BLOOD DRIVE
The Florida Blood Centers and 1340 AM (WROD) will have a blood drive at the radio station’s studios, 103 Wilder Blvd. in Daytona Beach, from 9 a.m. to noon Monday.
All donations will benefit hospitals, including those in Volusia and Flagler counties. To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.
Details: 386-253-0000.
BLOOD DONATIONS
The American Red Cross needs blood donors. Anyone at least 17 years old, weighing at least 110 pounds and in generally good health may be an eligible donor. All donor types are needed. Donations can be made at the following locations:
Wednesday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Read-Pattillo Elementary School, South Dixie Freeway at Sixth Street in New Smyrna Beach.
Thursday, 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Temple Beth-el, 579 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach. Appointments: 386-677-2484.
The American Red Cross Donor Center, 341 White St., Daytona Beach, is open Monday through Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Walk-in donors are welcome.
Appointments: 386-226-1433, Ext. 144.
DIABETIC WORKSHOPS
Healthy Volusia Diabetic Team will offer workshops on diabetes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the One Stop Career Center, 359 Bill France Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Monday: You Have Diabetes, What You Eat Is Important.
March 15: Diabetes and Exercise.
March 22: Helpful Hints on Using Diabetic Equipment.
Details and registration: Margaret Smith, Volusia County Health Department, at 386-274-0554.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Florida Hospital Fish Memorial’s laboratory department will offer health screenings from 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday in Suite 211 of the Summit Building behind Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, 1061 Medical Center Drive, Orange City.
Testing includes prostate screening, $21; colon cancer testing, $4; cholesterol testing, $7; glucose testing, $7; glucose and cholesterol, $12; and cardiac risk profile, $15.
Appointments are not necessary. Glucose and cholesterol testing, as well as cardiac risk profiles, require a 12-hour fast.
Details: 386-917-5155.
FIBROMYALGIA LECTURE
Learn about fibromyalgia syndrome and soft-tissue injuries during a free lecture from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at RDV Sportsplex, Maitland Summit Boulevard, Maitland.
Topics include pain management, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, stress management and psychological factors.
Details or reservations: 407-862-7272.
HEALTH FAIR
Florida Hospital DeLand and Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, along with 20 health and safety organizations, will present the 2004 Hand in Hand Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, 1055 Saxon Blvd. in Orange City on March 14.
The fair is free, with the exception of a few health screenings. It will include “Ask a Pharmacist” sessions, health-information booths, children’s games and activities, and health and safety demonstrations.
Sponsorship packages are available.
Booth participation is $300 for health-related organizations and $200 for nonprofit organizations.
Details: 386-917-5420.
CLASSES
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
The DeLand Police Department will begin its fourth session of Citizen Police Academy this month. The program aims to encourage interaction between residents and police.
The topics include officer selection and training; laws of arrest; search and seizure; crime statistics; and special operations.
Participants will have an opportunity to ride with an officer on duty, fire weapons at the rifle range and tour the department.
The12-week course is limited to 20 students. It will be offered Thursdays beginning March 18. A $20 fee is required for the graduation ceremony.
Details: Officer Rod Hancock at 386-740-5885 or Frank Dario at 386-740-5887.
COP TRAINING
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers to join its Citizen Observer Program, or COP.
Since 1989, COP volunteers have patrolled Volusia’s streets, reporting suspicious activity for deputies to check out. After going through a training program, the unarmed volunteers are paired up in a clearly marked COP car to look for crime.
Applications for the training classes must be submitted by March 26. At the classes, scheduled to begin April. 3, volunteers will learn all the COP rules, how to look for crimes and how police radios work, among other things.
The classes are open to any Volusia County resident 18 or older. Call the Sheriff’s Office for an application or information: in DeLand, 386-736-5961; in Daytona Beach, 386-254-4689; in New Smyrna Beach, 386-423-3352.
THE CASEMENTS
Several classes will be offered through The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive in Ormond Beach. Reservations should be made one week before class date.
Exploring Wild Volusia: Participants will visit four habitats. Groups leave The Casements at noon March 14, 21, 28 and April 4. Fee: $11 per excursion for residents; $14.30 per excursion for nonresidents.
Hatha Yoga: 10-week classes, varied days and times beginning March 16. Fee: $66 for residents; $85.80 for nonresidents.
Waterwise Landscaping: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 17. Seating is limited. Free. Call for reservations.
Environmental Landscaping: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays through April 3. New students welcome. Class fee prorated.
Funky Friday Art Class: Three-week session, 3 to 4:30 p.m. beginning March 19 for elementary and middle school children. Fee: $46.20 for residents; $60.06 for nonresidents, plus a $15 supply fee.
Details or reservations: 386-676-3216.
CELEBRATIONS
CEILI LUNCHEON
The Casements Guild of Ormond Beach will have a Ceili Luncheon and Fashion Show at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Pelican Bay Country Club.
The presentation will include fashions by Silhouette of Daytona Beach, music by Judy and Larry Graham and an Irish character impersonation.
Tickets are $22. Reservations and details: 386-671-9246.
ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATION
The Port Orange Community Trust presents the third annual St. Patrick’s Celebration from Thursday through March 14 at City Center Circle in Port Orange. The schedule includes:
Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival and Family Night; 10 rides for $10.
Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.: Port Orange Night, ride all the rides for $15.
Saturday: Parade beginning on Herbert Street, 11 a.m.; carnival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; fireworks over the lake, 9:30 p.m.
March 14: Carnival, noon to 8 p.m., $15 for armbands, individual ride tickets available; Spruce Creek High School Hawks Silent Auction, Port Orange Regional Library Auditorium, 2 to 5 p.m.
CLUBS
WALKING CLUB
The Happy Wanderers Walking Club will meet Thursday at the Port Orange Library, 1001 City Center Circle.
New-member orientation at 6 p.m. will include a film about walking and information about the club.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The agenda includes information on walks, scholarships and the trip to Europe.
Details: 386-788-8430 or 386-788-4026.
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Volusia County Chapter 284, National Association of Women in Construction, will meet Monday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 175 Midway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The meeting will begin at 7. Sue Darden, executive officer of the Volusia Home Builders Association, will speak.
Cost: $20. Reservations: Becky Gilbert at 386-547-8729.
PULASKI CLUB
The Polish American Pulaski Club, 3621 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, will have a St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance on March 14. Dinner will be served at 1 p.m. Music by Ron Luznar and the Polka Pals begins at 2 p.m. Participants are asked to wear green.
Admission is $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers and $8 for those who dance only.
Reservations or details: 386-258-7059.
SKI CLUB
The Daytona Beach Ski Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Stonewood Tavern & Grill, 100 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach, just south of Granada Boulevard, beachside.
The club is seeking new members who are interested in traveling, skiing and snow-boarding.
Details: 386-441-1871.
SEMINOLE SPOKES
The Seminole Spokes of the Welcome Wagon Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Heathrow Country Club, 1200 Bridgewater Drive.
Mary McAtee, Gertrude Freeman, Chris Stouffer, Christine Knight and Gail Brody will present the program “Crazy about Collectibles.”
The cost of the luncheon is $18.
Reservations or details: 386-753-0853 or e-mail seminolespokes@yahoo.com.
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY WOMEN
The Biographies and Nonfiction Book Review Group of the Brandeis University Women’s Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Palm Coast Library, Belle Terre and Palm Coast Parkway West.
Details and reservations: 386-447-6650.
BROMELIAD SOCIETY
The Florida East Coast Bromeliad Society will meet at 1:30 p.m. March 14 at the Finney Memorial Garden Center, Jessamine and Oleander avenues in Daytona Beach.
Details: Jay Thurrott, 386-761-4804.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S CLUB
The Volusia County Christian Women’s Club will have a luncheon meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15 at the Deltona Hills Golf and Country Club, 1120 Elkcam Blvd.
Mary Lou Powell will present a style show.
The cost is $11.
Reservations must be made by Thursday; call Winifred Brandt at 386-775-1032.
WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
The West Volusia Limbhangers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will have the annual wild turkey supper membership banquet and auction Saturday in the Hester Building at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, State Road 44 in DeLand.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the auction will begin afterward. The auction includes works of art, firearms and turkey calls.
Tickets are $40 per person or $65 per couple.
Proceeds will benefit research and wildlife habitat of the wild turkey and the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Tickets and details: Brian Zielinski at 386-740-7107 or Bob Allinson at 386-736-1353.
FOOD DRIVE, FUND-RAISERS
CURVES FOR WOMEN
Curves in Deltona and Orange City has joined Curves International’s “Food for Friends” drive by offering to waive the normal membership service fee to those who bring in a bag of groceries this week.
The food drive will benefit local food banks.
Details: 386-456-1212 or 407-324-7222.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Ormond Beach Business and Professional Women’s Club will be host for the 15th annual Golf Tournament Handicap Scramble for men and women at the Tomoka Oaks Golf and Country Club on March 20.
The shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
Details or registrations: Trish Vevera at 386-615-1364 or Bridget Ortagus at 386-672-3252.
BENEFIT CONCERT
The 16th annual Benefit Concert for West Volusia Habitat for Humanity will be at 3 p.m. today at Stetson Baptist Church of DeLand, 1025 W. Minnesota Ave.
The concert will include selections performed by hand-bell choirs and instrumental ensembles.
An offering will be accepted.
Details: Mollie Barrow at 386-734-9481.
LIBRARIES
POETRY CONTEST
The Friends of the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library is sponsoring a countywide poetry contest for middle, high school and home-schooled students.
Three judges from the local literary and library community will evaluate the poems. Winners and honorable mentions will be invited to read their work at Poetry Night on April 28 at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway.
First-place award is $75; second is $50; and third is $25. Deadline for entries is 8 p.m. April 12. Entrants may submit up to three poems.
Poems should be the original work of the teen, accompanied by an official entry form.
Contest rules and entry forms are available at the library or by calling 386-423-2910.
PLANT TALK
Master gardeners will present a free talk titled “Right Plant, Right Place” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the DeLand Area Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave.
The gardeners also will answer questions and accept water and soil samples to be taken to the Volusia County Extension Service for analysis. The cost is $1 for three samples.
BOOK SALE
The Friends of the DeLand Area Public Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., will have a book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Hardbacks will be available for $1 and paperbacks for 25 cents.
SUPPORT GROUPS
BEREAVEMENT
Florida Hospital-Memorial Division is offering support groups for those grieving the death of a loved one. Topics of discussion include dealing with grief and loneliness, change of identity, traveling and dining alone and dealing with depression, anger and guilt.
Groups meet at the following locations:
10:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, 770 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 319.
10:30 a.m. to noon on the first Thursday of each month, 844 W. Plymouth Ave., DeLand.
10 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month, DeLand Area Public Library, 130 E. Howry Ave.
Details: 386-671-4762 or 1-800-404-1133.
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS
Nicotine Anonymous, 12-step program, meets each Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Hospitality House across from the Coronado Methodist Church on Peninsula Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Details: 386-428-4235.
STEWART-MARCHMAN CENTER
The Stewart-Marchman Center for Chemical Independence has an new access center to provide free, comprehensive and confidential service to individuals seeking information about substance abuse programs.
The public can reach staff members from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays at 1-888-516-2296 or e-mail accesscenter@stewartmarchman.org.
After hours, calls will roll over to the center’s detoxification unit. Personnel will refer callers to the appropriate treatment services.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
The multiple sclerosis support group will meet at 1 p.m. today at the One-Stop MS Center of the Ormond Beach YMCA, 51 N. Center St.
The program is free to multiple sclerosis patients and their caregivers.
Details: Montye Conlan at 386-441-4933.
TAX ASSISTANCE
Counseling sites
The AARP Tax Aide counseling assistance program has trained volunteers to help prepare tax returns and assist with filing requirements for older taxpayers. Volunteers are scheduled to be at the following locations through April 15:
DeBary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave., Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DeLand Lutheran Retirement Center, 450 N. McDonald Ave., the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
DeLand Area Public Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m.
Senior Center at Earl Brown Park, Alabama Avenue, Fridays from noon to 4 p.m.
Eugene Lynn Business Center, Room 136, Stetson University, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taxpayers should bring a copy of their 2003 tax return and Social Security cards for themselves, spouse and dependents. The service is not limited to AARP members.
FESTIVALS, SHOWS
GARDEN SHOW
The 15th annual Daytona Beach Garden Show will be at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., in Daytona Beach from Thursday through March 14.
In addition to lush landscaped gardens, educational seminars, demonstrations and a children’s activity room will be featured. Garden supplies and accessories will be available.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14.
Tickets are $5 for adults. Children younger than 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Details: 386-254-4500.
TRAVELOGUES 2004
Travelogues 2004, a narrated film series sponsored by Volusia County Community Schools, will present Yellowstone — High Country Treasure at 2 p.m. March 14 in the auditorium of Deltona High School, 100 Wolf Pack Run.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.
Details: 386-736-5083.
WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL
The Daytona Beach Spring Wine and Food Festival will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The progressive wine tasting will include more than 20 stops along Beach Street from Bay Street to Orange Avenue.
Sponsored by the Daytona Beach Partnership and presented by Southern Wine & Spirits, downtown’s restaurant row will supply the food.
Tickets are $15.
Details or tickets: 386-671-3272.
SENIORS
WAVA’S HALL
Wava’s Hall, the senior center at 200 N. Holly Ave. in Orange City, is open to those 55 or older and offers a variety of activities and classes. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Membership is $10 a year for Orange City residents and $12 for nonresidents.
Details: 386-775-3121.
DANCES
The Ormond Beach Senior Center, 351 Andrews St., has dances from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays with a rotating schedule of bands. A birthday dance and anniversary dance take place once a month. Cost: $3.
Other activities include card games, bingo, chess, shuffleboard, billiards and classes.
Details: 386-676-3256.
DELTONA SUNSHINE CENTER
The Deltona Sunshine Senior Center, 980 Lakeshore Drive, offers activities and classes for those 55 or older.
Dances are from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays. Tickets are $3 for members and $4 for nonmembers.
Other activities include bingo, card games, art classes, exercise classes and computer classes. Yearly membership is $10.
Details: 386-574-0060.
OUTDOORS
CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS
The 2004 Youth Celebration of the Arts will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Gemini Springs Park, 37 Dirksen Road in DeBary, two miles west off Interstate 4 Exit 108.
The celebration will include entertainment, art activities, clowns, the magic of the Amazing Ricardo, painting, sculpting, drawing, dancing and games.
The annual festival is sponsored by DeBary, the DeBary Art League and Volusia County Leisure Services.
Parking and admission are free.
Details: 386-668-5553.
ADULT SOFTBALL
Volusia County Leisure Services is offering adult softball leagues. Registration is open to teams, individuals, men, women and over-60 senior leagues.
Games will be played at Pfc. Emory L. Bennett Park in Orange City beginning the week of March 25.
The registration fee is $300 per team. A $25 fee is charged per individual in the women and over-60 leagues. Register by March 19.
Details: 386-736-5953.
VETERANS
‘DAY FOR VETERANS’
The Emory Bennett Veteran’s Nursing Home, 1920 Mason Ave. in Daytona Beach, will have a “Day for Veterans” on Saturday.
Events begin at 11 a.m. with a flag presentation, taps, the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. There will be antique cars, military units and a parade on the grounds.
Lunch will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4250.
Details: 386-274-3460.
