Matters of Note
By LESTER R. DAILEY
Article published on Thursday, April 27, 2006  |
Bookworm to replace Raven as library café operator
Raven of Tampa Bay Inc., which operates the café in Clearwater’s main library, advertised its business for sale. That left the city with the choice of either allowing the buyer, Bookworm Café LLC, to assume the remainder of Raven’s three-year contract, with a right of renewal for another three years, or starting from scratch to find a new operator. Starting from scratch would have closed the café for several weeks or months, so the City Council decided to let the locally-owned Bookworm take over Raven’s operation.
Long Center pool to get makeover
The City Council recently awarded a $324,600 contract to Clearwater-based Aquamarine Swimming Pool Company to refurbish the pool at the Long Center.
“We’re expecting to get about 10 years of service out of it with the level of use we see at the pool,” Kevin Dunbar, the city’s parks and recreation director, told the council.
The Long Center pool will be closed from May 1 until Oct. 31 and its programs will be transferred to the Ross Norton Recreation Complex pool.
Clearwater residents offered free trees for Arbor Day
For the 24th straight year, the state Division of Forestry will honor Clearwater as a Tree City USA. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Forest Service. To qualify, a city must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.
Clearwater’s observance will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at the Public Services Complex, 1650 N. Arcturas Ave. After the award ceremony, more than 1,800 live oak, South Florida slash pine, bald cypress, red maple, Southern red cedar and crepe myrtle trees will be given away, two to a family, to Clearwater residents who present a Florida driver’s license, voter registration card or recent utility bill as proof of residence.
City staffers will be on hand to answer questions and tell the recipients how to care for their new trees.
Neighborhood, home of year honored
Imperial Park, a community of single-family homes north of Nursery Road and east of Hercules Avenue, was honored as Clearwater’s 2005-06 Neighborhood of the Year. The neighborhood maintains its deed restrictions, sponsors many social activities, has an active crime watch and participated in the 2006 Neighborhoods Day. It recently received a beautification grant from the city to beautify its entranceways.
The Mediterranean-revival home of George and Elizabeth Davis, at 1962 Harding St. in the Maymont neighborhood, was selected this year’s Home of the Year. Built in 1924, it was the first house in Clearwater to have electricity throughout. Its first owners got the idea after meeting Thomas Edison at a world’s fair.
The newly renovated home has tile and wooden floors, a wooden-shelved library, a pool and a screen house. The yard has more than 25 species of landscaping, 18 palm and oak trees and a vegetable garden.
Sign languages available for parents, children
The Clearwater Main Library is offering classes to teach parents how to communicate in sign language with their babies and toddlers. The next ones are from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on May 3 and 10.
“Babies use signs as a natural communication tool,” according to a city news release. “Using sign language enriches (the) child-parent bond, accelerates verbal language and social-emotional development and averts temper tantrums. Studies confirm that babies who sign learn to speak sooner than those who don’t.”
Space is limited, so reservations are required. Call Jana Fine at 562-4970, ext. 5236.
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Article published on Thursday, April 27, 2006
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