Asturia community center
Construction is under way on a community center in Asturia, the mixed-use, master-planned community on State Road 54, west of Suncoast Parkway, according to a news release from Hines Inc. The Texas-based real estate firm is developing Asturia on more than 500 acres of the former Behnke Ranch, located between two other master-planned communities — Starkey Ranch to the west and Bexley Ranch to the east.
(Courtesy of Hines Inc.)
The 5,800-square-foot facility will include a clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center, covered outdoor living rooms, a resort-style swimming pool, and an expansive lawn for recreation. Centrally located within Asturia, the community center will feature a modern architectural design with a shed-style roof, open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling facades and wood accents.
The fitness center will offer a range of aerobic and strength-training equipment. The zero-entry pool will provide areas for swimming laps and passive swimming, and a resort-style pool deck for lounging.
The community center is expected to open in early 2016.
The Asturia community will feature parks, green spaces, trails and interactive children’s play structures. Ashton Woods and David Weekley Homes are building homes, and each will provide a model home for inspection by prospective homebuyers.
Hines is a private, global real estate investment firm founded in 1957, with locations in 185 cities in 19 countries.
For information, visit AsturiaFlorida.com, or call (813) 227-4148.
Wesley Chapel chamber’s new executive board
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new executive board.
Incoming chairman of the board is Tracy Clouser, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. Assisting Clouser are three vice chairs: Steve Domonkos, The Shops at Wiregrass, Economic Development; Jennifer Cofini, Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, Community Development; and Mercedes Gonzalez Hale, Esq., Law Offices of Mercedes Gonzalez Hale, P.A., Membership Development.
Three chamber members were recognized during the meeting:
- Board Member of the Year — Jennifer Cofini, Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel
- Ambassador of the Year —Valarie Rudmin, Everlasting Beauty
- Outgoing Board Member — Rob Kellog, Thread Art
The group also welcomed as a new board member Zacharias J Kalarickal, DDS, Wesley Chapel Dentistry.
Organic baby food
Beech-Nut and Target are teaming up to give parents a new shopping item – organic food for babies, according to a news release from FleishmanHillard for Beech-Nut. Two area stores are among 300 select Target locations that now offer 12 blends of organic fruits and vegetables for babies from Beech-Nut Organics.
The locations are 1040 Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz and 16400 State Road 54 in Odessa.
According to the news release, Beech-Nut is inspired by parents making homemade baby food with unique food combinations and high quality ingredients.
And, perhaps Diane Keaton should get a shout out, too, for her 1987 romantic comedy, Baby Boom.
In that film, Keaton is a stressed out corporate executive who inherits a baby, moves into a repair-challenged Vermont farmhouse and starts a homemade baby food line. Oh, and she romances local veterinarian, Sam Shepard. (You may want to check it out. There’s a young James Spader there, too.)
The Organics line from Beech-Nut comes in transparent honeypot glass jars and features the USDA-certified seal. On its menu are single blends “just sweet potatoes” and “just pears.” There also are combinations such as “just apple, raspberry and avocado.”
For information, visit Facebook.com/BeechNut, or @BeechNutFoods (Twitter and Instagram).
Free workshop
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Pasco Hernando will host a free workshop on Sept. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills. The workshop called In Search of WOW will help people and businesses that want to take customer service to the next level.
For information, visit PascoHernando.Score.org.
Hispanic market
SMARTstart Dade City Incubator will have a seminar on the 10 Myths to Reach Hispanic Marketing on Sept. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103, Dade City. The Hispanic population in the United States has doubled in the last decade, but the community often is underrepresented in the media. Business owner Rosie Paulsen will provide insight into understanding how to effectively reach the Hispanic market.
Paulsen will also host this seminar on Sept. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the SMARTsmart New Port Richey Incubator, at 6345 Grand Blvd., in New Port Richey.
For information, call (813) 345-4331.
Adventure park opens
TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park will open Sept. 15, at 27839 Saint Joe Road in Dade City. Come climb and zip line through eight different color-coded courses designed for beginners through advance adventurers. The courses offer 100 unique elements for ages 5 through adult. No reservations are required. Group rates are available. The park will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For information, call (813) 381-5400, or visit TreeHoppers.com.
Open house
Retina Specialists of Tampa will host an open house and ribbon cutting on Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 26851 Tanic Drive, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel.
Come meet ophthalmologist, Ahmad Bakir Tarabishy, and his staff members.
For information, call (813) 973-3333, or visit RetinaCareTampa.com.
