The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

First Baptist of Lutz to get a new look

By

From left to right: retired Senior Pastor Charles White, Senior Pastor Scott Talley’ Senior Administrative Pastor Paul Vahue, Worship Pastor Steve Biles, Next Gen Pastor Tanner Biles, Chairman Campus Revitalization Committee member Kevin Sturgill, Rob Glisson, AIA of ROJO Architecture and Barry Henderson of Wilson & Co., hold a ceremonial groundbreaking at First Baptist Church of Lutz, at 18116 U.S. 41 North. The church, which was built in the 1940s, is getting a $3-million modern renovation, expected to be completed by May 2023. (Courtesy of Kim Seymour)

One of Lutz’s oldest buildings is getting a makeover.

The First Baptist Church of Lutz, originally built in 1944 (and rebuilt in the early 1960s after a fire), is set to get a $3 million renovation, expected to be completed around May 2023.

“This church was started in a member’s living room in the 1940s and it’s just been adding buildings over time,” Administrative Pastor Paul Vahue said. “The church is looking tired and old, so it’s getting a facelift. We’ll give the church a brand new modern glass entrance and we’re all really excited about it.”

An artist rendering of the $3 million update of the First Baptist Church of Lutz

With the renovation, the entire front of the church will be enclosed with an entirely new look.

The church also will add an atrium that will be the centerpiece and will connect the sanctuary to the fellowship hall.

The atrium will be a large open space for welcoming guests, checking in children to the children’s wing, and hosting events.

There also will be new, larger, handicap-accessible restrooms at the front of the fellowship hall, on both the first and second floors.

During the renovation, the main sanctuary will be unaffected, so services will remain there.

The construction work, however, will require several community groups, such as home-schooled students and Boy Scouts who meet at the church, to relocate their meetings to other buildings on the church campus.

So the upcoming year is expected to have a hectic look at the First Baptist Church of Lutz, but it will be a most welcome one.

“Many parents didn’t want to bring their kids to this aging building where it just looks like a blast from the past,” Vahue said. “People like stuff that is new and we want to get modern here. The church isn’t going anywhere — it’s just going to get modern and new.”

Published April 20, 2022

 

Bounce on over, to have fun here

By

Enjoy jumping around? This is the spot for you.

At Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, at 22930 State Road 54, in Lutz, there’s plenty of trampolines and all sorts of other options for when kids, and adults, get squirrely.

Amelia Marcos hangs from cloth ropes in a foam square pit at Flying Squirrel in Lutz. (Mike Camunas)

It’s an entertainment and recreation option that occupies more than half of the former K-Mart in the Willow Bend Shopping Plaza.

“We open at 2 o’ clock when school gets out, so it’s about people always looking for stuff to do after school,” said Kevin Olivella, Flying Squirrel’s manager. “So, it can be busy then, but that’s when we have a lot of people and families like that ready to jump around.”

Flying Squirrel opened in June 2020, following some pandemic delays typical for businesses opening during that period.

Ian Samora dunks a basketball off a trampoline at Flying Squirrel in Lutz.

“I think we put together every trampoline,” Olivella said. “From every last spring,” he added, laughing.

“And, even as a trampoline park itself, we have different aspects than other trampoline parks, too,” said Brody Flanagio, fellow manager.

Besides large trampoline areas, Flying Squirrel has a handful of Top Golf simulators, Drey Cafe for food and drinks, an augmented rock wall, arcade games, American Gladiator-like games with foam battalions, and even a zip line.

“It’s a lot of fun here, even to work here, because we have some staff competitions with the kids to mix things up,” Olivella said. “Weekends are our big days because we have birthday parties and it’s crazy. Or can be.”

Flying Squirrel is not far from Main Event Wesley Chapel, at the Tampa Premium Outlets, but Olivella said that the trampoline park and Main Event are different enough to not view themselves as competitors.

Flying Squirrel, located at 22930 State Road 44, in Lutz, now occupies the former K-Mart department store in the Willow Bend Shopping Plaza and is one of the largest trampoline parks in the Tampa Bay region.

“Main Event has bowling, more video games,” Olivella said. “I like to think we’re really a trampoline park first, so not only do we have a little younger demographic, we’re more about being active, jumping around, wearing kids out. So they’re just different beasts of entertainment.”

At Flying Squirrel, booking in advance is not necessary for those who just walk in to jump and play, but it is recommended for parties and events.

Prices start at $19 an hour, but there are family passes available, which are popular with frequent visitors.

Don Hager, of Wesley Chapel, falls into that category. He has made the trek to Flying Squirrel dozens of times, accompanied by his grandson, Braddick.

“He loves it,” Hager said. “It’s definitely something for him to do and then he’s tired later on. He gets great exercise and it gets him out of the house for an hour or so. What more does he need?”

Flying Squirrel Indoor Trampoline Park
Where: 22930 State Road 54, Lutz
When: Tuesday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Prices start at $19 an hour; group rates available
Details: A trampoline park, a rock wall, arcade games and other recreational options
Info: Call 813-501-8488, or visit FlyingSquirrelSports.us/lutz-florida/

Published April 06, 2022

Teen girl band rocks better than the boys

By

These girls just want to have fun.

And rock out.

Boycott band members, front row from left: Julia L. (guitar), Megan G. (vocals), Lea T. (drums), Chloe T (keyboard) and, back row, from left to right: Lilli G. (bass) and Isla T. (guitar) are an all-teen girl band that was formed at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood and played the Gasparilla Music Fest on Feb. 27. (Mike Camunas)

Meet Boycott — a six-member teenage girl band that practices out of Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. Boycott consists of Megan G, the lead singer; Julia L. and Isla T., both on guitar; Chloe T., who pounds away on the keyboard; Lilli G, who slaps the bass; and, of course, Lea T., the band’s energetic drummer.

These teens, all of whom live in Lutz and Carrollwood, are arguably one of the hottest acts in the area. That’s because they just played their biggest gig to date — and nailed it. On the third day of Gasparilla Music Fest (GMF), Boycott belted out songs, wowed the crowd and now is in hot demand to play everywhere.
“It was such an awesome opportunity,” Megan said. “We had never played to a crowd that big before and it was incredible to do so.”

“It was a lot of energy,” Julia said. “At our other shows, since we open, we don’t have a lot of people there, but since we went on later, people were recognizing us after the show and it was just surreal.”

Boycott played the Gasparilla Music Fest on Feb. 27, belting their cover songs to an enthusiastic crowd. Since then, the band is getting more gig requests. (Courtesy of Rebecca Gast)

“Before we went on stage,” Lea added, “we just kind of looked at each other and pep talked each other, but also had a lot of fun before we got on stage, so once we did get on stage, we were (calm enough) to just start playing.”

Despite being fairly inexperienced performing live — the band, however, has played small shows at local water holes such as PJ Dolan’s and Tom’s Tavern — Boycott was able to book GMF as one of two all-female bands in the lineup, however, the only teenaged one.

“We didn’t have much of a presence — we had only played about five gigs up to that point,” said Chambers, Boycott’s manager and founder. “It just took a tough pitch to get them on the ticket. … And, yeah, they were jumping out of their skulls (with nerves), but they were incredible and now they have been asked to play everywhere.”

“When you play these bigger shows,” Isla said, “everyone knows about these shows — everyone knows about the Gasparilla Music Fest, so they’re coming out to see everyone play and that’s just awesome to play a big show in Tampa, one of the hottest places in the state.”

Boycott band members, from left to right: Julia L., Lea T., Megan G. and Isla T., practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. (Mike Camunas)

Like many local bands, especially ones as new as Boycott, the young girls perform cover songs, including such hits as “Ex’s and Oh’s” by Ellie King and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Other artists the band covers are Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, however, Chambers had been trying to keep this a secret: the girls will soon collaborate on a song for the band’s very first single.

“Well, we’re starting soon!” Chloe exclaimed. “Once Julia writes the music, we’ll start working on the lyrics, but we’re excited to do that.”
“We’re kind of relying on Megan and Chloe to write the words,” Julia added.

“Yeah, but they’ll get it done,” Lilli continued. “We know they will — but I think it’s funny that we perform at taverns!”

“Yeah!” Isla exclaimed. “We perform at bars and taverns, and we’re too young to drink!” (Entire band laughs).

As anyone can see, the band’s chemistry is the absolute right mix of talent and respect — and sense of humor — with one another, and Chambers said once he got all the girls together through the Music Box’s afterschool and summer programs, and playing, everything just seemed to dial right up to 11.

“It was absolutely immediate,” the three-time Grammy award winner said. “You can just see how much they get along, how much they have fun, how much they like each other and playing together.”

Published March 13, 2022

Boycott drummer Lea T. bangs away on her kit during practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. (Mike Camunas)
Boycott lead singer Megan G. performs a song during practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood.

Classical guitars are this Lutz man’s passion

By

Washington Giorgio Castaldi is a patient craftsman as he works alone in his small garage workshop. With care and precision, he shapes exotic woods into the style and form of classical and flamenco guitars.

Washington Giorgio Castaldi strums one of his guitars as he talks about the different tones of guitars. (Fred Bellet)

It can take up to three months of work for him to reach the point where he’s satisfied with the tones and beauty of each guitar.

He listens to his favorite classical and flamenco musicians – often the Gipsy Kings and Armik – as he works.

But in this space, as he perfects each guitar, it doesn’t feel like work.

“Building guitars is my passion,” said Castaldi, owner of The Spanish Guitar Shop. As he works on each guitar, he said, “I’m in another world. It makes me feel great. I’m doing something that will last.”

Castaldi’s guitar shop is based in his home, in Lutz.

But he travels, too, to Orlando and Miami, where some of his clients live.

When not making his own guitars, he mends and repairs vintage, classical and flamenco guitars.

He is a longtime member of the Guild of American Luthiers, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the art and craft of building, repairing and restoring stringed instruments.

Washington Giorgio Castaldi chisels the bracing of a guitar in its early stage of construction. The pattern of the bracing, says Castaldi, affects the sound of the guitar.

If they’re stringed — ukuleles, mandolins, even electric guitars – Castaldi can repair them.

Landing in his current profession, at his Lutz location, came after Castaldi literally traveled the world.

Deep family roots in Italy
Castaldi’s family traces its roots in Italy through seven generations.

His American-style first name comes from his father, Edison Washington Castaldi.

He grew up in Uruguay, where his parents established the family after World War II. Members of his family are now scattered — living in Uruguay, Argentina and Spain.

A decorative fleur-de-lis is carved around the guitar’s sound hole.

His love for Spanish and Latin music emanates from his heritage.

“I listen every day,” he said. And, as he works, he listens to music.

First came his love for classical and flamenco music. Then, over the years, he developed his craft as a luthier.

He is a world traveler — sailing aboard cruise ships for 28 years as an engineer, most frequently based out of Miami.

He met his wife, Jackie, while she was a passenger on one of those cruises.

Initially, carpentry was a hobby — allowing him to make useful items when he was off duty.

He started with simple furniture pieces – chairs, tables and benches.

His skills evolved over time — into making and repairing intricate guitars, as well as other stringed instruments.

In his workshop, Washington Giorgio Castaldi works on the bridge of an acoustic guitar.

The family moved to Tampa in 2008.

When Castaldi retired, they settled in Lutz. His wife works in Tampa for Homeland Security.

No longer sailing the seas, Castaldi invests his time nurturing his relatively new business venture.

One of his first efforts in guitar repair was on his son’s electric guitar. He made his first flamenco guitar in 2010.

As a teenager in Uruguay, Castaldi played in a band with friends. A career in musical performance wasn’t in his future, but music and guitars remained a constant pleasure in his life.

Washington Giorgio Castaldi looks over the wood he will use to make a guitar in his workshop.

He describes his musical talent with humility: “I play enough to make (guitars),” Castaldi said.

One of his prized possessions is a 1945 Jose Ramirez II guitar.

The Ramirez family is world-renowned through four generations of making Spanish classical and flamenco guitars, dating from the late 1880s.

A shelf in Castaldi’s den is lined with books about guitars and about wood, and he refers to them, in the midst of projects.

The materials have titles including, “Understanding Wood,” “Identifying Wood,” and two volumes of “The Big Red Book of America Luthieres.”

The guitar maker first softens the wood with water, then heats it to 300 degrees Fahrenheit so he can form the shape of the guitar.

The Big Red books contain articles gleaned from the American Luthier magazine.

Castaldi is self-taught, learning through experience and by pursuing information to satisfy his curiosity.

His knowledge of wood and its effect on sound tone is vast.

For instance, he said, dark wood keeps the resonance in the tone; light woods produce brighter and crisper tones.

He’s looking forward to the next luthier convention in Washington State, which is planned for Summer 2023.

It had been set for 2022, but was rescheduled due to COVID-19.

The Castaldi seal identifies limited editions by number and date.

One of the joys of being a luthier is meeting people who share his passion for classical guitars.

Talking about guitars can provoke special memories, Castaldi said.

Recently, for instance, he had a conversation with a caller about a Juan Orosco guitar.

Castaldi’s first guitar, when he was 16, was an Orosco.

The caller’s question, the luthier said, “took me back to my teen years.”

By Kathy Steele

Published January 05, 2022

Shoppers flock to the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show

By

Barbara Karnay, of New Port Richey, waits for customers under the roof of the Nature Coast GFWC booth to buy her Christmas wreaths that were fashioned from clothespins. (Fred Bellet)

After calling off its biggest fundraiser of the year last year, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club resumed its popular holiday shopping festival and art show over the weekend at Keystone Prep High, in Odessa.

The 42nd annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show featured plenty of tasty treats to eat and myriad choices for shoppers looking for unique items for people on their holiday gift lists.

The annual arts and crafts show —now  known throughout the region — started small, with a crafts show at the Old Lutz School.

It has been held in recent years at Keystone Prep High, 18105 Gunn Highway, in Odessa.

The event, geared with holiday shopping in mind, has been held without fail for decades, except for two years. It was canceled in 2015 because of a sinkhole in Lake Park, and it was called off last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It typically attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 over the course of the weekend, giving people a chance to shop, enjoy each other’s company, and take in the sights and sounds.

This year’s event featured more than 200 vendors. Santa was there and an orchestra played holiday tunes.

The woman’s club uses proceeds from the event to support scholarships and numerous community organizations and causes.

Published December 08, 2021

Artist Michael Howland’s fluidic work of an American flag was an eye-catcher for many strolling through the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show. Howland is from Keystone Heights, outside Gainesville.
Michele Northrup, a former Lutz Guv’na, hawks her hot sauce. The Saucy Queen, of Lutz, gets an assist from Atlas Cortecero, as she lets the crowd know how saucy her sauce is.
Kathleen Nay makes her way into the menagerie of metal birds, part of a display under the tent of Robyn’s Garden of Metal Garden and Lawn Ornaments. Nay, along with her sister, Elaine Duncan, both of Tampa, were checking out the artistic wares at the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show, presented by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, on the grounds of Keystone Prep High School in Odessa.
Ten-month-old Kate Aldridge lets out a yawn, as her mom Courtney Aldridge, of Land O’ Lakes, pushes her stroller along one of the rows of vendor tents. Kate’s brother, Chandler Aldridge, 4, was there, too, along with friend Jill Melle, of Brooksville.
Timmy, a 3-year-old French Bulldog, had it made in the shade as Jenny Engle wheels him through the arts and crafts show. Engle is fostering the dog for Southern State Bully Rescue. The woman was accompanied by her friend Krissy Mazza. They are both from Shady Hills.
Mary Rich, of Land O’ Lakes, and Sharon Greene, of Tampa, look over the old wooden post office boxes for sale under Paul D. King’s booth at the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show. The boxes — some of which date back to the 1800s — were converted by King into savings banks.
Bill Genovese, of Tampa, and also a member of the New Horizons band, sported this heels-over-head elf hat, adding merriment to the season.

Pasco’s growth fuels economy

By

Apartment construction is dominating residential development along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor — a magnet for development in the midst of Pasco County’s surging growth.

As rooftops on luxury apartment homes pop up, retail is following, as evidenced by roadside signs and county permits.

Signs like these, east of Odessa, off State Road 54, are popping up on former pastureland up and down the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor. (Fred Bellet)

Former pastures along the heavily traveled road are occupied now with shops, restaurants, apartments, auto dealerships and Class A offices.

The Shops at Wiregrass, near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel, has added Athleta; go! Calendars & games; and, siKicks (a footwear and collectibles shop); Charming Charlies; and, Hickory Farms. Coming soon are Body Details; JABZ Boxing; and The Living Room.

Besides expanding its retail, Cypress Creek Town Center, a massive development west of the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange, is jumpstarting its residential plans.

County building permits indicate that Garrett Apartments are coming to Grand Cypress Drive, and Silversaw at Wesley Chapel is rising along Garden Village Way and Citron Boulevard.

Valentino’s Fine Jewelers and The Good Feet Store have opened on Sierra Center Boulevard, the town center’s prime east-west road, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill is coming.

Construction on Miller’s Ale House, meanwhile, is ongoing at the Wesley Chapel Boulevard entry into Tampa Premium Outlets, on the south side of the highway.

Zaxby’s restaurant has opened on Sun Vista Drive near Costco. New offerings at Tampa Premium Outlets will include a Frosty Cart by Wendy’s and new jewelry selections with Banter at Piercing Pagoda.

BMW of Wesley Chapel is building a six-story building on State Road 56. (Fred Bellet)

Just west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, on the north side of State Road 54, owners of El Dorado furniture store are laying groundwork for a 70,000-square-foot store.

When it opens, expected around June, shoppers will be able to stroll along a streetscape, enjoying more than 20 storefronts showcasing furniture styles from contemporary to traditional.

The Capo family, who is developing El Dorado, opened their first store in the late 1960s in Miami.

The family opened a store in St. Petersburg in late 2019, before the COVID shutdown and, despite the timing, it has fared well, according to Pedro Capo, chief operating officer at El Dorado.

Now, Capo said he expects to hire and train about 50 employees for the Pasco store, likely beginning in March or April.

Capo is optimistic about the Pasco store’s prospects, noting that the county’s residential growth bodes well for building a strong customer base.

El Dorado will join WaWa, Firestone and Burger King along State Road 54 frontage at the Brighthouse Crossings apartments.

Just west of Brighthouse, a Woodie’s Wash Shack has opened at the Shoppes at Cypress Creek. Fazoli’s Italian restaurant is another potential tenant for the new plaza.

More housing and dining options

In Land O’ Lakes, the Avidity Living apartment complex is being built off State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard. The 252-unit development is scheduled to open in 2022.

Also, coming to this location, is EOS Fitness.

Willow Bend Town Centre, at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway, recently added Ayoki Japan restaurant. Esporta Fitness is a rebranding of the former LA Fitness. And a sign near the center’s entrance off the state road suggests Pasco will get another car wash – Vortex Express Car Wash.

A new apartment community, Avidity Living, is being built at State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. EOS Fitness will be built at the intersection. (Fred Bellet)

West of U.S. 41, vacant land at Ballantrae and Cypress Ranch is sprouting “coming soon” signs as construction begins on apartment units, new retail, and a proposed Class A office complex, known as 54 Crossings.

On the south side opposite Ballantrae, the Cypress Ranch development includes Azora, a new apartment complex, with a spring 2022 opening. Signs in front of the complex show a cornucopia of proposed shops including ALDI grocery store, Chick-Fil-A, another EOS Fitness, Honest-1 Auto Care, and The Learning Experience.

“We are happy to confirm that we will open our newest Lutz, Florida location next year, with construction scheduled to begin soon,” according to Matt Thon in a statement provided by email. Thon is the Haines City division vice president for ALDI.

No further details were provided regarding the construction schedule or opening date.

A Circle K is under construction at this location, and a Woodie’s Wash Shack, is coming.

On the north side, 54 Crossings is a proposed 60,000-square-foot Class A office building, at Aprile Drive, adjacent to Ballantrae’s row of fast-food restaurants that includes Taco Bell and Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.

East of the Suncoast Parkway, the master-planned community of Bexley at Newland is moving dirt for a major retail and business center, off State Road 54 and Bexley Village Drive. Known as the Hub at Bexley, the commercial complex is scheduled for a summer 2022 opening.

Bexley’s website describes the Hub as a “retail and business destination,” with a summer 2022 opening. Bexley residents can walk or bike along connecting trails to enjoy dining, shopping, live concerts and family events. But it also is envisioned as an attraction for Tampa Bay residents with easy interstate access.

Construction continues at The Towns of Oakstead, on the north side of State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)

The Hub also includes a large outparcel on Bexley Village Drive, adjacent to the Springhill Suites hotel and opposite the delivery entrance into the Amazon warehouse. The site will become home to 4 & Co., with about 35,000 square feet of Class A offices and co-work spaces. Memberships and limited passes will be offered. Amenities will include a gym, yoga studio, sauna, a treatment room for acupuncture and massages, and conference rooms.

West of Suncoast Parkway, the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard initially welcomed HotWorx and Jimmy John’s restaurant. New signs in the development indicate additional tenants will be there, including Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, PTI Solutions, Touch Nail Spa, and Shauby Dental Institute.

Another apartment complex, Avilla Suncoast, is under construction at Redstone Way and Crossings Boulevard, immediately behind the new Hooters restaurant.

Next along the route, The Preserve Marketplace, off South Branch Road, is increasing its retail and business options with Caring Paws Animal Hospital, 100% Chiropractic, PostNet, Lin China restaurant, Papa Johns restaurant, Burger Fi, Chipotle, Panera Bread, and the USF Federal Credit Union. The shopping center is anchored by the Greenwise Publix grocery store.

Starkey Ranch Town Center, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54, is expanding, too. A shell building is under construction, but the new tenants are not yet identified.

Starkey Ranch Business Park on Heart Pine Avenue recently added Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Tropical Smoothie Café has a ‘coming soon’ sign. Butcher’s Mark Fresh Meats and Marinades is another shop on its way.

Clearly, there’s a lot going on, along State Road 54/State Road 56 — and there’s no indication that the pace of activity will slow anytime soon.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

By Kathy Steele

The Lutz Arts & Crafts Show returns, after last year’s cancellation

By

After calling off its biggest fundraiser of the year last year, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will host its 42nd annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show during the first weekend of December.

The event has been popular for decades, typically attracting between 20,000 and 30,000 people, over the course of the weekend.

The annual arts and crafts show — known throughout the region — started small, with a crafts show at the Old Lutz School.

Visitors to the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show can check out offerings from more than 200 vendors, giving them the chance to do some one-stop shopping for unique items for people on their holiday list. (File)

It outgrew that venue and moved across U.S. 41, in traditional downtown Lutz, to the train depot community park, in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

Next, it moved to Lake Park, on North Dale Mabry Highway, before landing at its current venue, at Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway, in Odessa.

The event, geared with holiday shopping in mind, has been held without fail for decades, except for two years. It was canceled in 2015 because of a sinkhole in Lake Park, and it was called off last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers are confident that big crowds will turn out this year, as long as people realize the event is back on and as long as they remember that the venue moved to Keystone Prep High a few years back.

Those attending the event will be able to choose items from more than 200 vendors, said Faith Sincich, the event chair and a member of the woman’s club for 30 years.

While COVID-19 slammed the brakes on many activities last year, there is at least one silver lining, she said.

“Most vendors spent all of COVID making things because they couldn’t do anything else. Most vendors have a lot of inventory that they’re anxious to market,” she explained.

In other words, expect an excellent opportunity to find interesting and unique items.

Pat Serio, a woman’s club member, listed off categories of items that will be available: “Metal work. Woodwork. Handcrafted jewelry. All kinds of artisanal things — perfumes, soaps, sauces. Unusual plants.”

Finely crafted home décor is easy to find at the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show. (File)

There are plenty of items geared for children, too, Sincich said.

“They do a lot of trendy things, for grandchildren. My daughter has already put in some requests (for items for her children),” she said.

Over the years, the event has become known for its fun and friendly atmosphere, and its holiday vibe.

Santa will be there on both days. An orchestra will play holiday tunes. And, of course, there will be lots of food choices. The woman’s club will have its hot dog booth. The Boy Scouts will be cooking up something, too. And, there will be other vendors at the food court and the school will be selling food.

Admission is free, but there is a $5 charge per vehicle for regular parking and a $10 charge for VIP parking. Handicapped spaces will be available, but the supply is limited and is quickly exhausted.

Proceeds from the event support scholarships and a wide array of community causes.

Plus, it’s fun, said Serio, who has been pitching in on the event for about 20 years.

“It’s a wonderful family atmosphere,” Serio said.

“The crowd is enthusiastic. They’re all walking out with arms full of purchases, so something is going right,” the woman’s club member said.

42nd annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show

Where: Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway, in Odessa

When: Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Admission is free; VIP parking is $10 and regular parking is $5; there is a limited amount of handicapped parking.

Details: More than 200 vendors will offer items ranging from home décor, specialty foods, photography, jewelry and fine art at this juried art show. Santa is expected to make appearances on both days of the event, which has a holiday vibe and tends to be a big hit with families.

Covid-19 concerns cancel annual Tampa Tour de Clay

By

Organizers of the annual Tampa Tour de Clay have announced that the event won’t be held this year.

Last year, the annual tour used a hybrid approach, allowing visitors to meet personally with artists and to also view pottery pieces virtually.

This 8-inch by 12-inch ash and rutile blue teapot, by Jack Boyle, sells for $125. (Courtesy of Deborah Gillars)

This year, the organizers decided it would be more prudent to postpone the event until December 2022.

The organizers explained why they would not be holding the annual Tampa Bay showcase for pottery and pottery artists.

“While we are encouraged to see the Covid-19 rate of infection continue to drop, our members felt it was still too risky to host a crowded indoor event, without the ability to require face coverings, putting you, our valued patrons and your families, at risk,” the news release says.

“The pandemic has been very challenging emotionally, economically and health-wise for so many, and the artists who make up the Tampa Bay Tour de Clay are no different. If anything, we are a microcosm of the struggles artists across the nation have faced,” the release adds.

The group’s 15 core members include those who earn their income and supported their families by traveling to juried outdoor festivals, showing their work in local galleries, working as graphic designers, owning galleries and art studios, and teaching.

Some of the members show their work only at Tampa Tour de Clay, the release adds.

“All the artists have struggled to create revenue when art festivals were cancelled, and galleries were shuttered. Each navigating the constantly changing rules, all the while taking into consideration the risks to their children, grandchildren and/or elderly parents in their care,” the release adds.

The group hopes to resume the annual event next year, on the weekend of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 2022.

While the pandemic goes on, the artists also have continued to create their works.

These pottery artists — William Kidd, Ira Burhans, Jack Boyle, Michel Ginouves and Glenn Woods —  will have a limited number of pieces available for purchase, at San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio.

To find out more about the Tampa Tour de Clay, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Tips to help avoid holiday traffic jams near I-75/State Road 56

By

Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have offered a bit of a playbook to help motorists avoid holiday traffic jams near the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

The interchange happens to be near Cypress Creek Town Center, which includes Tampa Premium Outlets, west of the intersection on State Road 56; and The Shops at Wiregrass, east of the interchange on State Road 56.

There also are myriad shops and restaurants in the general area — making the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor a busy area.

Add the holidays and a major construction project into the mix, and traffic jams could become a real source of frustration during the holidays.

So, the folks at FDOT’s District Seven office are offering some practical suggestions that could help during the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

Their first word of advice? Avoid the area, when possible.

Instead of getting off at the State Road 56/I-75 exit, FDOT officials advise southbound motorists to get off at the State Road 54/I-75 exit. Those motorists can head west from that interchange and then take Wesley Chapel Boulevard south to State Road 56, to access the area on State Road 56, west of I-75.

At the same exit, head east over to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and then south to State Road 56, to access the areas east of I-75.

Here are some other suggestions:

  • Use other roads to travel around the highly congested area of SR 56 at I-75, and also near shopping malls, especially if your destination is not actually on the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.
  • Seek out alternate access points to shopping and dining destinations. (Remember many major shopping areas have multiple access points to and from parking areas.)
  • Shop or commute during off-peak hours, when possible. Congestion at SR 56/I-75 is at its worst between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on weekdays, so try to avoid that area during those hours.

In addition to issuing this guidance, the FDOT “will adjust traffic signals for seasonal traffic patterns and the project team is working on other plans to help improve travel times,” according to a news release from Kris Carson, spokeswoman for FDOT’s District Seven office.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

You can help brighten the holidays for others

By

Some of the volunteers for the 2020 Thanksgiving event, front row, from left: Richelle Green, Amy Vanness and Mark Giannone. Back row, from left: Joe Justice and Larry Giannone. (Courtesy of Lisa Kamps)

Metropolitan Ministries is opening its donation tent at Keystone Community Church, at 21010 State Road 54, in Lutz, beginning this weekend, to help others at the holidays.

The tent will be accepting nonperishable food, frozen turkeys, and gift cards, for Thanksgiving, on Nov. 12 through Nov. 14 and again on Nov. 19 through Nov. 23.

The tent will reopen for Christmas donations on Dec. 10 through Dec. 12 and from Dec. 17 through Dec. 23.

The hours for the collection dates are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on weekdays, and noon to 3 p.m., on Sundays.

On Thanksgiving Day, which is Nov. 25 this year, a free take-out meal will be provided for those in need, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meals will be carry-out and must be picked up at the church.

The efforts are sponsored by KCC Second Serving, Metropolitan Ministries and the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes.

Published November 10, 2021