The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A place to call home

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(Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County)

Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County hosted a new home dedication for future homebuyer Charity Sammons and her daughters. This is the first home dedicated in the new subdivision, The Cove, a 10-home neighborhood in Dade City. Sammons also received housewarming gifts, such as books, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a wreath from the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club. The Steele Family Foundation presented a gift certificate to the Habitat ReStore, as well as a donation toward the payment of the mortgage. Jim Brown, owner of Jim Browne Automotive-Dade City, and son Joey Browne, presented Sammons with the key to her new home. For more information, visit HabitatPasco.org, or email .

Boot Drive a success

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From left: Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Capt. J.J. Martinez, Chief Deputy Tax Collector Tim Couet and Lisa Brekke. (Courtesy of Pasco Tax Collector’s Office)

Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices, in partnership with Firefighters Charities of Pasco, recently featured Pasco Fire Rescue’s annual Boot Drive as its charitable organization and raised $11,906.77 during the promotional campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“For the past three years, they have lent their steadfast support to the efforts of our dedicated Pasco firefighters, collectively raising substantial funds for this tremendous cause… The Fill the Boot program continues to be a beacon of hope for those affected by neuromuscular diseases, proving that when communities unite, they can make a profound impact,” said Lisa Brekke, director of Firefighters Charities of Pasco, in a news release.

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

For more about Pasco Fire Rescue/Pasco Firefighters Charities, call Lisa Brekke at 813-244-8619.

 

Chalk Talk 10/11/2023

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Flying high with career funds
Pilot Company has donated $10,000 to Pasco High School, to support its Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTAE) programs, specifically those in the business, marketing, and agriculture career pathways. The ceremony took place at Flying J’s State Road 52 and Interstate 75 location. Flying J is a corporation dedicated to positively impacting communities nationwide, with a strong commitment to education.

Need a Homecoming outfit?
The Cinderella & Prince Charming Project, a division of Marjorie’s Hope, has a new location at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, in the Gemini Moon Rising Store, across from Spirit Halloween. Students need a high school ID to choose an outfit. Upcoming dates are Oct. 13, Oct. 14, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Hours are Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Astronomy Club eclipse viewing
Saint Leo University’s Astronomy Club will host an eclipse-viewing event on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, in the Bowl area near the Student Community Center. The club will provide free solar eclipse glasses, while they last. There also will be activities for all ages, including decorating eclipse glasses and eclipse demonstrations. The club also hopes to stream the live event on a big screen.

The viewing area is a grassy lakeside space and those attending will have to walk down a small hill to reach the activities. Requests for accommodations can be made by emailing .

For more information about the event, email , or call 352-588-7408.

Student achievement
Sravani Gopaluni, of Lutz, participated in the Des Moines University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program’s 2023 White Coat Ceremony.  The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become compassionate, competent health care providers. Gopaluni accepted the white coat as a symbol of the training aspiring health professionals receive and the accompanying responsibilities they’ve accepted for their future roles.

Literacy tutor training
The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer Adult Literacy Tutor Training on Oct. 14 at 10:15 a.m. Pasco County Libraries is looking for adults who would like to tutor adult individuals that struggle to read charts, instructions, basic texts, etc. For information or to register, visit PascoLibraries.org.

(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation)

Donation helps to bolster scholarships
Pasco-Hernando State College was honored to have Florida College System Foundation board member Tim Morris visit the West Campus to present a donation for student scholarships aimed at relieving the nursing shortage and helping students who are the first in their family to attend college. The gift will provide funding for the Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship, the Helios Education Foundation First Generation Scholars Program, and the Bank of America Dream Makers Scholarship.

Reading challenge
Pasco County Schools’ R.A.C.E. to Read challenge is in full swing — the goal is to collectively read 15 million minutes as a district-wide community. The challenge is open to all students and staff members in Pasco County schools, regardless of age or role within the district. As of a Sept. 29 news release, more than 1 million minutes have already been logged. For more information, visit bit.ly/RaceToRead.

Sunlake school fundraiser
More than 800 students at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science will raise funds for playground equipment, field trips, and other school improvements by performing acts of kindness in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. The campaign will run through Oct. 20.

“Raise Craze,” the annual school-wide fundraiser for kindergarten through eighth grade, empowers children and their families to be good citizens by enlisting sponsors to donate money for each act of kindness performed by the student.

“Instead of selling candy bars, the kids are ‘selling’ acts of kindness that benefit the greater good,” said Lauren Dudley, chair of the Raise Craze Committee, in a news release.

Sunlake students will write letters to hospitalized children across the globe to bring encouragement and raise funds with the help of Letters of Love Global, a nonprofit organization that has provided emotional support to more than 175,000 patients in children’s hospitals.

The academy also is partnering with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as a school-wide service project to marshal donations for the organization. Students will bring in much-needed items for the Humane Society to further its efforts to provide shelter for displaced animals.

Sunlake Academy is seeking sponsors to further its endeavors to raise money for the 2023-2024 school year. Sponsorships include money and in-kind donations.

For information about the charter school, visit SunlakeAcademy.com, or call 813-616-5099.

Tips for walking to school
National Walking to School Day was recognized on Oct. 4, to promote safer and more welcoming routes for students and families to travel to and from school.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) continually works with community support to keep schools and students safe year-round. PSO offers these safety tips:

  • Pedestrians and bicyclists should wear bright colors or something reflective to increase visibility in busy areas.
  • Only cross at the crosswalk where drivers expect pedestrians to be and wait until the crossing guard or signal indicates you may pass.
  • Bicyclists should dismount their bicycles and walk them within crosswalks.
  • No matter how you travel, reduce distractions to prioritize everyone’s safety.

Crossing guards help students and their families stay safe when crossing the street.

Traffic control officers are careful in school zones while managing increased traffic from commuters.

The PSO has openings available for both of these positions at several locations throughout Pasco County. Visit JoinPSO.com for more information or to apply. 

Gotta love cats!

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If Luna and Shadow aren’t chasing each other through the house, they like to lay outside by the pool and wait for little geckos and baby snakes so they can bring them indoors to play with. These two beauties live with Sabrina Schwiesow in Zephyrhills.

A morning stroll

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This doe and her fawn were spotted on the 11th fairway of the golf course at Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel. The photographer, Sandy Smith, thinks she may have interrupted their breakfast.

Parents weigh in on book bans through survey

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The EveryLibrary Institute, a public policy think tank for libraries, and Book Riot, the largest independent editorial book site in North America, announced the results of a comprehensive survey that sheds some light on the perceptions of parents regarding public libraries and the current issues they face.

Each member of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club ESO reading Sorority and Book Club chose a book to re-read and discuss; however, most of the books that have been in publication for decades now have been banned from school and library book shelves. The club, which has many retired teachers, participated in a lively discussion on why these books (of which many are classics) are now banned and whether they should be. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The “Public Libraries and Book Bans – Parent Perception Survey” garnered insight from 853 parents and guardians with children younger than age 18, during September 2023, according to a news release.

The survey asked parents and guardians to share their experiences and opinions about book bans, their trust in libraries, their understanding of librarians’ book selection process, and their feelings on sensitive subjects in children’s books such as sex, LGBTQ+ characters and themes, race, and social justice issues in reading and literature.

Top-level findings show that a majority of respondents (67%) think that “banning books is a waste of time” and 74% agree or somewhat agree that book bans infringe on their right to make decisions for their children.

The survey also found that 92% of all respondents feel their child/children are safe at the library, and 58% think librarians should be primarily responsible for what books are selected in the public library, the release said.

The survey also noted that parents are more comfortable with children accessing age-appropriate books related to social justice and race than LGBTQ+ themes and sexual education.

Respondents are largely unaware of how librarians decide what books to include in the library collection and many believe that some books in children’s sections are inappropriate, too.

“By gathering insights from parents, we hope to generate a body of informative and thought-provoking material that sheds light on the complex issues surrounding book bans and censorship,” said Kelly Jensen, Book Riot, in the release.

“Our ultimate goal is to foster an open dialogue around these issues and to support libraries and their users in navigating this challenging landscape,” said Jensen.

To see the complete survey findings, visit EveryLibraryInstitute.org/parent_perceptions_survey_2023. 

This is the first survey in a series of three focusing on parents and libraries.

Published October 11, 2023

‘Good neighbors’ encourage community involvement

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Hillsborough County has marked National Good Neighbor Day by announcing the winners of its 2023 Neighborhood Awards. The awards recognize community organizations in unincorporated Hillsborough County that foster healthy, safe, and engaged neighborhoods through exceptional programs, projects and events.

National Good Neighbor Day was established in 1978 to encourage people to take time to care for and connect with their neighbors.

These three winners were recognized:

  • Keystone Civic Association earned the Engaged Neighborhood Award for hosting several community events at Keystone Park in Odessa, including food drives, movies in the park, and fall festivals.
  • Summerfield Master Community Association, Riverview, won the Safe Neighborhood Award. An increasing number of wildlife sightings and interactions were reported in the community, so leaders sought help and direction from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to speak to community members to learn about the different animal species they may encounter and how to best handle them if they do.
  • Calusa Trace Homeowners Association earned the Healthy Neighborhood Award for hosting an annual community event that engages dozens of neighbors. Volunteers from the Calusa Trace HOA, Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office staff, and Steinbrenner High School students and faculty spent hours collecting hundreds of pounds of garbage along Calusa Trace Boulevard and the conservation areas and ponds in Lutz to benefit the environment.

These three winners are now finalists for the Neighborhood of the Year Award.

To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/3e47ztyr.

Student Saturdays launched for teen drivers

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The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has launched Student Saturdays for teen drivers.

The new initiative during the month of October, aims to make the driver license testing process more convenient for Hillsborough County high school students and their parents. 

The program’s launch was timed to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. It allows aspiring teen drivers to take their driving skills test on the weekend, eliminating the need to miss school.

With the significant growth in the county’s population, Tax Collector Nancy Millan and her team have worked to increase staff resources and expand capacity for driving tests and driver license services to meet the demand.

The driving skills tests for teens are by appointment only and are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, at the East Tampa Tax Collector’s Office, 2814 E. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa.

Saturday tests are available only for Hillsborough County high school students who meet the eligibility requirement to take their driving tests, including a valid learner’s permit and written test completion. There also are a limited number of written testing spots available for students who want to obtain their learner’s permit.

Visit HillsTax.org/student-Saturdays to see if the student meets eligibility requirements to take the driving skills test.

Eligible candidates can book an appointment by calling 813-347-4386. 

Published October 04, 2023

Health News 10/04/2023

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Schedule a mammogram
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and BayCare, the parent of local hospitals St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, encourages women to schedule a mammogram. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women.

Getting a mammogram screening is the best way to detect breast cancer early. BayCare has imaging locations throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

For more information or to schedule your mammogram screening, visit ItsInOurHands.org.

Breast Cancer Foundation
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation will be the featured charity at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office during the month of October.

The foundation’s main objectives are to advocate on behalf of patients, educate the public on all aspects of breast cancer, and to provide funds for research seeking new treatments and ultimately a cure for breast cancer.

Proceeds from the “End Breast Cancer” specialty tag promotion will go directly to the foundation. Additionally, customers can choose to use the voluntary check-off box on their registration form and donate directly to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation. The tax offices also will accept cash donations at any of its five locations (visit PascoTaxes.com). 

Online donations may be made through GovHub.com/fl-pasco/tc-gives/donate.

For information, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at 727-847-8179.

For more about the foundation, visit FloridaBreastCancer.org, or call Cathy Cruz, marketing communications manager, at 305-631-2134.

New Gastroparesis tool
AdventHealth Dade City is the first hospital in Pasco County with the FDA-approved Enterra treatment for patients suffering from nausea and vomiting due to gastroparesis, a chronic condition that affects the stomach muscles and prevents proper stomach emptying, according to a news release.

Enterra acts as a pacemaker for the stomach and helps when the stomach muscles are not working properly, or at all, to digest food.

AdventHealth Dade City doctors are bringing attention to this condition, which can have several causes including type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as post-surgical complications.

According to the International Foundation for Gastroparesis Disorders, approximately 10 men and 40 women have gastroparesis out of 100,000 people.

AdventHealth is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive and compassionate care to its patients when it comes to managing and overcoming gastrointestinal disorders.

For more information, visit AHDadeCity.com.

Chalk Talk 10/04/2023

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A silver celebration
For 25 years, Saint Leo University’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) has built mutual respect and understanding between Catholics, Jews, and all people of goodwill, according to a news release.

Rabbi David Fox Sandmel

Now, everyone is invited to a special celebration of the silver anniversary of the CCJS, founded in 1989 by Rabbi A. James Rudin, and Dr. Arthur Kirk, Saint Leo president emeritus.

The 25th anniversary celebration is scheduled for Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center, 522 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa. The event includes dinner and a presentation of the 19th Eternal Light Award.

The award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the cause of Catholic-Jewish relations. The recipient this year is Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, Ph.D., chair of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations.

Sandmel has been with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) since 2014 and serves as senior advisor on Interreligious Affairs. Prior to joining the staff at the ADL, he held the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and served as senior advisor on Interreligious Affairs to the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. His keynote address will be Why Catholic-Jewish Relations Matter Today, and Father Dennis McManus will give the response. 

Chairs for the 25th anniversary celebration are Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg and Joseph Probasco; honorary chairs are Maureen Cohn and Gail Whiting.

Individual tickets are $75 and student tickets are $35. Table sponsorships also are available. RSVP by Oct. 12. Tickets may be purchased at Your.saintleo.edu/ccjs-25th-anniversary. Students must use the discount code STUDENT and show their student ID.

For more information or special accommodations, email .

Need a Homecoming outfit?
The Cinderella & Prince Charming Project, a division of Marjorie’s Hope, has a new location at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, in the Gemini Moon Rising Store, across from Spirit Halloween. Students need a high school ID to choose an outfit. Upcoming dates are Oct. 6, Oct. 7, Oct. 13, Oct. 14, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Hours are Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

International Conference
Saint Leo University’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies is one of the organizers of the upcoming international conference, “New Documents from the Pontificate of Pope Pius XII and their Meaning for Jewish-Christian Relations: A Dialogue between Historians and Theologians,” from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11, in Rome. The conference also will be livestreamed, in Italian and English, online at YouTube.com/unigregoriana.

The conference goal is to shed new light on the historical and theological controversies concerning Pope Pious XII and the Vatican during the Holocaust period and on Jewish-Christian relations at multiple levels. Structured in seven sessions, the conference will address the most complex issues, both in the historical-diplomatic implications and in the social, religious and cultural ones, which led to an irrevocable reformulation of the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people in the following decades.

Registration is open to the public and due by noon on Oct. 2, online at tinyurl.com/2s35d4fu.

Literacy tutor training
The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer Adult Literacy Tutor Training on Oct. 14 at 10:15 a.m. Pasco County Libraries is looking for adults who would like to tutor adult individuals that struggle to read charts, instructions, basic texts, etc. For information or to register, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Food Drive
The Academy of Spectrum Diversity, 5320 First St., in Zephyrhills, is hosting a Food Drive. Donations of canned food and nonperishable items can be dropped off by Oct. 20. For information, call 813-355-3230.

Sunlake school fundraiser
More than 800 students at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science will raise funds for playground equipment, field trips, and other school improvements by performing acts of kindness in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. The campaign will run through Oct. 20.

“Raise Craze,” the annual school-wide fundraiser for kindergarten through eighth grade, empowers children and their families to be good citizens by enlisting sponsors to donate money for each act of kindness performed by the student.

“Instead of selling candy bars, the kids are ‘selling’ acts of kindness that benefit the greater good,” said Lauren Dudley, chair of the Raise Craze Committee, in a news release.

Sunlake students will write letters to hospitalized children across the globe to bring encouragement and raise funds with the help of Letters of Love Global, a nonprofit organization that has provided emotional support to more than 175,000 patients in children’s hospitals.

The academy also is partnering with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as a school-wide service project to marshal donations for the organization. Students will bring in much-needed items for the Humane Society to further its efforts to provide shelter for displaced animals.

Sunlake Academy is seeking sponsors to further its endeavors to raise money for the 2023-2024 school year. Sponsorships include money and in-kind donations.

For information about the charter school, visit SunlakeAcademy.com, or call 813-616-5099.

Best & Worst States for Teachers
WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States for Teachers.
In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student. Florida ranked fifth overall, with these results (1=best; 25=average):

  • First — existence of digital learning plan
  • Sixth — projected competition in year 2030
  • Eighth — average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for Cost of Living)
  • Ninth — quality of school system

For a full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159.