The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Having fun and learning, all at once

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Children had a chance to get an up-close look at big pieces of equipment — and to learn about them at the same time, during a Touch-A-Truck event, put on by Pasco County Public Works and Pasco Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator for Pasco County public works, shows 12-year-old Marsello Cammarota, of Land O’Lakes, how to operate the vac truck. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The two county departments teamed up to give about 100 children a chance to see a grader, a grapple truck, a bucket truck, a vac truck and Gradall equipment, according to information provided by Ryan Hughes, of Pasco County’s media relations and communications team.

Robert Dingman, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the grader equipment works, and Josh Timms and Joel Terkovich, also equipment operators demonstrated the grapple truck for the children.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator for Pasco County public works, demonstrates how the lights on the bucket truck work to twin 9-year-olds Kharington Mitchell, left, and Honor Mitchell, of Land O’Lakes.

The kids cheered, as Terkovich picked up some branches.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator, and Tony Felice, a heavy equipment operator, showed the kids how the bucket truck works. The boom can stretch 65 feet into the air.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the vac truck is used to clean out storm drains and remove water from sites. The kids had a chance to press buttons on the equipment to move the vacuum.

Alan Jackson, an equipment operator, and Nino Rojero, a special equipment operator, showed the children the Gradall equipment, which is used to clean swales.

“The vac truck was my favorite. It is an interesting machine,” said 11-year-old Chase Christmas, of San Antonio. “This has been fun.”

Scott Denney, a labor supervisor said, “The kids have been awesome and have asked unique questions. They have all been attentive. It’s been a great group.”

Published August 04, 2021

From left: 11-year-olds Brian Pugliese, Jace Aguiao and Matthew Broderick, all of Land O’ Lakes, sit on a tree branch at the grapple truck station.

In-person public comments return to Hillsborough meetings

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The Hillsborough County Commission once again will allow in-person public comment, in a limited capacity, at county board meetings beginning Aug. 4.

The board sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of its regular meetings to hear from the public.

Also, in order to maintain accessibility, the board will continue to allow a virtual option for public comment, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

COVID-19 coronavirus protocols have restricted in-person public attendance at the Hillsborough county board’s meetings, which are held in the second-floor boardroom of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., since March 2020.

Under the new rules, seating in the boardroom will be limited, with some overflow seating available in the first-floor multipurpose room. Speakers may address the county board from either location. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. Groups will be limited to four people.

Here are the guidelines for public comment:

  • All speakers, whether virtual or in-person, will be required to sign up in advance at HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp.
  • Online registration for both virtual and in-person public comment will open 48 hours before the meeting.
  • Sign-ups for both virtual and in-person public speaking opportunities for public hearings and public comments close at 9 a.m., on the day of the meeting.
  • Speakers, both virtual and in-person, will be called on in the order of when the speaker sign-up form is submitted.

Assistance will be available at the county government building between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Unless the board chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to 3 minutes.

Audiovisual presentations such as PowerPoints, digital photos, audio, and video files for public comments are not accepted at this time. However, presentations may be submitted to the clerk’s office for insertion into the official record. Please email any submissions to .

Presentations of proclamations, certificates, and other recognitions will continue to be virtual, for the time being.

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900.

Published August 04, 2021

Seeking first day of school photos

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The first day of school last year was anything but typical, as some students stayed home to learn and others headed off to traditional school campuses.

This is Rose Beckett, who had her picture taken last year by her family, as she marked her first day as a kindergartener at Bexley Elementary School. Her family shared her photo with us, so we could share it with you. (File)

While it remains unclear what impacts COVID-19 and the delta variant will have on this school year, the vast majority of students will head off to traditional brick-and-mortar schools for the 2021-2022 school year.

It has become a tradition at The Laker/Lutz News to share First Day of School photos we receive from families, with our readers.

That’s where you come in. We need your help. Please send us your First Day of School photos.

The photos can be taken in your home, on your front porch, before or after school, near the school, at the bus stop, or at another location you prefer.

Your child could be heading to prekindergarten, or heading off to college.

We welcome group shots of siblings, but please identify each child in the photo, from left to right.

When submitting your photo, please tell us your child’s name and age, what community you live in, what school the student attends (or if the child is home-schooled) and the grade of the student.

Also, provide contact information, in case we have questions.

We’d like to publish our First Day of School photo collection on Sept. 1, so please submit them no later than Aug. 20.

Send photos to .

‘Fore’ the veterans

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently attended a golf tournament at Innnsbrook Golf Resort, a fundraiser for veterans. The women gave each veteran present a star (removed from retired American flags), along with a patriotic verse in a pocket sleeve, meant to be worn close to one’s heart. The recipients were deeply moved and appreciative of the star packets. From left: Mary Jane Carrino, Dolores Tarafa, Lois Cohen, Dee Knerr, Nancy Taylor, Deb Cardona, Darlene Choe and Jan King. For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Keep Your Family Cool and Your Costs Low: Take Advantage of Current Pricing

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If you’re looking to update your air conditioning and/or water heater, and considering adding a home generator, Cornerstone Pros recommends you act now — before more price increases are passed on from manufacturers to local dealers.

Like manufacturing companies everywhere, plants that make mechanical systems for homes are faced with parts and labor shortages, which are resulting in higher prices on everything from air conditioning units, refrigerants, hot water heaters, home generators, and parts and material for all trades.

“We would like people to understand that these price increases are out of our control,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “We strongly recommend that homeowners stop putting off these home improvements, especially for new air conditioning systems, which you can buy now and pay low monthly payments with deferred interest for up to 12 months.”

Cornerstone Pros always recommends regular maintenance and planning ahead when it comes to taking care of your home. This will save you money, and allow you to budget for future repairs.

“Unfortunately, the current manufacturing environment is seeing pricing fluctuate daily, making it difficult to forecast 100% of future repair and replacement costs,” said Spears. “We already have received numerous price increases this year, and are being told more will be coming the next two quarters.”

The only thing worse than having you’re AC go out on the hottest day of the year, is not being able to get it repaired right away.

“We can help to prevent an emergency from happening at your home if you schedule a preventative maintenance checkup, which will allow us to catch a problem prior to the system failing on that hot summer day,” said Spears. “This is very affordable — we’re currently offering an AC System Maintenance Checkup at a special rate of $39.95.”

For homes needing a replacement system, one of the most popular AC systems Cornerstone Pros offers is the Daikin Fit series, which is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside.

“Our AC equipment product line has the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty available for purchase. We also offer great financing terms and rebates, and work with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates,” said Spears.

Generators and Surge Protectors
Families of all incomes and home sizes install generators and surge protectors to keep comfortable and safe if the power goes out during a summer storm or hurricane.

Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable home generators, and has low-interest financing. It installs Generac generators, the country’s largest manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

Generators provide protection 24/7, whether you are home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns. A generator prevents almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.

The company also installs whole-home surge protection devices, which can prevent a power surge from damaging appliances and essential electronics if lightning strikes your home or nearby.

Cornerstone Pros is a one of the area’s largest and most established trade contractors offering air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services. It is proud to employ over 95 local, qualified people who provide prompt service and exceptional customer service seven days a week.

Cornerstone Pros phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call 813-990-0561 anytime. For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published July 28, 2021

Beauty and diversity

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(Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

When Joel Jackson sets out on his explorations, he never knows exactly what he’ll encounter. One day, as he was capturing an image of a swamp hibiscus, a butterfly flew in and landed on the bloom — right on cue. This Giant Swallow butterfly is perched on a Swamp Hibiscus. The Swamp Hibiscus grows 5 feet to 8 feet tall and 2 feet to 4 feet wide. It is a long-lived perennial with showy flowers that come in various colors. It is known for its interesting foliage, too. It attracts hummingbirds and is the larval host plant of several butterfly species. (See more photos in the full story above.)

Healthy snacks to enjoy on the road

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Taking a break from daily routines doesn’t mean you have to abandon your healthy eating habits.

It just takes a bit more planning to pull it off.

I recently went on an eight-day trip to New York, splitting the week between the city and upstate.

During that time, my body could definitely tell that I was eating foods outside of my routine.

Chickpeas have protein and fiber, along with mostly healthy fat from canola oil, making hummus a filling snack that’s easy to eat on the go. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

As someone who is accustomed to cooking at home most days each month — and who hasn’t gone on an extended vacation in almost two years — it was hard initially to become accustomed to all the restaurant food (though I admit, I did enjoy it).

I indulged at an Italian bakery while in Manhattan — it was part of the New York experience, right? But then I remembered to choose some healthier options later.

It’s all part of keeping a good balance.

In New York City, it’s easy to get anything at any time, so a fresh banana or orange was practically available at every intersection.

My stay in upstate was with family who had a fridge full of healthy options.

But not all vacation destinations are as “healthy-friendly,” and extra planning may be required.

For example, when traveling on a road trip in the car or an RV, you can avoid taking snack breaks at a gas station or rest stop’s vending machine by having healthy snacks that are prepared and packed in the vehicle.

Besides avoiding weight gains, healthy snacks are easier on your vacation budget, too.

So, what can we pack for our travels that will be healthy and convenient?

To stave off hunger in between long bouts of driving, focus on foods with protein.

Protein takes longer to move through the stomach, so you feel fuller for longer.

Fat provides 9 calories per gram of food, while protein and carbohydrates provide 4.

Adding a healthy fat will make the snack more filling because of the extra calories.

But, be mindful if you’ve been snacking on other high-calorie foods. If you have,  go easy on the fat to avoid excessive calories.

Here are some ideas to try.

Some require some meal prep in advance, others you simply throw in the bag.

Also, remember the cooler and ice — and be sure to bring a thermometer, too, so you can check that the cooler has stayed below 40 degrees.

Here are some healthy snack options:

  • Popcorn trail mix: mix in popcorn with pretzels, peanuts, cereal, raisins and so on
  • Hummus to serve with celery sticks, carrots, bell peppers and other vegetables
  • Dried fruits
  • Mixed nuts
  • Peanut butter or other nut butter, to enjoy with whole-wheat crackers or vegetables. (Many peanut butter brands come in easy to-go snack-sized packaging.)
  • Jerky (beef, turkey or salmon with seasoning). There’s also plant-based jerky, such as mushroom jerky.
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Yogurt, mixed with fresh fruit
  • Granola bars (Be sure to choose one with the least amount of sugar)
  • Canned tuna on whole-wheat crackers (Get the pull-tab cans so you don’t need a can opener).

Grapes, which can be pre-washed and placed in a container, make a good snack to take along while traveling.

But avoid fruits that can easily bruise, and use care when eating fruit or drinking juice because the fruit can become a sticky mess, and juice can leave stains on your car.

Also, be sure to bring along hand sanitizer, wet wipes, napkins, utensils, cups (if needed) and a bag for trash.

Enjoy your vacation — and yes, enjoy the special and unusual foods you’ll encounter.

But remember, just because you’re away from your kitchen, doesn’t mean all healthy eating has to go out the window.

You put the right type of fuel in your car so it drives well, so use that same mindfulness when fueling your body.

After all, that will help keep you in tip-top shape, for many road trips to come.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Recipe
Hummus
(Hummus offers a healthy choice for on-the-road snacking. Remember: Keep it in a cooler until you’re ready to eat it.)

Ingredients
1 clove garlic
1 large lemon
1 (15½-ounce) can garbanzo beans
½ cup warm water
2 Tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Optional ingredients:
1 fresh red pepper, or 3 roasted red peppers from a jar
Pinch of ground cumin, ground cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop garlic. If using fresh red pepper, rinse, remove core and seeds, and mince now. Or, mince jarred roasted peppers.
  2. Rinse lemon and cut in half. In a small bowl, squeeze juice. Discard seeds.
  3. In a colander, drain and rinse beans.
  4. Add garlic, lemon juice, beans and remaining ingredients to blender. If using optional spices, add now. Blend until creamy and well-mixed.
  5. If using, top hummus with minced red pepper.

Published July 28, 2021

Protect yourself from red tide effects

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As efforts continue to remove dead fish from regional waterways, officials from Hillsborough County have compiled some pointers from the Florida Department of Health, to help reduce the risks posed by red tide.

(www.freepik.com)

Here are those pointers, shared in a news release from Hillsborough County:

  • When possible, stay away from water bodies and beaches where red tide or fish killed by the toxic algae is present.
  • Don’t touch or swim near dead fish.
  • Wear shoes to prevent injuries from stepping on fish carcasses.
  • Keep pets away from water, sea spray, and dead fish affected by red tide.
  • Don’t harvest or eat shellfish from an affected area.
  • People with chronic respiratory problems should avoid a red tide area.
  • If breathing difficulties do not subside after leaving a red tide area or going indoors, contact your health care provider.

For more information on the status of red tide in Hillsborough County and how to report fish kills, visit HCFLGov.net/RedTide.

Published July 28, 2021

Input sought on Sunset/U.S. 41 improvements

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Hillsborough County wants to hear the public’s thoughts on a proposed improvement at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

The county is conducting a two-week public comment period, through a virtual engagement process, according to a county news release.

The feedback runs until Aug. 2.

The proposed improvements at U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane would add a turn lane and updated traffic signals.

The $1.6 million project is expected to begin in the summer of 2022 and be complete in the summer of 2023.

The project also calls for pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements, including sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, otherwise known as ADA.

Residents and commercial property owners can review the proposed changes and are invited to give feedback.

To learn more and share your thoughts, visit HCFLGov.net/HCEngage at any time through Aug. 2.

Published July 28, 2021