BELLEAIR - Clearwater Police Officer William Nahorodny was recognized Feb. 1 as the Outstanding Police Officer of the Year for his brave actions when he was the first to arrive on scene of a Clearwater apartment fire.
Nahorodny rushed into a burning building without fire-resistant clothing, forced his way into several apartments and successfully evacuated all residents, putting his own life in danger to save several others.
The 35th Annual Joseph F. Cornelius Family Foundation’s Outstanding Police Officer of the Year award presentation was held during a joint luncheon of the Rotary Club of Clearwater and the Rotary Club of Belleair. The award is the Clearwater Police Department’s highest honor.
The late Joseph F. Cornelius, former president and CEO of the Bank of Clearwater, founded the annual award to recognize heroism or exceptional accomplishments. Karen Crown, Cornelius’ daughter, assisted in the award presentation.
CLEARWATER - Last May, neighbors of the Clearwater Airpark mounted a spirited but unsuccessful campaign against a proposal to extend the airpark’s operating hours by two hours to 11 p.m. Their concerns were twofold: Safety and noise.
On Feb. 2, they again raised those concerns in connection with a proposal to lengthen the airpark’s runway by as much as 800 feet. And once again, they were unsuccessful in persuading the city council to vote down the proposal.
The need for runway repairs became evident when a section of the taxiway sank into the ground and workers discovered that a quick fix wasn’t possible because that section of the taxiway was built over an old landfill. Bill Morris, the city’s marine and aviation director, then sought and received a state grant that will cover 80 percent of the $1.5 million cost of upgrading both the taxiway and the runway, as well as adding up to 800 feet to the northern end of the runway.
But neighbors to the north of the airport were concerned that the longer runway would attract larger planes, increase noise and make it more likely that an outbound plane could crash in their neighborhood. Morris did his best to allay their fears.
CLEARWATER - The city of Clearwater offers a program to low-income homeowners to make code-related repairs needed in their home.
The program not only helps improve the quality of life for these individuals, but it also improves the housing stock and the value of other homes in the neighborhood, said Terry Malcolm-Smith, Clearwater's housing coordinator.
Household income must be 80 percent or less than the area media income. That means a single person household would have to have an income of $31,600 or less. A family of 4 could not make more than $45,100. The assessed value of the home cannot exceed $150,000.
“It addresses code-related issues located within their home,” Malcolm-Smith said. “For example, replacement of their roof, plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, smoke detectors, windows and doors, and ADA modifications to address the older population who might need to retrofit their home for accessibilities. The assistance that would be provided would be either deferred where there is no interest, no payments so long as they stay in their home, or depending on their income, it could be a zero percent loan that is deferred during a short period, the period of construction and then it would be paid over 20 to 30 years, not to exceed 30 years.”
CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Police Department has issued a safety checklist for apartments for people to use to ensure their safety. The following tips are offered.
Check out your apartment. Does your
- Entry door have a deadbolt lock and a peephole?
- Sliding glass door have a wooden rod in the track so it can’t be opened and pins in the overhead frame so it can’t be lifted out?
CLEARWATER - Clearwater Police shared some advice on how to stop getting pre-approved credit offers in the mail.
The consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion offer a toll-free number that enables people to opt out of having these credit offers sent to them for five years.
You will be asked for personal information, including name, address, telephone number and social security number, but the information is confidential and is to be used only for opting out of the pre-screened offers of credit.
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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