Lutz Magazine - March 2023

March

March

March

STRINGS IN THE SPRING

March 25

March 26

April

A free outdoor music festival featuring bluesy beats with great musicians like George Pennington and yummy food truck eats.

Presented with Carrollwood Village HOAs

A tribute concert to Tina Turner and Diana Ross with Carlene Mitchell.

A classical music concert with cellist James Connors and pianist Franz Mantini.

Maureen Famiano

Motivated Advocate - Story Teller - Friend

When it comes to being motivated, one Lutz woman seems to embrace that with gusto. She attacks each day with an off the charts enthusiasm to make the very most of every minute.

She’s up early to get to work on her media and marketing business, MEFMedia, to strategize and get media attention for her non-profit clients, clients and strangers she feels deserves attention to shine and grow.

As a journalist for 30+ years, she’s all about the story. From being a reporter to producer to executive producer, locally at NBC – WFLA-TV for 17 years and CBS- WTSP for 4, she relies on her gut check to determine and uncover the story, it’s often the one no one shares that needs to be told or needs more attention. She knows how to do it. She truly gets great pride with sharing, telling and showcasing great community projects and people.

Her projects have ranged from COVID-Community hero work with getting a local Principal recognition on the Ellen Show for her food pantry work during the pandemic, to raising awareness on the homeless plight with Blanket Tampa Bay which got the recognition of the Lady Gaga Team, to raising awareness of a Veteran’s Group Operation Helping Hand as it provides special therapy resources for wounded warriors at the James A. Haley Hospital and special monthly dinners for them and Veterans.

Throughout the week you will find her out and about throughout the week at networking events meeting, mingling, suggesting, lifting up and connecting people & overseeing media interviews.

In her world, Maureen is all about relationships. She says she’s not transactional. Having a conversation with people and really listening is the key to wonderful relationships and connections and building from there. It’s those relationship builds that lead many to want to tap in to her vibe, spirit, enthusiastic approach to life.

With all that enthusiasm, many are shocked when they hear her not so fun health journey.

For her, it all began in the summer of 2010.

She noticed signs and thought, what’s that? She delayed a Dr.’s visit and hoped it would go away. It did not. A visit to her primary physician led to a specialist referral and then a colonoscopy to determine what was wrong. It turned out there was a big problem. A small kiwi size tumor was discovered. It had to be tested and biopsied. Her battle began.

She says she will never forget the words, “You have cancer. Colon cancer.” It echoed in her mind. By then, she suspected something was wrong. Upon the news she says she had to go into fight mode, determining her next best steps. It’s the 4thrd leading cancer causing death in the U.S. As she reflects on this, she believes her career as a television news executive producer prepared her to really go into production mode. She had to produce the best show of her life. The show of fighting and winning this unexpected event. She had to be there for her kids and family. I had to live for them & for her, she was just 45.

This is where her advocacy & determination began. She met with 3 separate surgeons to get their opinions. She wanted options and didn’t settle for just one. Opting for surgery first she hoped and trusted this was the best option. The surgery went fine. Weeks later her post surgery check-up proved she was not done. The tumor had penetrated the lymph nodes. This meant a Stage 3 Colon Cancer diagnosis and new fight. She chose an aggressive one two punch with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Let’s do this and get started, she said.

The outlook began with 6 rounds of chemo with breaks to get stronger. She’d get her treatment on a Wednesday. She’d often appear fine and normal in the Chemo area at Moffitt Cancer. She’d be chatty and appeared positive and happy. She reflects on many patients talking with her and their suddenly realization that SHE was the patient when they glimpsed her medical wrist band. They were shocked. Sometimes they would ask to sit by me in the chemo room. Friendships were formed. After the 4 hour infusion, she’d leave with a chemo bag attached for the next 48

hours for the slow chemo drip infusion. Working through these days, she returned to have the chemo bag removed and rest on the weekend to get stronger to return to her work at WFLA on the following Monday. All this was followed by 28 days of radiation. Then a break followed by 6 more rounds of chemo. It was grueling at times. Throughout, the support of family and many Lutz friends was awesome. Meal trains fed my family and prayers gave me much strength. She pauses and smiles and says she truly is thankful, grateful and blessed. Faith played a big role in trusting and fighting through. She states, I’m still here!

Once complete, follow ups meant colonoscopies each year. No problem she thought. She was good to go. She did it & beat cancer! She was an advocate for herself and options and reminded anyone she came in contact to get screened!!

All was fine for 7 years and then, it was not fine. A whopping 20 polyps came back with a vengeance & she was told the colon must go. Polyps can become cancerous. She was in shock. It was a gut punch. She then got opinions from 3 surgeons who all said the same thing, she would need a bag or ileostomy for the rest of her life.

At wits end and believing there must be another option she did not stop searching, but time was ticking. A medical friend suggested another surgeon who gave her hope without a bag. He provided a critical 4th opinion that was life changing meeting. While it did mean a 6 month journey with a temporary ileostomy, she trusted & hoped for the best. The intricate 8 hour surgery to remove her colon was daunting and epic. After that it was dealing with the ileostomy (bag) journey with wound care and learning how to eat and digest was unbelievably challenging. She had to figure out what to eat - meal by meal. Some things worked, other food did not. It was challenging, frustrating, very painful at times and defeating. But she had hope that this would be temporary. Had she not gotten that crucial 4th opinion, her life would be different. In the end that suggestion worked and her body did adapt. She says it again, I’m Still Here!

This Lutz resident is off and running, advocating and staying motivated to lift others up. She believes she’s still here for a reason. We’ve seen some of those reasons. We know she has more to do.

Explore and Engage with your Education at a Magnet School Explore and Engage with your Education at a Magnet School

Magnet Schools offer engaging programs tailored to your student’s interest!

Hillsborough County Public Schools offers families across the district 42 Nationally-Recognized and Award-Winning Magnet Schools with more than 80 programs!

• ALL Magnet Schools are accredited by the Department of Education!

• ALL Magnet School teachers hold teaching certificates, with many holding graduate degrees!

• Magnet Students graduate and are accepted to universities such as: Stanford, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Yale, Naval Academy, and more!

Today’s she going on 5 years since the reversal was performed. That surgeon meeting was a game changer. It’s a new life and wouldn’t be if she hadn’t sought options. She says she shares because she wants to inspire others to ask questions, notice your body’s signs, get second opinions and don’t settle. Get them, compare and be your own advocate. It’s your right. You need to be aware. Ask. Fight. Win. You are worth it!

Many people reach out after her inspirational posts on social media or share when they see her that they’ve gotten screened and wanted her to know. That gives her great pride as she believes that’s part of her reach she’s still here to make a difference one person at a time. She believes that to her core.

While eating without a colon presents its own challenges, she smiles through her daily banana intake for fiber and laughs at the idea of eating greasy foods without a colon. Nope, not happening, but that’s just fine.

This health journey was shared just a week ago as she was invited to share her survivor story at the Tampa Colon Cancer Walk. She left many in the 350+ crowd tearing up at her winning attitude and encouraged others in the crowd to fight too.

She reflects she’s so glad she didn’t accept her fate and her tenacity for options led her to her life now, complete with adventure, productivity and accomplishment. Positivity powered her through. She’s in the C- Club as she calls it, but cancer did not prevent her from seeing her 2 kids, Hannah & Spencer, graduate from High

School, support them through college, cheer on her husband, Frank’s growing business and even start her own company. She’s also delivered a TEDx talk on her “WHAT IF’ journey and cowrote 2 books, both #1 Best Sellers.

The zest for beating cancer is what she puts into her MEFMedia business and working for clients. She loves the client wins, it energizes her

Magnet Schools near You!

Elementary

Muller: Arts and Environmental Science

Essrig: Montessori Academy

Middle

Franklin: Cambridge International

Ferrell: Cambridge International

Greco: International Baccalaureate

Sligh: Medical and Sports Science

Walker: International Baccalaureate

High

King: International Baccalaureate

Middleton: Engineering, Bio-tech, Cybersecurity, Computer Gaming

Find more schools and event information at:

Hillsboroughschools.org/Magnet

Twitter handle: @sdhcMagnet

lift spirits. She reminds us all, it’s the little things in life that matter most. Positivity wins and it’s free and easy. Just do it!

That zest is something that catches the eye of others in the community too. She’s often sought after for community projects. Maureen is involved with the American Lung Association and has hosted several events and works to get media tension to raise awareness as lung disease claimed her mom’s life.

She sits on the Philanthropic Board and Board of Governor’s at the Centre Club in Tampa and now something else.

She’s honored and humbled to work with a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). She’s been nominated for Visionary of the Year 2023. They see what she does in the community to lift others up and spread news about paying attention to your body’s signs. Her hope is that if someone hears her or pays attention, they too, can get the proper care early to get treatment and LIVE. She’s raising awareness and funding for LLS from 2/23-5/5.

even more. She knows and appreciates every single day. She surrounds herself with a wonderful circle of friends and is a cheerleader for their wins and accomplishments & when they’re down, she’s the first to recognize something’s off and works to help turn that around. She also lives by a 5 touch rule. Every day she reaches out to 5 people to send a positive comment or encouraging word or says hello to strangers to

She reminds us every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed the Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma. She has people inner circle in that a fight and would love support. Anyone reading this can tap on the link below and donate to support her team. Team members, Fundraisers, Sponsors are all welcome.

https://pages.lls.org/voy/sun/sun23/mfamiano Maureen Famiano Maureen@MEFMedia.com 813-495-0663 Social Media and LinkedIn

Craig Bennett, MD (general ortho/spine)

Jared Salinsky, DO (general ortho/sports)

George Kardashian, MD (hand/elbow)

Juan Raposo, MD (revisions/spine)

Kirill Ilalov, MD (spine) Dragomir Mijic, DO (shoulder)

Dolfi Herscovici, DO (foot/ankle)

Alexander Pappas, DPM (podiatrist)

Huy Nguyen, MD (physiatry/general)

Christopher Reyher, MD (physiatry/general)

Kenton Panas, MD (sports, shoulder, hip, knee)

Korey

(hip/trauma)

EVENTS SELECT March 2023

Pasco County Pet Adoption Multiple Dates

19640 Dogpatch Lane

Pioneer Cowboy Day

3/4

10am-5pm

15602 Pioneer Museum Rd

Tampa Bay Planner’s MARCH Meet Up 3/11

10:30am-5:30pm

3902 Meadow Pointe Boulevard

Looking to Expand Your Family with a New Friend? Pasco County Animal Services is the perfect place to meet a loving cat or dog to give a new home to. Throughout the month, ongoing promotions and adoption specials will be going on to make it easier for the these displaced animals to find the perfect match. For example, adopters 55 and older may adopt any animal 5 years and older for waived adoption fee. For more information, and to see the pets available, visit www.pascocountyfl.net!

Battle of the Ages Comedy Show

3/3

8pm-10pm

4537 Lowell Road

Get connected with the all natural world at this Farm Festival! Enjoy great tasting fresh food, unique vendors, Blacksmith Model trains, Traditional craft demonstrations, and more! All museum buildings will be open with docents, many with people in time period attire to guide you through the past. Learn about the life of the cowboys through live heeling and heading roping demonstrations and whip crack presentaions! For more information visit www. pioneerfloridamuseum.org.

Spring Dance Concert

3/5 3pm USF Theatre 1

Bring your planner and your craftiness for our monthly get together! Spend the day planning and socializing with your planner friends! Snacks, refreshments, and ice will be provided while you share your ideas and create with your community. The goal will be to show appreciation for those around you, specifically highlighting teachers for the upcoming teacher appreciation week.

The Harvest & Chalk Walk Festival 3/12

10am-3pm

6105 Wesley Grove Blvd

This Battle of the Ages appeals to a wide audience! Carrollwood cultural center has put together a multi-generational comedy night for everyone to enjoy. Parents will be able to especially bond with their growing children with the blend of ages and jokes presented! The battle stars well-known actor Marc Price from Family Ties and star of the film Trick or Treat, Millennial comedian Eugene Torres, and Baby Boomer Lorrie Brownstone. Find tickets at www. carrollwoodcenter.org/

The Spring Dance Concert event is a classical ballet performance put on by professional dancers and held at USF Theatre. Ballet is a difficult and refined art form that is able to transform a story live on stage. The excitement and energy of the crowd paired with the talent of the graceful performers makes for a truly unforgettable experience that you will not want miss. Tickets are available at www.vividseats. com

Enjoy local merchants with all sorts of goods from fresh produce, clothing, home décor, delicious treats, paintings, and arts of all types. Find a souvenir to take home with you! While shopping the merchants, get creative with the colorful Chalk Art at Krate. Come appreciate the arts with your community and meet all the new businesses in Wesley Chapel!

Exercising in Your Florida Garden

3/14

2pm-3pm

34043 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel

Explore the Art of Irish Whiskey

3/16

6pm-7pm 28249 Paseo Dr. Suite 110

genre. He has been named one of the top five best-selling instrumentalists in jazz! Visit www. jazzunplugged.com to purchase tickets

Small Business Health & Wellness Fair

3/19

12pm-4pm

33905 SR 54 Wesley Chapel

New Year New You! Local small businesses are coming together to showcase what there is in the Wesley Chapel community! Free entry and free health screening will be available. Vendors from North Tampa bay chamber of commerce will be highlighted as well as Blush wine room, 3eleven aroma, and Mythos from the Krates.

“Queen Divas” of Motown: A Tribute to Diana Ross & Tina Turner

3/25

The diversity and opportunity found in Florida is perfect for creating a garden! Once you have one, it is vital to continue upkeep all throughout the year. This can be physically taxing, and it is important to remember to care of yourself as much as you care for your yard. Our instructor will be providing helpful tips on stretching and how to protect your whole body, especially your back and knees, while you tend to you Florida yard. Reserve your spot on www. eventbrite.com.

Motivating Wellness with Bionox

3/15

6pm-7pm

1821 Bruce B Downs Blvd

This is your chance to enjoy a tasting experience unlike any other! The “Art of Irish Whiskey” takes you through a whiskey tasting of their own private brand and other small and rare batches that won’t be found anywhere else! While you taste your whiskey, learn about where it comes from, the appreciation the Irish have for of the most sacred tree in Celtic mythology, and how it all ties together to make something delicious.

Post 108 Annual Picnic

3/18

11am

Lake Padgett Estates Collier Parkway Bring your family out for the day to enjoy nature at Lake Padgett! American Legion Post 108 will be holding their annual picnic for members and their families to come together. There will be delicious food and great company to celebrate American Legion with! For more information contact Ray Williams- 813.997.6452

JAZZ UNPLUGGED WITH KIM WATERS

3/18

7pm-10pm

30651 Wells Rd

8pm-10pm

4537 Lowell Road

Presented by founder and formulator Dr. Jay Wilkins, a naturopath that has been in the Health and Wellness industry for 30 years. His teachings include a breakthrough in Pulse Wave Analysis: a noninvasive vascular screening that indicates arterial constriction, stiffness and blockage and how over time specific nutrients can cause a reversal. He has been pioneering products that activate the body’s innate power to realize optimum health ever since, and now wants to share them with you! Reserve your spot on www.eventbrite.com.

Jazz Unplugged is a jazz show unlike all the rest. Kim Waters will be showcasing his renowned talent at a live performance at the Center For The Arts. Saxophonist, composer and producer Waters has enjoyed a career longevity that has made him a master of the

Experience the enthralling energy of classic divas live! Carrollwood cultural center will be presenting Queen Divas of Motown tribute to celebrate the careers and journeys of two treasured Queen Divas who have paved the way for others in their genres to follow. Through award-winning tribute artist Carlene Mitchell along with her exclusive tribute band, the “Class Act Tribute Band,”, you will witness the elaborate stage presence and glamour of Diana Ross, and the undeniable raw talent, fire, and excitement of Tina Turner together! For more information visit carrollwoodcenter.org

American Legion Post 108 Meeting

3/27

7am-8pm

23253 Plantation Palms Blvd

Every fourth Thursday of the month, American Legion Post 108 will be meeting at Mulligan’s Irish Pub located in Plantation Palms Golf Club to discuss the month’s events. The social meeting will be held later in the day, at 5pm. For more information contact Randy Holeyfield, Commander Post 108- 813.716.0318

Please send your events to:

info@KEMMediaGroup.com

Aluna's Zodiac

MARCH 2023

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

– Happy birthday Pisces! Saturn enters your sign for the first time in 29 years and stays there for nearly three! It will help you get focused and remain disciplined with meditation and other spiritual practices. You’ll also be well-respected at work. You can meet goals of all sorts since you believe you deserve the results of your efforts! Pluto’s change of sign empowers your intuition, so believe in yourself, even if others don’t understand where you’re coming from.

Aries (March 21 – April 19) —

Saturn’s change of sign brings commitment to your meditation practice and gives patience in developing your intuition. You can also release old resentments that hold you back, whether they are about others or yourself! Mars finally changes signs and helps you make big strides at work. Also, you can have major breakthroughs with childhood issues or traumas that keep you from the personal fulfillment you desire. Powerful friends come into your world who walk their spiritual talk!

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

— Venus is in your sign and opens doors for relationship harmony, as well as self-love! You value yourself so you can speak up, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. Pluto moving into Aquarius allows you to dare to follow your uniqueness, especially in career. Believe in your awesomeness! Saturn changing signs helps you find friends who are as loyal as you are. Release codependent connections!

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

— Pluto’s shift of sign asks you to put more effort toward spirituality. Really commit to yoga, mediation, prayer, or whatever connects you with your deepest soul. Don’t be afraid to uncover issues within yourself. Healing can happen once these things are uncovered! Also, you can have an amazing job offer that’s the culmination of many years of work. Open up to financial abundance!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

— Mars finally enters your sign after the long retrograde in

Gemini! You’ll feel more physical energy as well as be mentally able to set goals and achieve them. Relationships will also have extra sizzle! Pluto is bringing a healing of any trauma or betrayal that keeps you from intimacy. Saturn’s change of sign renews your faith in the Universe. Remember affirmations and practice feeling them in your heart, not just repeating them in your mind.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) — As heavy-hitters Pluto and Saturn change signs, meditate on relationships. Watch out for power imbalances or manipulation. Also meditate on fear of intimacy. You’ll be able to create more safety in partnerships and to be able to explore the depths of connection in a way you never have before! With Mars also shifting into a new sign, you can rid your subconscious of resentments that drain you, while still maintain healthy boundaries with any “toxic” people.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

— Make sure you take care of yourself as well as you take care of others! Saturn and Pluto have major planetary changes that awaken you to the value of your own needs. Meditate on relationships and see if there’s a healthy give and receive, not just all give! Cultivate new friends and activities to reflect you higher level of self-worth. Also begin a self-compassion practice. It’s a vital nutrient your soul craves!

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

— It’s vital for you to remain true to yourself when in a relationship. You can meet someone with whom there’s a powerful connection, but balance that passion with time for your own goals and self-care. Work can also explode with amazing possibilities now that Mars has finally changed signs! Make sure to set healthy limits here as well. It sounds silly, but a daily practice of deep breathing (focusing on the exhale) will revamp your health on many levels. Try just a few minutes a day!

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

— As Mars changes signs, you’ll feel re-inspired about spiritual practices. Try a new form of med-

itation or yoga. You might even travel for fun, but you’ll still have a significant shift that brings more peace and healing to your heart. Make sure you stay true to yourself in relationships, but don’t be so rigid as to shut people out. Many planets are helping you trust more, so watch out for over-scrutinizing people who want to get close.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 21) — Saturn and Pluto’s change of sign ask you to deep dive into your childhood issues or traumas. You might start therapy, or find a way to reframe memories so you feel more self-esteem and empowerment. Also, career options can open up. Even if you’ve been waiting a long time, everything is coming together! Take time to praise your body in meditation. You’ll notice your energy level and health improve. Make time for fun activities to lower stress!

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) — You can start a new relationship, but make sure they respect your work goals. Pluto’s change of signs increases your ambition and you need a partner who honors your internal power! Current

connections must also adapt to your increased self-esteem and shift of focus. Meditate on the spirituality of abundance and prosperity. Release any “poverty consciousness” so you can enjoy a life with less financial struggles!

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) — Pluto moves into your sign for the first time in nearly 300 years! It’ll work with you periodically for about 25 years! Find the power in your unique gifts and talents. Don’t make excuses for who you are! You’ll draw relationships that honor your individuality. You can also contact regenerative powers in your body through yoga, qigong or quantum meditations. You can re-make your mind and thoughts more easily to heal from trauma or negative “programs”.

Aluna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than three decades. Her book “Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological Signs” is on Amazon in Kindle version and as an E-book on her website. Aluna is available for appointments in her home, by phone or Zoom. Call (727) 239-7179 (landline so no text!) or call/text (248) 583-1663 or visit www.alunamichaels.com

From high fevers and breathing problems to abdominal pains and falls, our team is ready for every emergency. And, with two 24/7 locations in Wesley Chapel and Central Pasco, we make it convenient to access award-winning care when you need it most. So you can get back to the life you love.