Displaying items by tag: the good news newspaper

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.

AEW SELECTS HORIZON BAY TO MANAGE CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY PROPERTIES With entry into CCRC market, Horizon Bay grows to 77 retirement communities.

TAMPA, Fla., December 10, 2008– Horizon Bay Retirement Living (Horizon Bay), a national seniors housing operator based in Tampa, Florida, announced that it has started managing three continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) in Florida. Regency Oaks in Clearwater, Lake Port Square in Leesburg, and South Port Square in Port Charlotte, have a total of 1,694 residential units for seniors.

 Horizon Bay was selected by AEW Capital Management L.P. (AEW), on behalf of one of AEW’s institutional clients, to become the new manager of the communities. “We selected Horizon Bay because of their excellent reputation and stellar track record in the retirement living market and depth of knowledge of the Florida seniors market,” said Pamela Herbst, Managing Director and Head of Direct Investments at AEW. “We anticipate a successful partnership with Horizon Bay.”

Clearwater, FL December 11 - Firefighters are in the business of saving lives.  Sometimes under extreme circumstances, that can include one another. Clearwater’s Firefighter of the Year rescued an unconscious co-worker from the water during a training accident.

On June 11, 2008, Lt. Matt Daerr was participating in a personal watercraft training exercise in Tampa Bay. Firefighter/Fire Medic Jason Matthews, who was also in the exercise, was thrown from his Jet Ski after coming across the wake from a boat.  He was knocked unconscious in the water. Lt. Daerr immediately went to FM Matthew’s rescue.  He pulled FM Matthews from the water and brought him back to shore. Under the extreme circumstances of this water rescue, his action was exemplary and it is an example of the first-rate firefighting/rescue skills he possesses. His training, courage, and quick thinking saved FM Matthew’s life.

 VOLUNTEERS PACKAGE COOKIES FOR HOSPICE PATIENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

NEW PORT RICHEY Fla. (December 9, 2008) – The administrative offices of Gulfside Regional Hospice in both New Port Richey and Dade City had the smell of cookies wafting through the air during the eighth annual holiday cookie packaging event for Gulfside’s patients on Dec. 9. More than 30 volunteers participated in simultaneous packaging events in east and west Pasco. 

Both volunteers and staff prepare their favorite holiday cookies for Gulfside’s patients, which were dropped off at each Gulfside office on Dec. 8. Gulfside’s nurses and staff will then pick up the cookies when they report to the respective office on Dec. 10 and 11 to distribute the packages to more than 350 patients throughout Pasco County.

GASPARILLA EXTRAVAGANZA TO BEGIN A SUPER WEEK OF CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY FUN, FLOATS, FLYING BEADS, PLANES AND PYROTECHNICS  

 TAMPA, FL   December 8, 2008 – The Gasparilla Extravaganza will once again commence Tampa’s historical Gasparilla season with an alcohol-free, family celebration scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2009 on Bayshore Boulevard, and will kick off a week-long series of celebrations leading up to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.  The Gasparilla Extravaganza features the Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll, the Gasparilla Air Invasion, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade and the “Piratechnic” Extravaganza, Tampa Bay’s largest firework presentation; show center is located at Howard Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard.

Dinosaur World celebrates 10 years

1/2 price admission for all Florida residents

For ten years now, anyone traveling on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando has marveled at the giant orange T-Rex at the Plant City exit. That T-Rex marks the home of Dinosaur World, an outdoor dinosaur museum with over 150 life size dinosaurs. It is now time to have a 10 year birthday party for the orange T-Rex.

Dinosaur World opened on Thanksgiving 10 years ago. To celebrate this anniversary, and to thank area residents for continued support, Dinosaur World is offering half price admission the first 2 weeks of December. Any Florida resident that shows their ID, from Monday, December 1st through Sunday, December 14th will receive 50% admission. This is $6.37 for adults and $4.87 for children.

The Eight Little Nutcrackers

Join us for special staged editions of "Entertainment and the Arts" and the New Radio Dramedy, "The Eight Little Nutcrackers," Written by John and Susan DiSanza and Brenda Martin.

Live from Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 - Sunday December 14 and 21, 2008 at 7:00pm.

Sponsored by Stage Door 13, Entertainment And The Arts, WTAN Radio and Francis Wilson Playhouse.

Free Admission, but reservations are required. Please call 727 446-1360

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 Market A new Holiday Tradition in Downtown Clearwater When: Monday through Friday 4pm until 7pm Saturday 11am until 4pm, Sunday 12pm until 4pm A creative holiday shopping experience like no other… More than just a great place to shop for unique gifts created by local artists and purchase holiday accessories – The Happy Holiday Market is an interactive creative celebration of the season. 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!    2pm to 3pm – Free dance classes! • All classes taught by professionals in their field. • Bring the kids each week for the classes, stay for    the unbelievable entertainment afterwards. • Live Entertainment from 3pm to 4pm – Suggested donation    of $10.00 for the show. • December 6th: Badway on Broadway – Professional Broadway    performer. • December 13th: Holiday Medley – Dancing, Singing and Trapeze    Dance performance. 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

Supporting Good News...The Tampa Bay Informer - The Good News Newspaper serving Pinellas, Hillsboro and Pasco Florida cities: Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo,Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Sand Key, Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor, Tampa, Port Richey, New Port Richey, Oldsmar and other Tampa Bay area cities, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Urban Dining and Entertainment News by Ali Seghrouchni

Time to Make the Doughnuts

Win FREE DUNKIN’ Doughnuts for a Year!

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.