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Kenwood is named best neighborhood

About 20 awards are given.

By JON WILSON
Published December 13, 2006

Cited for its annual Bungalowfest and for being named one of the nation's top 10 neighborhoods, Historic Kenwood was honored Monday night as the city's Neighborhood of the Year.

This year Cottage Living magazine highlighted Kenwood's generally affordable prices, friendly residents and periodic porch parties.

More than 200 attendees in the Mahaffey Theater's atrium also heard Mayor Rick Baker announce the establishment of the Michael R. Dove Neighborhood Advocate Award. Dove, who is retiring this year after 26 years of service, built the city's neighborhood program under former Mayor David Fischer and continued it under Baker.

The award will be presented annually to a leader who has shown dedication to neighborhoods as exemplified by Dove, Baker said.

Officials dispensed about 20 awards during a good-humored session that featured Baker wearing a snowman-adorned sweatshirt and tongue-in-cheek recognition of Highland Oaks president Betty Dendy, who won the "wackiest hat" prize at a state neighborhoods conference in October. Historic Kenwood also was recognized in several other categories. Here are the winners:

-Neighborly Neighbor (outstanding achievement, good deeds and service to the neighborhood): Charles F. Hawkins, Kenwood.

-Newsletter of the Year: Greater Pinellas Point.

-Web Site of the Year: Historic Kenwood (www.HistoricKenwood.org) and Historic Roser Park (www.roserpark.net)

-Project of the Year: Historic Kenwood for its story/recipe book; and Live Oaks for its signs, triangle median improvements and mural.

-Neighborhood Mentor: Richard Grimberg, Lakewood Estates.

-Association President of the Year: Mary Darling, Bayou Highlands.

-Up and Coming Neighborhood: Euclid Heights.

-Outstanding Achievement in City Council Districts: Jungle Terrace (District 1); Riviera Bay (2); Venetian Isles (3); Harris Park (4); Broadwater (5); Campbell Park (6); Live Oaks (7); Historic Kenwood (8).

[Last modified December 12, 2006, 21:01:19]