Neighborhood Notebook

By RON MATUS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 13, 2002

Catfish limits stir not a whisker of interest

PORT TAMPA -- A meeting to discuss new catfish limits at Bobby Hicks Park was a bust.

Only two people braved the torrential downpour Sept. 5 to show up at the Port Tampa Community Center. And both were with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The agency says limits are needed because so many people are reeling in big catfish from the park's 3-acre pond, north of Robinson High School.

Under the proposed rule change, anglers could keep six catfish per person per day, but only one more than 24 inches long.

Commission officials said they will decide in October, after another round of fish sampling, whether to schedule another public meeting.

Oct. 26 walk-a-thon laces up the details

NORTH HYDE PARK -- Pencil in Oct. 26 for North Hyde Park's first walk-a-thon.

Members of the neighborhood civic association are completing plans for the event, which they hope will raise $5,000 for a new computer, printer and other needs.

The walk-a-thon will also include a carnival and a chance for residents to meet political candidates before the November election.

Neighborhood officials are contacting counterparts in West Tampa, Hyde Park North and other adjacent neighborhoods to see whether they will participate, too.

Garden club forms for late, evening bloomers

BAYSHORE GARDENS -- A new garden club is forming in South Tampa. And this one plans to meet at night.

The first meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Tampa Garden Center, 2629 Bayshore Blvd. The new group is sponsored by the Tampa Federation of Garden Club Circles. For more information, contact Kathy Echevarria at 240-5272 or kechev@aol.com.

- Send items for Neighborhood Notebook to Ron Matus, St. Petersburg Times, 1000 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 700, Tampa, 33602; fax, (813) 226-3381; or e-mail rmatus@sptimes.com.

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