The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

STROKE PREVENTION PRESENTATION

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Oak Hill Hospital will present “Stroke Prevention & Treatment” on Aug. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at its conference center, 11307 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Dr. Ganesh Chari, board certified in neurology, will discuss how to prevent stroke, and how to recognize the signs and symptoms early. There will be a question and answer session. A light meal will be served. Reservations are required. For information and to RSVP, call (352) 597-6333.

FALLS AND BODY BALANCE

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The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will have a seminar called “Falls & Your Body’s Balance “on Aug. 25 at noon. Bob Churchill, licensed physical therapist, will discuss understanding your body’s balance mechanisms function. A complimentary light box lunch will be served. Admission is free. Reservations are required. For information and to RSVP, call (727) 834-5630.

TUTORIAL ON KNEE PROBLEMS

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The Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will present a Tuesday Tutorial on “Knee Problems: Advances in Surgical Therapy” on Aug. 25 at the Rao Musunuru Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the tutorial at noon. Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 869-5498.

FORUM ON THE BAKER ACT

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The Alzheimer’s Family Organization and Medical Center of Trinity will present “What You Need to Know About the Baker Act” on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the medical center at 9330 State Road 54. The guest speakers will be Dr. James Boone on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; Grace Maselli on the National Alliance on Mental Illness; Elizabeth Statzer on Baker Act basics; Daniel Cobianco on crisis intervention; and Raine Johns on the Baker Act in depth. The cost is $10 for AFO members, and $15 for non-members. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Registration is required. For information, call (727) 848-8888.

AUTHOR FELICIA JOHNSON TO SPEAK AT NAMI

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The National Alliance on Mental Illness Pasco County will host author Felicia Johnson on Aug. 31 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. Johnson will discuss her experience in dealing with a loved one suffering from child abuse, depression and borderline personality disorder, which inspired her book “Her.” Admission is free. For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NamiPasco.org.

Chalk Talk 08-19-15

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Meet the Teacher days
These elementary schools will host a Meet the Teacher Day on Aug. 20, in the cafeteria:

  • Connerton Elementary, 9300 Flourish Drive in Land O’ Lakes, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can meet the teachers, visit the classrooms, get bus passes, pick up car line tags, pay student fees and join the Parent-Teacher Association. For information, call (813) 346-1800.
  • Double Branch Elementary, 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can purchase planners, pay school fees, get transportation information, drop off school supplies and meet the teachers. For information, call (813) 346-0400.

Liberty Middle Open House
Liberty Middle School, 17400 Commerce Park Blvd., in New Tampa, will host an Open House on Aug. 20. Sixth-graders can attend from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and seventh- and eighth-graders from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Homeroom assignments and bus information will be mailed prior to Open House.

For information, call (813) 558-1100, or visit Liberty.mysdhc.org.

Sneak a peek at reopened schools
Both Sanders Memorial and Quail Hollow elementary schools have been closed for more than two years for rebuilding and remodeling, and will host open houses to showcase the new looks.

  • Aug. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School, 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes
  • Aug. 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Quail Hollow Elementary School, 7050 Quail Hollow Blvd., in Wesley Chapel

PHSC offers engineering technology program
Pasco-Hernando State College now offers degree and certificate programs in engineering technology. Courses will be available beginning Aug. 24.

The program is designed to prepare students for employment in high technology fields such as advance manufacturing.

The engineering technology associate in science degree will teach engineering principles that solve complex manufacturing problems using computer-aided design and evaluation, and simulation techniques.

For information, call (855) 669-7472, or visit PHSC.edu.

Home-school event at MOSI
The Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, will host a Home-school Educators Open House Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guests can meet MOSI’s home-school educators, discuss upcoming programming, participate in STEAM activities and watch an educational film. Proof of home schooling is required. Admission is free. The film is $5.

For information, visit MOSI.org.

Spotlight on academic partnerships
Saint Leo University and TECO Energy will participate in the “Education Connection: Spotlight on Academic Partnerships” program Aug. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the University Club of Tampa, 201 N. Franklin St., in Tampa.

Panelists will discuss the impact of academic/business partnerships on the growth of the regional economy. Participants can learn about these collaborations and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Education Connection initiative.

Registration and breakfast are from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., followed by the program. Individual admission is $20.

For information and to register, visit Web.TampaChamber.com/events.

Volunteer for Bee Bully-Free program
Bee Bully-Free, a Zephyrhills-based project, is looking for volunteers for its new initiative, W.A.S.P. — Woodland Academic Support Program. Volunteers will start working with students at Woodland Elementary School in September.

Trained volunteers will help students practice reading skills, approach math from a variety of angles, improve grammar, meet deadlines, polish organizational skills and more. Volunteers may also help in the classroom, cafeteria or media center, run errands, and assist with special events.

There will be a 30-minute Child Protection Training and BBF Orientation on Aug. 30 at 5 p.m., at Goin’ Postal, 4941 Fourth St., in Zephyr Park.

There will be a social hour with beverages and snacks after the program.

Interested volunteers must first be approved by the Pasco County School District.

For information, and instructions on registering online, call (813) 782-1500, ext. 104, or email .

PHSC expands internship program in Arts
Pasco-Hernando State College will offer Associate in Arts degree-seeking students an opportunity to participate in an internship course, beginning in fall term 2015.

For information about this and other internship programs, call (727) 816-3334, or email .

Oakstead leadership retreat
Oakstead Elementary School, 19925 Lake Patience Drive in Land O’ Lakes, recently hosted a Fifth Grade Leadership Retreat for students, administrators and teachers.

The day was designed to identify students’ leadership styles, explore student goals for the coming school year, and discuss school-wide issues and how the students can be involved.

Throughout the day, the retreat offered a meet and greet with music and chants, a team-building cups session, personality tests, a discussion on well-being and bully prevention, goal setting, and reflections at the closing of the session.

For more information, call C.J. Huffman at (813) 346-1503.

Open House at Denham Oaks
Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz, will host an Open House on Sept. 8 for students and parents as follows:

  • 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., for pre-kindergarten through Grade 2
  • 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for Grade 3 through Grade 5

Pizza will be served in the cafeteria. PTA members and their children get a free slice of pizza and a drink. The cost for non-members is $3 per person.

For information, call (813) 794-1600.

Get school immunizations early
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County reminds parents to have their children immunized early to avoid the back-to-school rush. Parents of kindergartners and seventh-graders are encouraged to review their children’s immunization record to ensure readiness for the upcoming school year.

If parents do not have a copy of the child’s immunization record, they should ask their provider about Florida Shots, the database that records immunizations. Students entering college also are encouraged to ensure their immunizations are up to date.

The following vaccines are required for children entering preschool and kindergarten through grade 12: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox and hepatitis B. Students entering college should check with health services at their respective college regarding requirements.

For information on upcoming back-to-school immunization events, visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov/.

9/08/2015 – NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., at the Land O’Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The guest speaker will be Peggy Gretchen, a Pasco master gardener, on the topic of Landscaping & Gardening with Florida Native Plants. There will be light refreshments and a native plant drawing. For information, call Sandy Vanno at (727) 207-1853.

9/05/2015 – CACTUS SALE AT USF

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The Botanical Gardens at the University of South Florida will have a Cactus & Succulent Sale Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the gardens at 12210 USF Pine Drive in Tampa. Admission and parking are free. For information, visit Gardens.USF.edu.

9/05/2015 – FERIA TAMPA BAY

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Feria Tampa Bay, featuring local businesses and professionals educating the community on topics relating to retirement, will host an event Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Gulf View Square, 9409 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. There will be games, prizes, food and music. Admission is free. For information, visit EventBrite.com.

9/01/2015 – PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB START-UP

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The initial start-up meeting for the new Land O’ Lakes Photography Club will be Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The club is open to beginners, amateurs and professionals. The first meeting is free. Meetings will be monthly. For information, email Ron Bowman at .