The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Councils of the Tampa Bay area seek volunteers to serve as advocates to residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to investigate and resolve resident complaints.

Volunteer's responsibilities may include periodic inspection of facilities and travel expenses to and from facilities will be reimbursed. Prospective ombudsmen should be free from a conflict of interest and will be interviewed before selection by local council members.

The councils also are seeking specialized volunteers such as licensed pharmacists and social workers, elder law attorneys and registered dietitians.

To volunteer, call 588-6912 for the Mid- and South Pinellas council, 834-3127 for the North Pinellas and Pasco council or (813) 871-7185 for the West Central Florida council.

Boating safety class offered

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering "Boating Safely," a program designed especially for beginning powerboaters. The four-night program will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 20 and 22 at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, 1301 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key. The cost for the program is $20 and includes all materials. Registration begins at 7 p.m. the first night of the program. For information, call Cyrus Totten at (727) 734-2029 or Dena Kennedy at (727) 398-3070.

Animal Services offers dog deal

If you're ready for the responsibility and joy of having a dog, Pinellas County Animal Services has a great deal for you. During August, dogs can be adopted for only $15. That fee includes spaying or neutering, the first set of vaccines, license and tag. Hours at the center, 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo, are 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. You can also preview some of the animals by looking at the Animal Services Web site, http://www.pinellascounty.org. Call (727) 582-2600 for information.

Exhibitors sought for Taste of Palm Harbor

PALM HARBOR -- Organizers of the fifth annual Taste of Palm Harbor are looking for arts and crafts exhibitors as well as restaurants to take part in the event, which is scheduled for Oct. 7 on Florida Avenue in downtown Palm Harbor.

Last year, more than 18,000 people attended the Taste of Palm Harbor and sampled foods from more than 30 local restaurants. The GFWC Palm Harbor Junior Woman's Club sponsors the event.

Arts and crafts exhibitors can get an application by calling (727) 492-6350, faxing a request to (727) 784-5255 or visiting the club's Web site, http://www.phmainstreet.com/phjwc.htm.

Restaurants can apply by visiting the Web page or calling (727) 787-9803.

Alzheimer's Association has child support group

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association hosts an informative meeting regarding their newly formed child/teen support group from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pinellas Park Public Library, 7770 52nd St. N.

The support group will be focused toward children and teens whose families have been touched by Alzheimer's and other memory disorders.

For more info, call the association at 578-2558.

Breast, cervical cancer screenings available

LARGO -- The Pinellas County Health Department Largo Health Center, 12420 130th Ave. N, offers screening exams for breast and cervical cancer for women ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn't fully cover such services. Pap smears, mammograms and clinical breast exams are included. For an appointment, call 824-6917.

Neighborhood housing services offer help

CLEARWATER -- Funds for housing rehabilitation and down payment assistance is available through the Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. To qualify, families must be at or below the 80 percent Area Median Income level. Business loans are also available throughout Pinellas County. For information on either program, call 442-4155.

Counselors needed for teen and play camps

SAFETY HARBOR -- Camp counselors 18 and older are needed for the Totally Teen and Sunshine Play camps at the Long Center, 1501 Belcher Road N, Clearwater. The programs are sponsored by Safety Harbor Leisure Services. To sign up or for information, call the Long Center, 724-1570.

Rape, sexual harassment counseling available

CLEARWATER -- Family Service Centers, 2960 Roosevelt Blvd., provides free counseling to rape survivors and their family and friends, as well as to sexual harassment victims. All services of the Centers' Rape Crisis Program are confidential and funded by the Pinellas County Department of Health, the Florida Department of Health and the United Way. For information, call 535-9811 or 530-7273 (530-RAPE).

DivorceCare schedules support group meetings

CLEARWATER -- DivorceCare seminars and support group meetings are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Clearwater First Church of the Nazarene, 1875 Nursery Road, Clearwater. Each session features a videotape, followed by a support group meeting. Topics to be covered include facing anger, depression, loneliness, financial survival, child care, new relationships and more. Child care and other activities for children are available. To register, call Dolly Hickey, 446-3130, or come early to a session. There is a one-time $10 charge.

Italian-American Club hosts dinner-dances

CLEARWATER -- The Italian American Club of Greater Clearwater at 200 McMullen-Booth Road presents a pasta dinner and dancing every Tuesday. The club opens at 5 p.m. for dinner, followed by dancing until 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for members and $8 for non-members.

The club also puts on dinner-dances from 5:30 to 11 p.m. every other Saturday. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For information or to purchase tickets, call 791-8698.

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