Get a taste of the Caribbean at festival

The music, food and cultural life of the Caribbean will be highlighted at the Caribbean Heritage Month Festival on Sunday.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St.

The event will include music from artists and bands as performances by Caribbean associations. It is part of National Caribbean Heritage Month, which is celebrated in June in major cities across the United States.

The event is a fundraiser for the Caribbean American National Development Organization, a nonprofit organization that promotes educational, workforce development, cultural and business programs to the Caribbean community in the Tampa Bay region and the University Area Community Development Corp., which operates the center and seeks to redevelop the surrounding area.

Tickets are $10 for those age 13 and older; children 12 and younger will be admitted for free. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/CANDOtix.

For information, call (813) 558-5212 or visit www.wicando.com or www.uacdconline.org.

Women's club presents checks

The Tampa Palms Women's Club recently presented checks to four nonprofit organizations and a donation for a scholarship at the University of South Florida.

The presentation was made during the June 1 club meeting and covered-dish luncheon, the last event before a summer recess.

The organizations are Kid and Canines, God's Pedal Power, OASIS (Outreach Assisting students in Schools) and the Rich House.

Representatives from the groups thanked the donors and told about the people they help.

Mike Olsen said God's Pedal Power, which supplies refurbished bicycles to people in need, used to give out 500 bicycles a year; now it is 1,000. Volunteers would repair five or six a week; now they fix about 30 a week.

Ginger Bean told about OASIS, which provides clothing and essentials to families. She thanked the women because "you have been consistent supporters - not only financially but with volunteering to help sort clothes.

Bean also introduced Jackie Lambert, a University of South Florida student intern who will assist the organization.

Art festival benefits center

The Aston Gardens Summer Fun Art Festival, a benefit for The Life Enrichment Center, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include displays from artists, entertainment, psychic readings and a brunch buffet.

The center is a private, nonprofit, community-based center for active adults, Classes range from dance and art to computers and Spanish

Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay, a senior living community, is at 12951 W. Linebaugh Ave. For information, contact Beth Leto at (813) 855-2811 or bleto@astongardens.com

General meeting planned for Rotary

The Tampa Evening Rotary Club will have a general membership meeting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Hunter's Green Golf & Country Club, 18101 Longwater Drive.

For information, contact Kimberly Weisgarber at (813) 391-3974.