Among Friends conference
LARGO – Award-winning singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli, along with special guests Lisa Harper and Ellie Lofaro, will present the Among Friends conference May 17-18, at the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Road.
The conference will consist of two sessions, with the first set for Friday, May 17, 7 to 9 p.m. and the second on Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Troccoli will bring her inspirational and relatable message to the church.
The Among Friends conference is an intimate event to encourage, comfort and inspire women. It offers attendees an opportunity to laugh together, cry together and grow together.
Children’s authors appearing at library
PALM HARBOR – The Palm Harbor Library an array of local children’s authors on Saturday, May 18, 1 to 3 p.m. The Palm Harbor Library is at 2330 Nebraska Ave. Call the Youth Services Department at 784-3332, ext. 3018. No preregistration is necessary.
Four authors – Lucy Forsting, Rose DeNaro, Dori Hampl and Francine Larson – will be presenting their children’s stories and discuss how they came up with their ideas, how they became published authors, and even read excerpts from their books. Book sales and signings will follow the presentations and refreshments will be served.
The stories range from mice to dogs to goats and parrots.
Clearwater Garden Club plant sale
CLEARWATER – The annual plant sale will take place Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Clearwater Garden Club, 405 Seminole St. with plants for sale all over the property making for a relaxed shopping experience. Attendees also will have a chance to get to know some of the club’s members and get membership information.
Clearwater Gateway Farmer’s Market CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Gateway Farmer’s Market is open each Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Cleveland Street east of Missouri Avenue. Parking is available at Fifth Third Bank, 1150 Cleveland Street; Greektown Grille, 1230 Cleveland St., and Maxa Enterprises, 1275 Cleveland St.
This family friendly event welcomes customers with children, bikes and dogs as they shop for local food, produce, artisan goods, and enjoy the free entertainment.
Visit www.myclearwatermarket.com or email myclearwatermarket@gmail.com.
Coast Guard open house
CLEARWATER – The Coast Guard Station Sand Key is launching National Safe Boating Week with an open house Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plenty of fun activities are planned for kids. The Coast Guard Station Sand Key is located at 1375 Gulf Blvd.
Admission is free.
People can tour the 45-feet, 25-feet and 24-feet Coast Guard Response Boats and learn how the Coast Guard dispatches them for missions such as search and rescue, environmental response, and law enforcement.
On-the-water demonstrations will include towing, flares, and the Coast Guard line-throwing gun. Boating Safety and Education booths will have information on boating classes, vessel safety checks, life jackets, training for kids, federal and state requirements for boaters and their boats, and the CG Auxiliary.
Fire Truck Pull
PINELLAS PARK – The third annual Fire Truck Pull will take place Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N. For more information, call 546-2170 or visit www.bethematchfoundation.org/got/firetruck.
This event is free for the public to watch; cost is $100 per team entered. There also will be family-friendly games, face painting, refreshments, photos and more.
All proceeds benefit Be the Match Foundation. The organization helps patients in need of a marrow transplant, but have no donor match in their family, by finding an unrelated donor and receive their transplant.
McGough Nature Park night hikes
LARGO – Night hikes will be presented the following months on Saturdays: May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m., at George C. McGough Nature Park, 11901 146th N. St.
This will be a free interpretative nature hike through McGough’s habitats. Call 518-3047.
Open air market LARGO – The open air market continues every Saturday through May 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Largo Community Center.
Browse through a variety of fresh local produce and food vendors, crafters, and jewelry artists. There will be entertainment and plenty of family fun. The market is located at 400 Alt. Keene Road.
For more information, call 518-3131 or go to our website at LargoCommunityCenter.com.
Scottish demonstration
CLEARWATER – The Florida Suncoast chapter of Friendship Force International will host a Scottish entertainment program on Saturday, May 18, 2:30 p.m., at St. Petersburg College’s Clearwater campus, 2465 Drew St., in conference room ES 102. The public is invited, and no reservations are required.
The award winning Highlander Pipe Band and Highland Dancers from Dunedin High School will perform a 30-minute program of traditional music and dance to begin the meeting, followed by a brief question and answer session about Scottish culture. Friendship Force-Florida Suncoast officers will be elected after a brief organizational meeting following the performance and cultural information. The public is welcome to stay for this, which will end by 4:30 p.m.
Zumba classes
PINELLAS PARK – Zumba classes are offered at Broderick Recreation Center, 6101 66th Ave. N., every Saturday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Cost is $5 per person. Call 204-0973 or email michelle@zumbastpete.com for more information.
Zumba is a high-energy cardio, Latin dance fitness class designed to be fun and easy on the body. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Wear comfortable workout clothing and sneakers, and bring water.
Alateen meetings for teens CLEARWATER - Al-Anon for teens is offered Sundays, 10 a.m. at the Serenity Club, 631 Turner St., Clearwater. Al-Anon members who are interested in becoming an Alateen sponsor are also needed, and they must meet three requirements. They must have been in Al-Anon for three years and attend regular meetings. They must be at least 23 years old, and they must attend training with details of the WSO Safety and Behavioral Requirements. An Alateen sponsor is a trained AMIAS who facilitates the Alateen meeting. They do not sponsor Alateens. Only trained AMIAS’s are allowed in Alateen meetings. It is not open to adults.
For information, contact Laurie at alateenlaurie@yahoo.com or 954-3607.
Benefit special education teacher
SEMINOLE – A benefit for James McCharen and his wife, Jeanie, who were struck by a car while riding their motorcycle in December, is set for Sunday, May 19, 1 to 7 p.m., at Screwie Louie’s Porpoise Pub, 8701 Seminole Blvd. Call Randi Morgan at (901) 569-1067 or visit www.jamesfundraiser.com.
James McCharen was critically injured in the accident, and had his left leg amputated above the knee. Known as “Coach Mac,” He has been a special education teacher for Pinellas County Schools for the past 26 years.
Fellow motorcycle enthusiasts and friends of the couple have organized this public event. All proceeds will benefit the McCharen family.
Classical harpist performance
SEMINOLE – Friends of the Seminole Library are sponsoring a performance by classical harpist, Victoria Garcia, at the library, 9200 113th St., on Sunday, May 19, 3 p.m.
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information, email friends@myseminole.com.
Corey Fresh Market Sundays
ST. PETE BEACH - Corey Fresh Market continues on Sundays, 9 a.m. To 2 p.m., through the end of May. Average 40 local vendors including organic produce, plants/orchids, specialty foods, arts/crafts and live music. Corey merchants open during market hours. Free parking. Located just off Gulf Boulevard in downtown St Pete Beach. Call 727-498-8778 or visist www.coreyave.com.
Crafting party
CLEARWATER – The next monthly crafting party will be Sunday, May 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Hope Presbyterian Church, in Hambley Hall, 1698 S. Belcher Road.
To RSVP, email office@hopefamily.com, or go to Get Crafty Tampa Bay on Facebook. There will be a fee to cover supplies. The deadline to make reservations is Friday, May 17, 5 p.m.
This group generally meets third Sundays.
Dedication of Michael’s Room
LARGO – The dedication of Michael’s Room, a Kid Power special event, will take place Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m., at The Center for Spiritual Living Florida Suncoast, 6152 126th Ave., Suite 501. Call 538-0900 or visit CSLGulfcoast.org.
The center’s Kid Power program, dedicated to teaching children the positive spiritual principals of the Science of Mind, was made possible by a generous gift from Andrew Hano and Vicki Hano as a memorial to their son Michael. The center used the gift to remodel its space to provide a children’s classroom and activity area, which will be named Michael’s Room.
Discover Pinellas! kick off
LARGO – As part of the statewide commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival, the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative and its partners Heritage Village and the Pinellas County Historical Society, will host the countywide kick-off of Discover Pinellas! on Sunday, May 19, noon to 4 p.m., at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St.
The family-friendly event will launch Pinellas County public libraries’ participation in this statewide initiative. Throughout 2013, public libraries will hold several programs, book discussions, youth story times and crafts, and special activities.
The kickoff event will feature family crafts and storytelling throughout the day, food vendors and live music. The Pre-Columbian pottery exhibit “For God and Gold” will be on display. Scheduled events include a time capsule dedication at 1:30 p.m. and a presentation entitled “Early Footprints in the Sand: Pre-Columbian Settlements along the Pinellas Peninsula and the Legacies of First Contact,” with guest speaker Jim Schnur at 2 p.m.
Palm Harbor Fire Department fundraiser
PALM HARBOR – A fundraiser for the Palm Harbor Fire Department is planned Sunday, May 19, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Italian Bistro Diner, 799 Highland Ave., Dunedin. For more information, contact Lynn or Eileen at 784-0454 or email Lynn@palmharborfd.org or Eileen@palmharborfd.org.
The event will include a dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., and a silent auction from 3 to 5:45 p.m. Dinner tickets are $12. There also will be a 50/50 drawing and a drawing for a 32-inch flat screen TV.
Rare Plant Network sale and clinics
ST. PETERSBURG – Rare Plant Network will host its third annual plant sale and clinics Sunday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. Petersburg Garden Club, 500 Sunset Drive S. For information, call 541-4084.
A clinic will be presented every hour starting at 10 a.m., featuring air layering, variegated plants, bromeliads, and plumeria grafting. Admission is free.
The Rare Plant Network meets the fourth Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., at Good Samaritan Church, 6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Members are a mix of horticultural professionals and enthusiasts from around the bay area. The meetings are always potluck followed by either a guest speaker or a specific discussion topic.
RPN is always open to new members. A $1 donation per meeting is requested to cover the cost of the meeting space.
Spirit of Hospitality: Beach Games
TREASURE ISLAND – The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce will host its sixth annual Spirit of Hospitality: Beach Games on Sunday, May 19, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Bilmar Beach Resort, 10650 Gulf Blvd. Call Amanda Page at 360-6957 or email RSVP@tampabaybeaches.com.
In celebration of National Tourism Week, the TBBCoC will bring chamber members together for a day of fun in the sun and some friendly, healthy competition. Games will include a sand sculpture contest, water balloon toss, the dolphin relay race and – new this year – the silly spin relay.
Upon conclusion of the games, there will be a pizza party. The winning team will be awarded the Spirit of Hospitality Cup.
Teams of 10 may register for $200, which includes their logo on the T-shirt and banner. Individuals may register for $15 and join a team of their fellow chamber members. All registrants will receive a T-shirt and enjoy a pizza party.
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