Advertisement

Hernando Briefs for Aug. 18

 
Published Aug. 16, 2017

COUNTYWIDE

License-free saltwater fishing day is Sept. 2

For those who love to fish or never have fished before, a free annual fishing day provides an opportunity to introduce the recreational sport to both residents or non-residents without having to purchase a license. This year's license-free saltwater fishing day runs from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sept. 2. All other rules apply, including seasons, bag and size limits. The waiver applies to any recreational harvest requiring a saltwater fishing license (e.g. crabbing, lobstering, scalloping) as well as fishing from shore or a boat. A snook or spiny lobster permit is not required on the license-free day. For information, visit myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-a-license/free-fishing/.

Mountain bike riding group seeks members

An after-work group of mountain bike riders is looking for additional members. The group rides various mountain bike trails beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Meeting locations will vary. Those interested should be able to ride for 12 to 16 miles. Most of the riding will be cross country, with some sandy spots. Advanced sections do have cut-arounds. Night lights are recommended since rides often run after dark. For information, call Mark or Patty at (352) 593-4179 or semd email to info@crankworksbikes.com.

Teachers can earn cash for classrooms

Pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school teachers can increase the budgets for their classrooms by teaching students about agriculture. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is offering multiple $250 mini-grants to certified Florida educators who are engaged in classroom instruction for the 2017-18 school year. Grants of up to $250 each will be awarded for original and creative activities or programs that increase the understanding of agriculture among students. Grant applications are due Oct. 2. Winners will be notified by Nov. 15 via email. To apply, visit floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/grant. The mini-grant program is part of the Florida Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee's commitment to support agricultural education in classrooms across Florida. A total of up to $20,000 will be awarded for the 2017-18 school year.

New traffic pattern in effect at intersection

The Florida Department of Transportation and Hernando County are advising motorists of a new traffic pattern at the intersection of Cortez Boulevard and Fort Dade Avenue. The new traffic pattern took effect Aug. 14. As a countermeasure to multiple crashes at the intersection, the full median opening on Cortez Boulevard will be converted to a directional median opening. The new configuration will be constructed to only allow vehicles on Cortez to make a left turn onto Fort Dade Avenue. Vehicles traveling northbound or southbound on Fort Dade will be prohibited from making a left turn or a through movement and will be forced to make right turns only. U-turn openings both east and west of the Fort Dade intersection will be provided. In a combined effort with FDOT to help improve safety, Hernando County will be adding thermoplastic rumble strips on Fort Dade Avenue, north of the intersection. To achieve a properly functioning directional median, the through lane will be eradicated. The right-turn lane will be kept and marked. For information, call (352) 540-6780.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

BROOKSVILLE

Tickets available for escape room event

Springstead Theatre and Shark Theatre at Nature Coast Technical High School are joining forces to present Hernando County's first escape room event, To Escape or Not to Escape!, Sept. 15 and 16 in the Black Box Theatre at Nature Coast Tech, 4057 California St. Three escape rooms will be offered each night, including: The Show Must Go On for groups of four to eight; A Murder Most Fowl for groups of six to 10, and the Gravedigger's Dilemma for groups of eight to 14. Adventures in each of the three rooms will be held on the hour beginning at 4 p.m. Sept. 15 with last admission at 7 p.m. On Sept. 16, the fun starts at noon, and the last admission will be at 5 p.m. Students at both schools will portray characters in each of the three original interactive rooms, offering puzzles to solve, riddles to unravel and secrets to uncover, all essential to finding the key to escape within the one-hour time limit. The rooms are designed for participants ages 12 and older. To reserve a room, call Lori Erickson at (352) 797-7088, ext. 296, or Rebecca Pusta at (352) 797-7010, ext. 366.

Gameday event to help feed hungry kids

The Ernie Chatman College Gameday event, from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 2 at Southern Hills Plantation Club, 4200 Summit View Drive, will benefit Operation HeartFELT (Feeding Empty Little Tummies), a nonprofit backpack program that provides nutritious meals to homeless and needy Hernando County children. Tickets are $30 each and include unlimited beer, wine and appetizers, and a silent auction. A cash bar will be available. Live entertainment will be provided by Tony Johnson. Sponsorships are $200 and include four tickets, recognition and advertising. Participants should wear their team colors. Tickets are available at three local businesses: Looper Sports, 7631 Horse Lake Road; Westover's Flowers and Gifts, 510 E Liberty St., and Southern Hills Plantation Club. For information, call (352) 277-5000.

hernando beach

Nine-week boating class starts Sept. 19

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-8 Hernando Beach, 4340 Calienta St., will offer a nine-week Boating Skills and Seamanship course from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 19. The course, which is designed for both the experienced and the novice boater, provides up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions. Topics will include boating safety, rules, navigation, weather, radio and Florida law. Completion of the course satisfies the requirements for the Florida Boating Safety ID. The cost is $60 per person and includes the text. For information, call Jim at (352) 688-4620.

Murder-mystery tickets available

The Hernando Beach Yacht Club, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd., will present Murder at the Casino Royale, a murder-mystery dinner theater, Sept. 16 and 23. A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the show starting at 6:30 p.m. A full liquor bar will be available. The fast-paced drama unfolds as those attending dine on roast beef, soup and salad, mashed potatoes, string beans and cheesecake with topping. The perpetrator changes each night. Tickets are $35, and the deadline to purchase is Sept. 13. For information, call Peggy Boyles, director, at (850) 776-1631.

SPRING HILL

Clear the Shelters event is Aug. 19

Paw Warriors, a nonprofit animal shelter at 355 Spring Time St., Spring Hill, will have a Clear the Shelters event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. The shelter will offer reduced adoption fees and accept donations of food, cat litter and cleaning supplies. Volunteers are needed. For information, call (352) 942-1859 or (352) 403-9633.

SPRING HILL

Podiatry to be topic of AARP meeting

Hernando County West AARP Chapter 5445 will meet at noon Aug. 24 at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd. If ordering from the menu, plan to arrive at 11 a.m. Dr. John F. Parrinello will speak. For information, call Robert at (352) 683-9361.

Hernando Jazz Society kicks off season

The Hernando Jazz Society will open its 2017-18 season at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Wellington at Seven Hills clubhouse, 400 Wexford Blvd. Members of the Hernando Jazz All Stars will perform sounds from the big band era. Admission is free for society members; otherwise $10 per person or $15 per couple. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Sioux City Grill. The season consists of nine performances on the second Sunday every month September through April, and will end on the first Sunday in May to avoid Mother's Day. Season tickets are $50 per person or $100 per couple. New members are welcome. For information, call Ike Johnson at (352) 263-8579.

lAND O'LAKES

Clay shoot benefits pregnancy clinic

A New Generation, a nonprofit pregnancy medical clinic serving Hernando and surrounding counties since 1999, will host its first Sporting Clay Shoot Charity Tournament beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 16 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 10514 Ehren Cutoff. Registration is $150 per person or $500 for a team of four, and includes ammunition for 50 shots, 50 clay pulls, use of golf cart during the tournament, an exclusive shooter gift, lunch and access to the awards reception, where a silent auction and other drawings will be held. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams and to the Crazy Clays winner. To register, visit angforlife.org or visit the clinic at 7084 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, call (352) 544-0911.

SPRING HILL

Art league takes on new name for group

The Spring Hill Art League has changed its name to the Nature Coast Art League. Members meet from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday at the Spring Hill Community Center/Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave. Members of its Shadow Chasers plein air group meet at 9 a.m. every Wednesday at a different location each week. Those interested may call (787) 517-6455. General meetings are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the third Monday of the month, September through May, at the Lake House. For information, call (352) 610-4643 or visit naturecoastartleague.com.