BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey
January 2024
I am always amazed at the vast offerings of programs and activities courtesy of our local libraries. Long ago the local library became more than a place to borrow books that patrons check out on a regular basis. That service alone saves hundreds of dollars for borrowers – never mind DVD checkouts and streaming services that you can sign onto for free with your library card.
County and city libraries are a valuable and overlooked local resource that can tend to the needs and enrich the lives of many if they simply enter the doors or get online to access both onsite and virtual programs.
The arts, languages, music, health and wellness, gardening and so much more.
Below you’ll find some special highlights happening throughout the month of January that might just tickle a fancy, introduce you to a new hobby and get you out into your community.
Scroll down or access the Quick Search feature below. Be sure to explore on your own especially for ongoing programs – book clubs, story times – by accessing the New Port Richey Public Library website here and the Pasco County Libraries website here.
Calendar Note
Libraries will be closed on January 1, 2025 for the New Years’ Holiday and also on January 20, 2025 in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
QUICK SEARCH
Arts Programs and Special Events
Career and Job Assistance Programs
Gardening & Ecology
Health and Wellness
Language Programs
Arts Programs & Special Events
Free Art Closet, 3 – 4:50 p.m. Thursday, January 2 and 5 – 7 p.m. January 28 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Are you looking to try out a new art or craft but worried about the cost? Come by the library to pick up some supplies and discover something you love. Supplies available include jewelry findings, beads, yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, brushes, paint, art books, drawing supplies and more. For more info go to the Centennial Park events page here.
Free Art Closet Guidelines: Each patron is permitted to take up to 7 items total, one of those items can be a new/primo item. Due to the small space, only two adult patrons are permitted in at one time. All children, 16 and under, must be accompanied by an adult.
Creative Coloring for Adults, 2 – 3 p.m. most Fridays at the South Holiday Library in Holiday
Join this ongoing class for adults and seniors. For more info access the South Holiday events page here.
NPR FarmNet Collard Greens & Winter Garden Fest, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR | Free
The Ninth Annual Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo will feature cool-weather produce, bedding plants, and seedlings. Sample tastings and prepared season food items, cookbooks and gardening materials for sale. Educational programs.
Kids Aloft : Northern Lights Chalk Drawing, 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Come to the Library Loft space to draw a wintry scene featuring the Northern Lights! The library will provide all supplies. Intended for children ages 6-10. Registration is required. Register on the Centennial Park events page here.
Poetry Club, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the New Port Richey Library | Free
Read and discuss the works of famous classic poets with other poetry lovers. If you’re a word wizard yourself, use this judgment-free zone to share your own art. Rediscover the power of timeless poems!
A Witness to History: Stories of the Holocaust, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, January 8 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
Join the Florida Holocaust Museum as they discuss stories behind their exhibit “A Witness to History”.
To register or for more info visit the Pasco County Events page here.
NPR Library Riverside Concert Series, featuring Hungry Town, 6 p.m. Friday, January 10 in Sims Park in downtown NPR | Free
Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, through their years of worldwide touring and tireless devotion to many classic genres of music, have crafted Hungrytown into a true artistic hybrid, able to hold Celtic and Americana, ballads and psychedelia, sunshine and darkness, joy and despair–not only within the same album, but within the same song.
This performance will take place in the southwest corner of Sims Park, near the Grassin Bridge. Please feel free to bring your own camp chair or blanket for seating.
For information access the NPR Library Event Calendar here.
Friends of the South Holiday Library Book Sale, ALL DAY, Saturday, January 11 at the library in Holiday
Stock up on books and movies for the whole family.
For more info access the South Holiday Library events page here.
MLK History Film Screening: MLK/FBI, 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 15 at the New Port Richey Library | Free
This documentary film features recently declassified files that unearthed how the FBI branded and targeted Martin Luther King Jr. as an enemy of the state. It sheds new light on Martin Luther King Jr. as he was beginning to rise to national fame and influence as a leader of the civil rights movement.
This film is rated PG and has a runtime of 1hr 44min. Closed captioning is available.
MLK Day of Service Volunteer Fair, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR
Local non-profits will showcase their mission in the community as a way to connect with potential volunteers and build awareness about available services.
For information or to sign your non-profit organization up, contact the library’s Community Outreach Coordinator at (727) 853-1275 or at ortmanm@cityofnewportrichey.org
Intro to Photography – Using Aperture Effectively, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
Register starting January 4 for this hands-on class to learn to use Aperture effectively by isolating the subject to create a wonderful image. Please bring your own camera.
To register or for more info visit the Pasco County Events page here.
Molten Magic: The Art of Glass with Duncan McClellan, 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Meet renowned glass artist Duncan McClellan. His vase Screening out the Background Noise has been proudly on display at Centennial Park Branch Library since 1993. In this exclusive event, Duncan will share the inspiring story behind his artistic journey, offering insights into his creative process and the meticulous craftsmanship that defines his work. Explore the techniques that bring his glass pieces to life, from concept to creation.
Artist Series: Painting Like Salvador Dalí, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at the New Port Richey Library
No experience is necessary to attend this class. Registration is required as supplies are limited. Can’t make it this time? A duplicate class will be offered at 12:30 pm. Please Note: This class is geared toward adults. The painting techniques are advanced, and the subject matter is mature. This is not a children’s art class. Registration required.
Career and Job Assistance Programs
- New Job January: Navigating Online Applications, 3 – 5 p.m. Thursday, January 9 at the New Port Richey Library. Learn how to navigate online job applications with guidance from an AmSkills representative. Discover essential strategies for creating strong online profiles and submitting applications with confidence.
- Career Source, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesdays at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday. Join Career Source for assistance with employment searches, resume writing, interviewing preparation, EmployFlorida assistance, and more.
- Community Resource Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 28 at the South Holiday Library. Looking for information on healthcare, employment, and county services? Stop by and meet with different social services and community partners all in one place.
Gardening | Ecology Programs
For more events and info visit the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Events page here.
Parent Plant Club, 6 – 7 p.m. Thursday, January 2 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
Join fellow plant lovers to talk about different houseplant topics, swap cuttings, and create plant-themed crafts!
For more info visit the Pasco County Libraries events page here.
NPR FarmNet Collard Greens & Winter Garden Fest, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR | Free
The Ninth Annual Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo will feature cool-weather produce, bedding plants, and seedlings. Sample tastings and prepared season food items, cookbooks and gardening materials for sale. Educational programs.
Youth Gardening Activities with Pasco Master Gardeners, 2 – 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at the South Holiday Library in Holiday
Master Gardeners will provide gardening activities each month for kids ages 10-14 on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
For more info access the South Holiday Library events page here.
UF/IFAS/Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Attracting Backyard Birds, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at the Zephyrhills Public Library in Zephyrhills
This presentation will explain the three main needs of wildlife-especially birds – quality food, safe cover, and fresh water. The talk includes the importance of native plants and creating habitats and landscaping that supports native and migratory birds.
UF/IFAS/Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Vermicomposting, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 13 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey
Worm compost is a great soil amendment. Learn how to build and maintain a proper habitat for vermicomposting, including the right type of worms, bedding, feeding and location.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Master Garden Program | Owls in Your Neighborhood, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, January 14 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel AND again from 2 – 3 p.m. January 21 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Learn about all the raptors that share our area and see how you can attract these marvelous creatures to your garden. Explore their habits and habitats and learn why it is so important to invite them to our neighborhoods.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Warm Weather Seed Propagation and Vegetable Starts, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, January 15 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
This is an introductory seminar where you will learn to start vegetables from seed as the first step to growing your own food. Each time you start a seed, you get to witness the amazing transformation that takes place when you add a little water, light and warmth.
Learn how to choose the right seeds for warm weather planting, the soil mixture that will work best, how much water is needed, and then just sit back and watch as the tiny seeds grow into healthy plants.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Examining the Dessert Rose, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 21 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR
Not everything is as it seems with this unusual succulent known for its beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers and unusual growth habit.
Health and Wellness
- New Year, Better You Health and Wellness Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa. Vendors, Meal Planning Workshop, Pilates, Growth and Recovery Workshop. For more info visit the Pasco County Libraries events page here.
- Walk and Talk Club, 10 – 11 a.m. most Mondays starting at the New Port Richey Public Library.
- Medicare Basics with SHINE, 10 – 11 a.m. most Tuesdays at the New Port Richey Library. The Medicare 101 presentation conducted by the SHINE Program will provide information on the basics of Medicare with coverage that falls into four different areas called “Parts”- Medicare Part A, B, C & D, and what they mean to you. A SHINE volunteer will also be available to answer questions about each Part that holds your interest. www.floridashine.org
- Guided Meditation + Art – Sleeplessness, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 15 at the Starky Ranch Library in Odessa. This monthly class involves a 10 – 20 minute meditation designed to harness the power of your imagination for your health and wellness. Followed by an expressive art activity for further exploration.
- Creative Relaxation for Adults, 2- 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 29 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey.Join this monthly class that will include a short meditation followed by an expressive arts activity designed to help reduce stress. Led by a mental health professional.
- Mid-Day Meditation, 1 – 2 p.m. most Fridays at the New Port Richey Library.
Language Programs
Local libraries offer ongoing virtual and onsite language classes. Patrons are also welcome to learn on their own through language apps they can access for free through county and city library systems.
- Online Virtual | English Conversation Group, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 – 10:30 a.m. Fridays. This is a fun, casual atmosphere to practice and improve your English. Adult speakers of all levels are welcome. We have a new topic for every meeting. Claudia from the South Holiday Library will host the class. Please email the South Holiday Library, sh@pascolibraries.org, for more information and to register. Registration is required.
- Online Virtual | English as a Second Language, 2 – 4 p.m. Thursdays and 2 – 4 p.m. Fridays. These lessons are intended for students with some prior experience learning English. Lessons are taught in English by a certified teacher and are 30 minutes long For adults 18+. Please email the South Holiday Library, sh@pascolibraries.org, for more information and to register. Registration required.
- Guten Tag!, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. most Fridays at the New Port Richey Library. Practice your German language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; class will be led via conversation practice and not with an instructor.
- Mandarin Chinese, 1:30 – 3 p.m. most Fridays at the New Port Richey Library. Practice your Mandarin Chinese language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; the class will be led via conversation practice and not with an instructor.
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