Land O' Lakes News

Tampa Premium Outlets to have ‘Key West’ vibe

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Tampa Premium Outlets will have water, water, everywhere.

The mega-outlet mall will have a center court lagoon, five fountains, and buildings and interiors painted in soft pastels, to give shoppers a “Key West” experience.

Special events and celebrities will punctuate an opening weekend slated for Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.

Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience. (Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group) — Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience.
(Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group)

General Manager Stacey Nance gave guests at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast a peek at the soon-to-open mall, off State Road 56, near Interstate 75.

The breakfast marked the first formal event by Nance who was tapped as general manager in May. She began her career with Simon Property Group 18 years ago, as director of marketing at Muncie Mall, in Muncie, Indiana. She later moved into retail management, overseeing operations at Muncie Mall, Muncie Plaza and Northwood Plaza.

Nance also introduced her staff members, including Office Administrator Kelly Holmes and Operations Manager Dallas Stevens.

“We are very excited to be part of your community for many years to come,” Nance said.

The 441,000-square-foot mall will have 110 outlet shops, though not all will be part of the opening weekend. Among announced tenants are Adidas, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Fossil, Puma and Samsonite.

About 92 percent of the mall will be filled on opening day, Nance said. The extra open space is needed, she said, to allow room for the special events.

Details on the events and the as-yet-unnamed celebrities will be announced later.

A job fair for more than 800 jobs will take place on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Embassy Suites, at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., in Tampa. The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at Pasco Hernando State College are event coordinators.

All of the announced tenants will participate in the job fair, Nance said.

Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29. (File Photo) — Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29.
(File Photo)

On opening day, shoppers can try out a valet service. Not all Simon properties have valet parking, but Nance said plans are to see how it is utilized.

Marketing is under way also for outparcels that could bring in more tenants.

“If you all come out and spend lots of money, there will be more development,” Nance said.

She anticipates opportunities for local businesses to bid for contracts including for special events, banners and lighting for the parking lot. Signarama, a Wesley Chapel-based company and a “podium sponsor” of the chamber’s breakfast, was among local businesses that provided items for the outlet mall’s groundbreaking.

“Basically, the sky’s the limit,” Nance said.

Published August 26, 2015

Trip to Tokyo offers new perspectives

August 26, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Colby Tomasello recently returned from Tokyo, Japan, where he took part in the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy.

The Land O’ Lakes High student was among a group of eight students and four teachers from the United States who were selected to make the trip.

Colby Tomasello (back row, third from right) joins other participants at the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo. (Photos courtesy of Toshiba) — Colby Tomasello (back row, third from right) joins other participants at the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo.
(Photos courtesy of Toshiba)

He spent a week working in collaborative teams with Japanese students, to tackle challenges that required thinking outside of the box.

He also did some sightseeing and had a chance to see firsthand what life is like on the island nation of Japan.

The pace of activities was busy, said Tomasello, who won an essay competition to receive the expenses-paid trip.

Each day began around 7 a.m., with lights out around 10 p.m., he said.

“We had a lot of work to do,” explained Tomasello, who was still attending Pine View Middle School, when he was selected for the U.S. team.

Besides the challenges he and other students tackled, he also had the chance to ride on one of the world’s fastest elevators, master the technique of eating with chopsticks and check out the way people live in Tokyo.

His biggest surprise was how similar Tokyo is to major U.S. cities.

“The layout was very modern,” he said.

Colby Tomasello, right, receives a congratulatory handshake from Toshiba America Inc. executive R. Steven Tungate for his participation in the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo.

The number of people he encountered who speak English surprised him, and he was impressed by the way Japanese people, in general, treat strangers.

“People are very polite. They’re very respectful. They bow a lot,” Tomasello said.

He also observed that the Japanese lifestyle appears to be more environmentally friendly than the American way of life.

“Only 20 percent of their vehicles are all gasoline,” he said.

At the hotel where he was staying, the beds were smaller than a typical bed in the U.S., and turning on the room’s lights and running the air conditioner required the room key.

During the week, he took part in a contest to build a tower out of straws and tape that would withstand a simulated earthquake.

“We designed future communities. They’re supposed to be smart communities,” Tomasello said.

“We also saw a SMART home designed by Toshiba,” he said, which featured solar panels and other self-sustaining features.

He worked with a team that was made up of Japanese and American students. One Japanese student on his team was fluent in English, and the other wasn’t.

They worked well together, he said. When the student who spoke little English had trouble understanding, the other student translated, Tomasello said.

Bill Nye, a representative for the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy, speaks to this year’s participants at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

Tomasello noted that both Japanese students were much more fluent in English than he is in Japanese.

One lesson he learned during his trip had nothing to do specifically with the challenges at hand, he said.

He learned that the American approach to tackling a problem isn’t necessarily the only approach, or always the best approach.

Tomasello’s selection for the essay competition was based on his previous participation in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program.

Students in grades eight through 11, and high school teachers who are members of the NSTA (National Science Teacher Association), were eligible to apply.

Their Japanese counterparts were selected from high schools that promote strong achievement in science and mathematics, as well as have strong international student exchange programs.

Tomasello isn’t the only member of his family who has fared well in the ExploraVision competitions.

“My sister (Catie) has won four times, and I have won twice,” he said. One of those wins came when he was on a team with his sister.

Published August 26, 2015

Park expansion signifies big day for Land O’ Lakes

August 19, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Passersby on U.S. 41 likely didn’t notice the event taking place under a covered pavilion at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park on Aug. 14.

After all, there were no marching bands or fireworks.

Dignitaries and park supporters gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a $2.3 million project to improve Land O’ Lakes Community Park. (Courtesy of Teri Dusek) — Dignitaries and park supporters gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a $2.3 million project to improve Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
(Courtesy of Terri Dusek)

But the ribbon cutting for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park project marked a big day in the community’s history.

The $2.3 million park improvement project includes the installation of a Bermuda grass practice field, a Bermuda grass football field and a 300-foot Bermuda grass softball field.

It also includes a concession building with restrooms and a meeting room, a maintenance building, open space, two shelters, new parking lots, a new playground and a remodeled patio area. And, there’s also a four-tenths-of-a-mile walking trail.

“This is an exciting time for Land O’ Lakes. I know the community is going to enjoy this park for years to come,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, a speaker at the ribbon cutting.

Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, has been a driving force in securing funds for a stage to be built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, has been a driving force in securing funds for a stage to be built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“This celebrates progress. Not just the progress of Pasco County, but for Land O’ Lakes and the community that surrounds this park. It’s an effort, in my mind, for the revitalization of this great community,” Moore said.

“This isn’t the end of it,” Moore added. “You look around and you say, ‘Wow, what an amazing facility.’ But this isn’t the end. Thanks to the efforts of the Heritage Park Foundation, Sandy Graves and her team, there’s going to be a bandstand here that’s going to have concerts and other performances. That’s going to be another great thing for this park that the community has needed for so many years.”

The stage, to be constructed next year, is being funded through a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

It’s taken a long time to get the funding for the stage, noted Sandy Graves, who has pushed relentlessly for the project.

It took three governors to finally get the state’s support, Graves said. Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist rejected the request, but Gov. Rick Scott said yes.

Kurt Conover, a longtime supporter of the project, said it didn’t hurt to have support from members of the local legislative delegation.

Conover thinks the stage will add a new dimension to happenings in Land O’ Lakes.

“I envision it to be a very busy place,” he said.

Graves sees the stage as a way to foster the kind of community life she enjoyed when she was young.

Improvements at Land O’ Lakes Community Park include a 300-foot softball field. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Improvements at Land O’ Lakes Community Park include a 300-foot softball field.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“So many of you see it as a new park today, but I see good memories,” Graves said, during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“I remember the brand new park, back in the ’60s. I remember dance events. And coming to the community center for the Miss Land O’ Lakes pageant,” she said. “I remember my brother playing Little League games here.”

She said she’s grateful for the people of Land O’ Lakes who saw a need for a community center and park way back then, and for their support of “a place that added to the quality of life and to the wonder of their children’s memories.”

The quest for a stage at the park has been nearly 20 years in the making, Graves said, during an interview.

She noted that over the years, the Heritage Park Foundation has had all sorts of fundraisers and events to draw attention to their cause.

Foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

They also had events, such as Traditions on the Green and Scarecrows ‘N Stuff, to draw attention to the cause.

Pasco County School Board member Joanne Hurley, a former member of the Heritage Park Foundation, recalled a time when the county was thinking about selling the parkland and relocating the park.

The community rallied against that.

Besides celebrating the park improvements, the ceremony also marked the beginning of a cooperative arrangement between Pasco County and Pasco County Schools, to share facilities.

Both parties have agreed to an arrangement that will allow students from Sanders to use the county’s practice fields, parkland, picnic shelter and walking trail, and visitors to the park to use the school’s basketball courts, parking and covered play area.

“Well, it took a long time,” said Rick Buckman, of the county’s parks and recreation department, but the efforts of many have paid off. “I’m just really excited.”

He thanked a long list of people who have been involved in making the project happen, expressing special gratitude for the patience of the Land O’ Lakes Police Athletic League.

“The LOL Pal Gators — they hung in there. We kept telling you, you were going to get a field. Well, you finally got it,” Buckman said.

The cooperative arrangement between the county and the school district is the first in Pasco County to become operational, Buckman added.

Lonnie Piper, of A-OK Trophies, was among those celebrating the updated park.

“This is just gorgeous, what they’ve done,” Piper said. “I can’t wait for the amphitheater to go in.”

Published August 19, 2015

Eatery trio in the serving line at Tampa Premium Outlets’ food court

August 19, 2015 By Kathy Steele

A trio of food court restaurants at the Tampa Premium Outlets is slated for completion by Oct. 5, about three weeks before the mall’s opening day.

Green Leafs, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, and South Philly Steaks & Fries are a package deal for Eclipse Building Corp. The South Florida-based company, with additional locations in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, is a frequent contractor at malls built by Simon Property Group, the developers behind the outlet mall at State Road 56 and the Interstate 75 interchange.

Eclipse Building Corp. is in charge of construction of 40 percent of the food court at Tampa Premium Outlets including Green Leafs and Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt. (Courtesy of Eclipse Corp.) — Eclipse Building Corp. is in charge of construction of 40 percent of the food court at Tampa Premium Outlets including Green Leafs and Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt.
(Courtesy of Eclipse Corp.)

The mall will have 110 outlet stores including Michael Kors, Gymboree, J. Crew, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and PacSun.

Franchisee Raitom LLC hired Eclipse to build the three gourmet eateries in the mall’s food court, which represent about 40 percent of the mall’s food court.

The grouping of these particular eateries is a first for Raitom, which hopes to market them similarly at other malls.

“They all kind of complement each other,” said Todd Whalen, founder and president of Eclipse.

Green Leafs specializes in fast food, healthy dining with fresh made-to-order and signature salads, wraps, grilled paninis and homemade soups. Bananas Smoothies creates fruit smoothies and nonfat yogurt treats. South Philly serves a heartier menu with classic cheese steaks, salads, loaded potatoes and potato skins.

Eclipse is bidding on contracts for retail vendors at the outlet mall as well as an Asian-themed food court eatery, also part of Raitom’s franchises. With that contract, Eclipse would be responsible for 65 percent of the food court.

Other Eclipse clients include For Eyes, J. McLaughlin, Build-A-Bear, Fresh Healthy Café and Perfumania.

Whalen said his company takes a unique approach in its bidding by offering a two-year warranty including maintenance services. The industry standard generally is for one-year warranties, he said.

“We just keep the place looking brand new,” Whalen said.

The Oct. 5 completion date for the eateries allows time to stock the restaurants and train employees, he added.

“It’s going to be a very, very exciting shopping experience for everyone,” Whalen said.

Published August 19, 2015

Following the yellow brick road to Oz

August 12, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Three Dorothys, a pair of witches, a pink munchkin and an acrobatic flying monkey adds up to a trip to the Land of Oz.

That is, if the trip is imagined by instructors from Nicole’s Dance Center and 15 young performers, ages 6 to 14, at summer camp. The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and the “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz also traveled down the yellow brick road.

Glinda, the Good Witch, far right, tells her fellow performers to ‘break a leg.’ It is a superstitious way of wishing ‘good luck’ right before actors take the stage. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Glinda, the Good Witch, far right, tells her fellow performers to ‘break a leg.’ It is a superstitious way of wishing ‘good luck’ right before actors take the stage.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

And they were having fun — precisely what Nicole Bouchard wants her students to have.

“It’s not only learning about dance but also about family,” said Bouchard, who opened her dance studio, at 3934 Lake Padgett Drive in Land O’ Lakes, nearly two years ago. “It’s not all about pointing your toe or how high your leg goes. You learn something in the process about yourself.”

On July 31, Bouchard’s troupe of summer camp dancers performed for a standing room only crowd of proud parents, siblings and friends. They had worked for a week to learn their parts and build the scenery to create the imaginary world of Oz. Only three of the students had experience as stage performers.

But Bouchard said, “They took ownership. They were all part of it.”

In auditions, 14-year-old Tiffany Bassett tried out for the role of the Wizard.

“He’s green,” said Bassett, costumed in a sparkly green dress and green streaked hair tresses. “I like green.”

Alice Stryker, seated left, gets a makeup touch-up from Brandy Gold as Dorothy and The Scarecrow watch.

Behind the scenes, volunteers and moms, Leesa Fryer and Brandy Gold, applied finishing touches to makeup for Glinda, the Good Witch; The Scarecrow; a “flying monkey”; and a crew of pink, green, yellow and orange Munchkins. The women also were co-directors for the production.

Gold and Fryer each have dance and musical theater chops. Fryer has taught dance; Gold was a musical theater major in college, and was the arts and cultural director for the Tampa Jewish Community Center in Tampa.

“I have a blast as a mom,” said Fryer. “It’s a joy to be able to do this with my daughter.”

But she added, “They are all like my babies.”

Fryer’s daughter, DeLaney Fryer, was one of the three Dorothys. Gold’s daughter, Brilee Gold, was the loose-limbed Scarecrow.

Other performers were Ashley Vandiver, Noelle O’Parka, Erin Vandiver, Tabitha Vinson, Elise Labutis, Emma Sarhaddi, Kalyn Day, Alice Stryker, Isabella Robbins, Margo Armstrong, Mia Campione and Neena Setia.

Bouchard choreographed the 30-minute production.

The studio is her dream-come-true.

Dorothy’s dog, Toto, guards the diploma that proves The Scarecrow has a brain.

She went solo after more than 30 years of dance experience, and about two decades of teaching with other dance troupes including Florida Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America and New York Dance Alliance.

Enrollment at her studio has about doubled within two years. Bouchard currently is expanding a second room to accommodate about 100 students.

“I’ve been really blessed,” Bouchard said. “I’m supported by imaginative people.”

Published August 12, 2015

Volunteers help Sanders gear up for first day

August 12, 2015 By B.C. Manion

A group of volunteers showed up at Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School last week, eager to help the school gear up for its first day of classes as Pasco County’s first magnet school.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce sent out a call for volunteers, and people responded.

Lots of volunteers turned out to pitch in at a volunteer day organized by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The crew included neighbors, parents, chamber members and a school board member, too. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Lots of volunteers turned out to pitch in at a volunteer day organized by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The crew included neighbors, parents, chamber members and a school board member, too.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

There were chamber members, parents of children who will be attending the school, community residents and other community volunteers.

Pasco County School Board member Cynthia Armstrong was among those ready to get to work.

“We’re so excited about this school opening. It’s a long time coming, to have a magnet school in Pasco County,” Armstrong said.

“Seeing the outpouring of support for it — the number of students that applied to go to this school — just really lets us know that’s what the parents want, and we’re here to make sure that we offer the educational opportunities that they want for their students,” Armstrong added.

Sandy Graves, a member of the Central Pasco Chamber and a Land O’ Lakes resident, has a special place in her heart for Sanders.

That’s where she went to school for all but one year of elementary school, Graves said.

She said she’s excited about the opportunities awaiting children who will be attending the school, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Some parent volunteers were at the workday, too.

Nicole Bradshaw said her 5-year-old daughter, Emily, is just starting kindergarten.

She said her daughter has attended a voluntary kindergarten program that had a STEAM approach to education, and she’s thrilled that she’ll able to continue that approach to education.

Krystin Leonard was helping to sort and pack student planners. She said her daughter, Brielle, is in voluntary prekindergarten, and she hopes she’ll be able to attend Sanders next year.

“I like the immersive learning,” she said, noting that children are learning about the same themes, through different subject areas.

“When I saw they (Pasco County Schools) were opening a STEAM school, I jumped on it,” said Bradshaw, who lives near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway.

She also likes the hands-on approach to learning.

“They need to get their hands dirty. They need to touch stuff and not just be learning from a book, or being recited to. They need to be in there and doing it,” she said.

Debra Wheeler and her 10-year-old daughter, Madison, were also there to volunteer.

Madison will be a fifth-grader and is excited about going to a new school.

It was a difficult choice, Debra Wheeler said, noting her daughter has attended Connerton Elementary until now.

“It was a big decision for us, because so many years we’ve been going to the same elementary school,” she said. “So, that was the debate: Do you stay with something consistent, or do you try something new?

“When we saw what Sanders was offering — you can’t pass that up,” she said, noting all three of her children will be attending new schools this year. One will be Sanders, another at Pine View Middle School and another at Land O’ Lakes High School.

During the work session, volunteers were scattered about the school, helping to sort and deliver student planners; stapling maps of the school together to help parents find their way around; putting on laptop covers, to protect the laptops; and helping to assemble shelves and sort books.

There was a sense of camaraderie, as the volunteers pitched in.

Sanders Principal Jason Petry welcomed the help.

“When Sandy (Graves) called me, she was very adamant about getting out here,” Petry said. “I love it.

“We came up with a list of things that could be done that could take a lot of stress off of us,” he said.

“It’s good for the community to be involved in the school,” he added, noting that Sanders has been in Land O’ Lakes since 1948.

Dan Paasch, a district aide for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, was pitching in during a volunteer work session at Sanders Memorial STEAM Elementary School. He was helping to sort and deliver student planners.

The school has been closed for five years. The school district had planned to renovate and reopen it sooner, but the economy tanked and those plans were put on hold.

As the school reopens this year, it looks like a brand new school and is equipped with the latest in technology, has bright furniture, and is designed with teachers and students in mind.

Assistant Principal Kelly Edwards is excited about being at Sanders.

The school has many special features, including collaboration areas which are designed to foster collaboration in learning.

“It looks like you stepped into MOSI (the Museum of Science and Industry),” Edwards said. “It looks like you stepped into 2030,” she said.

School board member Armstrong is delighted by the community’s enthusiasm for Sanders.

“STEAM, all the way!” Armstrong said.

Sanders Open House
What: Open House
Where: Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet, 5126 School Road, Land O’ Lakes
When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Aug. 20
Why: To give people a chance to tour Pasco County Schools’ first magnet school, and to see the school’s new buildings and renovated existing buildings.

Published August 12, 2015

Pine View aims to become IB middle school

August 5, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Pine View Middle School has begun a quest to become the first school in Pasco County to offer a Middle Years Programme, under the auspices of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

While the school is launching its candidacy for the MYP designation, it also has ended its stand-alone program for academically gifted students.

Those decisions have sparked some pushback from parents who shared their concerns with the Pasco County School Board.

Administrators for Pine View Middle School are excited about leading the first school in Pasco County seeking to be designated as a Middle Years Programme by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Shown from left to right are Pio Rizzo, assistant principal; Jennifer Mathews-Crosby, principal; and Kyle Ritsema, assistant principal. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School) — Administrators for Pine View Middle School are excited about leading the first school in Pasco County seeking to be designated as a Middle Years Programme by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Shown from left to right are Pio Rizzo, assistant principal; Jennifer Mathews-Crosby, principal; and Kyle Ritsema, assistant principal.
(Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

Some said they didn’t want to lose the stand-alone gifted program.

Others complained about a lack of buy-in by stakeholders before going down the MYP path.

Principal Jennifer Mathews-Crosby acknowledged the pushback from parents, but said she’s excited about the opportunities the Middle Years Programme will offer.

Some people may have the wrong idea about what MYP is all about, she said.

“There is a misconception that when you have an International Baccalaureate program that it must be for those high-rigor type students,” Mathews-Crosby said. “We really needed to break through those perceptions. The whole premise behind the Middle Years Programme is about the whole child.”

The beauty of the MYP is that it celebrates the uniqueness of students, said Pio Rizzo, an assistant principal, whose children attended a Primary Years Programme in Manatee County.

“IB celebrates the fact that all students are different. They learn in different ways and different styles, and IB focuses on that,” added Rizzo, who also taught mathematics in an IB school. “We love the fact that it is for everybody, that everybody can benefit from this IB philosophy,” he added.

Parents of academically gifted students may be worried that their children will lose educational opportunities, but Mathews-Crosby believes those students will benefit from the MYP approach.

She also noted that obtaining the MYP designation doesn’t happen overnight.

“It is a multi-year journey. That journey for most schools is three years,” Mathews-Crosby said.

“There’s going to be some reflection and some learning for us, as we go through this,” she said.

“We’re going to be open-minded to people who maybe don’t necessarily agree with the direction that we may be going, and hear their thoughts,” Mathews-Crosby added.

Not every MYP operates in the same way, she noted. “We have visited other schools in the state, and they are very different in a lot of ways.”

To get things started, the entire staff at Pine View Middle will be trained in the MYP philosophy on Aug. 14.

Teachers will be building their unit plans with the global perspectives of the MYP.

Mathews-Crosby believes the program will expand learning opportunities for all students.

“It really takes it deeper and wider,” she said.

It takes what teachers are already teaching, but makes broader connections, she explained.

Kyle Ritsema, a new assistant principal at Pine View Middle, said he’s glad to be a part of the new program.

“It’s a challenge, and it’s an exciting opportunity that is not available anywhere else in the county right now,” Ritsema said.

To help parents gain a better understanding of the MYP, Pine View will be sending out an electronic newsletter monthly to showcase what the school is working on that month.

“Right now, the focus is on the task at hand,” Mathews-Crosby said.

But she’s optimistic.

“We are fired up. We’re excited. I think the sky’s the limit, honestly,” she said.

Published August 5, 2015

Natural Market keeps it fresh and in the family

July 15, 2015 By Kathy Steele

A thriving business in Carrollwood prompted the Kim family to open Natural Market II in Land O’ Lakes.

Now nearing its first anniversary, the store is settling into its new community and giving customers another choice for locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The store also stocks an eclectic mix of Asian, Latin and American grocery staples.

Jeff Kim, right, and his son, Yong Son, sell organic and fresh fruits and vegetables at Natural Market II. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Jeff Kim, right, and his son, Yong Son, sell organic and fresh fruits and vegetables at Natural Market II.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

A recurring plea from Carrollwood customers who had moved to Pasco County prompted Jeff Kim to search for a second location for Natural Market.

That, and the chance for a new beginning in a high-growth area like Pasco.

“They’ve been asking us to open,” said Kim. “Finally, it’s time.”

On a drive down Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, Kim spotted a vacant gas station at 4204 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., at the Bell Lake Road intersection.

It was not in the best of shape, he recalled. “Everything had to be cleaned out.”

From the start, the grocery business has been a family affair.

Kim and his family came to Tampa from Korea nearly 30 years ago when he was a teenager.

The family opened its Carrollwood market, at 4441 Gunn Highway, about 18 years ago.

Natural Market’s green roof helps draw attention to the shop, which sells fresh food, produce and flowers. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Natural Market’s green roof helps draw attention to the shop, which sells fresh food, produce and flowers.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Kim divides his time between Carrollwood and Land O’ Lakes. His son, Yong Son, is manager of the Land O’ Lakes store.

Customers say they appreciate the family friendly atmosphere.

“We love that it’s local and a lot of the veggies come from local farmers,” said Diane Polson, who stopped by recently to pick up fresh tomatoes. “That’s my No. 1 biggie.”

She also likes the purified water system that Kim has recently installed. “It’s another bonus,” she said.

The bins at Natural Market are filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Some are familiar such as cantaloupe, tomatoes and apples. But it is a place to find the unfamiliar as well, including dragon fruit, sapota fruit, rambutan and longan.

Freshness and uniqueness is what Natural Market strives for. Raw honey, bee pollen, herbs, fresh-squeezed juices and farm-fresh eggs are a small part of the foods stocked on shelves and in refrigerators.

Kim also points with pride at the freshly cut flowers and flower arrangements.

Shopping for the market is always a pleasure, he said.

“It’s from experience. You go to the market every day. You see all the unique produce. It is something that connects with me,” he said.

Published July 15, 2015

Land O’ Lakes’ honorary mayor begins his term

July 15, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Tariq Zidan ponied up more than $1,000 and was named the honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes.

He didn’t win the title through a shady deal in a smoke-filled room or making bribes to fix an election.

Zidan won the honorary title fair and square.

Tariq Zidan is given the mayor's sash by outgoing mayor Terri Dusek at the Central Pasco Chamber's awards and installation banquet on June 26. (Fred Bellet/Photo) — Tariq Zidan is given the mayor’s sash by outgoing mayor Terri Dusek at the Central Pasco Chamber’s awards and installation banquet on June 26.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

He raised the most money during the campaign which ran from early March until late June. The funds go to the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and the mayor’s sash went to Zidan.

“It feels fantastic,” said Zidan. “This was my first shot at fundraising, so I’m not a heavy-hitter. But I’m very satisfied with my first efforts on my way to becoming a heavy-hitter with fundraising.”

Zidan succeeded in his first fundraising effort by putting together a trio of successful events at area venues: A Bunco game night at Copperstone Executive Suites, a trivia night at Stage Left and a karaoke night at City Grill. Together, they raised the amount that earned him the win. He credits April Saland and Elisabeth Butterfield with making the Bunco and karaoke events successful.

Zidan, who runs Zidan Marketing & Media, an online marketing and web design company, was honored with the title at the chamber’s awards and installation banquet on June 26. It was also a celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary, and included the installation ceremony for the chamber’s new officers.

As the new mayor, Zidan can look forward to ceremonial events such as ribbon cuttings and other appearances.

Zidan also gets to direct some of the money he raised to the charity of his choice. He chose the Bubba The Love Sponge Foundation, which was founded by the popular radio personality. The charity assists the surviving family members of fallen officers and first responders.

For Zidan, it’s a chance to help families who have lost loved ones serving the community.

“It’s what makes our country great,” he said. “We’ve got to pay it forward to the people who make it all possible.”

Zidan joined the Central Pasco Chamber last October. The Lutz resident has been a member for just a small part of the chamber’s 40 years, but said it’s already done a lot for him.

“It has presented the opportunities to create some great relationships and foster those relationships on a business and personal level,” he said.

One of those relationships is the reason he’s the mayor today. The now former mayor, Terri Dusek, convinced Zidan that he’d be a good replacement for her when her term ended. Now that he’s the mayor, Zidan said he’ll be active in finding more people to run for the office.

Each mayor is different, and Zidan wasted no time in putting his own stamp on the office. He’s already updated the traditional sash by adding a large clock to it. It’s a tribute to rapper Flavor Flav, who is known for wearing clocks at appearances and concerts. Zidan believes the accessory gives the sash a needed bit of flash.

“I figured I’d give it an untraditional spark. Bling it out a little bit,” he said.

While the mayor title doesn’t come with any real responsibilities or tangible duties, Zidan said the benefit of having the race is very real for the chamber and its goals.

“It creates attention and gets people interested, which is always a good thing,” Zidan said. “I think that chambers that don’t do it are missing out on an opportunity for an organic degree of exposure that they can only benefit from, and the Central Pasco Chamber has done that,” Zidan said.

Published July 15, 2015

Tampa homebuilder plans luxury homes on Lake Padgett

July 15, 2015 By Kathy Steele

It’s a grassy tract with trees now, but luxury homes are slated for construction on more than 9 acres on Carson Drive, east of U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Tampa homebuilder Timothy Mobley of Mobley Homes wants to build the Manors on Lake Padgett, a gated enclave of eight homes on waterfront lots.

A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The project is in early stages, with plans to file for approvals with Pasco County, likely by the end of summer, said Renee Riordan, sales agent with Mobley Homes.

“They are beautiful lake frontage,” said Riordan. “You can’t always find sites like this.”

The lots are priced at about $200,000 each. The website for Mobley Homes, MobleyHousing.com, pegs home prices as starting in the upper $500,000 range. Mobley Homes would have several design plans available for houses of about 3,000 square feet, according to the website.

Riordan said Mobley Homes is fielding inquiries from prospective homebuyers.

The site is located across from the Countryside Montessori Academy on Carson Drive. The road is north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. It dead-ends behind the Village Lakes Shopping Center.

Carson Drive is a two-lane roadway and a frequent cut-through for motorists who want to avoid the busy intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

Pasco County records list the taxable value of the property as about $852,000. Mobley is a partner in BCL Florida LLC, which owns the property.

Published July 15, 2015