Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker was thrilled to see such

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1 June 2016 In May, more than 200 elementary school students visited the Government Center to learn about their County Government. Students Feel Inspired By Recent Field Trip to The students were from Hudson Elementary School and Seven Oaks Elementary School, and visited during two separate field trips. Commissioner Jack Mariano and Commissioner Mike Moore met with the students and encouraged them to learn and get involved. The children were ready to enjoy a fun day of hands-on learning. They learned a lot about government in action. Representatives from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections; Libraries; the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department; the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Forensics Unit; the Animal Services Department, and the Clerk & Comptroller s Office were on site to help educate and answer questions. The children learned about the importance of the voting process, and had a chance to discuss problemsolving skills with the Forensics team from the Sheriff's Office. With each presentation the children became more interested, and wanted to know what steps they could take to become an animal activist, a police officer, a parks supervisor, a county administrator, and beyond. Administrator Michele Baker was thrilled to see such excitement from these young citizens. She met with the students, answered their questions, and encouraged them to work hard, be inquisitive, and find answers. The Public Services Branch intends to organize at least two school field trips a year and hopes to inspire a future generation of leaders and advocates for. Click Here to View the Latest News Releases Watch Television On: Provider Channel Verizon 42 Brighthouse 643 What s your opinion? Send comments to: pio@pascocountyfl.net 1

2 Being A Student Has Its Advantages Get the Student Summer Haul Pass from PCPT! The pass will allow Pasco students unlimited rides on PCPT buses now through August 31, 2016, for just $20!!!!!! The Student Summer Haul Pass is available for purchase at any Library, Pasco-Hernando State College West and East Campus Bookstores, and at the PCPT Administrative Offices, located at 8620 Galen Wilson Boulevard, Port Richey, Florida. To learn more call

3 Stargazing at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park Fall in love with the night! On June 25, 2016, there will be a stargazing event from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at beautiful Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Wilderness Park Boulevard, New Port Richey, Florida. Meet up with other community members, learn stellar facts, enjoy the fresh Florida night air, and see what secrets the stars hold for you. To learn more mark_h37@yahoo.com. Libraries Offer Your Favorite Magazines Online, Anytime! Read your favorite magazines anytime, anywhere. All Libraries are now offering digital versions of more than a dozen popular magazines through electronic magazine service Flipster. With your library card and internet access, you can see current and back issues of magazines like Time, Kiplinger s Personal Finance, Prevention, and Popular Mechanics to name a few. Read them online, or download to your Android, Apple or Kindle Fire devices. To learn more about Flipster and to start reading your favorite magazines in digital format, visit Speaking of libraries...check out the video below to see how libraries help transform us, our community, and our world. Show your love for libraries by sharing this video with your friends! Click here to learn ways you can protect yourself from unlicensed contractors Miss an issue? You can find past editions of the Pasco 360 Newsletter in our archives. Click here! 3

4 Click here to read the latest Recycling Newsletter Above images are from the 2016 Tourism Summit hosted by Visit Pasco Tourism Keeps Growing in Pasco, like other counties in Florida, continues to benefit from increased travel to the Sunshine State. In May, as the country celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week, Pasco had its own bragging rights. The Visit Pasco Tourism Office is on its way to another record year with Tourist Development Tax collections up 13.5 percent over the same time last year. The tax, also referred to as the bed tax, comes in part from hotels. Collections are up $70, over this time last year, said Ed Caum, Tourism Manager. We had a new hotel open up this year, with two more opening before the end of this year, and two more in the development pipeline, which means even higher collections for Pasco County Tourism. The Visit Pasco Tourism Office has collected $593, since October, That s up 13.5 percent from last year at this time when $522, was collected. In Fiscal Year 2014/2015, Tourism collected an all-time high of $968, in Tourist Development taxes, said Caum. So we are on course for another record year! This year marked the 33rd Annual National Travel and Tourism Week. Communities across America celebrate each year, highlighting what travel means to jobs and economic growth. Travel supports 15 million jobs in America, with just over a million in Florida - including 6,000 here in Pasco. Each hospitality job creates another job in support, so tourism is providing 12,000 full-time jobs in. We are at a tipping point when it comes to growth in, said Caum. We re just months away from having the largest indoor ice facility in the southeast, and we will soon have a large indoor sports complex which will help us continue to emerge as a sports and travel destination. Explore. Connect. Discover. Libraries at your fingertips. Get the MyPasco App and stay connected. 4

5 Cottage Industry Could Mean Big Business For You University of Florida/IFAS Hosts Cottage Industry Expo in July The University of Florida/IFAS Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County Extension Offices are thrilled to announce the 1st Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo, which will take place on Saturday July 30, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel, Florida. The Expo will offer practical education sessions taught by farmers, Cooperative Extension Office experts, and industry representatives. The goal is to provide attendees with information they can immediately apply to improve their small and/or beginning agriculture operations. The sessions will cover agriculture production; legal and regulatory considerations; and marketing in the following areas: fruits and veggies, hydroponics and livestock. The Expo will also feature a trade show for those who want to learn about new products and services available for business. Food trucks will be available for snacks and lunch service. What: The 1st Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo When: Saturday, July 30, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Where: Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel, Florida. The Expo costs $30.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Online registration is quick and easy. To register, go to click on July, and scroll down to the Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo. Seating is limited so register now. The Cooperative Extension Service assists residents by delivering practical, educational programs in environmental horticulture; sustainable agriculture; 4-H and youth development; and family and consumer sciences. For more information call or click the following link: 5

6 Call Animal Services Department to adopt: Land O Lakes: (813) New Port Richey: (727) Dade City: (352) Ballantrae Donates Equipment to Help the Team at Crews Lake Park The Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department picked up a generous equipment donation from the Ballantrae Community in May. The Ballantrae Community Development District board voted unanimously to donate a 2006 Kawasaki Mule to. Ballantrae initially contacted Commissioner Mike Wells, who then put them in touch with the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department so the equipment could be put to good use. The staff at Crews Lake Park are very excited to receive the much-needed equipment and put it to work. This added equipment will be very helpful as the crew works to maintain park lands for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to Ballantrae for the thoughtful donation! See the newest pets available on Pasco TV at 7:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Verizon 42 Brighthouse 643 Adopted! Sonny Boy # Volunteers Needed To Teach Senior Workshops The Elderly Nutrition Division is looking for subject experts who would be interested in donating their time to educate and engage seniors at congregate dining centers throughout. Is there a subject you are passionate about? Would you like to share it with others? From dancing to technology, Tai Chi to scrapbooks, model trains to music, seniors would love the opportunity to socialize and learn something new. Please contact the Elderly Nutrition Division at if you or your civic group are interested in donating time and expertise to brighten someone s day and contribute to the greater good. 6 Jack # Princess # Vinnie # Dylan #

7 Commissioner Moore Meets with Residents Commissioner Mike Moore (District 2) held off-site office hours to make it easier for citizens to meet with him. Meetings were held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Land O Lakes Library. Commissioner Moore held eight meetings with citizens on June 2, Commissioner Moore holds regular office hours during the week at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City. Citizens who wish to meet directly with Commissioner Moore should contact Senior Secretary Terry Ewing-Chow at to schedule a meeting. UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Offering Invasive Cogongrass Management Program & Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program The UF/IFAS Extension Office is holding a Cogongrass Management Seminar for all agricultural interests on Thursday, June 23, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at SR 52, Dade City, Florida. During this seminar, detailed management techniques and strategies will be discussed as well as an overview of the Florida Forest Service Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. The event will end with a discussion on growing desirable forage grasses to replace cogongrass. The agenda for the program includes: 6:30 p.m. Cogongrass Management and Eradication with Dr. Stephen Enloe UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Weeds. 7:15 p.m. Overview of the Florida Forest Service Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program with Ms. Mona Neville, Forester, Florida Forest Service. 7:35 p.m. Growing Desirable Forages to Displace Cogongrass with Mr. Ed Jennings UF/IFAS Pasco Livestock Specialist. 7

8 2016 Great American Cleanup Scores Big! residents came out in full force to participate in the 2016 Great American Cleanup in April. Hundreds of volunteers helped pick up trash throughout in areas such as Crystal Springs Preserve, Lacoochee, Dade City, Hudson, New Port Richey, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey, and Anclote Gulf Park in Holiday. This year, 484 volunteers picked up 29 tons of trash equaling 58,000 pounds! They picked up tires, car bumpers, and a metal filing cabinet, too. It is reassuring to see so many people who care and take pride in their community," says Kristen King, Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator. "A lot of the litter in our environment is unintentional, which is something we can all help address. Make sure your trash cans have lids, secure loads when hauling, and remove trash from pick-up beds so items don t fly out. It s also helpful to keep a trash bag in your vehicle. Stay informed. Sign up for the Pasco 360 Newsletter. Click to visit the Social Media Landing Page. Many groups picked up litter while walking, but some volunteers used air boats. Friends of the Anclote River had a group of kayakers who picked up 20 bags of trash throughout the river. Amazing work everyone! The Great American Cleanup is hosted by Keep Pasco Beautiful and funded through corporate donations. The success of the event is due to the collaboration and assistance of 's Recycling and Education Section; Road and Bridge Division; Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department; and Library Services Department. To find out how you can volunteer with Keep Pasco Beautiful call or kking@pascocountyfl.net. Vision 54/56 Corridor Task Force Update After eight months, the Vision 54/56 Corridor Citizen Task Force has come up with six recommendations to improve the SR 54/56 Corridor. The recommendations were presented to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board on June 9, The MPO will consider authorizing a second phase of the study that would take a more detailed look at the recommended alternatives and include more public input. For more information about the top six recommendations made, click on the following link: at your fingertips. Get the MyPasco App and stay connected. 8

9 is Committed to Protecting Natural Resources reached a major milestone on May 10, 2016, when the Board of County Commissioners held the first of two final public hearings to consider adopting the Ecological Corridors Ordinance a regional approach to protecting natural resources by acquiring tracts of land that connect core conservation areas. Significant public involvement over the past decade has led to wide support of the ordinance which aims to protect, conserve and manage things like clean air and water; flood protection; erosion control; jobs; and recreation. The BCC is expected to adopt the ordinance on June 21, Kitten Fosters Save the Day! One of the many responsibilities of the Animal Services Department is to respond to animal hoarding reports in the community. During a recent case they rescued 87 dogs and cats from hoarding conditions. As you might imagine, sudden intakes like this add a lot of animals to an already busy shelter. One of the ways volunteers in the community help in situations like these is through kitten fostering. That s right. Kitten fostering. Kind and caring souls receive specialized training to care for baby critters, so when the shelter sees a big influx of kittens they can place them with a loving foster parent who will give them the dedicated attention they need to grow to adoption age. Interested in fostering? Call for more information. 9

10 s 2016 Disaster Planning Guide Is Available! s 2016 Disaster Planning Guide contains vital preparedness information including how to protect your home, family, and pets; what to expect after the storm; insuring against disaster; and much more. Also included in your guide, is an evacuation map and storm shelter listing. The 2016 Disaster Planning Guide is available for download. Printed versions can be obtained through the Pasco Office of Emergency Management and at several other locations, such as your local United States Post Office or Library. Do you know your evacuation zone? Click through the links below to determine your evacuation zone and keep your family prepared. Contact : The Pasco 360 Newsletter is a collaborative effort from the following: Editor, Writer, Art & Design: Ann Black Contributing Editor & Writer: Doug Tobin Contributing Videographer & Writer: Tambrey Laine Contributing Writer: Cliff Gill Special Contributors: Michele Baker 10 Spread the good news! Share this newsletter!