The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Traffic relief coming to I-75 and State Road 56

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Motorists stuck in long lines of traffic at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange could get relief sooner rather than later.

It will come in the form of a new interchange known as a diverging diamond – a design gaining popularity nationally as a solution to traffic jams at major crossroads.

Aerial photo of I-44/Kansas Expressway Diverging Diamond Interchange in Springfield, Missouri. First of its kind in the U.S. (Courtesy of Missouri Department of Transportation)

The Florida Department of Transportation is moving the approximately $18.5 million road project up by two years. With funding in place, construction is set to begin sometime in fiscal year 2018, which runs from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

Previously, the diverging diamond got priority status on the FDOT’s five-year work plan, but had a fiscal year 2020 start date.

“I am grinning ear to ear. I am so excited that the diverging diamond is moving up to 2018,” said Pasco County Chairman Mike Moore. “This is going to be one of the most innovative methods of relieving traffic. It’s going to be so beneficial, not just for that area, but for the entire region.”

Moore and other county commissioners got a presentation on the diverging diamond and other proposed road projects during a Dec. 6 meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Dade City.

The state transportation department’s five-year work plan of joint state and county road projects is updated annually with local input.

The I-75 interchange is a gateway in and out of major commercial developments on State Road 56, either already open for business – Tampa Premium Outlets – or under construction – Cypress Creek Town Center.

Longhorn Steakhouse and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse are among the newest restaurants to open. Others include Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Culver’s. More eateries are on the way.

Construction will soon be completed west of the interchange on a 150,000-square-foot sports complex and ice rink, known as Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Vehicles stack up daily at the interchange and bring traffic to a crawl, as motorists seek to go shopping, run errands, get to work or head home.

Peak traffic hours are a daily nightmare for motorists who get stuck in long lines at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange.
(File Photo)

Details are pending on how traffic will be routed through the busy intersection during construction.

But, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said, “We’ll take the pain for the progress.”

Pasco County could become the second municipality in the state to have a diverging diamond. Sarasota is the first, with a diverging diamond interchange currently under construction at I-75 and University Parkway. It is expected to open in 2017.

The City of Jacksonville is considering a diverging diamond on Interstate 95.

In the diverging diamond interchange, multiple lanes of traffic from opposite directions crisscross from one side of the roadway to the other, and then switch back, guided by road signs, marked lanes and traffic signals.

Supporters of the design say it eases congestion, prevents wrong-way entry onto ramps and reduces crashes. The interchange also accommodates pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes.

Other projects included in the five-year work plan are:

  • County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) from north of State Road 54 and State Road 56 to Progress Parkway; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018.
  • State Road 52 realignment from Uradco Place to west of Fort King Road; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018; construction in 2019.
  • S. 301 from State Road 56 (proposed) to State Road 39 (Paul Buchman Highway); preliminary engineering in 2018; right-of-way to be purchased in 2021, 2022.

For complete list of proposed projects and their descriptions visit D7wpph.com.

Comments on projects should be submitted by Dec. 27, either online or mailed to: Ed McKinney, Florida Department of Transportation, 11201 N. McKinley Drive, MS 7-500, Tampa, Florida, 33612.

Published December 21, 2016

 

Rally sheds light on risks of impaired driving

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For one drunk driver, it took going blind to finally see.

That’s the message Derrick Jenkins shared during A Rally to Prevent Impaired Driving, on Dec. 5 at John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel.

Three years ago, Jenkins was just a “normal kid.”

But, the St. Petersburg resident’s life changed forever on Nov. 5, 2013.

Derrick Jenkins was the guest speaker during A Rally to Prevent Impaired Driving on Dec. 5. Jenkins lost his eyesight three years ago after an impaired driving accident.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

Jenkins, then 21, attended a local car show with a few buddies. His intention was to get drunk. He did.

“Being 21, I was thinking, ‘Sweet, we can get trashed legally.’ That was my mindset at the time,” Jenkins said, addressing a group of parents and their children.

That November evening, an intoxicated Jenkins chose to ride his motorcycle home. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.

He did not make it far.

He trekked about a “a block down the road” before he and his motorcycle collided full-force into a stationary construction truck on U.S. 19.

The fallout was catastrophic.

“I hit the truck so hard my eyes literally popped out of my head,” Jenkins said, “My eyes were literally hanging on my cheeks.”

Jenkins, now completely blind with no eyes, had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from the crash.

As a result, he now suffers from diabetes insipidus. It is a rare disorder that causes an imbalance of water in the body and is marked by intense thirst and heavy urination.

He is also unable to regulate his body temperature, and is stricken with short-term memory loss because of dead spots scattered across his brain.

“They all affect me on a daily, hourly basis,” he said of his existing medical problems.

The incident was a long time coming, Jenkins said, considering his proclivity to excessively drink at house parties since he was in high school.

“I’m surprised it didn’t happen to me sooner,” he said, candidly. “I let what other kids think of me affect my decisions.”

For Jenkins, the dangers of driving impaired serve as a constant reminder.

“It only takes once,” he said.

December is National Impaired Driving Awareness Month.

To spread the message, several organizations — the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), and Safe Teens AgaiNst Drugs (STAND) — teamed up for a panel discussion on issues related to drug and alcohol abuse, especially involving youths.

Much of the 30-minute dialogue centered on causes and impacts of underage drinking and drug abuse.

Shawn Crane, a Pasco Circuit Court Judge, said curbing youth substance abuse starts with choosing the right friends.

“The people you surround yourself with are absolutely critical to remaining drug free and alcohol free,” Crane said, during the roundtable. “If you want to fit in with that group that goes to the house parties, that is going to be the root that brings you down.”

Alexis Escalante, a MADD program specialist, said children with self-esteem issues are more at-risk of being pressured into drug and alcohol use.

“Kids can fall into that trap when they have low self-esteem,” Escalante said, “and they are looking for acceptance…wherever they can.”

That’s why, Escalante said, parents need to talk to their children about substance abuse at an early age.

“We have found that kids start forming their own opinions about drugs and alcohol as early as 8 years old,” Escalante said, “so it’s up to the parent to determine whether or not they’re getting correct information.”

She added, “The earlier you start talking about it, the more manageable it’s going to be.”

Ariana Santillana, a freshman at Ridgewood High, agreed, noting youth are heavily influenced not only by their peers, but what’s presented in movies, music and television.

“Drug use and alcohol is being promoted everywhere,” Santillana said. “Youth are like sponges—they soak up all the information they get about drugs.

She added: “It seems like parents are scared to talk to their kids about alcohol and drugs, and the effects it can have on them.”

Those effects are multiple and long-term, panelists concurred.

Besides the risk of motor vehicle accidents, there’s a possibility of stunted brain function, said Christina Roberto, a master social worker at BayCare Behavioral Health.

“When you’re underage, your brain is still developing,” Roberto said. “It doesn’t stop until you’re 25 or 26 (years old), so when you add all these extra substances…it’s causing it to not fully develop.”

Incarceration is another possible outcome, even for those under 18.

Natalie Scruggs, an assistant state’s attorney for Florida’s Sixth Judicial Court, said juveniles can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) manslaughter, a second-degree felony equating to 15 years in prison.

“That stays on your record pretty much forever,” Scruggs said. “The consequences can be very, very horrible.”

Panelists also agreed that substance abuse—and impaired driving — could create significant financial hurdles, from legal fees and court costs, to exorbitant medical bills to skyrocketing insurance rates.

“The cost is really difficult to measure,” Crane said, “because it is so vast.”

Published December 14, 2016

Developing life skills, one student at a time

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Amy Gordon’s mission is clear.

She wants to ensure every student reaches his or her full potential, and becomes a productive member of society.

That’s why she created Life Skills in ACTion in 1995, while still an elementary school teacher in the Tampa Bay area.

lifeskillsIt started with humble beginnings — with Gordon working out of her house. Through parent word-of-mouth, her supplemental learning service expanded — quite rapidly.

“My part-time (gig) turned into an explosion in three months,” Gordon said.

With offices now in Wesley Chapel and Lutz, Gordon and her staff of 11 experienced certified instructors help students ranging from elementary to college. The youngest client is 5 years old. The oldest is 28.

Fundamentally, the learning center assists students who are struggling — in or out of the classroom.

Gordon and her staff focus on individual-based tutoring and personal development, too.

“We break down that barrier that everybody has a stigma, ‘My child can’t do this or my child struggles,’” explained Gordon, the director of Life Skills in ACTion.

In addition to basic study skills and note-taking classes, there are social etiquette seminars, which focus on themes such as personal grooming, proper manners and how to relate with others.

“There’s really no place around here that does what we do,” Gordon said.

“It’s not like I have a curriculum that I buy. We meet with the family, and we build a program around what their needs are — whether it be studying, time management, or tutoring,” she said.

Approximately 80 percent of Gordon’s clients are what she calls “busy kids,” frequently referred to by others as hyperactive.

Those students, she said, often are misunderstood.

“Their brain processes in such a way that they have to have a physicality in their learning,” Gordon explained. “They come in with notebooks that look like a dog ate them, and it’s because they’re sitting there and peeling them, and they do that because they have to feel focused to learn.”

To aid those students, Gordon and her staff conduct a personal profile to identify how each learns best.

“You tell us what your child needs, and we will figure out what resources we have to help you,” Gordon said. “Schools are so busy with workloads, and they can’t help kids the way they want to, and (they) don’t have the resources anymore.”

Gordon knows that all too well.  After teaching in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas school systems for 22 years, she encountered her fair share of “busy kids.” Yet she could only do so much.

“I couldn’t give them the time that they needed because I had 20 other students,” she said. “I was leaving school every day emotionally drained because it was frustrating to not be able to do what I knew they needed.”

At Life Skills, she’s been able to do that.

Inside the Wesley Chapel office, there’s a comfortable, welcoming feel. Students gather in vibrant rooms with kitchen roundtables, as opposed to wide-open, sterile classrooms.

“We try to keep everything small,” Gordon said, “so its more personal to their learning and their interests. They feel like they’re at home when they’re here.”

That contrasts with how students are typically taught in school classrooms, which tend to be more sequential and lecture-based. That doesn’t work for every student, Gordon said.

For example, some students are visual learners. Others might be kinesthetic learners, whereby they learn best by through hands-on experience.

Gordon said there are eight learning types in total.

“Most of the kids that come here have their little traits,” she said. “We take what they have to learn—biology, history—but personalize it so they can retain it and learn it. They kind of learn how to make their traits work for them, as opposed to against them.”

She continued: “The fact of the matter is that every kid has it within them; we just have to figure out how to help them do it.”

It can happen in as little as eight weeks, Gordon said.

“Kids get out of here, and they feel like they know their purpose, and what their strengths are,” she explained.

The response has been positive, from both students’ parents and schoolteachers.

“Teachers are seeing how we’re impacting the kids at school,” Gordon said.

“They don’t feel threatened that they’re not doing their job because we all know they are,” she added.

Since starting Life Skills in ACTion over 20 years ago, Gordon has been “overwhelmed” by the number of families seeking help.

“I didn’t think it was as many as it is,” she said. “It’s just simple principles: putting the child first.”

Gordon noted she may eventually open an office in Pinellas, and would one day like to expand operations nationwide.

“I’ve just always loved working with kids,” she said. “It’s very gratifying.”

For more information, visit LifeSkillsInAction.com.

Life Skills in Action
Wesley Chapel office: 2026 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 102
Lutz office: 18125 US 41 North, Suite 208
Contact: (813) 575-9100 or 

These are the services offered by Life Skills in Action: Tutoring; Study Skills and Personal Development; Notebook 101; Social Etiquette; Cyber Life; Parent Advocate; Project Support; and, Parent Online Seminar.

Published December 7, 2016

There’s no shortage of holiday cheer here

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The Thanksgiving turkey and all of the fixins’ — and all of the leftovers — are gone.

The lighted entryway at the Florida Botanical Gardens sums up the sentiment of many holiday events in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area and the Tampa Bay region. (File Photo)
The lighted entryway at the Florida Botanical Gardens sums up the sentiment of many holiday events in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area and the Tampa Bay region.
(File Photo)

Lucky for you, you’ve got a whole month of holiday happenings available for your enjoyment.

Here’s a look at just some of the free and low-cost options being offered in the The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, with a few other regional events tossed in that we thought would give you some holiday pleasure.

 

Lutz

  • 37th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show, on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Keystone Preparatory High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa. The event is free, but there will be a $5 parking charge to benefit the school. Event organizers expect about 355 vendors, and between 30,000 to 40,000 festival-goers.
  • 20th annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School, on select evenings from Dec. 8 through Dec. 27 at the school, 18819 N. US 41 in Lutz. Hours are 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Dec. 8, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 18, Dec. 20, Dec. 22, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27. Admission is free, but there will be barrels to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families that are less fortunate. The building is decked out for the holidays, and there will be entertainment, too.
  • Breakfast with Santa at the Old Lutz School, on Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the school, 18819 N. US 41. There is a $4 charge for breakfast, and a visit from Santa Claus.
  • Handbells & Friends, a free holiday concert on Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., at First United Methodist of Lutz at 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. The public is welcome to this concert which will feature handbells, vocals and other instruments.
  • Tampa Bay Tour De Clay, a free family friendly, self-guided tour of four local pottery studios, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour includes: Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogle Lane in Palm Harbor; Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchinson Road in Odessa; Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Wirley Road in Lutz; and, San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio. (San Antonio Pottery will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 10). For more information, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

North Tampa

  • CABA tree lighting, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Elmcroft at Carrollwood, 2626 W. Bearss Ave.
  • Build a Toy with Santa at the Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa. Children will be able to come to the museum’s Idea Zone creativity lab to make a toy to take home. Santa Claus will drop by the workshop to share pointers on holiday cheer. The workshop will be open through Jan. 3. It is included in the normal museum admission charge. For more information, visit MOSI.org.
  • Christmas in Song, free concert on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. This free, family friendly concert features the church’s chancel choir, orchestra and handbells.
  • “Simply Christmas,” Christmas Eve services at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave. The evening will include a Spontaneous Christmas Pageant at 5 p.m.; a contemporary Christmas service at 6:30 p.m.; lessons and carols at 8 p.m.; and, traditional communion services at 11 p.m.

Land O’ Lakes

  • Christmas Holiday Bazaar at Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free to this event, which features a free photo with Santa, a bounce house village, a candy trail, holiday shopping, food trucks, giveaways and games. Those attending also will have a chance to meet the Mascot “Blue” from the Tampa Yankees. Plus, there will be resources for families affected by autism, including sensory-friendly activities for children.
  • Heritage Holiday Card Walk, sponsored by the Wesley Chapel Land O’ Lakes Satellite Rotary, from Dec. 3 to Jan. 7 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The event will have around 30 full-size cards on display, ranging in size from 6 feet by 4 feet to 8 feet by 4 feet. Cards can be placed on Dec. 3 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. For information, call (813) 996-3011.

  • 23rd annual Flapjack 5k and 1-mile run, on Dec. 11, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. The 5k starts at 8 a.m., and the 1-mile starts at 8:45 a.m. A flapjack breakfast follows the race for each runner; non-runners can donate $5 for breakfast. Santa will be there for photos, too.

Wesley Chapel

  • CalAtlantic Homes presents Symphony in Lights, with shows on the hour between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., through Dec. 31 at The Shops at Wiregrass, at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. The show features snow, sparkle and sounds of the season. For more information, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.
  • Movies under the stars, Holiday Movie Marathon at Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz. See TampaPremiumOutlets.com for dates and times. The outlet center also will have community holiday entertainment, on select days and times through Dec. 24, and also will have a Community Gift Wrap through Dec. 24, with local organizations benefiting from donations.

Dade City

  • Country Christmas Open House, at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event offers free admission to the attraction, with the donation of an unwrapped toy that will be given to a local Dade City charity. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. This is a great opportunity to come out and visit the museum’s charming history, do some holiday shopping with its vendors, listen to some Christmas music and hear the Solid Gold Barbershop Quartet. Bring the kiddos out to see Mr. Tommy Presents. He will have two performances at 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be here from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and we will offer complimentary photos by photographer Christina Strong. The barrel train also will give rides, and there will be a train show in the Mable Jordan Barn. The museum will serve punch and cookies, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be available at the concession stand. For more information, call (352) 567-0262 or (352) 206-8889, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.
  • Country Crafters third annual Arts and Crafts Fair, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Country Aire Manor Clubhouse, 10249 U.S. 19 in Dade City. This event features a wide assortment of locally produced items, which are available for purchase.
  • The Market Place, on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue in downtown Dade City. The market will feature unique holiday presents, the jazz band from Pasco High School and musician Derrick Tucker. Vendors will be offer homemade cookies, honey, jams, handmade soaps, jewelry, garden accessories, fresh produce, Scentsy, Thirty-One, handmade baskets/gourds, hand-designed coasters, artwork and more. The Market Place is free and pet friendly. It is sponsored by the Dade City Youth Council.

Zephyrhills

•   Festival of Lights on Dec. 3 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills. Free photos with Santa will be offered at 38439 Fifth Ave., courtesy of Goin’ Postal. Santa will take a brief break at 6 p.m., to appear in the lighted nighttime parade.

  • Jingle Bell Boutique & Bake Sale, on Dec. 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills Clubhouse, 38545 Fifth Ave., in downtown Zephyrhills. In addition to the customary bake sale, this will be the first year for the Jingle Bell Boutique, which will feature several women’s home-based businesses or showcase their handiwork of hobbies gone wild, and will give shoppers a chance to buy local. Proceeds from the bake sale and vendor fees will support the woman’s club’s projects.
  • Tampa Bay Tour De Clay, a free family friendly, self-guided tour of four local pottery studios, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour includes: Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogle Lane in Palm Harbor; Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchinson Road in Odessa; Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Wirley Road in Lutz; and, San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio. (San Antonio Pottery will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 10). For more information, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Downtown Tampa

  • Free screening of the movie “Elf” at Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., in downtown Tampa on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m., for a cocoa and cookies social in the theater’s lobby. A big announcement will be made at 7 p.m., followed by the movie. Admission is free and open to the public; however, guests are asked to visit TampaTheatre.org/events/Elf and click on the “Buy Tickets” link to print their complimentary Eventbrite ticket for guaranteed entry.

West Pasco

  • River Lights Boat Parade and holiday festival. The West Pasco Business Association is joining New Port Richey Main Street on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 in Sims Park, near downtown New Port Richey, for the free “River Lights Boat Parade” and a holiday festival. The movie “Polar Express” will be screened on Dec. 2 in the park. The boat parade begins at 7 p.m., on Dec. 3.
  • Sixth annual “How the Grinch Saved Christmas” will be on Dec. 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The West Pasco Business Association is hosting this event, which includes members of the association and the community.

Tickets are available online at WPBA.biz for $45. For more information contact Maria Johnson at (727) 934-0940 or "> .

Largo
More than than 750,000 lights have transformed the Florida Botanical Gardens, at 1250 Ulmerton Road in Largo, into a holiday wonderland. Visitors can stroll through the gardens from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., nightly through Dec. 31. A donation of $4 is suggested for those 13 and older, while children 12 and under, and parking, are free.

For more information, call (727) 582-2117 or visit, FBG.Org.

Published November 30, 2016

Land O’ Lakes student visits White House, talks science

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Not many high-schoolers are like Logan Beatty.

The freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School is a member of a select group.

He was one of 11 youths nationwide chosen to participate in President Barack Obama’s first-ever Kid Science Advisor program on Oct. 21.

Eleven students nationwide were chosen to participate in the Kid Science Advisor program, held on Oct. 21. (Official White House Photo)
Eleven students nationwide were chosen to participate in the Kid Science Advisor program, held on Oct. 21.
(Official White House Photo)

The 14-year-old submitted an essay to the White House last spring, outlining the importance of exploring the world’s oceans in developing better technology.

“I used some of the inspiration that I have from living in Florida, and going to do beach cleanups,” Beatty said.

More than 2,500 essays were submitted nationwide, for the Kid Science Advisor program. Beatty was selected to represent the Southeast region.

“You don’t get that many opportunities to get your voice heard — especially as a student,” Beatty said.

Beatty and others participated in a roundtable discussion about future STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) ideas with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, senior Administration officials, and various pioneers of scientific discovery.

Among the people he met were Dr. John Holdren, President Obama’s chief science advisor; Charles Bolden, current NASA administrator; France Cordova, director of the National Science Foundation; and Scott and Mark Kelly, retired astronauts who are twin brothers.

Logan Beatty, a freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School, was selected to participate in President Barack Obama’s Kid Science Advisor program. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
Logan Beatty, a freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School, was selected to participate in President Barack Obama’s Kid Science Advisor program.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

It was an experience that Beatty is unlikely to soon forget.

“It was really cool,” Beatty said, “because I’m not sure how often (kids) are able to do things like this.”

During his visit, Beatty was able to explore the West Wing of the White House, touring the Roosevelt Room and the Oval Office.

“It was really incredible,” he said about the White House. “When we first went in, they had two different layers of security, which was a very long process. But, once we did get inside, it was just random, little details that stood out — like the black floor tiles actually had fossils in them. And, we got to see the library of the Executive Office, which was really cool. I liked some of the architecture.”

White House officials initially told Beatty “there was no way” the group of kids would meet President Obama.

Yet, a short time later, President Obama walked through the back door of the Roosevelt Room, to the group’s surprise.

“I nearly stopped breathing,” Beatty said with a chuckle. “We saw him for about five (minutes) to seven minutes. It’s more than most people get to see President Obama, especially in his office.”

Beatty, who’s in the Land O’ Lakes High School’s pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) program, is a busy student.

In addition to a rigorous pre-IB curriculum workload, the teenager is a member of several school clubs including Model UN, photography and drama. He’s also involved in Boy Scout Troop 707 in Land O’ Lakes.

“I get it all done, somehow,” he said, “Mostly losing sleep.”

Land O’ Lakes assistant principal Jeff Morgenstein described Beatty as an “outstanding student.”

“When I look at the students that come into our (IB) program, Logan really exemplifies the idea that they want to make a difference in their community, in our nation and in the world,” said Morgenstein, “and they do that through ideas, through conversation and being part of things that are bigger than them.

“Doing things to make the future better — that’s who he is.”

Published November 23, 2016

Plantation Palms Golf Club is in the swing of things

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Golf is teeing off again at Plantation Palms Golf Club.

After two years of uncertainty over the fate of the golf course and adjoining restaurant, owners of Ace Golf are ready to reopen the four-star Golf Digest golf course to club members on Nov. 30, and to the public on Dec. 5.

An 18-hole miniature golf course is open to the public at Plantation Palms Golf Club, off Collier Parkway. (Photos courtesy of Ace Golf)
An 18-hole miniature golf course is open to the public at Plantation Palms Golf Club, off Collier Parkway.
(Photos courtesy of Ace Golf)

The on-site restaurant, Mulligans Irish Pub, opened to the public in October, according to a news release from Ace Golf.

It is similar to two other pubs operated by Ace Golf at golf courses in New Tampa and Tarpon Springs.

The interior is Irish-themed with beamed ceilings and murals. The menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches and dinner entrees, as well as pub fare such as fish n’ chips and Shepherd’s pie.

Plantation Palms Golf Club is located at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Golf operators also are adding a couple of firsts with an 18-hole miniature golf course and a lighted driving range.

The miniature golf course – designed by Miniature Golf Solutions – is next to the clubhouse and features tropical landscaping, waterfalls, fountains, trick shots and special lighting for night play, according to a press release from Ace Golf.

Friends get together at Irish Mulligans Pub at Plantation Palms Golf Club. From left: Mike Henning, Nanette Henning, Deborah Scotch, Ron Scotch, Bill Lane, Rose Parnell and Joe Parnell.
Friends get together at Irish Mulligans Pub at Plantation Palms Golf Club. From left: Mike Henning, Nanette Henning, Deborah Scotch, Ron Scotch, Bill Lane, Rose Parnell and Joe Parnell.

It opened to the public the second week in November. The lighted driving range will open on Nov. 30.

The miniature golf course is family friendly, but owners also hope it will boost play on the renovated Plantation Palms golf course.

“Some golf operators complain that fewer people are playing golf,” Ace Golf co-owner Bill Place said, in a written statement. “But, this does something about it. Lots of kids and families will come out to play miniature golf, see the big golf course and maybe work their way up to it.”

Renovations at the course began in May. Work included new greens, restored fairways, a repainted clubhouse and renovations to create Mulligans Irish Pub.

A new banquet room will open in 2017 to host weddings and events.

While the golf course is playable, it will take time for the course to be at peak condition, according to General Manager Kevin Dietsch.

But, in a written statement he said, “The layout remains one of the more challenging and well-loved with rolling hills, ponds, and sculpted terrain.”

Ace Golf owners Bill Place and Su Lee renovated Plantation Palms Golf course and opened Irish Mulligans Pub to the public. The golf course also will open to the public on Dec. 5
Ace Golf owners Bill Place and Su Lee renovated Plantation Palms Golf course and opened Irish Mulligans Pub to the public. The golf course also will open to the public on Dec. 5

Plantation Palms closed in 2014 as MJS Golf Group – the previous owner – struggled to survive recurring financial losses and debts. The company bought the course in 2011.

In the past two years, a “Bring Back Our Course” campaign, led by Homeowners Association President Jim Hammond, sought to save the course, but struggled to find a potential buyer with a viable financial plan.

Place, and his wife Su Lee, bought the course in May 2016 in a short sale approved by the federal government.

They opened Ace Golf Ranges more than 20 years ago in Brandon and Riverview. The couple also own Pebble Creek Golf Club, Wentworth Golf Club and Crescent Oaks Country Club.

Hours for the pub and miniature golf course are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For information, call (813) 996-4653.

Published November 16, 2016

Bug Jam is set for this weekend

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One of the area’s largest car shows kicks off this weekend.

The 28th annual Florida Bug Jam is slated for Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

The two-day event is regarded as the Southeast’s largest Volkswagen (VW) car show.

More than 720 VW entries, 200 vendors and about 12,000 spectators are expected.

The 28th annual Florida Bug Jam is set for Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. Officials anticipate more than 720 Volkswagens, and nearly 12,000 spectators. (File Photo)
The 28th annual Florida Bug Jam is set for Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. Officials anticipate more than 720 Volkswagens, and nearly 12,000 spectators.
(File Photo)

Saturday’s highlights include a 40-mile poker run through the back roads and rolling hills of Pasco County, as well as a traditional VW Pre-Jam Parade through downtown Dade City.

“The parade that goes downtown has over 200 cars,” said Randy Yoho, owner and promoter of the Florida Bug Jam. “We pretty much do a mini car show there, with some music.”

Another activity —“Bugs on the Track”— is also on the Saturday schedule. It allows VW enthusiasts to ride through a dune-style, off-road course that consists of multiple obstacles and rhythm sections.

Meanwhile, live music from the likes of the Caribbean Chillers and the Boogie Brothers will be featured at the fairgrounds throughout the day.

The Bug Jam’s main event — the VW Car Show and Swap Meet — begins on Sunday.

Over 60 different classes of Volkswagens will be viewed and judged throughout the show, Yoho said.

“We’ll have the Karmann Ghia, the Dune Buggy, the buses — everything Volkswagen,” Yoho said.

This year’s event theme is Marvel. Capitalizing on the popularity of the comic superhero franchise, the show will feature a Marvel character look-a-like contest.

“We try to pick a theme every year, and Marvel is seen to be kind of ‘in’ this year,” Yoho said.

The Bug Jam first began in 1989 in Land O’ Lakes. The event moved to Dade City in 1997.

Yoho, who also operates the Dade City Motocross at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, took over the car show two years ago from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Association.

“It basically just got to be too big of an event for their volunteer group to run,” Yoho explained. “It was kind of a perfect fit since we’re at the fairgrounds with the motorcycle track anyway.”

Gates open for spectators at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per day, and $15 for both days if you have a car in the show.

Admission is free for children ages 10 and under who bring a can of food to benefit Feeding America Suncoast Food Bank. Parking fees are $5.

For information, visit FloridaBugJam.com.

Published November 9, 2016

Historic election comes to a close

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Yards and rights-of-way are filling up with Trump and Clinton for president signs. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Yards and rights-of-way are filling up with Trump and Clinton for president signs. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Votes will be counted on Nov. 8 to determine which candidate will be the next president of the Unites States – Donald J. Trump or Hillary Clinton.

But, voters also will choose candidates running for state and local office in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Absentee and early voting ballots already are being stockpiled in election offices. On election day, both counties will offer free bus rides to people who can show a valid voter information card.

In Pasco, early voting began on Oct. 29 at eight locations around the county. Voters can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at any of those sites until early voting ends on Nov. 5 (Saturday) at 7 p.m.

“We’re seeing a good, strong turnout,” said Brian Corley, Pasco’s supervisor of elections. “We’re seeing a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which is what we expect in a presidential election.”

More than 336,000 people are registered voters in Pasco, with nearly 131,000 registered as Republicans, nearly 108,000 as Democrats, and nearly 98,000 as no party or minor party.

Voting is a “three-legged stool,” with options of casting a vote-by-mail ballot, early voting or day-of voting, Corley said.

More and more people at each election cycle are opting for vote-by-mail or early voting, he said.

But, that doesn’t mean significant increases in registered voters.

Instead, he said, “It spreads the vote around.”

As of Oct. 31, nearly 76,000 votes were cast by mail-in or early voting. Republicans accounted for more than 32,000 votes; Democrats, nearly 27,000, and others, more than 16,000.

Early voting in Hillsborough also is underway with 16 polling stations opening on Oct. 24. Voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily until Nov. 6 (Sunday) at 7 p.m.

Nearly 845,000 people are registered voters in Hillsborough, with about 334,000 registered as Democrats, 267,000 as Republicans, and 244,000 as others.

Hillsborough’s election office mailed out more than 170,000 ballots. As of Oct. 31, more than 242,000 ballots had been cast, both mail-in and early voting. About 105,000 were from Democrats; nearly 90,000 from Republicans and about 48,000 from others.

“Right now, it looks like the turnout is tracking to what it was in 2012,” said Gerri Kramer, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough elections office.

In addition to the presidential vote, the election will decide representation for local offices including county commission, the Florida legislature and property appraiser.

There also are constitutional amendments on the ballot, including two controversial ones.

Amendment 1 deals with solar power. Supporters say it will boost the solar industry while also protecting the pocketbooks of people who opt not to use solar.

Opponents say the solar industry has crafted a deceptive amendment that appears friendly to solar but, in effect, will give existing utility companies veto power over rules governing alternative energy competitors.

Amendment 2, if approved, would expand the use of an existing law permitting medical marijuana. Supporters say it will help patients with chronic and debilitating illnesses, and provide tax revenues to state and local governments.

Opponents say the amendment would open the door to misuse of marijuana, recreational uses, and increase the crime rate.

For voting information from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, visit Pasco.electionsfl.org, or call (800) 851-8754.

For voting information from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, visit VoteHillsborough.org, or call (813) 272-5850.

Staff writers with The Laker/Lutz News will be out and about at polling sites on Nov. 8, finding out what’s on the minds of voters as they cast ballots in a momentous presidential election, and also make choices in state and local elections. A story on the election will be published in the Nov. 16 edition of The Laker/Lutz News.

Published November 2, 2016

Halloween tricks, treats and traditions on tap

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If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween, you’ll find plenty of options across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., is hosting a Family Fun Festival that it’s calling “Light the Night.”

The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct. 31.

Pumpkin patches are popping up all over Hillsborough and Pasco counties, as area residents prepare for Halloween and fall festivals. (File Photos)
Pumpkin patches are popping up all over Hillsborough and Pasco counties, as area residents prepare for Halloween and fall festivals.
(File Photos)

Cars will be decorated with favorite kid-friendly themes and will line up on the Yellow parking lot and grounds outside the church’s Gatheria.

The cars’ trunks will be full of candy for children through fifth grade.

Each car also will provide a game, face painting, puppet show or other opportunity for fun.

Other highlights will be inflatables, balloon animals and a hayride.

Bring a camera to take advantage of photo opportunities.

Admission is $3 per person, with a maximum charge of $15 per family.

Children age 2 and under will be admitted without charge.

Hungry Harry’s BBQ will be available for purchase for $5, and other food items also will be available through the church’s kitchen.

The trunks will be open for children to pick up candy from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The inflatables will be available the entire evening.

Register by Oct. 30 at Idlewild.org/children, to avoid waiting in long lines. To find out more, call (813) 264-1515, ext. 1561.

Meanwhile, in Pasco County, the 12th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival & Carnival is set for Oct. 28 through Oct. 30, at 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd.

This year, the event has added a day to give families more time to enjoy carnival food, midway games and rides.

These gourds add a splash of Halloween color.
These gourds add a splash of Halloween color.

The festival will be from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Oct. 28; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Oct. 29; and, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Oct. 30.

Highlights on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 will include live music, a business expo, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, fall foods and beverages, food trucks, interactive craft activities, arts and crafts exhibitors, vendors, a doggie fun area and pet adoption event.

Kids can celebrate Halloween in a safe environment on Oct. 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Trunk or Treat activity.

For more information on the festival, a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce event, visit GroveShopping.com. Visit DreamlandAmusements.com for coupon savings on ride wristbands, ride tickets and carnival food.

Meanwhile, over in St. Leo, Saint Leo University’s Office of Residence Life is inviting the community to Haunted Marmion, an event set for Oct. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Marmion-Snyder Hall, 33701 State Road 52.

All floors of the residence halls will be transformed into a themed haunted house. Trick-or-treating will occur on two floors of Snyder Hall. There will be games and other activities in the Lion’s Den (a common area for both halls) for those not participating in the haunted house or trick-or-treating.

The event is free; however, those attending are asked to donate one or more canned/nonperishable food items at check-in, which will be given to a local food bank for distribution to those in need in the community.

In Land O’ Lakes, those who enjoy a good scare may want to drop by the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to experience The Haunted House on 41.

The event, slated for Oct. 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., promises three nights of bone-chilling terror.

Admission is $1 each. Some scenes, the organizers with Pasco County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources say, may be too intense for young children.

For those who enjoy staying active, the Northdale 5K Pumpkin Run & 1 Mile Family Run/Walk may be just the thing.

The event is set for Oct. 29, at the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth & Family Center, 4015 Ragg Road in Tampa.

The chip-timed race will have a costume contest and is dog friendly. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Bob Sierra Y’s annual campaign to ensure the facility keeps its doors open to all, regardless of an individual’s financial hardship.

For more information, call (813) 962-3220.

Some area high schools are also hosting special events.

Sunlake High School, at 3203 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, is holding a “Trick or Treat Around the Track” on Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m.

Wesley Chapel High School, at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, is hosting a “Halloween Safe Zone,” on Oct. 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the school’s cafeteria and parking lot.

For more details about these events, contact Sunlake High and Wesley Chapel High.

Area libraries also are holding special events.

Land O’ Lakes Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, is hosting a Pumpkin Fest for all ages on Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event involves decorating pumpkins, using a wide variety of techniques.

New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, has three Halloween events planned.

On Oct. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the library is welcoming infants through 5-year-olds to wear their favorite costume to the library’s Costume Story Time.

The library also is hosting a Halloween Movie & S’Mores for fourth-graders and older on Oct. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

And, on Oct. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., it’s hosting a Fall Family Night.  The evening will feature crafts, refreshments and a costume contest.

The Carrollwood Toastmasters are also getting into the Halloween spirit by hosting an open house on Oct. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa. There will be free food, fun and prizes. Feel free to wear a costume and bring a friend.

Published October 26, 2016

 

Cyber threats on the rise, expert says

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The global impact of cyber crimes is likely to skyrocket over the next several years, Sri Sridharan, a cyber security expert predicts.

Sridharan, managing director and chief executive officer of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, was the keynote speaker during the Cybersecurity Symposium at Pasco-Hernando State College, on Oct. 11.

Hacking, he said, continues to be a “serious problem” in the realm of cyber security.

“It’s a huge crime that’s taking place on a daily basis,” Sridharan said. “There’s lots of people wanting to steal your personal information, and steal intellectual property.”

The latest statistics related to cyber crime are staggering.

According to a recent study by Juniper Research, the global impact on cyber crimes was about $400 billion in 2015. By 2019, the market research organization projects the impact will be approximately $2.1 trillion.

“In my opinion, that number is going to be even higher,” Sridharan said. “Every second, at least 22 records are breached. That’s about 2 million (records) per day.”

Courtesy of Florida Center for Cybersecurity Sri Sridharan, is the managing director and chief executive officer of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida.
Courtesy of Florida Center for Cybersecurity
Sri Sridharan, is the managing director and chief executive officer of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida.

Sridharan said hackers often focus on high-value industries — healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services — to access and modify information.

“No longer is this a backdoor problem,” he said. “It’s moved to boardrooms of corporations. Boards of directors now have a fiscal responsibility to make sure the information they have is well protected. Otherwise, they can get sued.”

Yet, many organizations haven’t put safety measures in place to protect against such threats.

A 2016 global economic crime survey by the consulting firm PricewaterHouseCooper (PwC) found that 32 percent of organizations were affected by cyber crime last year. Moreover, the survey found only 37 percent of organizations have a cohesive plan in response to cyber incident, or breach.

“Organizations need to have a plan. That’s extremely important,” Sridaran said.

That starts with practicing what Sridharan refers to as “good cyber hygiene.”

For businesses, that encompasses several steps: use a secure ecommerce platform; deploy SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption; and utilize firewalls, multi-factor authentication and site backups.

“Don’t just have (employees) use a password to get into the system. Have them go through one or two more steps to make…it very difficult for the bad guys to penetrate your system,” Sridharan explained.

In addition to using lengthy, complex passwords, Sridharan recommends individuals stay away from “unfamiliar websites.”

“If it’s not a site that you know, don’t click on it,” he said. “If you’re not careful about the website that you go to, you stand a serious risk of getting breached, or your information stolen.”

The same theory applies to suspicious emails.

“If you don’t know who it’s from, don’t touch it.”

Sridharan noted ransomware — a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid — is currently one of the most pervasive problems in cyber security.

A 2016 report by Cisco Systems Inc. found that approximately 9,500 people pay ransoms to hackers each month.

“This is very prevalent these days. The average target pays $300,” said Sridharan.

“The most important thing you can do is have backups of your system at all times.”

Perhaps a silver lining to the influx of cyber threats is in the job market.

According to Sridharan, there’s a significant demand for cyber security professionals.

He estimates there will be approximately 2.5 million jobs in cyber security over the next two years.

“It’s a hot job market,” he said, “and it’s not going to go away for a long time.”

“There is no comprehensive cyber security solution on the horizon for the next ten years,” he added.

The symposium also featured a presentation on human trafficking online.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Corporal Alan Wilkett, who’s served more than 22 years as a public service official in Indiana, Ohio and Florida, said human trafficking transactions are becoming increasingly prevalent online.

Human trafficking encompasses forced labor, involuntary servitude, and commercial sex.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are approximately 20.9 million victims of human trafficking.

“Selling and auctions are all taking place online,” said Wilkett, a member of the Tampa Bay Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.

The transactions, Wilkett said, are taking place in what’s commonly referred as the dark web, which is only accessible through specific software, called Tor (The Onion Router).

“When you get on there, that’s where (traffickers) hold the online markets,” explained Wilkett. “It’s one of the most diabolical things I’ve ever seen.”

According to Wilkett, the average price for a human being is going for about $90.

“You go to India and you can buy three boys for less than the price of a cow,” he said. “Many of them are bought as child soldiers; some of them are smuggled into the United States and other countries.”

Published Oct. 19, 2016