Local News

Collards Festival supports local agriculture

NEW PORT RICHEY – The 11th annual New Port Richey Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo brings together growers, gardeners and community partners to celebrate sustainable food and local agriculture.

The free event is presented  by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and New Port Richey FarmNet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Grand Gardens, 5721 Grand Blvd. 

The festival will feature locally grown vegetable seedlings, cool-weather produce, bedding  plants, organic and heirloom seeds, gardening materials, loquat fruit trees and sign-ups for garden plots at Grand Gardens. 

Attendees can also enjoy tastings from restaurants and artisan-prepared collard dishes, plus festival shirts and collard greens cookbooks supporting local agriculture projects.

 

New Port Richey celebrates Arbor Day 

NEW PORT RICHEY – The City of New Port Richey honors the role trees play in our community and our planet during the 37th annual Arbor Day Celebration. 

The celebration starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at Frances Avenue Park, 5580 Frances Ave.  

Event highlights will include an Arbor Day Proclamation, “Trees of the Future” Arbor Day Address by Dell deChant of the Environmental Committee; a presentation by fourth-grade students from Genesis School and their teacher, Louisa Jaenichen; students helping plant new trees; and a ceremonial drumming honoring all trees.

New Port Richey is a National Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City USA” and a recognized leader in urban ecological regeneration. Since 1989, the city has planted and protected trees that enhance quality of life and strengthen the ecosystem.

 

St. Petersburg hosts MLK Parade

ST. PETERSBURG –  The City of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival are celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade.

The 39th annual St. Pete MLK Parade: “The Power of a Dream” will feature floats, marching bands and cultural performances from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. 

The parade travels through downtown St. Petersburg on a route that will culminate at Tropicana Field. The route goes west on 1st Avenue South from 3rd Street South to 16th Street South, then south on 16th Street to 3rd Avenue South.

Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers has been named the grand marshal, honoring her leadership and longstanding commitment to service.

This year’s parade will feature two distinguished HBCU marching bands, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. It will also include a special appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport’s highest level.

On the web: stpetemlkparade.com 

 

Regal Railways presents Model Train Show 

BROOKSVILLE – Regal Railways will present a Model Train Show and Sale with more than 70 vendor tables offering model trains, toys and related items for sale. 

The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Hernando Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St.

Attendees can enjoy a running train layout, a test track experience and an interactive activity for children. A food vendor will be on site throughout the event.

Admission costs $6 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Credit cards are accepted. Prepaid admission is available at regalrailways.com.

 

Political groups to meet

WESLEY CHAPEL – Two area Democratic clubs will convene to discuss winning back the U.S. House.

The Central Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse, 28245 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel and on Zoom. Visit centralpascodems.com or call 813-453-1663 for details. 

The East Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Genesis Center, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills and on Zoom. Visit eastpascodems.com or call 813-383-8315 for details. 

All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. 

 

LAND O’ LAKES – Freedom Alliance recently presented U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Wayne Padgett II with a new all-terrain wheelchair in honor of his service.

Padgett enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001. He served aboard the USS Cushing, USS Preble and COMMGRP1, deploying five times and contributing as a command community relations photographer and rescue swimmer. 

In 2006, while on patrol in Afghanistan, he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device, resulting in a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and audio and visual impairments.

Padgett now lives in Land O’ Lakes with family and service dogs. He stays active with his son and volunteers in the community. 

His new all-terrain wheelchair will allow him to overcome daily barriers and experience a renewed sense of freedom. He’s also looking forward to returning to Florida’s trails and helping others enjoy the outdoors. 

“Jerry’s courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to serving others embody the very best of our nation’s heroes,” said Tom Kilgannon, president of the Freedom Alliance. “Providing him with this all-terrain wheelchair is a small way to honor his sacrifice and help restore the freedom he fought so hard to protect. We are proud to stand with Jerry as he returns to the outdoors he loves, and we’re grateful to the generous supporters who make moments like this possible.”

Freedom Alliance honors and supports veterans in a variety of ways. The nonprofit has awarded more than $30 million in college scholarships to children of heroes killed or disabled in military service. It has spent millions more helping injured veterans and their families with outdoor therapy trips, Heroes Retreats, care packages and mortgage-free homes. 

On the web: FreedomAlliance.org

Groups donate CPR kits to fire departments

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida and the American Heart Association have donated CPR & First Aid Anywhere Training Kits to the Davenport, Lake Wales and Haines City fire departments to expand lifesaving education. 

The kits allow first responders to train up to 20 people at once in CPR and first aid using inflatable manikins, practice materials and instructional DVDs.

“AdventHealth’s generous support in providing CPR training kits moves our community one step closer to becoming a true nation of lifesavers, not bystanders,” said Eric Lee, development director at the American Heart Association. “Every kit placed represents another home, workplace or classroom equipped with the skills to act when it matters most.”

 

YMCA prioritizes wellness across Tampa Bay

TAMPA – The Tampa YMCA and the YMCA of the Suncoast offer options to stay healthy, active and connected. 

The YMCA serves as a year-round hub where people of all ages can focus on wellness together. The Y has programs designed to fit real life for young adults, seniors, first-time gym-goers, busy parents and kids.

“People want support, not pressure,” said Matt Lewis, vice president of operations, membership and programs at the Tampa YMCA. “At the YMCA, we meet people where they are and help them build healthy habits that last. That sense of belonging is what makes the Y different.”

YMCA wellness centers feature modern fitness equipment, expert staff and a wide range of group exercise classes in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. 

Children can participate in safe, engaging programs while parents focus on their own health. YMCA members also receive significant discounts on summer camp, swim lessons and youth sports. 

On the web: tampaymca.org or ymcasuncoast.org.

 

BayCare names VP of care continuity 

CLEARWATER – BayCare has appointed Chase Hall as vice president of care continuity and business development. 

Hall brings more than 15 years of health care leadership experience. He will report to C. Todd Jones, chief strategy officer and chief ambulatory services officer, and Lou Galdieri, chief administrative officer.

Hall joins BayCare from Baptist Health Louisville, where he served as vice president of clinical operations, overseeing multiple service lines and more than 800 employees. His leadership included a $10 million physician group acquisition and the development of a new orthopedic ambulatory surgery center.

“Chase’s proven track record in building high-performing teams and delivering operational results aligns perfectly with BayCare’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care to all we serve,” Jones said. 

 

Radiation oncologist shares breast cancer journey 

ORLANDO – After 15 years of treating breast cancer patients, radiation oncologist Sue Hwang found herself facing the disease personally. 

Her experience shifted abruptly when she was told, “The ultrasound showed five masses in your breast … and there’s a lymph node that looks a little abnormal.”

Hwang shares her journey in “From Both Sides of the Curtain: Lessons and Reflections from an Oncologist’s Breast Cancer Journey,” detailing the emotional and clinical realities of cancer from both doctor and patient perspectives. She highlights lesser-known warning signs of breast cancer and encourages patients to ask informed questions following diagnosis.

A board-certified radiation oncologist at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute and associate professor at UCF College of Medicine, Hwang also documents her experience through her Instagram page, @breast_cancer_360. 

Her memoir will be released Jan. 20 through Morgan James Publishing. 

 

Hospital offers breastfeeding support 

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers a free in-person breastfeeding support group and class in January.

Events are open to all, regardless of which hospital you delivered or plan to deliver your children. The events will be held in St. Joseph’s Hospital-North classrooms, 4211 Van Dyke Road.

• Breastfeeding Support Group: For breastfeeding mothers, their babies and one support person (grandmother, aunt and others) The group provides a place where breastfeeding mothers receive support from other breastfeeding mothers and certified breastfeeding consultants. The support group will be held Jan. 15, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Understanding Your Newborn: Provides information to the expectant mother and one support person about many aspects of safe infant care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness and cues and communication. The class will be held Jan. 15, 1 to 5 p.m.

Register for the free events by visiting BayCareEvents.org and choosing “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scrolling to the group or class you are interested in attending. Or, you can also register by phone by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt.

 

Get answers on Medicare

1. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. 

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

They’ll answer questions at the following Medicare programs: 

• Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
• Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214
• Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669
• Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1073
• Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576

SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

TAMPA – Hillsborough County Extension Service is kicking off the new year with hands-on workshops, educational talks and community programs focused on healthy living, gardening, financial literacy and environmental stewardship. 

January’s offerings provide residents opportunities to learn new skills, plan for the year ahead and connect with experts across agriculture, nutrition and personal finance.

The month begins with the Taste of Cultures in-person workshop series on Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27. The four-part program explores food habits and cultural traditions while introducing healthier cooking swaps. 

Participants can also take part in the Plant Your Plate: Greens Series, a free, multi-date program held throughout January at community gardens across Tampa, offering hands-on instruction in growing and preparing nutritious greens.

Gardening and environmental education continues with Gardening with Native Plants, a Jan. 13 library talk at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, and the Florida Arbor Day Tree Workshop and Giveaway on Jan. 16, where residents can learn about tree care and take home a free tree. Agricultural professionals and producers can attend the Florida Cattlemen’s Institute & Allied Trade Show on Jan. 15, covering best practices in cattle management, nutrition and record keeping.

Financial education opportunities are available throughout the month, including the Federal Income Tax Updates webinar on Jan. 28, which reviews new federal tax legislation and its impact on individual filers. Residents seeking personalized support can schedule one-on-one Financial Education appointments, while the self-paced Financial Building Blocks online class remains available all month.

Hillsborough County Extension Service, in partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, offers a variety of additional educational classes in January: 

Gardening and Landscaping

• Plant Your Plate: Greens Series, in-person, various dates throughout January
• Gardening with Native Plants, Jan. 13
• Florida Arbor Day Tree Workshop and Giveaway, Jan. 16

Nutrition and Healthy Living

• Taste of Cultures four-part workshop series, Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27

Agriculture and Livestock

• Florida Cattlemen’s Institute & Allied Trade Show, Jan. 15

Financial Education

• Federal Income Tax Updates, Jan. 28 (virtual)
• Financial Education one-on-one appointments, throughout January (virtual and in-person)
• Financial Building Blocks, throughout January (virtual)

Call 813-744-5519 for details.