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Events will keep bird watchers busy in January

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 30, 2006

The Hernando Audubon Society will host the following events in January:

- Bird Walk at Bayport, Jan 6. Those attending are to meet at 7 a.m. at Hardee's at Commercial Way at Cortez Boulevard, Weeki Wachee. This is a coastal trip to observe shorebirds. Call Clay at 592-4949.

- Breakfast and Birds at Ahhochee Hill, 8 a.m. Jan. 13, 24268 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. A bird walk will follow breakfast. RSVP to Linda, 754-9436.

- Weeki Wachee Salt Marsh Safari, Jan. 20. This is a strenuous hike into a harsh environment. Heavy shoes and clothing are recommended, as well as plenty of water. RSVP to Clay, 592-4949.

- Birding trip to Phosphate Mines in Polk County, Jan. 24. Those attending are to meet at 8:30 a.m. at the McDonald's on State Road 60 in Mulberry. Reservations required by Jan. 10. Call Shirley, 683-9370.

- Crystal River Boat Cruise, Jan. 26, at the Crystal River Archeological Park.

This event includes a birding hike followed by a boat trip on Heritage Eco cruise to view manatees.

The cost is $10. RSVP to Mary, 797-7874.

COUNTYWIDE

AARP plans classes to help older drivers

AARP will conduct its Driver Safety Program classes at these locations in January:

- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10, Spring Hill Enrichment Center behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Call 684-9302 to register.

- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 12 and 19, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Call 666-9916 to register.

- Noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 and 18, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 6155 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Call 666-4044 to register.

- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 and 24, Spring Hill Enrichment Center. Call 232-5609 to register.

- Noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 and 22, Brooksville Enrichment Center, 670 Broad St., Brooksville. Call 799-3658 to register.

The course, open to anyone 50 and older, costs $10.

Upon completion, each participant will receive a certificate to submit to his or her insurance company for a possible rate reduction. Class size is limited; call to register.

BROOKRIDGE

The Diamonds to play concert at clubhouse

Brookridge Entertainment will present the Diamonds in concert Jan. 11 at the Brookridge clubhouse, 8150 Hampton St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and show time is 7.

Tickets are $15. Advance tickets are available; tickets will be sold at the door, if still available.

For information or tickets, call Barb at 597-4620.

BROOKSVILLE

Chinsegut Nature Center to host events

Chinsegut Nature Center will host the following events in January:

- Chinsegut Nature Center Night Walk, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 5. Participants will look and listen for owls, bats, flying squirrels and other creatures of the night. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent.

- Creating Backyard Wildlife Habitat, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 9. Participants will learn how to create ideal habitat in their back yards for mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies, bats, and other Florida wildlife.

Programs are free and are at the nature center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. Seating is limited, and reservations are needed. Call 754-6722.

COUNTYWIDE

Extension Office offers ServSafe training, test

A food managers certification course and ServSafe certification test will be offered Jan. 18 at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 19490 Oliver St.

Training and the exam are $100; the manual is $40. Training will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the exam.

There is no "exam only" option, and walk-ins will not be admitted.

Certification is required in Florida for food managers of all establishments licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and selected licenses of the Health Department.

All agencies accept the ServSafe certification.

Registration is required by Jan. 11. Call the extension office at 754-4433.

COUNTYWIDE

Voice your opinions to legislative delegation

The annual meeting of the Hernando County legislative delegation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 5 in the County Commission chambers at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St.

The purpose of the meeting is to allow community members the opportunity to share their concerns with members of the Legislature. Members include state Reps. Robert Schenck and Charles Dean and state Sens. Mike Fasano and Paula Dockery.

Anyone wishing to address the delegation should contact Schenck's office to be placed on the agenda. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. Budget request forms will be available at the meeting and are also available at Schenck's office, 12503 Spring Hill Drive (Lincoln Center), Spring Hill.

For information or to be placed on the agenda, call Schenck's office at 688-5005.

COUNTYWIDE

Orientation planned for smoking cessation

The Hernando County Health Department, 300 S Main St., will conduct a free orientation for its Freedom from Smoking program at 6 p.m. Jan. 9.

The program will be offered at 6 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 16 through Feb. 27 at the Health Department's Brooksville office. An additional session will be offered Feb. 1, which is a Thursday, after quit night, Jan. 30.

The cost for the program is $25. For information or to register, call Becky Martin at 540-6800, ext. 82148.

SPRING HILL

YMCA to host seminar to help smokers quit

The Hernando County Family YMCA will host a "Quitting Smoking Just Got Easier" seminar from 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Y's activity center, 1300 Mariner Blvd.

The speaker will be Dr. Scott Gebhardt, who will discuss new treatments in breaking the smoking habit. For information, call the Y at 688-9622.

BROOKSVILLE

Church sessions will teach sharing of grief

The Wesleyan Church will offer grief share sessions at 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday beginning Jan. 9 at the church, 8168 Jasmine Drive.

The sessions are designed for individuals who have lost a loved one.

They are open to the public.

For information, call 799-3066.

SPRING HILL

Hernando Jazz Society will perform Jan. 13

Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary 11317 will present the Hernando Jazz Society from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 13 at the parish hall, 13485 Spring Hill Drive.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m.

A hot Italian buffet will be served. Bring your own beverage. Tickets are $12 per person. For information, contact Kathleen Mulvaney at 666-7744 or Carol D'Aquisto at 688-1685.

BROOKSVILLE

Adult literacy program seeks volunteer tutors

The HEART Adult Literacy Program needs volunteer tutors to teach adults reading, language and math skills.

A training class will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 9 at 801 N Broad St.

There will be a one-hour break for lunch.

For information, call Justa Bozman at 797-7018.

COUNTYWIDE

Enrichment centers recruiting members

Oak Hill Hospital's Spring Hill and Brooksville enrichment centers are recruiting members. The centers offer numerous activities, such as exercise, yoga, duplicate bridge, pinochle, Mexican train dominoes, quilting, clogging, line dancing, painting, Scrabble and Spanish lessons. The centers are also meeting places for a variety of support groups and clubs.

The Spring Hill Enrichment Center is at 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital); the Brooksville Enrichment Center is at 670 Broad St. For information, stop by one of the centers or call the Spring Hill center at 597-6331 or the Brooksville center at 544-5900.

SPRING HILL

Western theme ball aids Cancer Society

Tickets are available to the Cattle Barons' Ball 2007 to benefit the American Cancer Society. The event will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane.

The theme will be a western party featuring entertainment, competitive games, food, and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $100. A campfire table host sponsorship, which includes a table seating 10, is $1,000.

For information, sponsorships and tickets, contact Vivian Bogul at 1-800-940-1969, ext. 101, or at vivian.bogul@cancer.org or Mel Toran at ext. 113 or mel.toran@cancer.org.

[Last modified December 29, 2006, 20:05:53]