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Letter to the editor

Guardian ad Litem looking for volunteers

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 10, 2008

COUNTYWIDE

Pinellas County's Guardian Ad Litem program will soon begin training volunteers to act as the courtroom voice for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

Guardian ad Litem volunteers visit the child once a month, become familiar with his or her case and make recommendations to help ensure the child has a safe, caring and stable environment. The average time needed is four to six hours a month.

Thirty hours of training are required, and guardians receive ongoing assistance. The next class starts Feb. 16 at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.

To volunteer and arrange to attend a one hour orientation, call (727) 464-6528. For more information, a training schedule and an application go to www.guardianadlitem6.org .

COUNTYWIDE

Affordable housing, services at Goodwill

Did you know Goodwill offers affordable living options for people with low incomes, including seniors and people with disabilities?

Goodwill's Freedom Villages, in Tampa, Pinellas Park and Clearwater, offer one- and two-bedroom apartments. Heritage Oaks in Palm Harbor offers one-bedroom apartments for people 62 and older with low incomes.

All four properties feature well-maintained buildings with community rooms and common areas. On-site Goodwill service coordinators at each facility help residents connect with community resources and services.

The HUD-subsidized apartment buildings, owned and operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, are architecturally barrier-free to accommodate the needs of people with physical disabilities.

There are often waiting lists for these apartments. Prospective residents should call the property in which they are interested to check availability or to be put on a waiting list. The four Goodwill apartment communities are:

- Freedom Village I, 7700 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, (727) 541-6620

- Freedom Village II, 5002 S Bridge St., Tampa, (813) 831-6988

- Freedom Village III, 1167 Turner St., Clearwater, (727) 443-6799

- Heritage Oaks of Palm Harbor, 2351 Alderman Road, Palm Harbor, (727) 787-0792

For general information about Goodwill apartments, visit the Housing page at www.goodwill-suncoast.com.

COUNTYWIDE

Parent Aide Program seeks volunteers

You can assist parents who are seeking help The Parent Aide Program needs volunteers to help those who are looking to become better parents.

Aides spend one to two hours each week mentoring a parent.

For more information, call Kerri Pedersen at 399-5744, ext. 168, or visit www.HelpAChild.org.

COUNTYWIDE

Team ready to help spay and neuter pets

February is spay/neuter month.

SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) is teaming up with local veterinarians in Pinellas County to offer low-cost spay/neuter for cats and dogs.

Any cat or dog at least 8 weeks old can be signed up. Special "neuterathon" prices: male cats $35, female cats $40, male dogs $40 and female dogs $45-$90 depending on weight.

SPOT offers low-cost spay/neuter vouchers available online at www.SPOTusa.org or call (727) 545-3463 for more information.

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

Learn about law at seminars

The People's Law School will continue weekly at the Drew Street campus of St. Petersburg 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:

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

- Feb. 21, 7 to 9 p.m., Topic 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.

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 starting in January 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.

[Last modified February 9, 2008, 21:31:48]