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Golf tournament to benefit school program

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 9, 2007

CLEARWATER

The first annual Military Officers Association of America Golf Tournament is looking for sponsors and golfers for its competition on Oct. 26 at Cove Cay Country Club.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The $65 entry fee includes golf, lunch and a goodie bag, plus the chance for door prizes, golf awards, hole-in-one awards. Proceeds benefit scholarships for graduates of Clearwater High School's Marine Corps JROTC program.

For more information, call Keith Kurber at (727) 421-8873 or Sue Morse at (727) 799-9275.

PALM HARBOR

Tutors needed to help adults speak English

The Palm Harbor Literacy Council has a waiting list of more than 30 adults seeking tutors who can teach them to read or can help them learn English as a second language. The one-on-one tutoring sessions, which are scheduled at the convenience of the tutor and student, usually last 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 be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, followed by two teaching sessions from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 20 and Nov. 3, at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. Call (727) 784-3332, ext. 211.

CLEARWATER

Clothes to Kids needs helpers for jobs at store

Clothes to Kids needs volunteers to work weekdays and Saturdays in its store at 1059 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater. Volunteer opportunities include working with clients, answering phones, data entry and re-stocking the store floor.

Clothes to Kids provides new and quality used clothing for free to low-income children in Pinellas County. For information about volunteer opportunities or the organization, call the store at (727) 441-5050 or visit www.clothestokids.org .

COUNTYWIDE

Volunteers needed for Clearwater Jazz Holiday

The 28th annual MarineMax Clearwater Jazz Holiday is looking for hundreds of volunteers to help with every aspect of the four-day, free music event scheduled for Oct. 18-21 at Coachman Park.

Among other things, volunteers can sell merchandise, pour beer and wine, distribute soft drinks and water and check IDs. If you have carpentry, electrical, plumbing or handyman skills, your help is needed to build and tear down the event infrastructure.

Sign up online at www.clearwaterjazz.com and click on Volunteers; or call the Jazz Holiday office at (727) 461-5200 and ask for a registration form.

COUNTYWIDE

Suicide bereavement group offers support

The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast is forming a suicide bereavement support group for adults who have lost someone to suicide. The group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on six Tuesday evenings through Oct. 23, at the Hospice Center for Loss and Healing, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Largo. To register, call Hospice at (727) 586-4432, ext. 3451.

People needed as a voice for children

Nearly 1,000 children in Pinellas County need a caring person to stand up and be their voice in the courtroom and to advocate for them in the child welfare system.

The final training this year to become a certified guardian ad litem will begin Oct. 16 at the Criminal Justice Center in Clearwater.

Guardians ad litem advocate for abused, abandoned or neglected children and teens in the family courts and the child welfare system. The average time needed is four to six hours a month. As a child's advocate, a guardian ad litem visits the child every month, becomes familiar with the child's case and makes recommendations to the court to help ensure the child has a safe, caring and stable environment.

Guardians receive ongoing assistance. To volunteer and arrange to attend a brief orientation, call (727) 464-6528. For more information and an application go to www.guardianadlitem6.org.

Old cell phones can be a lifeline for seniors

Senior Citizens Services welcomes donations of old cell phones to be distributed to needy seniors as 911 emergency phones. The offices are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and phones are distributed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Senior Citizens Services is in Belcher Commons Office Park at 51 S Main Ave., Suite 308-M, Clearwater. For information, call (727) 442-8104.

COUNTYWIDE

Free equipment for folks with hearing loss

Florida residents with hearing loss can receive amplified telephones and specialized equipment for no cost at the Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay.

Free hearing screenings, other assisting equipment and low cost hearing aids are also available at locations across Pinellas County.

Call (727) 399-9983 or visit www.ftri.org for locations and information.

CLEARWATER

Residents pay once, park all year at beach

Clearwater residents can buy annual beach parking permits valid at five lots for only $40 a year. Permits can be bought from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday though Friday at the Municipal Services Building, 100 S Myrtle Ave., Suite 220. Proof of residency and vehicle registration required. Call (727) 562-4704.

DUNEDIN

Join the Walking Club for exercise and fun

Exercise your legs with walking and your mouth with laughter with the Walking Club at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays to walk the Pinellas Trail. Call (727) 298-3299.

COUNTYWIDE

Don't fall for plots to 'fix' your water

Pinellas County and city of Clearwater officials say they have received complaints that at least one local water treatment company claims to represent the county to gain entrance to homes and inspect faucets or hot water heaters in an effort to sell expensive water treatment systems.

The companies are not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency, and county utility employees would never try to sell an "upgrade" to a home's plumbing.

Consumers should be wary of unexpected visits or gifts from water companies, sales people who add thickening agents to water to solidify harmless minerals, high prices and scare tactics, officials say.

To learn more about Pinellas County water quality, call (727) 464-4000. To learn more about Clearwater's water, call (727) 562-4600.

To investigate a company's business history, call the Department of Consumer Protection at (727) 464-6200 or visit www.pinellascounty.org consumer and click on "Check a business."

Clearwater officials say residents who feel they have been misled should call the state Attorney General's Economic Crimes unit, 3507 Frontage Road, Suite 325, Tampa, FL 33607 or call the office at (813) 287-7900.

[Last modified October 8, 2007, 21:19:15]