Mary Rathman

Meet little Lily

September 25, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Lily is a 7-month-old King Charles Cavalier spaniel. She loves going to the dog park, eating ice, hiding under the bed, sleeping on her owners’ heads and playing with their other dogs. Her precious face warms their hearts and always elicits smiles. She loves giving kisses and cuddling on the sofa. Lily lives in Land O’ Lakes with the Galan family.

Chalk Talk 09/25/19

September 25, 2019 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Pasco Education Foundation)

Scholarship recipients
The Take Stock in Children program, which provides scholarships, mentors and hope, has awarded 30 Pasco County students with the opportunity for a paid college education. The Suncoast Credit Union sponsored a ‘signing event’ for the new scholars and their families, during which time the students confirmed their commitment to maintain good grades, attendance, behavior, and to remain drug- and crime-free. Upon high school graduation, each student will receive up to four years of college tuition.

Free math hotline
Hillsborough County Public Schools offers a free math homework hotline, available on select Thursdays, for math help on any topic.

Certified math teachers will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.

There also is a ‘live’ show on Spectrum Chanel 635 and Frontier Channel 32, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., or live stream at MHH.mysdhc.org, and students can win prizes and/or answer the challenge question.

For information, contact Maggie Mixon at (813) 272-4927 or .

Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University will host an Undergraduate Admissions Fall Open House on Sept. 28, starting at 8 a.m.

Students of all ages can attend with their families and friends, and explore the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Guests also can speak with members of the Saint Leo community.

Prospective students will be able to tour the campus, learn about the university’s academic offerings, student life, campus involvement, financial aid, and more.

For information and to register, visit SaintLeo.edu/visit-campus.

For questions or for special accommodations, contact the Office of Admissions at (352) 588-8283 or .

Ty is very loving

September 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Ty is a 1-year-old rescue cat that absolutely loves to lay in sinks. Madison Lash, of Wesley Chapel, has been a cat mom to Ty since he was 5 weeks old, and she has loved every second of it. Ty is the most loving cat and always cuddles with Madison when she gets home, from anywhere. His favorite thing to do is catch lizards outside and bring them in. Ty is all around the best pet anyone could have.

An owl with many voices

September 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Nicole Hoffman was lucky enough to snap a photo of a barred owl in Seven Oaks, in Wesley Chapel. These owls lack ear tufts, and have a long, barred tail. Mainly nocturnal, its daytime roost is always well-hidden in deep woods. The barred owl also is known as the ‘hoot owl.’ It uses 10 different calls, each for a specific purpose. These calls include wails, whines, squeals, and even an eerie laugh. Its habitat is dense coniferous or mixed woods around rivers and swamps, and in upland woods.

Curious gator

September 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Joe Macey caught this gator looking squarely at him from Reflections Lake in Villa Rosa, Lutz.

Health News 09/18/2019

September 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Agency’s work on fall prevention garners honor
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas (AAAPP) has been honored with the 2019 Aging Achievement Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), for its Better Living for Seniors Pinellas Falls Prevention Coalition. The Better Living program works to engage local aging business partners and drives community-wide work to reduce the prevalence of falls through a Fall Prevention Coalition. The initiatives include Denying Gravity, a comedic play; a series of quarterly community provider symposiums; and a pilot program at two assisted living facilities to reduce unnecessary calls for falls assistance. The AAAPP received the award at the n4a annual Conference & Trade Show in New Orleans.

Give blood, see a movie
The Big Red Bus is offering a free movie ticket and a Red Robin partner card in exchange for blood donations.

Generally healthy people age 16 and older, who weight at least 110 pounds, can donate. A photo ID is required.

For hours, locations and to make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive Sept. 20 to Sept. 22, visit OneBlood.org/redrobin, or call (888) 936-6283.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills recognized
AdventHealth Zephyrhills has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for 2019-2020 by U.S. News & World Report.

The hospital earned high-performance ratings for heart failure and COPD, in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes.

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in nine procedures and conditions.

The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for common conditions, and elective procedures.

“This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our dedicated care teams and leaders to provide our patients with the highest quality of care,” said Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, in a release.

“We are honored to provide these services to make it easy for our community to get the best care every time they need us,” she added.

Executive director named
NAMI Pasco County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has named Debbie L. Proulx as its first executive director in NAMI Pasco’s history.

Proulx will provide leadership and support to the management of all programs and activities.

She also will help to expand NAMI’s role in the community to better promote recovery, aid caregivers, and increase public awareness and understanding.

These measures will be taken to help eradicate mental health stigma and propagate improved services and research for those affected by mental health conditions.

Proulx brings with her expertise in fundraising and marketing, and has spent 20 years in the nonprofit sector as both a professional and a volunteer.

Quicker ER care
When an emergency happens, AdventHealth hospitals offer a way to get care fast. Through the website, GetInQuickER.com, a treatment time can be reserved. Users complete a brief, secure form, and get a confirmation with directions and details in return.

New medical staff
Access Health Care Physicians has welcomed Dr. Angie E. Layme to its medical staff.

Layme comes from the Tampa Bay Family Clinic, where she performed outpatient primary care and preventative medicine in the area of critical need for the geriatric population.

She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish, and is licensed in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Layme practices at 5350 Spring Hill Drive and 2173 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill.

Chalk Talk 09/18/2019

September 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Airman Apprentice Destiny Gonzalez (Courtesy of Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Local graduate serves at Weather Command
Airman apprentice Destiny Gonzalez, a 2011 Wiregrass Ranch High School graduate, serves with the Navy’s Weather Command Headquarters at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis advises Navy leaders about the impact of ocean and atmospheric conditions on future operations.

As an aerographer’s mate, Gonzalez helps platoons take sonar pictures of the ocean floor and then analyzes the photos to inspect what is found on the ocean floor.

Her responsibilities provide timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant information for ships, submarines, aircraft and other commands operating throughout the globe.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most-relied upon assets, Gonzalez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“I think serving in the Navy means a bit of sacrifice,” said Gonzalez in a release. “Serving here I found a lot of camaraderie and everyone is very welcoming in help with training and more. Being here I’m learning something that not too many people get to learn.”

Support for Bahamian students
Although Hurricane Dorian did not strike Saint Leo University, its impact on the Bahamas was strongly felt by the university community — nearly 150 Bahamian students attend Saint Leo.

The school’s community had a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Tapia College of Business, with prayer, music and remarks from several speakers.

In addition to the vigil, Saint Leo had a prayer service at the Saint Leo Abbey Church, prior to the student Mass.

Group and individual counseling has been offered and there are daily check-ins with the school’s Bahamian students.

A relief drive for supplies began Sept. 6, and collection bins are placed throughout the Saint Leo campus.

For information, email .

Free math hotline
Hillsborough County Public Schools offers a free math homework hotline, available on select Thursdays, for math help on any topic.

Certified math teachers will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.

For information, contact Maggie Mixon at (813) 272-4927 or .

Career college open house
Altierus Career College-Tampa, 3319 W. Hillsborough Ave., will host an open house focusing on health care careers on Sept. 19 from noon to 2 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants can get a tour of the nursing and surgical technology labs, and learn about the Altierus programs, such as scholarships.

For information, visit Altierus Career College on Facebook.

Homecoming boutique
A Cinderella Project Homecoming Boutique will be set up at Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Free homecoming attire, shoes and accessories will be available for any high school student.

For information, call Cypress Creek at (813) 346-4400.

Other boutiques also will be at Gulf High School in New Port Richey on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26; and, Fivay High School in Hudson on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Faculty recital
As part of its Roaring Twenties Decades Project, Saint Leo University will host a Fall Music Faculty Recital on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall.

The presentation will feature music of the 1920s.

Admission is free.

For information, email , or leave a message at (352) 588-8401.

Arts education website
The Arts Council of Hillsborough County has launched a new arts education website to help provide education and experiences for students.

The website has information on field trips from cultural organizations throughout the area; opportunities to engage students with art in the classroom; experienced educators from across Tampa Bay; and, student guides and links to Florida State Education Standards.

Check it out at ArtsTampaBay.com/artsed/.

Hispanic Heritage contests
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to design a bookmark, and students in grades six to 12 can design a poster, for the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative’s Hispanic Heritage Contest.

First- and second-place winners will be chosen in groups: kindergarten through second grade; third grade through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade.

Prizes include museum tickets, gift cards, history center tickets, sketchbooks, and professionally printed bookmarks.

The contest runs through Sept. 30. Entries can be submitted to any Hillsborough County public library.

For information and to see some of last year’s winners, visit HCPLC.org/events/hispanic-heritage.

Saint Leo partners with Bucs
Saint Leo University and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers commemorated Saint Leo becoming the exclusive educational partner of the Bucs at a kickoff party in August.

The partnership was marked by a mingling of Saint Leo’s green and gold, and the Buccaneers’ red and pewter on the school’s campus in St. Leo.

Team mascots Fritz (Saint Leo Lions) and the Bucs’ Captain Fear, as well as cheerleaders from both organizations, led the celebration.

The event featured food, music, games and giveaways.

With the partnership, Saint Leo University will be featured in online, television, radio and in-stadium promotional advertisements.

Saint Leo also will present Bucs Trivia Tuesday on Instagram, Game Day Trivia in Raymond James Stadium on game days, and the Military Hero at each home game.

Luna is a joy

September 11, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Luna is a rescued 4-year-old mix. She loves playing with her two human brothers, playing ball and taking naps. Luna is loved by all who meet her. She is the joy at the end of the day. Luna lives in Lutz with the Danaie family: Mazdak, Nina, Maz and Sevi.

A team of mottled ducks

September 11, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Nicole Magazu and her husband, of Land O’ Lakes, spotted this group of mottled ducks swimming in the pond at sunset. Mottled ducks are known as ‘dabbling ducks’ because they feed at the surface or tip up to reach vegetation. On water, a group of ducks can be called a brace, raft, team or paddling. In flight, a group is known as a flock.

Chalk Talk 09/11/2019

September 11, 2019 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Betty Burke, Rotary Club of San Antonio)

Back-to-School Party
Fifty boys and girls received bags of school supplies at the 12th annual Back-to-School Party sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Antonio and Farmworkers Self Help. The children also listened to Senior Forest Ranger Chris Farley and Ranger Ali discuss entry-level jobs with the Florida Forest Service, and they got to sit in the Forest Service bulldozer. Several children talked about becoming forest rangers and helping to fight forest fires. The event also provided hot dogs served by Rotary Club President Jim Tremmel.

First- and second-place winners will be chosen in groups: kindergarten through second grade; third grade through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade.

Prizes include museum tickets, gift cards, history center tickets, sketchbooks, and professionally printed bookmarks.

The contest runs through Sept. 30. Entries can be submitted to any Hillsborough County public library.

For information and to see some of last year’s winners, visit HCPLC.org/events/hispanic-heritage.

Fee adjustments
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted student-related fees at a Sept. 17 board meeting, at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill campus, 450 Beverly Court.

The fee adjustment proposal was reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by the PHSC President’s Administrative Leadership Team, a committee of college administrators.

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.

For details regarding the proposed fees adjustments, justification for the fees, and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu.

Faculty-authors to read
Five Saint Leo University faculty-authors will read from their own creative works Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall.

The event, “Wild Gifts: A Reading by Creative Writing Faculty,” will include readings by poets, a short story writer, a memoirist, and a novelist.

For information, email .

Homecoming boutique
A Cinderella Project Homecoming Boutique will be set up at Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Free homecoming attire, shoes and accessories will be available for any high school student.

For information, call Cypress Creek at (813) 346-4400.

Other boutiques also will be at Gulf High School in New Port Richey on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26; and, Fivay High School in Hudson on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Ambassador sworn in
Philanthropist Donald R. Tapia, Saint Leo University alumnus and former Board of Trustees chair, was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Jamaica by Vice President Mike Pence on Aug. 20, in Washington D.C.

Tapia will represent the president in an official capacity, and work on efforts to protect and promote national interests and maintain diplomacy.

Tapia competed his undergraduate degree in business administration from Saint Leo’s Center for Online Learning in 2005, joined the board of trustees in 2006, earned a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo (online) in 2007, and was named chair of Saint Leo’s Board of Trustees in 2011.

He was the chairman and CEO of Essco Group Management, which grew to become the largest Hispanic-owned business in Arizona. In 2010, he retired from the company to devote his time to philanthropy.

Tapia’s gift of $4 million to Saint Leo was announced in 2010, and was used to construct the Tapia College of Business building.

In 2014, the university awarded Tapia the degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, for his dedication to Saint Leo.

Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project again will provide free homecoming dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses will be available to all in-need high school girls for their high school prom, homecoming or military ball.

No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed.

A $1 to $5 donation is requested, but not required.

Donations of dresses and accessories also can be made at the site. Large size dresses (size 18 to 26) are the biggest need.

For information, visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com.