The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Heritage Park Foundation plans reorganization

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The Heritage Park Foundation — the primary mover behind the construction of a stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park — is hosting a reorganizational meeting on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.

The foundation has been involved with the park and community center for years.

This sign announces that a stage soon will be available for festivities in Land O’ Lakes. It is being built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
(B.C. Manion)

It has hosted family events in the past and brought attention to the Pasco County Commission about needs at the community center.

In recent years, the park has been renovated. A stage also will be added — through a partnership involving the foundation, Pasco County, Pasco County Schools, the state of Florida and local businesses.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a spring music festival, and several other groups have expressed using the park for future events.

The Feb. 1 meeting will feature Brian Taylor, of the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, who will discuss new ideas for “Friends of the Park” organizations throughout Pasco County.

The meeting will be at the community center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Anyone interested in the park or community center, or activities at those facilities, is invited to attend.

Published January 25, 2017

Festival features arts, entertainment and fun

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The Suncoast Arts Fest, which attracts artists and art lovers from near and far, will stage its 12th annual event at The Shops at Wiregrass on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22.

The festival will showcase 126 artists coming from nearby communities, and from as far away as Alaska, California, Quebec and Tennessee.

This ceramic work was created by Patrick Dragon, one of the artists who will be taking part in this year’s Suncoast Arts Fest, at The Shops of Wiregrass, Jan. 21 and Jan. 22. (Courtesy of Suncoast Arts Fest)

Artists and craftsman must compete to gain entry into the show, and this year’s exhibitors were selected from a field of 170 applicants.

The artists represent a wide array of categories, including ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

They will compete for $14,000 in cash prizes.

The festival is a popular event in Wesley Chapel, drawing as many as 95,000 visitors when the weather is nice, according to Jennifer Douglas, festival manager.

Festival-goers also will be able to enjoy live entertainment.

On Jan. 21, The Richey Suncoast Kid’s Theatre and The Eighth Note, a children’s a capella group, will kick off the festival. The lineup that day also includes Sassafras Bluegrass Band, When in Rome and Hope Darling Band.

The lineup on Jan. 22 includes John Emil, The De Lei’ed Parrots and Sarasota Slim.

Ed Myers, a digital artist, is among 126 artists accepted into the 12th annual Suncoast Arts Fest.

Other highlights will include a performance by the Brandon Ballet on Jan. 22, and roving performers from the Bay Area Renaissance Festival on both days.

There will be lots of stuff for the kids to do, too.

The Kids’ Art Garden, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, will feature free art projects, a scavenger hunt through the festival and face painting. The Art Makerspace allow will have projects and activities for people of all ages.

Other event features include professional chalk art, custom silk-screened T-shirts and a student Emerging Artist exhibit, featuring works by Pasco County elementary, middle and high school students.

The Suncoast Arts Fest benefits “Arts for Kids,” a mini-grant program, which provides supplemental arts education funding in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

For a full entertainment schedule, visit SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Suncoast Arts Fest
When: Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, at the intersection of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Wesley Chapel
How much: Free admission and parking.
Details: Arts festival showcases 126 craftsman and artists in categories including ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood. Event also includes live entertainment, chalk art murals, kids’ arts areas, and other activities.

Published January 18, 2017

 

 

Vet services expand in Wesley Chapel

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The Pasco Vet Center will begin offering its mobile services in Wesley Chapel this week.

The center will be bringing its 38-foot mobile unit to Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., on Fridays, effective Jan. 20.

This 38-foot mobile vet center will begin offering services on Fridays, effective Jan. 20, at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd. Appointments will be accepted at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., but hours can be extended, if a need is demonstrated. (Courtesy of A.J. Jones)

“It’s like an RV. It’s got two offices inside and a satellite. Everything you can do in a brick-and-mortar office, I can do onboard,” said Frank (AJ) Jones, a veteran outreach program specialist.

The weekly readjustment counseling services will be offered, with appointments available at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Jones said. “If the need is there, we’ll stay there, and we’ll make longer hours,” he added.

“We provide readjustment counseling to combat veterans. We also provide services to veterans who are struggling with military sexual trauma, male or female,” Jones said.

Counseling will be available for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bereavement counseling is available for families who lost someone, who was in the military when he or she died, combat or not. Family counseling is available, too, Jones said.

The vet center also helps veterans who are suffering from other kinds of trauma, too.

“We see mortuary teams. These are the morticians in the military, who are here in the states. When the bodies come back to the states, they normally come back the way it was when they were over there. When they open the casket to prepare the bodies, they’re dealing with the combat trauma,” Jones said.

A.J. Jones is a veterans outreach program specialist.

The center also serves drone teams, Jones said. “They’re in the war during the day, and then they go home at night. It’s different for the soldiers that are over there, everything is focused on being there and where they’re at in the moment. They’re not,” he said. Instead, they’re fighting in the war during the day and going home to their family at night.

“It’s a whole different dynamic there, for the drone teams,” Jones said.

Resources are available to help veterans who are searching for employment, who need assistance with benefit claims, he said.

Referrals also are available for suicide prevention.

All services are confidential and provided at no cost to the veteran and family members, Jones said.

The idea is to make the services more convenient, so veterans don’t have to drive into Tampa to receive help, Jones said.

To schedule an appointment or to find out more, call the Pasco Vet Center at (727) 372-1854.

Published January 18, 2017

Shedding light on a hidden problem

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Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, just behind the illegal drug trade — netting billions of dollars annually, experts say.

But, it’s a crime that many know little about and often are unaware that it’s happening in their own backyard, said Cpl. Alan Wilkett, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Natalie Epo, an associate dean at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, said the college wants to help the community to be aware of important issues, such as human trafficking. (B.C. Manion)

“When we talk about this problem, we’re not talking about a Mexico problem, or a Guatemala problem, or a Colombia problem,” Wilkett said, during a symposium on human trafficking at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, on Jan. 12.

“We have to look at our own communities and say, ‘What’s going on, around us?’” Wilkett said.

“Not too far from where we’re sitting right now, we have cases working. In Wesley Chapel, there was a house that was housing human trafficking adult victims,” he said.

“Just down the street from here, some folks who had been educated about human trafficking, interrupted two 15-year-old girls who were being snatched by a human trafficking predator.

Nationally, Florida ranks third in the number of human trafficking crimes — trailing only California and Texas, Wilkett said. Tampa Bay ranks second highest in Florida, in suspected cases reported to the national human trafficking hotline.

The law enforcement officer told those gathered about a case he worked that began as a traffic stop.

A van ran a red light, and when Wilkett stopped it, he discovered that it was filled with men. They were obviously laborers who had been working all day, he said.

“Nobody has paperwork,” he said. Finally, one of them calls someone and a guy arrives a few minutes later.

He tells Wilkett: “I am so glad you pulled them over. I just fired them today. I just found out today that they are illegal.”

The men had been working on a local construction project, hanging drywall.

“I knew we had a problem here,” Wilkett said.

Karen Foster and Diane Parker are volunteers who have made it their mission to help spread the word about human trafficking. They want to people to understand the dangers, so they can be vigilant about protecting themselves and their loved ones.

Undocumented workers are often smuggled into the United States on the promise they’ll be given work and will be able to repay the person who smuggled them, the law enforcement officer said. But, despite working long hours, they never earn enough money to repay the debt.

Statistics on human trafficking vary, Wilkett said. He uses the most conservative estimate, which puts the figure at 20.9 million. That includes about 5.5 million children, he said.

Many people are aware that modern-day slavery includes the sex trade, Wilkett said. They may not realize how young the victims can be.

Minors are being rescued from sex trafficking, Wilkett said. “The average age that we are rescuing in the Tampa Bay area is 13. Nationally, it’s 12 to 15.”

Human trafficking goes beyond the commercial sex trade, Wilkett added. Forced labor includes such industries as landscaping, construction, nail salons, restaurants and agriculture.

Edie Rhea, a survivor of human trafficking and a woman who uses the pseudonym Amy, also spoke at the symposium.

Rhea was just 10 years old when her world was turned upside down by the man who claimed that she was his little princess. Her mother’s boyfriend began raping her, and then he began selling her to other men who raped her, Rhea said.

Amy said she was a single mother with a medically needy baby when she went to work at a strip club, and was then recruited by a pimp who beat her severely and used the threat of future beatings to keep her in his grip.

The symposium is part of a series of community seminars to help raise awareness about a variety of issues.

Natalie Epo, associate dean of academic affairs and retention services, said it’s important to put the spotlight on the issue of human trafficking.

“The reality is that it’s happening,” Epo said. “It can be someone luring your kids for jobs. They can say, ‘Hey, we have a job we’re going to send you to New York, or whatever the case might be.

“Unfortunately, they get trapped in this horrible system of human trafficking,” she said.

“We want to able to keep the community abreast about issues that are affecting them. We want to keep our finger on the pulse of the community,” she said.

Students at the state college also benefit from this type of symposium, said Rene Hensley, a teacher on the state college’s West Campus.

Hensley was there with her first-year licensed practical nursing students.

She thought they could become more knowledgeable about the issue and pick up some pointers on how to respond to a patient, if they discover he or she is a victim of human trafficking.

The speaker, Amy, who landed in the hospital more than once, offered a piece of advice on how to respond to a human trafficking victim: “It’s really about one human (communicating) to another human,” she said.

Karen Foster, of Dade City, and Diane Parker, of Zephyrhills, are volunteers who are committed to raising awareness about human trafficking.

“Our mission, as volunteers, is to make sure everyone knows about it,” Foster said.

Parker agreed: “We have to tell everybody about it. We live our lives, and we’re not aware what goes on. When you tell people, they are amazed.”

Published January 18, 2017

 

Public meeting set to discuss Extension Office location

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Community members will have another chance to share their views on the future location of the Pasco County Extension Office.

Extension now operates out of space owned by the Pasco County Fair Association, under an annual $17,000 lease, which is currently on a month-to-month basis.

But, the office is too small and outdated to meet Extension’s needs.

LeAnne John, president of the Pasco County Fair Association, asked for time to determine whether improvements can be made at the fairgrounds to keep Extension there. (File)

The county wants to improve conditions for Extension and has been weighing various options.

Views were divided over the best location, during an Oct. 12 stakeholders’ meeting.

Some speakers supported an upgrade to the office at its current fairgrounds location. They said it makes sense for Extension because of its close alignment to the Pasco County Fair.

Others urged the county to move Extension to the county-owned Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City. They said that area children and families would benefit from having Extension in that neighborhood.

Whitney C. Elmore, director of Pasco Extension, said details are still being ironed out, but she expects a plan to be presented to stakeholders at that meeting.

“We want to get their feelings, their input, on a variety of things, and talk to them about how we’re going to move forward to increase the visibility for Extension across Pasco County,” she said. The aim is to provide additional space, so Extension can expand the programs its offers.

A meeting has been set for Jan. 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City, at the fairgrounds.

Meanwhile, Pasco County, in conjunction with the Pasco County Fair, also has scheduled a public hearing to certify that the Pasco County Fair Association Building is designed for a public purpose.

The fair association is applying for a grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to renovate the fair association building. To be eligible for the grant money, the county must certify that the building provides a public service.

That public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m., during the County Commission’s regular meeting at the Historic Pasco County Historic Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City.

If a state grant is approved and remodeling funds are made available, Elmore said Extension would need to relocate while that work is done.

Regardless of what happens with Extension’s office space, Elmore said she will be working with community volunteer Sammy Ortiz to set up new Hispanic 4-H Club in Dade City.

The Extension director said one of the best things that came out of the Oct. 12 meeting is that she learned about Ortiz’s willingness to take on a leadership role.

Elmore also said that Cathy Pearson, an assistant county administrator who led the previous stakeholder’s meeting, will be leading the Jan. 19 meeting, too.

What: Community stakeholders meeting on Extension Office improvements
Where: 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City
When: Jan. 19, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Who: The community is invited to participate in the discussion.

 

Public hearing regarding Pasco County Fair Association Building
Where: Pasco County Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City
When: Jan. 24, 1:30 p.m.
Why: The fair association is applying for a state grant, and in order to qualify, the county must certify that the fair association’s building is used for a public purpose. The Pasco County Extension Office is at the Pasco County Fair Association’s fairgrounds.

Published January 18, 2017

Festival offers up a sweet and spicy time

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Marcus Copeland, of Dade City, watches as Wilbur Dew, a staff member of the museum, pours the heated syrup into a container to cool and to be bottled for sale at the Pioneer Florida Museum. (Richard K. Riley)

Whether it was tasting cane syrup, riding on a mule, sampling chili, or listening to music, there were plenty of ways to have fun at the seventh annual Raising Cane Festival at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.

Those attending the festival had a chance to see how sugarcane is turned into syrup. They also could check out the festival’s first chili cookoff, and the syrup-tasting contest, where samples were judged on taste, color, pour and clarity.

Other activities included live entertainment, barrel train rides and a petting zoo, as well as iron skillet and sugar cane pole tossin’.

Amelia Sizemore, 5, of Spring Hill, rides Sam the Mule around the cane-squeezing machine.

Wilbur Dew, who has produced cane syrup for more than 20 years, demonstrated his skills.

Museum experts say cane syrup was a routine part of pioneers’ diets, especially those settled in southern states, like Florida.

The Pioneer Florida Museum gives visitors a chance to step back in time and learn how the state’s early settlers lived.

For more information about the museum, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Published January 18, 2017

Raising awareness about human trafficking

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A spotlight is being cast on the issue of human trafficking this week in Wesley Chapel.

A symposium, co-hosted by Pasco-Hernando State College and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, is set for Jan. 12.

Two days later, a 5k and 1-mile walk/jog, followed by a concert, are scheduled for Jan. 14.

Edie Rhea said she spent several years of her life as a victim of human trafficking, being sold for sex, from the time she was 10 until she was 17. She now leads Healing Root Ministry, which aims to help victims of human trafficking restore their lives. Rhea will be speaking at a symposium on human trafficking on Jan. 12 in Wesley Chapel.
(File)

The symposium will be held on Jan. 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass, 2727 Mansfield Blvd. The gathering will be in the Conference Center, building B, room 303.

The symposium will feature Cpl. Alan T. Wilkett, of the Sheriff’s Office and Edie Rhea, of Healing Root Ministry.

Wilkett will cover the criminal enforcement aspects of the issue, and Rhea will share her personal story of being trafficked.

Wilkett has served as a chief deputy, captain, commander, and director of public safety in a public service career that spans 22 years.

During his career, he has handled a wide array of positions and developed specialties in such areas as property crimes, major crimes, cold case, narcotics, child abuse and more.

Rhea works to help restore the lives of fellow survivors. She works in crisis intervention for children and women going through the aftermath of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

She is the founder of Healing Root Ministry, a nonprofit organization advocating for victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse.

Those attending the symposium will be able to obtain information from a number of agencies that provide services involving this issue.

The event is part of the state college’s ongoing Community Awareness Series, and is open to students, faculty, staff and the general public.

Human Trafficking Symposium
What: Pasco-Hernando State College and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office are co-hosting a Human Trafficking Symposium in Wesley Chapel.
When: Jan. 12, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Porter Campus at Wiregrass, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in the Conference Center, Building B, room 303.

What: Light Up the Night Radiant 5k and 1-mile race
When: Jan. 14 at 4 p.m.
Where: The race, which aims to shine the light on the problem of human trafficking, will start at 4 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
The race will be followed by a concert, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Shops of Wiregrass and will feature Shalyah Fearing of NBC’s The Voice 2016.
The 5k and 1-mile jog/walk are family friendly. Dogs are welcome, too. Strollers also are welcome.

Published January 11, 2017

Area talent show gives youth a time to shine

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Long before “America’s Got Talent” began attracting the nation’s attention, a local talent show began offering youths a chance to take center stage.

And, efforts are now gearing up for this year’s 34th annual “Spotlight on Talent” competition.

Kiersten Herman, of Wesley Chapel, won third place in her category in last year’s ‘Spotlight on Talent’ competition. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center Association)

Winners of this talent show won’t walk away with a million-dollar prize or a show in Las Vegas, but they won’t walk away empty-handed, either.

The regional competition awards more than $4,000 in cash prizes and trophies to winners in several age categories.

The event, organized by the Heritage Arts Center Association, features contestants who have made their way through auditions and have been selected as finalists to compete at two shows.

The competition also awards a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who lives in Pasco County.

Because of the community support of the “Moonlight and Ivory” concerts, as well as the “Spotlight” contest, organizers have added the scholarship that will go to the Pasco senior with the highest total scores from the finals judges.

The contest will feature finalists from several hundred contestants who compete during an audition.

Contestants come from throughout Pasco County, as well as Tampa, Brooksville, St. Petersburg and other communities.

Talents run the gamut, too.

There are vocalists, dancers, instrumental musicians, piano players, baton twirlers, bands, gymnasts and other entertainers seeking to take home a prize.

There are several age categories. There also are categories for groups and for solos. A student may enter as a soloist and as a member of a group.

Judges for the competition come from Central Florida.

This year’s auditions will be on Feb. 11.

Julianna Mazza, of Dade City, won first place in her category in last year’s ‘Spotlight on Talent’ competition.

Participants are judged primarily on talent, but also on stage presence and appropriate appearance.

The final competitions will be March 11 at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The first act, which begins at noon, will feature the younger finalists. The second act, which begins at 7 p.m., will features the older competitors.

Admission is $12 for adults for one show, or $20 for both. For students through high school, admission is $6 for one show, or $10 for both. Children under age 5 are admitted free.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the end of the final show, and will be separate, and in addition to the individual category winners.

The deadline for entries is Jan. 26, but anyone who is interested in competing should start preparing their act now and start working on the application, Barbara Friedman, one of the event’s organizers, said via email.

Information about the competition is distributed to each school music teacher in central and east Pasco County. Many dance, vocal and instrumental studios, and local Chambers of Commerce also have information about the arts competition.

Applications and information also are available online at HeritageArts.org.

The competition is also seeking additional community sponsors.

If you’d like more information about the competition or about how to become a sponsor, call Friedman at (352) 567-1720, or email .

34th annual ‘Spotlight on Talent’ competition
Deadline for applications: Jan. 26
Auditions: Feb. 11
Talent Show: March 11; Act I, featuring younger competitors begins at noon. Act II, featuring older contestants starts at 7 p.m.
Where: Talent shows will be at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
Admission: For adults, $12 for adults for one show or $20 for both. For students through high school, $6 for one show or $10 for both. Children under age 5 are admitted free.
For more information, call Barbara Friedman at (352) 567-1720, or email .
For applications, visit HeritageArts.org.

Check out information, and fun, at local libraries

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A new year always offers a fresh chance to become more disciplined, learn new things, explore new hobbies and have more fun.

All that, and more, awaits visitors to local libraries.

One of the creatures that Stacy Dunn, an animal educator from Pinellas County Reptiles, brought to a show at New River Branch Library last June. She had a crowd of about 90 people hanging on her every word during the reptile show.
(File)

Besides a vast collection of books, CDs, DVDs and digital offerings, libraries host scores of events every month.

So, depending on your interests or your needs, you can often find just what you’re seeking at the library — for free.

And, if not at your local library, chances are you can find it at a library in a nearby community.

So, whether it’s learning more about Medicare, camellias, cooking or crafts — there are libraries in northern Hillsborough County, and east and central Pasco County, offering classes or events on topics like these and more.

Maybe you’re a gamer, or a movie buff. Libraries have free game nights and free movies, too.

A photo of 2nd Lt. Phil Rasmussen shows the airplane pilot in his pajamas with a pistol strapped around his waist. Rasmussen shot down a Japanese Zero during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

You can be a hands-on type, or a listener; someone brand new to a pursuit, or someone who knows what’s what. Regardless of your personality type or interests, you likely can locate a library that is offering what you’re hoping to find.

Here’s a look at just a few of the selections available at your local libraries through the end of January.

For future months, visit HCPLC.org to find out more of what’s happening in Hillsborough County libraries or PascoLibraries.org to find out about more offerings in Pasco County libraries.

What’s happening in northern Hillsborough County libraries

Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Road in Odessa
Jan. 18, 1:15 p.m.: Wee Artists: Arts and crafts for preschoolers and their caregivers.

Jan. 24, 1:15 p.m.: Motion Commotion: This 30-minute program incorporates music, literacy and fitness for the whole family. Recommended for children ages 2 to 5.

Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.: Adult Tech Bytes: Did you get a new electronic device over the holidays? Discover the library’s large selection of e-books, audiobooks and more. Upload free apps from the library. Those attending must have a working email address and wireless capabilities on their devices.

Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
Jan. 13, 4 p.m.: Knitting for beginners
Jan. 14, 10:15 a.m.: English practice at Conversation Corner
Jan. 14, 2 p.m.: Introduction to 3D Printing
Jan. 21, 2 p.m.: Introduction to 3D Modeling with Tinker CAD
Jan. 25, 4 p.m.: Art after school
Jan. 28, 2 p.m.:3D Scanning with 123D Catch
Jan. 31, 4:30 p.m.: Storytelling workshop

Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
Jan. 17, 4 p.m.: E-books for Tablets and Smartphones

Jan. 28, 3 p.m.: Super Science: Pirate Polly and her parrot, Crackers, will lead a pirate-themed program featuring science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Recommended for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and their families.

New Tampa Branch Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
Jan. 12, 3 p.m.: How to Write a Resume

Jan. 12, 6 p.m.: Yoga for Well-Being

Jan. 17, 10 a.m.: Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring a project, and meet new people in this sit and stitch program. Beginners welcome. Bring your own supplies.

Jan. 17, 3 p.m.: Pig Out on Reading: Daisy the pig, along with Farmer and Mrs. Minor, will visit the library with stories about the pampered swine’s life. For ages 2 to 6.

Jan. 24, 3 p.m.: Intro to Cybersecurity: A beginner’s guide

What’s happening at East and Central Pasco County libraries

Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Friends of Hugh Embry Used Book Sale

Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m.: Learn how to become a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer

Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.: Astronomer Ken Manning presents “When Celestial Bodies Collide: Eclipses & Other Phenomenon”

Jan. 24, 2 p.m.: In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Roslyn Franken, author of “Meant to Be: A True Story of Might, Miracles and Triumph of the Human Spirit,” will present an inspirational program based on her book.

Jan. 26, 4 p.m.: Coder DoJo Jr.: For grades six through 12. Javascript and more coding club. Bring your email address and password.

Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
Jan. 14, 2 to 4 p.m.: An introduction to tools for junior woodworkers, ages 9 through 15

Jan. 21, 10 a.m.: Turning 65: Medicare assistance: The purpose of the program is to educate elders regarding Medicare insurance.

Jan. 28, 10 a.m.: Sylvia’s Kitchen: Participants will make chocolate-covered creations, ages 13 and up.

Jan. 28, 2 p.m.: Pre-teen jewelry: Making Pop Tab People, ages 9 through 15

New River Branch, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
Jan. 17, 2 p.m.: Learn about camellias from a master gardener
Jan. 19, 11 a.m.: Medicare 101: Get answers to your Medicare enrollment questions.
Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.: Want to learn about gardening? Attend the community garden meeting.
Jan. 21, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: After-hours community gaming night. Participants will play a wide array of board games, including such classics as Monopoly and Scrabble.

Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., Zephyrhills
Jan. 12: 9:45 a.m.: Career Source Mobile One: Job Search and Career Assistance: Job seekers will find help in searching for work, writing and printing resumes, and finding out about resources that can help them in their quest for employment.

Jan. 12, 6 p.m.: Lawyer in the library: Attorney Bret Galbraith will field questions on small business issues.

Jan. 18, 1 p.m.: AARP Seminar: Fraud Prevention: Learn how to protect yourself from ID theft and to protect yourself from scams.

Jan. 25, 11:30 a.m.: Cookbook Book Club: If you love to eat, love to learn new recipes and enjoy meeting new people, this club is for you.

Jan. 28, 9:30 a.m.: I Quit — Smoking Cessation. Learn strategies for quitting all forms of tobacco in a friendly and supportive setting.

Published January 11, 2017

There’s no such thing as ‘managing’ time

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Maybe you’ve decided that this is the year that you’re going to do a better job of ‘managing’ your time.

But, if you listen to Richard Dutton, a retired professor of Managerial Behavior & Organization Studies from the University of South Florida, it is impossible to “manage” time.

“Time cannot be managed. It is completely independent of us,” Dutton said.

“We can use time. We can’t replace time,” said Dutton, formerly of the Muma College of Business at USF.

Richard E. Dutton, a retired professor of Managerial Behavior & Organization Studies in the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida, recently spent a little of his time talking about the value of time. He presented a free lecture through the university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, known as OLLI for short.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

It’s also impossible to “save time,” added Dutton, during remarks he delivered as part of a free lecture series offered through the university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, also known as OLLI.

When people — especially college students — think about their personal resources, they tend to consider money to be their scarcest resource, Dutton said.

But, he said, that’s not true.

“Time is your scarcest resource. Today will never ever happen again. So, how you use your time today is critical. You can make more money. You can work more hours. You can’t make more time,” he said.

There are, however, ways to be more efficient and to make better use of your time, Dutton said, during his talk at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library.

Here are some ways Dutton suggests to help you make better use of your time:

  • List your objectives
  • Rank the objectives based on importance
  • List actions that you need to take to achieve your objectives
  • Prioritize those actions
  • Schedule your time based on your priorities.

It’s important to have a manageable list, Dutton said. He suggests a list averaging five items. Avoid making lists that have more than nine items, he said.

It’s also important to know when you are most effective, Dutton said. Be aware of your personal productivity cycle. Some people wake up raring to go; others fare better later in the day.

It’s also important to discern the difference between being busy and being effective, Dutton said.

“We need more focused thinking,” he said.  “When we prioritize things well, we do the right things, not just the obvious things.

Schedule your most difficult tasks during your peak productivity periods, Dutton said.

Be sure to protect yourself from interruptions when you are doing your most difficult work, he said.

“Our mind is not good at solving problems that are complicated or difficult when we only have little splinters of time to work with,” he said. “We need chunks of time to solve complicated problems.”

When people are zoned in on a problem, their concentration can be broken by an alert they receive on their Smartphone, he said.

So, be sure to minimize disruptions by insulating yourself from telephone calls or people popping by for a chat, he said.

He also recommends grouping less important tasks together and doing them at the same time. That may mean reading through emails, returning telephone calls or doing busy work that has to be done but is not as important as other work you need to accomplish, he said.

Technology is useful, but needs to be used wisely, Dutton added.

“Sometimes we make ourselves busier than we should be. When you send out an email, you get an email back, right?

“Now you have to send another email.

“This is a never-ending cycle.

“Can’t we just talk?” Dutton asked.

One of the downsides of technology is the constant interruptions it creates, he said.

“I want to be the master of that phone. I don’t want it to interrupt me,” he said. “It’s my phone. I turn it on when I think I need it.”

Another way to accomplish more with our time is to master the art of delegation, Dutton said.

“Multiple yourself by letting other people have a part of the project, have a part of the action. You can help develop them, and, in the future they may be more and more and more helpful,” Dutton said.

Tips for having effective meetings:

  • Have a time limit
  • Have a written agenda
  • Consider conducting the meeting in a room without chairs — that tends to speeds things up.

 

Tips for choosing which line to wait in:

  • Get behind a single shopper with a full cart, rather than several shoppers who have fewer items.
  • When there are a series of lines, choose lines to the left. People tend to choose lines to their dominant side, so be sure you are giving all lines a fair shot.
  • Look for female cashiers, they tend to be faster in processing details.
  • Avoid chatty cashiers, regardless of gender.
  • Look at what people have in their carts. Don’t get behind people who have items that can complicate the transaction, such as someone who has lots of produce that must be weighed, or someone who has lots of coupons.
  • When there is a choice between a single line that leads to one cashier, or a line that leads to several cashiers, choose the one that has more cashiers. People tend to be more concerned about how long the line is than they are about how fast it is moving.

Published January 4, 2017