Swiftmud will treat plant infestations in Lake Tarpon

Folks who live on Lake Tarpon should keep an eye out this week for signs that the Southwest Florida Water Management District is treating the lake for water hyacinth and water lettuce.

Swiftmud personnel are scheduled to spot-treat isolated infestations of the aquatic plants from Monday through Thursday with an herbicide that goes by the brand name Reward.

Water hyacinth was first brought to Florida from South America during the late 1800s. It grows quickly and can make boating, recreation and flood control difficult and hurt populations of fish and wildlife. Water lettuce has been in Florida longer but can also become an aggressive nuisance.

"If not managed, they'll kind of take over the lake," said Brian V. Nelson, Swiftmud's aquatic plant manager. "We'll be patrolling the shoreline of the lake and treating them where we find them."

Residents should watch for warning signs that will be posted notifying them of treatment dates and restrictions. After Reward is applied, residents should not use water from the lake to water livestock for one day, should not use lake water for irrigation for five days and should not drink lake water -- just in case anyone was thinking about it -- for two days. The no-drinking rule does not apply to tap or well water.

There is no restriction on fishing or swimming during treatment, Nelson said.

For more information, call Nelson at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4537.

County administrator to discuss North Pinellas

PALM HARBOR -- Pinellas County Administrator Steve Spratt will discuss the future of unincorporated North Pinellas County, particularly Palm Harbor and the East Lake corridor, at 8 a.m. Tuesday in the community room of the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave.

A question and answer session will follow Spratt's remarks. The county's new touch screen voting machines will be displayed until 10 a.m. The Friends of the Library will provide light refreshments.

The program is sponsored by the Greater Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Call (727) 784-4287.

Palm Harbor Newcomers to hold meeting Thursday

The Palm Harbor Newcomers Alumnae and Friends will hold their regular luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club, 1055 East Lake Woodlands Parkway. The luncheon will feature mime Charles Cronk. Call (727) 796-1405 for reservations.

Charity golf tourney slated for May 5

A charity golf tournament benefiting the Vincent Reid Foundation is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 5 at the the Eagles Golf Club, 16101 Nine Eagles Drive, Odessa. The entry fee is $85 for the four-person scramble.

The foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Palm Harbor, uses golf to teach handicapped children positive values.

Call Cary Stiff at (727) 781-2234.

Montessori fundraiser to benefit middle school

Palm Harbor Montessori Academy will host its annual fundraiser Saturday with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by an art auction at 7 at the Crescent Oaks Country Club.

The school's honorary chairman for the event will be R. Lynn Whitelaw, director of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College.

Proceeds will provide scholarships for the academy's new middle school. For reservations and information, call Joy Ames at (727) 786-1854.

Reform synagogue welcomes new members

Congregation B'nai Emmunah, a Reform Judaism synagogue at 3374 Keystone Road, will host a welcome breakfast for prospective members at 10 a.m. today. Call (727) 938-9000.

Resource Center offers free growth classes

TARPON SPRINGS -- The Resource Center for Women offers free parenting, career development, personal growth and computer training classes at the Union Academy, 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Intake interviews are required for all classes.

A women's support group meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Call (727) 586-1110.

Palm Harbor chorus accepts new members

PALM HARBOR -- The Palm Harbor Community Chorus is accepting new members during rehearsals every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Global Fellowship Church, 2289 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater.

No auditions and no dues are required. The chorus performs Broadway show tunes and songs of famous 20th century composers.

Call Nancy Whitmer at (727) 781-4424.

School offers computer class in Excel for adults

PALM HARBOR -- The Palm Harbor Community School, 1900 Omaha St., will offer an adult computer class in Excel beginning Tuesday. It will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The three-week course costs $37. Students must have experience with MS Word.

Call (727) 669-1140 from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Recreation department offers sports leagues

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

A 12-week co-ed softball league with games at 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

Tae kwon do classes from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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

Accelerated tennis lessons for children 8 to 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Intermediate tennis instruction for teens 13 to 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Adult tennis from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Call (727) 785-9862.

-- If you have news or photos about North Pinellas schools, churches, businesses, neighborhood groups, community organizations or people, fax it to (727) 445-4206, e-mail

northpin@sptimes.com or mail material to North Pinellas Times, 34342 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

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