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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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North Boulevard

Bearss Landing Townhomes Opening This Summer

May 23, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

One of north Tampa’s most desirable locations on Bearss Avenue, located just west of North Boulevard, is the site of a new townhome community being built by Meritage Homes.

Opening this summer, Bearss Landing will be a community of 115 townhomes on the north side of Bearss Avenue, positioned in-between Buchanan Middle School and Carrollwood Day School.

“There is a huge demand for affordable new construction in north Tampa, and Bearss Landing will be perfect for families looking for a spacious home with quick access to USF, downtown Tampa, and all the shopping and dining in Carrollwood,” said Chris Ryan, division president of Meritage Homes for Tampa.

In addition to being just five minutes from Interstate 275, floor plans developed for Bearss Landing are uniquely designed for families and young adults buying their first home.

Six floor plans will be available, ranging from 1,756 to 2,378 square feet. Every plan has a covered patio, two-car garage, three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The first floor has a half bath, and two full baths are upstairs along with the master bedroom and two additional bedrooms. Some floor plans have a downstairs flex room that can be used as an office, dining room, playroom or library.

“It is very unusual for a townhome community to provide two-car garages for every home,” said Ryan. “But, our research shows that just about everyone buying a home wants a two-car garage, so we made sure that was a standard feature.”

Bearss Landing is planning to open two models homes, the Fremont and Burbank, in August. Prices are expected to begin in the high $200s.

“Energy efficiency is another feature that new homebuyers identify as important,” said Ryan. “Meritage seamlessly builds energy efficiency into every home, which means homeowner will save up to 50 percent on their utility bills.”

Meritage Homes, which has designed and built over 100,000 homes in its 32-year history, is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and has received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained-Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year.

Bearss Landings also offers upscale amenities, including a gated, landscaped entrance, and community pool and cabanas. Amenities are under construction and will be ready for the community’s first homeowners.

The schools zoned for the community are Maniscalco Elementary, Buchanan Middle and Gaither High. For families looking for private schools, Carrollwood Day School is next door, and offers classes for children from preschool through high school.

About Bearss Landing
New construction
115 Townhomes
1,756 to 2,378 square feet
6 unique floor plans
Attached 2-car garages
3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths
5 minutes to I-275
10 minutes to Carrollwood
Gated, landscaped entrance
Community pool and cabanas
Models opening summer 2018

Energy Efficient Features
Weather-sensing Irrigation
Dual-Actuated Toilets
Water-Efficient Faucets
ENERGY STAR® Certified Appliances
Spray Foam Insulation
Advanced Thermostat
Conditioned Attics
Low-E Windows
Sealed Insulated Ducts
Minimum MERV 8 HVAC Filtration
PEX Plumbing
Insulated Garage Doors
Minimum SEER 15 HVAC
LED Lighting

Sales Center: (855) 679-9942

Published May 23, 2018

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Bearss Avenue, Bearss Landing, Buchanan Middle School, Carrollwood Day School, Chris Ryan, Energy Star, Gaither High School, I-275, Maniscalco Elementary School, Meritage Homes, North Boulevard, USF

Preparations underway for EcoFest 2016

April 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

An effort that began seven years ago on the Hanna Road campus of Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz, has morphed into an event expected to draw thousands to Tampa’s Lowry Park on April 23 in a festival that pays homage to protecting Mother Earth.

EcoFest is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the principles of sustainability — ecology, equity and economy.

Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park. (File Photos)
Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park.
(File Photos)

Learning Gate Community School, the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability and the City of Tampa have joined forces to present the festival, also dubbed as Earth Day Tampa Bay, near the park’s band shell at 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa.

Michele Northrup, who has been event coordinator of EcoFest since its inception, has watched it grow and evolve.

There were 40 vendors and about 500 attendees at the first EcoFest, she said. This year, there are 158 vendors, plus a waiting list of 20. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend.

Parking and admission are free, and there are plenty of free activities, too, Northrup said.

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun, too, she said.

There will be live music, workshops, costumed superheroes, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services.

Local artists, green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, and people from organic farms and gardens will be there, too.

“We have some unique vendors. We’ve got some really cool artisans, craftsmen,” Northrup said.

Most of the vendors are local, coming from such communities as Tampa, North Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood and South Tampa.

Last year, the festival was set up deliberately to mimic a marketplace, and it’s going to be set up the same way this year, Northrup said.

“Everybody loved that,” Northrup said.

Another highlight will be an agility course, designed by a competitor from the popular television show “American Ninja Warrior.”

The seventh annual EcoFest, like the one last year, will be presented at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The moss-draped oaks provide a lovely backdrop to the event that aims to promote earth-friendly living
The seventh annual EcoFest, like the one last year, will be presented at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The moss-draped oaks provide a lovely backdrop to the event that aims to promote earth-friendly living

There also will be a yoga zone, with different yoga themes throughout the day. And, there will be a drum circle, too.

All four of Tampa’s big attractions — Busch Gardens, Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium, and MOSI — will be there, Northrup said.

The City of Tampa’s Solid Waste department will be demonstrating how to use plastic bags to make crafts.

Some members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will be getting into the act, too. Northrup has invited them to show how plastic grocery store bags can be converted into mats.

To say Northrup is enthused about the event would be an enormous understatement.

“It’s going to be phenomenal,” she said.

Seventh annual EcoFest
Where:
Lowry Park, 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa (in the band shell area and across the street)
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 150 vendors, speakers and activities, in a festival aimed at promoting earth-friendly living.

Published April 20, 2016

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Busch Gardens, City of Tampa, Earth Day Tampa Bay, EcoFest, GFWC Lutz-Land O' Lakes Woman's Club, Hanna Road, Learning Gate Community School, Lowry Park, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Michael Northrup, Museum of Science & Industry, North Boulevard, The Florida Aquarium, University of South Florida's Patel College of Global Sustainability

EcoFest offers fun, and food for thought

April 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Thousands turned out for the sixth annual EcoFest at the picturesque setting of Lowry Park.

This year’s event had the feel of a farmer’s market and that was intentional, said Michele Northrup, an event organizer from Learning Gate Community School.

Thousands of people streamed to Lowry Park on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day a bit early. The event initiated by Learning Gate Community School in Lutz had to be moved to a larger venue last year because it has become too large for the school’s campus. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Thousands of people streamed to Lowry Park on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day a bit early. The event initiated by Learning Gate Community School in Lutz had to be moved to a larger venue last year because it has become too large for the school’s campus.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The charter school, located in Lutz, has spearheaded the event since its inception.

As its name implies, the festival celebrates efforts to make the earth more sustainable by promoting energy conservation, environmental protection and healthy living practices.

The event initially took place on the grounds of the school in Lutz, but it outgrew that location.

This year, the event was on April 18 and was presented by the school, the City of Tampa and the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability.

Festival-goers checked out entertainment and educational presentations near the band shell at Lowry Park, 7525 N. Boulevard, and browsed through a wide assortment of vendors on the park grounds across the street from Lowry Park Zoo.

The event gave people a chance to begin celebrating Earth Day — officially April 22 — a bit early.

There were 167 vendors at the event this year, which is a record, according to Northrup. It’s also a sizable jump from last year, when there were 118.

Event-goers could pick up foods from organic farms, buy healthy pet treats, pick up some local honey, grab a bite from some food trucks or enjoy organic popcorn.

There were loads of speakers and entertainers, too.

Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy, an entertainment group, strolled on stilts through the festival, towering above the crowd and flashing a bright smile.

Samantha Petrone, who played the character Ariel from The Little Mermaid, had to be carried across North Boulevard, to be placed in her spot beneath a tree.

She and other members of the Much Foundation, of Tampa, attracted attention from fascinated children and parents snapping photos of their youngsters, posing with the characters.

Last year, the event was selected as the “Best Community Event” by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Northrup was clearly enthused, as people continued streaming into the event this year.

“We made the event bigger and better than ever,” she said.

Published April 22, 2015

Filed Under: Local News, Lutz News Tagged With: Amanda Renaud, City of Tampa, Earth Day, EcoFest, Learning Gate Community School, Lowry Park, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Michele Northrup, Much Foundation, North Boulevard, Samantha Petrone, Topsy Turvy, U.S. Green Building Council, University of South Florida

Korean Methodist Church buys former CrossRoads campus

November 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

The Tampa Korean Methodist Church made the big move north from Tampa to Wesley Chapel last April. And now they own the 33 acres and much larger sanctuary on County Line Road that once housed CrossRoads Community United Methodist Church.

The Korean Methodists, who conduct services both in Korean and English, finalized the sale of the church campus at 26211 County Line Road, in September for $1.2 million, according to Pasco County property records. With it comes an 18,000-square-foot sanctuary built less than a decade ago, to help accommodate the growing congregation.

The church was previously located on North Boulevard in Tampa, and is part of the greater United Methodist Church, which has 12 million members worldwide, including 7.7 million in the United States. Nearly 30 percent of South Korea’s population identifies as Christian, with more than 63 percent of them claiming Protestant religions like Methodism and Presbyterianism, according to government studies there.

English services are held Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: County Line Road, CrossRoads Community United Methodist Church, North Boulevard, Pasco County, Protestant, South Korea, Tampa, Tampa Korean Methodist Church, United Methodist Church, United States, Wesley Chapel

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Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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‘Aladdin jr.’

Live Oak Theatre is now selling tickets for its Acorn Theatre production of “Aladdin jr.” Performances will be March 18 through March 28, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 13 and younger, when accompanied by an adult. For show times and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.square.site, email , or call 352-593-0027. … [Read More...] about ‘Aladdin jr.’

03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

The Gulfside Hospice New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 State Road 54, will host a Bridal Trunk Show on March 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 250 dresses to choose from, starting at $29.99 and many brand new. Admission is free, but limited spots are available to allow for social distancing. Brides must register online in advance, by March 3, at bit.ly/NPR-Bridal-Trunk-Show. All proceeds from the shop go to help hospice patients in Pasco County. For questions, contact Jeremi Sliger at , or call 727-842-7262. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

03/11/2021 – Economic security

The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County will sponsor a panel discussion on “Economic Security in Pasco County During the COVID Outbreak” on March 11 at 7 p.m. Panelists will include Brian Hoben, community services director, Pasco County Public Services; Marcy Esbjerg, director of community development, Pasco County Public Services; Don Anderson, CEO, Pasco Homeless Coalition; and, Mike Bishop, director, Stakeholder Engagement, Pasco Economic Development Council. For information on how to register, email . … [Read More...] about 03/11/2021 – Economic security

03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

T-Mobile will sponsor “Grease is the Word” on March 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. There will be a sing-along contest pitting Pasco County Fire Rescue against the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, a free movie “under the stars,” and a classic car show with prizes. There also will be food trucks and games. Admission is free. … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

Demene Benjamin and UrEsteem will host “UrSelf: A Dabble in Self-Care” on March 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Exhibitors can be anyone who has a product or service to promote physical, mental and social health, including physical and massage therapists; counselors; churches; nail techs/hairstylists; yoga/pilates/exercise; or natural products. For information, call 813-334-6006, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

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