The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Final reading club parties

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The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will have its final Summer Reading Club parties — for grades four to 12, on Aug. 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and, for kindergarten through third grade, on Aug. 6 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, call (352) 567-3576.

The ‘beach’ in downtown Tampa

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The Vinik Family Foundation will host an interactive architectural installation that will bring a beach to downtown Tampa, at Amalie Arena, from Aug. 5 to Aug. 25. Created by Snarkitecture, The Beach Tampa is a 15,000-square-foot immersive environment featuring an “ocean” of 1.2 million recyclable and antimicrobial white balls. There also will be a “shoreline” with a beach hut, beach chairs, umbrellas and other activities. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved by visiting TheBeachTampa.com or Ticketmaster.com. No fees will apply for ticket charges, and tickets must be printed at home. Children age 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

07/30/2016 – Pet cemetery needs cleanup volunteers

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The Oakcrest Pet Cemetery, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, is in need of cleanup volunteers for July 30. The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department will host the cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon. Individuals, social clubs and civic groups are invited to call (813) 929-1220 to sign up. Volunteers can rake leaves, remove debris, clean markers and statues, and help with other efforts to improve the cemetery.

Business Digest 07/27/2016

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Seixas Headshot 2016
Melissa Seixas is the newly appointed director of government and community relations for Duke Energy Florida. (Courtesy of Duke Energy)

Promotions
Duke Energy has promoted Melissa Seixas and Jeff Baker.

Seixas is the new director of government and community relations in Florida, working to strengthen the company’s relationships with county, community and civic organizations. The nearly 30-year employee previously served as government and community relations manager for Tampa Bay, working with leaders in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Jeff Baker, who previously served as community relations liaison in Pinellas, will take on government and community relations responsibilities in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Duke Energy Florida serves about 1.7 million customers and has its headquarters in St. Petersburg.

 

EventPhotoMini_Flapjack 4Volunteers needed
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce need volunteers, sponsors, distribution locations for racing forms, food and more for its Flapjack 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Dec. 11.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 909-2722 or .

Office center sold
Hold-Thyssen Inc., a real estate services firm, recently brokered the $750,000 sale of the Van Dyke Professional Center, at 17535-45 Darby Lane in Lutz.

Theresa Margaris, transaction specialist for Hold-Thyssen, represented the seller, Portland-based NWE17 LLC, according to a news release from Larry Vershel Communications Inc.

Hillsborough County records show the new owner is Trustee Management Services LLC, located on Gunn Highway in Tampa.

The office park was built in 2007 on nearly 2 acres, with about 7,500 square feet of office space. About 66 percent is leased, according to the press release.

Hold-Thyssen provides commercial property, as well as leasing and management services, to institutional and private sector clients nationwide. The 40-year-old firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 commercial properties in the nation.

Ribbon cutting
Stilos Salon & Barber will host a ribbon cutting and mixer on July 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The ribbon cutting will be at 6:30 p.m.

Come network, nibble and support a growing new business.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Salute to small business
Copperstone Executive Suites will have a Salute to Small Business networking mixer and ribbon cutting on July 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Copperstone’s meeting room, at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

For information, call (813) 298-7363, or email .

Networking luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host a network luncheon on July 28 at 11:30 a.m., at IHOP, 408 E. Bearss Ave., in Tampa. The theme is relationship building with business neighbors. Order from the IHOP menu. A senior lunch menu will be available to all. Minimum of $5 is required if you do not order food, plus you must pay for your drinks.

For information, phone TransAmerica at (813) 334-8998, or email Jenn Beaumont at .

Economic briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic development briefing on July 28 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The guest speaker will be Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The $15 cost includes a buffet lunch.

For information, email , or call (813) 994-8534.

Childcare center opening
Kids Park will have a ribbon cutting and grand opening on July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 26240 Golden Maple Road in Wesley Chapel. The free event will have a bounce house, face painting, snow cones and tours of Kids Park, a childcare center for preschool and school-age children.

The first 25 families to register will receive a discounted rate.

For information, contact Amanda Justus at (813) 618-3823, or email .

Wesley Chapel breakfast meeting
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Aug. 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, in the third floor conference center, Room B-303, at the Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Guest speaker is Kartik Goyani, vice president of Metro Development Group, which is developing Metro Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons.

The cost for chamber members is $15 in advance. Register online by 3 p.m., on July 29. At the door, the cost is $20 for members and non-members.

For information, call (813) 994-8534, or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Aug. 4 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, at 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

The guest speaker is Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Sponsors are Faithful Friends, Martin Electric and The Laker/Lutz News.

The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Women-n-Charge lunch
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Aug. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The meeting includes lunch and time to network.

Guest speaker will be attorney Clementine “CC” Conde. She will discuss “Domestic & Substance Abuse – Another Perspective.”

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests. To register, visit Women-n-Charge.com.

For more information, contact Judy at (813) 600-9848 or .

Business challenge
Pasco Hernando SCORE will have a Business Challenge Workshop on Aug. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Rasmussen College, 8661 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey.

The free half-day workshop is for existing small businesses to learn and develop new strategies to overcome challenges.

Guest speakers are experts in sales, finance, marketing and human resources. Mike Lewis will discuss Growing Your Sales; Jack Grise will discuss Marketing Your Business; Jim Hammond will discuss Financial Management; and, Barbara Pailley will discuss Managing Your Resources.

Register online by Aug. 9.

For information, call (727) 842-4638, or email .

Health News 07/27/2016

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Health-RedHatSociety rgbSaying thanks in a big way
Members of the Zany Zinfandels of Zephyrhills Red Hats Society presented the staff at Gulfside Hospice with a check for $1,200. The group, a part of Tropical Acres Estates in Zephyrhills, chose to donate to say thank you for the quality care many of its residents have received from Gulfside Hospice, including those facing life-limiting illness and bereavement services. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

 

Health-Duncan rgbHospital’s employees shine
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills hosted its annual employee anniversary celebration at Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, in San Antonio, to recognize staff for years of service. Klaus Melhorn, Kelley Sasser and Evelyn Williams were honored for 35 years of employment; and, Cleo Lazo and Debra Dungan for 30 and 25 years, respectively. Others were honored for 20, 15, 10, and five years of service. More than 80 clinical and nonclinical staff representatives also were recognized. Emine Duncan, center, of Dade City, was named the hospital’s Employee of the Year. With Duncan are CEO Randy Surber and June Randall, administrative director of human resources. Duncan has been an employee since 2003. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

Medicare help

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The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host Jan Rauer, a SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) representative, on July 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., to answer Medicare questions. Rauer will be available at the library every fourth Tuesday of the month. For information, call (352) 567-3576.

School immunizations

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The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s clinics will be open for back-to-school immunizations on the following Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

  • July 30: 13941 15th St., in Dade City
  • Aug. 6: 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey
  • Aug. 6: 4717 Airport Road in Zephyrhills

No appointment is needed. For information, call (813) 364-5812, or visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.

Peripheral neuropathy clinic

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A free, volunteer-run clinic is open for the education and support of those diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. CARE TampaBay provides education and support in coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety and symptom management. Appointments are now being taken for August and September. For information, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Medical center events

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The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer these upcoming community events:

  • NAMI Family & Friends Support Group: Aug. 1 and Aug. 18 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Autism Support Group: Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
  • Lymphedema Support Group: Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.
  • Diabetes Support Group: Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.

Reservations are advised. For information or to register, call (727) 834-5630, or visit MedicalCenterTrinity.com.