Get Out & Explore Rainbow Springs
May 16 from 9:30AM to 3PM
UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service is hosting this event to encourage residents to explore Marion County’s most unspoiled hidden gem. Participants can hike nature trails, take a canoe trip down Rainbow River and engage in workshops about preserving and protecting the springs. Rainbow Springs State Park is at 19158 SW 81st Place Road in Dunnellon. More information at 352-671-8400.
Haven Hospice Love and Remembrance Ceremony
May 16 at 6PM
The ceremony will be at the Haven Hospice ET York Hospice Care Center Community room at 4200 NW 90th Blvd in Gainesville. The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring photos and mementos of loved ones for the Table of Memories. More info at 352-378-2121.
Red Cross North Central Florida Chapter 2nd Annual Masters of Disasters Golf Tournament
May 18 beginning at 7AM
The second annual benefit tournament will be May 18 at Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club in Gainesville. For more information call 352-376-4869.
Girl Scouts Gateway Council Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon
May 18 at 11:30AM
The annual event at the Hilton UF Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th Street in Gainesville, will honor women leaders in the Gainesville and Alachua County. For more information 352-376-3004, ext. 13.
Santa Fe College Boots ‘n BBQ Cook-Off and Scholarship Event
May 18 and 19
The Santa Fe College Scholarship program is the beneficiary of this event featuring Southern rock music and food. The event will be at the Bradford County Fairgrounds on May 18 beginning at 5 p.m. and on May 19 beginning at 9 a.m. More information available www.bootnbbq.com
Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Blueberry Festival
May 19 from 9AM to 4PM
Historic island Grove is the setting for the festival including Florida foods, a blueberry bake sale, arts and crafts vendors, a yard sale, kids activities, entertainment and music. Blueberries and plants will be available. More information available at www.crosscreekfestival.com or 352-466-3353.
Levy County Public Safety and Hurricane Preparedness Expo
May 19 from 10Am to 3PM
The Expo, at Williston Airport, will feature demonstrations of vehicle extrications, working dogs for search and rescue and Sheriff’s K-9 unit. Emergency vehicles will be on site and there will be safety organization information booths.
Alachua County Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 19 from 8AM to Noon
The annual fundraiser for the Alachua County Master Gardener Volunteer Program will be at the Extension Office, 2800 NE 39th Avenue in Gainesville. There will be herbs, annuals, perennials, natives, trees and many other items. Master Gardeners will also be on site for advice on selection and care of your plants. For more information call 352-955-2402.
Sweet Dreams Touch-A-Truck
May 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sweet Dreams and Gainesville Fire Rescue host this benefit for the Children’s Miracle Network at Citizen’s Field Park behind the Northeast Pool in Gainesville. Attendees will be able to view large or unique vehicles and will be able to ask questions about career opportunities. Attendees are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida. More information at www.sweetdreamstouchatruck.com
Remembering With Honor: One Quilter Salutes Our Heores
May 19 from 9AM to 11:45AM
Remembering With Honor: One Quilter Salutes Our Heroes will be held May 19. Don Beld author, historian, quilter and founder of Home of the Brave Quilt Project will be showing quilts and giving a presentation in honor of America’s fallen heroes. The event will take place at the Hilton University of Florida 1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville Florida 9 to 11:45AM. For more information call 352-373-7791.
World’s Greatest Baby Shower Benefit in Hernando County
May 19 from 10Am to 1PM
The Shower is and educational event for expectant and new parents, friends and family at the Hernando County Health Department, 7551 Forest Oaks Boulevard in Spring Hill. The event features information on infant and child safety, healthy pregnancy, early learning and development and positive parenting. More information available at 352-540-6800, extension 82193.
North Central Florida YMCA Swim Safe Event
June 7 and 8
The North Central Florida YMCA will offer swim lessons to any child ages 3 -12. The event is free and open to the public at 5201 NE 34th Street in Gainesville. More information available at 352-374-9622.
Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp
Beginning June 17
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Camp will offer six on-week sessions for boys and girls, ages 9-14, at their Ocala National Forest facility. Sessions will focus on fish and wildlife conservation, outdoor skills and firearm safety. More information available at 352-258-3426.
Ongoing Community Events
Gators Assisting Pets (GAP)
Ongoing
Gators Assisting Pets, or GAP, is a program initiative of No More Homeless Pets that serves as an advocate to help save the lives of animals in Alachua County. The organization matches families with pets that need a home and have limited time to find one. More information on adoption and to become a volunteer on the Gators Assisting Pets Facebook page or at gatorsassistingpets@gmail.com
Camp Kesem Registration
Ongoing
Camp Kesem is a FREE camp for children ages 6-16 who have or have had a parent/guardian with cancer. The overnight, week-long camp is run by University of Florida students and it is not a therapy session, but rather a way for these children to meet others in the same situation, have fun, and just be kids! It is a secular camp that is open to all children regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, or financial status. The UF students involved in our organization work year round to fundraise money to make our camp completely free for every camper.This year, the camp will be at Camp Mah-kah-wee in Chuluota, FL (near Orlando) and the dates are August 5-10th, 2012. Visit the website at www.campkesem.org/uf for registration information and forms.
Talking Gators Toastmasters Club
Ongoing
Talking Gators Toastmasters Club meets Tuesdays at 5:45PM in Room 1031, Entomology Building, 970 Natural Area Dr., east of the Performing Arts Center on the UF campus. Students and community members are welcome to meet members and learn about Toastmasters, an international organization that provides a positive atmosphere to learn and practice public speaking and leadership skills. For details, go to http://talkinggators.toastmastersclubs.org.
Gator Community Supported Agriculture program
Ongoing through June 2012
Support local agriculture and receive a regular supply of healthy produce. CSAs primarily run from mid-October to June. There are two campus pick-up locations to select: From 4:30PM to 6:30PM, the farmers will be back on the west side of the all-decal lot, off Bledsoe Drive (near Maguire Village Housing and the SW Rec Center and Fields). At the same time there will also be a pick-up, run by student volunteers at the Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy building rear breezeway/picnic area, off Center Drive. Members of the Gator CSA choose one of four farms, and pick up fresh produce on campus throughout the calendar year. Typically an average of 4-6 items of produce per week is provided over the course of the season. To join the CSA or to get more information about the benefits of being a Community Supported Agriculture member visit: www.sustainable.ufl.edu/gatorcsa
To have your event included on Community Update, please send all relevant information to:
Sue Wagner
Community Update
P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611-8405
The e-mail address is swagner@wuft.org, with the words “Community Update” in the subject line.
The Community Update fax number is 352-392-5741. All submissions must be made on organization letterhead at least two weeks prior to the event.
