The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Stress reduction group

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Florida Cancer Affiliates, 3611 Little Road in Trinity, will offer a stress reduction group on April 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The group is open to anyone who feels overwhelmed at times, is struggling to find a balance in life, or just wants a place to freely express feelings with those going through the similar experiences.

Stress can be work or school related, relationship stress, caregiver stress, illness or health stress, parenting or family stress, or financial stress.

For information, call (727) 808-4818.

Breast cancer support

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Florida Cancer Affiliates, 3611 Little Road in Trinity, will offer a breast cancer support group on April 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The group is an open discussion for anyone who has been touched by breast cancer. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call (727) 236-0302.

‘Start Your Engines’ in Trinity

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The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host “Start Your Engines” on April 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature a car show with more than 200 entries, model airplanes, a Teddy bear clinic for kids, “Ask the Doctor” education stations and more. For information on the car show, call (727) 514-0500. For general information, call (727) 834-5630.

Chalk Talk 03/30/2016

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Dr. Seuss was in the house
Watergrass Elementary School, in Wesley Chapel, hosted a “Read Across America” event in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Guest speakers from Sunlake High School, Saint Leo University, and parents read various Dr. Seuss favorites in the kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms.

Campus open houses
Pasco-Hernando State College will host open houses at all five of its campuses in April. The events are aimed at 2016-2017 high school graduates who are undecided on college plans and any potential students seeking higher education opportunities.

Attendees can learn about the variety of certificate, associate and bachelor degree programs offered through the college. There also will be opportunities for campus tours and information on admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and more than 50 clubs and organizations available.

Open house dates and locations include:

  • East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City: April 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (financial aid workshop included)
  • Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel: April 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • North Campus, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Brooksville: April 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (financial aid workshop included)
  • West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey: April 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court: April 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (financial aid workshop included)

For information, visit PHSC.edu/calendar.

Round Up at John Long Middle
Dr. John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host the annual PTSA “Round Up” on April 8 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This is its largest community event to support the continued “A” rated education needs of the students. There will be games, prizes, food and a disc jockey.

For information, visit JohnLongPTSA on Facebook, or call (813) 346-6200.

Chamberlain High reunion
Chamberlain High School Class of 1961 will celebrate its 55th year of graduation with a reunion on April 9 at 10 a.m., at Lowry Park Pavilion 115. Classmates should bring a lunch.

For information, call (813) 949-3074, and leave a message.

Homeschool Day at Cracker Country
Cracker Country, a rural Florida living history museum at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 in Tampa, will host Homeschool Day on April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students can learn about the lives of settlers in rural Florida before the turn of the 20th century through hands-on activities. The theme for the day is “Make and Take Crafts.”

Educators in historic dress will be on hand at the 1885 Carlton House, railroad depot, general store, church and other authentic structures. Participants can make toys, dolls and helpful items for the household, and can also learn to operate an early 20th century printing press and make postcards.

Admission is $8 per person, ages 4 through adult. Children younger than age 3 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at CrackerCountry.org.

For information, call (813) 627-4225.

Head Start applications being accepted
The Pasco County Schools Early Childhood Programs Department will have open application days across the county for Head Start and Early Head Start for 2016-2017.

Expectant mothers and parents/guardians of infants, toddlers and children through age 4 may apply. Eligibility is based on family need and income.

Locations, dates and times are as follows:

  • RCMA-The Stallings Building, 15029 14th St., Dade City, on April 20 and May 17, from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Lacoochee Elementary School, 38815 Cummer Road in Dade City, on April 20 and May 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Alice Hall Community Center, Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, on April 26 and May 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • District Office Complex, Portable 23, 20425 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes, on April 28 and May 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

For required documents and information, visit PascoSchools.org/ecp, or call Alexis Russell at (727) 774-2730 or (813) 794-2730.

Chamberlain High’s 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.

Saint Leo welcomes new partners
Saint Leo University now has professional working agreements with four new community partners.

In the Tampa Bay area, the new organization is The Circle of Veterans and Families, a charitable organization that offers an educational, relaxing and rejuvenating space for veterans, first responders, and their families, who have served post 9/11.

The other three organizations are the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association in Texas, the Newport News Sheriff’s Office, and the Town of Culpeper, in Virginia.

Scholarship in honor of Dr. Katherine Johnson
CareerSource Pasco-Hernando presented a $1,500 scholarship to Pasco-Hernando State College in honor of Dr. Katherine M. Johnson, former president of PHSC and director on the CareerSource Pasco-Hernando board.

Johnson’s service to the community through her work has encouraged growth and success.

CareerSource and PHSC are partners in an effort to help jobseekers, students and businesses further advance their knowledge in order to become more competitive in today’s job market.

For more information regarding the scholarship, call (813) 877-1300.

Free math circle program
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is offering its free, weekly Math Circle program for area middle and high school students. The program includes hands-on activities that engage young people and help them sustain an enthusiasm for mathematics.

Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.

For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .

 

Sensory friendly films at Cobb

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Grove 16 Cobb Theatres, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will show sensory friendly family films where kids can be kids in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums are made more comfortable with brighter lights, and the sound level is turned down. The audience is encouraged to be themselves and interact with the movie, while having fun without the worry of disturbing others. Guests can sing and dance during the movies. All shows begin at 10 a.m.

  • April 30: “Ratchet & Clank”
  • May 21: “Angry Birds”
  • June 18: “Finding Dory”

For information, call (813) 948-5444.

Arbor Day art contest

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Hillsborough County Extension is asking tree lovers to create “mail art” (small works of art sent through the postal service) to celebrate trees for Arbor Day. Artwork can be a drawing, collage, painting or photo that answers the question “I appreciate trees because…” Contest age groups are children ages11 and younger, youth age 12 to 18, and adults age 18 and older. The deadline is April 15. For complete rules and information, visit Hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu.

04/05/2016 – Photography club

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The Land O’ Lakes Photography Club will meet April 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The club is open to all beginners, amateurs and professionals. The cost of the meeting is $2 to cover the room rental. For information, contact Ron Bowman at .

04/05/2016 – Garden club meeting

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The Land O’ Lakes Garden Club will meet April 5 at 10:30 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The guest speaker will be Peter St. Angelo, of Canterbury Nursery, on the subject of spring plantings. For information, call Marie Woody at (813) 961-2697.

04/03/2016 – Roller derby bout

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The Rolling Valkyries women’s roller derby team will be skating against the Tampa Sea Sirens on April 3 at 6 p.m., at Astro Skates, 875 Cypress St., in Tarpon Springs. There will be a raffle to benefit the Kids Wish Network. Toy and book donations also will be accepted. Tickets are $10, or $8 with donation. For information, visit RevolutionRollerDerby.com.

04/03/2016 – Family fun day

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The Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival “Family Fun Day” will be on April 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Centennial Park, 1800 E. Eighth Ave., in Ybor City. There will be activities for kids, games and prizes, casting calls, a photo booth, a chalk artist, movie characters, a puppet show, the author of “Good Night Tampa,” and movies. “Kung Fu Panda” will be shown at 11 a.m., and “The Lego Movie” will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Popcorn, food and beverages will be available for purchase. Streetcars will be running from Channelside to Ybor City. For a full schedule and information, visit GasparillaFilmFestival.com.