Clearwater Academy International and The Community Learning Center have teamed up to sponsor a monthly event called Books for Kids. Free books, that are new or gently used, are donated by the community and are given to any child that comes to the event.
The 21st Annual Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic 5K, 10K and Children's 1 mile fun-run drew an extensive crowd on December 19th, exceeding all expectations with the number of participants running to forward the message – including myself, a first time 5K runner.
The inverted pyramid of The Pier has been a St. Petersburg landmark since it opened its doors in 1973. On January 6th, the Pier Advisory Task Force met to discuss plans to redesign and revitalize the colorful triangular edifice, which has been seen as a burden on the city in recent times. $50 million has been approved for future renovation of the structure, but will not become available until 2012.
The United Nations is dedicating a year to young people by proclaiming 2010 the “International Year of Youth”. But Youth for Human Rights Florida and several local schools are a step ahead of the game in youth-driven human rights advocacy. Washburn Academy, Delphi Academy Florida and Clearwater Academy International were all awarded “YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS” for not only teaching human rights, but also involving their students in activities to help them understand how human rights are a part of our world.
Since 1933, the historic and stately Cleveland Street District (Downtown) Post Office in Clearwater has added a sense of aesthetics and charm to an already picturesque neighborhood, but recently the adorable location was in danger of being closed.
A portion of the funding for the Clearwater Downtown Boat Slips and Promenade project, currently under construction, is set aside for public art, and city officials are seeking public opinion on the type of artwork that should be installed at the project site. The Clearwater Public Art and Design Program, coordinator for the city’s artwork installations, is planning a public workshop to discuss the themes and types of artwork that that might be appropriate for the project. Information gathered at this workshop will aid the development of a national call to artists to solicit potential artwork and artists.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), a Clearwater staple since the facilities opened in the 1980’s, has seen a recent expansion in their activities. In the past year, the aquarium has released nine rehabilitated sea turtles, experienced a 31% attendance growth, and the phenomenon of Winter the Dolphin has exposed the CMA (and beautiful Clearwater) to millions of children all over the country. However, according to the CMA website, “in spite of tremendous growth and a global presence, we also remain a ‘neighborhood’ aquarium.”
The Clearwater Human Rights Experience is a multi-faceted event that transcends the normal boundaries of our society. The program, put on by Poets for Human Rights, has grown much broader than the reading of human rights-related poetry. The annual event includes a special group reading of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, showing of the Story of Human Rights (an entertaining yet informative look at the history of human rights), and the presentation of the Clearwater Humanitarian Awards.
Ladies, and Cougars and Dolphins... Oh Yeah!
Every woman, whether she realizes it or not,” reads the Cougars of Clearwater’s website, “has a Real Cougar just waiting to be unleashed.” The Cougars of Clearwater 2010 Calendar has unleashed the inner cougars of twelve Clearwater residents. The calendar features twelve beautiful ladies – including its creators Judy Barrows and Kathleen Slaven – posing in bikinis with delightful tastefulness and class. Photographer Michael Harris donated his services for the project.
In honor of the United Nations Human Rights Day, on December 10th, hundreds of youths walked across Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway carrying signs and singing songs to forward the message, “Embrace Diversity – End Discrimination” in the first ever International Walk for Human Rights, organized by Youth for Human Rights Florida. This diverse group of youths, from a wide range of cultures, religions, races, and educational levels, crossed the bridge carrying signs representing the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Clearwater City Council voted unanimously to name the Capitol Theater and the Lokey Building historical landmarks. Both buildings are located on Cleveland Street in the Cleveland Street District in downtown Clearwater. This is the first such designation by the City of Clearwater for any structure.
The following road closures will take place in the City of Clearwater:
Sharing the Sheriff's Experience
We see them on the roadside, lights flashing during a traffic stop. We see them in parking lots with some unfortunate occupying the back seat of a cruiser. Our law enforcement officers. They are all over town but their activities may seem mysterious to those of us on the outside. I had a chance for some insight when I rode a shift with one of the officers from the Pinellas County’s Sheriff’s Office.
On November 2nd, the third and final installment of Downtown Clearwater’s Sculpture 360 series was lowered into position by crane on Cleveland Street. “Henry” by Doug Makemson joins “Going Green” and “Linear V” as Cleveland Street’s artistic adornments.
Florida Students Improve a Full Grade Level in 30 Hours
This October the Community Learning Center began its statewide tutoring program. The program utilizes the Applied Scholastics curriculum based on the Study Technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, which helps children improve in the areas of reading and math.
On October 7th, 350,000 children from 12,500 schools visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on a field trip – a virtual field trip. These children traveled to Florida and met Winter the Dolphin without leaving their classrooms, through a live webcast presented by Scholastic Books, publisher of the inspirational children’s book Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again.
After taking a brief summer hiatus, the Farmer’s Market returned to Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater on October 21st. The mild autumn and winter weather in Florida is not only favorable to browsing in the outdoor market, but adds to its appeal.
On Saturday, October 17th, for the third year in a row, children from Clearwater’s North Greenwood community enjoyed a DJ, dance contest, snacks, arts and crafts and balloons at the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatics Center in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The event, sponsored by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, exemplified the message that living a drug-free life is more fun.
In this challenging time, a local organization has found a way to help women in need. Women In Networking (WIN) will hold the 4th annual Women’s Symposium on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 5pm - 9pm at HCA Patient Account Services, 31975 US Hwy 19 N in Palm Harbor.
A High Tea fundraiser was held on September 13th, at a Clearwater Beach residence, to raise money for the Human Rights Walkathon, which takes place annually in March.
On September 29th, the North Greenwood Community Coalition (NGCC) met to unveil their latest plan in the improvement of the North Greenwood neighborhood in Clearwater.
Toastmasters isn’t about toast as in bread and butter. It’s an international non profit organization that helps people do the scariest thing in the world – competently speak to an audience.
On Saturday, September 12th, thirteen Clearwater neighborhood associations joined the Mayor and council members at the Countryside Recreation Center, for the Clearwater Awards for Neighborhoods (CAN). A total of 19 awards were presented, with cash prizes to fund future community projects.
Winter Wonderland is in its 17th year in downtown Clearwater, literally bringing thousands of people into downtown every year. Our holiday village has the purpose of being a food & toy drive for the needy in our community, in addition to creating a wonderful holiday experience for children of all ages, so as to instill a hope for the future.
As a result of Winter Wonderland, we have warmed the hearts of thousands and have delivered literally tons of food and toys to families in need over the years.
Winter Wonderland is put on each year by Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Donations to CCV are tax deductible.