The Laker-East Pasco-April 16, 2014

Page 1

The LAKER

FREE

EAST PASCO EDITION

Your emergency can’t wait.

Why should

you?

Text your zip code to ERTIME for ER wait times and locations. Why rush to a competitor’s ER just to sit and wait? Now you can text us and get our ER wait times in advance. It’s simple. Just text your zip code to ERTIME (378463) and get instant ER wait times and locations near you. You can rely on high-quality care at every ER Extra® location. Our accreditations and awards are evidence of our quality standards: • Accredited Chest Pain Center • Top Performer on Key Quality Measures™ for heart attack and heart failure • Designated Primary Stroke Center • Joint Commission accredited

APRIL 16, 2014

All on-the-job training for councilman Plus, dissolving St. Leo may still be on table By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com

Zephyrhills doesn’t waste time when it comes to elections. Last Monday, less than a week after the election, Alan Knight was installed as the new city councilman following his victory

over one-time council president Jodi Wilkeson. And there isn’t even time for Knight to catch his breath. Moments after the swearing in, Knight was asked to consider two board appointments, donating vehicles to a local college, who should build a new skate park, and, according to the agenda, decide the fate of City Manager Jim Drumm. Being a council member is not as easy as some make it look, and there’s a steep learning curve that Knight, a former high school

principal and football coach, will have to endure,Wilkeson said after the election. “I know that he’ll do a fine job,” she said. “But there’s still so much to learn once he gets up there.” Wilkeson was first elected to the council in 2008, and described her loss last week as disappointing. “I worked as hard as I could, and I can’t imagine another thing I could’ve done to See COUNCILMAN, page 8

Preparations abound for area Easter celebrations By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

BayfrontDadeCity.com This hospital is partially owned by physicians.

AROUND

THE PARKS

An Easter sunrise service on the front lawn of a hospital, a breakfast cookout at a church and a special choral presentation known as a cantata are among the many plans for Easter celebrations in East and Central Pasco County. The vast expanse of lawn in front of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, at 7050 Gall Blvd., will be the setting for an Easter sunrise service. It will feature song, meditation and scripture. Symbolic doves will be released to represent hope during the service that celebrates the Christian belief that through his death and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin and offers everlasting life to his believers. “Our hospital is a faith-based hospital,” said Brenda Welcher, the hospital’s community relations coordinator.“Our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ.” Those attending the morning event, set for 6:30 a.m. on April 20, are encouraged to bring lawn chairs because seating is limited. The event typically draws a couple thousand people, with crowds bigger some years than others, depending on when Easter falls and whether winter residents are still in the area, Welcher said. Refreshments will be served. The nonprofit hospital presents the anSee EASTER, page 8

COURTESY OF FLORIDA HOSPITAL ZEPHYRHILLS

Mark Warren, a chaplain at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, offers some remarks during a previous Easter sunrise service to celebrate the risen Christ.

COURTESY OF HELENE RUBENSTEIN

It’s easy being green Joan and Ed Fisher went green for the St. Patty’s Day dinner. More Grand Horizons, page 15

The LAKER

FREE

QUALITY Fast Emergency Care

Text your zip code to ERTIME for ER wait times and locations. Why rush to a competitor’s ER just to sit and wait? Now you can text us and get our ER wait times in advance. It’s simple. Just text your zip code to ERTIME (378463) and get instant ER wait times and locations near you. You can rely on high-quality care at every

EAST PASCO EDITION

By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com APRIL 2, 2014

Superintendent pushes new standards By B.C. Manion bcmanion@akerlutznews.com

As the Pasco County school district shifts to a more rigorous set of educational standards, Superintendent Kurt Browning has been making the rounds to explain the changes to parents. During his most recent stop at Wiregrass Ranch High School — the final of 13 community meetings — Browning told parents that the district must change the way teachers teach and students learn. He also called for greater involvement by parents to help prepare students for entering school and to reinforce learning at home. The district’s current performance must

B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO

At a series of community forums, Pasco

Performers overcome challenges at ‘Spotlight On Talent’

ing students who are ready for college, careers and life, Browning said. “We’ve got to make a connection between what’s happening in the real world and in the classroom,” Browning said. Along those lines, the district is shifting to Common Core State Standards and raising the bar on expectations.The standards define what students should know as they proceed through school in order to graduate from high school fully prepared to enter college and the work force. “We’re embracing a new way of teaching and learning,” said Rayann Mitchell, a senior supervisor in the division of curriculum, assessment and instruction. The new standards are causing teachers

DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE!

The full version of The Laker is now available online. Visit LakerLutzNews.com and click E-Editions in the top left corner.

After hours of practice and auditioning before a panel of experts, a select number of singers, dancers and musicians were chosen to perform at the Heritage Arts Center Association’s “Spotlight On Talent” event, now in its 31st year. Getting there was the hard part. The event itself, held in two separate performances on March 29 at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School, should have been easier. But the “Spotlight On Talent” finals brought their own challenges for the performers. The early showcase, which featured younger performers, was hampered by in-

COURTESY OF THE HERITAGE ARTS CENTER ASSOCIATION

Riley Reardon won this year’s $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship for his contemporary dance routine. The Land O’Lakes High School senior choreographed it as well.

clement weather, including thunderstorms and tornado warnings that severely affected audience turnout, organizers said. And the

later showcase was disrupted by an inadvertent fire alarm, which required a visit from the fire department and a full evacuation of the auditorium. But according to Barbara Friedman, who produced the talent show and is a member of the organization’s board of directors, those obstacles didn’t prevent inspired performances by the finalists, well-deserved recognition for the winners, and another successful talent showcase for young people in the area. “The performances were fabulous,” she said. “Truly, they are destined to go on to wonderful careers and go on with their talents.” See TALENT, page 8


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.