The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

Parents oppose proposed Elem W boundaries

By

Scores of parents from the communities of Arbor Woods and Northwood are opposed to proposed school boundaries that would send their children from their Wesley Chapel community over to Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz.

About 100 people showed up at a community meeting on Nov. 19 to seek changes to the proposed boundaries for Elementary W, a new school being built off Mansfield Boulevard.

They told officials they understand that Seven Oaks Elementary needs relief from overcrowding, but they don’t want their children to be sent to a school in a different community.

They raised numerous concerns.

Vince Iglio, a parent from Arbor Woods, questioned the school district’s projections regarding future growth, particularly in the area of Denham Oaks Elementary. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Vince Iglio, a parent from Arbor Woods, questioned the school district’s projections regarding future growth, particularly in the area of Denham Oaks Elementary.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

They don’t want to contend with the traffic on State Road 56, particularly near Interstate 75.

They don’t want their children to leave an A-rated school to go to one with a lower grade.

They want their children to have access to the same programs and services that they now enjoy at their current school.

They’re concerned about how the shift will affect which middle school and high school their children will attend.

And, they question the accuracy of the district’s projections.

They want district officials to change the boundaries so children in Arbor Woods and Northwood can attend Sand Pine Elementary, which is closer to where they live.

Elementary School W, now under construction off Mansfield Boulevard, is intended to provide some relief for Seven Oaks and Double Branch elementary schools. It also has some space available to accommodate anticipated growth, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

A boundary committee for Pasco County Schools has recommended a number of shifts that would affect the boundaries of Seven Oaks, Double Branch, Sand Pine and Denham Oaks.

Williams said the committee considers a number of factors when recommending school boundaries.

Those include school capacity, current enrollment and growth projections. The committee also attempts to avoid splitting subdivisions and considers traffic, he said.

Vince Iglio, representing Arbor Woods, said his neighborhood has just 25 students, which would have a negligible impact, if the students were assigned to Sand Pine.

Chris Williams, the director of planning for Pasco County Schools, explains the process used by a boundary committee to make recommendations regarding a school’s boundaries to the Pasco County School Board, which makes the final decision.
Chris Williams, the director of planning for Pasco County Schools, explains the process used by a boundary committee to make recommendations regarding a school’s boundaries to the Pasco County School Board, which makes the final decision.

But, Williams said, if Arbor Woods were assigned to Sand Pine, the district should also consider other parts of Northwood, which would yield an impact of roughly 200 students.

Iglio questioned the district’s projections for Denham Oaks. He said the school could become overcrowded as early as next year, given the development that’s springing up in the area.

Williams said he expects that all of the schools affected by Elementary W’s boundaries will continue to grow, but some areas are expecting greater growth pressures.

Jennifer Northey, president of the Parent Teacher Association at Denham Oaks, told parents gathered in her school’s cafeteria that she understood why they were fighting the move. She said she’d be doing the same thing if her school’s boundaries were being changed and her family was affected.

She said she came to the meeting to reassure the parents that good things are happening at Denham Oaks.

David Scanga, a district administrator who supervises numerous schools, including Denham Oaks, said he understands parent’s concerns. He told them that Denham Oaks has been making great strides in improving its performance.

Ali Soofi, a resident of Arbor Woods, detailed some of the concerns of the Arbor Woods community in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“All of us knew that eventually we would be rezoned to a different school,” Soofi wrote. “However, none of us realized that we would be moved to a different city.

“Zero part of our rationale has to do with any school ratings,” Soofi added. “We just want to stay in Wesley Chapel, where we spend all our time, money, and worship.”

The Pasco County School Board has the final word on school boundaries, and it is slated to consider the boundaries at public hearings set for Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.

Elementary W boundary hearings
What: Public hearings for proposed boundaries for Elementary W, a new school which will open next school year in Wesley Chapel.
When: Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m., and Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.
Where: Pasco County Schools district complex, Building No. 3 North, at 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Published November 25, 2015

 

Elementary W causes boundary shifts

By

The sight of a new elementary school under construction would seem to be a cause for celebration.

But, even when students can attend a new school, and even when the new school will reduce crowding at other area schools, the prospect of boundary changes for existing schools is often fraught with controversy.

“Folks don’t want to move. I can understand. Folks are loyal to their school,” said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

Elementary W, being built off Mansfield Boulevard in Wesley Chapel, is slated to open in August 2016.

A sign lets passersby know that the construction of Elementary School W is being supported by Pasco for Penny funding. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
A sign lets passersby know that the construction of Elementary School W is being supported by Pasco for Penny funding.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

It will affect the current boundaries for Seven Oaks, Double Branch, Sand Pine and Denham Oaks elementary schools — if the Pasco County School Board approves a plan recommended by a school boundary committee.

Those who are interested in learning more or weighing in on the proposed boundaries are invited to attend a community meeting set for Nov. 19 at 6 p.m., at Denham Oaks Elementary, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

The proposed boundaries aim to reduce crowding and leave room for future growth in schools expected to experience the largest enrollment increases over the next few years, Williams said.

Under the proposal, students would be shifted out of Double Branch Elementary and Sand Pine Elementary into the new Elementary W, Williams said.

Then, some students from Seven Oaks would be assigned to Sand Pine, and others from Seven Oaks would be assigned to Denham Oaks, Williams said.

“Part of the rationale is that we don’t want to shift a whole huge amount of kids to Sand Pine and have to move a bunch of portables over there,” Williams explained.

The walls have gone up at Elementary School W, a new school being built off Mansfield in the Wiregrass area of Wesley Chapel.
The walls have gone up at Elementary School W, a new school being built off Mansfield in the Wiregrass area of Wesley Chapel.

“Denham Oaks has quite a bit of room now,” he added.

The boundary committee’s proposal is facing resistance, Williams said.

Although Williams was out of town recently, he said he’s heard that “the biggest opposition is coming from the Arbor Woods group. They’re the newest phase of the Northwood development. They don’t want to be zoned into Denham Oaks.”

Opponents would prefer to stay at Seven Oaks Elementary or move to Sand Pine Elementary, he said.

“Part of their rationale is that Denham Oaks is a lower-graded school. They’re concerned about that,” Williams said.

Opponents also are concerned about traffic through the interchange of State Road 56 and Interstate 75, especially with the recent opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, Williams said.

However, the committee has taken a look at the traffic issue, Williams said.

“They certainly have the ability to go down to County Line (Road) and traverse County Line (Road). By our measurement, so far, the drive times to get to Denham Oaks (Elementary School) from that area are not as bad as they made it out to be,” Williams said.

There’s no question that Seven Oaks Elementary needs relief, the planning director said.

“The car line at Seven Oaks is just madness because of how many kids we have there,” he said. “We just can’t continue to have that many kids at Seven Oaks Elementary.”

In addition to the upcoming community meeting, the public also can weigh in at two public hearings before the Pasco County School Board.

The first public hearing will be during the board’s 9:30 a.m. meeting on Dec. 1, and the second public hearing will be during the board’s 6 p.m. meeting on Dec. 15. The board meets at in the school district complex, Building No. 3 North, at 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Elementary W boundary meeting
What: Community meeting to discuss proposed boundaries for Elementary W, a school under construction in Wesley Chapel that’s expected to open in August 2016.
Where; Denham Oaks Elementary, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz
When: Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.
Who: All are welcome

Published November 18, 2105

 

 

Fall Festival introduces new stables to Wesley Chapel

By

Sarah Russell took horse-riding lessons when she was 4.

At age 7, she got her first American Saddlebred.

By the time she was 15, she was a world champion equestrian.

“It’s just my passion,” Russell said.

Now, it’s her business as well.

Before Sarah Russell owned her own stables, she was a successful saddleseat competitor. At age 17, she was already a three-time world champion. (Courtesy of Sarah Russell)
Before Sarah Russell owned her own stables, she was a successful saddleseat competitor. At age 17, she was already a three-time world champion.
(Courtesy of Sarah Russell)

Russell opened Sarah Russell Stables Oct. 1, with a 24-stall barn, covered arena and a half-dozen training horses. She lives on the property, located at 29319 Hadlock Drive in Wesley Chapel, with her husband, Ross, and son, Kellan.

They’ll host a free Fall Festival event on Nov. 29 to serve as an open house of sorts, and introduce the business to the community.

Russell has worked in stables locally, and in places like Kentucky.

The 29-year-old has spent her life competing and caring for horses, and has noticed the good and bad characteristics of various stables.

She has taken the best of her experiences and put them into one Wesley Chapel business.

“I think the Wesley Chapel area is really an untapped market for our business. It’s such a growing and booming town, it was a great opportunity to start something like (a new stable) there.”

Russell has taken advantage of the opportunity by offering riding lessons for all levels of riders. She specializes in saddleseat training, a challenging discipline which requires riders to handle a double bridle when guiding their horse. As a competitive rider, Russell claimed multiple national and world championships, and memorabilia of her titles are displayed at her business.

Stephanie Burchette, who works at Ross Russell's veterinary practice, takes a horse out for a little sunshine and fresh air. Millionheir’s Row is one of the client horses at Sarah Russell Stables in Wesley Chapel, which opened on Oct. 1. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Stephanie Burchette, who works at Ross Russell’s veterinary practice, takes a horse out for a little sunshine and fresh air. Millionheir’s Row is one of the client horses at Sarah Russell Stables in Wesley Chapel, which opened on Oct. 1. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

But, you don’t have to be an aspiring world champion to get something out of horse riding, she said. She’s taught adults who had never been on a horse, and they came away with a new passion and pastime. One adult student went from never riding before to owning three horses.

While grownups can enjoy valuable experiences by riding, children and young adults learn lessons that stay with them when they’re out of the saddle.

“It’s such a commitment. It teaches you dedication, and determination and hard work,” Russell said. “You learn to develop a connection between you and your horse which is so good for so many other aspects of life.”

The stalls are already filling up with students who board their horses there, and Russell keeps the training up even when the owners aren’t around. The students still come by frequently to bond with their horse, she said.

Russell and her husband are originally from Michigan. When they moved to the area, they lived in a more traditional subdivision.

But, that wasn’t the life she wanted, and having her own business on 18 acres suits her much better.

Her husband is a veterinarian whose office also is on the property, and Kellan, while only 2, already enjoys being around and sitting on horses.

In a couple of years, he’ll be his mother’s age when she started taking lessons, and Russell believes he’ll take to it like she did.

Owning a stable isn’t easy, Russell admits.

While she already has clients whose horses get trained on a daily basis, there’s still a lot of work to do less than two months into her new career.

“It’s a lot of work. It’s a big undertaking and a huge commitment, but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, so it’s a great thing,” she said. “It’s totally worth it. Every minute of it.”

The Fall Festival will run from noon until 4 p.m. It will include local vendors, face painting, a bounce house and pony rides. For information about the festival or the stables, contact Russell at (810) 955-5023 or .

Published November 18, 2015

School for grades six through 12, under way

By

Drive down Old Pasco Road, and there’s not a lot of traffic to contend with — yet.

That’s likely to change when the combination high school-middle school being built by Pasco County Schools opens, slated for August 2017.

Crews have cleared the trees and prepped the land for a school now known as High School GGG, but it will actually serve students in grades six through 12.

Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12. (B.C.Manion/Staff Photo)
Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12.
(B.C.Manion/Staff Photo)

The district needs to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High School and Wesley Chapel High School, and may even send some students from Pasco High School to the new high school, once it opens, said Ray Bonti, assistant superintendent of support services.

But, it also needs to reduce crowding at John Long and Weightman middle schools.

Since the district can’t afford to build a new high school and a new middle school, it has decided to share the facilities at the new school, which will be located on the west side of Old Pasco Road, near Overpass Road.

The school is being built for 1,900 students and carries a price tag of $62 million.

A committee will be meeting in about a year to recommend boundaries for the new school.

The district has a couple of hundreds of acres at the site, so it has plenty of room to build a middle school there, once it has the money.

Crowding is so significant at Wiregrass Ranch High that it went to a 10-period day this year, to manage the number of students who are on campus at the same time.

Published November 11, 2015

 

Tampa Premium Outlets enjoys smooth opening

By

The early morning fog was thick, but a steady stream of vehicles turned into the entrance as the sun was rising at Tampa Premium Outlets.

There were plenty of police and mall security on hand to guide cars, as they pulled into the mall’s massive parking lots.

Cars were arriving two hours or more before the shopping destination opened its doors to shoppers on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.

With every grand opening comes a ribbon cutting. Here, left to right, Danielle De Vita, senior vice-president of development, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader and Stephen Yalof, Simon’s chief executive officer of Premium Outlets, cut the ribbon signaling the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
With every grand opening comes a ribbon cutting. Here, left to right, Danielle De Vita, senior vice-president of development, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader and Stephen Yalof, Simon’s chief executive officer of Premium Outlets, cut the ribbon signaling the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Even those who came to see the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place 20 minutes before official opening, found that cars were nestled close to the entrance long before any speeches began.

By the looks of the cars, the opening attracted a diverse group. Sports cars and SUVs shared the lot with pickup trucks and foreign compacts. Luxury vehicles were parked next to simple economy cars. Some looked brand new; others, a bit past their prime. A little rust here, a new paintjob there, and child-of-the-month bumper stickers were all part of the parking lot decor on opening day.

Before long, good spaces were at a premium.

As the mall officially opened, drivers continued making the slow crawl toward empty lots, which filled quickly. Less than an hour after the mall opened, valet parking was full, and cars were directed to an overflow lot.

From the outset, the outdoor mall was ready for the crowds.

Police were directing traffic trying to get to the entrance, which competed with the typical morning rush on State Road 56 on a limited-visibility morning. But, there were no delays or gridlock on the roads surrounding the mall. Overall it was a smooth experience, and didn’t get in the way of what people came to see.

Beth McDonald, left, of Odessa, and her daughter, Karen Jenkins, of Land O’ Lakes, look over the schedule of events planned for the grand opening of the new Tampa Premium Outlets.
Beth McDonald, left, of Odessa, and her daughter, Karen Jenkins, of Land O’ Lakes, look over the schedule of events planned for the grand opening of the new Tampa Premium Outlets.

Despite the music and fanfare, the biggest draw was the stores.

Nearly stores were open, and they were well staffed, and ready to welcome patrons into their stores.

Some drew plenty of interest, while foot traffic was more modest at others.

People lined up at Coach, waiting to get in.

Overall, it wasn’t a mad rush of determined bargain hunters like you might find on Black Friday. Instead, it was an interested, patient group, appreciating the spectacle and celebration of a new venue, and taking the time to appreciate the details while they surveyed their new shopping options.

The outdoor areas were at least as busy as the shops themselves. Visitors took photos by the mall’s elaborate fountains. They relaxed on benches and chairs. Or, they strolled throughout the mall, getting a feel for the lay of the land.

They did plenty of shopping, too.

Those scoring opening-day deals became walking billboards for stores like Disney Store Outlet and Under Armour, carrying bags that advertised their morning haul.

Published November 4, 2015

Wiregrass Sports Park on new path?

By

The future of the Wiregrass Sports Park is in play, again.

A new call for proposals will be issued within the next month seeking developers who want to partner with Pasco County in building and operating a field house for indoor sports such as basketball, wrestling and volleyball.

The project also envisions the potential for four or five outdoor ball fields. And, eventually there could be tourist attractions such as an indoor zipline, indoor skydiving, and a driving range.

But, even as the county puts the project out for bid, negotiations are under way on a new proposal from the Porter family, who have played a considerable role in influencing the development of the area.

The family previously owned the land now occupied by The Shops at Wiregrass, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, as well as residential subdivisions and public schools.

The Porters donated more than 200 acres to Pasco County in 2012 with a stipulation that if a sports complex didn’t happen, then a park would be developed.

Since then, the county has sifted through one proposal after another, but none has panned out.

The family is eager to see work starting at the site.

It came down to one question for them.

“What can we do as a family to get this off the ground and make it a reality?” J.D. Porter asked.

Within the past two weeks, they presented county officials with a new vision for a town center-style community at Wiregrass with homes, hotels and retail. The proposal incorporates the field house, but also draws a grander vision for a wetlands area with trails, a convention center and/or performing arts center at PHSC’s Porter Campus, a public park and green space for Wiregrass residents.

It would all be pedestrian-friendly, interconnected space linking to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, the college and a public park. The future Raymond James commercial site, with 1 million square feet of office space within six buildings, also is plugged into the plan.

The Porter’s proposal could lead to a land swap agreement returning a portion of the donated land to the family to accommodate their town-center project and also allow for a public park. The land could be split re-divided along several geographic patterns.

It was a lot to digest as county commissioners met on Oct. 27 in a public workshop with the Tourist Development Council.

Pasco County Strategic Policy Administrator Richard Gehring clicked through a slide show of changing scenarios on how development could proceed, and meet everyone’s expectations.

Discussion with the Porters is ongoing.

“There are moving parts,” said Gehring. “The geography is not fixed at this time. We’re trying to make it a win-win for as many people as possible.”

Gehring said it would take about three weeks to write a proposal for the field house. Bidders would have 60 days to submit their plans.

The recommendation to build a field house emerged from a study by Chicago-based Johnson Consulting Co.

The facility would be between 85,000 and 100,000 square feet, built on five to seven acres. There would be up to eight basketball courts, four to six multi-purpose rooms and lockers. It would operate under a private/public partnership agreement.

By the fifth year of operation, about 100,000 people a year would use the facility, said Charlie Johnson, the company’s president.

In future, outdoor ball fields could be added, he said.

“You can start with indoor, and grow from there,” Johnson said.

The field house and the Porter’s future development project is a sound one, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

“To me, we’re getting everything the (Johnson Consulting) report stated but above and beyond,” he said. “I’m excited…looking at it.”

Porter said the proposal allows the family to “control our destiny,” while also providing park space to county residents.

He anticipates consulting with Pasco parks and recreation officials to determine how to develop the park.

“We’ll ask them what they are lacking there,” Porter said.

If the land swap is done, he added, “We’d start immediately laying it out as amenities, not just for Wiregrass but everybody.”

Published November 4, 2015

Porter Campus hits 3,000-mark

By

Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch has hit another milestone.

The campus hit the 3,000 mark for enrollment for the coming term. Stan Giannet, provost at Porter Campus, announced the milestone during a town hall session sponsored by the college and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 14.

The campus opened two years ago, with 1,800, exceeding its expectations at that time, Giannet said, in an interview after the town hall session.

From the beginning, the campus has been entrepreneurial with its scheduling, he said.

Stan Giannet, the provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is enthused about the growing development near the campus, which he sees as future job opportunities for students on his campus. (File Photo)
Stan Giannet, the provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is enthused about the growing development near the campus, which he sees as future job opportunities for students on his campus.
(File Photo)

“We opened very aggressively, with an opportunity for students to take classes from 8 o’clock in the morning until 9:40 at night, Monday through Thursday, and from 8 o’clock until 4:30 on Friday, with a generous opportunity for online sections and hybrid sections,” Giannet said.

“We continued to build on that schedule, with community needs, student needs, student feedback and faculty feedback, of course, in our schedule building – and what our students are telling us they need,” he said.

The college keeps a close eye on projected work force needs, and offers courses designed to help students be prepared for those opportunities, Giannet said.

The college has added a program that helps licensed paramedics make the transition to becoming nurses.

It also is planning to add the CISCO Academy certification courses, a prestigious designation in the Information Technology field.

That program exists at PHSC’s West Campus, but is being brought to the Porter Campus as well, Giannet said. Wiregrass Ranch High School, which is right behind the Porter Campus, has an IT academy.

“You know, with the proliferation of new businesses coming to the Wesley Chapel area, that networking, IT, will be very fruitful for potential graduates,” Giannet said.

Giannet said the college is seeking to prepare students to take advantage of the new opportunities that are coming to Wesley Chapel.

“We’re excited about all these things that are happening – the expansion of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, (the opening of) Tampa Premium Outlets, more and more medical establishments coming to the area, the hotels and hospitality, the hockey rink, the schools, the new subdivisions and the development,” Giannet said.

“Those will just give opportunities for our students to be on the front line of employment opportunity.”

Published October 21, 2015

Art plus wine, creates a perfect picture

By

James Serrano found a new career direction in an unexpected place – a “paint and sip” art studio.

After more than 20 years as a financial advisor and stockbroker, he now is planning “paint parties” at his new business, Pinot’s Palette.

On Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., he will open the doors and cut the ribbon to a new adventure as a first-time business owner of his art studio and bar at The Shoppes in New Tampa, at 1718 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

And, the sign inside Pinot’s Palette gets right to the point on what an art studio and bar are all about  – “Paint. Drink. And have fun.”

DSC_0139 rgb
(Photos courtesy of Pinot’s Palette)

Serrano is no artist, but he swirled a paintbrush across canvas at a similar studio owned by a friend. At the time, he was rethinking his career options.

The combination of artwork and wine brought him a “light bulb” moment. With encouragement from his wife, attorney Carol Serrano, he researched what is known as the “paint and sip” industry and found Pinot’s Palette.

A trip to the company’s headquarters in Houston sold him on the franchise. And the social aspects of the business seemed a natural fit for him.

“I love people,” Serrano said. “I love to meet people.”

Pinot’s Palette began as a small, local business in Houston, Texas, in 2009. Soon after, its founders, Craig Ceccanti, Charles Willis and Beth Willis, began franchising their concept nationally. They now have about 100 locations in more than 30 states.

The idea is that anyone, with a little guidance, can discover the “inner” artist waiting to be set free. Dipping into the creative palette with a glass of wine or a craft beer gives it all a party fizz.

Eight local artists will guide two- or three-hour evening sessions at Pinot’s Palette on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The first session will be on Oct. 28.

AgostiniPhotography -4454 rgbPinot’s Palette welcomes anyone who wants to enjoy meeting people or share a night out with friends. There are opportunities for “girls’ night outs,” bachelorette parties and date nights. The studio also can host corporate team-building events, anniversary parties or other special events at appointed times.

Pinot’s Palette provides canvas, easel, brushes, paint and an apron. And, Serrano said, everyone takes away a “masterpiece” drawn from an example set on an easel and also visible on a monitor. Artists take people step-by-step through the process.

Guests are welcome to bring their own appetizers, and Pinot’s will provide plates, silverware and napkins. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase.

Evening sessions are adult-oriented, and no children under age 12 will be permitted. But, there will be Little Brushes and Family Day classes.

It will be a family-oriented business, said Serrano.

He and his wife have three sons and a passion for soccer.

In the future, Serrano said he plans to have “drop and shop” opportunities, where parents can sign up their children for art classes and then explore The Shoppes at New Tampa or cross the street to The Shoppes at Wiregrass for a couple hours of shopping. Also, Paint It Forward events will be hosted to benefit local charities.

“I want to give back to the community,” said Serrano.

The Serrano family currently lives in the master-planned community of Westchase in Tampa. But, they will shortly be looking to relocate to the Wesley Chapel area.

Serrano knew he wanted Wesley Chapel for his business. Pinot’s Palette is centrally located at one of Pasco County’s busiest commercial intersections at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. More rooftops also are on the way.

“It is a growing area,” Serrano said.

For information or to enroll in classes, contact Pinot’s Palette at (813) 928-8131, email to , or visit PinotsPalette.com/WesleyChapel.

Published October 21, 2015 

 

Tampa Premium Outlets headed for its debut

By

Cranes lift construction workers to the top of pastel-colored towers.

Shelving and a few boxes filled with merchandise are stowed behind glass storefronts.

A deck is being built around a lagoon that soon will be filled with crystal clear water.

The signs of construction, and a bit of dust, are everywhere at the Tampa Premium Outlets.

The centerpiece of the new Tampa Premium Outlets is the rock-walled lagoon in its final stages of construction. Soon, the lagoon will be filled, linking the Market Hall to other shops along the tropical concourse. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
The centerpiece of the new Tampa Premium Outlets is the rock-walled lagoon in its final stages of construction. Soon, the lagoon will be filled, linking the Market Hall to other shops along the tropical concourse.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

But the airy, breezy vibe of Key West is evident as the outlet mall approaches opening day on Oct. 29.

A gaggle of media got an up-close tour of the site on Oct. 8, led by General Manager Stacy Nance.

More than 90 percent of the mall is completed, leaving mostly interior details and landscaping as the finishing touches.

Opening day has been all but set in stone for months, in bold letters splashed across a banner in full view of motorists passing by on State Road 56.

“There has been such great planning with this, that I know we can do it,” Nance said.

Special events and family friendly activities are scheduled from opening day through Nov. 1.

A special appearance by reality television star, Bethenny Frankel, is set for Oct. 31 from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Frankel is founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails, and is one of The Real Housewives of New York.

She will take part in various activities, including two autograph sessions in the VIP Shoppers Club Lounge. To enroll in the club and attend the sessions, visit PremiumOutlets.com/vip.

More details will be announced closer to the grand opening.

The 441,000 square-foot mall will feature 110 outlet shops including Calvin Klein, Nike, Brooks Brothers, Fossil, Coach and Puma.

Operations Director Dallas Stevens, left, was on hand with General Manager Stacey Nance to take questions during the tour of the new shopping outlet at State Road 56 and Interstate 75.
Operations Director Dallas Stevens, left, was on hand with General Manager Stacey Nance to take questions during the tour of the new shopping outlet at State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

Valet parking will be available near the entrance to the mall’s anchor store, Saks Off 5th. WiFi will be available throughout the mall, and plugs to charge cellphones or other technology will be located wherever there is seating.

Cool pastels in green, blue and beige give pop and splash to exterior walls.

More than 300 palm trees will dot the landscape. And, though this is an outdoor mall, there will be coverings to give shade and relief from Florida’s heat and rain.

A bridge crosses over the lagoon, which is a major water attraction outside the Market Hall.

Inside the hall, shoppers will be able to dine in the food court or visit guest services.

In the next week or so, retailers are expected to set up their stores.

More than 800 jobs were up for grabs in August at a job fair, coordinated by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at Pasco-Hernando State College.

Exact hiring numbers aren’t available, but some openings may remain.

“They continue to work with us,” said Nance.

For additional information about job opportunities, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.

Published October 14, 2015

Former pro preaches passion for soccer in Wesley Chapel

By

Growing up in Communist Albania, Altin Ndrita didn’t have the freedoms and luxuries that many of us enjoy.

But, he did have one thing that always put a smile on his face: Soccer.

Ndrita would play whenever he had the chance, even if he didn’t have the best equipment.

“We didn’t have a real ball. It wasn’t a soccer ball. It was something between a balloon and a leather ball,” Ndrita recalled. “What we had, we thought it was the best. Because we didn’t know different. As soon as I had some friends to play with, that’s all I needed.”

Like scores of European children, Ndrita grew up watching soccer, playing soccer, and dreaming of one day being a professional soccer player. Unlike his childhood peers, he fulfilled that dream.

Ndrita played for Albanian and Greek professional teams.

Altin Ndrita played soccer professionally in Europe. Now he's coaching on a different level for the Wesley Chapel Soccer Club. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photos)
Altin Ndrita played soccer professionally in Europe. Now he’s coaching on a different level for the Wesley Chapel Soccer Club.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Now, he’s the Director of Coaching for the Wesley Chapel Soccer Club, and teaches children the fundamentals and aesthetics of the game he loves.

The most important thing about playing soccer isn’t a skill or a talent, Ndrita said.

“The first thing is passion,” Ndrita said. “If you don’t have the passion, nobody can help you.”

While passion doesn’t create natural talent, it allows a player to be the best they can be. Controlling a ball with your feet doesn’t come naturally, Ndrita explained. A good lesson can teach fundamentals, and a skilled student can pick it up quickly.

But, the passionate student will find friends and play when they have free time, or just kick a ball by themselves for hours on end, Ndrita said. Controlling a ball will become second nature, and there’s no way that raw skill alone can compensate for the extra time and effort a passionate athlete will invest in soccer.

In fact, when asked if he would prefer to coach a superior talent with some interest in the game, or an average player who is devoted to the sport, it was an easy decision for Ndrita. He wants as many passionate players on the field as possible.

“When you have that kid with passion, with desire, with culture, with love of the game, you know after your training — or the next day you don’t have training with him — he will do something on his own. He will build on that training,” Ndrita said.

Seeing that passion as a coach, the same kind he had playing on fields near his family’s apartment in Albania, is inspiring to Ndrita.

While he played professionally, he also coached younger teams. He found their enthusiasm also included something he lost when he turned pro: A lack of pressure and a desire to simply have fun.

Being a professional soccer player meant achieving a lifelong dream. It also meant that the game Nditra loved became a results-oriented job. Expectations were high, and there was a lot of pressure to win matches. Practices were serious, games were serious, and coaching young players allowed him to tap into that original sense of carefree enjoyment that he enjoyed as a child.

“You lose that freedom, you lose that other purpose, that you play for fun. And you miss that,” Ndrita said of his time as a professional. “As a coach, you see those kids who don’t care about the result. They just love to play. You love to be a part of that.”

His time playing at high levels of the sport also influences the method of play he teaches. As a boy, Ndrita played midfielder, and was usually part of the action. But as he grew taller he took on the shape of a defender, and that was his position on his professional teams.

He knows that a defender doesn’t get a lot of glory, and can go long periods of time without touching the ball. He teaches a style of play that considers all players to be on offense when their team has possession. Instead of simply kicking it out of the zone, he wants players on defense to use their skills and control the ball, employing a possession style of play that’s reaped rewards for top international teams such as Spain and the Netherlands.

It’s also a style of play that’s a lot more fun for young players. He also turns drills into games to keep their interest level high. As a coach, he wants them to enjoy their time on the pitch, and maintain a level of fun as they try to win games.

Ndrita also wants to enjoy his time as coach since he’s now in his early 40s, and his playing days are over.

When he moved to the area more than a decade ago, he was actually negotiating a contract to keep playing in Europe.

It was only by winning an immigration lottery to come to the United States that his plans were changed.

He wasn’t expecting to be selected. In fact, he didn’t even know he had applied. His wife, Mirela, told him she applied for them, and they had an opportunity to come over. So in the interests of creating a better life for his family, they moved.

After Major League Soccer folded the Tampa Bay Mutiny, and he had his appendix removed, Ndrita took it as a sign that it was time to move on from playing soccer. He took a position at Bausch & Lomb, and he started teaching soccer to young players.

That includes his sons, Devi and Jori. They’ve inherited their father’s passion for the game, though Ndrita admits they didn’t have much say in the matter.

“I didn’t give them any choice, ” he said with a laugh.

But, the students he teaches in Wesley Chapel do have a choice, and he appreciates helping them find that passion, and encouraging it to grow.

“It’s fun when you make people get better and love the game. That’s really the most important thing,” Ndrita said. “If you feel like somebody loves the game because of you, then that’s really the best reward you can get.”

Published October 14, 2015