By Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2004
Swami Adiswarananda, head of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg, will be in the Tampa Bay area this weekend.
Adiswarananda, a Hindu monk, will conduct the Vedanta Center's opening service of the season.
The gathering, which will include chanting and musical offerings, will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at the center, 216 19th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg.
In keeping with the congregation's commemoration of the 150th birthday of Sri Sarada Devi - known to Ramakrishna followers as the Holy Mother - the Swami will give a talk, "Holy Mother, Embodiment of the Divine."
Sri Sarada Devi was the wife of Ramakrishna, a 19th century Hindu teacher.
She also was Ramakrishna's disciple and a nun.
Event addresses church's relationship with Russia
Eckerd College professor Bill Parsons will present a program at 7 p.m. Saturday about the relationship between Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, Fla., and St. Job's Russian Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The event will include videos of St. Job's Church, which has been Lakewood UCC's sister congregation since 1987.
Lakewood UCC has been a host to Russian delegations on four occasions.
Members of the local church also have visited the Russian church. Parsons' presentation will focus on his most recent visit.
The program will take place in the church's fellowship hall, 2601 54th Ave. S.
Vendors can rent space at SPCA Pet Walk
Pet friendly vendors interested in supporting homeless animals and exhibiting their products and services are invited to rent a space at this year's 14th annual SPCA Pet Walk, Paws on Parade, to be held Oct. 23.
The event is the main fundraiser for the SPCA and has attracted more than 3,000 people in past years. Registration fee is $125. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, call Maria Walkiewicz at 586-3591, ext. 163, or check the Web site at www.petwalk.org
Applications accepted for photo contest
Applications are now available for the 22nd annual Boyd Hill Nature Park Photo Contest.
Categories include animals, plants, landscapes, people in nature, Boyd Hill Nature Park, and black and white. Judging is in three classifications: adult, youth (grades nine-12) and children (up to grade eight).
Entries are judged on composition, print quality, adherence to theme and presentations.
Entries will be displayed from Oct. 19-Nov 21 with the winning photographs moving on to the St. Petersburg Main Library through Dec. 26. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 10.
Awards will be presented at the Art Arbor Festival on Nov. 6.
For information and application forms, call 893-7326.
