The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco Fire Rescue focuses on training this week

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Beginning Sunday, Pasco County Fire Rescue will participate in the 2014 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week, which aims to improve firefighter safety and health, and give all a better chance of survival during emergencies.

The week is a joint initiative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council. During the week, fire departments around the world will take time to increase awareness and action so that safety and health become a priority in all fire departments.

“We fully value the important of pausing for a moment to reflect on the importance of firefighter safety and health issues,” Fire Chief Scott Cassin said, in a release.

This year’s theme is “Train Like You Fight,” focusing on a critical component of firefighter and emergency medical responder safety: training. This focuses on safety on the training ground and reduction of training-related injuries and death, and the importance of adequate training to prepare for safe, fire-ground operations.

Pasco County Fire Rescue provides critical, life-saving services, and must be ready to respond to all types of emergency and disasters, county officials said. The department is made up of 473 career personnel, and just over 200 volunteers that protect nearly 500,000 people in an area of 747 square miles.

Nationwide, 81,000 firefighters are injured each year, and it re-enforces the need for each responded to be prepared in every way when an emergency call comes in.

For more information on what Pasco County Fire Rescue is doing to improve its operations, call Andrew Fossa at (813) 929-2750, or email him at .

 

Rising tensions in Iraq kicking up gas prices

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It doesn’t take a lot to push up gas prices, and even just the thought of conflict rising once again in Iraq has done just that, breaking a downward streak of more than 50 days in Florida.

“Motorists should be ready for gas prices to increase around 5 to 10 cents,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins, in a release. “The price hike could continue depending on the duration of this conflict.”

Violence has erupted in northern Iraq from a militant group known as the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, which has already taken control of two major cities, including Mosul and Tikrit.

Crude oil prices had its biggest weekly gain of the year so far thanks to that violence, with a barrel of oil closing at $106.91, more than $4 over what it was the week before at $102.66, according to AAA. Iraq is the second largest crude oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and there is concern in that group that violence could spread to the main oil-producing areas of the country.

The conflict also could delay the re-opening of a key pipeline in the region that has been closed since March, AAA officials said.

Florida, nor the nation, have yet to see a direct uptick in prices. Regular unleaded in the state was $3.57 Sunday, down a penny from a week ago, and 8 cents from a month ago. The national average is $3.66, also down a penny from a week ago, but just 2 cents from a month ago.

Park fees in Pasco waived on Saturday

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The weather might not necessarily cooperate, but if there’s any sunshine this weekend, the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is encouraging people to get outside and have some healthy active outdoor fun.

It’s all part of National Get Outdoors Day and the health department’s Healthiest Weight initiative. Falling this year on June 14, National Get Outdoors Day is designed to bring awareness to the physical opportunities Pasco has to offer in the outdoors, and parking fees in the county’s 11 parks will be waived.

“National Get Outdoors Day encourages healthy, active outdoor fun, and Healthiest Weight Florida is working to increase physical activity, so working to ether makes good sense,” said county health officer Mike Napier, in a release. “Everyone can benefit from being physically active, and visiting out local parks is a great place to start.”

Prime goals of the national day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands, and reconnecting youth to the outdoors.

“All of us need to be more active,” Rick Buckman, Pasco’s parks and recreation director said, in a release. “This is a wonderful day to visit your local parks, and start a new healthy habit. Get active outdoors and enjoy Florida’s environment.”

For information about park locations in Pasco, click here. For information on National Get Outdoors Day, visit NationalGetOutdoorsDay.org.

Pasco honors red, white and blue this Saturday

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June 14 is typically a day set aside to honor the Stars and Stripes, celebrating the flag’s official adoption on that day in 1777.

But two local groups, however, will spend the day honoring the men and women who have fought to protect it with events in Zephyrhills and Dade City. And those with a fast enough car might be able to make both of them.

Southport Springs will kick it all off with a dedication beginning at 10 a.m. of a memorial that will feature the service flags from all the military branches as well as an inscribed granite stone. The community, located at 3737 Southport Springs Parkway in Zephyrhills, itself is the home of more than 200 veterans.

Among the flags that will join the memorial near the community’s clubhouse will be the American flag, as well as the prisoner of war flag. The memorial also will have a brick wall with two benches, and red flower beds to symbolize the red stripes of the nation’s flag.

The memorial is not just for those who traveled overseas to fight, but also for those who stayed behind to support the war effort at home, beginning to World War I nearly a century ago.

That event will be followed 13 miles away at the Historic Dade City Courthouse on Meridian Avenue as county officials join together to rededicate the World War II memorial that has graced the courthouse gazebo since 1954.

Pasco County and Dade City used grant money as well as private donations to replace the aging wood facades with more permanent granite, listing the names of the 1,855 people who represented the county during that great war.

“Unfortunately, they are reaching an age where they are not going to be with us much longer,” Pasco County commissioner Ted Schrader, one of the leaders of the restoration effort, told The Laker last week. “It was important for those who are still alive and for their family members that we make sure this memorial is here forever.”

That event kicks off at 11 a.m., and will include U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor. To read more about that service, click here.

For more information on the Southport Springs dedication, call (813) 782-3800.

USDA committing $31.5M to citrus greening disease

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More than $31 million in funding for research and Cooperative Extension Service projects to fight citrus greening disease is being released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Most of the funding for the research comes from the 2014 Farm Bill passed by Congress this past spring, with an additional $6.5 million coming from the USDA budget, officials said.

It’s spearheaded for research to combat huanglongbing, commonly known as citrus greening disease. HLB is a pathogen that is transmitted by insects that causes fruit to yellow and become bitter.

Although it was first recognized in the 1920s, HLB wasn’t found in Florida until the late 1990s, according to published reports.

“USDA is committed to the fight against citrus greening, including making major research investments to counter this destructive disease,” said USDA secretary Tom Vilsack, in a release. “The citrus industry and the thousands of jobs it supports are depending on groundbreaking research to neutralize this threat.”

Because there are wide differences in the occurrence and progression of HLB among the states, there are regional as well as national priorities for the Citrus Disease Research and Education Program, which will disperse research funds. Projects that are multistate, multi-institutional or trans-disciplinary will be considered first, officials said.

Along with the research, the USDA’s HLB Multi-Agency Coordination Group said it was funding three new projects to combat citrus greening.

The first will commit $2 million to field test antimicrobials that have shown promise in combating HLB in laboratory and greenhouse studies.

The second, also funded up to $2 million, will support the deployment of large-scale thermotherapy, since studies have shown heating a tree to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 48 hours can kill the HLB bacterium in the upper tree. That allows the tree to regain productivity, officials said.

A third project will use $2.5 million to establish several model groves in cooperation with Florida Citrus Health Management Areas that would include systematic surveys, timely chemical treatments, new planting strategies, and the removal of dead and abandoned groves.

Vietnam, Korea no longer ‘conflicts’ in Florida

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For years, soldiers who fought in Korea and Vietnam were told they participated in “conflicts.” But Gov. Rick Scott has signed H.B. 559 into law Thursday, which at least in the eyes of Florida, changes those “conflicts” into “wars.”

It might seem like a matter of semantics, but for veterans, using the terms “Korean War” and “Vietnam War” instead of “Korean Conflict” and “Vietnam Era” more accurately reflects the nature of the battles during those years.

The name change will be reflected on Korean War Veteran license plates in Florida, one of several plates the will be redesigned under the legislation to include images of the awards and decorations on the plate. It allows the plates to be more recognizable, and increase awareness of the veterans’ service, according to the governor’s office.

“This legislation is one more way we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice,” Scott said, in a release.

Florida, he said, has the nation’s third largest population of veterans with more than 1.5 million people. The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. It also creates a new special use license place for those who have received the Combat Medical Badge, a plate that was not available to Floridians previously.

“As Americans, we are grateful for the sacrifices made by our veterans to keep us safe and free,” state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said in a release. “This session, we were proud to honor their sacrifices and also create a Combat Medical Badge to recognize contributions of field medics in our military.”

A red, white and blue celebration at Grand Horizons

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Many of our residents return to their summer homes, and some others take motor trips for extended period of times.

But then again, there are many residents who stay year-round at Grand Horizons, and the number is growing constantly.

Carol Wilcox is ready with a glass of wine to toast Memorial Day. (Courtesy of Annmarie Shachewyc)
Carol Wilcox is ready with a glass of wine to toast Memorial Day.
(Courtesy of Annmarie Shachewyc)

Back at Grand Horizons, there are still many functions going on. In addition to shuffleboard that is scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there are now pool exercises that also take place on the same days. The hard part is the fact that you have to choose between the two.

These pool exercises are good, as they not only cool you off, but it is a healthy way to keep in shape. During the summer months, Judy Ellsworth hosts the pool exercises.

We still have bingo every Tuesday night, and this is when people show up, purchase cards, bring “lucky charms” to place in front of them, and hope to be a big winner of the evening. Even if they are not the winner for a certain week, they have fun playing and conversing with others.

The hosts for bingo night are Doug and LuAnne Taylor.

Of course, dominoes are still played every Monday night. This is a fun game, and there is more concentration to it than you think. The main thing is to keep the train growing.

Residents still meet every Wednesday morning for coffee and doughnuts, and also to get the up-and-coming news. Every other week, we have our blood pressure taken, and it’s something important to keep track of.

There was a Ladies Lunch Bunch on May 6. I usually look forward to these as they try to go to a different place each month. This time, the women went to the Island Breeze Cuban Café, hosted by Joyce Bell.

I would have loved to have joined them, but it is a big drive from Connecticut. Guess I will have to wait until I return.

Our monthly lunch connoisseurs were at Golden Corral May 9, hosted by Al and Sandy Lindke. I heard from Sandy, who said there were 24 people, and all had a good time in the Tuttle Room. They spent 90 minutes socializing and eating.

The quilters had their last meeting in May, and will resume again in October. They made stars for May, and will use them during the next meeting for their next project. Wonder what it will be?

There was a Memorial Day picnic May 26 at the community center. I spoke with Carol Wilcox, one of the coordinators of this function, and she told me the event started with Terry Gardner officiating. After the Pledge of Allegiance, our disc jockey resident Gary Wilcox played “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as performed by the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Band.

After that, and original version of “God Bless America,” done by the legendary Kate Smith, was played.

Terry said a few words about our armed forces, and all attending veterans were asked to stand. “Taps,” by the Arlington Cemetery Ceremonial Band, was played in memory of our deceased veterans.

The event drew 87 residents, and the community center was well-decorated for the event. Rich Lydecker did the hamburger and hot dog grilling, and he sure had his hands full because as soon as he started cooking, the rain and wind came in full force.

It was quite a challenge, but it turned out fine. The wind fueled the fire on the outside grill.

Besides the hamburgers and hot dogs, there also was a potluck with plenty of wonderful food available like potato salad, macaroni salad, fruit salad, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and relish trays. There also were a lot of desserts — the Social Club provided a large cake.

Gary Wilcox and some residents stayed for dancing and music.

There are these activities and more, enough to satisfy anyone. You can be as busy as you wish to be at Grand Horizons.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published June 11, 2014

Summer wrong time to be scammed by shady solar contractors

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With summer arriving, homeowners are looking for new ways to go green. And they might find solar energy as the perfect alternative.

While it can help save the environment with the added benefit of saving a little money, too, the Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners to be smart about investing in any type of improvement project.

While there are a number of home improvement scams that exist, solar energy scams are one that many may not be familiar with, the BBB said. Fraudulent contractors prey on those who are unfamiliar with the product, with issues ranging from installation to the actual panels themselves.

In 2013, consumers contacted the BBB nearly 84,000 times about solar energy equipment and systems dealers. The organization also received 259 complaints on solar energy dealers that ranged from contract and service issues, to customer service problems.

“Consumers need to be familiar with solar panels and how the benefits will affect them before investing their money,” said Karen Nalven, president of BBB Serving West Florida, in a release. “It’s especially important for homeowners to do their research before hiring a contractor to install solar energy products.”

There are a number of state and federal rebates that offer a reduction in the initial costs of solar products. However, consumers should be wary of the less-than-reputable and unqualified contractors that come into town offering such services at discount prices.

The BBB offers the following tips when investing in solar energy:

  • Discuss with the electric company. Due to the high costs associated with the initial investment of solar power, it is important to conduct a self-energy audit to determine if solar energy is even right for a home. If a monthly bill, for example, is less than $100, there may be other ways to save energy that costs less.

Also, be sure to ask about the local, state and federal laws concerning the standards and codes of the solar panels.

  • Solar energy requires sun. Find out an average how many sunny days a home sees annually. As with every product or service, comparison shop with several businesses to ensure getting the best deal.
  • Inquire about tax credits. Found out the amount of tax credits offered for the amount of energy that is generated. Ask about the length of time it takes to receive the tax credits, and if the credits themselves will be taxed.
  • Settle the details. Be cautious of installers that promise no out-of-pocket costs prior to reviewing specific situations. Be wary if an installer suggests obtaining credit for the full amount of the system, even though they are promising very low or no costs due to rebates.

Ask what will happen if the business promises a certain percentage of savings from a utility bill, but the amount of savings is not achieved.

  • Make sure the roof is equipped to sustain a solar panel system. Even though a properly installed solar system will not damage a roof, making sure the roof is in good condition before beginning the installation can help avoid any future problems.

For more about the Better Business Bureau, visit BBB.org.

Hair emergencies are not a problem for Rebecca

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Rebecca Weeks, owner of Rebecca Does Hair in Wesley Chapel, schedules appointments to meet the clients needs. “If a client needs a midnight appointment, then I’ll be here,” says Rebecca. “Hair emergencies are not a problem. If something comes up and you need your hair styled at the last minute, I’ll make time for you.”

She started out working in a large salon in 2010 after graduating from the prestigious Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology in Tampa. Her dedication and excellence won her a trip to Las Vegas to study with Paul’s top stylists, learning color, cutting, styling and finishing.

Rebecca opened her own salon in September 2013. “It was scary starting out on my own,” says Rebecca. “I began with 4 clients my first week. Word of mouth has helped me to grow my business successfully.”

She left the large salon due to the impersonal atmosphere there. “It was impossible to get to know my customers,” says Rebecca. “I like to get to know my clients personally. I see the person sitting in my chair as a friend, not just a customer.”

Her clients love her salon. It’s a one-seat salon where she can focus on her client without distractions or interruptions. The atmosphere is calm, relaxed and very personable. “I schedule appointments so no one feels rushed,” says Rebecca. “I make sure each client has plenty of time for special attention.”

One nice thing about a one-seat salon is that clients don’t have to worry about odors from another workstation. For clients who are especially sensitive to chemicals, she schedules their appointments when the salon air is fresh and clean.

Rebeccaworks with all ages and types of hair. “Many of my clients have curly hair,” says Rebecca. “They tell their curly-haired friends about me. That seems strange since I have straight hair, but they love what I do for them.”

She also receives a lot of compliments for her ability to add body and volume to very fine hair. Rebecca primarily uses Redken color, but she also has an organic color line (Organic Colour System) which is especially nice for pregnant women concerned about chemical odors. Her services include perms, up-dos and hair extensions.

Rebecca originally enrolled in college for nursing, then changed her major and graduated with a degree in digital publishing. But her work wasn’t fulfilling. It was her mother who suggested hair styling. Rebecca had always enjoyed styling her family and friend’s hair. She decided to follow her passion and is very happy with her career choice

She lives in Wesley Chapel with husband and 9-year-old daughter. “I was born in Tennessee,” says Rebecca. “We moved here before I was two, so I consider myself a true Floridian. I’ve never even seen snow. A lot of my clients moved down here to get away from the snow. Maybe one day I’ll take my daughter up north to play in the snow. I think that would be fun, as long as I don’t have to shovel it.”

Rebecca is active in the community. She recently volunteered to cut hair at Watergrass Elementary School with proceeds going to Relay for Life.

Rebecca Does Hair is located at 27551 Cashford Circle, Suite 101 in Wesley Chapel, behind Sam’s Club. visit online at RebeccaDoesHair.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Cash no longer good on parts of Veterans Expressway come Friday

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Travelers making their way south on the Veterans Expressway will no longer need to use cash once they get past Sugarwood.

The last cash toll at Anderson Road’s toll plaza will be collected early Friday before all traffic on the road converts to all-electronic tolling. And by the end of the summer, all of the plazas leading up to Hutchison Road will follow suit.

Taking a lead from the Crosstown Expressway, tolls instead will be collected either through a SunPass transponder, or through the Florida Turnpike’s Toll-By-Plate system, which involves scanning plates and sending the registered owner of that plate a bill for the toll — plus a possible administration fee.

Safety, however, is the biggest concern for those leading the conversion to cashless tolls. Drivers are asked to not slow down or stop in the tollbooth areas, but instead travel at posted speed limits. Otherwise, there is a fear of accidents in areas that used to collect tolls.

Also, on June 13, there will be detours for northbound motorists beginning at midnight between Waters Avenue and Gunn Highway. Southbound motorists will get a similar detour beginning Saturday at 9 p.m. between Gunn and Waters. This will allow work crews time to install final equipment and to calibrate, according to a release.

Additional detours and lane closures will take place June 18-22. Complete removal of the toll plaza structures at Anderson is expected to take several months.

Drivers who use SunPass will typically be charged lower tolls than the standard fare, and won’t be assessed administrative fees. Those using Toll-By-Plate could see fees up to $2.50 per invoice, which are sent out monthly. Florida Turnpike officials say up to 84 percent of all drivers on the Veterans Expressway and Suncoast Parkway already use SunPass, and more than 150,000 motorists use the Veterans every day.

The conversion is part of the $380 million widening of the Veterans, the first major construction project on the road since it opened in October 1994.

For more information on the cashless tolling on a road heavily used by those who live or work in Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties, visit FloridasTurnpike.com, or call (800) 749-7453.