The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Suncoast Credit Union invests in women’s soccer

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The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club, reigning Gainbridge Super League Champion, joined Suncoast Credit Union to announce their new partnership, which involves naming rights and donations to Blake High School. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Sun FC

TAMPA – The leaders of Suncoast Credit Union and the Tampa Bay Sun Football Club announced a partnership Aug. 27, they say, will bolster women’s professional sports in the Tampa Bay area.

Elements of the partnership include naming rights for Suncoast Credit Union Field, charitable giving to support students at Blake High School and exclusive ticket benefits for Suncoast members.

The announcement came during a soccer takeover of Suncoast Credit Union headquarters in Tampa, where head coach Denise Schilte-Brown and Sun players celebrated the new partnership. Team flags and gear transformed the lobby into a showcase of the club’s championship spirit. 

The surprise finale was a $10,000 donation to the Blake High School Boosters. That donation will be the first of many, with Suncoast committing an additional $200 for each shot on goal made by the Sun this season at Suncoast Credit Union Field.

“At Suncoast Credit Union, we believe each of us can make a positive difference,” said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union. “Through this sponsorship, we’re excited to do just that. We’re able to build a stronger community by lifting up women’s sports, supporting fantastic community assets in the Sun and the Blake High School Boosters, and enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Tampa Bay.”

The Sun will invest the sponsorship funds into facilities, salaries and other efforts that ensure the team and the Tampa Bay region remain a destination for female athletes, coaches and sports professionals.

“The Sun are proud to be at the leading edge of women’s pro sports in Tampa Bay and around the world,” said Christina Unkel, president and general manager of the Sun. “This backing from Suncoast Credit Union empowers us to continue to build that momentum and expand our impact as we create new career opportunities for women in sports and inspire the next generation of young women to pursue their dreams.”

On the web: tampabaysunfc.com

 

Venue naming rights

During Sun matches and events, the team’s temporary home in Downtown Tampa on the campus of Blake High School will be known as Suncoast Credit Union Field.

The official facility name honoring “Big Jim” Williams will remain intact. Suncoast will invest in a new, permanent space at the venue to highlight Williams’ legacy later this year.

The exact length and investment are not being disclosed at this time. It applies to the current Sun home venue, not the team’s planned permanent home.

 

Purchase preserves Kirkland Ranch

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Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, said Kirkland Ranch in Pasco County will be preserved for future generations. Photo courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District

WESLEY CHAPEL – The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved the purchase of Kirkland Ranch in Pasco County. 

The 974-acre parcel in Wesley Chapel has primarily been used for cattle grazing and tree farming. The Kirkland family has owned this property since 1956.

The Kirkland Ranch property is approximately 59% uplands and 41% wetlands. The areas surrounding the property are predominantly residential single-family homes and are being developed around the west and south of the property as part of Epperson Ranch and Watergrass developments. 

This acquisition meets all four of the district’s areas of responsibility, which are water supply, water quality, flood protection and natural systems and is consistent with the district’s Florida Forever Workplan.

The parcel is being purchased for approximately $30.8 million, with money appropriated from the Florida Legislature to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The state funds are being provided to the district by DEP for the purpose of acquiring the property.

“We appreciate Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s commitment to preserving this conservation land in one of the fastest-growing areas in Pasco County,” said Brian Armstrong, the district’s executive director. “This important purchase will help preserve the region’s lands and water resources for future generations.”

Kirkland Ranch is located east of Curley Road and just south of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation in Wesley Chapel.

 

Goal Getter: Doctor honored for mission work

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Dr. Rainer Chan was recognized for his commitment to global medical mission work. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
Dr. Rainer Chan joined a team of AdventHealth clinical and non-clinical members on a mission trip to the Galápagos Islands. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recognized Dr. Rainer Chan as a Goal Getter during the Aug. 24 game for his dedication to medical mission work that brings hope and healing to underserved communities around the world.

Dr. Chan most recently joined a team of AdventHealth clinical and non-clinical members on a mission trip to the Galápagos Islands, where they cared for more than 1,000 patients ranging from infants to seniors.

“I love going on these mission trips, not only to provide service and helping others but seeing how things are done in other countries teaches me a lot as well,” said Chan, who serves as chief medical officer for AdventHealth Riverview. “So it goes both ways, where we are out there helping them, but they are also helping us.”

Through global missions, AdventHealth team members provide important health care services, supplies and education in communities with limited access to care, working to fulfill the organization’s mission of “extending the healing ministry of Christ.”

Ybor City Historical Society to host soiree  

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YBOR CITY, FL – The Ybor City Historical Society is excited to take Tampa Bay back in time with its third annual celebration of Ybor City history with ¡VIVA!: Speakeasy Soiree.

¡VIVA! pays tribute to the rich, vibrant history of Ybor, while also showcasing some of the local flavors that helped found the city and make Tampa what it is today.

¡VIVA! transports guests back to Ybor City in the 1920s when the cigar industry and social scene were booming, and prohibition wasn’t slowing anyone down. This costume-optional, all-inclusive event will give patrons a taste of history, all in support of the Ybor City Historical Society, dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating Ybor’s unique cultural heritage.

¡VIVA! will feature live entertainment, including a live band and a 1920s dance performance by the HCC Ybor City Campus. It will also take guests back in time with cigar rolling and the chance to play bolita, just like people did in 1920s Ybor. The event will also have a wine pull and silent auction.

The event, presented by Hattricks, takes place from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory. Buy tickets at https://www.ybormuseum.org/events-programs.

General admission tickets cost $75 ($65 for members). Each ticket includes a password into the speakeasy, all-you-can-eat and drink from local restaurants featuring the tastes of Ybor, breweries and distilleries, commemorative cigar and pass to visit the Tampa Baseball Museum.

VIP tickets cost $125 ($115 for members) and include exclusive early access to the speakeasy for a special reception, as well as all the food and beverage tastings. 

Students with disabilities develop skills at Public Defender’s Office 

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TAMPA – Students with learning disabilities are gaining essential life and job skills in a real-world environment at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office.

They have a supportive bridge between school and adulthood thanks to a nearly 20-year partnership between Pepin Academies and the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office.

Through the Pepin Academies Transition Program, students ages 18 to 22 help digitize legal files, learn professional etiquette and take part in hands-on training for independent living, all within the walls of the legal office that represents people charged with crimes who can’t afford to hire their own attorneys.

What started with a cold call from a Pepin Academies administrator to then-Public Defender Julianne Holt has grown over the past two decades into a model of community collaboration. 

“It just made sense,” said Holt, who immediately embraced the opportunity to support students with disabilities. “This has always been a true partnership and a powerful one.” 

Jonathan Temaul, a Pepin graduate who started in the program years ago, now works in mail operations for the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office. Other graduates have landed jobs at Publix, Macy’s, Embassy Suites, University of South Florida, AdventHealth, Tampa General Hospital and The Florida Aquarium.

Now under the leadership of newly elected Public Defender Lisa McLean, the partnership is entering a new chapter. Hillsborough County has allocated $800,000 for a first-floor renovation project, and plans include a fully equipped teaching kitchen to enhance students’ hands-on learning experience.

“This partnership shows what’s possible when public institutions work together to invest in people,” McLean said. “We’re proud to support the students of Pepin Academies and help empower them to thrive.”

Set for completion next year, the new space will allow students to practice meal preparation and household tasks.

“This program is about building confidence, instilling responsibility and giving opportunity for independent, productive futures,” said Jeff Skowronek, executive director of Pepin Academies. “Parents often tell us they never imagined their child would hold a job or live on their own. Through this program, those things that are commonplace for many can be realized for them, too.”

 

Tips to prevent students from becoming sick

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TAMPA – As students return to classrooms, parents and pediatricians will most likely notice the familiar pattern of seasonal illnesses. While CDC data shows that acute respiratory illnesses are currently at a very low level, this can shift quickly as children gather in classrooms. Meanwhile, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is among the most commonly reported pediatric illnesses right now, according to pediatricians.

“Even before the start of school we were seeing the usual uptick in hand-foot-and-mouth disease,” said Dr. Rosa Taveras, a pediatrician at AdventHealth. “Right now, respiratory viruses remain under control nationally, but as kids spend more time indoors and share surfaces, parents should watch for signs of cold, flu, or stomach bugs coming up in the weeks ahead.”

Taveras offers these proactive strategies to help keep kids healthy now and for the rest of the school year:

 

Take Precautions

  • Keep up with routine immunizations including flu, DTaP (for whooping cough) and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).  
  • Encourage frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when needed.
  • Teach and remind kids to cover coughs and sneezes into their elbow or tissue, then wash hands.  

 

Stay Informed and Monitor Symptoms

  • Parents should monitor for classic signs of fever, sore throat, cough, rash (for HFMD or measles) or prolonged coughing fits (whooping cough).
  • If symptoms emerge, keep children home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication and follow school policy guidelines.

 

Act Early if Illness Strikes

  • For flu or COVID-19, antiviral treatments work best when started early, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset.
  • Those at higher risk or with infants should contact their pediatrician promptly for testing and possible treatment.

 

Boost Wellness Year‑Round

  • Encourage balanced nutrition, plenty of rest, regular physical activity and stress management to reinforce immune health.

 

MOSI launching eye-opening AI exhibit

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“Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine” is an exhibit created by The Relayer Group. The company creates opportunities that bring innovation and technology to consumers of all ages through enriching and educational experiences. Photo courtesy of The Relayer Group

TAMPA – Can a machine think like you? Learn like you? Paint your portrait like Picasso?  

Visitors at Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry will soon be able to find out with the Sept. 6 opening of “Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine.”

The interactive, traveling exhibit explores the effects of artificial intelligence. 

Forget the killer robots of science fiction. This is about the everyday technology shaping how people live, work and learn. With games, smart machines and hands-on challenges, it shows how AI works and how it learns to “think” like a human, without getting lost in computer jargon and techno-talk.

“AI might sound mysterious, but at MOSI, we break it down to the basics, so anyone, at any age, can grasp how it works and what it can do in the future,” said John Graydon Smith, president and CEO of MOSI. “It’s already in your pocket, your home and your job, whether you realize it or not. This exhibit makes it fun to see how machines learn, sometimes even better than we do, and why that matters. You’ll leave with a whole new perspective.”

Guests will be immersed in a futuristic playground filled with activities for all ages. Train an AI to recognize your face. Paint a selfie in the style of Van Gogh or Picasso. Press a few keys and hear a piano compose new music using the sounds of 1,400 instruments. Take on stacking puzzles that challenge you to learn like an AI system does.

“Our goal is to give every visitor an introduction to AI that helps them understand what the technology will mean to them,” said HP Newquist, the AI historian and author who created the exhibit. “Kids are certain to work with AI in the years to come, from self-driving cars to digital personal assistants that will help them with their homework. Adults are already trying to make sense of it.”

 

Exhibit highlights

  • Giant Simon game: A huge version of the classic handheld electronic game that challenges you to remember and repeat a pattern of colors and sounds.
  • Spot the fake: Compare real photos to AI-generated ones and see if human eyes can still tell the difference.
  • AI at the movies: Explore how AI is used in films for everything from creating lifelike special effects to bringing digital characters to life.
  • Voice mimic: Record a short message and let the AI recreate it in different voices or accents.
  • Guess that object: Show the AI different items and see if it can correctly identify them or hilariously miss the mark.
  • Cat vs. Not Cat: Try the AI’s original “training” game based on thousands of internet cat photos, then test if it can spot a cat in unusual places.
  • Talk to a translator: Type a sentence and watch as AI instantly translates it into multiple languages. See which ones sound closest to the original meaning.
  • Pattern detective: Give the AI clues and watch it solve mysteries by finding patterns in huge sets of data faster than any human could.

On the web: mosi.org

 

Hillsborough County to host Patriot Day

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Twenty-four years after the attacks that sparked the nation’s longest war, Americans continue to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, by commemorating a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Consumer & Veteran Services, and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County invite the community to their annual Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance event at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Museum, 3602 N. U.S. Hwy. 301, Tampa.

In observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, first responders, military veterans, and civic leaders aim to inspire a generation too young to recall the historic events of 9/11. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps members from Hillsborough County high schools and Junior Fire Academy graduates will lead the annual Patriot Day ceremony featuring:  

  • An honor guard, saber team, rifle salute, and taps.
  • A solemn escort of the beam: a solid 135-pound section of steel salvaged from New York’s Twin Towers that resides at Veterans Memorial Park, representing the supreme sacrifices on 9/11.
  • A traditional fire service ringing of the bell.

Immediately following the ceremony, students and attendees can enjoy interactive demonstrations and photos with active-duty military members and first responders:  

  • HCFR.
  • MacDill Air Force Base Military Working Dogs (MWD), 6th Security Forces Squadron.
  • Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR 1).
  • U.S. Coast Guard St. Petersburg Station.
  • U.S. Marine Corps 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion.

The 24th Anniversary Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance event is free and open to the public at Veterans Memorial Park’s outdoor amphitheater. Attendees are invited to enjoy the park’s many memorials.

On the web: HCFL.gov/Veterans

 

Tampa Theatre showing musical movies in September

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TAMPA – Tampa Theatre realizes there is something freeing about breaking the taboo of staying seated during a movie or raising your voice in unanimous (if not on-key) song with hundreds of fellow film-goers.

This is why Tampa Theatre has planned not one, but three different series for September, all centered around popular musical movies:

 

SEPTEMBER SING-ALONG SUNDAYS

Follow the bouncing ball sing along with the lyrics on the screen.

  • 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 – “Grease” (1978)
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 – “Frozen” (2013)
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 – “The Greatest Showman” (2017)
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 – “Mary Poppins” (1964)

Tickets for September Sing-Along Sundays cost $11.50 for members and $14.50 for others.

 

REWIND RAVE-ALONGS

Most movie screenings expect you to sit still and stay quiet, but REWIND Rave-Alongs flip the script. Audiences are free to dance and get loud during the film. Extras like a live DJ pre-show, drink specials and glow merch add to the atmosphere.

  • 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 – “Pitch Perfect” (2012)
  • 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007)
  • 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 – “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
  • 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 – “Repo! The Genetic Opera” (2008)

Members enjoy free REWIND screenings in September. Everyone else pays $14.50.

 

BIG PICTURE

Big Picture examines three films that incorporate popular music in particularly memorable ways.

  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 – “Mean Streets” (1973)
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 – “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 – “Boogie Nights” (1997)

Big Picture tickets cost $7 for members and $10 for others. 

 

Costumes are encouraged at all of these screenings. Tickets are available at the historic Franklin Street Box Office or at TampaTheatre.org.

Get a taste of upcoming lifelong learning lectures 

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ST. LEO – Members of the public are invited to a free open house to introduce the Saint Leo University-Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and lecture series this fall. 

The open house takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center, 33701 County Road 52.

Saint Leo University and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute launched the outreach program in January. It is designed for adult lifelong learners in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are a network of university-based programs that offer non-credit courses and learning opportunities for people 50 and older.

At the open house, there will be brief overviews of each of the upcoming lectures by the faculty presenters and a keynote speech by Heather Parker, dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services.

The public is invited to the free open house and then to sign up for the interdisciplinary lectures on contemporary topics to be presented by Saint Leo University faculty members in fall 2025. 

The lecture series will include “Ireland and World War I Impact,” presented by Karen Hannel on Sept. 16; “Happiness Research: Living Our Best Lives,” presented by Randall Woodard on Oct. 21; “Science Fiction & Pop Culture,” presented by Dr. Burgsbee Hobbs on Nov. 18; and “New Testament and Women,” presented by Robert Imperato on Dec. 3.

Visit www.saintleo.edu/olli or call 813-974-5848 to register for the open house.