Do-ers

• 'Point man' shores up beach power with unity
  J.J. Beyrouti has managed the seemingly impossible task of uniting the many beach cities and towns as a political force.
• After a few meetings, he's a community activist
  For Ray Neri, Lealman Community Association president, the desire to see his neighborhood cleaned up has propelled him into the annexation battle.
• The guardian angels of Gulfport
  In their combined efforts for seniors, Susan Frank and Sarah Peel provide a range of services hard to find in small cities.
• Chamber executive stabilizes beaches group
  Debbie Stambaugh melds the efforts of what were once four chambers of commerce.
• Activist not afraid of challenge, defeat
  Former city council member Larry Williams is proud of his family and his achievements in business and politics.
• Florida Power manager focuses on Gulf Boulevard
  Nancy Loehr works as a community relations manager for the utility and serves as chairwoman of the chamber of commerce.
• Community gem rescued from sands of time
  Betsy Schoepf's vision for the Beach Art Center was like a beachcomber finding a jewel in the sand -- and the community awaits even more surprises.
• Lawyer imparts knowledge to old, poor
  Once a homemaker, Mary K. Little now gets great satisfaction from helping her clients at the non-profit Gulfcoast Legal Services.
• Mission worker shares gift of the heart
  Wherever there are people in need, Hope Rowland is there to provide whatever she can.
• Neighborhood leader raises issues, digs for details
  Contractor Steve Plice is known to get things done and to fight for his community.
• Renovator of old buildings lives by the code
  Knowledge is power, especially when you're Barry Flaherty, who has learned what it takes to get through the city's permitting process.
• Principal uses school ties to unite community
  John Hopkins Middle School was divided by more just its two campuses when Ed Baldwin took over in 1998. Now its a community asset with students earning high marks.
• Terry England
  Through his volunteer work as well as his construction company, Terry England's fingerprints are on many of the changes in Pinellas Park.
• Ambassador of business
  One of Pinellas Park's best business boosters isn't even a resident. But Housh Ghovaee's success at bringing in companies has earned the city's admiration.
• Being a good neighbor meant pitching in
  Marcie Lauster isn't one to sit home and complain. She organizes, she pesters and she cajoles to make Lealman a better place to live.
• 'Our role . . . is to improve peoples' lives'
  Lealman United Methodist Church had risen as a home for community activism under the Rev. Paul Kelly, and its current minister Richard Jones intends to continue that mandate.
• City workers add to labor of love
  More than just municipal employees, they are also community volunteers and problem-solvers.
• Recreation director prepares his game plan
  Seminole's enthusiastic recreation director has the huge task of opening a new complex with a widely expanded recreation program.
• Provost gives college home-field advantage
  Jim Olliver has overseen rapid growth for the Seminole campus of St. Petersburg College, in part by responding to community needs such as a new library.
• 'Spark plug' revs up chamber
  The Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce's new director is an affable man who is serious about business.
• Giving to Caesar and to God
  A part of the Rev. John Denmark's ministry is serving the community at large, as well as his congregation at Seminole United Methodist Church.
• Reporting for duty
  From the Paralympics to numerous civic boards, eager volunteer Eva Jones was a natural to be named Ms. Seminole for 2000. But she retains a special place in her heart for military service.
• The doctor of do
  "Doc" Kinsey comes to the aid of a lot of community projects, from the Kiwanis to the chamber to a special day to appreciate kids who stay in school.
• 'We are just caretakers'
  Sandy Holloway takes her duties as a citizen seriously. That means saving what's historic and green and fixing what's broken.
• This Junior League is not your mother's social club The group is open to any woman who wants to volunteer and can pay dues, but don't expect gloved tea parties. You'll be put to work.

Downtown Publix proposal has flaws
The addition of a new supermarket in downtown St. Petersburg will no doubt be welcomed by neighborhood residents. However, the site plan presented to the city has major defects and in some ways represents a step backward rather than forward.

Van fire damages auto detailing shop
The blaze causes $250,000 damage. Nine vehicles, some owned by dealerships, were inside when it broke out.

John's Pass Seafood Festival canceled
The long-running event may be a thing of the past. It could be replaced or moved.

Bus route to beach will help employees
Route 90 is designed to benefit people who live in St. Petersburg and work at beach establishments.

Starbucks quenches cappuccino cravings
Macchiatos and Frappuccinos flow on the Seattle-based chain's first day in downtown St. Petersburg.

Timing is everything, especially with lights
People who live in the southern half of Pinellas County have the most interesting questions. We love them.

A shrinking Lealman considers its options
Possibilities include being annexed by Kenneth City, incorporating as its own city or becoming a "quasi-city."

Beaches notebook
Boca Ciega sailing group hosts boating course

'We want crime out of our neighborhood'
Residents of Childs Park and other areas want to stop violence by African-Americans against other African-Americans.

Old Wards building to be auto parts shop
Super Parts Automotive Warehouse plans to relocate to the big building at 201 34th St. N by the end of December.

Jeweler adds a little luster to tax holiday
Hoping to cash in on some of the shopping buzz out there, Silverberg Jewelry offers to pay the tax on any purchase.

Seminole 8 to reopen with free movies
The new owners will continue to operate the complex as a first-run movie house.

A sinister pattern? No, just an ugly one
One Pinellas Park council member loathes an old couch in their office; another defends it.

Indian Shores chooses town activist to fill temporary council seat
INDIAN SHORES -- Bill Smith, president of the Indian Shores Property Owners Association, is the new appointee to the Town Council.

Leo mingles with Libra, others in Zodiac Group
On Wednesday, the day I wrote this column, my horoscope in the St. Petersburg Times, Section D, Page 9, read: "Your enthusiasm is contagious today, Leo. Getting others to do what you want shouldn't be a problem if you use the right method of persuasion."

Government calendar
Monday

Indian Shores loses vocal building official
Disciplined last year for harassment, Mike Nadeau is retiring amid allegations that he is belligerent to town staff.

Coquina Key residents ask city to dredge five canals
Erosion and stormsewer runoff have slowly clogged the five canals on Coquina Key, and now the silted bottom needs dredging, waterfront residents say.

City manager earns improved grades
Despite a tough year that included a call for him to resign, Steven Stanton gets higher marks from commissioners.

Don't assume fluoride is in your drinking water
Just when Laura Gilmore had gotten used to having a new baby she found out there was another thing she had to worry about: fluoride.

Week ahead
Today

Gulfport's 'night out' sheds light on crime
Tuesday night's event is being described as a "neighborhood party to drive out crime and drugs."

Neighborhood briefs
Pinellas Animal Services offers doggone good deal

Residents face question of Seminole annexation
If Seminole Grove Estates votes for annexation, the city will add about 530 residents.

Good for you
Frank Knight, a music theory teacher at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School since 1984, was one of 13 secondary school teachers selected from the United States and Canada to score the 2001 advanced placement music theory examination in Ewing, N.J.

Silk flower business closes after 30 years
Frannett, at 330 Fourth St. N, puts the wraps on its traditional arrangements and Nativity scenes.

Young ball team loses chance at championship
The 9-and-under team was partially disqualified the night before a semifinal for having too many 10-year-olds, but the program's founder says it's really about sore losers.

Pier 60 Series front-runner is looking ahead
Just one overall winner was likely to emerge from Friday night's race, culminating the Pier 60 Series at Clearwater Beach.

Former Sponger working hard down on farm
The minor-league baseball season is a long one with its 140 games, but Matt Bowser (Tarpon Springs) can't think of a better way to spend his days.

Kenneth City experiment creates more Sport Bowling
Seventy-five players survived Sport Bowling's test at AMF Kenneth City Lanes, and they may return for a bigger challenge. The county's first Sport Bowling league was started last May by Mike White for a 14-week experiment, and now he's planning a full, 36-week league.

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