The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-December 7, 2016

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The LAKER

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WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION

LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

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DECEMBER 7, 2016

Pasco plans animal abuser registry By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County commissioners are poised to approve a county registry that will make it harder for people to adopt or buy animals if they have been convicted of animal abuse. County staff members introduced the proposed ordinance for an animal abuser registry on Nov. 29 at the commissioners’ meeting in Dade City.

Commissioners didn’t vote on the matter, but are expected to approve the registry at a public hearing on Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m., also in Dade City. “This provides an additional way we can protect and keep animals out of the hands of people convicted of certain animal violations,” said Kristi Sims, an assistant county attorney. If approved, the ordinance would take effect March 1. Anyone, over age 18, who is

convicted of animal abuse after that date would be required to register, in person, with the county every year, for a period ranging from three to 10 years. The length of time would be based on the type and severity of the crime. Abusers who change addresses also are required to update their information, under the proposed ordinance. See ANIMAL, page 13A

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Adrienne Welsch peers into the center shelf of the large kiln where the work of her father, Harry Welsch, cools after being fired the evening before.

If you enjoy pottery, this tour is for you By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

#berryfest17

March 2 –12, 2017 • Plant City, FL

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People who are drawn to pottery are naturally attracted to the Tampa Tour De Clay, said Kim Wellman, of Wellman & Welsch Pottery in Lutz. This tour offers so much more than the chance to add some unique pottery pieces to your collection, said Wellman, whose studio is one of four stops on the tour. It also provides a closer look at what goes into the creation of ceramic art. Tour-goers can talk to nationally known ceramic artists, can see demonstrations, and can get a better idea of the techniques and

processes used. Taking the tour tends to deepen participants’ appreciation of pottery, said Wellman, who has been creating ceramic pieces since the mid-1970s. “There’s all this stuff going on behind the scenes that you didn’t know was going on. When they realize how much is involved, then you begin to appreciate it more,” she said. This year’s Tampa Tour De Clay features 24 nationally acclaimed ceramic artists. Other highlights include pottery demonstrations, kiln openings, charity chance drawings, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase handmade works.

Beautiful ceramic works fashioned by Harry Welsch and Kim Wellman have their start in a block of clay.

“This tour is modeled after several artists’ tours around the country,” said Harry Welsch, who is Wellman’s husband. “The four stops are what’s convenient for people to get to in one day,” Welsch said.“If they follow the schedule and spend a couple of hours at each, it just seems to be a good number.” Wellman added: “We each have a few See POTTERY, page 13A

Developing life skills, one student at a time By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

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Amy Gordon’s mission is clear. She wants to ensure every student reaches his or her full potential, and becomes a productive member of society. That’s why she created Life Skills in ACTion in 1995, while still an elementary school teacher in the Tampa Bay area. It started with humble beginnings — with Gordon working out of her house. Through parent word-of-mouth, her supplemental learning service expanded — quite rapidly. “My part-time (gig) turned into an explosion in three months,” Gordon said. With offices now in Wesley Chapel and Lutz, Gordon and her staff of 11 experienced certified instructors help students ranging from elementary to college. The youngest client is 5 years old.The oldest is 28. Fundamentally, the learning center assists students who are struggling — in or out of the classroom. Gordon and her staff focus on individualbased tutoring and personal development, too. “We break down that barrier that everybody has a stigma,‘My child can’t do this or my child struggles,’” explained Gordon, the director of Life Skills in ACTion. In addition to basic study skills and notetaking classes, there are social etiquette seminars, which focus on themes such as personal grooming, proper manners and how to relate with others. “There’s really no place around here that does what we do,” Gordon said. “It’s not like I have a curriculum that I

Life Skills in Action Wesley Chapel office: 2026 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 102 Lutz office: 18125 US 41 North, Suite 208 Contact: (813) 575-9100 or lifeskillsinaction@gmail.com

COURTESY OF AMY GORDON

Life Skills in Action has offices in Wesley Chapel and Lutz. It strives to have every student reach his or her full potential, academically and socially.

buy.We meet with the family, and we build a program around what their needs are — whether it be studying, time management, or tutoring,” she said. Approximately 80 percent of Gordon’s clients are what she calls “busy kids,” frequently referred to by others as hyperactive. Those students, she said, often are misunderstood. “Their brain processes in such a way that they have to have a physicality in their learning,” Gordon explained.“They come in with notebooks that look like a dog ate them, and it’s because they’re sitting there and peeling them, and they do that because they have to feel focused to learn.” To aid those students, Gordon and her staff conduct a personal profile to identify how each learns best.

“You tell us what your child needs, and we will figure out what resources we have to help you,” Gordon said. “Schools are so busy with workloads, and they can’t help kids the way they want to, and (they) don’t have the resources anymore.” Gordon knows that all too well. After teaching in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas school systems for 22 years, she encountered her fair share of “busy kids.” Yet she could only do so much. “I couldn’t give them the time that they needed because I had 20 other students,” she said. “I was leaving school every day emotionally drained because it was frustrating to not be able to do what I knew they needed.” At Life Skills, she’s been able to do that. Inside the Wesley Chapel office, there’s a comfortable, welcoming feel. Students gather in vibrant rooms with kitchen roundtables, as opposed to wide-open, sterile classrooms. “We try to keep everything small,” Gordon said,“so its more personal to their learning and their interests. They feel like they’re at home when they’re here.” See SKILLS, page 13A


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