your day can be as active or as relaxed as you’d like. Our homeowners have access to clubs and classes designed to meet every interest,” said Sarah Herting, marketing director. There are also scheduled monthly in-person and virtual events, seminars, and programs. “It’s a great way to make friends, explore new interests, or mingle with people who share the same hobbies.”

Staying healthy and active is a huge priority for the Meridian’s activity schedule. Inside the campus, the Maritime Fitness Center features cardio machines, as well as free weights and weight machines. It sits right across from the Floriblanca movement studio that houses fitness classes ranging from spin to boxing and yoga. Outside there are sports courts for tennis, bocce ball, and pickleball. The resort pool sits conveniently around the corner with plenty of shade, a spa and cabanas. The expansive yoga lawn is always available with coinciding classes for residents, and a span of scenic bike and jogging trails interconnects the entirety of the outdoor region. 

“Our residents want to keep moving and keep doing,” said Herting, “They want to stay informed and keep learning. It’s why we’ve implemented our monthly events newsletter to keep everyone in the know about what is happening here.”

High-intensity activity isn’t all of the Meridian’s features. For those looking to relax, the Bellamy Arts and Crafts room offers a variety of classes for the pursuit of knowledge or hobbies. The Soleil Royal Ballroom hosts year-round events and houses demonstration kitchens for cooking clubs and classes. The amphitheater on the event lawn does the same for music performances. At the center of it lies the Crow’s Nest Bistro & Sports Lounge with its selection of beer, wine, specialty meals, trivia nights, games, and Super Bowl parties. 

PREMIUM HOME QUALITY
With over 70 years in homebuilding, let Del Webb put our experience to work for you. We follow strict quality control measures to ensure accuracy and attention to detail. Our signature Build Quality Experience includes communication with you every step of the way. Our Del Webb Construction Standards meet or exceed building code requirements. All are backed by an industry-leading 10-year limited structural warranty and 5-year water intrusion warranty.

Quality review milestones include foundation and frame inspections, followed by a mechanical inspection, a drywall orientation, and a final inspection for a quality sign-off at completion. 

From the foundation to the roof, each stage of the build is executed with precision. The structural integrity of a Del Webb Bexley home is second to none, ensuring longevity and durability. High-quality fixtures, fittings and finishes adorn every corner, creating a sense of luxury and sophistication that surpasses expectations.

For potential residents looking to make Del Webb their home, there is no better time than right now.

“This is a community of friendship, lifelong relationships and connection. Anyone with those values will feel right at home here.”

IDEAL LOCATION
With its prime location, Del Webb Bexley, just off Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has made it its mission to transform the idea of “living a fulfilled lifestyle” into an all-encompassing community. Just east of the Gulf Coast beaches and northwest of Tampa, the active adult community of Del Webb Bexley offers easy access to workplaces throughout Tampa Bay and an array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including the Tampa Premium Outlets. It is conveniently close to downtown Tampa and the Tampa International Airport. 

This active community has set out to become one of the most fun and engaging atmospheres for 55+ homeowners.

Del Webb believes in life well led in your own quality built home, rich with amenities and opportunities for residents and prime location. The Del Webb Bexley sales office and model park are open seven days a week for tours. For more information and to learn about current incentives, call 813-412-8842.

Published August 30, 2023

Pasco county board honors legislative aide

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The Pasco County Commission set aside some time during its Aug. 8 meeting to honor Andy Taylor, a legislative aide who is leaving the county to accept a job with Tampa Electric Co. (TECO.)

Taylor was Pasco County’s first legislative aide, serving under former Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

He assumed that role in February of 2019 and continued in that capacity under Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman, after Moore stepped away from public service.

Andy Taylor, a legislative aide to Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman, recently was honored for the work he did for the county. He is surrounded here by supporters, many of whom made a special trip to be there. Taylor, who is holding the resolution, is departing the county to work in the private sector. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Taylor was heavily involved in Moore’s efforts to raise money and plan a universal playground, serving children of all ability levels, at the Wesley Chapel District Park, according to a resolution, adopted by the county board. 

He also was involved in Pasco County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in the county’s economic development programs.

More recently, Taylor worked closely with Weightman to help the Pasco County Legislative Delegation and the county’s governmental affairs team to secure a $1.5 million appropriation for much-needed sidewalks near schools.

He also worked closely, first with Moore and then with Weightman to research issues and prepared for board meetings.

The legislative aide was known for having an eagle eye, when reviewing materials in the board’s agenda packet, and for his passionate devotion for promoting the county’s sports tourism efforts, the resolution says.

He is joining TECO’s state and regional affairs team, as regional manager for Pasco and East Hillsborough counties.

A number of people turned out to celebrate Taylor’s recognition by the Pasco County Commissioner.

Among those supporters were Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells and Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, members of the Florida’s Sports Coast tourism team, Taylors friends and other county employees.

County board members expressed their appreciation for Taylor’s efforts, with his former boss, Moore, doing so via a video from his vacation and his current boss doing so, from the board dais.

Taylor expressed gratitude for the honor.

He noted it was something of a full-circle moment for him.

It turns out that Taylor and Weightman have known each other for years.

Taylor previously was an aide to former Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham and Weightman was aide for former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford.

When Pasco created its role for a legislative aide, it was Weightman who told Taylor about the opening and encouraged him to go after it.

Published August 30, 2023

Town Hall set for PHSC presidential finalists

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The public has the chance to learn more about the four finalists to become Pasco-Hernando State College’s next president during a Town Hall at the college’s Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC).

The Town Hall will be on Sept. 6 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at IPAC, 8757 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel.

A new president is being named to replace Dr. Timothy Beard, who is retiring in January 2024.

A presidential search committee made up of business leaders, community representatives and faculty and staff members from PHSC have selected these finalists to succeed Beard and to become the college’s fifth president.

The finalists are: Gilbert L. Evans Jr., J.D., Ph.D; Eric Hall, Ed.D; Jesse D. Pisors, Ed.D; and, Saul Reyes, Ed.D.

Lucy Miller, special assistant to President Tim Beard and to the District Board of Trustees (DBOT), provided details of what to expect during the Town Hall meeting.

Each of the four finalists will have about 40 minutes on the stage, Miller said, via email.

PHSC’s Faculty Senate President Dr. Misty Price will be the moderator, who will interview each of them in a casual “talk show” format.

Dr. Price will pose some introductory questions and then field questions from those attending the session and from those who are attending remotely.

The idea is to not only introduce the finalists to employees, faculty, staff, students and the community, but to provide an opportunity for constituents to interact with the candidates — and to ask specific questions about the candidates’ vision for PHSC, according to Miller.

The college’s DBOT is expected to name PHSC’s new president at its Sept. 19 meeting, during its meeting on the college’s Spring Hill Campus.

Published August 30, 2023

Nominations sought for lifetime achievement awards

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The League of Women Voters of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties (HCLWV) is seeking nominations for local leaders who have made significant contributions to the local community and the state of Florida, according to a news release.

The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award (or awards), will be bestowed to an individual or individuals who have dedicated their life to serving the public through education and advocacy at the local, state or national levels.

The 2024 Sydney and Thalia Potter Civic Leadership Award(s) are open to individuals in Hillsborough or Pasco County who have improved government, protected the environment or enhanced their community through civic leadership at the local and/or state levels.

The League will honor and celebrate the achievements of the award recipients on Feb. 21 at the 16th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon. The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa.

Liana Fernandez Fox was honored during the February 2020 luncheon. The memory of Dena Gross Leavengood was honored, too.

Nomination forms may be found at HCLWV.org/laa.

Deadline for submission is mid-September. Angela Birdsong is the chair, and may be reached at .

Published August 30, 2023

A Sense of Place

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The Back Road
Barry M. White, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped the road to the Ehren Cemetery on Ehren Cutoff in Land O Lakes on Feb. 9, 2022, while out looking to capture wildlife and nature through his lens.
Towering Over the Railroad
Clyde Parson, of Wesley Chapel, took this photo of the Lacoochee Water Tower on July 3, 2022, noting, ‘the railroad has been a point of interest for me since I was a kid, so I enjoy finding rail-related subjects to photograph. These photos, and most things railroad, evoke feelings of freedom and nostalgia for me.’
Double the Luck
Renee DiGioia, of Land O’ Lakes, grabbed this image of a double rainbow on Fort King Road near LeHeup Hill in Dade City on Aug. 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Cheers to the versatility of fresh fruits, and veggies

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There’s no doubt that fresh fruits and vegetables can play a multitude of roles in the daily diet.

They can be eaten raw or cooked.

Produce such as apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums and tomatoes can ripen on the counter, while berries, leafy greens and bell peppers should be stored in the refrigerator. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

They can be used as ingredients for salads, smoothies, soups, stews and other meals.

Pears, oranges and berries typically are eaten without cooking them, but also can be part of an easy, quick and nutritious breakfast or snack.

Cabbage, potatoes and mushrooms can be cooked and combined with other foods for a wholesome, hearty meal.

One thing they have in common? All of these fruits and veggies are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for good health.

Regardless of age, diet or lifestyle, it’s hard to go wrong when you are choosing fresh produce as part of a healthy diet.

It does, however, help to know how to pick those fruits and veggies, whether you’re at a roadside stand, in a specialty market or at the grocery store.

Unlike packaged foods — fresh produce doesn’t have labels and tags to tell you about the nutritional content, or when it will go bad.

So, it’s important to know what to look for when making your selections.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

  • Pay attention to color. Ripe bananas, for instance, are bright yellow; underripe bananas are mostly green. Ripe tomatoes have a deep, even red color; underripe tomatoes will be lighter and may have patches of green.
  • Pay less attention to shape. Perfectly ripe produce can grow irregularly in shape and size. Don’t let that deter you.
  • Use your sense of touch to help you out. Ripe zucchini or bell peppers should feel firm, but slightly soft to the touch; avocados and tomatoes, on the other hand, should give slightly when you gently press into the flesh. When produce is overripe, it will be very soft and may have some bruises or blemishes.
  • Use your sense of smell. Ripe fruits, such as pineapples or berries, will have a strong, pleasant aroma. Overripe fruits may smell sour or unpleasant.

It’s also important to keep in mind when you will be using your fruits or veggies.

If you don’t need it right away, you can select items that are slightly underripe. Many items can be left out on a kitchen counter to continue to ripen.

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to proper handling and storage. Techniques for both can differ, based on the food.

I recommend the FoodKeeper app. It allows you to enter the name of a food and it provides information on whether to store it in a refrigerator or on the counter, and estimates how long it will last.

Knowing the shelf life of your fruits and veggies can help when it comes to planning meals. You’ll want to use up your produce before it spoils.

It’s also good to know that nutrient content of produce can vary based on its ripeness. 

Ripe fruits and vegetables typically have higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants compared to underripe or overripe produce.

Using ripe produce helps you maximize the nutritional benefits. 

For instance, ripe bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. 

Overripe bananas, covered in brown spots, may have less nutritional value and higher sugar content. 

Overripe bananas can be ideal for baking.

However, eating the banana while it is yellow and slightly green may be ideal for someone monitoring blood sugar. 

Similarly, ripe tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and lycopene, while underripe tomatoes may have lower levels of these nutrients.

How to handle, cook and clean fresh produce
To ensure safety and quality, here are some tips from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

  • Wash hands before handling any fruits or vegetables.
  • Rinse produce thoroughly under running water to remove dirt or bacteria, even if you do not plan to eat the skin.
  • Do not use soap: Produce has pores that can absorb these chemicals, which can cause you to become sick when ingested.
  • Scrub firm produce like apples, melons and cucumbers with a produce brush.
  • Store fresh fruits and veggies properly to prevent spoilage and contamination.

Of course, it’s always possible to buy canned and frozen fruits and vegetables to enjoy as part of a healthy diet, but there’s just something so satisfying about bringing fresh produce home to enjoy in its season.

Have you ever tried a fruity pasta salad? Here’s one featuring mangoes, which just happen to be in season.

Bon Appetit!

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Pasco County Extension Intern Syreeta McDonald, contributed to this column .

Mango Berry Rotini Salad (Courtesy of MyPlate)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (4 oz) whole-wheat rotini pasta, uncooked
  • 1 ripe mango
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat feta cheese

For the vinaigrette:

  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons raspberry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients. Set aside.
  • Boil water and cook rotini, as per package instructions. Drain rotini and rinse in cool water.
  • While rotini is cooking, cut mango into chunks, removing peel and pit.
  • Place salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss gently.

Published August 23, 2023

Hillsborough Tax Collector tightens up appointment system

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The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has changed its appointment scheduling system after discovering that scammers were bulk-booking driver license appointments and selling them to residents for a fee.

The office received an influx of complaints regarding a lack of appointment availability and received tips that third parties were selling appointments, according to a news release.

The office launched an investigation that revealed a pattern of daily appointments being reserved under identical names and email addresses.

Appointments are not required for most services, but residents can reserve appointments on the tax collector’s website up to 30 days in advance at no charge.

The office believes that third parties are monitoring the scheduling software and immediately snapping up available appointments, possibly through the use of AI and bots, preventing residents from accessing available appointment slots, the news release said.

“This fraudulent behavior by individuals who are exploiting residents and denying them access to essential services is unacceptable. Unfortunately, appointment selling has become a growing trend across the nation, and in Hillsborough County, we are committed to putting an end to this interference and restoring fair and equitable access to services for all residents,” Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan said, in the release. 

After learning of the problem, Millan’s office asked the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office to investigate.

“It is believed that these individuals are targeting minority populations, with most of the suspected “sold” appointments taking place in the Hispanic community,” the release said.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspected incidents of appointment selling to Millan’s office.

These changes have been made to the appointment book process, to combat the fraud:

  • The new system only allows one appointment booking per person. The limitation aims to prevent the mass booking of appointments by unauthorized entities.
  • During the booking process, customers are required to enter their Driver License number, a parent’s Driver License number for minors, or an alien registration number.
  • Appointments are exclusively reserved for Hillsborough County residents and customers are required to confirm this acknowledgment before booking.
  • Staff at the tax collector’s branch offices check residency and ensure the names and ID numbers provided at the time of appointment booking match upon arrival to the office. If they do not match, the appointment will not be honored. 

For further information regarding services, locations and to book appointments, visit HillsTax.org.

Published August 23, 2023

Back to school with a smile

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(Courtersy of Kim Chapman)

Nicholas Chapman was ready to go back to school at the new Angeline Academy of Innovation, as an eighth-grader. The Laker/Lutz News Staff extends its best wishes to all new and returning students, and to parents, for a successful, fun-filled, learning experience!

 

Schools across the region ring in a new school year

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Schools across The Laker/Lutz News region have begun or will soon begin the 2023-2024 academic year.

First-year crossing guard Patricia Welch holds traffic on Weeks Boulevard, as Lake Myrtle Elementary students exit their school on Aug. 10, the first day back in classrooms for Pasco County. (Mike Camunas)

Students in the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts had their first day of school on Aug. 10.

Many scenes playing out across the Pasco school district were similar to ones that happen every school year.

Kids were hopping on their bikes to ride to campus, following the lead of crossing guards at crosswalks, or boarding a school bus.

Schools used signs to help welcome their first-day crowds.

Arriving students were eager to catch up with old friends and begin to make new ones.

This year, free breakfasts and lunches are being served in Pasco district schools.

The school board also has tightened up rules regarding the use of electronic devices.

New to the district this year is Angeline Academy of Innovation, a magnet school in Land O’ Lakes that welcomed its inaugural crop of students.

And those arriving at Land O’ Lakes High School, at Gator Lane and U.S. 41, found a host of improvements aimed at making it easier for them to get around.

Of course, it almost goes without saying that schools are in the business of helping individuals to expand their horizons through learning.

We, at The Laker/Lutz News, are extending our best wishes to all students, teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, other district staffers, school administrators, elected school district leaders, and parents for a 2023-2024 school year that’s stimulating, safe and fulfilling.

Published August 16, 2023

Lake Myrtle Elementary fifth-grader Kendall Cave, 10, walks her bike across Weeks Boulevard on Aug. 10, the official first day of school for Pasco County. Kendall, and thousands of other students made their way back to their respective elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district. This school year marked the inaugural year for Angeline Academy of Innovation, a magnet school in Land O’ Lakes.
Lake Myrtle Elementary kindergarten teacher Angela Proietto leads 5-year-old Liam Webb to his parents, who are eager to greet him following his first day of school.
Pine View Middle students climb aboard their departing school bus following the first day of school in Pasco County on Aug. 10 in Land O’ Lakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students at Pine View Middle in Land O’ Lakes wait to board their buses after school, on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
This sign, at Pine View Middle School, offers students and staff a warm welcome, as they arrive at the Land O’ Lakes campus for the first day of school.
Nicole Well, a first grade teacher at Lake Myrtle Elementary, hugs her son, Christopher, who is a third-grader, after the first day of school in Pasco County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land O’ Lakes fourth-year crossing guard Carlos Tavarez holds up traffic on Parkway Boulevard, as Pine View Middle students head home after their first day of school.
Lake Myrtle Elementary students in Land O’ Lakes are heading home, finishing up Day One of the 2023-2024 school year.
Lots of children rode their bicycles to school for the beginning of a new academic year at Lake Myrtle Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes.

Lutz Library ‘Friends’ group is back in action

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The Friends of the Library Book Depot is located inside the Lutz Branch Library. (Courtesy of The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library)

The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library have been active on and off — because of the COVID pandemic and plumbing repairs at the library.

But now the group is active again and would love for patrons to come check out its selection of affordably priced books, according to a news release.

The selection is diverse, offering books that can be enjoyed and informative for people of all ages.

The Friends have organized and re-stocked the Book Depot with a diverse collection of hundreds of donated books ready for purchase.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit group with a passion for reading and for helping to improve the community. All funds raised by book sales are used to sponsor programs and events at the library.

In addition to purchasing a book to add to your collection, you may want to make a donation to the group, or check into getting involved with it.

If you’d like to find out more, stop by the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, or call 813-273-3652.

Published August 16, 2023