Are you someone who easily remembers faces? Or have you gotten two people mixed up?
Recently, the first dolphin we found in our study area was local bottlenose bull DD2. He surfaced 50 feet ahead, heading straight for us.
Capt. John Heidemann slowed the boat. I readied the camera. Then we spent several minutes scanning the seas in all directions before deciding DD2 had done a “splash and dash.” For this encounter, I recorded “DD2, one view only.”
Last weekend’s cold front was definitely a good one, and like with all cold fronts comes a lot of wind.
Although the weather might have kept you off the water last weekend, this week’s quick warm up has got the fish back on the chew and with any luck, we should see a pretty good weekend weather-wise.
Redfish numbers are increasing in our inshore waters; this is a sure sign of spring. Fish the high tides for chance at multiple hook-ups, targeting small oyster clumps along mangrove shorelines has been the key.
PALM HARBOR - Just as the sun began to break through the oak canopy outside Chain Wheel Drive in Palm Harbor, cars began to arrive.
Within minutes the parking lot was crowded with cyclists unloading gear, checking maps, excited at the prospect of the journey ahead.
Called the “Trinity Run,” members of the Suncoast Cycling Club head east from Tampa Road at U.S. 19 on a trek that takes them south along Countryside to State Road 580 and then, after a pirouette around Amber Glades Mobile Home Park, a turn north toward Trinity, 25 miles away.
It’s part of a 50-mile round trip run returning along the coast from Trouble Creek and Alt. U.S. 19, then back to Belcher Road at the starting point.
LARGO - The public is invited to join in the grand opening ceremony of Largo’s new Highland Lake Park on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m.
The park, located at 400 Highland Ave., features an expanded lake, 140 newly planted trees, and a one-third mile asphalt loop walking trail open to the public. Additional amenities include a variety of park benches, picnic tables and trash/recycling bins.
Highland Lake Park is open daily from dawn till dusk.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Feb. 8 to change how gag grouper is managed in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County).
The decision, which came during day two of the three-day February Commission meeting, will achieve consistency with federal management efforts while potentially providing a region-specific recreational season in four counties.
The FWC manages marine fish from the shore to nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages Gulf of Mexico waters farther than nine nautical miles out. The following changes will make state gag grouper management efforts the same as recent federal gag grouper management efforts in the Gulf of Mexico: setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31 and lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length.
Strawberry celebration CLEARWATER - The Clearwater East Branch Library, 2251 Drew St., will host a celebration in honor of the Florida Strawberry Festival on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. The free event is for all ages and will feature strawberry-themed crafts and strawberry treats to sample. KeeLee Tolminson from the Florida Strawberry Festival will share the history of Florida’s strawberries with attendees.
Call 562-4970 or visit www.myclearwater.com/cpl.
Dunedin's Green Market DUNEDIN - Green Market is open Saturdays through the end of July from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue in Dunedin. Vendors offer a wide variety of items including: produce, cheeses, plants and herbs, local honey, all natural pet treats, organic products, nuts, olive salad, pastries and orchids. Free entertainment and parking is available at the Dunedin Green Market. For information, contact the Market Manager, Richard Kendler, at 692-5353 or email GreenMarketManager@verizon.net
Elks of Largo flea market LARGO - The Elks of Largo flea market is Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 810 16th Ave. SE.
The market will consist of old and new items, along with arts and crafts and will be open to Elks’ members as well as outside vendors.
The club will set up the market outside in the shady park area. There will be a table space rental fee of $20. Participants are welcome to bring additional tables or a tent.
The lodge will accept donations for Elks’ tables for the reselling of items. Please do not bring clothing, and make sure that all items are clean and in good working order. There will be a rain date of Feb. 25.
Call Debbie at 559-0035 to reserve space, volunteer to help or to advise of a donation.
Roaring Twenties Night LARGO - The Knights of Columbus celebrates its second annual Roaring Twenties Night Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 to 11 p.m., at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 2121 16th Ave. SW.
Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7. Each dinner includes a salad, garlic bread and sausage. The music of the 1920s will be provided. For tickets, call Ron Klemm at 804-4804 or John Scozzafva at 422-3753.
Lady in Red sweatheart dance LARGO - The “Lady in Red” sweatheart dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at Largo Community Center, 400 Alt. Keene Road.
The dance is a fundraiser for the Sonia Plotnick Health Fund, a 501c3 charity providing healthcare grants to women throughout the Tampa Bay community for 14 years.
Tickets are $25 before Feb. 12 and $30 at the door if any are available.
The dress is business casual to formal. Professional photographer, jewelry sales, DJ and a nice buffet are offered. All proceeds benefit the health fund.
Call 518-3416.
Energy efficiency workshop PALM HARBOR - In conjunction with the Pinellas County Extension Office, Palm Harbor Library will offer a free energy efficiency workshop on Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, at 2330 Nebraska Ave.
James Stevenson will discuss money saving, energy lowering tips for the home and demonstrate a new Kill-A-Watt monitor. This simple tool, which is available for check-out at all Pinellas County libraries, shows the amount of energy different home electronics use, when in use or even when turned off.
All participants will leave with a Kill-A-Watt monitor that they can borrow for up to 14 days.
To register for the program, go to pinellascountyextension.org, click on Feb. 18, 2012 and then on “Kill-A-Watt Campaign.”
Call 724-3332, ext. 3006.
Saddle Up Riding Club open house PINELLAS PARK - Saddle Up Riding Club will host an open house for its “Saddle Up for Heroes” equine program for veterans on Saturday, Feb. 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at 6080 94th Ave.
The event is free and will feature refreshments, a chance to meet the horses and hear from the staff about opportunities available for veterans.
The club was one of 95 nationwide community organizations awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in support of Paralympic sport and physical activity programs for disabled veterans. The grant awards, which range from $2,500 to $500,000, were announced Dec. 22.
For more information about “Saddle Up for Heroes,” call program liaison Angel Watson at 637-1067. Visit www.saddleupridingclub.org.
Super Greek Festival ST. PETERSBURG - The St. Stefanos annual Super Greek Festival will run Feb. 17-19 at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th St. N.
The festival is a nonreligious event and is open to the public. The festival will celebrate Greek food, Greek culture and the coming together of the St. Petersburg and greater Tampa Bay communities as a whole.
There will be food, music, dancing, raffle and bake sale.
Call 345-8235 or visit www.ststefanos.org.
Fresh Market on Corey Avenue Corey Area Business Association's Fresh Market on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach, Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 16 through May 2012. The market will feature vendors of fresh and/or organic produce, plants and flowers, spices, foods, handcrafted items, arts and crafts. For vendor information, call Kathi at 727-498-8778. Corey Avenue is just off Gulf Boulevard in downtown St. Pete Beach. Parking is free.
Four Chaplains celebration MADEIRA BEACH - American Legion Post 273 plans a Four Chaplains Day celebration Sunday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m., at the post, 600 American Legion Drive.
The Four Chaplains, also referred to as the “Immortal Chaplains,” were four U.S. Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel during the sinking of the troop ship USAT Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943 during World War II.
The chaplains helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. The chaplains later joined arms, said prayers, and sang hymns as they went down with the ship. The public is invited.
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