PINELLAS PARK - Since July 30, the Good Samaritan Church has been working on a mosaic of tiles that celebrates its centennial.
The project, soon to be completed, will be dedicated March 3, 5 p.m., at the church, 6085 Park Blvd.
Members of the church met two to four times a month, every month since July to work on the project. More than 50 church members worked at least one hour on the mosaic, collectively investing more than 600 hours.
PINELLAS PARK - Residents who disagree with a Board of Adjustment decision could have a chance to plea their case in front of the Pinellas Park City Council before taking the matter to court, according to a change currently under consideration.
Opponents say the change would reduce the autonomy of the board and introduce a political element to a process that was meant to be devoid of political pressures.
“I ask you to think twice about voting for the ordinance regarding the board of adjustments that is before you because it is a slap in the face of the civic-minded citizens that sit and serve on the board,” said Mike Silcott, a member of the board.
ST. PETERSBURG - A 20-year-old St. Petersburg woman was accidentally shot in the head at the Grace Connection Church Feb. 12.
According to a report from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, an ambulance took Hannah Kelley to Bayfront Medical Center, where she underwent surgery to treat the life-threatening injury.
The shooting, which took place while several members of the church were gathered in the church’s recreation room, appears to be accidental, detectives report.
PINELLAS PARK - A motorcyclist was critically injured, after crashing into a residential fence the night of Feb. 11, according to Pinellas Park police.
Scott Alan Deeran, 40, of Pinellas Park was speeding south on 56th Way North, police said. As he approached the right-angle turn into 82nd Terrace, he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the fence of house along the road.
Deeran was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was listed in critical, but stable condition.
PINELLAS PARK - A Pinellas Park resident was a runner-up in a national contest “Great American Love Story,” sponsored by Great America Cookies.
Wendy Benn received a $250 American Express gift card after her entry was chosen from hundreds of others in the contest. In her essay, “Love at First Kiss,” Benn tells the story of how she met her husband Richard when she was age 19. This year, Feb. 14 marked their 25th wedding anniversary.
For the contest, Great America Cookies asked their customers to write their love story in 200 words or less.
PINELLAS PARK - The last time a seat opened up on the Pinellas Park City Council, six candidates threw their hats in the ring.
This year, there are only two contenders: Patti Johnson and Eddie Kosinski, both long-time residents with a long list of civic, business and volunteer involvement in the community.
Both candidates cite a deeply rooted pride in the city and said they wanted to become part of the Pinellas Park city government, which Kosinski called a “well-oiled machine.”
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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