The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Kristen King

Cleanup volunteers needed

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Volunteers are needed to help with the International Coastal Cleanup in Pasco County.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efforts are shifting to smaller groups at more sites, to encourage social distancing, according to a Pasco County news release.

Volunteers are encouraged to find a public area in their community that needs to be cleaned, and recruit a small team to assist.

Pasco is again partnering with Keep Pasco Beautiful in the effort to help clean public lands, roads and waterways.

The annual International Coastal Cleanup, presented by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc., will take place throughout Pasco on Sept. 19 from 8 .m. too noon.

Anyone who would like to volunteer must register at bit.ly/2020CoastalCleanup.

Face masks, disposable gloves, and trash bags will be provided, as well as Coastal Cleanup face buffs while supplies last.

“We’re thrilled to have the partnership and funding support of Withlacoochee River Electric, the Rotary District 6950 Foundation and our local Rotary Clubs – including West Pasco Sunset, New Port Richey, Trinity and Dade City Sunrise,” Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King, said in the release.

The purpose is to clean up and track the trash collected.

Since 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup has captured more than 334 million pounds of trash with the efforts of more than 16 million volunteers.

Published September 09, 2020

A vision with a purpose

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Keep Pasco Beautiful has been named the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Non-Profit for 2018.

The award honors Keep Pasco Beautiful’s continuous efforts to engage the community in litter and waste reduction, while encouraging beautification.

(Courtesy of Pasco County)

“Our organization does amazing things in the community thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and partners who share our vision and passion,” Kristen King, coordinator of Keep Pasco Beautiful,, said in a news release.

“We appreciate the Chamber’s recognition and support,” King added.

Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinates and develops a variety of annual local-level beautification and cleanup events, often with ties to national efforts, including: Coastal Cleanup (led by The Ocean Conservancy), Great American Cleanup, Earth Day, and the Pasco Upcycle and Art Festival.

This year, Keep Pasco Beautiful is promoting the importance of trees while hosting a sapling giveaway in partnership with the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and the City of New Port Richey.

The organization also brightened the landscape at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, planting nine trees with the help of Sunlake Key Club volunteers and Covanta Pasco’s sponsorship.

Keep Pasco Beautiful was founded in 1992 and continues its mission with a small, but dedicated, team.

For information, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Published September 5, 2018

Festivities set to honor Earth Day

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Finding ways to celebrate Mother Earth and to recycle, upcycle and preserve its precious resources are the themes of Earth Day celebrations planned around the region.

One of the largest area events planned for Earth Day, known as Earth Day Tampa Bay, got its start as EcoFest at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz.

One shopper can collect 500 bags in a year, according to this depiction of the concept that was seen walking around at last year’s Earth Day Tampa Bay, also known as EcoFest, at Lowry Park.
(Courtesy of Learning Gate Community School)

Now, in its eighth year, the event has become Tampa’s signature Earth Day event, and it has grown into a collaboration between Learning Gate, the University of South Florida Office of Student Affairs and the City of Tampa.

The event is set to take place at the Lowry Park Zoo Bandshell area, at 7525 N. Boulevard, in Tampa, on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Thousands of people typically attend the event to learn the latest in earth-friendly practices and products, and to check out the fun activities offered for kids.

The event celebrates the principles of sustainability: Ecology, Equity and Economy. This year’s sponsors are Tampa Bay Water and Tampa Electric Co.

Planned highlights include a parkour agility course created by a participant in American Ninja Warrior, a kid-friendly Yoga Zone with classes, crafts, games and other fun activities.

Costumed superheroes will be roaming around; bands will be performing, and there will be plenty of chances to pick up some pointers on sustainable living.

Michele Northrup, organizer of the event, has been involved since the beginning.

“It’s going to be exciting this year,” said Northrup, noting “we have over 138 vendors.

“We have sustainability experts … We’ll have hybrid and electric vehicles. We have one vendor … who will demonstrate wind power,” she said.

The Owl Sanctuary will be bringing the beautiful owls that it protects, Northrup said.

There also will be interactive booths and chances for people to purchase everything from local honey to handmade soap to all sorts of other eco-friendly items, she said.

While EcoFest is expected to draw thousands to Lowry Park, Pasco County also is hosting an Earth Day celebration.

The family friendly event will take place at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. It is scheduled for April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re excited that the event will actually fall on Earth Day this year,” Lottie Kelley, event chair for Earth Day, said in a release. “This year, we’re adding the Suncoast Trail Earth Day Ride and Rick’s Raptor Rescue,” she said.

Other planned activities include:

  • Children’s crafts and education displays
  • An Interactive Water Ventures Learning Lab
  • A Florida native plants sale
  • Pet adoptions
  • A ladybug release
  • Upcycle vendors
  • An appearance by Spike, the 10-foot alligator from Croc Encounters
  • Household hazardous waste collection
  • Electronics recycling
  • A pill take-back program (for unwanted or expired medications)

Concessions will be sold by Mary Giella Elementary School as a PTA fundraiser.

Also, the University of Florida’s IFAS/Extension will offer two workshops: Rain Water Harvesting at 10 a.m., and Composting at 12:30 p.m. Preregistration is required for both workshops. Sign up online at Pasco.IFAS.ufl.edu/events_calendar.shtml.

To sign up, click on April and scroll down to event 1 of 2.

For more information about the festival, contact Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King at (727) 856-7252 or kking@@pascocountyfl.net.

Published April 29, 2017

Pasco Upcycle Festival is eco-friendly

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Hauling recyclable cans, bottles and paper to the curb is a habit that is second nature to many people who worry about the environment.

But, how about getting creative and upcycling a few items?

Take a pair of jeans and repurpose them as aprons. Or take costume jewelry and fabric scraps, and use them to make bookmarks.

Upcycling is defined as the process of transforming a recyclable item in to a new product of better quality or better environmental value, according to Pasco Upcycle Festival organizers.

Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders. (Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)
Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders.
(Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)

The festival aims to get people as interested in upcycling as they are in recycling.

“What can you do with these items before they ever get to the curb?” asked Kristen King, coordinator for Keep Pasco Beautiful.

The first-time festival will be on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Little Everglades Ranch, at 17951 Hamilton Road in Dade City. About 2,500 people are expected to attend.

There is no admission charge, but there will be a $5 parking fee collected by the venue to offset some of its costs.

As a first time event, there will be no fees collected from vendors. More environmentally friendly vendors are being sought, including those with fresh produce typically sold at farmers’ markets.

The festival will feature numerous upcycle vendors, including makers of pallet furniture and jewelry from recycled household items.

Vendors also will sell items such as homemade soaps and pepper jellies.

Many individual vendors who upcycle as a hobby will offer items including bracelets and pendants from utensils, or aprons made from jeans.

A hands-on demonstration will show children how to make bookmarks from recyclable items around the house.

Food trucks, including Hillbilly Farms and Philou’s Cajun on the Geaux, will be on site.

Bluegrass bands, the Michigan Misfits and Mean Mary, will provide entertainment.

drawer rgb“We are so excited to launch this new event,” King said, in a press release announcing the festival. “It gives us the opportunity to show individuals how they can not only reduce their waste, but also release their creative genius at the same time.”

Nov. 15 is National America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful. Everyone is encouraged to participate in “doing one thing” to recycle and reduce waste.

Event sponsors of Pasco Upcycle Festival are Keep Pasco Beautiful and Pasco County.

Organizers plan to make this festival an annual event.

For more information, email , or call (727) 856-7252.

For more information on Keep Pasco Beautiful, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org. For information on recycling in Pasco County, visit PascoCountyFL.net.

Published November 4, 2015