The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Commission on the Status of Women sets up task forces

By

The Commission on the Status of Women is ready to begin drilling down into issues that affect women and their families.

The task force met on Aug. 7 to finalize appointments to three task forces that will spend the next months on fact-finding and prioritizing issues.

The task forces will study health and safety; education; and, economic prosperity and its promotion.

Commission members will meet again in October to hear reports from the task forces and decide where to focus their efforts.

In its first year, the women’s commission likely will narrow issues to one or two that are manageable.

The goal is for the women’s commission to make recommendations to the Pasco County Commission on actions it can take to improve women’s lives.

“We have to be realistic about our focus,” said Amanda Colon, chairwoman of the group. “We won’t accomplish much if we spin off into 80 different directions.”

Pasco County commissioners created the 15-member Commission on the Status of Women in 2016 as an advisory board.

Some issues raised at prior meetings include domestic and sexual violence, mental health, financial literacy, grandparents as caregivers for grandchildren, homelessness, affordable housing, and the epidemic of drugs, pills and alcohol.

County commissioners appointed five of the women’s commission members, with 10 selected from area agencies, schools and nonprofits. They are African-American Club of Pasco County Inc., Hispanic Professional Women’s Association Inc., Metropolitan Ministries, Pasco Economic Development Council, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., the United Way of Pasco County Inc., Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and Women Lawyers of Pasco Inc.

Meetings are open to the public.

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the county’s Utilities Administration Office, at 19420 Central Blvd., off U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

For information on the women’s commission, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published August 16, 2017

Ringing in a new school year in Pasco County Schools

By

Parents and students stream toward Bexley Elementary School, a school that had its first ‘first day of school’ on Aug. 14. (B.C. Manion)

Pasco County public school students began a new school year on Aug. 14, and some of those students headed to schools that were opening for the first time.

At Bexley Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes, parents and children appeared eager to begin a new year, in a new school.

The message on the school’s marquee was summed up in three words: “Believe. Engage. Succeed.”

Cypress Creek Middle High School students make their way to their second class on the first day of school on the new campus in Wesley Chapel.

 

Things were running smoothly at Cypress Creek Middle High in Wesley Chapel.

Students streamed across campus for their second-period class. Most appeared to know where they were heading, but for those who were lost, there was plenty of help.

“I can help. If you need help, I can help,” Tico Hernandez, the school’s Graduation Enhancement teacher called out, as students changed classes.

Published August 16, 2017

 

First Day photos

Kate and Sean Cancelliere are in line with their son, Maxx, waiting for the first day of school at Bexley Elementary. Maxx was excited to be heading to kindergarten, in a class taught by Sarah Johansen.

We know that you took them, so why don’t you share them?

It’s an annual tradition for many families to take ‘First Day of School’ photos.

We’d love to share some of your photos with our readers.

The number of photos we will be able to publish depends how many we receive, the quality of the photo and whether we have sufficient information.

If you would like your photo to be considered, please email us a digital copy. Include the name or names of the student, the grade of the student or students, and what school they attend. Also include contact information, in case we need to get back to you.

Finally, feel free to send us your photos whether you took them at home before leaving for school, or whether you took them at the school itself.

Please submit the photos by Aug. 25 by emailing them to .

Get your ‘Greek’ on in Tarpon Springs

By

If you’re looking for a quick getaway that offers a chance to experience Greek culture without leaving the Sunshine State, you may want to check out Tarpon Springs.

This statue of a sponge diver provides a sense of history at the marina. (B.C. Manion)

Besides having a chance to sample sweets from Greek bakeries, or dine on more substantial fare at Greek restaurants, you can learn about the sponge-harvesting industry that played a starring role in this community’s history.

The Sponge Docks, situated on Dodecanes Boulevard, is a great place to get a taste of what Tarpon Springs has to offer.

You can get a feel for the community’s history at the Spongeorama Sponge Factory, at 510 Dodecanese Blvd., which offers a free movie and museum about sponge diving.

Tarpon Springs offers plenty of opportunity for visitors to relax and chat with friends.

And, while the sponge industry isn’t what it once was, you can still see men tossing sponges on the docks, or take a boat ride to see a sponge diver in action.

For those with other interests, there are dolphin cruises available, and sport fishing, as well.

And, there are scores of specialty shops, too.

The Spiceman’s Kitchen, at 815 Dodecanese Blvd., for instance, offers more than 300 hot sauces, 50 barbecue sauces and marinades, and a variety of seasonings, rubs, pickled vegetable, jams, jellies and other items.

And, not far from there, you’ll find The Spice & Tea Exchange of Tarpon Springs, at 824 Dodecanes Blvd. It offers a selection of spices, custom blends, loose-leaf teas, sea and mineral salts, and other goods.

Sorting sponges at the Sponge Docks is a regular activity in Tarpon Springs.

There also are a number of shops selling soaps and skin care products, including Katherine’s Gifts Natural Skin Care, at 628 Athens St.

If you’re seeking spiritual refreshment, there’s St. Michael’s Shrine, at 113 Hope St., a small chapel built by a family in thanksgiving for the recovery of a young son who was near death.

Many linger in the serene setting, where they light candles for their intentions and gaze at the icons covering its walls.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at 36 N. Pinellas Ave., offers another sacred place in the city. It was designed as a replica of St. Sophia of Constantinople.

It’s easy to get around this Pinellas County community that’s situated off the Anclote River, and there are plenty of special events offered there throughout the year. For more information about upcoming events, visit SpongeDocks.net.

Shaping a vision for transportation in Pasco

By

The next phase in a transportation vision for Tampa Bay took a local turn into Pasco County.

More than 30 residents from Pasco and Hernando counties met on Aug. 3 as a “working group” tasked with recommending future transportation decisions. The Florida Department of Transportation hosted the event at the Myrtle Lake Baptist Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Ed McKinney, planning and environmental administrator for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 office, in Tampa, met with more than 30 residents from Pasco and Hernando counties to talk about Tampa Bay Next. The initiative seeks to develop a transportation plan for Interstate 275. (Richard Riley)

The Community Working Group session was open to the public. It is one in a series of meetings in the Tampa Bay region as part of the Tampa Bay Next initiative. A regional meeting in Tampa kicked off the new initiative in May.

There are six working groups in total, representing geographic areas of the region.

Tampa Bay Next replaces the controversial Tampa Bay Express project that would have built new toll and express lanes along about 90 miles of Interstate 275, from Manatee County to Pasco County.

One segment of the project remains.

The state transportation department plans to build a replacement bridge for the Howard Franklin bridge, which links Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

That bridge replacement will include four multipurpose lanes and two express lanes.

But, the state roads department wants public input during the next two years for a new road project on I-275. The goal is to have plans ready by 2019.

Based on reactions to Tampa Bay Express, residents are tired of focusing only on car-driven road projects, said Ed McKinney, planning and environmental administrator for FDOT’s District 7 office, in Tampa.

New Port Richey resident Kelly Miller talks about priorities for Tampa Bay Next. Miller participated on one of five teams that held break-out sessions to come up with recommendations on transportation needs along Interstate 275, and in Pasco County.

Tampa Bay Next is meant to start conversations.

“We’re not going to show you any projects,” McKinney said. “We’re not going to show you any plans…We hear over and over we need to be thinking differently. People who say that are absolutely right,” he said.

Some of the trouble spots already identified in Pasco include the State Road 56 interchange on Interstate 75, the east/west corridor of State Road 54 and State Road 56, the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, and the lack of transit options.

At the working group sessions, people divided into five teams that prioritized transportation needs. They also made organizational decisions for future meetings.

As a group, they voted on priorities, based on a compiled list of recommendations from every team.

Top priorities included:

  • Adding light rail, possibly on U.S. 301 and the State Road 56 extension, and more bus service to destinations and high traffic areas
  • Converting CSX rail lines for passenger service
  • Providing Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, to serve the area

The session also produced a longer list of traffic problems people want addressed.

Requests and complaints included:

  • I-75 and State Road 56 – fix it
  • I-75 and Overpass Road – do it
  • State Road 54 and U.S. 41 intersection – fix it
  • Put multi-use trail on one side of State Road 56 extension and let it meander
  • More park and ride facilities
  • Extend Tower Road to State Road 589 and widen U.S. 41 – Yay Bexley!
  • Most of east Pasco is shoved onto I-75
  • Too many (development) entitlements on State Road 54
  • Plan for more recreational and bicycle trails

Once priorities were decided, Land O’ Lakes resident Jack George posed a question during public comment.

“What is the end game here? What is the objective?” he said. “I haven’t heard that tonight and, without a goal, I don’t know how to get there.”

McKinney said the state department of transportation planned a series of video “primers” to provide information on a broad range of topics, including how projects get funded. The primers hopefully will educate people on issues such as how projects are developed and funded, and allow for “longer conversations.”

The videos will be posted online, McKinney said.

David West, left, and Judy Geiger discuss a transportation vision for Interstate 275, and Pasco County, at a public meeting hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Tampa Bay Next isn’t the only transportation initiative in Pasco.

Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development director, offered perspective on some ongoing efforts.

For example, vision planning for State Road 54 and State Road 56 is entering a second phase, with a public meeting on Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m., at the Pasco Utilities Administration Building, off U.S. 41.

The county is partnering in that effort, while also completing a separate planning study in the area.

Hughes also noted that new technology, including driverless cars, will be part of new development in the Connected City corridor in northeast Pasco.

“This is a very complex, very intricate system of efforts,” Hughes said.

Published August 9, 2017

Unstable sinkhole claims seven homes

By

Pasco County building inspectors have condemned five additional homes — because of recent destabilization of a sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County officials say the sinkhole grew another 30 feet, to a diameter of around 260 feet, after a bank on the western edge—closest to Lake Saxon — collapsed between the evening of Aug. 3 and the morning of Aug. 5.

Previously, the sinkhole measured between 225 feet wide to 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep.

Ceres Environmental Services, the main debris removal contractor, worked throughout much of the weekend on cleanup and recovery efforts. Besides debris removal and disposal, Ceres will pump and remove contaminated water, and stabilize the sinkhole as needed with granular fill, over the next several weeks. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The recent destabilization may have resulted from seismic vibrations caused by heavy construction equipment operating nearby the site, according to Kevin Guthrie, the assistant county administrator for public safety.

He reassured the sinkhole is not active, based on information he’s received from geo-engineers and other experts.

“We did anticipate that we were going to have potential problems (during cleanup),” Guthrie said.

The widening temporarily halted cleanup operations and forced building inspectors to condemn five more homes, which show signs of foundation shifts and compromised structural integrity.

The recent destabilization of the sinkhole was the first documented movement since July 19, when the perimeter widened by approximately 10 feet, after sand erosion just below the ground surface dried and collapsed into the hole.

The sinkhole originally opened July 14 in the Lake Padgett community.

Officials say that most of the sinkhole is about 180 feet wide. Its current depth has not been verified.

On the day that the sinkhole opened, it engulfed the properties at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive and 21835 Ocean Drive.

The five additional homes that have met the criteria for demolition are:

  • 21815 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 21814 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 3153 Canal Place
  • 21748 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 21845 Ocean Pines Drive

Meanwhile, cleanup efforts have resumed.

On July 31, the Pasco County Commission approved $1.3 million to remove the debris, eliminate the public health threat and secure the sinkhole site.

Ceres Environmental Services, the main debris removal contractor, worked throughout much of the weekend on cleanup and recovery efforts.

On the afternoon of Aug. 5, crews began dumping truckloads of lime rock to stabilize one side of the sinkhole and create a slope, to remove floating debris via a small platform barge equipped with an excavator. A total of 125 dump trucks of uncrushed lime rock were brought into the sinkhole area, and five semi-loads of debris were removed from the site.

Following debris removal and disposal by Ceres, EnviroWaste Services will begin removing contaminated water from the site, over the next several weeks.

The county also may opt to bring the roadway leading to the sinkhole up to grade, to later be asphalted in.

Guthrie said the “Phase 1” tasks will not be rushed, to prevent any injuries and further evacuations.

“During this recovery process, we are going to be slow, deliberate, methodical in our approach, as to not get anyone injured,” he said. “If we have to slow down, we slow down. Speed is not of the essence here.”

Following the cleanup phase, county administrators will “hit the pause button” to consult with the Pasco County Commission for the next phases.

Possible long-term options range from leaving the sinkhole alone, to filling and repairing the sinkhole, or connecting it to a nearby lake. Estimates on filling the entire sinkhole would require at least 135,000 cubic yards of dirt.

The entire mitigation of the sinkhole is expected to take several months.

During cleanup, the county is deploying four safety officers to monitor the sinkhole. They will alert neighbors door-to-door if additional evacuations are necessary.

Published August 9, 2017

Changes afoot, as school bells ring in a new year

By

School bells are summoning students back to classes in Hillsborough and Pasco counties — and some students will be attending classes on entirely new campuses.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, a new public charter school in Hillsborough County, begins its inaugural school year on Aug. 10. It is located at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is opening this year as a new public charter school in Hillsborough County. The school, located in Lutz, will serve elementary and middle school students. (B.C. Manion)

Meanwhile, Pasco County is opening Bexley Elementary, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, and Cypress Creek Middle High School, in Wesley Chapel.

Students arriving at Land O’ Lakes High School will find reconfigured spaces, to accommodate a $29 million makeover.

At Sunlake High School and Rushe Middle School, there will be a new traffic pattern for student drop-off and pickups, and at Wiregrass Ranch High, the school will be back to operating on a seven-period day.

Those are just a few of the changes in store for the new school year, which begins in Hillsborough County on Aug. 10 and in Pasco County on Aug. 14.

Some changes, which are state mandates, affect public school students in both counties.

Other changes affect students at a particular school or within a specific county.

For instance, the Pasco school district is revising its crisis plans to give students and staff a better chance to survive an active threat on campus.

Meanwhile, Principal Vicki Wolin will lead the new Bexley Elementary School, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. That school was built to ease crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools.

Bexley is also part of the school district’s feeder pattern for the Aviation Academy at Sunlake High School.

As such, Bexley will have drones, flight simulators and robotics. Its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab is situated in its media center, which it calls its REC Center, which stands for Research, Engage and Collaborate.

Cypress Creek Middle High School, at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, will serve students previously assigned to Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake high schools and John Long, Weightman and Rushe middle schools.

Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, previously principal at Wesley Chapel High, will recognize many of the students streaming onto the campus for their first day.

But, there will be many unfamiliar faces, too.

The school has been hosting events ahead of opening day to help students get acquainted with the school and to find out what it has to offer.

Cypress Creek Middle High will serve sixth- through 11th-graders its initial year and will add a senior class its second year.

The new high school’s curriculum runs the gamut from ballet to digital design to American Sign Language. It offers several certification programs, including Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and Autodesk Inventor.

Cypress Creek’s middle school curriculum includes Criminal Justice and Engineering academies, plus core classes.

The new schools aren’t the only places where Pasco County students will have a chance for new experiences.

The district also is expanding its Cambridge Programme to San Antonio Elementary School.

And, Zephyrhills High School is adding a new academy of Building Construction Technology and Public Safety Telecommunications 911 certification for the Academy of Criminal Justice.

A new public charter school also has opened in Pasco County, too, bringing the district’s total number of charter schools to 11. The new charter is called Pasco MYcroSchool and is located in New Port Richey.

Besides new schools and programs, Pasco County also has shifted some principals since last school year and promoted an assistant principal to the top post.

Those changes are:

  • Principal Scott Atkins has moved from Sand Pine Elementary School to West Zephyrhills Elementary School.
  • Christine Twardosz has transferred from Centennial Elementary School to Sand Pine.
  • Gretchen Rudolph Fladd has moved from Veterans to Centennial.
  • Melissa Bidgood, who was an assistant principal at Watergrass Elementary, has been promoted to the principal’s post at Veterans.

Parents wanting to know more about the upcoming school year should check out their school’s website.

School websites can provide a wealth of information. They generally list important upcoming dates for school activities, such as cheerleader tryouts, booster club meetings, school spirit nights and parent-teacher events.

The websites also often let parents know how they can get involved at school and how they can help their children at home.

Most schools also have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, and some post videos to YouTube, too.

Websites maintained by the Hillsborough and Pasco school districts can also provide useful information, too.

Free breakfasts
Pasco County Schools will serve free breakfasts to all students at these sites in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area during the 2017-2018 school year:

Elementary schools

  • Centennial Elementary
  • Chester Taylor Elementary
  • Lacoochee Elementary
  • Pasco Elementary
  • Quail Hollow Elementary
  • Rodney B. Cox Elementary
  • West Zephyrhills Elementary
  • Woodland Elementary

Middle schools:

  • Centennial Middle
  • Pasco Middle
  • Stewart Middle

High schools:

  • Pasco High
  • Zephyrhills High

 

Meal prices for Pasco County Schools
Reduced-price meals

Reduced-price breakfast: .30
Reduced-price lunch: .40
Full-price meals
Full-price breakfast
Elementary: $1.35
Secondary: $1.50
Charter, K-8: $1.50
Charter, high school: $1.60
Full-price lunch
Elementary: $2.50
Middle: $3
High: $3.25

Published August 9, 2017

Commissioners make connections at White House

By

Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano attended a special White House conference to promote communications between the state’s county commissions and federal agencies.

The Florida County Commissioners’ White House Conference met on July 27, and included about 120 county commissioners and staff from all over the state. It was the second in what is planned as a series of conferences to strengthen relationships between the Trump administration, federal agencies and local elected officials.

The first conference was for Pennsylvania’s local governments.

Starkey described the Florida conference as similar in purpose to Pasco County’s Citizens Academy, but on a much shorter six-hour schedule. The Citizens Academy is nine sessions over several weeks.

“I think the visit was tremendous,” said Starkey. “It was a wonderful relationship-building day. It can only be the beginning of a good working relationship between local officials and the White House.”

The U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Commerce attended, as did representatives of other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of State, and senior White House staff members.

Those attending heard an overview of each department and agency, their functions and the issues for which they can provide assistance to local governments. Contact information was shared, too.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was among the conference speakers.

And, there were visits with U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist.

Starkey and Mariano headed to the conference with a list of priority issues for Pasco. Those included road projects, such as the new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, the Ridge Road extension, veterans’ issues, coastal dredging, flood insurance and work force training.

“We talked a lot about dredging and the need for flood maps,” said Starkey.

An unfinished, 70-year-old dredging project near Sun West Park was high on Mariano’s list, according to a statement included in a Pasco County news release.

Pasco began a new permitting process for the dredging in 2007.

“Pasco County has a project ready to go, but we need federal approval for the dredge, so we can build seven boat ramps,” Mariano stated. “I’m hoping the President can help speed this project along.”

Published August 9, 2017

Task Force meets on vision for State Road 54/56

By

A discussion on transportation solutions on the State Road 54/56 corridor will begin anew on Aug. 24, with the second in a series of meetings by the Vision 54/56 Task Force.

The 17-member, volunteer task force had an organizational meeting in April.

The study by the task force members will consider practical solutions to easing congestion, and promoting greater safety and mobility on a corridor that is bursting with new residential and commercial development.

About 100,000 vehicles a day travel through State Road 54 and U.S. 41 intersection. A task force is reviewing potential road projects to ease congestion. (File)

This is the second phase of a three-part initiative that began in 2016 with a task force that recommended 11 major highway and transit alternatives, as well as a no-build alternative.

Those recommendations will get greater scrutiny in this second phase, with more focus on design and details of potential road projects.

Some options under review include designs for elevated lanes, and redesigns at ground level. Some options include dedicated lanes for buses, and others don’t.

The entire study includes the corridor, from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on the east to U.S. 19 on the west. However, the focus currently is on two intersections: Little Road and State Road 54 in New Port Richey, and U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

Representatives from Pasco County Planning and Development, the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, Florida Department of Transportation and consultants with AECOM are assisting in the study.

A third meeting is planned in 2017, probably in October. At least two additional meetings are planned in 2018, but no dates are scheduled.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

What: Vision 54/56 Phase 2 Task Force meeting
Where: Pasco County Utilities Administration Building, 19420 Central Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: Aug. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free, open to the public

Published August 9, 2017

An island oasis, a day-trip away

By

Maybe because it’s an island.

Or, maybe because it’s close to home, but feels so far away.

Or, maybe because Anna Maria Island lulls you with its watery beauty and makes you forget the world outside.

Maybe, for all these reasons, this island is an ideal place for a day-trip.

Anna Maria City Pier, looming out into Tampa Bay, can be seen from this spot in Bayfront Park, a popular place to set up umbrellas and stroll the beach. (Karen Haymon Long)

For years, Tampa families have escaped to their second homes on the island on weekends just to get away. Most were nothing fancy, white cottages an easy stroll from long stretches of sandy beaches. If they got up early enough, they might be the only ones on the beach for miles.

Some modest cottages and little houses are still there. But, more and more have been torn down and replaced by much larger homes on the water, more often owned by out-of-staters than by Tampa Bay area locals. Many new and old homes are now vacation rentals, which gives the island a more transient feeling than ever before.

That didn’t hurt the vibe, though, on our recent day visit to Anna Maria, the northernmost of the three cities on the island. (The others are Bradenton Beach to the south and Holmes Beach in the middle).

It was enjoyable to watch other tourists like ourselves fishing and sitting on the city pier, riding bikes down the middle of South Bay Boulevard, or lining up for a first-come, first-served lunch at the popular Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar.

The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar offers indoor and outdoor dining with water views.

Before noon, retirement-aged couples sat at picnic tables on the city pier chatting and drinking canned beer, while an older man fished from his wheelchair, using shrimp as bait. A little boy in a red baseball cap sat watching a sheriff’s boat with deputies aboard idling beside the pier. A young couple fished under the watchful eyes of hungry pelicans.

On land, groups of families and lots of couples walked the beaches, rode rental bikes up and down narrow, sea grape-lined streets, and ducked in and out of shops.

We enjoyed strolling past homes, some named: “After All,” “Serenity Now,” “Casa del Mar,” “Starfish,” “Three Palms,” “Manatee House …”

A man on a bike wore a T-shirt that said “Island Bum,” an enviable statement on such a pretty day.

No one seemed in a hurry. No one seemed the least bit interested in what was going on in Washington D.C., or anywhere else.

A woman in a little shop called Just Beachy shopped for an Anna Maria Island T-shirt, but sounded conflicted about buying one or not.

Anna Maria, the northernmost town on Anna Maria Island, offers picturesque views of Tampa Bay.

“I don’t want more people to come here,” she said. “I want to keep it our secret.”

“Too late for that,” another woman said. Then they laughed.

The secret’s long been out.

But, Anna Maria still isn’t too crowded to make it stressful on an off-season weekday in May. Weekends, though, are another story.

One of the best things about Anna Maria is that once you park, you don’t really need a car. Water – the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway – are all an easy walk from anywhere inland. If you tire, you can hop on the free trolley, rent a bike or sit a spell in a cozy bar, cafe or ice cream shop.

Or, you can shop in one of the local boutiques or gift shops. I particularly like The White Egret, at 10006 Gulf Drive, specializing in an array of coastal home decor and gifts, and its sister store, The Egret’s Nest, at 10010 Gulf Drive, a high-end women’s and baby boutique.

Both stores have friendly service and attractive gifts hard to find in chain stores. They’re also a fun place to eavesdrop on other visitors.

Anna Maria Pier is a popular place for locals and tourists, alike.

“I wish I could move here,” one young shopper told the sales clerk. “My hair always looks so much fuller and better in this humidity than it does at home.”

When the clerk asked where she lived, she told her, “Orlando,” which sounded funny, considering all of Florida seems so humid and muggy in late spring and summer.

Many visitors head to the beach and stay all day, a smart idea, since it’s sometimes tough to find a parking spot. We drove up and down the beach-side streets and never found a place that didn’t require a local permit. Those who came early got the free, no- permit spots. We figured most people who aren’t staying on the island in one of the houses or at an inn or hotel must go to Holmes or Bradenton beaches to the south that both have large parking lots.

We ended up parking in a free spot near the city pier and walked from there down the pier, then along Bayfront Park, a spit of beach on Tampa Bay. Then, we headed to lunch at The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar, where we sat outside with a view of the bay.

Anna Maria stretches along the Gulf of Mexico, drawing visitors during the day and later for sunsets.

We had been before, and remembered the good food and watery views. This time, I had excellent crab cakes, loaded with lump crab, atop a tropical salad for $15. My husband enjoyed his carnitas, pork braised in orange juice and seasonings, and served on tortillas with cheese, avocado, chimichurri and lime for $12. Another diner raved about her steamed mussels, $12.

It’s such a peaceful setting, with kayakers gliding east and west, with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as a backdrop. If they time it right, kayakers can paddle to Bean Point Beach to watch the sun set over the Gulf with others gathered there.

Or, they can just paddle around, enjoying the green, tranquil waters of the bay and maybe even see a dolphin or two – all on island time.

Tips for the Trip
How to get there: Anna Maria is in Manatee County. Once over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Interstate 275 South, take U.S. 19 south to south Tamiami Trail. Go left (south) on the trail, then go right (west) on State Road 64. When that dead ends at the beach, turn right on Gulf Drive, which leads to Anna Maria.

Where to eat: We liked The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar, at 111 South Bay Blvd., that offers indoor and outdoor seating and a dark-wood bar that serves 13 craft cocktails. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Visit TheWaterfrontRestaurant.net or call (941) 778-1515.

We’ve also enjoyed eating at The Sandbar Restaurant, at 100 Spring Ave., on the Gulf of Mexico, a wonderful place for sunsets and grouper sandwiches. Call (941) 778-0444.

Anna Maria has many other restaurants, cafes and bars as well. Find them, along with places to rent kayaks and paddleboards, at AnnaMariaIslandChamber.org.

Where to stay: If you want to stay overnight on the island, there are lots of options – from homes to inns, motels and resorts. For listings, see VisitAnnaMaria.com.

Fun fact: According to legend, Anna Maria Island was named by a Spanish explorer for the Virgin Mary and her mother, Ann.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published August 9, 2017

Dade City Youth Council wins statewide photo contest

By

Reyes Figueroa loves Dade City.

And, he appreciates the east Pasco community’s acceptance in celebrating diverse cultures — particularly his Hispanic heritage.

Last month, the 17-year-old Pasco High School junior and Dade City Youth Council delegate won first place in the Florida League of Cities’ (FLC) Youth Council Photography Contest.

Figueroa’s winning photo, ‘Cinco De Mayo Parade,’ was taken during the city’s Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta, held annually at Resurrection Park. The image, captured on his iPhone, shows a youth folk dance troupe posing in traditional Mexican-style clothing. (Courtesy of Reyes Figueroa)

The winning photo, “Cinco De Mayo Parade,” was taken during the city’s Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta, held annually at Resurrection Park. Captured on Figueroa’s iPhone, the image exhibits a youth folk dance troupe posing in traditional Mexican-style clothing.

Figueroa was humbled when he learned about the first place honor. “I was kind of surprised,” he said.

The Florida League of Cities’ photography contest encouraged youth council members throughout the state to take a picture of something that tells the story of why they love their city. Each photo had to be the applicant’s original work and accompanied by a brief statement of how that photo depicts the reason they love their city.

In his statement, Figueroa wrote, “I love Dade City because it has, and continues to, hold this event (Cinco De Mayo Parade) each year that is close to my people’s tradition.”

Figueroa, on behalf of the Dade City Youth Council, will receive a trophy and $300 reward at the Florida League of Cities’ annual conference on Aug. 19 in Orlando.

He also will be featured in the League’s statewide publication, Quality Cities (QC) magazine; and have the win presented on the organization’s website and Facebook and Twitter accounts.

It’s not the first time the Dade City Youth Council, which has roughly 10 members, has been recognized by the League.

Last year, the youth organization finished fourth place in the fifth annual Municipal Youth Council Video Competition.

Reyes Figueroa won first place in the Florida League of Cities’ (FLC) Youth Council Photography Contest. The 17-year-old Dade City Youth Council delegate is a junior at Pasco High School. (Kevin Weiss)

The 60-second video, “Dade City: The Place to Be,” spotlighted the city’s distinct offerings, from bike trails to downtown shopping, and festivals and events.

Dade City’s Cinco de Mayo Parade, meanwhile, draws hundreds of patrons each year, to celebrate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the 1862 Battle of Puebla.

The vibrant event on Lock Street, is highlighted by dancing, singing, games and traditional Mexican-style dishes.

Figueroa said he has attended the parade, with family and friends, for well over a decade.

The teenager noted the event’s food is a big hit.

“It would probably have to be No. 1,” Figuero said.

But, there are also “really cool” activities, like rock climbing and pickup soccer matches, he added.

“You always have different things coming up,” he said. “I like how they contribute something new every year.”

Figueroa has been a member of the Dade City Youth Council since he was in sixth grade and was recommended for a delegate position by Margarita Romo, who runs the Resurrection House Mission Lutheran Church.

The youth council, which was formed by Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, devotes a bulk of its time to volunteer service and community enhancement projects.

Some of its more recent initiatives include organizing the city’s Movie in the Park series, and the Kumquat Festival 5K.

“The Dade City Youth Council gives us opportunities to create events that an individual teen, like me, wouldn’t be able to do by himself,” Figueroa explained. “Having some support from Camille and commissioners, and different sponsors, that helps a lot,” he added.

Members of the youth council also have a chance to gain insight into how the municipality interacts with the Florida Legislature and sometimes are able to travel to partake in meetings in Tallahassee.

Besides youth council, Figueroa is junior class president at Pasco High. He also plays in the East Pasco Soccer League.

After high school, Figueroa hopes to attend either Florida State University or Saint Leo University. He aspires to work in construction, architecture or engineering.

Whatever career path he follows, he’s adamant to stay involved in community affairs.

“It’s kind of tough because there’s so many things to do. I kind of want to have a career where I’m stable, but gives me the flexibility to volunteer in my community,” he explained.

Since living in Dade City, Figueroa said he’s noticed positive initiatives within in the community. He pointed to new sidewalks (the northern extension of the existing Hardy Trail) and repaved roads from Church Avenue to Lock Street as a few of the city’s upgrades. He’s also passionate about the number of groups that serve the community’s youth, mentioning the Boys & Girls Club and the now-reopened Moore-Mickens Education and Vocational Center.

Elsewhere, Figueroa is one of 12 recipients of the Marguerite Casey Foundation’s Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Leadership Award.

The award honors youth who exhibit “vision, passion and dedication to improving the lives of families in their communities.”

He will be presented with the $5,000 award on Aug. 13, in Seattle, Washington.

Published August 9, 2017