Everglow Jewelry in Tampa Palms is owned by Kayla & Derrick Pyke.
When Derrick Pyke and his wife Kayla (top photo) moved from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, to Tampa, Derrick already had years of experience, first working in his father’s jewelry manufacturing business and then in a retail jewelry store they had opened together.
After moving to this area, Derrick first worked “for a few years” as a store manager for another jewelry business in Tampa before going into finance for the last couple of years. “Then, I decided I wanted to get back into jewelry but I wanted to do it my own way again,” Derrick says.
The result is the new Everglow Jewelry, located at 17032 Palm Pointe Dr., in the former location of GPS Pools in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms (at the end nearest to Stonewood Grill &Tavern).
One thing Derrick says that sets Everglow apart from any of its local competition is that other than his own custom-made designs (more on those below), there is only one brand sold in the store — Kendra Scott, which specializes in items for (primarily) $100 or less, making the brand perfect for everyone from young girls to “full-grown women,” he says. “We even have grandmas buying Kendra Scott for themselves, too.”
Kendra Scott is the primary brand of popularly pricedjewelry at Everglow Jewelry in Tampa Palms.
He adds that, “You kind of have to be picked by Kendra Scott to carry the brand. We are one of only two stores in Tampa that carry it.”
Everything else in the store, Derrick says, “are either pieces I’ve designed and created myself or I can. Our big thing at Everglow Jewelry is custom design. Let me make something for you in the size and color you want, with the metals and stones you choose. When you do that, you don’t need a ton of samples or display cases in the store.”
Derrick notes, however, that if you want something simple and don’t want to have to wait to receive it, “I do have catalogs I can show you or we can look on the internet together so you can find and order pieces that aren’t custom-designed, too.” He adds that even if you see something you like in a catalog or online, “I can usually get you a better price if I custom-design something similar, exactly the way you want it.”
And, best of all, he says, “Unlike most places that do custom, since I do the work myself, I don’t charge a custom-design fee. I price everything as though you found something in a case, loved it and wanted to buy it.”
As for lead time, Derrick says that custom pieces can take “from a few days to several weeks,” depending upon the design, the number of stones, etc. “We usually start with a hand drawing and then a computer-aided design. We can even create it as a 3D-printed wax first for you.”
He also is proud to be one of the only stores in the area to carry a laser welder, “because a lot of colored stones can’t handle the heat of using a torch. It changes their color.”
Everglow also offers laser-welded, “permanent” jewelry, so be sure to ask Derrick about that, as well as his on-site jewelry repairs.
For more info, call (813) 561-0055 or visit EverglowJewelry.com and please tell Derrick that I sent you!— GN
Everglow is a less-packed jewelry store than most in our area.
Franchise owner Khaled Alhamzawi is a long-time New Tampa resident who brings his Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa showroom to your home. (Photo by Charmaine George)
Local franchise owner says most people who call his Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa franchise say they’re looking for blinds for their homes. But, many are surprised to discover that blinds are actually not what they really wanted, as there’s actually a whole array of window coverings available from Gotcha Covered that have so much more to offer.
“Before I became a Gotcha Covered franchise owner, I didn’t know how many options there were,” Khaled admits. “But the options are unlimited.”
While custom blinds come in many varieties — from aluminum to vinyl to wood and much more — are cordless and can be motorized, people sometimes find what they really want are custom shades or even shutters, both of which also are available in a wide variety of options.
“Usually people are looking at style, functionality and price,” Khaled says. “It’s always about finding what the customer is looking for.”
Khaled launched his Gotcha Covered franchise six months ago. The company has been franchising since 2009 and currently has more than 170 locations in the United States and Canada, including 28 in Florida.
Although his franchise is labeled “Central Tampa,” Khaled is able to serve clients anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including all of our readers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.
He has worked in leadership at a national corporation for more than a decade, but says he wanted to move in a new direction for his family’s future.
“In the corporate world, we’re constantly being asked to do more with less,” he says, sharing one difficult time when his company let go of 2,500 employees. He says that also made his job feel less secure.
“I wanted to change my career,” he says, “and choose something to build for myself.”
For Khaled, who migrated to the U.S. from Syria 24 years ago, owning his own business feels like the fulfillment of the American dream. He and his wife have three boys — ages 16, 12, and 11 — and have lived in Tampa Palms for the last 12 years.
Khaled says he enjoys remodeling and has done renovation projects on property that he owns, so when he learned about Gotcha Covered, it seemed like a good fit.
Before launching his business, Khaled completed extensive training to ensure he was fully equipped to help all customers – residential and commercial – with all of their window covering needs.
In addition to training from Gotcha Covered, the vendors he uses require that he completes courses to become certified to sell their products.
For larger projects or those that require a special touch, Khaled says he will collaborate with interior designers.
Gotcha Covered’s custom window treatments include blinds, shades, shutters, draperies and curtains.
“Our window treatments are custom-made, so they’re not something you’re buying off the shelf from a retail store,” Khaled says. “They fit the style of your home and are made specifically for that window in that home.”
Customer Rama Al Ghannam offered this 5-star review on Google: “I consulted with Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa for drapes in my formal living and dining spaces. I am very pleased with the results and the experience was seamless, beginning to end. Great customer service and high quality products! I will be using them again to install shades in my guest bedroom!”
Today’s Big Trends
Meanwhile, Khaled explains that automation is something that’s big in window treatments these days. Customers can control their shades using Alexa, Google Home, or even their smartphones.
“Programming your window coverings is trendy in this day and age,” he says. “People are looking for ‘smart’ everything.”
For example, he says, if you have a window where you get a lot of sun throughout the day and it gets too warm, you can put up a shade and program it to cover the window just for the times when the sun is beating down, having it automatically roll out of sight in the evening so you can enjoy the view.
This helps keep the room cool and allows families to avoid overtaxing their air conditioning units and save on their electricity bills.
An option Khaled says not many people know about is a dual shade with a roller that actually includes two shades – one to protect from the sun and one for design. You can have them both up or both down, or one up and one down, or vice versa.
Gotcha Covered offers curtains and drapes, too. “Shades are trendy now” Khaled says, “but people often do side panels, rather than full draperies.”
He says shutters are very common in Florida because they last many years and don’t go out of style.
“They become part of the structure of the home and can last 10, 15 or even 20 years,” he says.
Also popular are outdoor motorized screens for those patio areas that aren’t enclosed by a pool cage. Motorized screens go in tracks that allow families to enjoy their outdoor spaces while blocking some heat and intense light, while also limiting bugs, debris from trees and dirt.
He says these screens are especially popular not just with families, but also at restaurants with outdoor seating areas.
For anyone interested in learning more about products and options or what Gotcha Covered could customize for in your home or business, Khaled offers a complimentary in-home consultation.
“We bring the showroom to you,” he says. “That is an advantage over visiting a store. You want to look at the fabric and colors in your home so you can see if they match your furniture or paint.”
Once you’ve selected the perfect products to meet your needs and fit your budget, everything is measured, ordered and then installed, usually just two to three weeks later, by expert installers who ensure a perfect, custom fit and can help with any smart options.
“I enjoy working with people, explaining the different options that are available, giving them design tips, and explaining how to choose the right product for them,” Khaled says. “I’ve found it to be a very rewarding experience making homes nicer and more beautiful.”
Ricc Rollins, the owner of Riccardo’s Menswear, recently opened a new store in West Tampa.
“Gotcha Covered came in and assessed what we needed,” says Ricc. “I was very pleased that Khaled worked within our budget and was not trying to upsell us.”
Ricc explains that he had a list of wants and Gotcha Covered met all of them.
“We needed our window coverings to be energy efficient, in a color that was fashionable but not take away from the aesthetic of the historic building we’re in, and cost effective [for someone] opening a new business,” says Ricc. “Khaled checked all the boxes. He lives up to his name. He made sure all my bases were covered.”
Gotcha Covered offers a free in-home consultation. For more info call (813) 787-5550 or schedule an appointment online at GotchaCovered.com/Central-Tampa.
When Angela Silva called our office a week or before Hurricane Helene hit, the first thing that stood out to me was her New Yawk accent. That’s not always so important to me, but when that accent is telling you that her and her husband Hiram (photo below) had just opened a “new caw-fee and New Yawk bagel place called Silva’s Coffee Grind” (on S.R. 54, in a tricked-out trailer in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply at 34100 S.R. 54), I was suddenly even more interested in what she had to say.
The week after Helene decimated the Gulf coast, Jannah and I went to sample what the Silvas had to offer.
And, we both came away impressed. The coffee is delicious (they get their espresso for their cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos & espresso affogatos from Coffee Latitudes) and the bagels? Oy! Legit!
“We import them from New Yawk,’ Hiram says, “but I won’t tell you where from because I know you’re gonna write about it and I want us to be the only place that has them.”
I, of course, had my bacon, egg and Swiss cheese on a toasted everything, while Jannah opted to have her bacon, egg and cheddar on a toasted croissant. Both yum.
By the time of our next visit, a few days before Hurricane Milton hit, Angela was making sure they could get an ad in this issue of the paper and I prom- ised I would tell 105,000 or so of my closest friends in Wesley Chapel a little bit about them.
We opted for a lunch sandwich this time — a delicious turkey BLT on a toasted plain bagel, with lettuce, tomato and Angela’s zesty homemade pesto cream sauce. “I like it on everything,” Hiram says. And, who could argue with him?
Hiram, who does the on-site cooking, is all about giving the people outstanding breakfast and lunch items at a fair price and he is planning to expand the menu offerings in response to people’s requests. As seen in the ad below, Silva’s Coffee Grind also features iced coffee, cold brew, iced lattes and frappes, hot and cold teas, including green tea matcha, flavored iced teas and lemonades, bursting boba tea drinks and even smoothies and sorbets — all from that one little trailer? Ya gotta try it, yo!
Silva’s Coffee Grind is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sat. For more info, search “Silvas Coffee Grind” on Facebook or@Silvas.Coffee.Grind” on Instagram. — GN
PTR & PPR’s 23,000+ Professional Coaching Members In 127 Countries Now Call Saddlebrook Resort Home!
(Above, l.-r.) Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) & Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) CEO Peter Hurley,PTR Board Chair Lynne Rolley, Saddlebrook VP of International Sports Patrick Farrell, PTR Vice-ChairMartin van Daalen, Florida’s Sports Coast Marketing & Comm. Dir. Raul Nardi, PTR COO Brian Parkkonen& USTA Senior Dir. Craig Jones cut the ribbon at Saddlebrook Resort.
Why is it such a big deal that Saddlebrook Resort is now the new home of both the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR)?
Well, for one thing, the 125-year-old PTR has moved its headquarters for the first time in 40 years, from Hilton Head, South Carolina, according to PTR Board Chair Lynne Rolley, who opened the festivities at the Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting event for PTR and PPR at Saddlebrook on Sept. 24. “We made this significant move to relocate here to Saddlebrook Resort and we are just so excited,” Rolley said. “Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey for us. Saddlebrook has always been a leader in the tennis community.”
She noted that Saddlebrook has, “trained so many Grand Slam champions, including Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Marty Fish, Lisa Raymond, Martina Hingis, Mary Pierce, Justine Henin and about 20 more. Some of our great coaches from Saddlebrook, sitting right here, have been responsible for that success.”
Rolley also said this about Saddlebrook: “This state-of-the-art facility will become a hub for developing coaches, empowering athletes and fostering a community that’s passionate about the growth of tennis and pickleball.”
Of course, those who have been responsible for PTR and its now 23,000 members under one umbrella (including 10,000 PPR members) in 127 countries have always been passionate about tennis and, for the last six years, pickleball.
Accredited by the United State Tennis Association (USTA), PTR offers globally-recognized certifications for tennis instructors and is the largest membership organization in the world for certifying tennis coaches.
And, with pickleball, still acknowledged as the fastest-growing sport in the country, PPR, which was founded in 2018, has grown exponentially and has been a big contributor to the 20% growth of PTR’s overall membership from 19,000 in a little more than a year.
“Who knows,” Rolley said, “We may soon train a Grand Slam champion in pickleball here.”
Rolley then introduced PTR Vice-Chair Martin van Daalen and called up PTR and PPR CEO (and new Wesley Chapel resident) Peter Hurley to the microphone.
Hurley first thanked Rolley and said that her hard work also has helped Saddlebrook groom many of its long list of professional tennis champions and, “along with Martin, helped bring PTR and PPR here to Wesley Chapel.”
Saddlebrook VP Of Intl. Sports Patrick Farrell
Hurley joked that the day of the Grand Opening, “marks my seventh day on the job as CEO of PTR and PPR, although I feel as though I’ve been here for a lifetime.”
He added, “This is a monumental day for our organization. I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our passionate members and to our ‘picklers,’ who are out here enjoying the day with Sarah (Ansboury, the managing director of PPR and a five-time U.S. Open Pickleball champion), our dedicated staff and Board of Directors and the entire Saddlebrook community for the warm welcome you have given us. We look forward to engaging members, developing content, education and curriculums and events that will drive visitors to the Saddlebrook area.”
Hurley then introduced Patrick Farrell, the VP of International Sports at Saddlebrook. “Patrick has an amazing team here,” Hurley said. “He also oversees the operation of the Saddlebrook Preparatory School, one of the most prestigious golf and tennis academies in the world. Pat has held many key leadership positions at top resorts across America, but most important to me is that he’s also a great guy, a class act and a phenomenal partner.”
Farrell welcomed everyone to Saddlebrook and thanked both the ownership group of the resort (Mast Capital) and Florida’s Sports Coast (Pasco’s destination management organization), “because without them, this really couldn’t have transpired.
Their support and what they do to bring sports tourism to Pasco County is unsurpassed in this industry. The work that they do helps support the tourism business here. The impacts for not just racquet sports but the hospitality business in this area and the impacts for the community are immense.”
He also noted that, “Thanks to Florida’s Sports Coast, we have people moving into the area to be team members of PPR and PTR, plus all of their events and programming throughout the year. So, it’s extremely exciting to have them as a partner for the long term. They are helping to take Saddlebrook to new heights and restoring it to its past grandeur. Our entire staff is extremely excited to partner with PTR and PPR and look forward to a great future.”
Next up was Raul Nardi, the marketing & communications director for Florida’s Sports Coast., who said how excited the county’s tourism office was to have PTR and PPR moving to Saddlebrook. “We know this move will have a profound impact on our tourism,” Nardi said, “and Saddlebrook is renowned for its beautiful amenities and world-class tennis facilities. And, with the addition of PTR and PPR, we can expect an influx of visitors, coaches and sports enthusiasts to the region. These guests will not only fill our hotel rooms, but also dine at our restaurants, shop at our stores and visit our multiple attractions that our beautiful county has to offer.”
Nardi added that Pasco County officials also are excited about the, “economic impact that all of these visitors and different events, tournaments and championships that are coming into our county [will bring]. It’s going to create jobs, drive revenues, encourage investment in the area and we expect it to have a ripple effect and bring still more visitors to our area. We’re just thrilled to see this flourish and come to fruition.”
Then, Hurley introduced USTA senior director of coaching Craig Jones, noting that “The USTA is a vital partner to PTR and PPR. Craig is responsible for developing coaching resources, workshops and accreditation. He is a certified PTR Professional and a USTA high-performance coach.
Prior to coming to USTA, Craig spent 25 years as a club owner, a director and a junior developer working with young players from novice through international champion.”
Jones said, “We want to welcome PTR to the great tennis state of Florida.” He mentioned that the USTA’s own National Campus is located in Orlando, “So, how great is it to have these two amazing facilities within 80 miles of each other? The USTA also is looking forward to more collaboration with PTR in the future.”
Hurley, van Daalen,Rolley, Farrell, Jones & Parkkonen celebrate PTR & PPR’s new home at Saddlebrook with a champagne toast.
Hurley also thanked Brian Parkkonen, the Chief Operating Officer of PTR. “Brian has been juggling multiple responsibilities to facilitate our move from Hilton Head while also helping me get up to speed in the last seven days.”
He also mentioned that Parkkonen has more than ten years of service to PTR. “Brian has played a pivotal role in advancing education pathways and developing innovative programs, including the PTR education dashboard and advancing the PPR pickle- ball certification curriculum.”
Parkkonen then said, “You’ve heard about all of the exciting things that are going to happen with PTR and PPR’s headquarters being relocated here to the beautiful Saddlebrook Resort. We’re excited about the impact that these organizations are going to have on Saddlebrook, as well as Pasco County. The question becomes now, ‘How do we deliver this exceptional service?’ It gives me great pride and honor to introduce the staff that’s going to be driving our initiatives here at Saddlebrook. As many of you know, putting together an exceptional team is not an easy task.”
He noted that it takes time, “to identify those who have the right skill sets, that have a passion for their sports — whether that be tennis, pickleball, padel, platform tennis, etc. — that have a generational perspective, in that we have individuals from multiple generations, all with the same goal of really providing an exceptional experience for our members.”
Parkkonen also quoted former NBA coach Phil Jackson, who said, “The strength of a team are the individual members of the team. The strength of the individual members is the team. And I think that what we’ve had the opportunity to put together at PTR and PPR is truly an exceptional team.”
He added that “Not only are PTR and PPR bringing a successful business to Saddlebrook.
We’re bringing exceptional individuals who will be contributors to the community. And, I don’t think most staffs have over 125 years of experience on their team, but we do.”
Parkkonen then introduced both the team relocating to Saddlebrook “and those who will be working remotely as well — (PPR managing director) Sarah Ansboury, (VP of special events & pickle-ball) Julie Jilly, (international director) Inaki Balzoa, Michael Baumgarten and (event coordinator) Dimitri Vlassov).” The remote folks Parkkonen thanked included (PTR membership director) Helma Capp, (PTR marketing manager) Caitlyn Fries, (PTR director of education and diversity) Milena Vidos, (PTR membership coordinator Sanaz Marand, (PPR membership services) Melanie Beckler. Then, there was a champagne toast to end the festivities.
Cypress Creek’s Record Flood Stage Wreaks Havoc At The Enclave Community Off Wesley Chapel Blvd.
Carter Hoch, in his lifted side-by-side, drives by Paul Stevenson as they ferry residents in and out of the Enclave subdivision along Wesley Chapel Blvd. several days afterHurricane Milton roared through our area. Much of the Enclave was flooded by a record flood stage of the nearby Cypress Creek after Milton dumped a reported 16 inches (or more) of rain overnight from Oct. 9-10. The Florida National Guard and local law enforcement had to evacuate 100+ Enclave residents (Photo by Joel Provenzano)
After living in this area for more 30 years, I thought that living at least 25-30 miles from anywhere along the Gulf coast was enough to ensure that our area would never have to deal with the full brunt of a major hurricane.
Wrong again, G.
Even though Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key, five miles or so south of downtown Sarasota and more than 60 miles south and 30 miles west of here, the Category 3 storm brought winds estimated at about 100 miles per hour for several hours as it rumbled across Florida. Those of you who hunkered down in your homes here will probably never forget the roaring freight train sound that pounded our area from Wednesday night well into Thursday morning, Oct. 9-10.
But, when the smoke cleared, our area clearly had suffered its most direct hit, at least in the three decades that I have lived here, and it’s likely that no one will ever ignore the warnings to evacuate when it’s clear to every meteorologist on every TV station that another storm has us in its sights.
Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton caused the perfect storm (no pun intended) for flooding, creating record amounts of rainfall almost never seen before in the Wesley Chapel area.
Many parts of Wesley Chapel received around 10” of rain with Debby, 4” with Helene, and 13”-16” (or more) with Milton, on top of an already wetter-than-normal summer. One storm in September set an all-time record dumping of 4.7” of rain in only two hours, causing flash floods in older areas of Tampa. Weather stations were reporting that before Milton hit, much of the Tampa Bay area had already seen 50% more rainfall year-to- date than average.
With Milton making landfall south of Tampa Bay, that helped reduce potential storm surge impacts but put us in perhaps the worst part of the storm for rainfall. The day Milton hit was recorded as the second wettest day EVER recorded for Tampa (in total rainfall), and officially made 2024 as the wettest year (with 77 inches) since records started in 1890, even though the year still has more than two months left!
All of this rain had to go somewhere. It doesn’t just magically disappear overnight. New lakes have been created all over Florida where none had existed before, and these flood waters eventually found their way into rivers, creating historically high river levels that continued to rise even after the storm was gone. In short — it’s still kind of a mess out there.
Enclave In The News
Pulling into the entrance of the Enclave community along Hyde Park Dr. (off Wesley Chapel Blvd.), nearly a week after Milton made landfall, the smell of dead fish and sewage was still lingering in the air. The water was still high in the street, a little over 2 feet, making it look more like a river. Technically it was, as Cypress Creek topped its bank, flooding into the nearby community.
The storm was gone but the water kept rising, the river gauge maxing out a full 4’ above the major flood stage (at a record 15 feet), days after the rain had stopped falling.
The Pasco Sheriff ’s Office, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission and the National and Florida State Guard were gone, a few days after performing more than 100 water rescues, and now the locals were stepping in to help each other. After all, even Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the Enclave’s historic flooding during one of his post-Milton updates. The community was now famous…or infamous, at least.
Getting out of the vehicle to take pictures we immediately heard, “You wanna go back there?,” asked Paul Stevenson with Roofing & Sheet Metal Services. “I’ll take you.”
It was almost 7 p.m., and Paul (an Enclave resident himself ) had been giving rides to other residents in his big Dodge Ram 2500 since 2 p.m., ferrying them slowly down the flooded streets trying hard not to make a big wake. As big of a truck as it was, and all decked out for work, it was just barely tall enough, with the water level coming right up to the bottom of the doors.
“A lot of people left, but then, surprisingly, we got power back a few days ago,” Paul said while driving and pointing out the worst. Paul has lived in Enclave for four years and said he has never even seen flooding on the streets before at all. Many were lucky, because as deep as the water got, the houses were all built a few feet above the level of the road, so the water came right up to a few door steps, but never made it inside.
Residents were being cautious though, as many had parked their cars sideways, right up against their garage doors to avoid the flood waters, which was a smart move. A few residents parked vehicles up at the entrance to the community in a makeshift parking lot, where Paul and another helpful citizen, Carter Hoch (see top photo), were picking people up and dropping them off.
Carter lives in Lutz and brought over his custom high-water vehicle, a lifted side-by-side with massive, chest high tires. “I did 10 hours yesterday, got back to help one more day. Been here for an hour,” Carter said after lifting a suitcase out the back for a resident he had just picked up from the back of the community.
Paul chimed in that, “It looks like regular pickup trucks might be able to make it in tomorrow,” and both agreed that their extremely helpful services might not be needed much longer.
Wesley Chapel Effects
As far as the Wesley Chapel area was concerned, Enclave (which actually has a Land O’Lakes address), got the worst of the post-Milton Cypress Creek flooding, although many local streets were severely flooded in the immediate aftermath of the storm, which saw gusts of 100 mph and higher, and received hurricane-force winds throughout the evening hours of Oct. 9 through the early morning hours of Oct. 10.
The flooding in front of the Publix-anchored Shoppes at New Tampa (right photo by Jeremy Frakes on the Wesley Chapel Residents Facebook page) subsided within a day or so after the storm passed, leaving downed signs and non-working traffic signals in its wake. Trees and power lines were also down everywhere, like at the home of Jason and Sarah Contino (below left), where a large tree that fell missed their home by only a few feet. Down fences were a common scenario.
But, some people with the newer PVC -style fences were able to replace and put back the panels that had blown out within hours of the sun coming up the next morning.
Equally frightening scenes were recorded by local residents across our area, although the above left photo the previous page was posted by WFLA-TV (News Channel 8) of a portion of Curley Rd. that completely buckled.
Most (but certainly not all) homes in the Wesley Chapel area (and more than 3.5 million statewide) lost power for at least a day or more, which caused the need for many people to throw out the perishable food in their refrigerators. Of course, restaurants were probably the hardest hit by this, but many seemed to barely skip a beat in terms of reopening within a couple of days.
As gasoline became scarce in the first few days after Milton passed, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) opened up five free gasoline distribution stations across the Tampa Bay area, including one in the Dillard’s parking lot at the Shops at Wiregrass (bottom photo) from Oct. 14-17, where motorists could receive up to 10 gallons in free gas. The lines were long — up to three hours at the busiest times — and some online commenters didn’t understand why people still needed gas
a week after the storm, when the gas stations did finally all get to refill, apparently not realizing that many homes were still running gas generators in order to be able to have power in their homes.
And finally, a lot of people have been wondering why they were turned down for the $750 in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), so I asked FEMA media specialist Sara Zuckerman that question.
“If a disaster survivor gets a letter that they are ineligible for disaster assistance, it may not be a final decision,” Zuckerman said, “Sometimes, FEMA just needs more information or supporting documentation from the survivor. Make sure you read the letter carefully to see what items may be pending from your first attempt to apply.”
Zuckerman also said that homeowners and renters in a declared county (like Pasco) can apply for FEMA assistance online by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-(800) 621-3362. Mobile access also is available through the FEMAApp.The latest Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) schedule and locations can be found at FEMA.gov or by texting 43362-DRC{yourzipcode} to find your closest DRC. There also are Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews working in Florida neighborhoods helping people apply.
