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By COMPILED BY TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published June 17, 2006

DUNEDIN - The 27th annual Kiwanis Mease Midnight 10K run will kick off at 12:15 a.m. July 4 from Causeway Plaza at the corner of Curlew Road and Alt. U.S. 19. A 5K run starts at 11:35 p.m. July 3, and a 1-mile fun run and walk precedes it at 11 p.m. The race course is out and back on Dunedin Causeway. More than 700 luminaries will help light the way. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Kiwanis Clubs of Countryside and Dunedin Since 1980, this event has raised more than $418,000 for Kiwanis community charities. On-line registration is available on www.Active.com through June 30. Call Joe Garrison at 727 535-2257 or email kiwanismidnightrun@yahoo.com.

Italian Americans hold dinner-dance Tuesdays

CLEARWATER - The Italian American Club of Greater Clearwater, 200 McMullen-Booth Road, has a pasta dinner and dance from 5 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Tickets are $7 for members and $9 for nonmembers.

The club also holds dinner-dances from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. every other Saturday. Tickets are $13 for members and $16 for nonmembers. Call (727) 791-8698.

Festival of Trees artwork sought

If you have artistic talent, this year the Festival of Trees might be your place to shine. Organizers are looking for one piece of original art to be used on the festival's poster, brochure and invitations. Local artists can submit their work, and entries will be considered by a jury with a $500 prize for the winner, $300 for second place and $200 for third place.

This is the first time festival organizers have opened the art selection process to local artists.

"It's not limited to adults; anybody can enter,'' said Pamela Miller, director of development for UPARC Foundation. ""If there was an artistically talented high school person or junior high school person, they could enter.''

Artists who want to enter should call festival organizers for specifications. For information on criteria, artwork specifications and awards to winners, call UPARC Foundation at (727) 797-8712.

The deadline is June 30.

Established in 1984, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $1-million for various local charities and in 2005 became a signature fundraising event for the UPARC Foundation, whose mission is to raise community awareness and funds for the Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens. The festival is scheduled for Nov. 22-26 at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater.

Amvets Post 67 offers fish fry every Friday

CLEARWATER - Amvets Post 67 holds a fish fry from 6 to 8 p.m. every Friday at 1825 N Highland Ave., on the northeast corner of Highland Avenue and Greenlea Drive. Cost is $7. Call (727) 631-0067

Phones, signaling devices for disabled available

Florida residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind or speech-impaired can receive amplified telephone equipment through the Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay at no cost as long as they continue to live in the state at least six months per year.

Telecommunications access for the hearing-and-speech impaired is funded by a surcharge on every telephone consumer's phone bill. Equipment is available by appointment Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the Deaf and Hearing Connection main office in Seminole or at satellite locations throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Free hearing screenings, other equipment and hearing aids are also available at the Deaf and Hearing Connection, a non-profit organization specializing in communication access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

To obtain information or to schedule an appointment, call (727) 399-9983.

Dog training club offers variety of classes

CLEARWATER - The Upper Suncoast Dog Training Club, a nonprofit organization, offers beginning through advanced classes in agility, clicker training, conformation, junior handling, obedience and puppy kindergarten.

The club also offers trials and provides opportunities to show your dog. The air-conditioned indoor club, 2101 Logan St., is near the Long Center. Call (727) 449-8738 or visit www.usdtc.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteer mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County needs volunteer mentors to spend as little as an hour a week with local children. Volunteers must be at least age 18 and have a valid license.

As part of the state's mentoring initiative, some employers allow an hour or so per week of administrative leave for employees to mentor. Visit www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org to find out more about that program.

Call (727) 518-8860 or go online at www.bbbspc.org.

Zonta International a new chapter

North Pinellas business executives are organizing a new chapter of Zonta International, a service organization that works to advance the status of women. Zonta clubs support their communities through service projects, fundraisers, advocacy and community support.

For information on the new Top of the Bay Zonta Club, representing Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, East Lake, Oldsmar and Westchase, call Mary Fletcher at (727) 781-5949.

Barbershop chorus seeks eight singers

The Palm Harbor men's barbershop chorus is looking for eight new voices to serenade others at public events, concerts and trips to nursing homes. You don't need to read music, as long as you can learn your part and hold a tune. Call Joe Roan at (727) 772-7043.

Guardian ad Litem needs volunteers

The Guardian ad Litem program needs volunteers to represent the rights of abused, abandoned or neglected children in Pinellas County. The job of the volunteer is to become familiar with a child and the child's case to make recommendations to the court and ensure that the child has a safe, caring and stable environment. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and are supervised. For more information, call (727) 464-6528 or visit the Web at www.guardianadlitem6.org.

[Last modified June 17, 2006, 07:44:09]