The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Business Spotlight: JC Audiology adds to hearing professional to staff 

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The staff at JC Audiology has grown larger as Dr. Judith L. Reese (second from left) added DJ Mitchell (middle) to her team. Photo courtesy of JC Audiology

LUTZ – Ever since Dr. Judith L. Reese opened JC Audiology in 2005, thousands of residents have come to the practice for their hearing needs. 

On average, the practice serves more than 160 hearing aid devices a month. That’s that’s about one device every hour and doesn’t include the dispensing of new hearing devices. 

Reese has added another hearing professional to her staff to help with the growing number of clients.

DJ Mitchell joined JC Audiology in September. Mitchell has been a licensed Hearing Aid Specialist since 2016 and has worked in clinical settings locally while dispensing hearing devices from all major manufacturers.

“DJ is the kind of hearing professional we’ve been looking for.” Reese said. “Now patients won’t need to wait to make appointments, and his expertise on new technology and how it improves quality of life will benefit our patients enormously.”

The region’s growing population, along with new published research about the link between hearing and cognitive health, have led to more people approaching the practice about hearing services.

As the number of patients continues to grow, Reese has worked to minimize supply chain challenges that affect the industry. Reese recently bolstered her relationships with suppliers by joining forces with Professional Hearing Group. This arrangement allows her to continue providing the best quality hearing solutions at more affordable prices for patients as well as offer faster service than industry standards.

 

Want to go?

JC Audiology is located within the North Fork Professional Center, 1519 Dale Mabry Hwy., Suite 105, Lutz. Visit ​​jc-audiology.com or call 813-949-1331 for details.

Pasco County zoning amendments earn positive recommendations

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This aerial map shows the 76.55 acres targeted for Old Pasco West Master Planned Unit Development. Map courtesy of Pasco County

DADE CITY – The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of three zoning amendments during its Oct. 3 meeting.

All three of the rezoning requests are for properties located in either south central or southeast Pasco County.

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners has the final authority regarding zoning amendments because the planning commission only acts in an advisory capacity.

One of the requests was for a rezoning to allow for the construction of 99 single-family detached units on 76.55 acres south of State Road 52 and west of Old Pasco Road. 

Mary Elaine Sharp and Maxine Green submitted the application for the Old Pasco West MPUD Master Planned Unit Development. Attorney Barbara Wilhite, whose law office is in New Port Richey, represented the applicants.

The applicants requested to not have to provide an access point to the north or west due to an existing wetland system and because a portion of the site is adjacent to an Environmental Lands Acquisitions and Maintenance Program property.

One of the conditions of approval is the applicant will need to provide a 340-foot northbound left turn at the Old Mill Road and Old Pasco Road intersection. Improvements will be made to Old Mill Road between Old Pasco Road and the project access.

A date wasn’t given for when commissioners would decide on that rezoning request.

Anodyne 54 LLC/Anodyne 54 LLC (East) is seeking to rezone 1.27 undeveloped acres at the northeast corner of the intersection of State Road 54 and Point Cypress Boulevard from a C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District to a C-2 General 

The applicant has volunteered to record a deed restriction to the property to ensure it provides the benefits of commercial development, including adequate employment generation.

Sitex NR Holding LLC is seeking to rezone 1.06 acres on the west side of Ernest Drive, approximately 200 feet south of State Road 54, changed from an A-R Agricultural-Residential District to a C-2 General Commercial District.

The site consists of an unoccupied single-family dwelling. 

The applicant has volunteered to record a deed restriction to ensure the property provides the benefits of commercial development, including adequate employment generation.

More than 100 daily trips are estimated to occur from the property after it is developed for commercial uses. Therefore, the applicant will be responsible for the design, construction and right-of-way donation/acquisition for all the improvements needed to provide access from the property to State Road 54, the application said.

Commissioners are scheduled to decide on requests by Anodyne 54 LLC and Sitex during their Nov. 12 meeting.

 

Cell tower gets bad reception from Pasco County neighbors

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Anthemnet provided this aerial map to the Pasco County Planning Commissioner to show where a cell phone tower would be located. Photo courtesy of Pasco County

DADE CITY – A request to install a 195-foot-tall monopine cell phone tower did not gain a favorable recommendation from the Pasco County Planning Commission on Oct. 3. 

Cynthia M Barthle/Anthemnet, Inc./Verizon Wireless had requested a conditional use that would enable the cell tower to be located on the northwest corner of the intersection of St. Joe Road and Mt. Zion Road. 

County staff recommended the planning commission send a favorable recommendation with conditions to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, which has final authority. 

If approved, the proposed cell tower would have dense branching and could accommodate Verizon Wireless and up to three additional cell carriers. It would be located within a 2,500-square-foot fenced compound area within an overall parcel that contains 4.22 acres.

Mary Solik, who is legal counsel for the applicant, told the planning commission that the area where they wanted the cell tower to be placed was the result of a long search to find a site that was buildable, leasable and that would meet locational and performance criteria. 

“We were left with very few options and unfortunately we have unhappy neighbors,” Solik said.

Some residents of the nearby Willow Run subdivision objected to the proposed placement of the tower at that location.

Nancy Cabiness Johnson described Willow Run as a gated, deed restricted, high value residential community. Johnson said she believed the placement of the cell tower so close to Willow Run that it would have a negative impact on the community’s property values.

Robert Welbourn, who is president of the Willow Run Property Owners Association, told members the home values in his neighborhood “range probably anywhere from $700,000 to $1.5 million. 

“This has a greater financial impact on our residents and our community,” Welbourn said. “It has a more unfair impact to us financially because we have a greater investment.” Welbourn believes placing the cell tower at the proposed location would stigmatize the property.

Solik responded to some of the concerns of neighbors.

“The Barthle property was really all we had left,” Solik said.

“It truly looks like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree up on a pole,” planning commission member Jon Moody said.

Planning commission member Chris Poole said he understood that 5G technology, which is being used, would require tighter spacing of cell towers for it to work efficiently. However, Poole said, “I’m struggling with the need for a tower a mile away from another tower.”

David Taulbee, of Tampa-based Lee Pallardy Inc., told the planning commission that he has 25 years experience evaluating whether cell towers have negative impacts on property values.

“Not once has your appraiser or any appraiser along the whole west coast of Florida and into central Florida made a reduction in an assessment of property – commercial, rural, residential, urban, whatever you want to call it – because of proximity to a tower,” Taulbee said. “There’s simply no market data that indicates and supports that these towers impact values.”

Charles Grey, who chairs the planning commission, disagreed with Taulbee’s view on whether cell towers impact property values.

“I tend to take the common-sense approach,” Grey said. “I’ve been in the real estate business for over 50 years here. So, in my opinion, if I had that monstrosity next to my house then it would impact the value of my property. So if you think it doesn’t you’re just making up a story.

“We’re here to protect our people. That’s our number one job.”

Moody asked the applicant if they would rather have a long continuance so they could either find another site or a tower that could be more compatible with the area, or if they preferred a recommendation of denial.

“I don’t often bring you a site like this but this one is what it is because of what’s on the ground out there,” Solik said. “We have limited choices so I think we would prefer to keep it moving.

“I’m sorry that you’re choosing to penalize Anthemnet going forward.”

“I want you to understand,” Grey said, “that we’re not penalizing anyone. We’re just protecting the people that live here – the same thing I would do for you if you lived here.”

Solik and the people accompanying her were reminded that Moody had given them the option to do a continuance so the issues could be readdressed and they hadn’t done that.

Planning commission members then voted to recommend to county commissioners to deny the request. County commissioners are scheduled to vote Nov. 12.

 

Dade City interviewing for new city manager

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DADE CITY – Leslie Porter resigned as the city manager of the City of Dade City, effective Oct. 10.

Porter had worked for Dade City for more than 10 years. Prior to becoming city manager, she was the city’s finance officer from 2014 to 2019.

Her departure from the position occurred after members of the Dade City Commission expressed a desire earlier in the year for a new administrator to take the city in a different direction. 

An amicable separation agreement was negotiated between the commission and Porter regarding a severance package. The agreement emphasized that Porter’s termination from employment was not “for cause or for misconduct.” It also said that she would be eligible for future employment with Dade City if she applied for a position for which she was qualified either through education or experience.

Mayor Scott Black praised Porter during an emergency meeting Oct. 7 in preparation for Hurricane Milton.

“It has been a pleasure to work with you as finance officer and city manager,” Black said. “Thank you for your grace, your composure and your dedication. It means a lot to me.” 

Commissioner James Shive also spoke highly of Porter and her accomplishments.

“I really want to thank you for your 10 years of service to Dade City,” Shive said. “We appreciate what you’ve done for Dade City and we wish you the best moving forward.”

Porter recommended during the Oct. 7 meeting that her executive assistant, Marieke vanErven, be appointed as acting city manager, effective Oct. 11, until an interim city manager is hired.

Commissioners agreed by a vote of 4-1 to appoint vanErven as acting city manager.

Black, Shive and commissioners Kristin Church and Ann Cosentino voted in favor of vanErven’s appointment. Mayor Pro Tempore Normita Woodard abstained from voting. City attorney Patrick Brackins said Woodard’s abstention was considered a vote against vanErven’s appointment.

In addition to having served as Porter’s executive assistant, vanErven is also the city’s public relations specialist and staff liaison to the Youth Council, Redevelopment Advisory Committee and Community Redevelopment Agency.

The city had planned to conduct interviews with two applicants for the interim city manager position during the week of Oct. 7. However, those interviews were rescheduled due to Hurricane Milton.

Brackins asked if the interviews could be conducted virtually through Zoom because it wasn’t known at that time how much damage might be caused by Hurricane Milton.

Black said he would only want to conduct the interviews that way “as the last resort.”

The two applicants for the interim city manager position are:

  • James Gabbard, who is an executive search consultant for the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He has served in that capacity since 2018. Prior to that, he was a senior manager for the International City/County Managers Association Police Consulting Services from 2008 to 2018. He was city manager for the City of Vero Beach from 2005 to 2011.
  • Glenn Irby, who has been city manager for the City of Edgewater from 2019 to 2024. Prior to that, he was city administrator for the City of Apopka from 2015 to 2018 and city manager for the City of Umatilla – airport manager, from 2006 to 2015.

The dates for these interviews weren’t available by print deadline. 

 

 

 

Battered communities race to clean up in between hurricanes

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College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving hauled off several truckloads of debris left from Hurricane Helene to help minimize damage from incoming Hurricane Milton. Photo courtesy of College HUNKS

TAMPA – With Hurricane Milton approaching, the Tampa Bay community raced to pick up the pieces and clean up from Hurricane Helene.

When Tampa Mayor Jane Castor put out a call for local companies to help, Nick Friedman, co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, stepped up. 

His company partnered with Tampa to help remove trash and debris from Helene before Milton strikes.

“Our communities have been knocked down, and now, we’re getting kicked,” Friedman said. “But this is a resilient country, and we will make it through.”

Friedman’s home, his parents’ and in-laws’ homes were flooded and damaged by Helene. He wanted his business to help prevent others from going through the same pain of rebuilding.

Many local streets were lined with water-damaged items – soaked mattresses, ruined furniture, and other debris – that were put out for collection after Helene.

With Milton closing in, the concern was those items becoming dangerous projectiles. 

College HUNKS crews had removed 39 truckloads of debris the Sunday and Monday before Hurricane Milton’s arrival. 

The moving and junk removal company has more than 200 franchise locations nationwide, including hard-hit areas like Tampa and Asheville, N.C.

“In Asheville, some of our HUNKS are even sleeping, eating and showering at our office there because they lost their homes, and then, they’re going out on our trucks to help with the cleanup,” Friedman said.

 

Hillsborough County declares state of emergency

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order Oct. 6 declaring a state of local emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton. 

The order went into effect Oct. 6. A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless rescinded or extended. 

The emergency declaration gives the county administrator and emergency managers the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency for tFlorida in response to the storm. 

Read the Hillsborough County order declaring a state of local emergency. A state of local emergency already exists for Hurricane Helene.  

 

County opens safe haven for residents 

Hillsborough County will open Middleton High School this afternoon as a safe haven in advance of inclement weather for residents who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Middleton High School will open at 1 p.m. Oct. 6, at 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa. The forecast calls for heavy rain and wind on Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.  

Residents who need transportation assistance to Middleton High School should call 833-HC STORM or 833-427-8676 to make arrangements. The storm information and helpline is open until 7 p.m.

 

County opens three sandbag operation sites 

Hillsborough County will open three sandbag operation sites at noon Oct. 6 to help residents prepare for potential heavy rain moving into the area in the days ahead.

The following sandbag operation sites will be open, weather permitting, from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7. The sites are self-serve, meaning residents should be prepared to fill the sandbags themselves.

  • E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin (Park will be closed to the public on Saturday)
  • Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa. (Park will remain open to the public on Saturday)
  • Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa.

Hillsborough County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Residents must show ID verifying they live in the county; a driver’s license or utility bill will serve as proper identification.  

 

County continues storm debris pick up

Hillsborough County has mobilized resources to expedite storm debris removal from affected residential neighborhoods including Dana Shores, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Tampa Shores, Bay Crest, and Town ’N Country in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast.

The county is launching a temporary debris drop-off site at its Resource Recovery Facility at 350 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa.

 

Temporary debris drop-off site opens at Resource Recovery Facility

Starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 6, residents and contractors can drop off yard waste, construction and demolition debris, furniture and other household items at no charge. All appliances must be emptied of their contents. The site will remain open until further notice.

What can be dropped off:

  • Yard waste (trees, branches, etc.)
  • Construction and demolition debris
  • Furniture
  • Other storm-damaged household items
  • Appliances (must be empty)

What cannot be dropped off:

  • Household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, etc.)
  • Regular household garbage

 

Community collection centers offer extended hours until further notice

The County’s five Community Collection Centers are open with extended hours to accommodate post-storm cleanup, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. Photo ID is required.

  • Alderman’s Ford Solid Waste Facility – 9402 County Road 39, Plant City, FL 33567
  • Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility – 6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
  • Northwest County Solid Waste Facility – 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33625
  • South County Solid Waste Facility – 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
  • Wimauma Solid Waste Facility – 16180 W. Lake Dr., Wimauma, FL 33598

 

All five locations accept a variety of household items, including furniture, couches, chairs, tables, mattresses, washer, dryers, tires and microwaves. Additionally, the centers accept batteries, electronics and paint.

The Northwest County and South County Solid Waste Facilities are the only Community Collection Center sites that accept residential yard waste and wood disposal.

 

Additional yard waste site added

The county previously announced the opening of an additional yard waste site at the Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center located at 6209 County Road 579, Seffner. The yard waste drop-off facility is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for all Hillsborough County residents with identification. The site will be open until further notice.  

 

Storm debris information and tips  

The county is using its solid waste collectors and disaster debris contractors to maximize efficiency. The county will continue these intensive debris removal efforts until tropical force winds reach 30 mph, at which point operations will be temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of personnel.  

Residents with debris curbside that has been prepared for pickup who are unable to dispose of debris at one of the county’s sites are urged to take the following precautions in advance of the tropical storm:

Secure Loose Debris

  • Weigh down loose storm debris to prevent it from being blown away during high winds.
  • Use heavy objects such as bricks or sandbags inside or around debris piles to minimize movement.

Organize Curbside Debris

  • Heavier items like mattresses and sofas may be less likely to become windblown.
  • Place lighter items underneath heavier ones to prevent them from becoming airborne during the storm.
  • Consider using straps, ropes, or bungee cords to secure debris from becoming airborne.

 

Get Connected

Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. 

To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/StaySafe. 

Residents without digital access are encouraged to call 833-427-8676, the county’s storm information and help line.

Pasco County issues state of emergency for Hurricane Milton

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NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco Board of County Commissioners convened an emergency meeting Oct. 6 to declare a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton. 

The board convened about five minutes after the tropical storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, according to Andrew Fossa, director of emergency management for Pasco County.

“Currently, its projected path is going to put us in harm’s way,” Fossa told commissioners. “By the time it makes landfall, it’s projected to be a very strong Category 3 hurricane.”

He said the area should get tropical storm force winds from Tuesday evening to late Wednesday afternoon. The coast is also expected to sustain a six-foot storm surge. 

“We are going to have issues,” Fossa said. “We are going to have debris floating. We’re going to have missiles flying everywhere with the debris. So we’re asking for this local state of emergency and then we’re going to follow up also with a request for an evacuation order.”

The county has issued mandatory evacuations, which go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:

  • Evacuation Zones A and B.
  • Everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco.
  • Everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding.
  • Everyone in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards.

Voluntary evacuations will go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:

  • Evacuation Zone C.
  • Everyone registered with Pasco as a special needs resident.
  • Everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.

Visit https://pascogis.pascocountyfl.net/evaczone/finder.html to enter your street address and determine your zone. 

District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano asked Fossa to compare the storm surges of recent hurricanes Helene and Idalia to give people perspective about how important it is to evacuate. 

Pasco County saw storm surges of seven feet during Idalia and 12 to 15 feet during Helene. 

“It’s extremely important to evacuate,” Fossa replied. “We’ve preached that through Helene. We preached that through Idalia. When we issue an evacuation order for surge – we’re doing it to save people’s lives. Fortunately, Pasco County was one of the few counties that had zero fatalities.”

Pasco County tallied over 200 rescues in the aftermath of Helene. Fossa said citizens don’t have to evacuate hundreds of miles but tens of miles. He encouraged people to go to a hotel or stay at a shelter.

Pasco County is also opening shelters Oct. 7 for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of the storm and has nowhere else to stay.

The following shelters open Oct. 7 at noon (and accept family pets): 

• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City.
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson.
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey.
• Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson (Special Needs Only).

GoPasco bus services will operate regular routes Oct. 7 and offer free rides to shelters. Visit mypas.co/PetHurricanePrep for details about what to bring.

Mariano was encouraged by the work of the county. He mentioned how the county was helping evacuate residents of four trailer parks. 

Mariano also expressed concern about debris left over from Hurricane Helene flying around during high winds from Hurricane Milton.
“Citizens also need to remember with all this debris on the ground right now, first responders are not going to be able to navigate those roads,” Fossa said. “It’s going to damage their vehicles and put them in harm’s way also.” 

District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the Gulf Harbors community was going to get attention as it has one way in and one way out. 

“We are working very hard today to clear that road to be sure that people can evacuate,” Starkey said. “You’re going to inconvenienced maybe by one way traffic or stop-and-go traffic but it is just paramount that we keep at least that road clear so people can get out.”

Commercial haulers will be coming in Oct. 7 to remove as much debris as possible, according to John Battista, operations director for the solid waste department. 

“We want to get the storm debris off the roads,” Battista said. 

Commissioners were pleased with county staff’s work post-Helene and pre-Milton. District 4 Commissioner Lisa Yeager gave a shoutout not just to county staff but also the community. 

“It’s just really awesome to see our community come together and everybody helping everybody,” Yeager said. “It’s just been a huge movement. I’m just really proud to be living in Pasco County.”

 

Have questions?

Pasco County Customer Service is open until 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and will be open 24 hours beginning Oct. 7 at 7 a.m.  Call 727.847.2411 or chat with the county online at MyPasco.net.

Pasco County Schools to close Oct. 7-9 due to Tropical Storm Milton

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PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Schools announced all schools and district offices will be closed Oct. 7 to 9 as a precaution due to Tropical Storm Milton. 

All extracurricular activities, athletic events and after-school programs are also canceled for these days as forecasts indicate Milton may strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall in the region.

The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Families and staff are encouraged to follow the district’s website and social media channels for the latest information.

 

Saint Leo University announces closures ahead of Tropical Storm Milton

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ST. LEO – Saint Leo University will close the following locations for students from Oct. 7 to 10 in response to Tropical Storm Milton:

  • University Campus, 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo.
  • Tampa Education Center (1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa.
  • Center for Adult Learning (University Campusand Pasco-Hernando State College locations.

Classes offered at these locations are canceled. Students should not report to these locations.

Students at the Key West Education Center (Naval Air Station Key West, A-718 Essex Circle, Key West) should look for instruction from the base for closure information.

All other university locations are operating business as usual, but should continue to monitor www.saintleo.edu for updates.

Employees of Saint Leo need to report to work Oct. 7 to prepare their areas for the storm. After Oct. 7, only essential personnel will be permitted at these locations Oct. 8 to 10.

The university will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Milton in partnership with appropriate agencies through the week.

Information about reopening will be provided following the storm on the Saint Leo University website and through the Everbridge app, which is the university’s emergency notification system.

Event explores science behind Tampa’s beloved Cuban sandwich 

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Havana Fresca won last year’s inaugural Science of the Cuban Sandwich event and took honorable mention in 2024. Photo courtesy of MOSI

TAMPA – Bread on the Bay and Gasparilla Pizzeria are so good at preparing Cuban sandwiches, you could say they have it down to a science. 

MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, recognized the two restaurants as winners of its Science of the Cuban Sandwich event Sept. 28.

Bread on the Bay was the Cuban sandwich of choice among event judges while Gasparilla Pizzeria was the people’s champ. 

Last year’s inaugural champion, Havana Fresca, as well as Zydeco Brew Werks MOSI, both won honorable mention. 

The event was one part delicious and one part educational as MOSI exhibits explored the physics of the perfect press, the chemistry of flavor combinations and the biology of taste. 

“Our goal at MOSI is to make science fun and relatable,” MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith said. “Events like Science of the Cuban Sandwich let us take something everyone loves and show them how science is at the heart of things we do every day. It’s all about making those real-world connections that leave a lasting impact.”

The event was presented by The Mosaic Company. Jackie Barron, public affairs manager, said the firm supports events that strengthen local communities and highlight the importance of food. 

“Our community investments focus on food, water and enriching local spaces,” Barron said “The Science of the Cuban Sandwich brings all those elements together in a fresh and engaging way.”