Pasco County celebrates Arbor Day
PASCO COUNTY – In partnership with Keep Pasco Beautiful and the Florida Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry Grant Pasco County is hosting an Arbor Day Tree Giveaway.
The giveaway will be held Jan. 17 at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County (36702 County Road 52, Dade City) and Frances Avenue Park (5580 Frances Ave., New Port Richey).
Visit www.keeppascobeautiful.org/arbor-day to register for a free tree and find details about participating in a free tree-planting seminar in Dade City or a hands-on tree-planting event in New Port Richey, both part of the Arbor Day Celebration.
Only one tree per person. Trees will be in three-gallon pots.
Pasco’s Board of County Commissioners declares Jan. 17, 2025, Arbor Day and encourages everyone in Pasco to plant and preserve trees.
Theater presents ‘Into the Woods’
NEW PORT RICHEY – Richey Suncoast Theatre invites audiences to embark on a magical journey with “Into the Woods”, the beloved musical masterpiece that intertwines classic fairy tales in surprising and delightful ways.
Audiences will be transported to a fantastical realm where Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and others cross paths with a baker and his wife on a quest to lift a witch’s curse.
With a score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” explores the complexities of wishes, family and the unforeseen consequences of pursuing one’s dreams.
“This production is a celebration of the timeless stories we’ve all grown up with, brought to life with humor, heart, and dazzling performances,” said Tristan Horta, director of Into the Woods.
Showtimes start at 7 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1 as well as 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey. Tickets cost $25 at richeysuncoasttheatre.com/event-calendar.
Homeowners, ‘skip a week’ of irrigation
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering in January and February.
According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10 to 14 days is sufficient. If your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed.
You can determine when your grass needs water when:
- Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
- Grass blades appear blue-gray.
- Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.
Watering only every other week at most during the winter will help conserve drinking water supplies that the public needs for critical uses during the dry season.
On the web: WaterMatters.org/SkipAWeek
Program explores Catholic, Jewish relations
TAMPA – Saint Leo University’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies and the Tampa Bay History Center are hosting a special conversation, the History of Catholic-Jewish Relations in Tampa Bay.
The event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Tampa Bay History Center’s TECO Hall, 801 Water St., Tampa. The free event, which is part of the Florida Conversations lecture series, will be livestreamed.
A panel of leaders will share knowledge and personal experiences, offering insights into this unique relationship.
Matthew Tapie, director of the CCJS, will welcome attendees and Gary Mormino, history professor emeritus of the University of South Florida, will moderate the discussion. A question-and-answer session will follow panelists’ remarks. Rabbi David Maayan, assistant director of the CCJS, will offer comments.
While the event is free, registration is required. Register to attend in-person and on Zoom at https://tampabayhistorycenter.org.
HART launches fare-free route
Tampa, FL – The Hillsborough Transit Authority announced its most popular route, Route 1, is now fare-free for one year. The pilot, which launched Jan. 5, is possible thanks to Tampa City Council allocating $1.65 million in city funds to support free fares and increasing peak service frequency to every 15 minutes.
Route 1, which serves nearly 3,000 daily customers, operates between the University area and downtown Tampa, providing vital transportation services to thousands of residents.
Approximately 32,000 residents and 56,000 jobs within a quarter mile of Route 1. Notably, 18% of the population in this area does not own a car, more than a quarter live below the poverty line, 14% have a disability, and 64% are minorities.
