INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - As he looked around at the hundreds of people scattered throughout Kolb Park, Bluegrass Folk Festival organizer John Popular remarked that already there were more people in attendance than all of last year, and it was barely an hour into the five-hour festival.
“We’re trying to make Indian Rocks Beach synonymous to Bluegrass, just as Clearwater is synonymous with Jazz,” he said. “This is the party capital of the beaches.”
There could be little disputing that during the festival May 19. Joan and Kurt Repke of Clearwater decided to go the old-fashioned way, with a blanket spread on the ground, picnic style. They were clearly enjoying the music and all that was going on around them.
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Several weeks ago the city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended that the height requirements for buildings in the business triangle area, known as The Narrows, be increased to 75 feet.
The City Commission has opted not go along with that recommendation, regarding hotel/motel building proposals under the city’s Planned Development District process.
At Tuesday’s commission meeting, Indian Rocks Beach businessman Bob Munce said in order for his plan to build a hotel on his 1.8-acre property in The Narrows to be profitable, he will need to have 105 hotel rooms and the old density restrictions of 15 rooms per acre, would make that impossible. The height restriction also would have to increase to make it viable.
BELLEAIR BLUFFS - Progress has been made in resolving longstanding issues that have delayed the dredging of two ponds in the city’s Dolphin Drive neighborhood. But disagreement between the city and affected residents over the permanence of property easements could stymie the cleanup effort.
The area is subject to flooding and the lack of maintenance has caused sediments to accumulate in the ponds, putting property at risk. Also, the pond sediment was adversely affecting wildlife and fish habitat.
Cleanup of the ponds has been put off for over three years, as city officials and residents have argued over the granting of easements on the properties and other issues. A major obstacle was overcome in April when the Southwest Florida Water Management District decided that permits were not required to move forward with the dredging and cleanup of the ponds.
BELLEAIR BLUFFS - Local business owner and political activist Mary Lou Ambrose has qualified to run for a seat in the Florida House, representing newly created District 66. The district includes Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Seminole, and western parts of Largo and Clearwater.
BELLEAIR SHORE - Becoming the county’s fastest growing municipality has become a dubious honor for this tiny enclave of ritzy Gulf-side residences.
That distinction is apparently the major reason Belleair Shore will have the highest percent increase (by far) in its fee for police services of any community served by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor John Robertson announced at the May 15 Town Commission meeting that the town’s policing costs are going up by a whopping 39.7 percent, from $22,500 to $31,435, in the coming year. By comparison, Belleair Bluffs’ policing costs will rise less than 1 percent next year.
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - On May 12 the U.S. Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers worked together in the fight against hunger.
Six letter carriers from the Indian Rocks Beach area participated - Buddy Jones, Brenda Mavretic, John Myers, Mary Ann Gavin, Sharon Langlais and Danny Green. They picked up donated bags of much-needed groceries that local residents placed in their mailboxes for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
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.
Oakhurst Elementary 50th celebration
SEMINOLE – Former students and staff members of Oakhurst Elementary School are invited to the school’s 50th anniversary celebration Friday, May 25, 8:45 a.m.
Plans call for a special assembly, school tours and a reception.
School administrators also are looking for any Oakhurst memorabilia.
Call 588-6801 to RSVP or to share memorabilia.
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.
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.
Dunedin Saturday Market
DUNEDIN – The Dunedin Saturday Market summer schedule begins May 5, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until the end of July.
Fresh produce, organic products, jams and jellies, coffee and tea and many other products are offered at the market, located at Pioneer Park downtown.
Open Air Market LARGO - Open Air Market, Saturdays, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Largo Community Center. Browse a wide variety of vendors selling fresh and local produce, artisan foods, unique arts and crafts, jewelry, health and beauty items and much more. The market will be open every Saturday until June 9. Largo’s Open-Air Market is made possible by the City of Largo and the Pinellas County Health Department. For more information or to become a vendor, call 518-3131.
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.
Hibiscus show, sale
PINELLAS PARK – A hibiscus show and plant sale will take place Sunday, May 27, 1 to 4 p.m., at Pinellas Park Auditorium, 7690 59th St. N.
Sponsored by the Sunset Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society, the free event will help promote the tropical hibiscus. Hybrid plants will be sold. Attendees can see 10- to 12-inch blooms.
For information, call 530-9118 or visit sunsetchapter.org.
Memorial Day sunset parade and ceremony CLEARWATER – A Memorial Day sunset parade and ceremony are set for Sunday, May 27, 7:30 p.m., at Crest Lake Park, 201 Glenwood Ave. There will be a movie immediately following the ceremony, featuring “Taking Chance,” starring Kevin Bacon. Bring blankets and low chairs to enjoy the family friendly presentation. Popcorn and drinks will be available.
Sunday Scrabble SAFETY HARBOR - The Safety Harbor Public Library invites the public for Sunday Scrabble, held each week at 1 p.m. at 101 Second St. N. Bring your favorite board and enjoy playing the game with new friends. Call 724-1525, ext. 112.
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