The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Dade City’s downtown soon to receive flood relief

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The completion of a project now underway in downtown Dade City aims to address flooding problems that have plagued the area for years.

The public works project, which began in August, involves the installation of new stormwater piping.  Joseph DeBono, Dade City’s public works director, is overseeing the project.

Behind Dade City’s City Hall, a portion of Pasco Avenue is being unearthed to facilitate new piping. This is one of several routes to see pipe placement that will help diminish flooding in the downtown region. (Brian Fernandes)

The work is being done to address major flooding that hinder parts of downtown, DeBono said.

“What this project does is to aid in mitigating a lot of that sheet flow, by channeling the water in new drains – curb drains, street drains – in various configurations,” the director said.

Sheet flow refers to the water that settles at ground level or higher.

DeBono added: “What we’re doing is we’re actually bringing it (water) down below grade with the stormwater collection system, to basically help cars navigate down the roadway instead of having 6 (inches) to 7 inches of water that they have to go across.”

The concrete-made pipes will be placed underground, spanning 2,400 linear feet and ranging in size.

New curb drains will relieve roadways of rain water by sending it directly into the piping system.

The construction will begin at Seventh Street’s intersections with Church Avenue, and Pasco Avenue – further north. Then it heads east on Pasco Avenue to Third Street, where it will head north up to Meridian Avenue.

The piping will head east passing U.S. 98 and the CSX railway, eventually dumping the water into Irvin Pond.

The pond will be reconfigured and widened to accommodate the additional water it will receive. A larger surface area also will grant more time for the wastewater to be treated.

Canal Street, just east of Irvin Pond, will undergo modifications as well.

Underneath the roadway, a culvert pipe is currently situated for better ease of water off the street. There are plans to expand this structure as well.

The project will benefit both shop owners and those going through downtown, DeBono said.

Signs indicate where construction is taking place. Detour routes have been established, too.

The director also mentioned the installation may impose some inconvenience, as it is being done during the day.

“We understand that there’s businesses there along most of the corridor that we’re going down, and we make a best effort for allowing patrons to actually get to their locations,” he said.

The estimated $2.3 million-project is funded by state appropriations as well as the Florida Department of Transportation and Dade City.

Construction is set for completion for some time between the middle and later part of next year, DeBono said.

Published October 09, 2019

Rattlesnake Festival offers new features, special guests

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It’s that time of year again, when the Rattlesnake Festival offers two full days of fun at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, following a special concert by the world-famous Bellamy Brothers to kick off this year’s event.

The Bellamy Brothers will perform on the evening of Oct. 18, with separate tickets sold for that event.

The traditional festival activities will be offered on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 at the fairgrounds, at 36722 State Road 52, in Dade City.

Where else can you feel slithery snake skin but at the annual Rattlesnake Festival? This year’s event is set from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20. (Courtesy of Joe Simmons)

The event, now in its 53rd year, will offer some new features and bring back some old favorites, too.

“We want the festival to continue to be an annual event that everyone looks forward to just like they did for more than 50 years,” said Joe Simmons, executive director of The Thomas Promise Foundation, which is hosting the event.

The Bellamy Brothers’ concert at the Dan Cannon Auditorium, at the fairgrounds, will be their first festival appearance since 1968.

Festivities on Oct. 19 are planned from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. , with some events occurring only on that day, including Cowboy Tom’s Wild West Show and a live performance by Clerks with a Cure in the Dan Cannon Auditorium.

That day’s schedule also includes the 41st annual Rattlesnake Run, held at the San Antonio Park at 12750 Oak St., in San Antonio. This will be comprised of a pet-friendly 5-mile run starting at 8 a.m., and a 1-mile run at 9:15 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m.

And at 6:30 p.m., the Rattlesnake Festival After Dark concert will provide musical entertainment by the Seventeenth Street Band and River Junction Band. Admission will be $10 per person at the gate.

Activities on Oct. 20 will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exclusive to the day will be the Subaru Off-Road event as well as a dance and theater exhibition in the Dan Cannon Auditorium, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both days will feature first-time and traditional offerings.

Some new features this year include a live bear exhibit and Soccer Collies – where people and dogs interact in a soccer game.

Also new will be the Walk on Water Air Bubbles that allows patrons to roll around inside a bubble, floating on water.

Jim Mendenhall’s snake show will make a comeback, along with Tampa’s Croc Encounters crocodile and reptile show, and other wildlife exhibits.

Also returning are bounces houses, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo and pony rides.

Hungry patrons can visit the food court with various options, and there will be an array of vendors selling arts and crafts.

The purchase of a  $15 wristband provides unlimited access to numerous fair rides provided by Big O Amusements.

Parking is free and admission is $5 for those ages 3 and older.

Proceeds will go toward The Thomas Promise Foundation, which helps to provide weekend meals to kids in need.

To pre-register for the run, visit www.RattlesnakeRun.com.

General admission for the Bellamy Brothers concert is $40 and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at www.RattlesnakeFestival.com.

For additional information, please contact Joe Simmons at (813) 782-0000 or at .

Rattlesnake Festival
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City
When: Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. (Bellamy Brothers Concert); Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Festival admission $5 for those ages 3 and up for Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 events; General admission for Bellamy Brothers concert is $40 and limited; 1-mile run is $20 for 18 and up, $15 for ages 11-17, and free for ages 10 and under; 5-mile run is $40 for 18 and up, and $25 for those under 18
Details: The festival kicks off with a live performance from the Bellamy Brothers. New and returning fun features and activities will be there on the other two days to enjoy. Vendors and a food court will be there, too.
Info: contact Joe Simmons at (813) 782-0000 or at . For Bellamy Brothers concert tickets, visit www.RattlesnakeFestival.com. Pre-register for the run at www.RattlesnakeRun.com.

Published October 09, 2019

Amping up entertainment in Downtown Dade City

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It was an eventful day for Melanie Armstrong, as she stood at the site where she’ll soon be operating Savory Roots — Catering and Events.

The shop will soon be part of a coming downtown Dade City attraction that will be known as – The Block.

Located in the heart of downtown Dade City, the premise at 14313 Seventh St. is expected to become a hub for retail and social entertainment.

Business partners Melanie Armstrong, left, and Larry Guilford, don hard hats along with Ben Borregard, Bill Borregard and McKenzie Wiliamson at the groundbreaking for The Block, on Sept. 27. This new plaza is expected to become a hotspot for fun in downtown Dade City. (Brian Fernandes)

Armstrong was excited on the morning of Sept. 27, as she was joined by contractors, Dade City officials and area residents during a ground breaking celebration.

Besides being a future tenant, Armstrong helped conceptualize the project alongside realtor and investor, Larry Guilford.

“We’ve been working on this project for about a year and a half,” Guilford noted at the ceremony. “We want to create a place where people can enjoy family and friends.”

The project is a new take on two existing buildings.

The premises — which spans 21,000 square feet — has an extensive history as a car dealership, going back for decades.

After it became vacant, it became a coveted spot.

“Being in commercial real estate for many years, in the area, I’ve always loved to look at this building,” Guilford said. “I saw a lot of potential in this property.”

The First National Bank of Pasco provided a loan for the project, enabling Armstrong and Guilford to push their agenda forward.

Remodeling is expected to cost at least $700,000, he said.

Most of the construction will entail reconfiguring the interior space in both buildings.

The structure facing Seventh Street will have a section designed for retail spaces.

Another part of the building will be an open venue to accommodate events such as weddings, parties and fundraisers.

There also are potential plans for a bridal shop and a brewery, Guilford mentioned.

The second building will be turned into a CrossFit gym.

And an outdoor patio will run between the two complexes, placed with seats, tables and string lights hanging above.

While it will be inclusive to all, it also is geared toward the younger-adult demographic, Guilford said.

“You’re going to see more activity here, especially as residential growth gets closer,” he added.

With schematics drawn, Armstrong already has pinpointed where her food catering shop will be located.

Savory Roots has been operating for more than a year in downtown Dade City, but will be relocating to The Block, when it opens.

The newly modified plaza will accommodate the expanding business, Armstrong said, noting that “we’re growing a lot and we need the additional space.”

She thinks The Block will not only benefit her business, but also will be a boost for the whole town.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez agreed: “This is going to be a major game changer – for Dade City – in terms of bringing people downtown [and] experiencing all that we have to offer.”

Most demolition work will be handled by construction workers, but visitors — donning hard hats and goggles — had the chance to take a few whacks, with sledge hammers, during the groundbreaking.

Guilford thinks The Block will help create a new vibe.

“I think it kind of changes the face of event entertainment. It brings new life to this end of town. I think it’s a win-win for everybody,” he said.

The CrossFit gym is expected to open its doors in February, followed by the retail complex in May.

Published October 09, 2019

Two families celebrate new Habitat homes

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It’s not every day that a new homeowner moves into a new Habitat for Humanity home, and it’s even less common for two housewarmings to take place on the same day.

But that’s exactly what happened on Oct. 2, as Debra Brown turned the key to walk the hallways of her new home. Charles and Megan Free with their children, who live next door, did the same thing.

Debra Brown was all smiles as she opened the front door to her new home on Oct. 2. Recently constructed, her house was an initiative by Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County, along with its community partners. (Courtesy of Richard Riley)

They were celebrating along with Habitat of Humanity of East & Central Pasco, which held a double-home dedication on Blanton Street, in Dade City.

The event attracted scores of people to share in the homeowners’ joy.

Both homes were constructed through a program supervised by Habitat for Humanity of East &  Central Pasco County.

Beyond celebrating the homeowners’ new dwellings, the Habitat for Humanity branch is celebrating its 25th year of building homes in Pasco County.

“These keys represent hours and hours of sweat, hours of work, hours of dedication [and] hours of love,” said Laurel Weightman, Habitat development director. “It doesn’t just take hands, it takes community support.”

There was a separate housewarming ceremony at each of the homes, with gifts for each household.

The gift baskets were filled, item by item, as a scriptural text was read, representing each gift.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club contributed gardening supplies, a plant, books, food supplies, a first aid kit and fire extinguishers.

The club also gave back packs to each of the Free children, Keaton, Fallon and McKenna.

The East Pasco Quilters bestowed big, colorful quilts to the new residents of Blanton Street.

“We’ve had so much love and support from everybody all along the way,” Megan Free said, to the crowd assembled outside her home. “We really wouldn’t be where we are today without every one of you.”

In order to provide these homes, Habitat for Humanity relies on community partners, such as Catholic Charities, to help find the right candidates.

Habitat came across the Free family while they were being sheltered at a Catholic Charities facility.

The Free family children took an active role in cutting the traditional ribbon with gigantic scissors, before entering their new home. This was part of a double home dedication held on Oct. 2.

“Our circumstances were not the best, not making the money to survive on our own, with the always increasing living rates,” Charles Free said.

The couple had never owned their own home, and at times depended upon family support, he added.

Brown also faced hardships after moving to Dade City from West Palm Beach.

The phlebotomist, who also is a first-time homeowner, lived with her uncle for some time.

She sought out assistance from the Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (CDC) and was soon referred to its collaborative partner, Habitat for Humanity.

Jere Ferguson is the director for Volunteer and Family Services at Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County.

He helped to approve Brown and the Frees for newly constructed homes that were financially suitable for them.

“The mortgage payment is capped at 30% of their income when they apply, and that never changes for the life of their mortgage,” the director explained.

This ensures the payments are manageable, so they can have funds available for other needs as well, Ferguson said.

Habitat is always thinking about long-term prosperity and that’s why Blanton Street was a good location for the homes, Ferguson explained.

Getting homeowners integrated into a safe and friendly environment is a priority, he added.

“Now what we started to do is build houses together,” Ferguson said. “Whether it’s two or three houses together, or a community of 14, so that they have each other to support and to stand with.”

And that’s why Brown and the Free family are now next-door neighbors.

For a year, the homeowners were helping to construct their new residences along with volunteers and construction crews.

Shaunce Gwinn was one of those volunteers.

“As I was walking through, I said to myself, ‘These are actual dream homes that we’re building and we’re making people’s dreams come true,’” Gwinn said.

Seeing the smiles on the homeowners’ faces makes him smile, too, he said.

Besides working on their own homes, the neighbors helped each other.

The homes were finished and ready for entry in September – 10 months after construction began.

The two homes have a similar layout. Upon entering, wooden floors lead to the dining and living rooms, as well as the hallway. The tiled kitchen is decked with marble counters, a stove, fridge, a built-in microwave and cabinets.

The hallway leads to the laundry room already supplied with a washer and dryer, then to a single bathroom and three bedrooms. The master bedroom has its own bathroom.

Looking around her new home, Brown said, “It’s something I worked towards for a long, long time.”

“Now I know how to build a house – a little bit,” she added, laughing.

In the Free household, the kids raced from room to room.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s amazing,” Charles Free said as he stood in one room. “Words can’t describe the feelings that I’m experiencing right now. We can’t wait to get in – just to have a place for the children to run and play.”

Published October 09, 2019

Celebrating the kumquat’s place in history

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Every year, for one day, a small, oval-shaped fruit called the kumquat takes center stage during a festival that was established by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce in 1998.

The annual event celebrates everything that makes the Dade City area unique.

Casper Joseph Nathe came to what is now known as St. Joseph and planted an acre of the fruit trees in 1912.

(Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

The Nathe family used the fruit for preserves and orders started coming in. In less than 15 years, Florida Grower magazine crowned Casper Nathe “the world’s Kumquat King.”

Since the town of St. Joseph was already known as the Kumquat Capital of the World, the chamber decided that this little fruit with the funny name could be the focus of an annual Kumquat Festival.

Thousands stream to historic downtown Dade City each year to attend the festival, which is held on the last Saturday in January.

The event features local music, arts and crafts, and myriad opportunities to sample the fruit, whether it be kumquat pie, marmalade, cookies, salsa, ice cream, or a sip of kumquat beer.

This year, besides playing its starring role at the annual festival, the tart-tasting fruit also will be the centerpiece for the annual Dade City Garden Club Christmas ornament, which honors the Kumquat Festival.

Ornaments are $22, payable by check to The Dade City Garden Club, and can be purchased at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, 14112 Eighth St.

For information, call (352) 567-3769.

Published October 09, 2019

Having fun and helping others, at the same time

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Laughter echoes throughout the Lutz Community Center, as women — some donning purple spray paint in their hair — settle in for some friendly games.

These women have come to a benefit, organized by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, to support Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., a domestic and sexual violence center.

Sunrise provides free counseling, advocacy, and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence. It also serves family or friends that have been affected by violence through its outreach program.

The ladies gathering for the event had fun playing games and socializing, while supporting an organization that helps survivors of domestic and sexual violence. (B.C. Manion)

Many of those attending the event came bearing bags of all shapes and sizes, filled with items intended to help those arriving at Sunrise’s shelter.

The donated goods included soaps, shampoos, hair products, lotions, fragrances, socks, toothpaste, cotton swabs, hand sanitizers and other items.

Annette Bellingar, first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, said some women brought in bags filled with stuff. Others just brought in items off the list, and there were others who donated money or gift cards, she said.

Amanda Markiewicz, chief programs officer for Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., said “we’ve had collaboration with this club and a lot of the other GFWC clubs in the area for a long time. We appreciate the support.”

The event was timed to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is in October.

“We have a 40-bed shelter,” Markiewicz said. “We provide them (people at the shelter) with anything you would think is in a household. Basic hygiene items. Clothing.

“We’re able to help them with support services, crisis counseling, advocacy, help with finding jobs or housing or any kind of case management.”

Nearly all of the ladies at the brunch wore purple, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

While raising $900 in contributions — including a $15 donation per person for the brunch, the ladies also donated enough items for the shelter to fill an SUV and another car.

Besides doing good, they had fun.

They played games and socialized. And, they dined on a homemade brunch buffet that included everything from French toast, to chicken salad sandwiches, to fresh fruit, hash browns, casserole dishes and more.

To learn more about Sunrise, call (352) 567-1681 or visit SunrisePasco.org.

Want to help? Here’s a list of items needed at Sunrise of Pasco County Inc.

Shelter items needed

Batteries

All-purpose cleaner

Foil

Baby formula

Body wash

Canned goods

Deodorant

Disposable gloves

Dryer sheets

Feminine pads

Forks, spoons, cups

Floor cleaner

Hair brushes

Hair ties

Hand soap

Headphones, ear buds

Ibuprofin (children and adult)

Pillows

Cushions

Lice treatments

Light bulbs

Long-handled dustpan

Mop

Pacificiers

Pepto Bismal

Petroleum Jelly

Phone chargers

Q Tips

Shampoo

Socks

Sponges

Stomach medicine

Tissues

Underwear

Vicks VapoRub

Ziploc bags

Published October 09, 2019

Arts center offers program for low-income families

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The Morean Arts Center (MAC) has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Association of Children’s Museums, to encourage people of all backgrounds to build a lifelong affinity to the arts and culture.

The program will enable low-income families to visit the Chihuly Collection, presented by MAC, for a minimal admission rate of $3 per person when they present an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, or a Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefit card.

The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center showcases Dale Chihuly’s colorful glass creations. (Mary Rathman)

And, all children younger than age 5 are free.

Admission includes the Morean Glass Studio, and non-ticketed exhibitions at the Morean Arts Center and Morean Center for Clay, all for one minimal fee.

Partnering with the Juvenile Welfare Board on this initiative, MAC wants to ensure that families who can benefit from the program know about it and have ways to actively engage.

The Morean also offers two free weekly programs for families — ‘Saturdays at the Morean’ and ‘Sundays at the Morean’ — as well as non-ticketed exhibitions year-round.

Museums for All provides access to museums and encourages families of all backgrounds to visit regularly.

By offering this resource and teaming up with the Juvenile Welfare Board, MAC hopes to inspire creativity and a love for the arts, for all.

The Morean Arts Center is at 719 Central Ave, in St. Petersburg. For information and events, visit MoreansArtsCenter.org.

Published October 09, 2019

Cruise-in for a trip back in time

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Strolling through this Dairy Queen parking lot is like journeying back to a bygone era.

Here, you can take a trip down Nostalgia Lane to a time when AM radio ruled the airwaves, and fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror were all the rage.

Many car owners raised the hoods of their automobiles, to show off what’s underneath. Here, two classic American Muscle Cars are on display, showing off their large V-8 engines. From left, 1960s AMC AMX and a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle 350. (Christine Holtzman)

That’s because dozens of cars, most of them American classics, are on display every Thursday evening at the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Cruise-In, 23671 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Proud owners happily show of their rides.

They exchange stories with fellow gearheads and enthusiasts, alike.

Many of their tales center on the painstaking work it takes to restore these beauties, as well as the rigorous maintenance schedules needed to keep them in tip-top shape.

This show is just of one of several hosted in the Tampa area by Paul Figoni of Let’s Roll Promotions.

Vintage cars are lined up in the Dairy Queen parking lot for the weekly Cruise-In event that is held every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

He began his car show at the Dairy Queen in Citrus Park about 14 years ago.

When it started, it was geared toward American classic and muscle cars, but over the years it has evolved to include a wider array of styles — which, as a result, has captured the hearts of a diverse population of car enthusiasts.

As the sun was beginning to set on the last Thursday in September, the sounds of “Crossroads,” a Land O’ Lakes oldies band filled the air.

They provided the perfect soundtrack to this voyage back in time.

John Addison of Lutz, tinkers under the hood of his 1976 Chevy Corvette. Addison said that a wire had come loose.

Car enthusiasts visiting the show could drool over dozens of classic vehicles, including a 1960s Plymouth Sport Satellite, a couple of 1950s-era Ford Thunderbirds, an iconic 1954 Cadillac, a 1930s Ford Model A hotrod, a 1970s era Toyota Celica, a late 1960s model Chevrolet Chevelle, a 1968 Triumph TR250, a few vintage Corvettes, and a rare Studebaker Avanti.

And, it’s simple to participate. You just cruise in.

There are no fees to include your ride at the show. But those registering do get a chance to win the 50/50 drawing and door prizes.

Want to know more? Check out Let’s Roll Car Shows Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letsrollcarshows.

Published October 09, 2019

Daniel Kester of Land O’ Lakes, left, and Dennis Whelan of Lutz, shoot the breeze in front of Kester’s 1954 Cadillac Series 62 car. Kester bought the classic car in 1996 for $900, and has been restoring it ever since. Whelan was at the show with his 1968 Triumph TR250.
A close-up look of the steering wheel of a 1963 Studebaker Avanti. The luxury coupe was produced from 1962 to 1963.

 

At just 11, he’s already found his voice

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Marcus Mitchell isn’t even a teenager yet, but he already knows how he wants to spend his life.

He wants to make music, and to perform it for others.

He’s already writing songs, and in November, the Land O’ Lakes Christian School student will be taking the stage with the Florida Orchestra to perform a solo part.

He will be singing the solo in Movement 2 of Chichester Psalms under choral composer/conductor Eric Whitacre.

Eleven-year-old Marcus Mitchell has been selected to perform a solo part with the Florida Orchestra. He will be performing the part in Hebrew. He also enjoys writing songs, singing songs and playing his ukulele. (B.C. Manion)

Chichester Psalms, a composition by Leonard Bernstein, must be sung in Hebrew.

Marcus sings with Lumina Youth Choirs, based at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, in downtown Tampa. The audition-based organization attracts singers from across Tampa Bay.

Marcus’ parents, Chad and Nereida, are delighted by their son’s selection to perform with the orchestra.

“When I first found out that he had the opportunity to be with Florida Orchestra, I was at a loss for words, but so excited at the same time,” Chad said.

“We thank God for the talent and the passion that he (Marcus) has.

“He’s so passionate. He loves, loves, loves to sing,” he added. “I knew this would be a great opportunity for him. I want his talent to be heard and seen,” Chad said.

Nereida added: “It’s just an honor. I’m thankful that he has this opportunity so young, at 11 years old.”

Marcus lives with his parents, and his brother, 9-year-old brother, Lucas, in Wesley Chapel.

The Land O’ Lakes Christian School sixth-grader said he has loved music for as long as he can remember.

When he was just a little boy, he went to a Justin Bieber concert with his mom. Bieber’s performance left an impression.

“I remember how he commanded the stage,” Marcus said. He said that’s what he wants to do.

While some young musicians need to be encouraged to practice, Marcus’ parents said they have the opposite problem: They have to urge him to stop to make time for other things.

Besides singing in the choir, he plays piano and ukulele and composes his own songs.

One day, not too long ago, Marcus was practicing part of a piece and his voice was somewhat hoarse.

He told his dad: “I just hope I’ll be ready for November.”

His dad told him: “You are going to be absolutely ready.”

Marcus is slated to sing with the Florida Orchestra in November, one performance each at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa, Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

Published October 09, 2019

Weather hurricanes: Prepare early

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Early preparation and preparedness are vital when it comes to weathering hurricanes or other life-threatening storms.

That was the main message that Andrew Fossa, emergency management director for Pasco County, delivered during a Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce September breakfast meeting at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club.

The county’s emergency management division deals with all kinds of hazards, ranging from wildfires and extreme heat, to sinkholes and tornadoes — but Fossa focused much of his talk on hurricanes and tropical storms, or what he refers to as “gray sky days.”

Pasco County emergency management director Andrew Fossa was the featured guest speaker at last month’s Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The emergency director told the audience that once the county begins notifications regarding an imminent storm — such as announcing shelter and sandbag locations — local residents should ramp up their evacuation preparation and strategy within the next 120 hours.

“You guys got to start thinking about what you’re going to do, where are you going to go, and when are you going to do it,” Fossa said.

He emphasized that residents need to have a disaster supply kit, or “go bags” stocked up well before  any announcement is made.

Those preparation kits should include medications, important documents, driver’s license, passport, clothing, cash, non-perishable food, water, and so on. Motorists should fill up their vehicles before an impending storm hits.

“You’ve got to make sure you take that stuff with you because once we order an evacuation, you’re not going to be allowed back into your house or wherever you live,” said Fossa, who spent nearly three decades with Pasco County Fire Rescue before retiring there as deputy chief.

When it comes to finding a safe place during ordered evacuations, Fossa said local residents  need not go far.

Aside from staying at county-designated shelters, the emergency management director recommends first traveling to a family or friend’s house more inland or in the north-central part of the state.

He advised against driving all the way out of state due to a hurricane’s “cone of uncertainty,” or playing a “guessing game” on the range of possibilities the center of the storm could hit.

A storm targeted for a certain part of Florida just as easily could veer off to Georgia, Texas or somewhere else, Fossa said.

“You don’t have to go hundreds of miles,” he said. Instead, he suggested, “go 10 miles.”

Residents should take pictures of everything valuable in their home or apartment prior to evacuating, Fossa said. Those will come in handy in the event their property is damaged and they need to file  insurance claims.

He surmised: “I guarantee your insurance company is going to say, ‘Do you have photos before (the storm)?’”

Fossa cautioned the audience that media outlets have a tendency to hype hurricanes and related tropical storms, which he said can lead to community unrest.

He directed residents to the Weather Channel, National Hurricane Center or the county’s MyPasco app, to get the latest information.

“The media is going to make it a hype,” Fossa said. “That storm could still be coming off the coast of Africa and they’re start telling you, ‘It’s knee-deep in Pasco County right now.’”

Fossa also told the crowd that a “hurricane watch” isn’t cause for immediate panic.

“A lot of people think when you get that ‘watch’ you gotta run now, you gotta go hide. All the watches are saying is, ‘It’s possible,’” he explained.

For more information on the county’s emergency management division, visit pascoemergencymanagement.com.

For other questions, email or call (727) 847-8137.

Disaster supply kit and checklist
Here’s a list of items Pasco County Emergency Management recommends residents have on hand in case of a tropical storm or other disaster.

  • Water— one gallon for each person for three to seven days
  • Food — enough food for at least three to seven days, non-perishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices
  • Non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
  • Grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
  • Clothing, seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes or boots
  • First aid kit, prescriptions, medications, sunscreen, aloe, bug spray
  • Special items for babies, elders, persons with disabilities
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and sanitary wipes
  • Flashlight and batteries (Do not use candles)
  • Spare house and car keys, office keys name badges
  • Cash — banks/ATMs may not be available after a storm
  • Radio — battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather radio
  • Books and games
  • Important documents
  • Document all valuables
  • Hand tools, automotive repair tools
  • Vehicle — keep your vehicle filled with fuel
  • Pet care items — pet food and water, proper identification, medical records, carrier bag, muzzle and leash, medications
  • List of important telephone numbers, including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, bank, area schools, veterinarian, etc.

Published October 09, 2019