Tampa and St. Petersburg Proclaim March 7th Human Rights Walkathon Day
Tampa, FL (February 23, 2009) – Mayor Iorio of Tampa and Mayor Baker of St. Petersburg proclaim March 7th, 2009 as Human Rights Walkathon Day. The third annual Human Rights Walkathon will take place in North Straub Park, on the bay shore of St. Petersburg.
Human Rights are the rights that we all have simply because we are human. These rights were set forth and proclaimed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. These rights include the right to an education, the end of modern day slavery and no racial or religious discrimination in addition to 27 other rights.
“Our purpose is to teach human rights to people of all ages. Through education we can end war, slavery, discrimination and intolerance”, says Linda Drazkowski, Chairman of the Human Rights Walkathon.
Clearwater Gas System Lowers Natural Gas Rates - - 63% Savings Over Electricity
CLEARWATER, FL (March 3, 2009) - Clearwater Gas System has announced a further reduction in residential natural gas rates effective with March 1, 2009 bills. This reduction from $1.75 to $1.58 per therm means that a typical residential natural gas appliance will operate at a 63% savings versus its electric counterpart.
Natural gas prices continue to decline during February despite some very cold weather across the country. As a result, the market price of natural gas decreased significantly, and Clearwater Gas System is passing those projected savings onto our customers.
Customers may also qualify for additional energy assistance by applying to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides energy assistance to low-income individuals and families who meet the program's eligibility requirements. Pinellas residents may contact the Urban League at
City to Celebrate 11th Annual Neighborhoods Week
CLEARWATER, FL (March 2, 2009) - Clearwater's Neighborhood Services Division will host several events as part of the 11th annual Celebrate Neighborhoods Week, March 8th-14th. Mayor Frank Hibbard will officially recognize the week, which honors Clearwater's residents with a City Council meeting proclamation on March 2nd .
Wednesday, March 11th from 6-8pm, residents will have an opportunity to attend mini-seminars on salient neighborhood topics at the Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive Clearwater. Sessions include gangs and crime, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, housing issues and foreclosure prevention strategies as well as hurricane planning and preparedness.
A "Movie in the Park" will be shown Friday, March 13th at Crest Lake Park. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to see Madagascar II, a free family film. The screening begins at sunset. In case of inclement weather, the raincheck date is March 20th.
The culminating event is Neighborhoods Day, Saturday, March 14th when approximately 20 neighborhoods hold block parties that are visited by city officials and staff. Residents are given an opportunity to discuss their concerns with city officials as they socialize with neighbors. Personnel from Clearwater Police, Fire & Rescue and Solid Waste will be on hand with specialized vehicles and offer guided tours of the equipment.
Residents who would like to organize a neighborhood block party and be included in the festivities may contact Neighborhood Services Manager Becky Melendez at 562-4585.
Clearwater, FL ( February 2009) - Join the Iron Girl Team for the 6th annual Aflac Iron Girl 10K & 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 4, 2009.
The longest-standing event in the Aflac Iron Girl National Women’s Event Series leads athletes along a waterfront course in Clearwater, FL, one of the world’s top beach destinations. A challenging, yet fun and scenic course, this event is perfect for seasoned and first-time athletes alike.
Unique features include performance shirts sized just for women, personalized race bibs, professional timing, custom finisher medals and more. Celebrate your accomplishment at the post-race Breakfast Café and awards ceremony as we recognize the top three finishers in each division and showcase inspirational athlete stories.
Fundraising efforts will benefit the world’s largest pediatric cancer research network, the Children’s Oncology Group. For more about the Iron Girl Race and registering go to www.IronGirl.com
Clearwater, FL – (February 18, 2009) Construction on the long-awaited Station Square Park in downtown Clearwater is slated for completion soon. The park will officially open to the public with a short ceremony on Feb. 26 at 10am.
Located next to the Station Square Condominium building in the 600 block of Cleveland Street, the park has been undergoing a $1.26-million renovation since last July. It is the final portion of the first phase of the Cleveland Street Streetscape that has transformed the look of Clearwater’s downtown. Work crews are adding final touches including landscaping, decorative pavers, and an attractive fountain at its signature front entrance.
The park will provide a pleasant place for downtown patrons to relax, and city officials expect to use the park’s elevated stage to host small concerts and events.
Visit Tampa Bay Informer again at www.tampabayinformer.com for full coverage of the Grand Opening.
- Tampa Bay Informer
The Good News Newspaper
CLEARWATER, FL (February 18, 2009)– Clearwater will close a two-mile stretch of Cleveland Street to motorized traffic Sunday, March 1 from 8am to 2pm for a multicultural street festival called "Sunday Ciclovía" (see-cloh-VEE-uh). Ciclovía is Spanish for “bike path". This event on March 1 was canceled due to bad weather and has been rescheduled for Sunday April 26, 2009.
The event route extends from Clearwater Harbor to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Food vendors, activities for kids, bicycle and running organizations as well as exhibitors representing public service, fitness and green living organizations will line the street. Participants can bike, stroll, skate, or take part in exercise, sports and dance classes.
“Initially, Sunday Ciclovía was proposed as a community-building event for Downtown Clearwater’s East Gateway neighborhood,” said Tammy Vrana, an event coordinator. “The scope of the event grew when other downtown groups saw potential in the family-friendly and health-focused street festival to showcase downtown and local businesses.”
Tampa, FL (February 12, 2009) – Buccaneers Chris Hovan, Stylez White, and Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Brett Dietz participated in a celebrity couples cook-off at REDBAMBOO Medi-Spa on Thursday, February 5.
The event kicked off at 6:00 p.m. as the couples were coached by the culinary expertise of Cooks & Company. Each couple prepared various finger foods for the guests of REDBAMBOO Medi-Spa until 8:30 p.m. Immediately following the cook-off was a meet and greet with Chris, Stylez, and Brett. JP Peterson emceed the proceedings.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
- Tampa Bay Informer
The Good News Newspaper
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Clearwater, FL (January 2009) "SMOKIN OUT” BBQ Grill & Bar, 401 S. Ft. Harrison (former Harrison’s location), had their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce on the 23rd of January and continued their grand opening celebration through Saturday with live entertainment.
Serving smoked fish, chicken, pork, ribs, wings, sandwiches and mouth-watering Black Angus burgers, “Smokin’ Out” also offers a children’s menu, event catering and take-out.
Clearwater, FL (January 2009) - It was a chilly Sunday morning, just as dawn was starting to break and the runners were out bright and early in their hopes of being the first to complete the fourth annual Clearwater Half-a-Thon and third annual Five Mile Races, but the un-Floridian like temperature didn’t stop a flock of racers from warming up in preparation to cross the Clearwater Memorial Bridge.
Just as the sun poked its sleepy head over the bay, the runners lined up at the starting line at Coachman Park, stretching, jogging lightly in the parking lot or doing the “cold weather dance” as they waited in anticipation for the race to start.
“It’s going to be a good run across the bridge,” said Mike Newton, a participant. For him, the race is an enjoyable way to get his exercise. “This is fun. It’s a good way to start the New Year off.”
Downtown Clearwater
Farmer’s Market Moves
Clearwater, FL (February 2009) - The Downtown Clearwater Farmer’s Market has moved to Cleveland Street, between Ft. Harrison and Garden Avenue. Instead of being squeezed in a corner of the City Hall parking lot, its former home, the Farmer’s Market now has a block of its own every Wednesday from 10:00am until 2:00pm.
The new location of the market will bring more traffic to Cleveland Street and the downtown area, and in addition to supporting the local businesses that sell their goods each week, it will improve the commerce along this section of Cleveland Street. Tourists and locals will be able to walk through the middle of the street while they enjoy live music and sample fresh honey from Eden’s Nectar Honey or smoked fish spread from Island Fish.
“Bob and Daughter Produce” had a long line of customers reaching all the way to the other side of the street on the first day at their new location. “This is the first day back and it’s been absolutely awesome,” says the owner. And are you receiving more business? “Yes, definitely. People walking by see it where they didn’t see it before.”
Clearwater FL, (January 20) - The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida is hosting the “Fight for Kids” Award ceremony on Feb. 21, 2009. The event will recognize parents, throughout Florida, who have gotten very active in educating others about the truth behind behavioral and learning “disorders”. These parents have first-hand experience with their children having been diagnosed and labeled by psychiatry and what effect that had on their lives.
CLEARWATER, FL – Beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Clearwater’s weekly Downtown Farmer’s Market will have a new home on the 500 block of Cleveland Street. The area will be closed to traffic, and endors will set up booths along the renovated streetscape instead of the parking lot at City Hall, the market’s home for the past four years.
Downtown Development Board member Bob Fernandez, who oversees the market, is delighted about the move to the city’s main street. “I’ve visited markets all over the state and the most successful ones are those that are held in the street,” he said. “That gives us better exposure.” Now in its fourteenth season, the market was originally held in Station Square Park on Saturdays. Later switched to Wednesdays, the weekly event was a Station Square Park staple between November and April until construction of the Station Square Park Condominiums and the Cleveland Street Streetscape forced organizers to find temporary digs elsewhere.
Creating a Better Clearwater - Local Group Builds Community Spirit
Clearwater FL, January 2, 2009 - A new organization called Create Clearwater was formed to help build stronger community resources and higher quality of life in the area. In the span of a few short weeks, the group produced a number of educational programs, implemented a project to start a community garden in Clearwater, they are putting together a “Shop Local and Shop Green” guide for Clearwater (www. ClearwaterGreenGuide. com) and greater Tampa Bay, and started planting a demonstration “food forest.” This food forest comprises a mixture of fruit trees, bushes, vines, vegetables and herbs that can provide both a concentrated food supply and natural beauty for the yard, while only requiring in a small space to do so.
Create Clearwater is focused on creating local, organic food supplies, revitalizing neighborhoods, environmental issues, and building a strong local economy – as well as other quality of life issues.
“We don’t see a contradiction between a strong local economy and protecting the environment,” says Cory Brennan, a natural systems designer and founder of Create Clearwater. “In fact, when you design correctly, protecting the environment should create more abundance for everybody, not less. That is the beauty of this program:
Hibbard Proclaims Human Rights Week
Clearwater FL, December 10, 2008 - It was a chilly day for the gold coast of Florida; nevertheless, there was a lot of warmth at the Pangea Café in downtown Clearwater. It seems there is another holiday to be celebrated in addition to the traditional ones. December is Human Rights Month for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the 60th Anniversary of this auspicious event was about to be honored by Poets and Youth for Human Rights.
On December 10th, 1948 led by the courageous Eleanor Roosevelt, the nations of the world united with the conviction to guarantee 30 rights to mankind. Clearwater was celebrating in its own way as it had for the past few years with poetry and a special reading of the Declaration. Adding to the honor of the occasion was a proclamation from Mayor Frank Hibbard declaring Human Rights Week and the inaugural presentation of the Clearwater Humanitarian Awards.
Clearwater FL December 17th, 2008 - The Humane Society OF Pinellas Is excited about our upcoming, unique event that has been added to our schedule! Mark your calendars now so that you don’t miss out on this spectacular event taking place at Coachman Park, Downtown Clearwater on Saturday, January 31, 2009 from 10am-4pm.
The City of Clearwater & The Wag Mag present - THE ULTIMATE TAILGATE PAWTY - To benefit the Humane Society of Pinellas
Football fever will be in the air, as Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is the sight of the season ending Big Game. So we have decided to have a little tailgating fun of our own, for our own furry, fuzzy and feathered friends.
High School Students Sought for Nagano, Japan Exchange Program
CLEARWATER, FL December 26, 2008 – The City of Clearwater is now accepting applications from students in grades nine through 12 interested in traveling abroad as part of an exchange program with Clearwater’s sister city, Nagano, Japan.
This year, four students will be accepted into the program who will travel to Nagano for two weeks during summer 2009. Participants will be immersed in the country’s language and culture as they stay with local families. In addition, they will visit and give presentations to junior and senior high schools in the Nagano area, and get involved in educational exchanges.
SANDPEARL RESORT AND CARETTA ON THE GULF EACH EARN 2009 AAA FOUR DIAMOND AWARD DESIGNATIONS
CLEARWATER BEACH, FL November 24, 2008 – The Sandpearl Resort and its signature restaurant Caretta on the Gulf have each been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Rating for the year 2009. Lodgings at this level offer an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail. Restaurants at this level offer a distinctive fine-dining experience marked by high-quality ingredients, creative presentation, and attentive service. The Sandpearl Resort and Caretta on the Gulf opened in August 2007 and this is their first year to be named a AAA Four Diamond Award® winners.
Local Volunteers Recognized by Regency Oaks
Clearwater, Fla. -- On November 18, 2008 Regency Oaks recognized more than 40 volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation event held in the community’s Town Hall. Teecy Matthews of Volunteer USA Foundation, Tallahassee, keynoted the event and joined Regency Oaks in recognizing the volunteers with plaques.
Happy Holiday MarketA new Holiday Tradition in Downtown Clearwater
When: Monday through Friday 4pm until 7pm
A creative holiday shopping experience like no other… Located in the big white tent off Court Street, between East Street and Garden Avenue, we are open 7 days a week for your convenience. What: Seasonal merchandise: Local artists provide a wide variety of items for unique and creative holiday gifts… Merchandise changes weekly. But wait there’s more… we said interactive and fun for the whole family.
• Every Saturday: 1pm to 2pm – Free acting classes! • All classes taught by professionals in their field.
• Bring the kids each week for the classes, stay for
• Live Entertainment from 3pm to 4pm – Suggested donation
• December 6th: Badway on Broadway – Professional Broadway
• December 13th: Holiday Medley – Dancing, Singing and Trapeze Proceeds from and entertainment benefit several local charities providing free tutoring and after school activities for children in Pinellas County. |
Tampa Bay Informer
The Good News Newspaper
Urban Dining and Entertainment News |
A brand new Dunkin’ Donuts is now open in Downtown Clearwater, located in the Historic Red Brick Telephone Building, 534 Cleveland Street.
Their Grand Opening Event – Friday, December 5.
First 50 customers in the doors beginning at 5 a.m. will win FREE Dunkin’ Treats for a year (including products such as coffee, sandwiches, etc.)
Anyone making a purchase on Friday, December 5, will have their receipt entered in the store’s raffle drawing for 1pm on Saturday, December 6 (must be present to win.)
Mayor Frank Hibbard will be visiting the location at 10am for the restaurant’s official ribbon cutting.
More prizes at the Grand Opening Event – Saturday, December 6
For the 1pm raffle drawing (for which people are entered if they made a purchase on 12/5 and are present for the drawing), 1st prize is a Flat Screen TV, 2nd prize is a digital camera, 3rd prize is three iPod Nanos (3 winners), and 10 runner-up prizes of $50 gift cards (10 winners) will be given away.
Visitors between 6pm – 11pm will receive a free cup or cone of Baskin Robbins Soft Serve Ice Cream for 25 cents.
Haiti
Often we get caught up in our own busy lives and spheres of influence and forget that there is a whole other world out there, consisting of others that may not be as fortunate as us.
The economic situation in Haiti would make most of us long for home in appreciation for the opportunities we have in this country.
Haiti, with its 75% unemployment rate, $15-$20.00 average income per week, 70% illiteracy, 10,000+ homeless in the capital and thousands of children living on the streets; is visibly a country less blessed than our own.
Taking matters into their own hands, three of Clearwater’s Scientology Volunteer Ministers, Cary Goulston, Mike Campbell and Brad Kugler—all who have businesses and families to care for—decided to reach outside their comfort zone and give relief to Haiti. After months of fundraising and preparation, they traveled to Haiti last month to deliver enough Kenaf seeds (a fast growing plant that is an ideal food and building source) to feed thousands of Haitians. Equally important are the educational tools the three provided to the people of Haiti. These tools were developed by L. Ron Hubbard (the founder of Scientology) to further assist them in reversing their unprecedented rate of economic decline.
Downtown Clearwater
The Greek Town Grill, located at 1230 Cleveland St. near downtown Clearwater, FL 33750 is one of the newest and finest restaurants in the area.
The Greek Town Grill specializes in original Greek Recipes and continually attempts to capture the warmth and vitality of Greece. They take the time to carefully select all their ingredients and prepare food daily with an emphasis on quality.
They also offer Banquet and special meeting facilities that could include music and dancing with seating from 20 to 150. They have a unique system of serving freshly cooked foods prepared to order and never precooked regardless of the size of your group. They are the difference between a banquet hall and a full service restaurant with banquet facilities. Whatever the occasion lunch for two or a holiday party contact The Greek Town Grill today at
Tampa Bay Informer
The Good News Newspaper
Ding-Ding-Ding! Choo-Choo! All Aboard!
Come one, come all to the magical holiday festivities once again created by the Clearwater Community Volunteers, dubbed “Elves” by Santa himself.
If you’re already a faithful fan of “Winter Wonderland” I assure you, that this year has more surprises than ever!
However, while the Elves were busily working on “Winter Wonderland”, Pam Ryan Anderson (the Head Elf) received an urgent text from Santa. The text said, “Ho, Ho, Ho, there are still a few in the community that are not aware that the festivities are open to everyone and, admission is FREE!” and his text continued, “Ho, Ho, Ho, some ‘naughty overgrown children’ otherwise known as ‘adults’ may have never even noticed ‘Winter Wonderland’ when driving up and down Ft. Harrison.”
Remember, Remember the 5th of December.
Urgent weather alert! Doppler weather radar at the Clearwater Downtown Partnership has just confirmed a 100% chance of an unprecedented blanketing of snow during the City of Clearwater’s annual Holiday Light Up on the 500 block of Cleveland Street. Expect complete road closures due to strolling carolers, gift vendors and merriment of the sort on Cleveland Street from 5pm – 8pm between Garden and Fort Harrison Avenues.
When Chairman Bill Sturtevant of the Clearwater Downtown Partnership was asked what he attributed the unusual weather pattern to he said Santa ordered it, towards the goal of strengthening our merchants by bringing more people to downtown. Bill further remarked that the board acted fast and decided to seize the opportunity in Downtown and established this event as our annual:
“Miracle on Cleveland Street.”
One of Bill’s colleagues Eleanor Lyda also stated since schools will be closed at that time a giant 10 foot snow slide is being brought in for children to toboggan down and play in the snow flurries.
Cleveland Streetscape
Clearwater FL, April 2007 - Spring has sprung and with it the fi rst block of Cleveland Streetscape is soon to be to be completed. The city plans to offi cially open the block of Cleveland St. between Ft. Harrison and Osceola with the First Stroll on March 16th at 11:00am.
Cleveland Streetscape has been an integral part of the city’s plan to redevelop downtown. The light pavers mesh well against the reddish borders of the new sidewalk, and a few weeks ago when the work crews started laying them, the excitement started spreading throughout the downtown core. In addition to the new blacktop, there are new antiquelooking street posts to light the way at night and will help to give the area some ambiance. The landscaping isn’t done yet, and there is still some things to do, but everyone I spoke with in downtown, as well as myself, are happy with the results.
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CRITICAL POWER
Clearwater FL, April 2007 - Believe me: Clearwater is the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. It’s a small town of friendliness, aff ordable housing, good schools and growing business opportunities. It’s a true—officially voted—beach lover’s paradise, it’s the new 9-million dollar Cleveland streetscape, the new multi-million dollar beach walk, the new downtown marina with gorgeous water taxi that will take us back and forth from the white sand beaches and all the new shopping and restaurants of downtown. What more can we ask for? Apparently our Mayor Frank Hibbard dared to ask for much more than that and to many that was very politically incorrect. It will probably take a miracle to grant our mayor’s wishes, but given that it is over a decade since there has been a good miracle in Clearwater, (ever since the Blessed Virgin Mary briefl y chose to appear on the dark-tinted window panes of an office building on the side of US19 highway back in 1996. This made Clearwater world famous almost overnight) I think it’s time for another, and I hope I could help.