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Recycle your computer, help women's program

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2008

CLEARWATER

St. Petersburg College's Women on the Way program will benefit from an electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Unneeded working or reusable electronics will be recycled on the Clearwater campus, 2465 Drew St.

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

The program will receive cash from Hands on Recycling for each reusable item in working condition. It will use the proceeds for scholarships.

Acceptable items include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, audio and video equipment VCRs, CDs, DVDs, cell phones, inkjet and laser cartridges, fax machines, scanners and printers. All computer hard drives will be wiped before reuse.

Hands on Recycling also can arrange to have equipment picked up from businesses. Call (727) 791-2634.

DUNEDIN

Guided nature walks offered on Saturdays

See a variety of plants and wildlife in their natural habitat on guided walks with Florida Park Service rangers at Honeymoon Island State Park at 11 a.m. every Saturday through March.

The walks are free, however, there is a park entrance fee of $5 for two to eight people in a vehicle, $3 for one person in a vehicle and $1 for walkers or bicyclists.

Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and may want to bring binoculars and a field guide.

Meet the ranger at the beginning of the Nature Trail. The park is at 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin.

For more information, call the park at (727) 469-5942 or visit www.floridastateparks.org.

CLEARWATER

Got a questionfor a judge?

A panel of local judges will discuss "The Judicial System from the Judge's Perspective" and answer audience questions during the first session of the Clearwater Bar Association's 2008 People's Law School.

The program is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the fine arts auditorium of the Drew Street campus of St. Petersburg College.

The People's Law School will continue weekly at the college on Thursdays through April. Participants may attend as few or as many sessions as they wish, free of charge. No registration is required. For information, call (727) 461-4869 or visit www.clearwaterbar.org.

The class schedule:

- Jan. 24, 7 to 9 p.m., Criminal Law.

- Jan. 31, 7 to 9 p.m., Independent Court System.

- Feb. 7, 7 to 7:55 p.m., Condominium Law; 8:05 to 9 p.m., Landlord Tenant Law.

- Feb. 14, 7 to 7:55 p.m., Purchasing Real Estate; 8:05 to 9 p.m. Mortgages.

- Feb. 21, 7 to 9 p.m., To be announced.

- Feb. 28, 7 to 7:55 p.m., Construction Contracts; 8:05 to 9 p.m., Mechanic's Liens.

- March 6, 7 to 7:55 p.m., Consumer Complaints; 8:05 to 9 p.m., Mediation & Arbitration.

- March 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning.

- March 20, No class. Spring Break.

- March 27, 7 to 7:55 p.m., State of Our Circuit; 8:05 to 9 p.m., Small Claims.

- April 3, 7 to 9 p.m., Family Law.

- April 10, 7 to 9 p.m., Bankruptcy.

- April 17, 7 to 9 p.m., Contract & Business Law.

- April 24, 7 to 7:55 p.m., Identity Theft; 8:06 to 9 p.m. Graduation.

DUNEDIN

Reserve a vendor table for senior fair

The Hale Activity Center is looking for businesses and organizations to showcase their products and services for older adults at the 2008 Senior Awareness Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the center, 330 Douglas Ave.

Vendor tables are $50 and can be reserved by calling fair coordinator Mathew Eberius at (727) 298-3299 or by e-mailing him at meberius@dunedinfl.net

LARGO

Got rhythm? Join the drum circle

Bring a drum or other percussion instrument to the drum circle at 6 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at George C. McGough Nature Park, 11901 146th St. N.

Listeners of all ages are invited to relax by the campfire and enjoy the rhythms led by Barry Skeete. Admission is $2 for those 13 and older. Call (727) 587-6775.

COUNTYWIDE

Learn more about SPC dual enrollment

The Early College Program, a partnership between Pinellas County schools and St. Petersburg College, will host three more information sessions for students.

The program is open to Pinellas students who will enter grades 11 and 12 in fall 2008.

Students must have a 3.0 unweighted high school grade-point average and pass the College Placement Test, SAT or ACT tests.

The full-time dual enrollment program allows students to earn college credits, tuition-free, while completing high school and taking part in extracurricular activities.

All sessions are from 7 to 9 p.m.:

- Feb. 5 in the Clearwater campus arts auditorium, 2465 Drew Street.

- Jan. 23 and Jan. 31 in the UP building at the Seminole campus, 9200 113th St. N.

For more information, call (727) 791-5970 or (727) 791-5971.

COUNTYWIDE

Start your year off right by volunteering

Here's a New Year's resolution you can get started on today: Pinellas County's Guardian ad Litem program is recruiting volunteers.

Nearly 1,000 children in Pinellas need a guardian ad litem. Volunteers 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, the 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. Thirty hours of training is required.

Seven classes have been scheduled for 2008. To schedule a one-hour orientation, call (727) 464-6528. Visit www.guardianadlitem6.org.

COUNTYWIDE

Apply now for groups' $1,000 scholarships

Two Italian-American associations are offering $1,000 scholarships to high school graduates and returning students.

The applicants must be Florida residents and of Italian descent. The scholarships are available through the Daughters of Italy Lodge 2825 and the Clearwater chapter of Order of the Sons of Italy in America.

For information, call Clara Shaw, Daughters of Italy scholarship chairwoman, at (727) 785-6428 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Applications available on the Web at www.daughtersofitaly.com.

The deadline is March 27.

DUNEDIN

Load up on food and more at green market

Dunedin's Green Market at the corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue features produce, cheeses, seafood, plants and herbs, honey, all-natural pet treats, organic products, nuts, natural seasonings and fresh fruit. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday through the end of April. For information, call market manager Richard Kendler at (727) 733-4215 or e-mail him at greenmarketmanager@verison.net

DUNEDIN

Hit the Pinellas Trail with Walking Club

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

COUNTYWIDE

Good at preparing taxes? You're needed

The IRS/AARP TaxGuide program, which last year prepared more than 4,000 income tax returns for residents of North Pinellas, needs volunteers.

The program helps low-income and elderly residents prepare their taxes free of charge. Volunteers receive training that leads to IRS/AARP certification. To volunteer, call Frank Mann at (727) 726-7822 or register online at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

COUNTYWIDE

Musicians needed for Suncoast String Band

The Suncoast String Band is calling for musicians who play saxophone, banjo, violin, guitar and accordion. The band is starting rehearsals for the coming concert season. For information, call band director Tom Barry at (727) 738-4546.

COUNTYWIDE

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

Jazz band needs young musicians

Sonny LaRosa's America's Youngest Jazz Band is seeking children ages 6 to 13 who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar or drums. Vocalists who will consider playing an instrument will also be considered. Call (727) 725-1788 or visit www.sonnylarosa.com.

EAST LAKE

Brooker educational center needs help

Looking to help out? Friendly, outgoing volunteers are needed at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center as exhibit hall docents and summer camp assistants. Call 453-6800.

COUNTYWIDE

Volunteers needed in mentoring program

Gulf Coast Community Care needs volunteers age 30 and older for its mentoring program. Volunteers are matched with children who need a positive adult role model. There is a need for volunteers for children of all ages. No experience necessary, no costs. Volunteers spend a few hours a week in activities like reading, fishing, baking, teaching a craft or visiting a park. Call 479-1841 or 479-1825.

CLEARWATER

Friends of Library seeking donations

CLEARWATER - Before silverfish overrun your old paperback collection, why not donate it? The Friends of the Library Book & Gift Store in Clearwater's Main Library is seeking donations of paperback books in good condition for resale in the store.

Bring your donations to the Main Library or call Judy Bazata at 461-6272 if pickup is needed. Although the store is seeking donations of current and collectible books, it will accept other books as well. What it doesn't use will be part of the next semi-annual book sale Feb. 27 to March 1.

Proceeds from the Friends of the Clearwater Library bookstores are used to enhance the Clearwater Public Library system.

The store also needs volunteers to work certain days and hours. A short training session is required. The Friends Book & Gift Store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Work hours are variable, generally two to four hours a week. To volunteer call Rosalie Murray at 531-0667 or Rita Garvey at 446-3845.

COUNTYWIDE

Are phone books cluttering your home?

New phone books have arrived, so recycle that old one.

Residents with curbside collection in Belleair, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo and Oldsmar can put their old phone books in their curbside recycling bin. Other residents can go to one of 40 dropoff locations around the county.

Most dropoff sites have bins labeled "phone books." If not, put the phone books in the "mixed paper" or "magazines" bins but not in the "newspaper" bin. For a list of phone book recycling sites, visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities or call (727) 464-7500.

Pinellas residents discard more than 2-million phone books annually.

To reduce the number of phone books delivered to your office or house this year, call Verizon at toll-free 1-800-888-8448 or Yellow Book at toll-free 1-800-929-3556.

PINELLAS PARK

They've got stories waiting to be shared

The Tampa Bay Storytellers Guild Story Swap meets the fourth Sunday of every month (except November and December) to share stories. The public is invited to attend and share their stories. Each program has a theme. The programs are at 3 p.m., the fourth Sunday of each month, at Pinellas Park Station, 5851 Park Blvd. For more information, call Billie Noakes at 647-8057.

COUNTYWIDE

Sign up to help collect for Tampa Bay Harvest

Tampa Bay Harvest is an all-volunteer organization that collects food from restaurants, supermarkets and other sources to donate to food pantries and other local organizations that help feed the hungry. Volunteers are needed to transport food, help with coordinating and record-keeping, and assist with food-collecting events. Call 538-7777, ext. 1.

[Last modified January 19, 2008, 21:18:06]