The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

05/14/2016 – Lutz Guv’na debate

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The Lutz Guv’na debate will be on May 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz. Candidates will debate trying to win the Guv’na sash by July 4. If you are interested in running, call (813) 727-7549.

05/14/2016 – Tim’s Church yard sale

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Tim’s Church, 601 Sunset Lane in Lutz, will have “Trunk 2 Treasure” sale on May 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be tables of gently loved items, and items made by the church crafters, Mustard Seed Garden and Creative for Christ ministries.

05/13/2016 – Murder mystery dinner

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will present a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater production of “Sinister Sleepover” on May 13 at 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz. The audience is invited to wear pajamas, robes, slippers, hair curlers, or whatever necessary to add to the fun. Tickets are $20 and include the play and a “breakfast for dinner” buffet. For information and tickets, call (813) 786-8461.

05/13/2016 – Central Pasco Chamber golf tournament

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The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its 30th annual Golf Tournament on May 13 at the Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz. There is a noon check-in and 1 p.m. shotgun start. The fee is $70 per golfer or $260 for foursome. For more details call (813) 909-2722 or email .

05/13/2016 – Book bazaar

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The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will have a book bazaar on May 13 and May 14 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a diverse selection of books, audio and video media, magazines, and related materials, most for less than $3. For information, call Glen Thompson at (352) 567-7449.

Vida church has new location

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Vida Community Church, a bilingual multicultural church founded in 2007, has moved to a new location to 2600 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, behind Mercedes Benz dealership and the Goodwill store. Sunday worship celebrations are at 11:30 a.m., and there is a midweek family gathering on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. For information, call (813) 474-6376, or visit VidaCC.org.

Chalk Talk 05/04/2016

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Manufacturing job fair
Pasco-Hernando State College’s career and testing services, and CareerSource Pasco Hernando, will host a manufacturing job fair on May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.
All manufacturing related job seekers should bring plenty of resumes. Participants will have the opportunity to visit with local manufacturing companies that will be on hand for questions and on-the-spot interviews.
Job seekers must register at www.PHSC2016Manufacturing.eventbrite.com.

Bundled online classes
Pasco-Hernando State College, in partnership with Ed2Go, is now offering new “bundled suites” of noncredit online courses. The instructor-led, comprehensive programs combine similar courses to enhance the learning experience. Students receive expert instruction and the opportunity to interact with fellow participants.
“Bundled suites” topics include entrepreneur, business and leadership suites; creative writing, grant writing, photography, web design and more.
The new courses begin May 18.
To view a complete list of all PHSC Ed2Go courses, or to register for the noncredit online courses, visit Ed2Go.com/phsc.

Prom Promise at Wiregrass Ranch
Prom Promise brings together local first responders who visit high schools during prom season to inform students of the importance of making good decisions on prom night.
Using student actors from each high school who are dressed in prom attire and splattered with fake blood, the first responders illustrate the tragic events that can occur when a student gets drunk at the prom, and then drives away and crashes into another carload of prom-goers.
After the crash, the firefighters, paramedics and police officers converge on the scene, and students see the intense activity that follows, including a Bayflite helicopter ready to transport the trauma patients.
The presentations are coordinated with school SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) groups and the school resource officers.
Prom Promise will make an appearance at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd, in Wesley Chapel, on May 20 at 8:30 a.m., in the stadium.

Virtual school opens enrollment
Florida Virtual School Full Time, a statewide online public school, will open enrollment for grades six to 12 on June 1.
Combining Florida-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools and community experiences, FLVS Full Time delivers a high-quality, online education to students who benefit from an individualized approach to learning.
Parents can enroll students online at FLVSFT.com.

Summer VPK enrollment
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a summer PVK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program for eligible families and children. This is a free program for children who have not yet used a VPK voucher and turned 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2015.
Classes will begin on June 14 through Aug. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour rest at 12:30 p.m.
To learn more about Primrose School and how to enroll your child in the free VPK program, call Angella Hart at (813) 242-7800.

Anthony Brown wins poetry award
Pasco-Hernando State College student Anthony Brown won the Poetry Award at the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society of Florida Regional PTK Convention in Fort Lauderdale. Members from each campus PTK chapter represented PHSC at the convention attending various academic workshops and leadership development events.
Other regional winners included PHSC East Campus Chapter, Alpha Zeta Epsilon, named Most Improved Chapter. The West Campus Chapter also won the wild-card drawing and a scholarship to the Honors Institute at Wake Forest University. Both chapters received scholarships of $895 to cover tuition, and room and board.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society whose members are guided by hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

50-year class reunion
The Chamberlain High School Class of 1966 is planning a 50-year class reunion on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. The committee needs help locating the Class of 1966 graduates.
If you graduated in 1966 and would like to have your name included for future updates and information, send your name (including maiden name), email, current address, home and/or cellphone number, and spouse’s name to
If you know anyone else in the class who has not yet been contacted, email their name and contact information to the same email address.

 

 

 

Health News – 05/04/2016

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Ombudsman advocates needed
Florida’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program has advocate positions available in Hillsborough County. Volunteers visit with residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
Training and certification are provided, and volunteers participate in council meetings, administrative assessments and complaint resolution in facilities.
Candidates need to:

  • enjoy working with seniors and those with disabilities
  • plan to volunteer 20 hours a month
  • pass a background check (paid for by the program)
  • complete certification training
  • communicate well
  • attend a monthly meeting

Those interested in becoming an ombudsman, can visit Ombudsman.MyFlorida.com, or call (888) 831-0404.

Free neuropathy clinic
A free, volunteer-run clinic is open for the education and support of people who have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
CARE TampaBay provides education and support in the following areas: coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management. The clinic is available by appointment only, and is now taking appointments for May and June.
For more information and appointments, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Strength & balance class
The Grove Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, will host the “Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance Class” on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
These are low-impact classes for men and women to help improve flexibility and balance, which may help prevent falls, broken hips and other injuries. Strength exercises may include lifting handheld weights, using tubing, and your own body resistance and core muscles.
The classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 per session ($30 per calendar month) for non-members.
For information, contact Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984 or .

Center for veterans
The Pasco County Vet Center, 5139 Deer Park Drive in New Port Richey, provides counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, bereavement counseling, marriage and family counseling, and resources for benefits information and suicide prevention referrals.
The center is open Monday to Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some Saturday appointments are available.
All services are confidential and provided at no cost to the veteran and family members.
To learn more, or to schedule a tour of the facility, call (727) 372-1854.
Information is also available at www.vetcenter.va.gov.

Lutz Nar-Anon family group
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. The 12-step program offers shared experiences, strength and hope.
The Lutz Nar-Anon group meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at Hope Church, 5107 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.
For information on the program, visit NarAnonFl.org, or call the help line at (888) 947-8885.

 

Obstetrics programs

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The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer these classes:

  • Six-week Childbirth Series May 4 through June 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Childbirth Super Prep Class on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Infant CPR Family & Friends on May 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Tour of Obstetrics Department on May 14 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Breast-feeding Course on May 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Diabetes education

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Access Health Care, 5382 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will offer a lecture for newly diagnosed or not-so-newly diagnosed individuals with diabetes mellitus on May 9 at 1 p.m.

Reservations are required. For information, call (352) 597-7249.