Clearwater Beach - Dolphin Pod Sighting at Pier 60... Featured
Written by Angela LeMayWhat started in July as a pod of 38 quickly grew to 50 creatively decorated 6-foot tall dolphins. In just 3 weeks, a team of artists turned each of the 80-pound fiberglass dolphin-shaped figures (provided by Icon Poly Studio in Gibbon, Neb) into a uniquely fun art exhibit that colorfully enhances the already beautiful view at the entrance of Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach.
Stingray season has started early this year. Three people were stung on Clearwater Beach on April 24th. Stingray season started in Sand Key last week, and the stingrays are migrating north to Clearwater Beach. Purple warning flags warn of the danger of stingrays in area waters, are up and will continue to stay up.
Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and ends Oct. 31. Because newly hatched turtles find their way to the sea by following the natural light reflected by the water, city ordinances determine specific lighting requirements for beach parking lots, streets, and promenades.
Middle School Students Donate $650 to Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Rescued Sea Turtles
Written by Jeni Hatter
Kids in “Friends for Florida” presented $650 to Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) to help take care of its rescued sea turtles. The group, made up of middle school students from Pasco and Hillsborough Counties, was started by friends who wanted to raise awareness about environmental issues. To raise the money, the kids held garage sales, lemonade stands, recycled aluminum cans and collected money outside of a local Wal-Mart.
NASA Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Takes Teacher Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger to Space Station
Written by Maggy Graham
Space shuttle Discovery lit up Florida's Space Coast sky about 45 minutes before sunrise Monday, April 5, with a 6:21 a.m. EDT launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The launch began a 13-day flight to the International Space Station and the second of five shuttle missions planned for 2010.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) fans Jenna Deedy (from New Hampshire) and Gina West (from England) are asking people around the world to celebrate CMA and Winter on April 5. Though the two have never met Winter, they have been inspired by her story. Jenna has a chronic illness and relates to Winter’s will to persevere. The duo came up with the idea to create and organize an International day to thank CMA and Winter. They are promoting the event through Facebook.
Make a Difference Day Volunteer Fair Comes to Westfield Mall April 24th
Written by Karen Bonsignori
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make a difference! One of the largest volunteer fairs in the Tampa Bay area, “Make a Difference Day”, is coming to Westfield Countryside mall on Saturday April 24th from 10 am to 6 pm. Sponsored by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Eckerd Youth Alternatives and Westfield Countryside mall, this mega event features about 50 leading non-profit organizations and thousands of volunteer opportunities. With something for everyone, it’s your chance to get involved and give back to your community in a meaningful way.
Winter the Dolphin Gets New Home as Clearwater Marine Aquarium Expands Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
On the exact day of the 38th anniversary the Clearwater Marine Aquarium first opened, the attraction located on Clearwater Beach celebrated by cutting the ribbon on their recent expansion.
Mutt Strut Raises Money for Humane Society of Pinellas Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
The Humane Society of Pinellas held their signature event, the Mutt Strut, on March 20th on beautiful Honeymoon Island. Dogs with their owners in tow came from all over to enjoy the day's worth of pet-friendly activities and vendors. The Mutt Strut included pet contests, with categories ranging from “shortest legs” to “cutest dog” and, fittingly, the chance for owners to strut their mutt along Osprey Trail.
Every five seconds during the school day, an African American public school student is suspended. In Cuba, 5,000 citizens were sentenced to prison for nothing more than the concept of "dangerousness," without being charged with any specific crime. More than 5.7 million students have been involved in bullying in American schools, with the bullies being four times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age 24. Regardless of the statistic, the violation of human rights is the message from Dustin McGahee of Youth for Human Rights Florida, Femi Kennedy of Abel’s Community Services, and Lianet Vazquez of the USF Cuban American Student Association.
Reclaimed Water Facts: Ten Reasons to Use Reclaimed Water
Written by City of Clearwater
Using reclaimed water saves water that the public needs for other uses. The City of Clearwater encourages all residents with access to reclaimed water to use it—for ten very good reasons.
Volunteers Needed for Courtney Campbell Causeway Cleanup
Written by City of Clearwater
The City of Clearwater will be participating in the Great American Cleanup by hosting a cleanup event Saturday, March 27 from 8 to 11 a.m. It will be held along the Courtney Campbell Parkway beach, and volunteers are needed.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Rescues Two Otter Pups
Written by Jeni Hatter
Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s (CMA) stranding team recently rescued an otter pup in Largo. She was named “Annie,” after the person who found her and after the character Orphan Annie, from the musical and movie. The pup weighs only two pounds and is still feeding from a bottle. Annie joins “Sunny”, a three-month-old, three pound otter pup rescued earlier this month. Like Annie, Sunny was also named after the volunteer who helped rescue her.
Human Rights Walkathon Takes Place in St. Petersburg Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
ST. PETERSBURG - Supporters of Human Rights convened in North Straub Park on March 6th for the 4th Annual Human Rights Walkathon. They were there to celebrate the thirty human rights delineated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Clearwater for Youth Honors Angelo Dundee and Jamie and Karen Moyer at Annual Celebrity Banquet
Written by Heidi Lux
CLEARWATER - he 37th Annual Celebrity Banquet benefiting Clearwater for Youth took place on February 27th at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. The event was emceed by former sports anchor and senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays, Dick Crippen.
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How Does the New Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance Affect You?
Written by City of Clearwater
A county-wide fertilizer ordinance recently went into effect to regulate the use of fertilizers in Pinellas County. What does this mean to you, as a Clearwater resident? It's not a fertilizer ban. You can still fertilize your lawn and gardens, but new regulations limit the types of fertilizers used during the summer, rainy months. Since Florida experiences such hot, long summers, this is when most residents water their lawns. It's important to know the new regulations, since they will help to reduce harmful nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous) found in fertilizers and keep them from polluting our waterways.
Human Rights Walkathon to Take Place in Downtown St. Pete March 6th
Written by Heidi Lux
The 4th annual Human Rights Walkathon will take place in North Straub Park, Downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday, March 6th.
An Open Letter to the City of Clearwater Regarding The Complete Angler & Herb Quintero by Dru Jeanis
Written by Dru Jeanis
AN OPEN LETTER TO CLEARWATER’S MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, ITS CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS, REGARDING CLEARWATER BEING THE ONLY CITY IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO EVER TRY TO BAN THE DISPLAY OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
Governor Charlie Crist Visits Clearwater Marine Aquarium to Promote Adoption and "Winter's Dream"
Written by Heidi Lux
Governor Charlie Crist stopped by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on February 8th to help launch the “Winter's Dream” adoption campaign.
Hands Across the Sand Spreads Message "Love Tourists, Not Drilling" Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
Hands Across the Sand, a statewide, peaceful protest against offshore drilling, was held throughout Florida's beaches on February 13th. Despite the colder-than-average weather, large groups of citizens made their way out to the beaches to make their voices heard and to show their support for Florida's beautiful landscape, with the hope that it will stay beautiful.
NASA's WISE Telescope Returns Images and More Information from Our Universe Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
As technology progresses, we are able to know more about the world we live in, and thanks to a new NASA program, we are able to know more about the universe we live in as well. The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE telescope has been gathering infrared images of our universe to help NASA scientists glean more information about the great unknown territory beyond our atmosphere.
To Haiti with Love: Hometown Help for Haiti Featured
Written by Joshua T. Gillion
On January 12th, at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon, the impoverished island nation of Haiti was rocked by an unexpected and severe tragedy. Although earthquakes are not uncommon in the Caribbean, quakes of that magnitude are. While there have been five major earthquakes reported in Haiti's history, the last was in 1860, and January’s 7.0 earthquake was the worst they have seen in 200 years.
Clearwater Free Clinic Former Patient Ernest C. Simmons Featured Artist at Martinis and Matisse Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
Martinis and Matisse is possibly one of Clearwater's most “cosmopolitan” fundraisers. On January 30th, for the seventh consecutive year, guests sipped on martinis courtesy of Bonefish Grill and sampled delicious entrees from restaurants like Carrabas and the Baystar Restaurant Group while slipping tickets into over-sized martini glasses to bid on the work of local artists, filling the lobby of the Frank Crum building. Early in the evening, these glasses contained a ticket or two, enticing attendees with the hope of taking home the pieces they coveted. By the end of the event, they were brimming to the top with bids, each ticket representing a donation to the Clearwater Free Clinic.
Clearwater Marine Releases 48 Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
During the cold-snap that hit Florida in early January, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) took in and treated nearly 100 sea turtles suffering from a condition known as “cold stun.” In the course of two weeks, the CMA rescued more turtles than they had in the previous year.
East-West Shrine Game Players Visit Shriners Hospital for Children
Written by Heidi Lux
On January 17th, more than 100 of the nation’s finest college football players spent several hours visiting with kids who receive care at Shriners Hospitals for Children Tampa. The athletes joined the children in enjoying various games and sports, face painting, music, dancing and autographing East-West Shrine Game jerseys and footballs.