TALLAHASSEE - Florida Gov. Rick Scott is pleased with recent actions by the state legislature to pump up funding for education.
In a Feb. 9 press release, Scott said, "I am pleased that the Florida Senate, like the Florida House, has answered my call to significantly increase education funding by advancing a proposal that provides over $1 billion additional state dollars for educating Florida’s future. I applaud Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Senator J.D. Alexander and Senate Pre-K-12 education budget chief, Senator David Simmons, for recognizing the importance of increasing state K-12 education funding.
“Both the Florida House and Senate have demonstrated that they share my commitment to provide our students with a quality education. We all recognize that in order to have an outstanding education system and a qualified workforce, we must increase our investment in K-12 classrooms. I expect the final budget that comes to my desk for signature will do just that by including at least $1 billion in new state funding for K-12 education.”
Scott issued a similar statement Feb. 2 after the House Appropriations Committee made its recommendations for education funding.
Scott said “On behalf of Florida’s students, I thank Speaker Cannon and members of the House Appropriations Committee for focusing on my proposal to place an additional $1 billion into K-12 education.
CLEARWATER - Clearwater Christian College has named Dr. John F. (Jack) Klem as the school’s fifth president.
Klem holds degrees from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa.; Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pa.; and Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Minn. He has served as vice president of academics and dean of graduate school at Northland International University in Dunbar, Wis., and academic dean and executive vice president at the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Virginia Beach, Va., where he also served on the faculty as professor of biblical theology and exegesis.
Klem is currently senior pastor of the Brookdale Baptist Church in Moorhead, Minn. He is originally from Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He and his wife, Cathy, have two adult children. He will follow current president Richard A. Stratton who concludes his 10-year tenure with the institution in the spring.
PINELLAS PARK - To help students prepare to do their very best on comprehensive tests, the Pinellas Park High School, at 6305 118th Ave., scheduled boot camp tutoring sessions for all students over the next several months.
Tutoring through TESTZONE, the school’s “boot camp” program, will be held on Mondays, 2 to 3 p.m. on the following topics:
- FCAT Reading and Writing, scheduled for Feb. 13, 20 and 27
- FCAT Reading and Math, scheduled for March 12, 19 and April 2
CLEARWATER - When school is out of session, children can receive free meals through the Summer Food Service Program. Facilitated by Pinellas County Health and Human Services, the food program runs from Tuesday, June 12, through Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Health and Human Services is currently seeking locations within the county to serve as meal service sites. Recreation and community centers, school sites and day camps throughout Pinellas County can apply for the upcoming food program. At approved sites in low-income areas, meals are provided free to children 18 years of age and younger, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability.
Each site must be approved by the state and meet certain criteria. An agency serving as a site must have not-for-profit status, adequate storage and refrigeration for meals, and meet state and local public health standards.
Agencies and organizations that are interested in participating in the summer program must apply by Wednesday, Feb. 29.
ST. PETERSBURG - Kyla Kolb, a student at Lakewood High School’s Center for Advanced Technologies, has received the 2012 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. The award, sponsored by Bank of America and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), recognizes young high school women for their computing-related achievements and interests as part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology.
Kolb is one of 35 award winners nationwide selected for their outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing, solid leadership ability, good academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.
“Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT. “Our workforce needs their creativity and their innovation.”
Pete Oberg, CAT program coordinator, describes Kolb as an excellent example of what students can accomplish through dedication, guidance, and vision.
Kohl’s is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program. The company accepts kids ages 6 to 18 that have made a positive impact on their community through volunteerism. Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, March 15, at www.kohlskids. com.
Prizes range from $50 gift cards to $10,000 scholarships, and more than 2,200 young volunteers will win prizes and scholarships. Nominators must be age 21 or older. Two nominees from each of the more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and more than 200 will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. There will be 10 national winners, each earning $10,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf.
ST. PETERSBURG - Ryan Beckman, who has served as assistant coach for the St. Petersburg College baseball team, has been named interim coach, replacing Rob Frances, who is no longer with the college.
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Beckman said. “Growing up and playing everything from Little League to college baseball in Pinellas County, I have great pride in taking over St. Petersburg College’s baseball program. Baseball is a great teaching tool to help young men learn valuable life skills that they will use on a daily basis. We have a talented and athletic team.”
Beckman, 27, began his coaching career at the college last season.
The baseball team will kick off its spring season against Miami-Dade College on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Al Lang Field, at 11 a.m.
Renaissance Speakers Club meeting CLEARWATER - The Renaissance Speakers Club meets on Fridays, 6:15 p.m., at 210 S. Fort Harrison Ave.
Learn public speaking and leadership skills that help when applying for work and advancement opportunities in one’s job.
Call Sharon at 542-2718.
Dunedin's Green Market DUNEDIN - Green Market is open Fridays through the end of April 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.
VFW Post 2550 hosts a fish and shrimp fry DUNEDIN - The Dunedin-Palm Harbor VFW Post 2550 hosts a fish and shrimp fry every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at 360 Douglas Ave. The post sponsors bingo each Wednesday and Friday. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Bingo starts at noon. The public is invited.
Call 733-6107.
Paradise Bazaar PASS-A-GRILLE - Paradise Bazaar, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., next to Paradise Grille on Pass-A-Grille Beach at Ninth Avenue and Gulf Way. For more information, email ParadiseBazaar@yahoo.com.
Griefshare Support Group ST. PETERSBURG - The Griefshare Support Group will meet Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 6 through March 30, at Cornerstone Community Church, 6745 38th Ave. N.
A professional DVD is shown each week. A discussion follows the screening. Vivian Killion, parish pastor, acts as the group’s facilitator.
Call 343-7747.
Friday Morning Market TREASURE ISLAND - The weekly Friday Morning Market is again under way and will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place and 106th Avenue, through April 13.
The event features over 40 vendors, live music, food, jewelry, and arts and crafts.
Parking is free.
The Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce sponsors the market.
Morton Plant life coaching workshop CLEARWATER - Morton Plant Mease will present the Creating Your Blueprint for Success workshop Saturday, Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Morton Plant Hospital, Powell Cancer Center, first floor conference room, 303 Pinellas St., Clearwater.
Certified life and wellness coach Elizabeth Nelson, M.A., COL Wellness Coach, will offer a life coach assessment and will create a plan to prioritize life goals and implement results during 2012. The interactive workshop will focus on creating a blueprint that serves as a roadmap to identify potential challenges that conflict with personal, professional, or physical goals and ways to overcome and take action to successfully manage change. Participants will leave with a completed blueprint for successfully implementing change in at least one life area.
Cost is $20 a person. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited and preregistration is required.
For information or preregistration, call 953-6877 or visit www.BayCareEvents.org.
St. Brendan’s Navigators yard sale CLEARWATER - The St. Brendan’s Navigators will host its sixth annual yard sale Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-12, 8 a.m., at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, 245 Dory Passage.
The church will be accepting donations of tools, books, clothes, sports items, electronics, toys, artwork, and other items Feb. 8-10 in Mulligan Hall. To request pickup for large items, call Jim Corrigan at 596-1640 or Joe Quinn at 443-5812.
Valentine’s crafts and parties CLEARWATER - There will be two Valentine’s craft programs and parties on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Clearwater libraries for youth and teens. The events are as follows:
- Clearwater East Branch Library, 2251 Drew St., 2 to 3:30 p.m. There is a Valentine’s party for youth and teens, including Valentine’s crafts, card making and poetry.
- Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave., 2 to 3:30 p.m. Children and their families are invited to create Valentines, draw sidewalk chalk Valentines and enjoy special treats. School age children may register to make Valentine’s Day crafts with Miss Connie.
The events are free. To register, 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
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