Website connects to information during emergencies
TAMPA BAY – A new lifeline for residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties during hurricane emergencies has launched at TampaBaySafe.org.
The website is designed to function when traditional communication channels fail. By eliminating bandwidth-heavy elements like images and videos, the text-based website ensures residents can access life-saving updates even on severely degraded connections.
“After each major hurricane, we see the same pattern – people desperately seeking basic information about water safety, power restoration, and supply distribution, but unable to load graphics-heavy emergency websites,” founder Howard LaVine said. “TampaBaySafe.org fills this critical gap with a platform engineered specifically for crisis conditions.”
The site serves as an information hub featuring links to county alert systems, information for medical facilities, power and water, locations for emergency resources, road status and emergency contact numbers.
TampaBaySafe.org aggregates information from authoritative sources to provide a centralized, easily accessible platform before, during and after severe weather events. It also offers practical safety guidance for everyday life.
County launches Adopt-A-Pond
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County’s Public Works Department has launched an Adopt-A-Pond and Lake Management program.
The program is open to homeowners (and neighborhood associations) who live on or near ponds that connect to the Pasco County stormwater system.
The volunteer-driven initiative encourages neighbors to adopt a stormwater pond and help remove invasive plants, plant native vegetation and clean up trash and pollutants.
Fill out an application at mypas.co/adoptapondform to get started.
“There are two main benefits of adopting a pond,” Environmental Program Coordinator Milla Turner said. “By cleaning up a stormwater pond you help improve water quality before it flows downstream, and you create a healthier environment for Florida’s native plants and wildlife.”
Pasco County Libraries launches Summer Reading Quest
ZEPHYRHILLS – Pasco County invites you to join its Once Upon a Summer Reading Quest, transporting you to a place with captivating performers, binge-worthy books, prizes and a shared community journey.
Enter 600 minutes of reading and record-keeping in the Beanstack app through Aug. 2 to qualify.
When you complete the challenge, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card in your age group, courtesy of Friends of the Library and Friends of Zephyrhills Public Library. Other prizes will be up for grabs at all library branches.
Visit bit.ly/PascoSRC2025 to learn more about the quest and events.
Theater camps have openings
BROOKSVILLE – Live Oak Theatre Camp has limited openings available for its annual summer theater camps.
Camps are as follows:
- Live Oak Theatre Camp – Boys and girls, ages 7 to 18, explore acting, auditioning, costume and set design, movement, song interpretation and vocal technique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 to 13. Tuition costs $150.
- Dance Camp – Children, ages 8 to 16, explore dance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16 to 20. Tuition costs $75.
- Improv Camp – Ages 8 and older learn acting with a focus on the skill of improvisation from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 16 to 20. Tuition costs $75.
Visit https://www.liveoaktheatre.org/summer-camp or email for details and registration details.
Camp has ‘Seussical’ theme
NEW PORT RICHEY – Richey Suncoast Theatre invites young performers to step into the whimsical world of “Seussical the Musical” at its 2025 Youth Theatre Camp.
This week-long experience is designed for children, ages 6 to 9, who are ready to explore the magic of live theater in a fun, imaginative and supportive setting.
The camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 to 20 at 6237 Grand Blvd.
Campers will explore acting, musical theater, set and costume design and improvisation.
The week culminates in a Friday showcase performance for friends and family at 2:30 p.m., followed by an optional pizza ($5) and karaoke celebration. Tuition costs $250.
Call 727-842-6777 or email for registration details.
Theater shows classic films
TAMPA – Tampa Theatre’s Big Picture lineup for June features a selection of films that offer iconic representations of historic figures.
The lineup includes:
- ”Marie Antoinette” (2006, PG-13) – 7:30 p.m. June 4
- ”Amadeus” (1984, PG) – 7:30 p.m. June 18
- ”The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928, Not Rated) – 7:30 p.m. June 25
“The Passion of Joan of Arc” will be presented with live organ accompaniment by Steven Ball.
Tickets cost $14.50 ($11.50 for Tampa Theatre members) for “The Passion of Joan of Arc” and $10 ($7 members) for all other Big Picture films.
Buy tickets at the Franklin Street Box Office or at www.tampatheatre.org.
Hillsborough honors Betz
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has presented the 2025 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award posthumously to Louis G. Betz Jr.
Betz led the charge for the Florida Legislature to pass the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, which allows cities and counties to implement and use red light camera safety programs.
In 2011, he partnered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and other organizations to help convince the Legislature to pass landmark sexual assault legislation, the Walk in Their Shoes Act in 2011.
Betz passed away Jan. 20 at age 61.
Complex offers 140 units of affordable housing
SEFFNER – Hillsborough County held a ribbon cutting recently to celebrate 140 units of affordable housing for seniors at the Casa Di Francesco apartment complex.
The four-story complex will contain 100 one-bedroom units and 40 two-bedroom units, all of which will be rented at below market rates to low-income residents. Apply at casadifrancesco.com/applicants.
Amenities include a clubhouse with exercise room, library, walking trail, community garden and picnic area. The complex was built on land owned by St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. It is restricted to households with at least one member who is 55 or older.
Blue Sky Communities developed the project. Hillsborough County helped provide $6.1 million in funding.
Nodal to tour in the U.S.
TAMPA – Coming off the success that Christian Nodal has had with concerts in the Mexican Republic so far this year, he brings the “Nodal Tour 2025” to the United States.
Produced by CMN (Cardenas Marketing Network), the tour includes a local stop at Tampa’s Amalie Arena at 8 p.m. Nov. 29. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Quick Hits
- Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa talks with Pasco Corrections staff in a recent episode of the Pasco Podcast in honor of National Correctional Officers Week.
- Elks Lodge Tampa #708, spearheaded by Rita Smith, hosted a breakfast event at Golden Corral in Tampa for the Veterans at Liberty Manor. Call 813-831-4280 to join the Elks Lodge.
