Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Guided hikes at Honeymoon Island

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 15, 2007

DUNEDIN

The Florida Park Service offers ranger-guided walks of Honeymoon Island at 11 a.m. Saturdays through March.

The island is home to wildlife that includes ospreys, great horned owls and gopher tortoises. Walkers should dress for the weather and might want to bring binoculars and a field guide. Meet the ranger at the head of the nature trail.

The guided hike is free, though park visitors have to pay the regular park entrance fee of $5 per carload from two to eight people, $3 for one person in a car and $1 per person for walkers or cyclists.

If you need assistance to participate fully, call Honeymoon Island State Park at 469-5942.

The park is about 6 miles west of U.S. 19, on Curlew Road. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

LARGO

Author to discuss new book

Author and former Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene will discuss his newest book, And You Know You Should Be Glad, an exploration of the power of friendship, at 1 p.m. March 17 at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive. Cost is $10 per person. For reservations, call 727 586-7398.

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.

COUNTYWIDE

No insurance? Free care is available

The Pinellas County Human Services Department provides free medical care on evenings and weekends to residents of Pinellas County who don't have medical insurance.

Services are provided on the county's Mobile Medical Unit at different sites throughout the county. Evening hours are 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Services available to uninsured residents during evening visits include basic primary care, lab services and prescriptions. The staff can also provide referrals to dental, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Emergency services are not provided.

Care is provided regardless of income or citizenship status.

For information on locations and times, call (727) 582-7595. Go to www.pinellascounty.org/humanservices/services.htm#mobile for a monthly calendar.

COUNTYWIDE

Low-cost spaying, neutering offered

More than 60,000 unwanted animals are euthanized in the Tampa Bay area each year, so 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 the weight. SPOT offers low-cost spay/neuter vouchers online at www.SPOTusa.org. Call (727) 545-3463.

CLEARWATER

Scholarships available from Italy groups

Applications for two $1,000 scholarships are available from the Clearwater chapter of the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Daughters of Italy Lodge 2825 is offering two $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be 2007 Florida high school graduates and of Italian descent. To receive an application or for more information, call Daughters of Italy Lodge 2825 scholarship chairwoman Clara Shaw at (727) 785-6428.

Also available are applications for a $1,000 scholarship offered by the Grand Lodge of Florida, Order Sons of Italy in America. Information and applications can be found at www.daughtersofitaly.com.

CLEARWATER

Jewish center to run Alzheimer's program

The Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center has been chosen by the Brookdale Foundation in New York to receive funding for a program to help people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and their family caregivers.

The program will take place at the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center one day a week from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program will provide an opportunity for Alzheimer's patients to enjoy stimulating mental, physical and social activities such as intergenerational sing-alongs, word and trivia games, reminiscing and indoor chair exercises. Patients also will receive a morning snack and a kosher lunch.

The program will provide caregivers time to relax, run errands or use the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center's resources. It also will include a biweekly caregiver support group.

The program is expected to begin early this year. To learn more or to apply, call Jeanette Brownstein at (727) 302-3737.

PALM HARBOR

Volunteer to teach someone to read

The Palm Harbor Literacy Council is seeking volunteers who wish to become one-on-one tutors to teach reading, writing and spoken English to anyone who needs help.

The Literacy Council has a significant waiting list of adults waiting for tutors to help them learn English.

Tutoring sessions are scheduled at the convenience of the tutor and student, usually for 1 1/2 hours twice a week. All materials are provided by the council at no cost to the student or tutor.

New tutor orientation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1, followed by two teaching sessions from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and March 10 at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave.

For more information or to register, call (727) 784-3332, ext. 211.

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 information or a vendor application, call 587-6740, ext 5014.

CLEARWATER

Recyclable electronics accepted Jan. 27

St. Petersburg College's Women on the Way program will accept recyclable electronic items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at the college's Clearwater campus, 2465 Drew St.

All donated equipment must be in working condition. Items can include desktop and laptop computers, monitors, audio and video equipment including CD and DVD players, stereos, radios and cameras, printers, scanners, fax machines, cell phones and inkjet and laser cartridges.

The recycling program will not accept small household appliances, copiers or batteries.

The dropoff site will be on the west end of the south parking lot, which can be accessed from Old Coachman Road.

Proceeds will help fund Women on the Way scholarships.

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

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.

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.

The Palm Harbor chapter, which also covers Tarpon Springs, especially welcomes middle school students.

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.

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

Help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina

The Katrina Aid Today Program is available to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The program offers referrals, counseling, support, special events and assistance with utilities, food and clothing. Contact Tamera Fontenot at Catholic Charities, (813) 210-4245; or Evelyn Dodd at St. Vincent de Paul Society, (727) 868-8160.

[Last modified January 14, 2007, 21:33:24]