Get tips on planting fall veggie garden from the experts

Sept. 02--The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/Marion County Extension Service and Marion County Master Gardeners will present the Vegetable Garden Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of the extension service, 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Road, Ocala.

The one-stop garden shop will feature garden accessories, supplies and seedlings. There also will be seminars and guided vegetable and herb garden tours.

Admission is free.

Details: 352-671-8400 or marioncountyfl.org/extensionservice.

Meetings

-- The Alliance to Protect Water Resources will have a brief business meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Clermont's Historic Village, 490 West Ave. There also will be a meet-and-greet with invited local candidates running for School Board, County Commission, Water Authority and local City Councils.

Details: Peggy Cox, 352-429-2403.

-- The Peripheral Neuropathy support group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the card room in the lodge at Waterman Village, 445 Waterman Ave., Mount Dora.

Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves that run from the brain or the spine to the arms, hands, legs and feet by breaking down the sheath that covers and protects nerve endings.

Details: Jack Koehler, 352-735-2077.

Bilingual story time

Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St., is offering bilingual story time at 1 p.m. every Thursday.

The interactive story time is for speakers of Spanish, English or both featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, and make a craft to take home.

All ages are welcome, but story time is geared to children ages 2 through 6.

The event is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver

Registration isn't required.

For more information, call 352-728-9790 or email [email protected].

Unwanted furniture, electronics

Marion County residents can get rid of unwanted furniture at recycling centers. Marion County Solid Waste Department monthly furniture collection for September is 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

Sept. 13 at 17780 N.E. 19th Court, Citra. S

Sept. 20 at 4232 S. U.S. Highway 41, Dunnellon.

Sept. 27 at 12195 E. County Road 316, Fort McCoy.

Marion County residents also can drop off unwanted electronics between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday at Baseline recycling center, 5601 S.E. 66th St., Ocala.

Acceptable household items include computer monitors, televisions, radios and stereos.

Details: 352-671-8465 or marioncountyfl.org/solidwaste.

'A Fetching Affair' gala

South Lake Animal League, a no-kill shelter in Groveland, will present its inaugural "A Fetching Affair" gala from 6 to 10 p.m.Sept. 13 in the Magnolia House at Trilogy Orlando, 100 Falling Acorn Ave. in Groveland.

Proceeds will benefit the Best Paw Forward building fund.

The event will include an elegant buffet, signature cocktail, casino-style games, live and silent auctions, drawings and more. Entertainment will be provided by John Dorian, who play sings and plays the guitar.

Tickets are $75 a person.

Sponsorships are available, as well as donations for the auction.

"A Fetching Affair" represents a major milestone for the animal league. "For more than 26 years, the community has supported us and has helped us give hope to animals that desperately are in need of compassionate care, medical attention and forever homes," said Doreen Barker, president of the animal league.

To purchase tickets or more information about sponsorship or donating items for the auctions, visit slal.org/afetchingaffair or email [email protected].

Free social services

The Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St., offers free social services every Tuesday.

Representatives from Access Florida offer one-on-one assistance with applying for Medicaid, food-stamp and temporary cash assistance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) volunteers are available from 10 a.m. to noon to provide information and counseling on Medicare, Medigap and long-term care options for people 65 and older.

Details: 352-728-9790.

[email protected]

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