Permit needed by boaters PINELLAS COUNTY - An important reminder for boaters: The State of Florida law requires that anyone born after Sept. 30, 1980, must obtain a Boating Safety Education I.D. card (an operating permit), issued before piloting any boat with an engine of 10 horsepower or greater.
Boating classes MADEIRA BEACH – Florida law requires that persons 21 years of age or younger must have completed a boater education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or passed an approved equivalency exam. Conveniently-scheduled classes in Boating Safety are offered by Flotilla 73 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, at 299 Boca Ciega Drive. Call 391-3785.
USCG Auxiliary teaches boater safety ST. PETERSBURG – Several Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs will be offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The program satisfies the state boater safety education requirements. The course is taught at 1300 Beach Drive S.E. Call 823-3753.
SPSPS to offer boating classes ST. PETERSBURG – The St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron will offer Boat Smart Course – Three sessions, meeting Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17. The Sailing Center is at 250 Second Ave. S. Call at 867-3088 or visit www.boating-stpete.org.
Fun classes to teach about nature LARGO – Outdoor Explorers, hands-on nature activities, will be offered the second Saturday of each month, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the George C. McGough Nature Park. The program, sponsored by Largo Recreation Parks & Arts Department, is designed for children in grades first to fifth. The cost is $3 with a resident recreation card; $3.75 with a nonresident card and $6.75 without a card. The park is at 11901 146th St. N. Call 518-3047.
Weedon Island Preserve plans guided hikes ST. PETERSBURG – Weedon Island Preserve offers free guided hikes on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The volunteer-led guided hikes offer the general public a chance to examine the best of our cultural and environmental attributes. Call 453-6506, as pre-registration is required. The Center is located at 1800 Weedon Drive N.E.
Aerobics classes kick in CLEARWATER – Classes for Exercise and Fitness Dynamics with Deborah Oakes Nathan, sponsored by Clearwater Parks and Recreation will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m., at Countryside Recreation Center. The low intensity aerobics class focuses on proper stretching, body toning, and strength training needed in an everyday workout. The cost is $3.50 with Clearwater Recreation Card or $4.25 without. The center is at 2640 Sabal Springs Drive. Contact Jim Halios at 669-1916 or e-mail james.halios@myclearwater.com.
Boat show is back on ST. PETERSBURG – The St. Petersburg Boat Show will get underway Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1 through Dec. 4. The show will be at the Bayfront Center Yacht Basin.
The popular show attracts businesses and boat lovers from throughout the area. The producers of the show, Yachting Promotions-Gulf Inc., are based in Fort Lauderdale. The show, originally scheduled for Nov. 17, was postponed due to the hurricane. Adults are $8, children 6 to 12 are $2, children under 6 are free.
The show is at 400 First St. S. There is parking on site, and the free “Come By Boat” docks are located on the east side of the Bayfront Center. Visit info@showmanagement.com.
Safety Harbor Rotary to host Duathlon SAFETY HARBOR – The Safety Harbor Rotary Club will host the new Safety Harbor Duathlon on Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:30 a.m., at Philippe Park. Sponsored by Washington Mutual, Gold’s Gym and Outspokin Family Bicycles, the race will consist of a 3-mile run, an 11-mile bike ride and a final 1-mile run. The park is at 2525 Philippe Parkway. Call 642-3929.
Ride and Run on tap PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will host Ride and Run with the Stars 2005 on Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 a.m., at Ft. DeSoto County Park.
A schedule of events follows:
7 a.m. – Registration opens
8 a.m. – 25 Mile Bike Ride
8:15 a.m. – 10K Family Ride
8:30 a.m. – 5K Certified Race
8 to 10 a.m. – Kids Bike Rodeo
10 a.m. – Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves arrive
10 a.m. – Special drawings and presentations
Grand prizes include high quality bicycles. There will be a silent auction including getaways, gift baskets and sports gear.
All participants pay a $20 entry fee and get a long-sleeve logo T-shirt, food, giveaways and more. The registration fee is $25 on the day of the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project.
For information about sponsorship opportunities, call Teri Dioquino at 582-6301. For information on the Christmas Sharing Project, call Brenda Vinson at 582-6259.
Madeira Beach to offer cheerleading, basketball MADEIRA BEACH – The city will offer programs for students from January to March at Madeira Beach Middle School as follows:
• A cheerleading program for grades kindergarten to fifth. Uniforms of shorts and T-shirt and pom-poms is provided.
• The basketball program will have two age divisions, grades 3 through 5, and 6 through 8. There is a 10-game schedule plus a tournament. The league offers a competitive and non-intimidating style of play. Practice is once a week; games are twice a week Monday through Thursday.
Each program costs $60 for residents; $75 for nonresidents. Registration is Saturday, Dec. 3, noon to 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to noon at the recreation center, 200 Rex Place.
Basketball skill nights will be Monday, Dec. 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for grades 3 to 5; and Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for grades 6 to 8.
Call Steve at 392-0665.
Treasure Island to host Holiday Recreational Camp TREASURE ISLAND – The Recreation Department will offer a Holiday Recreational Camp for children, 5 to 10 years old, on Monday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended care will be provided until 5:30 for an additional fee.
There will be no camp on Monday, Dec. 26.
Activities will include holiday parties, arts and crafts, movies, games and field trips. Cost for city residents is $20 a day or $90 for the first week, $70 for the second week. Cost for nonresidents is $30 a day or $140 for the first week, $110 for the second week.
Registration is underway, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the recreation office inside City Hall, 120 108th Ave. Payment is due in full at the time of registration. Enrollment is limited to 50 children.
Golf and tennis camps for juniors, age 6 and older, also will be offered, Monday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 30, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Treasure Bay facility, 10315 Paradise Blvd. Fees for the camps will be $20 a day or $90 a week which includes instruction and snacks. Preregistration is preferred as camps are limited. Call 360-6062.
Seminole Rec to host Christmas Archery Tournamet SEMINOLE - The recreation department will host a Christmas Archery Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $5 a child with a recreation card, $10 a child without a card. There will be two different age groups with ages 7 to 10 competing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and ages 10 to 14 competing from 10:30 to noon. Each contestant will be given 30 arrows to shoot for total points. Trophies will be given to the top two winners in each group. Bows will be available. The recreation center is at 9100 113th St. N. Call 391-8345.
