The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A family of rescues

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Bailey is a 3-year-old terrier hound mix. She was adopted as a puppy from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Bailey lives with two other rescue dogs and one cat. She loves to play with her siblings, eat treats, ride in the car, and go on adventure walks where she can see the sights. Bailey lives with the Enright family — April, Matthew and Haley — in Lutz.

Birds of a feather, flock together

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Doris G. Moore snapped this photo of a few birds sharing space by the pond in the Northwood subdivision in Wesley Chapel. From left: a roseate spoonbill, a white ibis and an anhinga.

Project provides inclusion for those with sight impairments

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The mission of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) is to educate, empower and employ people who are sight impaired and blind.

This rendering shows the new Sensory Garden and Accessible Playground that will be built at the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind in New Port Richey. (Courtesy of Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind)

The organization provides residents of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties with no-cost vision rehabilitation, and opportunities to maintain and increase independence.

Recently, LVIB hosted a groundbreaking for its new Sensory Garden and Accessible Playground that will be built at the New Port Richey Lighthouse, 9130 Ridge Road.

The project will be a one-of-a-kind resource because of its level of accessibility for people who are visually impaired and blind.

Sounds, textures, smells, and signage and other identifying markers will allow those with sight impairments to use all their senses to navigate and benefit from being outside.

The area will be used to teach people of all ages independent living skills and white cane skills. It also will keep them safe while they learn, play, relax and garden.

The design will incorporate a waterfall that guests can stand close to and touch, too.

There also will be a garden club and playdates with community groups, to increase learning and social integration.

To learn more about the Lighthouse, visit LVIB.org, or call (727) 815-0303.

Published March 25, 2020

Cuteness overload, times two

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Chance and Samantha are 9-month-old reverse brindle boxers, and are brother and sister. Born in Niceville, these pups were relocated to Lutz when they were 10 weeks old. They really wanted to be Pets of the Week because they love Lutz and all that it has to offer. And, both love their daily day care at Pet Paradise in Wesley Chapel. Chance and Samantha live with Jim and Lisa Patterson in Lutz.

What a catch!

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Theresa Sierra, of Land O’ Lakes, caught this osprey still holding the tail of his lunch in his powerful claw. Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wingbeats and bowed wings, or circling high in the sky over relatively shallow water. They often hover briefly before diving, feet first, to grab a fish. You can often clearly see an osprey’s catch in its talons, as the bird carries it back to a nest or perch.

Health News 03/25/2020

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(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Nurse recognition
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awarded registered nurse James Riley as the February DAISY award winner. Riley is a nurse on the 2 Central Unit and was recognized by several patients for the care he provided them. The patients praised Riley for making a lasting impact, and for taking time out of his busy day to just sit and listen, and talk to them. The DAISY winner receives a Healer’s touch sculpture, cinnamon rolls for the whole team, and a DAISY pin. Riley, center, stands with hospital officials and members of his unit with the award.

Premier Healthcare updates
Premier Community Healthcare’s health centers will remain open at this time, but all events have been postponed, and there will be limited contact based on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for social distancing.

Premier is limiting its waiting room capacity to five persons. After checking in, patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle until a nurse calls the patient to be seen.

All Premier locations will be closed on March 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will reopen for business at 10 a.m.

As per the recommendation of the American Dental Association, Premier’s dental centers will provide emergency dental services only, if you or your child is experiencing oral pain. This will remain in effect until April 6, at which time a re-evaluation will take place for updates.

Protect against Medicare fraud
Every year, many seniors are targeted by scammers who want to steal Medicare numbers to do things like rack up fake health care charges and commit identity theft.

A webpage with information for Medicare beneficiaries related to COVID-19 can be found at Medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.

According to a news release from the Department of Elder Affairs, Medicare covers these related needs:

  • Lab tests for COVID-19. Patient pays no out-of-pocket costs.
  • All medically necessary hospitalizations, which includes if patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged, but instead a hospital quarantine is necessary
  • If a vaccine becomes available, it will be covered by Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).

A Medicare Advantage Plan gives access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Always check with your plan on coverage and costs.

Medicare also covers virtual check-ins to connect with a doctor by phone or video, or even an online patient portal, to determine the need for an in-office visit.

To protect yourself from Medicare fraud, keep these points in mind:

  • DO protect our Medicare number and treat your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
  • DO review your Medicare claims for errors and problems, including fake charges, double billing or other fraudulent activity, waste or abuse.
  • DO visit Medicare.gov/fraud to learn more about protecting yourself.
  • DON’T give your Medicare card or Medicare number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.

For questions or more information, visit ElderAffairs.org, or call (850) 414-2000.

Donate to CARES
In an effort to expand CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) outreach during this ever-developing pandemic, Jemith Rosa, president and CEO, is asking for monetary donations.

According to a news release, the organization reports that due to the crisis, many seniors will face a loss of socialization and will turn to CARES as a lifeline for quality of life, and critical information.

As a result, the organization is in need of food, nonperishable items, medications and more, as it foresees an inevitable increase in demand from seniors.

With seniors self-isolating to stop the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), CARES will need additional funds to operate the telephone assurance program. The program makes weekly phone calls to home-bound seniors to provide comforting conversation and verification of the senior’s well-being.

The telephone program is looking to expand to help get critical information to the senior population.

Donations can be sent to CARES, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, FL 34667, Attn: COVID-19, or online at CARESfl.org.

For information, call Melissa Mathe at (727) 862-9291, ext. 2046.

Coronavirus info line launched
AdventHealth has launched a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including the opportunity to speak with a nurse, as appropriate.

According to a March 20 news release, the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, (877)-VIRUSHQ, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

It serves as a one-stop shop to connect Floridians with resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

The phone line is not intended to replace a physician-patient relationship. Nurses can answer general medical questions and will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps.

AdventHealth is hoping this service also will offload nonclinical call volumes from health care offices.

AdventHealth also has launched CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com, so consumers can get answers to top COVID-19 questions.

Callie is a sweetheart

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Callie is a calico kitten who loves her family and always likes playing with her toys. She is a sweetheart and loves to play with her two other cat siblings, Dottie and Chester, too. Callie is (mostly) obedient, and even likes wearing colorful dresses. Callie is a rescue from a family who had too many kittens, but has now found her furever home with Joseph Zahrobsky and family, of Land O’ Lakes.

Out on the town

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This Eastern bluebird couple has been visiting the feeders in Kimberly MacMartin’s backyard, in Lutz. Eastern bluebirds mostly eat insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, they have been observed capturing and eating larger prey items, such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs.

Health News 03/18/2020

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Pharmacy waives delivery fees
CVS Health has issued a statement that it is taking additional steps to address the coronavirus disease-19 outbreak and to protect patient access to medication.

Starting immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, will now offer 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions for insured and Medicare members, and is working with state governments to make the same option available to Medicaid members where allowable. Self-funded plan sponsors also will be able to offer this option.

Aetna will waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members with pharmacy benefits administered through CVS Caremark.

And, Caremark is working with all clients to waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications.

The fee waiver is in addition to Aetna’s ensurance that all diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits will be available with no co-pay.

Coronavirus info line launched
AdventHealth has launched a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including the opportunity to speak with a nurse, as appropriate.

According to a March 20 news release, the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, (877)-VIRUSHQ, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

It serves as a one-stop shop to connect Floridians with resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

The phone line is not intended to replace a physician-patient relationship. Nurses can answer general medical questions and will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps.

AdventHealth is hoping this service also will offload nonclinical call volumes from health care offices.

AdventHealth also has launched CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com, so consumers can get answers to top COVID-19 questions.

Chalk Talk 03/18/2020

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NOTE TO READERS: Due to continuing developments regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), readers are encouraged to use the contact information provided for individual events, to determine cancellations, prior to attending. The Laker/Lutz News does not necessarily receive cancellation notifications from the various organizations.

Classes move to online
Saint Leo University will make adjustments to university operations and move to online classes, to avoid the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).

The school is following guidance issued to the state universities in Florida.

University officials have suspended classes for University Campus students during the week of March 16 to March 20, in order to allow faculty to prepare to deliver all classes online starting March 23.

All residential students are asked to return to their permanent residence following spring break, rather than returning to campus (and to remain at home during this period of online instruction). Housing will be available on a limited basis for student-athletes who participate in spring sports, and those students who are unable to return home to their permanent residence.

In addition, all fall and winter sports activities are suspended indefinitely. In addition, no fans will be permitted at the Acrobatics & Tumbling home events.

For information on other locations, visit SaintLeo.edu/coronavirus.

New Fine Arts webpage
Pasco County Schools Fine Arts has launched a new webpage that will showcase a wide variety of fine arts offered throughout the district, including dance, music, theater/drama, and visual arts.

To learn more, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/finearts, or access the webpage by visiting the Pasco County Schools website, click on the Departments tab at the top, and scroll to find Fine Arts.

Intro to Acting
The Live Oak Theatre Company will offer an Introduction to Acting program through four one-hour classes, for ages 7 to 13.

Classes will take place at 5 p.m., on March 23, March 30, April 6 and April 13, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville.

Topics will include basic acting skills and principles of acting; theater terminology; theater etiquette; using humor; and, memorizing and delivering monologues.

The cost is $40 for the course.

To register, email , or call (352) 593-0027.

Career Exploration
Pasco County Schools will host a Career Exploration Night on March 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

Meet Pasco and Tampa Bay business leaders, and learn about career options and their educational requirements; industry certification career options; current high demand career options; earning potential in various career pathways, and more.

For information, call (727) 774-7142.

NOTE: BELLE OF THE BALL HAS CANCELLED SHOPPING ON MARCH 28 AND APRIL 4.
Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project will provide free prom dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on March 28, April 4 and April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique, at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses are available to all in-need high school girls for their high school dances, such as prom, homecoming and military balls. No appointment is needed.

Spring recruitment
Pasco County Schools will host its Spring Recruitment & Hiring Event on March 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes.

The district is looking for certified teachers, substitutes, bus drivers, school-related personnel and more.

Schools and departments throughout the county will be in attendance to recruit, interview and offer positions for the 2020-2021 school year.

Preregister at EventBrite.com or tinyurl.com/v5eajzt, for a chance to win a door prize.

Pasco Middle is demo center
Cambridge International Education has authorized Pasco Middle School as one of the first two middle school Cambridge International School Demonstration Centers in the United States.

The school has offered the Cambridge International program since 2014.

As a School Demonstration Center, the school will host two showcase events annually, at which administrators, teachers and students will promote and explain to newly authorized Cambridge schools and districts how they implemented the Cambridge Pathway and curriculum.

Pasco Middle received authorization based on five key areas:

  • Mission and educational values
  • Management and leadership
  • Teaching and learning
  • Physical environment
  • Data

The designation is valid through September 2023.

Pasco County currently has one elementary, two middle and two high school Cambridge programs, and is adding Cambridge at an elementary, middle and high school in the 2020-2021 school year.

In 2018, Cambridge International Education named Pasco County Schools the District of the Year among U.S. large districts.

Student achievements
• Kaylyn Burr, of Land O’ Lakes, is on the Academic High Honor and Dean’s List at Minnesota State University (Mankato), for the fall semester.
• Jack Losier, of Lutz, earned honor roll distinction for the fall semester at the University of Kansas (Lawrence), School of Engineering
• Nikhil Nagabandi, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Nova Southeastern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Gabriel P. Pinson, of Land O’ Lakes, is on the fall semester academic Dean’s List and Dean’s Freshman Honor Roll at the University of Wyoming.