Community Happenings

Friday, Feb. 3

Black History Celebration
The Sircle Inc. will present the 10th annual Black History Month Celebration Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.
 The banquet will be at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ocala Conference Center located at 3600 SW 38th Avenue Ocala.
The keynote speaker will be educator, author and B-school professor Dr. Dennis Kimbro. Music will be provided by The ADF Jazz Trio, promoted by Mary O’Banyoun-Abdullah.
For more information, contact Cynthia Graham at 352-286-1772 or e-mail at hhp5032@aol.com.

Blood Drive
LifeSouth and the community of Williston will team up to host a blood drive Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 at city hall between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
 “Seventeen percent of non-donors say ‘they never thought about it,’ as the main reason for not giving,” said Michael Ross, donor recruiter for LifeSouth.  “We hope everyone will think about saving lives and donate blood at the community drive.”
 All who donate will receive a recognition item and a complimentary cholesterol screening. Donors are also entered in a drawing to win an iPad2 Feb. 29.  Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and have photo I.D.  Sixteen-year-old donors must have signed parental consent.  For more information about becoming a donor or about blood drives in your area, call LifeSouth toll-free at (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.

FSA Public Meeting
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will hold a meeting Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Levy County Agriculture Center, 625 North Ave., Bronson, for the purpose of proposed office consolidation.
Producers can  provide written comment by e-mail to mark.cotrel@fl.usda.gov or by  mail to USDA Farm Service Agency, P.O. Box 141030 Gainesville, FL. 32614-1039 not later than Feb. 13.
All public comments will be considered prior to the development or implementation of a final consolidation plan.
For more information, call 379-4500.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Yard Sale
The Ocala Lions Club will hold a yard sale Saturday, Feb. 4 at Porter’s Nursery, 8445 SW Hwy. 200 in the Friendship Shopping Center from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Proceeds will help sponsor a service dog, that will help disabled veterans gain mobility and independence as well as guide dogs for t hose who have lost their sight.
Gently used household items, as well as furniture will be offered.
If you want to donate (no clothing), contact Bill Thomas at 352-291-2600.

Williston Art League
The Williston Art League will host a workshop in lieu of the February meeting at the home of one of its members.  The workshop is open to anyone over the age of 18 interested in exploring a new creative outlet.
Joyce Marie Lottinville will be the guest instructor for a fabric collage wall hanging and will provide a selection of kits which will include everything necessary to complete the project except borders and backing.  There will be extra fabric for you to add your own personal touches.  Cost for each kit is $25.
The choices areGreat Blue Heron, Manatee, Hummingbird or Koi.
Tables to work on and other items necessary to complete the project ready for backing and borders will be provided. This is a fun project with a minimal amount of sewing and is suitable for a beginner project for persons with no sewing experience whatsoever.
Class time will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 with a break for lunch. You may want to bring a snack or bag lunch. Beverages will be provided.
Location for the workshop is 750 E. Country Club Drive, Williston.
Contact Cathy Staruk at 352-528-5675 for more information.
Space for this workshop will be limited so make reservations today.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Business After Hours
The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Thursday, Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m.
The facility is located at 3251 NE 180th Ave., Williston.
 R.S.V.P. to the Chamber office at 352-528-5552.
  WWII Vets
 All World War II  vets from five counties will meet for lunch Thursday, Feb. 9  at Deke’s Steakhouse in Chiefland, 6650 NW 140th Street, at 11:30 a.m.There is no fee to join. Bring your spouse, a friend or caregiver.
    March 2-4, there will be a vintage aircraft show in Keystone Heights. You’ll have a chance to see the old B-17 once more. 
    If you have any questions call Dot Halvorsen, 352-542-7697.
   
Saturday, Feb. 11

Fair Yard Sale
The Levy Fair Association will be having its annual yard sale fund-raiser  Saturday, Feb. 11 starting at 8 a.m. at Keeping It Green Nursery on the corner of N. Main Street and NE 2nd Avenue in Williston, across from Williston General Dentistry. 
Items  are still needed for anyone wanting to donate.
All donations are tax deductible. The group also needs  a storage shed for both the yard sale and then at the fairgrounds.Volunteers will pick up and move any donations you have. Call Marc at 352-538-5551 to make arrangements.
Sunday, Feb. 12

RFL Bake Sale
A bake sale, with proceeds going to Relay for Life, will be held Feb. 12 at noon at The Junction Tavern, 120 NE 6th Ave.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Jazz Concert
The Gainesville Friends of Jazz will present the Nat Adderley Jaxx Quintet Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 4225 NW 34th St., Gainesville.
The band features Nat AdderleyJr.,on piano, Longineu Parsonson cornet, Diron Hollowayon tenor saxophone, Trevor Ware on bass and Roy McCurdy on drums.
 The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
General admission is $20, GFOJ Members $15 and stu dents $15.
For more information, call 352-379-0300 or visit gnvfriendsofjazz.org
Upcoming

Cruzin’ for Kidz
Cruzin’ for Kidz will be Saturday, Feb. 25 at Williston Elementary. Registration is 8:30-9:45 a.m. Kickstands up at 10 a.m.
“Cruzin’ For Kidz” is a motorcycle ride to raise money for fifth graders in WES Safety Patrollers to go to Washington, D.C. in June.
It is free to ride, donations accepted. There will be free coffee, donut and door prizes. Lunch is $8 and T-shirts are $12.
For more information, call 352-528-6030 OR 352-339-1201.
 

Ongoing

Williston Garden Club
The Williston Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month September through May. Anyone  interested in all aspects of gardening is encouraged to attend a meeting, 9:30 a.m. in the hall at the rear of the First Presbyterian Church, 247 NE 1st St., Williston. Call 528-9300 or 528-3323 before coming to make sure a field trip isn’t planned for that day.

Free Space for Yard Sale
The Williston Lions Club at 401 S E 6th St. is offering free outside space for anyone interested in selling their yard sale/ flea market items under the shade of the oaks. Bring your own tables.  

Senior Assistance
Assistance is available for qualifying residents of Alachua and Marion County over the age of 60 who are being discharged from the hospital or rehab center or have experienced an illness or other crisis and need temporary services in their homes. The Community Living Program can provide help for seniors who meet eligibility requirements.
 Services may include personal care, medical equipment and supplies, home delivered meals, transportation and many other types of help.
 The Elder Helpline is toll free and available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For assistance,  call 1-800-963-5337.

Lions Club
The Williston Lions Club is accepting new and gently used teddy bears for the Teddies for Tots program. The stuffed animals are used by police and law enforcement personnel to give to children and seniors in crisis situations.
Bring your donations to the club from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday. The club is located at the corner of 4th Street and 6th Avenue.

Methodist Thrift Store
First United Methodist Church Mission Thrift store is open every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The store is located at 25 SW 3rd St., Williston.

Volunteers Needed
Feisty Acres, a no-kill all-volunteer cat rescue shelter, located between Bronson and Williston is in need of volunteers. To learn more about Feisty Acres, or to volunteer, call Nute at (352) 528-2302, e-mail feistyedna@embarqmail.com or write: Feisty Acres, Inc, PO Box 693, Williston, FL  32696.

AMVETS Bingo
AmVets Post 444, located on Alt-27 just past the BP station on the left side headed toward Bronson, has Bingo every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.