Mary Rathman

See our state parks, up close, naturally

September 19, 2018 By Mary Rathman

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has announced the redesign of the Florida State Parks website.

Bahio Honda State Park in Big Pine Key. (Stefanie Burlingame)

In partnership with Visit Florida, the new parks website features tools and information that will be helpful to the state’s visitors.

It also promotes the Florida Park Service, providing visitors with detailed information about all 175 state parks, trails and historic sites.

User experience is improved because of the site’s mobile responsiveness and robust site search tool. It also features more photos and a trip tuner, making it easier for visitors to plan their trips to state parks.

The trip tuner helps to plan a park experience online. It will do the searching for you when you enter your preferences. To try it, visit VisitFlorida.triptuner.com/stateparks/en.

At Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, in Key West, you can visit the fort, which was completed in 1866, and visit the beach with plenty of shaded picnic areas.

Visitors also can find ways to get involved in state parks through volunteering, and find stories from park rangers, staff and volunteers.

Tourism is the No. 1 industry in the state of Florida, and these new resources showcasing visitor opportunities will help support the industry.

The website also has a new marketing logo for Florida State Parks, which features the Florida panther. The panther symbolizes the Florida Park Service’s role in protection and conservation, while representing the wild, Real Florida found within Florida State Parks.

To learn more about our state’s special places and prized properties, as well as natural resources, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

Published September 19, 2018

Tomoka State Park, along the Tomoka River, is 3 miles north of Ormond Beach and has many areas for nature lovers to explore.

A roseate spoonbill shows off its balancing skills at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Widllife State Park.

Brandy is a vivacious girl

September 19, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Brandy is a Belgian Malinois shepherd/terrier mix. Her owners brought her home in August of 2016. She was a cute puppy then, and she has grown in to a real beauty. Brandy is big on athletics, and loves running, jumping (leaping off the sofa), tug of war, and long walks every morning on the boulevard. Don and Phyllis Cera, of Wesley Chapel, are Brandy’s proud owners.

Bobwhites are shy

September 19, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Michele Connolly submitted this photo that her son, Ethan Connolly, took of a northern bobwhite (also known as a bobwhite quail and Virginia quail) on the family’s property, in Dade City. Ethan is 12 years old and loves taking pictures of wildlife. Northern bobwhites live in open pine forests, overgrown fields, shrubby areas and grasslands.

Health News 09/19/2018

September 19, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Cardiologist joins Premier Heart center
Premier Heart and Vascular Center has announced that Dr. Huy Khuu has joined its growing practice. Khuu will be the center’s ninth interventional cardiologist and 19th practitioner.

Khuu comes to Premier Heart with more than 18 years of interventional cardiology experience. He most recently served as cardiac catheterization lab director at Florida Hospital Dade City and as a board member of the medical executive committee.

Khuu was instrumental in the creation of the STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) program at Florida Hospital Dade City.

He previously served as assistant professor of medicine, cardiology division, at the University of South Florida, Tampa General Hospital.

His areas of expertise include coronary artery disease; stenting, pacemakers and defibrillators; and peripheral arterial disease.

Khuu is board certified in interventional cardiology and general cardiology.

Rx Express announces new packaging
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, medication is not taken as prescribed 50 percent of the time, and the non-adherence causes more than 30 percent of chronic disease failures, according to a new release from Rx Express Pharmacy and Compounding Center, in Lutz.

To address the issue, the pharmacy has announced its new Dispill Medication Packaging Program, a personalized program designed to help patients take the right medications at the right time.

For information, call (813) 948-4321.

Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month
According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, each year, brain aneurysms cause nearly 500,000 deaths worldwide.

During the month of September, The Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation is hoping to increase public awareness of this devastating and often-fatal condition.

The Hoblit Foundation also provides support and funding for neuroscience research for brain aneurysms with the goal of advancing treatment options, and reducing the time between treatment and signs/symptoms to ensure better outcomes.

Aneurysm risk factors include: smoking, high blood pressure, family history, age 40 and older, female, person of color, and drug use (particularly cocaine).

Sudden symptoms include: loss of consciousness, confusion, seizure, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, numbness or weakness, and pain behind the eye.

For information about the organization, or to donate, visit TrinityHoblit.org.

Chalk Talk 09/19/2018

September 19, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Peace Week celebration
Pasco-Hernando State College will host speakers, guest lecturers, exhibits, presentations, interactive workshops, and peace festivals for its 11th annual Peace Week, Sept. 24 to Sept. 28.

Buddhist monks work on a sand mandala creation during last year’s PHSC Peace Week. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The theme of “Unity” will run through the college’s East Campus in Dade City, North Campus in Brooksville, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, the Spring Hill Campus, and the West Campus in New Port Richey.

There will be presentations and lectures entitled “Stand Together,” “Coffee with a Cop,” “Wellness Techniques and Chair Yoga,” and more.

Unity festivals, with drum circles, exhibits and displays, will take place on each campus. Crafts, such as tie-dye T-shirts, also will be available.

At the Spring Hill Campus, Buddhist monks will create a sand mandala, which will be displayed for a short period of time before a dissolution ceremony takes place.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Sept. 25 meeting, at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court.

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, visit Policies.PHSC.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

Questions and concerns can be directed to the appropriate dean listed on the webpage.

Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host an open house Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for students of all ages, and their families and friends.

Guests can get acquainted with the academic programs by talking to the faculty, through resource fairs, and a variety of academic presentations and demonstrations.

Visitors also can tour the campus, chat with current students, learn about clubs and organizations, meet with financial aid representatives, talk with admission counselors, and more.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Admission is free.

To register, visit SaintLeo.edu/open-house.

For help with registration, or for questions, contact the Office of Admissions at or (352) 588-8283.

Performing Arts College Fair
Students interested in pursuing a college degree in dance, theater or music are encouraged to attend the Straz Center’s inaugural Performing Arts College Fair on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 1010 N. MacInnes Place in Tampa.

There will be morning workshop rotations that include master classes and audition prep taught by Patel Conservatory faculty.

In the afternoon, guests can meet with representatives from schools known for their performing arts programs, including: Carnegie Mellon School of Music; The American Musical Dramatic Academy; Boston Conservatory; Flagler College; Greensboro College; Stetson University; Florida College; Butler University; University of North Florida; Lynn Conservatory of Music; Florida State University College of Music; Valdosta State University; University of South Florida; Florida Southern College; Savannah College of Art & Design; Manhattan School of Music; The New School; and, the University of Florida.

Admission is free. Lunch will be available for purchase.

Reservations are required at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com/#EventDetail=177547.

For information, call the Patel Conservatory Student Affairs office at (813) 222-1029.

Free homecoming dresses and accessories
The Belle of the Ball Project will once again provide free homecoming dresses and accessories, to in-need high school girls, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater. Upcoming dates include Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.

Dresses will be available for prom, homecoming and military balls.

No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed.

A small donation of $1 to $5 can be made, but is not required.

The project also will accept donations of dresses and accessories.

For information, call (877) 772-3553.

Cheeto and Pip are inseparable

September 12, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Cheeto (age 14) and Pip (age 9) have been together since Pip was brought home in 2009. The cats hardly leave each other’s side and often times look like an old married couple. One night, Pip followed Cheeto into the chair, and they decided to watch the sunset together, as many couples do. Their proud owner is Elsie Rehberg of Wesley Chapel.

Chalk Talk 09/12/2018

September 12, 2018 By Mary Rathman

This team cares about students
David Weekley Homes hosted its annual companywide CA⁺RE School Supplies Drive in 17 cities across the country. Locally, supplies were collected for the Hillsborough Education Foundation, which is dedicated to more than 200,000 students in Hillsborough County Public Schools by providing educational resources and financial assistance. Approximately $900 in supplies came from homeowners and business partners, providing more than 1,100 pieces needed for the school year. In addition, the Weekley Family Foundation donated $5,000 to use toward classroom technology. David Weekley team members are shown with bags of supplies for the Foundation.

Looking for sponsors
Bexley Elementary’s PTO (parent-teacher organization) is planning to host a Movie Night on Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m., for all students and their families, and is looking for a local business to help sponsor the event.

A donation of $500 will cover the cost of the blow-up screen and projector.

The movie will be free, including popcorn, and will be in the school’s cafeteria.

Families who would like to eat dinner, can buy pizza, a cookie and soda for $3.

Bexley also is open to ideas on sponsorship benefits. Some of these ideas include: the business/logo mentioned as a sponsor in all promotions leading up to movie night; a Thank You message with logo displayed on the screen prior to the movie; a table on-site with information about the business; and, the business could provide branded popcorn bags or could provide stickers to put on the bags.

For information, email Kathy Hrach at ">.

SAT/ACT boot camp
More than 50 local students can now get help with free SAT/ACT prep.

Scholarships are available to students from low-income families.

Andrea Catsicas, of Mindworks Prep, is offering the scholarships for eligible students to attend one of her Tampa area boot camps.

Local students currently on free or reduced lunch can apply.

There will be a one-day boot camp at the University of South Florida Alumni Center on Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information and to apply, visit MindworksPrep.com.

Early learning enrichment
Tinkergarten, an early learning enrichment program that focuses on nature and community, will host a free trial class Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe III Community Clubhouse, 1500 Meadow Pointe Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Tinkergarten’s mission is to elevate childhood and bring families together in a natural place in the community for classes, where kids learn through play.

Each class will have expert-designed, outdoor play-based activities, and will include capabilities such as empathy, collaboration, creativity, persistence and problem-solving.

The classes are for ages 18 months to 8 years.

For information, email Charity Henesy-Brooks at .

Dresses will be available for prom, homecoming and military balls.

No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed.

A small donation of $1 to $5 can be made, but is not required.

The project also will accept donations of dresses and accessories.

For information, call (877) 772-3553.

Civic literacy requirement
Pasco-Hernando State College has implemented the new Civic Literacy requirement for students seeking an Associate in Arts or bachelor degree.

First-time-in-college students must satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement prior to submitting an Intent to Graduate form in the term they plan to graduate.

The new requirement, Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in 2017.

The requirement can be met by successfully completing one of the following courses or tests:

POS 2041: a college-level survey course on American government
AMH 2020: U.S. American History (II), since 1865, or
Successfully pass Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government & Politics test, with a passing score of 3; the AP U.S. History test, with a passing score of 4; or the College-Level Examination Program American Government test, with a passing score of 50.

To learn more about PHSC graduation requirements, students must contact a PHSC advisor.

For information on PHSC programs and services, visit PHSC.edu.

Best & Worst School Systems
WalletHub, a personal-finance website, released its report on 2018’s States with the Best & Worst School Systems, as well as videos.

In order to determine the best school systems in the United States, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key measures of quality and safety.

The date set ranges from pupil-teacher ratio to dropout rate to median standardized test scores.

The quality and safety of schools in Florida were ranked this way (1=Best, 25=Average):

3rd: Bullying Incidence Rate
9th: Reading Test Scores
17th: Math Test Scores
30th: Pupil-Teacher Scores
37th: Dropout Rate
39th: Percentage of threatened/injured high school students
39th: Median ACT Score
46th: Media SAT Score
49th: Percentage of licensed/certified public K-12 teachers

Massachusetts is listed as the top-ranked state overall for its school systems. Florida ranked 26th and New Mexico is listed in 51st place.

For a full report, visit Wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335.

Sign up for lifelong learning

September 5, 2018 By Mary Rathman

September is Library Card Signup Month, a time when the American Library Association and libraries nationwide remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card can be the first step toward academic achievement and lifelong learning.

And, now is an especially good time to get a Pasco County library card as the library launches new services for residents.

The Pasco County Library System now has four new offerings, including two streaming media services, as well as wireless printing and Wi-Fi hotspots.

“We’re excited to continue to offer our patrons these premier streaming media services,” Bob Harrison, public communications specialist for the libraries, said in a news release.

New services include:

Freegal: free music service offering access to more than 15 million songs. Users can download up to three songs per week, free of charge, and stream up to three hours of music per day.
Kanopy: streaming movie service offering more than 30,000 feature films, independent films, foreign cinema, documentaries and kids’ movies. Movies also can be streamed at no cost.
Wireless printing and print-from-anywhere: Print from smartphones and tablets, or from a home computer or laptop. The cost is 10 cents per page for black-and-white, or 25 cents per page for color.
Internet-on-the-Go: Borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to three weeks. The 4G LTE device is easy to set up, and can connect multiple devices, including laptops, gaming consoles and more.

All library services are available at no cost with a Pasco County library card, free at any branch.

Published September 5, 2018

Lil Rhodi is smart and happy

September 5, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Lil Rhodi was born Oct. 26, 2017. He is a 10-month-old Yorkie that weighs almost 4 pounds. Although Lil Rhodi is a little guy, he is very energetic. He loves chasing after his ball and returning it, so he can chase it again. He also loves going for walks, cuddling with his mom and loves everyone he meets. Lil Rhodi’s proud owner is JoAnn Charette of Land O’ Lakes.

Magnificent herons walk among us

September 5, 2018 By Mary Rathman

This description offered by the organization, All About Birds, aptly describes these elegant birds: ‘Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron, with its subtle blue-gray plumage, often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.’ Herons are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.