The Laker-East Pasco-October 28, 2015

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The LAKER

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EAST PASCO EDITION

LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

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Electronic billboards coming to Pasco By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County officials want to weed out unsightly static billboards in favor of a more limited number of electronic billboards. But, how to swap out one for the other and how quickly to do that are issues that are open for debate. Pasco County commissioners discussed the matter at a workshop on Oct. 13 in New Port Richey.

County staff members in the coming months will compile an inventory of existing billboards and locations, get input from stakeholders — including business owners and residents— and draft an ordinance permitting electronic billboards. The public would have an opportunity to weigh in before a new ordinance could be adopted. Staff members estimate the process See BILLBOARDS, page15A

mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com

A woman sits inside a modest chapel in Zephyrhills, and her voice is shaking. She’s describing the loss of a loved one, and the guilt she feels about that loss. A chaplain and a therapist sit with her and listen, then try to comfort her by sharing their own perspectives. Her grief is natural, they say, and a normal part of life. Beginning that afternoon, she takes important steps on her journey of mourning and healing. It’s a scene that plays out all too often at Gulfside Hospice, 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills. But this time it’s different. Mary Ann Polom isn’t grieving over the loss of a human family member. It’s her beloved toy poodle, Annie, who was put to sleep just a few weeks before. For Polom, and many others with pets, a dog or cat isn’t like family. They are family. And the loss they feel when their pet dies is just as real and valid as other losses. Friends and family sometimes don’t see it the same way. They will say things like “it’s just a dog,” not realizing the depth of the connection the two shared. That can leave a pet owners feeling confused, embarrassed, and guilty over their feelings, which compounds the grief.

MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTOS

Mary Ann Polom attended a recent pet loss support group meeting to share her feelings after losing Annie, her toy poodle.

Polom made that tough decision, and a month later she still felt guilty. “I can’t seem to forgive myself,” she admitted.“She was like my little partner.” One thing that sticks in her mind is how Annie seemed to be doing better right at the end of her life. It’s a common occurrence, even with humans, for the sick to experience a rally of sorts even as their condition worsens. Polom experienced the same thing with her father when he passed away. But seeing Annie behave normally, even for a short time, makes her question if she did the right thing. And after losing her husband to cancer a decade ago, letting Annie go has left her alone. The parallels between human and pet loss aren’t unique to Polom’s situation. According to Schneider, the grief and loss can be similar, so helping those in mourning can be similar as well. “A lot of what we do in the pet group is ‘MY LITTLE PARTNER’ what we do with families, because we live Annie’s problems started in a society that really doesn’t educate, and about a year earlier, when doesn’t really like to talk about death and she broke her hip. A heart dying,” she said. murmur was also detected, In the session, Schneider, a licensed cliniand after hip surgery she cal social worker, and Michael Merritt, a never healed properly. She chaplain, offer advice and comfort. But they lost her appetite, and after a also do a lot of listening, from stories about Chaplain Michael Merritt, left, and Gulfside’s Shelley Schneider long struggle the veterinari- Annie’s loving personality, to the guilt and offer words of encouragement and a safe place to share feelan said it was time to put ings and memories for pet owners grieving a serious loss. See PETS, page15A her down. Shelley Schneider, vice-president of counseling and advocacy services at Gulfside Hospice, said their reaction is actually a perfectly normal response to the death of a loved one. “Sometimes people don’t quite understand why people are grieving so hard for losing an animal,” Schneider explained. “We just really want to validate that what they’re going through is appropriate, normal, and common.” Gulf Hospice provides that validation with a free monthly pet loss support group, and the organization is hoping to reach anyone in the community mourning a pet’s death who needs to share and be heard by people who understand. Word of the group reached Polom in her time of grief, and she attended a recent meeting.

Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and FRED BELLET/STAFF PHOTO security at the mall.

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Ready, set, go –Tampa Premium Outlets! By Kathy Steele

Reality television star Bethenny Frankel of The Housewives of New York will be a special guest on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 Shopping season is set to open at Tampa p.m. Frankel, also founder of Skinnygirl GRAND OPENING: Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 Premium Outlets — no license is required. Cocktails, will greet shoppers, participate in The highly anticipated outdoor mall – in interactive style segments and share fashion HOURS: Ribbon cutting Oct. 29 at 9:40 the bull’s eye of Pasco County development advice. She also will host two autograph sesa.m.; extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 – will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on sions with fans at the VIP Shoppers Club p.m. opening day through Saturday, and Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m. Lounge. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Shop doors open at 10 a.m. To access the lounge, fans can enroll in Regular hours begin Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to Shelves will be stocked with upscale Simon Premium Outlets VIP Shoppers Club 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 brand names at more than 100 shops, inat www.premiumoutlets.com/vip, or in pera.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. cluding Saks Off 5th, Calvin Klein, Nike, son at the mall, outside the lounge. CELEBRITY GUEST: Reality television star, Coach and Michael Kors. Opening day is exClub members are eligible for exclusive Bethenny Frankel, on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. pected to bring thousands to check out deals, coupons and other benefits. The to 4 p.m. typical discounts ranging from 25 percent lounge will host several activities during to 65 percent on coveted merchandise. opening weekend, including chair massages, Mall developers at Simon Property for children. a beauty bar and a photo station. Group are planning a full weekend of spe“We want to encourage everyone to come Other highlights during opening weekcial events, family-friendly activities, and out with their families,” said Stacey Nance, the end include free entertainment, deals and Halloween Happenings. mall’s general manager, who recently gave the See MALL, page15A As a regular feature, there is a play area media a sneak peek at the mall.

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Tampa Premium Outlets grand opening


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