Got ideas about trails? Speak up at meetings

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 22, 2008

COUNTYWIDE

Want to have a say about the kind of recreation trails you want to see in Pasco? Then there are two meetings on the county's trails master plan that you should attend. The first is Jan. 31 at the Starkey Environmental Education Center at the Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road in New Port Richey. The second is at the Charles McIntosh Civic Center American Legion Hall, 37745 Church Avenue in Dade City. Both workshops start at 6 p.m. The county wants to hear your ideas on creating the plan for trails, greenways and blueways. For information, call Rudy Miller at (727) 856-4823 or Martha Campbell at (813) 929-1260.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Animal shelter cuts back hours

To help curb costs, SPCA Suncoast has scaled back its animal shelter visiting hours to noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. "We were hesitant to close the front office to the public for any reason," executive director Martha Murray said, "but we have been struggling financially for some time now. This is a necessary step in lowering our expenses and ensuring the future of the shelter and the thousands of animals who come through our doors in a year." The no-kill shelter at 7734 Congress St. is always in need of volunteers and donations. Call (727) 849-1048 or visit www.SPCAsuncoast.org for information.

Farmers' market adds second day

The Longleaf Farmers' Market is opening the 2008 season this month. The market, which began last year, is adding a Thursday shopping day in addition to the original Saturday offering. Hours are 10 to 2 p.m. starting Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 7. The season will end April 26. Vendors who sell fresh local and organic produce, landscape plants, indoor plants, coffee beans and teas, sauces, salsas, tapenades, herbs and spices, seafood, natural pet snacks and natural and "green" products are of interest to the market. The Longleaf Farmers' Market is across from downtown Longleaf at Town Avenue and Starkey Boulevard. Interested vendors and groups should contact Pam Marron at (727) 375-8986 or pmarron@tampabay.rr.com or call Bret Tobey at (727) 234-0651.

[Last modified January 21, 2008, 21:47:41]