The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In Print: Germany looks to Pasco for that nude you

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Next month, Pasco County will be featured prominently on Germany’s second-largest television station, and it’s all thanks to the diverse — and pretty sizable — nudist community here.

Charlene Ierna, right, brings an alligator to Lake Como to help spark the interest of a German film crew on hand for a documentary airing in Europe next month. (Photo by Michael Hinman
Charlene Ierna, right, brings an alligator to Lake Como to help spark the interest of a German film crew on hand for a documentary airing in Europe next month. (Photo by Michael Hinman

A film crew spent a week in the area visiting places like Lake Como and Paradise Lakes, exploring the naked life outside of Europe. And it could mean a further European tourist boom to the county.

“This has been a niche kind of tourism for Pasco all these years,” retired firefighter and nudism activist Pam Oakes told reporter Michael Hinman. “There was an opportunity to reach out to Europe where there are 50 million naturists alone, and they speak English.”

The story of nudism was told from the perspective of German couple Peter and Luise Krause, and you can read all about what this trip could mean in this week’s print edition of The Laker. You can also read the online edition for free by clicking here.

As executive director of Farmworkers Self-Help Inc., and her own work as a community activist, Margarita Romo has spent years pushing to make in-state college tuition prices available for undocumented students. And with the single stroke of Gov. Rick Scott’s pen this past week, she finally achieved that goal, opening the door for higher education for more people who now call Florida home.

“We’re very happy that we got what we got,” Romo told reporter B.C. Manion. “It’s been a long time coming. You can pick enough orange to pay in-state tuition, but you cannot pick enough oranges to pay out-of-state tuition.”

You can read the full story in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read our online print edition by clicking here.

Sam-I-Am may like green eggs and ham, but Blake High School freshman Cameron LeVine simply likes being green.

LeVine is taking on the roles of the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle in the upcoming New Tampa Players’ musical production of “Seussical.”

“I am so honored,” LeVine told reporter Michael Murillo. “The Grinch is my favorite out of the Dr. Seuss stories. I love how over the top mean he is, but not in a bad way.”

LeVine and his sister, who also is appearing in the play, hail from Lutz. They will join a cast of more than 30 people who will put this production on at CrossPointe Church of the Nazarene in Lutz beginning in August.

To read more about “Seussical” and LeVine’s role, check out this week’s print edition of the Lutz News. You also can read it free online by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Tax collector raises $10,000 for Sertoma

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office collected donations totaling a little more than $9,900 during its may promotion on behalf of the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation.

The money came from some 3,600 residents donating an average of $2.75 each, and will help 13,000 students in schools who need speech and hearing services.

“We have not seen this kind of success since 2009,” said Craig McCart, executive director of Sertoma’s Florida division, in a release. “Your support will make a difference in the lives of many children in Pasco County.”

The tax collector’s office encouraged motorists to check off a box on their driver license and motor vehicle registration that would donate money to Sertoma throughout May. The organization also accepted cash donations from those who might not be renewing registrations, but still wanted a chance to give.

“This fine community organization has a long track record of providing valuable services to children with speech and hearing concerns,” county tax collector Mike Fasano said, in a release. “These funds raised through this promotion will go a long way towards ensuring that each child in need will be screened for hearing impairments and speech difficulties.”

To learn more about Sertoma’s services and how to donate, visit FamilyHearingHelp.org.

Governor to attend USAA groundbreaking

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Military-oriented insurance company USAA is breaking ground with the governor Tuesday at a new facility near Brandon, but those who enjoy the presence of the company in New Tampa will have nothing to worry about.

The ceremony will include Gov. Rick Scott at 2 p.m., on what is the future site of United Services Automobile Association at Crosstown Center, 9527 Delaney Creek Blvd., in Tampa.

The new campus is set to employ an additional 1,100 to USAA’s local work force, which will supplement the existing 500,000-square-foot facility on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, just off Interstate 75.

Last January, USAA’s vice president and general manager in Tampa, Robert Hoyland, assured members of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce that new construction is sign of the company expanding its footprint in the region, not moving.

“You might ask, ‘You’re up here and (have) been successful, why are you going all the way down here?” Hoyland said at the time. “If you ever go to Brandon, you’ll find that a large concentration of active duties and veterans live there. By putting this building there, it helps us with one of our targets as a company — that 20 percent of the work force we hire is either veterans or spouses of veterans.”

USAA has been expanding into markets beyond insurance, including mortgages, wealth management and investments. That growth has already caused USAA to outgrow its current New Tampa location, and add 500 jobs to two temporary locations in Tampa.

Free isn’t always free, especially with cell phones

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A full-page ad that appeared in a South Florida newspaper in May has caught the attention of the Better Business Bureau, which warns consumers that just because someone claims a product is free doesn’t mean it is free.

The ad, according to the consumer advocacy organization, offered “easy-to-use senior mobile cell phones free” for senior citizens. The advertiser is a company that has earned an F-rating with the BBB because of its lengthy negative advertising and complaint industry.

According to the ad, for a one-time activation fee of $97 plus shipping, those who had beat a 48-hour deadline would receive a free cell phone, get nationwide coverage with no long-distance charges, would not have to sign any contracts, make no deposits, or pay no monthly bills. The bill also repeatedly expresses that senior citizens are risking their safety by not having a cell phone, and that the government urges them to carry one, the BBB said.

The organization first became aware of this ad in May 2013 in West Virginia, and an investigation there showed that the company inflates the costs of its activation fees to cover and profit from what’s advertised as “free,” BBB officials said.

The offer would charge consumers $97 plus shipping for access to 911 services, which already are provided by all wireless carriers for free. And while there are no monthly bills, consumers must pay for minutes once their first 250 prepaid minutes are used, or after 60 days.

BBB officials say the best way to avoid issues like this is to make sure, as a customer, that all the terms of the offer are read and understood. If something doesn’t make sense, be sure to ask.

Also, customers should always question free offers. The BBB Code of Advertising states that the word “free” can be used whenever the advertiser is offering an unconditional gift. If that free item is conditional on a purchase, the advertiser must make that clear and conspicuous with the free offer — and not simply by placing an asterisk next to the word “free” with a footnote.

Customers can always check out the reliability of a company by visiting BBB.org. The Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America that serves Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

Chuck Darby joining pet family fun day

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Chuck Darby, a defensive tackle who earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be the special guest at a family fun day scheduled for June 21 in Land O’ Lakes.

The event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m., will take place at Pasco County Animal Services, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. The primary focus of the event is to help adopt some of the pets that are at the facility, and casting some light on two adoption specials that offers dogs for $35 and cats for $15.

Darby, who retired after playing with the Detroit Lions in 2009, will be on-hand to meet and greet between noon and 1:30 p.m. Chick-fil-A will host games and prizes between noon and 2 p.m.

For more information on the event, visit PascoCountyFl.net/PAS.

Simpson interested in ‘Unsung Heroes’

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State Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is looking for nominations of people living within his senate district who are ‘Unsung Heroes.’

The program is open to people living in Pasco, Hernando and Sumter counties, and is designed to recognize the hard work of those who don’t normally seek out public recognition to make a difference in the lives of others.

“Senate District 18 is home to many communities, all with their own vibrant histories and local treasures,” Simpson said in a release. “What makes these communities particularly special are the people who make a positive difference, whether it be in their place of work, their neighborhood, or by volunteering.”

The program, Simpson said, will recognize residents who have gone above and beyond to enrich the area.

The form, which can be downloaded here, can be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to Simpson’s office. The email address is , and the fax number is (888) 263-4821.

Nominations can also be mailed to 322 Senate Office Building, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL, 32399.

 

Pasco schools get good news in reading, science

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Florida schools are transitioning into the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, and some proof of the success of that move already is showing up in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores.

Pasco County schools showed improvement in reading and science, but has room for improvement when it comes to math, based on test details released by Pasco County Schools on Friday.

“We are seeing that what we are doing is starting to pay off,” said Vanessa Hilton, director of teaching and learning with the school district, in a release. “We are starting to see strengths in the cohorts of students who have been receiving instruction based on the new Florida Standards as they progress from grade to grade.”

Several schools demonstrated significant improvement on the FCAT 2.0 Reading sections in 2014 compared to the year before. The biggest increases came from local elementary schools like Taylor, Pasco, Cox, New River, West Zephyrhills and Watergrass. They also improved with seventh graders at Academy at the Farm, and underclassmen at Pasco eSchool and Wesley Chapel High School.

For science, 52 percent of students in fifth grade were performing at or above satisfactory scores, while 52 percent of students in eighth grade had similar results. This is up 49 percent from the previous year in fifth grade, and 48 percent in eighth grade.

A little more than 25 elementary schools in the county maintained or increased the percent of students scoring at or above satisfactory levels, joined by 11 middle schools. Odessa, Pasco, Seven Oaks and Watergrass elementary schools were some of the local schools that had significant improvement in science, along with Pasco and Stewart middle schools.

The picture wasn’t so rosy when it came to math, however. The percentage of elementary school students in Pasco scoring at satisfactory levels was below the statewide percentage. However, some schools had some marked improvement in math, including Centennial, Odessa, Cox, New River, San Antonio, Taylor, Watergrass and West Zephyrhills elementary schools. Pasco and Long middle schools also had strong improvement in math, as did Academy at the Farm.

“This was a year of transition, and we know that our teachers have been focusing on the new Florida Standards in the classroom,” Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning said, in a release. “It will be important for us to consider not only these scores, but also additional data that our schools have been collecting to make decisions as we move forward.”

Fish next two weekends without a license

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is allowing fishers to take to the waterways without the need for a recreational fishing license.

Saltwater license-free fishing is available June 7 and June 8, while freshwater license-free fishing will take place June 14 and June 15.

The program is designed to introduce people to fishing, without having to go through the licensing process just to check it out, Gov. Rick Scott said, in a release.

“These designated license-free fishing days are a great opportunity for Floridians to celebrate summer with their families and loved ones, enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors, cast a line and get hooked on fishing,” he said.

These license-free fishing days fall near National Fishing and Boating Week, a national observance of fishing and boating, which runs through June 8. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s website is place the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people can learn about events sponsored by businesses and communities throughout the week. It also has local fishing sites, helps identify recreational species, and even provides fishing tips.

June is not the only time fishers can grab their pole without a license. The first Saturday in September and the first Saturday after Thanksgiving have also been designated as license-free saltwater fishing days, and the first full weekend in April is a designated license-free freshwater fishing weekend.

All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions still apply, however.

HART wants public input on Route 51X changes

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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority is hosting two community meetings and a public hearing about changes the organization expects to make to a popular bus route that links Pasco County to downtown Tampa.

HART has three options that it’s considering for its Route 51X. The first would be to continue morning and afternoon express service between Pasco and downtown Tampa, providing hourly midday service between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., between HART’s University Area Transit Center and southern Pasco via Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

The second option would be to discontinue direct express service between Pasco and downtown Tampa in favor of continual hourly midday service between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. along a similar route. Those riders wishing to go downtown can use other routes that would take them from the University transit center.

The final option would be to still discontinue direct express service in favor of continual hourly midday service between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., with additional stops at the University of South Florida. Once again, riders who want to go downtown could take another bus from one of those stops.

The changes are being made based on ridership trends, and to help improve cost-efficiency of the system, according to a release from HART.

The first open house is planned for June 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd. the second open house is set for June 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New Tampa Community Center, 17302 Commerce Park Blvd.

A public hearing is scheduled for July 8 beginning at 5 p.m. at New Tampa Library.

Riders also can email comments to .

Recommendations will be made to the HART board of directors in September, with implementation set for November.

Maps for the proposed changes to Route 51X can be found by clicking here.

For more information, call (813) 254-4278.

 

School sends eighth-graders out to discover the world

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A dozen eighth-graders at Countryside Montessori Charter School have experienced something few, if any, of their peers have in the Land O’ Lakes area.

The soon-to-be-graduates were among the first to take on the task of interning at local businesses throughout the week of May 19. They spent several hours of their day at a variety of businesses in the local area, from schools to pet day care centers.

Ashley Schrader, an eighth-grader at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes, chats with The Laker/Lutz News senior account manager Terri Williamson, during her recent internship at the paper. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Ashley Schrader, an eighth-grader at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes, chats with The Laker/Lutz News senior account manager Terri Williamson, during her recent internship at the paper.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

The students developed their own internship preparation while their teacher, Bobbianne Grant, implemented the idea of gaining real-world experience in a range of professional settings.

This particular program was the first time the school has allowed students to participate in internships with a goal of achieving a better feel for their future professions.

Based on its success this year, Countryside plans to continue the internship program next year for seventh and eighth graders.

“The internships give the eighth-grade students the opportunity to experience the work force before going into high school,” said Grant, the Countryside teacher leading the project.

Grant gave these students, including this writer, the ability to successfully experience different work atmospheres and assist in each company’s needs.

Many students said they had a positive experience and learned a great deal of work skills. Their feedback has given the school valuable input to help its students in future internship programs in high school and college.

The students who participated in the program said they appreciated the opportunity that was given to them, and hope they will be able to engage in a similar task in their futures.

“Internships are like an opportunity for us to see the real world,” said Devyn Dacus, 13, one of a dozen students that participated in the internships. “Since we are not yet adults, internships are one of the few chances we have to see the work force.”

Dacus interned at Countryside Montessori Academy, one of two preschool and kindergarten divisions related to the Montessori program. It’s located on Carson Drive, a few miles from the main charter school campus at Ehren Cutoff.

“At the preschool I was interning at, I had a great experience,” Dacus added. “It made me realize how tedious it actually is to care for toddlers.”

Her classmate, Abby Kuskin, did her internship at Grace Family Church in Lutz and Black Saddle Stables in Odessa and Land O’ Lakes. She said the experiences were cool and interesting, and it could help her achieve a dream of owning her own nonprofit children’s ministry home.

The school’s seventh graders also were allowed to participate in internships by shadowing the elementary school teachers at Countryside and experiencing a school day from the teacher’s point of view.

“The shadowing was a great experience,” said Julia Leck, one of the participating seventh graders in the project.

The program — led by Grant and her colleagues at Countryside — allowed the interns to gain experiences and memories they can apply to their own future careers.

Ashley Schrader spent a week as an intern at The Laker/Lutz News as part of Countryside Montessori Charter School’s careers project.

The businesses that participated in the Countryside Montessori Charter School internship program, and the students who interned, included:

• A Perfect Smile, Natalia Estrada
• Victory Lane Motorcars, Dinah Miranda
• Central Bark Doggie Day Care, Jayden Trenchik and Katie Champion
• Countryside Montessori Academy, Devyn Dacus
• On Your Toes, Brianna Lusk
• MediTech Medical Center, Sam Talero
• Grace Family Church and Black Saddle Stables, Abby Kuskin
• Quality Pet, Owen Robison
• The Laker/Lutz News, Ashley Schrader

By Ashley Schrader

Published June 4, 2014