Pasco County news briefs

Countywide

Hospice thrift stores want donations

Gulfside Hopsice Thrift Shoppes are asking Pasco County residents to consider donating unwanted items to them. Items accepted at the shops include clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, antiques, home decor, small appliances and furniture.

Donations may be dropped off at any of the six store locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, in Dade City, Zephyrhills, Lutz, New Port Richey and Hudson. Addresses and numbers are available at gulfslide.org/thrift-shoppes.

All proceeds from the thrift shops help support hospice patient care and bereavement programs in Pasco County. Pick-ups can be arranged for large donations by calling (727) 845-5707.

Tax office collecting for 'Stop the Bleed' campaign

Pasco County Sheriff's "Stop the Bleed — Life Station Campaign" will be the featured charity in March at the offices of the Pasco County Tax Collector. Donations are being accepted at all five tax office locations. "Stop the Bleed" is an awareness campaign aimed at empowering residents to make a difference in life-threatening emergencies by teaching the basic techniques of bleeding control, which is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Future goals include the installation of "Life Stations" in every Pasco County school.

For information about the "Stop the Bleed" campaign or other Pasco Sheriff-sponsored programs, visit pascosheriffcharities.org or call Chris Lofgren at (813) 235-6181. For information on the Pasco County Tax Collector's charitable giving programs, contact Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179 or visit pascotaxes.com.

Clerk's office hosts Passport Day

The Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller's Office will offer special Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16 to accept passport applications. This Passport Day will be at both locations: East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City; and West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey.

Those wishing to receive passports must bring identification, evidence of citizenship, separate checks or money orders, an old passport book (if applicable). Also, passport applications for those 15 and younger require both parents to be present. Passport photos will be available on site.

For details, visit pascoclerk.com/public-sup-svcs-passport-info.asp or call (352) 521-4408 or (727) 847-8086.

AARP offers driver safety course

The AARP Driver Safety Program class will be offered at the following Pasco County locations in March. The course is open to drivers ages 50 and older who, upon completion, may receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. The certificate is valid for three years. The cost for the course is $15 for AARP members (bring membership card) and $20 for nonmembers. Space is limited; preregistration is required. For class times, contact the instructor.

• March 8, New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills; call Bev Cogdill, (813) 907-3908.

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• March 18, Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City; call Bev Cogdill, (813) 907-3908.

• March 18, Meadow Pointe I Community Center, 28245 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel; call Dennis Smith, (813) 994-9832.

• March 22, Zephyrhills Library, 5347 8th Ave., Zephyrhills; call Bev Cogdill, (813) 907-3908.

Elections office accepting scholarship applications

Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley is accepting applications for the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections Scholarship. The association will award three $1,200 scholarships statewide to a political science/public or business administration, or journalism/mass communications major.

Applicants must have finished two years of junior college or undergraduate work, be enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in a senior college or university in Florida, have been a Florida resident for at least two years and demonstrate a financial need. Two letters of recommendation, one from a college or university last attended or graduated from, and one from a personal reference, should accompany the application. Applicants must be Florida registered voters.

Applications can be accessed online at pascovotes.com and are due back to the supervisor's office by March 29. Further details are available on the website.

Hudson

Library launches recording studio

Pasco County Libraries will host a grand opening celebration of Studio H, a multimedia recording studio, at 10 a.m. March 7 at Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road. There will be catered refreshments and a performance by the flute duo Eclectique.

Studio H offers a free, fully-equipped, adaptable space for music and audio recording, videography and photography. Library patrons can choose from a variety of musical instruments, including electric and acoustic guitars, basses, drum kits, a keyboard, virtual synthesizer and folk instruments like the banjo and mandolin. Mixing boards, microphones and recording equipment are provided.

Studio H can be used for podcasts, rehearsal space and video production and editing.

Visit bit.ly/HudsonLibraryStudioH for a video preview.

Land O' Lakes

Pet adoption event this weekend Pasco County Animal Services will host a March Madness Adoption Event from noon to 6:30 p.m. March 9 at the shelter, 19640 Dogpatch Lane.

The event will have fees waived for cat adoptions, courtesy of a donation by the Passantino family. Dog adoption fees will be reduced to $25. All adoptable pets have been spayed or neutered, as well as micro-chipped and vaccinated.

There will be vendors and a tag sale of a variety of donated, pre-owned items from noon to 4 p.m. Tag sale funds will benefit the Friends of Animal Services. OneBlood will be on site until 4 p.m.; those who donate blood will receive a free lunch and giveaway item, as well as a wellness checkup that includes blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening.

For information, contact Animal Services at (813) 929-1212.

Native plant sale set for March 23

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host a native plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 at Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway.

The sale will include a large selection of nursery-grown plants, a plant profile for each plant purchased; native plant books, literature and nursery information; and a Master Gardener information table to help with gardening questions. For details, visit pasconativeplants.org.

Expo focuses on summer camps

The third-annual Family-Friendly Summer Camp Expo, the New Tampa-Pasco edition, will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd.

The event is presented by Academy at the Lakes, and will include more than 40 summer camps, programs and attractions. Door prizes will be given to the first 250 attendees.

There will be a kids' fun zone, Easter egg scavenger hunt, buy-one-get-one miniature golf, a dodgeball arena, giveaways, discount offers and more.

To avoid the long line, registration for the free event can be done online at familyfriendlytampabay.com/tampa-summer-camp-expo/. For information, call (813) 331-5579.

Casino night to benefit Sunrise of Pasco

Sponsorships and tickets are available for a Casino Night fundraiser for Sunrise Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center on April 13 at 4G Ranch, 22501 State Road 52.

The event will feature casino games, as well as a bourbon bar, heavy appetizers, cigar rolling and more. Tickets are $150. Sponsorships are available.

Proceeds will benefit Sunrise of Pasco. For information, call (352) 521-3358 or email to events@sunrisepasco.org.

New Port Richey

Enter poetry for Loquat Fest

The Florida Loquat Festival is seeking one-page poetry or prose submissions for a reading at the annual Florida Loquat Festival, which will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 at Frances Avenue Park, 5580 Frances Ave.

All styles and forms are welcome, but loquats must be the subject or central image of each submission. All writers and poets are welcome.

Cash prizes will be awarded (first place, $100; second place, $50; and third place, $25). Awards will also include publication in Leaves of Loquat V, and other small complimentary favors.

All authors will be invited to read at the event. The deadline for submission is March 10. Writers may submit up to three poems. For details, email to dechant@usf.edu, or mail to Friendship Farms & Fare, P.O. Box 596, New Port Richey, FL 34655-0596.

Art day set in Starkey park

Beginner and experienced painters of all ages are invited to "A Day of Art in the Park" from 9:30 a.m. to noon March 23 at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd.

The event is provided by the Pasco Fine Arts Council. All supplies are provided. Participants should wear old clothing.

The cost is $30 per person. Those wishing to participate must sign up by March 16. Registration and payment may be made online at pascoarts.org/a-day-of-art-in-the-park. For information, call (727) 845-7322.

Sertoma BBQ is March 29-April 6

The West Pasco Sertoma Club is selling tickets for its 48th-annual BBQ in Sims Park, which will be March 29 through April 6.

From 1980 to 1995, the club held the Guinness World record for the largest number of people served barbecue at a single event.

At this year's event, the club will serve barbecue chicken, chopped pork and beef, and ribs, as well as beer and wine. Serving schedule is as follows:

Beef and ribs — noon to 10 p.m. March 29, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 30 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31. Chicken and ribs — 5 to 10 p.m. April 5 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 6. Beer and wine — 5 to 11 p.m. March 29, April 4 and April 5; 1 to 11 p.m. March 30 and April 6; and 1 to 10 p.m. March 31.

Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door. For advance tickets, contact Jeff Montgomery at (727) 457-4140.

Sailing club hosts open house

Gulf Winds Sailing Club will host its 41st Anniversary Party and Open House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 18 at Gulf Harbors Civic Association, 4610 Floramar Terrace.

Anyone interested in sailing is welcome. There will discounted fees for new members who join in March. For information, call Karen at (727) 807-5485.

St. Leo

Poetry contest deadline nears

The Pasco Fine Arts Council's Jacaranda Poetry Celebration and Poetry Contest will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 3 at the Cannon Memorial Library on the Saint Leo University campus, 33701 State Road 52.

Poets wishing to enter the competition must do so by March 13. The entry fee is $3 per poem (limit is three poems). All entries will be reviewed by a panel of professional judges.

Winners will be announced at the celebration. Invited readings will include awardees, honorable mentions and judges. Open readings will be allowed on a space availability basis (3-minute maximum per person).

For full details, visit pascoarts.org or call (727) 845-7322.

Zephyrhills

Art club to host show and sale

The Zephyrhills Art Club will host the 2019 Fine Arts Show and Sale from 1 to 6 p.m. March 16 and from 1 to 5 p.m. March 17 at the Elks Lodge, 6851 Wire Road.

Refreshments will be available. Admission is free. For further details, find the club on Facebook.

Free bowling league offered to youth

Pin Chasers is offering a free youth bowling league for youth in Kindergarten through 12th grades through the MOVE Youth Bowling Academy-Pin Chasers.

Pin Chasers is offering the academy at its location at 6816 Gall Blvd., as well as its two locations in Tampa.

Parents and children are invited to learn more at a Bowling Blast Off from 9 to 11 a.m. March 9. The academy will begin March 16 and includes an eight-week session at no cost (a $60 value). It includes bowling, awards, balls, shoes and even socks (if needed).

For details or to register, visit pinchasers.net.

Contact Phyllis Day at pday@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1408. Follow @pdaytimes.