Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 09/05/2018

September 5, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Staff members from the Wesley Chapel office of the Pasco County Tax Collector delivered backpacks, along with a check for teachers, to Chester Taylor Elementary School in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of the Pasco County Tax Collector)

Staff provides for students in need
The Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices accepted donations from the public to purchase backpacks and school supplies for students in need.

A majority of the funds, $20,395.65 in total, was used to purchase back-to-school supplies. A smaller portion was used to assist in buying classroom supplies for teachers.

Each school received 75 completely filled backpacks and a check for $1,750 for the teachers to purchase supplies.

Pasco County Tax Collector’s Dade City staff members delivered backpacks and a check to Rodney Cox Elementary School in Dade City.

And, each school determined which students would benefit from the donated items.

Staff members from each office delivered the backpacks and school supplies to the principals and teachers at Rodney Cox Elementary, Chester Taylor Elementary, Pine View Elementary, Richey Elementary and Hudson Elementary schools.

Pine View Elementary School, in Land O’ Lakes, received backpacks and a check from staff members at the Land O’ Lakes office of the Pasco County Tax Collector.

This is the second year the tax collector’s offices have had its own charitable promotion for the sole purpose of assisting students who live and go to school near each office.

For information about the charitable programs, visit PascoTaxes.com, or call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179.

Free homecoming dresses
The Belle of the Ball Project will once again provide free homecoming dresses and accessories, to in-need high school girls, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater. Upcoming dates include Sept. 22, 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.

Early learning enrichment
Tinkergarten, an early learning enrichment program that focuses on nature and community, will host a free trial class Sept. 9 and 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 .

College nights
Pasco-Hernando State College will host its annual College and Career Night on Sept. 11 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Dade City campus, 36727 Blanton Road; and on Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road.

Representatives from PHSC, public and private colleges, universities, other educational institutions and the military will participate.

Prospective students can get information about admissions, financial aid and programs for post-secondary study.

Admission is free.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

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.

Cheaper EpiPen efforts

September 5, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Congressman Gus Bilirakis has been working to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for several years. He has authored multiple provisions within H.R. 2430, which was signed into law last August.

One of the provisions created an expedited approval process for generic drugs when no competitor exists on the market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week that it approved the first generic drug through this new process.

The second Bilirakis provision reformed the FDA Office of Combination Products, as a result of an exchange with FDA officials. This office manages the approval of Complex drug-device combination products, such as auto-injectors and metered-dose inhalers.

The EpiPen is an example of a combination product.

The company that manufactures the EpiPen – Mylan Pharmaceuticals – raised the cost of the EpiPen by 400 percent, making it unaffordable for many families.

Traditionally, there has not been a generic version of the EpiPen available on the market.

However, with the reforms, the FDA has announced that it has approved the first generic version of the EpiPen, used to treat allergic reactions.

Mr. Bean is intelligent and compassionate

August 29, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Mr. Bean is an English Springer Spaniel that was rescued from a puppy mill, along with his two brothers. While in a shelter, Mr. Bean was very ill and appeared to be depressed. Now, at 11 years old, he is a healthy, loving dog thanks to a foster program, his former foster mother, and the veterinarians at a local shelter. Mr. Bean seems to have a sixth sense about people and how they feel. Every night he spends time with his owners, Howard and Natalie Engel, on the couch, while they are watching TV or reading. Mr. Bean and the Engels reside in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel.

A safe place to nest

August 29, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Kim Moore, of Land O’ Lakes, has had the pleasure of watching cardinals build a nest in one of her palm plants, three times since the beginning of the year. The two babies born in March, unfortunately, did not survive. Three babies also were born in June, and all three flew from the nest. The cardinals came back and settled in again in July.

Health News 08/29/2018

August 29, 2018 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of the Pasco County Tax Collector)

Stepping up for seniors
CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) was the recipient of monies raised by the Pasco County Tax Collector’s five offices through its monthly charitable giving program. CARES is a Pasco County-based organization that provides services to seniors to keep them in their homes and be independent. The community stepped up in a big way to assist in the CARES Senior Health Clinic’s daily operations. The clinic is staffed by volunteer medical professionals devoted to helping low-income people ages 55 and older who need health care services. Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano (far right) and staff members present a check for $6,749.88 to Jemith Rosa, CARES president and CEO (holding sign, right).

Mental health education
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Pasco County offers free education classes to those diagnosed with a mental illness, and families and friends.

The Peer-to-Peer Class is a 10-session educational program for adults with mental illness who are looking to better understand their condition and journey toward recovery.

The Family-to-Family program is 12 sessions for family, significant other and friends of people living with mental illness. It is an evidence-based program.

Research shows that it can significantly improve the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to an individual living with a mental health condition.

Classes are taught by a trained team of people who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. Everything is confidential. NAMI does not recommend a specific medical therapy or treatment approach.

Programs are offered in East and West Pasco.

Visit NAMIPasco.org to check the calendar for locations and times.

For information, call the NAMI Pasco information line at (727) 992-9653.

Robotic guidance system
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is the first hospital in the Tampa Bay area, and only the second in Florida, to offer the Globus ExcelsiusGPS surgical robotic guidance system through its neurospine program.

The system is the first and only robotic platform for spine surgery that combines surgical navigation and robotic guidance, and improve accuracy and patient care for precise minimally invasive spine surgeries by using robotics and navigation.

The system provides real time imaging to physicians for increased safety and accuracy; more precise positioning of screws during surgery, less exposure to radiation; and potentially shorter surgery and recovery time for patients.

The hospital’s neurospine program launched in October 2017 in response for a growing need from the community and a desire for patients to have a long-term solution for spinal pain.

Florida Hospital gets name change
Florida Hospital and its parent company, Adventist Health System, will be renamed AdventHealth effective Jan. 2, according to a news release from the hospital’s parent company, Adventist Health System.

There will be no change in ownership.

The rebrand will make it easier for customers to distinguish AdventHealth’s care locations and service, the news release stated.

Nearly 50 hospital campuses, with more than 80,000 employees, will be unified under the single name.

“Becoming AdventHealth allows us to be a fully integrated and distinguishable health system across all aspects of the care continuum, while also speaking to our Christian healing ministry, message of wholeness and our rich Seventh-day Adventist roots,” Terry Shaw, president and chief executive officer of Advent Health System, the hospital’s parent company, said in the news release.

A transition campaign with television and print advertisements will be featured in September, in various media markets nationwide.

Signs and other visual elements at hospitals and other care facilities will be changed in January.

Chalk Talk 08/29/2018

August 29, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Sixty years, and still going strong
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated enough school supplies to fill two SUVs. The supplies and teacher-needed items, collected over the summer by the club’s Education Committee, were delivered to Lutz Elementary and Shady Hills Elementary schools. The woman’s club has supported education through scholarships, and assisted local schools and libraries in the community for nearly six decades. Pat Wagner, left, and Marcy Edmonson with one of the filled SUVs.

New academic year
Saint Leo University’s main campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, was filled with students finding their classes and learning what was in store for the new academic year, as classes began Aug. 21.

More than 2,100 traditional undergraduates are studying at University Campus this fall, with more than 1,400 students living on campus.

First-year and transfer students moved in Aug. 16.

For information, visit SaintLeo.edu.

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.

For information, email Kathy Hrach at .

Patel Conservatory classes
Registration is now open for 2018 fall classes that start Sept. 4, in dance, theater and music at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

More than 100 classes are offered in age-specific categories, ranging from prekindergarten to adult. Sequential curricula are designed to accommodate students of all skill levels, from novice to professional.

Patel offers master classes with performers, field trips to professional performances, and celebrity question-and-answer sessions, as well as other activities. Auditions are required for some classes.

Registration is available online, by calling (813) 222-1040, or in person at the Patel Conservatory.

For information, and a full list of classes, descriptions and schedules, visit PatelConservatory.org.

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.

Performance funding
Pasco-Hernando State College recently placed in the silver category for state college performance funding, as announced by the Chancellor’s Office, Division of Florida Colleges.

The college will receive Institutional Investment Funds of $799,073, as well as State Investment Funds of $799,073, to support college operations for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Performance funding is relative to the metrics of student retention, completion, job placement and starting salaries for graduates.

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

Recycle with Crayola
Crayola ColorCycle was launched as a way to help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment.

Through the initiative, students in kindergarten through 12th grade in schools across the United States and parts of Canada can collect and repurpose used Crayola markers.

Teachers and students have the opportunity to explore eco-friendly practices through specially developed standards-based lesson plans to enrich instruction and promote lively class discussion.

There are four steps to becoming an Eco-Cool School.

Inform the school administrators or parent-teacher organization about participating in the ColorCycle program.
Set up a collection station in the school for used markers. Count up all the markers.
Pack markers in a cardboard box (with minimal outer markings). Print out a shipping label.
FedEx Ground will pick up the markers – Crayola pays all the shipping charges.

For information and to get started, visit Crayola.com.

Serving in the Navy
Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Reina is a gas turbine systems technician aboard one of the four advanced warships forward-deployed to Rota, Spain.

He is participating in a NATO ballistic missile defense mission, while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross.

A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for the health of the engines and the propulsion of the ship.

Reina is a 2015 Sickles High School graduate and Tampa native.

Zoe enjoys the sun

August 22, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Zoe was the best 45th anniversary gift ever for her owners, Siegfried and Linda Barry, of Land O’ Lakes. Zoe is a sweet, 1 ½-year-old piebald mini dachshund who loves being in the pool on ‘her float.’ She does her best to warm her family’s hearts each day.

Caught, and released

August 22, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Meagan Rathman-Urena, of Lutz, spotted this tiny gecko in her workplace. Normally found outside, geckos can range from .64 inches to 24 inches in length. Geckos have various patterns and colors. Most are nocturnal, but day geckos are usually active to nibble on insects, fruits and flower nectar.

Health News 08/22/2018

August 22, 2018 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida)

Sertoma launches new mobile audiology services
The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida had a ribbon-cutting at Country Way Village Child Care in Tampa, with a presentation of its new mobile audiology services van.

The van will provide pediatric hearing screenings and evaluations, along with fitting and dispensing hearing aids. The foundation’s focus is rural and under-served communities.

From left: Kathy Spurling, assistant outreach coordinator at Sertoma; Jesse Brown, district governor of Central Florida Sertoma District; Taylor, a Country Way Village Child Care employee; and Emylee Baumann, outreach coordinator at Sertoma. For information, call (727) 312-3881.

Hospital ranks in top 100
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel was named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health.

The study, conducted by IBM Watson spotlights the top-performing hospitals in the United States based on a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational and patient satisfaction metrics and data.

The hospital also was named one of the 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award.

Since opening nearly six years ago Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has established itself as a national leader, earning recognition from a variety of industry leaders for patient care, safety and satisfaction.

The hospital continues to grow and expand its services, most recently opening an offsite Emergency Room in Land O’ Lakes

It also opened Inspiration Place – a comprehensive women’s health center that offers concierge care with female physicians, women’s imaging services and women’s physical therapy services, located together with a boutique spa.

A wound-healing institute also is under construction

Florida KidCare
Florida KidCare and its partners are reminding parents to take advantage of their child’s health care benefits or to sign them up for health and dental coverage.

Through Florida KidCare, sports physicals, vision and hearing tests, routine dental cleanings and pediatric checkups are all covered.

To offer families more local opportunities to learn about and apply for Florida KidCare, the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation has awarded nine back-to-school grants to community organizations across the state.

For those interested in applying for Florida KidCare, the corporation has debuted a free online eligibility calculator. The calculator can be accessed at tinyurl.com/ybgleael.

Enrollment is open year-round, and the application is free.

To learn more or to apply, visit FloridaKidCare.org.

St. Joseph’s garners two awards
For the second year in a row, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received two awards for quality acute care from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association: Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center.

The Gold Achievement Award and the Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Elite Quality Achievement Award both recognize the hospital’s efforts in implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment of severe heart attacks and stroke.

The Mission: Lifeline program is a coordinated proactive system of care that turns first responders, hospitals and other health care providers into a team that uses proven guidelines and best practices to treat patients suffering from STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction).

It allows all of the components of care – from the onset of the emergency all the way through hospital discharge and the start of secondary prevention – to work quickly and seamlessly.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is at 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

Chalk Talk 08/22/2018

August 22, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Outstanding alumna
Ania McNamara, of Odessa, received the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, during the school’s Reunion Weekend.

Ania McNamara, far right, was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Other award winners, from left: Judy Mullins Lucas, Alumni Appreciation Award; Sarah Bellingham Laitinen, Lasallian Service Award; Ann Merchlewitz, Saint Mary’s interim president; Bobbie Smith Gostout, Distinguished Alumna Award. (Courtesy of Saint Mary’s University)

The award honors a young alum for outstanding accomplishments within the first 10 years of graduation whose professional accomplishments, service to the alma mater, or selfless and caring work to benefit society are distinctive.

McNamara has found success in her career and in her personal passion by providing gifts to orphans throughout Poland. A senior marketing professional, specializing in digital marketing, McNamara has broad perspective on the marketing needs of small companies, as well as the complex world of modern marketing and technology.

In 2016, she found McNamara Marketing, a flexible marketing resource firm providing full-service marketing to businesses worldwide.

In her spare time, McNamara organizes the CCF4Orphans Project, a 10-year initiative sending Christmas gifts overseas to children in Polish orphanages. The cause is particularly close to her heart as she and her sisters were adopted as young children from an orphanage in Poland.

For more information, visit CCF4Orphans Project on Facebook.

Recycle with Crayola
Crayola ColorCycle was launched as a way to help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment.

Through the initiative, students in kindergarten through 12th grade in schools across the United States and parts of Canada can collect and repurpose used Crayola markers.

Teachers and students have the opportunity to explore eco-friendly practices through specially developed standards-based lesson plans to enrich instruction and promote lively class discussion.

There are four steps to becoming an Eco-Cool School.

Inform the school administrators or parent-teacher organization about participating in the ColorCycle program.
Set up a collection station in the school for used markers. Count up all the markers.
Pack markers in a cardboard box (with minimal outer markings). Print out a shipping label.
FedEx Ground will pick up the markers – Crayola pays all the shipping charges.

For information and to get started, visit Crayola.com.

Patel Conservatory classes
Registration is now open for 2018 fall classes that start Sept. 4, in dance, theater and music at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is available online, by calling (813) 222-1040, or in person at the Patel Conservatory.

Open houses for the school year will be Aug. 23 at 6 p.m., and Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.

For information, and a full list of classes, descriptions and schedules, visit PatelConservatory.org.

Wiregrass open house
Wiregrass Ranch High School will host an open house Aug. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for all students.

Participants can learn about the academic and athletic programs available, as well as clubs and booster programs.

Teachers will be in their classrooms to meet with families and answer any questions.

For information, call (813) 346-6000.

AFIRE of Pasco
All Pasco County Tax Collector offices will be accepting donations for AFIRE of Pasco during the month of August.

AFIRE of Pasco is a day-training program for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It is geared specifically for people 22 years of age and older who have completed all school district programs for individuals with disabilities. AFIRE provides service five days per week to enrolled adults.

Services include basic academics, one-on-one computer instruction, training in daily living skills, and recreation and social outings/activities.

For information on donating, visit PascoTaxes.com, or call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179.

For information on the organization, visit AfirePasco.com, or call Denise Haystrand at (727) 849-8982.

Insurance company steps up
American Income Life, a provider of life, accident and supplemental health insurance, made a $25,000 contribution to Step Up For Students, helping lower-income children attend the kindergarten through 12th grade school that best fits their learning needs. The donation will fund three scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.

This is the first time American Income has partnered with Step Up For Students, a nonprofit organization that helps manage the income-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

The tax credit program is for financially disadvantaged schoolchildren, and allows parents and schoolchildren to choose between a kindergarten through 12th grade scholarship that helps with private school tuition and fees, or one that assists with transportation costs to out-of-county public schools.

Student attends summer orientation
Zane Tarrance, of Odessa, attended Newberry College’s Wolf Pack Welcome, the college’s summer orientation.

The welcome is a one-day program designed to help first-year students transition smoothly from high school to Newberry College (South Carolina).

Activities included a team-building session, an academic session, a technology session, and an advisement session with an academic advisor.

Dean’s List honorees

Connor O’ Keefe, of Lutz, made the Dean’s List at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, for the spring semester.
Em Ovalle, of Lutz, was named to the Dean’s List at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Ovalle is a graduate of Freedom High School.
Jordan Wheeler, of Land O’ Lakes, made the Dean’s List at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Wheeler is enrolled in the university’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.