Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Events on 12/11/09

Angels on High: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill. Includes outdoor holiday music, Santa Claus, hand-crafted angels floating in the lighted trees, and entertainment by local performers. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Parking is $1. Donations appreciated. (352) 666-4746.

Christmas Events on 12/11/09

Winter Waterland at Weeki Wachee: 7 to 10 p.m., Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. Includes the underwater Christmas Spectacular, a live nativity scene, Santa's Express Train for children, storytelling and a photo opportunity with the Mermaid Elves. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger and season pass holders. (352) 592-5656.

Christmas Events

Bandshell Bash and Brooksville Cruise-In: 1 to 8 p.m., Hernando Park, 205 E Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. The free family event follows the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Brooksville. Includes live band music, holiday karaoke, a car show, vendors and other activities. Sponsored by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. (352) 754-4788.

Brooksville Christmas Parade: 10 a.m. This year's theme will be "Christmas On Main Street." Parade route: Varsity Drive, down Oakwood Drive, to Howell Avenue onto Main Street, to N Broad Street and ending at Bell Avenue. (352) 585-2021 or visit www.kiwanisclubofbrooksville.org.

Hernando County Health Department

Hernando County Health Department has expanded its target group for H1N1 vaccination and will host a third, free vaccination clinic from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in the cafeteria of Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California St., Brooksville. Six hundred free vaccinations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointment times for vaccinations will be distributed beginning at 11:30 a.m. the day of the clinic. Appointment tickets are numbered and include time slots so residents who have appointment times later in the day can leave and return at their appointment time. One person can pick up tickets for family members. Participants can park and enter at the back entrance of the school.

In addition to health department-sponsored clinics, the H1N1 vaccine is now available at many local walk-in clinics, pharmacies, local physician's offices and other health care venues. So far, vaccination efforts have been focused on those at highest risk for getting sick from H1N1 and developing complications from it. This includes pregnant women; individuals age 6 months through 24 years; those persons 25 through 64 who have compromised immune systems or other chronic medical conditions; health care workers who have direct patient contact; and those who care for infants 6 months of age and younger. Local providers are encouraged to vaccinate those who fall within the identified priority groups until formal announcement is issued by the Florida Department of Health.

For more information on H1N1 flu, call the Florida Flu Information Line at 1-877-352-3581 or visit online at www.myflusafety.com. For local information, call the Hernando County Health Department at 352-540-6817.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

From the Southwest Florida Water Management District

District asks homeowners to "Skip a Week" of irrigation this winter

Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and disease

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently launched a new campaign to encourage residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February.

According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn't need to be watered as often during the cooler months. In fact, one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient.

“Over-watering in the winter can encourage pests and disease in your lawn," said Sylvia Durell, Florida-friendly landscaping project manager. Skipping a week of watering is as easy as “off” for residents with irrigation timers. “Turn the timer to ‘off’ for the week that you want to skip, and ‘on’ for the week that you want to water,” said Durell.

Homeowners can determine when their grass needs water when:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on 30 percent of the lawn

• Grass blades are blue-gray

• Footprints remain on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it

Skipping a week of irrigation will help conserve drinking water supplies. Following the “Skip a Week” plan saves water that the public needs for other critical uses during the dry season.

In addition to entering the dry season, the region is experiencing the effects of a four-year drought. All 16 counties within the District are under one-day-per-week lawn watering restrictions through the end of February.

For more water conservation tips, information about the drought and the current water restrictions, please visit the District's web site at WaterMatters.org/skipaweek.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Christmas on Main Street

Media Release

November 20, 2009

Christmas on Main Street
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 12, 2009

The public is invited to a Christmas on Main Street - Courthouse Christmas Tree Lighting Program on Friday, December 4, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The program will be taped and broadcast on Channel 622 during the holidays. Mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy local talent perform holiday music in front of the historic Courthouse in beautiful downtown Brooksville. Please bring your own chairs. Additional details about the program will be forthcoming.

The 35th Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Brooksville. For more information, visit:
www.kiwanisclubofbrooksville.org

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010

Media Release

November 20, 2009

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 20, 2009

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010

The Hernando County Utilities Department and Citizens for W.A.T.E.R. invite the public to the second session of the Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010 presentation on Friday, December 4, 2009, from 10:00 AM to Noon. The seminar will be held at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Light refreshments will be provided. The topic will be: Why Sinkholes? Why Here? What You Need to Know! Learn all about geology, how and why they occur and why this is important to people living in this area. The seminar will be presented by Ann Tihansky, Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey (USGS). Please call (352) 754-4705 and make your reservations to attend.

Directions: To Hernando County Utilities Department-Administration Office
From Spring Hill, travel east on Hwy 50 to the East 50 Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd). Turn right on the Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd.) and continue on for approximately 2.5 miles (past Broad Street/U.S. Hwy 41). The Hernando County Utilities Department is on the right at the corner of South Main Street/Mitchell and Cortez Boulevard. Turn right at the traffic light. 352-754-4037