Model citizen, dutiful worker -- at 10 [Times photo: Dirk Shadd] When Marissa Dutra had an hour to spare, she took a cue from Mom and got to work helping a classroom.

Curbside mailbox mandate delivered
Once such a box is put in the ground, it almost never can come out, says the U.S. Postal Service. And the city says those boxes must have permits.

Downtown really may bag a new grocery
"We hope we will have good news in 90 days," says the president of the Sembler Co., which initially sought to have a supermarket in BayWalk.

Trolley mustn't cater to just tourists
Along with other then-elected officials, I was supportive of the trolley service along Gulf Boulevard when it was proposed by Pinellas County as an enhancement for tourists to travel from Clearwater Pass to John's Pass and beyond.

Pursuing growth in a crowded world
Picking up a regional edition of the Times the other day and seeing that three of four front page headlines dealt with growth issues made me wonder if anyone is paying attention.

County picks up public access TV
Cable companies don't want the task, so the county is building its own studio that residents can use.

Vinoy Place reaches out to fill last of condo units
ST. PETERSBURG -- Developers of Vinoy Place, the luxury condominiums and city homes still under construction on the waterfront, have sold about 90 percent of the units in the first two phases. Even so, they still are advertising, and well beyond Florida's borders.

Beach art center sets fall schedule
ST. PETE BEACH -- The new fall schedule for the St. Pete Beach Art Institute, 3300 Gulf Blvd., will include classes designed to include people with busy daytime schedules.

Pinellas Trail spur to reach Tarpon park
TARPON SPRINGS -- By this time next year, Pinellas County officials say bikers and joggers should be able to turn off the northernmost stretch of the Pinellas Trail and follow a scenic extension of the trail to Tarpon Springs' newest park.

Humane Society is gaining space
A medical center and kennel are planned to help cope with a seemingly ceaseless influx of stray and abandoned animals.

A gift from the heart
Three couples were vacationing in the Bahamas. A young man from a small island needed surgery. Their paths crossed, and their lives are changed.

His passion burns for a crucial job
Longtime firefighters know that history is chock-full of fun facts. For example, "Alert Hose Company No. 1" battled flames in the 1890s.

Stuart Society hones fine art of the reunion
Enjoying the almost autumnal weather last week were members of a number of committees, auxiliaries and guilds, meeting for the first time since summer break and breaking out fall clothes for the occasion.

Apartment residents angered by wet living
Residents have had to buy dehumidifiers to dry the air at Bethany Towers. The managers say open windows are the problem.

Neighborhood briefs
U.S. Geological Survey to hold open house

Gift will build pool for school
An anonymous couple has given $200,000 to the Palm Harbor Montessori Academy.

Young cancer patients find fun in the sun
MADEIRA BEACH -- Young cancer patients from Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Nebraska and Texas are in town this week attending the third annual National Sunshine Kids Fun-n-Sun Celebration.

Barber poll tabs election winners
Pedro Holladay carries on a straw-vote tradition at his shop, even offering absentee ballots for those not needing a haircut soon.

Life is 'Peachy' for WTA executive
Fern Lee "Peachy" Kellmeyer considers herself a lucky woman.

Cope gives Sunshine winner Jefferson run for his money
Whether you love him or hate him, and racing fans seem equally divided, Late Model driver Jimmy Cope of Pinellas Park has earned the tag Mr. Excitement.

Find your town or area Bayonet Point Bay Pines Belleair Belleair Belleair Bluffs Belleair Beach Belleair Shores Beverly Hills Brandon Brooksville Brookridge Carrollwood Citrus Park Citrus Springs Clearwater Crystal River Dade City Del Rio Dover Dunedin Egypt Lake Elfers Floral City Gulfport Hernando Holiday Homosassa Hudson Indian Rocks Beach Indian Shores Inverness Kenneth City Lacoochee Lake Magdalene Land O'Lakes Largo Lealman Lutz Madeira Beach Mango-Seffner New Port Richey N. Redington Beach North Brooksville Oldsmar Palm River Palm Harbor Pinellas Park Plant City Port Richey Redington Beach Redington Shores Ridge Manor Ruskin St. Petersburg St. Pete Beach Safety Harbor Saint Leo San Antonio Seminole South Brooksville South Pasadena Sun City Center Spring Hill Tampa Tampa Palms Tarpon Springs Temple Terrace Town N'Country Treasure Island Weeki Wachee Weeki Wachee Acres Wimauma Wesley Chapel Zephyrhills Citrus County Hernando County Hillsborough County Pasco County Pinellas County
© Copyright 2000 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.