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DECEMBER 16, 2015
No easy fix for local traffic jams By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
An elevated toll road flying over U.S. 41 could split the community and shut down some longstanding Land O’ Lakes businesses, according to area business owners who spoke at a public hearing about redesigning the intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41. They told representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation that a “no build” option is the best choice, at least for now. Several suggested that a by-pass to direct traffic around the intersection would work better than an elevated State Road 54. More than 100 people took part in the public hearing on Dec. 10 at the Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, off State Road 54.
KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS
Residents studied maps, and asked questions of state highway representatives, at a public hearing on ways to ease traffic congestion at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.
Those attending could see exhibits of proposed road construction, could watch a video and could offer public comment. “We are not against development, but de-
velopment should not be done for one group at the expense of so many others,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Bassinger renewed an earlier request for the state transportation department to schedule workshops to permit a more indepth discussion of the issues for residents and business owners. While some favor a no-build option, others want solutions for an intersection that often is described as being “a nightmare.” About 99,000 vehicles per day cruise through the intersection, according to state data. By 2040, state highway officials predict that to more than double — with an estimated daily count of 208,000 vehicles. See TRAFFIC, page13A
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Land O’ Lakes library opens makerspace By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com ®
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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library officially opens its new “makerspace,” known as the Foundry, at a ribbon cutting on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., at 2818 Collier Pkwy. It will be the first dedicated makerspace for a Pasco County library, but likely not the last. The technology and equipment at the Foundry is the future for libraries that are adapting to the 21st century needs of their tech-savvy patrons. The Foundry will have two 3-D printers, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) equipment, an Oculus Rift virtual reality system, and an audio recording studio. However, traditional hand and power tools as well as crafting tools and supplies, including yarn and thread, also will be available. At the ribbon cutting, there will be tours of the Foundry and demonstrations of the 3D printer, the virtual reality system, and the recording studio. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library. The Foundry will be open 15 hours a week, with a librarian available to answer questions and show how the technology works. A survey was done to find out how people would want to use the makerspace, said Kathleen Rothstein, the library’s branch manager. The room already is the meeting place
KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS
Phoebe Mitchell, 16, shows off a washer made on the 3-D printer for use with a robot made by the Edgar Allan Ohms Robotics team from Land O’ Lakes High School.
for the Edgar Allan Ohms robotics team would host other activities. from Land O’ Lakes High School. The team is “A lot of people want to learn textiles,” unique in being sponsored by the library. she said. “They want sewing basics classes, However, Rothstein said the room also and to learn how to do small home repairs and woodworking.” So far, people have used the 3-D printers to do small items, such as figurines, Rothstein said. The printers can make items as large as 8 inches by 8 inches, she added. The robotics team already is finding the CAD system and 3-D printers useful in building its robots. In one instance, the team produced a plastic washer. It took about 10 minutes including prepping and cooling off times, said 16-year-old Phoebe Mitchell, the robotics team’s safety captain. “It was a lot easier than going to a store to get it,” she said. “It’s cheaper than buying them. And, they seem to hold up really well.” Parents and children with the Lego robotics team talk about their upcoming projects. But For information about makerspace, call yarn and thread, shown in the background, are part of the crafting supplies provided by the the library at (813) 929-1214. new makerspace at the Land O’ Lakes library.
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By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
The secluded backyard in a quiet Lutz neighborhood is a make-believe world that once transported the Jenkins’ children into the Wild West. But Frontierland, with its school house, storefronts and covered wagon, does more these days than entertain giddy children at fantasy-filled birthday parties. A menagerie of geese, roosters, chickens, a miniature horse and a goat live in the yard. But, it is Garfield, Moxie, Bumper, Forrest and a dozen or so of their feline friends that rule this frontier town. Frontierland is home to the Cats Cradle, a nonprofit sanctuary founded by Bruce Jenkins. He is a savior of sorts — taking in older cats at his nonprofit that no other shelters will accept. These are cats in crisis that have run out See CATS, page13A
KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS
Forrest lounges next to feeding bowls at Cats Cradle, a sanctuary for senior cats in Lutz.