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5 things to do under $5 May 8-15

 
KENT NISHIMURA   |   Times
KENT NISHIMURA | Times
Published May 7, 2014

1 National Train Day at Union Station: Train lovers celebrate at the historic downtown Tampa station with Amtrak and privately owned railroad equipment on display, live music, model railroad displays, food trucks and a history program. It runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Tampa Union Station, 601 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Free.

2 Candy Spelling book signing: The mother of Tori Spelling and widow of Hollywood mogul Aaron Spelling has a new memoir, Candy At Last. Since selling Spelling Manor, the most expensive house in the country at the time, and downsizing to a condo, Candy writes about her dating misadventures, her relationship with Tori and details of Aaron Spelling's battle with Alzheimer's disease. She also throws in some dishy anecdotes surrounding some of her Hollywood friends like Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Michael Jackson and Dean Martin. She talks of her jewelry rivalry with Liz Taylor and the preparations needed for the Prince of Wales' visit to Spelling Manor. She will give a talk and sign books at the Carrollwood Barnes and Noble, 11802 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, at 2 p.m. Saturday. Free.

3 John Levique Pirate Days: Madeira Beach picked a light-hearted way to get ready for hurricane season with this annual festival. To celebrate Leveque's discovery of the John's Pass waterway following the Great Gale of 1848, the John's Pass Village Association will host a variety of events throughout the weekend including a pirate sea battle and boat parade, a family treasure hunt, adult and children's costume contest — all of it free. The event will also include various pirate themed merchandise, food and beverage vendors, along with lots of performers. There are some related events that aren't free, including Friday's Pirates Ball at 7 p.m. ($10); Sunday's pub crawl 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ($25-$30) and the new Smoker on the Water on Saturday at Hubbard's Marina ($20-$25). See JohnLeviquePirateDays.com for a festival schedule and advance tickets. The festival runs 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at John's Pass Village 12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach.

4 Community Art Project: Stop by the Crislip Arcade at 645 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg where you can pay $1 to lob a dollop of paint at a large canvas. It's a fundraiser for a summer art program for kids that also has some flair. It's happening now through May 31 and it's set up Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On May 31 there will be an open house at 1 p.m. where the painting is raffled off (your $1 donation is also a raffle ticket). .

5 Rug Making: For just $5, you can learn to make colorful rag rugs with old T-shirts and sheets at the Boyd Hill Nature Center's Pioneer Settlement. Materials are included but feel free to bring along T-shirts or sheets that you want to use. The class is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the settlement, 3130 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. Call ahead to reserve a spot. (727) 893-7326.