The Laker-Land O' Lakes/Lutz-April 6, 2016

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APRIL 6, 2016

Task forces consider road choices By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Two volunteer task forces recommend more in-depth review of a range of traffic solutions for State Road 54 and State Road 56 that include keeping redesigned roads at ground level, building flyovers or a no-build option. The West Task Force and the East Task Force concluded the first phase of a vision study for the State Road 54 and State Road 56 corridor with meetings on March 28 and March 31, respectively. It was the third meeting for each group, which began working on the issue in September 2015. Members of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization will review the recommendations from the task

FILE PHOTO

Vehicles stack up along State Road 56 as they approach and pass by the Interstate 75 interchange, near Tampa Premium Outlets. A vision study is looking at ways to ease congestion as more development pops up along the east/west corridor.

forces to determine where to focus their attention in coming months. Each group took 18 alternatives and whittled them to no more than six options, including the no-

build choice.There also were add-on alternatives to the list that were considered, See TASK FORCE, page 11A

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Extra Celestial was formed in August. From left, Annabella Vivero, Caitlin McHale, Casey Banales and Devyn Dacus.

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All-girl band gaining popularity By Kevin Weiss

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A group of 13- to 15-year-old Tampa girls are turning heads in the local music scene. Extra Celestial, an all-girl band made up of vocalist Casey Banales, 14; guitarist Devyn Dacus, 15; bassist Caitlin McHale, 15; and drummer Anabella Vivero, 13, will be performing several live shows in the next two months. They’ll be at Skipper’s Smokehouse on April 8, the Hard Rock Café on April 30 and The Orpheum on May 14. The band, formed in August by KEVIN WEISS/STAFF PHOTO Jim Chambers of Jim Chambers Music Box, is also working on Extra Celestial was formed in August at Jim Chambers Music Box. They’ll be performing at recording its first single,“Restart.” Chambers, a former 15-year Skipper’s Smokehouse on April 8 and the Hard Rock record executive who won three Café on April 30. They’ll also be recording their first Grammys with Maroon 5, the Dave single, “Restart,” on April 17. Matthews Band and Flyleaf, had been trying to put an all-female band togeth- include “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles, er for some time. “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar and “Exes and “I had worked with them in the past,” Ohs” by Elle King. said Chambers, who works closely with “We don’t really stick to one specific three other bands.“I finally was able to as- area of music. We kind of just do everysemble them. thing,” said McHale, a sophomore at “I think they’re the only all-female band Steinbrenner High School who’s played bass in Tampa. Each of them do have (good) qual- for two years. ities; they all play very well.” While it’s “much easier” for the band to The band, described as “alternative rock learn cover songs, the group also has its with pop leanings,” mainly plays cover songs eyes set on creating a few more singles, and from the 1980s to contemporary. possibly creating an EP, extended play. Some of their favorite tracks to perform Their single, which they’ll record in a

INSIDE, PAGE 1B

BAND BIOS • Casey Banales, vocalist: Banales is a freshman at Cambridge Christian School. She began singing at age 6, and also played violin when she was younger. Banales is a member of her school’s basketball, volleyball, track and cheer teams. • Devyn Dacus, guitarist: Dacus is a sophomore at Steinbrenner High School. She first started playing music, on the piano, as a 4-year-old. When she was 10, she started playing the guitar. • Caitlin McHale, bassist: McHale is a sophomore at Steinbrenner High. She has been playing bass for two years after first learning how to play the guitar. She also plays soccer at Steinbrenner. • Annabella Vivero, drummer: Vivero is an eighth-grader at Cambridge Christian. She’s been playing drums since age 5, when she took classes at the American Rock School in Tampa. She is a member of her school’s basketball and track teams.

studio on April 17, was written by Banales and riffed by Dacus.The process of crafting the single to make it “sound good” took about a month, band members said. “I think it will be easier now to put out more (songs) since we understand the process of songwriting more,” McHale said. The band, which typically rehearses twice a week, has developed a close camaraderie since forming several months ago. “I think it’s because we’re all from differSee BAND, page 11A

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding stores By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

B

Extra Celestial

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding fresh faces to its retail lineup. By the end of fall, the outdoor mall will host the grand openings of seven new stores. The first three shops, Lola Perfume, Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, and 3D Musketeers Printing, already are open. VisionWorks, VomFASS Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, and Irish 31 will arrive in the next months. “We’re continually working with our leasing department.We listen continually to our customers who tell us what they want,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at The

Shops at Wiregrass.“We try to have a little bit of everything.” The new shops are part of the routine of keeping a mall fresh and were planned ahead of the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, Lenners said. “We have to be very strategic with what we put in,” Lenners said. That’s true for every mall, including Tampa Premium Outlets, he noted. Four outparcels at Wiregrass are still up for grabs, so additional announcements could happen this year, Lenners said. Lola Perfume features brand-name fragrances for men and women, at a shop near Hollister’s. Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, next to See WIREGRASS, page 11A

FILE PHOTO

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding to its retail lineup, in an effort to keep up-to-date with customer desires. The regional shopping mall is adding stores including Irish 31, Lola Perfume and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop.


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