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Digest

Clothes to Kids needs money for warm items

By TIMES STAFF
Published January 6, 2007

CLEARWATER

Clothes to Kids, a nonprofit that provides free new and gently used clothing to low-income children in Pinellas County, is seeking monetary donations to help stock the store with warm clothes and jackets. Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to P.O. Box 184, Dunedin, FL 34697 or dropped off at the store, 1059 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater. Call (727) 441-5050.

LARGO

Local vendors sought for Marketplace

The city of Largo is looking for vendors for the Harvest Marketplace, showcasing local food, produce, and plant vendors.

The Harvest Marketplace is a weekly outdoor community event in Ulmer Park, at 301 West Bay Drive. Handmade craft vendors are also being accepted.

The Harvest Marketplace is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday through April 26. For details, call 587-6740, ext 5014.

COUNTYWIDE

Vendors needed for mobile home expo

Pinellas County's Mobile Home Expo 2007 is looking for vendors for the free event, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive.

The expo is designed to offer information about mobile home living. Vendors must register by Dec. 22. Call Jane Muhrlin, manager of the Southwest County Connection Center, at (727) 453-3653.

COUNTYWIDE

Low-cost spaying, neutering offered

The nonprofit group Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) is teaming up with local veterinarians to offer low-cost spaying and neutering for any cat or dog at least 8 weeks old.

The prices are $35 for male cats, $40 for female cats, $40 for male dogs and $45 to $90 for female dogs, depending on weight. SPOT offers low-cost spay/neuter vouchers online at www.SPOTusa.org. Call (727) 545-3463.

LARGO

Learn how to manage your money better

The free money management class "Manage Your Money, Build Your Wealth" is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road.

The program will help participants reduce debt, and make wise use of loans and credit. Classes take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 3, 10 and 17. Space is limited. Call (727) 582-2673 to register.

COUNTYWIDE

Group wedding is scheduled for Feb. 14

Pinellas Clerk of Circuit Court Ken Burke will perform a group wedding ceremony in the main courthouse courtyard at 2 p.m. on Feb. 14.

The group ceremony will be a first, and the usual $30 fee to perform the marriage is waived for couples choosing to wed in the special ceremony. (Standard marriage license fees will still apply.)

To participate, sign up at any clerk's office by Feb. 7. Marriage licenses must be applied for by Feb. 9 to take part. Along with the group ceremony, individual ceremonies still will be conducted first-come, first-served in the clerk's offices. Standard marriage license fees and ceremony fees will apply.

For more information, call 464-4876 or visit the clerk's Web site at www.pinellasclerk.org.

COUNTYWIDE

Apply for property tax exemption by March 1

The Pinellas County Property Appraiser will accept applications for an additional property tax exemption for qualified older homeowners from Jan. 1 through March 1.

This year, 17 municipalities plus unincorporated Pinellas offer the additional exemption. To qualify, homeowners must meet all of these requirements:

- At least one property owner is 65 or older as of Jan. 1, 2007.

- The applicant qualifies for or already receives a homestead exemption.

- The total household income is $23,463 or less, plus a cost-of-living adjustment to be determined by the state Department of Revenue in mid January. (Non-taxable Social Security income is not included in that total.)

- The homeowner lives in an area offering the exemption.

First-time applicants should bring proof of their age plus documents that show their total income, such as federal income tax Form 1040 or 1040A for 2006, an SSA 1099 or any 1099 or bank statements.

The senior exemption does not automatically renew like the homestead exemption does, but homeowners who received the senior exemption last year can renew by mail this year. A renewal form will be mailed by the end of January.

Any of the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's offices will accept applications 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. weekdays. Special dates and times have been arranged for February at other locations as well as on Saturdays at four Property Appraiser's offices.

Call 464-3294.

PALM HARBOR

Wine and food tasting benefit set for Feb. 8

The Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce's wine and food tasting event, "Evening Extraordinaire," is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.

The event features cuisine from local restaurants and samples of domestic and foreign wines as well as a silent and a live auction.

Proceeds benefit chamber programs that include economic development efforts, scholarship funds and small business assistance.

Tickets are available through the chamber office, 1151 Nebraska Ave., for $30 or at the door for $35. Call (727) 784-4287.

COUNTYWIDE

Health Department offering free flu shots

With Florida seeing an active early flu season, the Pinellas County Health Department is offering free flu shots to anyone unable to pay the $25 fee.

The shots will be available until the vaccine supply runs out at any of the department's five health centers:

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

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

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

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

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

Public health officials say vaccinations are important for everyone, including children over 6 months old. Those particularly at high risk include people age 50 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, health care workers and caregivers of high-risk people.

[Last modified January 6, 2007, 07:27:54]