Clearwater

Pinellas Tables Light Rail Discussion

In November 2010, voters in Hillsborough County elected not to support a referendum allowing a one-cent sales tax that would fund the building of a light rail system. Pinellas County listened and watched, as they themselves planned a similar referendum for 2011. In the wake of the Hillsborough vote, Pinellas has decided to wait until 2012 or 2013 to place a similar referendum on the ballot.Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel serves as the chairman of a Pinellas' transportation task force and says much of the decision to table the Pinellas referendum was partially a result of what happened in Hillsborough."I think part of it was prompted by the Hillsborough vote," says Seel. "There was a definite feeling that this is not a good time economically to go forward with a sales tax. Analysis and polls done on our side of the bay show that while Pinellas residents are interested in light rail, they feel that now is just not a good time."Seel says a proposed light rail plan would connect Pinellas and Hillsborough counties along the Howard Frankland bridge, as well as a line that would run from downtown Clearwater, through the Gateway/Carillon area and continue south to downtown St. Petersburg.Seel says she hopes that voters will ultimately vote for light rail for the sake of the region. "There's a real recognition among our young people that light rail is needed," she says."How do you attract bright minds when they can go to Charlotte and other metropolitan areas that have light rail and vibrant places to live, work and play. Right now we're just not competitive with other markets.The young and the restless of Florida need light rail."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Karen Seel, Pinellas County Commission

New Shops, Cafes Open In Downtown Clearwater

Once simply a route to Clearwater Beach, a newly revamped Cleveland Street is emerging into a destination on its own.The City of Clearwater has realized its three-pronged plan to transform Cleveland Street from a sleepy downtown thoroughfare to the beach to a downtown district. Cleveland Street runs from Drew Street just north of Route 60 to just shy of the Intercoastal Waterway.The city's strategy for improvements includes new and upgraded infrastructure, residential development and events to bring people downtown, according to Geraldine Lopez of Clearwater's Economic Development and Housing Department."We needed to give people a reason to come downtown," Lopez says. "We did studies that gave us ideas -- like a sidewalk café district. So a lot of our incentives and programs surround recruiting restaurants and cafes. We also revisited our branding and logo. Instead of calling this area downtown Clearwater, we're calling it the Cleveland Street District.''Lopez says a number of businesses recently opened on Cleveland Street, including Casanova Restaurant & Lounge, the Hot Spot Café and I Care Medical Supply. Expanded businesses include Tony's Pizzeria and Peter Gillham's Nutrition Center, which expanded to two businesses: Gillham's Naturals and Green Organic Food & Wine Bar. New residential options include The Strand, Station Square and Water's Edge. Infrastructure improvements include boat slips along the downtown waterfront and an improved streetscape that includes public art."We have been focused on redeveloping downtown for the last 10 years," Lopez says  "For a number of years, you had to go down Cleveland to get to Clearwater Beach. But with the new bridge, traffic shifted away from Cleveland. Now people have a reason to go downtown."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Geraldine Lopez, City of Clearwater

Slow Food Tampa Bay Brings Local Farms Home

If you've grown weary of hazardous food recalls and lackluster produce, the Slow Food Movement offers an alternative -- buy local. With dozens of local farms in the Tampa Bay region, you'll find it's easier than you think.

Happy Holidays To You From 83 Degrees

Thank you for reading 83 Degrees and for sharing with others the stories we produce about "What's New?'' and "What's Next?'' in the Tampa Bay region. Be sure to follow 83DegreesMedia on Twitter and Facebook too!

WaterPlay Touts Tampa Bay As Top Destination

Career Fair In St. Petersburg Dedicated to Veterans

WorkNet Pinellas will host a career fair for veterans on December 8 in St. Petersburg. The event will be from noon to 4 p.m. with the first hour dedicated to veterans only. The fair opens to the general public at 1 p.m. Haley Loeun, lead business services recruiter for WorkNet Pinellas, says the largely state-funded organization wants to help jobless veterans find work. "WorkNet has always had a deep commitment to our veterans and has veteran employment representatives on staff that work exclusively with the members of the armed forces," Loeun says. "Many employers are looking specifically for candidates who have served during the war, as these candidates often possess the highly desired security clearances, and have the skills and personal qualities that are in demand in the current market." Loeun gives the following advice to job seekers who plan on attending: "Use your time at the event to network and meet with representatives of the various companies. This is a great opportunity to learn more about their open positions and application processes as well as gain valuable insight into the culture of the company." She also advises attendees to wear professional dress, communicate effectively and make eye contact. "Ask for the recruiter's business card and discuss how and when you should follow up with the employer," Loeun says. Participating employers at the job fair include Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, the St. Petersburg Police Department, pTEC and Tech Data. The job fair will be held at the Pinellas Technical Education Center located at 901 34th St. S. in St. Petersburg. Worknet Pinellas is part of Workforce Florida. Writer: Kimberly Patterson Source: Haley Loeun, WorkNet Pinellas

Clearwater Mental Health Center Gets Fix-Up

A stalwart member of the Clearwater/Largo community has undergone a major transformation in recent months.Directions for Mental Health moved its first-floor children's services to its new satellite location in Largo, which allowed the Clearwater headquarters to build a formal lobby and extend its patient care space. The lobby renovations include a semi-circular reception desk, tile flooring, and a planned fountain dedicated to promises it has committed to fulfilling its consumer base."When I got here about two years ago, I thought the building was old and out-dated, and it didn't feel warm and welcoming," says David Lomaka, president & CEO of Directions. "It didn't feel like a place I would want to go to if I was a consumer. And so my preference was to make it a place I would want to go to. I always say, when I send somebody here, I want them to feel good about getting help."Since 1982, Directions at 1437 Belcher Road in Clearwater has provided Pinellas County residents with affordable, accessible care for those at risk or facing mental health challenges. However, demand for services over the past 25 years left little room for a proper lobby and little time for spatial planning. "We have seen a sharp increase in both children and adults seeking mental healthcare over the past few years, so the additional space comes as a welcome relief for our staff and clients," says Lomaka. In August 2010, Directions opened a satellite office at 8823 115th Ave. N. in Largo to house services for children under age 18 and their families, as well as adults seeking counseling, psychiatry and case management services. In addition to client care, the 11,000-square-feet children's office will also host early childhood parenting classes, consumer advisory meetings and educational seminars."We have been very pleased with the feedback from our clients at our Largo office," says Lomaka. "Some clients have gone so far as to send us a 'thank you' for creating a warm atmosphere for them or for their children." Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: David Lomaka, Directions for Mental Health

Beach Trolley Connects St. Pete To Tarpon Springs

For years, tourists and residents have enjoyed riding the Jolley Trolley from the beaches of Pass-A-Grille in St. Petersburg to the northern tip of Clearwater Beach and points in between. They can now extend that ride even farther north to the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs.The new route, which extends Jolley Trolley public transit service from Clearwater Beach through the downtown neighborhoods of Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and the docks at Tarpon Springs, began on Nov. 17 and will run every weekend on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight and until 10 p.m. on Sundays."We have all these communities along the Alternate 19 corridor with these great downtown areas like Dunedin and Palm Harbor on up to Tarpon Springs," says R.B. Johnson, chairman of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's board of directors. "The idea was to link these areas together to make it easier for tourists and residents to go to these areas of concentration without worrying about getting in and out of their cars."The route extension is financed through contributions made by the Clearwater Downtown Development Board, the municipalities of Tarpon Springs and Dunedin, Pinellas County and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. Jolley Trolley fare is $2 one way."It's helping promote these areas," says Johnson. "It works off of itself and builds up community. It fills that transit gap on weekends, going to restaurants and bar hopping from point A to point B, and points in between. We feel like we need to have better transit in north county. This is one small step toward that end."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: R.B. Johnson, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Clear Speeds Into Tampa Bay With WiMax

A new Internet provider is bringing competition to other 4G services in the Tampa Bay region.Clear offers 4G coverage through the use of a portable device the size of a small book, according to the St. Petersburg Times.Clear's network covers the majority of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties along with New Port Richey.Read the complete story.