KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL & THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED.
NOVEMBER 2023
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
VOLUME 4 EDITION 11
Get Ready to Celebrate the Holidays with Avalon Aglow and Fireworks Show Avalon Park’s annual holiday event is almost here! Avalon Aglow will kick start the holidays on Saturday, December 9th from 5 to 8 p.m. with a variety of familyfriendly activities like pictures with Santa, a real snow slide, balloon twisters, caricature artists, and a spectacular firework show to round up the night. Watch Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel come to life in the new Avalon Aglow location on 33613 State Road 54. This event is free and open to the public.
Avalon Park. Avalon Park residents are also encouraged to display their holiday spirit all month long by participating in the community’s Front Porch Decorating Contest for a chance to win gift card prizes. Residents can sign up for the decorating contest here.
The celebration continues Tuesday, December 12th and Thursday, December 14th with Avalon Park’s Holiday Hayrides. Get the family together and hop on a ride to For Avalon Park residents, there’s a special treat—an check out the community and our residents’ wonderful exclusive preview hour starting at 4 pm, so you can holiday decorations. Spaces are limited so grab your enjoy the festivities a little earlier. Take advantage of this spot early. Hayride reservations can be made here. opportunity to beat the crowds and make your holiday memories even more special. And to make your visit as For vendor and sponsorship opportunities visit our convenient as possible, we’re offering a complimentary website at www.avalonparkwesleychapel.com/avalonshuttle service for transportation from the Amenity aglow/. Center on River Glen Blvd. to the heart of Downtown
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Around 15 years ago, we (APG) found ourselves standing in front of a local school board, making a presentation. We all appreciate a good compliment, but that particular evening, we were truly humbled. The board conveyed that Avalon Park Group was one of the most philanthropic companies they had ever come across.
isn’t the result of taking; it’s the result of giving. It’s a continuous effort, one that happens every day. We are grateful that Avalon Park began with a spirit of generosity. It set a robust foundation for our thriving community. Without those initial acts of kindness, we wouldn’t have the wonderful town we enjoy today, a place where people can live, learn, work, and play. It’s a town where everyone can find a sense of belonging and safety. So, giving back should start early and never truly end.
Now, how does one respond to such a statement? Well, for us, giving back is an integral part of our company’s philosophy. While it might appear as generosity, we firmly believe that contributing to the community is not just an obligation, but a wise long-term investment.
We are also thankful that Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a part of our ever-expanding community, was built upon these principles of giving. The spirit of generosity remains our strong foundation. Without these gifts, we wouldn’t have the thriving town we now cherish, a place where people can live, learn, work, and play, with a strong sense of belonging and safety. And so, we continue to give back.
Several years back, Avalon Park Group made a significant contribution by donating the land for New River Elementary school and constructing recreational fields on our undeveloped property. A prominent public-school official once asked me, “How can you afford to make these generous donations when Avalon Park is just getting started, with only a few homes? It can’t be financially sound.” However, he answered his own question by saying, “I believe your donations are strategic investments in the community.” Well, we couldn’t agree more.
But giving isn’t just about money. We firmly believe that giving can take many forms, including donating your time and talents. We are proud to say that the Avalon Park community is among the best we have ever seen when it comes to giving time as volunteers in schools, assisting local seniors, and engaging in community service clubs. It takes real dedication to invest time and passion in giving back. So, as the season of gratitude approaches, we encourage you to explore new and familiar ways to give back.
The outstanding community of Avalon Park Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! PUBLISHER Beat Kahli EDITOR Stephanie Lerret MANAGING EDITOR Marielle Fernandez ART DIRECTOR Kenzie Farrish
The Avalon Park Sun is published by Avalon Park Group. Interested in Advertising with us? Email Marketing@AvalonParkGroup.com or call 407.658.6565. 3801 Avalon Park East Blvd. #400 Orlando, FL 32828 www.AvalonParkSun.com
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SR 54 Traffic Pattern Updates:
SR 54 Widening from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road This project is widening the existing two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway with medians. A sidewalk has been constructed on the north side of the road and a 10-foot wide multi-use trail is being built on the south side. The sidewalk and trail will run the entire length of the project, from east of Curley Road to east of the Morris Bridge Road / Eiland Boulevard intersection.
Eastbound SR 54 traffic shifted to new alignment
* Construction cost includes original construction contract amount plus approved contract changes. It does not include inspection oversite.
The traffic switch eliminated left turns from/to SR 54 at driveways and many side streets (they are now “right in, right out” turns only). A list of the major restricted left turn movements is posted below:
All Lanes Open In SR 54 Construction Zone Wesley Chapel / Zephyrhills, FL -- All thru-lanes are now open in the project corridor. Only a few additional turn lanes remain to be opened at several intersections (but all turn movements are available using adjacent turn lanes). As the contractor works towards completion, there will continue to be periodic day or night lane closures for various work items. Driver Alert! >>> Traffic switched on Morris Bridge Road / Eiland Boulevard Wesley Chapel / Zephyrhills -- Northbound traffic was shifted this morning to the east side of Morris Bridge Road / Eiland Boulevard from south of SR 54 to north of SR 54. Drivers are advised to be extra alert as motorists get used to the changed roadway alignment.
Eastbound SR 54 traffic was shifted the night of April 3, 2023, to a new roadway alignment on the south side of the highway corridor from east of Curley Road to Lake Crystal Boulevard. Eastbound and westbound traffic are now divided by a median through this section of SR 54.
Wesley Chapel Loop, Smith Road, Foxwood Boulevard, Ronnoch Boulevard, Billmar Road, Fox Ridge Boulevard, Ashton Oaks Boulevard, Linda Drive, Lado Drive, Brook Manor Drive, New River Library Driveway (Voting Precinct), Mowrey Road, Point Cypress Boulevard, Home Depot driveway, McDonalds driveway, Ball Avenue, former CVS driveway and 7-11 driveway Drivers are reminded to be aware of the changed conditions and workers as construction continues to an expected finish in fall 2023. Closures SR 54 from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road/Eiland Boulevard Periodic lane closures and flagging at side streets: Sunday, October 29 through Thursday, November 2 nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
This work is not part of the SR 54 widening project. We are passing along this information as a courtesy to Pasco County for its roadway project that ties into the SR 54 widening project. New traffic signal is active at the SR 54 and Zephyrhills Bypass intersection Wesley Chapel -- A traffic signal is now operational at the intersection of SR 54 and the Zephyrhills Bypass, located east of Curley Road. Drivers are advised to be prepared to stop and be extra alert as other motorists get used to the new signal. The traffic signal is not part of the SR 54 widening project. We are passing along this information as a courtesy to Pasco County and the developer of the community at this location.
Avalon General Wine Tasting Recap & Online Avalon Park Merchandise Store
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Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Progress
For more information on leasing in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, email: Marketing@AvalonParkGroup.com.
What is ISI Elite Training?
What does an ISI Workout look like? What is Our founding membership prices are coming ISI Elite Training? soon - check out our Instagram for what an ISI ISI is a community of people working together workout looks like! to achieve their individual goals. We offer 50-minute coach-led sessions to optimize your Watch Our Reel HERE fitness level and give you the proven results Instagram: ISI.wesleychapel that you deserve. Our training program builds self-confidence, increases muscular strength and endurance, improves flexibility, speed, and agility. Our sessions will energize and motivate you to take your fitness to the Next Level! Whether you are a beginner or taking your next step in your fitness journey ISI is driven for ALL fitness levels. Our coaches are designed to cater to the member’s needs and create modifications for any movement necessary. We all start somewhere, but the hardest part is walking through those doors. Our workout combines aspects of HIIT, CrossFit, bodybuilding, powerlifting, endurance training, Tabata, and others to create what we call athletic-based training. Come sweat with us for 50 minutes and burn up to 1,000 calories, while gaining strength and confidence!
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LEARN Pasco Fine Arts Council New Acting Interim Director When Lianna Tatman, Executive Director, left the Pasco Fine Arts Center this summer to accept a position in New York State, we were without a leader. Lianna worked very hard to bring life back to the Center post COVID and in the wake of its much beloved Director Jo Baughmann. This move was a good move for Lianna to advance her career and we were happy for her but needed someone to assume her position with insufficient funds to hire and maintain a full-time director.
The main building has new partitions for hanging art, more surfaces for products in the shop and we have a volunteer cleaning the facility free of charge to help with our finances and doing a great job! The tables in the classroom of the main building look brand new!
The East Pasco branch of PFAC will be operating out of St. Leo’s College, where a member of our board, Janet Franks, works in the library. She had realized that this was an opportunity to use the Andrea Monge has been involved with PFAC for years, attending wonderful facility while bringing fresh faces to the college. There Christa’s hand-build pottery classes with her mom and as a result had will be offerings for a wide range of interests for artists such as a special fondness for our organization, a depth of understanding drawing, painting, pottery, jewelry making, improv, cooking and of its history and membership and as an active volunteer in the poetry. local school system she had a new vision for how we might engage kids and implement new tools using technology. Andrea accepted On January 13th we will be hosting a themed dinner party at the this position on an interim basis and is sensitive and responsive to Center. This will be an opportunity to connect or reconnect with the financial realities of our organization at the present time. She other artists at PFAC, enjoy some good food, music and have a good has also engaged some fresh volunteer help members, teachers and time. Save the date! More information will be coming your way. high school students to refresh the center and its offerings. A special In the meanwhile, go to the website and check out the new classes shout out to Janet L, Barbara D and our Kids in Art Program. and activities! Please make sure that we have current contact The class offerings have been expanded and include different information for you and friends of yours who will want to know timeframes, evenings and Saturday workshops. We are starting our what’s going on! Let us know what you think, what you like and First Saturday Kids workshop in November. what would like to see more of. The online store is up and working. We are adding inventory as Email info@pascoarts.org with your input and ideas! quick as we can. We need your help to make PFAC grow. Please go to our website’s Some new ideas are being tried out; a date night, chess and other volunteer form link or email info@pascoarts.org games for kids in conjunction with an art exhibit with chess and Thank you for your continued support of the Pasco Fine Arts Center baordgames as its theme. as members, teachers, volunteers and sponsors!
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Check out our November events. there is something for everyone, and We can’t wait to see you soon! virtual options available as well.
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Tax Collector’s West Pasco Government Center Office To Once Again Offer Full Services at Renovated Location The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office located at the West Pasco Government Center (8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey) fully reopened on October 30, 2023. All services provided prior to the renovation will once again be available to customers. While the office was being renovated it offered limited services. As of October 30, driver license and birth certificate services, which were not available during the remodel, will once again be offered. The renovations were performed to make the office more efficient and better able to serve our valued customers. “We are excited that these important improvements to our West Pasco Government Center Office are being completed in time for the busy tax season which begins November 1,” comments Tax
Collector Mike Fasano. “Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible. The upgrades made during this remodel will make the customer experience even more streamlined. We appreciate the understanding of residents who live in New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, and the other communities that generally utilize this office to meet their various needs.” For more detailed information about this office or any of the other tax collector locations in Pasco County, please do not hesitate to contact our centralized call center at (727) 847-8032, (352) 521-4338, or (813) 235-6076.
During the Month of September Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s Offices Collected Over $5,000 to Support Premier Community HealthCare’s Expansion of Medical Services Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices featured Premier Community HealthCare, which is the primary non-profit agency to provide health care to the un-insured and under-insured in Pasco County, as the charitable organization for the month of September. A total of $5,013.61 was presented to Premier following the September fundraising drive. These funds will benefit Premier Community HealthCare’s expansion of medical services across the county.
availability of medical services to those most in need in our community,” comments Tax Collector Mike Fasano. “Premier Community HealthCare has a long history of providing medical care for those without access to primary health care in Pasco County. I am very thankful for the generous community members who made donations to our fundraising effort. Because of these dollars, Premier will be able to serve even more individuals and families in need.”
“Our Premier family is thankful for the tax collector, his team’s support of our organization, as well as the community’s support,” comments Joey Resnick, CEO of Premier. “These funds will help us support our mission of providing accessible healthcare services to all, and to help us continue to expand our services in Pasco County.”
For more information about Premier Community HealthCare’s services please contact Cheryl Pollack, Community Engagement Officer at 352.518.2000, ext. 9012 or visit https://premierhc.org For more information about the promotional and charitable giving programs at the tax collector’s office please contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or visit www.pascotaxes. “For many years it has been an honor to be affiliated with Premier com. Community HealthCare and their efforts to provide and expand
Bauducco Foods to Locate U.S. Production and Distribution Facility in City of Zephyrhills Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC), FloridaCommerce, City of Zephyrhills, and Pasco Board of County Commissioners are thrilled to welcome Bauducco Foods (Bauducco) to Pasco County, Florida. Bauducco purchased 72 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park Ready Site in the City of Zephyrhills. The company is expecting to invest over $200 million in the new facility which will produce and distribute its product across the U.S.
over 8,000 employees worldwide. There is one manufacturing plant and warehouse in Miami, FL.
Bauducco is committed to the growth of its U.S. operations and its team by continuing to foster the family community feeling it is known for. The new facility’s development will be completed in two phases and will utilize state-of-the-art production equipment and a sanitary design. The first phase is expected to be operational near the end of 2024 to early 2025 and the second phase is anticipated to “Bauducco chose Pasco County after a long and very detailed be fully operational by 2028. analysis in which more than seven states and over ten counties around the country were reviewed and studied,” shared Stefano When considering where to place their next facility, Bauducco’s Mozzi, CEO, Bauducco USA. “Due to the business-friendly site search consultants, Dennis Group, reviewed seven states for environment and the support and professionalism we received optimum operating conditions and over 160 sites for suitable from the business development teams in the State, County and the constructability for their next facility. Enterprise Florida and Florida City; as well as the great location, we decided to make Zephyrhills Department of Transportation’s trade mission to Brazil earlier this year helped fortify Florida as the state of choice by demonstrating our new and main production hub for the U.S.A. market.” a favorable business climate, well-developed transportation Bauducco is a Brazilian multinational company established in 1950 infrastructure, and robust agricultural industry. by an Italian immigrant and is now one of the fastest growing cookie companies in the United States. The company manufactures “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s site-ready baked food products such as biscuits, wafers, and breads and is infrastructure, robust talent pipeline and businesses friendly climate, the largest producer of panettones in the world and market leader allow businesses from across the globe to have the opportunity to in the United States. The Bauducco brand is sold in all 50 states in expand and grow like nowhere else in the nation,” said Florida regional supermarket chains, national grocery stores, pharmacies, Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. So, I am very excited for and more. The company holds the rank of the number two sugar Bauducco Foods’ expansion in our state, as Bauducco contributes to wafer brand in the U.S. and is the market leader in many states both Florida’s world class food industries and Florida’s incredible economic partnership with Brazilian companies.” including New York, California, and Florida. Bauducco has five manufacturing plants in Brazil, with the capacity CONT....Click here to finish reading. to produce more than 400,000 tons of baked goods annually with
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Coming together to create a healthy community
COMMUNITY CORNER
