The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Shop safely: Be alert to your surroundings, take precautions

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It’s that time of year when hordes of shoppers head out to buy holiday gifts.

Here are some tips from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), with consumer safety in mind, aimed at helping you enjoy a safe holiday season:

  • Park in a well-lit and highly visible spot, remove belongings when exiting the car and store packages in a trunk, out of sight.
  • When shopping online, use secure websites for purchases; secure websites include an “s” with https:// (instead of http://).
  • Use a credit card instead of a debit card for additional security when buying online.
  • Do not buy gift cards from an auction or community website.
  • Have packages delivered to a safe location such as an office, a package room or to a trusted neighbor who is home.
  • Beware of suspiciously low pricing. (If a deal looks too good, it may be fake.)

Remember, taking precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety.

You can find more crime prevention tips by checking the PSO’s social media channels and visiting News.PascoSheriff.com.

Published November 15, 2023

 

Florida Bar seeks public member for governing board

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The Florida Bar is seeking a nonlawyer to serve on its governing board, according to a news release from the organization.

Two public members have served on The Florida Bar’s 52-member governing board since the Supreme Court of Florida approved the organization’s request to have nonlawyer representation on the board in 1987. Only 12 other state bar organizations have public members on their governing boards.

The new board member will replace Linda Goldstein of Tampa, whose second two-year term expires June 2024, the release says.

The new board member would serve a two-year term commencing June 21, 2024. Candidates must be able to commit to attending/participating in five, two-day meetings held at locations around the state; one, two-day meeting held at a location outside of Florida; and one virtual two-day meeting, in addition to occasional committee meetings held virtually throughout the year. (See Expectations of Service as a Public Member on The Florida Bar Board of Governors.)

A screening committee of The Florida Bar Board of Governors has been appointed to review the applications, conduct final interviews, and make recommendations to the Bar’s governing board during its March meeting. The board will then recommend three persons to the Supreme Court of Florida and the Court will appoint one of the three nominees to the board.

The Board of Governors oversees the Bar’s lawyer discipline program, continuing legal education programs, legislative activities, and the overall administration of The Florida Bar. Board members, who are all volunteers, average 200-300 hours per year on Bar business depending on committee assignments. Although attorney members of the Bar’s governing board pay their own expenses related to their attendance at six board meetings and other events held each year, nonlawyer board members are reimbursed for “reasonable travel and related expenses for attending official bar functions.”

Most of the board is apportioned according to Florida’s 20 judicial circuits, with attorney members elected by lawyers in their locality. There are four additional out-of-state representatives. The other public member currently serving on The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors is Melanie Shore, Gainesville.

Applications for the opening will be accepted until close of business on Jan. 22.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.

Those interested can call 850-561-3127, to obtain the application.

Completed applications must be received by the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson St., Tallahassee, 32399-2300, or submitted via email to .

Published November 15, 2023

In Loving Memory of Rosemary Ann Ryckman Stenmark

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Rosemary Ann Ryckman Stenmark, 79, died on November 7, 2023 at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, Florida, after a long battle with multiple illnesses.

Rosemary was born on November 15, 1943, in Joliet, Illinois to Irja Jaakkola Ryckman and Kenneth Ryckman, Sr.  She was raised in Waukegan, Illinois and graduated from Holy Child Catholic School in 1961.  Rosemary attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, married her husband, David E. Stenmark and had their first child, Mark .  They later moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and had their second child, Monica.  Their third child, Marcie, was born while they lived in Columbia, South Carolina, where Rosemary attended nursing school at the University of South Carolina; she became certified as a registered nurse in 1977. That same year, they moved to Land O’Lakes, Florida, where she worked for the Pasco County School Board as a school nurse for 25 years.  Rosemary volunteered with the Land O’Lakes Lions Club to provide eye care and glasses to children in need.  In the summers, she worked as a nurse in home health care and senior housing facilities.  Rosemary lived for several years in Tampa and retired in 2005 to move to Tallahassee.

Rosemary is survived by her sister; Jane Ann Ryckman Shorman (Dale) of Waukegan, IL; Her children; Mark, Stenmark (Cathie) of Charlotte, NC, Monica Culliton (Sean) of Tallahassee, and Marcie Stenmark (Charles Nichols) of Tampa; and her grandchildren; Matthew and Megan Stenmark, Cameron, Kagan, and Ramsey Culliton, and Erin Schafer (Mike); and many extended family and friends.  Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Ken, Daniel, and Jean and her former husband Dr. David E. Stenmark.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rosemary’s name may be made to the Lutz-Land O’Lakes Lions Club Foundation Inc., 811 Sandalwood Dr., Plant City, FL. 33563.

No formal services are planned.

Get the Word Out: Orange Blossom Women’s Group is a Safe Haven for Women to Address All Their Healthcare Needs

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Orange Blossom Women’s Group, a state-of-the-art medical facility led by Dr. Reut Bardach, M.D. that offers comprehensive women’s health care service, just opened a new office in Land
O’ Lakes, serving the Lutz and Odessa communities.

Orange Blossom opened in March 2018 as a small OB/GYN practice and over the past five years they have grown to three locations. We spoke with Dr. Bardach about her journey and how she’s built Orange Blossom to become a go-to provider for women’s healthcare needs.

“Our growth is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional care in our community,” Dr. Bardach shared.

A native of Florida, Dr. Bardach started her career in Springhill and completed her residency in Detroit, MI in 2012. She knew she wanted to return home to Florida, and she was recruited to the Trinity area in 2015.

Dr. Bardach chose women’s health, and specifically OB/GYN, for two key reasons. The first is her appreciation of primary care management, which allows physicians to establish a relationship with their patients.

“I find it very rewarding to see people throughout the years and grow with them,” said Dr. Bardach. “OB/GYN is very unique in that it allows for that on a very deep level.”

The second aspect is the practice of surgeries and procedures.

“I really love surgeries, but I didn’t want to be a surgeon and give up the interpersonal relationships that I get with primary care,” Dr. Bardach shared. “So OB/GYN is the best of both worlds. Surgery, plus close, personal relationship building with patients.”

Orange Blossom offers services for women of all ages, ranging from adolescents to post-menopausal.

As a healthcare provider, Orange Blossom is unique in that it takes into account all of women’s healthcare needs. You’d be hard pressed to find an OB/GYN practice that offers so many services.

“We look at the patient completely in establishing what women want and need in healthcare and try to deliver as best we can,” said Dr. Bardach. “It’s for this reason that we are able to offer ancillary services such as Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Lactation services, etc. in an OB/GYN office.”

They cover comprehensive women’s care, including fertility, contraception and gynecologic issues. They diagnose and treat many common conditions that affect women, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), urinary incontinence, menstrual disorders, infertility, fibroids, prolapse and overactive bladder. They also provide preventive and routine care, such as well-woman exams and menopause management.

Orange Blossom’s comprehensive obstetrics care includes management of routine and high-risk pregnancy, and vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC).

Dedicated to helping women with their family planning needs, Orange Blossom also provides contraception consultations and offers intrauterine device (IUD) placement. And they provide expert care and treatment for women following abnormal Pap smears with state-of-the-art advanced technology. Orange Blossom Womens Group is one of the only practices that offers Dysis Digital Cervical Mapping for the evaluation of abnormal pap smears.

“What really sets us apart is our desire to offer a full service experience,” Dr. Bardach notes.

“We have really tried to create a ‘one-stop-shop,’ and I’m not aware of any other OB/GYN practice that takes women’s care to such a degree of offering comprehensive services.”

The Orange Blossom Aesthetics med spa further extends that concept into beauty and wellness, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, medical weight loss, extensive laser treatments, and high-end skin care treatments and products.

There have been countless success stories that have come from Orange Blossom, ranging from diagnosing and treating fertility issues to chronic pelvic pain to helping grow families, and everything in between.

“Our providers are caring, compassionate and patient centric. Our team of physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives all share a passion for women’s health, and collectively as a team, we all value creating an ideal patient experience while building lasting relationships with the patients in our community. This is the recipe for our success,” Dr. Bardach explained.

In addition to Dr. Bardach, the all-female team at Orange Blossom includes Dr. Monique Monard, M.D., certified nurse midwives and advanced practice registered nurses. Each office also offers full service ultrasonography and phlebotomy.

As skilled surgeons, the board-certified OB/GYNs perform minimally invasive gynecologic surgery while utilizing a cutting edge da Vinci robotic surgical system, in order to reduce scarring, postsurgical pain, and lower infection rates, while improving recovery time.

Orange Blossom offers early-morning and late-evening appointments to accommodate all schedules, and promise care in a serene and peaceful environment.

Dr. Bardach had one last message to our community — “We are thrilled to expand into the Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Odessa communities, to reach more patients and create more lasting
positive patient experiences.”

Call 727-846-7000 or visit www.orangeblossomwomensgroup.com to schedule your appointment.

Old Pasco Road widening contract approved

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The Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract for the long-awaited widening of Old Pasco Road. (Mike Camunas)

The contract for a long-awaited widening of Old Pasco Road has been awarded to B.R.W. Contracting Inc., for nearly $22 million.

The Pasco County Commission deemed B.R.W. to be the lowest, responsible and responsive bidder for the project, which involves improving Old Pasco Road, north of Deedra Drive to North Overpass Road.

The contract calls for the work to be completed within 600 days, according to background materials in the county board’s Oct. 10 agenda packet.

The county received five bids, including three from Pasco County. The company receiving the contract is from Land O’ Lakes.

Funding is available in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Under terms of the agreement, B.R.W. will provide all labor, materials and equipment.

The contract spells out a timeline for the project and calls for liquidated damages for delays.

Published November 08, 2023

Applications open for submissions from one-act playwrights

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The Carrollwood Cultural Center is accepting applications from local playwrights to stage and showcase their work for a live audience as part of The Studio Project, for the center’s 2023-2024 upcoming season, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of Carrollwood Cultural Center)

The Studio Project is a theatrical incubator with an alternative focus each year. It aims to foster the development of new theatrical and performative works in the Tampa Bay area, according to the release.

The center is seeking two previously unpublished/unproduced works that are 30 minutes or shorter, the release says.

As part of the project, the cultural center will offer rehearsal and performance space in The Studio, at 13345 Casey Road, behind the center’s main building.

The winning submission will receive a small stipend and some production support.

The center also will make available a professional director to help stage the piece if so desired. The winning work will be showcased for a live audience on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m., Jan. 20 at 8 p.m., and Jan. 21 at 2 p.m., at The Studio.

Applicants of all skill levels may apply through CarrollwoodCenter.org.

In the proposal, applicants must provide a brief synopsis, an excerpt of the piece, casting, and technical requirements, and state why the piece suits The Studio Project.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 27.

For additional information, email .

The Carrollwood Cultural Center is a partnership between Hillsborough County and the Friends of the Carrollwood Cultural Center. The mission of the Friends of the Center is to create culture through community and community through culture. The Friends of the Carrollwood Cultural Center, a 501(c)3 organization. For more information, visit the center’s website at CarrollwoodCenter.org.

Published November 08, 2023

Another trick (and treat) in Land O’ Lakes

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(Mike Camunas)

Wesley Chapel resident Jeremey Molina performs a trick at the skate park at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, on the morning of Oct. 14. Molina took advantage of the full-sized skate park at the local complex, doing some kick flips and running up ramps as some music played from his bluetooth speaker nearby.

New website tool focuses on helping employers, job seekers

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The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) recently added new features on workforceCONNECTpasco.com.

The new ConnectOPP tool allows employers to help bridge the gap between employers and job seekers, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

The website now features more tools and resources for the Pasco County business community aimed at helping people wanting to fill openings and people searching for work.

A new ConnectOPP tool added to workforceCONNECTpasco.com by Pasco EDC features more tools and resources to help bridge the gap between employers and job seekers.

The ConnectOpp tool is an opportunity platform for businesses to form connections and share experiences. It is aimed at building robust talent pipelines, exploring careers and cultivating sought-after skills in Pasco. 

The idea is to serve as a conduit between those who have positions to offer and those who are seeking opportunities.

The goal is to enable employers to play a role in helping individuals discover their career interests, to acquaint them with job prospects and to guide them toward acquiring the skills needed to pursue their desired career paths.

The website also includes an interactive map tool helping users to discover the range of options available that seek the job user’s skills and ambitions. The companies listed on this tool offer employee training and/or professional development opportunities.

Pasco’s employment opportunities include jobs in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, defense, business and professional services, high technology, life sciences and medical technology, logistics and distributions.

The website also includes a resource page for employers and job seekers, with resources catering specifically to each audience.

It also has a collection of data and statistics to help users collect data to make decisions for their individual business and workforce.

The goal of workforceConnect is to connect Pasco’s businesses and career seekers with valuable data and community resources, the news release notes. The program is supported by Penny for Pasco.

Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC’s president/CEO, noted in the release that Pasco’s target industry has increased by 50.7% over the past decade and has more than 10,500 jobs in the pipeline that need to be filled over the next 10 years.

“It’s crucial that we continue to work with our business community to understand their workforce needs and align them with the proper education and training partners,” Cronin said.

“This refreshed platform gives them many opportunities to connect with resources and career seekers.”

Published November 01, 2023

Tampa tool aims to reduce storm damage and protect people

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Hurricane season isn’t over yet — and the City of Tampa has launched a new digital tool to help keep residents and their properties safer, according to a city news release.

The database allows residents and builders to access life-saving and property-saving data, such as critical flood information, property warnings, potential building and insurance compliance requirements and other relevant information, the release says.

It’s even possible to view property elevation certificates through the new public portal.

Prior to this new digital tool, residents and builders had to go through countless pages of intricate property maps to find their individualized information. Now, they can simply visit Tampa.gov/floodinfo and plug in the property address, the release says. 

“Tampa is thinking long-term about our flood plain management and resilience work by investing in digital tools that will keep our residents and business owners safer,” JC Hudgison, chief building official for the city, said in the release. “Living in a coastal city, situated in one of the most active hurricane and tropical storm surge regions, it’s increasingly important for our residents to stay informed about their properties’ flood risk and take the steps they need to protect their assets.”

The new technology, produced by Forerunner, also enables the city’s construction services division to better manage its day-to-day workflows and its data.

The portal serves now as a centralized location for all property flood-related resources. Residents can also submit questions through the portal.

Visit Tampa.gov/floodinfo to get a better idea of what the new tool has to offer.

Published November 01, 2023

Attorneys sought for Judicial Nominating Commission seats

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The Florida Bar is seeking to fill one attorney vacancy for each of the 27 Judicial Nominating Commissions (JNC) across the state.

The organization can nominate three lawyers for each JNC vacancy for consideration by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who makes the appointments.

Each appointee will serve a four-year term, beginning July 1.

Applicants must be members of The Florida Bar, engaged in the practice of law and must live in the territorial jurisdiction served by the commission to which the member is applying.

Commissioners are not eligible for state judicial offices for vacancies filled by the JNC on which they sit for two years following their terms.

Applications are being accepted through the close of business on Dec. 15.

For more information, call the Florida Bar headquarters at 850-561-3127, or email .

Published November 01, 2023