Free Florida Aquarium Tickets!

Back by popular demand, The Florida Aquarium is offering free admission to Goodwill donors again this fall.

During September, each person who drops off clothing or household items at any Goodwill Industries-Suncoast donation site will receive a coupon good for up to three free tickets to The Florida Aquarium, one for each paid adult ticket. That’s a “BOGO” savings of up to $65.85, just for getting rid of items you no longer need! The coupons are redeemable at The Florida Aquarium until Nov. 30, 2012.

The incentive is intended to boosts donations to Goodwill during a period when they typically drop off, following the back-to-school season.

The partnership between the two nonprofit organizations is a natural, since Goodwill and The Florida Aquarium are linked by their mutual commitment to the environment. Items donated to Goodwill are “repurposed” rather than being relegated to landfills. Donations support Goodwill’s services for people who are disabled, elderly or unemployed.

For the location of the nearest Goodwill donation site, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

About Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast was founded in St. Petersburg, Fla. in 1954, and is one of the largest and most effective Goodwill organizations in the world. Its mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization's successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties, including employment and training services, training centers for people with disabilities, affordable apartment communities, and community corrections programs. Goodwill is consistently ranked among the nonprofits most deserving of support based on the high percentage of revenue allocated to its programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

About The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a destination for people who truly want to be inches from amazing. From underwater encounters with sea turtles, moray eels or sharks to meeting penguins behind the scenes, aquarium guests have the opportunity to see life from a unique perspective! The Florida Aquarium biologists, divers and educators help with underwater clean-up projects, take animals to underserved children and care for aquatic animals and ecosystems in need. For more information, visit www.flaquarium.org.

From the Sun to Pluto Interactive Exhibit - Ribbon-Cutting Saturday, Sept. 8

CANCELED - Paddling Pasco Trip #6 - Green Key

This trip has been canceled 

due to possible inclement weather. 

 

Paddling Pasco Trip #6

Green Key (Robert Rees Memorial Park) to Eagle Point Park

This trip will start out on Sunday, August 26th with boat drop off at Green Key after 7 am and parking your vehicles at Eagle Point Park. Shuttles will bring you back to the launch point so we can launch at 8 am on the high tide. The last shuttle will leave Eagle Point Park at approximately 7:30 am.

This trip is planned to be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. We plan to paddle from the park east along the shore into the mangrove forests between the Park and Gulf Harbors, then work our way out along Gulf Harbor’s north channel and south around this development to Eagle Point Park. Hopefully we will have some time to explore the park waterways before we exit.

During past scouting trips I have seen mangrove tunnels which were navigable at high tide, many seabirds, and a lot of sea life in the shallow waters. Oysters and rocks will be obstacles to avoid and there will be some locations which may be very shallow in the mangrove forest. I will do another scouting trip at high tide before we go as a group.

All paddlers will need to sign the waiver at the launch location and pay the $2 parking/user fee at Eagle Point Park if you park a vehicle at this location, unless you have an annual pass. There is a nice walking/exercise trail and there are picnic shelters at Eagle Point Park, if you would like to get in a lower body workout or eat an early lunch.

You will need to bring your own boat or rent one from a local vendor. Some potential contacts include Windsong in Pasco, Osprey Bay in Clearwater and Wet Dog Adventures in Oldsmar.

If you have questions or want to register for this trip, please contact us with your name(s), number of paddlers, email and phone number. This will help us with the shuttle logistics and preparation in other ways. Our phone # is 813-929-2760 or 727-834-3278 – email is fbuckman@pascocountyfl.net
If you register, we will be in touch a few days before the trip with further details. Hope you can make it and share the experience with others – Pasco’s coast is beautiful and from the water even more so.

5th Annual Canstruction Design/Build Competition Benefiting The Volunteer Way Food Bank

Pasco County Canstruction 2012

Free Vaccines available for Pasco County school children

School starts for Pasco County children on Monday, August 20.  Are your kids up-to-date on their required vaccinations?  Free children's immunizations are available at the Pasco County Health Department's immunization clinics!  Call to find out immunization times or to schedule an appointment:

10841 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 (727) 861-5250
11611 Denton Avenue Hudson, FL 34667 (727) 861-5661
13941 15th Street Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 521-1450
4135 Land O'Lakes Blvd Land O'Lakes, FL 34639 (813) 558-5173
4717 Airport Road. Zephyrhills, FL 33540 (813) 780-0740.

NOTE: The Pasco County Health Department will be onsite at the County's middle schools to administer the Tdap vaccination free-of-charge during orientation on August 14.

Vaccines available for Pasco County school children

Back-to-School Freebies!

If you are a parent of a school-aged child, you know how expensive August can be.  If you need a little help getting your child's school supplies together, check out one of these events to get free school supplies:




Month of August
Free Back-to-School Haircuts (Kids K-6th Grade)
All JCPenney Salons
Click here to find a salon near you!


Saturday, August 4  11 a.m.-1 p.m.
4th Annual Back to School Bash
Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & Cinebistro
6333 Wesley Grove Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL
Free school supplies, free games, face painting, health screens, free hair cuts

Saturday, August 11 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine's Annual Back to School Fair
Glazer Childrens Museum
110 W. Gasparilla Plaza
Tampa, FL
Live entertainment, informative speaker sessions, karaoke, games, arts & crafts, face painting, balloon artist, kids workshops, and a whole bunch of fun! There will be giveaways and prizes given every hour and the first 150 kids will receive a back to school bag with school supplies. Admission is $5 per person (free for museum members).

Sunday, August 19  8:10 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:20 a.m.
Back to School Backpack Giveaway
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
6825 Trouble Creek Rd.
New Port Richey, FL
Free backpacks, school supplies, games, prizes, free hair cuts, gently used clothing, and more.  Register onsite the day of or call Olivia Masterson at (727) 376-7733 for more information.

2012 Florida Tax-Free Weekend - THIS Weekend!

 This weekend is Florida's sales tax holiday!  Shop Friday through Sunday for back-to-school supplies and clothing!  A list of tax-exempt items follows. tip2a01-02List