PALM HARBOR -- Speech communication students at Palm Harbor Middle School have gathered about 1,500 signatures on petitions urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep the Florida manatee on the endangered species list.

The students are members of the school's environmental and wildlife action team, which has conducted similar petition and letter-writing drives on behalf of the Florida panther, sea turtles and the whooping crane.

"We try to keep them aware of environmental issues and they do a great job," said Libby Burke, a speech pathologist and language arts teacher at the school.

The top signature-gatherers, sixth-grader Nicole Carmen, eighth-grader Samantha Whiteman and eighth-grader James Zapko Jr., will receive tickets to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa and stuffed toy manatees.

Newcomers to meet for luncheon at country club

EAST LAKE -- The Palm Harbor Newcomers Alumnae and Friends has scheduled a luncheon meeting for 11 a.m. March 7 at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club at 1055 East Lake Woodlands Parkway.

Officers for 2002 will be installed at the luncheon. The guest speaker will be Gene Coppola, director of the Palm Harbor Public Library.

Meetings are open to the public and reservations are required. Valet parking is provided at all meetings. Call (727) 796-1405.

Cultural center offers free support for women

TARPON SPRINGS -- The Resource Center for Women offers free classes and support groups at Union Academy Cultural Center, 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. during March.

Career development and personal growth classes start March 4. Parenting enrichment classes start March 5. Intake interviews are required for both classes.

A women's support group meets 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Call (727) 934-5881 or (727) 586-1110.

Wellness Center class blends Pilates, yoga

PALM HARBOR -- The Palm Harbor Wellness Center of Morton Plant Mease Health Care offers an exercise class that blends Pilates and yoga from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

The fee for the class, as well as a Pilates mat class, is $10 per class or $35 per month as part of a group fitness membership. The Pilates mat classes are offered 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturdays.

The center is at 32672 U.S. 19 N. Call (727) 772-2222.

SAT preparation classes set to begin March 4

St. Petersburg College is offering SAT preparation classes at three local high schools beginning March 4.

Classes will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Countryside and East Lake high schools. Classes will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Palm Harbor University High School.

The classes use a new curriculum that combines the math and verbal reviews. Fees are $129 and include a textbook.

Call the SPC Lifelong Learning Department at (727) 341-4451.

Literacy Council needs volunteers for program

PALM HARBOR -- With a list of 40 adults waiting for tutors, the Palm Harbor Literacy Council is seeking volunteers for its one-on-one tutoring program.

The program, which takes place at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave., uses the Laubach International System. After tutors are certified in the system, they typically spend 11/2 hours with an individual student twice a week.

To volunteer, sign up at the tutoring counter at the library or call (727) 784-3332, ext. 211.

Group presents seminar on genealogy Saturday

PALM HARBOR -- Pamela J. Cooper, the president of the Florida State Genealogical Society and chairwoman of the Florida Historical Confederation, will speak at a Saturday seminar of the Suncoast Genealogy Society.

Cooper, the supervisor of the Florida history and genealogy department at the Indian River County Main Library, will speak on resources used in genealogy, how to learn about an ancestor's occupation and immigration records.

The seminar is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. Call Ann James at (727) 791-1983 or Jeanne Swanson at (727) 787-3527. Registration is $25.

Bethune-Cookman choir having concert at church

TARPON SPRINGS -- The Bethune-Cookman College concert chorale will present a concert, "From Bach to Gospel," at 10 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, 501 E Tarpon Ave. Call (727) 937-3271.

Jewish women's group plans annual luncheon

EAST LAKE -- Jewish Women International, Clearwater Chapter No. 1471, will hold its annual luncheon and fashion show on Feb. 24 at East Lake Woodlands Country Club, 1055 East Lake Woodlands Parkway.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and benefits the Jewish Women International Residential Treatment Center in Jerusalem.

The fashion show features clothing from Stein Mart. Models include Roberta Bennett, Sammy Bennett, Yvette Bennett, Judy Brevoort, Phyllis Friedman, Ricki Friedman, Emily Geier, Lindsay Geier, Ruth Greenblatt, Etta Satinoff, Marilyn Satinoff, Audrey Sterns and Susan Weeks.

Models will be escorted by Ray Bergling. Musical entertainment will be provided by Stan Sabarsky, Michael Weeks and Henry Kilty.

Tickets are $25. Call (727) 518-9824.

Exercise class designed especially for mothers

TARPON SPRINGS -- Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., offers exercise classes tailored for women who are pregnant or have recently delivered babies.

The classes, which feature low-impact aerobics, are done in six-week sessions. They are scheduled for March 19 through April 25, April 30 through June 6 and June 11 through July 18.

Reservations required. There is a $40 fee per six-week session. Pregnant women must have written permission from their doctors to take part. Call (727) 943-3600.

Student needs good male role model

PALM HARBOR -- Carwise Middle School, 3301 Bentley Drive, is looking for a male mentor to spend an hour a week encouraging a student in his schoolwork.

The student is easily distracted and needs a good role model to help him focus, according to administrators. He is in three Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classes, and is described as artistic, likable and interested in joining the military.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call the school district's community involvement office at (727) 588-6405 or get information on the Internet at www.pinellas.k12.fl.us.

Activities for seniors at Palm Harbor center

PALM HARBOR -- February's schedule for the Palm Harbor Senior Activity Center, 1500 16th St., includes:

A free ice cream social sponsored by Roy Raven of Raymond James Financial Services from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Line-dancing lessons Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon. The fee is $2 for senior center members and $3 for nonmembers.

A tea dance with music by the Buddy Verdi Combo every Wednesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $6; $5 for center members. Refreshments provided.

Free wheelchair exercise classes 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Free income tax assistance from the AARP 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Registration is open for winter classes that include an introduction to computers, computer literacy, introduction to Windows, MS Works, digital photography, introduction to the Internet, tai chi, as well as tai chi and chi kung; personal life-history writing, intermediate bridge, ceramics, and beginning and intermediate Spanish.

Call (727) 771-6000.

YMCA offers band program for students

EAST LAKE -- The North Pinellas YMCA offers a band program for students in grades 3 through 5 at East Lake and Oldsmar area elementary schools.

Registration is held monthly at Cypress Woods, Brooker Creek and Forest Lakes elementary schools. Fees are $30 per month for YMCA members, $35 for nonmembers. Instrument rental is available through the instructor.

Because the program started at the beginning of the school year, students registering now must have prior musical instrument experience or also register for make up lessons.

Call the YMCA at (727) 772-9622 for class dates and times.

Community center sponsors activities

TARPON SPRINGS -- Recreation opportunities offered at the Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S Walton Ave., include:

Free movies. The Princess Diaries is scheduled to show at 1 p.m. March 5. Rat Race is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 19.

A flea market and garage sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16. The event is free, but there is a $5 table rental.

A bridge club for experienced players at 9 a.m. Mondays.

Beginning bridge lessons 10 a.m. Wednesdays. The cost for four weeks is $25 for residents and $28.21 for non-residents.

Free tax assistance from the AARP from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through April 9. Those interested should bring all relevant tax forms and documentation.

A kickball league for children 6 to 14 at 6:30 p.m. Fridays. The $25 cost includes a T-shirt and trophy.

A beginning floral arranging class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost for four weeks is $45 for city residents and $48.21 for nonresidents, plus a supply fee of $9.75 a week.

Mah-jongg at 1:30 p.m. Mondays. The cost is $25 for residents and $28.21 for nonresidents.

Hawaiian dance classes at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost per month is $25 for residents and $28.21 for nonresidents.

A preschool play workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The cost per month is $25 for residents and $28.21 for nonresidents.

Beginning yoga Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The cost for six weeks is $25 for residents and $28.21 for nonresidents.

The community center's game room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gym features senior badminton, basketball and volleyball mornings and early afternoons during the week for players 55 and older. Both facilities are free to city residents but cost nonresidents $21.40 a year.

Call (727) 942-5628.

Palm Harbor offers recreation activities

PALM HARBOR -- Programs offered by Palm Harbor parks and recreation include:

Tae kwon do classes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 6:45 p.m. The cost is $37 per month.

Beginning tennis lessons for children 8 to 18 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Beginning tennis lessons for children 5 to 8 are 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Four lessons cost $40.

Accelerated tennis lessons for children 8 to 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. The cost is $60 a week.

Intermediate tennis instruction for teens 13 to 18 Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $40 a month.

Adult tennis from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Four lessons cost $40.

Beach volleyball leagues start in February. The cost is $18 for residents and $23 for non-residents.

Call (727) 785-9862.

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