'Dirty rats' steal flag from park

REDINGTON BEACH -- Town officials and residents were shocked Monday morning to discover a flag erected in memory of the Sept. 11 tragedy had been stolen.

"How could anyone steal patriotism? They are just dirty rats," said Rosemary Lochhead, a resident who donated two large commemorative flags to the town shortly after the terrorist attack.

The missing 4- by 16-foot flag, containing the words "Home of the Brave," was one of two erected in the town's park at the corner of Gulf Boulevard and 164th Avenue. When the theft was discovered Monday morning, Mayor Jerry Reitz had the remaining "Land of the Free" flag taken down to protect it.

"This is a felony, and I reported it to the Sheriff's Office," said Reitz, who is offering a $100 reward for the flag's return.

If the flag is not recovered, Lochhead said she would try to replace it with another. "They're not going to do this to my town," she said.

Lochhead works for a company that custom manufactures banners and flags. Flags similar to the ones donated to Redington Beach were also given to St. Petersburg, the Madeira Beach Fire Department, the Largo Police Department and the city of Dunedin. Each flag is worth between $1,200 and $1,400 each, according to Lochhead.

Indian Rocks Beach

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH -- The Beach Art Center will host the Annual Transparent Watercolor Show Feb. 2-22.

Artists wishing to enter may send a prospectus to the Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 or call 596-4331.

The Beach Art Center will host a seminar on matting and framing at 2 p.m. today.

Glenn Stevenson of Florida Frames will give a demonstration, offer helpful hints and conduct a question and answer session. There is a $5 fee, and the public is invited.

An eight-week stained glass course will kick off the winter schedule of classes this week at the Beach Art Center.

Well-known artist Irene Docherty, who also teaches in Canada, will teach the course 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 27.

Fees are $96 for members and $120 for nonmembers.

Treasure Island

The Boca Ciega Sail & Power Squadron will split its eight-hour safe boating course into two four-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays.

The classes are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at the Boca Ciega Sail & Power Squadron Headquarters, 130 126th Ave. E.

Registration is required and will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 19 and 6-7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the squadron building. The course manual and reading assignments will be provided at that time. The course is restricted to the first 50 people who register.

Students pay $30 for the course manual and materials, and fees are due at registration. Additional students in the same family pay only $5. Graduates may be eligible for a discount on marine insurance.

For more information, call course chairman Don Rife, 397-0572.

Mayor Leon Atkinson will present his "State of the City" address at the next monthly meeting of the Sunset Beach Civic Association, 7 p.m. Monday at the Treasure Island Community Center.

The public is invited to join the association at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments. Atkinson will also swear in the new civic association board of directors at the meeting. For information, call Rhonda Anderson at 360-5599.

- Compiled by Times staff writer Amy Wimmer. To submit information for the Beaches Notebook, e-mail wimmer@sptimes.com.

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