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Get Outdoors: News and Events
Article published on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007
Jingle Bell Run and Walk
TARPON SPRINGS – The Arthritis Foundation will host its annual Jingle Bell Run and Walk for Arthritis at Fred Howard Park Saturday, Dec. 1. Registration will be at 7 a.m. with an 8 a.m. race start. The family-oriented events will include a 5K competitive run and 1-mile fitness walk. Participants will wear jingle bells on their shoes as they run or walk. Prizes will be awarded to highest fundraiser and awards given to the three fastest male and female runners in seven age categories. The race fee is $20 for early registration and $25 day of the event with a $5 discount for students. Call 813-968-7000 or register online at www.arthritis.org.

Galactics Soccer Festival
CLEARWATER – The Galactics International Soccer Festival will be Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Clearwater High School. The event will feature an exhibition game of a select team of former professional soccer stars against the Galactics Masters headed by Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. Participating soccer players will include Fernando Clavijo, “El Diablo” Etcheverry, Tabare Ramos and Marcelo Balboa. Advance tickets are $5 adults and $3 children. Tickets at the gate will be $10 adults, $5 children. Children under 6 are admitted free. Tickets are available from Galactics Clearwater International or from Delphi Academy. Clearwater High School is at 540 S. Hercules Ave. Call 461-2480.

Basketball registration opens
CLEARWATER – Basketball registrations are being accepted for boys and girls in first through sixth grade at Skycrest Baptist Church, 125 N. Belcher Road. Registration cost is $55 a player. The registration fee includes a reversible basketball jersey, T-shirt and an end-of-the-season trophy. Shorts are optional and can be purchased for an additional $12. Final registration deadline is Dec. 9. Basketball practice will begin the week of Jan. 6, 2008. The first of eight games will be Saturday, Jan. 19. All players must attend evaluations in the church gym on Saturday, Dec. 1 or 8, 9 a.m. to noon. For a registration form, call 791-7107.

Adult coed dodgeball league
SEMINOLE – The City of Seminole Recreation Center is beginning its first coed dodgeball league in January. Teams will play four regular season games (one each week) with one week of playoffs. The fee is $50 a team. All teams must be registered by a Seminole Recreation Center member. Each team needs to start at least one female player per game. All participants must be at least 16 years old. The deadline to register is Thursday, Dec. 27. For more information, call Chris Bornfleth at 397-6085.

Junior golf, tennis camps
TREASURE ISLAND – The city will be offering golf and tennis camps for juniors, ages 6 and older, at the Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis facility. Camps will run from Wednesday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. to noon. Fees are $20 a day per child, including instruction and snacks. Registration is preferred as camps are limited. Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis facility is at 10315 Paradise Blvd. Call 360-6062.

Ongoing announcements and events

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 to get under way
MADEIRA BEACH – Boating Safety classes are offered by Flotilla 73 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Classes are at 299 Boca Ciega Drive. Call Al MacMillan at 585-9268 or 391-5185.

Boat Smart program
CLEARWATER – A Boat Smart program for power boaters and sailors to learn basic boating skills and seamanship is offered by Clearwater Sail & Power Squadron every Monday and Wednesday at the squadron building, 1000 Cleveland St. Course material is $40 and additional students in the same family pay only $20 for an extra homework packet. To register, call 441-8775 or visit www.clearwaterpowersquadron.com.

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 offers Boat Smart Courses. The Sailing Center is at 250 Second Ave. S. Call at 867-3088 or visit www.boating-stpete.org.

Sailing group
GULFPORT – Sea Scout Ship is a coed Venture Scout organization for teens that builds self-confident young leaders who understand the importance of team work on the water and in everyday life. The group meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at Boca Ciega Yacht Club and is for parents and teenagers age 14 and up of area families from St. Pete Beach, South Pasadena, Gulfport and St. Petersburg. The teens learn how to fix, and race boats and participate in difficult water-related games. The yacht club is the sponsor of Ship No. 915 and they make available their fleet of youth sailing boats with leadership and supervision. The club is at 4600 Tifton Ave. Call Tony Angel at 459-7900.

Water Walkers
MADEIRA BEACH – Water Walkers, a group of adults and seniors, will meet Mondays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m., at Archibald Park to walk the beach for about 45 minutes. Call Mandy Edmunds at 392-0665 or e-mail aedmunds@ci.madeira-beach.fl.us.

Pickleball lessons
SEMINOLE – The Seminole Recreation Division offers pickleball Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Seminole Recreation Center. Pickleball is a sport much like tennis, badminton and racquetball. City recreation officials say it is especially good for seniors because the net is only 3 feet high and players use a hard whiffleball with wooden paddles. Recreation personnel teach participants how to play. Free for participants with a recreation card.

Flex and strength class offered
LARGO – The city will offer a chance for patrons to enjoy the relaxing sounds of the water sprays while learning techniques that allow flexibility, strength, relaxation, and stress reduction in an outdoor environment. The classes will meet Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11 at the Highland Family Aquatic Center. Call 518-3019.

Water workout classes
PINELLAS COUNTY – Aqua Slim water workout classes are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m., at the Long Center, 1502 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 a.m., at Bonsai Health and Fitness Center, 400 Lake Ave. N.W., Largo. Also offered are fibromyalgia and arthritis classes on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m., and Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., at Bonsai Health and Fitness Center. These exercises can improve joint flexibility, offer range of motion and strengthening exercises while providing a fun, social opportunity for men and women of all ages. Swimming is not required. Call Mickey Nault at 442-0618.

Zumba classes
TREASURE ISLAND – The Treasure Island Recreation Department is offering zumba classes at the City Hall auditorium. Beginner classes will be offered on Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., and intermediate and advanced classes will be offered on Mondays, 7 to 8 p.m. Cost is $6 a class; $20 one class a month or $30 two classes a month. Call instructor Ana Cano at 278-4585. The auditorium is at 120 108th Ave. Call 547-4575, ext. 237, or visit www.mytreasureisland.org.

Ballroom dance classes
TREASURE ISLAND – The Treasure Island Recreation Department is offering ballroom dances and instruction on Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Treasure Island Community Center, Gulf Boulevard at 106th Avenue and on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the City Hall Auditorium, 120 108th Avenue. The fee for the class is $10 for one hour of instruction; $5 for a dance session or $12 for both. Smooth and Latin ballroom dances will be offered. For additional information or to register for the class, please call instructor John Tebo of Dance Time Productions at 410-0251.

Ballet with Olga offeat
TREASURE ISLAND – The Treasure Island Recreation Department is offering modern ballet classes on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for children and from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. for adults at the Treasure Island City Hall Auditorium, 120 108th Ave. The fee is $9 a class or $30 a month. Call instructor Olga Nikiforova at 415-2737.

Lawn Bowls Club meets at 9 a.m.
CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club meets Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., at 1040 Calumet St. Call 442-5329.

Get moving with Zumba
CLEARWATER BEACH – Clearwater Parks and Recreation will offer Zumba fitness classes at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Zumba for Seniors on Fridays 10 to 11 a.m. Zumba is a high-energy cardio-dance class designed to be fun and easy on the body. Participants work out to a combination of Latin rhythms including meringue, salsa, calypso, samba and tango. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. The cost is $3.75 with a play pass, $5 with a Clearwater recreation card and $6.25 without. The recreation center is at 69 Bay Esplanade. Call 462-6138.

Stretch on the beach
ST. PETE BEACH – The city of St. Pete Beach Recreation Department’s Stretching on the Beach program meets Tuesdays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., at Upham Beach.

The department may add a Thursday class if there is enough interest. The class entails enhancing flexibility, toning the body and stretching to appropriate music. Participants enjoy a beautiful view and wonderful breezes. All ages and genders are welcome. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. Cost is $2 a person. Mary-Jo Golliner instructs the class. Call 363-2146 or 224-4190.

Jazzercise classes
BELLEAIR – Jazzercise dance-fitness classes will be on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and on Thursdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., at Dimmitt Community Center. Laura Price, instructor, has moved her classes to the center. All area residents are welcome. The center is on Ponce de Leon Boulevard behind Belleair Town Hall. Call Price at 785-7408 or visit www.getfitfl.com.

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.

Walking Club counts the miles
ST. PETE BEACH – The Walking Club meets on Fridays from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the St. Pete Beach Recreation Center. The group takes scenic walks around the county and has brunches. Meet new friends and walk together for the best of health. All ages and genders are welcome. The number of miles walked will be recorded, and at the end of the walking club season awards will be given to everyone. The cost is $4 a month. Transportation is provided by the Recreation Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. Call Mary-Jo at 363-2146 or 224-4190.

Brooker Creek guided hikes
TARPON SPRINGS – Brooker Creek Preserve provides free guided hikes on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in its 8,000+ acres. The hikes enable the general public to discover how the land has changed over time while exploring Pinellas County’s “Wildest Place.” Call 453-6800, as pre-registration is required. The Center is located at 3940 Keystone Rd. http://www.pinellascounty.org/Environment.

Weedon Island Preserve 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 453-6500, as pre-registration is required. The Center is located at 1800 Weedon Drive N.E.

Kayak tour of Clam Bayou Nature Park
GULFPORT – Kayak Nature Adventures offers 2-hour guided kayak tours Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7:15 a.m., from the kayak landing at Clam Bayou Nature Park. The nature park and estuary provides several environments – from the upland natural vegetation, marsh and mangrove forests, to the deeper waters of Boca Ciega Bay. These areas provide habitat and food to a variety of species such as fiddler crabs, clams, wading birds, small animals, dolphins and manatees. Some restoration projects for Clam Bayou have been completed in Gulfport and St. Petersburg and more are planned for the future. Reservations are required. Cost is $20 a person and does not include rental. Clam Bayou Nature Park is south of 29th Avenue South on Miriam Street. Call 418-9728 or visit www.kayaknature.com.
Article published on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007
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