Digest

Take a class, you might just save a life

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

The American Red Cross certification class "Adult, Infant and Child CPR" will be from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Hernando County Recreation Department Community Activity Center, 205 E Fort Dade Ave.

The course is strictly for CPR only. It is not a recertification class, nor does it include first aid certification.

The cost is $35, which includes a book and face shield. Space is limited, and advance registration and payment are required. Call 754-4031.

COUNTYWIDE

Here's a way to show that you care

The United Way of Hernando County will have its annual Day of Caring from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday throughout the county.

The event matches teams of volunteers from local businesses with nonprofit agencies in need of hands-on help with such tasks as painting, cleaning, planting, weeding, clearing brush, pressure washing and reading with children. Volunteer opportunities are also available year-round.

To help out with the Day of Caring, or to learn about other volunteer opportunities, call the local United Way office at 688-2026 or visit the Web site at www.unitedwayhernando.com.

SPRING HILL

Church throws a party for the community

First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill will host its second Community Appreciation Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 on the church grounds, 9344 Spring Hill Drive.

There will be entertainment, including the praise band, cloggers and a quintet performing doo-wop and other types of music. There will be exotic animals, pony rides, a water slide, rock wall and dunk tank, as well as antique cars and a trackless train. Also participating will be Spring Hill Fire Rescue, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office helicopter and the LifeSouth bloodmobile.

There will be games, clowns and other entertainment. Admission is free. Hot dogs, cotton candy, chips, soda and popcorn will be available for purchase. For information, call 683-7054.

SPRING HILL/BROOKSVILLE

Get some kicks attae kwon do classes

Hernando County Recreation Department offers tae kwon do classes at three locations:

- Mondays at Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.

- Wednesdays at Deltona Elementary School, 2055 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.

- Fridays at the Community Activity Center, 205 E Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville.

All classes are from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. and are open to ages 6 through adult. The first lesson is free. The cost is $30 for the first month and $40 for additional months.

The instructor is master Regis Lima. Students will learn self control, self defense, discipline and respect. For information or to register, call 754-4031.

BROOKSVILLE

Horse races, auction combined at benefit

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8713 and Ladies Auxiliary will host a Day at the Horse Races and Auction at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the post, 1686 E Jefferson St.

The auxiliary will also have a cake and pie auction, with funds raised to benefit cancer aid and research. For information, call 796-4449.

Hospice needs Spanish speakers

Hernando-Pasco Hospice's East Hernando team needs volunteers who can speak Spanish to visit Hispanic patients under the nonprofit agency's care.

There is also an ongoing need for volunteers who are fluent in other languages, as well as some who speak only English. Volunteers can visit hospice patients to give primary caregivers respite, and also help answer phones between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the office. A variety of other volunteer opportunities are also available.

A two-day volunteer training will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24 and Oct. 26 at the East Hernando team office, 698 S Broad St. To register or for information, call Anne Clarke at 796-2611 or visit hphospice.org.

Depression screenings are being offered free

As part of National Depression Screening Day, the Springbrook Hospital outpatient program will offer free screenings from 12:20 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 11, at 13406 Cortez Blvd.

Free, anonymous screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and postraumatic stress disorder will be provided. There will be an opportunity to complete a brief screening test, talk with a mental health professional and assess the suicide risk in others. Referrals to treatment services will be provided.

The screenings are for adults 18 and older. For information, call Dori at 597-8877.

WILDWOOD

Family Care Council will meet Monday

The Area 13 Family Care Council will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the Florida Department of Children and Families, 1601 W Gulf Atlantic Highway (State Road 44).

Those interested in issues regarding developmental disabilities are encouraged to attend. For information, call Nancy Stubbs at the Arc Nature Coast, 544-2322, ext. 109.

SPRING HILL

Green Party hosting its own film series

The Hernando County Green Party will continue its Green Screens program, a series of free films on current issues, on the following days:

- Oct. 8, The Ground Truth: The Human Cost of War. In this documentary, troops fighting in Iraq have a chance to have their say about the war.

- Oct. 29, George Galloway U.S. Tour - Los Angeles. Galloway is a member of the British Parliament and author of Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington. This film covers his speech in Los Angeles about his perspectives on U.S. foreign policy.

- Nov. 18, In Debt We Trust ... America Before the Bubble Bursts. This expose was researched by Emmy-winning journalist Danny Schechter, the "news dissector" from ABC News and CNN. The film shows how big banks and credit card companies "buy" Congress and are driving the U.S. into "modern serfdom."

- Dec. 10, Bowling for Columbine. This is filmmaker Michael Moore's award-winning documentary that attempts to answer the question, "Is the American society contributing to school violence?"

All films begin at 6 p.m. and will be at the Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. For information, call Suzanne Touchton at 666-7576.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 21:23:43]