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Ready. Set. Go – Tampa Premium Outlets!

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Shopping season is set to open at Tampa Premium Outlets — no license is required.

The highly anticipated outdoor mall – in the bull’s eye of Pasco County development – will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.

Shop doors open at 10 a.m.

Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000-square-foot mall with more than 100 shops featuring brand names such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Saks Off 5th, Vera Bradley and PacSun. Courtesy of Tampa Premium Outlets
Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000-square-foot mall with more than 100 shops featuring brand names such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Saks Off 5th, Vera Bradley and PacSun.
Courtesy of Tampa Premium Outlets

Shelves will be stocked with upscale brand names at more than 100 shops, including Saks Off 5th, Calvin Klein, Nike, Coach and Michael Kors. Opening day is expected to bring thousands to check out typical discounts ranging from 25 percent to 65 percent on coveted merchandise.

Mall developers at Simon Property Group are planning a full weekend of special events, family-friendly activities, and Halloween Happenings.

As a regular feature, there is a play area for children.

“We want to encourage everyone to come out with their families,” said Stacey Nance, the mall’s general manager, who recently gave the media a sneak peek at the mall.

Reality television star Bethenny Frankel of The Housewives of New York will be a special guest on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Frankel, also founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails, will greet shoppers, participate in interactive style segments and share fashion advice. She also will host two autograph sessions with fans at the VIP Shoppers Club Lounge.

To access the lounge, fans can enroll in Simon Premium Outlets VIP Shoppers Club at premiumoutlets.com/vip, or in person at the mall, outside the lounge.

Club members are eligible for exclusive deals, coupons and other benefits. The lounge will host several activities during opening weekend, including chair massages, a beauty bar and a photo station.

Other highlights during opening weekend include free entertainment, deals and giveaways.

Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall. FRED BELLET/PHOTO
Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO

Rack Room Shoes, for instance, will give shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and other giveaways, including coupon books with discounts, according to a news release from the shoe company.

The 441,000-square-foot mall is designed with a “Key West” vibe, with airy pastel colors, a multitude of palm trees, covered walkways and water features.

The centerpiece is a clear blue lagoon outside the Market Hall, which houses customers services, the food court and a lounge where people can sit and watch television.

A bridge crosses the lagoon, which is surrounded by a deck with benches and bistro chairs. A fire pit and Adirondack chairs are nearby.

“I think it will be a feature where people will want to take their picture by,” Nance said.

Traffic in and out of the mall is expected to be heavy but Nance said talks have been ongoing for months with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Typically, opening days at malls see parking lots turn over four or five times.

“It’s going to be a constant ebb and flow throughout the day,” Nance predicted.

The mall will offer valet parking on a trial basis. If successful, Nance anticipates the service will become permanent.

On opening weekend, 12 extra duty law enforcement officers, paid for by the mall, will be stationed at mall entrances as well as inside the mall, Pasco County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll said.

The officers will include two supervisors.

If more help is needed, Doll said the sheriff’s citizen patrol group could be tapped to help with traffic.

“We’ve handled big events in the past,” he said. “Hopefully this will go smoothly.”

Outlet mall openings are special events wherever they happen, said Linda Humphers, editor in chief of Value Retail News/International Council of Shopping Centers.

There are only about 100 or so outlet malls in the nation.

In the central Florida area, Tampa Premium Outlets is situated between outlet malls in Orlando and New Ellenton.

“That’s part of the mystique of them,” Humphers said. “You go there. You stay longer and spend more. It’s not like going to a mall and getting something you need.”

Outlet mall developers typically look for locations with easy access, high visibility, lots of rooftops and a solid tourism base, Humphers said.

Pasco scores on all counts for Tampa Premium Outlets, which is off State Road 56 and the Interstate 75 interchange. And the county recently released a report showing a record number of tourist visitors and revenues in the past year.

Marketing for the Tampa Premium Outlets extends into the Tampa Bay region, but in future could spread a wider net, Nance said.

“We’ll definitely be looking at that when we get further along in our marketing plan,” she said.

Pasco’s future is set on a course for more retail and rooftops as developers saturate commercial corridors such as State Road 54 and State Road 56.

New shops are coming to property northeast of the Shoppes at Wiregrass. The Florida Center Ice sports complex is expected to open in 2016. Cypress Creek Town Center is anticipating openings for Chick Fil A, Culver’s and Cheddar Café. And the town center’s representatives recently met with county planners to discuss construction of a retail building, parking space and a boat storage area.

Speculation is that sporting goods retailer, Cabelas, is on the way to Wesley Chapel, too.

And there is a lot of buzz swirling around Tampa Premium Outlets’ opening day, Humphers said.

“Retail begets retail,” she said.

 

Tampa Premium Outlets grand opening

Grand opening: Oct. 29 through Nov. 1

Hours: Ribbon cutting Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.; extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. opening day through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Regular hours begin Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Celebrity guest: Reality television star, Bethenny Frankel, on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Published October 28, 2015

Health care startup to hire 500 workers

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CareSync, a Wesley Chapel-based health management company, is in the midst of a growth spurt with new investments of $18 million, and a plan to hire 500 new employees over the next 18 months.

About 100 jobs will be in marketing, sales and development. But, most will be for people with medical backgrounds, including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and clinicians. Some positions also might go to people who have the drive and desire to become a nurse.

The start-up company launched nearly four years ago as a software and service provider for chronic disease management. There currently are nearly 120 employees.

Travis Bond is the founder of CareSync and its chief executive officer. (Images of CareSync)
Travis Bond is the founder of CareSync and its chief executive officer.
(Images courtesy of CareSync)

The company’s users include health care providers, caretakers and individual patients who want to collect, organize and store medical data for quick, easy reference.

The idea is to put everyone involved in a patient’s care on the same page, sharing an entire medical history.

“We are all about creating care plans,” said Travis Bond, the company’s founder and chief executive officer.

The company offers options on how to accomplish that task.

A free app is available for people who want a “do-it-yourself” approach.

However, the company also offers a range of fee-based services where retrieval specialists collect, enter and organize medical information from multiple providers. Physicians, nurses and family members, as well as individual patients, can access the centralized data to coordinate care. This can include scheduling appointments, putting together a list of questions to ask the doctor, tracking medications and avoiding the duplication of medical tests.

“You can invite others to share your data,” Bond said. “That’s helpful, because typically a caretaker feels intimidated because of lack of data. They lack training and confidence.”

About one-third of CareSync’s users are children caring for elderly parents, Bond said.

The program also aids physicians in coordinating care, especially when multiple providers are involved.

CareSync also aids in billing procedures and meeting requirements for Medicare’s chronic disease management goals.

Bond’s motivation in creating his company, in part, came from a friend’s struggle to manage the care of her daughter who has an autoimmune disease.

The friend is a nurse, but even she was overwhelmed trying to cope with 12 doctors and six emergency medical records (EMR) in three states.

“If she can’t do it, no one can,” Bond said. “It bogs down the velocity of care.”

caresync-logo-web-179x40 rgbAnd, he said it creates a “dark space between doctors and appointments. How is it we can help individuals become more informed when not at a point of care?”

While CareSync’s headquarters are in Wesley Chapel, the company operates a nursing center in Wauchula in Hardee County where medical advice and planning is available on a 24-hour basis. Bond hopes to open a nursing center in Wesley Chapel, too.

The $18 million in funding is from new investors Merck Global Health Fund, Greycroft Partners and Harbert Venture Partners, and also current investors Tullis Health Investors, Clearwell Group, CDH Solutions and Bond.

The funding reflects the growth in the chronic disease management industry and recognition by physicians that case management will be here for years to come, Bond said.

“These are lasting, long-term careers. It’s really a big deal,” he said.

For information call CareSync at (800) 587-5227, or visit CareSync.com.

Published October 21, 2015

Pasco’s tourism figures are rising

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When the final numbers are in, Pasco County’s tourism manager believes the county will be issuing a report on a record year for the county.

“I’m actually probably going to have a record year, once I see September’s numbers. The average daily room rate is up about 10 percent across the board,” said Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County. “It’s pretty exciting.”

And, the prospects are bright for even more visitors in the coming year.

The county has several new attractions that will be opening soon, or have recently opened.

Among them:

  • Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 54, near Interstate 75: This 441,000-square-foot mall, featuring 110 retailers, is scheduled to open on Oct. 29.
  • Florida Hospital Center Ice, off State Road 56, parallel to Interstate 75, is set to open next spring. It is expected to attract tournaments, as well as thousands of local hockey players, skaters and other athletes.
  • Tree Hoppers, in Dade City, is a zipline course designed for aerial adventurers of all ability levels.
  • SunWest Park, in Hudson, is expected to attract worldwide attention for its beach volleyball courts and its wakeboard course.

These attractions will help draw more visitors, which will increase tourism — and that benefits the county, Caum said during the Oct. 6 breakfast meeting of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County, believes the county is heading toward a record year in terms of tourism. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County, believes the county is heading toward a record year in terms of tourism.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Tourism figures matter — not only to people working directly in the hospitality industry, but to all of Pasco’s business owners and residents, Caum said.

Taxes paid by tourists reduce the tax burden for Florida residents, he said.

And, tourism provides jobs.

Across Florida, the state is projecting the need for 300,000 more hospitality employees by 2020, Caum told the breakfast crowd, gathered in the conference center at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

“A lot of people are thinking, well that’s not really a lot of high-paying jobs,” Caum said.

But he added: “We’re going to have to change our mentality about that a little bit.

“Actually, the median wage for someone who is in the hospitality business is about $45,000,” he said. “It’s not all people changing sheets.”

“Tourism is economic development,” Caum said.

“Everybody who runs a business in Florida is an ambassador for tourism. Because if you’re a car dealership, or a car repair or providing some kind of service, chances are you’re going to have a tourist that’s going to walk through your business,” he said.

In Pasco, County Administrator Michele Baker has realigned the tourism office so that it works with the county’s office of economic growth.

The shift was made because tourism is an economic generator, Caum said.

Tourism also helps the state to attract more businesses and residents.

Events like the mud run attract people to Pasco County, where the visitors spend money — boosting the local economy. (File Photo)
Events like the mud run attract people to Pasco County, where the visitors spend money — boosting the local economy.
(File Photo)

“A lot of the folks who have moved their businesses here, came here because they had a good experience in Florida and they decided they wanted to come down here to open a business,” Caum said.

Figures show that $500 million was spent by tourists in Pasco County.

“We’re generating right around 6,000 jobs, currently, here in Pasco County, which is tourism-related,” Caum said.

That’s not counting the car mechanic that fixes a traveling tourist’s car, or the car rental place that rents a car to someone who is coming from the airport to visit people or conduct business in Pasco.

Pasco County currently has 3,556 hotel rooms.

Caum expects the county’s hotel stock to increase by 75 beds a year for the next five years.

“I have to market what we are. Not what we think we are. Not what we want to be. We have to actually market and play to our strengths.

“So, what do we have? We have elbowroom. We have outdoors. We have nature.

“We don’t swim with the manatees here, but I’m constantly out there kayaking and they’re always coming out to see what that big green thing on the top of the water is, and it’s me, looking down at the manatees. That’s an experience that people love.

“I always see dolphins when I’m out kayaking,” he said.

Tree Hoppers is an aerial adventure park in Dade City, giving people of all ability levels the chance to experience ziplining. (File Photo)
Tree Hoppers is an aerial adventure park in Dade City, giving people of all ability levels the chance to experience ziplining.
(File Photo)

As the county invests in amenities to boost tourism, local residents benefit, too, Caum said.

Caum serves on two Visit Florida committees: The Cultural Heritage, Rural and Nature Committee and the Marketing Committee.

“I’m sitting around the table with the likes of Disney, Busch Gardens and some of the major, major players, to talk about marketing.

“The one thing that we’re going to try to do is to move people around Florida more.

“We’ve found that people that have gone back to the same destination over and over again are looking for other opportunities,” he said.

“I’m trying to position Pasco County as the place they maybe want to visit after they’ve seen The Mouse (Disneyworld).

“I’m trying to not be the anti-Mouse, but say, if you want to disconnect, bring your family someplace where you can go out and walk in the woods, paddle on the water — a different experience and a healthy experience, also,” Caum said.

The county also has a number of events that attract visitors, including the Bug Jam, the Savage Races and local festivals.

And, it is launching new initiatives, too.

“One of the things that we do have here is a lot of history,” he said, noting there are 93 cast iron historic signs around the county.

“I’m working right now to GPS all of them and put them into a map, where our visitors can follow them around,” he said.

European visitors, in particular, enjoy driving around to the various historic sites and getting out of the car to read about the area, Caum said.

Efforts are also underway to bring downtown districts back to life and to promote the county’s microbreweries and eclectic restaurants, Caum added.

When it comes to promoting the county, it’s everybody’s job, the tourism manager said.

He recounted overhearing a young waiter being asked by a visitor what there was to do around Pasco County.

The waiter replied: “I’ve lived here forever. There’s nothing to do in Pasco County.”

“There’s a missed opportunity,” Caum said.

Published October 14, 2015

Disabled, but not discouraged

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When Monica Quimby was in college in 2006, she wanted to get a degree in molecular biology and to become a successful athlete.

Then a skiing accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. She was in the hospital for nearly five months as she recovered and tried to adjust to a newer, more difficult way of life.

After her skiing accident, Monica Quimby got a bachelor's in biology, a master's in teaching, and now teaches an online course for Southern Maine Community College. (Photos courtesy of Monica Quimby)
After her skiing accident, Monica Quimby got a bachelor’s in biology, a master’s in teaching, and now teaches an online course for Southern Maine Community College.
(Photos courtesy of Monica Quimby)

Many people would have adjusted their goals lower. Some might have given up altogether. Instead, Quimby got a degree in molecular biology and became a successful athlete.

“I think the biggest thing is that even though my physical form changed, my personality didn’t,” said Quimby, now 29.

The degree came first.

After the accident, she missed only one semester at the University of New Hampshire, and she was published for discovering maternal ancestors of the strawberry. Quimby received a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education.

Now, she lives in Wesley Chapel, and she teaches an online Anatomy and Physiology course for Southern Maine Community College.

Those things, in themselves, make for an impressive resume.

But, there’s much more to Quimby’s story.

She competed in her home state’s wheelchair pageant and became Ms. Wheelchair Maine in 2011. She went on to finish third runner-up for Ms. Wheelchair USA.

Still, something was missing.

A natural athlete, she didn’t want her disability to prevent her from playing sports. She tried kayaking and cycling (using hand pedals), but eventually found sledge hockey.

Sledge hockey — also known as sled hockey — is hockey played on a sled, and requires incredible balance and upper body strength. She tried it, and fell. And fell again, more than a dozen times in all. But, she loved it. Soon, Quimby became a talented defender.

And the former Ms. Wheelchair Maine, who once wore a tiara and a sash, discovered that she really liked hitting people while defending the ice.

“It feels so awesome. It’s incredible,” she said. “I’m the one that’s smiling after I hit you.”

Quimby is an adjunct professor, an athlete for the USA Women's Sledge Hockey Team and was Ms. Wheelchair Maine in 2011.
Quimby is an adjunct professor, an athlete for the USA Women’s Sledge Hockey Team and was Ms. Wheelchair Maine in 2011.

In just 18 months, Quimby has immersed herself in the game. She plays in local recreational leagues, as well as the Florida Sled Bandits, the state’s elite sledge hockey team.

And if that was the extent of her athletic accomplishments, it would be an admirable body of work.

But it isn’t.

Quimby also is an integral part of the USA Women’s Sledge Hockey Team, defending champions of both the World Cup and, with Quimby’s help, the World Championships. They’ll also compete at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in 2018.

In just a short time, she’s become a member of the world’s top women’s sledge hockey team, and was part of the championship team that beat Canada earlier this year.

Being part of the USA team and participating in their success has been a highlight for Quimby.

“When you’re on that ice, and they’re playing the national anthem, you’re like ‘Oh my goodness, I’m representing my country. My country.’ That is such an incredible moment. I will never forget that,” she said.

There are also other things she’ll never forget. Like spending 20 minutes trying to get into a pair of jeans after her accident. Like losing a close friend because they couldn’t handle the extra attention and challenges that become commonplace for people with disabilities. And, like battling moments of depression and anger as her life took a path she never expected.

“There was a real dark time that I had that, even though all of these amazing things were going on, it was hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. It was hard for me to get to the gym,” Quimby said. “Being in a wheelchair is not for the weak. It’s definitely for the strong.”

Others with disabilities can show that strength, Quimby said, if they find something they enjoy and put their energies toward it.

“I really think the big thing that pulls me out of (negative moods) is to find something that you love. Find something that you can get excited about,” she said.

If she's not teaching or on the ice representing her country, Monica Quimby might be enjoying a cappuccino in Wesley Chapel. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
If she’s not teaching or on the ice representing her country, Monica Quimby might be enjoying a cappuccino in Wesley Chapel.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

For Quimby, it’s athletics. But, it could be photography, making bracelets or anything that interests someone. Regardless of their challenge or disability, if they can find something and throw themselves into it with interest and passion, it can enhance the enjoyment they get out of life.

Quimby has found more paths that interest her, and more goals she wants to pursue. She’s in the process of writing a book and has begun motivational speaking as well.

But, sledge hockey takes up a lot of her time, and that includes fundraising. Her sport is still growing (the USA team donates equipment to teams in other countries to help them get going) and they have to raise a lot of money for ice time, travel and other expenses that aren’t covered. Quimby sells license plates and accepts donations on her website.

She also makes time to appreciate the positive things she has in her life. She has a supportive family and boyfriend, and tries to be grateful for the simple pleasures in life. One day it might be the Florida sunshine, and another it might be the cappuccino at one of her favorite spots, Le Macaron at The Shops at Wiregrass.

And, although her days are still filled with challenges, she meets them with the same outlook that helped her after her accident, helped her obtain her degrees, helped her earn a pageant title and helps her on the ice in international competition.

“I feel like I’ve had some bumps and bruises, and some easy times and some hard times. But, I feel like things fall into place if you let them,” Quimby said. “If you put in the work, if you put in the action, your path will be in front of you. And you just have to accept it and be open to it.”

For more information about the USA Women’s Sledge Hockey Team, visit MonicaQuimby.com.

Published October 7, 2015

Halloween happenings fill upcoming calendar

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Many people call it Halloween. For others, it’s a fall festival. Whatever you call it, it’s a time for special events and things to do in your area.

Some are a bit frightening and geared toward adults. Others are fun and feature activities for children. There might be games, treats and maybe a few scares, but there’s something for everyone.

And while Halloween is at the end of October, many events start much sooner. You have a whole month to find fun activities for the entire family.

Here’s a rundown of treats (no tricks) happening this month:

Fall Family Festival at Saint Leo University. The university, 33701 State Road 52, will host a number of activities Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. There are free and low-cost athletic events, like volleyball and soccer. But the real treats start Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., when Saint Leo will host a free fair at The Bowl area (behind the Student Community Center) with plenty of family-oriented things to do. Children can enjoy an animal show, petting zoo, water races, a swing ride and other activities. It runs until 3 p.m.

Another fun event takes place on campus Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m. There will be a fireworks grand finale at The Bowl to cap off a weekend of events. And it’s free to attend.

Technically, the last event occurs Oct. 11 at 11 a.m., also at The Bowl. The university will host a 5K walk/run to benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation.

For more information about the race and a list of events for the Family Fall Festival, visit SaintLeo.edu/FallFamily.

Scarecrow Festival at Florida Pioneer Museum. The museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, hosts this scarecrow-themed event on Oct. 10 for the third year in a row, after taking it over from Downtown Dade City Main Street. Thousands of people attend each October, and they expect this year’s event to be no different.

Pumpkins and scarecrows go together at the annual Scarecrow Festival at the Florida Pioneer Museum. (Richard Riley/Photo)
Pumpkins and scarecrows go together at the annual Scarecrow Festival at the Florida Pioneer Museum.
(Richard Riley/Photo)

Crafts, community booths and food vendors will be on hand, but there’s a lot more to the Scarecrow Festival than that. Like making scarecrows, for example. For $3, children can use hay and clothing, provided by the museum, to make a scarecrow to take home.

There will also be a Touch-a-Truck area, where children can climb on firetrucks and TECO trucks, and see police and sheriff’s cars, and ambulances. A petting zoo, train rides, face painting, obstacle course and games with prizes are all part of the event, too.

But since this is the Scarecrow Festival, do you need more scarecrows? How about a scarecrow costume contest? There will be categories for best dressed scarecrow, cutest scarecrow and scariest scarecrow. So you can make one and be one at this event.

The Scarecrow Festival runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $5 with children younger than five years old admitted free. For more information, call (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special at The Shops At Wiregrass. The Shops at Wiregrass, at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, has a Halloween theme for its regular Kids Club event. On Oct. 28, it will have a “Princess & Pirate Party” at its parking structure. There will be bounce houses, a photo booth, cookie decorating and a costume parade. It’s a quick event, but a good way to take in a family-oriented celebration on a weekday morning.

Even the entertainers and staff at The Shops at Wiregrass get into the Halloween spirit at Mr. Tommy's Halloween Special. From top, Tommy Girvin (Mr. Tommy), Sarah Rasheid, Debbie Detweiler, Cyndi Clausen, Dani Maree Stoughtenger and Emily Setz show off their costumes. (Courtesy of Cloud9 Studios)
Even the entertainers and staff at The Shops at Wiregrass get into the Halloween spirit at Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special. From top, Tommy Girvin (Mr. Tommy), Sarah Rasheid, Debbie Detweiler, Cyndi Clausen, Dani Maree Stoughtenger and Emily Setz show off their costumes.
(Courtesy of Cloud9 Studios)

Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special runs from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. For more information and to join the free Kids Club, call (813) 994-2242, or visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.

Family Friendly Fun Day at Cobb Theatres. If you want to celebrate on Halloween without making a late night of it, consider the event at Cobb Theatres Grove 16, at 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Cobb is hosting a Family Friendly Fun Day on Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Children are encouraged to wear costumes (no masks) and enjoy treats, prizes and games. And for those with a Halloween hunger, the CineBistro, located upstairs, will have a special holiday-themed menu.

For more information, call (813) 948-5444, or visit CobbTheatres.com.

Fall Festival at The Grove. The Grove, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, has a full weekend of activities scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 11. Live music, arts and crafts and free outdoor movies make up just part of the schedule.

Children’s activities include face painting and bounce houses, as well as screenings of “Frozen” and “Cars.” There also will be a pumpkin patch, a pet parade and pet adoptions as well.

One of the highlights will occur Oct. 11 at noon, when the “Little Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Patch Pageant” will take place. Contestants will wear fall-inspired or pumpkin-themed costumes or outfits. Semifinalists will be chosen across three age groups, with one boy and one girl named Little Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Patch. The winners will receive $100, a sash and a trophy. Semifinalists will receive a trophy, and all participants will receive a goodie bag.

The Fall Festival runs Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The pageant is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and costs $20 per entry. For a full Fall Festival schedule, visit the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival Facebook page. For information about the pageant or to sign up, call (813) 843-2354, or email Kelly Mothershead at .

Scream-A-Geddon. This one isn’t for the faint of heart. While many events have a little spookiness wrapped up in family fun, this is an all-out fright fest. Located at 27839 Saint Joe Road in Dade City, the attractions have names like “Cursed Hayride,” “Dead Woods” and “Infected.” The goal is to be as ghoulish and scary as possible.

Scream-A-Geddon runs through Nov. 1, and delivers serious scares with an assortment of attractions. It begins at 7:30 each night, and lasts until 11 p.m.-1 a.m. depending on the evening. (Courtesy of Scream-a-Geddon)
Scream-A-Geddon runs through Nov. 1, and delivers serious scares with an assortment of attractions. It begins at 7:30 each night, and lasts until 11 p.m.-1 a.m. depending on the evening.
(Courtesy of Scream-a-Geddon)

But wait; there’s more. Like most haunted attractions, the actors don’t actually touch you. But if you participate in “Pandemic” and choose the interactive portion, it’s a different story. You might actually be grabbed and sent into a cell. That option takes things beyond the level of established attractions like “Howl-O-Scream” at Busch Gardens or “Halloween Horror Nights” and Universal Studios in Orlando.

You don’t have to choose that route, of course. You can decide to simply observe, which means you’re hands-off to the monsters inside. But, it’s still a scary event with five separate haunted attractions.

And that doesn’t count the Monster Midway, which includes games, food, beer, fire pits and tarot card readings. This is Halloween fun for people who like to be scared. But just in case, each attraction has emergency exits if things get a little too intense.

This might be the scariest event in the area, so they’re expecting big crowds. Enter at your own risk.

Scream-A-Geddon is open Thursdays through Sundays until Nov. 1. The cost ranges from $34.95 to $51.95 if you purchase online, depending on when you go. Tickets cost an additional $5 at the gate. Parking is $10, and fast passes, which allow you to spend less time in line, are available at an extra cost.

For more information, call (813) 452-5412, or visit ScreamAGeddon.com.

Published September 30, 2015

Wesley Chapel complex to help ‘Build the Thunder’

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A recently announced $6 million initiative aimed at expanding the game of hockey regionally in Tampa Bay will be partially played out at the Florida Hospital Center Ice, a hockey complex expected to open in Wesley Chapel in the spring.

Lightning Chairman Jeff Vinik announced the “Build the Thunder” initiative on Sept. 14.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association are collaborating on the five-year program that aims to help develop hockey players and to teach life skills lessons to area youth.

A news release from Tampa Bay Lightning outlines the program’s components. They involve:

  • Distributing 100,000 street hockey sticks and balls to third-graders through fifth-graders
  • Offering 10,000 hours of training opportunities for players and coaches
  • Increasing the number of local youth, ages 7 through 13, registered with USA Hockey by 1,000
  • Utilizing Lightning players, coaches and alumni to mentor 100 at-risk youths from diverse backgrounds
  • Establishing 10 new junior varsity hockey programs for aspiring high school players

JP Morgan Chase and Bauer Hockey are also partnering on the program, according to the release.

Florida Hospital Center Ice is expected to play a role in the recently announced $6 million initiative to ‘Build the Thunder.’ The complex is expected to open in the spring, off State Road 56 and Interstate 75. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Center Ice)
Florida Hospital Center Ice is expected to play a role in the recently announced $6 million initiative to ‘Build the Thunder.’ The complex is expected to open in the spring, off State Road 56 and Interstate 75.
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Center Ice)

Gordie Zimmermann, a partner in Z Mitch, expects Florida Hospital Center Ice to play an important role in the efforts to build the game of hockey regionally.

The initiative begins with street hockey, with a goal for some players to make the transition from street hockey to the ice, Zimmermann said.

“They’re going to work with all of the community rinks in the area. They’re eagerly awaiting the completion of our facility because what they need is ice, to make that transition from the street hockey to the ice,” Zimmermann said.

“Right now, there’s about 1,000 kids in the Bay area that are USA Hockey members. They want to grow that to a minimum of 2,000,” he said. “That’s very difficult to do without the ice.”

More ice also is needed to accommodate junior varsity programs, said Zimmermann, who coaches Wiregrass Ranch High School’s hockey team.

“The ice right now is booked. It’s very difficult to get a practice or any type of additional ice,” he said.

When Florida Hospital Center Ice opens, there will be significantly more ice available.

The new complex will include one Olympic-size rink, three NHL-size rinks and one kid-size rink.

It will have hockey leagues and skating programs for people of all ages, and will be able to convert to accommodate basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis and other sports.

“One of our sheets is a multipurpose area. That’s an area where we’ll be able to do the street hockey. We’re going to be working with the Lightning on doing a tournament for the area,” Zimmermann said.

“Right now, Florida is fourth in memberships overall for USA Hockey in the country. When our rink comes online, we’re going to be up there in the top two,” Zimmermann said.

Florida Hospital Center Ice initially was expected to open in October, but that opening has been delayed until the spring.

The delay is due to working out refrigeration and structural design issues, Zimmermann said.

“The thing is, we’re building an ice rink in Florida, and we’re using a new technology as far as how that building is built and how it is mechanically designed,” Zimmermann said.

“We just want to make it right. We don’t want to have issues down the road,” he said.

Zimmermann doesn’t anticipate any additional delays.

There was no activity last week at the site, which is off of State Road 56, near Interstate 75, but Zimmermann expects that to change soon.

“We’re actually going to get our footer work started this month,” he said.

Published September 23, 2015

Fate of flight festival remains up in the air

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Traffic jams caused tempers to flare and poor weather kept balloons from launching during the third annual Festival of Flight at the Tampa North Flight Center.

Scores of motorists complained via the festival’s Facebook page about being stuck in traffic for hours.

Greg Lasher of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, left, and Lenny Carver of Sidney, Montana inspect the radial engine of a vintage PT-17 Stearman. (Steve Hollingshead/Photos)
Greg Lasher of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, left, and Lenny Carver of Sidney, Montana inspect the radial engine of a vintage PT-17 Stearman.
(Steve Hollingshead/Photos)

Some said they were turned away from the venue because there was no place to park. Others said they gave up and voiced irritation for being inconvenienced.

Numerous posts criticized event organizers for failing to secure enough parking, for not having law enforcement to direct traffic and for not letting people know early enough when events were cancelled.

The Friday Night Balloon Glow was held, but balloon launches scheduled on Saturday and Sunday mornings were cancelled because of the weather.

Some activities also were able to go on, but much of the event was a washout.

Jessica Warren, festival director for Festival of Flight, said “We are reconsidering all of our options.” That includes, whether to stage the event again.

“Everybody says it was disorganized,” Warren said, but months of hard work and planning went into the event.

Parking was arranged for 20 acres on Compark 75, which is next to Tampa North Flight Center. Warren and her husband mowed the field to prepare it for parking.

Fifty-six volunteers were also secured to help with parking, she said.

Tom Huntington of Warbirds America gives passenger, Adam Silva of Tampa, a post flight briefing after experiencing his first AT-6 trainer flight.
Tom Huntington of Warbirds America gives passenger, Adam Silva of Tampa, a post flight briefing after experiencing his first AT-6 trainer flight.

But festivalgoers began showing up four hours before the event on Friday afternoon and volunteers had not arrived to direct parking.

To make matters worse, some people disregarded directions by volunteers and parked in areas and wound up blocking off areas that were intended for additional parking, Warren said.

Some Facebook posts recommended that a remote parking arrangement be made with shuttles to ferry people to the festival for a fee.

Warren said that was done, with five shuttle buses and three golf carts giving people rides from the adjacent Compark 75 parking area to the venue.

She said the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office came to help with parking and officers were hired to help for the rest of the event.

“We knew the popularity had grown,” Warren said. But she said, organizers did not expect so many people to show up at the same time.

Despite the criticism, there were some positive Facebook posts, particularly about the beauty of the balloon glow.

Warren did not see the balloon glow.

“I was directing traffic,” she said.

Published September 16, 2015

 

The Tiki Cove docks on Lake Padgett

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Volleyball, a freshwater beach, and boats add up to a good time at The Tiki Cove on the shoreline of Lake Padgett.

Partners Dave Hipps and Steve Slowey are bringing a new tiki-style bar and restaurant to Land O’ Lakes, on Station Lane, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. They are kicking off with a series of weekend preview events on Sept. 11, 12 and 13.

Plans are to open The Tiki Cove every other weekend, at least for the next few months. Once permitting is complete, construction can begin on the brick-and-mortar bar and restaurant.

Dave Hipps, owner of Land O’ Lakes Marine, is starting a new venture with The Tiki Cove. He is encouraged by new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, including Tampa Premium Outlets, and says the timing is right for a new waterfront bar and restaurant on Lake Padgett. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Dave Hipps, owner of Land O’ Lakes Marine, is starting a new venture with The Tiki Cove. He is encouraged by new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, including Tampa Premium Outlets, and says the timing is right for a new waterfront bar and restaurant on Lake Padgett.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

On the Mark Catering will provide the food, cocktails and beer, until the doors open on the bar and restaurant.

“We’re looking to slowly evolve it,” said Dave Hipps, who is partnering with restaurateur Steve Slowey on the venture.

Social media channels, primarily through The Tiki Cove Facebook page, are spreading the word. “It’s really letting people know what’s going on, “ Hipps said.

On Sept. 11, the public is invited to a VIP preview from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Sept. 12, a “catch and release” fishing tournament will take place in the morning to benefit the Myocarditis Foundation, and honor the memory of Austin Vonckx. Afterward, The Tiki Cove will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

And on Sept. 13, Sunday Fun Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

One rule will be enforced. After 7 p.m., only people age 21 and older can be at The Tiki Cove.

“That’s going to be a strict guideline,” Hipps said.

Looking ahead, Rockstar Promotions will sponsor a volleyball tournament on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.

Lake Padgett is the setting for The Tiki Cove, a shoreline bar and restaurant concept that will feature beach volleyball, food, drink and entertainment.
Lake Padgett is the setting for The Tiki Cove, a shoreline bar and restaurant concept that will feature beach volleyball, food, drink and entertainment.

Until now, volleyball enthusiasts had to drive to Hogan’s Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway or Toasted Monkey in St. Petersburg. But now Hipps said, people can play closer to home.

Aside from volleyball, Hipps said other games including ring toss and Jenga will be available. The catering company will have specialty drinks, such as Blue Heaven and Tiki Breeze, and a menu of fish tacos, mahi-mahi and burgers.

And, there will be a dock and ample shoreline for boaters.

The partners, along with their wives Laura Hipps and Sheri Slowey, believe The Tiki Cove is coming in on a wave of new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

“(The area) just really needs more venues like this, so they don’t have to drive half an hour to St. Petersburg,” said Dave Hipps, who owns Land O’ Lakes Marine. “Growth is coming with the (Tampa Premium Outlets) mall. This should be a great success.”

The idea for The Tiki Cove came nearly five years ago, as Hipps and his wife took a boat ride and found themselves at a waterfront seafood restaurant off Gandy Boulevard. The style was Polynesian.

“We really fell in love with the concept,” Hipps said. “It had a great atmosphere. You could enjoy the water and have a drink.”

But, the economy had other plans.

“Obviously, the economy didn’t permit this, and the timing wasn’t right,” Hipps said.

Now, five years later, The Tiki Cove is here.

Temporary tents, and two volleyball courts, are set up at The Tiki Cove. Plans are to build a brick-and-mortar bar and restaurant in the coming months. On the Mark catering company will serve food, beer and specialty drinks in the interim.
Temporary tents, and two volleyball courts, are set up at The Tiki Cove. Plans are to build a brick-and-mortar bar and restaurant in the coming months. On the Mark catering company will serve food, beer and specialty drinks in the interim.

Hipps couldn’t be happier, because the long wait meant his friend, Steve Slowey, was available to become his business partner.

Slowey owns several Beef O’ Brady’s restaurants, and The Brass Tap.

For Hipps, this is his first venture into the restaurant business, but he isn’t worried.

“I’ve owned businesses my whole life since college,” he said. “I’ve never done anything I didn’t own. I believe businesses are businesses. Businesses that are run right work, and Steve is such a great entrepreneur, and a food and drink expert.”

And, volleyball is a natural for Hipps, who played the sport at Ohio State University. His daughter, Brittany Rodrigues, played volleyball on scholarship while at Hillsborough Community College, before graduating from Florida State University.

He’s not sure why, but volleyball is a sport that always seems in style. “Maybe being down here on the beach,” Hipps said. “It’s just kind of making a resurgence.”

Eat Life Fishing Tournament
What: A fundraiser for the nonprofit Myocarditis Foundation in honor of Austin Vonckx
When: Sept. 12 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tournament will end at 10:30 a.m., with prizes awarded at 11 a.m.
Where: The Tiki Cove, located on Station Lane, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard
Cost: $30 per person; a Florida freshwater fishing license and preregistration is required; a light breakfast will be served
For registration or more information text or call Eric at (813) 838-6868.

Published September 9, 2015

Festival shares joys of flight

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People who are drawn to hot air balloons and aircraft enthusiasts will have plenty to see and do at Festival of Flight 2015.

The event, which will take place from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 at Tampa North Flight Center, features hot air balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, two balloon glows, two balloon launches, helicopters, planes, live music, a specialty car show and more.

Admission is free and parking is $5.

Inflated hot air balloons create a colorful spectacle during the balloon glow at last year’s Festival of Flight. (File Photos)
Inflated hot air balloons create a colorful spectacle during the balloon glow at last year’s Festival of Flight.
(File Photos)

The festival expects to have 30 balloons coming from Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, said Jessica Warren, the festival director. There may be even a balloon coming in from Colorado, she said.

Warren also expects about 30 other aircraft: biplanes, war birds, a glider, Cessna and others.

“We have a lot of planes coming in from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New Smyrna Beach,” Warren said. The festival is advertised through airports, to let pilots know what is happening.

“A lot of the Facebook advertising that we do targets aviation enthusiasts. There are different clubs on there that we’ve shared the information with, to let them know that it’s happening,” she said.

The festival also will have kites, radio-controlled aircraft, food vendors and entertainment.

There are some new features at the festival, too.

“We have bounce houses this year, which we didn’t have in years past. We have the balls that walk on water. You get inside of them and you walk,” Warren said. And, she added, “We’re trying to get a gyrosphere.”

A hefty dose of rain last year put a damper on attendance at the second annual Festival of Flight, but Jessica Warren, the festival director, is hoping that won’t be the case this year.
A hefty dose of rain last year put a damper on attendance at the second annual Festival of Flight, but Jessica Warren, the festival director, is hoping that won’t be the case this year.

This year’s food vendors include Happy Hangar Café, Salsa Slow Smoked BBQ, Collins Concessions, Heavenly Snow – New Orleans, The Bacon Boss Food Truck, Jimmy’s Slider Food Truck, Kona Ice of Wesley Chapel and Churroland.

There’s also going to be a car show, featuring BMWs and exotic cars.

Helicopter rides start at $25 and tethered balloon rides are $10. The hot air balloon rides are sold out, but a waiting list is being kept. The hot air balloon rides are $189.

There also will be a Quilt of Valor presentation on Friday night, to honor veterans who served in a war zone.

It’s a special presentation, Warren said. “You have to be nominated, and you only receive one in a lifetime.”

All together there are 56 vendors, 11 bands, 30 balloon pilots and at least 30 airplane pilots.

“We have about 20 volunteers coming from Grow Life Church. We have about 30 volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol,” Warren said.

Parking will be at the Compark 75 property, which is next door to the airport and shuttle service will be provided.

When the event started three years ago, Warren knew it would grow.

And, it is attracting widespread interest.

“We have people flying in just for the festival all of the way from Puerto Rico, Maryland, New York. I have people who have called me from all over the United States. These are people who are just coming to see the balloons,” Warren said.

“We still want to kind of keep it in the small-town feel that Wesley Chapel, is. But just like Wesley Chapel is growing, we are growing, too,” Warren said.

Festival of Flight 2015
What: American Balloons and Tampa North Flight Center host the Festival of Flight 2015
When: Sept. 11 to Sept. 13
Where: At the Tampa North Flight Center, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., in Lutz. The particulars: There will be hot air balloons, planes, kites, helicopters, live music, tethered balloon rides, a specialty car show, vendors and more. On Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, there will be an evening balloon glow. On Sept. 12 at and Sept. 13, there will be a hot air balloon launch. Admission is free. Parking is $5. For information and full schedule of events, visit FestivalOfFlightWesleyChapel.com.

Published September 2, 2015

Partnership aims to counter rumors with facts

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As the 2015-2016 school year begins this week in Pasco County Schools, the school district and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office have formed a new partnership to give parents timely, accurate information when threatening situations occur on or near a school campus.

The partnership aims to give parents a place to turn when they’re hearing reports about potential dangers and they want to find out the facts.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning holds a smartphone and talks about how easy it is for information to spin out of control during a school emergency. To counter the spread of inaccurate information, the school district and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office have set up social media sites to provide timely, factual information to parents and the public during school emergencies, Browning said. Pasco County Sheriff’s Capt. James Mallo, at right, also took part in the news conference.
Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning holds a smartphone and talks about how easy it is for information to spin out of control during a school emergency. To counter the spread of inaccurate information, the school district and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office have set up social media sites to         provide timely, factual information to parents and the public during school emergencies, Browning said.         Pasco County Sheriff’s Capt. James Mallo, at right, also took part in the news conference.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

“Safety of our students is our top priority,” said Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, at a news conference last week to announce the partnership.

Efforts by law enforcement and school personnel can be undermined when inaccurate information begins circulating in social media, Browning said.

“One of the challenges that we face is the instant communications that the students have, and we all have, as a society. It’s a reality and certainly a challenge.

“What we have found is, that when we get into these types of situations, the social media, the texting, the cellphones really wreak havoc,” Browning said.

“It’s important for parents to have accurate information in an emergency or a potential emergency situation,” the superintendent said.

So, the school district and the sheriff’s office have established social media sites where parents can obtain accurate information.

“It’s important for parents join us in this partnership, for the sake of their children’s safety,” Browning said. “We created social media sites that we want parents to turn to first for information during these times of emergencies.

“It’s also important that principals in schools and staff have the ability to concentrate on their school, not answering questions at this time from parents in their community,” he added.

When parents come to campus during an emergency, they can put themselves at risk, Browning said.

The idea is to get a unified message out, said Capt. James Mallo, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The posted message will be approved by both the sheriff’s office and school district.

Mallo gave an example of an incident that occurred last year, when this kind of system would have been useful.

“We had a bank robber that left the bank and ran across the school property,” he said, but there wasn’t a system to let people know quickly what was happening.

Drew Patel and Maddie Toth, both students at Land O’ Lakes High School, think the social media sites set up by the school district and sheriff’s office will help dispel rumors, and give parents the information they need during a school emergency.
Drew Patel and Maddie Toth, both students at Land O’ Lakes High School, think the social media sites set up by the school district and sheriff’s office will help dispel rumors, and give parents the information they need during a school emergency.

“We want to make sure that the parents and teachers and students and everybody have one place to go to get this message, so that when you do have something like that happen — and a bad guy running around the area of the school — we can put out a single message that’s unified,” he said.

That takes the guesswork out of what’s happening, Mallo said.

The combination of inaccurate information and social media can create significant distractions, as law enforcement and school personnel are trying to handle a potentially dangerous situation, both men said.

“I can’t begin to tell you what a challenge it is as a school community, when we have either a controlled situation on campus or a complete lockdown.

“Everybody that has one of these things,” Browning said, holding up a smartphone. “And students are texting moms and dads.

“You know how the game of Rumor goes. They heard there was a gun on campus. The next thing you know, they’re texting mom or dad that there’s a gun on campus — when there’s not a gun that’s been confirmed on campus,” Browning said.

“We now have the ability to provide that information very quickly and accurately, to keep moms and dads calm, and let them know that first and foremost, their students are safe,” the superintendent added.

Seventeen-year-old Drew Patel, a senior at Land O’ Lakes High School, said he likes the idea of the central clearinghouse for information.

“It provides a direct line of accurate information to the parents. They know what’s going on at the school where their kids are at,” he said.

“I think it’s a great idea,” added Maddie Toth, 17, a junior.

It will help prevent the spread of rumors, she said.

Parents will be able to go to the sites “and see the real information,” she said.

“I think it will work,” Patel said.

Social Media Resources
Here are the places where parents can go to get the latest information about school safety, crime prevention and public awareness information about Pasco County Schools:

What parents can expect in a school crisis
There are different kinds of school emergencies. Here is what parents can expect.

Crisis response: A coordinated response between the first responders and school personnel during an extraordinary event that could significantly impact the safety and welfare of school children and/or school staff. This kind of crisis can include, but not be limited to any overt act or threat of extreme violence, severe weather occurrence or a tragedy.

Controlled campus: This occurs when there is a potential threat or safety concern that requires a greater degree of control.

Lockdown: This occurs when there is a direct threat to the school campus itself, or the student body.

Parents are not allowed on campus and will be provided instruction as to a reunification time and location, if necessary. Parents are advised to use the social media sites to obtain information.

Published August 26, 2015