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News and notes for Hernando County

 
Published April 26, 2013

DINNER BENEFITS HUNGRY IN HERNANDO: Sponsors are needed and tickets are available for the Tasty Tilapia "Farm to Fork" charitable event on May 5 at Pearl in the Grove, 31936 St. Joe Road, Dade City. There will be three seatings, at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.

The event, cohosted by Green Acre Aquaponics, will feature outdoor dining amid the orange blossoms. The meal includes fresh, local, aquaponically raised tilapia, prepared by chef Curtis Beebe.

Tickets are $50 each or two for $90. All guests receive an event T-shirt. Proceeds will go to Hungry in Hernando, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping to feed more than 25,000 individuals and families in Hernando County through sustainable farming and gardening practices.

For information, contact Gina at gina@greenacreaquaponics.com or (352) 593-0531 or Dori at (352) 597-3282. To register, visit greenacreaquaponics.com/farm-to-fork/.

PHOTO CONTEST: The Spring Hill Garden Club invites individuals who love to take photos to enter the photo contest at the upcoming Artists in the Gardens event, which will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11 at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave., Spring Hill.

Those interested will take photographs at the event, which will feature artists set up throughout the gardens as well as a fancy hat contest. The limit is two entries per person; the themes are: "Artist at Work" and "Lady with Hat."

Entries must be submitted by email; the entrant's contact information must be included in the body of the email. Photos must be sent to bhaag@tampabay.rr.com and received no later than May 19. The prize for each winner is $25.

Entries will be available online at naturecoastgardens.com (click on "Events") May 11-19, where visitors can view and choose their favorite. Winners will be announced May 20.

Call (352) 683-9933.

ENROLL CHILDREN FOR FREE VPK: The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties will host enrollment events for the voluntary prekindergarten program at its Hernando County offices:

• 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 26 S Brooksville Ave., Brooksville.

• 3 to 7 p.m. May 9, 15506 County Line Road, Spring Hill.

The free program is for 4-year-old children.

Parents must bring the following documentation to enrollment: a child's original birth certificate, immunization record or passport, and proof of Florida residency (valid Florida driver's license or current utility bill).

For information, call (727) 233-8291 or visit phelc.org.

LEARN CPR: A CPR/automated external defibrillator class will be offered at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, Suite 120, in the Medical Arts Building at Brooksville Regional Hospital, 17222 Hospital Blvd., west of Brooksville.

The course meets the guidelines of the American Heart Association and the American Safety and Health Institute.

It is designed for professional health care providers, but anyone may participate.

The cost is $20.

Upon completion of the course, students will receive a two-year certification card. Seating is limited; reservations are required.

Call Bob Kanner at (352) 597-8875.

CRUISE-IN FOR CHARITY: A Charity Cruise-In will be from 5 to 8 p.m. May 7 at Chick-fil-A, 13143 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

The event, hosted by Chick-fil-A and Monster Transmission and Performance, includes door prizes, entertainment, games and raffles.

There is no cost to participate.

Proceeds from raffles and a portion of revenue generated at the restaurant during the event will benefit the Life Center of Hernando, a nonprofit organization that assists young, single mothers who are at risk of becoming homeless.

For information, call toll-free 1-800-708-0087, ext. 4491, or send email to nancy@monstertrans.com.

VOLKSMARCH 5K AND 10K: The Kiwanis Club of Weeki Wachee will host a 5K and 10K Volksmarch (People Walk) on May 11 at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation, 11210 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Walk times will be from 8 a.m. to noon; entertainment and food will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is free. However, those who wish to receive a T-shirt and mug for $7 each must RSVP no later than Tuesday to Steve Wilson at (352) 442-2259.

LIBERAL MINDS WANTED: The Hernando County Progressive Caucus is seeking individuals of "liberal and progressive minds" who are interested in running for political office in 2014.

The caucus proposes a yearlong study and practice course to get candidates ready for the campaign. The caucus is also seeking new members. For information, call (352) 403-7940.

CODE COMPLIANCE MONTH: The Hernando County Commission has designated May as Code Compliance Month. As a result, throughout May, owners of properties that have had code enforcement liens placed against them may apply to have the lien amounts reduced, once the property is brought into compliance.

To take advantage of the incentive, property owners must apply to the code enforcement office between Wednesday and May 31. A nonrefundable $30 application fee is required.

Applications are available online at hernandocounty.us/code/. For information, call (352) 754-4056 or stop by the office at 773 Providence Blvd., Brooksville.

SHINE PROGRAM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Florida, a statewide volunteer-based program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, needs volunteers in Hernando and Citrus counties.

Volunteers are trained to offer counseling and assistance to seniors regarding Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care planning, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and Medicare fraud.

All training is provided free.

Anyone interested in becoming a SHINE volunteer is invited to an orientation from 1 to 3 p.m. May 9 at Elder Options, 100 SW 75th St., Gainesville. Orientation also will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon June 7.

A basic training program will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 to 16. Meals are provided and mileage reimbursed. Additional training dates include: June 11 to 13 and July 15 to 17. Classes are at various sites in Hernando and Citrus counties.

Registration for both the orientation and the training is required. For information or to request a SHINE volunteer application packet, call toll-free 1-800-963-5337.

LOCAL POSTAL FOOD DRIVE: As part of the 21st annual Stamp Out Hunger national food drive on May 11, letter carriers in Hernando County will collect donations of nonperishable foods at mailboxes.

Residents are encouraged to fill a plastic bag with items such as soup, pasta, rice, cereal and other nonperishables and leave it next to the mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery.

All of the food will stay in the community, disbursed to local food pantries and agencies.

The drive is being held in conjunction with the United Way of Hernando County. For information, visit unitedwayhernando.net or call 211.

LIVE AND VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS: As part of Goodwill Industries Week, Goodwill has teamed up with Career Central and Employ Florida Marketplace to host a health care job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at Career Central, 4440 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey.

Job seekers can meet with employers offering an array of medical support staff job opportunities — registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and office staff positions.

There will also be a virtual career fair from May 7 to 9 at goodwillvirtualcareerfair.imastelabs.com for those who cannot make the in-person event at Career Central.

Hernando and Pasco county residents and employers are invited to participate. For information, contact Dianne Perkins at (352) 200-3020, ext. 3122, or dperkins@careercentral.jobs, or Kristie Drinosky at (727) 484-3400, ext. 0245, or kdrinosky@careercentral.jobs.

HEALTH FAIR INCLUDES LUNCH: Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church will host its Health Fair 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at 3031 Landover Blvd., Spring Hill.

There will be various health vendors, health screenings, health risk assessments, the LifeSouth bloodmobile, and presentations by local physicians and the Hernando County Health Department.

Dr. M.P. Ravindra Nathan, a retired cardiologist and author, will speak at 11:30 a.m. on "Living Healthy, Living Longer."

There will also be free raffles, healthy snacks and giveaways. A free lunch will be provided by Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant, first come, first served.

Admission and parking are free. For information, call (352) 688-6019.

HEAD START ENROLLMENT: The Mid-Florida Community Services Head Start Early Childhood Development Preschool Program is accepting applications for enrollment for the 2013-14 school year.

The program serves children who will be 3 or 4 years old as of Sept. 1.

Head Start also serves children with disabilities.

The federally funded, income-eligible program encompasses nutrition, education, mental health and disabilities, medical/dental health, and parent and male involvement, as well as the family and community partnerships needed to support strong, healthy children and families.

The following items are needed to apply:

• Birth certificate.

• Proof of residency (utility bill).

• Photo identification for parent/guardian.

• Proof of income for parent/guardian for the past 12 months or the prior calendar year, whichever is applicable.

• Documentation of a child's disability, if applicable.

• Proof of custody, if applicable.

Applications for enrollment will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or by appointment at the following Head Start locations:

• 835 School St., Brooksville. Call (352) 754-2464.

• 11245 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Call (352) 556-4800.

• 403 S Lincoln St., Bushnell. Call (352) 748-6677.