Bike riders needed to ride for the homeless

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 23, 2008

BROOKSVILLE

Jericho Road Ministries is seeking bike riders in Hernando County to participate in the Joy FM Bike Ride for the Homeless, a two-day ride from Brooksville to Bradenton on Feb. 15 and 16.

The ride will include about 60 miles each day and will have three to four breaks daily, including lunch, dinner and entertainment each day.

A practice ride will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, starting at State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County meet in the parking lot across from Target. The group will ride up the trail to Brooksville and back, which is about 50 miles.

The registration fee is $150, which includes a jersey, sag stops (for water, Gatorade and snacks), lunch both days, dinner both days and transportation to the starting point.

Registration will be accepted through Monday.

The event is sponsored by Joy FM. For information, call Pat Augustyniak at (813) 453-1804 or visit the Joy FM Web site at www.thejoyfm.com and download a contribution form.

BROOKSVILLE

Find out how to make compost at home

A free class on "Easy Home Composting" will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 19490 Oliver St.

Participants will learn how to make low cost, low odor compost at their homes. Registration required. Call 754-4433.

BROOKSVILLE

Volunteers, groups needed for child fest

Participants and sponsors are needed for the Week of the Young Child Fun Festival, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane.

The free annual event includes entertainment and activities, and promotes the need for quality education and childcare.

There will also be exhibits with many Hernando County agencies.

The event is funded and operated by local businesses and organizations, and is sponsored in part by the St. Petersburg Times.

All volunteers and groups are welcome. Those interested in helping out can call Sheila Chambers at 754-5068, ext. 210.

BROOKSVILLE

Ex-Major Leaguers to help kids at clinic

The City of Brooksville Recreation Department will host a free baseball clinic for children ages 7-14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at Tom Varn Park, 301 Darby Lane.

The Major League Baseball Alumni Association will provide former Major League ball players to teach the children the fundamentals of the game.

For information or to register, call 544-5495 or e-mail to mwalker@ci.brooksville.fl.us

COUNTYWIDE

Register now for spring session

Hernando County School's Adult and Community Education Department is now registering students for the spring session. Students can stop by the office from 1:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California St.

Brochures containing class descriptions are available at the office, at all Hernando County Public Library branches and the Let's Eat restaurant in the Silverthorn Shopping Plaza at Barclay and Powell Road.

The brochure gives a brief description of each class offered, along with the starting date, instructor and length of program. Classes are divided into four categories: arts and leisure, computers and technology, exercise and fitness, and educational offerings.

The brochure also provides information on the Ready to Work Credentialing Program and GED testing services.

For information, call 797-7091.

SPRING HILL

Learn how to cope with mental illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando will offer its Family-to-Family Education Course from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 7 at the Beautiful Mind, 10554 Spring Hill Drive.

This is a free 12-week education class for family members or close friends of someone who is depressed, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive or suffers from any other mental illness.

Class size limited; reservations required. For information or to register, call Bill or Judy at 544-0352.

SPRING HILL

Art auction at temple to benefit United Way

Temple Beth David Brotherhood will host an art auction to benefit the United Way of Hernando County at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St.

Complimentary light refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away.

Tickets to the auction are $5 each. For information or tickets, call Marty Reiman at 688-1234 or Temple Beth David at 686-7034.

SPRING HILL

Kids can party while helping Big Brothers

A Webkinz and Shining Star Party to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at Kim's Korner, 3021 Commercial Way, in the Outlet Mall.

There will be games and a raffle to win a free Webkinz and free Shining Star (must be present to win). Also, those who bring a Shining Star to the party, or purchases one at the party, will receive a gift.

There will also be a contest for the best house created for their Webkinz or Shining Star. Children are to use their imaginations and create a house; no pre-made items will be allowed. Houses must not be larger than a standard size shoe box. All children entering the contest will receive a prize.

DJ service will be provided by Tom Collins of Music for All Occasions.

Hot dogs, soda and chips will be available for purchase, with money raised to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For information, call 686-0407 or visit the Web site at www.kimskornercc.com.

SPRING HILL

Bring your sweetheart to dinner, dance

St. Frances Cabrini Knights of Columbus Assembly 3022 will host a Sweetheart Dinner and Dance from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Xavier Hall, 5020 Mariner Blvd.

The dinner will include prime rib, baked potato, vegetable, salad and dessert. Coffee and soda will be provided. Music for dancing will be provided by Sing 50's Till Now.

Those attending can bring their own beverages.

Tickets are $15 per person. For tickets or information, call Jack at 686-9767, Billy at 666-9208, John at 596-4709, Chuck at 597-8878 or the parish office at 683-9666.

COUNTYWIDE

plenty of activities for bird lovers

The Hernando Audubon Society will sponsor these events in February:

- Hernando County Big Day, Feb. 2. This is a day-long search for birds in Hernando County. Those wishing to help out can call Clay at 592-4949.

- Birding at Rinker Mine, Feb. 9. To carpool, meet at 7 a.m. at the Hardee's at Truck Bypass 50 and Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, or meet at the entrance to the mine on Cobb Road. Call Elaine at 686-8195.

- The Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 15-18. Count birds at the feeders in your yard. The data will help scientists discover trends. For details, call Linda at 754-9436.

- Annual Ahhochee Hill Work Day, 9 a.m. Feb. 16, 24268 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville (east of U.S. 41). Volunteers are needed to help with bird box maintenance and trail maintenance, then enjoy the butterfly garden and go birding. Bring a dish to share; meat will be provided. Call Christie at 797-3545.

- Junior Birding 101, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23, Chinsegut Nature Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. This is a free program for youth that will include hiking, activities and a PowerPoint presentation. For reservations, call Kristin at 754-6722.

- Audubon's monthly meeting, 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Community Center, 205 E Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. Coffee, ice tea and baked goods will be served prior to the meeting. The speaker will be Jeff Klinkenberg, who writes about Florida culture for the St. Petersburg Times, including the "Real Florida" column.

Additional information is available on the Audubon's Web site at www.hernandoaudubon.org.

[Last modified January 22, 2008, 21:20:59]