Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Kay Van Der Vaart  named Health & Wellness Center director

The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has named Kay Van Der Vaart as its director.

The center, scheduled to open in January of 2013, will hone in on exercise and healthful living’s ability to function as preventative care. The 50,000-square-foot facility, adjacent to the future hospital, will feature an indoor lap pool, track, fitness programs, wellness education classes and ultramodern TechnoGym equipment.

Van Der Vaart has an extensive background in health and wellness, most recently serving as the administrative director of retail health and marketing for Holy Family Memorial, a comprehensive health care network for residents of Manitowoc County, Wis. She has had a number of other executive positions for health care organizations and hospitals.

Texas Roadhouse accepts Remington’s gift cards

Texas Roadhouse, 26409 Silver Way Parkway in Wesley Chapel, is reaching out to those with gift cards to the recently closed Remington’s Steakhouse.

The restaurant is not affiliated with the Remington’s brand, but it will accept its gift cards for a free entree up to a $15 value, and will honor any Remington’s coupons.

The offer is limited to one coupon or gift card exchanged per table. Guests should ask for a manager when they arrive and he or she will make the exchange. The exchange program continues through Aug. 31.

Parks Fiat of Wesley Chapel breaks ground

Parks Motor Group has broken ground on Parks Fiat of Wesley Chapel. The new dealership is located on SR 54 next to the Parks Ford dealership. The new dealership will specialize in bringing Fiat, an Italian-based vehicle, to the Tampa Bay market area.

Vince Vanni & Associates adds communications intern

Vince Vanni & Associates has announced the appointment of Kelly Nelson as a communications intern. Nelson is currently attending Pasco-Hernando Community College. As a communications intern, she is writing copy for news releases for nonprofit and proprietary clients. She also will assist in maintaining social media outlets for Vince Vanni & Associates.

Looking for a CPA?

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) have announced the Florida Board of Accountancy has joined other state boards and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in an effort to make license information more accessible to customers looking for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) services.

Consumers within Florida and across the country now will be able to check the licensure history of CPAs from multiple states, increasing accountability.

The website, www.CPAverify.org, serves as a central multistate database and will replace the current process of conducting individual searches for licensees through each state board’s website.

Charles Schwab has new local branch

Charles Schwab has opened a new independent branch in Citrus Park that will serve areas including Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

The branch, 8633 Citrus Park Drive, will be offering educational workshops. The next two are:

—What Works: A Time Tested Approach to Investing at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2

—Behavioral Finance: How Emotions Impact Financial Decisions at 6 p.m. Aug. 16

Loans available for Tropical Storm Debby victims

Hillsborough County small businesses, including small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture businesses, as well as most private nonprofit organizations may apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans to recover from financial, working capital losses caused by Tropical Storm Debby.

Landlords who have lost revenue from their rental properties are also eligible. This Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. At this time, Hillsborough businesses and nonprofits are not eligible for cost recovery for any physical storm damage.

Interest rates are as low as 3 percent for nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.

Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 3, 2013.

Additional details on the loan application process and eligibility available by calling the (800) 659-2955. Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing should call (800) 877-8339.

More information also is available by emailing .

Businesses that have been affected may apply online using Electronic Loan Application on the SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Individual homeowners suffering home damages can seek assistance from Hillsborough’s Homeowner Rehabilitation Program by calling (813) 612-5397.

To be considered for other disaster assistance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362. Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing should call (800) 462-7585.

Catholic networking

Catholic Business Network of Tampa Bay meets from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays at Our Lady of the Rosary, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Catholic Business Network of Tampa Bay is a nonprofit membership organization for Tampa area Catholic business people. While we welcome people of all faiths, the network is comprised of Catholic professionals who want to incorporate their faith into the workplace while networking with other Catholics to foster personal and business relationships. For more information, visit www.cbntampa.com or call Mary Ann Whallen at (813) 833-4737.

Oak Hill Hospital appoints Holly Norris

Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Holly Norris as its director of environmental services.

Norris comes to Oak Hill Hospital from another HCA facility, Reston Hospital Center in Reston, Va., where she was director of environmental services since 2000.

By B.C. Manion

John Gallagher has been the administrative leader of Pasco for 30 years, and he’s never been more pumped up about the county’s prospects.

“I’ve been here since the dinosaurs, and I can tell you this is the most exciting time in Pasco County,” Gallagher said. He added, “Not to be corny, but I think we’re on the verge of greatness, especially on the (SR) 54 corridor.”

Gallagher’s optimism stems from a fundamental change in the county’s mindset.

Pasco was once best known for its rural areas, agricultural interests and housing developments for employees who left the county each day to work elsewhere.

“All we did was build subdivision after subdivision,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher talked about the future prospects of the county at a recent meeting of the Economic Development Committee of the Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce.

Pasco is no longer willing to remain in that role as a bedroom community, Gallagher said.

It has improved its roads and come up with a growth plan that gives businesses an incentive to locate along the SR 54/SR 56 corridor.

Gallagher said the county is also looking to increase its ability to lure new companies to the area and help existing businesses grow through economic development incentives, which would be available if voters extend Penny for Pasco sales tax.

Don Porter, whose family has played an influential role in the development of the Wiregrass Ranch area, urged those gathered to help generate support for Penny for Pasco.

“It’s so simple and so straightforward and so painless,” Porter said. “It’s the most efficient and effective tax in my lifetime. I really think it’s in everyone’s interest to talk to your neighbor. That’s where it starts. There is no good rational reason for voting against the Penny for Pasco.”

County residents are set to vote in November whether they are willing to approve Penny for Pasco’s extension for another 10 years, which would keep an additional penny in sales tax to support roads, schools, law enforcement and economic development, among other things.

Gallagher said the revenue provided by the tax will help Pasco in its quest to build true communities where residents live, work and play, rather than commuting for an hour and a half every day to get to work.

Beyond the aggravation of dealing with traffic, being on the road so much cuts into people’s quality of life, Gallagher said.

Gallagher thinks the county has made considerable progress in recent years, as signaled by the opening of The Shops at Wiregrass, plans by T. Rowe Price and Raymond James to have locations in the area and the anticipated construction of an upscale outlet mall near the intersection of SR 56 and I-75.

Free and reduced-price lunch applications

The Pasco County school district is accepting applications for its free and reduced-price household meal applications for the 2012-13 school year.

Households below the federal income eligibility guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-priced meal benefits. Households must complete a new free and reduced-price meal application for the upcoming school year. Families can apply online by visiting the Food and Nutrition Services Department website at www.pasco.k12.fl.us/nutrition/free_reduced. Applications also will be available beginning Aug. 1 from any Pasco County school cafeteria or administration office, at student orientation and throughout the school year. A new household application is required at the start of each new school year.

Cornell University graduates

A number of area students graduated recently from Cornell University. They are:

—Nikkita Mehta of Lutz, with an Artium Baccalarius degree in statistical science

—Katie Lee Meusling of Lutz, with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science

—Anne Huang of Odessa, with an Artium Baccalarius degree in French.

Free English as a second language classes

A free English as a second language (ESL) class meets at Tampa Bay

Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Thursday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Activities for school-aged children are provided. A native English speaker teaches the course using several ESL and Bible study resources. American culture, English idioms and slang are also discussed. For more information, call (813) 973-2484.

Host families sought for foreign exchange students

World Experience is looking for three loving families to host foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year.

The students in the program are ages 15 to 18 and have passed an English test. They have their own medical insurance and spending money. Host families provide a bed, study area, meals and support. Students arrive in August. For more information, email or visit www.worldexperience.org.

Area student achieves dean’s list

Michael Filer of Lutz was named to the dean’s list of Emory College, the undergraduate

liberal arts college of Emory University in Atlanta, for the 2012 spring semester. To  make the list, students must be in the top-20 percent of Emory College or have a 3.859 grade point average or better.

AP numbers increase in Hillsborough schools

A record number of Hillsborough County Public Schools students participated in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in 2012, while also setting a new high for the number of those with a score of three or above.

The percentage of students earning a three or above increased from 38 percent to 42. The passing improvement is more significant given the increase in the number of students taking AP exams.

“This is more evidence that our students — and our teachers — are up to the task,’’ Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, said in a release. “These are the toughest, most rigorous courses available. These external exams are proof that with the right preparation and with excellent instruction our students are doing college-level work.”

Autism Awareness Walk raises funds

Lennar’s Autism Awareness Walk at Concord Station in Land O’ Lakes raised $5,701.50 in contributions for Pasco County Schools.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division recently presented the check to the school board to benefit the district’s autism programs. More than 30 volunteers participated in the walk.

County also eyeing softball field upgrades

By B.C. Manion

Hillsborough County’s Head Start Program has moved into the former recreation center at Nye Park on Sunset Lane.

The program has been operating for the past couple of months and is enrolling children who will be ages 3 or 4 by Sept. 1.

Louis Finney Jr., who oversees Hillsborough’s Head Start/Early Head Start program, said most of the slots at this location have already been filled.

Children participating in the Head Start and voluntary prekindergarten programs must come from families who meet income eligibility guidelines, Finney said.

The program also gives a preference to children with disabilities.

Parents who have children in the program also must be working during the day, Finney said. The program operates year-round, except for brief breaks.

The program at Nye Park can accommodate a total of 69 children and operates from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The county is installing some fencing and new furniture to accommodate the program, Finney said. He added a that county survey showed there are children in the area who will benefit from the services.

“The parents are pretty excited about it,” Finney said.

In addition to launching a new Head Start program at the park, the county is also considering some improvements to two existing softball fields.

The county’s proposed budget, which the Hillsborough Commission will consider in September, calls for $275,000 for improvements to the softball fields, said Kemly Jimenez Green, community relations coordinator for Hillsborough County. If approved by commissioners, the money would become available beginning Oct. 1.

The renovation is intended to allow for expansion for the Lutz Leaguerettes girls softball program because the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex cannot handle additional demand, Green said.

For more information about Hillsborough County Head Start/ Early Head Start, call (813) 272-5140, or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/headstart.

By B.C. Manion

The city of Zephyrhills appears to be getting serious about its economic development efforts.

At press time, city council members were scheduled to vote July 23 to bolster efforts to help local businesses expand and lure new companies to the East Pasco County community.

The four options that council members were scheduled to consider range from $50,000 to $100,000.

City leaders have been talking for months about creating an economic development group aimed at increasing employment opportunities for local residents. They also want to give young people a reason to remain in Zephyrhills rather than move away to pursue careers elsewhere.

This most recent initiative follows years of talk about boosting efforts to spur the city’s economy, several speakers at a July 11 economic summit at city hall said. The event drew about 60 people.

“We discuss, discuss, discuss and we plan, we plan, we plan and there’s no action,” said Zephyrhills Mayor Steve Van Gorden. “We must act. I believe firmly that we are at a crossroads in Zephyrhills. Our kids’ futures are at stake. Our community is at stake.”

The current effort to create an economic development group, complete with a structure and funding to support its work, grew out of the work of an Economic Development Task Force that was led by former Mayor Cliff McDuffie.

After that group completed its work, Van Gorden and city manager Jim Drumm called for a steering committee to propose the structure and funding for an independent economic development group that would be housed at the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Once the economic development group is established, it would have an advisory board including representatives from Main Street Zephyrhills, the chamber, city staff, the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC) and industry stakeholders.

The steering committee recommended these four options:

—Spend up to $100,000 on economic development efforts. Of that, the chamber would receive $50,000 to provide administrative, managerial and leadership support to the economic development group. The budget also includes $25,000 for startup, marketing and operational support and $25,000 to cover half the salary of a city position that would be assigned to work on economic development efforts.

—Spend up to $75,000 to support economic development efforts. This option would allocate $50,000 to staffing the economic development group. It also would earmark $15,000 for marketing efforts and $10,000 for 20 percent of a city staff person’s time.

—Spend up to $50,000 to support economic development efforts. This option would allocate $30,000 to contract with the PEDC for a half-time position that would be devoted to economic development for Zephyrhills. It also includes $10,000 for marketing efforts and $10,000 for a chamber economic development liaison. It also identifies a city staff member to serve as a contact person.

—Spend up to $75,000 to support economic development efforts. This option involves contracting for a full-time staff member from the PEDC to work on economic development for Zephyrhills.

John Scott, president of the chamber, said his board of directors voted unanimously to support the first option.

“The Zephyrhills business leaders favor local economic development initiatives,” Scott said. “Local stakeholders are a natural resource for expertise.”

Not only are local stakeholders most knowledgeable about the area’s needs, they are also the most engaged, Scott said.

Whatever decision the city makes, it is time to move forward with a bold action, Van Gorden said. The city must have the mindset that when it makes decisions, it is seeking to create conditions that foster economic growth, Van Gorden said.

“It’s no longer OK to do business like we’ve been doing. It’s not OK,” Van Gorden said. Any investment the city makes would be tied to a measurable plan of action, he added.

“We want tangible results,” Van Gorden said. “What’s going to happen in 60 days? What’s going to happen in 90 days? What’s going to happen six months from now? And what’s going to happen in a year?

“As business leaders, community leaders, civic leaders you need to hold myself and my colleagues accountable,” Van Gorden continued during the summit.

Zephyrhills has been struggling economically, but it has much to offer, Van Gorden said. “We build from a place of strength.

“We have a proud heritage,” Van Gorden continued. “We’re the drugstore on Fifth Avenue. We’re Zephyrhills High School. We’re the Founder’s Day Parade. We are community. We are Zephyrhills. Our roots are strong.”

The city also has world-class medical facilities and a recreational facility that attracts people from all over the globe.

“Sky Dive City is a mecca of international skydiving,” Van Gorden said. “When they do things at Sky Dive City, they bring in people who stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, buy our goods and services.”

Van Gorden also noted the city’s proximity to major industrial areas.

“We are poised to be major players, major players,” Van Gorden said. “I’m not talking about incremental change. I’m talking about transformational change that will impact our community for years to come.”

Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the chamber, said she’s excited about the prospects of bringing all of the city’s stakeholders — the business community, the chamber, Main Street, elected leaders and city staff together — to work on common interests.

Mikkelsen said she loves her job, but also has her frustrations.

“As passionate, as capable as we are, and as willing to work to make this community better, we tend to work in silos, and it’s frustrating, and its very, very ineffective,” Mikkelsen said.

The worst thing that could happen at this point is inaction, Mikkelsen said. The city needs to move forward to chart its own destiny, rather than playing a reactionary role.

By Jeff Odom

Through hours of volunteering, dedication and hard work, seven local young women completed the requirements necessary for the Gold Award — the highest award granted by the Girls Scouts of the USA.

But, it’s not the thin mints that got them there.

The seven are among the 45 from the West Central Florida chapter who earned the honor this year. The locals are Lauren Goldsworthy, Jennifer Becker, Sarah Castillo, Katherine Johnson, Michelle Newberger, Victoria Arnold and Hannah Eichhorn. Each completed an individual project to lend a helping hand to others and better their community.

“I am just so happy that more people will be able to enjoy an experience that I like,” Goldsworthy said of her project.

Goldsworthy, a recent Sunlake High graduate, helped raise awareness for more assistance for the deaf at Tampa attractions.

Her partnership with a sign language club helped create the Signing with Stingrays project, which sent translators once a month to the Florida Aquarium’s stingray show to translate the spoken words into sign language. When one is not available, Goldsworthy created a video for them to follow along with.

“I combined two of my loves, which are American Sign Language and marine biology, and my goal was to make my community a more American Sign Language friendly place,” Goldsworthy said. “I wanted to provide something and make (it) more available to the guests and hard of hearing visitors at the Florida Aquarium.”

Goldsworthy said she was always interested in sign language from an early age because of how unique it is, and she wanted to use her interest to better the area.

“I’ve always grown up with people who have known and love sign language, so I wanted to continue with my education on sign language, and this project just so happened and turned out to be a really amazing project to do that with,” Goldsworthy said.

Becker organized games and events while raising awareness for her project called Make Every Day a Blessing. While at Steinbrenner High, Becker led the Optimist Service Club, which helped sustain her project at Everyday Blessings children’s home in Thonotosassa.

She said what she learned, while helping the children at the home, left her with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.

“I just wanted to help out and give back to other people and those kids around our community,” said Becker, who is currently studying at University of Florida. “I was never really a children’s person before this, but just when I went there and saw these kids, like five kids would hook on your leg. … Even though a lot of bad has happened to them, they’re still caring.”

Becker added that she hopes to one day return to see the children and encourages others to do the same.

“I just think that going to help children that are at-risk, whether it’s the Boys and Girls Club or something, I think it’s really important for people to also be aware of and help a little bit,” Becker said. “These children’s lives would be so much better for it, and that’s the key part.”

Johnson, an Academy at the Lakes graduate, created a project to raise awareness of abusive teen dating relationships. The Spring of Tampa Bay is integrating her project into the center’s monthly programming throughout Hillsborough County.

Castillo, of Lutz, helped foster children at Kids’ Place create their own personalized life book, which let each youngster tell the story of their experiences with her project, Fostering Memories.

Newberger, a Steinbrenner graduate, used her project, called Our History, to provide fourth-graders at Lutz Elementary notebooks, photos, crafts and information to help them study history.

Arnold, of Odessa, helped teach kids about the importance of literacy with her project, Books for Children in Need.

Eichhorn graduated from Berean Academy in Lutz, which has since closed. Her project provided more than 700 books for the needy, which resulted in a library being established at Metropolitan Ministries’ local shelter.

For more information on Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, visit www.gswcf.org.

–Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker