Things to do in Hernando County, April 8-14

Today

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include Michael Griffin, the 7th Floor Band, Stage West, Brian Chytka and Honky Tonk Hit Man. 1 to 7 p.m. Family Day — Free gate admission for everyone. Midway armbands are $15. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

Monday

Special Olympics Torch Run: The Hernando County Sheriff's Office joins more than 300 Florida agencies in this annual statewide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Participants will follow a route starting at the Killingsworth Plaza, State Road 50 truck route, Brooksville, and ending at the front steps of the Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N Main St., Brooksville. 9 a.m. Free to participate; Torch Run T-shirts are $12, and hats are $10. (352) 754-6830.

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include Taylor Eve, Curtis Grey, Michael Griffin, Chris and Mel and the Mutton Bustin' contest. 5 to 10 p.m. Free gate admission for active duty military, fire rescue and law enforcement with ID. General admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands are $18. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernando fairgrounds.com.

Tuesday

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include Taylor Eve, Stage West, Michael Griffin, Jenny and Terry, and a greased pig contest. 5 to 9 p.m. Two-for-Tuesday (two can enter for the price of one). General admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands are $18. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

Wednesday

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include the swine show, Hanna Knight, the Peter Kern Show with Rachel, J.T. Curtis, Country Cloggers and the Seven Nations Celtic Band. 3 to 8 p.m. Senior Day — gate admission is $3 for seniors. General admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands $18. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

'Getting Rid of Lawn Insects' horticulture class: Presented by Urban Horticulture Agent Jim Moll. Learn how to identify and control the bugs in your lawn. 10:30 a.m. Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. Free. (352) 754-4433.

Hernando County Career Fair 'Opportunity 2012': Presented by the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Career Central, the Hernando County Office of Business Development and Pasco-Hernando Community College. Educational evening featuring speaker Lee Savage, author of AIM for Jobs — Your Complete Job Search Plan. There will also be seminars about fine-tuning resumes, interview skills and other topics. 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. PHCC Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Spring Hill. Preregistration required. (352) 540-6400. hernandocareerfair.eventbrite.com.

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Military service academy open house: U.S. Rep. Richard Nugent hosts this event for students interested in learning more about or applying to a military service academy, as well as the eligibility requirements for a congressional appointment. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Inverness City Hall, 212 W. Main St., Inverness. (352) 799-8354.

Thursday

Hernando County Career Fair 'Opportunity 2012': Presented by the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Career Central, the Hernando County Office of Business Development and Pasco-Hernando Community College. Registration is required to attend. Job seekers can meet with more than 20 local companies with current openings, in fields such as health care, manufacturing and retail. Bring resumes and dress appropriately. 2 to 6:30 p.m. PHCC Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Spring Hill. Preregistration required. (352) 540-6400. hernandocareerfair.eventbrite.com.

'Photography as Art' exhibit opening reception: The exhibit, which continues through May 23, features works by PHCC photography students. 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Pasco-Hernando Community College Art Gallery, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. (727) 816-3231. phcc.edu/gallery.

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include the swine showmanship contest, Tom Davis, J.T. Curtis and the Silver Streak Band, the Sanctuary Band and the Honky Tonk Hitman. 5 to 9 p.m. General admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands are $18. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

Brookridge Entertainment presents Larry Brendler and Tim Walko: Brendler is a pianist, vocalist and one-man band with a repertoire of more than 1,000 songs. Walko is a comedian, musician and improvisational actor. He has headlined at more than 100 comedy clubs nationwide, was a grand-prize winner on ABC television's America's Funniest People and has had a recurring role on the television reality show Murder in Small Town X. 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Brookridge Clubhouse, 8150 Hampton St., Brookridge. (352) 610-4901.

High Point community 'Fun Raiser': Featuring Louisiana "Cajun" Dave Becnel. Guests may bring their own beverages. Sponsored by the High Point Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, with proceeds benefiting the fire department. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. High Point Community Center, 12249 Club House Road, High Point. (352) 592-3829, 592-4831.

'Doubt: A Parable' opens at Stage West: This 2005 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning production by John Patrick Shanley is about a priest accused of molesting a boy. Due to the mature theme and situations, the production is recommended for mature audiences only. 8 p.m. $10, reserved seating. Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 683-5113. stagewest.net.

Friday

Suncoast Christian Church rummage sale: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors may participate for $10 per table, for both days. Suncoast Christian Church, 8449 Cobb Road, Brooksville. (352) 797-0401.

HEART Literacy yard sale: Proceeds benefit the GED/ESOL program. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. HEART Adult Literacy, 801 N Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 797-7018.

Mariner United Methodist Church yard sale: Food, drinks and baked goods will be available. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 596-0080.

Spring Hill Garden Club plant sale: Plants that grow well in the area will be available for purchase. Vendors will also be on hand, selling a variety of items, such as prints and paintings, Avon products, homemade jellies and Pampered Chef items. Tours of the adjacent Nature Coast Botanical Gardens will be available. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission, but donations will be accepted. Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave., Spring Hill. (352) 683-9933. naturecoast gardens.com.

Hernando County Water Awareness Series: The topic will be "An Introduction to Florida's Karst Geology" and how it is related to groundwater and springs. It will include an overview of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Free, but preregistration is required. 10 a.m. to noon. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. Email waterconservation@co.hernando.fl.us or call (352) 754-4705. weekiwachee.com.

NRA Basic Instructor Training: Instructor candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills, and be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline for which they wish to be certified. The training includes NRA policies and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, building a budget and preparing to teach. Registration required. 4 to 10 p.m. $100, includes a copy of the NRA trainer's guidebook. Hernando Sportsman's Club, 16121 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee. (352) 597-9931. hernando sportsmansclub.com.

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include the steer show and showmanship contests, the Taylor Eve Band, J.T. Curtis and the Silver Streak Band, the John Leggio Center Dancers and Nevaeh Peek. 5 to 11 p.m. General admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands $20. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

Heart of Isaac benefit barbecue dinner and silent auction: Proceeds will benefit the family of 17-month-old Isaac Wetherington, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect. The defect was also found in his brother, Tekoah, 7. Isaac is the son of Stephanie and Jason Wetherington and the grandson of Eddie and Denise Moen, all of Brooksville. Eddie Moen also has been battling cancer. 5 to 8 p.m. $10. First United Methodist Church, 109 S Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 232-4791, 848-5288. isaacsheart.com.

Sons of Norway Sun Viking Lodge 607 Easter celebration: Hot cross buns will be served. There will be an Easter bonnet decorating contest with prizes. 6:30 p.m. $2. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. (352) 666-2220.

Weeki Wachee High School presents 'Into the Woods': An ambivalent Cinderella, a Prince Charming with a roving eye, a blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood and a witch who raps are among the characters in this fractured fairy tale based on the book by James Lapine and featuring music by Stephen Sondheim. 7 p.m. $10 for adults and $8 students for in advance. At the door, adults pay $15. Weeki Wachee High School, 12150 Vespa Way, north of Weeki Wachee. (352) 797-7029.

Springstead High School presents 'Anything Goes': Cole Porter's classic musical features mayhem aboard the SS American. 7:30 p.m. $10 for adults and $6 for students. Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 476-9086. shstickets.com.

Stage West presents 'Doubt: A Parable': This 2005 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning production by John Patrick Shanley is about a priest accused of molesting a boy. Due to the mature theme and situations, the production is recommended for mature audiences only. 8 p.m. $10, reserved seating. Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 683-5113. stagewest.net.

Butt shakers contest: Costumes welcome. Cash prizes awarded. Preregistration required; sign up by email to legalbrothers@aol.com. 9 p.m. Free; for ages 18 and older. Frederick Kelly Elks Lodge, 510 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd., Brooksville. (352) 410-4108.

Saturday

NRA Pistol Instructor course: Learn how to teach safe gun handling, ammunition knowledge, fundamentals of pistol shooting and how to improve the performance of beginning pistol shooters. Prerequisites include completion of both the Basic Pistol Student course and Basic Instructor Training class (BIT training must have been completed within the past two years). Candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 90 percent and receive the endorsement of the training counselor for certification. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $300. Hernando Sportsman's Club, 16121 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee. (352) 597-9931. hernandosportsmansclub.com.

Suncoast Christian Church rummage sale: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors may participate for $10 per table, for both days. Suncoast Christian Church, 8449 Cobb Road, Brooksville. (352) 797-0401.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church yard sale: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendor spaces available for $12. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. (352) 683-5310.

Mariner United Methodist Church yard sale: Food, drinks and baked goods will also be available. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 596-0080.

Spring Hill Garden Club plant sale: Plants that grow well in the area will be available for purchase. Vendors will also be on hand, selling a variety of items, such as prints and paintings, Avon products, homemade jellies and Pampered Chef items. Tours of the adjacent Nature Coast Botanical Gardens will be available. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission, but donations will be accepted. Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave., Spring Hill. (352) 683-9933. naturecoastgardens.com.

Spring plant sale: Find Florida native plants and those easy to grow in the area, plus bird feeders, nest boxes, garden art and decor to spruce up the garden. Also, there will be plant and garden advice from Master Gardeners, the Native Plant Society and the Audubon Society. Proceeds benefit the Florida Audubon Society. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission. Ahhochee Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 24268 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. (352) 797-3545. fl.audubon.org/ahhochee- sanctuary.

Girl Scouts 100th anniversary celebration: Hosted by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. Former and current Girl Scouts, as well as friends, family members and others interested, are invited to participate in interactive activities and displays. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $5 per person. Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville. (813) 262-1796. gswcf.org/100.

West Hernando Central Model Railroad Club train show: The club has a working 20- by 20-foot layout featuring DC and DCC running HO trains. There will be vendors selling used and new G-gage, HO-scale and N-scale electric trains. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission. Dana's Railroad Supply, 4042 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 684-2484.

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: This year's fair includes midway rides, camel rides, agricultural farm exhibits, a kids zone and a full lineup of entertainment. Today's highlights include a Demolition Derby ($5 at the gate); the swine, steer, pen of meat rabbit and pen of meat poultry auction; Hannah Knight, Mojo Dragonfly, Randy McNeely, Phoebe Stone, Shazadi and Desert Jewels, the Peter Kern Show and Steffanee Renae. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission, $7; $4 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and younger. Midway armbands $22. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. (352) 796-4552. hernandofairgrounds.com.

Spring Olive Festival on the Grove: To promote olive trees and olive products, this two-day event features handmade, garden-grown items made from olive-based materials and live music by Amber Lynn Nicol and the Swingin Papas (Saturday), and the DeLei'ed Parrots (Sunday). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. The Olive Grove, 15016 Rester Drive, west of Brooksville. (352) 345-5940.

Unbreakable Movement for Peace: Presented by the Hernando Youth Initiative. There will be live music, children's activities, free food and door prizes. The event is in support of and will feature Sarah Ball, a local high school junior who was cyber-bullied. The purpose is to educate the community about cyber-bullying and bullying. Participants will be encouraged to make a pledge to not bully others. Resource vendors will be on hand. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 200-3034.

Pine needle basket class: Participants will learn how to turn longleaf pine needles into useful baskets. Bring scissors and raffia (natural weaving fiber). 1 to 5 p.m. $3 per carload (up to eight people). Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell. (352) 793-4781.

A Day at the Races: There will be door prizes, raffles, a 50-50 drawing and food and drinks available. Proceeds benefit the 9/11 memorial at VFW Post 10209. 1 to 5 p.m. $5 at the door. VFW Post 10209, 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, Spring Hill. (352) 796-0398.

'Going Green' library card craft event: Participants can create wearable, usable art with old library cards. The event is part of National Library Week, which includes giveaways and goodies at all branch libraries throughout the week. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free. Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. (352) 754-4043.

VFW Post 9236 steak dinner: 6 to 8 p.m. $10. VFW Post 9236, 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. (352) 596-9236.

Weeki Wachee High School presents 'Into the Woods': An ambivalent Cinderella, a Prince Charming with a roving eye, a blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood and a witch who raps are among the characters in this fractured fairy tale based on the book by James Lapine and featuring music by Stephen Sondheim. 7 p.m. $10 for adults and $8 for students in advance. At the door, adults pay $15. Weeki Wachee High School, 12150 Vespa Way, north of Weeki Wachee. (352) 797-7029.

Springstead High School presents 'Anything Goes': Cole Porter's classic musical features mayhem aboard the SS American. 7:30 p.m. $10 for adults and $6 for students. Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 476-9086. shstickets.com.

Knights Auxiliary barn dance: Short Notice will entertain. A dinner featuring a baked half of chicken will be served. 7 to 10 p.m. $15 per person. Knights of Columbus Council 6383, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. (352) 666-0695.

Stage West presents 'Doubt: A Parable': This 2005 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning production by John Patrick Shanley is about a priest accused of molesting a boy. Due to the mature theme and situations, the production is recommended for mature audiences only. 8 p.m. $10, reserved seating. Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 683-5113. stagewest.net.