The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

Interchange at Overpass Road and I-75 expected to open soon

By

The new Interstate 75 interchange at Overpass Road, in Pasco County, is expected to open by the end of January.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley shared that news during the county board’s Jan. 10 meeting.

The new interchange is about 3.5 miles south of State Road 52 in Pasco County.

The new diamond interchange will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75, according to information about the project included on the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 website.

Ridge Road will eventually be extended east, all the way to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, and go through the planned town of Angeline. (Mike Camunas)

To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road has been widened from two lanes to four lanes between the interstate and Old Pasco Road, and six lanes between the interstate and Boyette Road. Blair Drive has been realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road. McKendree Road has been realigned to connect with Boyette Road.

At the same meeting, County Administrator Mike Carballa told board members that the bid for the next phase of the Ridge Road extension could go out as soon as this winter or spring.

That project will extend the transportation corridor from the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The first leg of the extension now carries traffic from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The second leg, which is slated for completion in 2025, will extend Ridge Road over to U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

County officials have pushed for the Ridge Road extension for decades, but encountered legal challenges from environmentalists and faced permitting delays.

Pasco officials persisted in the quest to get the new road, describing it as a critical hurricane evacuation route and as another needed east-west transportation corridor for Pasco motorists.

Officials also have noted that the extension will improve accessibility to a rapidly growing area in Pasco County, as plans move ahead for Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco campus, which is expected to attract life science companies and researchers from around the globe.

The campus is in the center of a newly emerging area, known as Angeline, which will feature diverse housing styles, an extensive trail system, the latest in internet technology, schools, a community farm, wetlands and other features.

On other topics:

  • Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told her colleagues that the county needs to have an enforcement plan to respond to illegal used car dealerships and storage facilities. She’d also like the board to have a discussion on the issue of short-term rentals. Plus, she informed them of a planned celebration for international business at the board’s Feb. 21 meeting.
  • Commissioner Gary Bradford also informed the board that he had spoken at a groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Rescue Station No. 20, on Little Ranch Road. The old station had two bays. This one will have four.

In addition to hearing those updates, the county board:

  • Approved an agreement with Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., for the Lacoochee Industrial right of way improvements, segments one and two, for nearly $2.17 million
  • Approved a contract for $730,246 with Daikin Applied Americas Inc., to replace the chiller system at the East Pasco Government Center. The 22-year-old chiller HVAC system has outlasted its expected 15-year life cycle and for the past year a rented, temporary exterior chiller system has been used to cool the build. The price includes a 10-year warranty for parts and labor.
  • Approved spending up to $69,000 for a Staff Development Day appreciation celebration ceremony for all county employees, planned for Feb. 20
  • Approved a contract with Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company for a total of $1.75 million, for as-needed sod over fiscal years 2023 through 2025
  • Approved a contract with Daikin Applied for $304,490 for the purchase and installation of five energy recovery ventilators and the installation of a safety railing system in the Charlie Barracks of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center

Published January 18, 2023

Pasco approves about 400 new residential entitlements

By

The Pasco County Commission has set the stage for an additional 240 single-family homes, near an area known as the Villages of Pasadena Hills in the southeast part of the county.

The board voted unanimously on Jan. 10 to approve a request to change the county’s long-range plan to increase the development potential on 61 acres of land, at 59430 Billmar Road, in Wesley Chapel.

The land previously was designated for up to three dwellings per acre, but the county board changed the category to allow up to six units per acre.

However, the applicant has agreed to a maximum of 240 units, which works out to be an average of 3.93 units per acre.

County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission each recommended approval of the request.

The development is perceived as a transitional land use between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and surrounding higher density residential land uses. The request also is considered to support the mission of the county’s South Market area, according to materials in the county board’s agenda packet.

The site abuts the Chapel Crossing master-planned unit development (MPUD) to the west and Avalon Park West, formerly known as the New Rivers MPUD, to the south.

The access to the site is on Billmar Road, a 13-foot-wide private residential dirt road. There is a proposed trail that will bisect along the south side of the project site named the Eiland Boulevard Trail.

There also is a proposed arterial roadway identified on the highway vision road map as Zephyrhills Bypass extension planned for future development that will provide additional access south of the proposed project site.

There are no roads or access located to the east side of the subject site.

A rezoning request for the Hamilton Oaks MPUD is associated with the land use change.

In another action the county board approved a rezoning to change an agricultural-residential zoning to a medium density multifamily district, allowing the development of 158 townhomes.

The 30.2-acre site, at the intersection of Chancey Road and Diana Drive, historically has been used for timber and grazing.

Published January 18, 2023

Saddlebrook Resort redevelopment inches closer to approval

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval of a proposed change to the county’s comprehensive plan — as a first step toward the redevelopment of Saddlebrook Resort, in Wesley Chapel.

Despite the planning board’s positive Jan. 5 vote, members said they won’t support a needed companion zoning change unless it has a far greater degree of detail.

Saddlebrook opened in 1981 and achieved an international reputation for excellence in its tennis and golf facilities and programs. Through the years, premier athletes have flocked there to use the resort’s facilities — and its golf and tennis academies have helped prepare future champions.

There appears to be broad consensus that improvements are needed at Saddlebrook Resort, but residents and planning board members want myriad questions answered before a proposed redevelopment gains approval. (File)

Despite having a reputation as a crown jewel for Pasco County, there’s broad consensus that the 40-plus-year-old resort needs to be refreshed.

Mast Capital, based in Miami, is seeking approval to redevelop the property. But to do so it must gain approval from the Pasco County Commission to change the county’s comprehensive plan and also approval of a new master plan for Saddlebrook.

The planning board serves as an advisory board to the county commission.

Saddlebrook residents and attorneys packed the planning board’s public hearing, which lasted about four hours.

Residents expressed skepticism about Mast Capital’s intentions. They urged the planning board to protect Saddlebrook’s beauty, serenity, wildlife and legacy.

Greater clarity demanded
Two major sticking points centered on potential impacts from the proposed redevelopment and a lack of specificity in the plans.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing Mast Capital, said her client has been meeting with Saddlebrook residents through the resort’s five homeowner’s associations.

Wilhite outlined Mast Capital’s proposal and said changes have been made, based on community feedback.

For instance, Mast Capital dropped a request to add 60 single-family residences and 100 townhomes on land the current proposal designates for golf course and golf course-related uses.

Wilhite also noted she’s working with attorneys on private deed restrictions, which will legally bind future uses of the land — a highly unusual step that her client is willing to take.

In broad strokes, the redevelopment plan has four parts: two areas are within Saddlebrook’s gated community and two outside, next to State Road 54.

The plan proposes combining the two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses into a single 27-hole course.

“There are several holes that are plagued with terrible drainage situations that make them unplayable for significant amounts of time, throughout the year,” explained Eran Landry, a managing director for Mast Capital. “It’s going to take millions of dollars just in the golf course drainage improvements to change that.”

Landry said the company is in talks with two golf course designers.

Resident Patrick Hogan, who lives on Laurelwood Lane, told the planning board: “We’re on the Palmer course. It’s a Palmer course. There’s only one Arnold.

“It affects the value of our homes. That’s what we’re concerned about,” Hogan said.

Residents also want specificity regarding what “golf-related uses” would be allowed — and where the uses would be located.

They, and planning board members, also want to know where the tennis courts and driving range will be.

Mast Capital is seeking to increase the entitlement for commercial and retail uses from 100,000 square feet to 105,000 square feet; to 55 beds for the existing golf and tennis academy; to add a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse; to add 155 townhomes; and, to add 465 apartments.

The new development fronting State Road 54 will be a mixture of commercial and residential, in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities.

Changes needed to reverse resort’s decline
“You want to create spaces that allow people to feel good, and obviously want to congregate and hang out, and enjoy their experiences at the resort. We intend to do that,” Landry said.

His company plans to spend millions to change the direction of the resort, which has been in decline, he said.

Mast Capital wants to add features such as a splash pad for kids; an ice cream shop for families; and, a coffee bar. It also wants to upgrade the pool area, which Landry characterized as “completely underwhelming.”

Plans call for a complete overhaul of existing resort rooms.

“Those resort rooms are just not competitive, relative to any other hotels nearby or other resorts. The occupancy and the rates have been in decline for a significant amount of time. We intend to change that,” Landry said.

A clubhouse is planned, too. Those are a common fixture at premier golf destinations, Landry said.

Wilhite said plans call for a dual left-turn lane and a dedicated right lane at the resort’s exit to improve traffic flow. A new right-in, right-out access onto State Road 54 also is planned to serve the project’s development along the state road.

Protect community’s character
Residents urged the planning board to protect the community they love.

“Driving home and entering the neighborhood has always felt like entering an oasis, a beautiful, quiet, natural haven,” said Judith Ranells, of Fox Hunt Drive, a Saddlebrook resident since 1988.

“The beauty within Saddlebrook is simply spectacular,” agreed Joann Barbetta, who lives on Fox Hunt Drive, too. “The expansive and dense collection of trees, the winding roads, the spacious driving range were all thoughtfully laid out.

“The homes are spaced far apart and there’s a lot of privacy and large, open spaces.

“The peacefulness and serenity of that can’t be overstated.

“Saddlebrook is also a place where you regularly interact with the best elite athletes in the world,” she added.

Her husband, Larry Barbetta, helped to form the Save Saddlebrook Coalition. The coalition seeks to protect the interests of residents throughout the community.

“We want to encourage investment enhancement in this community. We definitely do. But I cannot accept, and the coalition cannot accept, a complete lack of detail. There’s no idea where the (golf course) holes will go. There’s no idea where the driving range will go. That’s not written anywhere.

“This is really important to us. It’s incredibly important to us. It’s our lives,” he said.

Nancy Foster has lived on Saddlebrook Way for more than two decades.

“While living here, I’ve been privileged to watch pro tennis players practice and train.

“We have courts that provide for these players to play at Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and, of course, at home, at the U.S. Open. That’s why they come here.

“Keeping tennis courts and golf courses are important to the resort,” she said.

Foster cherishes the resort’s wildlife, too.

She described it this way: “There is a hawk who announces his arrival, as he flies over my house, every day. A coyote visiting my back porch, taking a nap. A bobcat checking out my backyard. Then the deer arrive. The many wild turkeys with their young, marching through. Let me not forget the otters, turtles and especially the owls keeping a watch over my pet bird, which is fortunately living in the house.”

Residents and planning board members raised question after question — and made it clear they want them answered before the next phase of the process, which involves the rezoning request.

After the planning board hears that request, both the land use and zoning change applications will be heard on the same day by the Pasco County Commission. That date has not yet been set.

Published January 11, 2023

Pasco County steps closer to creating a regional park in Two Rivers

By

The Pasco County Commission has approved a contract with Coastal Design Consultants Inc., involving work associated with the co-location of a county park and Pasco County school sites, within the Two Rivers master-planned unit development (MPUD).

Two Rivers is a new community in Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56 and Morris Road. Plans for the development envision a 3,405-acre community that offers a mixture of housing types, work opportunities, shopping, recreation and schools.

Pasco County Schools was out on winter break, but in previous interviews, Chris Williams, director of planning for the school district has said the school district likely would co-locate a future school site in Two Rivers with a regional park.

During that discussion, Williams said the district had identified a potential site, but had not purchased it.

Co-locating the facilities would allow sharing of athletic fields and parking, Williams said.

The county’s contract with Coastal Design indicates the proposed site for the co-location of the school and park facilities is at the future intersection of State Road 56 and Coats Road.

The contract with Coastal, in the amount of $75,900, was approved as part of the county board’s Dec. 6 consent agenda. Items on that agenda are approved in a single motion, without discussion, unless someone pulls an item to be placed on the board’s regular agenda.

The board previously approved a professional services agreement for architectural, engineering and related services for improvements to parks and recreation facilities, with Coastal for environmental engineering and consulting services.

The recently approved task order involves grading and drainage master planning services that are needed for the co-location project. The site is approximately 180 acres, with the school site making up 73 acres and the county park making up 107 acres, according to the agenda materials.

The services being provided will aid in preparation of a mass grading plan to calculate the cut/fill quantities to determine if the site will provide excess fill, balance out or require fill.

The school board has agreed to reimburse the county for 50% of the task order amount after the work is completed, the agenda materials say.

The completion date for the project is set for 120 days from when the notice to proceed is issued.

Published January 04, 2023

Santa Parade brings holiday cheer to Lexington Oaks

By

Santa, also known as John Kostialik, made his annual stop in Lexington Oaks on Dec. 10 — starring in a parade aimed at bringing seasonal spirit to Central Pasco community.

With no reindeers in sight, Santa (John Kostialik) rides from stop to stop, in a golf cart driven by his elf helper, Addison Jones. (Courtesy of Steve Vinik)

The annual Santa parade, sponsored by the Lexington Oaks Security Patrol, including appearances by Santa (Kostialik) and Mrs. Claus (Julie Kuhn), fire trucks, a marching band and decked-out golf carts.

This elf is certainly not on a shelf! Lincoln Luna was busy during the parade in Lexington Oaks, distributing Santa’s candy.

Each year, the parade wends its way along Lexington Oaks Boulevard and stops in front of the village entrances to greet families with good Christmas cheer and candy.

This year, Fire Rescue Station 13 supplied some red plastic fire helmets to give out to kids.

Stacey Russo, a parade spectator, recapped some observations on Facebook.

She said this year’s event “was my favorite parade so far.”

Russo loved seeing “all the fire trucks, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, all the golf carts decked out,” an “amazing decorated jeep,” she wrote on Facebook.

She also enjoyed seeing the kids getting fire hats and candy and watching the marching band featuring members from Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek high schools.

“How many smiles were made,” Russo commented.

Santa said the toughest part of getting ready for the parade is allowing his beard to grow during Florida’s hot summers.

He was pleased by this year’s event.

“Thank you to all who helped and all who came to watch,” he said. “See ya’ll next year!”

Published December 21, 2022

Mrs. Claus (Julie Kuhn) hands out goodies —helping to raise spirits high, during the Lexington Oaks Santa Parade.
Fire Rescue Station 13, led by Capt. David Garofalo and firefighter Kessler Dixon, provided lots of noisy excitement, and plastic firefighter hats for the children.
Aly Jacinto gives Santa (John Kostialik) a hug, in a tender moment during the parade.

Saddlebrook request to get extra public hearing

By

The Pasco County Commission wants the community to have another chance to hear about proposed changes at Saddlebrook Resort, in Wesley Chapel, and to have the opportunity to weigh in on them.

The county board voted to continue the request to the public hearings portion of its Feb. 7  meeting, in Dade City.

Saddlebrook Resort includes a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex. It also is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses. Some big changes are being proposed to the resort and the Pasco County Commission wants to be sure that residents understand those plans before the issue is brought to the county board for a vote. (File)

In the interim, though, it directed its staff to arrange for the issue to go before the Pasco County Planning Commission for another hearing on Jan. 5, before returning to the county board in February for a vote on the request.

Both meetings will begin at 1:30 p.m., and be held in the board chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in downtown Dade City.

Jack Mariano, the newly elected chairman of the Pasco County Commission, urged his colleagues to send the issue to the planning board for a hearing, to ensure that the community has an opportunity to hear the proposed plans and to voice any concerns.

The applicant did hold community meetings within Saddlebrook, but those were organized by individual homeowner associations, said Barbara Wilhite, the applicant’s attorney.

Mariano said he wants anyone who is interested to be able to hear the same presentation and he wants that to happen before it reaches the board for a decision.

Based on documents in the planning board’s Sept. 22 agenda packet, the request calls for amending the county’s future land use map on about 420.5 acres on a site that is south of State Road 54, east of Service Road.

Saddlebrook has an existing master-planned unit development (MPUD), which has existing entitlements, development and infrastructure.

But a substantial modification has been requested to add acreage to the existing MPUD and to convert one existing golf course and the driving range into commercial/retail, multifamily, single-family, dorm rooms, clubhouse and restaurant uses, according to documents in the planning board’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

Saddlebrook Resort includes a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex that opened in 1981 and is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses.

Saddlebrook currently contains a number of different uses including commercial/office, multi-family, single-family, recreational and hotel/convention center uses.

The proposed use calls for converting the area that is the golf driving range into the town center for Saddlebrook, the background materials say.

The request must gain approvals from the county board, to clear the way for the proposed project.

At the initial planning board meeting, the request had been included on the consent agenda — meaning it could be approved without discussion, but planning board member Jon Moody pulled the item for discussion.

Moody doesn’t believe that large-scale projects should be included on the consent agenda.

He also expressed concerns about the county’s public notice requirements for such requests.

“My particular concern in Saddlebrook is that a great number of the property owners, adjacent to the golf course, to which this comp plan amendment applies, live out of state, many of them live out of country, so they didn’t see the sign posted,” Moody said during the planning board meeting.

Mariano said the planning board needs to take up the issue again because “I don’t feel that the planning commission got a good hearing,” he said.

Wilhite said her client had a series of public hearings and has been listening.

“We have been making changes,” she said.

But Mariano said: “The Planning Commission, I feel, needs to hear a complete presentation.”

“I think it should be all at once, everybody hearing the same thing,” he said.

Mariano said he knows that Saddlebrook residents want more communication.

“They feel that their voices weren’t heard from the get-go,” Mariano said.

Wilhite responded: “We have been making changes. We have been listening,” she said. “I’m very confident that the things that my client is doing, that we’ll have a lot of buy-in, actually, as we go forward.”

Published December 14, 2022

This prom gives people with special needs a ‘Night to Shine’

By

Grace Community Church in Wesley Chapel is hosting a “Night to Shine,” an event aimed at giving people with special needs a prom of their own.

Churches around the world will be hosting the event simultaneously on Feb. 10, 2023, according to a news release from Jeff Olsen, pastor of Grace Community.

The event will be held at Cypress Creek Middle School, 8845 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This is the first time the Wesley Chapel church has joined the worldwide event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Organizers at Grace Community are encouraging those wishing to attend to register early, before the event reaches capacity.

(Courtesy of Grace Community Church)

“Every guest of ‘Night to Shine’ enters this complimentary event on a red carpet, complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi,” according to Olsen’s release.

“Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment including corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom,” the release says.

“Grace Community Church is excited to be a part of this movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with disabilities and to rally the church to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know that they are valued and loved,” the church’s news release adds.

Night to Shine launched in 2015 with 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers honoring more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom, according to the release.

In February 2020, 721 host churches and 215,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 110,000 honored guests with special needs.

“Over the past two years, Night to Shine innovated and endured through the pandemic with the first-ever virtual Night to Shine, celebrating thousands of honored guests through unique adaptations, including a complete virtual video experience and socially distanced Shine Thru drive-thru events,” according to the release.

Tebow weighed in on the upcoming event, in the release.

“I’m so excited Night to Shine 2023 will be back in-person! All around the world, individuals with special needs are going to be celebrated like they should be,” he said. “We’ve been able to adapt over the last couple years but we can’t wait to be back together in person to cheer for every guest as they walk the red carpet, dance the night away with their friends, crown them as a king or queen of the prom and most importantly, tell every single one of them that their life has purpose and they are loved by us and the God of this universe.”

Lexus of Wesley Chapel is the Title Sponsor for the inaugural Night to Shine event in Wesley Chapel.

For additional information on the Night to Shine at Grace Community Church, visit NightToShineWesleyChapel.com.

For more information on the worldwide event, visit TimTebowFoundation.org/night-to-shine.

Published December 14, 2022

‘Building’ holiday spirit, one bear at a time

By

Cindy Ross, of RP&G Printing in Wesley Chapel, knows the importance of every child experiencing the joy of the holiday spirit.

For the last six years (2016 to 2022), Ross has been hosting a Build-A-Bear fundraiser — donating all the stuffed animals to the ABC Program to be distributed to local underprivileged students.

Guests were invited to visit the Build-A-Bear store at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, choose an animal, have it stuffed, pick an outfit and even give it a name. The store’s staff then printed out a ‘birth certificate’ for the child recipient. Monetary donations also were collected, which were put toward building more bears.

The total haul this year for the ABC Program was 161 stuffed animals, said Ross.

Audra Krause, Lisa Moore and Jennie Yingling were happy to ‘build’ stuffed animals to donate to the ABC Program fundraiser, at Build-A-Bear in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Cindy Ross)
Cathy Dileo and her daughter, Olivia, chose several different animals to have stuffed and clothed for the ABC Program fundraiser, at Build-A-Bear in Wesley Chapel. (Cindy Ross)
Fred, left, and Charley were two of the numerous bears chosen, stuffed, clothed and donated to the ABC Program fundraiser at Build-A-Bear, at The Shops at Wiregrass. Participants had the choice to give their animal a name, which was printed on a ‘birth certificate’ for the child recipient. (Mary Rathman)
Barbara Beals has her arms full as she participates in the annual Build-A-Bear fundraiser for the ABC Program for underprivileged students. (Cindy Ross)

“Kidpreneurs” taking the marketplace by storm

By

These kids mean business.

They are “Kidpreneurs” with self-owned startups selling homemade or resold products at marketplaces hosted by Tampa Children’s Business Fair (TCBF).

Ruby Medoza (or is that Jack-aline Sparrow?) smiles as she makes a sale on a treasure box filled with pirate booty and other fun items, during the Kidpreneurs event at the KRATE in Wesley Chapel. (Mike Camunas)

The TCBF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded with the sole purpose of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. They organize marketplaces featuring businesses created and launched by local children.

The Kidpreneurs set up shop at a local rec center or shopping district and try to turn a profit by finding out, firsthand, what it’s like to not only sell their wares, but themselves.

“They’re learning how to be a business owner in a fun, safe and supportive environment,” TCBF founder Danielle Cannon said, “even if they take a chance, a chance you might not be able to take as an adult when your life savings are involved.

Money in hand, Jennah Laktib happily makes a sale with her kid-owned jewelry business during the Tampa Children’s Business Fair on Nov. 29.

“And they’re so articulate and poised and mature and, honestly, much more brave than I was at that age,” she added. “I would have never had the confidence, in a million years, to do what these kids are doing and I don’t want my kids, or any of the Kidpreneurs, to be self-conscious like that.

“I want them to be confident in promoting themselves and their business and know it’s all right to fail at it. That’s an opportunity to learn, not a reason to stop.”

TCBF and its Kidpreneurs marketplaces are not even a year old and just held its third marketplace. This one was on Nov. 29 at the KRATE in Wesley Chapel, hosting more than 30 kid-owned businesses with booths in the outdoor shopping plaza.

Before that event even kicked off, it was so popular that Cannon had to schedule a second one at the KRATE for January.

McKenzie Toledo, left, makes a sales pitch on bath bombs to Tara Stoddard, right, during the ‘Kidpreneurs Take over the KRATE’ event hosted by Tampa Children’s Business Fair, a nonprofit organization that aims to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. It offers marketplaces where kids and teenagers can learn how to sell their products, find out what it’s like to run a small business and, of course, make some money, too. More than 30 kid-owned businesses were set up at the outside shopping plaza in Wesley Chapel on Nov. 29.

Also, the next marketplace is Dec. 11 in Temple Terrace and features 100 Kidpreneurs, with several others wanting to join in, as well.

“I had to cut it off,” Cannon, a Land O’ Lakes native, said. “Kids want to do it that much.”

Cannon had the idea to start TCBF because the neighbor’s kids wanted to sell bracelets, but didn’t really know how. She thought of having a neighborhood kids’ market, as her two children wanted to sell stuff, too. The neighborhood kept having the market and it kept growing each time.

She formed the nonprofit to help the growing number of kids sell in a market setting, with the first TCBF back in December 2021.

TCBF doesn’t charge for Kidpreneurs to set up with nothing more than a table, a money box or card reader or Venmo account, and the organization relies on donations that go directly to supporting the kids.

At the KRATE market, an anonymous local donor matched donations up to $30,000.

While most Kidpreneurs are out to make money, some do it for philanthropic reasons. For example, Caylynn and Cece Hovan, twin freshmen from Steinbrenner High, donated their proceeds to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

From left: Rachel Nellany, Riley Nellany and Delaney Diffenderfer sell some homemade jewelry and take in money during the ‘Kidpreneurs Take over the KRATE’ event hosted by Tampa Children’s Business Fair on Nov. 29.

“I just think it’s great to get some exposure and socialize and learn what it takes to run a business,” Lutz mom Samantha Haylock said, while watching her daughter, Sage, sell her artwork at the KRATE. “I really hope she gets into another marketplace in the future.”

Added Sage: “And I sold two of my paintings so far!

“I think it’s been really fun to meet customers and then see them buy your stuff. It’s awesome and feels really great to make a sale,” she added.

Fellow local Kidpreneur Stephanie Betancourt agrees.

Elias Dos-Santos shows off some healing crystals to a customer during a Tampa Children’s Business Fair outdoor marketplace.

“I did have a lot of fun coming out here and running a business,” she said. “I learned how to run a business and it takes a lot of work. You definitely have to be friendly and smile a lot.”

Her mother, Amarilys Rodriguez, added: “It was a good experience for her to know how to explain the items and give a good sales pitch and be friendly with customers. I think this is great for the kids and their businesses.”

That’s exactly what Cannon is aiming for: She wants the event to be more about collaboration and less about competition between the Kidpreneurs.

That way they can all get down to business.

“We want them to be supportive of one another and the businesses they bring,” she said. “And they are. You see that when they take the time to walk to the other tables and ask them about their business or products.

“And it’s so impressive to see how these kids grow their business. They come back with more products or say, ‘Next time, we’re going to launch our new design!’ — that’s so cute; I just absolutely love it!”

Tampa Children’s Business Fair
Details: The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aims to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs with organized marketplaces featuring businesses that were created and launched by local children. The “Kidpreneurs,” ages 6 to 16, develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, plan the cost of goods and pricing, and then open for customers at marketplace events in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. The latest marketplace, held Nov. 29 at the KRATE in Wesley Chapel, featured more than 30 kid-owned businesses. Demand to feature a kid’s business was so high that the organization plans to host another marketplace event at the KRATE, in January. All donations to this organization are used to support the “Kidpreneurs” and host the marketplace events.
Info: Visit TampaCBF.org.

Next Kidpreneurs Marketplace
When: Dec. 11, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, 6610 Whiteway Drive

Published December 07, 2022

Steinbrenner High freshman Cece Hovan smiles as she speaks with a customer and hopes to make a sale. She and her twin sister, Kay Kay, have their own business.
Amarilys Rodriguez, left, looks on as her daughter, Stephanie Betancourt, tries to sell some of her homemade slime during the Tampa Children’s Business Fair outdoor marketplace.
Zahra Salar, left, and Hafsa Burhan sell stress-relief products that look like ice cream sundaes and yogurts, in a marketplace set up at the KRATE in Wesley Chapel.

Wesley Chapel woman hailed as ‘inspiration’ for others

By

There’s a point in Pasco County Commission meetings when the county board passes resolutions to support a cause, or recognize an individual’s contributions.

Commissioner Mike Moore, who left the board on Nov. 21, used his final resolution to draw attention to Brianna Somoano, an author and inspirational speaker, who also is a family friend.

The young woman, who was born on April 25, 2000, is a quintuplet — with siblings Alyssa, Cody, Dante and Evan.

Brianna Somoano, seated, is surrounded by family, members of the Pasco County Commission and county staff members, after the young woman was recognized for her inspiring impact on others. (Courtesy of Pasco County/Andy Taylor)

They were born 27 ½ weeks early and Brianna faced health complications early in life, according to the board’s resolution.

Brianna was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affected her gross motor skills — leading her to use a wheelchair and a walker.

When she was just weeks old, she developed a staph infection and became seriously ill. While fighting the infection, her lungs collapsed and she coded for 30 seconds, requiring life-saving measures, the resolution says.

Despite her physical challenges, “since childhood, Brianna has been known for her wisdom. She has always been a source of advice and counsel for her siblings, friends, and family,” the resolution notes.

When she was 15, she began hippotherapy, which is a form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy that uses equine movement to develop and enhance neurological and physical functioning by channeling the gait and movement of a horse, according to the resolution.

The therapy helped Brianna gain confidence and independence, and she began speaking at fundraising events for the Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, where she receives her therapy, the resolution continues.

Brianna is currently a motivational speaker, and last year, she decided to share her journey by writing a book called, “My Walk and Conversations with God.”

The book, published on Dec. 24, 2021, is available on Amazon.

It is described this way, on Amazon: “My Walk and Conversations with God is about Brianna Somoano’s walk of faith and her love for God. She touches on different seasons of her life, the ups, downs and moments in between that served to teach her great life lessons about God, herself, and those she loves. She will share different stories that shaped the importance of her faith with different inspirational takeaways: Love Hard, Be Intentional, Live Life to the Fullest, Purpose to Pain, and Let Go and Let God.”

After the resolution was read into the record, Moore told Brianna: “Everybody wanted to honor you and everything you’ve accomplished.

“I’ve known the Somoana family for 15 years now. I’ve had the opportunity to watch all of the quintuplets grow up, from what, probably age 7, on,” he said.

Moore said he wanted to recognize Brianna for her work to encourage others and let them know: “Hey, you can do anything. Anything you want to do. Nothing’s going to hold you back.”

Moore also noted that he was talking with Brianna’s parents, Jack and Kathy, one day and they were marveling about how Brianna’s book is inspiring readers across the country.

“So, you’re a blessing,” he told her. ““We’re so very proud of you. We want you to continue to inspire others.”

Brianna told board members she was honored by the recognition.

“It’s always my greatest joy to be able to inspire my community.

“I feel like that’s one of my main purposes in this world, to show other people that no matter what you go through, you can accomplish anything,” she said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told Brianna: “I’m very proud you are a citizen in our county. Wow, really inspiring. Great job!””

Commissioner Ron Oakley told the young woman that she’s a source of inspiration, proving that people can do what they set their mind to do.

“My office is open to you, whenever you need help or direction in this county, I will be there to help you,” Oakley assured Brianna.

Published December 07, 2022