The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Health News 05/15/2019

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Shirley Stibal

Hospital recognizes 30 years of service
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recently honored Shirley Stibal for her 30 years of volunteer service, recognizing her at the hospital’s annual volunteer award banquet. ‘For 30 years Shirley Stibal has served Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point as a courier. In addition to her friendly and polite manner to patients, family, staff and other volunteers, she is always reliably on time and present for her scheduled shift,’ said Donna Owen, director of Volunteer & Pastoral Care, in a release. Her hard work and dedication over the years typifies the character and devotion to serving and exemplifies our mission statement, Owen added.

 

 

Pinwheel garden planted
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club works to bring awareness to and prevention of domestic violence and child abuse through its support and many projects. 

Members recently planted signage and a “garden” of blue pinwheels at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park to direct attention to the prevention of child abuse and in support of happy healthy childhoods for all our children.

For information on this community service organization, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Charity of the month
The charitable organization for the month of May for Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices is  CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services).

The promotion shines a spotlight on three of the top programs offered by CARES, specifically those that ensure area seniors have food to eat, access to health care and support for their caregivers.

Donations will be used to help continue these programs, and can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information about CARES, call Jemith Rosa at (727) 863-6868, or visit CARESFL.org.

Apple A Day receives $42,000
Tampa Bay Moe’s Southwest Grill locations announced that the Apple A Day Foundation has received a $42,000 donation, resulting from a fundraising effort that took place throughout the month of April.

Every Wednesday, from April 3 to April 24, the Tampa Bay franchise cooperative, which includes 24 locations of the fast-casual southwestern restaurant, donated 25 percent of net in-store sales to the Apple A Day foundation.

The gift is the largest amount that Apple A Day’s Tampa chapter has received from a single donor since opening its doors in 2010.

A locally founded nonprofit organization, Apple A Day provides devices, such as tablets and smartphones, to children undergoing cancer treatment, at no cost to them or their families.

Since its inception, Apple A Day has presented more than 500 iPads/devices to children fighting cancer.

The $42,000 donation will help facilitate a new initiative being launched in partnership with other pediatric cancer organizations by providing 105 local children with a new iPad.

For more information, visit AppleADay.org.

Alzheimer’s fundraiser
The Alzheimer’s Association hosted “An Evening in White,” a white-attire themed charity benefit at The Vault in Tampa. Guests were able to network and enjoy cocktails and food, and the sounds of jazz trio La Lucha.

The white party theme was inspired by a quote from Stephen King that reads, “Black is the absence of light, but white is the absence of memory, the color of can’t remember.”

Chaired by Ashley Barnett and emceed by former NBC news anchor Gayle Sierens, the event featured a research update by Dr. Susan Steen of Tampa Neurology Associates and the presentation of the Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant award to Dr. Feng Cheng of the University of South Florida.

The first-time gala raised $170,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association, funds that are critical to advancing research, and providing support and education to families living with Alzheimer’s.

More than 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Florida has the second highest incidence of Alzheimer’s in America with an estimated 560,000 Floridians living with the disease.

Nursing excellence
Oak Hill Hospital recently recognized two nurses for excellence in nursing, during the hospital’s Awards of Distinction celebration.

The awards were established by its parent company, HCA, to honor outstanding nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and in compassionate care. The awards honor exceptional individuals whose work and lives reflect the patient-centered and humanitarian values upon which HCA is founded.

The nominees for the award included:

  • Giovanna Cavalucci, Intensive Care Unit
  • Cindy Hall, Progressive Care Unit
  • Ray Millap, Surgical Services
  • Lauren Pardue, Labor and Delivery
  • Amber Register, Progressive Care Unit
  • Julie Schneider, Surgical Services
  • Jessica Smith, Cardiac Observations
    The Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Carewas presented to Amber Register, RN.
    And, Julie Schneider, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentor Award.

Chalk Talk 05/15/2019

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Literary support for elementary kids
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has supported local schools for years and, in particular, those with special needs. The club recently delivered a large number of children’s books for individual classroom libraries, as well as shoes and clothing, to Shady Hills Elementary and Miles Elementary schools. Two staff members at Shady Hills accept donations from Pat Wagner (right), the woman’s club education chair.

 

 

 

 

Charity helps hungry children
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and staff raised $11,100 to benefit One Community Now’s 2019 Hunger Walk. The walk is an annual event that raises money to fund the Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids program, which distributes backpacks of food to students who need food over the weekend.

For information on Pack-a-Sack, call Patti Templeton at (727) 900-6280.

Kindergarten preregistration
Pasco County Schools’ kindergarten preregistration is May 20, at all public elementary schools. Contact individual schools for orientation activities and times.

Requirements include:
• Child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2019
• Child’s birth certificate or other proof of birthdate
• Health examination – HRS Form 3040
• Three proofs of residency such as current utility bill; lease agreement, or deed or property tax assessment; and additional documents supporting stated address, such as auto registrations, driver’s license or voter registration

For kindergarten information, call Danielle Varcardipone at (813) 794-2404, (727) 774-2404 or (352) 524-2404.

Head Start/Early Head Start applications may be submitted for infants, toddlers and children through age 5 that meet income eligibility requirements.

For information on Head Start, visit PascoSchools.org/ecp, or call Alexis Russell at (813) 794-2730, (727) 774-2730 or (352) 524-2730.

College funding seminar
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host “College Funding Strategies” with financial specialist Erin Mollura on May 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Mollura will discuss the means to provide funds to pay for an education; and tax benefits, financial benefits and planning benefits.

She also will talk about planning ideas, such as using personal savings and investment for education funding, through the use of techniques that can help you identify and try to manage risks, which can prevent you from achieving your overall savings goal.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Course-related fees
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its May 21 board meeting at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for board 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 proposed fees adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu.

Local student showcases research
The University of Kentucky, College of Arts and Sciences and the STEMCats Living Learning Program congratulated Samuel Herrington, of Odessa, for presenting research at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars in the Spring 2019 semester.

As part of the STEMCats BIO 199 research lab, Herrington conducted scientific research alongside a faculty mentor. He presented findings in the form of a scientific poster titled, “AGO1 Protein Influence on Arabidopsis Susceptibility to Cucumber Mosaic Virus.”

Home to 19 academic departments that offer major degrees in 27 disciplines and 36 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences provides education in fundamentals to every undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky and builds foundations for advanced study in every field.
Its faculty integrates innovative research with exceptional teaching and outreach, providing paths to understanding the past, solving the problems of today, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.

Awards of excellence
Pasco-Hernando State College announced its recipients of the annual National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards.

The 2019 honorees include: Connie LaMarca-Frankel, professor, humanities; Jacqueline May, associate professor, English; David Sullivan, Ph.D., professor, emergency medical services; Jennifer Wiatrowski, professor, biological science; and Glynis Williams, instructor, information technology.

These NISOD awards recognize professionals each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.

The PHSC NISOD Excellence Award recipients are invited to attend the 2019 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 25 to May 28, in Austin, Texas.

Mike Fasano honored
Pasco-Hernando State College’s spring commencement included honoring Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano.

Fasano was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Applied Science in supervision and management and inducted into PHSC’s Legislative Hall of Fame.

Fasano began his public service career in the Florida House of Representatives in 1994, representing parts of both Pasco and Hernando Counties, where he eventually rose to the position of House majority leader.

Following an eight-year term in the House, he served in the Florida Senate for 10 years, representing Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Pinellas counties, and achieved the position of president pro-tempore of the Senate.

He returned to the Florida House in 2012 and remained there until he was appointed by then Gov. Rick Scott to the open seat of Pasco County tax collector in 2013. Fasano continues to serve in that capacity to this day.

The leadership and support Fasano provided to PHSC during his tenure in the Florida Legislature greatly benefitted the college.

The school was able to acquire nearly $116 million to construct two of PHSC’s campuses, the Spring Hill Campus, and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel. Additionally, Fasano was instrumental as the appropriations chair in acquiring the funding to construct the conference center and classroom building S on the West Campus.

Fasano joins prior PHSC Legislative Hall of Inductees Sen. Wilton Simpson, Sen. Jack Latvala, and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford.

During the two spring commencement ceremonies, approximately 433 degrees and certificates were conferred. An estimated 998 spring graduates were eligible to participate.

For more information about PHSC, visit PHSC.edu.

Cutting college costs
Taking more classes each semester may help you cut the cost of college, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). And, that’s important if you will need student loans to help pay for your education.

A full-time load for undergraduate students is usually 12 credit hours per semester. Associate’s degrees usually require 60 credit hours to finish, bachelor’s degrees, 120 hours. At 12 hours each semester, you’ll need five semesters to finish an associate’s degree and 10 semesters to finish a bachelor’s degree.

But, if you take 15 hours per semester, you’ll finish an associate’s degree in four semesters and a bachelor’s degree in eight semesters.

Most colleges won’t charge you any more for 15 hours than they do for 12 hours. That might save you thousands of dollars in tuition and fees.

When you’re planning your schedule, think about taking that extra class each semester. The sooner you earn your degree, the sooner you can start job hunting.

You, too, can help reduce plastic pollution

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Hillsborough County and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) are inviting residents and business owners to join in the worldwide movement to reduce waste from single-use plastics.

It’s much better to do this with your plastic beverage bottles than to allow them to end up in streams, rivers, bays and other bodies of water. (File)

According to the Ocean Conservancy, six of the top 10 contributors to marine debris are single-use, or disposable, plastic products, which include common food service ware, such as food and beverage container caps and lids; beverage bottles; plastic bags; food wrappers; cups, plates and cutler; and drinking straws.

When these items are littered, or caught by the wind, they can be washed into stormwater drains that empty into streams, rivers, bays and other water bodies.

The partnership between Hillsborough County and KTBB has launched a community education initiative to inform residents, visitors and businesses about the environmental impacts of single-use plastic products and ways to combat the problem.

Individuals can show their support for ending plastic pollution by taking an online pledge to do one or more simple actions, including:

  • Taking reusable shopping bags to stores
  • Skipping plastic straws
  • Carrying a reusable cup, mug or water bottle
  • Using reusable takeout containers
  • Raising awareness by sharing tips on social media

Businesses can be recognized as a Businesses for the Bay partner by sharing what they are doing, or pledge to do, to reduce the use of single-use plastics; and, as partners also have access to educational materials for their customers. There is no cost to participate.

New online resources can be found at ReduceYourUseTampaBay.org.

To learn more about the Ocean Conservancy and its mission, visit OceanConservancy.org.

Published May 08, 2019

Calvin is a rescue

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Calvin is almost 2 years old. His family rescued him right before Hurricane Irma. Calvin enjoys being petted, but only when he thinks it’s his idea. He loves to climb and run around the house as fast as he can — at 3 a.m. Calvin’s parents are Chynna and Samantha Bisconti, of Lutz.

A mother’s love

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Nicole Magazu snapped this photo of a mother sandhill crane taking a leisurely walk with her baby in Land O’ Lakes. After two years, the juvenile crane will reach sexual maturity and begin the search to find its own mate.

Physician of the Quarter

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(Courtesy of Tiffany Scalone)

Nephrologist Dr. George Muthalakuzhy was named Physician of the Quarter at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz. The award recognizes exceptional doctors for clinical leadership and quality care for patients, based on nominations from hospital staff. According to his colleagues, Dr. Muthalakuzhy is ‘extremely passionate, thoughtful and diligent when working with patients. He is all around a pleasure to work with, and is so nice and accommodating to team members and patients.’

Chalk Talk 05/08/2019

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(Courtesy of Shawn D. Saathoff)

Wiregrass drumline performs at playoffs
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s quest for the Stanley Cup wasn’t the kind of finish that fans expected after the Bolts’ outstanding regular season, but despite the team’s early elimination, the playoffs offered some exciting experiences, especially for members of the Wiregrass Ranch High School drumline. The squad, under the direction of Josh Hobbs, was selected from among several schools that submitted a video for consideration. The drum line played its cadences outside Amalie Arena before the front gates opened, while Lightning cheerleaders cheered on the arena’s steps. And, they played to kick off the first and second periods of the game, with crowds outside at the playoff watch party. Wiregrass Ranch members receiving recognition were: Joses De Carlos, Jason Garcia, Nicholas Carroll, Connor Saathoff, Amber Dickens, Kelly Griffing, Lynn Asare-Bediako, Brendan Dozier, Elijah Hernandez, Alex Lang, Nia Owens, Joel Ellis, Tristan Barber and Thomas Hoskins.

Saint Anthony school celebrates 135 years
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Hermann Drive in San Antonio, will celebrate its 135th anniversary on May 10. It is the oldest Catholic elementary school in Pasco County and the fourth oldest Catholic school in the state.

There will be Mass at 9 a.m., presided over by the Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, followed by a spring concert at 10:30 a.m., performed by the students in San Antonio Park.

After the concert, guests can take part in a family picnic.

For information about the celebration or the school, call Sister Alice Ottapurackal at (352) 588-3041.

To RSVP, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

Honor Day awards
Citizens Concerned for Students (CCS) will recognize the public middle and high school African-American students who have earned the Honor Roll at least once during the school year at the annual awards ceremony, known as Honor Day, on May 11 at 5 p.m., at the Pasco Schools Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.

The keynote speaker will be attorney Angel Everett, author of “Harvard & Hardship: A Beginner’s Guide to College and Law School.”

The sixth annual College and Resource Fair also will take place at 3 p.m., in the adjacent Wesley Chapel High School gymnasium, featuring a variety of schools and educational resources.

Both events are free.

For information, visit HonorDayPasco.org.

Seventh-grader wins spirit award
Selena Schulz, of Hudson, a seventh-grader at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes, will receive an engraved bronze medallion to recognize her selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Florida in the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

The presentation will be on May 14 at 3:45 p.m., at Countryside Montessori, 5852 Ehren Cutoff.

Schulz has raised more than $5,000 for animal shelters in three states and Canada by setting up a table at events and selling her trilogy of books through her organization, “A Bed A Buck A Buddy.”

For information on the awards and its honorees and finalists, visit Spirit.Prudential.com.

Food waste contest
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched “Ace the Waste!” – a student competition for food waste reduction ideas.

Students ages 11 to 18 can submit proposals on reducing food loss and waste anywhere along the supply chain, from the farm to the dinner table and beyond.

Topic ideas include: Preventing food waste; Recovering wholesome, excess food to feed people; Recycling food scraps to keep them out of landfills; and, Raising awareness.

Students may submit a one- to two-page proposal or a one- to two-minute video.

Submissions will be judged on impact potential; originality and creativity; clarity of expression; and, adherence/appropriateness to theme.

One winner will be selected from each of two categories: ages 11 to 14, and ages 15 to 18.

The deadline for proposals is May 24 at 5 p.m.

For details and to submit ideas, visit tinyurl.com/y4cj6kpr.

Youth Leadership Pasco graduates
Thirty-four outstanding students, selected from high schools throughout Pasco County, participated in the Youth Leadership Pasco program designed to inform, motivate, and increase their awareness of Pasco County through issue-oriented seminars and interaction with community leaders. The students devoted time to seven program days, which included Orientation/Teamwork, Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice, Healthcare/Government, Economic Development/ Business/Media, Education/Career Development, and Graduation.

The Youth Leadership Pasco Class of 2019 graduates were: Naomi Armstrong, Cypress Creek High School; Bayli Baker, Wesley Chapel High; Jenna Boudreau, Dayspring Academy; Yazmene Canty, Wendell Krinn Technical School; James Capogrosso, Wiregrass Ranch High; Emmersyn Chefero, James Mitchell High; Elizabeth Collier, Sunlake High; Madily Corbin, Wesley Chapel High; Bella Cortier, James Mitchell High;  Alexis Dusel, Dayspring Academy; Joseph Falcone, Cypress Creek High; Sydney Field, River Ridge High; Pedro Fonseca, Wesley Chapel High; Ryan Hamilton, Gulf High; Savannah Horseman, Wiregrass Ranch High; Evan Huff, homeschool; Joelynn Jung, Wiregrass Ranch High; Ronak Kanodia, Land O’ Lakes High; Renee Lisbon, Wiregrass Ranch High; Noel Martinez-Pla, Cypress Creek High; Katelyn McCullough, River Ridge High; Raynee Meek, River Ridge; Chase Mullins, Wesley Chapel High; Ryan Nixon, Wendell Krinn Technical; Amber Northrup, Cypress Creek High; Tanner Politi, Zephyrhills High; Katalina Romero, Gulf High; Brody Sweigart, James Mitchell High; Kodie Taylor, Sunlake High; Jordan Utterback, James Mitchell High; Joseph Vreeland, Cypress Creek High; Mackenzie Whalen, Sunlake High; Zharia Wilson, Wesley Chapel High; and, Alanna Yeo, River Ridge High.

For more information, visit LeadershipPasco.com.

New inductees
Florida State University welcomed 314 new inductees into its prestigious Garnet & Gold Scholar Society during a special ceremony on April 25. To become an inductee of the Scholar Society, students must meet the engagement area criteria and submit a synthesis reflection project before graduation.

These local students are now members of the Garnet & Gold society:

  • Valencia Beckwith, Odessa: biological science
  • Alena Harding, Wesley Chapel: management information systems, professional sales
  • Ashley Sutch, Lutz: nursing
  • Taylor Welniak, Wesley Chapel: biological science, editing, writing and media

 

Sea turtle nesting season is here

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The month of May marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on many of Florida’s beaches.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking property owners and beach visitors to help nesting turtles and hatchlings by turning off or shielding lights that are visible from the beach at night.

Helping to keep the beaches dark at night is one of the most important things that can be done to help sea turtles.

Even small artificial house lights, a flashlight or cellphone camera can confuse female sea turtles and their hatchlings, causing them to wander off course.

According to the FWC, more loggerhead turtles nest in Florida than anywhere else in the continental United States, with 91,451 loggerhead nests counted statewide during the 2018 nesting season.

Leatherback and green sea turtles also nest in significant numbers in our state.

Follow these FWC basics to be sea turtle friendly:

• Turn off the light. After sundown, turn off any lights not necessary for human safety. Close shades or curtains, too.

  • Don’t take flash photos or use bright cellphones or flashlights on the beach at night.
  • Stay back and give sea turtles space if you see one on the beach at night. Do not touch a nesting turtle. It is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests, eggs or hatchlings.
  • Clear the way by removing beach furniture, canopies, boats and toys left behind on the sand. These items can become obstacles that block nesting and hatchling turtles. Fill in any holes dug in the sand.
  • Keep your distance from nests and hatchlings. Do not handle hatchlings crawling toward the water. Any interference or disturbance by people increases the chances the hatchlings will get confused, go in the wrong direction and not reach the ocean quickly, which makes them vulnerable to dehydration, exhaustion and predators.

The FWC maintains a list of certified wildlife-friendly fixtures for property owners. The list can be found online at MyFWC.com/Conservation by clicking on the “How You Can Conserve,” “Wildlife Lighting,” and then “Certified.”

To report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922, #FWC, *FWC on a cellphone.

Learn more about Florida’s sea turtles at MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.

Published May 01, 2019

Know your flood risk

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Pasco County is offering an interactive, online tool for property owners to see how the proposed flood hazard data contained in the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) could impact their property.

The digital FIRMs identify flood hazards throughout the county and help determine flood insurance rates.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma dumped quite a bit a rain, leaving behind flooded roads in Dade City. (File)

Residents and businesses can view the maps to better understand their potential flood risks to help identify steps that may be needed to protect against property damage and loss.

A FEMA appeal process is now open for anyone in Pasco County who is affected by the preliminary FIRMs.

Official appeals and/or comments must be submitted directly to FEMA by mail to Rick Sacbibit, Engineering Services Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 C Street, Washington D.C. 20472; or by email to . The deadline to submit an appeal or comment is May 28.

After the appeals process closes, FEMA will review all public input and make any necessary revisions to the preliminary FIRMs.

The final maps will then be presented to the Pasco County Commission.

To learn more about FEMA’s flood hazard data, visit bit.ly/FloodHazardData.

For more about the Pasco County Flood Plain Management, visit bit.ly/PascoFloodInfo.

Published May 01, 2019

A common sight in our state

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Ospreys nest in a mass of sticks on top of dead trees, atop power poles, on manmade nesting platforms, and sometimes on buoys, chimneys or other structures. The nests are most often used year after year and can get up to 10 feet high, as more nesting materials are added each breeding season. These two ospreys, in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel, were spotted by Sharon Thompson, in its nest on a light pole above the tennis court.