The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz

Eagle Scout project yields outdoor classroom

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Ashton Offutt was just in fourth grade when he came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom — but it wasn’t until he was a high school junior that the idea became reality.

When he was in fourth grade, Ashton Offutt came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom. The Gaither High student recently led the effort to build one, as his Eagle Scout project. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Ashton, who is seeking the rank of Eagle Scout, enlisted the help of volunteers and raised money to create an outdoor learning space, with a sunshield, at Claywell Elementary.

Ashton said part of the motivation for creating the classroom outdoors is because he knows having that would have benefited him, personally, during his early school years.

The Gaither High student estimates it took about 40 hours to plan the project and about 30 to complete the work.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up to help — donating poles and providing some physical labor.

He had lots of helpers.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up, donating six 15-foot poles and a crew to help install them.

They had planned to use a crane, but that had to be scrapped because the concrete was too thin and the weight of the crane could have cracked it, Ashton explained.

So, five grown men worked together to lift and guide the poles, which had to be buried 5 feet into the ground to support the sunshade, Ashton said.

The weather-resistant fabric stretches above 12 classroom benches, a dry erase board and a communication board.

The communication board is a tool to enable students who can’t speak to convey what they want to say, Ashton said.

In addition to the TECO crew, folks from the BPOE Elks Tampa 708 and others pitched in — for a total of 57 volunteers. Ashton also raised $3,845 to pay for the project.

Scouting has been a way of life for Ashton who became a Tiger Scout shortly after finishing kindergarten. He’s now a member of Boy Scout Troop 339, in Lutz.

Second-grade teacher Dawn Phillips takes advantage of the new classroom, to move learning outside for her students.

Ashton has a connection to Claywell because he went to school there. To this day, he appreciates the help he received from his tutor, Jenny Paloumpis, who is still a teacher at the Northdale school.

Permission for the project at the school came from Claywell Elementary Principal Rob Jones and from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, said Lynnette Offutt, Ashton’s mom.

Besides scouting, Ashton enjoys orienteering with the Gaither High School ROTC program, and operating remote-control cars.

He plans to attend college, but isn’t sure which one yet — and he aspires to join the U.S. Army, where he hopes to be part of a bomb squad, working with canines to sniff out explosives.

Published September 09, 2020

Amazon plans $40 million investment in Pasco

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The Pasco Economic Development Council has announced that Amazon plans to invest $40 million in Pasco County.

The company is planning a new 110,000-square-foot facility in Lutz, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

The facility will be located on a portion of the Hayman-Fuentes property near the northeast corner of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway, according to Lauren Miceli, marketing and communications manager for Pasco EDC.

“This new facility will add hundreds of direct and indirect jobs to Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the economic development agency’s release.

The new delivery station in Lutz “will power Amazon’s last-mile delivery capabilities to speed up deliveries for customers in Pasco County,” according to an Amazon news release.

“Delivery stations enable Amazon Logistics to supplement capacity and flexibility to Amazon’s delivery capabilities,” the company release says.

The Lutz delivery station is expected to open in 2021, according to Amazon.

Local officials are delighted by Amazon’s decision to invest in Pasco.

“Amazon’s jobs are unique in the sense that some will work directly for the company and others can essentially open their own business and work as a third party with them. It’s a great opportunity for our residents to start their own small business,” Cronin added.

“The county and Pasco EDC have worked hard to create mixed-use neighborhoods and attract a variety of industries to Pasco,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells said in the Pasco EDC release. “Amazon putting their trust that Pasco is the right place for them shows that our team’s hard work is paying off and we welcome them to our community.”

Amazon’s delivery stations offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own business delivering Amazon packages, as well as independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex.

Amazon has more than 150 delivery stations in the United States.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore reacted to the news, in an Amazon release that announced the company’s upcoming Tampa Bay plans.

“I am thrilled to welcome Amazon and the additional jobs this facility will bring to our community,” Moore said, in the release. “This is another example of Pasco County government and the Pasco Economic Development Council working together to make Pasco County the premier place for business.”

In addition to its planned Lutz facility, the company also has announced a new fulfillment center in Temple Terrace, which is expected to create 720 jobs. That, too, is expected to launch in 2021.

Amazon currently operates seven fulfillment and sortation centers in the state, in Jacksonville, Davenport, Orlando, Miami, Ruskin and Lakeland, according to a company news release.

Amazon’s new operations facility in Temple Terrace will span more than 600,000 square feet on the ground floor. Employees at the site will work alongside innovative technologies to pick, pack and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics, small household goods and toys, the Amazon release says.

Amazon will hire for roles in human resources, operations management, safety, security, finance and information technology.

Amazon offers a minimum starting wage of $15 per hour. Its full-time employees also receive full medical, vision and dental insurance, as well as a 401(k), with a 50% company match, beginning on Day 1.

To learn more about Amazon, visit Amazon.com.

Published August 12, 2020

 

Consumers have more grocery options in Pasco

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Grocery shoppers now have two more options in Pasco County, as GreenWise Market and Aldi have opened new stores.

The 25,147-square-foot GreenWise Market, at the Preserve Marketplace Shopping Center, 2175 Sembler Drive, is GreenWise Market’s fourth location in Florida. The Preserve Marketplace is off State Road 54, in Odessa.

GreenWise Market just opened a location in Odessa. Shoppers can sip coffee or wine, as they peruse through the store’s broad array of specialty, natural and organic foods. (B.C. Manion)

“Our GreenWise Market is about exploration, community, enticing the palate, and a place for the foodie, as well the food connoisseur. We celebrate food, and have an extended offering of natural, organic and prepared foods,” said Maria Brous, director of communications for Publix, via email.

The store offers specialty, natural and organic foods. Its personal care offerings include  vitamins, nutritional supplements, natural soaps and shampoos, and more. Its meats have been raised with no antibiotics or added hormones, and it offers sustainably-sourced seafood.

Shoppers also can pick up made-to-order meals and grab-and-go foods, such as handcrafted gourmet sandwiches and freshly baked pizza.

They also can select from a curated collection of wines and imported cheeses.

Another feature: Shoppers can enjoy a cup of locally roasted coffee, wine and beer on tap, or other selections, which they can drink while shopping, or when relaxing at the bar.

The Odessa store expects to have about 130 employees, Brous said.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Brous said, “our stores continue to be busy.

Do you enjoy buying some foods in bulk? You may want to check out the selection available at GreenWise Market, in Odessa. (Courtesy of GreenWise Market)

“We ask our customers to shop as they normally would, but not to stockpile, so that their friends, family and neighbors have the same opportunity. The grocery industry is resilient, and we just needed to be patient and allow the industry an opportunity to recover.

“We are seeing better conditions in most categories; however, paper and cleaning products have been slower to rebound. For this very reason, customers may see limits in place. In addition, limits will vary by store depending on high demand for certain items,” she said.

GreenWise Market is owned and operated by Publix Super Markets Inc., a privately owned company. Publix is one of the 10 largest-volume supermarket chains in the country.

Aldi also opened a new store in Pasco market, at 2215 Sun Vista Drive in Lutz, near a broad array of shops, restaurants and stores at Cypress Creek Town Center.

Matt Thon, the Haines City Aldi division vice president, said the grocer considered a variety of factors when choosing a store location.

“We want the best sites that are closest to our shoppers and can support a high daily traffic volume,” Thon said, via email.

Aldi just opened a new location in Lutz, at the edge of the Cypress Creek Town Center. The store is part of the company’s expansion efforts. It aspires to be the third-largest grocer in the nation, by store count, by 2022.

“As the demand for Aldi grows, so do our real estate options. Bottom line, we want to be conveniently located for our shoppers,” Thon added.

He noted that Aldi’s “priority focus is saving people money on the food and products they want most.”

He said the store achieves that by “offering shoppers a curated selection of Aldi-exclusive brands.

“More than 90% of our store consists of Aldi-exclusive products,” he said.

He also noted that “when it comes to value, Aldi won’t be beat on price. For the past decade, Aldi has held the esteemed title of Value Leader among U.S. grocery stores by Market Force Information.”

Thon also said that each of Aldi’s stores, including the one in Lutz, employs 15 to 20 people.

If you enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, chances are you’ll find something to your liking in the Aldi produce section. (Courtesy of Aldi)

During COVID-19, Aldi has been focusing its efforts on ensuring essential food and household goods are available, Thon said.

The new location is part of Aldi’s national expansion, according to a company news release. The grocery chain has nearly 2,000 stores across 36 states and aspires to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer, by store count, by the end of 2022, the release says.

Aldi offers its own line of gluten-free products, antibiotic-free meats and organic products, including bananas, tomatoes, avocados, apples and salad mixes, and organic milk, almond butter and salsa, among other things, the company reports.

Aldi also has integrated several new safety features in all its stores across the country, to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees.

GreenWise Market
GreenWise Market features foods for the health-conscious, as well as gourmet foodies, including specialty, natural and organic foods. GreenWise Market is owned and operated by Publix Super Markets Inc.
Where: 2175 Sembler Drive, Odessa
When: Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily
Info: GreenWiseMarket.com

Aldi
Aldi offers its own line of gluten-free products, antibiotic-free meats and organic selections. It prides itself on its affordability, and is aiming to become the nation’s third-largest grocer, by store count, by 2022.
Where: 2215 Sun Vista Drive in Lutz
When: Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Info: Aldi.us

Published July 29, 2020

New principal embraces chance to lead Steinbrenner

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Tiffany Ewell, the new principal at Steinbrenner High School, said she always  knew she would face a learning curve when taking the leadership role at a school.

However, she said, “my learning curve might be a little steeper than I ever imagined.”

After all, in addition to assuming a  new role, Ewell faces a school year filled with uncertainties because of COVID-19.

“But, we’re all in the same boat,” Ewell said. “The challenges are there for everyone. We’re going to get through this and we’ll do it together.’’

Tiffany Ewell, the new principal at Steinbrenner High School, comes from Strawberry Crest High, where she was assistant principal in charge of the International Baccalaureate program. (Joey Johnston)

The educator, who was promoted in June from her position as assistant principal for the International Baccalaureate program at Strawberry Crest High in Dover, has spent her summer preparing for the new school year.

At a time when the incoming principal would normally be assessing her faculty lineup, meeting and greeting with parents, and getting to know the community, she’s forced to work at a social distance. She’s preparing Steinbrenner’s brick-and-mortar classrooms for the proper health precautions, while also devising strategies for eLearning students.

“Some of the best advice a first-time principal can receive is the need to be patient and flexible … and that’s certainly true right now,’’ Ewell said. “Even though we’re in a historic and stressful time, I know I’m surrounded by so much support. We all want the same thing and that’s to see our students be successful.

“Regardless of COVID-19, there are a lot of changes in the county with a new superintendent (Addison Davis). There’s a great feeling of camaraderie among all the principals. Staff and parents have been super supportive. Steinbrenner has been a great school for a long time. I’m relying on the support systems available to me and know things don’t have to be reinvented. I’m here to help and, at times, put my own direction on it. I’m very excited to be here.’’

Ewell replaces Kelly King, who was assigned to Hillsborough High after seven years as Steinbrenner’s principal.

Ironically, Ewell and King once worked side by side as social studies instructors when their teaching careers began at King High School. They went together from King to Freedom, following principal Richard Bartels, who told them both, “I’m going to make principals of you one day.’’

“Mr. Bartels was right … it actually happened,’’ King said. “Certainly, it defies the odds that two social studies teachers and next-door classroom neighbors just starting out would become principals.

“Even long ago, we talked about it all the time. We went through all the leadership development courses and programs. We had the same kind of goals. We were just two peas in a pod. I’m thrilled that Tiffany has gotten this opportunity, and I couldn’t think of a better person for the Steinbrenner position.’’

As they shifted into administration, King and Ewell worked a parallel path, sometimes applying for the same jobs, even driving together to attend back-to-back interviews.

“I can always pick up the phone and ask Kelly a question, so our friendship and her experience at Steinbrenner are a great asset,’’ said Ewell, who had worked at Strawberry Crest since the East Hillsborough County school opened in 2009.

King said the Steinbrenner community won’t notice much of a difference because “Tiffany and I are really similar in so many ways.’’

Indeed, they are close friends and confidants. They have even taken vacations together.

“Tiffany’s leadership style will be a great fit at Steinbrenner,’’ King said. “She was a very strong teacher and she has the IB experience, so she knows the importance of college readiness. I think she will continue the success of the academic and extracurricular programs.

“This is a unique time with unique challenges, but it’s still the best job in the world. As a principal, there are stressful times, but you remain focused on the big picture. You do what’s right for the students. You hear from all the people who have a stake in it, then make decisions, always keeping the students first and foremost. Through it all, you’ve got to have some fun, too. The job can wear you out, but it’s also so fun and so rewarding. Tiffany will have the perfect priorities for success,” King said.

In assuming the school’s top job, Ewell becomes just the third principal in Steinbrenner’s history, replacing King, who had replaced Brenda Grasso, the school’s first principal.

Ewell is a graduate of King High School. She originally attended the University of Florida (UF) with designs on becoming a broadcast journalist. In high school, she even conducted an interview with Fox-13 news anchor Kelly Ring, while dreaming of one day filling a similar role in her hometown.

Back then, some King teachers insisted that Ewell would ultimately migrate into education.

“I’m not going to be a teacher, I’m a journalist,’’ Ewell protested.

But, at UF, she visualized a gypsy lifestyle in broadcasting, hopping from town to town while climbing the career ladder, and that didn’t seem appealing.

She transferred to the University of South Florida, where she shifted to education.

Ewell hasn’t regretted the move.

She loves to travel. She’s a doting aunt to her nephews, Drew and Zach Ehrhard, both high-level baseball players. She’s passionate about all things Tampa Bay.

But, her biggest passion is education. And now, that passion is centered on Steinbrenner.

“Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns right now.

“But, we’re going to build relationships and make it work. Things have worked well at Steinbrenner for a long time. I’m here to lend support and keep things moving in a good direction,” Ewell said.

By Joey Johnston

Published July 29, 2020

Caring for dad comes naturally for Vizzari sons

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Vince Vizzari, a retired City of Tampa firefighter, was always there for his three sons. He coached them in baseball. He worked with them in Boy Scouts. He was available to help with a project or share some family time.

Life changed dramatically for Vizzari on Jan. 23, 2018, when he suffered a massive stroke that affected his speech and mobility.

And now, the three Vizzari sons — Tony, Mike and Tim — are always there for the dad.

After the initial care and rehabilitation, there was no question about the road ahead for Vizzari. A specialized facility or nursing home was available, but the sons wouldn’t hear of that. Their dad was coming home.

The Vizzari sons, from left: Tim, Michael and Tony, gather around their dad, Vince, who suffered a massive stroke in 2018. The brothers have juggled other obligations, to rally around their dad. (Courtesy of Lonna Vizzari)

To make that work, they have done anything needed to assist, lightening the load on Vizzari’s wife, Lonna, and drawing the family even closer.

Tony (a retired firefighter), Mike (an active fire captain) and Tim (who operates the family’s landscaping business) are juggling their work and family obligations to help care for their dad, 73. Everyone lives close in the Lutz area. They are in constant communication to schedule their time and make sure they can help with chores or simply spend time with their dad.

“They are devoted to their father and always have been,’’ Lonna said. “They do whatever is needed, without complaint, and I derive so much comfort from that.

“It warms my heart. It just brings tears to my eyes, to see that kind of love. Each one does something different with their dad. I always know I can call them and their families also to drop what they are doing if I need them.’’

Vizzari’s left side is much weaker now. If he’s pulled over to the side of the bed, he can sit up. He’s aware of his surroundings and can say some words, including his wife’s name, but has trouble writing.

He needs a wheelchair to get around, and one of the sons takes him outside nearly every day, where he enjoys watching the birdfeeder or maybe one of his grandchildren playing at the lake. While inside, he loves watching western movies or television shows.

In 1996, while working for the fire department, Vizzari suffered a heart attack. For a while, he was reassigned to office duty until he retired on disability. Still, he continued owning a pest control business and taking care of his own mother, 92-year-old Marie, who lived in his home.

The stroke changed everything — and nothing.

“We have always been close to him, and we still are,’’ Tony said. “We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do. Family comes first.’’

“Our dad has always been a jokester, a people person, the kind of guy who helped anyone he could,’’ Tim said. “Things could be a lot worse, but they could also be better. We all want to do whatever we can for him because he deserves that.’’

At the time of the stroke, Tim and his wife were finalizing plans to become foster parents to three children, joining their two biological kids. Life’s complications can appear overwhelming, but it all seems to work.

Vizzari’s positive attitude a major plus
“He’s a great patient,’’ Tony said. “He smiles and laughs every day. He says ‘thank you’ to each of us every day.

“I’d like him to be able to transfer into his wheelchair on his own. Obviously, any extra communication would be a goal. There’s room for improvement, and we will continue to work at it. But, he has the right attitude. He keeps trying, so we keep trying with him.’’

When one of his sons arrives, Vizzari usually smiles and gives a victory hand signal.

“He might not be able to say some words, but you can go by the expression in his eyes,’’ Tim said. “When the grandkids are there, his whole world lights up. He tries to say things, but sometimes it doesn’t come out like he wants.

“It can be a stressful situation, but we all love that we can be there for him and help out. It’s about helping out our mom, too. She’s more of a trooper than anyone. She doesn’t give up, no matter how difficult it might seem.’’

In the last few months, Vizzari’s wife has utilized some caregiver help, usually in the mornings. But, nothing replaces the presence of Vizzari’s sons.

“What they have done for their father, what they have done for me, is something that should be honored,’’ she said. “They are devoted to us. They have their own families and responsibilities, but they make time.

“We are blessed to have a close family. We always had dinners and big get-togethers. We have always supported each other. This is just another example, an extreme example. Vince has improved in a lot of ways, and I think what the boys have done is a big reason for that.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published July 15, 2020

Finding new ways to celebrate, amid COVID-19

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It may not have been the graduation ceremony he envisioned, but 17-year-old Carl Scavino seems to be enjoying himself, as he took advantage of the sunroof to wave to the crowd. His mother, Judy Scavino, appeared to be having a good time, too. (Randy Underhill)

COVID-19 may have delayed graduations for the Class 2020, but it couldn’t curb the enthusiasm of graduates, and their loved ones, to celebrate their achievements.

Drive-by celebrations were held at The Grove in Wesley Chapel for members of the Class of 2020 from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek high schools. Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore read the list of graduates’ names. Family and friends applauded and cheered, as vehicles drove by with the graduates.

There also was a celebration at Idlewild Baptist Church, in Lutz, for graduates from the church, as well as for graduates of various Pasco and Hillsborough County schools.

Kristen Engasser, 17, of Lutz, waits patiently for the 2020 Land O’ Lakes High School senior graduation parade to begin at The Grove shopping complex, Wesley Grove Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. The parade is a celebration of Land O’ Lakes seniors unable to have a formal graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 school closures.
Minister Kelly Knouse, of Idlewild Baptist Church, greets Travis Shelby, a member of the Sunlake High Class of 2020.
Katheryn Munger, a member of Wesley Chapel High’s Class of 2020, gets ready to take part in the June 1 drive-by celebration for graduating seniors held at The Grove in Wesley Chapel. She plans to attend the University of South Florida.
Graduate Ashley Bischof is in the driver’s seat, as she takes part in the celebratory parade. She plans to attend Pasco-Hernando State College.
This group helped graduating seniors from Cypress Creek Middle High, during festivities at The Grove. From left, Jennifer Yingling, Mark Gold, DJ Night Mixer Makayla Gulash, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, Troy Stevenson, Cypress Creek Middle/High School Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Jennifer Welling, and Tami Baker, along with the school’s Coyote mascot. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Feeding the hungry through ‘pop-up’ food drive

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When Idlewild Baptist Church decided to hold a food drive recently — it had no idea the response would be so great that it would essentially create a traffic jam because so many church members showed up to drop off contributions.

Typically, the church takes weeks to plan big events.

In this case, it sprang into action.

The church’s Gatheria — a space used for church suppers and other events — looked like a food warehouse after contributions came rolling in to help others needing food. (Courtesy of Yerusha Bunag/Idlewild Baptist Church)

As medical and economic impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) began ramping up, the church started fielding more requests for assistance, said Yerusha Bunag, director of local missions.

The church was hearing from schools it has been involved with in partnerships that began before the pandemic, she said. It also noted that the church food pantry, which has operated for years, was getting depleted.

Plus, Bunag said: “We had an increasing number of people needing help, from our own membership, but also an outpouring of people wanting to give help.”

So, as the week before the March 29 food drive wore on, the need to act became clearer.

“Just through prayer, through meeting with the leadership — virtually —  we said, ‘Let’s just trust God. He’ll work through our people to be generous at this time,” she said.

They decided they could use the church’s Gatheria area as a warehouse to hold the donations.

Bunag recruited youth volunteers to help collect the food.

She also put out the word about the food drive through an email on the afternoon of March 28, and a posting on Facebook.

Senior Pastor Ken Whitten made an appeal to help during the 9:15 a.m. livestream service on March 29, which was repeated at the 11 a.m. service.

The food drive was supposed to be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

By 1:30 p.m., when volunteers arrived, though, cars were already lining up to drop off their donations.

“We did not stop until 4:30 p.m.,” Bunag said.

Although the church did not count the cars that came, it was a steady stream, Bunag said.

Volunteers from Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz delivered boxes of food to three elementary schools, after the church held a somewhat spontaneous food drive.

At one point, about 2:30 p.m., one of the guys coordinating traffic flow radioed and told her: “‘I just got word that we’re backed up to (North) Dale Mabry (Highway). And, Van Dyke (Road) has started to get backed up.”

To help speed things up, some guys who had been directing traffic were reassigned to work an additional collection point.

“It was really hot,” Bunag said. But, no one was complaining.

The volunteers were so pumped up, they didn’t even want to take a break, she added.

“Everybody was on an adrenaline high,” Bunag said.

Pastors were out there sweating, too, she said.

It was work, but it was fun, too, she said. “Cars would go by and they would honk. ‘Hey, it’s great to see you.’”

All the while, the church practiced social distancing, with volunteers working in different parts of the campus, in groups of 10 or fewer — wearing masks and gloves, and keeping a safe distance apart.

And, nobody complained about having to wait.

After the volunteers left on Sunday, the church’s hallways and lobbies were filled with boxes and bags of foods.

Then, Bunag huddled with Nancy Reed, the church’s events coordinator; Tonya Sloan, its food service director; and Kirk Malone, its Benevolence assistant, to plan out the rest of the operation.

Bunag created an online signup sheet seeking volunteers. By midmorning, she’d met the need for 80 volunteers who would work in three shifts, at four locations.

“We were done sorting all of that on Monday.

“On Tuesday, we began making toiletry packets and food boxes,” she said, noting they filled hundreds of boxes and toiletry packets.

“So, on Wednesday, we began distribution. Again, volunteers from our church that had trucks or SUVs signed up to deliver to three different schools (Kenly, Just and Booker T. Washington elementary schools).”

The efforts, she said, are to share God’s love — and to let others see that love in action.

“It goes beyond, ‘Here’s a box of food,’” she said.

“We want to give people not just hope that we care for them and we love them, but we want to give them the same hope in God, that he’s in control of the situation, and he’s going to provide for our every need,” she said.

Published April 08, 2020

Lutz video game studio offers virtual concerts

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As coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is keeping most stuck inside home, a Lutz-based video game studio is discovering novel ways to keep users together and entertained.

For years, Artix Entertainment has been creating free online fantasy-based video games filled with monsters, magic and storytelling.

Adam Bohn is the founder/CEO of Artix Entertainment, an independent video game studio in Lutz. (Courtesy of Adam Bohn)

Among the most popular iterations is the AdventureQuest3D series, which takes role-playing users into an expansive fantasy world where combat skills are tested in an environment filled with the undead, beasts, dragons, dungeons and all sorts of other challenges. The game is cross-platform, meaning it can be played through computer, tablet or smartphone.

More recently, AdventureQuest’s creators have added a new wrinkle: in-game, virtual battle concerts from various well-known bands like Alice in Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Korn and others.

And, ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus has canceled many activities and concerts, game makers vowed to keep the music going.

So, the company decided to again team up with Breaking Benjamin, a multi-platinum rock band with nine No. 1 hit songs, to re-release an “encore” virtual battle concert, with some newly added features and objectives.

Here’s how the battle concert works: After completing a short tutorial, an unlimited number of users enter the concert and are tasked with fighting off a host of giant monsters all while the band’s music plays in the background. Users also have the option of taking a virtual selfie and interacting with Breaking Benjamin animated characters.

The virtual concert loops nonstop, and is designed for players of all skill levels. Bands send pre-recorded songs and custom voiceovers to Artix for the virtual concerts.

“I think it’s the best thing we’ve ever created,” Artix CEO/founder Adam Bohn said of the virtual concert series. “We’re trying to provide the most fun we can and help people during their stays at home.”

Artix also is expanding the virtual battle concert series to include local bands, so long as their music is safe for radio play. Interested groups can email .

“We have the ability to do these performance with any band in our game,” Bohn said. “Right now, I’m sure there’s musicians, with all the concerts canceled, there has to be some other way we can help, so it’d be great if anybody wanted to contact us.”

Humble beginnings, to millions of users
Artix today has over 30 employees, headquartered out of the NorthPointe Village business plaza off State Road 54.

Yet, the company started with humble beginnings back in 2002.

“It started out at the kitchen table of my first home here in Lutz,” Bohn, 44, said. “Our offices have been very, very slowly, methodically just moving down (State Road) 54.”

A computer video game enthusiast growing up in Pennsylvania, Bohn’s “lifelong dream” was to someday create games of his own.

It first came from the encouragement of his father, who all but told a youthful Bohn that if others could build video games, then his son could, too.

The planted seed led Bohn on “this kind of obsessive mission” that included years of trial and error “and unbelievable persistence.”

Lutz-based Artix Entertainment has teamed up with rock band Breaking Benjamin to host virtual concerts inside the AdventureQuest online video game series.

In the almost 18 years since Bohn launched the first version of AdventureQuest — then in 2D form — over 200 million accounts have been created worldwide across Artix’s platform of more than a dozen games.

It’s more than Bohn could’ve ever anticipated two decades ago. “I put the game out there hoping we’d get 100 players,” said Bohn.

In addition to AdventureQuest, other Artix titles include DragonFable, MechQuest, and BioBeasts. While the games are all free to play, users have the option to purchase cosmetics to improve the likeness of their characters.

Bohn acknowledged he entered the video game industry at the right time — when internet technology began booming in the early 2000s. “We were very early, so we were a part of this great video game evolution that’s been happening,” he said.

Like other area businesses dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Artix employees have begun working remotely from home, collaborating via Google Docs, Trello and a chat program called Discord.  “I think gamers maybe have an easier time with this (coronavirus) problem because we love staying at home,” Bohn quipped.

However, the work to fine-tune a host of online games is anything but easy.

Bohn explained gameplay updates and problem-solving requires long hours from his team of artists, programmers and developers, and database managers.

For him and his team, it’s “pretty much a 24/7 job.”

“Most of the team is quite a fan of coffee,” Bohn joked, adding video game creation is more difficult than some may think. “There is this belief that we have this magical “make game button” and we press it and then there’s more games…”

As if running an independent video game studio day and night wasn’t enough, Bohn has another side project — he’s building a new video game for the 1985 Nintendo.

Bohn said the game, coming in a physical Nintendo cart, should be finished in two months’ time. “The game’s really, really far along,” he said. “We’ve already kind of done all the fulfillments. I have the circuit boards, I have the shelves…”

To play AdventureQuest and other Artix Entertainment games, visit AQ3D.com and Artix.com.

Published April 08, 2020

Keystone Community Church delivers Easter joy

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Members of the Keystone Community Church delivered Easter baskets and food to 26 families on April 1.

Volunteer Charlie Bell is bagging up some frozen food items, to be distributed to families. (Courtesy of Lisa Kamps/Keystone Community Church)

The food boxes contained dairy, meat, bread from Publix, fruit, veggies and nonperishable items.

The Easter baskets were made by the church’s women’s group, along with Emma Wasson, a volunteer’s granddaughter.

The church, which is on State Road 54 just west of the U.S. 41 intersection, in Lutz, will continue to distribute to families and individuals in need, as often as possible, according to information provided by Lisa Kamps, of the KCC Second Serving outreach ministry.

The church reaches out to the local community providing food to those in need, according to its website. People the church serves range from single seniors to young families with children. Because the church is a Feeding Tampa Bay agency, it can purchase frozen foods and other items at a low cost. It also collects nonperishable food from our members and friends to round out what it distributes. Also, it also prepares food for the homeless.

Published April 08, 2020

Emma Wasson was one of the volunteers who helped to make Easter baskets.
Christy Smith, who is a teacher, is shown here bagging some cartons of orange juice.

Local businesses getting hit with COVID-19 impacts

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Drive around the region and the impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are obvious.

Grocery store parking lots are full — with people lining up before the stores open to get their hands on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other scarce items.

There’s less traffic on the road because many people are working remotely, and that number may climb if ‘stay at home’ mandates are announced.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered restaurant dining room areas to be closed because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Here is a sign letting customers know that the restaurant at Cypress Creek Town Center is open for drive-thru only. (Christine Holtzman)

While grocery stores are slammed, restaurant, gym and nightclub parking lots are empty.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has temporarily shut down bars, nightclubs and gyms, and has ordered dining rooms be closed at restaurants.

Businesses are feeling it.

Some have cut staff, including The Laker/Lutz News, which laid off three employees.

Some businesses have ceased operations, at least for now.

Tampa Premium Outlets had barricades blocking the entrances.

Its website notes that the closure is through March 29, but directs potential shoppers to “stores” and “dining” areas of the website to see if essential retailers, such as pharmacies and food delivery/take-out, are available.

Others are adapting practices to try to preserve business or to respond to changing customer behaviors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walkabout Eatery, a restaurant at 18430 Livingston Ave., in Lutz, is serving its customers with takeout, drive-thru and delivery through Uber Eats. The restaurant also has limited its hours to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and reduced its staff.

In keeping with the governor’s order, Chick-fil-A, at Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56, has closed its dining room and is offering drive-thru only.

Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets, which has several locations in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, is opening at 7 a.m., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to allow shoppers age 65 and older the chance to shop for an hour before other shoppers are allowed to enter.

Also, Publix stores are closing an hour earlier, to give staff additional time to do preventative sanitation and restock shelves. Pharmacy hours have been changed to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with regular hours on Sunday.

Tampa Premium Outlets, at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, has barricades to keep people out. The website said the outlet mall was temporarily closed because of concerns about COVID-19.

Business owners and employees, meanwhile, grapple with uncertainty.

Amanda Perkins , a hairdresser for 11 years, has had Haven Hair Studio for two years at Porte Noire — A Salon Collective, at The Shops at Wiregrass.

During an interview last week, she said she’d had a number of cancellations — related to COVID-19 because of where the clients recently traveled, or out of a client’s concern about a relative’s compromised immune system.

She was still operating her shop last week, but was getting nervous.

“For me, if it only stayed at six, seven, eight cancellations, that wouldn’t be the end of my world,” Perkins said.

But, she added: “Everybody has all of the same questions: ‘What if this? How do we deal with this?’ It is just nerve-racking.”

On March 22, she decided to temporarily suspend services, according to her Facebook page. She said she will be emailing her clients to inform them how she’ll be handling appointments, both future and missed.

Hope Kennedy, president/CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, said the uncertainty is a widespread concern.

“It’s very hard for the service industry, and we have a very large service industry in Wesley Chapel and in North Tampa Bay,” said Kennedy, who leads a chamber of about 700 members.

The chamber has reached out to its members and has conducted two surveys to get a pulse of what’s happening, Kennedy said.

Walgreens, at 22829 State Road 54, Land O’ Lakes, has new temporary store hours.
Its website says the company is updating its store hours an extra measure to help provide a clean and safe environment for its customers and employees.

“I can tell you the trend is definitely there’s going to be a very negative impact on our small businesses in our communities,” Kennedy said.

In fact, one business indicted it won’t be able to make it back, Kennedy said. “We’re three days in and we’re already hearing that.”

As the situation continues to evolve, stress levels are high, said Kennedy, who understands the sentiment.

“I told somebody the other day, I feel like I’m going through a hurricane, the BP Oil Spill and the Recession, all at the exact same time,” Kennedy said.

But, Kennedy pointed out that she has experienced all three of those, as a chamber executive, and her organization is working hard to find out what chamber members need and to help point them toward resources that can help.

“There’s so much out there and it changes so rapidly,” said Kennedy, who currently has her chamber office set up on her dining room table at home.

“We’re updating our website almost hourly for the various links,” she said.

Meanwhile, she’s encouraging everyone to: “Keep calm and shop local.”

The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is sharing a similar message.

It’s encouraging its members to “shop local, shop small, shop now.”

The Greater Pasco Chamber announced it would be reaching out to its members who operate restaurants to find out their new hours of operation and whether they operate takeout or delivery, and also to share menu links, when available.

Once that information is collected, the chamber plans to share it.

It, too, is sharing information about potential sources of help.

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., a nonprofit economic development agency, also wants to help businesses. It has compiled a list of potential sources of loans and other types of help that are posted on its website, PascoEDC.com.

While local organizations are trying to help businesses seek out sources of help, Gov. DeSantis is urging that economic assistance be provided quickly and simply — to those needing it, in light of COVID-19.

Need some help?
Information on these websites/links may be useful:
North Tampa Bay Chamber: NorthTampaBayChamber.com
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com
FloridaDisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments
SBDCtampabay.com/coronavirus

Published March 25, 2020