The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

Blowing up: Jonathan Fudge’s business vision takes shape

By

As a balloon artist, Jonathan Fudge has to be able to field all kinds of requests like dogs, swords and hearts. And recently, a fire alarm.

“I said, ‘Tell me what’s important about a fire alarm to you,’” recalled Fudge. And after hearing what elements clients wanted to see — a round shape, place for batteries, test button — he got to work immediately.

With around 20 years experience, Jonathan Fudge isn’t afraid to tackle any balloon project.
With around 20 years experience, Jonathan Fudge isn’t afraid to tackle any balloon project.

“I made it happen for him,” he said. “That’s my job.”

Fudge, who attended Land O’ Lakes High School and lives in Lutz, has been creating balloon art for most of his life.

“I used to be the best, youngest balloon artist in the world. But then I got older,” he said with a laugh.

Now 28, Fudge started making shapes 20 years ago, and has been working events since he was 16. It’s taken him to places like Belgium, China and Japan. He’s also turned his love of entertaining into a larger, thriving business.

His company, YTE Events, boasts a stable of more than 130 performers who entertain at parties, celebrations, school programs, and corporate and charity events.

One upcoming charity on YTE’s schedule is the Cheval Cares 5k & Family Fun Day, Sept. 20. Now in its third year, the event — at the Cheval Athletic Club in Lutz — benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

YTE — which stands for Your Total Entertainment — participates in a number of charitable events that benefit groups like Metropolitan Ministries and Suncoast Hospice. For Fudge, it’s just part of helping others in the community, his entertainers, and the people who enjoy them.

“I got my start through charity,” he said. “Someone taught me for free. But I’m not the only one who’s been touched by that.

“When I can give my entertainers an outlet to do something they love, and to share what they love with other people, that skips over all kinds of boundaries.”

Even non-charitable events allow his performers to get the satisfaction that comes with entertaining others with their special skills and abilities.

Fudge’s stable of performers includes superheroes and princesses (some might bear a resemblance to famous names, but aren’t specifically representing characters who would cost a lot of money to license) as well as mermaids, magicians, ninjas, jugglers and face-painters. He works out of his home, matching the right entertainment to specific events, as well as performing balloon art himself.

The company handles around 50 different events each month, he said.

Fudge himself heads out to his own gigs making balloon shapes. The art form has changed a lot over the past few years, he said. In the past, one could get away with making basic shapes using just one balloon. But people expect more definition and complexity today, and that means staying on top of trends, learning new styles and being creative on the fly.

Fudge has fielded unusual requests like lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners, and participated in creating a dress made out of balloons.

Running his business isn’t easy, either. In addition to the 20 to 25 hours he spends doing balloon art, he can invest as much as 80 hours a week keeping things running smoothly, and making sure the right entertainment is placed with the right event.

Finding high-caliber talent is a challenge as well. It’s one thing to run across someone with a nice costume and the right look, but entertaining at an event takes more than that. And Fudge doesn’t let just anybody join the team. He’s very picky, and is looking for performers who have a natural ability to interact with people in an entertaining and positive way.

“What’s really more important, and what I can’t teach, is personality,” he said. “They have to be good with kids, they have to be charismatic, they have to be fun, they have to be high energy.

“And someone who really loves what they do. If they’re in love with the character they’re trying to portray, then they’re going to portray them in a much more realistic and believable way.”

Fudge’s team is filled with performers quick on their feet, and who are willing to do a bit of acting to really adopt the image they’re displaying at the event.

The end result is a strong group of handpicked performers who share passion for their craft and appreciate the opportunity to share it with the public. And beyond the costumes, balloons and other props, Fudge considers that passion to be his company’s biggest asset.

“There are other agencies in the area and elsewhere,” he said. “But I think what sets our agency apart is the fact that everyone in my company loves what they do.”

For more information about YTE Events, visit YTEEvents.com.

Published September 10, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Club Mom offers women and kids a chance to relax, socialize

By

When Megan Hendricks moved to Land O’ Lakes from Tampa, she was looking for a place to meet new friends and mingle with other mothers.

She decided to check out a meeting of Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes. And now, just a few years later, she’s president of the group.

Grace Hendricks, 5, and Eden Hendricks, 3, enjoy a Halloween gathering put on by Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Megan Hendricks)
Grace Hendricks, 5, and Eden Hendricks, 3, enjoy a Halloween gathering put on by Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes.
(Courtesy of Megan Hendricks)

“I didn’t know anybody,” Hendricks said. So, she went to a Club Mom meeting and immediately felt at home.

“Everybody was super nice and friendly. It’s casual. It’s laid back,” said Hendricks, 39, who has two daughters, Grace, 5, and Eden, 3.

There are lots of things to do, in lots of places, giving members plenty of options, she said.

Heather Hemberger, who moved to Land O’ Lakes from South Tampa, also was looking for a way to plug in with other new moms. She heard about the club and decided to check it out.

“I joined a year ago, when my son was five weeks old,” Hemberger said, noting she was attracted to the group’s laid-back nature. “I was looking for some friends for my little guy and it seemed like a really neat group of moms.”

Hemberger was a youth director and preschool teacher before she became a stay-at-home mom. And she’s glad she joined Club Mom.

“What’s different about our group is that we’re really flexible,” Hemberger said. “A lot of groups have lots of rules. We allow members to say, ‘Hey, I have an idea. Let’s do this.’”

There’s no pressure to be at gatherings, either.

“If you can come, come,” Hemberger said.

The group has 31 members, ranging in age from the 20s to 40s. Some are stay-at-home moms, some work part-time, and some are working moms, Hemberger said. Some moms have one child, and others have more.

The club meets frequently at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, but also meets at other locations, such as Wiregrass Wednesdays and club members’ homes.

“A typical group is someone will bring snacks and we’ll meet at the playground,” Hemberger said. “Very low-key.”

The club gives members a chance to socialize and gives their kids a chance to have fun. It also provides a forum for moms to share information about doctors, low-cost entertainment, day care options, and parenting advice.

“I wouldn’t say we all have one parenting philosophy, which is also refreshing because everyone has a different approach to parenting,” Hemberger said.

Hemberger has made some good friends through the group.

“It’s definitely fun,” she said. “For me and for a lot of the women in leadership, it’s a way to still have an outlet.”

The club specifically targets members in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, but does have some members from New Tampa and Carrollwood.

Most of its get-togethers are in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes communities for the convenience of club members, Hemberger said. Most of the events are in the day, for moms and their children. But there are occasional family events, in the evening or on the weekend.

The group also likes to celebrate holidays with special events, and also likes to help out various charities.

The club will host an open house Sept. 19, so potential members can find out more. It will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, and will feature crafts for the kids and some giveaways.

Hemberger encourages any mom who thinks she might want to join, to check it out.

“For me, I feel like it makes me a better mom to him, when I’m able to get out of the house, get a cup of coffee, meet up with friends,” she said.

If you go …
WHAT: Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes is hosting an open house to introduce local moms to their group. The open house will feature crafts and giveaways.
WHERE: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway
WHEN: Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
COST: Event is free, but annual dues to join the group are $20
INFO: Meetup.com/momsclub or find ‘Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes’ on Facebook

Published September 10, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Putting the ‘cool’ back in Oscar Cooler Sports Complex

By

When it comes to baseball, a level playing field is crucial.

That’s one of the reasons a fundraising effort is under way to buy a better grade of clay for the baseball diamonds at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex.

A player warms up in a batting cage at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex. More batting cages are needed to meet the demand. (Courtesy of Lutz Baseball)
A player warms up in a batting cage at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex. More batting cages are needed to meet the demand.
(Courtesy of Lutz Baseball)

Warming up properly is important, as well, to improve form and prevent injuries. And that explains the goal of building additional batting cages for the baseball teams that compete at the park, located at 766 E. Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The fundraising effort — which includes a baseball clinic, a golf tournament and an equipment drive — aims to raise money for improvements at the park, said Jeff Stanislow, a member of the Lutz Baseball board.

The organizers came up with a catchy name for their effort, asking people to “Put the Cool Back in Oscar Cooler Park.” They also enlisted the aid of Lou Piniella, whose career in Major League Baseball spanned a half-century, including stints as a player, manager, broadcaster and consultant.

The University of South Florida baseball program also is pitching in by hosting a clinic for players, to help them hone their skills. And Domingo Ayala — a baseball celebrity known for providing comic relief — will be there, too.

Piniella will be a keynote speaker at a banquet following a golf tournament that is at Avila Golf & Country Club on Sept. 15. Organizers hope to attract about 200 baseball players to the clinic and about 120 golfers to the golf tournament.

They want to raise enough money to pay for six new batting cages and some repairs to existing cages. The goal is to have the new baseball cages ready by next February, in time for the spring season.

Organizers also hope to purchase some clay to top dress the diamonds, to help prevent bad bounces and help prevent injuries to players.

“For years we’ve been using the less expensive clay because it’s $300 a truckload, and baseball clay is $1,500 a truckload,” Stanislow said.

Besides reducing bad ball hops and preventing injuries, the more expensive clay lasts longer, he said.

Piniella agreed to volunteer his time to help the cause because he has friends at Oscar Cooler park, Stanislow said, and he lives at Avila, where the golf tournament is being held.

About 300 players compete in the fall league, and about 400 play in the spring league, Stanislow said. About three-quarters come from Lutz, but there also are players from Odessa, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

The park hosts some practice sessions for travel ball teams during the off-season, as well.

“The park is an important place for kids. A place to build relationships. A place to build teamwork,” Stanislow said.

It also provides a healthy alternative to video games or other diversions, which can get them into trouble, he added.

Giving young people healthy diversions was exactly what the late Oscar Cooler had in mind when he pushed Hillsborough County commissioners to provide land for a baseball field in Lutz. When commissioners were dragging their heels about providing funding to build the baseball facility, Cooler recruited community volunteers to get the job done.

That was decades ago. Since then, thousands of youths have enjoyed a sports complex that has brought together generations of families to play and watch sports.

“When you have something of that kind of legacy, that’s been part of a community for so long, it’s really important to embrace that and have that story continue on,” Stanislow said.

Lutz Baseball is a nonprofit organization. For more information, visit LutzBaseball.com.

If you go …
WHAT: ‘Domingo’ Day at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex
WHEN: Sept. 14, with registration at 10:30 a.m., and event concluding with a 3 p.m. awards ceremony
DETAILS: Baseball clinics led by the University of South Florida baseball team, with visits from baseball celebrity Domingo
Ayala; a hit, run and throw contest; a keynote speech from Ayala; and an awards presentation.
COST: $25

VIP Tent Access
Those wanting more personal access to Domingo Ayala can have their pictures taken with him in a VIP tent. Cost is $50 per person, $150 per family

Play It Again Sports equipment drive:
Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at parking lot at Oscar Cooler Park, 766 E. Lutz Lake Fern Road

Play It Again Sports will purchase used sporting equipment from people who wish to donate. Proceeds will help improve the baseball facilities at Oscar Cooler Park. The company will purchase equipment used in all sorts of sports.

Charity Golf and Banquet:
WHERE: Avila Golf & Country Club, 943 Guisando De Avila in Tampa
WHO: Baseball legend Lou Piniella, keynote speaker
WHEN: Sept. 15, with golf tournament at 1 p.m. The banquet and silent auction is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
COST: Packages and sponsorships range from $75 to $5,000
INFO: LutzBaseball.com

Published September 3, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Funny business: Local graduate returns to headline comedy show

By

Working comedians — the ones who aren’t famous yet — tend to take whatever gigs they can get. Sometimes that means half-empty bars, or coffee shops or off-nights in a tiny comedy club.

In Steven Lolli’s case, it meant a clothing-optional resort in Land O’ Lakes 10 years ago.

Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“It was one of the worst shows I’ve ever had in my life,” he said, recalling the scene at Caliente Resorts off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, with a smile.

Lolli had been doing comedy about eight years at the time, and the Gaither High School graduate had returned to Tampa to set up some shows. Not one to turn down work, he tried a nicer, more approachable style to his comedy. And the crowd wasn’t buying it.

“The crowd was bad and I was bad,” Lolli said. “I should have been my angry self.”

What a difference a decade makes.

Lolli’s back in town, but he’s not trying to win over any skeptical crowds. Instead, he’s bringing his own following to the Carrollwood Cultural Center at 4537 Lowell Road, for his “High Class Poverty Comedy Tour” on Aug. 30. And he’ll be his angry self on stage, because it’s taken him pretty far in his 18 years as a stand-up comedian.

Lolli didn’t give anyone there the impression he would eventually make a career out of telling jokes when he graduated high school, and he headed to the Orlando area soon after to attend the University of Central Florida before making his way to Los Angeles. It was there in the California sun he gained a reputation for fitting in at venues where he’d look out of place.

Lolli began frequenting comedy clubs where the performers and audience were overwhelmingly African-American. He might be one of the only white people on stage — and the only Jewish person in the room — but he was something else, too. He was funny, and the crowds responded to him.

Nationally known comedian Katt Williams helped develop Lolli’s moniker, “The Urban Jew,” and eventually hired him as a writer.

Minority audiences appreciated his honesty and responded to his earnest delivery, Lolli said.

“I started talking about race. I started talking about Jews and blacks,” Lolli said. “One thing about the black crowd is they really respond to true emotion, when you’re really being honest.”

That response was a pleasant contrast to other clubs he visited, where politics and social relationships dictated who got to perform, and too many comedians wanted to mold their act into a television-friendly package. Lolli wanted to protect his edge rather ingratiate himself to the people who were the gatekeepers and could deny him stage time.

Performing in African-American clubs might not have looked natural at first glance, but it was a natural fit for his style and philosophy.

Cutting his teeth in tough rooms, and gaining acceptance from what could be considered challenging audiences, made Lolli more fearless in his comedy and more confident in his abilities. And while the 38-year-old could pass for a young executive on the street, it’s a different story on stage. His material is adult-oriented, salted with the kind of language that gives his rants emphasis.

But Lolli doesn’t simply rely on dirty words for shock value. His language is an extension of his thoughts and perceptions at that particular moment. While he has plenty of prepared material, he allows himself to veer off track frequently and create something original out of unscripted moments from earlier that day or while he’s on stage.

There’s a lot of risk with that method, and grabbing the microphone in front of a packed house without a clear idea of what you’ll say beforehand can be scary. But his real fear is not being true to himself.

“I’m more afraid to not say what I mean,” Lolli said. “It’s the most gratifying feeling to be yourself.”

It also can provide a career boost if things go well. Lolli once performed at an event honoring a cable executive, with many important agents and actors on stage and in the audience. It would be a perfect time to play it safe and not make fun of their industry, but that isn’t his style.

He came out aggressive with his material, got the audience on his side, and has received a lot of work as a result of that edgy performance. That included a 2012 guest appearance on the NBC comedy sketch show “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.”

He’ll deliver more of the same at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, though he’ll have a lot more time to explore his thoughts and expand his material. He’ll also have his parents, Joy and Gerald, in the audience. They’re proud of his success and have taken note of his rising notoriety as the venue promotes his show.

They also haven’t seen him perform in years, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get the easy treatment from their comedian son on Aug. 30. In the end, they know he has to be himself.

“They’ll be all right,” Lolli said. “I might make fun of them, too.”

Published August 27, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Tilling the soil to share earth’s bounty

By

It’s around 8 a.m. on a Saturday, and a volunteer crew is hard at work in a garden at Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lutz.

Renee White is yanking plants out of a raised bed, like a one-woman wrecking crew. Her husband Mike is on the other side of the garden trying to make sure that he’s placing a wood post in the right spot for a new raised bed.

A group of volunteers at Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church has created The Mustard Seed Garden Ministry. The crops they grow help to feed the hungry. The flowers they grow feed the soul. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
A group of volunteers at Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church has created The Mustard Seed Garden Ministry. The crops they grow help to feed the hungry. The flowers they grow feed the soul.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Eric Kopp is working up a sweat, first sawing wood for the new garden bed, and then fixing a water pipe that’s broken.

Meanwhile, Ann Marks and Princess Layne are tending to other garden chores. Marks is scooping up piles of vegetation that Renee White has cleared out of a bed and carrying it to a compost heap. Layne is stripping okra leaves off a plant to allow sunlight to reach other plants.

The volunteers are part of The Mustard Seed Garden Ministry.

They launched the project last year, first finding an area on the church’s property that would work for a garden, said Renee White, who is a Hillsborough County master gardener.

To plant the garden they needed flat terrain, water and sun. They also needed a spot that wasn’t already being used by another group at the church, she said.

“Of all the places that we surveyed on the 11 acres, this was the one that fit everything,” White said.

The volunteers set about transforming a 65-by-55-foot patch of land into a thriving garden.

The idea for the garden came from members of the mission committee, White said.

“Several of us had the idea,” she said. “We have this property, why don’t we use it to God’s glory by taking care of people who don’t have fresh food.”

At the moment, okra, peppers, cherry tomatoes, basil and flowers are growing in the garden. At other times of the year, they plant different crops.

The plants are grown in raised beds, and the gardeners rotate what they grow to reduce problems with fungus, disease, nematodes and other pests.

They also grow a variety of flowers on the front side of the garden.

“We have our pollinators up front here,” White said.

Besides attracting bees and butterflies, the flowers create a beautiful view for passersby and visitors to the church grounds.

As they harvest the garden, they donate its yield to the First Baptist Church and Grace Family Church in Lutz, which both feed the hungry. They also donate produce to Christian Social Services in Land O’ Lakes, which gives it to people in need.

The Mustard Seed Ministry raises money for garden supplies by going to local produce markets and having their own farmer’s market at the church. Whatever they don’t sell, they donate to Christian Social Services.

“One day, it may be tomatoes and broccoli and cabbage and lettuce. On another day, it may be something else,” White said. That’s in addition to donated crops from their garden.

The ministry also allows people to use 4-by-4-foot plots for a $10 annual donation. Layne is growing okra and flowers in one of those plots.

“I just love gardening, and where I live, I do not have a lot of gardening space,” said Layne, who lives in Willow Bend. “So, this is my garden away from home.”

She enjoys helping in the garden ministry, too.

“I just love being active in my church,” Layne said.

Kopp said this is his first experience in serving on an outreach ministry, and he’s glad he signed on.

“I own a landscaping company, so it’s a pretty natural thing,” Kopp said.

Marks, who lives in Wesley Chapel, said she comes from a long line of gardeners. Unlike them, she said, she’s not a skilled gardener. “Weeding is my specialty,” she said, but she enjoys being involved. “It’s all community. It’s pulling our strengths together to help out people who can’t help themselves.”

Published August 6, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Lutz player is simply all soccer, all the time

By

Robbie Soronellas is never too far from a soccer ball.

At practice, the 13-year-old is working on drills. In games, he’s the center-midfielder, directing the ball to the teammate with the best chance to advance the attack.

Soronellas’ bedroom is a tribute to his love for soccer, from his bed to his medals to his heroes on the wall. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Soronellas’ bedroom is a tribute to his love for soccer, from his bed to his medals to his heroes on the wall.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

And when he’s at his home in Lutz, he’s usually kicking around a smaller, toy version of a soccer ball.

Soronellas usually earns a lot of praise for his skills. Except when his parents catch him doing it in the house.

“They’ll get mad at me because I might break stuff,” he said.

When it comes to soccer, Soronellas is more likely to break records than home furnishings. He was part of Tampa Bay United’s U-13 team that won the Florida state cup for their age group, and competed in the regional finals in June. The team fell in the regional championship to the Georgia state champion by the score of 2-1.

It wasn’t his first state title — he also won that honor with the Lutz Rangers when he played for the U-11 squad — but Soronellas admits to feeling some pressure in the regional championship.

“I was really nervous going into that game,” he said. “The other team was really big, so I was thinking, ‘Man, it’s going to be really hard to beat them.’”

When it comes to sheer size, big players will always have an advantage over Soronellas. At 5-feet tall and 85 pounds, he won’t tower over any opponents. But he uses his coordination and skills to out-maneuver the other side, and said that smaller players also can pick up extra fouls when players clash.

His team’s success has translated into championships and successful runs in tournaments, but that doesn’t mean a lot of goals to add to his personal statistics. Soronellas didn’t score in the regional tournament or the state cup, and he’s fine with that. As long as the team is doing well and he has space to deliver passes to the team’s scoring threats. It’s more important to put team goals ahead of individual ones.

“My dad always tells me that,” he said.

His father, Frank Soronellas, knows a bit about winning soccer himself. A center-midfielder in his playing days, he helped bring a junior college national championship to Miami-Dade College, and later played for the University of Central Florida.

Soronellas admits his son would have had an edge over him at that same age. He takes pride in watching Robbie play, and notes that it’s his aggressive mindset toward the position that has led to great success.

“He’s a tenacious player,” Frank said of his son. “When he’s on the field he’s not going to let you by.”

That kind of playing style can frustrate opponents, which is exactly what the younger Soronellas wants. Even large, talented players can make mistakes if they’re taken out of the game mentally. It’s part of his team’s strategy, and Soronellas said it becomes obvious when the strategy is working.

“They start yelling at each other and they basically break down,” he said. “Sometimes when you start beating a team really badly, they start getting mad at each other.”

Soronellas tends to stay calm during matches, though he admits to throwing a few tantrums when he was younger (he started playing soccer when he was 4). As he got older, he learned discipline and can now put tough losses in perspective: He’s proud of what Tampa Bay United accomplished in the regional tournament and was excited to see the United States advance to the knockout stages at the World Cup last month.

Perhaps the only time Soronellas gets agitated is when he’s not able to include his favorite game. When there are no matches or practices, he’ll go see his brother Steven play soccer or practice for Steinbrenner High School. Or he’ll do some running at a local community center.

He might even play a soccer video game. And sometimes he’ll grab a smaller ball and do what young athletes have done as long as parents have worried about nice things breaking at home.

“Sometimes around the house I have a mini-soccer ball and I’ll start juggling it,” he said.

Published August 6, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Steinbrenner feeling optimism with new gridiron roster

By

When a high school football team has to replace 22 graduating seniors, it can be devastating to their prospects the following year.

But in Steinbrenner High School’s case, it might be just what they needed.

Andres Bautista is serious about providing leadership in his senior season, and working hard to get Steinbrenner High School’s football team into the playoffs. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Andres Bautista is serious about providing leadership in his senior season, and working hard to get Steinbrenner High School’s football team into the playoffs.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“The attitude and mentality of everybody is that they want to come and work hard. They saw what we struggled with last year, players just giving up,” said Andres Bautista, who plays on the defensive line. “Those seniors, they’re gone, so now we feel we have a better chance of achieving goals.”

Bautista, now a senior himself, is just one of two players who are entering their fourth year with the Warriors, and he believes the roster changes will improve their fortunes. Too many seniors didn’t give it their all, didn’t respond to challenging times, or simply didn’t perform up to their ability, he said.

As a result, the team finished a disappointing 3-7 overall, and 2-3 in the district last season.

Head Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo, now entering his third year at the helm, isn’t too concerned with dwelling on last year’s fortunes. He’d rather take what he can from the past and apply it toward a more successful future.

“Every year is different in its own way,” Perez-Reinaldo said. “We look at last year’s successes and struggles, learn from them, and work on the new team and the new year.”

The Warriors gave up a district-high 303 points, but they had problems on both sides of the ball. The offense also struggled, both failing to score and committing turnovers, which put the defense in bad situations.

And when put in those situations, coverage issues allowed the opposing team’s offense to capitalize, Bautista said.

But that doesn’t mean Steinbrenner didn’t have significant bright spots. The Warriors were ranked second in kickoffs and punt returns. Not second in the district, nor the region. Steinbrenner was ranked second in those categories ahead of nearly every other school in the state.

Perez-Reinaldo believes that gives the team a significant advantage and can help improve their record in 2014.

“We hope to continue that,” Perez-Reinaldo said of the high special teams ranking. “If you can win those two — special teams and defense — everything else will fall into place.”

Perez also believes his receiving corps will be difference-makers this season. He credits Coach Michael Bosco for his work with the unit, and believes the wide receivers complement each other well.

While it’s too early to know how everything will fall into place, Perez-Reinaldo likes what he’s seen so far. A good work ethic and some success on the field have given him some optimism headed into the regular season.

“I think it’s important for kids to learn how to compete and then learn how to win,” he said. “This off-season, our team has really come together through workouts and seven-on-seven tournaments. We won our first seven-on-seven tournament ever at Steinbrenner this summer, and I see that as evidence that our team is learning how to win.

“Now it’s a matter to translating that to Friday nights.”

Bautista is looking forward to getting back to playing on Friday nights as well, because he missed a few of them last season. A torn meniscus in his right knee ended his 2013 campaign after just five games, and he had to watch the team struggle from the sideline. Now, after a successful return in a spring game (Bautista says his knee is 100 percent), he’s looking forward to providing the senior leadership he feels was lacking last season.

And Bautista believes the best way to provide that leadership is to show that he’s dedicated to seeing Steinbrenner reach the postseason for the first time in his high school career.

“That’s one of our biggest goals, is making the playoffs,” Bautista said. “I’m going to play how I’ve been playing since freshman year: Playing hard and going 110 percent.

“I love football.”

STEINBRENNER WARRIORS

Last Year: 3-7 (2-3 in district play
Fourth place in Class 7A-District 7

Key Returning Players
Andres Bautista, defensive line
Zack Deitz, linebacker

Key Addition
Quentin Poteralski, quarterback
(was a backup last season)

Player to Watch
Kezio Snelling, wide receiver
“Had a breakout year, and he is definitely a guy to watch,” said Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo.

2014 Warriors Schedule
8/22 – Sunlake
8/29 – at Plant City
9/5 – at Alonso
9/12 – Spoto
9/19 – Sickles
10/2 – at Tampa Bay Tech
10/10 – at Wharton
10/17 – Wiregrass Ranch
10/24 – at Freedom
10/31 – Gaither
11/7 – Jefferson

Published July 30, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Interest sparks in electric car conversions

By

When Steve Azzoli pulls his bright blue car into an auto parts store and pops open his hood, he invariably draws a crowd.

That’s because the retired Land O’ Lakes man is tooling around in an all-electric car, and people want to take a look.

Steve Azzoli said his electric car creates a buzz when people take a look under its hood. He invested about $23,000 on the car, but gets 110 miles to 120 miles per battery charge, and doesn’t have to spend a dime on gasoline. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Steve Azzoli said his electric car creates a buzz when people take a look under its hood. He invested about $23,000 on the car, but gets 110 miles to 120 miles per battery charge, and doesn’t have to spend a dime on gasoline.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Azzoli got the car for his project in 2011, and didn’t get the parts to convert it into an electric vehicle until the middle of 2012.

It took six months to restore the car and another 18 months to convert it.

Rebirth Auto of St. Petersburg helped Azzoli get the right battery system and motor controller, while Diamond Auto Works Inc., in Lutz did the bodywork, welding and fabrication work, and car painting.

Diamond Auto’s Bobby Boles said when Azzoli first told him what he was planning to do, he thought he was crazy. But Boles figured if Azzoli was willing to invest so much in the electric car project, Azzoli must know what he was talking about.

The bodywork made the car more aerodynamic, Azzoli said.

Since completing the project, Azzoli has driven 5,700 miles without using a drop of gas. He estimates he saves about $300 a month with his electric car.

Beyond saving money on fuel, he’s also spending less on maintenance.

The project cost about $23,000, but Azzoli said that is less than what it would cost for a Chevrolet Volt, a popular gas and electric hybrid car. He also notes his car gets more mileage per charge than a Nissan Leaf, another popular electric car.

Before a recent upgrade that reduced the weight of his car, Azzoli said he was getting about 110 miles to 120 miles a charge. Azzoli recently removed about 150 pounds of steel, and changed his battery boxes from steel to aluminum. Once he does some more testing, he’ll know how much the mileage between charges has improved.

Azzoli’s next project will be to change the 14-inch tires to 16-inch tires, improving  highway mileage, he said.

The Land O’ Lakes man isn’t the only one drawn to electric vehicles. Jose Barriga of New Tampa said he became fascinated with the notion of converting a gasoline-powered car into an electric vehicle once he found out it was possible.

He has converted a 2004 Nissan Sentra into an electric car. At first, he was able to get 50 miles per charge.

However, he’s in the midst of upgrading the batteries and expects to be able to get 80 miles per charge once that project is done.

Barriga is sold on the concept of electric cars. He likes the idea of using a car that doesn’t use gasoline or oil, and which doesn’t directly cause pollution.

His second car is a hybrid, which requires him to fill his gas tank about twice a month.

Barriga said he’d like to do another car conversion project, but simply doesn’t have the time.

Steve Messerschmidt, who’s associated with two vehicle companies in St. Petersburg — Rebirth Auto and Evnetics — sells electric vehicle conversion kits to customers around the globe.

There’s a big demand to convert gasoline-powered cars into electric cars, Messerschmidt said.

Some people want to save money on gas. Others enjoy do-it-yourself projects.

Some people want to reduce the carbon footprint. Some people like to show off their cars and they want to have a unique vehicle.

Others want electric cars, but don’t want to be limited to what’s available commercially. They want to choose the make and model of their electric car.

And there are those who want to make a business out of it, Messerschmidt said. “They want to do conversions for other people,” he added.

Edward R. Monfort, chief executive and president of electric driveshaft manufacturer Adomani Inc., is one of those people. He’s looking to convert school buses and trucks into electric vehicles to make money for his company and to save money for school districts and private businesses.

The Tampa man said he’s also exploring the possibility of working with the U.S. Postal Service to provide a fleet of vehicles for its use.

Monfort drives around a Ford F-150 truck that’s been converted to an electric vehicle. His interest in electric vehicles began in 2008 when he was getting into the car business and built an all-electric Mustang.

The car was popular at car shows, but never developed a strong market, Monfort said.

Now, he’s focusing his efforts on finding customers in the fleet market for trucks and buses.

Electric vehicles offer a wise economic choice, Monfort said, noting they can cost less than half as much as a gasoline-powered vehicle over 10 years, considering the purchasing and operating costs.

“There’s a demand for the product,” Messerschmidt said. “Municipalities, as time goes on, they’re going to demand that the carbon footprint go down. This business, in general, is really in its infancy.”

Published July 23, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Lutz girl’s prize-winning photo is in Ranger Rick magazine

By

Sarah Robison took a prize-winning photo last fall when she was visiting a park in Rochester, New York.

The 11-year-old was admiring some Canada geese when she noticed a young deer just a few feet away. The young shutterbug knew that she had only an instant to react, and she took advantage of that moment. She took out her iPad and captured the shot.

Sarah Robison, 11, of Lutz, is one of six national winners in a photo competition sponsored by Ranger Rick magazine. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Sarah Robison, 11, of Lutz, is one of six national winners in a photo competition sponsored by Ranger Rick magazine.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The result was a prize-winning image in Ranger Rick magazine’s “Your Best Shots” photo competition. As a winner, her photograph captured one of six spots in a photo display in the August issue of the children’s magazine, published by the National Wildlife Federation.

Other photos in the spread include a swamp scene in the Everglades, a polar bear taking a plunge at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, a hummingbird in a backyard garden in California, some wild mushrooms in the woods, and a giant mola fish off the coast of New Hampshire.

Robison is thrilled that her photo was selected.

“I love taking photos. That’s my hobby,” she said.

Her parents, Randy and Deborah of Lutz, are delighted by Sarah’s achievement, and couldn’t be more proud. Her grandmother, Gloria Russell of Land O’ Lakes, said Sarah has been interested in photography for years.

“Even when she was small, she used to take pictures with my camera,” Russell said.

She’s also had an interest in nature since she was quite young, said Deborah Robison, who homeschools Sarah.

Sarah Robison recalls her mother reading her Ranger Rick stories when she was small. Now that she’s older, Robison thumbs through the magazine herself, learning facts about animals.

Robison loves animals and wants to become a veterinarian when she grows up. She also plans to continue pursuing photography, which she intends to keep as a lifetime hobby.

Robison takes her iPad wherever she goes, in case she sees a good photo opportunity. The iPad has its limitations because she can’t zoom in and get clear shots.

That’s why capturing the photo of the deer was so special, she said.

“I really couldn’t believe he was standing right there,” Robison said.

She kept thinking the deer would run away. But he didn’t, she said.

The photo competition is an ongoing contest, with winners selected three times a year from hundreds of entries, said Mary Dalheim, editorial director of children’s publications for the wildlife group. The judges select photos that fill the frame well and don’t have a cluttered background.

They also seek out images that are interesting and use the proper lighting, she said.

“We’re also looking for an interesting perspective,” Dalheim said. “If you look at the picture of this deer, she’s got him head-on. It’s sort of as if she met eye-to-eye with this deer. We were amused by that.”

The photo contest is intended to encourage children to get outdoors and to observe nature.

“You know how some people say, ‘It takes a village to raise a child?’” Dalheim said.
“At National Wildlife Federation we say, ‘It takes a backyard, or a playground or a park.’”

Being outdoors has many benefits, Dalheim said, noting studies show it helps children grow lean and strong, enhances their imagination and attention span, and improves their classroom performance.

It also helps them to become better stewards of the environment, Dalheim said.

Any child younger than 13 is eligible to enter the contest. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/RangerRickPhoto.

Published July 23, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Lutz-based trolley rolls into mobile food service market

By

When the owners of Lutz Mail Depot on Dale Mabry Highway found that customers enjoyed spending time at their business and socializing, they wanted to provide a small cafe so they could sit and eat.

While brainstorming that idea, they considered launching a traditional food truck. But then they got really creative.

Greg Skibbee and his partner at Lutz Mail Depot, Paul Fischer, have put around $125,000 into their Route 66 Kitchen & Dining Car. The trolley/food service vehicle is now parked in front of their business during the week, and will travel the state on many weekends. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Greg Skibbee and his partner at Lutz Mail Depot, Paul Fischer, have put around $125,000 into their Route 66 Kitchen & Dining Car. The trolley/food service vehicle is now parked in front of their business during the week, and will travel the state on many weekends.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“We thought, let’s do something cool with this and let’s do something that’s kind of interesting and unique,” said Greg Skibbee, who owns Lutz Mail Depot with his business partner, Paul Fischer.

Make way for the trolley.

Skibbee and Fischer converted a working, 35-foot motorized trolley from Paris, Texas, into the Route 66 Kitchen & Dining Car, a mobile food service vehicle that will sit outside their business during the week serving food, and hit the road throughout Florida on weekends. It officially opened for business last week.

While converting a trolley into a food truck is an unusual concept on its own, Skibbee explained that there’s more to it than that. At more than twice the length of a typical 17-foot food truck, they can offer something missing from mobile food vehicles: inside seating.

Between eight and 10 patrons can eat inside the trolley, and awnings will provide shade for customers who use tables and chairs outside.

In addition to getting the trolley ready for inside customers and decorating it with Route 66-themed memorabilia, Skibbee and Fischer added a new, electric cooking system with induction heating. The equipment will allow for fast, clean cooking, while keeping temperatures under control, Skibbee said.

After adding air conditioning and getting everything up to code — the trolley has passed its health inspection and is road-ready — its owners will have spent around $125,000 making their idea a reality.

The transformation required a lot of effort in a short time, since they just purchased the trolley in late May. But according to Skibbee, the effort has been worth it.

“This is probably one of the things I’m most proud of because it took so much to do it,” he said.

The trolley made its public debut at the Lutz Independence Day parade, escorting outgoing Lutz Guv’na Suzin Carr along the parade route. But even when its owners take it to Home Depot for some upgrades, it attracts plenty of attention, Skibbee said.

While the Route 66 Kitchen & Dining Car will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and even breakfast to patrons, they’ll be happy to serve the underprivileged in the community as well. Military veterans and the homeless will find themselves welcome wherever their wheels stop that day.

“You want to support your vets and you want to support your homeless,” Skibbee said.

If the community supports their Route 66-themed trolley, its owners will make sure it isn’t lonely on the road. They have preliminary plans to add two or three more to the fleet by the end of 2015.

The trolley already has made an impact inside their business as well, as benches have been converted into sitting areas. But outside, Skibbee believes the trolley will have a presence that fits in with the unique spirit of Lutz. And to make sure nobody forgets where it comes from as it travels around the state, the trolley has its home community proudly displayed on the back.

“That’s why we actually branded it as ‘Hometown: Lutz,’” Skibbee said. “It doesn’t say ‘Hometown: Tampa’ or ‘Orlando.’ It says ‘Lutz’ because Lutz is where we are.”

For more information about the Route 66 Kitchen & Dining Car, visit Route66.kitchen, or call (813) 949-5370.

Published July 23, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here