School Supply Drives

In two weeks, Pasco County children will be returning to the classroom.  Unfortunately, not all of them can afford the supplies they need to help them succeed in their studies.  Some area organizations are collecting school supplies for these students in need.  While you are doing your shopping, consider picking up a box of crayons, a pack of notebook paper, or even a backpack and donating it to one of these organizations.

CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. Enrichment Center
12417 Clock Tower Pkwy
Hudson, FL
Collecting notebooks, paper, pencils, backpacks, other school supplies for Hudson Elementary and Middle Schools.  Cash donations gratefully accepted.
Donations may be dropped off at the center weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Call (727) 863-6868 for more information.

The Volunteer Way
7820 Congress St.
New Port Richey, FL
Collecting school supplies and backpacks for the 3rd Annual School Bash.  Cash donations gratefully accepted.
Donations may be dropped off at the center between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.  Donations should be dropped off by August 13th.  Call (727) 815-0433 for more information.

Joining Hands Community Mission
3214 U.S. 19
Holiday, FL
Collecting back to school supplies for families in need.  Donations may be dropped off at the Resource Center Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon or Friday from 10 a.m. until noon.  Call (727) 937-3268 for more information.

Salvation Army Community Center
7745 Ridge Rd.
Port Richey, FL
Collecting back to school supplies for families in need.  Donations needed include backpacks, highlighters, scissors, plastic zip bags, notebooks, index cards, pocket folders, binders, lined filler paper, #2 pencils, colored pens, pencils & markers, graph paper, nonscientific calculators, baby wipes, tissues and hand sanitizer.  Donations may be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Community Center on Ridge Road or at the Salvation Army Center of Hope, 8040 Washington St., Port Richey.  Donations are needed on or before August 9.

Children's Dental Care

If you can't get down to Largo today for free dental care for your children, consider visiting the Pasco County Health Department.  The Dental Clinic, located in building A at 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey, offers dental services to children ages 1-20 on Medicaid.  The Dental Clinic also accepts uninsured children ages 1-17 on a sliding scale fee basis.

Services available include:
Exams & X-Rays
Cleaning
Fillings
Sealants
Preventive Care

The clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  To make an appointment or for more information, call (727) 861-5260, ext. 284 or visit their website.

2010 Pasco County July 4th Fireworks

July 4th celebrations start early in Pasco County!  Get a jump on the festivities this weekend with
Main Street Blast
Sims Park/Orange Lake
Downtown New Port Richey, FL
Saturday, June 26
3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Live music, crafters, kids' games and activities, giant slide, river boat tours, food and drink, and FIREWORKS at approximately 10 p.m.


Hudson celebrates Independence Day on the 3rd of July with
Fun, Family & Fireworks Extravaganza
The Angelus
12413 Hudson Ave.
Hudson, FL
Saturday, July 3
12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
$5.00 per carload, live music beginning at 4 p.m., food & drink, kids' games, FIREWORKS at 9:00 p.m.

On the Fourth of July, come on over to the east side of the county for
Sparklebration
Pasco County Fairgrounds
36722 SR 52
Dade City, FL
Sunday, July 4
4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Admission $3.00 (kids 10 & under FREE).  Live music, eating contests, bounce houses, Miss Sparklebration pageant, food & drink, and FIREWORKS at 9:15 p.m.

Want to Help With the Oil Spill Cleanup?

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has affected all of us in the Gulf Coast region.  If you would like to help with cleanup efforts, there are several agencies you can contact:

LOCAL/BAY AREA
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
(727) 391-6211
Needs volunteers and donated items (Linens, kennels, towels, sheets, detergent, toothbrushes, Pepto-Bismol)

Save Our Seabirds, Inc.
(941) 388-3010
Needs volunteers and donated items (Towels & sheets)

Mote Marine Laboratory
Sarasota, FL
Needs volunteers to register for cleanup efforts

STATEWIDE/NATIONAL
Register through Volunteer Florida for volunteer opportunities

REPORTING OIL
To report oil on the coastline, call 1-866-448-5816
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401

Pasco Co. Extension Office Upcoming Events

The Pasco County Extension Office offers several free, interesting and educational seminars and events for Pasco County citizens every month.  Upcoming events for June and July include:

Kid Kamp - Ages 8-12
Diggin' in the Dirt
Tuesday, June 29
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
36702 State Road 52
Dade City, FL 33525
Come and explore the dirt world under us and meet the creatures that live there.  See why all dirt is not the same and make some "black gold" of your own.  Plants to take home are included.  Come dressed to get dirty and bring a lunch. $5.00 fee payable with registration.  Registration form can be found here.

Bonsai Basics Seminar
Tuesday, July 6
6:30 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.
Hudson Library
8012 Library Rd.
Hudson, FL
Come learn about this ancient art form focusing on plants.

2010 Pasco County Summer Camps

Summer is almost upon us!  Need ideas on what to do with the kids during their summer vacation?  Consider a summer camp!

YMCA of the Suncoast - Ages Vary By Location
Participating Pasco County locations include James P. Gills Branch and New Port Richey SunTrust Branch.  Other area locations are available in Hernando and Pinellas counties.

Scuba West Scuba Camp - Ages 12 and Up Only
6815 Tower Dr.
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 863-6911

Camp Seal - Aquatic Summer Camp for Ages 3-12
Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church
19501 Holly Ln.
Lutz, FL
(813) 229-7946

Pasco County Parks & Recreation
Various Locations
Contact Administrative Office at (813) 929-2760

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.