Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Friday, May 3, 2013
Longtime Lutz businessman Rod Gaudin reflects on his eatery’s past and its final day.
Rod Gaudin gave it everything he had, but in the end his popular Lutz barbecue joint had to say one final farewell to customers. Rather than mark the last day of Hot Rods BBQ as a sad one for customers, Gaudin tried to turn it into a party of sort. With live musical performances courtesy of J.T. Curtis and lots of food on hand, the mood at the 18430 Livingston Ave. eatery was festive with an undertone of somber. Gaudin lost Hot Rods in a foreclosure battle with his wife, Helen’s former employer. A foreclosure sale was held earlier this year and May 2 marked the last day of barbecue at Hot Rods. “It’s kind of like having a death in the family,” said Gaudin about the last day. “First it’s denial and then it hits you.” Customers seemed to …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The wine-making operation on State Road 52 is holding a wine festival Saturday, April 27.
For Ron Hunt, there isn’t a business card wide enough for all of his positions, both official and unofficial, at Florida Estates Winery. “(My) title is vice president, general manager, winemaker, dishwasher, plumber, electrician, yard man, vineyardist … everything,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve got lots of titles." Hunt is the man behind the vino at the Land O’ Lakes winery, a small-production operation on State Road 52 that has been in business since December 2001. Florida Estates currently offers eight different bottles: plantation white, chardonnay (two styles), plantation blush, plantation red, orange, key lime, plantation spice and strawberry port. Each wine sells for $13.95, except the chardonnay and port, which fetch $15.95 and $23.…
Monday, April 22, 2013
A nationwide effort is underway to raise money through events at local running stores.
A grassroots campaign to host runs in honor of victims from the Boston Marathon bombings is under way. There are runs planned Monday night throughout the country, and right here at home. The runs are hosted by local running stores. The campaign, called “Runners for Boston,” will feature a 3-mile run begining at each participating store at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 22. The first mile of the event will be run in silence. Not far from Land O' Lakes, FitNiche, 28139 Paseo Drive Suite 125 at The Shops at Wiregrass, will be hosting a run. There is no charge to participate. Donations will be accepted for One Fund Boston, which benefits victims of the attacks. According to the Facebook page for the event, a T-shirt will be available at the store …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Newly installed superintendent Kurt Browning said the district is 34th out of 67 school districts — and that must improve.
Pasco County is currently ranked 34th out of 67 school districts — and new School Superintendent Kurt Browning said he is not content with being average. “You’re looking at the face of a very unhappy superintendent,” he said during a speech before the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. “I’ve never been happy with mediocre.” The only way to move the district forward, Browning said, is to make “radical changes.” Browning said his staff knows never to tell him that something is done a certain way in the district because that’s the way it’s always been. Since Browning’s swearing in in November, the district has reduced the number of assistant superintendents from four to two and has done away with the structure of segregating the …
Angela's Pizza is known for using fresh ingredients.
Angela's Pizza has come to be known for their use of fresh ingredients and tasty pepperoni. Now the Odessa area pizza shop is expanding into Pasco County. The shop opened its new Pasco location about two weeks ago at 6829 U.S. Highway 19 in New Port Richey - not far from Land O' Lakes. In addition to New York style pizza, Angela's also services stromboli, salads, philly steak subs, desserts and wings. The restaurant also caters. "We are just expanding so we can service more people with some of the best food," according to a post by Angela's staff on their Facebook Page. Angela's Pizza opened in Odessa on Gunn Highway about a year ago and has quickly drawn a following. The Pasco location's hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m…
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Tampa Bay Young Republicans say Colorado’s loss could be the Bay’s gain. What do you think about it?
As the Wild West gets milder due to gun control laws a manufacturer that produces high-capacity gun magazines is looking to move out of Colorado. The Tampa Bay Young Republicans want that manufacturer, Magpul Industries, to roll out of Boulder and land somewhere in Hillsborough County, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The company makes gun magazines that hold up to 30 rounds and has about 200 people on its payroll, the Times reported. Magpul's motto is "Unfair Advantage," according to its website. The passage of a law in Colorado that bans gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds has made Boulder a rather unwelcoming place for the company. The Young Republicans want to capitalize on Colorado’s loss by turning it into what they see as a…
Monday, April 8, 2013
The Florida Legislature is considering a law that will make it legal for wine drinkers to get their fix by the keg. What do you think of the idea?
Keg parties might take on a more sophisticated tone if a bill now before the Florida Senate meets with the same unanimous approval it received in the House. State lawmakers want to make it legal for winemakers to sell spirits by the keg – a move that’s already been adopted by 48 other states, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The law, sponsored by Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, must clear the Senate and Gov. Rick Scott’s office before it’s finalized. The idea behind the proposed law is to strike a “Prohibition-era rule” from the books while easing the pressure on processors. It’s also hoped to have positive environmental impacts by reducing reliance on glass bottles especially in restaurants where dozens of bottles can be opened …
Saturday, April 6, 2013
This Lutz business, which once had a location at U.S. 41 and Hale Road in Land O' Lakes, has been serving the choicest cuts of meat for more than three decades.
Recent blogs and articles have proclaimed that in some parts of the country, the neighborhood butcher is back. But the owners of John’s Butcher Shop in nearby Lutz would answer they never left. The business has been serving up the choicest cuts of meat since 1973. It was first opened at Bearss and Florida Avenues by John Smith, who has since retired. Smith’s son James runs the shop with Mike Lacy and Donny Duncan. John’s Butcher Shop relocated several times — even burning down in 1996 — before settling into its current home at 102 1st Ave. SW. “I think it’s awesome,” Smith said when asked about the loyalty of his customers, 90 percent of whom are locals the trio know by name. While supermarket chains have replaced countless number of …
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Red Hydrant Pet Spa & Boutique has been grooming pooches since 2005.
Fido may enter Red Hydrant Pet Spa & Boutique a dirty dog but he will leave one pampered pooch. The canine groomer, at 2446 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., competes with customer service and attention to detail, owners say. “There’s always someone who can sell for a dollar less,” points out Roman Giamarese, who owns the shops with life- and business partner Martin Ellis. Yet Red Hydrant offers an experience not everyone else can or is willing to do. Ellis said his four-legged clients are treated to tearless shampoo on their heads, U.S.-made products that are veterinarian-quality and a drying process that does not involve a cage. “We hand dry the dogs,” Ellis said, adding spa packages typically start at around $50. “It’s much more humane.” Ellis and …
Carolyn Callahan
5:40 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
So sorry things had to turn out this way for this loving family who have given their heart & soul to this restaurant. My only hope is that life holds a positive next step for them. Lutz and the Tampa Bay area will miss this icon for sure. My prayers and best wishes to the Gaudin & Curtis families. Aunt Carolyn   more ›