The Richey Region Antique Automobile Club of America will host Autos for Autism March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in downtown Tarpon Springs on Tarpon Avenue. The event, to benefit area autism programs, will include vendors, food, street performers, live bands, shopping, and a car show. Preregistration for the car show is $15, or $20 the day of the show. For information, call (727) 992-4486, or visit AACARicheyRegion.com.
HORSEBACK RIDE, FESTIVAL
The annual Ride For Hospice & Paulie Palooza will be March 7 at Skydive City, 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills. The gates for the horseback ride open at 8:30 a.m., and the ride begins at 10 a.m. All riders must bring their own horse. The festival begins at 10 a.m., costs $5, and includes an all-day festival, live music, vendors, silent auction and drawings. Food will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit Gulfside Hospice. For registration and information, call (727) 992-8992, or visit RideForHospice.net.
CHURCH LENTEN FISH FRY
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host its annual fish fry every Friday during Lent from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner costs $8 for adults and $4 for children, and includes fried or baked fish, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, coleslaw, bread and a drink. A fish sandwich also will be available. Dessert is an extra cost. Meals are dine-in or carryout. The next fish fry is March 6.
COMMUNITY FUN DAY
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Community Fun Day and Business Expo March 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. There will be fun and games for kids, food trucks, door prizes and local entertainment. For information, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.
FOOD TRUCKS IN LUTZ
The Lutz First Friday Food Truck Rally will be on March 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lutz Preparatory School, 17951 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz. The event, sponsored by the Lutz Citizens Coalition, features food, music and a chance to gather with neighbors and friends.
LENTEN SERIES
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz, is hosting a series of Lenten meditations and worship on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All are welcome. On March 4, the theme will be “The Posture of Prayer for Self.” On March 11, it will be “The Posture of Prayer for Others.” On March 18, “The Posture of Thanksgiving” and on March 25, “The Posture of Trust.” For more information, call (813) 949-7173, or email .
CURIOUS GEORGE BIKE DAY
Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, will host Curious George Bike Day March 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and is for 3- to 6-year-olds and their families. Kids can bring their tricycle, bicycle or big wheel to ride with Curious George. Free bicycle helmets will be handed out, while supplies last. Other activities include a bicycle rodeo, healthy recipe demonstrations, photo opportunities, free books, inflatable games, hayrides, crafts and more. There will be a special performance by Silly Sam the Music Man. For information, call (727) 861-3033, or visit PascoCountyFl.net/parksandrecreation.
Health 02-25-15
Jose Peralta named dental director
Premier Community HealthCare Group Inc., has named Jose Peralta as the dental director at its center in Dade City.
Peralta has practiced dentistry for 20 years, earning his doctor of dentistry at the University of New York’s College of Dentistry.
Peralta is now accepting new patients and scheduling facility tours.
For information, call (352) 518-2000.
Heart Club meets every Tuesday
The Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Heart Club meets every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., in the Wellness Center conference room, 7050 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
The group features bingo, food demonstrations and guest speakers on heart topics.
For information, call (813) 779-6484.
Lecture on bone health
Access Health Care, 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will present a lecture on the benefits of weight training and resistance exercises Feb. 26 at 5:15 p.m.
Guests should wear comfortable clothing to move around in for instruction on how to perform exercises.
For information, call (352) 688-8116.
Hip pain seminar
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a seminar on “Hip Pain: From Advil to Anterior Hip Replacement” at noon on Feb. 27.
Dr. Stephen Hanff will discuss common causes of hip pain, treatment options, and the history of hip replacement.
Admission is free. A complimentary light lunch will be served.
For reservations and information, call (727) 834-5630.
Family health fair
Tampa Bay Moms Group will present a Healthy Family Fair Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa.
The fair will include guest speakers, workshops, face painting, arts and crafts, games, giveaways, samples, interactive displays, vendors and more.
In addition to the fair, guests can visit museum exhibits, including a special limited exhibit of The Wizard of Oz, all for 50 percent off regular museum admission.
The cost for adults is $7.50; military, teachers and seniors are $6.25; children ages 1-12 are $4.75; and museum members and children younger than 1 are free.
For information, visit HealthyFamilyFairTB.com.
Myotonic dystrophy support
The Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group will meet Feb. 28 at 1 p.m., at Temple Elijah, 21021 State Road 54 in Lutz.
The group is open to individuals, family and friends.
For information, call Elizabeth Melendez at (813) 748-7049, or email .
Tuesday Tutorials
The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will present a series of Tuesday Tutorials with complimentary lunch at the Rao Musunuru Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson.
All programs begin at noon. Upcoming tutorials are:
- March 3: Nonsurgical treatment of vascular diseases
- March 10: When do you need open heart surgery and what kind?
- March 17: Life after heart attack, open heart surgery and stroke
- March 24: What to do when ulcers and would don’t heal
For information and reservations, call (727) 869-5498.
Alzheimer’s educational series
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization will present a free educational series at Atria Baypoint Village, 7927 State Road 52 in Hudson.
All upcoming seminars begin at 10 a.m.
- March 4: Alzheimer’s 101 with research updates
- March 11: Activities for the patient and stress relief
- March 18: Communication and behavior modification
- March 25: Elder law issues
For information and to make reservations, call (727) 848-8888 or (888) 496-8004.
Facial paralysis support
Tampa General Hospital, 2106 S. Lois Ave., in Tampa, will host a facial paralysis support group March 4 at 4:30 p.m.
There will be an open discussion and planning for future meetings.
For information, call Ellen Eckelman at (813) 844-7706.
General cancer support
Florida Cancer Affiliates will host a general cancer support group meeting March 4 at 6 p.m., at the Trinity center, 3611 Little Road.
Participants are provided with educational material about cancer and cancer treatment.
For information, call (727) 808-4818.
Aging agency seeking nominations
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., is seeking nominations for the first Patricia J. Bell Achievements in Aging Award.
The award is in honor of the memory of Patricia J. Bell, a longtime advocate in the aging field.
Nominees should demonstrate significant contributions in the field of aging in Pasco and/or Pinellas counties.
Nominations will be accepted until March 9.
The winner will be recognized during a luncheon April 24 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
For information and nomination forms, visit AgingCareFL.org/patricia-j-bell-award, or call Helen King at (727) 570-9696, ext. 210.
New officers and chairmen named at Trinity
The medical staff at the Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, has appointed its medical staff officers and department chairmen for 2015-2016.
Those appointed were Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, chief of staff; Dr. Najam Javeed, vice chief of staff; Usha Agarwal, secretary/treasurer; Dr. Ramon Perez, chief, Department of Surgery; Dr. Jared Frattini, vice chief, Department of Surgery; Dr. Elbert Barnes, chief, Department of Medicine; Dr. Jayadeva Chowdappa, vice Chief, Department of Medicine; and Dr. Peter Candelora, immediate past chief of staff.
Strength, balance program
The Groves Golf and Country Club will host the Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance Program on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., in the ballroom, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes.
The program is a low-impact class for men and women to help improve flexibility and balance. Strength exercises may include handheld weights and the use of tubing.
The program is free to Silver Sneakers members, $5 for non-members, and $30 per month of classes.
For information, contact Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984 or .
MS support group
First Christian Church, 6040 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host a multiple sclerosis support group the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m., in Fellowship Hall.
Refreshments will be served.
The group also hosts a social event the third Thursday of every month.
For information and to RSVP, call (813) 782-9306 or (813) 788-9931.
Alzheimer’s caregiver support
The local Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group will meet the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.
Admission is free.
For information, call Phyllis Bross at (813) 996-1361, or email .
Cancer network meeting
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Family Cancer Network meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month in Rosary Hall, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, beginning at 7 p.m.
Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend.
For information, call (813) 949-4565.
Celebrate Recovery from addictions
Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, offers a Celebrate Recovery group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
The group is a recovery resource for healing from addictions. Participants will discuss hurts, hang-ups and habits.
For information, call (813) 973-2230.
Veteran hotline help
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a toll-free help line to provide emotional support and resource referral to veterans in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties.
Veterans staff the hotline.
Any veteran needing help or information can call (844) 693-5838 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
After-hours and weekend calls will be answered by crisis specialists in the Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 call center.
Physician directory available
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering a complimentary copy of the latest edition of its physician directory, which includes current primary care physicians, internal medicine physicians and specialists with privileges at Medical Center of Trinity.
Anyone who would like a copy can call (727) 834-5630, or email .
Peripheral neuropathy clinic opens
A free, volunteer-run clinic is now open in Tampa for the education and support of those diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
The clinic provides education and support in coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management.
Space is limited and available by appointment only.
For information, call Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 252-0475, or email .
Lodge offers TOPS program
J.F. Swartsel Lodge, 3309 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, offers the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) program every Wednesday.
Weigh-in is at 9 a.m., followed by a meeting at 9:45 a.m.
For information, call Mary Clark at (813) 908-3587.
NAMI offers support
The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following support groups:
Family & Friends Support Meetings for family and friends of those with mental illness:
- Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m.
- Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, second and fourth Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m.
NAMI Connections for those living with mental illness:
- NAMI Pasco Office, 6480 Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, every Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
- Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, every Wednesday, at 7 p.m.
For information, call (727) 992-9653.
CHURCH FLEA MARKET
The Vida Community Church, 17743 Hunting Bow Circle in Lutz, will host the Vida Flea Market March 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Pro-Mission Funds. For information, call (813) 474-6376.
ART CLUB SHOW
The Zephyrhills Art Club will host its annual art show March 7 from noon to 5 p.m., and March 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at First Christian Church, 6040 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. All art on display will be original works with some available for sale. Guests can vote for Best of Show. Admission is free.