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North Pinellas news briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 4

 
Passing hope 
for a sweet Jewish New Year In honor of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, Chaya Hodakov, 9, center, gives Eleanor Abbo a honey cake on Friday while visiting residents of the Inn on the Pond in Clearwater in anticipation of the holiday, which begins Wednesday evening and ends Friday evening. Rabbi Levi Hodakov, right, director of Chabad of Clearwater, and his children also sang holiday songs for Jewish seniors at the assisted living facility. “Honey is a very important component of the holiday,” Hodakov said. “We dip the apple and the challah into honey and wish each other a sweet new year.”
Passing hope for a sweet Jewish New Year In honor of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, Chaya Hodakov, 9, center, gives Eleanor Abbo a honey cake on Friday while visiting residents of the Inn on the Pond in Clearwater in anticipation of the holiday, which begins Wednesday evening and ends Friday evening. Rabbi Levi Hodakov, right, director of Chabad of Clearwater, and his children also sang holiday songs for Jewish seniors at the assisted living facility. “Honey is a very important component of the holiday,” Hodakov said. “We dip the apple and the challah into honey and wish each other a sweet new year.”
Published Sept. 3, 2013

Clearwater

Man, 47, dies after collapsing at beach

Authorities have identified a man who collapsed on Clearwater Beach Saturday and was later pronounced dead.

Samuel Gonzalez-Cruz, 47, had a history of "heart-related issues," police said.

About 3:30 p.m. Saturday, authorities say, he was in waist-high water near Beach Tower 1, 332 S Gulfview Blvd., when witnesses saw him fall. Officials described his breathing as "shallow."

The witnesses flagged down lifeguards, who brought the unconscious man to shore and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Gonzalez-Cruz couldn't be revived and he was later pronounced dead at Largo Medical Center. He would have turned 48 on Friday.

Dental clinic for low-income to open

The Community Dental Clinic Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing dental care to low-income families, will open its doors on Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., said Cheryl Small, the group's executive director.

The "state of the art" dental clinic will be situated at 1008 Woodlawn St. Clients will be seen by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call (727) 216-6155.

The clinic was created with the support of the Clearwater Free Clinic, the Salvation Army and UPARC and is designed to serve individuals and families at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2013, the poverty level is $22,980 for an individual and $47,100 for a family of four.

Developmentally disabled people are also targeted for aid, according to a news release.

The clinic is looking for professional dental health care volunteers. Continuing education credits and sovereign immunity are provided. For more information, contact Small at 727-418-0535 or cheryl@communitydentalclinic.net.

Aquarium referendum on Web

Residents of Clearwater who have questions about the referendum scheduled for Nov. 5 on whether to lease the land under City Hall to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a new $160.5 million aquarium can find information on the city's website. The website contains the exact wording of the question that will be on the ballot as well as background information. It explains what a "yes" vote means and what a "no" vote means. The website is http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/official_records/elections/referendum.asp.

Parks and rec plans

Clearwater is updating its master plan for its parks and recreation system and would like residents' input. The last of five scheduled community open houses will be held today from 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Aging Well Center at the Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Road.

For more information, call (727) 562-4800.

Dunedin

After-school tutoring

The Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave., is offering homework help to elementary and middle school students each Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. The free after-school tutoring sessions are led by teen volunteers and sponsored by the library's Youth Services department. Call (727) 298-3080 ext. 1732 for information.

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Countywide

PSTA hearings will look at millage rate and budget

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will hold two hearings to gather public input on its proposed millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2014. The hearings will be held in the boardroom at the PSTA headquarters at 3201 Scherer Drive in St. Petersburg at 6 p.m. today and Sept. 11.

Hearings are scheduled for 30 minutes, but will be extended if necessary.

The proposal is available online at www.psta.net. Printed copies will be available at the hearings. If you are unable to attend in person, written comments are welcome. Address them to PSTA Budget Public Hearings, 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. Comments also may be submitted via email to public-hearing@psta.net (include name and address for the official record).

Scholarships for minorities

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists is accepting applications for its 2013 scholarship contest. TBABJ will distribute thousands of dollars to high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students of color who are pursuing a college degree in journalism.

Applicants must have a connection — for example, attended school or once resided there — to Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk or Sarasota counties.

Applications must be postmarked by Monday, Sept. 16, to be considered. Visit tbabj.com/?page_id=325 for rules and application materials. Questions? Contact scholarship coordinator Dalia Colon at (813) 419-2490 or daliacolon@gmail.com.

TBABJ is a nonprofit that works to help ensure diversity in area media and accurate, balanced coverage of communities of color.