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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Tampa Electric Co.

Eagle Scout project yields outdoor classroom

September 8, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Ashton Offutt was just in fourth grade when he came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom — but it wasn’t until he was a high school junior that the idea became reality.

When he was in fourth grade, Ashton Offutt came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom. The Gaither High student recently led the effort to build one, as his Eagle Scout project. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Ashton, who is seeking the rank of Eagle Scout, enlisted the help of volunteers and raised money to create an outdoor learning space, with a sunshield, at Claywell Elementary.

Ashton said part of the motivation for creating the classroom outdoors is because he knows having that would have benefited him, personally, during his early school years.

The Gaither High student estimates it took about 40 hours to plan the project and about 30 to complete the work.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up to help — donating poles and providing some physical labor.

He had lots of helpers.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up, donating six 15-foot poles and a crew to help install them.

They had planned to use a crane, but that had to be scrapped because the concrete was too thin and the weight of the crane could have cracked it, Ashton explained.

So, five grown men worked together to lift and guide the poles, which had to be buried 5 feet into the ground to support the sunshade, Ashton said.

The weather-resistant fabric stretches above 12 classroom benches, a dry erase board and a communication board.

The communication board is a tool to enable students who can’t speak to convey what they want to say, Ashton said.

In addition to the TECO crew, folks from the BPOE Elks Tampa 708 and others pitched in — for a total of 57 volunteers. Ashton also raised $3,845 to pay for the project.

Scouting has been a way of life for Ashton who became a Tiger Scout shortly after finishing kindergarten. He’s now a member of Boy Scout Troop 339, in Lutz.

Second-grade teacher Dawn Phillips takes advantage of the new classroom, to move learning outside for her students.

Ashton has a connection to Claywell because he went to school there. To this day, he appreciates the help he received from his tutor, Jenny Paloumpis, who is still a teacher at the Northdale school.

Permission for the project at the school came from Claywell Elementary Principal Rob Jones and from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, said Lynnette Offutt, Ashton’s mom.

Besides scouting, Ashton enjoys orienteering with the Gaither High School ROTC program, and operating remote-control cars.

He plans to attend college, but isn’t sure which one yet — and he aspires to join the U.S. Army, where he hopes to be part of a bomb squad, working with canines to sniff out explosives.

Published September 09, 2020

Filed Under: Local News, Lutz News Tagged With: Ashton Offutt, Boy Scout Troop 339, Boy Scouts of America, BPOE Elks Tampa 708, Claywell Elementary, Eagle Scout, Gaither High School, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Jenny Paloumpis, Lutz, Lynnette Offutt, Rob Jones, Tampa Electric Co., TECO, U.S. Army

Workshops aim to boost your financial literacy

March 27, 2019 By B.C. Manion

If you’ve ever wanted to improve your knowledge when it comes to money, a financial literacy expo being offered by Pasco County Schools may help get you started.

The school district has assembled a number of financial experts to provide the free information sessions.

Two upcoming free financial seminars being offered by Pasco County Schools can help you to make the most of your money. (Christine Holtzman)

The first one is scheduled for April 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey.

The second one will be on April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

Parents, guardians, employees, community members and students are welcome to attend either, or both sessions, to learn about financial planning.

There will be an expo-style event in the dining room, featuring various financial experts. And, there will brief informational sessions, which those attending can sign up for in advance.

Topics that will be covered include information on college scholarships, college funding, retirement planning, careers in personal financial planning, applications for federal student aid, estate planning for business owners, budgeting, financial planning 101 and more.

Presenters include:

  • The University of South Florida Stavros Center
  • Financial Planning Association of Tampa Bay
  • State Farm Insurance
  • Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company
  • Jacksonville Federal Treasury
  • Everfi
  • Tampa Electric Co.
  • Pasco-Hernando State College

Anyone can attend, and it’s not necessary to preregister, but those wishing to attend specific sessions should preregister. Once you have decided on which sessions you wish to attend, print out a copy of the schedule and bring it with you because schedules won’t be available on campus during the events.

To register for the Marchman event, go to FinancialLiteracyExpoWestsi2019.sched.com/.

For Wesley Chapel High, go to FinancialLiteracyExpoEastsi2019.sched.com/.

If you’re having any trouble signing on or making your schedule, call (813) 794-2027.

Published March 27, 2019

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Campus Drive, Everfi, financial literacy, Financial Planning Association of Tampa Bay, Jacksonville Federal Treasury, Marchman Technical College, New Port Richey, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, Pasco County Schools, Pasco-Hernando State College, State Farm Insurance, Tampa Electric Co., University of South Florida Stavros Center, Wells Road, Wesley Chapel High School

Festivities set to honor Earth Day

April 19, 2017 By B.C. Manion

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

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: American Ninja Warrior, City of Tampa, Crews Lake Drive, Crews Lake Wilderness Park, Croc Encounters, Earth Day, Earth Day Tampa Bay, EcoFest, Keep Pasco Beautiful, Kristen King, Learning Gate Community School, Lottie Kelley, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Mary Giella Elementary School, Michele Northrup, Mother Earth, N. Boulevard, Rick's Raptor Rescue, Spring Hill, Tampa Bay Water, Tampa Electric Co., The Owl Sanctuary, UF/IFAS Extension, University of South Florida

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Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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‘Aladdin jr.’

Live Oak Theatre is now selling tickets for its Acorn Theatre production of “Aladdin jr.” Performances will be March 18 through March 28, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 13 and younger, when accompanied by an adult. For show times and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.square.site, email , or call 352-593-0027. … [Read More...] about ‘Aladdin jr.’

02/24/2021 – ServSafe class/exam

The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service will offer a ServSafe Manager Certification Class and Exam on Feb. 24, at the One Stop Shop Stallings Building, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The class begins at 8:30 a.m., with a review of material from the textbook. The exam will follow lunch. To reserve a spot and order the textbook, register at bit.ly/SafeServFeb2021. Participants should pack a lunch or plan to purchase food during the lunch break. Face masks will be required in the classroom. … [Read More...] about 02/24/2021 – ServSafe class/exam

02/26/2021 – Girls Night Out

The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, will present a “Girls Night Out Comedy Show” on Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. Performing comediennes will be Catherine Maloney, Tiffany Barbee and Angela Nacca. The show will be live-streamed through CarrollwoodCenter.org. Tickets to attend in person are $15 to $20. Online access admission is $10. There are limited seats available for in-person, to ensure social distancing. For information and tickets, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org, or call 813-922-8167. … [Read More...] about 02/26/2021 – Girls Night Out

02/26/2021 – Seafood festival

The sixth annual SunWest Crab & Shrimp Festival will take place Feb. 26 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at SunWest Park, 17362 Old Dixie Highway in Hudson. There will be live bands and entertainment, a stone crab claw eating contest, chainsaw carving, crab races and more. Admission is $10, with free entry on Feb. 26. Parking is $5, which supports SunWest Park Development. For information, call 727-674-1464, or visit FloridaPenguinProductions.com. … [Read More...] about 02/26/2021 – Seafood festival

02/27/2021 – Flea market

The Wesley Chapel Antique & Collectible Flea Market will take place on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. There will be food trucks, inflatables, 100-plus vendors, and more. Admission is $5. Parking is free. … [Read More...] about 02/27/2021 – Flea market

02/27/2021 – JunkFest celebration

The Blooming House Junk Shop, 12409 Curley St., in San Antonio, will host a fifth anniversary JunkFest Celebration on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors, food, live music, and tons of ‘junk.’ For information, call Laura Bloomer at 813-541-9234, or visit the shop on Facebook and click on the event tab. … [Read More...] about 02/27/2021 – JunkFest celebration

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