Great American Cleanup this Saturday

After being cooped up inside during much of the prolonged cold spell this winter, residents appear eager to get outside to make a clean sweep of the community while enjoying some fresh air.

The Great American Cleanup is coming this Saturday, April 17. More than 20 groups will spruce up their neighborhoods, courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful and other organizations.

Make Mine Bluegreen volunteers intend to concentrate along Pasco coastal areas as part of the campaign.

Then, on the following Saturday, April 24, several Earth Day events are on tap.

On top of all that, it's Water Conservation Month throughout April.

Great American Cleanup

Last year, 528 Great American Cleanup workers fanned out across the county and collected 26.44 tons of trash. Organizers hope to top that amount with Saturday's campaign, from 8 a.m. to noon.

This signature event of Keep Pasco Beautiful is being aided by Pasco County Utilities Services Department, community groups, businesses and local trash haulers.

People can call toll-free 1-888-4-LITTER to join a group near them.

Doug Deitemeyer is a captain for a Hudson team.

In the Trouble Creek and Pasco Palms area, Annemarie Hammond is helming a team.

In the Baillie's Bluff area, Dan Johnson is leading a group of workers.

Bill and Kathleen Lusk will lead a team concentrating on the Sea Pines neighborhood and part of Old Dixie Highway.

Moon Lake Road will be spruced up by volunteers led by Theresa Papola.

In the city of New Port Richey, Parks and Recreation Director Elaine Smith is coordinating efforts along Pithlachascotee River and numerous streets.

Other New Port Richey area captains include Sherry Stamback and Gina Summers.

At Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Larry Steed and his volunteers will pick up trash.

Make Mine Bluegreen

Along Strauber Memorial Highway, Princess Obriot and the Make Mine Bluegreen team will spruce up the coast in the Holiday area.

Obriot hopes to have at least 20 people for the campaign along the scenic road that winds along the coast.

The nonprofit group got plenty of practice when 29 volunteers participated March 27 in an Anclote Key Spring Clean Rap-A-Report.

Workers covered the island's entire west shore beach, the south cap and southern sandbar, the eastern shore beach, the board walk and both trails.

The group collected 97 bags of trash weighing some 3,880 pounds, Obriot reports. It never ceases to amaze volunteers what they might find, such as five wire crab traps, five plastic crab traps, seven wooden traps, one large section of deck from a boat and the runner rails, two grills, two buckets, a beach umbrella, enough carpet to cover a good size living room, one Coast Guard practice flare, about 4,000 feet of rope and one bread box.

"Don't ask me how it got there," Obriot said about the bread box.

On a sad note, the volunteers discovered seven green sea turtles which had perished because of the cold winter.

Water Conservation Month

Pasco County Extension Office plans a free workshop 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, to promote Water Conservation Month in April.

The workshop, "Attractive Landscapes that Save Water and Money," is scheduled to take place at the Home Depot store at 10017 U.S. 19, Port Richey.

For information, call 727-847-8177, ext. 4288, or see the calendar on the Pasco Extension Web site.

Outdoor water use can account for up to half of water consumed by households, experts at Southwest Florida Water Management District report. April traditionally is one of the driest months of the year even as demand for water peaks.

For tips, check the Southwest Florida Water Management District's water conservation Web page.

Earth Day

Earth Day will be celebrated Saturday, April 24, at Crews Lake Park in the Shady Hills area off S.R. 52.

Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department will present the festivities with Covanta Pasco from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park.

The program includes a lady bug release, crocodile encounters, children's crafts and educational displays, car show, Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad miniature trains and more.

The Native Plant Society will sell native plants as well.

Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardeners will field questions. The extension service is offering a free rain barrel to the first 35 people who register and attend the Rainbarrel Workshop during Earth Day at the park.

Registration is required a week before the workshop.

For information, call 727-847-8177, ext. 4288, or find the registration form on the Pasco Extension Web site.

Also, people can get $5 gift cards in exchange for thermostats and thermometers containing mercury.

For Earth Day information, call Lottie at Covanta Pasco at 727-856-2917, ext. 201.