The Laker/Lutz News

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Pasco County hosts Disaster Expo to help residents

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Pasco County marked the beginning of this year’s hurricane season with an expo aimed at helping residents better prepare for potential disasters.

The county’s 2019 Disaster Expo, held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson, gave those attending a chance to learn about myriad ways to better protect themselves, if a disaster should strike.

Tim Exline of the Pasco County Health Department explains necessary storm precautions to New Port Richey resident Natalie Griffin. The health department was among a host of booths at the June 1 Disaster Expo, preparing residents for potential storms. (Brian Fernandes)

Participants at the June 1 event included the Pasco County Health Department, Pasco County Fire Rescue, the county’s Emergency Management team and other groups, such Home Depot and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Judith Tear, a wildlife mitigation specialist for the Florida Forest Service, focused on educating residents about steps they can take to protect their homes from the danger of wildfires.

She encourages residents to trim trees near their homes, especially trees that have branches that hang over roofs.

When a fire is spreading, tree limbs hanging over a home can allow the fire to endanger the residence, she said.

Her organization also works in conjunction with Pasco County’s Emergency Management team and Pasco County Fire Rescue to predict the effects of harsh weather conditions, especially with summer humidity.

“Florida Forest Service is a state agency, and we work closely with our community partners,” the specialist said. “If we find that we’re getting too dry, we look at our drought index and how many days since rain.”

Depending on how dire the circumstances look, the county can place a burn ban, which it did in 2017.

The Florida Forest Service also collaborates with the Emergency Management team to issue reverse 911 calls to those living in target areas of a fire.

Along with the Florida Highway Patrol, they help post consistent alerts on digital message boards on the highway.

And, with special occasions, such as July 4, on the way, Tear strongly advises residents to avoid fueling fires with gasoline because it makes them harder to put out.

To keep documents safe, in the event of a fire, Tear said you either need to place them in a fire safe, or keep them off site.

She also suggests scanning documents and saving them on a flash drive, as a backup.

Andy Fossa, director of Pasco County’s Emergency Management, encourages residents to have generators handy in case the power goes out.

Attendees crowded inside the Veterans Memorial Park to learn about safety tips in preparing for the hurricane season. The 2019 Disaster Expo on June 1 featured various Pasco County and independent organizations.

Fossa also emphasized the importance of using generators safely.

To avoid posing a risk to utility workers, it is important to have a generator with an automatic transfer switch, which will turn off the generator once the home’s power goes back on.

If a generator is still running when the power goes back on, a utility worker could get electrocuted, or explosions can occur within the home, he said.

Fossa said a common mistake people make is operating their generator within the home, which can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

He recommends keeping generators outdoors and well anchored to the ground.

Residents also should be careful when they are using candles. They should not be left unattended, and they should be placed somewhere stable, so they won’t tip over.

Candles should not be left burning overnight, when everyone is asleep, he said.

Fossa also urged taking precautions to avoid become overheated.

He said unless you are not able to leave, staying home during a power outage should be a last resort.

He recommends staying with family or friends, or at a hotel, if possible.

There are also local shelters available, he said.

“Dependent on where the storm is coming from, we have the ability to open certain shelters,” the director noted. “As we see population growing, we’re very proactive. We’ll go ahead and get another shelter ready to go.”

Fossa said it’s also important to heed evacuation warnings.

In some cases, residents become stranded by flooding.

When that happens, Fossa said, it is best to stay put and wait for assistance.

In the aftermath of a storm, Pasco County Human Services and the Red Cross will go out into neighborhoods to assess the needs of residents.

For those displaced from their homes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can provide temporary housing – even hotels rooms for up to 90 days.

In sustaining a home for harsh weather, Fossa suggests protecting windows with shutters or plywood, or installing missile-proof windows.

“Some insurance companies actually give a break when you storm-harden your house,” he added.

Residents should have a go-kit they can take with them, if they leave their homes, Fossa said.

“If they decide they’re going to leave, they need to have a bag to pick up and walk out the door,” Fossa said.

This kit should include medications, hygiene products, flashlights, batteries, nonperishable food, water, plastic utensils, paper towels and other items.

Fossa suggests that residents should start stockpiling weeks in advance of hurricane season – buying nonperishable food in small increments.

Tim Exline of the Pasco County Health Department said residents should have a food supply stocked up to last 10 days to 14 days.

Getting a surplus of prescription medication is a good idea, too.

“Once an (emergency) declaration is made from the governor, you can go to your pharmacy and get up to a 30-day supply,” Exline mentioned.

Some pharmacies will send out prescriptions through the mail for those who cannot make the commute, he added.

Exline stressed that for those coming to a shelter, medication should be kept in its original prescription bottle, so that it can be properly identified by health officials on the premises.

Transportation services are available for all, but especially the disabled with limited mobility.

“If you have no way to get to that shelter, then you can call Pasco County [Emergency Management’s] office and they’ll make arrangements to have someone come pick you up,” Exline pointed out.

For constant alerts and notifications, residents can download the MyPasco app on their phones.

For additional information to prepare for emergencies, visit PascoCountyFL.net/2813/Prepare-For-An-Emergency.

Published June 05, 2019

Town of St. Leo opposes increased density near its border

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of changes that would allow increased development on the edge of the Town of St. Leo, despite objections from Town leadership.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended that a change to the county’s comprehensive land use plan be approved, as well as a change to zoning on 175 acres at the southwest corner of State Road 52 and Prospect Road.

Richard Christmas, mayor of St. Leo, urged planning commissioners to reject the proposed changes — which had received a recommendation of approval from the county’s staff.

Christmas said the increased density is not compatible with St. Leo’s rural character. He also cited concerns about disrupting the view shed the town now enjoys.

Planners and representatives for the applicant, however, said the proposed use of the land would be an appropriate transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and the Town of St. Leo.

The proposed land use change would allow a maximum of 900 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The proposed master unit planned development zoning, which is being requested on the same acreage, would allow 600 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The applicant requested 600 dwellings for both the land use and zoning changes, but the county’s staff recommended 900 dwellings for the land use change, to allow consideration of additional residential development if there’s a demand for it in the future, Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, said at the May 9 public hearing.

The land is currently undeveloped, with the exception of a barn.

County planners said the development provides a transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and would step down in intensity, as it gets closer to the town. They also said the plan would provide bicycle/pedestrian connectivity to existing trails and would seek to prevent visual intrusion.

Christmas told the planning commission that the town has been concerned about the proposed density of the plan ever since initial discussions with the applicant in December 2018.

“The Town is OK with the current zoning. The current zoning is compatible with the zoning that’s across the street, State Road 52, which is Lake Jovita, one dwelling unit per gross acre. That’s what the zoning is right now. We’re perfectly fine with that.

“What is being proposed is going beyond what their current rights are to something way more dense,” he said.

In addition to the 900 units contemplated in the land plan change, there would be “the equivalent of 3 ½ Home Depots and 60,000 square feet of office space,” Christmas said.

“The Town (of St. Leo) requests denial of the proposed comprehensive plan change,” the mayor said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked Christmas if the Town of St. Leo had objected when the Villages of Pasadena Hills was created.

Christmas said there would have objections to density like this on the town border.

But, Goldstein pressed him: “Did you show up at any county public hearing?”

Goldstein continued: “It’s just interesting to me that nobody from the Town was there when we were approving the Villages of Pasadena Hills, including when we were trying to decide whether to include this piece of property. The Town wasn’t there at all.”

This property initially was going to be included in the Villages of Pasadena, and was only dropped at the last minute, Goldstein said.

“The question for you is, if this was so egregious for this to happen, where was the Town the day whether we were deciding to keep it in Pasadena Hills or not? Where were you?” Goldstein said.

But, Christmas told Goldstein that was not the issue before the Planning Commission.

Matt Armstrong, representing the applicant, told planning commissioners: “Density in the right place and in the right way can be a good thing because it does conserve the land, instead of just spreading it (development) out all over the place, without any kind of respect for what’s there.”

The new State Road 52 alignment goes through the property, and there will be an increased demand for development in the area, Armstrong said.

The master plan for the zoning also call for decreasing the density, as it approaches the edge of the Town of St. Leo, Armstrong added.

“We’re residential to residential. That’s compatible.

“When you are up against the Town, it’s only single-family. You can’t have apartments there, you can’t have multifamily there. There can’t be townhouses there,” Armstrong said.

The pedestrian and bicycle connections will make it possible for people to get to where they need to go without having a car, he said.

Attorney Wilhite reminded planning commissioners: “The comp (comprehensive) plan frowns on a Res-1 density because that is the definition of sprawl. It’s inefficient land use pattern.

“Density is not your enemy,” she added. It allows for master drainage plans, streetlights, parks and sidewalks.

“We’re proud of this project. We think it would be a very good project and a good fit,” she said, asking the Planning Commission for its approval.

But, Christmas repeated his concerns.

“To be clear, the Town’s not saying no to development, just that the development next to the Town needs to be compatible with the Town, sensitive to the topography and is not an eyesore,” Christmas said.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval of both the land use and rezoning for the property. The Pasco County Commission will have the final say on the requests.

Published May 15, 2019

Updated mobility fees proposed in Pasco

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The Pasco County Commission is expected to take final action on an update to the county’s mobility fees at its Dec. 11 meeting.

Commissioners are expected to approve several changes, which include adding new categories and reducing some fees.

Mobility fees are based on the transportation impacts caused by new development, which is typically expressed in the number of trips the development generates.

These fees are one-time charges to new construction.

The update calls for reducing fees in these categories: High-rise condominiums; age-restricted communities; congregate care facilities; college/university in suburban/rural areas; churches in suburban areas; hospitals; and hardware/paint stores (but not big box stores, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot).

The update also introduces five new land uses: Non-veterinary kennel; breakfast/lunch only restaurant; fast-casual restaurant; ice-skating arena; and active/passive warehouse.

The update also calls for reducing the fee for residential development in rural areas on lots of 5 acres or more.

Currently, the mobility fee for a new single-family home is $9,800 in the rural district; $8,570 in the suburban district; and, $5,835 in the urban district.

Under the proposed rate schedule, a new single-family home built on 5 acres or more in the rural district would pay the same fee as the same-size home built in the suburban district, which is $8,570. Those built on smaller lots in the rural district would continue to pay $9,800.

Besides changing specific categories, there’s also a proposal to update the mobility fee schedule every five years, instead of approximately every three years, as has been the practice.

Lengthening the time between updates, coupled with an increasing number of permit applications, would allow the county to reduce the permit administration fee from $392 per permit to $136 per permit.

The update also proposed additional incentives to spur development along U.S. 19.

During a previous workshop, commissioners talked about dropping discount rates for market-rate apartments in the urban district and removing discounts for mini-warehouses.

Now, commissioners appear likely to move ahead on the mobility fee package, but to have staff take a deeper look at the issue of market-rate apartments and mini-warehouses.

They want staff to look at those issues, both in term of mobility fees and zoning. That process could take months to complete.

Commissioner Mike Moore was unsuccessful in persuading his colleagues to drop the incentive for high-end apartments.

He makes no secret of his opposition to what he views as an oversaturation of apartment development along State Road 54/State Road 56.

Besides taking up space that would be better left for other types of development that creates jobs, Moore said he’s concerned about potential long-term consequences of too much apartment development.

Moore said he’s not talking about dropping the incentive for apartments that have already been approved.

“There are quite a few entitlements currently out there already. I understand that some people have already budgeted for their project and increasing the fees at this time could have a negative impact. I get it. They’d be grandfathered in,” Moore said.

But, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey offered a different perspective.

“I think multifamily serves an important need in our community,” Starkey said.

“It’s not whether I like them or not. Do I think there’s a use in the community for people who can’t afford a house in a gated community? Yes, I do.

“I think the market will dictate whether these get built or not,” she said.

She also noted that when the extension of State Road 56 is completed between Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, there likely will be demand for apartments there.

“I would think that some of that community might like some nice, new apartments,” she said.

Commissioner Mike Wells said he supported the planning commission’s recommendation on the mobility fee update.

Wells also agreed with Starkey: “The market decides.”

Land use attorney Clarke Hobby, who served on the county’s mobility fees committee, noted the committee did not discuss whether the fees should be changed for apartments or mini-warehouses.

That discussion came up during a board workshop on the issue, after the mobility fee committee completed its work.

“We didn’t know this was an issue,” Hobby said, adding that’s a significant issue to address without getting the mobility fee committee’s input.

Hobby also pointed out that the county has expressed a desire to prevent urban sprawl.

“Now, you’re just saying you want suburban sprawl in the urban service area, if we go down that route,” Hobby said.

Commissioners didn’t take any action during the first public hearing on the updated fee schedule held on Nov. 27, but based on their discussion, it appears likely they will approve the updated mobility fee schedule at the Dec. 11 public hearing.

Published December 5, 2018

The Ice Dreammm Shop scoops ice cream and nostalgia

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Ice cream dreams bring back sweet memories to Joe Schembri.

There were family trips to what he remembers as “Roger’s Place” on State Road 52. Later on, ice creamy treats came from a shop near a Home Depot, known affectionately as the “Home Depot” ice cream.

“All we did was ice cream every week,” said Schembri, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. “That was family time and we loved it.”

Nearly three months ago, Schembri opened his own shop, and his first business – the Ice Dreammm Shop – in a small plaza at 23912, Suite 2, State Road 54, in Lutz.

The shop will host a “customer appreciation day” and grand opening on Oct. 22 from 1 p.m. to 3

Ice Dreammm owner Joe Schembri spreads the message “sharing is caring” at his new shop off State Road 54. (Kathy Steele)

p.m.

The triple “m” in the name is part of the shop’s signature logo, and a reminder of yummy ice cream cones from childhood.

The menu of specialty flavors for children and adults add a non-traditional punctuation to the shop.

Just plain vanilla won’t do.

Instead, flavors include creamy vanilla bean, rice pudding, sweet corn, cotton candy, and an overload of Oreo cookies in cookies n’ dream.

The newest recipe, available for adults only, is pecan bourbon neat. Other adult flavors are the tried and true favorites of Rum Haven and whiskey-laced Fire N Ice.

Still, Schembri hasn’t forgotten what he loved about the ice cream experience. The Ice Dreammm Shop is a very traditional family place, a throwback to the old days.

Chess and checkers games are laid out on tables.

Children can pick from more than 20 games like pick up sticks and dominoes.

A flat screen television tunes into children’s programs.

A sofa and chairs in the entry way are a comfy, living area. The restroom has a baby-changing area.

If students or professionals want to settle in with computers, and hang out for a while that’s the idea, said Schembri.

Families are welcome to linger, too.

“Parents can sit and eat while the kids play,” he said. “Everyone can relax. I see parents showing kids how to play chess, and kids showing parents how to play chess.”

Schembri began laying the foundations for his shop nearly two years ago. He researched on the Internet. He watched videos all about ice cream machines. He talked with ice cream shop owners to find out about the challenges.

Schembri quickly learned about the community of small business owners, especially ice cream shop owners.

Everyone seemed willing to share advice and experiences including David Alima, co-owner of the Charmery in Baltimore.

Schembri got excited when he found a dealer in Brooksville who sells ice cream machines.

“This is in my back yard. It must mean something,” he said.

Schembri also went to an ice cream “boot camp” at The Villages, a retirement community near Orlando.

“We got to play with the machines, making recipes,” Schembri said. “I loved it.”

He worked for months making up recipes in his garage and testing them with friends at parties.

“All good things start in a garage,” he quipped.

His girlfriend, Brooke Purvenas, helped him scout locations and found the storefront at the plaza off State Road 54, near Highland Oaks Preserve subdivision.

Purvenas works days at Ice Dreammm.

Schembri takes over in the afternoon after he leaves his job at Bisk, a company that partners with nonprofit universities to promote online learning programs.

Schembri also partners with local companies, such as In the Loop and Craft Life Brewing. “We put their beer in our ice cream,” he said.

Coffee is from the Hemp & Coffee Exchange in Tampa.

He is constantly dreaming up new flavors and he’s also open to suggestions from his customers. They jot down potential flavor combinations and he considers them.

Cherry pineapple, apple tart, flan and blue cheese and walnuts have their fans. And, one day they could be on the menu.

A recent addition is chocolate bacon toffee.

It may not seem like a combination that would work, but it’s the perfect blend of sweet and tart, Schembri said.

“Why not have something unique?” he asked.

That sentiment — of being one of a kind — seems to fit right in with Ice Dreammm Shop’s general theme.

Revised Oct. 12, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

Business community weathers Hurricane Irma

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Hurricane Irma left residents and business owners in northern Hillsborough, east Pasco and central Pasco assessing damage, cleaning up the mess, and, calculating their losses and counting their blessings.

Walgreens drugstore let people know it was open for business after Hurricane Irma’s departure. (B.C. Manion)

For business owners, the focus was on reopening and getting Pasco County’s commercial back in motion.

The effort goes on.

Zephyrhills’ chamber gave shelter
With shelters filled to capacity, The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Fifth Avenue opened its doors for three families to weather Hurricane Irma.

“They did well in our building,” said Melanie Monson, the chamber’s executive director.

Someone even managed to get some video footage of the storm.

In the aftermath, Monson and chamber staff pitched in to help people in need — including clearing debris and cutting up trees.

“Anything we can do to get people’s lives back, we did,” she said.

Zephyrhills’ businesses generally were luckier, and appeared to suffer less damage than other parts of the county. A few roofs were coming off, and a lot of trees were felled.

Duke Energy estimated that the Zephyrhills area, including its businesses, would have power restored by Sept. 15. Withlacoochee Electric said it might take longer for some of its customers.

The chamber cancelled all events the week of the storm, including its Citizens of the Month awards to area students.

“We’re going to double up for October, and do double the number of students,” Monson said.

Ukulele’s playing its tune again
Bryant Brand, owner of Ukulele Brand’s, reopened the waterside restaurant in Land O’ Lakes on Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. The restaurant lost power for more than 12 hours.

Some food had to be tossed out, but Brand said the restaurant withstood the battering winds. A floating dock still floated, but dipped about a foot-and-a-half underwater.

Brand said he would wait to see if the water drained away, and what kind of damage was done.

Within 30 minutes of the restaurant’s opening, cars began filling the parking lot, and hurricane-weary residents headed for the outdoor tables or the cooler bar inside.

It was business as usual.

The Shops at Wiregrass pitches in to help
Hurricanes have threatened in the past, but Hurricane Irma delivered.

“It was definitely a learning experience for everyone,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at The Shops at Wiregrass.

With Irma waffling on her direction, Lenners said the decision to close the mall came on Sept. 9, when it appeared obvious the hurricane had west Florida, and Pasco County, in her sights.

Something unexpected happened.

Some residents decided to leave their cars in the mall’s garage for safe keeping.

“Parking in the garage caught us by surprise, but we allowed them to park there to be a good neighbor,” Lenners said.

The mall came through without damage, and mall officials hoped to reopen on the afternoon of Sept. 11. Out of caution, the opening was delayed until Sept. 12, though a few restaurants opened doors sooner.

Yamato’s Japanese Steakhouse and Pincher’s seafood shack on Sept. 11 had long lines of residents eager to put Irma behind them with a hot meal and a cool place to hang out.

“I think we were all stir crazy, and had no power,” Lenners said.

Irma’s timing couldn’t have been worse. She came during a weekend, when shops and restaurants normally look forward to crowds.

“It certainly was a blow,” Lenners said, but noted it was too early to tell the precise impacts.

There already is some rebound, in part, due to schools closing for the week, he noted.

“You did have a lot of families off work because their businesses didn’t have power,” he said. “We’ve started seeing an uptick in traffic on Tuesday (Sept. 12).”

The mall planned to partner with 99.5 QYK radio station on Sept. 15 for a Help Our Community Heal event. The radio station was scheduled to hand out free water and batteries, and provide charging stations for people needing help. Donations also were being collected to aid about 700 linemen who have been restoring power.

Drive-through here and there
Motorists wrapped their cars around McDonald’s at Connerton on Tuesday morning, eager to grab bags full of breakfast foods and hot coffee from the drive-through lane.

Area restaurants that were able to open immediately after Hurricane Irma activated drive-through windows, with limited menus.

Kentucky Fried Chicken on State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes also was among the fast-food chains with lines of cars quickly surrounding the restaurant.

Tampa Premium Outlets is shopper ready
Tampa Premium Outlets reported no problems arising from Hurricane Irma. As of Sept. 12, stores began opening and the outlet mall “is open for business as usual,” said Sarah Rasheid, in a written statement. Rasheid is director of marketing and business development.

“We recognize the devastation our communities are experiencing by Hurricane Irma’s arrival in Florida,” Rasheid said in her statement. “It is heartbreaking when events like these occur, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families throughout the state.”

Home improvement stores fill needs, before and after
Home improvement stores, like Home Depot and Lowe’s, were slammed with customers frantic to buy plywood to board up their homes, generators to keep refrigerators running and flashlights to light the dark.

Now that Irma is history, shopping is getting back to normal.

But, there also have been plenty of residents needing cleanup supplies.

Lowe’s, on State Road 54, east of U.S. 41, sent in a small team of employees to get the store ready for its reopening on Sept. 12.

The store shut down about lunchtime on Sept. 9, before Irma struck.

“I’d love to see power returned to the whole area,” said Michael Armstrong, Lowe’s store manager.

Since reopening, Armstrong has seen a mix of customers. Buying is happening across all categories, he added.

People are filling carts with flowers, patio cushions and usual needs of a home. But, he said others are on the hunt for cleaning supplies, rakes, yard clippers and tarps for their roofs.

Those still without power also wanted flashlights, he said.

In the midst of providing area residents with their hurricane needs, Lowe’s, as a company, also had to consider its own employees.

Armstrong said employees had to think of their own safety and their families. Their decisions reflected the dilemmas everyone had. And, he said some opted to evacuate; others stayed.

“We keep a list of associates,” he said. “As soon as the hurricane was over, we started calling everyone. At 9 a.m., yesterday, (Sept. 12) we reached the last one. It’s not just about coming to work. It’s ‘we want to check on you. See how you’re doing’.”

As of Wednesday, Lowe’s was on track for a normal business day.

Dade City ready to rebound
Dade City’s downtown businesses took a hit during Hurricane Irma. But, with power restored, they began opening doors around mid-week to shoppers and diners.

For two days after Irma passed, downtown seemed “very quiet,” said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

“I haven’t heard of anything looking major, except for cosmetic stuff and trees down,” he said.

Revenue losses are to be expected, however.

“There’s definitely concern over the whole week,” Moors said. “The major thing is people were safe. It’s just a lot of work to get cleared up.”

It’s early yet, but Moors said some merchants might want to explore hosting a special event to help businesses rebound from Irma.

Published September 20, 2017

Eagle Scout project honors those who served

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When Michael Valenti was looking for his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t have to look very far.

He belongs to Boy Scout Troop 12, in Lutz, and it meets just a couple of blocks away from the Lutz Memorial Park.

Michael Valenti joined scouting when he was in third grade. The 16-year-old spearheaded a project to spruce up Lutz Memorial Park. (Courtesy of Ron Valenti)

The 16-year-old said he had noticed that the Lutz Memorial Park, at 98 First Ave., N.W., needed a bit of sprucing up, and he decided it would be a fitting Eagle Scout project.

So, he organized a team of helpers, secured donations and got busy.

The base for the flagpole was already there, but it wasn’t in good shape, Valenti said.

“There was just grass all around here, so when the mowers would come, they would chip out the base,” he explained. “Some of the paint was peeling off.”

The plaque wasn’t in great shape, either.

“We removed the sign, scraped all of the paint off. We repainted it, and we got these two new signs,” Valenti said. The new plaques came from Crown Trophy in New Tampa.

Before the project began, crews from Hillsborough County’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department removed some concrete.

Then, Valenti and his volunteers went to work.

Michael Valenti, of Lutz, did an Eagle Scout project to spruce up Lutz Memorial Park. More than 40 people helped, over two weekends, to beautify the space.

“We laid the concrete, then we planted this large flower box around it,” he said.

The volunteers also built a flower box near the Lutz Memorial Park sign.

The teenager wanted plants that could tolerate the sun, the rain and the drought. In other words, he was looking for low-maintenance plants that could survive in sandy soil, he said.

Since he wasn’t sure what would be best, he turned to gardening experts for advice.

He settled on blue salvia, pink guara and firebush.

“Over the course of two weekends, we had more than 40 people,” he said, including several members of Troop 12 and friends from Freedom High School.

Several local businesses helped out, too.

“John’s Butcher Shop and Benedetto’s (Ristorante Italiano) provided the food,” he said. “People allowed us to use their facilities, like their water and their bathrooms,” he said.

“It would have been about $2,000 with everything, including food and whatnot, but Lowe’s and Home Depot gave us significant discounts,” he said. Ace Hardware, in Lutz, helped, too.

Valenti is gratified by the prospect of becoming an Eagle Scout.

These are just a few of the 48 badges that Michael Valenti has earned. He recently completed his Eagle Scout project, which involved sprucing up Lutz Memorial Park.

“It’s kind of the pinnacle of your scouting career,” said Valenti, who lives in Lutz and is the son of Ron and Rose Valenti.

“It’s taken years of hard work to get where I am,” said the teenager, who will be a junior at Freedom High School.

And, it’s an accomplishment with staying power, he noted. “Once you’re an Eagle, you’re an Eagle for life.”

Valenti was a third-grader when he joined scouts, and he hopes he will become a scout leader when he’s an adult.

“It just ingrains very important values,” he said, and prepares youths to become good citizens.

Besides being on the path to becoming an Eagle Scout, Valenti has earned 48 scouting badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society.

While he does well in school and plans to attend a state college, he hasn’t pinned down which career path he’d like to pursue.

Published July 5, 2017

Super Saturday offers a swingin’ good time

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It might’ve been April Fool’s Day, but this softball event was no joke.

This dog belongs to Mackenzie Pavloff, of Lutz. The service dog, named Koda Bear, is a 5-year-old Pitbull-mix, who seems to like the sounds of the softball games at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex. The pet’s owner said she played softball at the complex years ago.
(Fred Bellet)

It’s called Super Saturday, and it’s an annual fundraiser for Lutz Softball, a recreational fast-pitch league for girls ages 5 through 18.

On April 1, several hundred softball families gathered to cheer on more than 20 teams, soaking in the daylong festivities at the Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

Besides a full slate of softball matchups, there was plenty to keep attendees amused, from family friendly games and activities, to numerous vendors and countless raffles.

“This is probably the biggest Super Saturday we’ve ever held,” said Mike Cook, president of Lutz Softball Inc.

“Every year, it’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger,” added event coordinator Jennifer Bommarito. “This is quite a bit bigger than it started out to be.”

Ten-year-old Sicily Jordan, of the visiting Wesley Chapel Pink Rockets, gets a hit against the Renegades during game action last Saturday at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

Held each spring, Super Saturday is one of the league’s two major fundraisers. The other is Fall Festival, in October.

Amid softball rivalries and competition, Super Saturday gives young athletes a chance to unwind.

“This is actually like a fun day for them,” Bommarito said, “where they actually get to goof all a little bit…and not have to be so serious.”

Mike Bosworth, who has coached in the league since 2013, said the annual shindig also helps foster positive interactions among families.

“People are…competitive with one another, and when you do an event like this, it gets you to know other people, and it softens those relationships on the field,” he explained.

Other parents agreed.

After playing his Little League game, 5-year-old Wyatt Gingras, of Lutz, totes his favorite bat and backpack to watch Leaguerette softball and cool off with an icy beverage. Wyatt was with his grandfather, Scott Knoeppel, of Lutz, and spent the day enjoying the family fun event at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

“I think it brings us closer,” said parent-coach Rainey Rosenberger.

“It’s just fun to get families together from the community,” parent Natalie Brown added.

Another parent, Maggie Mixon, believes the event has nearly become a Lutz tradition.

“It’s phenomenal — just to see the community come together, in the spirit of collaboration,” she said. “It’s just a good, old-fashioned, small-town gathering.”

Among the afternoon’s top highlights was the parents’ tournament — and it’s unlike any other.

A 16-inch blooper ball was used, bases were run in reverse, fathers batted with their non-dominant hand, and kids served as coaches.

“It’s fun and confusing — everything’s backwards,” Rosenberger said, smiling.
The sports complex’s ballyhooed concession stand was another draw.

From biscuits and gravy during early morning games, to mushroom Swiss burgers and buffalo chicken wraps, there’s never a shortage of tasty grub offerings.

Bosworth, whose wife, Alissa, is the concessions manager, said parents from other youth leagues — Brandon, Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel —can’t say enough about the ballpark’s spreads.

Bryan Bounds, of Gainesville, watches softball action with friend, Charlene Ierna, of Lutz. Ierna’s 15-year-old daughter, Emma Ierna, plays on the softball team called the Rebels. Ierna is also the team’s sponsor.

“The parents are always like, ‘You guys have got the best concession stand we’ve ever seen, anywhere,’” Bosworth said.

Super Saturday, meanwhile, couldn’t have come at a better time for the softball organization.

On March 8, two suspects burglarized the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex during early morning hours, causing losses in excess of $5,000.

“That (robbery) threw us for a loop tremendously,” Mike Cook said.

In wake of the incident, the league has received “overwhelming” community support, with donations from the likes of Home Depot, Walgreens, Lowe’s and Ford.

Over $1,920 has also been raised, via a GoFundMe page.

Lutz Softball, formerly known as the Lutz Leaguerettes, also has seen quite a transition since January 2016, when the organization announced it was offering a recreational fast-pitch league for the first time in its 37-year history.

Just six months later, its slow-pitch leagues were discontinued because of dwindling registration and an overwhelming preference for fast-pitch. The fast-pitch league now claims to have about 200 participants, the highest figure in several years.

Lutz Softball Inc., is a PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) Softball affiliate.

Published April 5, 2017

 

Home Depot offers jobs in spring hiring spree

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Home Depot is looking to fill 1,350 jobs in an estimated 30 stores across the Tampa Bay region, including in Pasco County.

The “Jobs in Bloom” hiring spree anticipates adding 80,000 jobs at stores and distribution centers nationwide. There are full-time, part-time and spring seasonal jobs available, according to a news release from the Atlanta-based Home Depot.

More than half of Home Depot’s seasonal hires move on to permanent positions, the release said.

The largest number of available jobs, at an estimate of 3,000, is in Chicago. Other targeted cities include Dallas, Philadelphia and Sacramento.

According to the Home Depot website, jobs are available at the Zephyrhills location, at 32715 Eiland Blvd.; and, in New Tampa, at 17601 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. In Hillsborough County, the Carrollwood store at 16121 N. Dale Mabry Highway also has job openings.

Home Depot has retooled its online application process.

Applications take about 15 minutes on any type of electronic device – computer or mobile, the news release states.

“We want everyone to have an easy and convenient experience with The Home Depot, whether they’re shopping with us or applying for a position,” Tim Crow, executive vice president of the company’s human resources department, said in the news release.

To personalize the application process, Home Depot also is highlighting job experiences of current employees in video and photo essays. These are available at the store’s digital content site, “Built from Scratch.”

Other links are available at the online Careers site and #HomeDepotHiring.

Nationwide, jobs are available at nearly 2,000 stores and 75 distribution centers. Jobs include customer service and sales, lot associates, freight and receiving, store support and cashiers. Job availability varies from store to store.

For information, visit Careers.homedepot.com/jobs-in-bloom/.

Published March 8, 2017