The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Ice rink open in Tampa

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The annual ice-skating rink is now open at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive in Tampa, through Jan. 3. The tented rink will be open daily, Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Skating is $12 for 90 minutes, and includes rental skates.

12/05/2015 – Connerton holiday bazaar

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Connerton, 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes, will host a “Holiday Bazaar” on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,inside Club Connerton. There will be local artists and crafters. Vendors include Wood Sculptures by John, Mary Kay, LAC Designs (crafts/afghans/dolls), jewelry, Nerium International, Perfectly Posh, holiday crafts (wreaths/trinkets/candles), Younique, Himalayan salt lamps, and Vegan Organic Bath/Body. Admission is free. There will be complimentary gift wrapping for all purchases. For information, call (813) 996-5800.

12/06/2015 – Holiday fundraiser for autism

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The “Westchase Holiday Market” will take place Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Westchase Golf Club, 11602 Westchase Golf Drive in Tampa. Santa will arrive at 1 p.m., and visit with kids and pose for pictures until 4 p.m. There also will be holiday music, artists demonstrating their work, and vendors for shopping. All proceeds from the event, along with ticket sales from special raffles and silent auctions, will be donated to Autism Speaks. For information, call Teresa Trubilla at (813) 841-6563.

12/05/2015 – Rock & Roll Holiday Market

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The Tampa Bay Etsy Crew will host a “Rock & Roll Holiday Market” on Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Red Star Rock Bar, 5210 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa. There will be more than 50 local artisan vendors, live music, food trucks, a kids’ craft station, a gift-wrapping station, and a raffle to benefit All Children’s Hospital. For information, visit Facebook.com/events/511303562359786.

12/05/2015 – Country Aire holiday bazaar

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Country Aire Village, 39333 Blue Skye Drive in Zephyrhills, will host its annual “Holiday Bazaar” on Dec. 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coffee and donuts will be served starting at 7 a.m., and a luncheon will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be inside and outside treasures, a bake sale and cookie walk, a Chinese auction, crafters, a three-wheel bike raffle, a linen closet and a clothing boutique.

12/07/2015 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance

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The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County Inc., will honor veterans and survivors of World War II and Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Adm. LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., in Tampa. There will be a presentation of colors, a performance of the national anthem, and keynote speaker Sgt. Edward DeMint, U.S. Army Air Corps and national commander of American Ex-Prisoners of War Association. The event will conclude with the playing of “Taps” and a rifle salute. For information, call (813) 744-5502.

Chalk Talk 11/25/15

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ChalkTalk rgb
(Courtesy of Boosterthon Fun Run)

Inspiring character in students
McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz hosted a Boosterthon Fun Run, as part of a nine-day program to increase funds and inspire students to live healthy, character-filled lives. Students ran for 30 minutes to themed music, and were introduced to stories of six kid-athletes on the power of living out character in sports and life. The theme, “Big World Recess,” promotes the side of sports kids love. From left are ‘Flyin’ Brian,” principal Allison Cline, ‘Lightning Liz,’ PTA president Leslie Nixon, and ‘Adventure Austin.’

Saint Leo welcomes new community partners
Saint Leo University has announced professional working agreements with new community partners, nine of which are based in Tampa.

The Tampa-based organizations are AMIkids Tampa, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Inc., PrimeGroup Insurance Services, Saddlebrook Resort, Tampa Bay Steel Corp., City of Dade City, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, David A. Straz Jr. Center, and Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.

The other organizations include Avis Budget Group Inc., Leesburg Chamber of Commerce, Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The partnerships aim to build a stronger sense of community and independence for the university’s students and graduates.

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.

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.

Colorectal cancer awareness

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Moffitt Cancer Center and Premier Community Healthcare will present “I Take Care of Myself,” a colorectal cancer awareness program, on Dec. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Zephyrhills Library, 5346 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.

Guest speakers will be Linda Paige, senior community health worker with Moffitt; Taiwo Talabi, senior health educator with Moffitt; and Jose Rodriguez, patient education and community specialist with Premier.

There will be refreshments and giveaways.

To RSVP, call (352) 518-2000, ext. 9331, or email .

FHZH dedicates new mural in hospital lobby

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(Photos courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)
(Photos courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

The former mural hung in the hospital lobby for more than 20 years.

 

 

 

 

 

Health-NewMural rgbThe new mural represents the Tree of Life and the Christian values of the hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’ staff members and volunteers were present for the dedication of a new mural in the hospital lobby. The hospital’s president and CEO, Randy Surber, presided over the ceremony.

The mural covers an entire wall off the hospital’s main entrance, and represents the Tree of Life and is consistent with the Christian values upon which the nonprofit hospital is based. Eight large monitors have been interspersed within the tree and change to reflect tranquil nature scenes.

The mural was more than a year in the making, and is the first of its kind at Florida Hospital.

12/05/2015 – Country Christmas

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The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will have a “Country Christmas” open house Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There also will be barrel rides, vendors, cookies and punch, holiday music, and traditional crafters. No coolers, food, beverages or pets allowed (service animals only). For information, call (352) 567-0262.