The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Model train show coming to Pioneer Florida Museum

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Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City is hosting a model train show March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This collection of model train layouts, railroad memorabilia and hobby shop vendors will take place in the museum’s Mabel Jordan Barn, a 7,000-square-foot showroom, that will have several model train layouts. At the same time, the historic Trilby Depot will be open and on display, with a working telegraph and running model railroad.

The museum’s 1913 Porter 10 wheeler, once owned and used by the Cummer Cypress Co., will be open and on display.

Special admission for this event is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $2 for children between 6 and 18. Parking is free.

The Pioneer Florida Museum is located at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, one mile north of Dade City.

For information, call (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Struggling with reverse mortgage? Relief is here

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Elderly homeowners will have a little help with reverse mortgages through a new program through the Florida Housing Finance Corp.

Called the Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program, or “Elmore,” this program is designed to assist homeowners with home equity conversion mortgages, better known as reverse mortgages, who are struggling making property tax and homeowners insurance payments.

Because of that, these homeowners could face foreclosure for nonpayment of these required expenses.

“There are thousands of reverse mortgages in Florida that are in delinquency,” said Steve Auger, executive director for Florida Housing, in a release. “After implementing other (‘Hardest-Hit Fund’) programs that target the more ‘traditional’ homeowner, it is now time to help homeowners who are in the twilight of their years, on a fixed income, experiencing a hardship, and facing foreclosure. This new program should help them sustain their homes, while they look at ways to free up income to pay their homeowner expenses moving forward.”

The program is being conducted in cooperation with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Fannie Mae, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Florida has been allotted $25 million to help distressed homeowners with the program.

Reverse mortgages offer unique benefits to elderly homeowners, allowing them to access the equity in their homes. However, with a reverse mortgage, homeowners have specific responsibilities that are set by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which insures most reverse mortgages, including the timely payment of property-related expenses.

If the homeowner falls behind on those obligations, the servicer may issue a demand for payment-in-full of the reverse mortgage, or even foreclose on the property.

The Elmore program is designed for those who demonstrate they will be able to reasonably recover from the hardship that contributed to the property-related expenses becoming delinquent.

Florida homeowners with reverse mortgages who want to see if they qualify for the Elmore program should first contact their reverse mortgage servicer. If the servicer is unable to assist, the homeowner should then call the Elmore application and information line at (800) 601-3534.

Additional information is available online at FloridaElmore.org, or at KnowYourOptions.com/reverse.

In Print: Shootout is coming, and weapon of choice? Cameras

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How are your photography skills?

Well, no matter how good (or bad) you might be, a noted Land O’ Lakes nature photographer couple is ready to share some of their tricks with you.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a popular landmark for tourists visiting the Tampa Bay area. In this shot, Jason Hahn captures the beauty of the bridge at sunset. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a popular landmark for tourists visiting the Tampa Bay area. In this shot, Jason Hahn captures the beauty of the bridge at sunset. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)

Jason and Nicole Hahn, owners of Outdoor Photo Workshops, are planning their Tampa Bay Photo Shootout during the first week in April. And it’s for all kinds of photographers, whether you have the top-of-the-line camera, a regular digital point-and-shoot, or even smartphones.

“You do have these fairly sophisticated cameras in smartphones,” Jason Hahn told reporter B.C. Manion. “They take good pictures, but you’ve got to learn how to do it right.”

The couple already have a two-day workshop they host in South Dakota that draws some 200 photographers annually.

One type of photo that might prove to be elusive to many is that coveted sports photo, especially when it’s your child who’s participating. And the cameras definitely were out for the Weightman Middle School Wildcats as the girls soccer team there finished the season undefeated.

“It’s been a while since I coached middle school and coached girls, but I was pleasantly surprised by the talent at the other schools,” Weightman head coach Brian Dorkowski told reporter Michael Murillo. “We won by wide margins, but most of our games were against talented teams. The other teams had very talented players as well. These were good teams that we were beating.”

And this success just continues from last year where the Wildcats’ only record blemish was a tie that started that season.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a coach,” Dorkowski said. “I told the girls at the end of the year that if we hadn’t won any games, I would have felt the same way because they were just so pleasant to coach, just the way you’d want them to be.”

Weightman Middle might be the pride of Wesley Chapel thanks to its girls soccer team, but the area also can be proud of how much its medical base continues to grow along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, especially now that Florida Medical Clinic has plans to open an 85,000-square-foot facility in the shadow of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

This will be the third-largest facility Florida Medical Clinic runs after its Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes campuses.

“We have a lot of physicians in the Seven Oaks area that are in independent buildings,” Gus Taylor, Florida Medical Clinic’s chief administrative officer, told reporter Michael Hinman. “This helps us provide more services for our patients. It’s extremely convenient when you can go to one location and see all of your doctors and primary doctors.”

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 find out where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800.

Grants available to spay, neuter animals

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Florida Animal Friend, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted cats and dogs throughout Florida, is offering a grant for organizations striving to make a difference in the pet over-population problem by providing free or low-cost spay and neuter programs.

Each grant application is reviewed by a committee and scored in a number of areas including targeting important animal populations, ability to increase surgery numbers above the existing baseline, the cost-benefit ratio, the track record of the applicant, and the applicant’s sustainability.

Once applicants make it past the committee, Florida Animal Friend’s board of directors review applications.

“The goal of our grant process is to provide funds to assist in spay and neuter costs for deserving organizations throughout the state,” said Lois Kostroski, executive director of Florida Animal Friend, in a release.

Grant winners will be announced in August, but applications have to be submitted by April 1 at 8 p.m.

For more information on the grant, visit FloridaAnimalFriend.org.

How much will it cost this year to pay taxes?

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Taxpayers looking to hire a professional to complete their 2013 tax return can expect to pay an average of $261 for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A, according to a new report from the National Society of Accountants.

“The IRS says it takes an average of four hours just to complete and submit a Form 1040,” said John Ams, executive vice president of NSA, in a release. “You have to ask, ‘How much is your time worth?’”

Fee information was collected in a survey of tax preparers conducted by the NSA. The tax and accounting firms surveyed are largely owners, principals and partners of local “main street” companies who have an average of more than 26 years experience.

Other average fees include:

• $218 for a Form 1040 Schedule C (business)
• $590 for a Form 1065 (partnership)
• $806 for a Form 1120 (corporation)
• $761 for a Form 1120S (S corporation)
• $497 for a form 1041 (fiduciary)
• $667 for a Form 990 (tax exempt)
• $63 for a Form 940 (federal unemployment)
• $142 for a Schedule D (gains and losses)
• $165 for Schedule E (rental)
• $196 for Schedule F (farm)

The cost to prepare a Form 1040 with Schedule A varies by region, typically costing $270 in the south Atlantic region, which includes Florida and eight other states and territories. The most expensive was in the Pacific region — states like Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington — at $303, while the cheapest was in the east north central region — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin — at $238.

Of those surveyed, nearly 90 percent of accounting firms offer prospective clients a free consultation, which could be worth well more than $100. Also, 60 percent of firms do not require payment until returns are completed. Others may require a portion of the fee upfront, or payments throughout the tax return process.

All the fees, of course, assume the taxpayer has gathered and organized all necessary information. Extensions could cost an average of $44, while expediting a return could cost around $78.

For more information on how to find tax preparers through the NSA, visit www.NSAcct.org, or call (800) 966-6679.

Tallahassee meeting lays groundwork for elevated road discussion

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The State Road 54/56 corridor was the primary topic of conversation between Pasco County administrator Michele Baker and Pasco County Commission chair Jack Mariano with Florida Department of Transportation secretary Ananth Prasad in Tallahassee last week. And, of course, the proposed elevated toll road planned to link U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills with U.S. 19 near New Port Richey, was part of that discussion.

“This is a very unique opportunity for Pasco County,” Prasad said in a release. “It’s not every day that a private company offers to come in and design, construct and maintain a new roadway with no costs to taxpayers.”

But the project is not exactly being well-received by everyone. A group of residents along the State Road 54/56 corridor have organized in recent weeks to oppose it. This, among other things, has pushed Baker to suggest public meetings discussing the proposal happen sooner rather than later.

“It is very important that we inform our residents of the projected need to address traffic congestion, and the alternatives available,” Baker said in a release.

Mariano, however, is not convinced.

“I want to make sure Secretary Prasad looks at all of our options,” he said, in a release. “Projects like the Ridge Road extension should also be brought into the discussion to help alleviate any traffic congestion on State Roads 54 and 52, and provide another hurricane evacuation route.”

A proposed extension of Ridge Road has been tied up with environmental concerns.

Although it’s not part of the official group of public meetings to introduce the elevated road concept to the public, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is holding a town hall meeting Monday to discuss that and other planned growth development along the growing corridor. That begins at 7 p.m. at the Sunlake High School gymnasium, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

“This proposal has the potential to create numerous jobs for Floridians, improve traffic flow in Pasco County, and enhance economic development,” Prasad said. “However, we want to hear what the community wants to help with growing congestion in this area.”

The first official meeting is planned for March 15 at Fresh Market at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. That meeting begins at 10 a.m.

Finalists announced for ‘Spotlight on Talent’ competition

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The preliminary competition for the 31st annual “Spotlight on Talent” is complete, with 100 acts and a total of 200 students competing during the 14-hour audition process.

The annual event, hosted by the Heritage Arts Center Association in Dade City, has expanded to two final shows because of the huge increase in applicants and what organizers describe as a jump in the quality of talent. In fact, 64 scoring acts — 126 students — were chosen to perform March 29 at noon, with more scheduled that same day beginning at 7 p.m.

Both shows will be held at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, with adult tickets starting at $12, and students through high school $6. Tickets are only available at the door.

All the final performances will be awarded a trophy, and two professional panels of judges will have the task of selecting winners for cash prizes. In total, more than $4,000 in cash, trophies and ribbons will be presented to winners in 10 different categories.

The finalist performances vary in style from jazz to classical and Broadway, to rock.

Because of its more than 30-year history, the competition has come full circle with “Spotlight” alums now in positions of responsibility for the production. Two assistant producers for example — Alicia Polk Guanio and Rebecca Friedman Groomes — were annual contestants from 5 years old. The competition itself costs more than $14,000, funded by donations from individuals and businesses.

Heritage Arts also will present its $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship to a graduating Pasco County senior who receives the highest judges scores the night of the finals. Last year’s recipient was Shelby Martin, who is now a student at Florida State University.

Finalists include:

For Act I (ages 6-11): Allison Crump, Taylor Hernandez, Victoria Rose Huerta, Vincent Pham, Bernadette Richter, Gracie Scaglione and Lily Viet.

(Age 12): Ryan Jones, Julianna Mazza, Macy Pickerall, Blaise Ryndes, Mark Thivierge and Josie Virge

(Seventh Grade): Samantha Aubin, Maria Hernandez, Megan Phillips, Mina Scaglione and Shelby Surratt.

(Eighth Grade): Maitlin Hart, Hannah Knight, Emma Lawrence, Minerva Nong, Carson Rio, Lizandra Spainhour and Teresa Tompkins.

(Younger Groups): FearingStar, Showbiz, Showtime and The Phelps Sisters.

For Act II (age 14): Grace Alexander, Molly Bentley, Brianna Duncan, Courtney Graham, Jessie Hart, Alex Mercier, Victoria Neukom, Rose Phelps and Alexis Rosario.

(Ages 15-16): Claire Alexander, Rosie Fields, Clare Hernandez, Shelby Johnson, Danielle Pacifico, Nicole Sargent, David Singh and James Williams.

(Age 17): Jordan Allison, Kevin Hernandez, Jessica Holt, Courtney Nathe, Sarah Piersall, Riley Reardon, Danielle Saad and Logan White.

(Age 18): Joseph McGill, Nicolas Remy, Katie Ruffell, Katie Sutton and Angela Tompkins.

(Older Groups): Devin and Vanessa, Flowers Ferguson, Joseph and Maggie McGill, Showstoppers and Star Company.

For more information, visit HeritageArts.org.

Email service comes to Pasco County Jail

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Email service is on its way to the Pasco County Jail … for a fee.

SmartJailMail is being installed at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, and is currently accepting applications from residents who wish to set up an account. It is not costing taxpayers money, but instead will be paid for by family members and friends of inmates who wish to utilize the program, according to a release.

A total of 77 kiosks are being set up in the detention center’s housing units, which will allow the inmates to read and send email to those who have approved accounts. Only email and photos sent through SmartJailMail accounts will be permitted, although inmates themselves will not be able to send photos.

Detention deputies will monitor emails and photos, just as outgoing phone calls made by inmates are currently monitored. Failure to follow the guidelines of the program could result in the cancellation of a user’s account.

Before SmartJailMail, inmates in the detention center were only allowed to receive postcards and pre-approved pictures through the U.S. Postal Service. The new email system will allow up to about eight pages of text sent for each email.

In addition to email, inmates will be able to make service requests via the kiosks, which include library services, chaplain meetings, and other social service programs. Inmates also will be able to review inmate rules and regulations, and provide tips to active criminal cases, such as the sheriff’s office’s “Caught on Camera” photographs.

Each email costs 50 cents to send, with each photo costing $1. Family members and friends can place funds into an inmate’s account so they have credits to both send and receive email and photos. Indigent inmates will be credited two emails every Saturday, which will expire that same day at midnight if they are not used.

The contract for SmartJailMail calls for 25 percent of profits to be returned to the inmate welfare account, which is used for inmate programs and services.

For more information, visit SmartJailMail.com.

Wearable defibrillator jolts Dade City man back to life seven times

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Robert Messer of Dade City has a story to share that he knows will save lives.

It begins this past December, just weeks after he married his high school girlfriend whom he had reconnected with after more than 40 years.

Robert and Carlene Messer at their Nov. 26, 2013 wedding.
Robert and Carlene Messer at their Nov. 26, 2013 wedding.

Not long after the wedding Robert started having chest pains, but wasn’t overly concerned because he had no history of heart disease and otherwise felt great.

His new wife, Carlene, however, wasn’t so sure and after the holidays insisted her husband see his doctor, Dr. Paul Hughes at Florida Medical Clinic in Zephyrhills. Dr. Hughes has been Robert’s family doctor since 1995.

Dr. Hughes discovered that Robert had indeed suffered a heart attack and referred him immediately to Dr. Nadim Khan, a Florida Medical Clinic cardiologist.

Dr. Khan checked Robert into the Heart Institute at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and another FMC cardiologist, Vladimir Curkovic, M.D, did a procedure to place a stent in Robert’s heart to open a clogged artery.

Before sending him home, Drs. Khan and Curkovic prescribed the LifeVest – a wearable defibrillator Robert was to wear that would monitor his heart 24 hours a day for three months.

Even with the new stent in place, Robert’s heart attack had weakened his heart muscle and put him at an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest. If Robert were to go into cardiac arrest after he was discharged, his doctors knew the LifeVest could save his life because 95% of cardiac arrest victims die before emergency medical assistance arrives.

“I really wasn’t too crazy about wearing a vest 24/7 for three months,” said Robert. “But Carlene insisted, and it was a good thing she did.”

LifeVest is an FDA-approved medical device that has been prescribed to more than 100,000 patients and is covered by most insurance companies. It acts as a defibrillator and automatically shocks the heart if it gets out of rhythm or stops beating.

And that’s what happened to Robert.

Just two days after getting home from the hospital, Robert and Carlene were watching TV and dozed off during a movie.

As they slept, Robert’s heart stopped beating in sudden cardiac arrest. Instantly, his LifeVest detected the emergency and delivered multiple shocks to his heart to restore a normal heart rhythm.

When the LifeVest went into action, Carlene woke in panic to the vest’s loud alarms and immediately called 911. Thankfully, Robert regained consciousness by the time paramedics arrived and an ambulance raced the couple to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, with Robert still wearing his LifeVest.

At the hospital, Robert had another cardiac arrest and was again saved by his LifeVest.

“The LifeVest saved my life seven times that night,” said Robert. “There’s no doubt I would have died if Dr. Khan had not prescribed it, and if my wife had not insisted that I wear it.”

At the hospital, Robert continued to wear his LifeVest until his condition stabilized and a permanent pacemaker/defibrillator was implanted beneath the skin on his chest. Robert went home after eight days, but this time without a LifeVest because the implant now gives him long-term protection from sudden cardiac death.

Roberts tells the story how LifeVest saved his life to anyone who will listen.

“I want people to know how important it is to listen to your doctor and do what they say, even if they want you to do something that at first may seem uncomfortable,” said Robert.

“Every day I count my blessings and thank Dr. Khan and the cardiac team at Florida Medical Clinic. They saved my life by prescribing LifeVest and by giving me the best possible care.”

Robert and Carlene are once again looking forward to their marriage and new life together.

“Not a lot of people get second chances,” said Robert. “I am blessed that LifeVest gave me a second chance at life, and that Carlene gave me a second chance at love.”

Florida Medical Clinic
(813) 788-5575
Nadim Khan, MD, FACC
38135 Market Square, Zephyrhills

This is a feature of the advertising department.

Originally published March 5, 2014.

Tampa one of nation’s top cities for job seekers

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The job market is on the slow road to recovery, but living in the Tampa Bay area still has its advantages.

A new report from WalletHub lists Tampa as the third best metropolitan area in the country for job seekers, behind only Fort Worth, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

WalletHub, a company that provides insurance information and finances for business owners, analyzed 60 of the country’s largest cities using 13 metrics ranging from job openings per capita, cost of living, and the prevalence of employer-provided health benefits.

In fact, Tampa was one of only two cities that made the top 30 — Miami just came in at the final slot. Texas, on the other hand, dominated the list with seven cities, including five in the top 10. It was broken up only by Seattle, Denver and Mesa, Ariz.

Tampa, however, has a long way to go to become an elite city for job seekers. Despite finishing in the top three, Tampa did not make the top five when it came to fastest-growing workforce (Bakersfield, Calif.), and highest median starting salary (San Jose at $57,108).

The top cities for job seekers are:

1. Fort Worth, Texas
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Tampa
4. Arlington, Texas
5. Dallas
6. Austin, Texas
7. Seattle
8. Denver
9. Mesa, Ariz.
10. Houston
11. Raleigh, N.C.
12. Corpus Christi, Texas
13. Aurora, Colo.
14. Phoenix
15. San Jose