|
Neighborhood notes New life breathed into St. Mark Church building
By RON MATUS and SUSAN THURSTON
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 21, 2003
PORT TAMPA -- The old St. Mark Church on Sherrill Street is just a step from a rebirth.
On March 13, the City Council approved a $50,000 grant that will be used to complete renovations on the 111-year-old building, which hasn't been used since the 1970s.
Supporters plan to use it as a gathering spot for parties, youth classes, family reunions and other community activities.
Since the renovation drive began a decade ago, more than $200,000 has been sunk into the building.
The city grant will allow contractors to finish the work within two months, said Norm Cannon, who has helped lead the restoration effort.
Boxing gym seeks items for second-hand sale
WEST TAMPA -- The Community Boxing Gym is looking for donations it can sell during "thrift store blowout" sales in April.
Clothes, appliances, furniture, trinkets -- if it can be sold, the gym will sell it, with proceeds going to support the gym.
The center at 2001 N Howard Ave. offers boxing lessons and afterschool tutoring for scores of neighborhood kids.
The thrift store sales are slated for every Saturday in April.
The gym will accept items from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call San Man at 258-2792 or Linda Wilcox at 766-5796.
High school kids partner with Goodwill on reading
SOUTH TAMPA -- Lanier Elementary students are getting new books each week, thanks to Robinson High School and Goodwill Industries.
The Port Tampa-area elementary school is benefiting from Goodwill's BookWorks program, which gives 4,000 to 6,000 new or almost-new books to at-risk students every year.
The books are handed out after volunteers read to the kids.
The program at Lanier is the first time Goodwill has worked with high school students.
The Robinson volunteers are reading to Head Start classes to help earn certificates that will allow them to work in day care centers. They began reading at Lanier two weeks ago and will continue reading every Monday until the end of the school year.
Books for the BookWorks program can be donated at any Goodwill store. For more information, call Jinnie Kerdi at (727) 523-1512.
Park named for Bern's late founder
SOHO -- Luna Park, the triangular piece of land at Howard and Hills avenues, is now Bern's Park.
The City Council last week renamed the park in honor of Bern Laxer, founder of the famed Bern's Steak House, who died in August.
Mayor Dick Greco initiated the idea as a tribute to Laxer, whose restaurant a few blocks away is credited with helping put Tampa on the culinary map.
To spruce up the park, the city is putting in new sidewalks and landscaping. Residents and local business leaders, led by St. Bart's Island House owner Gordon Davis, plan to install a fountain in Laxer's memory.
The park was dedicated Wednesday.
City Times: The rest of the stories
Grand Central: Tying up loose ends
Profile: Holding court
Obituary: Jesuit administrator taught respect, humility
What's in a name?: Tampa parking garage bears name of Army lt. colonel
Trolley Kat roaming new territory
Neighborhood notes: New life breathed into St. Mark Church building
Amy Scherzer's Diary
Bayshore Beautiful: A reef is born
Kennedy Boulevard: Report: Kennedy may cater to walkers
Hyde Park: A grand opening
 |
