The Laker/Lutz News

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

Christian Brothers Automotive

Automotive section launches today

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This week The Laker/Lutz News is expanding our business coverage with a new automotive section that we’re calling “autoMOTIVES.”

We emphasize the word “MOTIVES” because we believe this section’s outstanding content will educate and motivate you to keep up with the latest automotive trends, and help you decide what is the best vehicle for you and your loved ones.

Our editor is Nitish Rele, an accomplished automotive writer who lives in New Tampa and is under contract with several automobile manufacturers to test drive and write stories for industry publications and blogs.

Rele has been writing product reviews, test drives and reporting automotive news for more than 20 years. He will be doing the same for The Laker/Lutz News, but with a heavy emphasis on local automotive and dealer news for our readers in Pasco and north Hillsborough counties.

Rele is also the founder and publisher of Motoring Tampa Bay, a comprehensive auto enthusiast guide in print and online since 2009.  Also notable, Rele was at The Tampa Tribune from 1989 to 2009 and was the weekly automotive columnist for his last 11 years there.

Rele received his master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, and has been a Tampa Bay resident for nearly 30 years. I’m proud to add that he is a longtime, regular reader of our newspaper.

“Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest expenses a family incurs,” said Rele. “Our goal is to give readers timely and informative automotive news and professionally sanctioned test drives to help local people make informative decisions about their next vehicle.”

It is interesting to note that according to our 2017 readership buyer’s survey, 38 percent of our readers plan to purchase a new or used vehicle in the next 12 months —or 13,557 vehicles.

“We want to educate readers early in the buying process — when you are still considering your top vehicle choices and deciding how much you want to spend,” said Rele.

“Our goal is to give you information to make intelligent automotive decisions, and to help you find your next vehicle close to home at a dealership that is convenient and which provides service, body and warranty work.”

The Laker/Lutz News is able to add automotive news to its coverage because of the support of our inaugural advertisers — Christian Brothers Automotive, Maus Family Chevrolet, Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel and Wesley Chapel Toyota/Lexus/Honda.

All are locally owned, family businesses, just like we are at The Laker/Lutz News.

My staff and I sincerely thank these advertisers for their support, and if you have an opportunity to visit these neighborhood businesses, please be sure to thank them for bringing automotive news to your community newspaper.

Published December 12, 2018

Pinewood Derby offers Cub Scouts fast fun

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Cars zoomed down a 34-foot-long track at Lake Myrtle Elementary School on Feb. 24, during Cub Scout Pack 323’s Pinewood Derby Cup Series.

Reme Rovi-Garcia took first place; Aiden Gehle took second place; and, Wesley Swank took third place, overall. There were eight categories in the competition: Lions, Tigers, Wolf, Bear, Jr. Webelos, Sr. Webelos, Outlaws and Supercharge. (Randy Underhill)

Sixty-five Cub Scouts, from the Land O’ Lakes pack, tested their racing skills as they pitted cars they had designed against each other.

Contestants had to create their models from pinewood, add wheels and weights, and give them a paint job, too. Then, the vehicles were inspected and weighed, just like in a real race.

During the event, cars were lined up in three lanes at the top of a steep incline and then were released, letting gravity carry each car to the finish line, where official times were recorded.

Greg Mark, chairman of the event, said he enjoyed working on his pinewood with his dad when he was young and wanted to share the experience with his son, Ryder, who is 8.

“He did the majority of it this year,” Mark said. “I want him to learn how to build a race car.

The project begins with a box of wood, four wheels and four axles. Then, it’s fashioned into a car, which is painted. Weights are added to get as close as possible to the maximum weight, so it will perform well in the race.

Gabe Heinzmann, one of the starting officials, stands by as three cars are lined up to start the first round of racing.

“I think it’s an awesome thing for the boys to do with their dads,” he said.

To make the event enjoyable for families, there were other activities, too, including crafts. Food was also available.

“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mark said.

The pinewood derby has been part of local Cub Scouts since around 1975.

The creation of a Pinewood Derby dates back much farther.

Dan Murphy, a Cubmaster from Ohio, came up with the idea in 1952. He wanted to do something for kids who were too young for the Soap Box Derby. The Pinewood Derby swept the nation in the mid 1950s and is still part of the Cub Scouts today.

Sponsors of the local event were Christian Brothers Automotive, Cameo Salon and Spa, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, Jerry McCarthy State Farm, Russel Marine, Tampa T-shirts, Parker Pest Control, Accurate Signs On Time, 67 Design Co., and Studio 54 Tattoo.

By Randy Underhill

(B.C. Manion contributed to this report)

Published March 14, 2018

Nine-year-old Kenneth Huffman, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a helping hand from Joann Tabarres, of Land O’ Lakes, as they put together a toolbox, which was just one of many activities at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race at Lake Myrtle Elementary School.
A collection of Pinewood cars used in previous derbies was on display during the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Cup Series held Feb. 24 at Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.
Starting officials, Gabe Heinzmann, left, watches as Rob Heinzmann, middle, releases the cars and Jon Urban talks with other starting officials at the annual Pinewood Derby competition.
Antonio Rivera’s Jumanji, right, is in the lead, with Michael O’ Conner’s lizard car, middle, close behind, and Jacob Caltron’s red racer trailing, during the Pinewood Derby at Lake Myrtle Elementary.

Dairy Queen firming up Land O’ Lakes location

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Ever get that hungry feeling for a frozen Mint Oreo Blizzard, but didn’t want to drive all the way to Wesley Chapel to get it?

The Terra Bella area of Land O’ Lakes, where a new apartment community was just announced last week, could very well have a Dairy Queen come in on its coattails.

Robin Kendall of EMK Consultants of Florida is set to meet with Pasco County officials next week behind closed doors help plan a new 3,076-square-foot Dairy Queen restaurant that would be located next to Christian Brothers Automotive on State Road 54. It would be just in front of the Dance and Gymnastics Academy of Tampa and Discovery Point Child Center, both located on Venezia Drive.

The project would involve several parcels along the north side of State Road 54 just east of Christian Brothers, land that is currently owned by K&B Flagship LLC of Orlando. It would be located between Via Bella Boulevard and Livingston Road.

If built, it would be the fifth such store in Pasco County, joining ones on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and two others in New Port Richey.

That area of Land O’ Lakes already is heavily traveled by commuters and residents using Interstate 75 and the Suncoast Parkway, but would have an even stronger local boost when Alta Terra Bella — a 311-unit luxury apartment complex — is completed just west of it near 20 Mile Level road.

Plans for the Dairy Queen are still in the preliminary stages, and it’s unclear when construction would start.

Central Pasco’s Business Expo kicks off Friday

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Food, businesses, and did we mention food?

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Community Spotlight Business Expo 2014 kicks off today beginning at 4 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The annual event helps bring area businesses to the forefront, encouraging residents to “shop local first.” Tables and booths will be set up, introducing and re-introducing them to attendees.

Those coming with an appetite can take part in the Taste of the Town event as the expo continues Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There various restaurants will showcase popular menu items.

The entire event runs Friday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The recreation complex is located at 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Sponsors include RPM Printing and Marketing, Medical Center of Trinity, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano, Centennial Bank, Synovus Bank, Sam’s Club, Christian Brothers Automotive, Caroline Contractors, Crew Entertainment, HPH Hospice, Proly Laporte & Mulligan, Two Men and a Truck, and The Laker/Lutz News.

For information, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.