Beach business is hot; water's not [Times photo: Dirk Shadd] Tourists are tanning indoors, sipping coffee and taking refuge in restaurants. Thanks to sports fans, this could be a record-breaking month for tourism.

South Pinellas County news

Police complain of bad evaluations
Pinellas Park officers say a good rating from one superior often ends up downgraded by another higher up.

Article brings smiles to bicyclists
Re: Bicycle club donates three new bikes, helmets for kids, Dec. 24.

Pinellas, Pasco each has benefits
Charlie Brown and Lucy. Minneapolis and St. Paul. Sonny and Cher. All of these are great combinations, complementary to each other but sometimes with other than smooth relations, and sometimes with downright hostility toward each other.

Mayoral candidate quits race for good
ST. PETERSBURG -- Painting contractor and first-time political candidate Robert G. Wolf was in. Then he was out. Then he was back in. But on Tuesday, he said he is definitely out of this year's race to become mayor of St. Petersburg.

Chamber sets up trade show
The Women's Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Gulf Beaches will hold a luncheon and trade show for members today at the Holiday Inn St. Pete Beach, 5250 Gulf Blvd. For information, call Barbara Candelora, 367-7802.

Trial under way in police labor lawsuit
Former St. Petersburg officer Karen Lea claims she was demoted in retaliation for complaining in the past about sexual harassment.

Lutheran school raising money to buy land
ST. PETERSBURG -- Lutheran Church of the Cross Day School has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a strip shopping center adjacent to its property at 4400 Chancellor St. NE in Shore Acres. School and church families have pledged approximately $25,000 toward the $200,000 down payment needed for a scheduled Feb. 16 closing.

Florida Orchestra has a '20s theme for 2001
And a happy new year to you.

1 year later, barber is pleased about shop
The man behind Sports Cuts in St. Petersburg hopes to add more employees this year.

Lasting impressions
After learning about resumes and job ethics, St. Petersburg High freshmen are introduced to one of life's more unsettling inevitabilities: the interview.

Class Notes
Christian school plans tour

Gallery chooses two artists
Two St. Petersburg elementary students were selected as winners in the Arts Center's exhibition Celebrations: Word and Image.

Monitoring of sex offenders gets boost
Two deputies were trying to keep tabs on more than 400 offenders -- "almost an insurmountable task."

Rich paradise retreated as the future took hold
Decades ago, 98 acres of the richest soil in St. Petersburg called the Goose Pond was being paved over for progress

Couple falls in love with rare breed
Art and Patty Ferrell breed English Shires and take them on vacation rides. The horses can reach more than 7 feet tall and can weigh 2 tons.

Several highlights over course of year
Golf 2000 got off to a fast start last January in the New Year's Invitational at Lakewood Country Club and maintained a brisk pace throughout the year.

Many players enjoy a successful year
Here's a look back at some of the year 2000 highlights in tennis:

Race Week sets sail with record numbers
Overriding their 300-boat limit, organizers have accepted a record 327 entries for the 14th annual Yachting Key West Race Week.