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By Times staff reports
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2001
Commercial driving class taking applications
INVERNESS -- The Withlacoochee Technical Institute is accepting applications for the Commercial Vehicle Driving Program.
Applications may be picked up in Student Services, 1201 W Main St. Class will meet from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays, beginning on March 5 and will continue for nine weeks.
Students will have six weeks of classroom training, range, city and highway driving. The final three weeks are spent accumulating a minimum of 1,000 miles, with 20 percent of those miles driving at night on a variety of roads and conditions. Class hours will fluctuate during this portion of training.
This course will certify students with a Class A CDL License for a career as a professional tractor-trailer driver.
The total cost of tuition, supplies, books, and lab fees is approximately $1,500. Financial assistance is available through Workforce Investment Act for students who qualify.
This course does not require a high school diploma but students must be 21 years of age or older. For information, contact Student Service between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, 726-2430.
The Withlacoochee Technical Institute does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, marital status or handicap in recruitment, selection, treatment or termination of students.
INVERNESS -- The Citrus Memorial Hospital SHARE Club offers a monthly landscaping series at 10 a.m., March 28, in the CMH Auditorium at Grace Street and Osceola Avenue, Inverness.
Master gardener Chet Olshewsky from the Citrus County Extension Office offers homeowners and other gardeners assistance with growing grass, trees and shrubs. This month's topic will be "Lawn Care and Veggies."
The program is free and open to the public.
Registration is required by calling 344-6900. Reserved parking for the program will be available in the hospital's Q parking lot, on the opposite corner of Grace Street and Osceola Avenue.
The CMH shuttle will be available to transport attendees from the parking lot to the auditorium.
CRYSTAL RIVER -- The Crystal River Power Squadron is offering a Boat Smart course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 3 and 10 at 845 NE Third Ave., Crystal River.
The course gives students an opportunity to learn the basics of boat handling and boat safety. Students must participate in both sessions to obtain their certificate.
The Boat Smart course will improve your boating skills and will introduce you to the nautical rules of the road.
This is becoming more important as the number of boaters increases on our rivers, lakes and gulf.
The Boat Smart course offers a opportunity to ask questions and discuss any of the subject matter.
Call Barbara Kane, 720-2476 or Jim Barker, 795-1026 to enroll.
LECANTO -- The Crystal River Users Group will offer a series of computer classes throughout March at CRUG's Education Center, Sunshine Plaza, 2067 N Lecanto Highway (at the intersection of SR 44 and CR 491), Lecanto.
Call Betty at 746-2429 or Joyce at 746-6362 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays to register for any of the following classes:
Basic Home Page Design -- 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, March 6 through April 3: $35 members or $40 non-members.
Windows 1 (Basic) -- 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, March 7 through April 4: $35 members or $40 non-members. A manual is included.
Windows 3 (Advanced) -- 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays, March 16 through April 13: $35 members and $40 non-members. A manual is included.
Microsoft Internet Explorer -- 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, March 7 through March 28: $30 members and $35 non-members. A manual is included.
Scanners and Graphics -- 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, March 22 through April 5: $15 members and $20 non-members.
INVERNESS -- The Citrus County Property Appraiser's Office will remain open until 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1 to help residents meet the March 1 deadline to file for a 2001 homestead exemption.
Representatives also will be at the Crystal River Mall between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday to receive homestead exemption applications. To be eligible for an exemption, people must own their property and be a Florida resident who was living in the home Jan. 1. Proof of residency may include: Florida driver's license, Citrus County voter's registration and Florida auto tags. Your deed or tax notice will serve as proof of ownership.
Under Florida law, each owner must provide his or her Social Security number, date of birth, employment and last year's address are also required. This information must be provided for both spouses, if married, even if only one name is on the deed.
The Property Appraiser's Office in Inverness is on the second floor of the courthouse in room 201. The Crystal River office is at the south end of the Crystal Square Shopping Center on U.S. 19. For information, call the Inverness office at 341-6600 or the Crystal River office at 795-7725.
The Withlacoochee Technical Institute is now registering for the patient care assistant class. Classes include certified nursing assistant and home health aide certifications and will start Monday. The patient care assistant class meets weekdays from 8 a.m. until 2:15 p.m., for about 11 weeks.
This course will certify students to work in hospitals, home health care, and in long-term care facilities.
The total cost of tuition is $436. Books and supplies are additional. To help with tuition Workforce Investment Act funding is available for students who qualify. This course does not require a high school diploma. For information, please contact Student Services at 726-2430.
LECANTO -- Two concerts featuring the music of band leader Tommy Dorsey as played by the 42nd St. Orchestra will be at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Curtis Peterson Auditorium, Lecanto. Vocalists Lotarr and Laura Yager will be featured during the show. Advance tickets are $12 at SunTrust, Regions and Bank of America bank offices throughout Citrus. Group rates for 20 or more. Call 382-1700 or 382-4072 for group ticket sales.
Flu shots available at Oak Ridge Center
BEVERLY HILLS -- Oak Ridge Medical Center, 6279 N Lecanto Highway (County Road 491), still has flu shots available. Walk-ins are welcome or call 489-5266 to schedule an appointment. Medicare members should bring their card. There is no charge for Medicare members. The cost is $15 for all others.
BEVERLY HILLS -- Ladies stretching classes are offered at the Beverly Hills Community Building, 1 Civic Circle. The class meets every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., cost: $1 per class session. Remember to bring an exercise mat to class. The instructor is Sarah Nocchi.
HOMOSASSA -- The Salvation Army is in need of non-perishable food items to stock its pantry to help the needy in Citrus County throughout the year. Donations may be taken to the Salvation Army, 3975 W Grover Cleveland Blvd. For information, call 621-5532.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Citrus County has several young boys waiting for mentors. If you are a caring adult male and have a few hours to give, call Penny Johnson at 794-5414, ext. 221. Couples are welcome to act as mentors together.
Doctor Ride and Elder Helpers need volunteers in the Crystal River and Homosassa area to assist the elderly homebound when they need a ride to the doctor, groceries or a prescription picked up. A list of volunteers is kept and checked for who is available at a given time. For information or to volunteer, call Jim Pitts at 527-0523.
INVERNESS -- The Citrus County Historical Society needs volunteers to work 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays or Fridays in its office in the Old Courthouse. They will help with phones, mail and walk-ins. Volunteers also are needed to set up and run the museum Call 341-6427.