June 2010

BARK AT THE BALL PARK IV on June 27th will conclude the 2010 season benefitting the Humane Society of Pinellas.  Bright House Field, located at 601 Old Coachman Rd. in Clearwater, invites you to bring your dog to the game with gates opening at noon.  Game time is 1 p.m. for our own Clearwater Threshers to take on the Dunedin Blue Jays.  We thank our sponsors: Bright House Networks, St. Petersburg Times, The New Barker, A Quick Print Plus, 98Rock, Bella Dog Magazine and Celebration Station, for an afternoon of vendors, adorable adoptable dogs from HSP and other local rescue groups, socializing with other animal lovers, and all of the amenities offered at Bright House Field like Frenchy’s Tiki Bar and Home Run Concessions.  Don’t forget the “EST” Pet Contest sponsored by The Big Game Gallery, LLC offering a $475 prize!  We will start during the 1st inning looking for most extreme in a creative category of your choice such as the laziEST, drooliEST, and curliEST.  There will be our famous Chinese Ruffable Raffle Baskets offering great gift bundles, event T-Shirts for sale and our ADORABLE ADOPTABLE PETS!  This is the last chance for you to get your Scooter Raffle Tickets!  Drawing for this scooter will be at the top of the 8th inning.  The end of the game offers you a chance of a lifetime as you are invited to run the bases with your dog!

Tickets start at $5 for both humans and dogs, further ticket information about Family Fun Packs and specials available at 727-467-4457.  Vendor, Donor and Sponsorship information is available at 727-797-7722 x222, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org.

East Lake, hurricane season is here!  Are you ready?  East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District wants to remind you that hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30.  As we all have learned from the past, now—before the storm—is the time to get prepared.  First, pay close attention to the weather forecasters.  A hurricane is not usually a fast approaching storm and that leaves time to put plans into action.  You must have a plan; although it may change as the storm approaches or turns away.  Listen to the evacuation suggestions and warnings. 

We have two designated public shelters in East Lake at Brooker Creek Elementary and East Lake High School.  When using a public shelter, remember to bring your "personal needs" with you.  Some suggestions: medicines, special dietary foods, flash lights, batteries, portable radio (head set), clothing, folding chair, personal hygiene items, infant care items, important papers, cash, identification, bottled water, sleeping gear, games and books.  These items are your responsibility.  East Lake shelters do not allow pets.  The North County pet-friendly shelter is Dunedin Middle School, located at 70 Patricia Ave. and Oak Grove Middle School, at 1370 S. Belcher Rd.  Contact Pinellas County Emergency Management at 727-464-3800 or online at www.pinellascounty.org.   

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District wants to assure you that we have a plan in place. We will be doing all we can in the event of a direct hit.  We ask our residents to prepare and heed the warnings from local officials.  A Pinellas County Hurricane Guide is available at your local fire station now. 

As a final reminder, if sand bags are needed, they are available at John Chestnut Park.  If you have questions, call John Chestnut Park at 727-669-1951. If you have questions for East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District, call 727-784-8668 or visit www.eastlakefirerescue.com.
“Heal The Gulf” Theme Featured at Oak Trail Books

Oak Trail Books, a metaphysical book store and gift shop, and The Witch’s Brew, a magickally-themed café offering locally roasted coffee, all-natural locally-made ice cream, beer and wine, located at 1219 Florida Ave. in Historic Downtown Palm Harbor, are celebrating their 15th and 3rd anniversaries, respectively, on June 26th with a green-oriented event called “Heal the Gulf: Paths to Sustainability.”  The event will feature a variety of local eco-friendly vendors and presentations on green technology, clean renewable energy alternatives to oil, and ways to heal the Gulf.  

So far, presentations will include a water blessing for the Gulf of Mexico, a poetry reading focusing on the Oil Spill tragedy, an art therapy session using art to process emotions related to the catastrophe, and a talk by a psychotherapist on ways to deal with stress related to the spill.  Presentations on practical ways to bring clean renewable energy into our daily lives are being planned as well.

All day long, customers will enjoy 15 percent off all purchases at Oak Trail Books, may sign up for drawings for prizes like a wine basket from Murielle Wines, and can sample wine & ice cream at The Witch’s Brew.  The party continues Saturday night with The Witch’s Brew’s House Band, “The Defendants”, who will be performing classic rock from 7:30 – 11 p.m.  

This event is a mini-version of a larger Green Music Festival that is being planned by Kathryn Samaltanos & Lesley Klein that will raise funds for Oil Spill cleanup efforts; date and location to be decided.

If you’d like more information, please call Lesley Klein of Oak Trail Books at 482-9210 or visit www.OakTrailBooks.com or www.TheWitchesBrew.com; check either website for news about the Heal the Gulf: Paths to Sustainability event and the upcoming Green Music Festival.

It’s showtime! Music Matters, located in Grand Trinity Plaza on Little Rd. has added drama to the summer camp lineup and it promises to be a fun and educational experience.  Under the tutelage of camp director “Miss Christina” Sparacino, campers ages 6 – 13 will learn acting terminology, dialogue, voice projection, proper dialect and much more through games and exercises.  Kids will be introduced to a variety of instruments which they can with and will learn basic notation and rhythm.  They will receive a CD of their camp music to take home and will have a chance to receive prizes based on good behavior.  Every day, campers will enjoy watching the movie that corresponds to their camp’s theme while they eat lunch. They should bring a packed lunch every day except Friday, when hot dogs and sodas are served.  Throughout camp, kids learn how to gain courage and use tricks to overcome stage fright, which will come in handy when they perform a number from their camp’s musical theme for parents and grandparents.

Camps are limited to 15 kids per camp and are held Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  The cost is $120 for one week and additional weeks are $100.  Family camp discounts apply (10 % discount for two kids and 20% discount for three or more kids from same family).  The dates and camp themes are as follows:  June 14 – 18, “Annie”; June 28 – July 2, “Grease”; July 12 – 16, “Fame”; August 2 – 6, “Chicago”; August 9 – 13, “The Little Mermaid”; Showtime performance on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Please call 727-834-8856 or visit www.musicmattersfl.com for more information or stop in Music Matters, located at 4112 Little Rd. in Trinity.