Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home Administrator Marlies Sarrett, welcomed residents, guests and dignitaries to their Memorial Day Ceremony located at 6919 Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes on the Traditional date that started with General U.S. Grant following the Civil War. The Master of Ceremony for the event was Charlie Reese of JC Audiology in Lutz. The Invocation was given by Albert Herrera and the Presentation of Colors by the Honor Guard of the 927th Air Refueling Wing USAFR. The pledge of Allegiance was led by Chuck Wills and the guest Speaker was Veteran Advocate Keith Collins. Roll call of the Fallen Comrades was read by Sharon Richman from Operation Patriot. Mrs. Bettie Neville placed the Memorial Wreath. The Honor Guard of the 927 Air Refueling Wing USAFR demonstrated the Thirteen Flag Folding Ceremony and Taps for the residents, guests and dignitaries in attendance. Albert Herrera gave the Benediction and Administrator Marlies Sarrett gave the Closing Remarks.

State House District 38 candidate Danny Burgess invited friends and supporters to a “Wine & Cheese Meet & Greet” at the Seven Oaks Clubhouse, located at 2910 Sports Core Circle in Wesley Chapel. Burgess, who served as mayor of Zephyrhills, is running as a Republican to succeed term-limited House Speaker Will Weatherford in House District 38, which covers Pasco County and Dade City, Lacoochee, San Antonio and Crystal Springs. Prior to becoming Zephyrhills mayor, Burgess served as First Lieutenant in the United States Army, as well as performing as Judge Advocate General. He currently practices at law at Johnson, Auvil, Pratico & Chane.

Residents had an opportunity to meet and greet Pasco County Commissioner candidate Mike Moore at Lorenzo’s Italian Restaurant. A longtime resident of the Tampa Bay area, Mike was born in St. Petersburg, raised in Winter Haven, earned an Associate of Arts in Mass Communications from Polk Community College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio and Television from the University of Central Florida. A native Floridian, Mike is an avid fisherman and enjoys playing golf, spending quality time with family and friends and volunteering in the community. He is an active member of the Wesley Chapel Rotary, Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, serves as President of the Wesley Chapel Republican Club and is a volunteer baseball, football and soccer coach at WCAA. Mike, and his wife, Lauren, reside in Seven Oaks with their three children, Aubrey, Aiden and Amberlee.

Friends and family gathered to show their support for Marissa Collier after she announced she is cancer free and will be heading out to compete in the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant soon. Marissa, Miss Nature Coast 2014, has been amazing through it all. She showed such strength and courage even with all of the setbacks after surgery. She was determined that cancer did not own her! Although she had some set back with the surgery, she was determined she would be able to represent Miss Nature Coast at Miss Florida. Cancer Free, Infection Free, and arm mobility is improving by the day with therapy she is in pageant ready mode!

At the Land O Lakes Community Center on US 41, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the Trinity-Odessa Chamber of Commerce competed in the 2^nd Annual Chamber Challenge Softball Game this weekend. Both teams stayed in the game through the end, adding an extra inning due to a tied score. With the typical June Florida weather, the Chamber provided refreshments and face painting for the fans. A voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a thriving economy and improve the quality of life for the entire community, The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce promotes businesses and our community. Chamber involvement in the past has resulted in better roads, safer neighborhoods, increased and improved recreational facilities, and new economic development projects that have benefitted businesses and citizens.

Capital Tacos celebrated their one year anniversary at the US 41 location and owners Kristel and Bobby Haskett have much to celebrate. The restaurant that seats about 30 served over 500 customers in one day last week. Bobby Haskett, who runs the kitchen while his wife and business partner manages the front of the house, believes “You can go anywhere to get tacos,” Heskett said. “We just try to bring a little of what's-not-there there.” Born from the burning desire for great food and an on going quest for unique and authentic ingredients, is the culmination of traditional Mexican cooking and regional Tex-Mex flavors. Upon the realization that too many establishments were serving too much of the same thing and not paying attention to what their customers were asking for, Capital Tacos stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) and challenged traditional notions that freshly prepared and made-from-scratch ingredients can't be served in a quick, affordable, authentic and efficient way.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce members came out early to the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, located at 10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive in San Antonio, for a great breakfast buffet and to network with fellow Chamber members and have a chance to listen to an Guest Speaker, Congressman Gus Bilirakis 12th District, Florida and Podium Sponsor, Dr. Paul R. Albear, MD, of Albear Plastic Surgery. Bilirakis grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, but calls nearby Palm Harbor home. He was the grandson of Greek immigrants. His grandfather owned a local bakery where Bilirakis worked from a young age. He attended Tampa Bay area public schools and continued to work in his grandfather's bakery while growing up. Bilirakis graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He then attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law in 1989.

Cypress Creek Ice and Sports Complex of Wesley Chapel Developer Gordie Zimmermann impressed the crowd that included Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey, Pat Mulieri, Ted Schrader and Henry Wilson along with Florida State Senator Wilton Simpson, Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber President Jeff Novotny, Hockey team members from Wiregrass Ranch High School, Mitchell High School and representatives from the University of South Florida whose Hockey team is thinking about playing there in future. The crowd was electric with excitement as TV cameras from all of our regional media outlets trained their lenses on the unveiling of the design for Florida’s largest ice skating facility and the announcement of plans for a 120 room hotel adjacent to the ice rinks. Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said the facility will provide recreational ice for local skaters and will attract competitors from all over the world. “Two rinks would have been great. Three rinks would have been phenomenal,” said Mariano. “But with four rinks and everything else you’re putting in here, everybody in the world is going to want to come here to play.”

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce held a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting and tour event of the Vintage Estate Homes at Grand Hampton new model home center located at 8434 Dunham Station Drive in Tampa, Florida with their new and exciting floor plans, elevations and a wonderful location. The Event was catered with a Tropical Themed Menu of Hor d'oeuvres and refreshments included Beer, Wine and their "Vintage" Signature Cocktail !!! Live Entertainment was provided by: Joshua Williams, Singer/Guitarist and Door Prize Giveaways, Gift Cards and a Grand Prize, an Apple iPad Air.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Golf Tournament at the Lexington Oaks Golf & Country Club in Wesley Chapel. Participants enjoyed a fun filled afternoon of golf, followed by a buffet dinner and award ceremony.

The Lutz / Land O’Lakes Relay for Life was a fundraising walk to support the American Cancer Society. Relay is an 18 hour journey starting at 12 Noon and lasts throughout the night until the next day. It was held at Steinbrenner High School on the Football Field and Track Area in Lutz. When we walk together, we are BIGGER than cancer! In the fight against cancer, silence is the last thing we need. Your local American Cancer Society Relay For Life event is a great place to take action and make noise. The Relay For Life movement features community and campus events that offer an inspiring opportunity to honor cancer survivors, promote how individuals can reduce their cancer risk, and raise money to help end cancer. Today, with the support of thousands of volunteers, the American Cancer Society is helping save more than 400 lives a day. And we won't stop until we finish the fight against cancer!