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Naturalist Program Teaches About Community Wildlife

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 17, 2007

RUSKIN - Camp Bayou, 315 S. Tamiami Trail, will offer its Family Naturalist Program at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. The program is free and open to the public.

Classes will explore biological indicators, keystone species and biodiversity and will involve counting aquatic invertebrates, hunting for gopher tortoise burrows and planning landscapes. Service projects will be picking up trash, putting up signs and removing non-native plants.

For information, visit www.campbayou.org/famnat .html. To make reservations, call Dolly Cummings, program director, at (813) 363-5438.

Jazzy Auction Will Benefit St. Joseph's

BRANDON - Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital are collecting donations of new items, services or gift certificates for 'All Jazzed Up - An Evening of Auctions,' a fundraiser for the hospital's pediatric oncology unit set for 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Ave., Tampa.

'Our local merchants make this a successful event for us every year through monetary sponsorships and donations,' said Lauren Shaw, publicity chairwoman. 'Suggested items include any type of gift certificate to a local establishment - restaurant, spa, retail store, hair care service, household service, entertainment or trip - or books, kitchen items, car accessories, pet items, sports tickets, games, DVDs or small appliances.'

To arrange pickup, call the Congregation Beth Shalom office at (813) 681-6547 or e-mail alljazzedupauction@ yahoo.com.

The public is invited to attend the event to hear live jazz, share in substantial hors d'oeuvres and participate in silent and live auctions. For tickets, call Carol Balent at (813) 681-6547.

Elks' 'Large' Garage Sale To Aid Student Programs

BRANDON - The Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, invites the community to 'a very large garage sale' from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, says Len Brown, public relations chairman. Proceeds will benefit the lodge and its many charitable works.

The Elks Lodge encourages youth through its Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs program and by awarding scholarships to students. Each month during the school year, an outstanding high school student is recognized and given a U.S. savings bond.

The September student of the month is Nichole Delean Hurst of Newsome High School. She is vice president of the Student Government Association and a member of the National Honor Society, drama club and varsity cheerleading and track teams. She is anchor of Newsome's High School Morning Show and a competitive cheerleader. She attended the Global Youth Leadership Conference in Washington and New York.

Elks of note for September are Wayne Moon, who was chosen Elk of the Month for epitomizing 'the virtues of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity,' said Larry Henbest, exalted ruler; and Carolyn Thomas, who was named Lady of Distinction for the many hours of labor and commitment she has invested in the lodge and its activities.

Tasty Event To Fund Mary And Martha House

RUSKIN - The second annual Taste of South Shore to benefit the Mary and Martha House will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Resort and Club at Little Harbor, 611 Destiny Drive. Tickets are $20 and include food, wine, music by Bob Dunn and visits from Elvis and Marilyn Monroe impersonators.

To find out more or to reserve a restaurant booth, call Molly Ford at the Mary and Martha House at (813) 645-7874. Information also is available from Jan's Clothing in Ruskin at (813) 645-0410.

The Mary and Martha House provides a two-year program for abused and homeless women and children. No referral is necessary. Women may call (813) 645-7874 or, for emergency help, call (813) 641-7027. Individual and group counseling, tutoring and classes on budgeting, parenting, nutrition and job skills are available.

'We do not provide alcohol or drug rehab,' Ford said. There are no residency requirements. 'They don't even have to speak English,' Ford said. 'We have an interpreter.'

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr .com or call (813) 657-4531

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