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The LAKER EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
APRIL 19, 2017
Festivities set to honor Earth Day By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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Finding ways to celebrate Mother Earth and to recycle, upcycle and preserve its precious resources are the themes of Earth Day celebrations planned around the region. One of the largest area events planned for Earth Day, known as Earth Day Tampa Bay, got its start as EcoFest at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz.
Now, in its eighth year, the event has become Tampa’s signature Earth Day event, and it has grown into a collaboration between Learning Gate, the University of South Florida Office of Student Affairs and the City of Tampa. The event is set to take place at the Lowry Park Zoo Bandshell area, at 7525 N. Boulevard, in Tampa, on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Thousands of people typically attend the event to learn the latest in earth-friendly practices and products, and to check out the fun activities offered for kids. The event celebrates the principles of sustainability: Ecology, Equity and Economy. This year’s sponsors are Tampa Bay Water and Tampa Electric Co. Planned highlights include a parkour See EARTH, page 11A
Using the power of music to help others By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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Emma Skantze was a 9-year-old student at Turner Elementary School when she decided she wanted to get involved to help others. After brainstorming with her mom, she came up with the idea of organizing a concert. The first event featured her and some of her friends. But now, as she prepares for the seventh annual Helping Hands benefit, she’s working out all of the details for having two concerts, at two venues. One concert features about 30 performers, ranging in age from 5 to 18. The other showcases professional musicians from across the Tampa Bay area. Besides lining up the musicians and the venues, she’s also organizing a bake sale and working on lining up food trucks, too. It’s a lot of work, but the 17-year-old said the satisfaction she derives after it is all over makes it all worthwhile. Last year, there was one event, which raised $7,200. This year, with two concerts, the fundraising goal is $15,000, said Skantze, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School. The student concert is scheduled for April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 15102 Amberly Drive in Tampa. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Those attending will be able to purchase baked goods.A couple of food trucks also are expected. Concert-goers also are encouraged to donate baby food and diapers, because the items are in great need by Metropolitan Ministries, she said. The student concert also will include a performance by Eden Shirmohammad, of Land O’ Lakes. “I want to show the younger students, especially, what they can do if they keep with their music,” Skantze said. The professional concert is scheduled for May 27 at 6 p.m. at Barness Hall, at the University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave.,Tampa. There will be a bake sale there, too, and
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she’s trying to line up food trucks, but is still working out what needs to be done to make that happen at USF, she said. Tickets for the professional concert are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Skantze said there’s a feeling of satisfaction that comes from staging the concerts. “Metropolitan Ministries has really expanded in the past couple years,” she said, and added,“I love being able to be a part of it.” The organization has a day care, an elementary school and a considerable amount of job training. In the beginning, organizing the event was difficult because she hadn’t done it before. Over time, she’s become more comfortable in seeking sponsors and handling the logistics. “I’m always talking to people who are older than me. But, with a lot of practice, I think my confidence has gone up, and it has gotten easier to talk to other people,” she said. “I think it’s very cool when I can find adults who take me seriously,” she added. She also noted that she doesn’t have to do everything by herself. “I have a great support team,” Skantze
Seventh annual Helping Hands concerts to benefit Metropolitan Ministries STUDENT CONCERT 2017 WHAT: Concert will feature about 30 performers, ranging from age 5 through 18 WHERE: Grace Episcopal Church, 15102 Amberly Drive, Tampa WHEN: April 23, 5:30 p.m. COST: $10 in advance; $15 at the door (Also will be collecting baby food and diapers for Metropolitan Ministries)
AN EVENING OF MUSIC WHAT: Concert will feature professional musicians performing on piano, classical guitar and violin. WHERE: Barness Hall at the University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa WHEN: May 27, 6 p.m. COST: $20 in advance; $25 at the door (Also will be collecting baby food and diapers for Metropolitan Ministries)
INFO: Go to HelpingHandsTampa.com, or contact Emma Skantze at (813) 892-4868 or emmaskantze@yahoo.com.
See MUSIC, page 11A
Delivering business concepts Sports complex wins crucial in ‘bite-sized’ pieces By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
HelpingInjuredPeople.com
B.C. MANION
Emma Skantze has devoted many hours of her life to the quest of helping others through an annual benefit she organizes. Sometime there is one concert; sometimes, two. But, the goal is always the same: To raise money for people in need.
A nationwide program for budding entrepreneurs is coming to Zephyrhills. Co.Starters is a program aimed at teaching entrepreneurs how to start their companies and grow their business. The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will begin offering the program next month. Adopted by more than a dozen entrepreneurial organizations in cities around the country, the 10-week program applies lean business modeling methods popular among highgrowth startups and businesses of all kinds. SMARTstart Business incubator director Krista Covey, who oversees the Co.Starters program in Pasco County, was the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast on April 6. In Co.Starters, weekly sessions are led by a trained coach in a small, supportive group setting. And, enterprise-level concepts are introduced in “bite-sized pieces.” “Each week is a different topic,” she added. “We talk about taxes.We talk about legal entity selection.We talk about everything.” The program demystifies business concepts.
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It uses easy-to-understand language and takes away the feeling of intimidation that some people feel when they’re venturing into the entrepreneurial world, Covey said. The program largely helps potential entrepreneurs decide whether they want to pursue turning their idea into a business. That’s critical, considering only about 20 percent of all companies last five years or more, Covey said. The program also is open to existing business owners, who may look to “rethink” their existing business model. “Some of the best things you can do to serve entrepreneurs is get them around other entrepreneurs,” Covey explained. “Get them collaborating, working together, sharing ideas.” In Zephyrhills, the 10week program runs from May 4 through July 6. Classes will be each Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce office, 38550 Fifth Ave. The program costs $295. Registration is due by 4 p.m., on April 28. Similar programs will be offered later this year in Dade City,Wesley Chapel,Trinity and Land O’ Lakes. Besides Co.Starters, other countywide resources are available for entrepreneurs and
Pasco County commissioners agreed to push ahead with a proposal from RADD Sports to build a $25 million sports complex at Wiregrass Ranch. About $15 million in funding would be from a bank loan, secured with a proposed 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism tax. Nearly $11 million would come from previously pledged tourism dollars, and sales tax revenues. County commissioners unanimously voted to pursue the project, and send out bids for the bank loan at their April 12 meeting in Dade City. The sports complex, and an $18.5 million, 120-room hotel, would be built on land donated years ago by the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch and The Shops at Wiregrass. Over the past eight years, several proposals fell apart, including one for a baseball complex in 2015. RADD Sports wants to build a 98,000square-foot indoor facility for sporting and recreational activities including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dancing, wrestling, gymnastics, curling and badminton. In addition, there would be outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground.
See BUSINESS, page 11A
See COMPLEX, page 11A
By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com