Neighborhood briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 22, 2001

Take a brisk walk in the park

SEMINOLE -- Get a jump start on the Labor Day weekend by participating in the non-competitive 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer walks through Walsingham and Pinewood Cultural parks.

Families can walk between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 in the event sponsored by the Suncoast Sandpipers Volkssport Club, a walking and exercise group.

The event will begin in Walsingham Park, 12620 102nd Ave. N, Seminole, and go north and across Walsingham Road through Pinewood Cultural Park, including the grounds of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Florida Botanical Gardens and Heritage Village.

There will be written directions for participants and free refreshments along the way. The walks can be done for free, for $2 if people wish to have their times and scores recorded, or $6 for a walking stick medallion. The first 100 participants will receive free bandannas from New Balance shoes, an event sponsor.

Picnic lunches will be sold after the walks, or people can bring their own food. For information, contact Alice Lawrence at (727) 595-2173 or: pipers@tampabay.rr.com.

Rally against violence and drugs Friday

ST. PETERSBURG -- A four-day rally against gun violence and drugs in school begins Friday with a program and entertainment at John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S.

Sponsored by Lauretta Laine Music and the One in Christ Singles Ministry, events are free and open to the public.

The John Hopkins program starts at 7 p.m. Joey Kibble of the Christian musical group Take 6 will appear, as will the Chicago-based Kids for Christ Blacklight mime ministry.

At 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, the program will be repeated at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1001 56th St. N. Representatives from family services organizations and the Pinellas County Boot Camp for juvenile offenders also are scheduled to speak.

Children are invited to take part in a parade against guns and drugs, scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday from Lot 51 to Demens Landing. Participants are asked to be at Lot 51, which is across from Bayfront Center on Bay Shore Drive, by 2:15 p.m.

At noon Sunday, free food and school clothing for needy families will be distributed at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church. All singles ministries in the bay area are welcome to participate and bring food and clothing, said organizer Elaine Hopkins.

For information, call 327-5992.

Volunteers needed to search for scallops

ST. PETERSBURG -- Volunteer boat captains and snorkelers are needed for Saturday's Great Bay Scallop Search, which starts at 9 a.m. on the far east side of the Fort De Soto boat ramp.

Tampa BayWatch and the Tampa Bay Estuary program are sponsoring the event, which requires reservations. Call 896-5320. Shell's Restaurant will provide lunch.

About 200 participants in 40 to 50 boats are expected. The snorkelers will search seagrass meadows and other sites in lower Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay.

The event's purpose is to document the health and status of the bays' scallop population, which declined dramatically during the 1950s and '60s because of dredging and pollution.

Researchers say scallops are making a tentative comeback. Last year, divers found 18 in the lower Tampa Bay survey area.

St. Petersburg YMCA hosts open house

Interested in learning more about YMCA programs and facilities? The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg hosts "The YMCA Experience-Join and Learn" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Jim and Heather Gills YMCA, 3200 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Fees will be reduced for those wishing to join, and a drawing, for those who join the YMCA, will be held for a free six-month membership. Free refreshments will be served. For information, call 895-9622.

American Legion post plans mortgage burning

American Legion Post 125, founded in 1941, will hold a mortgage burning ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the post, 6440 Fifth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. For information, call the post at 347-6085.

Deaf Service Center offers new services

Friends of the Deaf Service Center in Pinellas County now offers complete Florida Telecommunications Relay services to local residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind or speech impaired. Specialized telephones and ring signaling devices are available free of charge, and the equipment will be loaned to qualified residents for as long as needed. For more information, call 399-9983.

Vendors needed for craft show

The VA Bay Pines Hospital Employee Recreation Organization (HERO) seeks crafters and other vendors for their fourth annual charity craft fair to be held at the hospital, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, on Oct. 27. Vendors will be responsible for their own set-up. Proceeds will benefit the Adopt-A-Family Program. To register or for more information, call 398-9395.

Lake Seminole Park to host 23-year-old Warhoop Sprint

SEMINOLE -- The Warhoop Sprint, at 23 years one of the area's oldest road races, is Sept. 8 at Lake Seminole Park.

The course involves paved roads, paths, woodland trails and grassy fields.

Racers cross a stream known as the River of Despair, reach a turnaround called Scalpers' Point, and navigate the narrowest section of the trail, Ambush Pass. The finish line is Sprint Mountain.

Registration will be from 7 to 8 a.m. The 1-mile fun run is free and begins at 8 a.m. The 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) Warhoop Sprint starts at 8:30.

The 5K race is free to West Florida Y Runners Club members, $5 for others. The registration fee can apply toward a club membership if a person joins on race day.

For information, call Sheridan at (727) 535-9658.

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