Shabby chic
Shabby Abbie’s, a new “shabby chic” store at 6616 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is having its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 5.
The shop features eight vendors who specialize in French country, romantic cottage and cool coastal décor, with pieces for the living room, dining room and bedroom. The shop prides itself on eclectic, unusual and recycled pieces. There are antique, retro and mid-century pieces. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 600-1684.
Outback open for lunch
The Outback Steakhouse at 10860 SR 54 in Trinity is now open for lunch. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, at noon on Saturday and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (727) 376-5100.
Audiology open house
For Better Hearing Month, Florida Medical Clinic is hosting an open house at its audiology offices in Wesley Chapel at 27634 Cashford Circle and in Zephyrhills at 38103 Market Square, on May 8 and May 9. Appointments are necessary. Call (813) 973-8400 or (813) 788-8959 to reserve a time.
Networking and marketing strategies session
A Networking and Marketing Strategies Meet Up Group gets together at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Village Inn, 22601 SR 54. For more information, call Michael E. Harrell at (813) 920-8866
Body *Tech Xpress opens in Lutz
A grand opening celebration will be May 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Body * Tech Xpress, at 19259 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz. The private fitness studio in Lutz-Lake Fern Crossings provides 24/7 access to members. It has isolation machines, free weights, step-mill machines and treadmills with televisions. For more information call (813) 909-0888.
Florida Cancer Affiliates appoints new staffer
Florida Cancer Affiliates (FCA), a community-based medical oncology and hematology practice, has appointed Denise M. Laird as medical scheduler. She comes to Florida Cancer Affiliates from Florida Cancer Specialists.
Attached Photo: Denise M. Laird
Meritage Homes names vice president
Meritage Homes, which has expanded to Tampa Bay and plans to open four new communities before summer, recently appointed Ben Wilson vice president of land acquisition for the region. Wilson attended the University of Florida and has more than 12 years of experience as a home building executive.
Meritage recently acquired 12 home sites at Crystal Preserve off Crystal Lake Road in North Tampa; 16 home sites at Bella Casa on Indian Head Drive also in North Tampa; and 31 home sites at Wellington Manor in Lutz. For more information, call Brian Kittle, (407) 712-8641 or email .
Ribbon cutting for Dash of Salt N’ Pepper
A ribbon cutting will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 10 for Dash of Salt N’ Pepper in the Cory Lakes Isles Professional Center at 10335 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D, in Tampa. The event will have food, drinks, door prizes and networking.
Pasco wins planning award
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has awarded Pasco County the coveted One Bay Award for the second year in a row at the Future of the Region Awards.
The county won the award for becoming one of Florida’s first counties to adopt the mobility fee as a replacement of transportation impact fees. The Pasco Economic Development Council partnered with the county to craft the program and gain support from the development community. The new fee schedule dramatically lowers the cost of office and industrial development in Pasco County. For example, Pasco’s mobility fee for office, industrial and transit-oriented development along the US 19 and SR 54/56 corridors is $0, the intent being to stimulate construction and job creation.
Pasco County also took first place in the development/infrastructure category for the mobility fee program, and first place in the cultural/sports/recreation category for the Pasco County Starkey Wilderness Park Trail Project, phases I through IV. Pasco’s Elderly Nutrition Program won an honorable mention.
“It was like sweeping the Grammys! Pasco County won more awards than any organization,” said John Hagen, Pasco EDC President/CEO. “The mobility fee is truly innovative and puts Pasco County in a class by itself.”
Business education
Preferred Referrals Networking Inc. will hold its spring education series at the Lutz Library, 101 W. Lutz-Lake Fern Road. Human resource expert Fred Francis will lead the two-hour sessions. There is no charge, but donations to the library are appreciated. RSVP to . The sessions, all at 3:30 p.m., are:
Recruiting, Employment, Selection, May 7
Employee Orientations, May 14
Harassment Prevention, May 21
Strategic Interviewing, June 4
Termination, How to End the Relationship, June 11
For more information, call (813) 785-3177.
Home Instead Senior Care honored
Wesley Chapel business owners Michele and Lynelle Bonneville have been honored for outstanding business performance at the Home Instead Senior Care® network’s annual international meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Home Instead Senior Care network is a provider of non-medical in-home care and companionship to older adults with offices worldwide including East Pasco County.
The Bonnevilles, a mother and daughter team, were recognized with a Cornerstone I award, which is presented for superior sales and service satisfaction.
