The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Dignity bags presented to family program

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(Courtesy of Becky Bennett, Pasco Kids First)

The Elevation Church Outreach group in Zephyrhills recently collected, organized and donated 100 Dignity Bags to Pasco Kids First’s Healthy Families Program. The bags were filled with personal hygiene products for women and girls. Last year, Healthy Families Pasco- Hernando served 262 families who were expecting or had a newborn, through positive-parenting home visit services to assist with resources and increase self-sufficiency.

Layla is a calm, sweet princess

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Layla is a 5-year-old Jack Russell-Beagle mix, although her beautiful and unique markings remind her owners of a Blue Heeler-Beagle mix. Layla was adopted from Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue. When she wants to, Layla can be very energetic. She loves to go for long walks, snuggle, and go for car rides. Layla’s favorite foods are scrambled eggs and cheese. She likes to play fetch (although she doesn’t like to give her toys back), and she’s always happy to go outside. Layla is very well-behaved and loves to be the center of attention. Layla lives with the Elam family in Wesley Chapel.

Hillsborough libraries to restore some services

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Some Hillsborough County public libraries were expected to begin reopening this week, as part of a phased reopening intended to carefully, and methodically restore services to residents, according to a county news release.

The county had planned to start restoring services on Nov. 12, but delayed that until Nov. 16, after consultation with of its health officials, emergency managers and library staff, Hillsborough County officials — due to Tropical Storm Eta.

Hillsborough County libraries have been closed to the public since late March because of concerns about potential spread of COVID-19.

Even though the buildings were closed, staff continued to offer a variety of services from the buildings. Some libraries also were used as early voting sites, but public access was not allowed to the collections and computers.

Selected spaces within nine libraries will reopen at 25% capacity, adhering to safety protocols.

The buildings again will be accessible to the public Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

These are the libraries slated to reopen:

  • Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, Valrico
  • C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, Tampa
  • Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, Tampa
  • Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
  • Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, Tampa
  • North Tampa Branch Library, Tampa
  • New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., New Tampa
  • SouthShore Regional Library, Ruskin
  • Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa

Steps that will be taken to ensure the safety of visitors include:

  • Limiting visits to one hour
  • Requiring children under the age of 17 to be accompanied by a parent
  • Requiring face coverings and social distancing; conducting temperature checks at the door
  • Prohibiting use of study rooms, meeting rooms, makerspace and recording studios
  • Continuing virtual library programs, including story times.

For information, visit HCPLC.org.

Published November 18, 2020

Health News 11/18/2020

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

A partnership to help those in need
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club collected and donated 145 pairs of eyeglasses to the local chapter of the Lions Club. Sandi Marrow (center with green mask) delivered the box of eyewear, which will be recycled, repaired and distributed to the needy in low-income countries around the world. The woman’s club has been a long-time supporter and partner of the Lions Club. For information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Be a SHINE volunteer
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program is a statewide volunteer program that offers seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, prescription drugs and other health insurance matters.

The SHINE SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Program educates beneficiaries on how to protect, detect and report suspected Medicare fraud, waste and abuse.

Individual volunteers complete professional training by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging; serve the community by educating others on an individual basis and through outreach events; and, gain knowledge about Medicare to benefit themselves and loved ones.

In order to participate, a volunteer application and online orientation must be completed.

To learn more, call (727) 217-8111, or visit FloridaShine.org and click on the Join Our Team link.

New equipment
Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers (ACTC) announced that it has acquired the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment for its center at 15211 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville.

The Discovery RT multifunction Wide Bore CT Scanner meets virtually all the needs of a clinician in radiation therapy planning and simulation, and diagnostic, interventional and bariatric imaging.

The new CT scanner will deliver:

  • high-image quality to see the anatomy
  • extremely low dose for the clinician and patient
  • flexible room controls for faster procedures

It also will allow for imaging of bariatric patients, up to and including the morbidly obese population with a BMI greater than 40.

The scanner comes with Advantage 4D, which is a retrospective gating CT application that analyzes and characterizes respiration-induced motion of the anatomy.

In addition, the treatment center acquired a Smart Metal Artifact Reduction program that provides exceptional image quality and brings treatment plans clearly into focus.

The ACTC recently received its Certificate of Occupancy and its medical oncologists are now treating patients at its new location.

(Courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association)

Alzheimer’s walk raises more than $40,000
Pasco County residents helped to lead the way by participating in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, participants walked as individuals and small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails around Pasco County, raising more than $40,000 to benefit the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Fundraising for this event will continue through Dec. 31. Carolyn O’Connor Marlowe was just one of many who took part in the fight against Alzheimer’s. To donate and fight for a cure, visit ALZ.org/walk.

Chalk Talk 11/18/2020

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Largemouth Bass: Jiayi N., 11th Grade, first place, 2019 (Courtesy of Wildlife Forever)

Fish art contest
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, will host the Florida State Fish Art Contest.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in the free contest for a chance to win state and national honors, and prizes. The program is designed to inspire creativity, while encouraging the next generation of anglers and conservationists.

Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories: kindergarten through third grade; fourth through sixth grade; seventh through ninth grade; and 10th through 12th grade.

State winners will advance to the national competition to be judged for top prizes, such as Best of Show.

Reef Triggerfish: Vivien J., 11th grade, second place, 2019.

To enter, students should submit their entry consisting of the following:

  • An original horizontal 9-inch by 12-inch piece of artwork featuring any fish from the Official Fish List
  • A piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, about the chosen species (required for grades four to 12)
  • A Florida State Fish Art Contest entry form

The deadline to enter is March 31.

Participants can mail entries to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Attn: Laura Rambo, Florida Fish Art Contest, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32301.

Entrants also can submit photos or a scanned copy of the entry to .

For complete contest information, entry forms and the Fish On! Lesson Plan, visit StateFishArt.org.

Virtual Choice Expo
Hillsborough County Public Schools will host a virtual session entitled “Magnet: Vision 2020 Exploration Nights” on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3.

The Magnet Choice application period runs through Dec. 11.

Students and families can watch live demonstrations, through Zoom, as current students showcase in-demand programs including robotics, performing arts, medical, International Baccalaureate and more.

Students also can learn about the Magnet and Choice Program options.

For a list of Magnet, CTE and Choice options, as well as the application, visit HillsboroughSchools.org/Choice.

School grants awarded
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $97,640.28 in grants to 43 educators within the District as part of the Splash! School grant program.

The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources, in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns.

Each school district allocates a portion of its annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to these schools/teachers in Pasco County:

  • Deer Park Elementary School – Jamie Thornton
  • James Irvin Education Center – Dr. Jose Olmo
  • Pasco eSchools – Shamsher Lamba
  • Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel – Rachael Robinson
  • River Ridge High School – Laine Smith
  • Sunlake High School – Kathryn Bylsma/Michelle Hock

Grants are available for freshwater resources field studies, water-conserving garden projects, community or school awareness campaigns, and on-site workshops.

Last year’s Splash! grants brought water resources education to 5,478 students throughout the District.

For information, visit WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

Essay contest
The Pasco County Library Cooperative is sponsoring a 2020 “Type Capsule” Essay Contest through Dec. 31, for grades three to five.

Because 2020 has been a historic year, students are asked to answer this question: “If you made a time capsule, what would you want to share about the year with future generations?”

The essay can discuss something the child experienced during 2020 and explain why it is worth remembering.

Submission deadline is 11:59 p.m., on Dec. 31.

Third-graders should write at least three paragraphs; fourth-graders, four paragraphs; and fifth-graders, five paragraphs.

Essays should not be more than three pages of writing. The student also can include images, but the images must be on separate pages from the writing itself.

For more details and guidelines, visit PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup.

New financial aid programs
Saint Leo University has created new financial aid programs with the goal to make private university education accessible and affordable during challenging times.

The school’s new Tuition Advantage Program will recognize high-achieving students throughout the state of Florida who demonstrate financial need.

For students with a 3.5 GPA or higher, whose families make an Adjusted Gross Income of less than $50,000 a year (based on 2019 tax return), the program will cover the student’s full tuition after institutional, state and federal funds are applied.

To qualify, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be determined to be Florida residents by Saint Leo’s Student Financial Services Office.

Students who participate in the tuition program are eligible to attend University Campus, the school’s residential campus, for a bachelor degree program at no tuition cost.

The four-year estimated value of a Tuition Advantage financial aid package exceeds $100,000.

The program will help students from lower income families pursue and complete their degrees.

Saint Leo also is offering a new program to provide students with a high school GPA of 2.00 to 2.39 the opportunity to succeed in a private university academic experience.

Through the D2R Associate Degree Program, students can earn an associate degree on their way to obtaining a bachelor degree.

For less than $10,000 in tuition per year, students can earn a degree in one of four programs: Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts, Associate of Arts in Business Administration, Associate of Arts in Information Technology, and Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Saint Leo also has expanded and updated its Catholic Promise Award, and added a new offering — the Global Citizen Award — for international students.

Applications are being accepted for the fall 2021 semester.

For information, email , call (352) 588-8283, or visit SaintLeo.edu/daretoroar.

Help needed to deliver Thanksgiving meals

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The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH) is in need of volunteers to sign up to deliver “Holidays on Wheels,” a Meals on Wheels for Kids program.

This program was developed in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, to ensure every child and family has a meal for Thanksgiving.

In Tampa Bay, more than half of those who are hungry are children, and TBNEH is asking community members to be a part of the solution to help solve hunger this holiday season, according to a TBNEH news release.

At least 300 volunteers are still needed to help deliver more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meals (including turkey and stuffing) to families that are homebound or do not have access to transportation.

Deliveries will take place starting at 10 a.m., on Nov. 17. Volunteers can pick up route sheets and special delivery items from assigned pick-up sites closest to their home or work address, and will use their own vehicles to make the deliveries.

Once the volunteer’s car is loaded, the route will take about one hour to complete.

The mission of TBNEH is to end hunger in Tampa Bay by bringing people together to find solutions that eliminate barriers, increase access and knowledge, and expand the amount of nutritious food available.

For those interested in helping to deliver Thanksgiving meals, sign-up is online at NetworkToEndHunger.org/volunteer.

The network also is accepting donations at NetworkToEndHunger.org/holidays, to help support the Holidays on Wheels program.

For information, call (813) 344-5837.

Published November 11, 2020

Bella is a lover

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Bella is a 9-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier rescue mix. There is no shortage of kisses from this canine cutie. Bella loves to greet the neighbors as they walk by the house, and she has even tried to go home with food and mail delivery drivers. She loves to go fishing on the dock with her doggie daddy. And, she loves to play with her toys, run in the nature preserve and visit the pet shop afterwards to select her own, new toy. Bella lives with her doggie parents, Bob Colberg and Paula Means, in Lutz.

A fresh catch!

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Sharon Thompson witnessed this great blue heron fishing for and catching its lunch in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel. Herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds. Some are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons.

Health News 11/11/2020

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Family Caregivers Month
November is recognized as National Family Caregivers Month — “a time to celebrate the contributions of caregivers, provide them with tools that they need, and continue to advocate for individuals with mental illness,” according to Mental Health America’s website.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, feelings of stress, worry and isolation may become familiar, and despite the current situation, the act of caregiving goes on.

The stress and challenges of the role of a caregiver can have a huge impact on the caregiver’s mental health, leading to more people in that role to experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug addiction, and anxiety.

It is important for caregivers to take care of their own needs, too.

Supporting caregivers with information and resources can help them maintain their mental health and better serve loved ones with mental illness.

Be a SHINE volunteer
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program is a statewide volunteer program that offers seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, prescription drugs and other health insurance matters.

The SHINE SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Program educates beneficiaries on how to protect, detect and report suspected Medicare fraud, waste and abuse.

Individual volunteers complete professional training by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging; serve the community by educating others on an individual basis and through outreach events; and, gain knowledge about Medicare to benefit themselves and loved ones.

In order to participate, a volunteer application and online orientation must be completed.

To learn more, call (727) 217-8111, or visit FloridaShine.org and click on the Join Our Team link.

A splash of color, and hope

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(Mary Rathman)

This cloudless sulphur butterfly lends itself to a colorful backdrop of flowers. According to ButterflyInsight.com, there are many myths, symbolisms and meanings attached to a yellow butterfly. To some Native American tribes, the yellow butterfly brings guidance and is a sign of hope. A yellow butterfly also can represent joy and creativity, and it can remind us to have fun. A yellow butterfly flying around you is said to bring happiness and prosperity. Some believe that seeing one means that something fun and exciting is on its way. And, in general, a yellow butterfly can symbolize change or transformation; also, like most butterfly symbology, they represent renewal and rebirth.