Good morning, New Port Richey. It's National Smarties Day, which is as good a cue as any for the first properly Halloween issue of the year. Expect 90 today with showers and scattered storms, and rain in the forecast every day through Tuesday.

Pasco extended its fall tree giveaway lottery to Monday night, so there is still time to enter for a free magnolia, maple, cedar or holly. The water management district starts a much larger round of prescribed burns today, about 1,400 acres across four preserves between now and December, with 500 of those at Starkey. And Fire Rescue has given its Valor Award to two firefighters who went into the water in May to free someone trapped in a submerged car.

Tonight Rocky Boven plays Jeep and Truck Night at Circle S, and the Oasis has music through both halves of the evening. Saturday the Elks host Hotel Alabama for charity, and Sunday the indoor vendor market opens in its new conference center home. The library's Spooky Season BINGO card is open to anyone over 18, and every line you fill in wins a prize. That seems like a fair trade.

The free tree lottery now runs through Monday night
Pasco County Parks & Rec
Pasco County has extended its fall tree giveaway lottery to Monday, October 5 at 11:59 p.m. Any county resident 18 or older can enter, and the trees on offer are Little Gem magnolia, red cedar, red maple and dahoon holly. Winners are notified Tuesday, October 6 and pick up Saturday, October 10 at Withlacoochee River Park, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park or Crews Lake Wilderness Park.
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The county is giving away fish that eat mosquito larvae
City of New Port Richey
Pasco County Mosquito Control is handing out free mosquito fish today from 9 a.m. to noon at the old Dade City Police Department, 38042 Pasco Ave. The fish eat mosquito larvae, and the giveaway is part of the county's response to the dengue outbreak. Thursday's location was the mosquito control office in Odessa, so today's is a long drive east from here.
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There is a Halloween BINGO card at the library
New Port Richey Public Library
The New Port Richey Public Library has a Halloween reading challenge running through October 31 for adults 18 and over. Read, complete activities and fill in a BINGO card. Every line earns a prize, and finishing the whole card enters you to win two tickets to a ghost tour in downtown Tarpon Springs.
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Pasco Libraries are making the next two months about art
Pasco County Library System
The library system is running an art theme through October and November, with art books, magazines and films, galleries at some branches, and Discovery Pass tickets to museums and theaters. A new Reading Quest has also opened on Beanstack, where logging reading minutes and activities enters you for a prize.
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The burns at Starkey run through December
Pasco County Fire Rescue
The Southwest Florida Water Management District will burn about 1,400 acres across four Pasco preserves between now and December. The largest share is 500 acres at Starkey Wilderness Preserve, just east of New Port Richey between State Road 54 and State Road 52. Conner Preserve has 450 acres scheduled, Upper Hillsborough Preserve 300 near Zephyrhills and Cypress Creek Preserve 150. The burns clear overgrown vegetation to reduce wildfire risk, so expect smoke on and off for the next three months.
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A Valor Award for the two firefighters who went in after a submerged car
Pasco County Fire Rescue
Pasco County Fire Rescue has given its Valor Award to firefighters David Marin Canas and Andres Colina. On May 26 the two went into the water to free a person trapped in a fully submerged car and brought them safely to shore.
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Where to turn during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
City of New Port Richey
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the City of New Port Richey is pointing residents to the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program, whose confidential hotline is (727) 856-5797. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
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Gulf Middle and Gulf High are running a joint Trunk or Treat
Gulf Middle School
The two schools are holding a Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Gulf High student parking lot, with candy, music and family entertainment.
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Chasco K-8's All Pro Dad breakfast is October 15
Chasco K-8
The next All Pro Dad breakfast at Chasco K-8 is Thursday, October 15 at 7:20 a.m. in the school cafeteria. The invitation is open to any caring adult in a student's life, not only fathers.
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A week-long treasure hunt across the PHSC campuses
Pasco-Hernando State College
PHSC's Student Success Committee is running Boomer's Treasure Hunt Adventure at every campus, including West Campus in New Port Richey, from Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Students follow clues to find treats and campus resources, and the grand prize winner is announced on Facebook on Wednesday, October 14 at 11 a.m.
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Luau Fundraiser Dinner
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Lakewood Family Church
12637 Pony Ln, Hudson, FL 34669
Thrive Youth Ministries is holding a Luau Fundraiser Dinner, $15 per person, with food, games and giveaways.
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Learn-To-Skate Class - Beginner Roller Skating Classes
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 9 AM – 12 PM
Astro Skate of Tarpon Springs
875 Cypress St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
A beginner roller skating class for ages 4 and up, every Saturday at 9 a.m. Absolute beginners are welcome.
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Trinity Market at Trinity Commons Coffee
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Trinity Commons Coffee
1540 Little Rd, Trinity, FL 34655
The first-Saturday market at Trinity Commons Coffee, with vendors, food trucks and a splash pad.
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Advanced Tai Chi Class
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM
Pop Stansell Park
797 Florida Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
A mixed-level advanced class with Tai Chi Traditions instructors, working to improve knowledge and execution of the form.
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Beginner's Tai Chi Class
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Pop Stansell Park
797 Florida Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Guided instruction from Tai Chi Traditions instructors in the Tai Chi 109 movements.
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Thrive on the Square
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 11 AM – 12 PM
Cavalaire Square
5739 Missouri Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Move. Learn. Connect. Thrive. A free monthly wellness series in downtown New Port Richey.
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Community Games and Crafts Night at Community Congregational Church
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Community Congregational Church
6533 Circle Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652
An evening of queer joy. Bring a favorite board game or a craft project to share, or just enjoy your own, in the spirit of the church potluck.
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Rise & Roll at Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream - Odessa
Sunday | October 4, 2026 | 9 AM
Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream - Odessa
2332 Gunn Hwy, Odessa, FL 33556
Coffee and games on Sunday morning at Foxtail in Odessa.
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Big Worley's BBQ & Burger (BBQ | Burgers)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 1 PM – 7 PM
Craft Life Brewing Company
6810 Tower Dr., Hudson, FL 34667
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Softee the King (Ice Cream)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5 PM – 10 PM
Urban Grounds
148 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
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Ezee Dogs Hotdogs and Catering (Hot Dogs)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Lakeside Clubhouse Amenity Center
13739 Lakemont Dr., Hudson, FL 34669
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Gigglewaters Food Trucks (American | Burgers | Hot Dogs)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6 PM – 10 PM
Tarpon Springs Historical Train Depot Museum
160 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
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Sandy's Flavor Station (American | Burgers)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
Emerald Coast Brewing Company
5731 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652
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Dinner with John T. at Oasis Coffee
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Oasis Coffee
9213 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
Every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, John plays songs you know and love, plus the occasional classic you may not have heard yet.
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Magic the Band at Sam's Hudson Beach Bar
Magic the Band
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6 PM
Sam's Hudson Beach Bar
6325 Clark Street, Hudson, FL 34667
Live music at Sam's Hudson Beach Bar.
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Rocky Boven & The Moonshine Boy at Circle S BBQ, LLC
Rocky Boven & The Moonshine Boy
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6 PM
Circle S BBQ, LLC
14630 US 19, Hudson, FL 34667
Rocky Boven and The Moonshine Boy play Jeep & Truck Night at Circle S BBQ. No entry fee.
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Friday Night Live Music at The Oasis Coffee Spot
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Oasis Coffee
9213 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
After Dinner with John T., catch Friday night music at Oasis Coffee Spot from 6:30. Check in each week to see who is playing.
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Bearded Brothers at Art's Tap House North
Bearded Brothers
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7 PM – 10 PM
Art's Tap House North
6935 Ridge Rd. (CR-524), Port Richey, FL 34668
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FuseBox at Overtime Sports Bar
FuseBox
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 8 PM
Overtime Sports Bar
7736 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667
FuseBox plays OT 52 in Hudson. Doors at 8, show starts at 9 PM.
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Streetwise Tampa Bay @Art's Tap House South
Streetwise Tampa Bay
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 8 PM
Art's Tap House
8631 Old County Rd 54, New Port Richey, FL 34653
Streetwise Tampa Bay plays Art's Tap House South.
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Music & A Meal with Michael Chauncey
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Oasis Coffee
9213 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
Michael performs across a wide range of genres on both piano and guitar, and leans toward classic gospel on Saturdays.
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Saturday Night Live Music at The Oasis Coffee Spot
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Oasis Coffee
9213 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
After Music & A Meal, catch Saturday night music at Oasis Coffee Spot from 6:30. Check in each week to see who is playing.
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Whiskey Throttle at Art's Tap House North
Whiskey Throttle
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 7 PM – 10 PM
Art's Tap House North
6935 Ridge Rd. (CR-524), Port Richey, FL 34668
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Hotel Alabama Tribute Charity Concert at Elks Lodge #2284
Hotel Alabama
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 8 PM – 11 PM
New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284
7201 Congress St, New Port Richey, FL 34653
A tribute act that blends the catalogs of The Eagles and Alabama, performing as a charity benefit.
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Sunshine Sessions at Cavalaire Square
Sunday | October 4, 2026 | 11 AM – 1 PM
Cavalaire Square
5739 Missouri Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34652
An all-ages, family-friendly music series on the square in downtown New Port Richey.
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Jayar Mack at Whiskey River on the Water
Jayar Mack
Sunday | October 4, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
Whiskey River on the Water
5245 Limestone Dr., Port Richey, FL 34690
On the outside patio overlooking the Cotee River.
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Crossfire Creek at Circle S BBQ, LLC
Crossfire Creek
Sunday | October 4, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Circle S BBQ, LLC
14630 US 19, Hudson, FL 34667
Advance tickets are $10 and limited, and a ticket is required. The show starts at 5 p.m.
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