Downtown living: shop 'n' stroll [Times photo: Dirk Shadd] My fantasy: By some miracle of transmogrification, I wake in a condominium on the 10th floor of one of the fancy new downtown developments -- Cloisters, Vinoy Place -- let's say the Florencia on Beach Drive and First Avenue N. My two teenagers are safely asleep in the adjoining condominium, protected by our dog, George. (Remember, fantasy.) I am not expected at work. I don't want to drive anywhere for anything.

South Pinellas County news

Beach city elections draw little interest
Incumbents are coasting toward automatic re-election in some cases, perhaps canceling some elections.

Water rate increase won't work
Re: Raising the price would help conserve water, Dec. 31 guest column.

Case against officer remains undecided
ST. PETERSBURG -- A St. Petersburg police officer remains on paid administrative leave and had not been arrested Tuesday, three days after Gulfport police labeled him as a suspect in an attempt to rob a man at gunpoint.

Professor leaves a marine science legacy, admirers
Dr. Harold Judson Humm, who died Dec. 11, grew the USF program into an internationally recognized one while earning respect as a researcher, teacher and person.

Elite guests check in at Pinellas Park farm
PINELLAS PARK -- Thirteen elegant horses -- mostly the legendary white Lipizanner stallions -- found a temporary home this week at Sea Spray Farm in Pinellas Park.

Hazel C. Lockhart, pioneering grocer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Hazel C. Lockhart, who got her start in the grocery business with a borrowed $50 and went on to found a landmark supermarket, has died at 93.

Back on track for the FCAT
After a 14-day break, there were a few bleary eyes among students, but mostly it was a smooth return.

School briefs
Riviera Day school gets accreditation

Achievers
Elisa Petit, daughter of Tom and Roseanne Petit of Treasure Island, graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in management. Her minor was travel and tourism management.

State chips in $20,000 for building survey
The city must match the state grant for a survey of historic buildings, which will help their owners with federal flood rules.

Road work squeezes traffic on 16th Street
The construction is part of a project to put in landscaping, lighting and a new median between 11th and Fifth avenues S.

City's first dry cleaners going strong after 85 years
ST. PETERSBURG -- History has taught M.C. Rogers III that "there will always be people who don't want to wash their shirts at home."

St. Pete Beach offers online links
ST. PETE BEACH -- The city has a new home on the World Wide Web, and the new Web site is a boon not only for St. Pete Beach government, but also for local businesses.

18-year resident joins Fire Commission
LEALMAN -- Two months after its inception, the Fire Commission has a full membership. Rebecca Harriman has been appointed to fill Seat 2, vacant because no one ran for it in the November election.

Charities traded with players
When star athletes leave, they often leave behind the local causes they generously supported as well.

In their own words
Last fall, the City Council hired a consultant to study morale in the Pinellas Park Police Department. Officers were encouraged to write comments as well as answer questions that ranked the department in different areas. When the overall results were published, the consultant and the city refused to release the handwritten comments, saying they could be used to identify individual police officers and open them to retaliation within the department. Last week, a judge ordered the city to release those comments. Some of them appear here.

Stroll to get Lealman on a better roll
Community volunteers will walk around and talk to residents to help develop a revitalization plan focusing on the eastern area.

Lealmanites answer key queries
LEALMAN -- Residents who attended the Lealman Revitalization Kickoff meeting in November were asked to answer four questions about living in the area. Here are the questions and some of their answers.

Volunteers will keep eyes open and take notes
LEALMAN -- As volunteers walk through some neighborhoods, they'll talk to people about garbage collection, the need for street lights and becoming involved in the Lealman Community Association. The volunteers also will keep their eyes open. Here are some things they'll look for.

Focus on volunteers
Abilities of Florida, an organization providing vocational evaluation, skills training and job placement services to people with disabilities, is seeking volunteers for the Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon, Jan. 19-20 on Clearwater Beach. Volunteers will monitor the starting and finish line, distribute water and register participants. For information, call Victoria Avila at 538-7370, ext. 327.

Military news
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Donald A. Quinn, a 1990 graduate of Gibbs High School, was promoted to his current rank while serving with the Marine Security Guard Detachment, American Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa.

Many renew friendships in Sullivan event
Every year since 1968, players have come from near and far to participate in Dan Sullivan's invitational tournament.

Spring training rides beginning to fill calendar
Often these days, winds are howling, and area outdoor thermometers rarely have gauged temperatures under 40 degrees.

Sadakata, Lucas rally for tourney victories
The winning pattern in the New Year's Invitational at St. Petersburg Country Club last week strictly was come from behind.

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