I love this place and have taken a ton of pictures here.  I use Flickr to post my pictures and Hammock Park has used one of my pictures in their gallery, and I am thrilled.  Check it out:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/hammockpark/galleries/72157623140746411


here's a link to their homepage:  http://www.dunedingov.com/home.aspx?page=departments/leisureServices/parks_hammock

lots of trails, a creek, pavillions and a park and tons of Florida wildlife!

If you love magic, vampires, demons, and stories related to Atlantis/greek mythology you HAVE to check out Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her Dark Hunter series is phenomenal!  She is so amazing.  I loved the Twilight series and once I read all of those (took me like 2 weeks) I was hungry for more; but since I am in my late 30's I wanted something a bit edgier/adult themed so I Googled adult themed vampire stories and viola!  Did you know there is a Vampire Library? How cool is that; and Sherrilynn is always at the top of most recommended novels to read.  She also does other writing, futuristic/sci-fi.

I hear she is about to come out with a line of Dark Hunter dolls which I can't wait to see.  The Dark Hunter series is so popular she has also made a kids manga version.

She has several amazing websites and a facebook page which I am about to list below:

This website has character bio's and a ton of info:  http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

http://www.yearofacheron.com/

http://www.menyon.com/index.php?   FACEBOOK PAGE:  http://www.facebook.com/sherrilynkenyon

Entries Sought for Downtown Holiday Wreath Decorating ContestCLEARWATER, Fla. –

The public is invited to participate in the Clearwater Downtown Development Board’s 2nd Annual ‘Deck the District Wreath Decorating Competition’ to be held in conjunction with the Downtown Partnership’s Miracle on Cleveland Street and the city’s Holiday Light Up downtown.

Cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 for first, second and third place winners respectively will be announced at the Friday, Dec. 4 downtown holiday lighting event.

Attendees are invited to vote for their favorite to choose the winner of he $25 People’s Choice prize.Wreaths entered in the competition will be displayed around Station Square Park the evening of the event.

They must be made from all non-perishable materials, decorated by the person submitting the entry and must be all-original, one-of-a-kind. They may be up to 24 inches in diameter and must weigh no more than five pounds.

No wreaths containing live greenery will be accepted.Wreaths must be submitted in person Dec. 4 between the hours of 11:30 and 1:30 p.m. at Station Square Park, 612 Cleveland St. Only one entry per person will be accepted and an entry form will be available on-site and must be completed and submitted with the entry.

“We thought this would be an excellent way to engage the public in the holiday lighting celebration at the newly renovated Station Square Park,” said Downtown Manager Courtney Orr. “With Miracle on Cleveland Street and the official tree lighting with Santa, we thought a wreath contest would be uniquely downtown.

”The annual Holiday Light Up Downtown and Miracle on Cleveland Street is free, open to the public and slated to begin at 5:30 with the light-up at 7:30 p.m. It will feature carolers, vendors and downtown business specials.

Wreath contest winners will be announced immediately following the light-up ceremony.

For official rules and further contest information, please visit www.myclearwater.com/downtown or call (727) 562-4044.###  City of Clearwater Web site - http://www.myclearwater.com

Volunteers Needed for Glen Oaks Park Cleanup & Planting Event This Weekend
CLEARWATER, Fla. –

The City of Clearwater will be hosting a water and land cleanup and planting event at Glen Oaks Park, and volunteers are needed to remove trash, litter, and debris from the water and green spaces.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring canoes and kayaks to help with the water portion.

Details are as follows: Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Where: Glen Oaks Park (1345 Court St.)

Why: To add new plants and to remove trash, litter, and debris from the park upland and water portions.

Special Instructions: Wear closed-toed shoes. Trash pickers, trash bags, gloves, and drinking water will be provided. All ages are welcome, and service hours will be validated.To Sign Up: Call Sarah Josuns at (727) 562-4897. Meet at the main entrance to the park at 9 a.m. Canoes and kayakers will be directed to the launch location.  Pizza will be provided on-site at noon, courtesy of Papa John’s Pizza, 411 S. Missouri Ave.

This event is co-sponsored by Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the City of Clearwater’s Engineering and Parks & Recreation departments.

To learn about this or additional City of Clearwater volunteer opportunities, call (727) 562-4803.

Fun Things to Do at the Library  CLEARWATER, Fla.

– The Clearwater Public Library System is hosting a variety of summer reading program activities throughout the summer.

Highlights for the upcoming week include:

•Wednesday, July 8, 2 p.m.Jiggle Man presents a juggling show with lots of jumping, jokes and audience participation.East Library, 2251 Drew St. 

•Thursday, July 9, 2 p.m.Espresso Yourself by creating paintings using brewed coffee and tea. For grades 5 -12. Call to register.Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580 

•Thursday, July 9, 2:30 p.m.Hear your favorite “Once upon a time” folk and fairy tales at Thursday Tales.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. 

•Thursday, July 9, 3 p.m.Participate in a Drumming Circle.North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.

•Friday, July 10, 2 p.m.Enjoy Show Time with the Dascaloja Puppeteers as they perform songs, folktales and puppet shows.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. 

•Friday, July 10, 2 p.m.At the program Movies You Should be Reading, watch classic books that have been made into movies. For high school students and adults. Call for a list of titles.East Library, 2251 Drew St. 

•Saturday, July 11, 2 p.m.Celebrate the Twilight series with a costume contest at Twilight Teens. For grades 6 – 12. Register online at www.myclearwater.com/cpl.East Library, 2251 Drew St. 

•Monday, July 13, 2 p.m.At the World of Bats program you will learn all about bats.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

For more information about summer reading programs, call (727) 562-4970 or visit www.myclearwater.com/cpl.

click below to view employment opportunities, grants, workshops, etc.

http://www.pinellasarts.org/pdf/arts_info_opportunities.pdf

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- Neighborhood News, City Info & Events

Algae Bloom in Tampa Bay is Extensive Scientists say there is an extensive algae bloom occurring in many areas of Tampa Bay.

The bloom occurring in Old Tampa Bay, from Safety Harbor to Weedon Island, is covering more of the bay than has ever been observed before. The algae produces oxygen during the day, but at night, the algae uses oxygen. That, coupled with the intense heat, has depleted the oxygen in the water, said Kelli Hammer-Levy, Division Manager for the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management.

The algae bloom was most likely fueled by pollutants, including fertilizers, sediment, yard waste and animal waste carried into the bay from the May and June rain events.  Considering the continued heat of the past week, Hammer-Levy said it would not be surprising to see fish killed by the algae bloom in the near future. The county’s Department of Environmental Management is testing the waters.

It works in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, as well as the county Health Department in monitoring the health of local beaches and waterways. The Pinellas County Water Atlas, developed to provide a comprehensive water resource, includes news and reports on the quality of individual water bodies.

To find out more about the water resources in Pinellas County, go to www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/

http://andfinally.tv/2009/06/baby-gibbon-mothered-247-by-human/

pics and article about a baby gibbon mothered by a human. soooo cute!!!

Does your teen need help in school? Or if you are an adult and do not have your GED or High School Diploma contact.

Don't wait for your teen to completely fail high school before they get help.  And as an adult it's never too late or early to get an education.

Clearwater Adult Education

http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/

540 S Hercules Ave
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 469-4190

My 29th-31st at Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, FL

The concert is free, you just buy tickets for food/drinks.

Friday concert:  Night Ranger with Lita Ford ( I can hear the songs in my head already... you're motoring...  )

Saturday:  Travis Tritt (woo hoo, and yee haw!!! )

Sunday:  Put your disco pants on and get ready to Shake Shake Shake, Shake your booty to: Kasey and the Sunshine Band


I went last year and saw Rick Springfield play, it was awesome, talk about a childhood crush, 20 years later and I get to take pictures of him in action. It was incredible, and he looked fantastic; what a great performance, he really knows how to work the crowd.  I took pic's that night mostly of Rick Springfield but I also of The Greg Billings Band and Schmap used one of my pics from the concert so when you view Vinoy Park on Schmap, my pic of the GBB is there.  Really cool! 

There are alot of food/drink vendors there.  I wasn't overly impressed last year, when I went on Friday not all of them were open.  But this year looks like an awesome list of vendors so check out the link below to see the vendors.

This year they have sometype of bungee jumping thing, inflatable slides, and rock climbing walls too.  There are also champion frisby dogs that will be showing of their mad skills too. 


Link to Taste of Pinellas:
http://www.allkids.org/ATOP_homepage.cfm?id=856

You can view photo's of last years Event and the year before at Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/taste

You can always check out my Flickr site too as I do love to take pics:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/icekrystal/

Last but not least here's a link to Schmap:  http://www.schmap.com/