The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Julianne Hough headlines hospital gala

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By Molly McGowan

Country music listeners have had her songs stuck in their heads, primetime television viewers have seen her footwork on Dancing with the Stars and come Nov. 18, supporters of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will get the chance to see rising star Julianne Hough.

Julianne Hough will be part of the entertainment at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills annual gala. (Photo courtesy of Universal Music Nashville)

Hough is headlining the hospital Foundation’s black-tie Gala XIV at Saddlebrook Resort’s Grand Pavilion. All benefits will support the creation of the Comprehensive Breast Center at the hospital.
According to Foundation executive director Carolyn Sentelik, the Comprehensive Breast Center, “Will really consolidate the breast health services under one umbrella and benefit the people of east Pasco County.”
She said the center will help, “streamline the patients experience, reduce time and trauma of the diagnostic journey from weeks to days, provide access to a full physician team and provide education and support services” to patients.
While no date has been set for the center’s opening, Sentelik stressed that the community’s support and involvement in the gala is essential to fundraising efforts.
“It’s our one primary event every year,” she said.
And this year, the Foundation is excited to have the support of and participation from Julianne Hough, whom Sentelik called a “natural link” to the mission of the Comprehensive Breast Center. Hough actively supports the fight against breast cancer.
At this year’s EIF Cancer Research Gala benefiting EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, Hough explained that her stepmother had breast cancer, and that awareness fundraisers was what helped lead her stepmother to an early detection of her breast cancer.
“We’re very excited about having Julianne Hough, and we’re very happy to have been able to secure her participation this year,” said Sentelik.
Chris Drews, chair of the Gala Committee, is equally excited to have Hough aboard this year. Drews, major accounts manager for The Laker, an event sponsor, said that over the years the entertainment at the annual gala – including Crystal Gayle and Lee Greenwood – has always been a success, but that this year, “it’s evolved.”
“I wanted to take it in a different direction, have someone who’s on the charts today,” he said.
Raised in a family that valued the arts and especially ballroom dancing, Julianne Hough was a competitive ballroom dancer at the age of 9, and trained with brother Derek in London while still a child.
When Hough was 15, she became the youngest dancer to win both the International Latin Youth Champion and Junior World Latin Champion at the Blackpool Dance Festival in England.
Hough most recently showcased her ballroom talent as one of the professionals on Dancing with the Stars, and won with partner Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno on Season 4 of the show. The next year, Hough won DWTS again, this time with race car driver Hélio Castroneves.
Recently, Hough made the decision to put ballroom dancing and DWTS on hold to enter the country music scene, in which she is quickly making a name for herself. Her first album was No. 1 on the top country albums chart in May and held firm at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
In her most recent music video, “Is That So Wrong,” Hough shows off some of her dancing skills, combining her passions for singing and ballroom. Not to be stopped at merely singing and dancing, Hough is also currently filming Burlesque and a remake of Footloose, making her a hot commodity.
Drews said that the negotiation process to get  Hough involved with the gala occurred before news of Hough’s movie Burlesque came out and before she began filming the remake of Footloose; given Hough’s increase in media attention, Drews said that she really is an “up-and-coming star” and that having her participate in this year’s gala should bring more people to the event.
Drews said 500 to 600 people normally attend the event, but this year he is projecting 600 to 700 attendees.
Sentelik also expects there to be “a lot of interest in the community” and said that based on past galas, a wide spectrum of people will attend the event. She said that “friends of the hospital, board members, physicians and employees” usually frequent the annual fundraiser.
In addition to the black tie event at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, the 21st annual golf tournament and the inaugural tennis tournament will be the next day, also at Saddlebrook Resort. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and play begins at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 19, with funds also benefiting the Comprehensive Breast Center.
Individual tickets to the gala cost $150, and tables start at $2,500. For more information on either the tournament or the gala, call the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation office at (813) 783-6144.

Flu fighters take the shot to stay healthy

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By Kyle LoJacono

Flu season is approaching and many people will soon decide if they will get vaccinated against the illness this year.
“I’ve always gotten the shot for the last five years or so,” said Lutz resident Wilma Scott. “I hate when I get sick and I don’t want to get my family or co-workers sick, so I figure it’s a good way to prevent that.”
Last year’s outbreak of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, changed Wesley Chapel resident Matt Thompson’s opinion on getting the shot.
“I never thought it made sense to get the shot,” Thompson said. “I always heard from people that they got the flu when they got the shot and I didn’t want to have that happen. Then last year the swine flu happened and I didn’t want to get it. I thought about it a long time and eventually got (the shot). Nothing happened and I didn’t get swine flu, so this year I got the regular flu shot.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness. The symptoms range from mild problems to severe enough to cause death.
The CDC’s website, www.cdc.gov/flu, states each year several thousand people die from the flu and about 12,000 died worldwide from H1N1 last year. Each year the particular strains change, which is what makes it so potentially dangerous because old immunity, either natural or from vaccination, is not effective in preventing the newer forms.
Dr. David Johnson has been Pasco County’s health officer since 2007. He said getting the flu shot is the most effective way to prevent getting the flu, which is why he gets one each year.

Dr. David Johnson

“The seasonal flu shot protects against flu viruses that will be most common during the upcoming season,” Johnson said. “This year’s flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses, an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus.”
The CDC is currently recommending everyone six months old or older get the annual flu shot each year. It is highly recommended for people between six months and 5 years old as well as those 65 years old or older because they are at higher risk of getting the disease and having more severe symptoms.
“This season, people 65 years and older will have two flu shots available to choose from, a regular dose flu shot and a new flu shot designed specifically for people 65 and older with a higher dose,” Johnson said. “This should result in a stronger immune response.”
Most people who get the flu recover in a few days to two weeks, according to the CDC, but it can develop into pneumonia or other respiratory diseases. The best way to prevent the progression is getting a lot of sleep and drinking plenty of fluids. Antibiotics do nothing to combat the flu, but some antiviral medications are available.
Other than getting the shot, the CDC has some ways to help prevent getting the flu.
First, avoid close contact with people who are visibly sick. The CDC does caution people can spread the virus a day before they have symptoms. Also wash hands often and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. The last step is to practice general good health habits, such as getting enough sleep and exercise, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.
Those interested in getting a seasonal flu shot can do so on a walk-in basis at the Land O’ Lakes Clinic, 4135 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The cost is $25 for the shot, $40 for the high-dose shot or for $57 for pneumonia shots. Call (813) 558-5173 for availability.

Common flu symptoms
Fever
Chills
Coughing
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Do your homework before stuffing your face

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By Samantha Taylor

The more restaurants I tour to check for healthy dishes you can eat, the more convinced I am that you must be SO particular about what you eat in restaurants and how it is prepared since most restaurant meals are loaded with calories.
Just so you know: I used to eat out three times a day for many years.  I had an eating disorder; I was a compulsive eater and I binged on fast food, junk food, sugar and restaurant food.
I started to have victory with my binge-eating challenge when I began to understand the total calorie content of my food.
One of my old favorites was the restaurant food that has been named home of the No. 1 worst food in America – Outback Steakhouse’s cheese fries, according to a series of popular books called “Eat This  Not That.”
Yes, this health and fitness expert used to gorge on this grease-filled dish and like that wasn’t enough, I ordered extra, extra bacon on it!
Guess how many calories are in this dish. Just try and guess.  OK, it’s 3,500, according to the book. I honestly didn’t know that until I looked it up one day.
That discovery led me to never get a full order again — only half!
Now, it has been years and I don’t eat it anymore. It actually tastes gross to me now even though I used to love it.
I think many people aren’t really aware that they are gorging on 3,000 calories in a single sitting, but when you do become aware of it, everything just seems different, especially when you know that 3,500 calories is equal to one pound of fat.
So the moral of the story is that you need to be aware of how many calories are in what you are ordering when you eat out. You wouldn’t leave your child with a babysitter that you have never checked out, right?
It’s the same with your body and health. These are important, so don’t leave the fate of what you’re eating in someone else’s hands unless you have made your investigation.
That’s the beauty of the Internet; in less than five minutes, you can just type in the website of your favorite fast-food place and look up the nutritional information of its meals, especially the food that you tend to order over and over.
For large corporate restaurants, you can search the restaurant name and name of meal or entrée like “Chili’s chicken crispers nutrition info.” Brace yourself, though, because you may find that your favorite dish has a lot more calories than you thought.
But at least you can make a wiser decision now like eat only half of the dish or definitely make sure you do cardio that day. My husband just lost 60 pounds and has kept it off for five months doing that very same thing. You can too!

Little birds with big appeal

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By B.J. Jarvis

October is the heart of the fall hummingbird-watching season in central Florida. While there are more than 300 different hummingbirds in the United States, there is only a handful common in Florida. But that’s okay, because the ones that do fly through are abundant and fascinating to watch.
While some will winter in Florida, many are just passing through, migrating as “snow birds” to points in South America and Mexico. So enjoy them now and augment gardens with plants that will attract them year-round.
Gardeners can increase the numbers of these winged wonders by selecting plants with flowers that are large, tubular and may droop down. It is often reported that the flowers must be red, but hummingbirds will visit flowers in a wide range of colors. Bloom time should be spread over a large period of time so that hummingbirds will keep visiting your garden.
Spacing out the plants throughout the garden is also helpful as males are especially territorial protecting their nectar sources. Given a distance of at least 15-20 inches between plantings should reduce the competition while increasing your viewing pleasure.
Fire bush, red swamp hibiscus and fire spike are three good shrubs for fall blooming. Don’t overlook vines as a source of nectar. Cross vine and trumpet vine with their large flowers will make a fence or trellis stand out and will be a great bird attractor. I have also seen hummingbirds visiting my annual cypress vine.
Although technically an annual, cypress vine will readily self-seed and may be a bit aggressive. Additional layers of nectar sources include cigar plant, or the Cuphea; flowering tobacco, or Nicotiana; lantana, either the native or exotic species; and occasionally a petunia. Beebalm, wishbone flower, or Torenia; and even nasturiums are great fall bloomers that are full of nectar and sure to bring the small birds to your garden.
To assure bird-watching nirvana, garden so that there is a fairly continuous bloom. Just remember some plants produce abundant blooms but little nectar, such as roses. While hummingbirds may not be attracted to rose flowers for nectar, they will build their inconspicuous nest on stems of thorny rosebushes. I wonder if the thorns are more protective to their young than an obstacle to avoid.
Gardeners are often roped in by artificial feeders, which are filled with sugar water or manufactured nectar, thinking this will attract hummingbirds. Sugar water is not really a great food, rather more like dessert. Dessert does taste good, but is not a great staple of the daily diet. Planting natural sources of nectar that contain all the complex nutrients and carbohydrates helps make up a more balanced diet.
Finally, to truly enjoy these amazing acrobatic birds be cautious about what you apply in the garden. Broad-spectrum pesticides sprayed every time there’s a little bug will also reduce the population of watchable wildlife, including hummingbirds, butterflies and songbirds. Employ the least-toxic method first and only when pest populations are large enough to warrant intervention.
For more information about hummingbirds of Florida, visit the University of Florida’s website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW05900.pdf or contact your Pasco Extension Service at www.Pasco.ifas.ufl.edu.
-B.J. Jarvis is Horticulture Agent and Extension Director for Pasco Cooperative Extension Service, a free service of Pasco County and the University of Florida. She can be reached at .

Game of the week

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Pasco makes it four straight against Land O’ Lakes

By Kyle LoJacono

For the first time, a group of Pasco High seniors will leave school 4-0 against Land O’ Lakes High after defeating their Class 3A, District 7 rival 20-14 Oct. 22.

The Pirates (7-0) forced four first-half turnovers, two lost fumbles and two interceptions, to take a 14-0 lead at halftime. The Gators (6-1) scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the comeback came up short.

“The difference is with us playing Gator football. We didn’t do that in the beginning,” said Land O’ Lakes coach Matt Kitchie. “We made mistakes offensively, but you know when you have four fumbles and lose two, shoot they should have been up 21 or 28 points.”

It was the first matchup between the two squads as unbeatens since 2007 and while the Gators turned things around in the second half, they appeared taken in by the magnitude early on.

“I think we came out and got a little over hyped and didn’t play Gator football,” Kitchie said. “It could have gone that way the rest of the second half, but some key things happened where we turned it around. But you know what, this is exciting. This was a great high school football game. Even though we lost it was a great high school football game.”

Jacob Guy

The Pirates recovered a fumble by senior tight end Jason Tello on the Gators first drive. Pasco capitalized on the first turnover, marching the ball 48 yards down the field capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Jacob Guy.

The Pirates signal caller finished 11 of 21 passing for 208 yards and two passing scores, one of 30 yards to senior wide receiver Mike Clower and another of 17 yards to junior wide receiver Trey Dudley-Giles.

Jacob is in his first season under center for Pasco. The matchup with the Gators was a little different for the first-year starter.

“I was a little nervous,” Jacob said. “This was my first big game against really another stud quarterback in Stephen Weatherford. He’s going to get first-team all conference because that’s how good he is.”

Weatherford, who had been averaging 271 yards per game entering the contest, was held to 12 of 29 passing for 126 yards.

“We got as prepared as we possibly could,” Jacob said. “I think our DBs went over so much that they knew what was coming on every play, which probably helped us and confused Weatherford a little bit because he’s not used to people knowing what’s coming.

“(Weatherford) will get back to work and we might see him down the road hopefully,” Jacob said of a potential rematch in the playoffs.

Jacob’s older brother Tyler, who was Freedom High’s quarterback last year and is currently redshirting at the University of South Florida, was at the game to watch his younger sibling.

“He’s just so calm and cool out there,” Tyler said of Jacob. “He’s so composed and he has been his whole life. They haven’t really played a big team like this since he’s been the starter and he came out here and played like he did the rest of the year.”

The Gators offense got on track on their 10th drive, which started with 37 seconds left in the third quarter. Land O’ Lakes went 53 yards down the field ending with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Will Irwin. Gators defensive end Jose Santana then made the big play that nearly turned the tide for Land O’ Lakes.

On first down of Pasco’s next drive the Gators defense forced a fumble that Santana scooped up on the Pirates 12. Land O’ Lakes scored two plays later on a four-yard touchdown run by senior running back Ryan Lane with 10:04 left in the game.

The Gators got the ball back once more, but were forced to punt. The Pirates got two first downs, forcing Land O’ Lakes to use its last timeout and then ran out the clock.

Kitchie tipped his cap to Pasco coach Tom McHugh.

“You’ve got to give it to coach McHugh,” Kitchie continued. “He had his kids coached up right and they did a great job.”

The win puts the Pirates in a tie for first place in the district with Sunlake High (7-0), which Pasco will face Nov. 5 after another league game against Mitchell High (5-3) Oct. 29.

“It’s putting us in the driver seat,” Dudley-Giles said of getting the district win against the Gators. “It’s a good test for us and we should be ready for Sunlake in a couple weeks and Mitchell next week.”

‘Striking’ up bowling interest in area’s youth

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By Kyle LoJacono

Each weekend area children gather at Royal Bowling Lanes in Lutz to get better at the game while earning valuable scholarships.

The program was started by Maria Smith, of Land O’ Lakes, 16 years ago in Miami. At first it was simply called the Youth Scholarship Fund, but she renamed it the Paul D. Boller Memorial Scholarship Fund after her late husband.

“I was a youth bowler myself and I gained a lifetime of love for the game and lifelong friends,” Smith said. “I learned about life through bowling. I thought this program would be a wonderful way to give back to the game that I got so much from.”

Currently 60 kids, including ones from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Odessa, come to the Saturday morning or Sunday evening program. Smith estimates that 1,200 children have participated in the bowling course since it started.

“What the kids are learning about is sportsmanship and how to play with others as a team,” Smith said. “I think it’s a worthwhile thing for kids to pick up. It’s a group outlet for kids and keeps them off the streets.”

While learning or mastering the game at the lanes, 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz, the children earn money for educational scholarships. Smith said about $400,000 has been given to kids in the program. The scholarship money comes from a variety of places, mostly from tournaments and other events at Royal Lanes.

“They don’t have to go to a traditional four-year school,” Smith said. “They can use it at a vocational school or something like that. As long as it goes to their education it’s fine.”

Josh Spence, of Wesley Chapel, has been in the program for five months and enjoys the weekly trips to Royal Lanes. He started playing the game with his father, Dan, a couple times a month.

“I really like bowling because one day you can do badly and another you can do really well,” said Spence, who is an eighth grader at Dr. John Long Middle in Wesley Chapel. “You can play very different on different days, but you can see how good you can play if you do everything right. That makes me want to practice more to play well all the time.”

Spence said his best score is 222, which he shot about a month ago.

“When I’m bowling I just try to roll the ball through my focus point,” Spence said. “I have to walk up with the right form to do my best, so I have to think about every little thing I’m doing.”

The youngest bowler in the program is Land O’ Lakes resident Devon Bilek, 6. He started in the classes three years ago and his father, Dan, is one of the teachers.

“I really like it,” Bilek said about bowling. “It’s fun to see all the pins fall down and I like learning from Ms. Smith and getting better.”

Bilek said his high score is 204.

The Saturday program is from about 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and is for kids ages 12 and older. Sunday sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are for kids of any age. Each session is $11, which includes three games, shoes, the lessons, parties and awards. Participants also need to pay a yearly fee of $17 to the United States Bowling Congress.

Bowlers can also play in various tournaments at Royal Lanes for an additional entry fee. The next event is Nov. 26 and 27. Interested bowlers can sign up for the event at the alley.

Bilek said right now he just wants to get better at bowling, but Spence has long-term goals in the game.

“Right now I want to do better and maybe go semi-pro,” Spence said. “I also want to start a bowling team at Wiregrass Ranch next year when I’m in high school.”

For more information or to join the program, call Royal Lanes at (813) 949-3606 or visit the alley and leave a name and phone number for Smith. She will get in touch with anyone interested.

“My motto is there is always room for one more kid,” Smith said. “Just get with the person at the front desk and they will get the information to me.”

Alex Milan’s fourth, Steinbrenner’s first

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By Kyle LoJacono

Steinbrenner High girls golfer Alex Milan will never experience a season without a district championship, but for the first time her team claimed a title as well.

Alex Milan

Milan, a senior, won her fourth straight individual district crown by shooting a 6-over 78 after winning last year with Steinbrenner and the previous two seasons at Sickles High.

“I didn’t really play well, but I’m happy with the win,” said Milan, who has committed to playing at Florida State University. “I didn’t even realize that I’d won four in a row when it happened, but now it’s sinking in.”

While Milan could not have won more district titles while in high school, the Warriors won their first ever as a team by shooting 352, besting Academy of the Holy Names’ 383 Oct. 18 at Cheval Golf and Country Club. Michelle Stein shot an 85 while Sara Bair shot 90 to help win the Class 1A, District 14 crown.

“It’s very special that it happened my senior year,” Milan said. “Each year I thought we were strong enough to win, but this year the whole team is a lot better. Half of our team are freshmen with only a couple older players and everyone is a lot better now than when we started.”

Steinbrenner went 10-3 in its second regular season this year. The Warriors now advance to the regional tournament in Largo.

“It’s a great feeling for a new golf program,” said Steinbrenner coach Mark Mann. “We set out with this as a goal when the season started. They really worked hard all year and it paid off.”

Two Wildcats teams top 1A-9

Academy at the Lakes girls golf won 1A-9 championship at Plantation Palms by shooting 488, beating Wesley Chapel High’s 523. The top three teams in each district tournament advance to regionals.

Winning the individual hardware is Saddlebrook Prep’s Lauren Riehle, who won the title last year, with a 5-over 77. Wesley Chapel freshman Hana Lee and academy’s Anna Fornelli tied for second with an 86, while Ellen Crowly, of the academy, shot 107. Carrollwood Day’s Hannah Crosby advanced individually with a 110.

First district title for Wiregrass Ranch boys golf

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By Kyle LoJacono

Wiregrass Ranch High boys golf coach Nick Cuviello said the Bulls were sick of being the bridesmaid in district tournaments and they showed it Oct. 19 at Pebble Creek Golf Club.

The Bulls, who had finished as district runner-up the last two years, won the team title by 26 strokes over Land O’ Lakes High.

Dylan Larson

“It was really exciting,” Cuviello said. “We had a bad start, but managed to grind it out and finish with a lot of strong scores.”

Senior Dylan Larson’s individual district crown was much closer. He shot 1-over 72 in regulation, tied with Gators golfer Jon Kopsell. The two went to a playoff. It looked bad for Larson when he shot his tee shot into the rough, but he recovered to sink a 2-foot par putt.

“He battled all day with Jon,” Cuviello said. “It went right down to the end. He told me after he was very nervous standing over that par putt to win it and who could blame him with everyone watching. He was able to calm himself and get the job down.”

It was the second straight individual title for Larson. He had to hit a 15-foot birdie on 17 just to force the playoff with Kopsell.

Larson’s teammates Logan Horrigan and Chris Kluender shot 76 and 78 respectively. Land O’ Lakes golfer Robert Nieman came in at 79, while fellow Gators Jesse Boger and Matt Mooney shot 90 and 97 respectively.

Sunlake High finished fifth with a 343 in the Class 2A, District 6 tournament, two spots out of advancing to regionals. Seahawks golfer Nicolai Atkinson managed to qualify individually for regionals with a 79.

Saddlebrook wins, Wildcats third

Saddlebrook Prep won its second straight boys golf district championship Oct. 18. The Spartans score of 323 beat out first-year Fivay High’s 328 and Wesley Chapel High’s 336.

It was the last district tournament for the Wildcats’ Alan Black, who has been a coach at Wesley Chapel since the school opened in 1999.

“It was kind of bittersweet,” Black said. “We did well finishing second in the conference and didn’t play that well in districts, but we did enough to advance. Hopefully we can put together a good round in regionals and get to states.”

The low round of the day went to Fivay’s Austin Padova with a 2-under 70. Wesley Chapel seniors Brandon Mumaw and Jacob Fleck shot the second and third best scores at 76 and 78 respectively.

Saddlebrook took the 1A-9 crown with consistent scoring from all four golfers. Jordy Torrent shot 79, Alex Benshel shot 80 and both Adam Chowhari and Daniel Hori shot 82.

Carrollwood Day’s Ryan Hooverman (91) and Alex Lucas (95) along with Academy at the Lakes’ Michael Davidson (98) advanced individually.

Jim Norman disqualified, not off ballot

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By Kyle LoJacono

While voters can pick Jim Norman on the ballot for state Senator, a vote for him may actually be a vote for someone else.
Norman was declared ineligible for Florida Senate’s District 12 election after a Tallahassee judge ruled his failure to disclose an Arkansas house as an asset disqualifies him.

Jim Norman

Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ruled the Hillsborough County commissioner “failed to substantially comply with the full and public disclosure requirements Article II, Section 8, Florida Constitution.”
According to the lawsuit, the $435,000 home was paid for with $500,000 given by the now-deceased political activist Ralph Hughes to Norman’s wife, Mearline. Norman told the judge he had no knowledge of the deal, an explanation the judge did not accept. Norman is expected to appeal the decision this week.
Despite the ruling, Norman’s name will be on all Election Day, early voting and absentee ballots even if he loses the appeal. That is because all the Election Day ballots had to be printed about two weeks ago, according to Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. Also, about 28,000 absentee ballots have already been mailed and the county’s election supervisor’s lawyer successfully argued it would be too confusing and costly to reprint them all.
“What will happen is a vote for Norman will be for whomever the Republican candidate turns out being,” Corley said. “If he wins the appeal that is likely coming, the votes would obviously be for him and if the Republican Party of Florida has to replace him, then the vote would go to that new candidate. Without a doubt Norman’s name will be on the ballot.”
Corley said there is precedent for such a move. In 2006 Republican Ken Littlefield ran for Florida House of Representatives’ District 61 seat, but pulled out of the election for another position. Will Weatherford replaced him as the Republican candidate for the spot and won despite Littlefield’s name being on the ballot instead of his.
Weatherford won re-election in 2008 and is again the Republican candidate for the same seat this year.
Corley said if Norman loses an appeal, there would be a sign in the more than 1,000 private voting booths in state Senate District 12’s 57 precincts for early voting and on Election Day stating a vote for him will be for the Republican replacement. All absentee ballots printed from then on will also include the note unless he wins an appeal.
Corley said that notice would not be placed until the decision is final. Corley said he was still waiting for that decision at press time.
The case against Norman was brought by current Florida Rep. Kevin Ambler of Lutz. Ambler lost the primary for the Senate seat by 12 percentage points.
Ambler sued Norman on the grounds that he was an ineligible candidate for not disclosing the Arkansas house, but asked Fulford to make him the replacement. Fulford did not make him the replacement. Ambler’s attorney, Mark Herron, filed a motion Oct. 18 asking for Ambler’s name to appear on the ballot.
Neither Ambler nor Norman could be reached for comment on the ruling.
In her ruling, Fulford said it was difficult to make a ruling that removed someone selected by the electorate in a primary race, but said the law is clear and Norman is not eligible. She also stated it is unfortunate the ruling came close to early voting and Election Day.
State Senate District 12 includes much of north Hillsborough, including Lutz and Odessa, and most of Pasco, including all or parts of Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Saint Leo, San Antonio and Grower’s Corner. Corley said he is also a voter in the district.
“In this case people can choose between two write-in candidates or the Republican candidate,” Corley said. “It isn’t the ideal situation and we want everyone to understand what they are voting for if they select Mr. Norman.”
Early voting began Oct. 18 in both Hillsborough and Pasco and Election Day is Nov. 2.

Elvis the heron finds a friend

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By Shannon Edinger

Fishing is more than just a hobby for Wayne Rogers. It is a way for him to bond with his buddy, Elvis.
What makes their relationship unique? Elvis is a Great Blue Heron.

Wayne Rogers with his buddy, Elvis, a Great Blue Heron who stays by his side while he fishes. They have grown closer since Wayne lost his dog a few years ago. (Photos by Glenn Gefers of www.photosby3g.com)

Rogers, 67, has lived in the area for 19 years now. Elvis first came by his Land O’ Lakes house five years ago and, Rogers said, has returned every day since. Rogers’ wife, Kitty, says Elvis showed up a week after their dog died. “After losing my dog, I kind of took him in as a pet,” he said.
Rogers is not entirely sure if Elvis is a male or female, but he named him Elvis and refers to him as a he. Elvis initially got Rogers’ attention by flying around outside his back window. He also walked around and pecked on the roof to make noise.
To this day, Elvis still uses these techniques to get Rogers’ attention when he is hungry.
“The hungrier he is, the braver he is,” Rogers said. In the winter, Elvis is more aggressive because there are fewer fish to catch than in the summer. Great Blue Herons primarily feed on small fish. Neighbors have seen Elvis walk up to Rogers’ back door and patiently wait for him to come outside.
When Rogers walks outside, Elvis follows him down the back walkway to the dock.
There, the bird quietly stands, waiting for Rogers to catch him some fish. Once Rogers catches a fish, he will hold the fishing pole up with the fish dangling so Elvis can grab the fish off the line. “I don’t want to try feeding him by hand,” Rogers said. “He’s still a wild animal and that long bill could cut one of my fingers off.”
Rogers usually spends about an hour on the dock, but Elvis will remain outside until dark.
“Once it’s dark, he will fly off somewhere. I’m not sure where he goes, but I’ve always been curious about it,” Rogers said.
Sometimes, Rogers will go out on his boat to go fishing and Elvis will stand on the front of the boat.
“If I’m not careful, he will get into the bait well and eat all the bait,” Rogers said.  Elvis has become territorial of Rogers’ dock. “He won’t let any other birds on the dock,” Rogers said. Elvis started a fight with a hawk one time for coming too close to the dock. “This is his territory.”
Elvis is shy around people he does not know. He keeps a safe distance when there are strangers around, but he always keeps a watchful eye on Rogers and the dock.
It is uncertain why Elvis chose Rogers’ home, but Rogers is certain of one thing: “He is a happy camper.”