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North Pinellas news briefs for Sept. 5

 
Published Sept. 4, 2014

Get your GED while preparing for a career: CareerSource Pinellas is accepting students for its Tampa Bay YouthBuild program.

The program helps young people who have left high school without a diploma earn their GED while preparing them for a career. Tampa Bay YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program for at-risk young adults ages 17 through 24. Students gain paid occupational skills training experience in the construction trades and receive industry certifications.

Those interested must complete an application by visiting careersourcepinellas.com/pages/youthbuild. Applications may also be picked up at the James Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, 2335 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 608-2452.

If you knew Sushi like I knew Sushi: East Lake Community Library's Night Life at the Library series will be presenting "Sushi Cuisine."

The workshop will be presented by staff member Colleen Davis at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Participants will learn the skills they'll need to create sushi in their home kitchen.

Registration is limited and participants must be at least 15. The library is at 4125 East Lake Road. For registration and information, call (727) 773-2665.

local artists' DONATIONS SOUGHT: Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) is asking artists to donate their art to CASA's new shelter.

The shelter will have 50 bedrooms, a children's area, a teen room, meeting rooms, offices, a playground, outdoor sitting areas and gardens. CASA is seeking paintings, photographs, murals, sculptures and other creative displays. Donations will be tax deductible and will be recognized on CASA's website and social media pages.

Donated pieces will be used in the shelter and will not be resold. Artists can email art@casa-stpete.org or call CASA at (727) 895-4912, ext. 100.

Democrats to meet: The Greater Pinellas Democratic Club will host Ivan Penn, Tampa Bay Times staff writer on utilities, energy and consumer issues, as its guest speaker at the club's meeting Thursday.

Penn will discuss Duke Energy and talk about some of the plans and complicated strategies Duke is employing and/or considering as it advances its nuclear projects and other projects.

The meeting will start with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and a dinner buffet at 6:30 at Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. The buffet costs $15. For information, call Betty Morgenstein at (727) 360-3971.

Citizen input requested: Pinellas County residents are invited to participate in an online community needs assessment through September to help shape housing and community development programs, services and projects.

Pinellas County government, as lead agency for the Pinellas County Consortium, and the cities of Clearwater, Largo and St. Petersburg, are in the process of developing a five-year plan for the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant programs.

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Results of the assessment will be used to identify the community's needs in areas such as affordable and workforce housing, neighborhood improvements, public facilities and public services to help determine how funds are allocated.

Residents can go online until 5 p.m. Sept. 30 to participate in the assessment, which is available at research.net/s/YD3K73G. A community forum will be held Oct. 23 at the Pinellas County Extension office, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For information, call the Community Revitalization Division of the Pinellas County Health and Community Services Department at (727) 464-8210.

Free homecoming dresses: Nonprofit Belle of the Ball will provide free homecoming dresses to high school girls in need from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18.

There will be more than 2,000 dresses to choose from.

To qualify, girls must be present and must attest that they are having financial difficulties or have been referred by a social worker, guidance counselor, principal, guardian ad litem, foster care or other nonprofit organization or agency. A donation is requested but not required.

Dresses can be picked up at Seminole Mall, 11201 Park Blvd. No appointment is necessary. These dates and times will be the only time to receive a dress.

For more information, visit belleoftheballproject.com or call (727) 386-4502.

Cleaning out a closet? Clothes to Kids needs clothing and shoes for elementary school children.

The agency needs shorts and pants in sizes 8 to 16, shirts in sizes M, L and XL, and shoes in sizes kids 11 through adult. New or gently used items can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at two locations: 1059 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater, and 3251 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg. For information, call (727) 441-5050, ext. 22.

Be an advocate for children: Guardian ad Litem volunteers advocate in court and in the child welfare system for abused, abandoned and neglected children.

Participants are required to visit the child every month, become familiar with the child's case and make recommendations to the court to help ensure the child has a safe, caring and stable home.

No experience is necessary. Training and support will be provided by an experienced supervisory and legal staff. Once trained, volunteers put in an average of eight to 10 hours a month.

One-hour orientation seminars are scheduled at the following locations: Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E Lemon St., 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; Dunedin Library, 223 Douglas Ave., 1 p.m. Sept. 15; and the Center in Palm Harbor, 1500 16th St., 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16. For information, call (727) 464-6528 or visit guardian adlitem6.org.