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Robinson Fifth-Graders Win Environmental Contest

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Updated: 01/14/2008 05:23 pm

PLANT CITY - A fifth-grade class at Robinson Elementary School was among the winners in the Tampa Bay Estuary Program's first Guardians of the Bay contest.

The contest was created to recognize children 8 to 14 who implement a project in their homes, schools, neighborhoods or communities that helps improve Tampa Bay.

The fifth-graders taught by Judy Der and Chiquittea Lumpkins completed a project focusing on native plants and animals in the Tampa Bay watershed. The students applied for grant money for the project, grew native plants in a school nursery and raised money for transportation to Crystal Springs Preserve, north of Plant City, where the students transplanted their plants in a natural setting.

They also designed and produced a coloring book about Florida plants and wildlife, and used the coloring book to teach younger children at their school about the value of native habitats.

For information about the contest, call Nanette Holland O'Hara at (727) 893-2765.

Step Back In Time For Parties

PLANT CITY - Dinosaur World, a theme park at Branch Forbes Road and Interstate 4, is offering group reservations for birthdays and picnics.

Not only are there more than 150 life-size dinosaurs greeting visitors year-round, but special events include a fossil dig.

Throughout January, teachers with school identification will receive complimentary admission to learn more about educational field trip programs. January also is home-school month. All home-schooled students receive the $8 group rate.

Call Shirley Rainbolt, field trip coordinator, for information and reservations at (813) 717-9865. Rainbolt says the 10-year-old park is perfect for a party. Groups can eat under a covered picnic area at the park, 5145 Harvey Tew Road.

Tomlin Art Students Display Their Works

PLANT CITY - The following Tomlin Middle School eighth-grade art students are displaying their artwork at the Florida Blood Services Center, 1902 James L. Redman Parkway, during January: Kayleene Connell, Kyle Howell, Summer Larson, Brandon Nunez, Jessica Revels, Kristian Rice, Daniela Sanchez, Michael Sykes and Ashton Wilson.

Also, seventh-grade art student Tyler Storms has a drawing in the Tampa Museum of Art's "Young at Art" exhibit, which is on display through Feb. 3 at the student art gallery of Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry Campus, Tampa. He also designed this year's art logo for Tomlin's Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Tomlin's art specialist is David J. Hubay.

City Announces Programs For Children

PLANT CITY - Shawna Everidge, environmental education coordinator for the city's Water Resource Management Division, has announced two programs of interest to youngsters.

WILD About the Watershed will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St.. Children 6 to 12 and their parents can eat pizza and learn about animals found in the Florida watershed. The class is free.

The second event, Backyard Birdies, is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. That will be held at the public works building, 1802 Spooner Drive, for children ages 2 to 12. Children and parents will make bird feeders and learn about native and migratory birds. This class is also free.

Register by calling Everidge at (813) 757-9249, Ext. 2249.

Girls Ages 9 To 12 Sought For Pageant

PLANT CITY - Sharon Moody, president of the Junior Elite Women's Club of Plant City, announces the club will be sponsoring its 24th annual Junior Miss Plant City Pageant at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Hillsborough County Community College's Plant City campus' Trinkle building.

Applications are being accepted through Sunday for girls ages 9 to 12. The entry fee is $25.

For information, call Moody at (813) 453-7134 or Carolyn Brown at (813) 416-4816.

Festival Art Accepted One Day Only

PLANT CITY - Artwork will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 25 for the Florida Strawberry Festival Art Show.

The East Hillsborough Art Guild is sponsoring the show.

For information, call Karen Crumley at (813) 627-1303.

Support Group Meets Feb. 3

VALRICO - The national organization for nontuberculous mycobacterium disease invites families and patients with this noncontagious lung disease to join an area support group.

The group holds a bi-monthly meeting at Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico.

The next one is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 3. The disease, often misdiagnosed, is believed to be caused by organisms found in water and soil.

For information, call (813) 643-7273.

Have an event you would like to see in this column? Send items to Betty Briggs by e-mail at gabylee@tampabay.rr.com or mail to The Tampa Tribune, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563 or fax to (813) 865-4441.

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