Pasco County news briefs for Aug. 9

Countywide

Tax office collecting for two charities

Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City and the West Pasco Historical Society in New Port Richey, will be featured as joint charities of the month at the Pasco County Tax Collector's offices during August. The Pioneer Florida Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Pasco's pioneer past. The West Pasco Historical Society likewise preserves and shares the important events that shaped West Pasco's place in history.

Donations are being accepted at four of the five tax office locations (the Gulf Harbors location is closed through Oct. 5 for remodeling). All donations will be split evenly among the two organizations.

For information about the Pioneer Florida Museum, contact executive director Stephanie Black at (352) 567-0262 or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. For information about the West Pasco Historical Society, contact board president Bob Langford at (727) 847-0680 or visit westpascohistoricalsociety.org. For information on the Pasco County Tax Collector's charitable giving programs, contact Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179 or visit pascotaxes.com.

Shoe, sock drive now underway

Pasco County Government and Constitutional Offices staff are competing to be the top collectors of new footwear for students in Pasco County Schools during the fourth-annual Two Good Soles Shoe and Sock Drive, which continues through Oct. 25. Collection boxes are at offices countywide.

Last year's record-setting drive resulted in more than 2,200 pairs of shoes and 6,600 pairs of socks donated. Since 2016, the drive has collected 4,511 pairs of shoes and 11,452 pairs of socks.

Despite the growing numbers of donations, the shoes and socks are all gone within a few months.

All donated shoes and socks will be presented to Pasco County Schools at a ceremony later this year at Wendell Krinn Technical High School in New Port Richey.

New Port Richey

Music school is offering scholarships

Mullins Music, a nonprofit community music school, is accepting scholarship applications for the fall term that begins Sept. 3.

Scholarship awards vary between $25 and $275. A short essay and proof of financial need are required to apply. Interested families can download the scholarship application at: mullinsmusic.org/finanical_aid. The deadline to apply is Aug. 23.

Mullins Music offers private and group lessons year round, summer camps for teens and has a recording studio. Scholarships for private lessons on piano, guitar, bass, drums, voice, clarinet, trumpet, or saxophone are available for students ages 18 and younger.

For details about scholarships at Mullins Music, visit www.mullinsmusic.org or call (727) 856-0263.

Art council offering fall art classes

The Pasco Fine Arts Council is accepting registration for its fall art classes, which begin Aug. 27. New class offerings for the 2019-20 season include: evening classes in printmaking, drawing and pottery wheel; and morning classes in polymer and collage.

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Explore all your options

Registration and class schedules are available at pascoarts.org, or by stopping by the center at 4145 Fairford Drive from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Thursdays, starting Aug. 15. For information, call (727) 845-7322.

YMCA to offer youth free swim lessons

The YMCA of the Suncoast will offer free water safety lessons with the four-day "Safety Around Water" program Aug. 19-22 at the James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive.

The program is open to children 3-12 who are beginners or non-swimmers. Certified instructors will teach a sequenced set of skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around the water.

Participants must be present the first day of class and bring their own swimsuit and towel. YMCA membership is not required; however, pre-registration is required due to limited space. Stop by the YMCA or call (727) 375-9622.

Port Richey

Wellness program geared for seniors

Pasco County Senior Services will offer WISE: Wellness Initiative for Senior Education from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 29-Oct. 3, at the Galen Wilson Senior Center, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd.

This six-week program is for seniors 60 and older who can learn how to stay healthy as they age. Weekly lesson topics include: the aging process, benefits of aging, risk factors, alcohol and medication issues, and simple tools to help feel more empowered about one's health and healthcare.

There is no cost to participate. For information, contact Tina Hausler at Pasco County Senior Services at thausler@pascocountyfl.net or (727) 834-3340.

Zephyrhills

SHINE offers free Medicare presentation

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs' SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program is available to provide free, unbiased information and assistance to Florida Medicare beneficiaries as they evaluate their health care options. The SHINE Program, operated locally by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco and Pinellas County, will offer its "Medicare Basics" presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St.

The presentation is free and conducted by specially-trained volunteers, who will provide detailed information on the basics of the Medicare program, including Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicare Advantage plans and financial assistance programs. SHINE volunteers will answer questions and provide enrollment or benefit application assistance.

To reserve a seat or learn more about the SHINE Program, call the Elder Hotline at (727) 217-2111. Visit floridashine.org.

Community event offers truck-touching

Main Street Zephyrhills will host Saturday in the Square and Touch-A-Truck event from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 31 in downtown Zephyrhills.

The event will feature entertainment by Mr. Tommy. Touch-A-Truck provides all children an opportunity to get up close, sit behind the wheel, honk the horn and explore their favorite vehicles, including police cars, fire engines and construction trucks.

The free community event includes vendors and raffles. For vendor and equipment applications, visit mainstreetzephyrhills.org/saturday-in-the-square.

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