The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Seamus is goofy, loving and smart

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Seamus is a 6-year-old border collie/lab/terrier mix, and was on the streets for a year before his owner was lucky enough to find him at the local animal shelter. Seamus passed all his training in record time to qualify to be his owner Colleen Davis’ service dog.  Seamus sleeps with Davis, and one morning woke her by scratching her shoulder. Davis woke and couldn’t breathe, and was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with a blood clot. Davis said she is alive and well because of Seamus, and he means the world to her. They live together in Lutz.

Health News 09/09/2020

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COVID-19 testing site
Hillsborough County opened its ninth public site for COVID-19 testing in the parking lot adjacent to the USF Health Therapy (MDT) building, at 3515 E. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

The hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.

There is no charge for the testing, and health insurance is not required.
Anyone who wants to be tested must register for an appointment in advance online at HCFLGov.net/COVIDTesting.

To make an appointment by phone, call (888) 513-6321 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The USF testing site is open to all Hillsborough County residents.

In addition to drive-thru testing, this location will accommodate people who arrive on foot or by bicycle.

Star volunteers
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has named its Star Award volunteers for the second quarter.

  • Frank Cianci has accumulated 2,700 hours and more than 15 years of volunteer service as a courier.
  • Charles Roe has been volunteering as a courier for more than eight years with 2,700-plus hours of service.
  • Mary Ellen Yost has volunteered four years in the Volunteer Office, accumulating more than 5,000 hours of service.

“These outstanding volunteers have shown exceptional service with our patients, visitors and staff and have gone above and beyond therefore deserving of this award,” said Donna Owen, director of Volunteers and Pastoral Care, in a hospital news release.

Sunrise of Pasco charity
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in September to assist the Sunrise of Pasco County’s Domestic & Sexual Violence Center. The mission of Sunrise is to prevent domestic and sexual violence before it ever happens. If it does, Sunrise is dedicated to assisting victims to escape those conditions, and find safety and freedom in the community. In 2019 alone, over 13,600 individual shelter stays (overnights) were provided in Pasco County.

Sunrise is seeking donations specifically to increase the funding for its children’s programs, including school supplies, meals and recreational activities for kids in the shelter or outreach programs.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information about Sunrise programs and services, email Vicki Wiggins, director of development, at .

For more about the charitable giving programs at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Gold winner
Wesley Chapel Chiropractic is the Gold winner in the 2020 Best of the Best People’s Choice Awards, presented by the Tampa Bay Times.

In the Tampa Bay region, more than 115,000 votes were cast to determine the leading businesses in more than 180 categories.

The companies received nominations from the public earlier this year. The top three vote-getters won a spot on the 2020 Best of the Best list.

For a complete list of the 2020 Best of the Best in Tampa Bay, visit TampaBay.com/best.

BayCare, a great place to work
BayCare Health System has been named one of the top companies in the United States by Great Place to Work and People magazine, for supporting team members and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BayCare ranked No. 6 for its critical role in responding to COVID-19 and how it impacted the community and team members. The ranking is based on survey feedback from more than 4.7 million employees across the country.

BayCare was one of the first health systems in West Central Florida to launch multiple drive-thru testing sites across the region, testing about 50,000 patients for COVID-19 since mid-March, according to a BayCare news release.

And, BayCare pioneered an online screening tool, launched a nurse triage hotline and provided extensive information through a dedicated website.

Chalk Talk 09/09/2020

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Student achievements
• Emily Gerber, of Odessa, was selected to the spring Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Gerber is majoring in conservation biology.
• Andrew Oquendo, of Odessa, has been named to the spring Dean’s List at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston. Oquendo is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy.
• Amy Stanton, of Odessa, was named to the summer President’s List at Georgia College in Milledgeville.

MOSI in a Box
MOSI is offering live, virtual hands-on, inquiry-based, STEAM activities and interactive Q&As, available until Dec. 31, for kindergarten through eighth-grade students and their families.

There are three programs offered through Zoom:

  • Planetary Explorers: Choose a mission, design spacecraft and follow in the footsteps of astronauts, engineers and scientists.
  • Mission Health: A Look at the Human Body: Explore the mechanics of bones, muscles, lungs and the heart
  • Forensic Investigators: Gather clues, analyze evidence and make observations to solve a crime

Each program is one hour.

For cost and registration, call (813) 987-6000, or visit MOSI.org.

Gift card drive
United Way of Pasco is hosting a Stuff the Bus Gift Card Drive for Teachers.

Those interested can donate a preloaded gift card from a favorite school supplies retailer, to be delivered to Pasco County school teachers.

Mail gift cards to the United Way of Pasco, 17230 Camelot Court, Land O’ Lakes FL 34638.

Donations also can be made online at UnitedWayPasco.org/stuff-the-bus-2020.

Saint Leo keeps test scores optional
As many high school students are scrambling because of the cancellation of SAT and ACT college admissions testing, Saint Leo University leaders are reassuring them that they still will be able earn a college degree, according to a school news release.

Since 2018, Saint Leo has made the SAT/ACT scores fully optional as part of the admissions process for prospective students. The university adopted a holistic approach to admissions and looks at the whole student experience, rather than just their test scores.

“With universities across the state of Florida still requiring students to submit standardized test scores for admissions or scholarship purposes, we want to reassure students that they do not need to submit these scores for Saint Leo University,” said Dr. Senthil Kumar, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management.

“We pride ourselves on making a Catholic, private University experience affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds,” Kumar continued. “During this pandemic, students should not need to be worrying about the potential impact that these tests have on their future.”

Instead of test scores, Saint Leo looks at a high school student’s unweighted GPA; courses taken, including AP, IB, CLEP, and dual-enrollment subjects; and more, when admitting a student. The rigor of a student’s coursework is taken into consideration for additional scholarships.

The university focuses on each student’s experience. “We prefer to consider the whole student, not just the numbers,” Kumar said.

Many high school students are worried that if they do not take the tests and submit scores, they will not be eligible for scholarships.

Kumar said, “If you are delaying sending in your application because you are worried about this, go ahead and send it now, as test scores are not necessary for your application to be reviewed as complete.”

Test anxiety plagues many students, while for those with special needs, testing can be especially difficult. Some high school-age students may not be able to afford tutoring sessions, special classes and workbooks, and the tests themselves.

Making college admissions testing optional helps Saint Leo welcome a more diverse student body.

While many institutions of higher learning are just now dropping the test score requirement, Saint Leo University implemented this approach in order to look at each student as an individual.

Applications are being accepted, and scholarships are available for the fall 2021 semester.

For information, email , or call (877) 588-622-2009.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its board meeting on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill campus. If the meeting is switched to virtual viewing, details will be available online at PHSC.edu.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

For details regarding the adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

Questions or concerns about the proposed fees should be directed to the appropriate dean listed on the webpage.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants. All fees charged by vendors are negotiated by the college, with additional fee increases and decreases expected in the coming academic year.

Grant writing webinar
Saint Leo University will host a free webinar entitled “Grants and COVID-19” on Sept. 18 at noon, through Zoom, for professionals working for human and social service agencies/nonprofits.

The guest speaker will be Jenenne Valentino-Bottaro, Ph.D., and instructor at the Saint Leo University Center for Alternative Pathway Programs.

Valentino-Bottaro will share strategies that can help grant seekers navigate the process in the current climate and locate pertinent information available now.

To register and receive a link for the webinar, visit tinyurl.com/y4olsgor.

Wildfire smoke can be a health risk

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Wildfire smoke can irritate lungs, cause inflammation, affect the immune system, and make a person prone to lung infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These are flames from a wildfire in Starkey Park that happened on May 6, 2017. Experts say extra preparation is needed to protect yourself and loved ones from wildfire smoke, during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. (File)

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for possible wildfires might be a little different this year.

The CDC is encouraging people to learn how wildfire smoke can affect you and your loved ones during the pandemic, and to learn what to do for protection.

Masks that are used to slow the spread of COVID-19 will offer little protection against wildfire smoke because the masks do not catch small, harmful particles in the smoke that can damage a person’s health.

The N95 respirators can provide protection from wildfire smoke, but might be in short supply as front line health care workers use them during the pandemic.

Here are some tips offered by the CDC to prepare for wildfires and smoke.

  • Limit outdoor exercise or choose lower-intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure.
  • Create a cleaner air space at home by using a portable air cleaner. Never leave a do-it-yourself box fan filtration unit unattended. Use air conditioners, heat pumps, fans and window shades to keep the cleaner air space cool on hot days. Avoid activities that create more indoor air pollution, such as frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming and using gas-powered appliances.
  • Talk with a health care provider about how to protect yourself against smoke. Stock up on medications taken routinely.
  • Have disaster supplies delivered. If delivery is not possible, take recommended precautions to protect yourself and others while running errands.
  • Have a family disaster plan in place for potential evacuation. If necessary, check for pet-friendly shelters. Seek out cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces to move to.

The CDC also recommends that people know the difference between symptoms from smoke exposure and symptoms from COVID-19. If you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, immediately call 911 or the nearest emergency facility.

Those most at risk from the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke are: Children age 18 and younger; adults age 65 and older; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, asthma and diabetes; outdoor workers; people who have lower socioeconomic status, including homelessness or limited access to medical care; and, people who are immunocompromised or take drugs that suppress the immune system.

For more details on wildfire smoke and health, visit CDC.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/default.htm or tinyurl.com/y2j7kbky.

Published September 02, 2020

Jack loves the outdoors

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Jack is a 10-year-old golden retriever. He loves chasing squirrels, eating Starbucks pup cups, and spending time outdoors with his family – Mike, Marabeth and Samuel Ward, of Wesley Chapel.

Grub hunting

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In the early morning light, Karen Whitenton snapped this photo of a sand hill crane family out for a stroll near a dried-up pond looking for bugs. Whitenton lives in the Willow Bend subdivision in Lutz.

Health News 09/02/2020

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Front line workers added
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an emotional and physical toll on nurses, respiratory therapists and others serving communities at this time, and AdventHealth is committed to focusing on whole-person health for patients, team members and the community it serves. According to an AdventHealth news release, 46 nurses and respiratory therapists arrived from Colorado-based Centura Health (a partner of AdventHealth) and FEMA.

The nurses and therapists are serving at AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Tampa and AdventHealth North Pinellas.

The extra help is not the result of a staffing shortage, but it is AdventHealth’s way to help its own teams rest and renew with their families.

AdventHealth Carrollwood received 11 nurses and three respiratory therapists.

AdventHealth Tampa received 27 nurses and two respiratory therapists.

Three nurses joined AdventHealth North Pinellas.

Screening center designation
The Medical Center of Trinity has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

In order to receive the distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.
The ACR, founded in 1924, uses its resources to make imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.
For information about the designation, visit ACR.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.

New technology for breast imaging
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz has added state-of-the-art 3D technology to its breast imaging services. In July, the hospital began using the Selenia Dimensions 6000 imaging system to produce high-resolution mammograms.

The new technology usually takes one picture instead of several. Imaging also can be done from a sitting or standing position, instead of lying prone on their stomach, face downward.

The Selenia also can perform biopsies.
Another enhanced feature is that the Selenia can compare images side by side, from year to year.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North Breast Services offers MRI, biopsy, ultrasound and mammography.

A prescription or referral is not needed for a screening mammogram, if you are over the age of 40.
To learn more, visit BayCareBreastHealth.org.

Gulfside tribute
For three years, the Charity Fashion Show benefiting Gulfside Hospice has raised money for the nonprofit, through fun and fashion. This year, the event has a new name.

As a tribute to long-time board member Candace Glewen, who recently passed away, Gulfside’s board of directors has decided to rename the annual event in her honor. The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show is currently scheduled for Dec. 3, and will continue the tradition of fashionably raising funds for hospice patients.

“The fashion shows had a special place in Candace’s heart, and she loved to attend them with her closest family and friends,” said Linda Ward, president and CEO of Gulfside. “She was influential in creating and growing this event to fuel her passion of raising funds in support of Gulfside Hospice.”

The past two fundraisers were sold-out events, and the Philanthropy Team at Gulfside expects this year to be the same.

For information on the event and ways to support it, visit GulfsideFashionShow.org, or contact Leesa Fryer at (727) 845-5707 or .

Medical scribe program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is offering a Medical Scribe Professional Training certificate program for health care and non-health care individuals.

A medical scribe assists physicians with electronic health records (EHR), maximizing workflow efficiency and productivity so that physicians can focus on providing the best possible patient care. Medical scribes can earn from $10 per hour to $16 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Those in the health care field may complete PHSC’s self-paced, online program in as little as two months. Individuals with no health care experience can learn medical fundamentals and specific scribe skills, and can complete the program in four months or less.

The PHSC medical scribe program awards a certificate of completion and prepares students to sit for the national Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) through the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group.

To enroll, or for information about the program, email , or call (727) 816-3213.

Chalk Talk 09/02/2020

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Tourette syndrome & school
According to the Tourette Association of America (TAA), one in 100 students is affected by Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Tic Disorders.

More than half of school-aged children with TS have a co-occurring condition, like ADHD, anxiety or depression. These conditions, along with other learning disabilities, can have a negative influence on learning and can make it extremely difficult for students to concentrate in the classroom.

The upcoming school year will be vastly different in light of COVID-19. Whether classes are in-person or virtual, the Tourette Association can provide resources and tips for every type of classroom setting.

Members of the TAA’s Education Advisory Board offer these practices to help reduce anxiety, and give some predictability and routine to the school year.

  • Get into a sleep and morning routine to help keep your child healthy and reduce stress.
  • If working from home, have a space dedicated to schoolwork where your child can focus and be most productive. And, find exercises that can be done during break times. Mindfulness breaks may be helpful.
  • Plan ahead with your child’s school for specific sensory breaks.
  • If your child has trouble wearing a mask, find a mask that is most comfortable for your child. Build in time each day for your child to keep his or her mask on, and extend the amount of time each day.
  • Have either hard copies or electronic copies of the TAA Educator Toolkits to give to everyone working with you or your child. To order hard copies, email .
  • You or your child can write a one-page email or a letter to all educators and highlight your strengths, symptoms, and accommodations that work best. Help to educate staff and peers about TS, either in-person or virtually. Consider making a very short video to share. If you need help educating others, call (718) 224-2999, or email .
  • If your child has an IEP and receives services at school, communicate with the school about what these services will look like. Support in managing assignments is important.
  • Your child listens and can pick up on your anxiety. Share how school is going to look different this year, and be positive about the decisions you have made.
  • Listen to your child’s concerns about the school year. That way you can be more prepared to help them with their emotions.
  • Communicate with the school about any anxiety your child or teen is facing about the school year. A school counselor or social worker may have tips for supporting the student and may be able to communicate the issues to classroom teachers.
  • Trust that you are doing your best to support your child through this.

For more information, visit Tourette.org.

MOSI in a Box
MOSI is offering live, virtual hands-on, inquiry-based, STEAM activities and interactive Q&As, available until Dec. 31, for kindergarten through eighth-grade students and their families.

There are three programs offered through Zoom:

  • Planetary Explorers: Choose a mission, design spacecraft and follow in the footsteps of astronauts, engineers and scientists.
  • Mission Health: A Look at the Human Body: Explore the mechanics of bones, muscles, lungs and the heart
  • Forensic Investigators: Gather clues, analyze evidence and make observations to solve a crime

Each program is one hour.

For cost and registration, call (813) 987-6000, or visit MOSI.org.

Meal applications available
Pasco County Schools is accepting free and reduced-price household meal applications for the 2020-2021 school year, and will serve free breakfast at 49 schools.

In accordance with the National School Lunch Act, households that are below the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch benefits. Households must complete a new application each school year.

Visit PascoSchoolMeals.com for a link to the online application, frequently asked questions, income eligibility guidelines, cafeteria menus and more.

Schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area that will serve free breakfast are: Centennial Elementary, Centennial Middle, Chester Taylor Elementary, James Irving Education Center, Lacoochee Elementary, Pasco Elementary, Pasco High, Pasco Middle, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, Rodney B. Cox Elementary, San Antonio Elementary, West Zephyrhills Elementary, Woodland Elementary and Zephyrhills High.

For information, call Pasco County Schools Food & Nutrition Services at (813) 794-2522.

Gift card drive
United Way of Pasco is hosting a Stuff the Bus Gift Card Drive for Teachers.

Those interested can donate a preloaded gift card from a favorite school supplies retailer, to be delivered to Pasco County school teachers.

Mail gift cards to the United Way of Pasco, 17230 Camelot Court, Land O’ Lakes FL 34638.

Donations also can be made online at UnitedWayPasco.org/stuff-the-bus-2020.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its board meeting on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill campus. If the meeting is switched to virtual viewing, details will be available online at PHSC.edu.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

For details regarding the adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

Questions or concerns about the proposed fees should be directed to the appropriate dean listed on the webpage.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants. All fees charged by vendors are negotiated by the college, with additional fee increases and decreases expected in the coming academic year.

Levi loves the dog park

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Levi is a standard poodle who likes to run and romp with his friends at the dog park. His owner, Barbara Marbell, says Levi is the ‘love of her life.’

A frequent visitor

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Michelle Mullis says this barred owl is a frequent visitor to a tree in front of her house in the Cypress Bayou, in Land O’ Lakes. On this particular day, it was happy to let her snap a few photos. The barred owl usually roosts quietly during the day. Mullis was excited for the opportunity to see the owl’s beauty up close.