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Edgemoor playing with idea of jai alai

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published September 17, 2006

Traveling to Miami or Orlando to catch a spirited game of jai alai could become a thing of the past.

Fans may soon be able to watch a game played by neighborhood association members in St. Petersburg.

While there will be no quiniela, exacta or trifecta betting, the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association is hoping there will be plenty of fun if their plan to start a jai alai team at Puryear Park comes to fruition.

Representatives of the neighborhood association have contacted City Council member Bill Foster and staffers from the city's parks and recreation department, and there seems to be enthusiasm and support for the idea, said Stan Kordecki, of the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association.

"It'll be the first neighborhood jai alai park in the Tampa Bay region," Kordecki said.

Puryear Park, at 5701 Lee St. N, already has the cement courts needed to play the high-speed ball game, which requires three walls and a back fence, Kordecki said.

"But we don't want to impede the tennis and other activities already going on there. We'll need to come up with a plan to extend the cement courts."

While funding is still a matter to be explored, the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association has committed $100 to get the idea rolling, and they have a team captain.

The group hopes to play in tournaments and bring in other teams from neighborhoods around the state. Kordecki said play would be open to children and adults.

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The Jungle Terrace Civic Association meets Monday at Walter Fuller Youth Center, 7891 26th Ave. N. Social time is at 6:45 p.m.; the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Karen Seleg of Pinellas County Extension will discuss nutrition and food labeling.

Other agenda items include presentations and voting on proposed speed bumps in the neighborhood and a presentation and possible vote on the proposed building of a synagogue on the property where the community garden is located. A representative from Porter Development will give an update on the Tyrone Crossings development project at 66th Street between 13th and 18th avenues N.

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The Perkins Neighborhood Association will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Perkins Elementary, 2400 Queensboro Ave. S. Items on the agenda include the selection of an association member to attend next year's state conference.

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The Harris Park Neighborhood Association will hold a candidates forum Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Vietnamese Alliance Church, 44th Avenue N at 21st Street.

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The Northeast Park Neighborhood Association will hold its September meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Masonic Home, 3201 First St. NE. Guest speaker Rick Stiff with the city of St. Petersburg Emergency Management Department will discuss hurricane readiness.

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The Central Oak Park Neighborhood Association will meet Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4444 Fifth Ave. N. Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Stacy L. Cirillo, assistant vice president of BB&T-Iler Wall & Shonter Insurance, will present "Hurricane Hangover."

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The Edgemoor Neighborhood Association will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Mangrove Bay Golf Course Club House, 875 62nd Ave. N. Guest speakers Capt. John Adams and Chief Richard Johnson of St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue will discuss fire rescue issues.

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The Lakewood Estates Neighborhood Watch is having its first meeting after the summer break Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Country Club, 2000 Country Club Way S. Those attending can meet the neighborhood's new community police Officer Candace Marklin. Guest speaker Carolyn Riggins of Mercantile Bank will discuss identity theft.

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The Council of Neighborhood Associations CONA will meet Wednesday at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

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The Lakewood Terrace Neighborhood Association will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Maggiore Baptist church, 4000 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S.

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The Lakewood Estates Civic Association meets Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Ave. S.

Readers wishing to submit neighborhood news and meeting information for the Neighborhood Notebook may contact Lorrie Lykins by e-mail at SPTimeslistings@yahoo.com The deadline for items submitted for inclusion in the Sunday edition of Neighborhood Times is Wednesday.

[Last modified September 16, 2006, 20:36:28]