Supporters Go Back To Nature

A $4 million renovation project at Nature's Classroom was celebrated by about 100 supporters during a rededication ceremony Tuesday.

Nature's Classroom, 13100 Verges Road, is a 365-acre environmental education center on the Hillsborough River. It is used to educate Hillsborough County public school sixth-graders and private middle school students about conservation issues. Opened in 1969, it is partnership of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Hillsborough County school district and the Hillsborough Education Foundation.

The foundation led the capital campaign and oversaw the renovations, which began in 2000 and were completed in November.

"Nature's Classroom is just a community treasure," said Bill Hoffman, executive director of the foundation.

The project included the restoration of the facility's animal habitats and the building of 11 outdoor classrooms, three river shelters, a welcome center, an interpretive center, restrooms and sidewalks.

Lenora Lake

County Will Close Building Services Office In Plant City

PLANT CITY - Hillsborough County is closing its local building services division office March 16.

The elimination of the office at 307 Michigan Ave. is because of "significant reductions in revenue and the continued downturn in construction activity," county officials said.

Customers who use the Plant City office can visit the division's south county office at 410 30th St. S.E., Ruskin, or its main offices in the NetPark business complex at 5701 E. Hillsborough Ave., Suite 1140, Tampa. Customers will be able to receive the same services at these locations, such as filing for permits, requesting inspections and having building plans reviewed, the county said.

Acting county building official Wayne Francis couldn't be reached for comment.

Dave Nicholson

Weekend Workshops Focus On Financial Aid

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County school district is teaming up with ENLACE Florida to help high school students in need of financial assistance for college.

This year's College Goal Sunday will be Saturday and Sunday at Tampa and southern Hillsborough County locations. College Goal Sunday is a program to help students and their parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Registration sessions on Saturday will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the HOPE Center, 4902 N. 22nd St., and 2 to 5 p.m. at the University of South Florida's Marshall Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., both in Tampa.

Students may also apply for financial aid from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at East Bay High School, 7710 Old Big Bend Road, Gibsonton; and Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School, 11602 N. 15th St.; Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St.; and Pierce Middle School, 5511 N. Hesperides St., all in Tampa.

To complete the financial application at College Goal Sunday, students must get a FAFSA personal identification number at www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/ pinindex.jsp. Students and parents also should bring current IRS tax returns, W-2 statements or other relevant 2008 income information.

ENLACE Florida promotes college readiness, access and success for Hispanics, blacks and other ethnic groups considered underrepresented on college campuses.

Kenneth Knight

Plant City Gets Money To Help Drainage

PLANT CITY - Commissioners recently accepted $500,000 in state money as part of $6.5 million in ongoing improvements to the Eastside Canal.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection funding will be used to close a drainage ditch between Reynolds Street and the CSX rail line.

Additionally, savings from previously funded portions of the project will be used to improve the channel between East Gilchrist and Tomlin streets.

The canal serves a drainage basin of nearly 10 square miles. Properties in the basin are bound by East Alexander Street on the south, Collins Street/James L. Redman Parkway on the west, Knights-Griffin Road on the north and North Wilder Road on the east.

George Wilkens