The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Resting comfortably

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Barbara Carson snapped this photo of four baby raccoons, also known as cubs, 

rescued from a fallen tree. Raccoons may climb trees in order to rest safely during the day. Most raccoons, however, will rest inside one of their dens.

Chalk Talk 08/28/2024

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Performing arts career fair

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory will host its fifth annual Performing Arts College and Career Fair on Sept. 29 with workshops from 9 a.m. to noon and a meet-and-greet with college representatives from noon to 3 p.m.

A crowd of students and families visit with colleges at a previous career fair at the Straz Center. (Courtesy of Leslie Farrell/Farrell Communications)

The fair is designed for students interested in pursuing a college degree and/or career in dance, music or theater.

Workshops are accessible with a 2024 Performing Arts College & Career Fair Workshop Pass, available for $20 online (see link below). The pass will provide student admission to opportunities presented by visiting colleges and faculty. Parents may observe student workshops or attend parent-centric workshops with the purchase of an additional wristband.

All attendees, including guardians and guests, must register online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com/#CourseGroupID=45238.

National scholars

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 91 scholarships awarded through the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, one of the department’s efforts to develop the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals, according to a news release.

The national scholars program is a partnership between the USDA and the 19 historically Black land-grant universities that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 and is administered by the USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the release says.

The scholars took part in an orientation and a swearing-in ceremony at USDA headquarters in Washington D.C.

“The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is an important pathway for careers in agriculture, nutrition, food, development – and at USDA,” said OPPE Director Lisa Ramirez in the release.

Through the program, the USDA partners with 1890 universities to provide scholarship recipients with full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Recipients must attend one of the 1890 universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The 91 recipients will be placed at USDA agencies and offices.

The scholarship program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college, as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.

For more information, visit www.USDA.gov.

Student achievements

  • Joshua Carr, Dade City: Master of Business Administration, University of Texas at Tyler
  • Owen James, Lutz: Dean’s List, Hartwick College, New York
  • Abby Suarez, Lutz: Intern, Wacker Chemical Company, Charleston, Tennessee. Suarez is pursuing a degree in environmental science with minors in sustainability and Spanish at the University of Florida.
  • Thea Wangsness, Dade City: Dean’s List, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Classroom equipment donated

AdventHealth Heart of Florida presented 24 world globes, recess equipment and school supplies to the teachers at Bethune Academy in Haines City. Unity in the Community reached out about the need teachers had for classroom equipment, wall maps, globes, recess equipment and a variety of other items.

AdventHealth Heart of Florida COO Julie Hess (fourth from left) presented the donations to Bethune Academy teachers, staff and Principal Robin Hewitt (second from right).
(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“We were more than happy to help by purchasing some of the items on their list. We donated recess equipment and world globes. The hula hoops, jump ropes and other games align with AdventHealth’s whole-person care approach — and we love the fact that students will be able to go outside and exercise and participate in group events and just have fun. We also know that exercising and being outdoors can reduce stress and help with your mental health,” said Julie Hess, chief operating officer for AdventHealth Heart of Florida, in a news release.

Hess also explained the reason behind buying the globes: AdventHealth, a non-for-profit, faith-based hospital system, sponsors and participates in mission projects around the globe.

AdventHealth team members also donated school supplies including crayons, pencils, folders and notebook paper.

LPN program ranked

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) recently was ranked as the best Licensed Practical Nurse program in Florida, both online and on campus, by NursingProcess.org. Out of more than 160 programs approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, PHSC ranked first place, according to a news release.

Nursing Process uses a system that takes factors such as enrollment rate, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, National Council Licensure Examination – Practical Nurse pass rates, and affordability into account when ranking the programs.

The organization is comprised of a team of health care professionals who are dedicated to navigating information around nursing education and careers, focusing on decreasing the gap in easily accessible expert-driven information, the release says.

For more information, visit PHSC.edu/academics/porgrams/health/practical-nurse.

Subaru donates for education

Subaru of Wesley Chapel recently made a donation of $15,000 and 25 school supply kits to Pasco County Schools’ Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. The contribution, made in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org as part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, will benefit more than 1,240 students by providing essential supplies to help ensure a successful school year, according to a news release.

The funds allow teachers to buy much-needed supplies for their classrooms, easing the financial burden that many educators face, aligning with the school’s ongoing efforts to create a positive and effective learning environment for all students.

For more about the Subaru initiative, visit Subaru.com/learning, or follow #SubaruLovesLearning on social media.

Scholarship opportunity

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is offering a scholarship to high school seniors or college students who have a passion for the environment.

Those interested can apply for the scholarship by completing volunteer hours through cleanups, tree plantings or beautification projects.

Application deadline is Sept. 23. Visit Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful on Facebook and click the link in its bio for more information.

Golden Grants program

Applications are now open for the 2024 McDonald’s Golden Grants program.

McDonald’s owner/operators across South Carolina, Georgia and Florida will be selecting deserving educators, nonprofit organizations, and the like, who represent programs that fuel the imagination, education and growth of students, as recipients of a McDonald’s Golden Grant, according to a news release. The program is entering its fourth year and has awarded $300,000 in the first three years.

This year, grants will be awarded in the amounts of $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 based on creativity and hands-on application of projects.

Qualifying activities include arts programs, education initiatives, mentorship and empowerment programs, after-school programs, community service, sports activities and technology.

Educators, programs and organizations serving kindergarten through 12th grade can apply.

Applications close Oct. 13. Recipients will be announced in November.

For more information and to apply, visit mcdgoldengrants.com/florida.

Two Good Soles drive underway

The ninth annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway, through Oct. 23, with Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County Schools.

Types of shoes and socks to consider donating include:

  • Children’s shoes sizes 9 and up
  • Adult shoes in all sizes
  • Socks in all sizes (neutral colors)
  • Closed-toe shoes, no flip-flops

In 2023, more than 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 6,000 pairs of socks were collected.

Donations can be dropped in collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations and the Pasco County clerk & comptroller, property appraiser and tax collector offices.

All new shoes and socks will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October.

Video game design contest

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the NSF Game Maker Awards “Life in 2010” competition for kindergarten through 12th grade students, to commemorate the agency’s 75th anniversary milestone.

Students are invited to create video games that imagine life 75 years from now (in the year 2100) and compete to win up to $7,500 in various prize categories. Their games will be featured in NSF’s 75th anniversary activities. Additional prizes can go to mentors, teachers or parents/guardians who aid teams in application and game development, according to a news release.

The students are challenged to dive into game design and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to think critically and creatively about the future and contribute unique perspectives to the ongoing dialogue about our planet’s trajectory.

The competition encourages students to explore NSF-supported research areas, including sustainable ecosystems, futuristic cities and advanced medical technology.

Award winners will be invited to an in-person event to showcase their games.

Deadline for submission is 5 p.m., Jan. 31. Details and more information can be found at new.nsf.gov/75years/game-maker-awards.

Garden club looking for youth to help promote monarchs

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The Dade City Garden Club is looking to recruit enthusiastic, nature-loving youth to participate in the newly launched “Monarch Marvels” youth leadership program, to serve as Monarch Project ambassadors at the upcoming Monarch Butterfly Festival. Participants from grades four to eight can attend a three-part workshop to prepare to serve at the festival scheduled for Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Touchton Park and the garden club, according to a news release.

Monarch butterflies are a welcome visitor to home gardens. Here, one emerges from its chrysalis (File)

The Dade City Monarch Project was created as a community effort to support the city’s designation as a Monarch City USA and is celebrated at the annual October festival to engage the public through environmental awareness and conservation efforts.

“It has always been our vision to include youth as a key component of our educational efforts,” said Joan Hepscher, chair of the 2024 festival, in the release. “Through a generous grant from the Community Foundation Tampa Bay to support the festival, we are able to offer Monarch Marvels as an opportunity for our youth to learn the plight of the monarch, recognize the importance of Dade City’s designation as a Monarch City USA, identify strategies to increase public awareness, and bring the message to the public at this year’s festival.”

A sign at Touchton Park, the site of the Monarch Butterfly Festival, shows Dade City’s designation as a Monarch City USA (File)

The workshops will take place Sept. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City.

Space is limited and registration for all three workshops is required. At the final workshop, participants will be recognized and will receive a certificate.

For more information, call the library at 352-567-3576.

 

Published on August 28, 2024.

Health News 08/28/2024

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A healthy checkup for students

Students get back-to-school checkups at an event hosted by AdventHealth North Pinellas. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

More than 85 students from the Tarpon Springs area received back-to-school health screenings during an annual event hosted by AdventHealth North Pinellas and Citizens Alliance for Progress Inc., according to a news release.

AdventHealth hospital staff and Rasmussen School of Nursing students checked children in kindergarten through eighth grade for vision, blood pressure, and checks on ears, nose and throat. Adults also were provided blood pressure and glucose screenings.

“We focus not just on your medical care but whole-person care, and that means making sure our young ones are healthy and prepared to take on a new school year,” said Ryan Quattlebaum, president and CEO of AdventHealth North Pinellas, in the news release.

Families also were provided a free nutritional meal and a backpack filled with school supplies to help get the school year started.

Medicare Basics

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) representatives will make these upcoming stops to answer Medicare questions:

  • Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.: New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. Call 813-788-6375.
  • Sept. 21, 10 a.m.: Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. Call 813-929-1214.
  • Sept. 26, noon: Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City. Call 352-567-3576.

SHINE is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas.

Representatives visit hospital

From left: Tim Tidwell, SJN patient services director; Anand Nayee, SJN chief medical officer; Lou Galdieri, BayCare co-chief operating officer; Keri Eisenbeis, BayCare chief of staff and chief communications officer; Sara Dodds, SJN president; Rep. Brett Guthrie; Rep. Gus Bilirakis; and Jason Rodriguez, BayCare government relations director. (Courtesy of Martin Bahl/BayCare)

Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Pinellas County and Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky recently visited St. Joseph’s Hospital-North (SJN) in Lutz. Both representatives are on the Health Subcommittee in Congress with Guthrie serving as the Health Subcommittee chair.

The representatives talked with BayCare and hospital officials about health care issues and toured St. Joseph’s Hospital-North including the pharmacy and the hospital’s innovative Unit for Psychiatry and Medical Services (UPM).

The UPM, which opened in April 2023, treats patients that simultaneously have medical and psychiatric diagnoses and needs. Traditionally, these patients are treated separately and are transferred back and forth between medical and psychiatric units. The UPM at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North treats these patients for medical and psychiatric needs in one unit.

Hospital begins expansion

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel announced a major expansion project to support the growing community of Pasco County. Construction began in early July, with the new additions expected to be ready by late 2025, according to a news release.

The new three-story North Wing and two-story South Courtyard Infill will add 80,373 square feet of new space and include the renovation of 8,837 square feet of existing space. The expansion will increase the hospital’s licensed beds from 169 to 193, with room for two more 24-bed units.

Rendering of the entire hospital expansion, set to be complete by the end of 2025. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

The new addition allows for: 72 inpatient beds, two operating rooms, two endoscopy suites, one hybrid operating room, 20 pre-op and post-op beds, and advanced imaging capabilities with MRI, and radiology.

For more information about the hospital and ongoing updates, visit AHWesleyChapel.com.

Cardiac rehab unit expands

AdventHealth Heart of Florida has opened an expanded cardiac rehab unit, doubling the number of patients that can be treated and reducing wait time before new patients can enroll in the program, according to a news release.

Before the expansion, the unit was treating an average of 56 patients a month. With the new space, the team can double that volume. 

The rehab unit has been working to help people recover and get on the road to a happier, healthier life through physical therapy, cardiac-friendly diets, smoking cessation and more. Many of the patients in the program are older and live alone, so in addition to treating their bodies, the program also helps raise their spirits.

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cardiovascular disease and its mortality are increasing in working-age adults.

The unit is at 40124 U.S. 27 in Davenport. To learn more about the program, call 863-419-1811.

Florida hospital recognized

AdventHealth Heart of Florida has been named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Hospitals list as a High Performing hospital for knee replacement, according to a news release. 

This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings, which are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions; only 11% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals ranking.

Hospitals awarded a “best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.

To calculate ratings, U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care.

For more information, visit https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/fl/heart-of-florida-regional-medical-center-6390286.

Winnie is a sweet girl

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Winnie will celebrate her 17th birthday on Sept. 16. When she was younger, she liked to be in the pool and enjoyed her walks. Winnie is laid-back and affectionate, and loves people, especially children and other animals. She has always loved stuffed animals. Winnie lives in Lutz with her proud owner, Linda Brunner.

Health News 08/21/2024

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Hospital earns five-star rating
AdventHealth Zephyrhills has achieved a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2024, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Hospital leaders implemented a series of best practices to build a clinical infrastructure focused on safe and effective care to reach these top designations. According to CMS, more than 4,500 hospitals were evaluated nationwide. The rating system is based on safety of care, readmission, patient experience, timeliness of care and mortality rates.

“At AdventHealth, we aim to inspire our team members to treat each patient with the utmost compassion, as if they were family. From the first moment of admission to the final steps of discharge, we ensure that every patient and their loved ones feel prioritized and cared for,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Connerton, in the release.

“These CMS ratings highlight the dedication and excellence our team brings to the communities we serve,” said Murrill.

The CMS Hospital Compare website represents data from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

For more information and to see how AdventHealth’s scores compare locally and nationally, visit Medicare.gov/HospitalCompare.

Donation to help veterans in their golden years
The five offices of Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano raised $10,801.80 for the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home during the month of June, according to a news release.

From left: Rebecca Corley, program director; Marlies Sarrett, administrator; Mike Fasano, tax collector; and Tim Couet, chief deputy tax collector. (Courtesy of Pasco Tax Collector’s Office)

The nursing home was built for veterans who need long-term skilled nursing care, with about 50% of the beds dedicated to veterans with dementia and related memory disorders.

The monies raised will be used to improve the recreation area, dollars that are not provided by any other source other than through donations.

“It was a great honor for our offices to raise over $10,800 for the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, which provides the long-term care needs of men and women who have served in the military, having sacrificed so much of themselves for our great nation,” said Fasano, in the release.

“Pasco County is a beautiful county, with the outdoor recreation area giving the veterans great joy and pleasure. The generous people of our community who donated to this project will help these brave veterans, who put their country first, be able to enjoy their golden years to the fullest,” said Fasano.

To learn more about the Baldomero home, call Rebecca Corley at 813-558-5000.

For information about the tax collector’s charitable giving programs, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at 727-847-8179.

 

Chalk Talk 08/21/2024

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Saint Leo prepares for student arrivals
As Saint Leo University prepares for the arrival of students to its Pasco County campus, several new programs are making earning a college degree more accessible and affordable, too.

A new student, with help from her family, carries items into her residence hall in 2023. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

New and transfer students will move into residence halls on Aug. 22, at the campus at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo. The school expects to welcome more than 800 new students for the fall semester. Classes will begin on Aug. 26.

To help a college education be more attainable, Saint Leo offered two new financial aid awards — the Local Promise Award to provide undergraduate students free housing for up to two academic years and the Nursing Promise Award to provide free housing renewable for up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

This fall, Saint Leo also introduces two new degree programs as well as an online version of a bachelor’s program previously only offered at University Campus.

A Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Program will be offered, as well as a minor in entrepreneurship. 

The Master of Science in artificial intelligence can be pursued online through Saint Leo’s College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), as a STEM-designated degree targeted to individuals currently working in the technology field or engineering in order to “upskill,” and to those just coming out of a bachelor’s degree program.

To learn more, visit SaintLeo.edu.

Nominate a young student
Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for its annual Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) to recognize the positive contributions made by young people in the community.

All awards recognize one middle and one high school student. Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of these categories:

Leadership: This award recognizes students who have demonstrated 21st century skills including: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity in how they led others academically, in extracurricular programs or in service to the community.

Success Despite Difficult Odds: This award recognizes students who have persevered through challenges to make a positive impact on others.

Volunteer or Community Service: This award recognizes students who have dedicated substantial time to serving their community.

Students honored show initiative, innovation and commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation or other areas.

The deadline for nominations is Sept. 12. Submission forms can be found online at HCFL.gov/YEA.

Dr. Michael Tkacik, associate professor, teaching course on Second Vatican Council. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen/Saint Leo University)

Doctoral students share mission
Saint Leo University welcomed students from many career fields to its first two cohorts in its Doctor of Theology in Applied Theology Program. This was the first residency experience for the online Doctor of Theology (ThD) degree, which launched in August 2023 with its first cohort.

Saint Leo’s Doctor of Theology degrees focuses on applied theology, “so not only does it include academic research, but it also offers practice knowledge and skills for those who serve in various ministries and organizations within the Church and the wider community,” said Dr. Stephen Okey, associate professor and director of the program, in a news release.

The doctoral degree is offered online and most students attend the summer residency in person at the university’s campus in St. Leo.

The summer residency featured Dr. Michael Tkacik, associate professor of theology and religion, teaching a course on the Second Vatican Council for the first cohort, while Okey taught the second cohort theological research and writing.

For more information about admissions to the program, email , or call 888-875-8265.

FIRE Academy graduation
Tampa Fire Rescue, in collaboration with CDC of Tampa, celebrated the graduation of the fifth annual FIRE Academy on July 26. The ceremony marked the culmination of a summer program where graduates not only explored potential careers, but also acquired life-saving skills, according to a news release.

CDC of Tampa hosts the Fire Introduction Resources and Education (FIRE) Academy to inspire high school students, ages 15 to 18, to consider diverse career paths. The initiative aims to address the challenge of youth unemployment by equipping students with industry-recognized certifications and college readiness, the release says.

“Our FIRE Academy program, launched in 2020, was created to increase awareness about firefighting as a career and to facilitate interaction between students, public servants, and firefighters,” said Alexandria Andrade, coordinator, in the release.

“Nearly 70 youths have benefitted from this program, with some choosing to pursue careers in first response after high school,” said Andrade.

For more information and questions, contact Andrade at 813-587-9505 or .

America’s Field Trip winners
America 250 has announced the winners of its inaugural America’s Field Trip contest, a nationwide competition for elementary, middle and high school students in grades three to 12. Students were asked to share their vision of America through artwork, videos and essays, according to a news release.

The organization’s mission is to “to commemorate and celebrate our 250th anniversary with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy,” its website says.

Seventy-five awardees from across the nation will have the opportunity to go on special field trips exploring some of America’s iconic landmarks, historical sites, and cultural treasures, from the Statue of Liberty and the National Archives to the canyons and rivers of Yellowstone National Park. Another 75 second-place winners will receive a cash award, the release says.

Three teachers associated with the top-scoring entry in each grade level category, were recognized, too, and will receive a $1,000 cash award. The Florida winner was high school teacher Yindia Cruz, Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford.

Students or teachers interested in participating in the next round of the America’s Field Trip contest can visit https://america250.org/fieldtrip/application/.

Celebrate with your canine friend!

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(Courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society)

National Dog Day is Aug. 26 — an opportunity to celebrate man and woman’s best friend, and to help find loving homes for dogs in the community. Here are five ways to make a difference:

  • Adopt a new best friend
  • Spay and neuter.
  • Foster first. Not ready to adopt? Fostering is a great option to provide a pet with space and time to decompress, while acclimating to life in a home.
  • Give back. Volunteer to walk dogs, clean kennels, do laundry and other tasks at a shelter. Donations can be monetary or food, blankets, towels and even old newspapers.
  • Utilize social media. Share posts to create more awareness to help dogs find foster or adoptive homes.

Business Digest 08/21/2024

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County received a $500,000 award from FlordaCommerce. (Courtesy of Florida Commerce)

Tech grants awarded
FloridaCommerce awarded over $11 million through the ConnectedFlorida Digital Connectivity Technology Program to 15 local education, workforce, and community development partners across Florida. These funds will enhance digital literacy, education, training, mentorship and employment opportunities, particularly in small and rural communities, according to a news release. 

The recipients were: Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County ($500,000), Bridge To Hope W.O.C., Inc. ($404,693), Centro Campesino ($779,018), Figgers Foundation ($5,499,580), Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners ($355,200), Hardee County Industrial Development Authority ($391,380), Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth, Inc. (HANDY) ($242,571), Miami-Dade County ($1,417,600), OIC of South Florida ($408,313), Pasco County Board of County Commissioners ($149,765), Polk State College ($114,642), Santa Rosa County ($100,000), S.E.E.K Foundation, Inc. ($496,125), St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees ($258,735), and The District Board of Trustees of Miami-Dade College ($462,866)

For more information, visit FloridaJobs.org.

(Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties)

Habitat Women Build
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has launched the 2024 Women Build, inviting female leaders from the Tampa Bay area to help construct a home for a local single mother, according to a news release. This initiative offers participants exclusive build days and opportunities to collaborate with other professionals. Honorary Co-Chairs Heather Ford, CFO at Power Design, and Marsha Droste, Partner at Pete & Shorty’s and Hooters, will help recruit and raise awareness for the project.

For more information, visit HabitatPWP.org/womenbuild.

The AmSkills Innovation Center (Courtesy of Pasco EDC)

Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp
The Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart entrepreneurship program has partnered with AmSkills to host a Pasco Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp, Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, at AmSkills Innovation Center, 4606 Darlington Road in Holiday. This five-day bootcamp is designed for entrepreneurs looking to develop their business ideas. Participants will learn to use tools like laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC machines, as well as gain knowledge on patenting and go-to-market strategies, according to a news release. After completing the bootcamp, they will receive a “LabPass,” granting access to labs and workshops for further product development. The bootcamp costs $545 and includes lunch.

For more information and to register, visit PascoEDC.com/events/details/pasco-rapid-prototyping-bootcamp.

Duke awards nonprofits
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Duke Energy Foundation awarded $40,000 in grants to four nonprofit organizations in Florida, each receiving $10,000, according to a news release. The recipients are Feeding Florida, the Florida State Park Foundation, the American Red Cross, and Prospera (Hispanic Business Initiative Fund). These grants aim to support the organizations’ efforts in strengthening communities, providing food aid, preserving state parks, offering disaster relief, and supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs.

For more information, visit Duke-Energy.com/community/duke-energy-foundation/Florida. 

Emorys Rock Realty grand opening
The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Emorys Rock Realty on Aug.22  from 4 p.m to 7 p.m., at Signature Workspace, 28210 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. The event is free and will include light bites and raffles.

Drive Now offers U-Haul
Drive Now Motors, 14230 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa, has become a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, offering U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and moving supplies. The

business, owned by Raouia Ben Youssef, now provides essential moving services to the community 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. To make a U-Haul reservation, call 813-498-0952, or visit Uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Tampa-FL-33613/033195.

Snowbird earns NHWA accreditation
Snowbird Home Patrol Home Watch Services in New Port Richey, a company founded by Jodie Sullivan, has earned its fifth-year accreditation from the National Home Watch Association (NHWA). Home Watch involves visual inspections of properties to identify any obvious issues while the owner is away, and the NHWA sets standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services across the U.S. and Canada, according to a news release. For more information, visit SnowBirdHomePatrol.com.

Maria is an absolute angel

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Maria is a 2 ½-year-old rottweiler farm dog. She is great for herding horses, but doesn’t like chickens. Maria is house-trained and loves to swim and run through the woods. She resides with her proud owner, Jason Mooney, in New Port Richey.