The Jenna Stone Band out of Clearwater warms up the Jagermeister Stage Jan. 27 at Quaker Steak and Lube in Pinellas Park, the site of Full Throttle Magazine’s 14th annual Florida Motorcycle Expo and seventh annual Bike Builders Invitational. Eight different groups performed over the three-day weekend Jan. 27 to 29.
PINELLAS PARK - Leaders of a movement opposing the fluoridation of drinking water made a last-ditch effort Jan. 26 to stop city council from building infrastructure that would inject fluoride in the public water supply at the city level.
Council members gave their unofficial approval Jan. 24 after hearing a presentation from city staff on the cost and logistics of fluoridating the water. They also heard from representatives of both sides of the argument as they made their case to the Pinellas Park leaders.
That debate continued into the public meeting two days later.
PINELLAS PARK - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast received a $164,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in a presentation at the Pinellas Park branch Jan. 30, attended by U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
The Office of Justice Programs grant is part of a nationwide effort to promote the importance of positive adult mentors. It will allow the clubs to provide mentoring services directly to the many military families that live throughout Pinellas County for the first time. The $164,000 total will help about 206 youths, ages 5 to 18.
While supporting children of military families, a portion of the funds will be used for mentoring programs for minority males. Research has shown that these two demographic groups are especially vulnerable to negative peer pressure, and a higher high school dropout rate.
“We have been focused this last month on planning and implementing mentoring activities and programs for club members,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast President Nita Smith. “So much of the success we have experienced over the last few years is centered upon establishing positive adult role models so the young people we serve come to believe that a great future is possible for each and every one of them too.”
TALLAHASSEE - The Pinellas Park council, city officials and the representatives from the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce traveled to Tallahassee Jan. 31 for a meet and greet with state lawmakers.
The annual trip allows local leaders to meet their state representatives, understand the legislative process and present a united stance from the city and business community on local issues.
“It kind of shows that we’re a city that understands the relationship with city and business,” city spokesman Tim Caddell said.
In time for the trip, the council members passed two resolutions Jan. 26 to clarify their stance on potential changes making their way through the Florida legislature.
PINELLAS PARK - Beazer Homes recently started construction of the last six town homes at Sawgrass Village in Pinellas Park.
Ed Suchora, market manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay area, said the two- and three-bedroom townhomes are priced from the $140s. Beazer Homes began building new homes at Sawgrass Village in 2005. When the last townhomes are completed, Beazer will have built and sold 308 townhomes there, Suchora said in a press release.
Sawgrass Village features a resort-style community swimming pool with a covered cabana.
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.
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