Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Library to host event for medicare questions

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 14, 2006

DUNEDIN

Unsure about how Medicare works? A representative of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs S.H.I.N.E. Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders program will be available to answer Medicare questions at 2 p.m. today at the Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave. Call (727) 298-3080, ext. 224.

TARPON SPRINGS

Drama club to perform at the Sponge Docks

In the thespian tradition of old, members of the Tarpon Springs High School's Drama Club will perform at the Sponge Docks from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Both days the public will be treated to monologues, holiday spirit scenes, singers, solo instrumentalists, interactive dialogue with the audience and much more. Call (727) 934-9966.

DUNEDIN

Event explores nature of the saw palmetto

Serenoa repens, otherwise known as the saw palmetto, is a small, fan-shaped palm that grows along the southeastern coast of the United States. Seminole Indians once enjoyed its berries as an important part of their diet.

The Dunedin Nature Center invites the public to see palmettos that are more than 100 years old, learn about their amazing resilience to fire, their use as scrub brushes and medicine, their usefulness to wildlife and how to tell their age at a nature program from 9 to 10:30 a.m. today at the nature center, 1910 Ed Eckert Drive.

CLEARWATER

High school hosting variety show, auction

Singers, dancers, comedians, and serious dramatic actors will entertain at Countryside High School's variety show and silent auction at 7 p.m. Friday at the school's auditorium, 3000 State Road 580.

Cost is $5. Forty-five minutes before the show and during intermission, attendees can bid on items from themed baskets and imported wines to vacation packages.

PALM HARBOR

Foundation offers kids program on pet care

PALM HARBOR - Suncoast Primate Sanctuary Foundation Inc. is sponsoring a Pet Day program from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the nature park area of the sanctuary at 4600 Alt. U.S. 19.

The program is for children ages 5 to 12 years old and will focus on caring for pets. A ferret, dog, cat, bird and tortoises will be available. Snacks, drinks and prizes will be provided.

Cost is a $10 per child or $20 for a four-hour session. Call (813) 404-6528.

TARPON SPRINGS

Library schedules talk on Canadian history

TARPON SPRINGS - Join host Jerry Ciarcia and special guest speaker Keith Rosser for a discussion of Canadian history at 1:30 p.m. today at the Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E Lemon St. All ages are welcome and registration is not required. Call (727) 943-4922.

CLEARWATER

Poster art for next Jazz Holiday sought

Organizers of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, held annually at Coachman Park on the third weekend of October, are seeking art for next year's poster.

The poster design must include blank space that does not interfere with the design for sponsor logos or the weekend's lineup. Submissions should be printed in color, at least 11 by 17 inches. The deadline is Jan. 8.

Send entries to Gary Hallas, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, P.O. Box 7278, Clearwater, FL 33758. Several artists will be selected by Jan. 29, 2007, to receive $200 to develop their ideas.

The final poster design will be chosen by Feb. 23, 2007. The prize for the winning design is $2,000.

Flu shots available at Health Department

In addition to doctor's offices, walk-in clinics and stores, you can get a flu vaccine shot from a Pinellas County Health Department center at:

- Largo, 12420 130th Ave. N, 588-4040.

- Clearwater, 310 N Myrtle Ave., 469-5800

- Pinellas Park, 6350 76th Ave. N, 547-7780.

- St. Petersburg, 205 Dr. Martin Luther King St. N, 824-6900.

- Tarpon Springs, 301 S Disston Ave., 942-5457.

Call ahead to check on hours and availability. Flu shots at the Health Department cost $25. Pneumonia vaccines are available for $34. Bring your Medicare card, health insurance cards and a photo ID if paying by check or credit card.

Health officials recommend flu shots for everyone this year, especially those 50 and older; residents and staffers at long-term care facilities; patients with chronic medical conditions and their household contacts; children 6 months to 5 years old; pregnant women; health care personnel; and anyone caring for children younger than 6 months old.

TARPON SPRINGS

Police accepting gifts for needy kids

Want to help a needy child in Tarpon Springs? The Tarpon Springs Police Department's annual Cops/Kids Christmas program provides gifts to local children whose families are in difficult times. The Police Department will accept new, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages, from infants through teenagers, until Dec. 20. Officials also are accepting cash donations to provide special "Wish List" items. Make checks payable to the Tarpon Springs Police Department Cops/Kids Program. Donations can be dropped off at the Police Department, 444 S Huey Ave., anytime on any day.

The Cops/Kids Christmas Program does not ask for donations by telephone solicitation, so officials say any calls people receive from someone claiming to be from the program are fraudulent. Call (727) 938-2849.

PALM HARBOR

Cadet Squadron seeking members

The Civil Air Patrol Palm Harbor Cadet Squadron is looking for new members 12 to 21 and for adults older than 21 to be senior members or supervisors. Young people in the program attend military camps, practice search and rescue techniques in the forest, can earn scholarships to become pilots and perform community service. Adults interested in joining as senior members must go through extensive background checks. The cadets meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. the first, second and fourth Mondays of the month at All Saints Episcopal Church at 1700 Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs. On the third Monday of the month, the group meets at Tarpon Springs High School at 1411 Gulf Road.

Check www.phcadet.com, call Capt. Robert Downing at (727) 686-8357 or e-mail downingfl438@aol.com.

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 20:44:47]