MADEIRA BEACH - District 1 commissioner Terry Lister and challenger John Anthony will face the voters in a candidate’s forum at the city hall auditorium Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
A question and answer format will be used, with each candidate being given an opportunity to respond to questions posed by the moderator. Members of the audience will also be able to submit questions to the candidates.
Lister is seeking his third term on the commission. Anthony, a retired building and swimming pool contractor, is making his first run for public office.
MADEIRA BEACH - In another move to bolster the city’s crime fighting abilities, the City Commission has hired a community policing officer.
The action came at a special session called for that purpose on Feb. 8. Hiring a deputy from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office dedicated to Madeira Beach had been recommended by City Manager Shane Crawford.
Deputy Shawn Heffner will assume the position on Feb. 27. The commission voted 4-0 to hire Heffner on a trial basis for the next seven months at a cost of $55,000, which will be paid out of the city’s general fund. Commissioner Terry Lister was absent from the meeting, but had indicated he was in favor of the move. A presentation by the Sheriff’s deputies on community policing preceded the vote.
Hiring of a community policing deputy is the latest measure the city has taken to gain control of what had been a growing crime problem, mostly drug related and centered in the neighborhood surrounding 145th Avenue.
TREASURE ISLAND - City Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution Feb. 7 that opens the door for a deteriorating waterfront home off the Treasure Island Causeway to be demolished.
By passing the resolution, commissioners gave approval for City Manager Reid Silverboard to enter into a consent order agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to tear down the vacated two-story structure at 11 Treasure Lane.
The 2,428-square-foot home was last purchased in 2005 by Frank and Natalie Williamson for $885,000. However, the couple later deserted the property and filed for bankruptcy.
Since then the home has been cited for numerous code enforcement violations.
REDINGTON BEACH - Residents packed the Redington Beach Town Commission chambers Feb. 7 to learn more and give feedback about proposed pedestrian safety improvements in town.
The state is proposing six new pedestrian medians in Redington Beach, which is part of a larger project extending from 100th Avenue north to Walsingham Road.
Megan McKeague and Sergio Quevedo, consultants for the Florida Department of Transportation, updated commissioners and residents on the plan.
The proposed Gulf Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Project will include flashing beacons at crosswalks, which will be pedestrian activated. The crossing signals will be solar-powered. The lighting for the crossing areas is still being studied, Quevedo said.
ST. PETE BEACH - Two of the TradeWinds restaurants - Palm Court Italian Grill and Bermudas Steak and Seafood - are now serving Gulf Wild seafood, so diners know exactly where their fish originated.
The change ensures the fish are responsibly caught and that guests are receiving the freshest possible seafood from sustainability-focused fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
Guests who order specially marked Gulf Wild seafood from the menu are presented a tag number, which is directly tied to the Gulf Wild TransparenSea system. Diners can visit the myGulfWild.com website and type in their unique tag number to see the specific fish type, a photo and biographic information on the captain, harvesting vessel’s name and background and the documented location where the fish was caught.
Gulf Wild fish is randomly tested for heavy metals and other contaminants by higher standards than those used by the federal government.
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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