The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Carrollwood Cultural Center

New theatre group created

By

The Carrollwood Cultural Center recently announced the creation of OVATION, a new performing theatre troupe for teens and young adults, according to a news release.

“We have worked with a lot of amazing young talent over the years,” said event coordinator and MAS Theatre show director Aaron Washington. Many have “earned leading roles in large musicals at the center,” he said.

The original members of OVATION include Rhett Ricardo, Robbie Hipkins, Kaileen Barreto, Joseph Conrad, Brilee Gold, McKinnley Nelson, Rylie Nelson, Keira Osborne, Alexandra Sterling, Zachary Trenkle and Elijah Zurek.

“These young performers possess professionalism and passion beyond their years….they inspired us to create OVATION,” Washington said.

OVATION is more than a group of young adults who perform together. The members are encouraged to share their outside experience with school performances, auditions and other community/professional projects with the rest of the group.

Also, members will receive master class opportunities, and can receive hours toward Bright Future Scholarships. They also will be called upon to perform in various staged and outreach performances for the center.

“Needless to say, COVID-19 has made it difficult for these performers to get out and perform,” Washington notes, “but they’ve been in touch with one another and have recorded a few things while social distancing, which has kept them engaged.”

Washington said that the center hopes to “help these young performers build life experience that will be instrumental in pursuing a career in the performing arts.”

For more information, email Aaron Washington at .

To see OVATION’s recordings, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org and click on Clubs and Groups.

Published August 19, 2020

Additional money sought for new library project

By

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is pushing Pasco County to increase funding for a new library, which is part of a collaborative project between the county and Pasco County Schools.

The project is to be built in the Starkey Ranch development, located on the ranch formerly owned by Starkey’s family.

The project includes a kindergarten through eighth grade school expected to open in August of 2021, a public library and a community black box theater.

The idea is to share the facilities, allowing the school to use them when it needs them and the public to take advantage of them when the school doesn’t.

The new school will be built next to the new Starkey Ranch District Park, which is off the main entrance into the master-planned Starkey Ranch community, in Odessa.

The first phase of the district park was built through an agreement between the county and Wheelock Street Capital, the developers of Starkey Ranch. The 80-acre park, now open for use, includes a lighted Little League baseball/softball field; three lighted multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football; a concession stand with restrooms and an additional restroom building; four picnic pavilions surrounding an events lawn; a playground; a maintenance building and a trailhead to the community’s 20-mile trail system.

When the district park is complete, it will have five additional lighted ball fields, lighting and groomed turf for the current practice fields, two additional concession stands with restrooms, and a 1-mile trail around the park.

Commissioner Starkey is advocating for an additional $1 million for the library project to help it to become a cultural center for the community.

“You know that there is a library that is being built that is the first one of its kind, a co-located library with the school district and the county,” she said, during the commissioner comments portion of the County Commission’s Oct. 23 meeting.

“And, I have been working with our staff and the school board’s staff as we go through iterations of the project,” said Starkey, who previously served on the Pasco County School Board.

“I will tell you first, the school district has been fantastic to work with, and they have found a way to add more amenities to the project. They have pulled the library a little closer to the school, and they are putting some of their square footage back into the library, and there are funds over and above the $12 million that we have allotted for it, and it will help us to get an outdoor area that the community can use for outdoor events, which would include alcohol, too, if we wanted, near the theatre.

“But, where we are short is on the Maker Spaces,” Starkey said.

The current plan calls for having one Maker Space and switching equipment in and out for various uses, Starkey said. It makes more sense to have additional Maker Spaces, to provide options to do a variety of activities without having to constantly roll equipment in and out, she explained.

“In talking with the school district, that is in charge of building it, and getting the architect, (Pasco Schools Deputy Superintendent) Ray Gadd thought we needed one more million dollars in order to be able to build three Maker Spaces at what will be the Cultural Center and what I think will be the new model for these kinds of buildings in the county.

“I hope to get one over on the east side, and Ray (Gadd) is already looking at sites where the county and the school district can share again,” she said.

The idea of having multiple Maker Spaces makes it possible for a variety of activities to be going on at the same time, Starkey explained. For instance, in one area, people might be doing pottery, while in another, they could be making jewelry.

Starkey suggested the county earmark $1 million of the $2,881,000 that Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano returned to the county that morning.

“I would love to see you approve that (million-dollar appropriation) to help make this building a premiere building and the beginning of a model that we should replicate throughout the county,” she told her colleagues and County Administrator Dan Biles.

Biles reminded the board “right now the (returned) funds roll into the bottom line and go into the fund balance and our reserves.”

Biles also told the board he’d like to see what happens during the Nov. 6 election before considering Starkey’s proposed budget amendment.

Cathy Pearson, an assistant county administrator, also told board members that she recently took part in a visit to the Carrollwood Cultural Center, in Hillsborough County, to see how that operates.

During that trip, she said, she learned that the theater planned in the Starkey Ranch project was too small.

The theater plan calls for 203 seats, but it needs to be 250, Pearson said.

In addition to the money that Fasano returned to the county, Paula O’ Neil, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, told commissioners she would be returning $465,381.24, but she did request the county  consider providing a total of $100,000 to help four different agencies.

Published November 14, 2018

New community park planned in North Tampa

By

A new family friendly county park is coming this fall to the Greater Carrollwood area.

After nearly a year of finalizing its conceptual design, construction is slated to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road in Tampa.

The park replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive.

Construction is expected to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road. It replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive. (File)

Hillsborough County Public Utilities is presently decommissioning and relocating the existing treatment plant infrastructure, which has been in operation for more than 40 years.

Everything associated with the treatment plant will be demolished with the exception of two reclaimed water tanks, pump stations, an administration building structure and fencing.

Details about the forthcoming park were unveiled during a March 6 pre-construction open house at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. County parks and recreation officials were on hand to answer questions and gather input from residents.

Described as a “passive” community park, the main amenities will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters.

Other features include a pond, an open lawn, restrooms and parking.

Each of those aspects were finalized and based on input gathered from Carrollwood residents in a series of community meetings dating back to 2015.

Officials say most of the park will be complete by October, with final touches targeted for December. A ribbon cutting is planned sometime this fall.

Speaking at the open house, Hillsborough County parks and recreation director Rick Valdez called the park a “very important project” for Carrollwood.

“We’ve been meeting on this for months, and I think we have a really good sense of what the community wants to see,” Valdez said.

Described as a ‘passive’ community park, main amenities for the Carrollwood Village Community Park will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters. Other features include a pond and open lawn, along with restrooms and parking. The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation)

Park hours will normally be from sunrise to sunset, with staff on-site to facilitate programming and provide maintenance.

Based on renderings, the park’s main entrance will be off West Village Drive with a secondary entrance to the south, off Delwood Road. The two entrances will not connect, to avoid the potential for becoming a pass-through route. There will also be new pedestrian crossings on West Village Drive and pedestrian park access in the northeast corner of the park.

Offsite work includes re-striping West Village Drive, which includes a left-hand turn lane, deceleration lane and addition of the multi-use trail.

The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May.

If more funding becomes available, the county would look to construct an additional playground, an event center, a boardwalk and fishing dock, and a nature center. The items would be part of Phase II and perhaps a Phase III.

“Those are things we want to address; we just don’t have the money to do it right now,” said Kyla Booher, planning and development manager for the county’s parks and recreation department.

More could be on the way if at least one county commissioner gets his way, however.

Eric Denney, a legislative aide to Commissioner Ken Hagan, was at the meeting and said the commissioner is “going to work his tail off to get money in the budget” for Phase II of the park.

Hagan is a northwest area resident and longtime supporter of the park project.

“When everything is said and done, this should be a true community asset —something that will improve the standard of living here in Carrollwood,” Denney said.

The original idea for a new park in Carrollwood became a community-driven, grassroots effort after word spread four years ago about the retirement of the wastewater site.

Public comments on the Carrollwood Village Community Park will be accepted through March 20.

To provide feedback on the project, visit HCFLGov.formstack.com/forms/public_comment.

Published March 14, 2018

Carrollwood Village park project pushes forward

By

With funding secured for a new community park in Carrollwood Village, the next step is finalizing the project’s conceptual design.

The 50-acre Carrollwood Village Community Park is set to replace the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant once it goes offline, and the land is converted to a green space.

A new 50-acre park eventually will replace the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, once it goes offline and is converted to a green space. Anticipated park amenities for the Carrollwood Village Community Park are a playground, volleyball court, open-lot amphitheater, skate park, and event pavilion. Other incorporated features include walking trails, a dog park, a splash pad, a picnic area, a botanical garden and a nature center. The park’s budget stands at $6.5 million.
(File)

The property is situated west of North Dale Mabry Highway, south of West Village Drive in the Greater Carrollwood Area.

The current total park project budget is $6.5 million, including $400,000 in impact fees and $6.1 million in financing. The land transfer from the Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department is currently estimated at $1 million to $1.5 million.

The county is retiring the 40-year-old plant because of increasing operation and maintenance costs; the plant’s workload will be transferred to the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility off South Mobley Road.

The decommissioning of the plant is expected to be complete sometime next spring.
In the meantime, the park will be phased in over several years, beginning with the Design Build Procurement Phase, now underway.

That involves the construction of a new pump station, a reclaimed water outfall, odor-control equipment and an electrical building.

As Phase I ramps up, the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department is still gathering input on the project, which included an April 18 open house at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Dozens of residents attended, providing comments, filing out notecards, and asking questions on proposed use and amenity options.

The meeting served as a follow-up to a gathering in September 2015, where parks officials collected input from the community on the type of amenities they’d value the most at the 50-acre site.

Department officials ranked the citizens’ comments, and created a top 10 “wish list” of amenities.

A “passive” community park, featuring walking trails, a dog park, a splash pad, a picnic area, a botanical garden and a nature center were some of the most requested amenities.

Shown here is a conceptual design for the 50-acre Carrollwood Village Community Park. An open house was held April 18 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center to generate additional feedback on the project.
(Kevin Weiss)

Based on the community’s comments, the conceptual plan was further developed to incorporate desired changes, including a playground, volleyball court, open-lot amphitheater, skate park and event pavilion.

This current plan is a “living document” that may be changed based on site conditions, construction restrictions and budget allowance, park officials say.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, the featured speaker at the April 18 open house, said the park has potential to become “a real jewel” in Carrollwood.

“It is going to be a wonderful community asset,” Hagan said. “With the location and size of this property, we have a rare opportunity to really create something special right in the heart of Carrollwood Village.”

A major question remaining is which park elements the community wants first, said Doc Dougherty, the county’s parks and recreation director.

“There’s so much that goes into infrastructure at a place this big,” Dougherty explained. “Our goal would be to have as many (park) elements as we can in the first phase, so people can see something useful here.”

Another issue still under consideration is the park’s operational component.

“That is a challenge throughout all of our facilities,” Hagan said, “Whether it’s parks, libraries or fire stations, it’s not the capital cost up front, but it’s the recurring, yearly operational costs that provide challenges.”

Hagan noted the county is considering various public-private partnership opportunities to reduce those costs.

The county’s parks department already oversees 176 neighborhood parks, 54 recreation centers, and 118 playgrounds, along with has 38 sports complexes, four skate parks and six dog parks.
The idea for the new park in Carrollwood was community-driven.

Once news spread about the retirement of the wastewater site a few years ago, the Friends of the Northwest Regional Park — the group responsible for spearheading the idea for a new park — collected several thousand individual signatures and received support from over 10,000 Carrollwood homeowners for a new community park.

“I’ve never seen a project that has had this level of community support,” said Hagan “A lot of credit must go to leadership here in Carrollwood Village.”
Officials say additional meetings are anticipated as the project develops.

Public comments on the Carrollwood Village Community Park will be accepted through May 2.

To provide feedback on the project, visit tinyurl.com/lgn4xxv.

Published April 26, 2017

Band has big dreams and bold ambitions

By

They haven’t had many big gigs yet, but the band that calls itself Beyond Chaotic hopes that will change soon.

In fact, the six-member band is planning to travel to Orlando next month to audition for “America’s Got Talent.”

Alex Karafilis plays violin during a rehearsal of Beyond Chaotic. She hopes the group will tour and do a record deal some day. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Alex Karafilis plays violin during a rehearsal of Beyond Chaotic. She hopes the group will tour and do a record deal some day.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

Band members say they know it’s a big stage, and they admit they’re a bit nervous, but they want to go for it.

After all, they’re trying to build their fan base.

That sounds like a lot of the acts that appear on the popular television program.

But, Beyond Chaotic is not exactly a typical band.

It’s a rock group, and its six members are all age 12 or younger.

The members are Max Karafilis and his sister, Alex; Colin Mendoza and his sister, Kayla; Devon Bilek and Dominic Fusco.

They live in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

Two are homeschooled, two go to Seven Oaks Elementary, one attends Lutz Preparatory School, and the other attends John Long Middle School.

All of them love music, and they’re willing to work hard to improve their musical chops.

Max is the band’s lead singer. Alex plays violin and keyboard, and sings, mostly backup, too. Devon is the bass player. Dominic plays leader guitar. Colin is the drummer, and Kayla is on keyboard.

Five of the band members met during the Bigel Music Rock Band Camp last summer.

They’ve all been playing instruments longer, and they practice together two to three times a week — in addition to their private lessons.

Dominic Fusco plays lead guitar, in the foreground, while Kayla Mendoza plays keyboard in the background. Fusco said he enjoys performing in front of crowds, once he gets past the stage fright.
Dominic Fusco plays lead guitar, in the foreground, while Kayla Mendoza plays keyboard in the background. Fusco said he enjoys performing in front of crowds, once he gets past the stage fright.

Like many bands, they’ve already had one player drop out. She had a conflict with church and Sunday school.

Colin’s sister stepped up to fill the gap, because the 8-year-old has been playing keyboard since she was around 4.

So far, their biggest crowd was during shows they played at The Shops at Wiregrass during the holidays.

They played three sets, of 40 minutes each, to hundreds of people, according to Cindy Karafilis, Max and Alex’s mom.

They have a play list of roughly 20 songs, ranging from “The Phoenix” by Fall Out Boy to “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragon to “Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes.

They’re also beginning to write their own music.

Being in a band has its demands and its rewards, they said.

“It’s hard, but it’s fun,” said Alex, who handles the vocals.

Twelve-year-old Devon put it like this: “It makes me feel accomplished that I can play music really well, when I hear the crowd getting excited when we’re playing.”

They may be young, but they have big dreams.

Alex wants to go on tour and wouldn’t mind getting a record deal.

Devon wants to build the band’s fan base.

Max wants to play a bigger venue, so more people can see them and spread the word about the band.

They have some gigs lined up.

Max Karafilis is the lead singer in a rock band called Beyond Chaotic. The kids are all 12 or younger, but they have bold ambitions and big dreams.
Max Karafilis is the lead singer in a rock band called Beyond Chaotic. The kids are all 12 or younger, but they have bold ambitions and big dreams.

They’re on the schedule for Feb. 5 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, they’ll do a few numbers at the Valentine’s Dance at Seven Oaks Elementary School, and they’re scheduled to play April 16 at Journey for a Cure 5k at Al Lopez Park to benefit St. Joseph’s Children Hospital.

They’re also open to playing for private parties, Cindy Karafilis said.

But, they’re so new to the game that they haven’t quite figured out what to charge when they do get a paying gig, she said.

Regardless of the venue, the kids seem to love it.

“It’s hard work, of course. It’s really fun,” Colin said. “I think it’s pretty exciting.”

Dominic agreed: “It’s really fun to perform. Once you get over that little hump of being afraid to go onstage, it’s a blast.”

Some day, fame may come. But, for now, they’re just working hard — and turning up the volume.

Published January 27, 2016

There’s plenty of cheer to spread around this season

By

If you’re looking for a way to get into a festive mood, you won’t have to look very far.

There are loads of celebrations planned throughout The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area.

A familiar community landmark will be decked out again for the holidays for the 19th annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School.

Rooms are dressed up with holiday décor and community groups provide entertainment.

Visitors to the annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School always find plenty to look at, such as decorated trees, miniature train sets and nutcrackers. (File Photos)
Visitors to the annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School always find plenty to look at, such as decorated trees, miniature train sets and nutcrackers.
(File Photos)

Santa will be visiting on Dec. 12, between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., for a breakfast with Santa, at a $4 charge, which includes a variety of activities for children.

During the week, several local churches, schools and other groups are slated to perform at

The Christmas House, also known as The Old Lutz School, is at 18819 N. U.S. 41.

The Christmas House will be open for free tours on the evenings of Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 22, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Collection barrels will be there to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families needing help.

Heritage Church in Lutz is hosting “Miracle on Main Street,” a Christmas musical billed to be entertaining for people of all ages. The church at 1853 Oak Grove Blvd., will be staging the free event on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.

The Carrollwood Cultural Center, at 4537 Lowell Road, in Tampa, is hosting a series of events during December, including a Holiday Choral Tapestry with the Carrollwood Community Chorus, on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., with tickets ranging from $10 to $16. It also is hosting a Holiday Concert with the Carrollwood Winds, on Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., with tickets ranging from $10 to $16.

On Dec. 5, the community of Connerton will be having a holiday bazaar, with a variety of vendors offering holiday crafts, unique gifts and other items for purchase. Admission is free to the event, being held inside Club Connerton, at 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes.

train set rgbA family event called Traditions on the Green is planned for Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event features a breakfast with Santa, face painting, a holiday bounce house, puppet shows, local band performances, crafts and other activities. Admission is free.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its 2015 “Magical Night Christmas Parade,” sponsored by Bayfront Health Dade City.

The parade will begin at 7 p.m., on Dec. 4, in historic downtown Dade City. It will feature dozens of floats, entertainment acts, bands, seasonal displays, and a visit from that jolly old elf, Santa Claus.

The following day, on Dec. 5, the downtown Dade City merchants will celebrate a Christmas Stroll from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Country Aire Village, in Zephyrhills, is scheduled to have its annual Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event, at 39333 Blue Skye Drive, includes coffee and donuts at 7 a.m., and a luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

nutcrackers rgbOther highlights include items for crafters, a clothing boutique, a Chinese auction, a three-wheel bike raffle, a bake sale and a cookie walk.

A Country Christmas Open House is planned for Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City. The event will feature crafters, cookies, punch, holiday music and more.

A Christmas in the Park is set for Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., at the San Antonio City Park, at 12202 Main St., San Antonio.

The Florida Orchestra is also planning a series of holiday concerts. On Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, the orchestra will present the “Hallelujah” chorus, and during the weekend of Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 it will perform a Holiday Pops. For more information about ticket prices and venues, visit FloridaOrchestra.org.

Published December 2, 2015

Art quilts show off Tampa Bay history

By

Joanne Rodriguez knew immediately which historical Tampa landmark she wanted to create on her appliqued quilt – the image of the iconic minarets at the University of Tampa.

“When I came down to Florida in the 1980s, I just thought they were so beautiful,” said the Wisconsin native. “It’s very Tampa.”

Betty Jo Weber of Land O' Lakes makes her way down the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library hallway, where art quilts are on display. In the foreground, Sandi Snow's art quilt depicts a memory of the Hotel Floridan. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
Betty Jo Weber of Land O’ Lakes makes her way down the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library hallway, where art quilts are on display. In the foreground, Sandi Snow’s art quilt depicts a memory of the Hotel Floridan.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Her quilt is one of several on display through June at an art exhibit – “Memories of Tampa Bay” – at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave.

Other quilts feature landmarks such as the St. Petersburg Pier, the Hotel Floridan in downtown Tampa, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Dade City Historic Courthouse.

The idea for the show came from a challenge made by Terry Montaldo, long-time member of the Feather Princesses. She created a quilt featuring the Hacienda Hotel, a historic landmark near her home in New Port Richey.

“They are currently redoing it as a boutique hotel,” Montaldo said. “I’m quite anxious to see it done. It’s been a dream of people that live here.”

More than 150 members from around Tampa Bay belong to Feather Princesses. A general meeting takes place on the second Wednesday of each month at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. About a dozen smaller groups meet at various times and locations such as the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Carrollwood, Salvation Army in New Port Richey, and quilting shops in Dade City, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

Rodriquez joined about four years ago.

She grew up sewing clothes. “I just always loved to sew,” she said. “I even do it on vacation. This is the only group that does strictly appliques. It’s very unique.”

The guild began with a conversation between two friends, Dorothy Johnson and Laura Brooker.

“Before we knew, we were starting a guild,” said Johnson, who is the current president. “It just happened.”

In August, the Feather Princesses will celebrate their 10th anniversary.

“It’s very hot right now,” said Johnson of appliques and art quilts. “Unlike patchwork, with appliques it allows more creative expression. You’re not limited to specific shapes.”

Members work for months on some of their creations. It took a year to pull together the current library exhibit.

With so much time spent together, education and fellowship are a huge part of the appeal, Johnson said.

“We just love getting together and being with one another,” she said.

Some quilters have nearly 50 years of experience.

“Others are just learning to thread a needle,” Johnson said. “But everyone is willing to share. We’re just a fun group of ladies who like to get together and make beautiful appliques.”

For information, contact the Feather Princesses at (813) 253-9227, or visit FeatherPrincesses.org.

Published June 3, 2015

 

Speakers shed light on health care challenges

By

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis

Patients and providers offered insights into obstacles relating to the treatment of people living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during a recent roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Bilirakis, who is a member of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable focusing on neurological conditions on May 6 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Bilirakis asked panelists and members of the audience to talk about challenges facing patients and their families, and obstacles thwarting providers. He also asked those gathered to share information about clinical trials and breakthroughs.

Ron Hall, who has Alzheimer’s disease told Bilirakis, “probably the biggest thing is the unknown —trying to figure out what you’re going to do to keep your life normal as possible.”

The hard part, he said, is “just not knowing what’s coming your way.

“With all of these other diseases out there, you can say, ‘I’m going to fight it. I’m going to beat it.’ With Alzheimer’s, there’s no beating it.”

Hall’s wife, Diane, said “we’ve never been to a neurologist, just a geriatric doctor and had tests performed.

“Sometimes, we think, maybe we should go, and then we ask ourselves: ‘Do you really want to know how far along you are?’ ” she said.

Dr. Charles Brock, another panelist, told the couple: “I think visiting the neurologist is helpful. It’s empowering because that physician is likely to know there may be drug trials going on, there may be new treatments, there may be new supportive measures that would be helpful to you and at least give you the opportunity to make a decision about what you want, which gives you more control.”

Dr. Jessica Banko, associate institute director for the University of South Florida’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, agreed with Brock.

“Having some of that knowledge of where in the journey you lie may open doors to additional measures, not always necessarily pharmacological,” Banko said. “There are caregiver interventions to minimize stress and burden, and improve quality of life; there are behavioral measures and other ways to get involved in, maybe in validating new diagnostic tools.”

Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, who serves as the medical director of the Parkinson’s Research Foundation Center of Excellence at the Morsani College of Medicine, said “one of the big obstacles in moving forward in finding new treatments is the difficulties that we often encounter in the recruitment for clinical trials.

“People have a misconception about clinical trials. They’re worried, ‘Well, I might get the sugar pill.’ ‘I might get a placebo.’ Or, ‘I don’t want to be a guinea pig.’ ”

The physician said he always thought it would be easy to recruit patients for specific clinical studies, but he has learned that is not the case.

“I know, in my clinic, when I see a patient, I bring up the possibility of clinical studies and describe what’s available in Tampa and what’s available in other parts of the state, and what’s available in the United States,” he said.

Banko noted: “The truth is, the only access we have right now to new treatment measures for Alzheimer’s disease is through clinical trial participation.”

She added that the government hosts a website called ClinicalTrials.gov that lists anywhere from 20 to 60 trials, at any given time, that are enrolling for different kinds of treatment options for various stages of the disease.

Sanchez-Ramos said physicians are another source of information.

“Ask the physician if he or she is aware of any research going on involving new medications, new interventions, new surgical procedures for that specific condition,” he advised.

In the arena of Alzheimer’s disease, a huge frustration is the fact that even though amyloid imaging was a huge advancement, it is only available to patients through clinical trials, Banko said.

Dr. Rob Norman, who treats patients in long-term care facilities, expects the challenges to increase.

As Baby Boomers age, “we have what I call a silver tsunami going on.”

He said health care providers must rise to that challenge.

“We want to have, not just more treatments, but prevention and a vaccine. We shouldn’t settle for anything less than that.”

One caregiver in the audience urged Bilirakis to seek increased continuing education requirements for physicians and nurses, to improve the diagnosis and care of people who have neurological conditions.

It’s not just a lack of resources, said Diane Hall.

Some people who suffer from a neurological condition, such as Alzheimer’s, don’t want others to know about it.

“We can’t find a cure for it, if people don’t raise their hand and let everyone know there is such a need,” she said. “It’s going to be 10 to 20 times (as bad) with Baby Boomers coming up.

“Don’t be afraid, and don’t stay in a closet,” she urged. “It’s got to come out. We’ve got to find a way.”

Published May 13, 2015

Club offers venue for artistic growth

By

Artists always need venues to display their art and kindle their passion for creativity.

The Zephyrhills Art Club has been a friend to the local art scene for nearly 40 years, encouraging both budding and professional artists.

“It’s hard to find a place to show your work,” said Gainor Roberts, art instructor and retired art curator for the Carrollwood Cultural Center. “(The club) is great for networking.”

Artist Gainor Roberts, left, offers a critique of a painting by Zephyrhills Art Club president Joyce Owens. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Artist Gainor Roberts, left, offers a critique of a painting by Zephyrhills Art Club president Joyce Owens.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Roberts was a recent guest artist at the club’s monthly meeting and offered critiques of paintings by its members. Much of the art was on display in a “member mini-show” that featured garden scenes. Members later voted on their favorites.

Nelida DiLorenzo got some advice from Roberts on her garden scene that highlighted a pair of ethereal sprites. The painting had earned her a second place ribbon.

Roberts — who continues to teach and paint — is known for her still life and landscapes, and works in egg tempera, oil, pastel, watercolor and monotype.

DiLorenzo appreciated the critique.

“This gets you excited,” she said. “You have the interactions. You have to have the input from people.”

The club was founded in the mid-1960s by a group of local artists, including Ruth Coe who died in 2004.

Currently, the art club has more than 90 members. Its youngest member is 10; its oldest members are in their 80s.

In addition to its monthly meetings, the club has workshops, field trips and special events to encourage networking and artistic growth. The club also sponsors an annual juried art show.

Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at the First Christian Church at 6040 Eighth St., behind the post office in Zephyrhills.

“It’s open to anyone,” said Joyce Owens, the club’s president.

In March, the club hosted a workshop in watercolor techniques led by Chinese artist Lian Quan Zhen. Other workshops have featured artist Betty Fairbanks on acrylic painting techniques and DiLorenzo on techniques in portrait painting.

Owens took one drawing class in college but always wanted to paint.

For decades her pursuit of art took a backseat to her service in the U.S. Army. “It was only the weekend thing,” she said.

Now retired, she works part-time but paints as much as she can, and has sold some works.

The club’s youngest member is 10-year-old Lilly Hernandez whose butterfly painting earned an honorable mention.

She began painting animals and flowers in acrylic and watercolor about two years ago. She joined the art club a few months ago. “It’s hard, but I enjoy painting them,” she said.

“All the members are so friendly.”

The young artist has “painting days” with her grandmother, Kathleen Munn.

“I kind of got her started,” said Munn. “We have a great time painting together. Her great-grandmother also inspires her to paint.”

Munn said her sister is a portrait artist. “I never thought I could do it,” she said. “I just started and taught myself, and I really love it.”

A visit to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., several years ago, proved inspiring to Tom Myers. “I’ve always liked art but never really thought I could get into it,” he said.

The Michigan native brought a landscape to the mini-show depicting a roadway and a field of mustard grass.

He, too, appreciates critiques.

“We’re looking for a little constructive criticism,” Myers said.

Longtime member Olga Burghdorf walked through the mini-show with Hernandez. They stopped in front of each painting to point out what they liked about each one.

Burghdorf, 86, joined nearly 20 years ago. She learned to watercolor first and then added other skills, including painting on glass. “I’m not a master of anything,” she said. “I just enjoy doing it all.”

She looks forward to the club’s meetings and extra activities.

“It’s just a chance to meet people and see other artists. It opens up a lot of doors.”

For information on the art club, call (813) 780-8562.

Published April 22, 2015

Funny business: Local graduate returns to headline comedy show

By

Working comedians — the ones who aren’t famous yet — tend to take whatever gigs they can get. Sometimes that means half-empty bars, or coffee shops or off-nights in a tiny comedy club.

In Steven Lolli’s case, it meant a clothing-optional resort in Land O’ Lakes 10 years ago.

Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“It was one of the worst shows I’ve ever had in my life,” he said, recalling the scene at Caliente Resorts off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, with a smile.

Lolli had been doing comedy about eight years at the time, and the Gaither High School graduate had returned to Tampa to set up some shows. Not one to turn down work, he tried a nicer, more approachable style to his comedy. And the crowd wasn’t buying it.

“The crowd was bad and I was bad,” Lolli said. “I should have been my angry self.”

What a difference a decade makes.

Lolli’s back in town, but he’s not trying to win over any skeptical crowds. Instead, he’s bringing his own following to the Carrollwood Cultural Center at 4537 Lowell Road, for his “High Class Poverty Comedy Tour” on Aug. 30. And he’ll be his angry self on stage, because it’s taken him pretty far in his 18 years as a stand-up comedian.

Lolli didn’t give anyone there the impression he would eventually make a career out of telling jokes when he graduated high school, and he headed to the Orlando area soon after to attend the University of Central Florida before making his way to Los Angeles. It was there in the California sun he gained a reputation for fitting in at venues where he’d look out of place.

Lolli began frequenting comedy clubs where the performers and audience were overwhelmingly African-American. He might be one of the only white people on stage — and the only Jewish person in the room — but he was something else, too. He was funny, and the crowds responded to him.

Nationally known comedian Katt Williams helped develop Lolli’s moniker, “The Urban Jew,” and eventually hired him as a writer.

Minority audiences appreciated his honesty and responded to his earnest delivery, Lolli said.

“I started talking about race. I started talking about Jews and blacks,” Lolli said. “One thing about the black crowd is they really respond to true emotion, when you’re really being honest.”

That response was a pleasant contrast to other clubs he visited, where politics and social relationships dictated who got to perform, and too many comedians wanted to mold their act into a television-friendly package. Lolli wanted to protect his edge rather ingratiate himself to the people who were the gatekeepers and could deny him stage time.

Performing in African-American clubs might not have looked natural at first glance, but it was a natural fit for his style and philosophy.

Cutting his teeth in tough rooms, and gaining acceptance from what could be considered challenging audiences, made Lolli more fearless in his comedy and more confident in his abilities. And while the 38-year-old could pass for a young executive on the street, it’s a different story on stage. His material is adult-oriented, salted with the kind of language that gives his rants emphasis.

But Lolli doesn’t simply rely on dirty words for shock value. His language is an extension of his thoughts and perceptions at that particular moment. While he has plenty of prepared material, he allows himself to veer off track frequently and create something original out of unscripted moments from earlier that day or while he’s on stage.

There’s a lot of risk with that method, and grabbing the microphone in front of a packed house without a clear idea of what you’ll say beforehand can be scary. But his real fear is not being true to himself.

“I’m more afraid to not say what I mean,” Lolli said. “It’s the most gratifying feeling to be yourself.”

It also can provide a career boost if things go well. Lolli once performed at an event honoring a cable executive, with many important agents and actors on stage and in the audience. It would be a perfect time to play it safe and not make fun of their industry, but that isn’t his style.

He came out aggressive with his material, got the audience on his side, and has received a lot of work as a result of that edgy performance. That included a 2012 guest appearance on the NBC comedy sketch show “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.”

He’ll deliver more of the same at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, though he’ll have a lot more time to explore his thoughts and expand his material. He’ll also have his parents, Joy and Gerald, in the audience. They’re proud of his success and have taken note of his rising notoriety as the venue promotes his show.

They also haven’t seen him perform in years, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get the easy treatment from their comedian son on Aug. 30. In the end, they know he has to be himself.

“They’ll be all right,” Lolli said. “I might make fun of them, too.”

Published August 27, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here