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JULY 29, 2015
Coming soon: outlet mall’s job fair By Kathy Steele
3705 Spectrum Blvd., in Tampa. The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at PascoIn a sign that Tampa Premium Outlets is Hernando State College are event gearing up for its October opening, plan- coordinators. ning is under way for a job fair to fill The chamber will invite retailers to a priapproximately 800 positions. vate breakfast before the fair. Members also The hiring event is scheduled for Aug. 27, are helping promote the event. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Embassy Suites, at “It’s so exciting to see this,” said Hope
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Allen, the chamber’s executive director. Career Central at Pasco-Hernando State College is preparing for a job fair that’s expected to attract between 1,000 to 2,000 applicants, said Ana Segovia, a business consultant with Career Central. It proved difficult finding a venue in See MALL, page 11A
Soccer team is golden By Kathy Steele
18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
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LAMECon
2015
B Robert Axlerod addressed the crowd during the opening ceremonies of LAMECon 2015. He is best known for his voice of Lord Zedd in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He signed autographs throughout the day and had a question-andanswer session on voice acting. More LAMECon 2015, page 1B.
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
With American flags waving, the Land O’ Lakes High School Unified Special Olympics Soccer team boarded a school bus in their first part of their journey to Los Angeles and the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. Hopes are high for a 12-member team that is the sole representative of the United States in unified soccer. “It will be beautiful if they bring home the gold,” said Marie Lambert. But win or lose, she said, “That whole team, I’m so proud of them.” Lambert’s 19-year-old grandson, Andrew Ahearn, plays fullback for a team with seven Special Olympic athletes, who are intellectually disabled, and five partner players. He has played on the team since its inception nearly eight years ago. KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS “Soccer is his love,” said his mother, About 40 friends, family members and school faculty members waved flags and cheered as Adelle Ahearn. the Land O’ Lakes High School Special Olympics Unified Soccer team headed to the airport In addition to Ahearn, team members are on the first leg of their trip to Los Angeles. Christopher Hale, Kyle Lufcy, Hassan Shehab, Ordray Smith, Rufus Smith-Jones, Joseph Tramel III, Samantha Frahm, Thomas Guglielmello, Cameron Hilgenberg, Haley Eckel and Kyle Townsend. Vicky King is head coach. Phyllis Crain and Meghan McLean are assistant coaches. Lambert and Ahearn joined about 40 friends, family members and Land O’ Lakes High School faculty for an impassioned and patriotic send off on July 20. They lined the covered walkway outside the school, cheering and slapping high-fives as the team boarded the bus on their way to the airport and the world stage in Los Angeles. The Special Olympics event will host more than 6,500 athletes from 165 countries from July 25 through Aug. 2, according to its website. It is billed as the largest event hosted by See SOCCER, page 11A
The Land O’ Lakes High School Special Olympics Unified Soccer team pauses for a final group photo before they leave for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
Scout has a sign in mind for Old Lutz School School supply
By Michael Murillo
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Mike Montes, of Tampa, mans the Nerd Out Comics booth at LAMECon 2015. The booth was selling everything comic. The booth also was giving out freebies.
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Eagle Scout projects are an important part of earning the distinguished designation from the Boy Scouts of America. But because they’re normally completed while a candidate is close to graduating high school, their schedule is pretty full. In many cases, they might only have a few months to design, present and complete it. Sam Crawford doesn’t have that problem. He’s not getting ready to PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAM CRAWFORD graduate high school. He hasn’t Scouting is important to Sam Crawford, who will attend even started it yet. Crawford, 13, will start his Steinbrenner High School this fall. He’s also working freshman year at Steinbrenner toward his Eagle Scout designation with a project that High School this fall. He’s also benefits the Old Lutz School. Shown here, he is standing working toward his Eagle next to Scoutmaster Jeff Potvin. Joey Hermes, another scout, is in the background. Scout designation. The Lutz teenager had the option of either wrapping up his project and becoming a very young Eagle Scout project. Eagle Scout, or spending more time on it Right now, as drivers on U.S. 41 pass the and making it something big. school, they likely have no idea what’s hapCrawford went big. pening at the school, because the sign is too “I just really wanted to do a project that, small to be seen clearly from both sides of when I was older, I could still see it, and it the highway. would still be in use,” Crawford said. Crawford’s solution? A bigger sign that’s So, as he heads off to his new school, easy to read. he’ll be doing something for an old one — a Current plans call for it to be 10 feet long very old one. and about 8 feet tall, with removable letterHis project involves the Old Lutz School, ing and a protective cover on the signage. at 18819 U.S. Highway 41 N. Plans also call for a shingled roof and The school was built around 1927, and brick construction, to make the sign both served as a school until the mid-1970s. durable and attractive. Now, the structure serves as a symbol of When finished, the sign will be the perthe community, a gathering place for civic fect place to list announcement and events groups and a host for local events. See SCOUT, page 11A It is also the beneficiary of Crawford’s
drives aim to help kids, teachers
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Chambers of commerce, businesses, civic organizations, churches and community groups are busy collecting items that students will need once school begins. Some efforts are broad outreach programs, and others involve individual churches. Some seek to help teachers fill their supply cupboards so they won’t have to dig into their own wallets to pay for supplies their students need. Others give the items directly to children and families in need. There is an ever-growing list of efforts, but here are some of the ongoing or planned efforts to date: • The First National Bank of Pasco is collecting school supply and monetary donations for its Stuff the Backpack Drive, through Aug. 7, at any of its three branches in Zephyrhills and Dade City. Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies. Items needed include liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, highlighters, backpacks, rulers, folders, index cards and more. For locations, visit FNBPasco.com. • Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care is collecting school supplies, through Aug. 8, at all five of its thrift shops. Anyone who donates will receive a voucher for 25 percent off a single item (sale items and furniture excluded) that is valid for one week See SUPPLY, page 11A