The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Nominations sought for lifetime achievement awards

By

The League of Women Voters of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties (HCLWV) is seeking nominations for local leaders who have made significant contributions to the local community and the state of Florida, according to a news release.

The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award (or awards), will be bestowed to an individual or individuals who have dedicated their life to serving the public through education and advocacy at the local, state or national levels.

The 2024 Sydney and Thalia Potter Civic Leadership Award(s) are open to individuals in Hillsborough or Pasco County who have improved government, protected the environment or enhanced their community through civic leadership at the local and/or state levels.

The League will honor and celebrate the achievements of the award recipients on Feb. 21 at the 16th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon. The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa.

Liana Fernandez Fox was honored during the February 2020 luncheon. The memory of Dena Gross Leavengood was honored, too.

Nomination forms may be found at HCLWV.org/laa.

Deadline for submission is mid-September. Angela Birdsong is the chair, and may be reached at .

Published August 30, 2023

A Sense of Place

By

The Back Road
Barry M. White, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped the road to the Ehren Cemetery on Ehren Cutoff in Land O Lakes on Feb. 9, 2022, while out looking to capture wildlife and nature through his lens.
Towering Over the Railroad
Clyde Parson, of Wesley Chapel, took this photo of the Lacoochee Water Tower on July 3, 2022, noting, ‘the railroad has been a point of interest for me since I was a kid, so I enjoy finding rail-related subjects to photograph. These photos, and most things railroad, evoke feelings of freedom and nostalgia for me.’
Double the Luck
Renee DiGioia, of Land O’ Lakes, grabbed this image of a double rainbow on Fort King Road near LeHeup Hill in Dade City on Aug. 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Cheers to the versatility of fresh fruits, and veggies

By

There’s no doubt that fresh fruits and vegetables can play a multitude of roles in the daily diet.

They can be eaten raw or cooked.

Produce such as apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums and tomatoes can ripen on the counter, while berries, leafy greens and bell peppers should be stored in the refrigerator. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

They can be used as ingredients for salads, smoothies, soups, stews and other meals.

Pears, oranges and berries typically are eaten without cooking them, but also can be part of an easy, quick and nutritious breakfast or snack.

Cabbage, potatoes and mushrooms can be cooked and combined with other foods for a wholesome, hearty meal.

One thing they have in common? All of these fruits and veggies are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for good health.

Regardless of age, diet or lifestyle, it’s hard to go wrong when you are choosing fresh produce as part of a healthy diet.

It does, however, help to know how to pick those fruits and veggies, whether you’re at a roadside stand, in a specialty market or at the grocery store.

Unlike packaged foods — fresh produce doesn’t have labels and tags to tell you about the nutritional content, or when it will go bad.

So, it’s important to know what to look for when making your selections.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

  • Pay attention to color. Ripe bananas, for instance, are bright yellow; underripe bananas are mostly green. Ripe tomatoes have a deep, even red color; underripe tomatoes will be lighter and may have patches of green.
  • Pay less attention to shape. Perfectly ripe produce can grow irregularly in shape and size. Don’t let that deter you.
  • Use your sense of touch to help you out. Ripe zucchini or bell peppers should feel firm, but slightly soft to the touch; avocados and tomatoes, on the other hand, should give slightly when you gently press into the flesh. When produce is overripe, it will be very soft and may have some bruises or blemishes.
  • Use your sense of smell. Ripe fruits, such as pineapples or berries, will have a strong, pleasant aroma. Overripe fruits may smell sour or unpleasant.

It’s also important to keep in mind when you will be using your fruits or veggies.

If you don’t need it right away, you can select items that are slightly underripe. Many items can be left out on a kitchen counter to continue to ripen.

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to proper handling and storage. Techniques for both can differ, based on the food.

I recommend the FoodKeeper app. It allows you to enter the name of a food and it provides information on whether to store it in a refrigerator or on the counter, and estimates how long it will last.

Knowing the shelf life of your fruits and veggies can help when it comes to planning meals. You’ll want to use up your produce before it spoils.

It’s also good to know that nutrient content of produce can vary based on its ripeness. 

Ripe fruits and vegetables typically have higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants compared to underripe or overripe produce.

Using ripe produce helps you maximize the nutritional benefits. 

For instance, ripe bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. 

Overripe bananas, covered in brown spots, may have less nutritional value and higher sugar content. 

Overripe bananas can be ideal for baking.

However, eating the banana while it is yellow and slightly green may be ideal for someone monitoring blood sugar. 

Similarly, ripe tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and lycopene, while underripe tomatoes may have lower levels of these nutrients.

How to handle, cook and clean fresh produce
To ensure safety and quality, here are some tips from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

  • Wash hands before handling any fruits or vegetables.
  • Rinse produce thoroughly under running water to remove dirt or bacteria, even if you do not plan to eat the skin.
  • Do not use soap: Produce has pores that can absorb these chemicals, which can cause you to become sick when ingested.
  • Scrub firm produce like apples, melons and cucumbers with a produce brush.
  • Store fresh fruits and veggies properly to prevent spoilage and contamination.

Of course, it’s always possible to buy canned and frozen fruits and vegetables to enjoy as part of a healthy diet, but there’s just something so satisfying about bringing fresh produce home to enjoy in its season.

Have you ever tried a fruity pasta salad? Here’s one featuring mangoes, which just happen to be in season.

Bon Appetit!

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Pasco County Extension Intern Syreeta McDonald, contributed to this column .

Mango Berry Rotini Salad (Courtesy of MyPlate)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (4 oz) whole-wheat rotini pasta, uncooked
  • 1 ripe mango
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat feta cheese

For the vinaigrette:

  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons raspberry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients. Set aside.
  • Boil water and cook rotini, as per package instructions. Drain rotini and rinse in cool water.
  • While rotini is cooking, cut mango into chunks, removing peel and pit.
  • Place salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss gently.

Published August 23, 2023

Hillsborough Tax Collector tightens up appointment system

By

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has changed its appointment scheduling system after discovering that scammers were bulk-booking driver license appointments and selling them to residents for a fee.

The office received an influx of complaints regarding a lack of appointment availability and received tips that third parties were selling appointments, according to a news release.

The office launched an investigation that revealed a pattern of daily appointments being reserved under identical names and email addresses.

Appointments are not required for most services, but residents can reserve appointments on the tax collector’s website up to 30 days in advance at no charge.

The office believes that third parties are monitoring the scheduling software and immediately snapping up available appointments, possibly through the use of AI and bots, preventing residents from accessing available appointment slots, the news release said.

“This fraudulent behavior by individuals who are exploiting residents and denying them access to essential services is unacceptable. Unfortunately, appointment selling has become a growing trend across the nation, and in Hillsborough County, we are committed to putting an end to this interference and restoring fair and equitable access to services for all residents,” Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan said, in the release. 

After learning of the problem, Millan’s office asked the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office to investigate.

“It is believed that these individuals are targeting minority populations, with most of the suspected “sold” appointments taking place in the Hispanic community,” the release said.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspected incidents of appointment selling to Millan’s office.

These changes have been made to the appointment book process, to combat the fraud:

  • The new system only allows one appointment booking per person. The limitation aims to prevent the mass booking of appointments by unauthorized entities.
  • During the booking process, customers are required to enter their Driver License number, a parent’s Driver License number for minors, or an alien registration number.
  • Appointments are exclusively reserved for Hillsborough County residents and customers are required to confirm this acknowledgment before booking.
  • Staff at the tax collector’s branch offices check residency and ensure the names and ID numbers provided at the time of appointment booking match upon arrival to the office. If they do not match, the appointment will not be honored. 

For further information regarding services, locations and to book appointments, visit HillsTax.org.

Published August 23, 2023

Back to school with a smile

By

(Courtersy of Kim Chapman)

Nicholas Chapman was ready to go back to school at the new Angeline Academy of Innovation, as an eighth-grader. The Laker/Lutz News Staff extends its best wishes to all new and returning students, and to parents, for a successful, fun-filled, learning experience!

 

Schools across the region ring in a new school year

By

Schools across The Laker/Lutz News region have begun or will soon begin the 2023-2024 academic year.

First-year crossing guard Patricia Welch holds traffic on Weeks Boulevard, as Lake Myrtle Elementary students exit their school on Aug. 10, the first day back in classrooms for Pasco County. (Mike Camunas)

Students in the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts had their first day of school on Aug. 10.

Many scenes playing out across the Pasco school district were similar to ones that happen every school year.

Kids were hopping on their bikes to ride to campus, following the lead of crossing guards at crosswalks, or boarding a school bus.

Schools used signs to help welcome their first-day crowds.

Arriving students were eager to catch up with old friends and begin to make new ones.

This year, free breakfasts and lunches are being served in Pasco district schools.

The school board also has tightened up rules regarding the use of electronic devices.

New to the district this year is Angeline Academy of Innovation, a magnet school in Land O’ Lakes that welcomed its inaugural crop of students.

And those arriving at Land O’ Lakes High School, at Gator Lane and U.S. 41, found a host of improvements aimed at making it easier for them to get around.

Of course, it almost goes without saying that schools are in the business of helping individuals to expand their horizons through learning.

We, at The Laker/Lutz News, are extending our best wishes to all students, teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, other district staffers, school administrators, elected school district leaders, and parents for a 2023-2024 school year that’s stimulating, safe and fulfilling.

Published August 16, 2023

Lake Myrtle Elementary fifth-grader Kendall Cave, 10, walks her bike across Weeks Boulevard on Aug. 10, the official first day of school for Pasco County. Kendall, and thousands of other students made their way back to their respective elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district. This school year marked the inaugural year for Angeline Academy of Innovation, a magnet school in Land O’ Lakes.
Lake Myrtle Elementary kindergarten teacher Angela Proietto leads 5-year-old Liam Webb to his parents, who are eager to greet him following his first day of school.
Pine View Middle students climb aboard their departing school bus following the first day of school in Pasco County on Aug. 10 in Land O’ Lakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students at Pine View Middle in Land O’ Lakes wait to board their buses after school, on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
This sign, at Pine View Middle School, offers students and staff a warm welcome, as they arrive at the Land O’ Lakes campus for the first day of school.
Nicole Well, a first grade teacher at Lake Myrtle Elementary, hugs her son, Christopher, who is a third-grader, after the first day of school in Pasco County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land O’ Lakes fourth-year crossing guard Carlos Tavarez holds up traffic on Parkway Boulevard, as Pine View Middle students head home after their first day of school.
Lake Myrtle Elementary students in Land O’ Lakes are heading home, finishing up Day One of the 2023-2024 school year.
Lots of children rode their bicycles to school for the beginning of a new academic year at Lake Myrtle Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes.

Lutz Library ‘Friends’ group is back in action

By

The Friends of the Library Book Depot is located inside the Lutz Branch Library. (Courtesy of The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library)

The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library have been active on and off — because of the COVID pandemic and plumbing repairs at the library.

But now the group is active again and would love for patrons to come check out its selection of affordably priced books, according to a news release.

The selection is diverse, offering books that can be enjoyed and informative for people of all ages.

The Friends have organized and re-stocked the Book Depot with a diverse collection of hundreds of donated books ready for purchase.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit group with a passion for reading and for helping to improve the community. All funds raised by book sales are used to sponsor programs and events at the library.

In addition to purchasing a book to add to your collection, you may want to make a donation to the group, or check into getting involved with it.

If you’d like to find out more, stop by the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, or call 813-273-3652.

Published August 16, 2023

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High charter approved

By

The Pasco County School Board has approved a charter application for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High School, at 33347 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

The approval is for a five-year period, which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2028.

The approval includes a provision that the term shall be automatically extended on a month-to-month basis until the charter has been renewed, non-renewed, or terminated by the sponsor, according to background materials in the Pasco County School Board’s July 25 agenda packet.

The school is authorized to serve students in grades nine through 12. 

The following is the student enrollment capacity by year: 

  1. Year 1 (2023-2024): Grade nine up to a maximum of 200 students 
  2. Year 2 (2024-2025): Grades nine to 10 up to a maximum of 550 students 
  3. Year 3 (2025-2026): Grades nine to 11 up to a maximum of 900 students 
  4. Year 4 (2026-2027): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,250 students 
  5. Year 5 (2027-2028): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,400 students

The charter approval allows the school to recruit throughout all segments of the community, using direct mailings, public advertisement, information in the local and community press, and informational meetings at various locations and in English or other languages, as appropriate.

If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process. 

Students at the school also are eligible to participate in an interscholastic extracurricular activity at the public school to which the student would be otherwise assigned, the background materials say.

Published August 16, 2023

Staying cool, when it’s hot, hot, hot

By

Pasco County employees Rachel Nieto, left, and Stephen Roa fill their water bottles, while Matthew Potts, center, takes a sip and Jimmy Sullivan, wears a water backpack, as he works. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Pasco County’s Safety Team put together some pointers to help people stay cool – whether they are on the job for the county, or for anyone who is outside mowing the lawn, tending their garden, exercising or exerting themselves in other ways during this sweltering summer.

In a county news release, the safety team says the keys to staying safe are keeping cool, staying hydrated and getting rest.

Keep Cool: Dress for the heat. Wear a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing when possible. Add a hat with neck shade, cooling neckband, headband, and vest. You can even use a portable neck fan.

Apply a sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours.

Stay hydrated: Drink cool water or a hydrating drink often, even if you are not thirsty. Limit caffeine, sugary beverages and alcohol. These beverages cause your body to remove fluids at a much quicker rate, leading to dehydration. Instead, drink an electrolyte replenishment liquid.

Take breaks: Take time to recover from the heat with periodic breaks. Take breaks in a designated shady or cool location.

Published August 23, 2023

Public is invited to help shape Pasco’s future

By

Pasco County is establishing its vision for the future and is asking the public to weigh in on the Pasco County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Here are upcoming opportunities for interested parties to get involved:

  • Aug. 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel
  • Aug. 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sessions are being held on the same day, at the same time at these two locations: River Ridge High School Gymnasium, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey and at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa. Both of these sessions will cover the same materials, but held in two locations for the convenience of those who would like to take part.

During the workshops, attendees will learn about the community-driven vision derived from the public input received thus far and provide their ideas on potential implementation strategies to include in the update.

Those having questions about the event or the project may contact Hayat Mazili, project manager at 727-847-8140, ext. 7615.

Published August 16, 2023