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Lake County Senior Expo

The third annual Lake County Senior Expo, a free event, is 9am2pm Aug. 9 at Lake Receptions, 4425 N. Highway 19A, Mount Dora.

Around 900 people attended last year, and organizer Al Wittnebert expects a larger crowd as the event has grown in popularity.

More than 70 vendors and government agencies will be on hand to provide the latest information and resources to benefi t seniors who live in Lake County yearround. For more information, call Al at 352.383.1958 or email al@uacc.org.

Free pet adoptions

The public is invited to Lake County Animal Shelter for a “Hot Dogs, Cool Cats” event from 10am-3pm Aug. 5 at the shelter, 28123 County Road 561, Tavares.

In addition to the free pet adoptions, families can also enjoy free hot dogs and popsicles from 11am-2pm.

“Summer is a wonderful season for families to consider adopting a pet,” says Brian Sheahan, Lake County’s community safety and compliance director.

For the most up-to-date information and photos of adoptable animals, follow the shelter on Facebook at

facebook.com/LakeCountyAnimalShelter

and Twitter at twitter.com/lakeshelterpets.

It’s prime time for mosquitoes

It’s mosquito weather almost year-round in Florida, so you need to be on the lookout for these little biters all the time. A few things you may not know: • Only the females bite, to supplement their plant nectar diet with blood. • Water is essential to the life cycle of all mosquitoes. • While there are 150 species in the United States, only 80 species inhabit Florida. • They love Florida because eggs hatch at temperatures above 50 degrees. • This year has been a rough year due to the mild winter.

Source: Lake County Extension Off ice

Follow the “3 D’s” for safe mosquito control on your property, advises a recent press release from Lake County government: Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week. Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fi tting clothing. Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus. Rain gutters, tree holes, buckets, and tires all make excellent spots for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. It is important to drain and cover these items on your own property and encourage neighbors to do so as well as part of a community-wide effort.

2017 Siemens Technical Scholars

Lake-Sumter State College nursing students Kimberly Ball, Amber Chaney, and Damaris Wells were among 51 exceptional students named 2017 Siemens Technical Scholars by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (CEP) and the Siemens Foundation.

They each received a $3,500 scholarship to cover their education costs.

“The nursing program at Lake-Sumter State College provides high-quality instruction leading to well-prepared nurses, and we are happy that the hard work of Kimberly, Amber, and Damaris is being recognized in this way,” Dr. Douglas Wymer, vice president of academic affairs of LSSC, says in a press release. “Nurses and other health program graduates are in great demand in our local community. As a good community partner, we work hard to provide an educated workforce to meet that demand.”

Jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fi elds are projected to grow at nearly double the rate of non-STEM occupations, according to LSSC.

A new name

Avalar Real Estate Services is becoming Engel & Völkers, covering Clermont, Windermere, and Leesburg. “I feel Engle and Völkers off ers technologically the stability and continual growth of the brand. Most importantly, the integrity and humbles of the Florida franchise team with E&V behind us knows the best is yet to come,” says Lisa Reed, broker/owner. She has been in real estate for 17 years, 12 of that as a broker. What are the goals of her business now? “To reach more of the international market. To be able to have more sales and listings as a higher price point because of the training off ered and the technological tools available to us now,” Lisa says. “I am able to give my amazing agents the edge needed to make the best even better.” For information, call the off ices at 352.242.3939.

has a huge impact on Lake County

The results of a recent study conducted by Americans for the Arts show organizations involved in the arts spent $1 million during fi scal year 2015 and, according to a press release from Lake County government, event-related spending by those attending totaled $8 million. The study further indicated that generated nearly $3.7 million in household income for residents.

County Commissioner Wendy Breeden was quoted as saying, “Lake County was proud to take part in this national study of 351 regions, including major cultural epicenters like Miami and Chicago.” Wendy is the liaison to the Lake County Arts & Cultural Alliance.

Since many attendees are out-of-town visitors, they stay in hotels, which supports the county’s Tourist Development Tax. That money goes to promote Lake County as a tourist destination and build infrastructure to bring more travelers into the area.

Did you know?

On the first Saturday of every month, from 10am-2pm, there is a free gathering of Native American flute players at the Leesburg Center for the Arts. Other musicians bring guitars, dulcimers, and drums for jam sessions. Visitors are encouraged and may find it’s a great way to meet new friends. 429 W. Magnolia St. 352.365.0232. leesburg-

centerforthe arts.com

Josh Takes On: AN ADMITTEDLY ASKEW POINT OF VIEW FROM THE MIND OF ILLUSTRATOR JOSH CLARK

James Combs’

1 A Fruitland Park woman called the

Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation

Commission after spotting a rhesus macaque monkey in her neighborhood.

Some people might find that strange. I think the animal is just a chimp off the old block.

2 A brawl broke

out inside a local

McDonald’s and carried over into the parking lot, landing an 18-year-old Lady Lake woman in jail. Lesson learned: If you’re feeling angry at McDonald’s, then you should order a “happy” meal.

3 In recent months, signs advertising legal marijuana have appeared near shopping plazas in Clermont. State

Department of Health off icials say they are a scam. When police come close to solving this case, I bet one of the perpetrators says to his partner in crime, “Dude, we have to blow this joint!”

4 Leesburg city commissioners voted to sell 1,938 acres to

The Villages for houses and commercial use.

Get ready, Leesburg, you’re about to have it all…picturesque golf courses, beautiful custom homes, a bustling town square, golf cart accidents, sexually transmitted diseases. Enjoy!

5 The Venetian Gardens Splash Pad and Pavilion recently opened in Leesburg. Given the sizzling summer heat, there’s no doubt it will be a popular attraction. Let’s just hope it doesn’t become the outdoor version of Wal-Mart.

6 Former NBA star

Shaquille O’Neal, who campaigned for Sandy

Carpenter during the 2004 Lake County sheriff ’s race, says he would like to run for sheriff in 2020.

He hasn’t indicated where. Thanks to his basketball popularity, any election he enters should be a slamdunk victory.

Singing in the summertime

The Villages’ Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol is busy this summer. “Songs for a New World,” by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, has a limited engagement of nine performances from Aug. 13-29. The song cycle examines the challenges, rewards, and knowledge people obtain and endure when pursuing their dreams in a new world of possibility. The cast includes Whitney Morse, Fernando Varela, Allyssa Yost, and Josh Kimball.

“Forever Plaid, A Pitch-Perfect Jukebox Musical,” is scheduled from Aug. 2-Sept. 2 at the 99-seat black box theater, 806 San Marino Drive. The musical comedy, written by Stuart Ross, tells the tale of the Plaids, a quartet of crooners who return from the afterlife to perform a show of 1950s pop hits. The show stars singer Clark Barrios and a live band. Purchase tickets at thesharonstudio.com and Villages box offi ces, or by calling 352.751.7799.

Our bar is your bar

Our Sportsbar & Grill opened in late spring in Tavares and immediately started receiving rave reviews online for its food and service. The bar takes over the spacious room at 4101 County Road 561, at the corner of County Road 448.

More than a typical watering hole for adults, owners emphasize the bar is great for the whole family. Karaoke night on Wednesdays includes a session for kids, while adults own the mic on Fridays. A lengthy menu of sports bar fare includes the requisite wings and burgers, along with appetizers like fried caulifl ower and homemade bacon-wrapped peppers, hot and cold sandwiches, quesadillas, and choices for the kids.

Early on, Our Sportsbar still looked like a work in progress, with plenty of space for more seating and décor, and more TVs may be added in time for karaoke customers to start singing, “Are You Ready for Some Football?”

Sprint to the p fi nish

More than 1,000 athletes, coaches, and spectators from around the country are expected to converge in Clermont for the USA USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships. National Championships

The event is scheduled for Aug. 2-5 on Lake Minneola at Waterfront Park, 101 3rd St. Lake Minneola is the site of many national rowing and triathlon competitions, but this isthefirsttimetheUSA

SAVE THE DATE

August 2-5