The Starkey Ranch Library Theatre Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a DIY craft on May 2 at 3 p.m., for ages 8 and older. Kids can make a tissue paper flower bouquet to keep for themselves or to give as a gift. For information, call 727-815-7126.
West Pasco Art Guild
The West Pasco Art Guild will host a three-day Plein Air (painting outdoors) Workshop with artist Don Taylor, in coordination with the guild at the historic Hacienda Hotel, on May 3, May 4 and May 5. There also is an “EYE-Hand-Draw-Paint” workshop scheduled for May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 6206 Jefferson St., in New Port Richey. For more information or to register, email .
05/04/2024 – Garden dedication
The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host a Butterfly Garden Dedication on May 4 at 10 a.m., dedicating its new butterfly garden into a butterfly waystation. There will be a butterfly release and the Dade City Garden Club will be on site for an interactive presentation on butterflies (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). For information, call 352-567-3576.
05/04/2024 – Mother’s Day Tea Party
The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host a Mother’s Day Tea Party on May 4 at 10 a.m., with crafts, activities, light refreshments and tea. Space is limited. To register, call 813-780-0064.
Veterans’ nursing home anniversary
The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home, 6919 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, will host a 25th anniversary celebration on April 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This community event aims to bring awareness to the nursing home and showcase its local veteran supporters. The celebration will honor the service of our military heroes and include veteran-friendly vendors and live entertainment. Congressman Gus Bilirakis; James Hartsell, head of Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and members of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the Land O’ Lakes Library will be among the guests.
CANCELLED: Free mobile mammograms
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH- Pasco) Breast Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has partnered with AdventHealth to provide free breast cancer screenings to women in the community on April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Florida Department of Health-Pasco, Summit Professional, 7509 State Road 52 in Hudson.
Eligible Requirements:
• A Florida resident.
• Has no health insurance or insurance will not cover the cost of mammogram.
• Household income that is less than or equal to 200% to the federal poverty
guidelines.
• Has no breast symptoms (e.g., pain, discharge, lump).
• Has not had a mammogram in the past year. This will be considered their annual
wellness screening mammogram.
• Women under 40 years of age require a prescription from their doctor.
• If you need diagnostic imaging, you will be unable to use this mobile unit as the
bus provides a 3D screening mammogram.
• You are not eligible to be screened on the mobile unit if you are currently
pregnant or have not stopped breastfeeding for five months.
To make sure you are eligible for this screening, and to schedule an appointment, email at , or call 727-619-0369 or 727-619-0371.
Public input session seeks feedback
Pasco County’s Department of Public Works is launching a major project to update its Stormwater Master Plan, which will identify stormwater areas of concern, as well as strategies and projects to help reduce flooding and improve drainage across unincorporated areas in Pasco County.
An Eastside Public Input Session is scheduled for April 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City, in the second-floor boardroom.
“It’s important we receive thorough feedback from the public on our Stormwater Master Plan,” said Public Works Director Jason Mickel, in a news release.
“We’re working hard to improve stormwater quality and reduce flooding, and these input sessions allow us the opportunity to fulfill that endeavor through community member concerns and suggestions,” said Mickel.
For those on the west side of the county and for those who cannot attend in person, ideas can be submitted online at MyPasco.net/swmp.
Published April 17, 2024
Practice Earth Day, every day
Since the first observance of Earth Day in 1970, the designation has grown into the largest civic observance in the world, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) website. The day is an opportunity to think about how lives are impacting the environment.
This Earth Day, April 22, join the DEP to recognize Florida’s efforts in sustaining our air, water, land and ecosystems. The department’s theme for 2024 is “Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future,” its website says.
The DEP offers these ways to practice Earth Day, every day:
- Volunteer. Find Florida State Park volunteer opportunities and other volunteer opportunities near you.
- Practice Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
- Sign the pledge and Rethink. Reset. Recycle.
- Use Green Lodging when you travel.
- Help your favorite school achieve a Green School designation.
- Practice clean boating habits and use a Clean Marine Program for boating needs.
- Increase awareness of Florida’s natural resources by exploring its state parks, aquatic preserves and national estuarine research reserves.
- Help protect Florida’s coral reef.
The DEP works year-round to protect and restore Florida’s natural resources by:
- Providing recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy Florida’s natural resources through the Florida State Parks
- Conserving the state’s natural and cultural history by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands
- Using science to identify impaired water bodies and work with local communities to implement restoration and pollution prevention projects
- Investing in water quality protection and restoration projects
- Regulating air emissions sources to protect air quality
- Working with communities to identify and implement projects to improve resilience
- Communicating real-time water quality status to Florida residents and other interested parties
- Enforcing the state’s environmental laws
For more information and links to programs, visit https://floridadep.gov/comm/comm/campaign/earth-day-2024.
See The Laker’s What’s Happening section this week for Earth Day events and activities.
Published April 17, 2024
Juvenile Choice Program opens to ages 11 to 17
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has announced its Juvenile Choice Program is now open to anyone ages 11 to 17, according to a news release.
The program is geared toward mentoring youth by highlighting the real consequences of bad decisions and encouraging kids to make strides toward a positive future, the release says.
Youth in the program learn through classroom instruction and participation in exercises. PSO members also give a virtual tour of Pasco County’s Corrections Center, a walk through the booking process, and review scenarios to teach the importance of making informed choices.
In addition, participants will discuss the challenges they see today such as peer pressure, substance abuse and involvement in criminal activities, and how those challenges influence their paths.
The interactions between PSO members and those in the program focus on empowerment and education. Both law enforcement and the kids can build trust during the program, which opens the lines of communication and, in turn, keeps our community safe.
Students also can reflect on their goals for the future and how they can achieve them.
The Juvenile Choice Program meets in person at various locations across Pasco County and lasts three hours.
The first meeting is open to all ages 11 to 17 on April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 7601 Little Road in New Port Richey.
For more information about times and locations, or to sign up a youth for this program, email the participant’s name, age and parent contact information to .
Published April 17, 2024
Anglers reel in Saltwater state catch records
Two Catch a Florida Memory anglers had a record-setting spring, reeling in three new Saltwater State Records this year, so far.
In January, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Marine Fisheries Management launched three new Saltwater State Records Categories: Adult and Youth Length categories for catch and release records and a Youth All-Tackle Weight category.
Julia Bernstein logged a 20-pound, 15-ounce cobia and a 1-pound, 8-ounce mangrove (gray) snapper to land her two new state records in Youth All-Tackle Weight.
After a strong release, Joseph Ingold’s 36.25-inch red drum earned him the new state length record in Adult Length.
Visit CatchAFloridaMemory.com/Records to see open categories and applicable rules.
Published April 17, 2024