The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz

Under Construction 03/18/2020

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This rendering shows an example of what all 10 buildings will look like inside the Stonewood Professional Park in Lutz. (Courtesy of John Westfall of Waterford Construction and Development)

Addition to office plaza
The Lutz Stonewood Professional Park is currently adding two new buildings to its site. This comes as its first building was erected last year. The structures will both stand at over 3,600 square feet, serving as medical and office space along State Road 54. There are plans to incorporate 10 buildings, in all, within the plaza.

 

 

 

Office space springs up in Wesley Chapel
The Professional Office Building is under construction at 2663 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The structure will be set up to accommodate professional, medical and dental offices. It also will stand three stories high, each floor being 5,000 square feet. And, it will be situated across from the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex of Pasco County.

Car wash coming soon
Lutz will be the home to the new Woodies Wash Shack. Located at 24823 State Road 54, the carwash will be a part of the soon-to-come Shoppes at Cypress Creek. It will consist of a drive-thru washing tunnel and 19 parking spaces for self-service vacuum cleaning. The facility will total more than 5,000 square feet.

Taco shop added along 54
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is expanding its chain into Land O’ Lakes. The site is at 19651 State Road 54, in the same vicinity as a new 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station. The 8,000-square-foot restaurant will serve its trademark tacos, guacamole, chips and frozen margaritas. It will be the newest location of more than 100 branches nationwide.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

This entrepreneur is bullish on Pasco

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When Thomas Giella Jr., launched his business, he was a one-man operation — and he wasn’t sure how to get it where he wanted it to go.

So, he took advantage of various programs offered through the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., and began learning more about the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.

That helped get his business rolling, and now, six years later, he still uses what he has learned through those programs.

When Thomas Giella Jr., launched his business, he was a one-man operation. Now, his business has three divisions — with five employees — and plans to add two more within the foreseeable future. He is optimistic about Pasco County’s potential. (B.C. Manion)

Now, he has five employees, and he expects to add at least two more in the foreseeable future. He also expects to be required to move from his current location, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard in Lutz, as the business outgrows its space.

Giella thinks the future is bright for entrepreneurs who want to launch businesses in Pasco County.

“Pasco is hot,” the Dade City native said. “Pasco is growing.”

Entrepreneurs and manufacturers should realize the county has much to offer, Giella said.

If they can’t find what they’re looking for in Pasco, he said, “they should start it themselves.”

He added: “Who knows what’s going to happen in the next decade?”

His interest in technology dates back to his teenage years, when he built his own computer.

When he started his business, called Gear Spinners, he offered website design aimed at the small to mid-sized business market.

Over time, his business pursuits have evolved and grown.

Now, he is chief executive officer of Complete I.T. Corp, which  owns and operates three different brand divisions, including Complete I.T. Computer Repair and Network Solutions, Tampa Bay Installs and Diverge Laser Systems.

Complete I.T. provides computer repair and computer/network solutions. It also designs, repairs and replaces business network of all sizes.

“We started off as a website company. We have added so many services. We started doing IT — helping companies set up networks,” Giella said.

Giella estimates he has roughly 800 clients on the IT side – residential, commercial and enterprise.

“Our primary market for the computers and networks is Tampa Bay and Florida,” Giella said.

But, it has expanded its reach, he said. “Sometimes, we’ll do work for a local franchise that’s starting up or something, or a business — and word will get to one of their other offices, what we did, so they’ll say, ‘Can you put in a bid for us over here?’”

Tampa Bay Installs provides a variety of services. It installs and services access control gates and security cameras for homeowner associations and community development districts, Giella said.

For instance, at a clubhouse, company services include installing speakers and Wi-Fi, inside and out, cameras by the pool, in the clubhouse and in the parking lot, televisions and access control systems.

His primary market for gate access systems stretches from Brooksville to Riverview and from Kissimmee to the Gulf of Mexico, Giella said.

Most recently, his company branched into lasers.

Giella co-owns Diverge Laser Systems with Charles Bourne.

The company provides support and sales for Universal Laser Systems.

It sells and services equipment for a vast array of clients in the fields of manufacturing, education, education, military and government.

He believes lasers will help the county attract more manufacturers.

“Pasco’s mission right now is to bring manufacturing jobs back to Pasco County. We can now provide equipment to companies, who will then be able to create the manufacturing jobs using the equipment,” he said.

To find out more about Giella’s companies and services, call (813) 235-0554, ext. 103.

Want to know more about running a business?
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers numerous free workshops and seminars at various locations around Pasco County. The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., also offers free and low-cost programs. To find out more, visit these websites: PascoHernandoScore.org or PascoEDC.com.

Published March 18, 2020

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North expands

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has completed a $75 million expansion, and began welcoming patients to its more spacious facility this week.

The project doubled the hospital’s capacity — increasing it from 108 beds to 216 beds. The hospital also has upped its intensive care unit beds from 12 to 24. And, has more room to deliver services, accommodate visitors and enhance employee work areas.

Sara Dodds, the director of operations for St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, has worked at the Lutz hospital since its inception. She has been the point person on the $75 million expansion, which doubled the hospital’s capacity. The expansion is opening this week. (B.C. Manion)

Sara Dodds, the hospital’s director of operations, provided a walk-through tour of the addition to The Laker/Lutz News last week, before it opened for patients.

The expansion will allow the hospital to respond to the area’s fast-paced growth, Dodds said.

“There’s definitely a need. There’s so many new homes going up around us.

“We’ve been overcapacity for quite some time,” she said.

The hospital’s primary market is within 5 miles, and its secondary market is within 10 miles.

“The growth going on in our primary and secondary service areas is much faster than the rest of Florida and the rest of the country,” Dodds said.

In designing its expansion, the hospital sought feedback from its existing staff and incorporated their ideas into the design, she said.

For instance, Dodds said, “We got feedback from the staff that our waiting rooms weren’t very open, and inviting for guests.”

The new waiting rooms feature comfortable furniture, artwork and a flat-screen TV.

Patient rooms also provide accommodations for patients when they’re out of their beds, and offer a place where family member can rest through the night.

Also, at intervals in the hospital’s corridors, there are respite areas.

Dodds explained: “A lot of time we might ask a visitor to step out, while we’re doing something for the patient. Instead of them having to stand out in the hallway, or go walk to another location, we added benches.”

The recently wrapped-up project also includes technology to help patients.

There’s a “Get Well Network,” which allows patients to watch health videos, learn about their medications and so on. “That is all integrated with their medical record,” Dodds said.

The hospital also uses technology that automatically displays the name and title of hospital staff entering a patient’s room on the television screen.

That system is integrated with the hospital’s call light system, so “as long as a nurse or a tech or another member of that clinical care team is in the room, there’s a specific color light that’s illuminated outside the room,” Dodds said.

The hospital also uses a technology that allows care team members to secure-message physicians and anyone they might need to take care of a patient.

Some of the approximately 100 St. Joseph’s Hospital-North team members who have been with the hospital since it opened on Feb. 15, 2010. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

“It’s definitely enhanced communications, on behalf of the patient,” she said.

The expansion also includes a dedicated hemodialysis suite, which can accommodate up to four patients at a time.

It has a larger space for physical therapy, too, to help patients prepare to return home after treatment.

The hospital’s clinical engineering department now has a larger workspace, where staff can ensure the hospital’s equipment is up-to-date and can do required preventative maintenance work.

The design keeps function, in mind.

In the progressive care area, for instance, a nurse can sit at a station, with windows on both sides. The nurse can slide open the blinds, to observe two patient rooms, without having to enter the rooms.

The hospital also is using technology to help manage its inventory.

“Historically, someone from materials management would have to come in each day, or more than once a day, and have to count everything that was in the bin (material container), so they knew what to reorder.

“Now, with this new technology, there’s a scale built into every one of those bins, they can see it on a computer system, so they know, remotely, what needs to be reordered,” Dodds said.

The technology improves efficiency.

“We did hire a lot of new staff for the expansion, but this is one area where we did not have to because of the innovation,” Dodds said.

The hospital also has more classrooms now, which are used to keep staff up to date on the latest information, to provide training on new equipment and to accommodate orientations. They’re also available for classes to help staff members meet continuing education requirements.

With a larger facility, more employees will be needed.

Dodds expects the hospital to need 200 additional employees, when the expansion is operating at full capacity.

She’s been working there since its inception and is excited about the facility’s future.

Apparently, she’s not the only one who enjoys working there.

“We just celebrated our 10-year anniversary,” she said. “We have close to 100 team members that were here when the hospital opened that are still here now.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North
The $75 million expansion:

  • Doubled number of hospital beds, from 108 to 216
  • Doubled intensive care unit beds, from 12 to 24
  • Added two new floors
  • Added a new infusion center, allowing treatment for up to 15 patients at one time
  • Doubled number of operating suites, from four to eight

Hospital statistics, 2019

  • 404 births
  • 4,467 outpatient surgeries
  • 42,869 emergency room visits
  • 463,414 lab tests

Hospital statistics, 2010-2019

  • 6, 944 cardiac procedures
  • 380,061 emergency room visits
  • 61,137 admissions
  • 31,300 surgeries
  • 3,923 babies delivered

Service providers

  • 188 physicians with hospital privileges in 2010; more than 350 in 2020
  • 476 team members in 2010; 820 in 2020

Published March 11, 2020

Simulation teaches a real-life history lesson

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Second-graders at McKitrick Elementary School had a chance to gain a greater understanding of what life was like for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island during the early 1900s.

The school, at 5503 Lutz Lake Fern Road, created an event that allowed children the chance to walk through the paces that immigrants faced when they arrived in America.

Volunteer Deanna Okun, left, administers a medical exam inside the Medical Detainment room, to student Jyles Morales. Students were asked such questions as, ‘Have you been sick lately? And, ‘Do you have any allergies?’ The exam and questions asked were the same ones used at Ellis Island in the early 1900s. (Christine Holtzman)

The Feb. 27 simulation involved 180 second-graders and 68 volunteers, many dressed in period clothing.

Bilingual volunteers spoke to the students in Turkish, Russian, Greek and Arabic, to show students how it would feel to arrive in a new country without knowing its language.

Students prepared for the experience by taking virtual trips to Ellis Island, where they listened to audio recordings of interviews from people who actually came through Ellis Island.

They also had a chance to video chat with a museum curator, via Skype.

To prepare for their trip, students were asked to construct a cardboard suitcase and use it to hold five prized possessions, such as family photos, a favorite book or other treasured items.

Each student remained in character as they completed the activity, which took two hours to three hours to complete. They carried out the steps that were taken by actual immigrants: They waited in long lines for customs, upon departure and arrival. They were crammed into a boat. They were sprayed with ocean mist and doused with water, to simulate delousing measures taken when immigrants arrived.

They provided fingerprints at the registry, were subjected to searches at baggage claim, and forced to undergo medical and psychological exams.

After arriving by boat, students are seen standing in the long line at the customs area of McKitrick Elementary School’s Ellis Island. The students had the chance to find out what it may have felt like for immigrants who experienced long waits just to gain entry into Ellis Island. From left: Wyatt Montgomery, Zion Karp, Eric Vargas and Ben Friedman.

They also participated in interviews and had to pass a citizenship test.

And, they faced real dilemmas, such as being separated from family members or having to pawn their possessions for money.

After each group finished, they were sworn in as American citizens — by a judge, portrayed by McKitrick Principal Allison Cline.

The event, now in its third year, is the brainchild of former second grade teacher Liisa DiTarando, who is now the school’s Social & Emotional Learning Resource teacher.

It takes about three months to organize the annual production.

In addition to great content, the activity teaches kids critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which allows them to rise to the occasion, DiTarando said.

Every year, she said, she receives emails from parents that tell her how their child could relate a connection in their own lives to the content that was taught in this program. Parents also share that it has given their child the ability to empathize with what their relatives may have gone through.

Published March 4, 2020

Volunteer Carine Pyree, left, administers a simulated medical exam to student Olivia Ebel. Using actual examples from Ellis Island, Pyree asked Ebel to walk in a circle with her eyes closed.
After waiting in a long line, second-grade students Gabriel Gonzalez, left, and Rosie Vona, arrive to the customs area, at McKitrick Elementary School’s simulated Ellis Island. The pair, along with all the other arrivals, had to present proper documents before being permitted inside the registry office.
Second-grade student Giulia Longo, left, comes to collect the baby (a doll) that is under her care, that was found unattended inside the Citizenship and Testing room, by Gary Camacho, the McKitrick Elementary School’s security officer. Longo played a young girl whose uncle forced her to come to America, so she could care for his child, because his wife died. The woman behind this event, Liisa DiTarando, is on the right.

Edward Scissorhands’ screening coming soon

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If you’re a local and a fan of the movie, “Edward Scissorhands,” you may already know that much of the movie was filmed in the Carpenters Run neighborhood of Lutz.

Of course, Carpenters Run no longer boasts the bright pastel-colored homes or topiaries featured in the film, but Kenny Caperton, of On Set Cinema, plans to bring elements of the movie to life in a special event planned for the evening of April 25.

Caperton, who created On Set Cinema, describes himself as a “cinema dork.”

Kenny Caperton stands in front of his home in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The house is a life-size replica of the house used in the movie, ‘Halloween.’ He’s the guy in the T-shirt and the other guy is a friend of his who dressed up as Michael Myers, the star of ‘Halloween.’ (Courtesy of Kenny Caperton)

He’s been visiting filming locations for about 20 years, and a couple of years ago, he said: “I got this fun, crazy idea: Wouldn’t it be cool to show movies where they were actually filmed?“

He knows that’s not an original idea, but he said, “as far as I know, there’s never been a film series that exclusively does this.”

So, over the past two years, he’s arranged a couple of dozen screening events at filming locations for movies.

“I’ve had the opportunity to do some absolutely incredible screenings,” Caperton said, noting he’s had events for “The Shining,” “Halloween,” “Beetlejuice” and others.

To hold a screening, Caperton must secure rights to screen the film, make arrangements with the property owners and organize the event.

Most of the movies he’s screened are from the horror genre, and they attract fans from all over, he said.

“I’m used to getting a lot of out-of-towners and not so many locals.

“I do about one a month, and I do them in different states.”

“I did “Twilight” in Oregon, and I had people that came from five different countries,” he said.

“The Shining — that one made national news,” he added.

Some screenings take on a life of their own, he said.

For instance, at the screening of the remake of “The Blob,” in Abbeville, Louisiana, people approached him and said, “Oh, I have pieces of the Blob.”

“When that movie came in there and they filmed, it was very big deal for that town, and it did a lot for that town,” Caperton explained.

“People brought out pieces of the actual Blob. They gave me pieces,” he said.

The movie, “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” had some incredible scenes shot at a department store, he said.

A guy at the department store went up in the attic and unearthed some big signs that had been used in the movie.

The signs hadn’t seen the light of day for 20 years but the guy put them back on the building, so the fans could enjoy them, Caperton said.

“Really cool stuff like that, happens,” said Caperton, who’s such a die-hard horror film lover that he lives in a house he had built that’s a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ house from “Halloween.”

Caperton, who lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is excited about the upcoming screening of “Edward Scissorhands.”

He loves the Tim Burton film that stars Johnny Depp, Dianne Wiest and Winona Ryder.

Caperton has long wanted to visit the house where scenes were filmed in Lutz, but just never made it into the area.

Now, that he’s secured permission to have a screening at the house, he plans to make the most of it.

This will be the first time that fans are officially sanctioned to visit the house, take an interior tour of the home and hang out in the backyard for a barbecue.

Other highlights will include a limited number of haircuts being done by a stylist in the backyard, and a walking tour of the neighborhood, where Caperton will describe scenes shot in those locations for the movie.

Caperton surmises the neighborhood must have been fairly new when the movie was filmed because that would explain how Burton “was able to get ahold of all of these houses and paint them.”

Tickets for the “Edward Scissorhands” event are $60, which includes neighborhood and home tours, as well as the screening.  There will be an additional charge for food and beverages from the barbecue.

Only 50 tickets will be sold, because of the size of the backyard.

He’s not expecting to rake in substantial revenue from the event.

“At the end of the day, I’ll probably just break even,” Caperton said.

That doesn’t bother him.

“It’s going to be really fun,” he said. “I love movies. I kind of create events that I would want to go to.”

“Edward Scissorhands” screening event at filming location in Lutz
When: April 25
What: Event includes neighborhood walking tour, interior tour of home, backyard barbecue, haircuts in the backyard and outdoor movie screening.
Cost: Tickets are $60 (only 50 will be sold); additional charges for food and drink from barbecue and haircuts.
To order tickets and for more specifics, visit https://www.myershousenc.com/.

Published February 19, 2020

Under Construction 02/19/2020

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Wesley Chapel will soon offer more furniture options for comfort and style with the coming La-Z-Boy Furniture gallery. (Brian Fernandes)

Furniture store in Wesley Chapel
A La-Z-Boy Furniture gallery will be another outlet for those looking for the right home décor. The building is at 25960 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz, and is 13,650 square feet. As part of the Cypress Creek Town Center, the structure is near the intersection of State Road 56 and Interstate 75. No completion or open date has been announced yet.

 

 

 

Electric station emerging
Land O’ Lakes will soon have a new electrical substation at the intersection of Morgan Road and U.S. 41. The substation will help distribute electricity as a result of a growing regional population. The new Morgan Road Substation will connect with the current substation on State Road 54 by way of a transmission line. The new substation also will have a transmission line that will run approximately 2.5 miles south to the intersection of North Dale Mabry Highway and County Line Road in Lutz. The substation is scheduled to be operational in November 2021.

Cigar shop to come
Cigar enthusiasts will enjoy the soon-to-come Cigars International shop. This store will offer cigars of all shapes, sizes and name brands. Located at 2691 Creek Grass Way in Lutz, the establishment will stand at 12,922 square feet. The building will be a part of the Cypress Creek Town Center, within walking distance of the coming Main Event and Rock N’ Brews establishments. It will be the third branch in the U.S., and the first of its kind in Florida. The completion and opening dates have not been announced.

Lutz to get office site
The Northwood Office and Warehouse building will soon be erected at 1040 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz. As its name implies, the inside will be comprised of both office and warehouse space, ranging over 10,000 square feet. The construction site is on the east side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, next to E&W Carpets Inc. Construction completion or opening date have not yet been announced.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

Published February 19, 2020

Under Construction 02/05/2020

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Bonefish Grill emerging in Lutz
A Bonefish Grill restaurant is one of three Bloomin’ Brands restaurants being built in Lutz. At 2526 Sierra Center Blvd., the eatery will be in the same vicinity of an Aussie Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, at Cypress Creek Town Center. At roughly 6,000 square feet, the building’s inside will be feature custom booths, and both a lounge and bar situated at the restaurant’s center. Construction is anticipated to finish in May.

Contracting company opening in Dade City
A Phillips and Jordan regional office is currently being built in Dade City. Located at 30115 State Road 52, the 15,600-square-foot structure will be three stories. The contracting company focuses on heavy civil construction, right of way construction and disaster relief. Construction completion has not been scheduled yet.

New car dealership on State Road 56
The Volkswagen Dealership of Wesley Chapel will join the chain of dealerships running along State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel. The 25,000-square-foot structure will be at 26500 Silver Maple Parkway. Aside from multiple offices, it will feature a service bay, showroom and outdoor carwash. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November.

New office plaza coming to Lutz
The Willowbend Offices plaza is currently being developed in Lutz. The structure is  located off of State Road 54 on Collier Parkway, heading southbound. The site is on the east end of Collier Parkway, adjacent to The Reading Corner school. The 12,190-square-foot development will consist of two separate buildings for office and medical space. A construction completion date has not been determined yet.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

Under Construction 01/22/2020

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(Brian Fernandes)

First stand-alone Aussie Grill coming to Lutz
Bloomin’ Brands is building an Aussie Grill restaurant at the Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56, in Lutz. The restaurant chain also is planning a Carabba’s Italian Grill and a Bonefish Grill at the town center. The 2,925-square-foot Aussie Grill also is expected to have a 305-square-foot patio. Aussie Grill will open in 2020.

 

 

Chase Bank to operate on State Road 54
A new Chase Bank is being built, on State Road 54 in Lutz, to replace an older one on the same corridor. The 3,000-square-foot structure, under construction at 23434 State Road 54, will have ATM machines, teller stands and offices. It will have a café area, too. It is expected to open in June.

 

 

Rock & Brews coming to Wesley Chapel
A new Rock & Brews is beginning to take shape at 2600 Creek Grass Way, near Interstate 75. The 10,000-square-foot family restaurant is under construction near The Main Event, an entertainment center that will be opening soon.

 

 

 

Another place to store your stuff
A new 100,000-square-foot self-storage facility is on its way to Wesley Chapel, for the convenience of those needing more space for their stuff. The new three-story building, under construction at 33624 State Road 54, is expected to be finished in the fall.

 

 

 

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

Published January 22, 2020

Professional Tile Cleaning Removes 96.5% of Allergens

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Stanley Steemer is best known for cleaning carpets, but a growing segment of its business is cleaning tile and grout.

“Many new homes have tile everywhere except the bedrooms, and tile is a popular upgrade for families remodeling their homes,” said CJ White, co-owner of the Stanley Steemer Carpet franchise on State Road 54 in Lutz. “People love the easy care and beauty of tile, but they forget that it needs regular cleaning, just like carpet.”

Stanley Steemer technicians use a high-pressure water and vacuum system to clean tile and grout.

If you don’t have your tile professionally cleaned once a year, grout can become saturated with dirt and grime, just like carpet does.

“Regular mopping of tile floors never reaches the hidden dirt that lies deep within the pores of your grout lines,” said White. “Our professional tile and grout cleaning service uses hot water extraction to clean out this grime, which removes 96.5% of allergens found in grout.”

White explains that grout is Portland cement — the same material used for driveways. And because cement is porous, it will stain just like your driveway does.

“Cement is very vulnerable to oil stains. And, since grout is made from cement, it picks up oil from your skin and cooking materials, just like your driveway does when it absorbs oil that leaks from your car,” White explains. “When you allow this stain to set into your grout, it becomes a permanent stain. We can clean the grout, but cleaning will not get out the stain — just like no amount of cleaning will get oil stains out of your driveway.”

The good news is that professional grout cleaning will remove dirt and grime from the grout, and will also restore a floor’s luster.

Stanley Steemer cleans tile and grout using a high-pressure water and vacuum system, along with a cleaning solution that doesn’t leave a residue.

“We use a water pressure of 1,200 psi, which is powerful enough to remove grime without damaging the grout. By comparison, water pressure to clean a driveway is usually 3,000 to 4,000 psi,” said White.

Stanley keeps the water temperature at 180 degrees — again, warm enough to help remove the dirt, but not too hot to damage the grout.

After pressure cleaning, Steemer’s trained technicians use an alkaline wash to remove oily substances from the tile and grout, followed up by an acid cleaner that etches clean the top level of the grout.

The final step is putting down clear grout sealant, which creates a protective barrier that protects grout lines from small spills and spots, and makes it easier to clean up spills before they soak in.

“We recommend cleaning and sealing your tile and grout once a year, which can be done the same time as your carpets,” said White. “Our technicians are fully trained on both carpet and tile cleaning, and have all the necessary equipment on their trucks to get the jobs done the same day.”

White and his father, Chet, have owned the Stanley Steemer franchise in Pasco County for five years. Last year, they opened their new Lutz headquarters, which employs 13 technicians and three customer service reps.

Stanley Steemer never uses subcontractors. All of its technicians are employees who meet the company’s high standards – including background checks, drug tests and extensive training before going out in the field. Employees wear professional uniforms and take great pride in their appearance.

“We are very cognizant that we are welcomed into someone’s home, and we make sure our employees meet the high standards we set for them,” said White.

Stanley Steemer technicians always work in teams of two.

“Most homeowners feel safer with two techs in their home, plus two techs move furniture better and get the job done twice as fast,” said White. “We also stand behind our work with a 10-Day Redo Policy, which fortunately we are seldom asked about, because we strive to get the job done right the first time.”

Start out the new year by getting your flooring professionally cleaned — especially your tile and grout.  Call now to schedule ahead, or request a same-day service. Call the Lutz Stanley Steemer at (813) 996-2436, or schedule online at StanleySteemer.com.

Tile & Grout Cleaning Tips
Always vacuum and/or sweep before mopping
Always rinse after you mop
Never use bleach — it can break down grout and sealant

Published December 25, 2019

Bay Area singer shows opera in a different light

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As a singer, Tatiana Kallmann embraces a not-so-mainstream music genre – pop- opera.

Known also as crossover music, this style fuses modern-day pop songs with classical opera pieces dating back hundreds of years.

The soprano will share this type of music at the Unity North Tampa, on Dec. 23, a church which she has attended, and where she has performed previously.

Tatiana Kallmann enjoys fusing pop music with opera. The soprano singer has graced many stages with her unique sound. (Courtesy of Tatiana Kallmann)

Kallmann, a Colombia native, grew up in a musical household in Tampa.

“My parents do listen to a lot of music. My father is definitely a huge lover of music – different genres, so I listened from classical to rock. Different genres that exposed me to a wider range of musical styles, which maybe other children may not have been exposed to,” she said.

The environment helped her love of music to flourish.

At an early age, Kallmann became intrigued with opera after hearing her best friend sing “Ave Maria,” by the composer Schubert.

“It was very pristine,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Wow, what is that?’

“I had never heard operatic singing or classical singing before.”

Along the way, the singer said she’s been influenced by Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli and Adele.

However, hearing pop-opera songs by Sarah Brightman made her want to perform them.

Her voice instructor encouraged her to pursue singing at Blake High School, a magnet school for the performing arts in Tampa.

Next, she received her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, majoring in music.

She briefly returned to Colombia to record her crossover songs, but it was a decade-long stay in Europe that helped her develop her vocal style.

While there, she received training in Italy, Austria and Switzerland, but the bulk of her additional studies was in Germany.

She was selected in the fall of 2010, from among hundreds of applicants, to become part of the “Opernschule,” in Mannheim University of the Performing Arts in Mannheim, Germany. There, she completed her graduate studies and received a master’s degree in vocal performance.

In Europe, she invoked an emotional response from audiences, whether in a theater or a restaurant, she said.

“I love to feel that I’m having a positive impact on people’s lives,” Kallmann   added. “I really believe that singing is for our well-being – very therapeutic.”

She also became an instructor there and led her own vocal studio.

She worked with inexperienced singers, teaching them not only to sing, but to have confidence while they performed.

Kallmann describes herself as an avant-garde and entrepreneurial opera singer, who has developed an interactive pop-opera performance act.

She typically relies solely on the power of her voice during performances, without the aid of microphones, instruments or sound boards.

That contrasts, she said, to the typical approach.

“Nowadays most productions that are done, they’re done with a lot of tuning. Any piece you hear on the radio is full of auto-tune,” she said.

She’s not opposed to using technology, but she believes it is important for performances to feature the live, natural voice of the singer.

In addition to performing, Kallmann handles her own promotions.

She uses platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram and her website to expose others to her work.

Going forward into 2020, she plans on performing at large venues and also to seek notoriety by performing on television shows.

She also wants to release records that crossover electronic dance music with opera.

As this year winds to a close, she will be performing a pop-opera Christmas concert at Unity North Tampa Church, 19520 Holly Lane in Lutz.

The concert, scheduled for Dec. 23 at 7 p.m., will feature notable Christmas carols. Admission is $25 at the door.

For more information, call (813) 948-4884. To purchase tickets, visit TatianaKallmann.com.

Pop-opera Christmas concert
When: Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where: Unity North Tampa church, 19520 Holly Lane, Lutz
Cost: $25 per ticket at door; Online tickets: $20 a ticket in advance; a $40-VIP ticket for preferred seating and to receive two signed CDs. Free admission for those under age 18.
Details: Pop-opera singer, Tatiana Kallmann, a soprano, will perform numerous Christmas carols.
Info: Call (813) 948-4884. To purchase tickets, visit TatianaKallmann.com.

Published December 18, 2019