Pets need home for holidays and beyond

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 13, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

Hernando County is recognizing December as Home 4 the Holidays month.

Hernando County Animal Services is joining the SPCA of Hernando County and Humane Society of the Nature Coast to participate in the Home 4 the Holidays worldwide pet adoption campaign. The goal is to find lifelong homes for the county's homeless animals.

The Home 4 the Holidays Pet Pageant is airing throughout the month on Hernando County Government Broadcasting, Bright House Ch. 615. The pageant features pets from the local shelters who need loving homes.

Those interested are also encouraged to visit one of the shelters:

- Hernando County Animal Services, 19450 Oliver St., Brooksville. 796-5062.

- SPCA of Hernando County, 9075 Grant St., west of Brooksville. 596-7000.

- Humane Society of the Nature Coast, corner of Wiscon and Mobley roads, Brooksville. 796-2711.

INVERNESS

Apply now for wealth of classes at institute

Withlacoochee Technical Institute is accepting applications for classes set to begin Jan. 22.

Classes include administrative assistant; air conditioning, refrigeration and heating technology; automotive collision repair and refinishing; automotive services technology; carpentry; commercial foods and culinary arts; computer systems technology; early childhood education; electricity; marine service technology; medical administrative specialist; and applied welding technology.

Applications are also being accepted for a patient care assistant program, which is scheduled to begin March 3.

The school is at 1201 W Main St. All classes meet from 7:15 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. weekdays. For fees, program lengths, registration and other information, call 352 726-2430.

SPRING HILL

Hospice will benefit from fashion show

Tickets are on sale for Fine Lines Boutique's third annual fashion show to benefit Hernando-Pasco Hospice. The show will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 1 at the Palace Grand, 275 Della Court.

The theme is "Mirror, Mirror On the Wall" and will feature an array of clothing from sophisticated jeans to semi-formal attire. The event will include a luncheon, entertainment and giveaways.

Funds raised will benefit Hernando-Pasco Hospice's patient care programs. The Black Swan Spa in Spring Hill is an event sponsor.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Fine Lines, 1361 Kass Circle, or by calling the boutique at 666-8843.

BROOKSVILLE

Get shopping doneat Main Street market

The next Market on Main Street will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday along Main Street, between Broad and Liberty streets, and in the city parking lot next to 31 S Main St., downtown Brooksville.

The monthly event is hosted by the Brooksville Business Alliance.

There will be more than 50 vendors selling items, such as produce, shrubbery, jewelry, personalized license plates, Christmas crafts, homemade soaps, handbags, antiques and collectibles.

For information, call 797-9330.

SPRING HILL

Register kids now for VFW Christmas party

Tuesday is the deadline to register children for the Children's Christmas Party hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 and Ladies Auxiliary. The party will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at the new post home at 14736 Edward Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road.

The party is for children 11 and younger who have a parent serving overseas, as well as children of veterans who live in Hernando County.

Due to the high recall of toys recently, children will receive gift certificates. For information or to register, call the post at 796-0398.

COUNTYWIDE

Deadline to sign up for Toys for Tots program

Monday is the last day to register for the Toys for Tots program in Hernando County. Marine Corps League Detachment 708 is accepting registrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and Saturday at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 S Broad St., Brooksville. The program is for children 6 months through 12 years. Parents or legal guardians must register in person and must bring proof of residency (driver's license and current utility bill) and a birth certificate for each child. Call 796-3666.

COUNTYWIDE

Donations of new shoes are needed

Friday is the last day to donate shoes for the One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Drive in Hernando County, spearheaded by the Hernando County Foster/Adoptive Association, Kids Central Inc. and the Guardian ad Litem program.

Donations of new shoes are needed, which will be given to children in foster, adoptive and relative care families throughout Hernando County. All sizes are needed. Monetary donations also are appreciated, with 100 percent to be used to buy shoes.

Donations can be made at the Guardian ad Litem office, Room 220 in the Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St., Brooksville. Before dropping off donations, please call Carolyn at 754-4226 or Linda at 754-0377.

BROOKSVILLE

Volunteers sought for Beautification Board

The Brooksville City Council is accepting applications from those interested in volunteering their time to serve on the Beautification Board.

There is one position available to fill an unexpired three-year term through May 31, 2009, and two positions to fill expiring three-year terms through Jan. 31, 2011.

An appropriate application must be filled out; resumes alone will not be accepted. Applications are available in the city clerk's office and on the Web site at www.ci.brooksville.fl.us. and must be completed and returned no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 21 to the City Clerk's office at Brooksville City Hall, 201 Howell Ave.

All applicants must be registered Florida voters. For information, call 544-5407.

BROOKSVILLE

Head Start policy council meets Tuesday

Mid Florida Community Services has announced that the Head Start Policy Council for Hernando and Sumter counties will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the front office conference room at the Hernando Head Start, 835 School St.

For information, call Tiffany Adams at 754-2464, ext. 207.

BROOKSVILLE

Code compliance review set for Jan. 3

Hernando County Development Services will conduct its next code compliance review at 9 a.m. Jan. 3 at Hernando County Engineering Department, 1525 E Jefferson St.

On the agenda: Evergreen Woods, Golden Corral (Weeki Wachee), Racetrac parking lot addition (east of Brooksville), Klicos Center on Edward Noll Drive, Northstar Warehouse Complex on Edward Noll Drive, Nature Coast Commons outparcel A off U.S. 19, Timber Pines Senior Living Community Expansion Phase II.

Those wishing to submit comments must do so by Dec. 21. For information, call the Hernando County Building Department at 754-4165.

BROOKSVILLE

Food manager certification offered

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service will provide a food managers certification course and ServSafe certification test Jan. 14 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 Jan. 7. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call 754-4433.

SPRING HILL/BROOKSVILLE

Enrichment centers want new members

Oak Hill Hospital's Spring Hill and Brooksville enrichment centers are recruiting members.

The centers offer a variety of activities, including exercise, yoga, duplicate bridge, pinochle, Mexican train dominoes, quilting, clogging, line dancing, painting, Scrabble and Spanish lessons. The centers also are meeting places for support groups and clubs, as well as the Department of Veteran Services to address concerns and answer questions on veteran issues.

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.

BROOKRIDGE

Bingo Bash offersperfect reason to yell

The Brookridge Woman's Club is taking reservations for the annual Bingo Bash, March 8 at the Brookridge Clubhouse, 8150 Hampton St.

The cost is $35, which includes donuts, a homemade hot lunch, coffee and ice tea. The payout will be $3,200.

Those interested in seeing the floor plan are invited to the weekly bingo session from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Fridays.

For tickets or information, call Norma Rankin at 597-3530.

BROOKSVILLE

It's time again for Cattle Barons' Ball

The American Cancer Society's annual Cattle Barons' Ball will be at 6 p.m. March 8 in Heffernan Hall at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 20428 Cortez Blvd.

The western-style party will include entertainment, competitive games, food, silent and live auctions and more.

Tickets are $100. A Campfire Table Host sponsorship is $1,000, which includes preferred seating for 10 and other amenities, as well as ACS partnering opportunities.

The event's goal is to raise $60,000 to support ACS's Reaching Out to Cancer Kids program. For information or tickets, call Cynthia Grabau, toll-free at 1-800-940-1969, ext. 113, or e-mail to Cynthia.Grabau@cancer.org

For information about the American Cancer Society, call toll-free 1-800-227-2345 or visit the Web site at www.cancer.org.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 06:32:07]