Get a Jump on Halloween This Weekend!

Can't wait until the 31st to get your scare on?  Try one of these community events this weekend!

Thursday, October 22 - Saturday, October 24
7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
The Haunted House on U.S. 41
Land O' Lakes Community Center
5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd.
(813) 929-1229
Haunted house with free admission.  Some scenes may be too intense for young children.

Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Halloween in the Woods
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs Park
Salt Springs Road (Behind Sears at Gulf View Square Mall)
Port Richey, FL
(727) 816-1890 or www.saltspringsalliance.com
Family event with pony rides, hay rides, haunted trail and more.  Admission is free, fees for rides, games & food.

Saturday, October 24
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pumpkin Stroll
Railroad Square
Downtown New Port Richey
(727) 842-8066 or www.mainstreetnpr.com
Scarecrow making contest, scavenger hunt, crafters, fresh produce vendors, community garage sale and entertainment.

Saturday, October 24
4:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Halloween Howl
Main Street Zephyrhills
(813) 780-1414 or www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org
Hayrides to the haunted house, costume parade, safe trick or treating, bounce houses, games, food, live entertainment and more!

Free GED Prep

Trying to optimize your eligibility for available jobs by obtaining your GED?  Help is available!  The Pasco County School Board offers free GED test preparation.  Individualized learning plans allow students to prepare for the test at their own pace.  Contact the adult education counselor at Marchman Technical Education Center at (727) 774-1735 or Moore-Mickens Education Center at (352) 524-9033 for information on class locations and times.

If you can't make it to a personalized study session and you have access to the Internet, you may want to try the online tutorials available through the Pasco County Library System.  The LearningExpress Library database offers online GED Preparation.  To access the database from home, go to the Pasco County Libraries website, hover your mouse over the Catalog/Research option, then choose Databases from the revealed options.  Choose LearningExpress Library from the alphabetical list, punch in your library card number and last name when prompted, and you are on your way!

Fall Fun in Pasco County!

We're beginning to get some relief from summer's heat and humidity, so why not enjoy our Florida Fall with a weekend activity with the family?  Several festivals and events happen in the area in October.  Here are just a few:

Saturday, October 3
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1st Annual Hummingbird (& Beyond) Festival
Pioneer Florida Museum & Village
Dade City, FL
(352) 567-0262 or www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org
Plant sales, hummingbird & butterfly gardens, arts & crafts, children's activities and more!

Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11
29th Annual Spooks 'N' Scoots
Sertoma Youth Ranch
85 Myers Rd.
Dade City, FL
(813) 626-0589 or www.abateflorida.com
Live bands, games, children's activities, food & drinks and more.

Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Scarecrow Festival
Meridian Ave & 6th Street
Dade City, FL
(352) 567-0284 or www.dadecitymainstreet.org
Kids come downtown and make your own scarecrow!  Scarecrows are available for 50 cents or $1, but supplies are limited, so go early and bring your own scarecrow clothes!  Carnival activities and more.

Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, October 11
Silver Hawk Native American Flute Gathering
Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd.
Dade City, FL
(352) 567-0264
Enjoy Native American flute music, arts & crafts and Native food.

September 11 Memorial

If you would like to remember and honor those who died on 9/11/2001, consider going to the memorial program tomorrow night at Sims Park in New Port Richey.

The event begins at 6:15 p.m. with patriotic music. The memorial program starts at 7 p.m., and will include a slideshow and a speech from Capt. Robert Raleigh, chief pilot of American Airlines. Patriotic art exhibits from area students and performances from area choral groups are also scheduled.

This event is sponsored by the Pasco County government, the Pasco County School Board, and the City of New Port Richey.

Pasco County Flu Shots

The Pasco County Health Department announces that flu shots are now available. Cost is $25, payable by cash or check.

ADULT FLU SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Dade City Clinic
13941 15th Street
Dade City, FL 33525
(352) 521-1450
We strongly recommend you call and make an appointment to avoid a long wait time.
Walk-in: Thursday from 7:30 a.m.–12:00 noon

Hudson Clinic
11511 Denton Avenue
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-5661
By Appointment Only.

Land O’Lakes Clinic
4135 Land O’Lakes Blvd.
Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 558-5173
Walk-in: Monday & Tuesday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

New Port Richey Clinic
10841 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-5260 Ext. 268
By Appointment Only.

Zephyrhills Clinic
4717 Airport Road
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 780-0740
Walk-in: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Note: Wednesday is the best day)
Appointments can be made.

Joining Hands Community Mission

A wonderful new resource has opened on US 19 for those in need in Pasco County. Joining Hands Community Mission, Inc. is now open and operating at the site formerly known as Community United Methodist Church, 3214 U.S. Highway 19 in Holiday.

Joining Hands is a faith-based social service agency supported by Metropolitan Ministries and Gulf Central District UMC. Its resource center offers evaluation and emergency assistance to people in financial distress. Emergency food provisions and clothing are available, as is assistance in locating shelter, if necessary. Joining Hands is also an ACCESS Florida Community Partner, offering assistance in applying for food stamps, Medicaid, and temporary cash assistance.

In the future, Joining Hands is planning to offer transitional housing.

For more information or to help, call the mission at (727) 937-3268.

GreenFiber Community Recycling Program

Would you like a convenient way to recycle your newspapers? How about your phone books, cereal boxes, construction paper, gift wrap, or magazines? You may need to look no further than the parking lot of your local Pasco County public school.

The Pasco County School District and US GreenFiber, LLC have joined forces to create a community paper recycling program. Participating schools will earn 100% revenue from the recycled products. You will save money by not having to use as many garbage bags!

For a list of participating Pasco County schools and hours that the GreenFiber container can be accessed, CLICK HERE. When you go to drop off your paper products, just look for the big bright green containers in the parking lot.

Help save the planet and help our community schools!