Digest

Still time to comment on county code issues

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 6, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

Friday is the deadline to submit comments for Hernando County Development Services' Code Compliance Review meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Hernando County Engineering Department, 1525 E Jefferson St.

On the agenda: JD Allen Retail/Warehouse, Register Chevrolet Reverse Frontage Road, Kierzynski Plaza parking lot addition, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church parking lot addition, Hashemian Seven Hills, T Mobile G750 Monocross Communication Tower at 5338 Freeport Drive and County Line Retail Center.

For information, call the Hernando County Building Department at 754-4165.

Chinesegut Nature Center plans events

Chinsegut Nature Center will host the following events:

-Incredible Edibles, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Those attending should bring their own place settings to sample the wild plant and game demonstrations. Advance registration is required.

-Big Pine Fall Wildflower/Butterfly Walk, 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 25. Those participating should meet at the Big Pine parking lot on Old Crystal River Road, north of Brooksville.

-Butterfly Workshop, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 29. Presented by Marc Minno. Bring binoculars and a butterfly book, if available.

Unless otherwise specified, all programs are free and at the nature center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. For information or reservations, call 754-6722.

HERNANDO BEACH

Classes will teach basics of boating

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer the following upcoming classes:

-Navigating with GPS, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Sept. 13. Those who own a GPS should bring it. It is recommended that those who don't own a GPS refrain from purchasing one until after taking this class. The cost is $35.

-Weather and Boating, 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 15. This course includes basic weather information. Participants will learn how the weather affects one's decisions on go-no-go situations. The cost is $10.

All classes are at the auxiliary's building, 4340 Calienta St. For information, call 200-8325.

SPRING HILL

Billards tourney adds fundraiser for ill boy

The Florida State Championships Women's Billiards Tournament that will be Saturday and Sunday at Capone's Billard Lounge will include fundraising efforts for 2-year-old Brandon Amato, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The event will be from 1 to 9 p.m. both days at the lounge, 10463 County Line Road. There will be 32 professional women players from across the United States, including Tracy Hines, Debbie Schjodt, Helena Thornfield, who is ranked No. 10, and Monica Webb, who is ranked fifth in the Women's Professional Billiards Association.

There will be autographed photos, T-shirts and pool sticks available, as well as raffles. Fans can also have photos taken with their favorite players. All proceeds will benefit Brandon and his family.

Brandon is the son of Kelly and Joe Amato of Spring Hill. He was diagnosed with the disease on May 5. Shortly after Brandon's diagnosis, Joe Amato was diagnosed with diverticulitis and will have his third surgery this month. Neither of Brandon's parents have worked during this time.

For information, call Capone's at 688-9965.

Several events set to mark Sept. 11 attacks

The following programs and events have been scheduled for Tuesday in memory of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001:

-"In Remembrance" memorial service, 9 a.m., Spring Hill Fire and Rescue, 3445 Bob Hartung Court, Spring Hill.

There will be a viewing of World Trade Center memoriabila, followed by a presentation of the colors at 9:45 a.m. with the New York Police Department Color Guard.

The invocation will be given by Paul Clemens, department chaplain, and a time line given by Spring Hill Fire Rescue chief J.J. Morrison. Retired New York city firefighters and police officers will give brief reflections.

The traditional sounds of bells, signifying the death of a firefighter, will be done at 9:59 a.m., when the South Tower fell, and at 10:29 a.m., when the North Tower fell. The benediction will be given by Chaplain Jack L. Martin Sr. For information, call 684-0941.

-"Honor Their Memory" 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Spring Hill Fire Rescue Station 2, 3445 Bob Hartung Court, hosted by Spring Hill Fire Rescue District and LifeSouth Community Blood Center.

The blood drive will include a friendly competition between local fire crews and staff at Spring Hill Fire Rescue.

All blood donors will receive a special firefighter T-shirt, a cholesterol screening and will be entered in a contest to win a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, courtesy of Palm Gainesville Chevrolet (winner to be selected in January). Donors will be treated to pizza.

To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and show a valid photo ID. For information, call LifeSouth at 596-2002 or visit www.lifesouth.org.

-The NYCPD 10-13 Club of Hernando County and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 will host a joint memorial service for law enforcement officers and firefighters who died in the attack on the World Trade Center, as well as for fallen heroes who gave their lives in service for the country, as well as POWs and MIAs.

The ceremony will begin at noon at the VFW post, 15166 Spring Hill Drive.

There will be a wreath-laying for both services and brief comments will be made. Seating will be available and refreshments will be served after the service.

Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive by 11:30 a.m. For information, call Jim Perretto at 279-1762.

SPRING HILL

Library branch's entrance to close

The Hernando County Public Library System will begin renovations to the front public entrance of the West Hernando/Staffordene T. Foggia Branch Library on Monday.

While the renovation is in progress, the front entrance will be closed. Patrons will have access through the doors on the south side of the building. Disabled patrons are advised to visit the Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library at 9220 Spring Hill Drive.

The work should take about four weeks. Call 754-4043.

Free workshop for first-time home buyers

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida and the Florida Gulf Coast Inc., will offer a free First Time Home Buyers Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209, 15166 Spring Hill Drive.

The workshop is part of the nonprofit organization's Housing Counseling Services.

Other workshops are scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 and Sept. 27 at the Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills.

Reservations are required. Call toll-free 1-800-741-7040 (select Option 4).

Widening set to begin on Barclay Avenue

A public information meeting about the widening of Barclay Avenue will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Powell Middle School, 4100 Barclay Ave.

Construction on Barclay Avenue is scheduled to begin Oct. 1 and is expected to last 300 days. Roadway improvements include making Barclay a divided four-lane roadway that will include left turn lanes at Mansfield Road and Suncoast Villas Apartments. The contractor is Kearney Construction Co.

Updates for water and sewer systems are also planned.

Call Hernando County Engineering Department at 754-4062.

State West to present of 'Steel Magnolias'

Steel Magnolias will open Oct. 5 at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd.

Written by Robert Harling, this is a 1987 off-Broadway play that was made into a successful movie in 1989. Based on the author's experience with the death of his sister, Steel Magnolias is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of six women in northwest Louisiana.

Performances will be 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 14.

Tickets are $10. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 683-5113.

RIDGE MANOR

Ridge Manor meeting to discuss solid waste

The Ridge Manor Property Owners Association will have a meeting about changes in the operation of Hernando County Solid Waste's East Hernando and West Hernando Transfer Stations. The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Ridge Manor Community Center, 34240 Cortez Blvd.

David Horn, solid waste director from the Hernando County Utilities Department, will discuss and answer questions concerning the changes, which took effect Sept. 4. Construction, demolition and land clearing debris, as well as furniture, will no longer be accepted at the transfer stations. Such materials will be accepted at only the Hernando County Northwest Waste Management Facility, 14450 Landfill Road, Brooksville, where the appropriate disposal fees will be charged.

For information about the RMPOA meeting, call Jim Stout at 583-5576. For information about waste management and transfer station operations, call David Horne at 754-4790.

COUNTRYWIDE

Red Cross certification classes set next week

Hernando County Recreation will offer the following American Red Cross certification classes next week:

-Adult, Infant and Child CPR, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. This class does not include first aid certification. No recertification will be allowed, as new material will be used in this course. The cost is $35, which includes a book and face shield. Registration and payment in advance is required.

-Standard First Aid Certification, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The cost is $25. A certification card is provided upon completion of the course, which will be valid for three years. Registration is required.

The instructor for both courses is Linda Christian. The classes will be at the Community Activity Center, 205 E Fort Dade Ave. For registration, call 754-4031.

Certification test set for food managers

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service will provide a food managers certification course and ServSafe certification test Sept. 20 at the extension office, 19490 Oliver St.

Training and the exam are $100; the manual is $40. Training will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by the exam. There is no "exam only" option.

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

Registration is required by Sept. 13; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 754-4433.

Arts Council to meet on countywide vision

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council will conduct a visioning meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 14 in the commission chambers at Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St.

The purpose of the meeting is to begin the process of developing a firm vision for the arts in Hernando County. For information, call Kathleen Wilson at 596-9572.

[Last modified September 5, 2007, 20:46:48]