The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

AAA to offer rides home over Thanksgiving weekend

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It’s impossible to have a holiday without talking accident statistics — but many can be avoided, especially if drinking and driving don’t mix.

As it does for other major holidays, AAA is joining forces with Bud Light to offer Tow to Go anytime between Wednesday and Saturday this holiday weekend. The service, which transports both a driver and his or her vehicle home or somewhere safe within 10 miles, is free to those who would otherwise drive drunk, whether they are members of AAA or not.

“It’s unsettling that we still have a significant number of people that have never used a designated driver when they are drinking away from home,” said Gerry Gutowski, senior vice president of automotive services for AAA, in a release. “With so many travelers this holiday weekend, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead and celebrate safely.”

Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed 23,000 impaired drivers from the roads. The service is designed to be used as a last resort, and is offered based on the availability of AAA drivers and tow trucks during times of high call volume.

Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers have been cosponsors of the programs once its inception, and has worked with local bars and restaurants throughout Florida and other states to help educate servers on the importance of not over-serving customers, according to a release.

To use the Tow to Go service over the holiday weekend, call (855) 286-9246.

Business Digest 11-26-14

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Roy Naccour shows off his new J. Joseph Salon & Spa location at Sunlake Plaza in Lutz. (Diane Kortus/Staff Photo)
Roy Naccour shows off his new J. Joseph Salon & Spa location at Sunlake Plaza in Lutz. (Diane Kortus/Staff Photo)

J. Joseph Salon expands into Lutz
Roy Naccour, owner of J. Joseph Salon & Spa in Land O’ Lakes, has opened a second location in Lutz at Sunlake Plaza next to the Publix on State Road 54.

“We’re pleased to offer our European-style salon services to women and families along the fast growing (State Road 54) corridor,” Naccour said in a release.

J. Joseph Salon is the official hair salon for WFLA-Channel 8’s “Daytime.”

The new salon is located at 18861 State Road 54. Appointments are available seven days a week and most evenings, and can be made at (813) 235-6848.

Women-n-Charge to meet in December
Women-n-Charge will meet Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.

The meeting will include a feature speaker and networking.

Cost is $15 for members who pre-register, and $18 for guests.

For information, visit Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

 Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.

Big Breakfast for Small Business
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Zephyrhills are offering a kickoff breakfast to celebrate small business Nov. 29 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Abbott Station Restaurant, 5327 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Breakfast will be available for free to the first 50 customers.

For information, call (813) 782-1913, or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.

Native American veterans offered job help
Native Americans throughout Florida and Georgia who have served in the U.S. military now have a new resource government officials say will help them become economically self-sufficient.

The Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs has launched its Native American Veteran Resource Initiative designed to help Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans find the education, training, job resources and services they need to compete in today’s labor market.

The services, although through the U.S. Department of Labor, are administered in ways that are consistent with the traditional cultural values and beliefs of the people they are designed to serve.

For information, call (800) 322-9186.

Kumquat Festival selling sponsorship packages
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is now accepting reservation packages for the 2015 Kumquat Festival, set to take place Jan. 31.

Packages start at $500, and include logos and links on the KumquatFestival.org website, as well as booth space at the festival. Premier packages, which run from $1,000 to $5,000, include additional features.

The event is expected to draw 45,000 people from Florida, who live here seasonally, and who are visiting.

For information, call John Moors at (352) 567-3769, or email .

New mobile nail salon
Amber Thomas has started a new mobile nail salon in Zephyrhills, focused on men and women over 55, who are shut in, or living in RV parks. However, the Florida-licensed mobile nail technician says she’s available for customers of all ages.

For more information, call Thomas at (813) 701-7222, or email at .

Winn-Dixie now offering Apple Pay
The grocery store chain Winn-Dixie is now offering shoppers the chance to use Apply Pay at the checkout.

The service, which is available to Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users, create a contact-less payment method for merchandise in the stores.

Winn-Dixie has six locations on this side of Pasco and Hillsborough counties, including 27301 Wesley Chapel Blvd. and 27303 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel; 2126 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes; 6427 County Line Road in Tampa; 18407 U.S. 41 in Lutz; and 36348 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

For information, visit Apple.com/apple-pay.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Upcoming speakers include:

  • Scott Lindner, pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church, Dec. 9
  • Michael Smith, pastor of Fair Haven Baptist Church and principal of Zephyrhills Christian Academy

The group will have its Christmas mixer Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., at Village Inn, 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .

Dade City chamber needs volunteers
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is looking for some volunteers to help with the chamber event season.

With winter residents returning to the area, there are a number of activities the chamber needs help to staff. The chamber is looking for people who are friendly and outgoing, who have knowledge of the local area and activities, and are team-oriented.

For information, email .

On the Agenda-11-26-14

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Schrader new chair of commission
Ted Schrader is back in a familiar seat with the Pasco County Commission after being elected chair of the county’s governing body.

Schrader, based in District 1 covering large parts of the eastern side of the county, was chair of the commission in the 2012-13 session, and then stepped aside this past year for fellow commissioner Jack Mariano.

The chair position typically rotates among the commissioners, leading meetings and representing the board as a whole to the public.

Henry Wilson Jr., was in line to become the next chair, but lost his re-election bid to Mike Wells Jr. during an open primary in August. That had opened the door to a possible chairmanship by Kathryn Starkey. However, she immediately nominated Schrader for the job Nov. 18 in Dade City, and her motion won unanimous approval.

Starkey was elected the vice chair, officially making her a top contender for the position next year.

The commission also swore in its two new members, Wells and Mike Moore. Wells will take over District 4 previously served by Wilson, while Moore will represent District 2, which Pat Mulieri served for 20 years.

Pasco Thanksgiving closings
Most Pasco County government offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27, as well as the Friday afterward on Nov. 28. Most will reopen on Dec. 1, if not the Saturday before.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, however, will also be closed Nov. 29, and not reopen until Dec. 1. The Pasco County libraries, however, will reopen that Saturday.

Although parks and recreation centers will be closed Thursday and Friday, parks and beaches will be open both days from dawn to dusk.

The shelter at Pasco County Animal Services will be closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, however an animal control officer will be available for emergencies. The shelter will reopen Nov. 29 at noon, and stay open until 6:30 p.m.

Buses will not run on Thursday or Friday, but will resume on Nov. 29.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility as well as the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to both the public and commercial haulers on Nov. 27, but will reopen to licensed commercial haulers on Nov. 28. They will full reopen to the public on Nov. 29.

Murman new chair of Hillsborough commission
Sandra Murman will lead the Hillsborough County Commission for the coming year, after getting the nod from her peers. Al Higginbotham, who won a close race to become one of the new at-large members of the commission, was elected vice chair.

Higginbotham returned to the commission, along with Victor Crist and Ken Hagan. Stacey White joins them, representing District 4.

Murman, who was vice chair last year, has represented District 1 in Hillsborough since 2010.

Chalk Talk-11-26-14

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Pasco Schools honor veterans
Pasco County Schools hosted a district-wide Veterans Day presentation Nov. 11 at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts.

Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley joined Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and district students and staff to honor and celebrate veterans.

The program was to encourage students to participate in the Vote in Honor of a Veteran program.

Supervisor of Elections outreach ambassadors also conducted voter registrations at all high schools the same day.

Statewide poetry contest
The Florida State Poets Association is looking for middle and high school students to enter its 25th annual Student Poetry Contest.

The contest offers cash awards in both the junior and senior divisions.

Winning poems will be published in FSPA’s annual anthology and entered in the national Manningham Trust Student Contest.

Poems must be postmarked by Dec. 1.

Requirement and details can be found at FloridaStatePoetsAssociation.org.

Library of Congress offers free interactive e-books
The Library of Congress is offering students a set of free interactive e-books for tablets.

The new Library of Congress Student Discovery Sets bring together historical artifacts and one-of-a-kind documents in a range of topics from history to science to literature.

Interactive tools let students zoom in for close examination, draw to highlight interesting details, and make notes about what they discover.

The first six Student Discovery Sets are available now for iPad, and can be downloaded for free on iBooks. These sets cover the U.S. Constitution, Symbols of the United States, Immigration, the Dust Bowl, the Harlem Renaissance, and Understanding the Cosmos.

For information, visit LOC.gov/teachers/student-discovery-sets/.

Health Notes-11-26-14

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Joshua House receives donation from tournament
Joshua House, a program of the Children’s Home Society of Florida, recently received a donation of $19, 755 by the Fort Knox Golf Tournament committee.

Joshua House is a haven for abused, neglected and abandoned children in the Tampa Bay area.

The donation will help provide life skills classes and onsite counseling to program residents.

Caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group will meet the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.

The group is open to anyone who has a loved one with any form of dementia.

Topics include caregiving frustrations and successes.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 996-1361, or email .

Balance program for senior citizens
Anytime Fitness, 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, is offering an Agility & Balance Program for seniors citizens on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

The cost is $5 per session for Anytime Fitness members, and $8 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

 Ostomy support group
The Medical Center of Trinity will have a support group for ostomy patients and their families Nov. 26 at 5 p.m., at the Medical Arts Building, 9332 State Road 54, Suite 302.

For more information, call (727) 834-4450.

Veteran hotline help
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a toll-free help line to provide emotional support and resource referral to veterans in a five-county area.

The service covers Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties.

The hotline is staffed by veterans.

Any veteran needing help or information can call (844) 693-5838 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

After-hours and weekend calls will be answered by crisis specialists in the Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 call center.

Free copies of Five Wishes
Throughout the month of November, Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care will offer free copies of Five Wishes, an easy-to-use tool with advance directives and planning information, while supplies last.

Copies can be picked up at any of the Gulfside thrift shops.

There is a limit of one per person. Spanish versions are available by calling Gulfside Hospice.

For information, call Kirsty Churchill at (727) 845-5707, or email .

Staying fit during holidays
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will present “Staying Fit Through the Holidays” Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Those attending can learn fitness and nutrition strategies for the holiday season.

Admission is free for center members, and $5 for non-members.

For information, call (813) 929-5432.

CoDA group meets
The Medical Center of Trinity will offer the Co-Dependence Anonymous group every Thursday at 7 p.m., at its West Pasco Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey.

Upcoming meetings are Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18.

For information, call (727) 816-8678 or (727) 858-3013.

Lecture on minerals for your body
Access Health Care, 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will present “Minerals are Vital to Your Body” Dec. 4 at 5:15 p.m.

There will be a discussion on how to replenish the necessary earth substances in your body.

For information, call (352) 688-8116.

SHINE program needs help
The volunteer program Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders needs volunteers in Pasco and Pinellas counties to offer free counseling and assistance to seniors and those with disabilities on topics related to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and more.

A three-day training program will begin Dec. 9 at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., in Land O’ Lakes.

Transportation costs are reimbursed, and meals are provided.

For information, call Sue Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234.

A volunteer application can be found online at FloridaSHINE.org.

Regional Medical receives certification
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been awarded full Atrial Fibrillation Certification status from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

Some key areas in which a facility must demonstrate expertise include emergency department integration with emergency medical services, emergency assessment of patients with atrial fibrillation, risk stratification of the atrial fibrillation patient, process improvement, atrial fibrillation community outreach, and patient education.

Lodge offers TOPS program
J.F. Swartsel Lodge, 3309 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, offers the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) program every Wednesday.

Weigh-in is at 9 a.m., following by a meeting at 9:45 a.m.

For information, call Mary Clark at (813) 908-3587.

Celebrate Recovery from addictions
Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, offers a Celebrate Recovery group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

The group is a recovery resource for healing from addictions. Participants will discuss hurts, hang-ups and habits.

For information, call (813) 973-2230.

Senior citizen strength classes
The Groves Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance program on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

These are low-impact classes to improve flexibility and balance.

Classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

Alzheimer’s caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association hosts a meeting at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m.

The group is for caregivers who have a loved one with dementia.

For information, call Phyllis Bross at (813) 996-1361, or email .

OLOR cancer network
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Family Cancer Network meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month in Rosary Hall, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, beginning at 7 p.m.

Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend.

For information, call (813) 949-4565.

Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teenagers, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are recommended.

Flood warning for Hillsborough River, Cypress Creek

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Heavy rains have brought flooding to parts of eastern and central Pasco County, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for the Hillsborough River and Cypress Creek.

Those two waterways at Hillsborough River State Park and Worthington Gardens are expected to rise above flood stage by the weekend, officials said. Up to 5 inches of rain is expected to fall in a short period of time, creating more water than the area can handle.

At Worthington Gardens, Cypress Creek was reported at a depth of 4.5 feet. However, the river is expected to rise above its flood stage of 8 feet by early Friday morning, and could rise as high as 10.3 feet by Sunday morning. Depending on what happens with the weather, there is a chance it could rise even more before it starts to drop back down.

At the 8-foot flood stage, the recreation area on State Road 54 near the creek would flood. At 11 feet, however, flooding would begin to threaten homes on State Road 54.

It’s the first time since August 2003 Cypress Creek has been this high, where at the time, it crested at 10.3 feet.

A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or already occurring along larger streams that is causing a serious threat to life or property. Officials warn residents and others in the area to not drive through any bodies of water.

Worthington Gardens is the area of central Pasco County near Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes where State Road 56 meets Interstate 75, not far from where the new outlet mall has begun construction. Hillsborough River State Park is located on U.S. 301, just south of Zephyrhills.

Pasco, Hillsborough under flood watch advisories

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Deep tropical moisture is streaming into the central part of Florida, creating the potential of flooding throughout the region — including parts of Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through Wednesday morning, with rainfall in the amounts of 2 to 4 inches expected for most parts, but up to 6 inches in others.

A flood watch means that flooding is possible during the next 24 to 36 hours, and that residents living in flood-prone areas should take action to protect their property.

The moisture is being exacerbated by what weather observers are calling an upper-level trough moving east across the northern Gulf of Mexico, with low pressure bringing widespread areas of rain with embedded storms into the region.

Those rains will likely lead to flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas, as well as the ponding of water on roadways, weather officials said. People living in flood-prone areas, or along rivers or faster-flowing streams, should monitor water levels and be ready to move to higher ground if flooding is observed.

Roadways and low-lying areas may become quickly flooded with the heavy rainfall. Because of that weather service officials warn drivers not to traverse flooded roadways, as it might be difficult or impossible to tell how deep the water truly is.

 

Pasco government offices to close over holidays

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Most Pasco County government offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27, as well as the Friday afterward on Nov. 28. Most will reopen on Dec. 1, if not the Saturday before.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, however, will also be closed Nov. 29, and not reopen until Dec. 1. The Pasco County libraries, however, will reopen that Saturday.

Although parks and recreation centers will be closed Thursday and Friday, parks and beaches will be open both days from dawn to dusk.

The shelter at Pasco County Animal Services will be closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, however an animal control officer will be available for emergencies. The shelter will reopen Nov. 29 at noon, and stay open until 6:30 p.m.

Buses will not run on Thursday or Friday, but will resume on Nov. 29.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility as well as the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to both the public and commercial haulers on Nov. 27, but will reopen to licensed commercial haulers on Nov. 28. They will full reopen to the public on Nov. 29.

Unlicensed contractor sting comes with warning from deputies

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A two-day sting between the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and some state regulatory agencies have put 11 people behind bars they say were unlicensed contractors in the county.

Of those 11 arrested, seven had previous criminal histories with charges that included robbery, vehicle theft, grant theft, forgery and drugs, sheriff’s deputies said. And with some looking to get some quick home construction work done as the holiday season approaches, the sheriff’s office is warning people against using unlicensed contractors.

Some of the problems that might come from using someone without a license, according the deputies, include:

• Poor qualifications — Unlicensed individuals have not demonstrated the education, insurance or qualification required of a licensed contractor. This can leave customers with poor quality work or unfinished projects, which means spending more money to hire another contractor to repair and finish.

• Possible criminal background — Unlicensed individuals often have criminal background that include fraud, theft, violent crimes, sexual offenses and substance abuse.

• Likelihood of being the victim of a scam — Unlicensed individuals often disappear with people’s money, leaving them with very few options to get the money back or the work completed.

• No coverage under homeowner policy — Most homeowner policies require that work be done by a licensed contractor, and provide no coverage for work that is not.

• Noncompliance with building codes — Most projects, even small ones, require permits and inspections that unlicensed contractors ignore, or are unfamiliar with. If a project is not permitted, or it does not comply with building codes, the work may have to be repaired or even removed, and the entire project could be subject to fines.

Customers looking to hire contractors can verify whether or not they are licensed by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com.

Bilirakis wants incentives to treat rare diseases

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has introduced H.R. 5750 to Congress, known as the Orphan Product Extensions Now Accelerating Cures & Treatment — or the OPEN ACT.

The bill would incentivize drug makers and innovators to repurpose major market drugs for life-threatening, rare diseases and pediatric cancers, the Palm Harbor Republican said, which would open the door to development of hundreds of treatments for rare disease patients.

“There are over 7,000 rare diseases, impacting 40 million Americans — that is nearly 1 in 10 people,” Bilirakis said in a statement. More than 95 percent of those diseases have no treatments, because each rare disease impacts just a small number of patients.

“My bill will leverage the free market to incentivize drugs to be repurposed to treat rare diseases,” Bilirakis said. “The OPEN ACT has the potential to result in hundreds of new drugs and treatments for individuals with rare diseases, as well as a new surge in biotechnology jobs and investments.

“This bill can help millions of people by ensuring medications are safe and effective for rare conditions, and can be reimbursed through insurance coverage.”

The inspiration for the bill on the importance of repurposing drugs came during his 21st Century Cures Roundtable he hosted last summer.