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Tampa Area Mass Transit Gatherings Invite Commuters

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

TAMPA - You can leave the car at home. Really.

Find out how from groups ready to sell you on carpools, bicycles and mass transit options. Stick around for the free pizza, T-shirts and prizes.

Commuter Choices Week started Monday with a half-dozen transportation-related groups handing out pamphlets and other goodies at Poe Plaza in downtown Tampa.

The 12th annual event continues through Oct. 15 at sites in Clearwater, New Port Richey, downtown St. Petersburg, the University of South Florida and more.

Eighty percent of Hillsborough commuters drive alone to work, 3 percentage points higher than the national average.

For a list of locations, go to TampaBayRideshare.org/ccw08.htm

County Discusses Building Guides

Developers should keep buses and trains in mind when proposing projects, says Hillsborough County's Transportation Task Force.

The group was set to vote Monday on a set of guiding principles that could affect future subdivisions, offices and shopping centers. Because it couldn't muster a quorum, the vote was delayed until Oct. 26.

Developers won't be required to adhere to the recommendations, and the county doesn't have to go along. If county commissioners like the plan, they can work the changes into planning and zoning rules.

Drainage Work Ties Up 20th Street

Motorists in the University of South Florida area should avoid 20th Street at 131st Avenue for the next few weeks.

The intersection will be closed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily because of a drainage project. It will reopen Nov. 4.

Drivers are asked to use either 19th Street or Fletcher Avenue.

Stop By Senior Flu Shot Clinics

Flu and pneumonia immunizations are now available to Hillsborough County residents ages 60 and older for $25, or free through Medicare Part B, HMO or other forms of insurance.

Immunization is the best way to avoid the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The shots are provided by the county Department of Aging Services and the Florida Health Department at these sites:

•Westshore Senior Center: Wednesday, 9 to 11 a.m., 4102 W. Spruce St., Tampa, (813) 554-5156

•Ruskin Senior Center: Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 901 Sixth St. S.E., Ruskin, (813) 672-1106

•Riverside Senior Center: Oct. 22, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 829 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 105, Tampa, (813) 272-7108

•Plant City Senior Center: Oct. 23, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1205 S. Waller St., Plant City, (813) 757-3824

•Lutz Senior Center: Oct. 30, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 112 First Ave. N.W., Lutz, (813) 264-3803

•Wimauma Senior Center: Nov. 6, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 5714 North St., Wimauma, (813) 671-7672

For information, call (813) 272-6630.

In addition to immunization, the CDC recommends these disease-fighting tips:

1. Avoid close contact with others when you're sick or they are.

2. Stay home if you don't feel well.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

4. Wash your hands often.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, favorite entryways for germs.

6. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Tribune reporter Rich Shopes contributed to this report.

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