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Task Force meets on vision for State Road 54/56

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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

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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

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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

Asturia industrial heading toward development

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As promised, it didn’t take long.

Bureaucratic wheels are turning on a project to build office and industrial space at the master-planned community of Asturia, off State Road 54.

Pasco County commissioners approved a 10-year, $7 million loan to HP Asturia LLC on July 11 to aid in getting the two-phase project started.

Private investment in the project is pegged at about $26 million, according to county records.

HP Asturia and Harrod Properties Inc., plan to build up to 200,000 square feet of office and industrial space at the master-planned community of Asturia. This rendering depicts the façade of one of the proposed buildings. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

On Aug. 1, Pasco County planners and representatives of Aurora Civil Engineering scheduled a pre-application meeting to discuss “Asturia Industrial.” That is a first step before submitting a site plan and other documents for approval from the Pasco County Commission.

“We’re ready to start this afternoon,” said Graham Mavar, in remarks to county commissioners at the July 11 meeting. Mavar is partner in leasing and development with Harrod Properties, which is developing the project.

“We like to self-develop everything,” he said. “We like the risk side so we build speculatively, which a lot of people won’t do.”

Mavar estimated construction would start by the end of the year.

County officials said they anticipate completion in 2018.

The first phase of development includes a total of 107,500 square feet of industrial space. Two buildings are proposed. One is 40,000 square feet, including an 8,000-square-foot mezzanine. The second industrial building would be 54,000 square feet, county records show.

The loan agreement between the county and HP Asturia calls for the design, permitting and construction of the first phase to be completed within 24 months. Tampa-based Harrod Properties Inc., is partnering in the development.

As seen in this aerial, Asturia is a master-planned community in Odessa, off State Road 54. HP Asturia and Harrod Properties Inc., plan to build up to 200,000 square feet of office and industrial space as part of the development. (File)

The second phase of construction proposes a 128,000-square-foot industrial building, with the caution that plans could change. A future retail outparcel also is listed in the pre-application form.

The industrial park is off State Road 54 in Odessa, about 1.5 miles west of Suncoast Parkway.

The county’s loan will aid in design and construction of a northern spine road connecting to Tower Road from State Road 54. Funding is from the Penny for Pasco program.

However, if certain goals, primarily related to job creation, are met the entire loan could be forgiven, essentially becoming a grant. The buildings will be built on speculation, without pre-signed tenants.

County officials project up to 400 new jobs, with total salaries estimated at about $11 million. They also anticipate economic growth from the development to add about $32 million to the county’s gross domestic project annually.

The loan agreement sets up the goals in phases.

Once the new road is open to the public and there is a minimum of 80,000 square feet of industrial/office space, the county will forgive $4 million of the loan. Another $1 million would be forgiven on proof of 5-year leases for the first buildings. Finally, the last $2 million would be forgiven at build-out, with additional leases, and total space of 200,000 square feet.

Published August 9, 2017

Bilirakis talks health care reform

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Health care reform was the main topic during U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’s visit to Zephyrhills last week.

Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, was the featured speaker during The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting on Aug. 3.

He said he was “very disappointed” when the Republican party’s reform and repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stalled in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis gives members of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce his take on what’s happening in Washington D.C., regarding health care reform. (Kevin Weiss)

The so-called skinny repeal bill, which the GOP titled the Health Care Freedom Act, would have eliminated the ACA’s individual mandate; delayed the employer mandate until 2025; allowed states greater flexibility in implementing market reforms, such as essential health benefits and out-of-pocket spending limits; and increased Health Savings Account limits for three years, among other changes.

However, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the skinny repeal bill would have increased the number of uninsured by 16 million over the next nine years and increased health care exchange premiums by more than 20 percent.

The measure sank on July 27, in a 49-51 Senate vote, with three Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona — joining the entire Democratic caucus against the bill.

The action, Bilirakis said, displayed his party’s inability to stick together.

“To be honest with you, you can’t keep voting ‘no.’ Maybe you’re a hero at home, but you’ve got to work with the leadership to get things done,” he said.

Bilirakis acknowledged he “didn’t agree with everything” in the bill, but noted it was a good starting point to replace Obamacare.

“Obamacare is failing,” Bilirakis said to a roomful of constituents. “Seventy-three percent of the counties in our state only have one provider…so we have to fix it, we have to do something different, we have to bring the (deductibles) down.

“Now, don’t get me wrong, we want to take care of the pre-existing conditions. I want to make sure that everyone has access to mental health treatment, if their family member needs it or if they need it. These are very important issues to me, they’re close to my heart,” he added.

Bilirakis said he wanted to see the skinny bill pass, mainly so it could be improved in a House-Senate conference committee.

“We don’t do that very often anymore,” he said, “where we go to conference, appoint Republicans and Democrats in a room, and make it work.”

Meanwhile, Bilirakis assigned blame to both parties for not crafting a viable bipartisan solution on health care.

“We’ve got to think of the country first, and work together. That’s what voters mostly want,” Bilirakis said.

“With health care, it shouldn’t be a political issue. It’s a personal issue, and both parties should be involved in getting this done, because both parties have good ideas,” he later added.

He also criticized President Donald Trump for his shifting stance on health care. Regarding Obamacare, the president has waffled on the following actions:

  • Repeal and replace
  • Repeal only, then replace
  • Let it “fail.”

“Listen, I am a Trump supporter, but he’s got to be consistent in what his plan is,” Bilirakis said. “These members (of the Senate) are not going to buy it, just saying we’ve got to pass a bill. It’s got to be a good bill.”

Bilirakis, though, did credit the president for reducing regulations on U.S. businesses, as well as the soaring stock market— the Dow Jones industrial average passed the 22,000 mark for the first time on Aug. 3.

“The economy’s much better. We are making a difference, but we can do better,” Bilirakis said.

Elsewhere, the congressman discussed some of his recently introduced bills, such as The Lower Costs Through Competition Act and The Open Act, both related to health care.

The Lower Costs Through Competition Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon, seeks to reduce prescription drug prices by speeding up Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of high-cost generic products, which lack competition.

Bilirakis pointed to last year’s EpiPen controversy, where Mylan, the makers of the life saving, anti-allergic reaction device, increased its product price by nearly 400 percent, to $700 for a twin-pack.

“The EpiPen situation — that was horrible,” he said. “There’s a couple of other drugs like that, and you have these monopolies out there that are taking advantage, and so we want to make we speed up the FDA process, the approval process and incentivize these companies to reduce the prices.”

The bill, introduced in January, has since been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health.

“It’s a no-brainer, but in (Washington) D.C., sometimes the no-brainers won’t pass, so you’ve got to keep pushing,” said Bilirakis.

Meanwhile, Bilirakis’ Orphan Products Extension Now (OPEN) Act — which also has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health — would provide incentives for drug makers to repurpose mainstream treatments, at mainstream prices.

According to Bilirakis, there are 7,000 rare diseases affecting 30 million Americans, and yet 95 percent of those conditions have no approved treatment or cure.

The bill, as it stands, amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend by six months the exclusivity period for a drug or biological product approved by the FDA when the product is additionally approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a new indication that is a rare disease or condition (also known as an orphan disease).

A common issue, Bilirakis explained, is those afflicted with rare diseases resort to off-label drugs for treatment. “We’ve got to find cures and treatments. We want to make sure it’s safe, we want to make sure we have a proper dosage,” he said.

Published August 9, 2017

Superior Precast to bring 100 jobs to Dade City

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Superior Precast plans to set up shop in Dade City and add about 100 new jobs to the area, according to an announcement from the Pasco Economic Development Council.

The company supplies precast concrete products on behalf of The Reinforced Earth Company for use in major road projects in Florida. Superior Precast is a new supplier for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Superior Precast will move into about 63,000 square feet of industrial space at the Dade City Business Center, off U.S. 301.

The company expects to fill about 100 positions within three years or less. Nearly 30 new hires will be made by September.

Openings include plant manager, quality control manager, office manager, administrative assistant, quality control technician, forklift operators, carpenter, welder and production workers.

These would be full-time positions with benefits. Salaries will be nearly 125 percent of Pasco County’s annual average wage.

In January 2017, the annual wage was about $35,494, so salaries for Superior Precast would be about $44,368, according to data from the Pasco EDC.

CareerSource Pasco-Hernando will assist Superior Precast with recruitment, hiring and training of new employees from in and around Dade City.

Officials with Pasco EDC, Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Division, Pasco County and Dade City partnered to recruit Superior Precast to locate in Dade City.

For information and to apply for a job, visit SuperiorPrecastLlc.com.

Published August 9, 2017

Just in time for school: Healthy snacks

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School bells will be ringing soon, and young minds will be gearing up to absorb new lessons.

But, school isn’t the only place where your children can acquire knowledge.

The kitchen in your home can be a great learning space, too.

You can help your children think of it as a laboratory, and cooking can become one big tasty experiment.

Some plastic bags and pipe cleaners can be transformed into fun packaging for your nutritious snacks. (Betsy Crisp)

Depending on their age and ability, they can wash fruits and vegetables, cut them into pieces, and package and label them to have on hand to have as a snack when they get home from school.

While they are learning about food safety and food preparation at home, you can also build on nutrition lessons they get at school.

Keep in mind the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate icon and the guidelines on how much to eat from each food group when you are planning and serving food.

Healthy snacks including fruits and vegetables are an easy way to complete your daily plan to achieve a balanced diet.

Growing young minds and bodies need fuel throughout the day to stay well, grow strong and be ready to learn.

Healthy snacks keep them going between meals.

Plan ahead to prepare the snacks and have them readily available.

This will help your children make the right lifestyle choices now, and also later in life.

The following guidelines will help:

  • Practice preparing the snacks with your children; as they become more proficient they can make them on their own.
  • Teach them to use measuring cups or the proper size of containers, to practice portion control.
  • Don’t overlook food safety. Wash your hands. Wash the dishes and wipe off the counter.

Here are some practical snack ideas:

  • Trail mix. This is one of my favorites because it is so easy to make and doesn’t need refrigeration. Using a mix of whole grain cereals, dried fruits, and nuts will add more fiber to your child’s diet. If you want to go to some extra effort, you can portion and package the trail mix attractively, using snack bags and pipe cleaners to make butterflies.
  • Other easy snacks include hard-cooked eggs, reduced-fat cheese (cheddar, string cheese, etc.) and crackers, and peanut butter on celery, or apple slices, topped with a row of raisins.

Most children (and adults, too) do not consume the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables, so snacks made of these are a good way to fill in those missed servings and also where those interesting container ideas (like canning jars) can come into play.

  • Veggie Dip Sticks: Take a small canning jelly jar (8 oz./1 cup) or plastic container about same size. Pour two tablespoons of low-fat ranch dressing (or hummus) into the bottom, add celery and carrot sticks no taller than the rim, add lid to seal. Store in the refrigerator for three days to four days.
  • Fruit with Yogurt on the bottom: Take a small canning jelly jar (1 cup) or plastic container about same size. Spoon four tablespoons of low-fat yogurt in the bottom, one tablespoon of granola (optional), and add fresh fruit of various shapes and colors almost to the rim, add lid to seal. Store in the refrigerator for three days to four days.

Remember, you can teach your children to make these treats. And, with practice, they can do it on their own.

As with any new food, be aware that some people have food allergies.

The eight most common foods people are allergic to are milk; eggs; peanuts; tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews, walnuts); fish (such as bass, cod, flounder); shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp); soy; and wheat.

When purchasing food, be sure to read packaging because these eight foods are now included in food allergy labeling, and they account for an estimated 90 percent of allergic reactions.

Betsy Crisp is a Professor Emeritus, for the University of Florida/IFAS Extension — Family & Consumer Services.

Recipes:

Scoops/Dippers: Homemade Pita Chips/Crostini
Ingredients:

3 (7-inch) whole-grain pita breads (or 1 whole grain baguette loaf)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Brush both sides of each pita round with oil, cut into wedges on a cutting board using a pizza cutter before putting on the baking sheet. If using baguette, cut into slices and place on the baking sheet in a single layer, and brush both sides with oil.

Bake in the oven until just golden, about 4 minutes per side. Cool before serving.

Use to dip into the hummus. Makes 20 chips.

Cuban Black Bean Hummus (instead of the traditional chickpeas)
Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 Tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)

1 clove of garlic, chopped

2 Tablespoons lime/lemon juice

2 Tablespoons cold water

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin

1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

4 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)

Instructions:
Put all the ingredients in the bowl of the food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. Now taste it. Does it need more lime or lemon juice? More salt or spice? If so, add it and taste again.

Using the spatula, scoop the dip into the serving bowl or lidded container.

Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate up to five days. Makes 8 servings.

Lemon Hummus (Note: requires use of a food processor and parent supervision)
Ingredients:

1 can (16-ounce) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 clove of garlic, peeled

2 Tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice (or juice of one lemon plus zest)

3 Tablespoons cold water

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:
Put the steel blade in the food processor. Add the chickpeas and garlic, and turn the processor on. Process until the beans start to break apart and the garlic gets chopped.

Add the oil and lemon juice, and process again. Add the water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until the hummus reaches the consistency you prefer. Add the salt and pepper, and process until completely smooth.

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to three days. Makes 1 cup.

Parmesan Yogurt Dip with Veggies
Ingredients:

2 cups plain, low-fat Greek yogurt

1 small clove of garlic, peeled and minced

3 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice (or juice and grated zest of 1 small scrubbed lemon)

1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

1 bag each: baby carrots and celery sticks (or other vegetables)

Instructions:
Put the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese in a bowl and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to three days. Makes 8 servings.

Published August 9, 2017

Atmosphere is upbeat on teacher move-in day

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Volunteers and teachers were busy on teacher move-in day last week at Cypress Creek Middle High School.

Pasco County School Board members, the superintendent of schools, Rotary Club members, members of The Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce, the Pasco Education Foundation and other community volunteers joined in with teachers to help them get ready for Day 1 at the new school at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

They hauled boxes from the parking lot.

Cypress Creek teacher Jenny Burton was busy last week, unpacking and storing supplies for her middle school art classes. She is thrilled with both the size of her classroom and the supplies she has to work with. (B.C. Manion)

They pushed carts down corridors filled with classroom stuff.

They stood in line, awaiting the elevator to carry their load to the second floor.

They unpacked boxes. Put together bookcases. They stamped books and put away supplies.

Some teachers began decorating the walls in their classrooms, adding their personal touch.

They were working, but there was a friendly banter. The atmosphere was upbeat, with an undeniable sense of excitement in the air.

Jenny Burton, a middle school art teacher, is thrilled to be teaching at Cypress Creek.

“This is like absolute heaven,” Burton said, as she organized her art supplies.

“I’ve never worked in a space like this before. I’ve worked in rooms that were a quarter of this size,” she said.

She’s also impressed by the supplies that have been provided for her class and can’t wait to begin working with her students to find out which materials they’ve used before, and which ones will be new to them.

Her next-door neighbor is Sara Connolly, a middle school social studies teacher.

First-year teacher Sara Connolly wants to bring her social studies lessons to life for her students. She’s already chosen a playlist for the first day of school, featuring music from different eras of American life.

“I want kids to realize that history is not just a book, and it’s not just someone standing up and lecturing to you, and memorizing a bunch of dates,” said Connolly, a first-year teacher, whose mother is a retired teacher and whose father teaches at Land O’ Lakes High School.

She’s been preparing for that first day.

“I already have a playlist set up of American historical music through the ages,” she said, noting the students will hear snippets of American Colonial music, the Civil War, the jazz age and other eras.

She’s also planning to have students break into teams on that day, to do a scavenger hunt in the classroom.

Burton and Connolly are already thinking about ways the two of them can collaborate to do cross-curricular lessons.

Meanwhile, down the hall, Dani Sauerwein who teaches sixth-grade language arts is equally enthusiastic about the new school year.

“It’s always exciting for a new school year to start, but this is just a whole new level of excitement,” she said, noting she’s thrilled to be part of the team opening a new school.

“We’re trying to create a community,” Sauerwein said.

She also expressed gratitude for the volunteers who were at the school, helping teachers get set up for the new year.

“Honestly, I could not do it without them. This would have taken 10 times longer if it weren’t for everyone who came out to help,” she said.

The value of such volunteer efforts goes beyond the benefit of providing help with the physical labor, said Colleen Beaudoin, a school board member.

The interactions can help build community spirit and foster greater understanding, she said.

“A lot of community members want to help, but they don’t really know what’s needed,” said Beaudoin, who was there volunteering alongside her 14-year-old son, Bryce.

When members of the community spend time inside schools, they gain greater insights into what’s needed or desired, and they can help school personnel connect with resources available through businesses or organizations, Beaudoin said.

“Sometimes, I think, that is that missing link — that connection,” the school board member said.

Published August 2, 2017

Pasco County allocates $1.3 million for sinkhole response

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Cleanup of a massive sinkhole in the Lake Padgett community in Land O’ Lakes was expected to begin as early as this week, weather permitting.

The Pasco County Commission approved $1.3 million to remove the debris, eliminate the public health threat and secure the site. The action came at a special July 31 board meeting.

Here’s the breakdown on the board’s $1.3 million expenditure:

  • Debris removal at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive and 21835 Ocean Pines Drive by Ceres Environmental Services: $640,099
  • Fill, from various contractors: $300,000
  • Water hauling (Environ Waste): $30,000
  • Tip fees: $14,750
  • Initial response expenditures: $78,194
  • Contingencies: $237,137

The $1.3 million is for the initial “phase one” cleanup, not the absolute sinkhole repair of completely filling the site, grading it and so on, according to county officials.

Debris removal is slated to begin this week, as the Pasco County Commission allocated a $1.3 million for the initial cleanup process. Ceres Environmental Services was awarded the bid for debris removal, not to exceed $640,000. (Kevin Weiss)

After phase one is finished, the county will take a break and determine what to do from there.

Regarding the debris removal by Ceres Environmental Services, County Administrator Dan Biles said the company first will try the dragline methodology, via a long-reach excavator.

The company may also resort to other methods to complete the task, Biles said.

Ceres will remove and dispose of floating debris, will pump and remove contaminated water, and will stabilize the southeast portion of the sinkhole with granular fill.

The cleanup task should take somewhere between two to four weeks, Biles said.

During a July 27 news conference, Kevin Guthrie, the assistant county administrator for public safety, said “I want everybody to have a clear understanding the county is not going to pay taxpayer dollars to completely remediate the sinkhole, bring it back up to pristine condition as it was before and step away.

“We are removing the immediate danger of life and health, which is the debris and the contamination, and then we will move on to that next phase, whatever the (County Commission’s) wishes are at that point in time.”

The sinkhole originally opened on July 14 at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive, where it engulfed two homes and a boat.

The now “dormant” sinkhole measures 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep — believed to be the largest in county history. Despite extensive property damage caused by the disaster, no injuries have been reported.

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 approximately 135,000 cubic yards of dirt.

Determining that next step, Guthrie said, will be a “methodical process.”

Guthrie added: “We probably have about three actual, doable contingencies. We will be talking to the board about what their possibilities are, along with the associated costs.

The sinkhole originally opened on July 14 at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive, where it engulfed two homes and a boat. The sinkhole now measures 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep—believed to be the largest in county history. (File)

“We’re going to let the board make some important decisions, because at the end of the day, it’s…the taxpayer’s money, and we need to make sure we’re doing the right things by the taxpayers,” Guthrie said.

Last week, the county sent out demand letters and notice of financial responsibility to the homeowners, renters, and companies that did remediation work in the past.

Guthrie reiterated the sinkhole damage is a private matter between each affected party’s insurance company, and the county eventually will seek as much reimbursement as possible.

However, at least one of those insurers has told the county it’s not their problem. And, another argues they’ve already paid a property owner and have no further liability.

Meanwhile, five families still remain displaced. Pasco County Community Services has collaborated with United Way of Pasco to provide 90-day relocation assistance for the affected renters and property owners.

And, over the past week, site activity — including presence from county agencies —began tapering off, after a fencing enclosure was installed on the roadway leading up to the sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive.

That didn’t stop some residents and sightseers from getting a firsthand look at the destruction.

William Dillon, a Land O’ Lakes resident, marveled at the site Friday evening.

“It’s going to be quite a project getting that stuff out of there,” he said.

He also expressed sympathy for the families affected.

“I just feel sorry for them,” he said. “It’s just terrible.”

Nancy Teague, a nearby Lake Padgett resident, likewise, was in awe of the sinkhole.

“Can you imagine how many millions (of dollars) it would take in concrete to fill it?”

Published August 2, 2017

Zephyrhills sets tax rate, presents draft budget

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For the third straight year, the property tax rate will stay the same in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills.

Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The council does, however, have the option to reduce the rate before then.

Based on the 6.35-millage rate, the total budget for the new fiscal year will be $16.8 million, across the city’s 10 departments. The Zephyrhills Police Department, among others, will see several equipment upgrades. The draft budget includes funding to purchase four new Ford Explorers (two K9 and two marked units), along with new firearms and Taser replacements. Other upgrades include new officer laptops and external police cameras, plus replacement air conditioning unit at the agency’s station. (File)

Public hearings on the proposed rate are scheduled Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., and Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., in the Zephyrhills Public Library meeting room, 5347 Eighth St.

City records show that maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills will generate about $3.91 million in property taxes, an increase of nearly $218,000 over last year. Those figures are based on the proposed total city property value of about $651 million.

In the 2014-2015 fiscal year, Zephyrhills’ tax rate was 6.1415 mills. But, two years ago, the council opted to raise the rate to 6.35 mills to “accommodate operational improvements.”

Based on the 6.35-millage rate, the total budget for the new fiscal year will be slightly more than $16.8 million across the city’s 10 departments.

The remaining money necessary for the 2017-2018 budget will come from other funding sources, including state revenues, franchise fees, utility fees and grants.

The Zephyrhills Police Department, among other departments, will see several equipment and operational upgrades.

The draft budget includes funding to purchase four new Ford Explorers (two K9 and two marked units), totaling $166,000, along with several new firearms ($23,000) and Taser replacements ($11,000).

Other upgrades include new officer laptops ($15,000) and external police cameras ($21,000), plus a $160,000 replacement air conditioning unit at the agency’s station.

Additionally, police overtime is increasing by about $20,000, to account for shift overtime and various training programs.

The Zephyrhills city council voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills, the same figure set for the past three fiscal years.

The city’s parks department has several new digs coming their way, too.

Funds are earmarked for a new, $300,000 concession stand at Krusen Field, and Zephyr Park is slated to receive $150,000 in new playground equipment.

The department also is set to receive two replacement pickup trucks totaling $50,000 and a zero-turn lawnmower, worth $12,000.

As in prior years, the city plans to divvy out thousands of dollars in grants.

According to the draft budget, The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is slated to receive $50,000 from the city, while the East Pasco YMCA will receive $30,000. Sports youth leagues will receive $10,000, and Zephyrhills High School will receive $10,000 for scholarships.

Besides funding $30,000 for the Samaritan Project, the city also is working on budgeting water lines and service to Helping Rock, a homeless shelter on Forbes Road that provides 24-hour housing and is a resource for the Zephyrhills Police Department.

Other proposed budget items include:

  • A 3 percent increase in salaries and benefits for employees, at an additional cost of about $300,000.
  • A contingency fund of about $1.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from the current fiscal year — mainly due to funding for Tyler software, overages at the Jeffries House and costs for implementing employee pay increases.
  • Worker’s compensation is $245,000, an increase of about $30,000 from the previous year.
  • An increase to $770,000, up from $669,000, for casualty and property insurance.

The budget also includes a loan of more than $7 million for the construction of the new City Hall, which has been carried over from last year. The loan amount will be paid on an annual basis from Penny for Pasco revenues.

Another budget workshop is anticipated sometime in August to discuss, among other issues, costs and improvements to revitalize the former Hercules Park property, and to finalize a plan for the anticipated Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center.

City staff is currently working on the tennis center’s design, as well as building construction costs.

According to City Manager Steve Spina, an early estimate of the building cost is $2.25 million, while court construction costs are anticipated to be $950,000, to be paid out of park impact fees by District of Abbot Station developer David Waronker. The city, meanwhile, still needs to enter into a contract to take ownership of the site and payment of the park impact fees for court construction.

Also of note: The Dade City Commission voted to set their tentative millage rate at 7.14 mills, the same figure set for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

City records show that maintaining a rate of 7.14 mills will generate about $1.89 million in property taxes, an increase of $80,700 from last year.

Published August 2, 2017