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HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

Published: December 29, 2007

Youth Fitness Program to begin Jan. 7

SPRING HILL The Hernando County YMCA Youth Fitness Program will begin the week of Jan. 7 and will run for four weeks. The children will meet two days per week for one hour or every Saturday. The options are from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, or from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The classes will be limited to six students ages 10 to 13. One trainer will teach each class. The cost is $45 for facility members and $55 for non-facility members. For more information, call 688-9622 or visit www.ymcasuncoast.org.

Deadline for food manager classes Jan. 7

BROOKSVILLE Certification is required in Florida for all food managers at all establishments licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and selected licensees of the Department of Health. All three organizations are accepting of the ServSafe Certification Test, which will be offered at the end of the six-hour class. The class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the Cooperative Extension Service at 19490 Oliver St. The training and exam will cost $100. The training, exam and text manual will cost $140. No walk-ins will be accepted. The deadline for registration is Monday, Jan. 7. To register, call 1-888-232-8723 .

County Connection

will begin Jan. 10

BROOKSVILLE Registrations are being accepted for the January session of the "County Connection" program. It is scheduled to run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on a weekly basis from Jan. 10 through March 12. The sessions will take place at various county facilities. It is a 10-week program that provides participants with an inside look into county government. For more information, call Brenda Frazier at 540-6780. Learn more by visiting www.co.hernando.fl.us.

Playground to remain closed until Jan. 12

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Parks Department has closed the playground at Ernie Weaver Youth Park until Friday, Jan. 12. The park's playground, located at 19473 Youth Drive, is being renovated. All of the equipment is being replaced. For more information, call 754-4154.

Art reception scheduled for Jan. 16

BROOKSVILLE The public is invited to attend an art reception and meet the artists whose works are on display in the Winter Art Exhibit in City Hall. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. For more information, call 544-5407.

Health Care Board applications due Jan. 22

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications from those interested in filling the six vacancies on the Health Care Advisory Board. The vacancies are for an institutional medicine industry representative, health-care consumer, managed-care representative, post-secondary education representative, long-term care industry representative and a non-profit health care provider representative. All terms are effective until Dec. 31, 2009. There also is a vacancy for a community health organization representative effective until Oct. 17, 2008. Applications are available at the County Administrator's Office, located at 20 N. Main St. in room 460. They must be returned at the same office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Applicants must be registered voters in Hernando County. This is a voluntary, non-paid position. For more information, call 754-4002.

Fine Arts Council applications due Jan. 22

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications from those interested in filling four unexpired terms on the Fine Arts Council. One is effective until Dec. 31, 2010, and the other three are effective until Dec. 31, 2011. The purpose of the council is to promote the arts and to support groups associated with the arts in Hernando County. Applications are available at the County Administrator's Office, located at 20 N. Main St. in room 461. They must be returned to the same office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Applicants must be residents and registered voters in Hernando County. This is a voluntary, non-paid position. For more information, call 754-4002.

Citizens Ordinance Advisory Team applications due Jan. 22

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications from those interested in filling an unexpired term on the Citizens Ordinance Advisory Team (C.O.A.T.), which expires Dec. 31, 2009. The purpose of C.O.A.T. is to review existing county codes and ordinances and make recommendations to the board that will benefit the community. Applications are available at the County Administrator's Office, located at 20 N. Main St. in room 460. They must be returned to the same office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Applicants must be residents and registered voters in Hernando County. This is a voluntary, non-paid position. For more information, call 754-4002.

Substance Abuse Policy Board applications due Jan. 22

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications from those interested in filling a layperson position on the Substance Abuse Policy Advisory Board (SAPAB). Terms on the board are indefinite. The SAPAB serves as the primary body for coordinating drug abuse efforts paid for with funds by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. Applications are available at the County Administrator's Office, located at 20 N. Main St. in room 460. They must be returned to the same office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Applicants must be residents and registered voters in Hernando County. This is a voluntary, non-paid position. For more information, call 754-4002.

Winter Art Exhibit will run until Feb. 12

BROOKSVILLE The Winter Art Exhibit at City Hall will run until Feb. 12 and features hand-painted porcelain by the Hernando Porcelain Artists, handmade quilts by the Hernando Quilters, ship models by the Suncoast Ship Model Society, photographs from the Spring Hill Camera Club and poetry by the members of Just Poets. There will be paintings by various artists adorning the second floor. To commemorate the Brooksville Raid, the gallery also has Civil War paintings by Tony Caparello on display.

DAR luncheon to be held Feb. 18

BROOKSVILLE The Annuttaliga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will have a meeting at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at the Brooksville Country Club. The speaker will be Attorney General Bill McCollum, who will speak about the State Cyber Crime Unit. The luncheon will cost $13 with $1 of it going toward the DAR Hernando County Scholarship Fund. Tickets are limited. For more information, call Lynette Grossenbacher at 544-8162.

Online payments now accepted by utilities department

BROOKSVILLE Hernando County Utilities customers may now pay their monthly bills by credit card on the Web. To do so, customers must log onto the Hernando County Utilities Web site at www.hernandocounty.us/utils/. All transactions are made within 24 hours except for weekends and holidays. Transactions after midnight will not post for 48 hours. For more information, call 754-4037.

Volunteers needed for tax help

LAND O' LAKES Income tax season begins in January, but volunteers are needed to help retirees and "wage earners" of all ages with their tax returns. Experience is helpful, but not necessary. Volunteers will be trained in early January using last year's software. Everyone must pass a test for Internal Revenue Service certification. Mileage will be reimbursed. A new site in Land O'Lakes will join the other 10 Pasco County locations, which will be staffed from February through April 15. For more information, call Natalie Green at 727-857-9650 or email her at taxvol1936@yahoo.com.

Veteran Service Office has new hours

SPRING HILL For the convenience of local military veterans, the Hernando County Veteran Service Office has announced new locations and hours. Every Friday, veterans can visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center, located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. Every Tuesday, they can visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, located at 670 Broad St. Every Thursday, they can visit at Career Central, located at 7631 Forest Oaks Blvd. Every third and fourth Monday of the month, they can visit from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the main library, located at 238 Howell Ave. Every second and fourth Thursday, they can visit from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Eastside Hernando Branch Library, located at 6757 Windmere Road. Every third and fourth Wednesday, they can visit from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Westside Hernando Branch Library, located at 6335 Blackbird Ave. Every Wednesday, they can visit from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Spring Hill Branch Library, located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive.

Medicare counseling available

BROOKSVILLE Those who have questions or concerns about their Medicare coverage are invited to consult with volunteer counselors located at three sights in Hernando County. Volunteers are available from 11 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, located at 670 S. Broad St.; from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the East Branch Library, located at 6457 Windmere Ave. in Ridge Manor; and from 11 a.m. to noon every Thursday at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center at Oak Hill Hospital, located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. For more information, call 1-800-262-2243.

Guardian ad Litem Program seeking volunteers

BROOKSVILLE The Guardian ad Litem Program is in need of volunteers to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children who are involved in dependency court in Hernando County. For more information, or to volunteer, call Gina Johns at 369-2525, or 1-866-341-1425, or visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

ARC POSSE program needs a wagon

BROOKSVILLE The ARC Nature Coast's equestrian program is in need of a donated carriage or wagon. It is known as the Promoting Opportunities and Skills with Special Equestrians (POSSE) Program. ARC also is in need of volunteer farrier services and a welding machine. For questions, call Nancy Stubbs at 544-2322, Ext. 109.

Book donors needed

BROOKSVILLE Four Hernando County residents have donated copies of a Brooksville author's novel to International Book Bank - a nonprofit distribution service for books and other educational material. The contributors are Drs. Adel Bishay, Jay Kumar, Thomas Matthews and Jim Robinette - owner of Jijoro Computer Services. The novel being donated is "Lincoln in the Basement," a historic fiction story written by Jerry Cowling. Anyone interested in participating in the program is asked to call Cowling at 797-0984.

CARES volunteers needed

DADE CITY Community Aging and Retirement Services (CARES) is seeking volunteers to spend time with those at the CARES Crescent Adult Day Care Center, located at 13906 Fifth St. Volunteers are encouraged to share their time and talents by participating in crafts and music activities or by playing cards and games with the participants. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. For information, call Sharon Proue at 518-9300.

POSSE program needs volunteers

BROOKSVILLE The Arc Nature Coast, a nonprofit organization that serves the disabled and their families, is in need of volunteers for its Promoting Opportunities and Skills with Special Equestrians (POSSE) Program. A background check is required. Volunteers must be 18 or older. There are no minimum hours required. The POSSE program is located at 5283 Neff Lake Road. For information, call Theresa Smith at 544-2322, or visit www.thearc-naturecoast.org.

Market on Main Street to be held once per month

BROOKSVILLE The monthly Market on Main Street even will take place every third Saturday of the month throughout the year, except in June, July and August. Main Street between Broad and Liberty Street, and the City Parking Lot between Main Street and Brooksville Avenue will be closed during the event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For questions, call Evelyn Duncan at 797-9330.

Online resource available

BROOKSVILLE For those interested in finding out whether there is a club that matches their special interests, or whether to find government or consumer information, the Community Information Database of the Hernando County Public Library is now available. The database is maintained by reference librarians. Access is available in the library and from home with a library card. For assistance, call 540-6392.

Karate classes to be held Monday nights

BROOKSVILLE The City of Brooksville Recreation Department is offering karate lessons with fourth-degree black belt Robert Blanton at the Jerome Brown Community Center. Classes will be held Mondays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for children ages 4-17 and from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for those 18 and older. The cost is $25 per month per child, but the first lesson is free. For information, call Blanton at 597-7928 or the community center at 544-5498. Information may also be obtained at www.Manghoma.com.

Mountain Lake ramp to be closed

SPRING LAKE The Mountain Lake Boat Ramp will be closed indefinitely due to low water levels. The boat ramp is located on Mountain Lake Road, near Spring Lake Highway. For more information, call the Parks/Waterways Maintenance Department at 754-4154.

Hunters Lake ramp to be closed

HUNTERS LAKE Due to low water levels, the Hernando County Parks and Waterways Maintenance Department has closed the boat ramp at Hunters Lake until further notice. For more information, call 754-4027.

SWIFTMUD has online permitting process

BROOKSVILLE Anyone seeking a well construction permit can point and click away now that a new online application process is up and running. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWIFTMUD) issues more than 20,000 well construction permits per year. The new online process enables applicants to identify well sites by pointing on a map.

Library promoting Florida on the Move program

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Public Library System is partnering with the Hernando County Health Department to promote "Florida on the Move," a program that encourages better health habits. Library card holders can check out a pedometer at any of the library's four branches. The devices can be checked out for eight weeks. Pedometers are limited and will be checked out on a first-come-first-served basis. Information about the state-wide program is available at the library or at www.floridaonthemove.org.

Web site offers landscaping tips

BROOKSVILLE Homeowners seeking assistance on how to improve the look of their yards have a Web site to refer to for landscaping tips. The new site was developed as a partnership among the University of Florida's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Fusionspark Media, Inc. designed the Web site. It can be visited at www.FloridaYards.org.

Foundation offers free pruning guide

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. The National Arbor Day Foundation is offering a free booklet, "How to Prune Young Shade Trees," which will help gardeners how to strengthen trees by removing branches. Other tips include: the best ways to make a pruning cut, how to prune for form and how to maintain a tree's health by removing trouble spots as well as examples of how to hold a pair of pruning shears and how to make cuts at the proper angle. For a free copy of the booklet, residents are asked to send their name and address to How to Prune, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410 or go online at www.arborday.org.

Former and active Marines invited to social

BROOKSVILLE Detachment 708, one of the country's leading Marine Corps League groups, is inviting past and present Marines to join. The detachment is located at 8405 Sunshine Grove Road. It offers a variety of social events, including dinners, dances and holiday celebrations. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during most days and until 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, which are public dinner nights. Lunch is available 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and Boot Camp breakfast is available from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. For questions, call 579-7979, or visit www.mcl708.org.

Tree guide book available

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. "What Tree Is That," a unique, 72-page pocket guide, has been made available by The National Arbor Day Foundation. It was designed to make identifying trees fun and easy. To obtain a guide, visit arborday.org.

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