Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Special phone devices free for deaf, others

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 19, 2006

CLEARWATER

The nonprofit Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay offers specialized telephones and ring-signaling devices at no cost to residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind, or speech-impaired.

Residents can receive the equipment as long as they continue to live in the state for at least six months per year. Telecommunications access for the hearing- and speech-impaired is paid for by a surcharge on every telephone consumer's bill.

Equipment is available by appointm nt from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Deaf and Hearing Connection's main office in mid Pinellas or at satellite locations throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Free hearing screenings, other equipment and hearing aids also are available.

Call 727 399-9983.

Kits available to help with missing children

Child Photo ID and Fingerprint kits help parents or guardians assemble identification information needed to search for a missing child.

To order a free kit, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the nonprofit Missing Children Awareness Foundation, 13094 95th St. N, Largo 33773. Call 585-5360 or toll-free 1-800-741-7233.

CLEARWATER

'Adventures in Opera' series to start Nov. 29

The Pinellas Opera League, in conjunction with the Marcia P. Hoffman Institute, is holding "Adventures in Opera," a series of six Wednesday programs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the theater of the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen Booth Road. The programs are:

Nov. 29: "The Many Voices of Opera," presented by Dr. Michael Blauner.

Jan. 31: "Wagner, The Do-It-Yourself Genius," presented by Bill Weiss.

Feb. 25: "Zarzuela - Spain's Operatic Tradition," presented by Madeline Crotty.

March 28: "Legendary Opera Singers," presented by Blauner and Middy Larson.

April 25: "Children in Opera," presented by Larson.

Cost is $5 per session, or $25 for all six in advance. Free parking. Call (727) 791-7400 or toll-free 1-800-875-8682.

CLEARWATER

$5,000 reward offered in shooting death

A local company has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber who shot to death an unarmed hotel security guard on Sept. 22.

Critical Intervention Services (CIS), which employs about 150 security guards around Tampa Bay, offered the reward in the slaying of William T. Williams at the Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Williams, 64, of New Port Richey worked for Janas Security Services in Tampa - not CIS - but CIS executives wanted to do something to help because he was a security officer. Williams was shot at the hotel at 3070 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. when he walked into the lobby as the robber held up the front desk.

Police have posted a video of part of the robbery online at www.clearwaterpolice.org/news/hotelrobbery.htm in the hope that someone might recognize the killer. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department's tip line at 562-4422.

TARPON SPRINGS

Volunteers sought for two centers, museum

Tarpon Springs officials are looking for people to assist at its Performing Arts Center, Cultural Center and Safford House museum.

The Performing Arts Center needs ushers and backstage assistants.

The Cultural Center seeks front-desk receptionists, hosts and gallery assistants to help with exhibits, programs, performances, special events and in the gift shop. The Safford House, an 1883 National Register historic house museum, is looking for volunteers as docents, collection assistants, researchers, and gardeners. Call (727) 937-0686.

OZONA

Nature preserve is looking for volunteers

PINELLAS COUNTY

Guardians ad litem needed for children

About 1,800 children in Pinellas County need someone to be their voice in the courtroom. You can learn about becoming a guardian ad litem by attending a one-hour orientation held each week on Thursdays. The time of the orientation is varied to accommodate the schedule of prospective volunteers. Guardians ad litem speak on behalf of abused, abandoned or neglected children in Pinellas County courts. As a child's advocate, a guardian ad litem becomes familiar with the child and case and makes recommendations to the court to help ensure the child has a safe, caring and stable environment. Guardians ad litem receive training and ongoing supervision to help them make a positive difference in the lives of children. Call (727) 464-6528 to sign up for an orientation. For information, go to www.guardianadlitem6.org.

[Last modified November 18, 2006, 20:54:38]