News Briefs

UD offers ServSafe and Dine Safe

ServSafe is a nationally rec­ognized, premier food safety certification from the National Restaurant Association Educa­tional Foundation. This one-day class, taught by Delaware Family and Consumer Science educa­tors, teaches food safety training for professionals, food service workers, and quantity food pre­parers. Class dates for Sussex County are Feb. 5, May 15, and Sept. 10. Arrangements can also be made to conduct training on site. Go to www.extension.udel.edu/fcs/food-safety/servsafe for more information or call 302-856-2585, Ext. 542.

Sussex County 2014 dog licenses on sale

Sussex County is now selling dog licenses for 2014, with all fees remaining the same as in previous years. Dog owners have until March 1, 2014, to obtain up-to-date licenses for dogs 6 months or older. For spayed and neutered dogs, the annual cost is $10; for non-spayed and unneu­tered dogs, the cost is $15 yearly.

Fees collected through dog licenses help to support animal­control services provided by the county and mandated by Dela­ware law. Dogs must be current on their rabies vaccinations at the time the license is obtained. Fees will be waived for seeing­eye, lead or guide dogs and those that have previously served in a branch of the U.S. military. Licenses are available in one­, two- and three-year increments, and are valid through Dec. 31 of the expiration year. Owners who fail to comply with the county’s licensing requirements face an initial $50 fine, with a maximum fine of $100 for repeat offenses within a 12-month period.

Applications can be made on­line or in person. Go to www.sussexcountyde.gov and click on the “Dog Licensing” link on the bottom left side of the main page, or stop by the County Adminis­trative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions about licensing requirements, call 302-855-7380.

Cape Gazette posts holiday deadlines

With Christmas and New Year’s Day falling right in the middle of the week, the Cape Gazette has scheduled early ad­vertising deadlines. Deadlines for the Friday, Dec. 27 edition are noon, Friday, Dec. 20. Cape Gazette offices will be closed Dec. 24-25. Deadlines for the Tuesday, Dec. 31 edition will be 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26, with deadlines for the Friday, Jan. 3 edition moved up to noon, Mon­day, Dec. 30. The offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Milton sets deadline for property tax appeals

Milton Town Council will hear property tax assessment appeals Wednesday, Jan. 29. To be heard at the meeting, the town is ask­ing residents to file an appeal by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14. The 2013 tax assessment report and appeal form are each available at milton.delaware.gov.

Cape state park offers winter break programs

Cape Henlopen State Park staff will offer a slate of programs for families during Winter Break. The Cold Blooded Animals Pro­gram Thursday, Dec. 26, will show how some of the animals in the park spend the winter. At­tendees will get to meet reptiles and other creatures up close while learning about how they adapt to the changing seasons. This program is for ages 5 and up with paying adult and costs $2 per person.

Staff will host a program all about winter birds Friday, Dec. 27, Feed the Birds: Eco-Friendly Solutions.

It can be tough for birds to survive the winter, so those who attend will create treats to help them out. Materials will be pro­vided. This program is for ages 5 and up with paying adult and costs $2 per person.

The Squid Dissection program will explore the insides and out­sides of this unique mollusk through a hands-on dissection Saturday, Dec. 28. This program is for ages 5 and up with paying adult and costs $5 per person.

All three of these programs meet at the Seaside Nature Cen­ter at 11 a.m. Space is limited; call 302-645-6852 to preregister.

The Seaside Nature Center will host a Holiday Feeding Fren­zy at 2 p.m. each day Dec. 26-28, when staff will be feeding all of the center's fish and other sea creatures. The Feeding Frenzy programs are free. For more information go to destateparks.com.