The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

12/10/2015 – Spotlight on Pasco

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Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care will host its annual “Spotlight on Pasco” on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gulf View Square, 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey. The event focuses on families with a variety of vendors, door prizes, live entertainment and more. Admission is free. For information, visit Simon.com/mall/gulf-view-square.

12/10/2015 – U.S. 41 & S.R. 54 public hearing

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The Florida Department of Transportation will conduct a public hearing for anyone interested in providing comments regarding the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of proposed improvements for U.S. 41 and State Road 54. The hearing will be Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Riegler Road in Land O’ Lakes. To see the project overview, visit Active.fdotd7studies.com/sr54/us41-at-sr54/.

Festival tickets on sale Dec. 10

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Advance ticket sales for the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival, scheduled for March 3 through March 13, will start Dec. 10 at 8 a.m. Some headline entertainment acts will be Charley Pride, Donnie & Marie, Josh Turner, Big & Rich, Cheap Trick, Casting Crowns and The Band Perry. For information and tickets, visit FLStrawberryFestival.com.

12/09/2015 – Coloring for adults

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The Temple Terrace Public Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, will host “Color Me Calm: Holiday Cards” on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Coloring sheets and colored pencils will be provided. For information, call (813) 506-6770

12/12/2015 – Traditions on the Green

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The Heritage Park Foundation and Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will present the annual “Traditions on the Green” Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd. There will be a marketplace with local arts and crafts, breakfast with Santa (free pancakes while supplies last), and concerts. There also will be a kids’ Christmas Corner with crafts, puppet shows, games, a bounce house, face painting and do-it-yourself ornaments. For information, call (813) 298-7363.

Chalk Talk 12/02/2015

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(Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)
(Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

La Boutique opens for Lacoochee volunteers
Wanda DeLaRosa, Parent Involvement assistant and volunteer coordinator at Lacoochee Elementary School, had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new La Boutique rewards center at the school. Volunteers can earn points for hours worked and are eligible to purchase new and repurposed items in the store. From left are, Sheri Dunham, assistant principal; DeLaRosa; and parent volunteers Rocio Guadarrama, Esther Garcia and Dyann Leslie.

Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair
Wiregrass Ranch High School will have a Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair at Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a jazz quartet, carolers and drama performances, “Artist in Action,” storytelling, face painting, art exhibits, free gift wrapping and more. Come and show your support and win prizes like a GlowLight Nook, PTSA gift bag and original paintings.

If you cannot make the event, shop online from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, using voucher code 11704327 at BN.com/bookfairs, and a percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the fine arts department at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Teaching seminar
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa, will host a brain-friendly teaching seminar by Spencer Kagan on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.

Teachers can learn how to increase motivation and achievement by applying six research-based principles of brain-friendly education.

Teacher can register online at KaganOnline.com, or by calling (800) 266-7576.

The registration fee includes a free copy of Dr. Kagan’s new book.

For information and cost, call Courtney Pastor at (813) 961-3087.

Bishop McLaughlin offers admissions tests
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will have admissions tests on Dec. 5, 2015 and Jan. 23, 2016.

The school offers college prep, honors and AP courses with small class sizes. There also is a one-on-one laptop setting on a wireless campus.

Bus service is available from six locations.

The school accepts McKay Scholarships and Step-Up.

Family tours and student shadowing is currently being scheduled.

For information, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244, or visit BMCHS.com.

Hockey clinics for students
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host Street Lightning Hockey Clinics for the fourth and fifth graders at these schools:

  • Dec. 7 at 9:50 a.m.: Seven Oaks Elementary School in Wesley Chapel
  • Dec. 11 at 9:50 a.m.: Denham Oaks Elementary School in Lutz

Every participating student receives a hockey stick and a Lightning game voucher.

For information, call Amy Lipovetsky, Office for Teaching and Learning, at (813) 794-2246.

All-stars football classic
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is hosting the 2015 Pasco County East-West Classic, showcasing the best players from every position and school. It will feature “the best of the East” versus “the best of the West.” The event will be on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

For information, call Amy Lipovetsky at (813) 794-2112.

Health News 12/02/2015

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Sertoma foundation wins award
The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida was recognized as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year by Communication Access Inc., for its exceptional customer service and accessibility for people with hearing loss.

Every year, CAI presents 10 awards to regional organizations and individuals that have made an impact on providing necessary services to individuals with hearing loss.

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida has been in Pasco County for 33 years providing services and specialized equipment for children and adults with hearing disabilities.

Help keep seniors out of the hospital
As flu season begins, the risk of area seniors being hospitalized increases significantly. According to a study conducted of nurses who primarily work with seniors, almost half of all senior hospitalizations (49 percent) can be avoided with proper prevention.

Families play a key role in keeping seniors out of the hospital. The most common action putting seniors at risk for hospitalization is waiting too long to seek medical attention.

To help families identify and act on potential warning signs, Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free “The Five Ways to Prevent Senior Hospitalizations” guide.

Recommendations include getting flu shots and shingles vaccines; using assistive equipment; monitoring and assisting with medications; attending doctor’s visits, and more.

To get a free copy of the guide, call (813) 991-7524.

Breast-feeding class

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The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer a free breast-feeding class on Dec. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The focus will be on fundamentals and how to access support. Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Infant CPR course

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The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer the American Heart Association’s “CPR for Family and Friends” on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission is free. For information, call (727) 834-5630.