Countywide
Good news for first-time home buyers
The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County has lowered the interest rate on its First Time Homebuyers Program to 2.99 percent.

Food/cooking
Spaghetti Dinner Youth Benefit: The Rotary Club of Tarpon Springs invites guests to enjoy a spaghetti dinner with three types of pasta to choose from, along with three sauces, plus salad and bread, beverage (beer or wine is extra), served up by Tarpon Springs High School Rotary Interact …

May is the Month of the Woman, so women are invited to a question-and-answer session about women's health issues on Wednesday at the Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580, Clearwater.

CLEARWATER — The Greenwood Panthers are coming home and their return includes a largely forgotten slice of the city's black history and — possibly — a new name for the park where they play.

PALM HARBOR — The grinning teenager, surrounded by a makeshift mariachi band, holds a sign: "Prom?"

SAFETY HARBOR
Arborists are working to revive what may be the oldest and most treasured tree in Pinellas County after an effort to showcase the majestic Baranoff Oak blocked its ability to get the nutrients it needs to survive.

The folks employed by the Pinellas County Tax Collector's Office have been working to make sure your visit is a seamless one.

LARGO
It's lunchtime inside the tiny restaurant on Ulmerton Road. While one customer waits for the arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and another waits for the pernil (slow-roasted pork), Edward Lopez was ready for his pastelitos (meat pies).

DUNEDIN — The Allison and Del Corpo families have been friends for almost a decade, sharing good times and bad.
Lately it has been mostly bad.

CLEARWATER — Some Clearwater public libraries will implement a high-tech tracking system that will save staff time and reduce errors when patrons return books, DVDs and other materials.

Women of all denominations are invited to meet from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in Room 10 of the parish hall at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 3200 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, for discussion, reflection and prayer on issues related to women and their relationship with God. Anne Lamont's book, Help, Thanks, …

EAST LAKE — After a slow start, East Lake Fire Rescue has launched an investigation into whether a lieutenant sent racist text messages to firefighters and harassed the department's only minority.

Clearwater
Squeaks and whistles for sequel to 'Tale'

LARGO
People curious about Florida history, and Spain's role in it, will find plenty to interest them Sunday at Heritage Village, including an exhibit and lecture honoring explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.

Marine Corps Pvt. Alex R. Sokolowski, son of Cyra A. and Matthew R. Sokolowski of Clearwater, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C.
