Neighborhood briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 15, 2001

Consumer education and protection is available

The Pinellas County Department of Consumer Protection wants Floridians to be aware of their rights in canceling contracts with service providers and solicitors.

Under Florida state law, the purchaser has the right to cancel many signed contracts within three days of signing. Services to be rendered in the future, such as gym memberships or dance lessons, and home solicitations amounting to $25 or more, are covered under the statute. New and used car sales are excluded. To cancel a contract, the buyer should send a certified letter to the seller within three business days of signing the contract.

For more information on consumer issues, visit the department's website at www.pinellascounty.org or call 464-6200.

Mental health care forum is Saturday

ST. PETERSBURG -- Families can learn more about getting mental health care from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S.

The St. Petersburg Weed and Seed program is billing the event as the first mental health forum in the African-American community, said coordinator Janis Ford. The objective of the free event is to better connect families to mental health services.

The public is invited, and lunch will be provided. Operation PAR and St. Anthony's Health Care are co-sponsors.

A training session for mental health care providers will take place concurrently at the St. Petersburg College Allstate Center. It's geared toward educating providers about cultural issues that hinder effective delivery of mental health services to African-Americans.

For information, call 893-9841.

Seminole plans special day for elementary kids

SEMINOLE -- A free, fun-filled day is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for elementary school youngsters from Seminole area public and private schools. It will be in the newly renovated Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Road. There will be refreshments, games, prizes and entertainment. For information, call the city of Seminole Recreation Center, 391-8345, or the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, 392-3245.

Nursing home residents need ombudsmen

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, in order to investigate and resolve resident complaints.

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

If you are interested in volunteering, call (727) 588-6912 for the Mid- and South-Pinellas council, (727) 834-3127 for the North Pinellas and Pasco council or (813) 871-7185 for the West Central Florida council.

2002 Festival of States seeks vendors, exhibitors

The St. Petersburg Festival of States is now accepting applications from food, sports and children's vendors and exhibitors. The 2002 Festival will be held April 5-14. Call 898-3654 for an application form.

Group offers guide to public officials

The 2001 "Pinellas County Citizen's Guide" is now available through the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg area. These reference guides contain addresses, phone numbers and term expiration dates for elected and appointed state and local public officials. All Pinellas County municipalities are listed with contact information.

To receive a copy, send a self-addressed envelope to the league at P.O. Box 11775, St. Petersburg, FL 33733, or call the league office at (727) 896-5197 and leave your name and full address on their voice mail requesting a copy of the publication. The booklet may also be accessed through their website at www.ij.net/league.

Church women seek vendors for craft show

The United Methodist Women of Pinellas Park are looking for craftspeople to participate in their upcoming crafts show. The show will be Nov. 3 at 9025 49th St. N in Pinellas Park. Call 525-1921 to register. Deadline is Oct. 1.

Pinellas Animal Services offers doggone good deal

If you're ready for both the responsibility and joys of having a dog, the 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.

Visit the center at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. You can also preview some of the animals by looking at the Animal Services website, www.pinellascounty.org.

Call 582-2600 for additional information.

Spaghetti dinner to help Police Explorers is Friday

You can help yourself to spaghetti and meatballs and help out the Pinellas Park Police Explorers at the same time. From 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, the Police Explorers, a program designed to provide ages 14-19 with personal development opportunities, will serve full meals for $5 adults, $3 for children younger than 10. Call 541-0764.

International adoption seminar to be held

Interested in adopting a child from another country? New Beginnings Family and Children's Services Inc., a licensed non-profit adoption agency, is hosting a free seminar on international adoptions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1301 Seminole Blvd., Suite 111, Largo. For more information, call (727) 584-5262.

Have fun while learning how to save your pet

The Pinellas Animal Foundation and Pinellas County Animal Services will co-host "Dog Days of August" on Aug. 25 at Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field, 373 Douglas Ave..

The minor league Dunedin Blue Jays will take on the Charlotte Rangers at 6:30 p.m., but gates will open at 5:30 p.m. PAF will offer pet CPR and police dog demonstrations, an "ask a vet" session, and will offer information on hurricane preparedness for pets, pet products and pet adoptions, invisible fences, identification microchips for pets and more. Bring a picture of your pet when you purchase tickets to be eligible for prize drawings. For information, call the foundation at 347-7387, and for tickets call 733-9302.

Pinellas Animal Services offers doggone good deal

If you're ready for both the responsibility and joys of having a dog, the 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.

Visit the center at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. You can also preview some of the animals by looking at the Animal Services website, www.pinellascounty.org.

Call 582-2600 for additional information.

Click to avoid points on your driver's record

The Suncoast Safety Council now offers its traffic school on the Worldwide Web, for Florida residents with a moving violation who wish to prevent having points placed on their license. The four-hour course costs $35. Call 373-7233, ext. O, for more information or to register.

Dine with the Rays to benefit ALS Association

The Grill at Feather Sound will be the site for the 2001 dinner and auction to benefit the ALS Association. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26, and dinner will be served by Tampa Bay Devil Rays players and their wives. Tickets for the event are $125 per person. Corporate sponsorships are available. Call (813) 874-2122.

Festival of Reading needs vendors

The 2001 Times Festival of Reading seeks food and book vendors and entertainers for the event scheduled at Eckerd College for Nov. 10-11. Children's entertainers are encouraged to apply, as well as dancers, poets, musicians, puppeteers, storytellers and actors. All performers will receive a stipend. The application deadline is Aug. 31. To apply, call (727) 892-2358.

Walk to benefit polycystic kidney disease research

The Suncoast Friends Chapter of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation will sponsor a "Walk for PKD" at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde. Registration begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds will benefit PKD research programs. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic, life-threatening disease that affects more than 600,000 Americans and an estimated 12.5-million people worldwide. For more information on the event, call (727) 784-4320, (813) 986-2850 or (727) 848-7804.

Asian center offers GED, English classes

The Asian Family and Community Empowerment Center offers classes for general equivalency diploma preparation at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, English for speakers of other languages at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and citizenship preparation at 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the center, 2201 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. The classes are free and open to the public. Call 321-8887.

Boys and Girls Clubs seek car, boat donations

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Florida are seeking donations of unwanted, intact cars or boats, complete with the appropriate certificate of title, to help fund their many youth programs.

Donated cars and boats will be sold, with proceeds to benefit local club chapters. The donation is tax deductible. The club will pick up donations and will arrange for free towing when necessary. For information, or to donate a car or boat, call (800) 246-0493.

Victory over Violence celebration is free

Victory over Violence, a celebration of peace, will be held at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 26. The event, an educational event designed to promote community awareness and dialogue among youth, families and schools, is free. Call 215-3210.

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