Blooming business [Times photo: Mike Pease] WESTCHASE -- Marlene Etzler has a lot in common with the exotic flowers she sells from the back of her renovated U.S. Mail truck. They both grew up in the wilds of the South American rain forest and they've both found their way to Westchase.

January 14, 2001

Fall of the wild? Townhomes
Residents had grown used to the woody plot of land, home to tortoises, owls and large oaks.

Horses have a place in rezoning
ODESSA -- Increasing commercial development and the imminent opening of the Suncoast Parkway have prompted the Zambito family to seek rezoning of 111 acres at Van Dyke Road, west of the Suncoast, for a development they say will largely preserve the rural characteristics of the community.

It took a village to build a park
CARROLLWOOD -- One day residents in Carrollwood Village hope to have a building where they can hold community events, but for now, at least they've got a park they can be proud of.

Residents try to slow down Compton Drive speeders
Because traffic on the road in front of a school and park has increased, the area needs a stop sign or speed bumps, the group of neighbors says.

Lawsuit to block high school dropped
In the meantime, the land is sold to a shopping center developer who plans a Publix, a gas station, a wine/liquor store and other stores.

Pylons in median of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to be replaced
A raised curb will replace the "bowling pins" and will deter motorists from crossing but not stop them.

Elections chief to talk in Lutz about reforms
LUTZ -- Pam Iorio, Hillsborough County supervisor of elections, plans to discuss voting reforms at a meeting of the Lutz Civic Association on Thursday.

Board approves higher no-bid spending limits
Before the vote, any expenditures over $5,000 had to be put out to bid. Now that figure is $150,000 to $250,000, depending on the project.

Homeowner fights county to expand house
Zoning officials ordered Sandi Brower to stop a second-story addition at her Grimsby Place home.

Outpatient center offers one-stop health care
Specialists, a diagnostic center and a women's boutique are some of the services featured at the just-opened center operated by St. Joseph-Baptist Health Care.

YMCA fitness program shapes up
From trendy spinning classes to a computer-assisted personal trainer, the health club starts the new year with a variety of new features.

Open & shut

Week in review

Training rides begin to fill 2001 calendar
With the recent cold, bicyclists have been piling on the Gore-Tex gloves and shoe covers, determined to get a ride in before relaxing in front of televised football games.