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Group wedding is scheduled for Feb. 14

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 6, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

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 (727) 464-4876 or visit the clerk's Web site at www.pinellasclerk.org.

COUNTYWIDE

Apply for property tax exemption

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 (727) 464-3294 or visit www.pcpao.org/Exemptions.html.

CLEARWATER

Volunteers needed to work at food bank

Religious Community Services Food Bank is looking for volunteers to sort, deliver and pick up food, interview clients and distribute food to families in need two to four hours a day, one day a week during the Food Bank's regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

COUNTYWIDE

Hellenic association offers scholarships

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has applications available for more than $5,000 in high school and college scholarships awarded by AHEPA's Pinellas Chapter No. 356 and the Daughters of Penelope, Pelias Chapter No. 186. Applicants must be 2007 high school graduates or current college students. Applicants do not have to be of Greek descent, but they must be a family member of a current member of the Order of AHEPA or the Daughters of Penelope. Call chairman John Tsagaris at (727) 791-1040 for an application or visit www.ahepad2.org.

[Last modified February 5, 2007, 21:51:15]