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Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Sticky fun is popping up everywhere

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While some may see bubbles as just soapy pockets of air, Blaise Ryndes uses them to bring smiles to faces nationwide.

With his Spheres Bubble Show, the Land O’ Lakes resident creates unique bubble performances.

Bubble performer Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, opens his recent ‘Spheres’ show at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, with a massive amount of bubbles. (Christine Holtzman)

He is a solo entertainer, but his parents, Dave and Nadine, accompany him at each show.

“I like to consider my act to be a fusion of art, science and magic,” the 18-year-old said.

Just like many kids, he had an affinity for magic and balloon animals growing up.

But, at age 9, he decided he wanted to become a performer — not just a spectator.

His dad bought him his first magic kit, and he began learning how to master tricks. He also found creative ways to contort balloons into various shapes.

As he recalled: “I was always really shy as a child. I noticed when I got into magic, that when I would start to perform for other people, I came out of my shell a little bit. It gave me confidence.”

He drew inspiration from the Cirque du Soleil entertainers and the Blue Man Group.

One day, his dad showed him a YouTube video of the bubble performer, Tom Noddy.

Bubble performer and Land O’ Lakes native Blaise Ryndes releases a bubble infused with helium and the smoke from a mini fogger.

After watching Noddy’s act, Blaise was inspired to learn about bubbles himself.

Acquiring skills took much trial and error, but he said his persistence allowed him to create his own bubble techniques.

Blaise was attending Countryside Montessori Charter School, while performing shows.

As he gained notoriety, he took Pasco eSchool online courses during high school.

Over the years, he has performed at birthday parties and sports arenas, while being invited to venues in Massachusetts and Texas.

Locally, he has done shows at the Lutz Preparatory School, Glazer Children’s Museum and Great Explorations Children’s Museum, to name a few.

At 16, he was selected to perform his bubble act on the television series, America’s Got Talent, which exposed him to the nation.

Chosen as volunteers from the audience, identical 5-year-old twins Annika Johnson, of Odessa, left, and her sister, Kaitlyn, stand still, as Blaise Ryndes covers them inside a giant bubble.

“They flew me out to Los Angeles, California,” Blaise recounted. “I did my show, the judges loved it. It was really a great experience.”

“Blaise is a rock star in the bubble world,” his dad said. “He’ll probably do close to 200 shows this year.”

One of those events was at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Aug. 10. There, the Children’s Room was packed with parents and kids alike.

The crowd watched in awe as Blaise inflated a large bubble illuminated by an LED-lit platform, then used a straw to blow wind ripples inside the bubble.

During the “UFO,” he used a special device to blow smoke into the bottom of a bubble, forcing it to move upward into a saucer shape.

The audience continued to erupt in cheers as he performed the “Galaxy” — using a straw to create a big bubble, which he filled with smaller bubbles inside, spinning like planets.

One part of his act had the crowd counting down before he gently released a vertical chain of bubbles into the air, like a rocket.

After doing a trick, performer Blaise Ryndes catches a giant bubble on his face, before popping it.

In another, a rectangular frame held a film of glossy bubble liquid. Blaise poked an opening in the film using a thin, knotted string and formed a bubble on the audience’s side. He then slowly pulled back the string with the bubble fully intact on his end.

Some kids had the chance to become a part of the show. One by one, each became immersed in a bubble wall, as Blaise lifted a hoop, surrounding them.

The library function was the first time Blaise incorporated new props to a show, such as fire and laser beams.

He enjoys entertaining at these venues, but also performs in places where sad children need a smile.

During the finale of his recent show at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, bubble performer Blaise Ryndes cuts a perfect circle through his ‘wall of bubbles,’ and then stretches his arm through it.

“Out of all the shows I do, by far, the shows that are the most rewarding are charitable performances,” Blaise said.

He has put on shows for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Children’s Cancer Center and Best Buddies International.

His dad couldn’t hold back tears as he recalled the joy Blaise brought to the kids at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg.

“It feels so good to help make their lives a little better,” Blaise said. “Even if it’s just one second that you can take their mind away from all the negative things that they’re having to deal with, and just have a cool experience. That’s the reason I do this.”

He also noted that while he’s a star, Spheres Bubble Show really is a family business, and he’s happy to have his parents supporting him every step of the way.

For more information, or inquiries for the Spheres Bubble Show, visit SpheresBubbleAndMagicShow.com.

Published September 04, 2019

Cancer survivor wins scholarships, offers prevention advice

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Cailyn Ruff was a senior at Sunlake High School, in Land O’ Lakes, when she felt an odd bump on her head.

That was about a year-and-a-half ago.

“It was like a big mole,” the 19-year-old said. “I saw it through my part line. It looked funny. It would bleed.”

As it grew, she became concerned and brought it to the attention of her dermatologist.

Next, came a biopsy.

Cailyn Ruff, who lives in Lutz, was a senior at Sunlake High School when she found out she had a rare form of melanoma. She underwent a successful surgery and is cancer-free, but she wants to remind others of the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats to protect themselves from too much sun. She wants to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and recently received some scholarships to help pay for her studies. (B.C. Manion)

“It was a good three weeks before we got the first results, saying they were inconclusive. It was not something they were used to seeing. So, they actually sent it to the USF (University of South Florida) doctors.

“The dermatologist said ‘You better get a second opinion.’

Her mom, Kim Carpintier, recalled how scary that was.

It took two weeks to get her into Moffitt Cancer Center, and when they did, they were told that the young woman needed surgery immediately.

“They were worried that it had spread to her lymph nodes,” Carpintier said.

If more time had passed, Ruff would have faced chemotherapy.

As it was, surgery was performed to remove the melanoma, the surrounding area and six of her lymph nodes.

“Moffitt told her that she’s one of two kids that they’ve ever seen with this form of melanoma,” Carpintier said.

After the surgery, Ruff said, “I was in pain for a long time.”

It took her about two months to regain full mobility in her head and neck.

Still, she knows how lucky she is.

“Nothing got infected,” she said. “By March, I was 100 percent myself.”

While they do not know what caused the melanoma to form on her head, Ruff and Carpintier suspect it could have been a result from being exposed to the sun for long hours, when Ruff was a cheerleader and when she ran cross-country.

Both mother and daughter said that schools may want to suggest that students who are out in the sun for hours wear a hat and protect themselves with sunscreen.

“No one thinks to wear sunscreen and a hat during school events because you get out of school and you change, and you go and do what you have to do,” said Ruff, who is now a student at the University of South Florida.

She plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and said that’s partially due to the excellent care she received from nurses at Moffitt.

Her career choice also has been influenced by her current job as a vision therapist at Walesby Vision Center, on State Road 54 in Lutz.

She has worked with both children and adults, both for both everyday issues and various disorders, she said. She works primarily with children, performing vision therapy with children experiencing challenges such as visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Many of the children she serves have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other medical conditions.

Ruff began working at Walesby to earn volunteer hours, but she was so good with children she was offered a job, Carpintier said.

Recently, Ruff received a $5,500 scholarship through an essay contest sponsored by Panera Bread and the Children’s Cancer Center. The awards were presented at the Palma Ceia Country Club in south Tampa.

Ruff’s mom was impressed by the event.

“It was beautiful. They went above and beyond,” Carpintier said. It honored youths who have dealt with cancer, ranging from 16 to 20 years old.

The stories that were shared were touching, she said.

Ruff also has received two other scholarships, one from a Greek organization, and another from an Italian organization.

She hopes to continue her education in USF’s nursing program, but realizes that it’s very competitive, so will be applying elsewhere, too.

Her goal is to work at Tampa General Hospital in the pediatrics unit, or at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital or at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Ruff lives with her mom, Kim, her dad, Don Carpintier, and her sister, Meghan Ruff, in Lutz.

She’s grateful for all of the help and support she’s received.

Besides the scholarships, she also has received support from her grandparents, Carol and Bill Little, and her aunt, Lois Zapert, who all live in Lutz and her grandmother, Michele Carpintier, who lives in St. Petersburg.

Published May 23, 2018

New Sienna Village office park approved

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Sienna Village, a small office park off State Road 54, is about to get a companion – Sienna Village II.

Pasco County commissioners approved a rezoning for the new office park, which will be on the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Sofia Drive. It is east of the existing Sienna Village, and about one-third mile from the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

The rezoning allows up to 150,000 square feet of professional office, and up to 30,000 square feet of commercial. The property, including the existing Sienna Village, covers about 15 acres. The undeveloped portion includes several dilapidated residences.

Sienna Village Office Park was built in 2008. Developers are planning a new office park, off State Road 54 and Sofia Drive. (Kathy Steele)

“Sienna Village I is just a lovely project,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “I’m glad to see it (Sienna Village II) coming here today.”

Businesses in the existing office park include the Merricks Law Group, Suncoast Skin Solutions, Lumina Dental, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Caribbean Mystique-Massage & Wellness Spa.

Developers want to use Sofia Drive as access into the new office park. The roadway is privately owned, and unpaved, except where it intersects with State Road 54.

Issues related to Sofia Drive’s ownership must be worked out, but developers propose to pave and bring the roadway up to county standards.

Bus stops also would be accommodated, if the county makes public transit available there.

The office park’s proximity to the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 also could have future impacts on the site, according to county records regarding the rezoning application.

Pasco currently is reviewing recommended solutions to resolve traffic gridlock at the intersection, which has about 100,000 vehicles a day passing through it.

A volunteer task force, working on the county’s Vision 54/56 project, recommended a variety of options, including elevated lanes, and a system of at-grade frontage roads.

The county also has requested a study to determine if an underpass is a practical and financially viable option.

Published January 31, 2018