News briefs for the week include a youth leadership commission, a blue moon and a community food drive.
Applications Being Accepted For Plant City Youth Leadership Commission
Are you a sophomore, junior or senior in high school and interested in enhancing your leadership skills while gaining valuable insights into the workings of local government? If so, then apply to become a member of the first-ever City of Plant City Youth Leadership Commission. The deadline to apply is Monday, Sept. 4. Visit plantcitygov.com/community/page/youth-leadership-commission to learn more about the program or download the application.
Plant City Native Snags Role In Mrs. Doubtfire National Tour
Plant City resident Giselle Gutierrez has been cast as Lydia Hillard, alongside Tony-nominated Broadway leading man Rob McClure, in an upcoming production of Mrs. Doubtfire, a play about an out-of-work actor who, after losing custody of his children in a divorce, creates his alter ego, a Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in an attempt to stay in their lives. The 2023-2024 tour launches in Buffalo, New York in September before continuing in more than 30 cities, including Ft. Myers, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. Congrats, Giselle!
Step Outside Aug. 30 For A Once In A Blue Moon Experience
Step outside Wed., August 30 at 9:35 p.m. for an event that happens once in a blue moon (actually once every two to three years, according to NASA)…an actual blue moon that is expected to be a “Super Blue Moon,” the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. Don’t expect the moon to appear blue, though, because the term refers to a second full moon in a calendar month.
The Aug. 30 super moon will be the closest, biggest, and brightest full super moon of 2023. It’s exceptionally close in Moon miles from Earth (222,043 miles). The next time we’ll have a closer full super moon is Nov. 5, 2025, when the moon lies 221,817 miles from Earth.
President Biden Announces New SAVE Plan That Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments
Worried that your federal student loan will start accruing interest again on Sept. 1 and payments will be due starting in Oct.? Vice President Kamala Harris announced yesterday a SAVE plan- a new repayment plan that will save the typical borrower around $1,000 a year. Monthly payments will be based on income and family size, rather than their total student loan balance and as long as you make the monthly payments required under your plan, your loan balance will no longer grow because of unpaid interest- making sure that you make progress on paying down the debt. According to the website, the program provides the lowest monthly payments of any Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan available to nearly all student borrowers.
Learn more about or enroll in the program at studentaid.gov/save.
Wish Farms Hosts Pick A Berry Pick A Cause Giveaway
Wish Farms’ annual Pick a Berry Pick a Cause Giveaway is happening now. The company will donate $10,000, divided amongst three charities- Everyday Blessings, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) and Celebrate Birthdays. Visit wishfarms.com/give-back-giveaway-2023/ to vote for your favorite charity. As an added bonus, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize of $1,000 in Visa gift cards. Four lucky runner-ups will also win $250 Visa gift cards. Voting ends September 30 and winners will be announced Oct. 3. Vote today!
Plant City Government Partners With United Food Bank of Plant City On Food Drive
The City of Plant City has partnered with the United Food Bank of Plant City to host a special food drive benefitting local students. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall, Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City Police Department and the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center through Sept. 15.
