Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 16

Petersburg Times St. Pasco Times 2 Monday, May 5, 2008 tampabay.com for more news OPINION West Pasco happenings jp tampabay.comopinion Guest column I Dr. Rao Musunuru Showyour support for the nursing profession PAN tst'Mi Bartelt Road, Holiday, (727) 938-5977. Smoking and nonsmoking rooms. Ed Salmon String Band, the Mummers: Doors open at4p.m.

today. Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Hudson, (727) 255-9117. Strutting line dancing. Sandwiches. Donation: $3.

Line dancing: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Friday. LaVilla Gardens Civic Club, 5730 Elena Drive, Holiday, (727) 939-2673 or 943-8559. Donation: $3. Calusa May Mixer 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday. Calusa Business and Professional Women invite potential new members to attend. The event will be in the Ramada Inn Bayside, 5015 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. No charge.

Make reservations by calling Joanne Grassi at (727) 856-9595 or Alice Delgardo at (727) 255-9174. Safe Boating Seminar 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Hudson Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-7 will hold this seminar in the Shoreline Cafeteria Conference Center in Regional Medical Center Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Members are wanted for this new support group.

Meetings will be held in the Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, Port Richey. Local area contact is Dorothy, (727) 862-8222. Crochet and knitting group: 10 a.m. to noon today. Come to learn and work with others.

Project chemo caps and preemie caps. All are welcome. United Church of Christ, 4826 Bartelt Road, Holiday. Call (727) 934-4364 for information. Lunch: Tl a.m.

to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. McKay VFW Post 7987, 7445 Chester McKay Drive, New Port Richey, (727) 376-3502. Menu starts at $1.75. Karaoke and eats: 7 to 10:30 p.m.

today. Moose Lodge 1429, 1936 Abacus Road, Holiday, (727) 937-9030. Hot dogs are available for 75 cents, schnapps Bingo today: 9 a.m. Polish American Pulaski Club, 4616 Darlington Road, Holiday, (727) 934-0900. 7 p.m.

VFW Post10167, 4619 We offer a variety tion in many ways. We can recognize them for all they are, thank them for all they do and respect them for all they endure. We can support the nurses and the nursing profession for all their dedication. One can contribute to Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation (earmarked for nurses' scholarship) to support training of more local nurses. One can donate in honor of nurses to Good Samaritan Clinic in conjunction with its May 9 fundraiser.

One can contribute to any other free clinic or charity supported or sponsored by the nurses. Mother's Day is May 11. The nurses who are also mothers deserve special recognition as they have two of the most demanding and rewarding jobs. Nurses are special, very special indeed. I should know I have been witnessing the miracles they perform firsthand day and night for the past three decades.

The nurses should be able to witness our appreciation, not only in our words but in our eyes and hearts, for all their personal sacrifices to better others lives. Dr. Rao Musunuru is a cardiologist, member of the Board of Trustees Jbr Pasco-Hernando Community College and works with many charitable organizations. tatruuf over of specialized telephones. And you won't have to Bayonet Point.

Fee: $35 includes book, CD, certificate and ID card. Course fulfills state requirements for boaters under 21. Call Tom Wilson at (727) 3764298 or Billy Pfaff at (727) 869-0784. Special Evening Hospice Training: 6 to 8 p.m. May 13.

Adults and teenagers 14 and older who would like to be Hernando-Pasco Hospice volunteers and do crafts or assist in the Hudson team office by answering phones, filing or working on special projects are invited to this training. This session will be at12029 Majestic Hudson. Preregistration is required; call Fred Blind at (727) 863-9522. Annual Lodge Picnic: 4 to 6 p.m. May 26.

Moose Lodge 1429, 1936 Abacus Road, Holiday, (727) 937-9030. Advance tickets are $6 until May17, $10 afterward. Call the lodge to reserve. Send all events with group name, address and public telephone number at least 14 days in advance to Lucille Lazich, West Happenings, 11321 US 19, Port Richey 34668 or e-mail to lwdchsptimes.com. the phone? out a dime.

TtWJE It's Hard To Stop A Trane' 721235-01 i- 1 -I fiew Florida Telecommunications Relay, provides specialized telephone equipment at no cost to Floridians with hearing loss or speech disabilities. To qualify, you must be a permanent Florida resident, at least three years of age and able to provide proof of hearing loss or speech disability. To learn more, contact! Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Florida, Inc. 8610 Galen Wilson Boulevard, Bldg Suite 100 Port Richey, FL 34668 727-853-1010 (voice) 727-853-1014 (TTY) Open Monday Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m., appointments preferred pi Florida 1820 East Park Avenue, Suite 101 Tallahassee, FL 32301 LjJ Telecommunications 1-800-222-3448 (voice) 1-888-447-5620 (TTY) www.ftri.org FTRI Relay, Inc.

Nurses deserve all the respect, recognition and support they can get from the community, for all their commitment and services. Tuesday marks the beginning of National Nurses Week We have come a long way from the days of Florence Nightingale tending to wounded soldiers all night carrying a lonely lamp ti ana me nurses if 1 wearing pretty 'AJtmrfly white caps and changing bedpans in the old movies. The chance is that the first Musunuru person that touched you and the first person you saw when you opened your eyes when you came into this world is a nurse who assisted your mother during delivery. Also, the chance is the last person that will touch you and the last person that you will see before you close your eyes for the last time will be a nurse who will have helped you to take your last few breaths. And every time in between, whenever you become ill, injured or sick, it will be a nurse offering assistance.

In addition to being true physician extenders, nurses nowadays are well trained to perform many clinical functions independently. To keep up with advances of modern medicine they undergo Your letters Trapped in airport's terminal confusion I April 28, column Let's call TIA Regarding Barbara Frederick-sen's experiences in airport, heck, I couldn't agree more. Since moving to Spring Hill a year ago, my business travel now originates from Tampa International. I find the airport to be one of the most amenable around. I would suggest, however, a change in the manner in which we refer to Tampa International Airport in print and in conversation.

The rest of planet Earth understands Tampa International to be 'TEA." Bear with me as I explain. Airports are more commonly referenced by their International Air Transportation Association (IATA) code. Dulles International Airport is not referred in print as "DIA" (it's IAD); nor is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport referred to as "RRWNA" (it's DCA). True to form, Jacksonville International Airport is shortened to "JAX," and it's rhyming partner, Los Angeles International Airport is pegged as "LAX." You will never find any printed reference to these airports as "JIA," or "LAIA." Now the funny part: After moving to Spring Hill I subscribed to the St. Petersburg Times and read an interesting article regarding the road construction around "TIA." Shortly thereafter, when planning my Pasco Times Port Richey Office: 11321 U.S.

19, Port Richey, FL34668 DELIVERY Call to subscribe, report delivery problems, for billing inquiries, vacation hold or other customer service. For redelivery of paper call 6 a.m.-IO a.m. and Sun.7a.m.-11a.m. Port RicheyW. Pasco (727)8494338 Land Otakes Toil-Free 1-800-333-7505 Dade CrtyL Pasco ToB-Free 1-800-888-7012 SWITCHBOARD Port RicheyW.

Pasco (727)8490044 Land 0 takes (813)909-4600 Dade CityE. Pasco (352)521-6510 Telecommunications Device for rigorous training and are also controlled and supervised by various certifying, credential-issuing and qualifying agencies and authorities. They run miniclinics, they serve well-clinics, and they volunteer for free clinics. They assist both in health and in sickness. They triage and they treat They cover all aspects of medicine from preventive care to emergency care to critical care.

They feel your pain and they share your anxiety. They bear the burden of the inefficient and expensive medical system, being in the front lines but they always manage to wear a smile. You can see the compassion in their eyes. You can feel the warmth in their touch. You can take comfort in their kind words.

Their presence and understanding can ease your anxiety and upset. Their sweetness and smiles can ease your hurt and pain. They truly listen and they really understand. They connect, they consult and they console. It is a difficult job and it is not pretty, by any means.

This is the main reason why we have a national shortage of nurses. We can never pay them enough for all they do. The least we can do is to appreciate them wholeheartedly. Nurses truly have a heart a big heart, a kind heart and a giving heart We can express our apprecia Share your opinions first business trip out of "TIA," I found that a round trip from "TIA" to "IAD" would've run me no less than $2,500. Additionally, the carriers for this trip were not the usual suspects (Delta, United, but rather Air France, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines.

You see, "TIA" is the IATA code for Tirana, Albania. No telling what that airport terminal is like! Traceyllammett, Spring Hill Vote wisely in sheriff election I April 30, letter Bogartisthe most qualified I immediately thought the letter writer has an axe to grind or an alternative motive. It is true that Kim Bogart started his career at the Tampa Police Department Mr. Bogart worked himself up through the ranks and served in dangerous positions risking his life to protect the public. During his 16 years at the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, he was recognized for his leadership qualities by being asked to serve in command level positions under two sheriffs.

Mr. Bogart has a bachelor and master's degree in business administration, along with being an award-winning, nationally recognized expert in corrections and law enforcement. Given the fact that the Sheriff's Office is an $86-mil-lion enterprise, I believe that Mr. Bogart has the qualifications and is prepared to lead Dade City Office: 37951 Meridian Dade City, FL33525 the hearing impaired (727) 869-6205 NEWS W. Pasco News (727) 869-6238 Dade City Bureau (352)521-6540 Land Olakes Bureau (813)909-4606 Circulation (352) 860-7361 ClubCommunity Events (727) 869-6238 Religion News (352) 521-5757 ext 29 Sports (727)869-6261 Weddings (800) 333-7505 ext 8735 Port Richey FAX (727) 869233 Land Olakes FAX (813)909-4611 Dade City FAX (352)521-6520 up to $1,200 REBATE plus 6 months same as cash when you purchase any qualifying Trane XLi system between March 7 and May 29, 2008.

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Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed. Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668, or by fax to 727-869-6233 or go to Fill out the form to supply us with your personal information, the subject line, and type your letter in the space provided.

You can also cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer. When you are done, hit the button that says "Submit My Letter." the agency. He is certainly more qualified than his primary opponent, who is only a probation officer and has never supervised anyone. In addition, the current sheriff only supervised seven people before being elected sheriff and he only has an associate's degree. Darren Carpenter, Spring Hill Wesley Chapel Office: 26240 Golden Maple Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 STAFF BW Stevens Michael Moscardtni JonO'Ne Bridget Hall Grumet CT.Bawan Linda Raab Jim Thompson North Suncoast editor Asst.

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