The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving

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More than 100 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants are participating in the sixth annual March “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign. The campaign will culminate in Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” on March 30, when its local restaurants will donate 100 percent of the day’s sales to their local charity partner. In the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, the charity is Camp Hopetake.

Health News 03/23/2016

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Doctor’s Day is March 30
Throughout the year, physicians impact the lives of many of our friends and families, and yet a single day of thanks doesn’t seem enough to do their work justice. For all they have done, Bayfront Health Dade City encourages everyone to thank a physician on Doctor’s Day, March 30, for the lives they’ve improved, the fears they’ve alleviated, the pain they’ve eased, and the care they’ve offered.

Dr. Kiran Musunuru, left, with his father, Dr. Rao Musunuru, have received many national awards and recognitions over the years. (Courtesy of Kurt Conover)
Dr. Kiran Musunuru, left, with his father, Dr. Rao Musunuru, have received many national awards and recognitions over the years.
(Courtesy of Kurt Conover)

Kiran Musunuru receives presidential award
Dr. Kiran Musunuru, board-certified cardiologist, has been chosen to receive the “Presidential Early Career Award” for scientists and engineers. This is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent careers. He was also selected to receive a different prestigious national award for his scientific and volunteer work from the American Heart Association last summer.

Kiran is the son of well-known Dr. Rao Musunuru, who has been practicing cardiology, serving residents of Pasco and Hernando counties since 1981, and has been instrumental in establishing the Heart Institute at the Regional Medical Center in Hudson.

Kiran was raised by his parents in Pasco County. He received his medical degree from Cornell University, his doctor of philosophy from Rockefeller University, and his master of public health from Johns Hopkins.

He is pursuing genomic research to find a “cure” for heart disease, and is presently working to develop a once-in-a-lifetime vaccine for the prevention of coronary heart disease.

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 senior facility honored
Magnolia Manor Assisted Living in Lutz has earned a Best of Senior Living Award from SeniorAdvisor.com.

The award is basing on ratings of actual residents and their loved ones. The website has more than 100,000 reviews and ratings for senior care options across the country, all provided by seniors and their loved ones.

SeniorAdvisor.com narrows the list of more than 100,000 senior care providers included on the website to those that have earned at least a 4.5-star rating (out of 5) from reviewers. Only about 1 percent of the nation’s senior living facilities make the cut.

If your top priority in choosing a facility is to keep your loved ones close, or to find a home that offers memory care, or to stick to a specific price range, visit SeniorAdvisor.com.

Medicare help

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SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elderly) will have a volunteer at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, on March 26 from 10 a.m. to noon, to answer Medicare questions. For information, call (813) 929-1214 or (352) 567-3576.

Venous disease seminar

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The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will present “Deep Venous Thrombosis and Chronic Venous Disease: Know the Risk!” on March 29 at noon. Dr. Brian Park will discuss the two most common venous diseases that affect feet and legs, and the symptoms and treatment. A free lunch will be provided. Reservations are required. For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Urinary problems

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Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will host a Tuesday Tutorial on “Common Urinary Problems in the Elderly” on March 29 at the Rao Musunuru MD Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Dr. Barry Sadler, board certified urologist, and Dr. Joseph Pino, geriatric medicine, will present the seminar. Registration and lunch start at 11:30 a.m., followed by the program at noon. Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Heart-healthy nutrition

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The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will offer a heart-healthy nutrition class on March 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Rao Musunuru MD Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Participants can learn how diet and eating habits can help prevent and treat heart disease. The role of different types of fat, cholesterol, sodium and fiber will be explained. Food label reading, recipe modification, and grocery shopping will be discussed. Handouts will be available for take-home reference. Reservations are required. For information, call (888) 741-5119.

General cancer support

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Florida Cancer Affiliates, 3611 Little Road in Trinity, will host a general cancer support group meeting on March 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for anyone who has been touched by any form of cancer. Participants will be provided with educational material on cancer and cancer treatment. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are advised. For information, call (727) 808-4818.

Spine seminar

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Oak Hill Hospital will host a seminar called “Conservative Spine Treatment, Alternative Therapies and Spine Surgery” on March 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail in Crystal River. Dr. Steven Ortiz, a comprehensive spine surgeon, will make the presentation. A complimentary dinner will be served. Admission is free. Reservations are required. For information, call (352) 597-6333.

Relay for Life

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The Wesley Chapel/Wiregrass Ranch Relay for Life will take place April 1 at 6 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel High School track. Survivors and their caregivers are invited to participate in a victory lap around the track, will receive a free T-shirt, dinner and a gift. This yearly fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will include more than 35 teams raising money. For information, email .

Chalk Talk 03/23/2016

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New elementary school named
The District School Board of Pasco County has named the new elementary school under construction in Wesley Chapel “Wiregrass Elementary School.” The board voted unanimously for approval.

Wiregrass Elementary is scheduled to open in August on Mansfield Boulevard, across from Dr. John Long Middle School. The school will relieve overcrowding at Double Branch and Sand Pine elementary schools.

Wiregrass is projected to open with 496 students.

Steve Williams is the school’s inaugural principal, and Melissa Bidgood (appointed by the board) will start as assistant principal.

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:

  • Alice Hall Community Center, Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, on March 29, April 26 and May 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • 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.
  • 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.

History fair at Porter Campus
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a Wesley Chapel History Fair on March 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Participants will hear stories and anecdotes relating to the area’s rich and colorful history with special presentations.

Madonna Jervis Wise will discuss her newest book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel.”

  1. Thomas Touchton, founding chairman of the Tampa Bay History Center, will introduce the historical connection with Wesley Chapel and his exhibit at the center.

Angelo Liranzo, librarian, will provide a hands-on demonstration of local historical resources.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Constitutional essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, as part of Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest, will accept entries at his office. The contest runs through March 31.

The contest is for Pasco County middle school students in sixth to eighth grade. Students of Pasco’s public/charter, private, nonpublic and home-schools can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question “Do You Think Taxes Are Too High or Too Low? Why?”

Entries will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his or her response, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools are asked to submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, nonpublic or home-schools may send essays directly to Greg Giordano, director of customer relations, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

Entries will be accepted up until 5 p.m., March 31.

For questions, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Scholarship essay contest
The Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC Scholarship Program is sponsoring an essay contest to help high school seniors and college students in Florida interested in pursuing an institution of higher education.

Students can submit a one-page essay of 600 words on Personal Injury: Concussions in Sports, addressing whether they think there is enough emphasis on safety in sports to prevent concussions, and what the student thinks should be done to curb concussions in high school athletics.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident, be accepted to an institution of higher learning, and a high school senior (who is 18 years of age or older, or has written parental consent) or college student (two-year tech, four-year university, colleges, undergraduates).

A combined total of $4,500 in scholarship grants will be awarded.

The deadline for essay submissions is April 1. Winners will be contacted and announced by April 15.

For complete details, visit Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC on Facebook.

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.

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.