Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

They were born in places such as Brazil, Mexico, Haiti and Dade City, and many speak English as a second language, but they came together last week to embark on an effort to reduce bullying, improve safety and change the culture on school campuses and in district offices in Pasco County.

At the “Together We Stand – Pasco Youth and Community Summit,” keynote speaker H. Roy Kaplan, set the tone for the day by asking a series of questions. He wanted a show of hands of how many were born in Pasco County, how many in Florida, how many in a different state, how many in a different country?

Then he wanted to know how many spoke English as a second language.

The answers were telling. This group was diverse.

Once he established that, Kaplan discussed that despite different languages, cultures and colors, everyone at the summit is related to scientifically verifiable common ancestry.

The summit was called as part of a district effort to reduce bullying and violence on its campuses.

In a district with 67,000 students, Kaplan asked, “How do we create an environment where we don’t lose track of people? We need to make better people before we make better students. We need to create a sense of community in every school.”

“Bullying is not a normal part of growing up,” said Kaplan, who is an equity officer for the U.S. Office for Civil Rights.

The June 27 summit was held as part of an agreement with the Office for Civil Rights, stemming from an investigation after an incident involving Zephyrhills High students.

“We need to improve the culture and climate of our schools, so that all students feel wanted and respected and appreciated,” Kaplan said.

“This is an important day and it’s just the beginning,” Kaplan said, before the assembly broke into smaller groups to discuss the issues and offer ways to address them.

The summit drew together 158 people including district staff, students, parents, school board members and representatives from area businesses, political leaders and social agencies.

“We, as a district, understand that there are issues that we need to address,” Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said.

Amelia Van Name Larson, assistant superintendent for student achievement, was in the session where students were discussing issues and potential solutions.

They said that racial slurs have become part of the day-to-day vocabulary, and that they’re not always intended to hurt, Van Name Larson said. They also said they hear the N-word on a daily basis, she added.

Students also noted that some teachers have favorites and that sends a bad message to kids. They also said they need a safe place to report what is happening.

Margarita Romo, recently inducted into Florida’s Civil Rights Hall of Fame for her work with farmworkers and immigrants, said “It’s not just about kids being bullied by kids. It’s also about the kids who do the bullying.

“Why do people bully? Maybe there’s a problem in their house. They don’t look at a child deep enough. ‘What is going on?’ ”

Schools need more social workers and counselors, Romo said.

Parents need help in dealing with issues, she said. They may lack the resources and the language to deal effectively with these problems.

“I’ve seen kids expelled. Their life is over,” Romo said.

Nancy Montoya, a member of the Parent Teacher Association’s board at Double Branch Elementary and John Long Middle School, said she came to the conference because she’s interested in preventing problems.

“You can’t wait for crises. You need to have empowerment and prevention in place,” said Montoya, a mother of three and former guidance counselor.

Carlos Lopez, who works with a Dade City youth program called the Teen Dream Team, said he was at the summit hoping to pick up pointers to help students dealing with problems on campus.

“There’s a lot of bullying because of the ethnicities,” Lopez said.

Carlos Segovia, 20, also of Dade City, believes many problems stem from misunderstandings because of cultural differences.

“We’re from conservative cultures. We tend to be shy. We just want to be quiet and listen,” he said, but that can be misinterpreted.

Jeff Morganstein, an administrator at Land O’ Lakes High, thinks the summit helps set the stage for change.

“Anytime we can open the dialogue we’re making a difference in a small corner,” he said. “We have to continue to do these things.”

Bethashley Cajuste, a Wesley Chapel resident who attends the International Baccalaureate Program at Land O’ Lakes High, said the summit was informative. “It was the first time I got to hear about how people felt about the issue.”

Mihail Kaburis, also of Land O’ Lakes High, said it was a good forum.

“I think it was good that students got their message out.

“Everyone’s perspective is important in making a correct solution,” Kaburis said.

Browning said he plans to hold the summit every year. But he doesn’t plan to stop there.

There will be additional opportunities to engage the community and there were will be other opportunities during the year.

“I want to change the culture of the Pasco County school district,” Browning said.

It needs to be a place where people feel safe and can express their feelings and concerns, the superintendent added.

The district’s standards need to be consistent, from school to school and school staff needs to listen, Browning said.

And, throughout the district, both adults and students need to be sending the same message, Browning said.

“This behavior cannot and will not be tolerated,” Browning said.

By B.C. Manion

Area fireworks celebrations include:

The Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival at The Shops at Wiregrass

Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and SR 56

July 3 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Festivities include shopping specials, a bicycle decorating contest, a watermelon-eating contest, and a Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker pageant. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

Family Night on the Fourth

Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church recreation fields, east of North Dale Mabry Highway, on Van Dyke Road in Lutz

July 4: Beginning at 5 p.m.

The outdoor celebration will include food trucks, a car show, a patriotic tribute by Steve Amerson, America’s tenor, accompanied by Idlewild’s Worship Orchestra.

The event will conclude with a fireworks display. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase from more than 30 food trucks that will be there.

Sparklebration, a 4th of July Festival & Fireworks Celebration

Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36772 SR 52, Dade City

Hours: Noon to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Event features a baby pageant, free face painting, a hot dog and watermelon eating contest, a Skydiver’s drop-in, local entertainment, an Elvis Tribute, pony rides and a food court.

Admission is free for kids 12 and under and $5 for others. Parking is $5. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. No coolers, pets or personal fireworks allowed.

By B.C. Manion

Organizers of this year’s Fourth of July festivities in Lutz are planning to celebrate the nation’s independence and the 100th birthday of this community north of Tampa.

Those putting together the schedule of activities expect the celebration to offer a sense of nostalgia, along with its usual old-fashioned fun.

Festivities kick off at 8 a.m. with the 5k, followed by a One Mile Fun Run that starts at 8:45 a.m.

Next is the cake-decorating competition, that will be judged at 9:30 a.m. Entries must be received at 7:30 a.m. at 124 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, in order to compete.

Marilyn Wannamaker, a cake contest coordinator, said this year’s competition will be tinged with sadness because one of the regular entrants recently passed away.

“Duane Martin was famous for his pineapple upside-down cake,” Wannamaker said. “I’m hoping someone will do one in his honor.”

The member of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club said the confectionary competition is always fun and typically draws unusual entries from children.

The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., will take its usual path, down Crooked Lane and Lutz Lake Fern Road, taking a few turns and then going past the Lutz Branch Library, in front of the viewing stand.

One of the highlights of this year’s parade is expected to be a group of about 50 people playing “Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue” on kazoos, if Suzin Carr, a candidate for Lutz Guv’na, is able to pull it off.

“I’ve got the kazoos. Now, I need 50 people to show up,” said Carr, who is competing against Karin D’Amico, the reigning Guv’na, Susan Gulash and Lauren Leahey, for the honorary title.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club’s float will feature a big birthday cake, to acknowledge this year’s centennial theme.

Shirley Simmons, who organizes the parade, has become adept through the years at figuring out how much space each unit will need in the parade.

Antique fire trucks and large vehicles typically need about 30 feet in the lineup, while standard vehicles need about 20 feet, Simmons said.

She advises anyone participating in the parade, or coming out to watch it, to bring plenty of water.

Parade-goers are likely to walk away with some loot, since organizers have a liberal attitude about giveaways.

“We don’t tell them what they can give out,” Simmons said, noting people in the parade often give away beads, candy, pins, flags and brochures.

Participants are encouraged to hand or gently fling the items, Simmons said. No overhand throwing is allowed.

“Even a piece of hard candy can really hurt,” Simmons said.

The parade is expected to include the usual suspects: Marching scout troops, antique fire trucks, tractors, a smattering of politicians and the guv’na candidates.

One of the annual fixtures, however, will be missing.

The community’s volunteer fire department – a major player in previous Independence Day celebrations – has been taken over by Hillsborough County’s professional firefighters and rescue personnel.

In previous years, the volunteer fire association (founded in 1952) sold chicken dinners to raise money for equipment.

Typically, the volunteers would begin stoking the fires to grill the chicken about 2 a.m., said Jay Muffly, former president of the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association.

Muffly said this is the first year in at least a decade that he’ll be able to enjoy the day simply as a spectator.

“Last year, we had enough chickens for about 1,100 dinners,” Muffly said.

He’s looking forward to the parade and other festivities.

“I think it’s going to be well-attended,” Muffly said.

While the firefighters won’t be serving up chicken dinners, there will be plenty of vendors offering a variety of foods for sale, said Annie Fernandez, who is handling booth rentals for the event.

Parade-goers will be able to purchase Cuban sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, elephant ears, Italian ices, soft drinks, snow cones and other refreshments.

She expects about 45 vendors to be offering a wide assortment of items, including metal yard art, jewelry, wooden craft goods and hair accessories. Some churches are sponsoring children’s activities, too.

At one booth, event-goers will be able to buy chances for an assortment of stuff that comes in a bottle, including beer, salad dressing and hot sauces.

After the parade, the new Lutz Guv’na will be sworn in.

This year’s election could prove historic, as two of the candidates are vying for the bragging rights of becoming the first Lutz Guv’na to repeat.

D’Amico would be extending her reign, and Carr, who won the honor in 2009, would be stepping forward to reclaim it.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Chances are, if you don’t live in Lutz, or haven’t been to the community’s giant sports complex off Lutz-Lake Fern Road, the name Oscar Cooler may not ring a bell.

But for thousands of athletes and their families, Cooler’s contributions left a permanent imprint, said Mitch Wilkins, president of the Lutz Leaguerettes. “Being able to bring all those families together to interact makes him an icon,” Wilkins said.

Cooler, 84, died on June 13 and was laid to rest on June 18 with a memorial at Loyless Funeral Home in Land O’ Lakes, followed by a graveside service at Lutz Cemetery.

Those who knew Cooler described him as a tenacious man, with a heart for the community’s children – all of the community’s children.

The Rev. Alan Burner, of the First Baptist Church of Lutz, officiated at the memorial.

“Oscar’s family told me that he got what he wanted 99.9 percent of the time – and, for the Lutz community, that worked out very well, and for young people, that worked out very well,” Burner said.

Boddie Osteen – Cooler’s friend for a half-century – recalled the retired flooring salesman’s determination to get a Little League ballpark for the community. “He didn’t take ‘No’ for an answer,” Osteen said.

Before Cooler got involved, Lutz had one Little League field behind Lutz Elementary School.

Cooler wanted more opportunities for the community’s youth, so he spent two years lobbying the Hillsborough County Commission, before he finally persuaded the board to buy an orange grove, to give the children additional fields.

After they purchased the land, commissioners said it would be a couple of years before the ball fields could be built.

Cooler refused to wait.

He marshaled an army of volunteers to get the job done.

“We had engineers, builders, painters, everything we needed to build a park,” Cooler said in a 2008 interview with The Tampa Tribune. “We had people who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Everything that was done, laborwise, was done voluntarily. Within nine months we built this thing.”

The Lutz Park Youth Complex, later renamed in Cooler’s honor, opened in 1975 with three baseball fields. Over time, the complex, at 19045 Crooked Lane, has vastly expanded, now featuring fields for baseball, softball, football and soccer. It also has a playground, restrooms and concession stands, as well as an adjacent nature park.

Osteen, who coached Little League for some five years and umpired for about 35 years, said Cooler’s sole motivation was to provide a wholesome outlet for kids.

As Cooler put it in a 2010 interview with The Laker/Lutz News, “I think kids need to have a safe place to learn about teamwork … If kids don’t have something like this, then they usually get into a lot of things they shouldn’t be doing.”

For Cooler, it was all about the kids – not about having a park named in his honor, Boddie said.

Over the years, generations of families have flocked to Oscar Cooler Sports Complex – with athletes swinging for the fences, scoring touchdowns, making penalty kicks and striking out batters – while families and friends cheered from the bleachers.

“All of our kids played there,” said Dorry Osteen, Boddie’s wife. “The kids played for the Leaguerettes. That was the main entertainment — going to the ballpark.”

She recalls Cooler’s kind heart.

“If they (children) didn’t have the money to play ball, he would see to it that they got to play ball,” she said.

Danny Neeley, a longtime family friend, grew up with Cooler’s sons – Romney, Marc and Craig. He recalls playing at the ballpark when it was still surrounded by orange groves. To this day, the scent of orange blossoms still conjures mental images of baseball for Neeley.

He said he was 6 when he met Cooler. He recalls going over to the Coolers’ house, and if the boys were working, Cooler would tell Neeley to pitch in because the boys couldn’t play until they finished their chores.

That dedication to work and family were themes in Cooler’s life, said his granddaughters, Jamie Cooler and Ashley Beasley, who spoke at his memorial.

They painted a picture of a man who was devoted to his family, enjoyed country music and could move mountains, when he set his mind to it.

They said their grandfather was always deeply interested in what they were doing. They also noted he was never too busy to take time for them, and he would brag about his kids and grandkids to anyone who would listen.

Wilkins said Cooler had the same kind of zeal for the sports complex.

Even as Cooler he grew older, Wilkins said he sometimes bumped into him at the complex.

Cooler would be standing there surveying the softball fields, much like a proud homeowner inspects the front lawn, Wilkins said.

 

Oscar Cooler was preceded in death by his wife, Sara. He is survived by a daughter, Sondra Turpin, and her husband Allan and by his son, Romney and his wife Debbie; his son, Marc and his wife Melody; and his son, Craig and his wife Lynn.

Cooler’s survivors also include seven grandchildren. They are Ashley Beasley and her husband Adam, Jamie Cooler and her fiancé Doug Coogle, Sierra Matheson and her husband Ryon and Cassie, Tyler and Amanda Marshall.

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Kimberly Saracino said even she was surprised by how excited she got when she was picked to be a contestant on the television game show, “Let’s Make A Deal.”

“I was jumping up and down. I think I had an extra shot of espresso, but I was just really, really over the top, excited to be there,” said the young woman who recently moved to West Hollywood, Calif.

She was visiting her family in Lutz, when the episode aired on June 4. The 24-year-old recent film graduate of the University of Central Florida said she watched the episode with her mother, Antonella Bianchi, a physician, and her twin siblings, Vinson and Valentina Saracino, who just finished high school at Carrollwood Day School.

The program, filmed in Los Angeles and hosted by Wayne Brady, is an updated version of the classic game show. It involves people wearing wacky costumes and making quickie deals or playing games to try to win prizes.

So far this season, more than $1.6 million has been given away in cash and prizes, according to the website http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Lets_Make_a_Deal.

That works out to an average of about $80,000 per day in cash and prizes. With an audience limited to 210, the odds of getting picked to play aren’t bad, either, the website says.

Saracino said she was encouraged by her friend Ali Williams to try to get on the show. Williams had previously appeared on the show and thought it was a blast, Saracino said.

When she went to the show, she wasn’t sure if she’d get a chance to be on television, but she thought it was worth a try.

“I had no idea they were going to pick me, but I guess they kept their eye on me,” she said.

She thinks it boils down to being enthusiastic and wearing a goofy costume.

“They just want to see your energy. Are you actually excited to be here? And, I mean, who isn’t? You could potentially win a ton of money and meet Wayne Brady.”

She came to the show dressed as a flight attendant. She wore a blue suit, a hat, a tie and boots.

When she was plucked from the crowd, she was thrilled.

She squared off against two other contestants in a game that involved choosing a letter from a board, to reveal a number.

The contestant with the highest number won $500 and the chance to go after other prizes; the one with the next highest, won $500; and the one with the lowest, won $100.

Saracino chose the letter A.

She told the audience, “I’m going to go with A for Awesome.”

When the number was revealed, it was a one.

“I was like, ‘No—ooo—oo,” Saracino said.

Even though she didn’t take home a big prize, she did have fun, Saracino said.

“I would recommend it to anyone,” she said.

 

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

When city officials in Zephyrhills decided to amp up efforts to go green, they asked citizens to help them come up with ideas.

The city hired Tammy Vrana of Vrana Consulting, Inc., to lead the process, which yielded a sustainability plan, ranking priorities and offering steps to carry them out.

The Sustainable Zephyrhills Community Action Plan has seven guiding principles, said Todd VandeBerg, the city’s director of development. The idea is for the Zephyrhills City Council and mayor to consider those principles when making budget decisions, VandeBerg said.

When the plan was being developed, residents were invited to offer suggestions and weigh in on priorities, Vrana said. They expressed substantial interest. One idea that gained substantial support and is already in the planning stages was the creation of a community garden.

The garden is expected to begin this year, VandeBerg said.

Vrana said the exercise has broadened the city’s view when it is taking on new projects.

Zephyrhills City councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said community interest goes beyond merely cutting energy use and costs.

“It’s all kind of big picture,” Wilkeson said, noting people are interested in finding ways to improve health and wellness through initiatives such as a community garden and bicycle trails.

Younger people, in particular, want to find ways to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, Wilkeson said.

Besides giving people an opportunity to voice their opinion, the city’s efforts have also garnered positive attention and captured awards from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the American Planning Association and the American Public Works Association.

Vrana, who is an urban planner, said she was pleasantly surprised by the recognition the plan has received.

She thinks it demonstrates that a small government can be proactive about sustainability efforts and can work toward those goals, even with limited resources.

Vrana’s contract for $28,000 was paid with proceeds from a $250,000 grant the city received from the U.S. Department of Energy through the state of Florida.

The city also used some of that money to pay for an energy audit of city hall and the library and to subsequently install high-efficiency air conditioning units, programmable thermostats and more efficient lighting in both buildings.

The city also added a Chevy Volt to its fleet and purchased an electrical charging station.

It costs $1.25 to charge up the car to drive 40 miles, compared to about $3.40 a gallon for gas.

As another plus, the city allows people to use the charging station free of charge, VandeBerg said.

The city is also looking at ways to increase its recycling efforts, VandeBerg said. The possibilities range from simply stationing more recycling bins around the community to taking a more aggressive approach and having recycling bins at individual households.

Central Pasco Chamber Awards

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce gave out its annual awards and had its installation of officers at a banquet June 13 at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club.

Award winners were:

–Ambassador of the year: Rene Van Hout, owner/operator of LOL Transport & Moving

–Large business of the year: Pizza Villa

–Small business of the year: Copperstone Executive Suites & Office Space

–New Business of the Year: Christian Brothers Automotive

–Civic/Non Profit of the Year: Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers

Notable winners, selected by those attending the banquet:

–Helping Hand: Cheryl Herman, Lifevantage

–Pit-bull Award and Happy Camper: April Saland, A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions

President’s Awards

— Rocky Contreras, of KnowledgePoints Tutoring and Carla Collier of All Smiles Tampa Bay

Chamber member of the year

–Rene Van Hout

Members of the 2013-14 board of directors are: Dennis Esber, president; Charlene Ierna, president-elect; Mary Lynn Gorsline, secretary; Robin Perez, treasurer; and board members, Gary Loman, Maureen Moore, Larry Delucenay, Kurt Conover, Rocky Contreras, Jorge Santana, Anne Marie Brown, Larry Giannone, Rhonda Buckley, Carla Collier and Jim Charos.

 

Taylor Morrison building new models

Taylor Morrison has begun construction of three new model homes at Arbor Woods, its newest community in Wesley Chapel, near New Tampa.

The Hemingway design will be the largest model with 4,180 square feet and six bedrooms. The Windover model will be a four-bedroom home with 3,221 square feet and the third model will be the popular Daphene design with three bedrooms and 2,600 square feet of living space. The models are expected to be open this year.

Arbor Woods is on 423 wooded acres, which includes 338 acres set aside for conservation. The project is slated to include 222 single-family homes.

For more information about these model homes or Arbor Woods, call (866) 495-6006 or visit online at www.ArborWoodsTM.com.

 

Hillsborough announces innovation initiative

Hillsborough County is launching an economic development innovation initiative program. The county is making $2 million available over three years to encourage growth of technology and innovation startups and small businesses.

The program is focused in three strategic areas:

— Support events that increase awareness, attract new talent and create networking opportunities or activities that promote the industry.

— Align county resources more strategically to advocate for the start-up community and support research efforts.

— Provide assistance to nonprofits engaged in incubation, accelerating, mentoring and networking.

 

To find out more about this initiative, email Stephanie Cvetetic with the county’s economic development department at or call (813) 272-6217.

 

PEDC announces industry of the year nominees

The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., has announced the nominees for its 2013 Industry of the Year Awards.

The awards will be presented on Sept. 4 at the economic development council’s 27th annual banquet, which will be at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. The event generally attracts more than 600 business, business and community leaders.

This year’s nominees are: Adams Arms, Inc.; Allcraft Marine, Inc.; BallywhoSocial; Big Storm Brewery Co.; Communication Concepts, Inc.; Crown Community Development;

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills; Goin’ Postal Franchise Corp.; JTD Enterprises, Inc.; The Shops at Wiregrass; Lifedash, Inc.; Lightport, Inc.; Marlin CNG Services; MB2x; Meares Plumbing; MedFleet; Pasco-Hernando Community College; RAMM Recycling Services, Inc.; Sign-A-Rama of New Tampa; Symphonic Distribution; SB Manufacturing, LLC; SEL Engineering Services; Sunshine Christian Homes; and United Way of Pasco County, Inc.

Besides the banquet, the annual event features a trade show, too. The trade show begins at 5 p.m., followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at www.pascoedc.com/events. To participate in the tradeshow, contact Suzanne Renczkowski at or call (813) 926-0827.

 

Amazon proposes to create 3,000 Florida jobs

Gov. Rick Scott has announced that Amazon has proposed to create more than 3,000 full-time jobs in Florida by the end of 2016.

Amazon has estimated its proposed investment in Florida at more than $300 million.

The company will be determining locations based on the availability of economic development incentives.

 

Habitat for Humanity launches new partnership

Habitat for Humanity and The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) have entered into a new partnership that will increase donations to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores thrift stores.

The partnership will provide an easy and efficient way for NASMM members to donate their client’s reusable items.

As senior move manager work with their clients to downsize, Habitat for Humanity ReStores will sell the donated items to provide resources for Habitat’s homebuilding program.

 

Gulfside Regional thrift shops have Christmas in July

Gulfside Regional Hospice’s Thrift Shoppes will be having Christmas in July sales beginning on July 1 and running through the end of the month.

Christmas items are available at all five locations during this annual event.

Here are the thrift shop locations:

–Dade City Thrift Shoppe, 37925 Sky Ridge Circle, (813) 782-7200

–Hudson Thrift Shoppe, 12154 US 19 in Bayonet Point, (727) 861-4900

–Lutz Thrift Shoppe, 1930 Land O’Lakes Blvd in the Harbour Village Shopping Plaza, (813) 909-0485

–New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 SR 54 at the corner of Madison Street and SR 54 in the Elfers Shopping Plaza, (727) 842-7262

–Zephyrhills Thrift Shoppe, 36524 SR 54, (813) 788-5461

All Gulfside Regional Hospice Thrift Shoppes are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Volunteers are always needed at all of the thrift shops; call (800) 561-4883 for volunteer information.

All proceeds from the volunteer-run resale stores are designated to provide care for patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses in Pasco County. For more information about Gulfside Regional Hospice, visit www.grhospice.org <http://www.grhospice.org/> or call (800) 561-4883.

 

Home sales are up for Ashton Woods

The Tampa division of Ashton Woods Homes sold 239 homes in the fiscal year ending on May 31, representing a 70 percent increase in sales over its 2012 fiscal year. The average price of an Ashton Woods home during the period was $249,364, according to a company news release.