Between the Lines

Central High cheer meeting set May 24

BROOKSVILLE - There will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 24, in the H-Building cafeteria for middle school students who are interested in being part of the cheer program at Central High School for the 2010-11 school year.
All interested students must be accompanied by a parent. Items to be discussed include tryout information, summer plans and financial commitment.
Tryouts will be held June 1-3 in the Bears' Den gym.
Middle school candidates must attend this meeting if they intend to try out. A current physical and proof of insurance is required.
For additional information, contact CHS Athletic Director Jeff Spivey at 797-7020.

The Heather hosts Memorial Day Golf Tourney

WEEKI WACHEE - The public is invited to The Heather Country Club at 7406 St. Andrews Blvd., Weeki Wachee, on May 31 for our annual Memorial Day Golf Tournament and picnic. The event features a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee will be $3 to cover prizes.
Mulligans will be available for purchase. A barbecue picnic will follow golf. On the menu will be our famous quarter-pound hot dogs and burgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, baked beans and dessert. Tickets are available from the office or Elsie King for $7.
For additional information, contact The Heather at 596-5344.

Challenger K-8 hosts volleyball camps

SPRING HILL - Challenger K-8 will be hosting three Navigator Volleyball Camps. The first camp runs from 1-5 p.m. Monday, June 14 through Thursday, June 17. Cost is $50 and includes a T-Shirt (all checks payable to Challenger K-8). Registration forms can be found on Challenger website. Money and the registration form are due by May 21.
The second camp runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, June 18-Saturday, June 19 for girls entering second and third grade in the fall.
The cost is $40 and includes T-Shirt (make checks to Challenger K-8). Registration forms can be found on Challenger website. Money and the registration form are due by May 21.
The final camp, designated for girls entering fourth and fifth grade this fall, will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9 through Wednesday, Aug. 11. Cost is $50 and includes a T-Shirt (all checks payable to Challenger K-8). Registration forms can be found on Challenger website. Money and the registration form are due by May 21.
For additional information, contact Karen Jones at 797-7024 or jones_k2@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

'QuickStart Surge' in USTA Florida Region 3

TAMPA - During USTA Tennis Month in May, USTA Florida Region 3 will feature "QuickStart Surge" events, a free introduction to the QuickStart Tennis format of play for children, ages 6-10, including games and prizes.
Hillsborough County locations:
May 15, 2010 - Harbour Island Athletic Club, 900 South Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33602, from 9-10:30 a.m.; contact: Matthew Romick at (813) 319-0867; Northdale Tennis Club, 4417 Northdale Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33624, from 1-3 p.m.; contact: Chris Cary at (813) 317-7778. 
May 22, 2010 - Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33647, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; contact: Mike Norton at (813) 632-1676; Hunter's Green Country Club, 18050 Hunter's Oak Court, Tampa, FL., 33647, from 2-4 p.m.; contact: Allegra Campos, Joe Richards or Philip Shelton at (813) 973-4220
Pinellas County locations:
May 15, 2010 - Palm Harbor University, 1900 Omaha St., Palm Harbor, FL, 34683, 10 a.m.-noon; contact: Sharon Bodine at (727) 542-8521; Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort, 36750 US Highway 19 North, Innisbrook, FL., 34684, 2-4 p.m., contact: Judi Alford at (727) 543-7785; Largo Tennis Center, 13120 Vonn Rd., Largo, FL., 33774; 10 a.m.-noon; contact: Jennifer McMahon at (727) 518-3125; East Lake Woodlands Country Club, 1055 East Lake Woodlands Parkway, Oldsmar, FL., 34677; from 2-4 p.m.; contact: Mike Waugh at (727) 785-2212.
Pasco County location:
May 15, 2010 - Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City, FL, 33525, from 9-11 a.m.; contact: Bobby Gillespie (813) 476-5787 or email: lakejovitatennis@yahoo.com.
Tampa Inaugural Charity Doubles Cup on May 14-16
Get your entry in before the draws fill for the inaugural Men's & Ladies' Doubles Tennis Cup Tournament Fundraiser on May 14-16, at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa. The event is a partnership between the non-profit Hillsborough County Tennis Association and HARC (Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Centers), with proceeds to fund HCTA tennis scholarships for underprivileged children and to help adults with intellectual and other disabilities "Build Everyday Lives."
The event will begin with a pre-tournament party Friday night, May 14 at Hunter's Green with live music, a silent auction and a cocktail reception with heavy hors d'oerves. First-round matches for both men and women will take place Saturday on clay courts, with the final matches for the men, women and mixed doubles taking place Sunday, May 16.

Under Armour and Baseball factory open tryout

TAMPA - Under Armour and Baseball Factory will be hosting an open tryout for high school baseball players in Florida. The event, sponsored by Baseball Factory, will take place at 1 p.m. in Tampa, at University of Tampa. All baseball players, ages 13-18, are encouraged to attend. The cost is $99. The tryout is an opportunity to be evaluated by our pro scouts and to learn how to improve their game, while having fun on the field.
Past Pre-Season All-Americans include David Wright of the New York Mets and B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays.
For additional information, contact Becky Oldham at 1 (800)-641-4487 or online at becky@baseballfactory.com.

Quarry Golf Course closing for renovations on May 28

BROOKSVILLE - The City of Brooksville's Quarry Golf Course and Batting Cages will be closed effective May 28, through Nov. 1, for renovations and facility improvements.
The City of Brooksville, in conjunction with the Hernando County Enrichment Center will open the new Emergency Shelter/Enrichment Center/Golf Pro Shop that celebrates the history of the mining industry in Hernando County with photos and memorabilia.
The City of Brooksville apologizes for any inconvenience.
For additional information, contact Mike Walker at 352-540-3830, or visit www.cityofbrooksville.us.

YMCA Youth Basketball

SPRING HILL - The Hernando County Family YMCA is offering Youth Basketball for participants ages 3-17. The YMCA Youth Basketball program is an instructional program that teaches the fundamentals of the sport while focusing on teamwork and good sportsmanship. Skills and drills are put into play during all practices and games.
Season: June 5 - July 31, 2010.
This is an 8-week season including uniform, shirt and trophy
Ages: 3-5, practices/ games held once a week at YMCA on Saturdays.
Ages: 6-17, play/practice twice a week at local gymnasiums.
Times of games/practices depending on number of participants.
For additional information, contact the YMCA's Olivia Matles at 688-9622.

Education Foundation Golf Tourney

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County Education Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Friday, May 14 at Southern Hills.
Cost is $100 per player and a foursome is $400. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m.
There will be a dinner and award presentations, including door prizes, at 5:30 p.m.
Proceeds help support education in Hernando County.
To register, contact Luigi at 352-238-2677 or Roy at 352-797-7070, Ext. 468.
 
Superkids Triathlon set May 22

SPRING HILL - The Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill is sponsoring the Superkids Triathlon from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, 34606.
The triathlon is a free event with kid-friendly distances to introduce children to the sport.

Brooksville Bulldogs host fundraiser golf tourney

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Bulldogs 12-Under travel ball baseball team will be hosting a youth baseball fundraiser golf tournament beginning at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start on Friday, May 21 at Southern Hills Plantation Club, 4200 Summit View Dr., Brooksville, FL 34601.
Cost is $75 or $300 for a foursome. The fee includes 18 holes of golf, hole-in-one prizes (8th, 13th, 17th holes), 50/50 raffle and luncheon.
To register, or for additional information, contact Bruce Price at 813-714-1054 or online at bruce67price@hotmail.com.

Brooksville Bulldogs seek additional players

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Bulldogs are looking for travel ball baseball players, ages Under-11 and Under-12, for the upcoming season.
For registration information, contact Bruce Price at 813-714-1054 or online at bruce67price@hotmail.com.

Jerome Brown Golf Classic on June 5

BROOKSVILLE - The Jerome Brown Golf Classic, sponsored by Bright House Networks, returns to Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks Featuring a four-man scramble format with a shotgun start on Saturday, June 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishing teams.
To register, contact Dianna Rusk Yoder at 796-2526.

Springstead volleyball summer camps

SPRING HILL - Springstead High's Lady Eagle volleyball summer camp, featuring Coach Holly Watts from Florida State University, will run June 26-28 for ages 8-18. Cost is $100 per camper.
The July Lady Eagle camps, conducted by Springstead Head Coach Darcy Hinton, will take place July 18-20 for beginners and July 25-27 for advanced players. Cost is $60 per camper.
Visit www.hcsb.k12.fl.us/shs/Athletics/Fall_Sports/Volleyball/Volleyball.html to print out the registration form and mail it into the school in order to secure a spot.
Contact Coach Hinton with any questions at dhinton001@tampabay.rr.com.

West Hernando Cougars set football, cheerleading signups

SPRING HILL - The West Hernando Cougars, a not-for-profit football and cheerleading organization for children ages 5-16, is hosting registration at Delta Woods Park.
The signups, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., are set for May 23, June 6 and June 20.
Cheerleading and football costs $225 per child.
For additional information, contact Bobby McFarland at 352-585-6524 or 352-592-2190.

Under-14 Heat seeking donations for national tourney

SPRING HILL - The Hernando Heat Under-14 Division 1 girls competitive team recently won the Florida President's Cup and will represent the State of Florida at the President's Cup Region III National Tournament held in Broken Arrow, Okla., on June 10-13.
The Heat U-14 will compete against 12 southern states that make up Region III (Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma).
By winning regionals, the U-14 Heat would compete for the President's Cup National Championship in Tennessee.
U-14 Heat is made up of 13-14-year-old girls from Hernando, Citrus and Pasco County. Members of the team include: Lauryn Cole, Jessica Allen, Samantha Oliveira, Ashley Gallagher, Aspen Pate, Alex Mumma, Kelsey Leach, Kaitlyn Glynn, Rosie Witherell, Hayleigh McDuff, Nicole Morolla, Tara Vasquez and Ashley Dugan.
So far this year, the U-14 Heat are the 2009-10 USA League Division 1 champions, 2009-10 Region C Cup Div. 1 champions and now the 2010 Florida President's Cup champions.
The U-14 Heat is currently fundraising to help defray costs of travel and hotel accommodations.
Anyone interested in donating to the cause can contact John Oliviera at 352-666-9269 or joliveira@tampabay.rr.com. or Vito Morolla at 352-442-9269.

FWC sets this year's Gulf red snapper recreational season

LAKELAND - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a rule that makes the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters consistent with the recently announced season in Gulf federal waters.  Florida state waters in the Gulf extend out to nine nautical miles from shore, and federal waters extend beyond that line.
This year's recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf state waters will be open from June 1 through July 23.  This is 22 days shorter than last year's season, because federal fisheries managers predict that if the season length remained the same as last year, the allowable harvest for red snapper would be exceeded due to the high level of recreational fishing effort in the Gulf.
Gulf red snapper stocks are rebuilding but are still considered to be undergoing overfishing, which means that red snapper are being taken at a rate greater than established management goals for this fishery.  Shortening the fishing season in Gulf state waters this year will help to avoid a harvest overrun and continue to rebuild red snapper populations so that longer red snapper fishing seasons will be possible in the future.
More information regarding red snapper fishing regulations is available online at My FWC.com/Rules; click on "Fishing - Saltwater."

Gulf grouper recreational season opened

LAKELAND- The recreational harvest of grouper in all Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida, except in all waters of Monroe County, reopened on April 1.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) closed the Gulf recreational shallow-water grouper fishery (gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind) on Feb. 1 to protect gag grouper, which anglers often find and catch with the other grouper species.  This two-month Gulf grouper spawning season closure helps to reduce overfishing of gag grouper and rebuild its populations so larger annual harvests may be possible in the future.
The FWC also reminds fishermen that the recreational and commercial harvest of shallow-water groupers (including gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, and tiger grouper) remains closed until May 1 in all Atlantic Ocean and Monroe County waters.
For more online information regarding grouper fishing regulations, including size limits, bag limits and fishing seasons, go to MyFWC.com/RULESANDREGS.

Deer hunters get better-aligned zones and season dates

LAKELAND - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed new rules affecting deer hunters, beginning with the 2010-11 season. The new rules modified zone boundaries and season dates for deer hunting on private property.
"These changes will better align the deer hunting seasons with the rut and are intended to increase hunter satisfaction," said Cory Morea, Deer Management Program Coordinator for the FWC's Division of Hunting and Game Management.
Morea noted that the majority of stakeholders supported these measures.
Todd Hallman of the Florida Sportsmen's Conservation Association expressed one concern: "The South Region is a different animal. You're going to have us hunting in hotter, not cooler weather," he said of the hunting season changes.   
The boundary separating what used to be called the Northwest Hunting Zone (renamed Zone D) from the Central Zone (renamed Zone C) has been moved a little farther west. 
The new line dividing zones C and D begins at U.S. 27 at the Gadsden County/Georgia state line and runs south on U.S. 27 until it meets S.R. 61 in Tallahassee.  From there, it follows S.R. 61, running south until it hits U.S. 319.  There, the line follows U.S. 319, continuing south to U.S. 98; it then runs east along U.S. 98 before turning south on Spring Creek Highway and continuing to the Gulf of Mexico.
Changes to season dates on Zone D push opening day of archery season back one week. The first phase of muzzleloading gun season will have four additional days and move from November to December, where it will fill a gap that was previously closed to deer hunting in that zone.  As a result, Zone D will have continuous deer hunting opportunities from the beginning of archery through the last phase of muzzleloading gun season, and total deer hunting days have been increased from 123 to 128.
Zone C's new deer hunting season dates will begin one week earlier; archery season will begin on the third Saturday in September every year.  Twelve days were added to give Zone C a total of 128 deer-hunting days.
New rules also create an additional hunting zone, made up in part by the Green Swamp Basin.  This fourth zone, which previously was the southwest portion of the Central Hunting Zone, will be Zone B.  This new zone lies south of S.R. 50, west of U.S. 441 and the Kissimmee Waterway, north of S.R. 60 and east of the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone B was created because the deer in that area have a much later breeding period.  Deer hunting in this new zone will start with archery, beginning on the third Saturday of October each year, and run through the general gun season, ending in mid-February.
Zone A (formerly the South Hunting Zone) remains that portion of the state south of S.R. 70.  Its deer season will start nearly a month and a half earlier than before, with July 31 as the opening day of archery next season.  The other major change is that there will be a split general gun season.  Deer hunting will be closed five weeks next season, between Oct. 18 and Nov. 19, and reopen every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and always ending on the first Sunday in January.  Depending on how the dates fall in each year, Zone A's total deer hunting days will be between 121 and 128, an increase from 116 previously. 
These changes to Florida's private land deer-hunting zones and season dates take into account hunter suggestions and updated biological data, aiming to increase hunter satisfaction.  The new zones and corresponding dates are now better aligned with when deer breed throughout the state.
According to law, Florida's fall turkey season dates are based on each zone's general gun seasons.  Therefore, since the FWC passed rules that added a fourth hunting zone and modified existing zones and corresponding general gun season dates, the fall turkey season dates also have been modified to reflect the new zones.  Next season, the fall turkey season will be:

* Zone A:  Oct. 4-17, 2010 and Nov. 20, 2010 - Jan. 2, 2011
* Zone B:  Dec. 4, 2010 - Jan. 30, 2011
* Zone C:  Nov. 6, 2010 - Jan. 2, 2011
* Zone D:  Nov. 25-28, 2010 and Dec. 11, 2010 - Jan. 16, 2011   

FWC staff recommends random drawing for hunt permits

LAKELAND - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a random-drawing method of obtaining hunt permits instead of the first-come, first-served method in use now.
This change takes place in the 2010-11 hunting season for all permit hunt types currently using the first-come, first-served issuance method, other than recreational use permits, also known as user-pay permits. Recreational use permits are issued too early in the year to allow adequate time for changes in 2010. These will be issued by random drawing in the 2011-12 season.
"We should add the requirement that you must have in your possession a wildlife management area permit when you apply for a limited-entry-hunt permit," said Chairman Rodney Barreto, after moving that the Commission accept staff recommendations.
The FWC has been using the Total Licensing System to process all of its recreational hunting and fishing licenses and permits since Oct. 1, 2003. However, problems with the system provided by an outside vendor have increased over the years for hunters seeking limited-entry-hunt permits on a first-come, first-served basis.  These problems have resulted in an inequitable distribution of permits and customer dissatisfaction.
"The FWC will continue to work with stakeholders this year to ensure a smooth and equitable transition to a random drawing," said Greg Holder, FWC assistant executive director. He stressed that the Total Licensing System vendor, Active Outdoors, does many things well, such as processing the 2.3 million fishing and hunting licenses and permits purchased annually.
The first-come, first-served limited-entry hunts account for only 5 percent of the limited-entry permits issued.
"FWC staff concluded the risk of failures with first-come, first-served hunts has increased to an unacceptable level," said Diane Eggeman, director of the agency's Division of Hunting and Game Management.
The FWC based the need for this recommendation on feedback from stakeholders and on documentation of system problems.
"People seeking hunting permits for alligators encountered similar problems, so the FWC switched from the first-come, first-served method to random drawing for those hunts in 2009, and 59 percent of the public liked the change," Holder said.
Commissioners directed staff to continue with the lengthy rebidding process to replace the current TLS contract.

Spring Lake 5K, 2-Mile Fun Walk slated for May 29

BROOKSVILLE - The fourth annual Spring Lake 5k Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk will be held Saturday, May 29, at the Arc Nature Coast, 5283 Neff Lake Road, Brooksville.
The Arc Nature Coast's mission is to provide individually-tailored support for persons with disabilities and their families in order to promote prosperous, fulfilling lives in the community.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Prizes are awarded to first through third place in all age groups in five-year increments. Entry fees are $25 for the 5k and $20 for the 2-mile walk/run.
A T-shirt is guaranteed if registration is received by May 10.
To register or for more information, call 352-544-2322, Ext. 109, or e-mail info@thearc-naturecoast.org. The Web site is www.thearc-naturecoast.org.

Plitz Junior Golf Camp begins

SPRING HILL - Steve LaFalce, a PGTAA Master Teaching Professional and Director of Instruction at Spring Hill Golf and Country Club, 12079 Coronado Dr, Spring Hill, FL 35609, has announced that the Plitz Junior Golf Camp for children, ages 17 and under, will run from 9-11 a.m. each Saturday, at the Spring Hill G&CC.
Cost is $5 for range balls for instruction on the fundamentals including grip, posture and alignment.
"It's a great way for the kids to learn the game or improve on their skill set," said Wes Plitz, an instructor and professional caddy, who is donating his time on Saturdays as his way of giving back to golf.
For additional information, contact LaFalce at 352-556-5237.