FREE Jeff Corwin Lecture - USF Tampa, Thursday, November 15, 8 p.m.

Jeff Corwin, host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning show “The Jeff Corwin Experience,” will be sharing his animal adventures as well as the importance of wildlife conservation and sustainability with University of South Florida (USF) students, staff, and community. The heavily anticipated lecture, “Tales from the Field with Jeff Corwin,” takes place Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom on the Tampa campus.

Sponsored by the USF Student Affairs’ University Lecture Series (ULS), Corwin’s lecture will feature various live animals, potentially including a cougar, alligator, coati and Burmese python.

While Corwin is best known for his entertaining shows on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and ABC, he is also one of the world’s leading environmental journalists. His passion for conservationism and sustainability attracts audiences from all around the globe. Also an author, his latest book is “100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth’s Most Endangered Species.”

All lectures in the University Lecture Series are free to students, faculty, staff and the public. For more information about the series, the speaker, the seating and attendance policy, or parking, visit http://uls.usf.edu/. For reasonable accommodations, please contact (813) 974-1001 (FL Relay 711).

Other inquiries may be directed to Renee Svec at (813)974-5383 or svec@usf.edu or Lara Wade-Martinez at (813) 974-9060 or larawade@usf.edu.

Haunted Pasco 2012 - Haunted Houses to Thrill and Chill You!

The Haunted House on 41 
October 25, 7:30-9:30 p.m.;  Oct. 26-27, 7:30-10 p.m.
Land O'Lakes Community Center
5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd.
Land O' Lakes, FL
Thursday night is Sneak Peek night and admission is free!  Friday & Saturday's admission is $1 per person. Some scenes may be too intense for young children. For information, call (813) 929-1229. Hosted by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department.

The Angelus 6th Annual Haunted House
12413 Hudson Ave.
Hudson, FL 34669

October 19-21 and 26-31

Hours of Operation:  Fridays & Saturday 6:30pm - 12:00am    

Sundays & Weekdays  6:30pm - 10:00pm
Admission costs vary; check website for details.

Haunted Forest

North Anclote River Nature Park
550 Dixie Hwy
Tarpon Springs, FL
October 19th, 20th & 26th, from 6:30-9:30pm. 
Admission: $5.00 for all ages.
Hike through the haunted trails at the North Anclote River Nature Park, off Old Dixie Highway.  If the hidden terrors don't frighten you, the insects will!   Concessions will be available in the parking lot. 

Horror at the Ridge

9349 Calle Alta Dr.

New Port Richey, FL 34655

October 19-21 and 26-31

Hours of Operation: 7:30pm - 11:00pm

Admission: $2.00 for all ages

Additional items available for purchase: novelties, food & drink

Proceeds benefit River Ridge High School band programs

House of Fright

18701 Shady Hills Rd.

Spring Hill, FL 34610

October 19-21 and 26-31

Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm-1am
Sundays, Monday & Tuesday from 7pm-11pm
Halloween Wednesday from 7pm-1am

Admission costs vary; check website for details.

Halloween Howl
5th Avenue
Downtown Zephyrhills, FL
Saturday, October 27, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Take a hair-raising hayride to the haunted house. Other activities include safe trick-or-treating, costume parade, bounce houses, cake walk, food vendors and live entertainment.

 

2nd Annual CVS Halloween Bash! Sunday, October 21

This Sunday, October 21st, visit your local CVS/pharmacy between 1 and 3 p.m. for their free Halloween bash!  Kids in costume will be able to have their picture taken by CVS staff for a free 5x7 print and will receive a FREE Halloween fun pack, containing Halloween goodies and over $10 in coupons.

To find the closest CVS/pharmacy, check out their Store Locator.

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

4th of July Fireworks!

Independence Day is fast approaching and we have your best fireworks-viewing options right here in Pasco County!

Join the crowds for an early Independence Day celebration at Main Street Blast on Saturday, June 30 in downtown New Port Richey!

Or, if you're in the northern part of the county, visit the Angelus's 4th Annual  Family, Fun, & Fireworks Extravaganza - $10 per carload, proceeds benefit The Angelus.










Tuesday, July 3 brings a Freedom Festival to the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.  Sponsored by the Rotary Club at Wesley Chapel, this celebration will include discounts at mall retailers, a bicycle parade, and a grand finale fireworks show at 9 p.m. For more information and for competition signup sheets, visit http://www.theshopsatwiregrass.com/event/freedom-festival/2145398795.

On Wednesday, July 4, come on over to Dade City for Sparklebration!  Tickets are $5.00, kids 12 and under are admitted free.  Gates open at 4 p.m. and bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the fireworks at 9:15 p.m.!  For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the website at http://www.pascocountyfair.com/sparklebration.htm.

Also on Wednesday, July 4, Celebrate Port Richey is planning a fireworks show at Waterfront Park, 8119 Old Post Road. The fireworks will go off after sundown, but get there early to find parking and a good view of Miller's Bayou.  This event has been canceled.

Wine, Beer, & Cigar Tasting Extravaganza - Thursday, May 31

Wine Tasting

Mothers Day Weekend Happenings

21st Annual Mothers Day Powwow
May 11-13, 2012
Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd.
Dade City, FL 33525
$3 donation to enter, children 12 and younger are FREE!  Gates open at 9:00 AM daily.  Food, fun, Native American music and dancing, and much more!

Many Bay Area attractions and restaurants are offering freebies for moms on Mothers Day weekend!  Highlights include free admission for mom at Lowry Park Zoo, the Florida Aquarium, and MOSI.  Click on the link below for all the details:
Freebies for Moms

Paddling Pasco - Trip #4 - Aripeka to Sunwest Park

The next trip (Trip #4) as part of the Paddling Pasco program is scheduled for Sunday, April 15th from Aripeka (Aripeka Road - Norfleet’s Fish Camp) south to the future Sunwest Park (see location on Google Maps or property appraiser’s website – southernmost blue lakes along the Hudson coast). We will give a first hand look at some of the plans for this project which encompasses restoration of an old lime rock mine.


High tide in this area is at 10:45am, therefore we will be launching between 9:45am and 10am. Please drop boats off at Norfleet’s Fish Camp ($2.50 to launch) no later than 9:15am and park cars at the future Sunwest Park site. Last shuttle will leave the future Sunwest Park site between 9:30am and 9:45am. Trip is scheduled to be about 2 hours on the water.


This trip will cover some shallow water (10 to 12 inches) and areas with rocks and oysters. The coast is nearly all mangroves and inlets and bayous. During the scouting trip, we saw dolphins, lots of bird life and paddled up one creek that was FULL of fish. Once we get to the future park site we may have some time to play in one of the lakes and perhaps allow each other to test out each others boats to see what we might be missing! Also, please consider bringing a chair and lunch (we plan to cook hotdogs) to hang out for a bit after the paddle.

· To register please call with the following information: number of paddlers, provide contact information (email and phone) and how many will need to be shuttled. Please contact the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at 727-834-3278 or 813-929-2760.

Other:

· This will not be a difficult trip unless there is a lot of wind.

· Please bring a completed waiver with you on the day of the trip.

· Please be prepared to pay the launch fee ($2.50).

· Consider bringing sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, camera (water proof), snacks and water, water shoes, towel, chair and lunch. We plan to cook some hot-dogs.

· We still have few paddling shirts available for $10.  Please advise us of size when you register. We are out of some of the sizes, but will consider another order if needed. We can order long sleeve also, but cost will go up. Funds go into a donation account to support this program.

· Rentals may be available if there is enough interest by calling Down South Kite and Paddle at 727-771-5484 or Windsong at 727-859-0213. All arrangements must be made with these two outfitters.

How to Start a Business Workshop - Friday, February 24, 2012

How to Start a Business Workshop

Paddling Pasco - January 14, 2012 Excursion

Paddling Pasco Blueways Program

Hosted by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department. This is the second of a series of excursions which will cover the entire coastal Pasco Blueways Trail System from Anclote to Aripeka including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee Rivers.

Date: Saturday January 14, 2012.


Oelsner Park on Miller’s Bayou to Robert K. Rees Memorial Park (AKA Green Key)


We will meet at Oeslner Park at 3 pm to off load boats, then drive to Rees Park and catch shuttle back to Oelsner to launch just before 4pm. Paddle west out the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and then south to Rees Park as the sun sets. (5:46 pm). Arrive at Green Key at around sunset. Enjoy a small bonfire on the beach for a short time (1/2 hour or so) or load up and head home. The trip is approximately 4 miles and is anticipated to take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours on the water.

As tide allows (high tide is at 4pm) we will hug the coastline in shallow water. The first portion of the trip is on the Cotee River lined with some expensive Homes, Restaurants, Marinas and docks. Once we head south the shoreline becomes natural with mostly mangroves and the coastline becomes shallow with sand or sea grass bottom depending on the depth of the water. There are several inlets and bayous to explore at a later date. During this paddle there is a good chance to see some coastal wildlife including:

Birds – Bald Eagles, Osprey, Pelicans, White Ibis, Cormorants, Anhinga, Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Sea Gulls, Black Skimmers, Wood Storks, Kingfishers, Night Herons, Snowy Egrets, Black Vultures and Redwing Blackbirds.
Sea Life – Dolphins, Stingrays, Blue Crabs, Horseshoe Crabs, Fiddler Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Conches, Barnacles and Oysters, Sheephead, Red Fish, Mullet, Sharks, Speckled Trout, Pin Fish, Jellyfish and Needle Fish.

All participants will be required to sign a participation agreement and waiver to:

1. Provide own kayak or canoe. Please contact us if a rental is needed.

2. Wear a life jacket/PFD when on the water.

3. Be at least 16 years old or with parent or guardian.

4. Provide own drinks and snacks. No alcoholic beverages.

5. Assume all risks and be solely responsible for their property, safety and well-being. Complete the attached participation waiver and turn it in at the start.

6. Follow the instructions of the trip leaders.

Cost is $2 per vehicle for a park parking pass to support the County Parks and Recreation system. Paddling Pasco Tee Shirts are available for $10.00 to support the County’s Greenways, Trails and Blueways programming however there is a limited # available so please let us know if you are interested.  This money will be collected at start.

For more information and to register for this program, please contact the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at 727-834-3278 or 813-929-2760.

If you plan to participate, please contact us and register by providing your name, phone number and email address, so that we can prepare adequately. This is a moderate paddle unless the wind is strong. We will stay in touch as the program comes closer to make adjustments and provide additional information as needed and in case weather becomes an issue.

Business Growth Conference - Thurs., Nov. 3

2011 Business Growth Conference
Where: Pasco Hernando Community College - NPR Campus
10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654
Date: Thursday, November 3,2011
Time: 8:30 am -4:00 am

Grow and Nurture Your Business

November 3, 2011
8:30 am – 3 pm

Pasco-Hernando Community College
Conference Center
10230 Ridge Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654

The Business Growth Conference will feature workshops designed specifically for small business owners on topics including finance, online media, marketing, technology and more! This one-day conference will also include informative and inspiring speakers and small business resources.

Who should attend:

Community & Civic Leaders
Entrepreneurs
Established Business Owners
Entrepreneur Support Organizations
Business Support Organizations
Economic Development Organizations
Educational Institutions
All who support or are involved in the entrepreneurial community

Speakers Include:

Joe Falanga, MilitaryParts.com
Jody Haneke, Haneke Design
Richard Harris, Digital Lightbridge
Fran Korosec, GrowFL
Sidd Pagidipati, Chamber.com
Chris Paradise, Fowler White Boggs
Steve Quello, Grow FL
Kelley Rexroad, krexconsulting

Break-Out Session Topics Include:

Finance
Importing/Exporting
HR Assistance
Mobile Marketing
Business Plan Help
Social Media

Partnered with:

Sponsors:

Job Fair - Saturday, Oct. 1 - New Port Richey

Senator Fasano and State Representative Corcoran Job Fair
Saturday, Oct 1 11:00a to 2:00p
at Mitchell High School, New Port Richey, FL

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

In keeping with our promise to create jobs and promote economic growth, please join us on Saturday, October 1st for our 1st annual Job Fair hosted by our offices. The time is from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

We except 50 - 60 companies to participate!

For more information, please contact the district office at 727-816-1580.

We hope to see you there!

Career Fair - TOMORROW August 25 - Land O' Lakes

A career fair is being held this Thursday, August 25 from 10 am - 1 pm at the Rasmussen College Land O’ Lakes campus. They are located on SR 54 at the intersection of Sunlake Blvd which is east of the Suncoast Parkway. The actual address is 18600 Fernview Street Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638. Below is a current list of vendors that will be attending:

AFLAC
All Brides 2 Be
Arbonne
Avon
Bayshore Health Services
Best Buy
Boys & Girls Club
Brighthouse
Career Central
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Close to my Heart
Eastern Research
Fifth Third Bank
Guardian Ad Litem
HIM Association
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Port Richey
Lowe's
Magnolia Manor Assisted Living
Mary Kay
McDonald's
Northwestern Mutual
Pasco Co. Clerk & Comptroller
Pasco Sheriff
Peninsula Care and Rehab
Pride Placement
Regions Bank
Scentsy Wickless Candles
Spherion Nature Coast
SunTrust Bank
The Homecare Team
Thirty-One Gifts
US Army
Verizon Cellular
Wells Fargo

Please direct any questions you may have to the following Rasmussen College contact:

Alicia M. Coppley
Program Manager
Rasmussen College - Land O' Lakes
813-435-3611 (Direct)
alicia.coppley@rasmussen.edu
www.Rasmussen.edu

Free Dentistry Day - February 11, 2011

Monticciolo Family & Sedation Dentistry will be holding their 10th Annual Dentistry From the Heart event on Friday, February 11, 2011!  This annual event offers free basic dental work for anyone over the age of 18 on a first-come, first served basis and helps hundreds of people a year.  Arriving early is recommended, some people even camp out overnight!

10th Anniversary Event For Dentistry From The Heart!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Monticciolo Family & Sedation Dentistry
4530 Grand Boulevard
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Extractions, fillings and cleanings will be offered at this event.

The Big Green Event

Pasco County Utilites/Solid Waste Department is proud to present The Big Green Event, this Saturday, May 22, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the West Pasco Government Complex, 7530 Little Rd., New Port Richey.

This event is FREE for Pasco County households.  Want to make some room in your garage or workshop?  You can bring in the following items to dispose of:

• Computer, TV, Monitor (limit of 2 per family, please)
• Mercury thermometers and/or thermostats
• Batteries (dry cell and auto)
• Paint (up to 20 gallons)
• Motor oil (up to 10 gallons)
• Cooking oil (unlimited)
• Antifreeze (up to 10 gallons)
• Fertilizers (unlimited)

Rainbarrel workshops will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  Pre-registration is required for the workshops - contact the Cooperative Extension at http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu.

For more information about this event, contact Pasco County staff at (727) 847-8041.

Easter Activities For Everyone!

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the Bunny Trail...

Here are just a few of the exciting events happening this weekend in our area:

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

Free Breakfast at IKEA
IKEA Tampa
1103 N. 22nd Street
Tampa, Florida
Free small breakfast (egg, potatoes, coffee) during breakfast hours Friday, April 2 through Sunday, April 4.

Black Maria Film + Video Festival
Richey Suncoast Theatre
6237 Grand Boulevard
New Port Richey, Florida
(727) 842-6777
Doors open at 7 p.m., screenings begin at 8 p.m. Tickets $4.00
Screenings of 7 award-winning short independent films, selected to be of interest to the local audience and appeal to teens through adults.


SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Jellybean Jamboree
Veteran's Memorial Park
14333 Hicks Road
Hudson, Florida
(727) 861-3033
9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Bounce houses, carnival games with prizes, and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny!  Bring your Easter baskets!

Huge Easter Egg Hunt
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
6825 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, Florida
(727) 376-7733
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
50,000 Easter eggs to find!  Also face painting, bounce houses, laser tag, and much more!  Hunt times begin at 10:00 a.m. for 2-3 year olds, and occur every 30 minutes thereafter for each year's age group.

Easter Egg Hunt
Tarpon Springs High School
1411 Gulf Road
Tarpon Springs, Florida
(727) 418-6219
10:30 A.M.
Egg hunt for ages 2-11 with cash prizes in special gold eggs.  Live music, special appearance by the Easter Bunny and more!  Adults will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.

Lots of Weekend Events!

If you are looking for fun activities this weekend, you are in luck! The following are just a few of the events happening in Pasco County this Mother's Day weekend:

Cotee River Seafood Festival
May 8, 9, & 10
Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sims Park & Orange Lake
Downtown New Port Richey
The festival includes a boat show, a classic car show, live alligator shows, arts & crafts vendors, bounce houses for the kids, live music, and lots of food!

Music & Motorcycles
May 9, 4-9 p.m.
5th Avenue
Downtown Zephyrhills
Bike show and casino

Mother's Day Native American Pow Wow
May 8, 9 & 10
Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd
Dade City
Experience Native American food, music, dance and more at this annual event. $2 admission, children 12 and under free. Call (352) 567-0264 for more information.

Mother's Day Celebration
May 9, 6:30 p.m.
Shops at Longleaf
3104 Town Ave.
New Port Richey
Live music, free carnations for moms, free chair massages for moms, craft stations for kids, horse-drawn wagon rides ($5 per person), raffle prizes and more.

Celebrate Earth Day!

Whether you celebrate at one of the following events or just make a personal effort to be more "green", enjoy Earth Day!

Kids Earth Day Celebration
For Elementary-Aged Children
Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Rd.
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Crews Lake Park
16739 Crews Lake Dr.
Shady Hills, FL
Kids' crafts, native plant sale, rain barrel demonstrations, environmentally-conscious vendors, and a ladybug release. Bring old mercury-based thermometers and thermostats to turn in and receive a $5 Publix gift card for each thermometer/thermostat! Gift card giveaway sponsored by Covanta Energy.

It's Chasco Fiesta Time!

The Chasco Fiesta runs from March 19-29, 2009, offering eleven days of family fun and entertainment in downtown New Port Richey, Florida.

Chasco activities include a street parade on March 21 at 1:00 p.m., a boat parade on March 28 at 1:00 p.m., the Coronation Ball, a beef barbecue, live music, a street carnival, Native American arts & crafts show, golf & softball tournaments, flea market & antique show, as well as the 5K & 1OK races. New to the Chasco Fiesta this year is the Wine & Art Festival, which will take place on March 28 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the Chasco Fiesta website!

A New Place to Enjoy Nature

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is opening the Conner Preserve to the public for the first time this Friday, January 16. Events planned for the day include a ceremony, guided hikes, model airplane demonstrations, children’s activities and water quality monitoring demonstrations. Activities on Friday will begin at 10:00 a.m.

The regular schedule for the 2,980-acre property will be from sunrise to sunset. For more information, check out SWFWMD's website.