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The Friends of the Crystal River State Parks, Inc. would like to invite you to come

out and enjoy the beauty of nature, the woodlands and river during a week-long celebration

Transit Line Offering Saturday Service starting in May

of Earth Day at Crystal River Preserve State Park. The week of activities will culminate with

Citrus County Transit will begin offering Saturday service starting May 3, as ap-

an Earth Day Public Event on Saturday, April 26th from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Crystal River

proved by The Board of County Commissioners.

Preserve State Park.

Saturday service will have the same hours of operation as Monday-Friday buses,

On Thursday, April 24th, the Park biologist will host a guided Fire Walk from

operating from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm on the same schedule. The fare for the Orange Line is $2

9:00am to 11:00am. This one mile walk with the biologist will visit a recently burned area

all day, $1 one way. Deviation requests for Saturdays will need to be called in by 3:00 pm

of the park. The tour will highlight the native plant communities within the park and the

the Friday before the request. Regular para transit door-to-door service will not operate on

benefits of prescribed fire in Florida's natural areas. Meet at the Preserve Shop area, 13450

Saturdays. For more information please call Transit at 352-527-7630

West Powerline Road, Crystal River. Call Keith at (352)563-0450 for more information.

First Time Homebuyer Class in May

On Saturday, April 26th, from 8:30am to 10:30am explore the salt marsh and tidal

Citrus County Housing Services is offering a First Time Homebuyer class to in-

pools of the Preserve with the Park Biologist and Aquatic Preserve Staff. Participants will

terested individuals. Participants who attend the entire session will receive a Certificate of

learn how these resources connect to local wildlife, residents and visitors to the Nature

Completion that is required for Neighborhood Stabilization Programs and other first time

Coast. This event is FREE, however space is limited to 15 children (sign up required). Chil-

homebuyer assistance programs.

dren must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call Jamie at 352-563-0450.

The class encompasses the entire home buying process including preparing your

On Saturday, April 26th the Friends of Crystal River State Parks will host an Earth

credit and finances, shopping for a home, home inspection, fair housing, available loan

Day Celebration from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Crystal River Preserve State Park. Earth Day

products, loan pre-approval, and closing. A variety of industry professionals will present

activities will feature a variety of educational exhibits, displays and demonstrations. This

and answer questions throughout the session.

year's participants will feature information about prescribed fire, estuary health, as well as

The class will be held 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at the Citrus Coun-

native and invasive plants. We will also feature "Leave No Trace," a Bloodhound Scent

ty Resource Center located at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct. Lecanto, FL 34461. Please

group, Animal Assisted Therapy miniature horses, Eagle Nest boat tours, an aquatic touch

call Jennifer Pollard at (352)527-7522 or Pat Wilkerson at (352)527-7526 or you may email

tank, recycling tips, kid's events and games and food. Admission to the Earth Day event is

Jennifer.Pollard@bocc.citrus.fl.us to register. This event is sponsored by Citrus County

free, though there will be a $5 charge for tour boat rides.

Housing Services and Community Housing Partners.

Please call the Park at (352)563-0450 for more information. The event will be at

There is no charge to attend these sessions, but you must reserve your seat. Lunch

the Visitors Center of the Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal

will be provided by Community Housing Partners. Child care is not available.

River, Florida 34428. The event is free but donations are welcome.

Master Gardener Volunteer Seminars Announced

June 1st to November 30 do these dates mean anything to you? They should if Rails to Trails Event on May 13th

On Tuesday, May 13th the League of Women Voters will focus on Rails to Trails.

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you live in Florida and especially if you remember 2004. These are the traditional dates for

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To fully understand this asset, often called the Pathway to Paradise, LWVCC will meet on

our annual hurricane season. There are building requirements for structures to withstand

the Trail in Inverness; all interested persons gather by the Red Caboose , 315 N. Apopka

these natural disasters but wn News for the Nature Coastto hurricane

no such requirements for landscape. In addition

Ave, Inverness by 9:05 AM. An informative walking tour or an easy bike tour will leave at

concerns, we should also be aware of the possibility of wildfires. The free May Master 9:15,led by members of the Ramblers.

Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon,disasters, plants that are good selections, ones

Gardener Seminars will address these natural Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa Following the tour at 10:30 AM there will be a presentation by Friends of the

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to avoid, and Address: 5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, FLnatural disaster. We Withlacoochee Rails to Trails President Denny Reiland and Secretary Linda Reiland about

what landscape steps you can take before and following a 34446

will explain what Phocan :do to help plants withstand and then recover from such occur- the history of the Rails to Trails in the pavilion. In case of rain, this presentation will take

you ne (352) 489-4588 · Fax: (727) 447-5788

rences. Websites: TheNewscaster.com · NewscasterArchives.com

place in the Historic Old

Histschedule wscasterArchives.com · TheHealthcaster.com

The ory.Ne for these free seminars is:

All three neighborhoodclubs open for summercamps

    

7 May (1st Wed) Floral City Library

Greatthe BoysClubs andexception.Out-

 things happen at  and Girls   summer is no  

Email,Tom Russell, Publisher: newscaster1@gmail.com

9 May (2nd Fri) Coastal Region Library

door activities, and crafts, cooking, and and

 science

robotics sessions will focus on a

Email, Debbie Russell, Editor: debbienewscaster@gmail.com each BeachParty, Warp,Week

13 May (2nd Tues)Lakes Region Library

14 May (2nd Wed)Central Ridge Library

help retain reading skills with our Summer Brain Gain that incorporates the arts and youth

21 May (3rd Wed)Citrus Springs Library

mentoring. We provide local field trips for swimming and bowling, day trips are planned

27 May (4th Tue) Homosassa Library

by age bracket to either Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry, or Lowry Park Zoo. We

Master Gardeners provide information from the University of Florida, based upon know summer can be difficult on parents so we make it easy for you. Choose the location

UF research and education. They will also be available to answer gardening questions, that works best for your family: Beverly Hills, Inverness or Homosassa. Choose the week

or weeks that suit your family: we are open May 27 through August 1.

identify samples, or address your concerns.

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Hometown News for the Nature Coast

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