• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Fort Lauderdale

Wesley Chapel dojo heads to karate nationals

June 27, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

The 2018 AAU/USA Karate National Championships kick off this week in Fort Lauderdale — and one local dojo will be well-represented.

Wesley Chapel’s Keiko Shin Karate Academy (KSKA) is sending 22 athletes, ranging in ages 6 to 18, to square up against more than 3,000 elite, top karate competitors from the United States and beyond.

The event runs from June 27 to June 30 at the Broward County Convention Center and draws competitors from all across the U.S., as well as from Israel, Poland, Russia and South America.

Keiko Shin Karate Academy (KSKA), in Wesley Chapel, is sending 22 athletes ages 6 to 18, to the 2018 AAU/USA Karate National Championships, where they’ll square up against more than 3,000 elite, top karate competitors from the United States and beyond. The event, held at the Broward Convention Center, runs from June 27 to June 30.
(Les Borowski)

The academy, located at 3753 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., is no stranger to the national stage.

In 2015, KSKA took 20 students to the AAU nationals in Raleigh, North Carolina, and returned with 34 medals, including 22 gold medals.

The next year, the team claimed 17 medals at nationals.

Under the instruction and guidance of their sensei, Ernesto Fuentes, this year’s group has undergone rigorous preparation, enduring various types of cross-training, cardio, yoga and intense hours of traditional Shotokan karate, fine-tuning speed, agility, reaction times and more.

Since the beginning of summer, training has consisted of many 10-hour days, often from 10 am. to 8 p.m.

Alongside the fitness and technical components, Fuentes has coached his students on motivational techniques, to help them maximize their potential.

“I don’t believe that we have another academy, at least not in the state of Florida, that’s training so many hours,” said Fuentes, an International 5th Dan Karate Instructor who’s been teaching the sport since 1983. “We believe the training is going to pay off.”

Destiny Walls, 18, is the oldest member of KSKA competing at the AAU/USA Karate National Championships. She credits traditional karate for turning her life around, physically, mentally and socially.
(Les Borowski)

Several KSKA athletes are making their return to AAU nationals, including 15-year-old Lauren Anderson and 18-year-old Destiny Walls.

In 2015, Anderson, then 12, won a gold medal in the Kumite (sparring) beginner division. The following year, she placed second in the Kata (form) novice division.

An advanced brown belt, she’s hoping for similar results.

Meantime, she’s excited to cheer on 21 of her peers.

“It’s really nice to watch everyone (succeed),” said Anderson, who attends Wiregrass Ranch High School. “I like to go and support as many people as possible.”

She also noted: “It’s really nice to see them excel, but it’s also nice to be there and to help them when they fall or don’t do as well.”

Anderson said nationals is “almost the same as other competitions, but it’s just bigger.

“It gets nerve-wracking,” she said, “(but) it makes you better, because you have more people (to compete against).”

Walls, meanwhile, earned a third-place finish in the Kata intermediate division at 2016 nationals.

A black belt, Walls is striving for gold this time around.

With thousands of other top athletes looking on, Walls said she expects to feel an adrenaline rush when it’s her turn to compete.

“You’re so nervous, but at the same time when you get at the mat, the nervousness goes away, and you’re ready to go,” Walls said.

Karate offers physical, social benefits
At KSKA and other dojos, karate is more than just a martial art sport — it’s a lifestyle.

Anderson credits it for boosting her confidence and self-esteem, as well as her composure.

“I used to be super sensitive, like certain things would get to me really easily, but now I’ve learned to take control of my emotions and stuff,” Anderson said.

The sport’s benefits also translate to the classroom, she said.

“It helps you with not only being physically active, but it also helps you mentally,” she added. “My grades weren’t very good before I came here, and now I have straight As, As and Bs.”

Karate also transformed Wall’s life, since she signed up more than eight years ago.

Wall said she was headed down the wrong path, getting into trouble and performing poorly in school — but karate gave her a positive outlet and a sense of belonging.

Over the years, she’s become an honor roll student and now has aspirations to become a nurse once she graduates from Cypress Creek Middle High School in 2019.

“I wasn’t really focused and my self-esteem had a lot to do with it. Since I started karate, it’s helped me,” Walls said.

“I’m able to talk to (people), which I used to never be able to do that. I’m able to go out and learn, and just keep going and not quit,” she said.

Fuentes said Walls has morphed from a shy, insecure girl into a leader — “being the person that she wanted to be and we all want to see in a child.”

Now, one of the dojo’s most experienced students, Walls assists Fuentes in the afterschool program as a youth instructor.

“I love now that I teach,” Walls said. “I love helping the little ones, being able to show them what family is and how to grow with each other.”

Fuentes, who has a master’s degree in child psychology, explained the sport’s structure, plus the discipline and dedication required to master it, aids in social and intellectual development.

Fuentes trains more than 200 students at KSKA and each must maintain at least a B average in school.

“Karate works a different aspect, different segments of their brain,” Fuentes said. “It’s proven that the kids that practice karate are immediately better students in school. In a fraction of a second, they need to be able to think and be in position.”

The sensei, too, incorporates a holistic approach in his karate teachings, encouraging students to believe in themselves, show compassion for others and avoid confrontation. Sportsmanship is emphasized, too.

“It’s not about self-defense, it’s about self-esteem,” he said.

“When you have self-esteem, you’re not going to let anybody mess with you, nobody bullies you, you’re OK if somebody looks at you weird; you have self-esteem, so you don’t care.”

Wesley Chapel-based Keiko Shin Karate Academy (KSKA) has more than 200 students, ranging from youth to adults. During the past several years, the dojo has had several strong showings at nationals, including in 2015, when they brought home 34 medals, including 22 gold medals.
(Les Borowski)

Parent Les Borowksi has witnessed the benefits karate has had on his two children, Nicholas, 12, and Olivia, 10 — both of whom will compete in AAU nationals.

Borowski said his children have become more attentive at school, more respectful to adults and peers, and generally more helpful toward others since they became involved in karate.

“This thing (karate) turns lives around,” Borowski said. “When I talk to other people who have kids, they think I’m some kind of marketing person (for karate).”

While he’s not paid to tout it, he is enthusiastic: “Just find a good quality, traditional martial arts school and go for it,” Borowski said.

For more information about Keiko Shin Karate Academy, call (813) 994-9253, or visit KeikoShin.com.

Athletes from Keiko Shin who qualified to represent Florida at 2018 AAU Karate National Championships.

Preston Achille

Lauren Anderson

Nicholas Borowski

Olivia Borowski

Travis Hamilton

Kristen Hooper

Wilson Irizarry

Ella Jannette

Kiernan Lauderdale

Jacobo Lopez

Camille Pamplona

Claire Pamplona

Jude Pamplona

Kathely Pamplona

Gian Jaydem Rios

Brady Rizzuto

Joshua Robinette

Carter Robinson

Destiny Walsh

Mackenzie Whitaker

Brandon White

Kaitlyn Wilson

Published June 27, 2018

 

Filed Under: Local Sports, Sports Tagged With: AAU, AAU/USA Karate National Championships, Broward County Convention Center, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cypress Creek Middle High School, Destiny Walls, Ernesto Fuentes, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, International 5th Dan Karate Instructor, Israel, Kata, Keiko Shin Karate Academy, KSKA, Kumite, Lauren Anderson, Les Borowski, Nicholas Borowski, North Carolina, Olivia Borowski, Poland, Raleigh, Russia, South America, United States, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Buy local? Not state House political candidates

November 2, 2014 By Michael Hinman

They have both championed jobs and money to flow into their district in Pasco County, but are two politicians seeking a place in Tallahassee practicing what they’re preaching?

Nearly $200,000 was raised from both sides in the campaign to replace Will Weatherford in the Florida House. But in the end, the district both Danny Burgess and Beverly Ledbetter hoped to represent saw very little of that money come back to them.

Since the primary, both Burgess and Ledbetter — the Republican and Democrat, respectively — pulled in $93,200 in cash donations for state House District 38. Yet, just $18,260 of that — less than 20 percent — was returned for purchases by the campaigns within Pasco County.

Of the two, Ledbetter had the worst record since the primary of buying local, spending less than $1,800 of the more than $28,000 in checks her campaign has issued. She has paid nearly $15,600 to Sonic Print in Tampa in the last reporting cycle alone for what were described as mailers. Another $440 went to a company called Parkway Strategies in Tallahassee for what the campaign said was “strategic communications.”

In total, Ledbetter spent $14,000 in the final weeks of her campaign, but only $100 — to volunteers for using gas in their cars — was paid out locally.

Burgess wasn’t much better. In the last two weeks of his campaign, the former Zephyrhills mayor spent nearly $61,500. But only $4,000 of that — less than 7 percent — ended up in local hands. Instead, nearly $47,000 was paid to a Jensen Beach company called David Millner Group for advertising, with another $10,000 going to a company called Strategic Image Management, which uses the same address as David Millner.

In fact, Burgess spent just under $81,500 with the Jensen Beach company, or 63 percent of his total expenditures. That’s enough to create four full-time jobs at $10 an hour, but spent in Martin County just north of the Fort Lauderdale area, and not locally.

Ledbetter spent $22,209 with Sonic Print in Tampa, or 69 percent of her total expenditures. That would’ve created one full-time job at $10 an hour, money provided for Tampa’s Carrollwood area.

Overall, since last November, Burgess has spent 27 percent of his money locally, while Ledbetter managed just a little more than 9 percent. Burgess turned away from local spending after the primary season, however, allowing his local expenditures to drop to 14 percent, while Ledbetter was at 6 percent.

“Our campaign bought local services when available, such as some printing supplies and materials,” Ledbetter told The Laker/Lutz News in an email. “I used a local Dade City printer for some work, and a local company for the T-shirts. Unfortunately, East Pasco — including Wesley Chapel — does not have any commercial mailing operation that I was aware of, and that comprises the bulk of my out-of-district purchases.”

As a grassroots campaign staffed by volunteers, Ledbetter said she hired very few professional services.

“Your report points out a need for the development of these types of companies in eastern Pasco,” Ledbetter added.

Burgess did not respond to a weekend request for comment.

Both candidates also relied heavily on political action committees to fund their campaigns since the end of August, with Ledbetter being more dependent on that money than Burgess.

Burgess has collected $26,700 in PAC money since the primaries, $16,400 for Ledbetter. However, that represented just 37 percent of his contributions during that time period, while for Ledbetter, PAC money made up 81 percent of her donations.

But even then, local money was missing. Of the more than $73,000 Burgess raised since the primary, only 17 percent came from local sources. Ledbetter picked up $20,111 in contributions during the same time, with 29 percent local.

Overall, Burgess raised $160,000 in this campaign over the past year, compared to $38,500 from Ledbetter. Of his total, Burgess saw 28 percent of that money being local, and 33 percent of it from PACs. Ledbetter had 44 percent of her money from local sources, while 47 percent of it was from PACs.

Voters will choose between the two for the state House race Nov. 4.

BIGGEST EXPENDITURES

DANNY BURGESS
David Millner Group/Strategic Image Management, Jensen Beach — $81,418
Capitol Consulting, Odessa — $8,750
OAI, Tampa — $2,204

BEVERLY LEDBETTER
Sonic Print, Tampa — $22,209
Image Media, Tarpon Springs — $4,735
Tampa Type/Print, Dade City — $1,145

Filed Under: Top Story, Updates Tagged With: Beverly Ledbetter, Danny Burgess, David Millner Group, Florida House, Fort Lauderdale, Jensen Beach, Martin County, Parkway Strategies, Pasco County, Sonic Print, Strategic Image Management, Tallahassee, Tampa, Will Weatherford, Zephyrhills

Florida continues to add to open job listings

September 8, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A growing national economy continues to trickle down to the state level as the number of job openings in Florida grew nearly 5 percent in August.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity says 11,899 more job openings were reported in the state last month, up 4.6 percent from July. That brings the total number of seasonally adjusted job openings to a little more than 273,000, which includes a 4.3 percent boost in online job openings.

“August was another strong month for job demand in Florida — just one of the many indicators showing the positive turnaround in Florida’s economy over the last few years,” said Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the state’s economic opportunity department, in a release. “Job demand is growing, and Florida families are getting back to work.”

That growth was led by Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale. West Palm Beach had the largest growth year-over-year with 23.7 percent growth.

The most popular job openings in August were sales, office and administrative, support, health care practitioners, and management, the state department said.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Florida, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Jesse Panuccio, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Housing market up, condo sales down locally

August 12, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Nearly 15,000 existing homes and condominiums changed hands in the greater Tampa Bay area during April, May and June, showing promising housing market trends despite a drop in overall condo sales.

The region — which includes Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas counties — sold 3,733 condos in the second quarter, down more than 5 percent from the year before. The median sales price, however, rose more than 12 percent to $110,000.

That volume was second only to the greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale area, where nearly 13,000 condos were sold, according to a new report from Florida Realtors. Sales there, however were down more than 6 percent.

The lower volume is actually good news for the market, Florida Realtors chief economist John Tuccillo said, because that means foreclosure-related short sales are on the decline.

“The second quarter numbers show that Florida’s real estate market is settling in,” Tuccillo said, in a release. “While prices throughout the state tend to be up, sales are mixed with single-family sales growing, and condos and townhouses declining.”

Some of the reasons for that include the reduced role of bulk investors — buyers who pick up multiple units at a time in hopes to rent or flip — and many families who are having trouble getting mortgage credit because of flat income.

“This market is sustainable, but either or both of these roadblocks must be removed if it’s to take off again,” Tuccillo said.

Just a little more than 10,800 single-family homes were sold in the quarter, up 3 percent from a year ago. Median prices, however, were much more flat at $156,000, an increase of 1.3 percent.

Statewide, single-family sales were up more than 7 percent, while median sales prices rose just above 5 percent at $180,000.

Of the regions Florida Realtors track, Ocala in Marion County still had the lowest median price for a home at $105,000, despite a 6 percent increase in price. The most expensive homes remained in the Naples and Marco Island area of Collier County, were the median price rose nearly 16 percent to $405,000.

The interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 4.23 percent for the second quarter, up from 3.69 percent the year before, according to Freddie Mac.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Collier County, Florida Realtors, Fort Lauderdale, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, John Tuccillo, Marco Island, Marion County, Miami, Naples, Ocala, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Tampa Bay

Region added 3,300 construction jobs in January

March 21, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

It may not lead the nation, or even the state, but the Tampa Bay region added 3,300 construction jobs in January compared to the year before, fueling a 6 percent increase in the industry.

That’s part of a new report from Associated General Contractors of America, which warned that while growth is always good, the region and the country still has room to rebound.

“It is a sign of the continued strengthening of the construction industry that nearly 60 percent of metros added construction jobs from a year earlier despite the severe winter conditions in much of the country this January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a release. “Nevertheless, the industry’s recovery has a long way to  go with only a smattering of metro areas exceeding their previous peak January level of employment.

The largest construction growth came from the greater Los Angeles area, which added 8,100 jobs, followed by the Houston region in Texas with 7,900 jobs.

Florida added 36,900 construction jobs, creating 11 percent growth year-over-year. That was led by the Fort Lauderdale area with 4,400 jobs — ranked 16th in the nation — and Orlando with 4,200 jobs, ranked 41st in the nation. Tampa Bay was ranked 89th.

Only two regions of Florida showed no growth. Gainesville lost 400 jobs, or 9 percent of its workforce, while the Panama City area was flat.

Tampa Bay still has the most construction workers in the state with 56,700, followed by Orlando with 51,000 and Fort Lauderdale with 35,600.

There could be some problems coming this summer when it’s anticipated that some federally funded transportation projects will dry up, the association said. Congress and the Obama administration will need to find ways to fund that shortfall in order to prevent the loss of construction jobs in the coming months, said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive.

The complete state-by-state ranking can be found by clicking here.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Associated General Contractors of America, Barack Obama, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Houston, Ken Simonson, Los Angeles, Orlando, Panama City, Stephen Sandherr, Tampa Bay, Texas

Scotch Institute in Wesley Chapel offers expertise in ENT, hearing and sleep medicine

February 20, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In an era when many physicians are joining large multi-specialty groups, Dr. Brett Scotch remains independent as the solo physician of Scotch Institute of Ear Nose & Throat in Wesley Chapel.

Brett M. Scotch, DO, FAOCO Board Certified Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery
Brett M. Scotch, DO, FAOCO
Board Certified Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery

A board certified physician in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scotch values the independence that comes with operating his own practice.

“I can provide the highest level of quality care for every aspect of my practice,” said Dr. Scotch. “I offer continuity of care because patients always see me, never an assistant. This allows us to treat every patient as if they are a member of our family and many become lifelong patients.”

Dr. Scotch practices from a modern facility in Wesley Chapel in the Summergate Professional Center, located off SR 56 behind Sam’s Club. The convenient location just minutes from I-75 and the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel attracts patients from throughout Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.

Dr. Scotch came to Tampa in 2005 while serving as a Major in the US Air Force Medical Corps at MacDill Air Force Base. When his service was completed in 2008, he stayed and founded his own practice.

Since then, Dr. Scotch has expanded his practice from traditional ENT services to providing extensive expertise in allergy treatments and sleep medicine. He was one of the first doctors in the area to perform balloon sinuplasty to replace traditional sinus surgeries and is the medical director of several diagnostic sleep labs.

Dr. Scotch left his native Massachusetts to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received his undergraduate degree and met his future wife, Jodi. He went on to medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale and then went on to complete a five-year residency in ENT and facial plastic surgery at Michigan State University affiliated hospitals.

What influenced Dr. Scotch to become a specialist in ENT medicine?

“It’s a wonderful mix of various populations – kids to seniors. My oldest patient is 100 and the youngest are infants,” said Dr. Scotch. “It’s a nice balance of surgery and office-based procedures, all which makes for a very interesting practice.”

Dr. Scotch sees patients in four core areas: sinus & allergy, ear nose & throat, hearing, and sleep. If hospitalization is required, Dr. Scotch has privileges at, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which has a state-of-the-art sinus surgical suite where he performs sinus surgery if needed.

“Being in Florida, we see a lot of sinus and allergy problems,” said Dr. Scotch. “We try to get away from allergy shots and mostly use under-the-tongue allergy drops.” They are less invasive and usually a better tolerated treatment than traditional shots.

Daily allergy drops are conveniently used at home, typically give faster results and are very safe. They are especially great for kids – we have children treated as young as 4 years old.”

Another area where Dr. Scotch is a leading physician is in sleep medicine.

“Sleep is very important,” said Dr. Scotch. “Without enough sleep, it affects one’s energy level, general medical condition and overall health. It even affects weight loss and metabolism. If a sleep problem remains untreated, it can lead to early heart and blood pressure problems.”

Because sleep is medically necessary, most insurance companies cover treatment for sleep disorders, including insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea and sleep behavioral disorders.

“Often times a patient does not recognize the severity of the problem, but their bed partner does,” said Dr. Scotch. “Some studies estimate that at least 30 percent of adults and possibly as many as 50 percent of the population in some demographics snore. Multiple studies reveal a significant correlation between loud snoring and risk of heart attack and stroke.”

Dr. Scotch, who is certified in Sleep Medicine, has unique expertise in that he can treat all aspects of a patients’ sleep disorder, from non-invasive medical therapy to minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnea.

Another area of expertise at the Scotch Institute is the identification and treat- ment of hearing loss. Working alongside Dr. Scotch is clinical audiologist Barbara Drobes, MS, CCC-A who has more than16 years experience working with pediatric and adult patients.

Hearing loss is a leading disability — 10 percent of Americans report that hearing loss affects their ability to understand normal speech.

“We help people suffering from hearing loss with multiple modalities – everything from counseling to natural remedies to hearing aids to surgery,” said Dr. Scotch.

In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Scotch is known for his warm, caring, and professional demeanor. He was awarded the 2011 Physician of the Year by the statewide Florida Osteopathic Medical Association for his devotion as a leader, educator, and role model, and more recently the 2012 Community Physician Award by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

His office is located at the Seven Oaks Summergate Professional Center, 27406 Cashford Circle, Wesley Chapel. He can be reached at (813) 994-8900, or at www.ScotchENT.com.

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

Filed Under: Closer Look Tagged With: Brett Scotch, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jodi Scotch, MacDill Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Michigan State University, Nova Southeastern University, Sam's Club, Scotch Institute of Ear Nose & Throat, Summergate Professional Center, Tampa, U.S. Air Force, University of Florida, Wesley Chapel

Primary Sidebar

All the Way Health and Acupuncture

Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

January 12, 2021 By Kelli Carmack

Tampa Surgical Arts offers cosmetic treatments that give patients confidence and makes them look years younger. Two of … [Read More...] about A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present Virtual STEM Studio: Crystal Snowflakes on Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. Learn how to create your own crystals with just saltwater. Follow along with the video on the Regency Park Library’s Facebook page. No library card is needed. … [Read More...] about 01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Into the Interstellar Unknown” on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Natalia Guerreo will present the latest news from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA TESS Mission. The program is for teens and adults. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

01/27/2021 – Zentangles

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Stroke of Genius” on Jan. 27. This virtual craft includes an instructional slide show on how to draw Zentangles. View the post, available all day, on the South Holiday Library’s Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Zentangles

01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

02/06/2021 – Blues festival

The fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival will take place on Feb. 6 from noon to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event will include performances by Memphis Lightning (12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.), Sean Chambers (2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.), and Damon Fowler (4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). There also will be food trucks, shopping vendors, T-shirts and Blues swag. This is a family friendly, pet-friendly event. Signage will be in place to enforce proper social distancing and mask usage. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. Guests should wear a mask when in line for entry, food and beer. Vendors will be spaced at least 10 feet apart to prevent overcrowding. Chairs also will be provided for guests to set up, and should be brought back to the front when done, for another guest to use. There is a limit of chairs to the first few hundred people. Guests can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Other than VIP spaces, no tents, coolers, food and drink will be … [Read More...] about 02/06/2021 – Blues festival

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
16h

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request. https://buff.ly/362w8fp

Reply on Twitter 1353749764500815872Retweet on Twitter 1353749764500815872Like on Twitter 1353749764500815872Twitter 1353749764500815872
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
24 Jan

This week in SPORTS: All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced. https://buff.ly/3o8W8vR

Reply on Twitter 1353387133688401920Retweet on Twitter 1353387133688401920Like on Twitter 1353387133688401920Twitter 1353387133688401920
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
23 Jan

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services. https://buff.ly/3o8TztJ

Reply on Twitter 1353024813019836416Retweet on Twitter 1353024813019836416Like on Twitter 1353024813019836416Twitter 1353024813019836416
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Vaccine demand continues to outpace supply

Input from law enforcement welcome in planning efforts

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

City of Zephyrhills gives employee service awards

Pasco allocates funds for new central office design

Don’t forget: This year’s Kumquat Festival is set for March 27

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line helps seniors get around

The Big Shred IV helps people dispose of documents

Pasco’s building boom creates a backlog in permits

Enjoying entertainment, and sampling syrup

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Vaccine demand continues to outpace supply

Input from law enforcement welcome in planning efforts

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

City of Zephyrhills gives employee service awards

Pasco allocates funds for new central office design

Don’t forget: This year’s Kumquat Festival is set for March 27

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line helps seniors get around

The Big Shred IV helps people dispose of documents

Pasco’s building boom creates a backlog in permits

Enjoying entertainment, and sampling syrup

Sports Stories

All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced

Banner soccer season

Local runner claims national title

Pasco County athletes compete in 2020 Florida Senior Games

South Pasco cheer program wins national titles

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   