A battle on holy ground [Times photo: Fred Victorin] The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Peter, which has operated a downtown ministry for more than 100 years, says it will consider moving if it doesn't get the parking it needs. Sanctuary under siege: The issues Sanctuary under siege: The history Sanctuary under siege: Bill Bennett Sanctuary under siege: Tim Clemmons

Deputy mayor is glad to return
After a stint as planning and development director in Catawba County, N.C., Mike Dove will assume his post in about a month.

Movie film sculptor wins best of show
Gulfport's Nancy Cervenka-McLaughlin tops the list of winners at the Mainsail Arts Festival.

What's up on campus
Eckerd College

Renovating old church not feasible
I would like to state my support for the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter's application to demolish the former First Baptist Church sanctuary to provide parking.

Motel on 34th Street fined for drug activity
The Economy Inn Express Stadium was cited for 18 instances of drug-related problems in a six-month period.

Officials question demand for trolley
A council member says the price tag of $300,000 to $450,000 is affordable. A trolley might compete with the Pinellas Park Shuttle.

The week ahead
TODAY

South MLK gets some soothing improvements
Holy Moly, Batman, did you happen to set a tire on Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street S last week?

Canine teacher moves her business
Maria T. Praias has moved her home-based business, Dog Gone Positive Training & Kinderpaws Day Care, into a 5,000-square-foot facility at 7620 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. Praias studied at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and received her certificate as an animal behavioral counselor. She offers dog day care and classes in dog training and agility.

Author's efforts let book take wing
A writer learns the art of self publishing, and his book, Kokopelli and the Butterfly, is already into its second printing.

Store is a warehouse of music memories
Bananas Music -- seller of new and used music for 25 years -- moves its entire business into a giant warehouse.

Devil Ray handles kids' tough pitches
Russ Johnson shares a message with children that his father imparted: "Try to do the right thing every single day."

YWCA serves up tea, new mission statement
Why we Yanks have never gotten into the English tea thing I do not know. On the rare occasions when I sit down for one, I think: I could get used to this. (Then, of course, we would have to adopt the Spanish habit of an afternoon siesta to sleep it off, which I also could get used to.)

Local runner embraces marathon's mystery
"It's indescribable," exclaims Mary Peters of St. Pete Beach, who calls last week's Boston Marathon unforgettable..

It's big. It's brown. But what is it?
The "monotube," which looms over the intersection at 66th Street N and Park Boulevard and resembles a sewer pipe, is now the talk of the town.

Sift through the garbage and turn trash into toys
Don't toss that cereal box. Hold on to those Ziploc plastic bags. And even keep the McDonald's bag -- the one without the ketchup smears.

Neighborhood briefs
Humane Society offers foster parents class

Neighborhood planner wins UF alumnus award
ST. PETERSBURG -- Susan Ajoc, who has helped mold the city's neighborhood program into one of the nation's models, has been named a Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Florida.

Restaurant on the bay up for sale
The Waterfront Lodge, a private club turned into a buffet spot, closed Easter. It and the building next door sit empty.

Cycling accident injures ex-mayor
ST. PETERSBURG -- Few things can keep Bob Ulrich down. But when the former mayor took a spill from his bicycle on April 13, he got up, looked at his injuries and thought, "Maybe I should sit down." Then, "Maybe I should lie down."

Board can't step into manure problem
PINELLAS PARK -- Saying it does not enforce rules, Pinellas Park's horse board declined to take official action to remove a manure pile that is "bigger than most of our houses." But board chairman Will Bicknell guaranteed that the pile would be removed.

National hopefuls stick to tough routine
During preparation for regional gymnastics competitions, workouts had become more intense, coaches' eyes were more keen and athletes put in extra time. Hoping all the hard work pays off, Level 9 and 10 gymnasts are in Athens, Ga., this weekend in pursuit of national championship berths. Next weekend, Level 8 athletes conclude their season at the regional meet in Winston-Salem, N.C.

SPJC men, women make diamond history
The difference between the St. Petersburg Junior College softball team and the SPJC baseball team is about 20 miles.

Sport Bowling will challenge regular league competitors
Tom Milton isn't sure he will try the shot, but when and if he does, he expects his average to drop dramatically.

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