INDIAN SHORES - There is a saying that no matter how old a person is, or how experienced, there is always something new to be learned. Members of the Indian Rocks Beach Boat Club discovered that first hand on Jan. 28 when they had their boats inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary out of Madeira Beach.
Dozens of IRB Boat Club members met at The Pub for one of their monthly gatherings. Their boats were moored at the docks behind the restaurant and they had asked the CG Auxiliary to come and do the inspections. Experience had taught them there was always going to be something to attend to. Sure enough there was.
Larry Gellinger, human resource officer for the Auxiliary, said they are happy to carry out the inspections because there is a need to remind boaters of some basic safety needs.
BELLEAIR - Cardno TBE, the town of Belleair’s planning consultant, has reviewed the demolition permit application for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel and found the application to be insufficient.
The Cardno TBE report concludes that the application filed by Biltmore Construction, LLC does not meet the requirements of the town’s code of ordinances regarding historic preservation and related land development issues and is therefore incomplete and/or insufficient.
The report states that a complete resubmittal is required.
“Several parts of the application were deficient,” said Town Manager Micah Maxwell. “For example, the code as defined by the historic preservation ordinance requires a site plan for whatever the redevelopment will be. That is not defined in the application for a special certificate of appropriateness where they checked demolition, residential, new construction, single-family and multi-family.”
BELLEAIR - A group of citizens has scheduled a panel presentation involving issues related to the future of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Friday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m., at Belleair Town Hall.
Panelists will include Sam McClelland, retired deputy tax collector, who will discuss the tax consequences of proposed projects; Milu McNay, real estate broker with views on the viability of development plans, and Sam Casella, certified town planner and zoning expert, who will address planning the development procedures of proposed land usage.
BELLEAIR - The Belleair Garden Club, 903 Ponce de Leon Blvd., will be the location of a fundraiser for Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
The cost is $20 a person, cash or check. Guest author BonSue Brandvik will be talking about her new book “Pearls: Spirits of the Belleview Biltmore.” She will personalize her book for a donation of $10.
Light refreshments and libations will be served. To reserve seats, RSVP to raeclaire@aol.com or call 804-4391.
Clearwater Downtown Farmer’s Market CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Downtown Farmer’s Market is now open for the season. Primarily a green market, it runs every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through May 2012 on the 500 and 600 blocks of Cleveland Street.
Shoppers can find farm-fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, bakery items, plants, nuts, seafood, ground coffee, and local honey. Greek food and French crepes are among the eclectic cuisine offerings, and a limited variety of handcrafted items also are for sale. Live entertainment is featured 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Complimentary parking is available for up to two hours in the Garden Avenue garage with ticket validation. Validation stamps can be gained at the market information table. Call 461-7674.
ISPOA monthly happy hour INDIAN SHORES - The Indian Shores Property Owners Association is having its monthly happy hour gathering Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Tapas Garden, 321 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.
All Indian Shores residents are invited.
For additional information, call Art Newsome at 517-9571.
Judaism’s Relevance in Modern Life ST. PETERSBURG - Judaism’s Relevance in Modern Life, a Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course, will be offered for 12 weeks, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Chabad Jewish Center of Greater St. Petersburg, 4010 Park St. N.
Classes will meet through Mar. 28 with a special Purim class on Monday, March 5 (rather than class on Wednesday, March 7).
Led by Rabbi Alter Korf, the classes will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Although there is no charge for the course, there is an optional textbook of $36. For information call 344-4900 or email Rabbi@ChabadSP.com. To enroll, visit www.myJLI.com.
Seashell club meeting CLEARWATER - A Seashell Club meets Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Clearwater Beach Library, 69 Esplanade. Call Sara at 447-5882 or email rhenkel@ij.net.
Genealogy help DUNEDIN - Members of the Caladesi Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are available to assist the public with genealogy research each Thursday for free, 1 to 3 p.m. in Study Room 4 of the Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave. No appointment is needed.
Democratic club meeting PINELLAS PARK - Patrick Manteiga, editor of “La Gaceta,” and regional Obama organizer Meri Forte-Namuj will speak to the Greater Pinellas Democratic Club Thursday, Feb. 9, at Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd.
La Gaceta is the nation’s only trilingual newspaper, serving English, Spanish and Italian communities in the Tampa area. Forte-Namuj is a leader for the South Pinellas Organizing for America movement.
The Greater Pinellas Democratic Club meeting will start with cash bar cocktails and social time at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. and concludes with the guest speakers’ presentations, questions and discussion.
The public is welcome to attend. Reservations are requested. Dinner costs $15.
Call Betty Morgenstein at 360-3971.
Pinellas Park Elks Lodge 2217 blood drive PINELLAS PARK - The Pinellas Park Elks Lodge 2217 will host a blood drive Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 to 8 p.m., at 7550 40th St. N.
Call 544-2325.
Pinellas County Gator Club tailgate party ST. PETERSBURG - Marty Cohen, founder and editor of Gator Bait, will be the guest speaker at the Pinellas County Gator Club’s 2012 post-signing day tailgate party Thursday, Feb. 9, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Ferg’s, 1320 Central Ave.
Tickets for UFAA members are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets for non-UFAA members are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Children 5 and up are $10 in advance and at the door.
Tickets include a buffet with hamburgers/cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, french fries, coleslaw, wings, chips and salsa, and sodas.
There also will be a cash bar, raffle donations and Gator merchandise vendors.
Registration prepayment must be received by Monday, Feb. 6, for discount price.
Check in at door; no tickets mailed. Sorry, no refunds.
You also can register and pay online at www.pinellasgators.com
All proceeds go to the PCGC scholarship fund.
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.