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Briefs
Rotary schedules third annual swing dance
By TIMES STAFF WRITERS
Published April 19, 2006
TARPON SPRINGS - The Tarpon Springs Rotary Club will host its third annual big band swing dance from 6 to 11 p.m. on May 6 at St. Nicholas Community Center, 348 N Pinellas Ave.
The semi-formal event features the Frank Parsons Band, dinner by Delectables, silent auction, door prizes and cash bar.
Tickets are $75 per person. Corporate tables are available for $750. The reservation deadline is April 28.
Founded in 1927, the Tarpon Springs Rotary, uses proceeds from the dance, as well as its annual triathlon and pancake supper, for educational and recreational youth programs.
For information or reservations, call Ron Haddad at 727 939-8078 or Maria Mattia at (727) 938-8567 or check www.tarponrotary.org
Use Guide to Giving to give back to community
The Girls Guide to Giving is a directory listing of non-profit agencies throughout Pinellas County offering volunteer opportunities. Groups of young women can participate in projects such as peer interaction, service learning and "how to" projects. The guide lists agencies, contact information, group capacities and minimum age requirements and is available online at www.211tampabay.org or by calling 727 210-4233, ext. 4557.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets offer two youth programs
If you're a student between the ages of 11 and 17 and interested in learning about naval traditions through participation in a variety of activities on and off the water, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, a nonprofit youth organization, offers valuable life and work skills like teamwork, leadership and citizenship. There are two types of programs, the Navy League Cadet for ages 11-13, and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets for ages 13-17. All cadets must be U.S. citizens, in good moral standing, have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average, be active in the community, and enrolled in middle or high school and without dependents. Visit www.suncoastairsquadron.org for information or call 796-7322.
School district offers summer driving classes
The Pinellas County School District will offer several sessions of driver education instruction this summer. The cost is $185. Sites and locations are as follows:
Palm Harbor University High, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 19, 22-26, May 30-June 2. Call Keith Mercer, 669-1131.
Clearwater High, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 22-26, May 30-June 1, June 5-8. Call Tom Shaneyfelt, 298-1620.
East Lake High, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., May 22-26, May 30-June 2, June 5-6. Call Jim McAvaddy, 942-5419.
Largo High, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., May 22-26, May 30-June 2, June 5-6. Call Jim Casey, 588-3758.
Northeast High, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., May 22-26, May 30-June 2, June 5. Call Jerry Austin, 570-3138.
St. Petersburg High, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 22-26, May 30-June 1, June 5-8. Call Jim Mewha, 893-1842.
Countryside High, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., May 30-June 1, June 5-8, June 12-15. Call Bob Stephens, 725-7956, ext. 159.
Pinellas Park High, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., May 30-June 1, June 5-8, June 12-15. Call Ralph Young, 538-7410.
Clearwater High, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., June 12-15, June 19-22, June 26-29. Call Tom Shaneyfelt, 298-1620.
St. Petersburg High, 7:30-1 p.m., June 12-15, June 19-22, June 26-29. Call Jim Mewha, 893-1842.
For general information, call James Ewbank, supervisor, physical education and driver education, at 588-6078.
Italian Americans hold dinner dance Tuesdays
CLEARWATER - The Italian American Club of Greater Clearwater, 200 McMullen-Booth Road, has a pasta dinner and dance every Tuesday from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $7 for members and $9 for nonmembers.
The club also holds dinner dances from 5 to 11 p.m. every other Saturday.
Tickets are $13 for members and $16 for nonmembers. Call (727) 791-8698.
Principals group to hold annual luncheon in May
The Pinellas County Schools Elementary Principals Association is planning its annual luncheon tentatively set for May 4 at the Belleair Country Club. Present and retired principals are welcome. The association is also trying to rebuild a master list of retired Pinellas elementary school principals. To provide addresses and phone numbers, or for more information about the luncheon call Marsha Jordan or Jackie Timlin at Anona Elementary School, 588-4730.
Program offers help with tax return
DUNEDIN - Ongoing assistance is available for adults seeking help with the preparation of their 2005 tax return. The Tax Aid Program, co-sponsored by AARP, will hold help sessions from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., and from 9 a.m. until noon Monday and Wednesday at the Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave. The session will run through April 14. For information, call 298-3299.
Phones, signaling devices for disabled available
Local residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind or speech-impaired can receive specialized telephones and ring signaling devices at no cost. Eligible recipients must live in Florida for at least six months of the year. Telecommunications access for the hearing- and speech-impaired is funded by a surcharge on all telephone consumers' phone bills. Equipment is available by appointment 8:30 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday through Deaf and Hearing Connection's main office or at satellite locations throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Free hearing screenings, other assisting equipment and hearing aids are also available. For information or to schedule an appointment call (888) 832-4314 or 399-9983.
Clearwater Kiwanis Club looking for new members
CLEARWATER - The Kiwanis Club of Greater Clearwater is looking for new members. The club meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Golden Coin Restaurant, 1844 N Highland Ave., Clearwater. Club projects include Head Start, YWCA and an annual UPARC fishing trip. Call Adam at 934-2085 or Walt at 441-4196.
Jazz band seeks young musicians for open spots
Sonny LaRosa's America's Youngest Jazz Band is seeking children ages 6 to 13 who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar or drums. Vocalists who will consider playing an instrument will also be considered. Call 725-1788 or visit the Web site at www.sonnylarosa.com
Beginning and advanced training offered for dogs
CLEARWATER - The Upper Suncoast Dog Training Club, a not-for-profit organization, offers beginning through advanced level classes in agility, clicker training, conformation, junior handling, obedience and puppy kindergarten.
The club also hosts trials and provides opportunities to show your dog. The air-conditioned indoor club is at 2101 Logan St. near the Long Center. Call (727) 449-8738.
Suncoast String Band looking for musicians
The Suncoast String Band, which has performed in Pinellas County for more than 25 years, needs musicians who can play saxophone, banjo, violin, guitar, accordion or drums. Rehearsals are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Clear Bay Terrace, 1770 Betty Lane N, Clearwater. The band performs music from the 1920s to the '90s for area groups and organizations. Call band director Tom Barry at 734-2664.
Donate used cell phones for seniors' use
Unused cell phones can be lifesavers for seniors. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. and its Senior Victim Advocate Program are collecting used cell phones to distribute as 9-1-1 emergency or "Safety Phones" to seniors who are at risk. The cell phones are free to seniors and can only be used to access 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.
The agency has added two more distribution and collection sites for the Senior Safety Phone Project in Pinellas County, the Mainlands on U.S. 19 and Mainlands Boulevard in Pinellas Park, 217-0967, and the Senior Resource and Referral Center at 1281 Court St. in Clearwater, 442-7772. For information about the Senior Safety Phone Project or other distribution and collection sites call (727) 570-9696, ext. 279.
Coast Guard Auxiliary has safe boating program
DUNEDIN - Dunedin Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-10 will start a new safe boating and seamanship program on April 19.
The class meets for nine sessions, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays until May 17. Classes are held on the second floor of the main building at the Dunedin marina and cover everything from tying knots to navigation. The $40 cost covers materials. Most insurance companies offer discounts to boaters who complete the program.
The next time the course will be offered is May 31 to June 28.
Call (727) 735-0737 or (727) 736-1191.
Library needs volunteers for Book & Gift Store
CLEARWATER - Volunteers who like to be around books and people are needed at the Friends Book & Gift Store at the Clearwater Main Library.
A short training session is required. The store is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
To volunteer, call Rosalie Murray at 531-0667 or Rita Garvey at 446-3845.
Project HOPE to help Katrina victims in area
Hurricane Katrina continues to haunt many of the victims that have since moved on to new lives in new locations. Many of the people that fled the storm and relocated still have residual psychological and financial effects. A program that originally began in 2004 after Hurricane Charley devasted areas of Charlotte and DeSoto counties is offering help.
Project HOPE (Helping Our People in Emergencies) is an outreach and referral service aimed at helping Katrina victims living in the area rebuild their lives, emotionally and physically.
Programs offered include outreach, group and individual crisis counseling and referrals of resources within the community. Special programs focus on the most vulnerable of victims, children and the elderly
Hurricane Katrina victims who live in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties are eligible.
Founded by the Florida Center for Child and Family Development, in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families, the program has been funded for the next two months and will likely be extended through the end of this year.
For information call the Project HOPE Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
Group collecting used, working electronics
CLEARWATER - St. Petersburg College's Women on the Way (WOW) program will benefit from an electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 29.
Unneeded working or reusable electronics will be recycled on the Clearwater campus, 2465 Drew St. The drop-off site will be on the west end of the south parking lot, which is accessible from Old Coachman Road.
WOW will receive cash from Hands on Recycling for each reusable item and use the proceeds for scholarships. Items must be in working condition. Acceptable items include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, audio and video (CD/DVD/stereo/radio/camera) equipment, cell phones, inkjet and laser cartridges. All computer hard drives will be wiped before reuse.
Hands on Recycling also can arrange to have working/reusable equipment picked up from local businesses that want to donate.
Call (727) 791-2634.
[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:58:13]
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