Local News

Steinbrenner’s band needs big bucks for bowl trip

November 6, 2014 By Michael Murillo

The Steinbrenner High School Band is planning a trip to perform at a college bowl game later this year. To get there, they’ll need hard work and determination.

They’ll also need more than $70,000.

When the Steinbrenner High School band isn’t performing, they’re practicing. And when they’re not practicing, they’re raising money for their trip to the Liberty Bowl later this year. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

That’s the cost to accommodate more than 90 people traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, on Dec. 29.

“It is a lot of money,” admitted band director Nicole Conte. “We’ve done some smaller trips that have cost about half that, but this is a pretty big one.”

It’s so big that the band is getting creative about raising funds. They’ll host a casino night on Nov. 8 at Cheval Golf and Country Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd., in Lutz, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. On Nov. 16, they’ll have a mattress sale at the school’s gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Current fundraising and early payments have helped the band get close to half of their goal, leaving plenty more money that needs to be raised. But from personal experience, Conte feels it’s worth it.

“We did several things like that when I was in high school band, too, and those are memories that I’ve carried with me all my life, and some of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” she said.

When Conte was going to school in Naples, her high school band performed at a Miami Dolphins game. She was excited to play in front of such a large group, and wants her band to share that kind of experience.

That doesn’t mean the entire trip will simply be a vacation for the band. There are competitive elements to the event as well. In addition to participating in the halftime show with other bands from different states, they’ll also be part of a field competition before the event. The winning band gets to perform solo as part of the pre-game ceremony.

Conte wants to win that competition, and continue the tradition of success she’s established at Steinbrenner. She’s been with the school since it opened in 2009, and has 17 years of experience leading bands. They consistently earn a rating of “superior” in their assessments, and they won their division at the Lion’s Pride band competition this year at King High School in Temple Terrace.

Three years ago, Steinbrenner also was named grand champion of that event.

To stay focused for their upcoming performance and prepare to face some tough competition, Conte is putting the band through their paces in practices and going over segments of their musical routines repeatedly to ensure their playing is sharp and their timing is right.

In her experience, that’s the only way to achieve the kind of success she wants.

“It’s practice and hard work. I think talent really has little to do with success,” she said. “It really boils down to determination and willingness to work hard to get the job done.”

Band members have displayed a willingness to work hard because of Conte’s leadership. Sam Goldstein, who plays tuba among other instruments, said the band has seen Conte’s experience in action, and knows that her decisions lead to good outcomes.

“She’s done it for 17 years, and she doesn’t have to think about anything that she does,” he said of Conte. “She tells us what to do and somehow everything works out. I look up to her as a third parent, almost.”

As a result, band members believe Conte when she says the practices and the fundraising will be worth the effort once they set foot in Tennessee for the school’s first band trip to a college bowl game.

“This is our first one,” Conte said. “I’ve never done one before, either. I’m very excited, and the kids are very excited.”

For more information about the Steinbrenner High School Band and its fundraising efforts, call Steinbrenner at (813) 792-5131, or visit SteinbrennerBand.com.

Published November 5, 2014

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Developers revive Epperson Ranch with Crystal Lagoon

November 6, 2014 By Michael Hinman

The interchange connecting Overpass Road to Interstate 75 couldn’t come soon enough.

With the housing market seemingly healed — at least as far as Pasco County is concerned — developers want to bring thousands of homes to an area known as Epperson Ranch, complete with a retail center, and America’s introduction to something known as Crystal Lagoon.

The new Epperson Town Center Project near Overpass and Curley roads, is expected to have the first Crystal Lagoon in North America, a massive water project that creates aquatic activities in areas where water at this quality might not be available. (Courtesy of Crystal Lagoon Corp.)

“It would be the first of its kind in North America,” said Pat Gassaway, president of Heidt Design, one of the representatives behind the developer of the proposed Epperson Ranch Town Center. He shared details of the recreation area with members of the Pasco County Development Review Committee last month, and is scheduled for the Pasco County Commission Nov. 5.

“They have chosen to implement it here in Pasco County, and let me pause to let that sink in,” Gassaway said. “It actually looks better in person than in the photographs, and that rarely happens.”

Crystal Lagoons Corp. is a Chile-based land development company that can turn dry land into what they call the world’s largest swimming pools. They can cover acres of land, typically at a depth of at least 8 feet, and allow for both swimming and water sports, which might not already be available.

The company’s first Crystal Lagoon in San Alfonso del Mar covers 20 acres, and is more than a half-mile long. The cost to build one is said by the company on its website to be “10 times less” than that of a similar-sized golf course, and consumes half the water a typical conventional park would use.

The town center was part of a much larger development of regional impact in the area where Overpass and Curley roads meet. Once the housing market crashed, however, the project went dormant. Now new developers have stepped in, looking to break some of the elements apart, but still stay close to some of the original development plans of bringing thousands of people into that part of Pasco County.

The town center alone would be on nearly 103 acres and include 256 townhouses, 200 apartments, 209,000 square feet of commercial space, 50,000 square feet of office, and 100 hotel rooms.

Two other pieces of the Epperson Ranch project also were in front of the committee on Wednesday. They include what is known as Epco Ranch North, where 1,795 homes on 1,051 acres are planned.

A third piece, known as Epperson Ranch South, would have 1,516 homes on nearly 590 acres of land.

Both residential plans are smaller than originally proposed. The northern part was supposed to have 1,811 homes, while the southern portion initially had at least 120 more homes than the current plan.

“Standard Pacific Homes is proposing to build a very upscale community here,” attorney Clarke Hobby told county officials of the northern plan. “The price point we’re dealing with here is substantially higher than we would otherwise see in this marketplace.”

However, Standard Pacific has met some resistance from neighboring property owners who aren’t too keen on what the developer wants to do with King Lake just off Curley Road.

“We are concerned about the density,” said Arnold Becken, who owns 12 acres of land off Kenton Road, which borders the lake. “No matter how many docks you have in there, if you have 1,700 residents living there, you’re going to have a mammoth amount of watercraft on that lake.”

Hobby, however, told Pasco County administrator Michele Baker last month he had not yet had a chance to meet with residents there to hear their concerns, but planned to do that before commissioners were asked to approve it.

“When they stand up in front of the board” for the November meeting, “I want them to say that Mr. Hobby is a nice guy,” Baker told the attorney.

There is no timeline on when construction would begin on any of the project, but the major parts may wait until the interchange at Overpass Road is completed. The county has eight years to finish the $55 million project, which will primarily be funded by federal dollars.

The county commission is taking up Epperson Ranch at a rarely scheduled Wednesday meeting, Nov. 5, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. The Epperson Ranch projects are scheduled as part of a group of other public hearings beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Published November 5, 2014

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Coping with grief during the holidays

November 6, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Picture this: Your mother has broken her arm and it’s time to make her traditional pecan pie for the holidays.

It’s easy to see that it would be difficult for her to make the pie this year, so you let her know that she shouldn’t worry about bringing it.

Bereavement counselor Dale Thien offers practical tips for grieving people who are expecting a difficult holiday season. (Courtesy of HPH Hospice)

It’s easy for people to see a broken arm, said Dale Thien, a bereavement counselor for HPH Hospice. It’s not always so easy to see the effects of a heart that’s broken by the death of a loved one.

The bereavement counselor said she often opens her workshops by talking about how expectations change when we can see a physical ailment that poses limitations, and the need to make similar adjustments when someone has suffered an emotional loss that’s equally, if not more, debilitating.

HPH Hospice is offering free workshops in November and December to help anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one during the holidays, regardless of the cause.

“Your grief is like you have a broken heart,” Thien said. “The thing is, we can’t really see that.”

During her workshops, she asks those who are grieving to give themselves permission to grieve. And, she asks them to let their loved ones know what they need.

“Understanding can come from the rest of the family, as they adjust their expectations about the holidays and about the role that this grieving person will play,” she said.

The death of a loved one often creates a sense of disorientation and a loss of equilibrium, as people adjust to life without the physical presence of their loved one.

“So, we want to make adjustments,” she said.

It may be time to modify the family routine, Thien said.

“We don’t want to stress people out with too much of the same because it becomes so obvious that there’s a big gaping hole where the person you loved used to be,” the counselor said. “I think some people dance around the issue of, should we mention the loved one’s name or not?”

Typically, people look to the person who had the closest connection to the deceased to provide guidance on this issue, she said.

“If you’re the grieving person and it was your main loss, then probably your family is waiting for you to mention their name,” Thien said. “And then, they will get the go-ahead that it’s OK to be talking about that.”

She recalled an instance when a widow told her that she was angry with her family because they never once mentioned her deceased husband during the holidays. Later, that same day, the daughter told the counselor she was upset because they had not talked about her father.

“So, everyone just danced around this elephant in the living room,” Thien said. “No one acknowledged it.”

People often do not know how to handle these situations, Thien said. She suggests, in this case, the daughter could have said to her mother in private: “I’m interested in talking about dad. Is that OK with you?”

The workshop seeks to give grieving people the tools for handling the holidays.

“We’re also going to try to empower the grieving person to ask for what they need,” she said.

One practical tip is for grieving people to drive themselves to holiday gatherings, Thien said. That way, they’re free to leave when they want to.

People who are grieving may not be up to the hustle and bustle of shopping.

So Thien advises them to simplify their gift giving. They can buy everyone the same gift, for instance, or send mail-order baskets of fruit. Or, they can give cash.

People who are grieving may not feel like sending out holiday cards. They might not have the energy to decorate the house.

They don’t have to, Thien said. “You get a pass this year.”

Or, they may want to invite family members to come decorate their home, or just put up fewer decorations.

If they decide to attend holiday gatherings, she said, they might need to step aside if they’re having trouble handling their emotions.

It’s perfectly fine to tell a party host: “I’m doing as well as I can, being here, around all of this merriment at holidays, but please understand that this is hard for me. So, if I need to go outside for a minute and have a tear, please don’t follow me. Please just let me be, and I’ll come back into the room when I’m ready.”

People grieve in different ways.

“Some people clearly do want to be left alone,” Thien said. “It’s certainly OK to opt out entirely.”

On the other hand, she added, some people “need hugs and socialization and reassurance.”

“My suggestion is small doses,” Thien said.

Swing by holiday parties, but just stay as long as you feel comfortable.

“You’re doing the important work of adjusting to life, now that your loved one is gone,” she said. “You are engaging in trying to find a new normal for yourself.”

The bottom line is finding what works for you during the holiday season, she said.

“People who really love you are going to understand,” Thien said.

HPH Hospice is having Holiday Workshops for Grieving Adults in November and December to help people who are anticipating a difficult holiday season due to the death of a loved one.

Upcoming workshops:

Nov. 17 at 2 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church’s Religious Education Center, Parish Library, 38640 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills

Nov. 19 at 3 p.m., at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center, Oak Meeting Room, 6630 Van Buren St., in New Port Richey

Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., HPH Hospice Resource Center, 37441 Clinton Ave., in Dade City

Dec. 9 at 6 p.m., Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, in New Port Richey

The 90-minute workshops are free. No registration is required.

For information, call HPH Hospice at (800) 486-8784.

Published November 5, 2014

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Mulieri watched county go from carbon paper to the Internet age

November 6, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Nearly 10 years after she retired from what was then Pasco-Hernando Community College, Pat Mulieri will hang it up once again Wednesday — this time as a Pasco County commissioner.

So what will the 76-year-old do now?

“Maybe I’ll become a belly dancer,” she said.

Pat Mulieri spends some time with Rocket, one of the dogs rescued by Pasco County Animal Services. Mulieri, whose last day as a county commissioner is Nov. 5, spent 20 years as a public servant, all thanks to a proposed medical waste facility. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Mulieri may be joking, but the 20-year commissioner has never been afraid to speak her mind, or go against the establishment in county government she more than once referred to as a “good ol’ boy club.” Whether it’s speaking out on increasing local gas taxes, or throwing her support behind a candidate from a different political party, Mulieri always has described herself as fearless, standing up for those who might not be able — or willing — to stand up for themselves.

“You can’t just sit there, and you can’t be afraid to speak out,” Mulieri said. “People will try to intimidate you, they’ll try to talk over you. But you have to keep an open mind, and never waver from what you believe in.”

Spending so many years in elected office would have many asking what kind of legacy a commissioner leaves when they retire. Mulieri, however, sees her legacy beginning well before she won her first election in 1994. In fact, it was her work in the late 1980s and early 1990s that pushed her into public office in the first place.

“I was teaching at PHCC when someone came up to me and told me that they are building an incinerator on my corner, and I started looking into it,” Mulieri said.

As she does now, Mulieri lived in Gower’s Corner, the mostly rural area north of Land O’ Lakes at State Road 52 and U.S. 41. She and husband Jimmy had called it home since moving from New York in 1979, and plans were to build a plant that would dispose of up to 500 pounds of medical waste each day.

Except plans didn’t stay that small for long. By 1990, the developer expanded it to 54 tons per day, and that put Mulieri and her neighbors into action.

The first thing she did? Call Sylvia Young, of course, the longtime county commissioner representing much of the eastern side of Pasco.

“It was the most terrible experience of my life,” Mulieri said. “’It won’t hurt you,’ she told me. ‘Why do you care? It’s not going to hurt you.’”

Except at 54 tons daily, that meant trucks would be going in and out constantly, bringing in waste from all over the state, and even beyond. It was the last thing Gower’s Corner needed, Mulieri said, and she vowed to fight it, with or without the help of her elected officials.

“I filed to be my own attorney at an administrative hearing” with state environmental officials, Mulieri said. “It started out as a Gower’s Corner issue, and then it became a Pasco issue. By the time I was done, it had become a state issue.”

She got a lot of help from John Long, then a Democratic state representative who would later become superintendent of Pasco County Schools. Long helped push a five-year moratorium on the incinerator through the House, but it was the state Senate that was proving difficult.

“There was a senator there who was the meanest senator in the world, and he did not want to get it passed,” Mulieri said. “But John was a powerful man, and he walked over and whispered something into the senator’s ear. I have no idea what he said, but the next thing you know, there was a moratorium on medical incinerators for the next five years.”

That was enough to kill the project, and Mulieri could’ve simply gone back to teaching and enjoying life in Florida. But in 1994, many of Mulieri’s neighbors become frustrated with the lack of communication between commissioners and residents, and many of them were trying to convince her to run.

“It was really hard,” she said. “We didn’t raise a lot of money. I put in $9,000, and maybe I raised $10,000.”

But Mulieri got a lot of attention, primarily because of what she called her “green gang.” Someone had designed a green shirt with Mulieri’s name on it, and volunteers would wear them everywhere, becoming human billboards.

Mulieri won that election, and every challenge thrown at her ever since. Each time, she kept her campaign small. Her last election in 2010, against Republican Ken Littlefield and independent Clay Colson, Mulieri raised $88,000. But that was a little more than half of what her then colleague, Michael Cox, raised for his race, and is far less than the $174,000 Mike Moore has raised to try and replace her.

“I always tried to keep these races in the community, and it’s always been a grassroots effort,” she said.

On Wednesday, Mulieri will walk in the door of the commission boardroom for the last time as one of the commissioners. She’ll have a chance now to spend even more time with the Pasco County animal shelter in Land O’ Lakes, and quality time at her Gower’s Corner home. And she hopes she leaves the commission just a little better than the way she found it 20 years ago.

“For everything, there is a season,” she said. “When I started, everyone there was using carbon paper, and I had to push just to get Internet there. Now, we depend on the Internet.

“I hope the county will keep changing for the better.”

Published November 5, 2014

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Before ‘Edward Scissorhands,’ there was ‘Satan’s Children’

November 6, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Throughout the rich history of the Lutz area, one thing that’s never talked about is the Great Oatmeal Famine of 1974.

Anyone looking to restock their Quaker Oats back then found the shelves mysteriously empty. Was it a strike? A product recall? A sudden desire to change breakfast food?

The quicksand pit for ‘Satan’s Children’ was created on a farm in Lutz. It was only 3 feet deep, and was made entirely of oatmeal. (Courtesy of Something Weird)

Nope, it was a small independent horror movie filming in Lutz at the time called “Satan’s Children.” And the special effects wizard behind the film, John Mocsary, needed 50 cases of it so that he could create something Lutz has never had before — quicksand.

“We bought up every case of oatmeal we could find in the North Tampa area,” Mocsary said. “And we used every bit of it. I had to make a three-foot pit, and it had to look real.”

Except once the oatmeal was mixed and actors started falling into it, Mocsary realized there were two things he hadn’t anticipated. First, the nearby cattle on the ranch they were using were quite interested in eating the oatmeal up. And second: The Laws of Newton.

“We had a buoyancy problem,” he said. “So what we had to do was put cinder blocks in, so that after people went into it, they would hold on to the blocks to keep them under.”

The magic of movies, taking place right in Lutz, nearly two decades before Tim Burton would bring Johnny Depp and “Edward Scissorhands” to the area. And while the R-rated “Satan’s Children” was never a box office success, it’s being remembered Nov. 15 when many of the former cast and crew, like Mocsary, get together at Tampa Theatre for a special screening.

The event was Andy Lalino’s idea. He wasn’t part of the movie, but he’s a major horror fan, and discovered “Satan’s Children” when it was released as a home video.

“I first got to see it back in 2006, and even then, I noticed that it was made in Tampa,” said Lalino, a producer at WUSF-TV in Tampa, and horror aficionado. “That piqued my interest, since I’m from the Tampa Bay area, and I toyed around with some ideas on what to do about that.”

The event next Saturday will celebrate the early days of film in the area, and feature actors like Stephen White, Rosemary Orlando and John Edwards, who all appeared in the film, while many of them were students at the University of South Florida. None are household names today, but their inclusion in what they hope could become a local cult classic will put them in the spotlight they never got in 1974.

“The film was actually released in 1975, theoretically,” Lalino said. “I talked to a lot of people, and they can’t ever remember seeing ads for it in the newspaper, which was common back then. It might have hit a few theaters in New York City and maybe some other parts of the country, but it was nothing like what happened with ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’”

That film was released in 1974, and was a low-budget horror as well that found its way into the mainstream consciousness. It went on to gross $30 million at the box office, which adjusted for inflation, would be $140 million today.

Lalino suspects “Satan’s Children” cost $100,000 to make — a third of the cost of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” but those who invested money were probably lucky to get any return on their investment, let alone their investment itself.

Joe Wiezycki was a producer at WTVT-Channel 13 for three decades beginning in the 1960s. He and others from WTVT worked on the project in secret — they didn’t want their bosses to know they were doing it — and it took months to complete all the work with mostly nights and weekends.

Wiezycki met Mocsary when the latter was working as a makeup artist — in a funeral home.

“He had called me up and said, ‘I understand you do makeup,’” Mocsary said. “He said, ‘I got this project we’re working on, would you be interested in helping us out?’”

That project was a film called “Willy’s Gone,” and had a limited release in 1968, making no money. But that didn’t stop Wiezycki, who quickly started work on his next project that would end up surviving 40 years — “Satan’s Children.”

“It was a fun job to work on,” Mocsary said. “Working with Joe was always a good thing, and he was a great guy. I’m sorry he’s not with us.”

Wiezycki died in 1994.

But many of the cast and crew still remain, and Lalino hopes to help new audiences discover a film old audiences never did. But it was made as a B-movie, usually a film packaged with a wide-release, and society was much different then. There are major segments of the film that some may regard today as outright homophobic and sexist.

“This screening, I think, will elevate the status of this film,” Lalino said. “It will bring attention to it, not just for new fans, but for those who might have grown up in the ‘70s and ‘80s and never heard of the picture.

“I look forward to being a part of it.”

If you go
WHAT: ‘Satan’s Children’ 40th Anniversary Screening and Reunion
WHEN: Nov. 15, 10 p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St.
COST: $11
INFO: TampaTheatre.org

Published November 5, 2014

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Local extension agents receive national acclaim

November 6, 2014 By B.C. Manion

A pair of extension agents from Pasco and Hillsborough counties recently received recognition for their work from Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national honorary fraternity for extension specialists and administrators.

Betsy Crisp and Mary Keith received honors announced during the organization’s national convention in Indianapolis on Oct. 8.

Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national honorary fraternity, recently honored Mary Keith, left, and Betsy Crisp for the contributions they’ve made to their profession through the work they’ve done as extension agents. (Courtesy of Daniel Culbert)

Crisp, a family and consumer science agent from Pasco, was the southern regional winner of Epsilon Sigma Phi Diversity Multi-Cultural award for 2014. Keith, an extension agent in Hillsborough, received the Distinguished Service Award for the southern region.

The Alpha Delta Chapter, which represents Florida, also was recognized. It received the Chapter of Merit-Gold Award from the national group. Florida’s Alpha Delta Chapter has 231 active and retired members from the University of Florida and Florida A&M University. The chapter includes county agents, extension specialists and administrators in agriculture, family and consumer science, 4-H youth development, and natural resources.

Epsilon Sigma Phi encourages professional development, and recognizes the achievements of its members across all areas of expertise.

Crisp is a licensed dietitian, who has worked for extension for 27 years. She presents more than 150 programs and reaches almost 8,000 people each year in the areas of food, nutrition, health and safety.

Her Pasco Family Nutrition Program has attracted considerable grant funding for several years. Program assistants and volunteers have delivered classes to people of all ages to help them make healthier food choices, to increase their physical activity, and to improve their health.

The honor she received recognizes her outstanding efforts to develop, achieve and sustain diversity in extension programs.

Crisp previously received the Southern Region’s Continued Excellence Award in 2013, and the Southern Region Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

Daniel Culbert, the outgoing president of the organization’s Florida chapter, has worked with both women for many years, and said via email that he’s proud of both of their accomplishments.

He describes Crisp as “a tireless innovator that never fails to come up with fantastic programs to help the people in her community and state.”

Keith has a wide range of programs flowing in three different areas: food safety, nutrition and child care training, according to her application for the distinguished service award. She often serves as a resource for other agents, writes two newspaper columns and teaches many classes in Spanish, the application notes.

Culbert characterizes Keith as a dedicated extension professional with worldwide experiences from her work with the Peace Corps.

Culbert said he has accompanied Keith to several Epsilon Sigma Phi conferences and has “come to appreciate that her dedication to the human conditions stems from many of her international experiences.”

Published November 5, 2014

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It’s Bug season in Pasco County this weekend

November 6, 2014 By Michael Murillo

When you think of words that go great together, “bug” and “jam” aren’t at the top of the list.

What is Bug Jam, anyway? Something you eat on a dare? A crazy collection of insects?

Fortunately, it’s neither of those. But it is one of the more popular annual events in Pasco County.

At Bug Jam you’ll see plenty of VW Bugs, of course. But there are plenty of other Volkswagen vehicles on display, too. (File Photo)

Now in its 26th year, the Pasco Bug Jam is a tribute/competition/celebration of all things related to the Volkswagen Beetle, affectionately known as the Bug. It also includes entries for the VW Thing and the VW Type 2, also known as a VW camper or bus.

But really, the star of this show is the Bug. And there are a lot of them. The Bug Jam has 66 separate vehicle classes for judging, and around 18 — more than any other — are devoted to the Bug.

Proud owners will show off their cars, convertibles and campers in a family-friendly setting on Nov. 9 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

But wait a minute: You’re not a VW Bug fanatic, you say? Why should you care about Bug Jam? Well, you don’t have to be obsessed with Bugs or cars of any kind to enjoy this event.

If you were obsessed, you’d probably be competing in one of the categories yourself. But thousands come every year to see the beautiful antique cars, lovingly restored and maintained by their owners. Some of these vehicles are more than 50 years old, and get more attention and care than we do.

Just checking out all the entries is a fun trip down memory lane.

But there’s a lot more to do than look at cars. There will be games, activities for children, and contests for visitors of all ages. A disc jockey will play music all day long. And you’ll also see a performance by a Blues Brothers tribute band.

By the way, they aren’t just guys who throw on suits and ties and pretend to be the Blues Brothers, the iconic characters made famous by “Saturday Night Live” stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. The Jake and Elwood Blues Revue has opened up for many mainstream music acts, played with the original Blues Brothers band, and were even part of the “Blues Brothers” 25th anniversary DVD.

They know all the songs, all the moves, and throw in a lot of audience participation. If you like the Blues Brothers, it’s worth going for this show alone.

And if you do like the VW Bug, you should have had this circled on your calendar for the past year. Besides all the different makes and models, there will be more than 100 vendor booths, where you can get new and used parts, collectibles, toys and who-knows-what other Volkswagen-inspired merchandise. Add in giveaways, trivia and other car-themed events, and you have a full day of fun.

And if all that’s not enough, they also do something called Stuff the Bug, where they try to squeeze as many people as they can into a Beetle. Would you believe they once got 21 people into one? They’re trying to break that record this year, too. Do you really want to miss that?

So it sounds like a really good time. But how much does it cost? Well, since you’re reading it in our On the Cheap column, you know it isn’t much.

Admission is just $5 per person, and it’s $5 to park. So stuff some friends and family into your car (don’t try to break their record, OK?) and spend the day listening to music, playing games, and enjoying the cars on display. And keep most of your money in your pocket while you’re doing it.

Gates open at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. It runs until 5 p.m.

For more information about Pasco Bug Jam, visit FloridaBugJam.com.

Published November 5, 2014

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Land O’ Lakes soccer team gears up for the world stage

November 6, 2014 By B.C. Manion

The Land O’ Lakes Special Olympics soccer team recently traveled to Indianapolis to begin preparing for its appearance in the 2015 Special Olympics Summer World Games.

The soccer team claimed the gold at the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games in May, and found out on July 21 that they would trek to represent Team USA at the games in Los Angeles.

Ordray Smith plays with intensity during a scrimmage in Indianapolis, as the Land O’ Lakes High Special Olympics soccer team prepares to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics Summer World Games. (Courtesy of Land O' Lakes High School) — Ordray Smith plays with intensity during a scrimmage in Indianapolis, as the Land O’ Lakes High Special Olympics soccer team prepares to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics Summer World Games. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School)

The team competes in Division 2 soccer, with seven athletes on each side of the ball. It is a unified team, meaning there are four Special Olympics athletes playing along with three partners, who are there to provide help and support.

The Land O’ Lakes team will join thousands of Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to compete for international medals. The games include 21 Olympic-style sports.

To help prepare for the competition, the team headed to Indianapolis in early October to begin training for the games, and to get a feel for what the schedule will be like in Los Angeles, said Vicky King, the team’s coach. The training camp in Indianapolis included 352 athletes and 96 coaches from across the United States.

While there, the team received Team USA gear from Finish Line, practiced their soccer skills, scrimmaged against other teams, toured the NCAA Hall of Fame, attended the Circle City Parade and the Circle City Classic football game, and visited the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The World Games are scheduled from July 25 to Aug. 2.

While the team is gearing up for the competition, it’s also involved in fundraising efforts. There will be a Champions Breakfast Nov. 7 at the Academy of Culinary Arts building at Land O’ Lakes High School to raise money to support the team’s trip to the World Games. No tickets are available for this week’s fundraiser breakfast, but efforts are ongoing to raise the $35,000 the team needs to make the trip to Los Angeles, King said.

Anyone who has any questions can email King at .

Anyone who wishes to contribute can send a check payable to Special Olympics Pasco, attention Vicky King, Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638.

Published November 5, 2014

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Downtown St. Petersburg offers attractions galore for visitors

November 6, 2014 By B.C. Manion

The holidays are approaching, and that means relatives may be visiting to share family traditions.

It’s also the season when Florida, with its sunshine and mild winters, attracts an influx of friends and family escaping bone-chilling weather in other locales.

The Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg boasts a collection of artworks dating from the antiquities to modern day. The collection includes a wide array of works from acclaimed artists such as Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Gauguin, O’Keeffe and Wyath. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The prospect of finding something to do that will appeal to people of all ages and interests can prove daunting. But downtown St. Petersburg is a great place to go to find something to see or do for practically everyone.

Here’s a sampler of some the attractions awaiting you across Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg.

Just to note, before heading to any of these spots, be sure to pick up downtown guides and brochures, and check websites for potential discounts. The savings can be substantial.

Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center
If you enjoy beautiful glasswork, you’re likely to fall in love with this stunning permanent collection by Dale Chihuly.

The 10,000-square-foot setting located at 400 Beach Drive N.E., features Chihuly’s colorful glassworks ranging from a Persian Sunset Wall to a Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier.

Visitors can learn more about Chihuly’s life as an artist and about the creative process that yields the works on exhibit during a presentation, which runs continuously, in a small theater in the space.

The store, which does not require museum admission, offers a variety of related merchandise and original works for purchase.

It’s open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Museum of Fine Arts
Located at 255 Beach Drive N.E., in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, this museum offers an art collection that extends from antiquity to the present day.

Highlights include works by Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Gauguin, O’Keeffe, Wyath and other acclaimed artists.

Besides its collection, the museum offers an array of special events, has a museum store, and a café.

Museum admission is not required to dine at the MFA Café.

Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Dali
Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dali at The Dali, the largest collection of Dali’s works outside of Spain.

The collection, located at 1 Dali Blvd., includes more than 2,100 Dali paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings.

Café Gala is inside the museum.

400 Beach Seafood & Tap House
Visitors to downtown St. Petersburg will find plenty of places to enjoy a meal and relax. This restaurant, at 400 Beach Drive N.E., serves coastal cuisine, has indoor and outdoor dining, and serves lunch and dinner daily.

It also has valet parking and is pet friendly.

Parkshore Grill
This restaurant at 300 Beach Drive N.E., also features indoor and outdoor seating. It serves lunch and dinner, offering fine food, wine and spirits.

It has a Saturday and Sunday brunch.

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
If you enjoy interesting architecture, this 1920s Mediterranean Revival hotel at 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., provides plenty to ponder.

The structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. For those visiting the area for just a day, it provides a nice photo op.

Others, spending more time in the area, may want to stay at the resort and partake of its 18-hole golf course and 12-court tennis complex. It also boasts a private marina.

North Straub Park
Visitors can find a place to relax on park benches and enjoy scenes of the waterfront, The Vinoy resort hotel, a marina and beautiful trees in this park at 400 Bayshore Drive N.E., which sits between The Vinoy and The Museum of Fine Arts.

Other nearby attractions:

Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave. — A statewide nonprofit gallery and retail shop that represents fine craft artists from Florida.

Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave. — Home to studio art classes, jewelry making, photography and more.

Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop, 719 Central Ave.: — Working artists create glass pieces and explain the process, as spectators watch. Those who are interested can book their own hot shop experience to work with an artist to create their own blown glass.

Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd St., S. — Pottery enthusiasts can see the largest working pottery center in the southeast in this historic train station.

Haslam’s New and Used Books, 2025 Central Ave. — Florida’s largest new and used bookstore with more than 300,000 volumes available for purchase.

Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth St., S. — The museum features the history of the Holocaust beginning with the history of anti-Semitism and life before World War II, followed by the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and anti-Jewish legislation. The exhibition culminates with sections about concentration camps and killing centers, and a boxcar that was used during the Holocaust.

Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St., N. — A 100-year-old botanical garden with more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers.

Craftsman House, 2955 Central Ave. — Gallery and café in a historic bungalow, with more than 300 national and local artisans.

Trolleys are available in St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit PSTA.net and VisitStPeteClearwater.com.

Published November 5, 2014

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Success in Szczecin: Wesley Chapel brothers excel in karate

November 6, 2014 By Michael Murillo

There’s a little more gold, silver and bronze in Wesley Chapel thanks to the Vo brothers. But they had to go to Poland to get it.

The brothers — Derick, Jason and Andrew — were part of a team representing the United States at the World Union of Karate-Do Federations World Karate Championship in Szczecin, Poland, last month. All three had strong showings at the karate event, which is designed for juniors and children.

Derick Vo, left, battles an opponent from Portugal at the karate championship in Poland. His performance helped him earn bronze in the event. (Courtesy of Duy-Linh Vo)

And even beyond bringing home medals, it’s a trip oldest brother Derick, 16, won’t soon forget.

“It was an amazing experience because it was the first time me and my brothers were all able to travel together and compete in the world championships,” he said.

Derick, a junior at Wesley Chapel High School, trains with his brothers at Keiko Shin Karate Academy in Wesley Chapel.

Derick won second place in kata, which involves being judged on choreographed movements. He took third place in individual and team kumite, which is a form of competitive sparring.

When he was younger he didn’t enjoy kumite as much, Derick said. But in his 10 years in karate, he’s come to appreciate both forms of competition, and enjoys excelling in both disciplines.

At just 5-foot-4, Derick had to face opponents who were several inches taller than he is. He made up for reach deficits by using his own strengths to his advantage.

“I really concentrate on speed, and I also rely on counter-attacking,” he said.

Middle brother Andrew, 12, also performed well, but admitted to some pre-competition jitters.

“I was nervous,” he said. “I just didn’t think about it and did what I had to do.”

When he calmed his nerves, he defeated opponents from countries like Romania, Belgium and Italy to claim the gold in kumite.

Having his brothers with him was an advantage, Andrew said, as they provided support and advice to help him succeed. The experience was hard work, but also fun because he could share it with family.

That included youngest brother Jason, 11, who finished outside the top three in kata and kumite, but overcame more challenging odds to succeed. He had to compete against some opponents who were 12 years old, meaning they often had a significant size and height advantage.

Still, Jason finished fourth in kata and fifth in kumite, proving his skill in two categories while facing around two dozen competitors from all over the world. And he recognizes the significance of his accomplishment.

“I feel great because not many people (finish) that high,” Jason said.

While the brothers often faced different opponents and brought different levels of skill to the competition, they all felt the advantage of having their father, Duy-Linh Vo, with them on their trip.

“My dad has always been there for me from when I first started until now,” Derick said. “He’s always right there helping me, encouraging me and giving me tips.”

Andrew agrees. “He always helps me and he’s always there for me, cheering me on,” he said.

For Duy-Linh, traveling with his sons was about supporting them and giving them opportunities he didn’t have growing up. A Vietnam native, Duy-Linh wasn’t able to study the Japanese art of karate in his home country, even though it interested him.

“In Vietnam they were very limited in dojos (karate learning centers) in rural areas,” he said.

So when the boys had an opportunity to represent the United States, Duy-Linh made sure they were able to participate. He estimates the trip cost around $20,000 for the family, with donations from friends and relatives helping fund expenses.

The end result was not only success and recognition for his children’s karate skill, but validation for the work they put in at their dojo, and at home. And when he saw Andrew claim gold, he was overcome with emotion and pride for all three of his sons.

“I pushed my tears back so I would not let people see I was crying,” he said. “My children, they work so hard.”

Published November 5, 2014

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