Sunday, August 21

Operation Medicne Cabinet returns to Clearwater

The Clearwater Police Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Pinellas County Diversion Task Force Coalition have partnered again for another installment of "Operation Medicine Cabinet." The event is an opportunity for citizens to safely discard unused or expired prescription medications, with no questions asked. The multi-agency effort is aimed at addressing the problem of prescription drug abuse and keeping a clean environment.

Citizens can stop by and drop off their medications for safe collection and disposal between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Drop-Off Sites:

South Pinellas County:
Dolphin Village Shopping Center
4655 Gulf Blvd.
St. Petersburg Beach, FL 33706

Walgreens
10551 Gulf Blvd.
Treasure Island, FL 33706

Sweetbay Supermarket
6851 Gulfport Boulevard
South Pasadena, FL 33707

Walgreens
3077 54th Ave South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Walgreens
3851 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33703

Walgreens
3994 Tyrone Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33709

Central Pinellas County:
Seminole Mall (Kmart Side)
7949 113 Street North
Seminole, FL 33772

Walgreens
7400 66th St
Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Sweetbay Supermarket
2460 East Bay Drive
Largo, FL 33771

North Pinellas County:
Walgreens
1880 N. Belcher Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33765

Walgreens
3770 Tampa Road
Oldsmar, FL 34677

Sweetbay Supermarket
1681 Main Street
Dunedin, FL 34698

Walgreens
605 S. Pinellas Ave.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Please be aware that no bio-hazards or needles will be accepted and that the program is intended for private citizens of Pinellas County and not for commercial use.

Tuesday, August 16

Clearwater Police launches Facebook page

The Clearwater Police Department wants to be your friend on Facebook. The page will include information about crime trends, crime prevention tips, arrests, upcoming events and will also answer law enforcement-related questions from citizens.

“Policing is a partnership between police and the community and communication is crucial in any relationship. More people are communicating through social media and we want to be a part of the conversation,” said Clearwater Chief of Police, Anthony Holloway. “Facebook is a great way to connect with our citizens.”

The Clearwater Police Department Facebook page is part of the department’s ongoing effort to build relationships with our citizens and increase two-way communication. It enables the department to share information and receive feedback.

Citizens should not use Facebook to generate a police response. For emergencies, always call 911. For non-emergencies, call 562-4242. We encourage citizens to send tip information through the tip line (562-4080), email (police@myclearwater.com) or anonymously through tip411.

Saturday, August 6

New technologies aim to curb Clearwater traffic

Traffic along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard will likely improve, thanks to traffic management changes that will be in place this December. Improvements are currently underway and will be made to intersections from Clearwater Beach to Damascus Street along Gulf-to-Bay. Adaptive timing, cameras for incident management, and dynamic message signs will be added at key locations to improve traffic flow from Clearwater Beach to the Courtney Campbell Parkway. Residents may see signs and cameras being installed along the corridor.

The system uses a combination of cameras, sensors, computers, and advanced software to predict traffic flows and adjust “green time.” Cameras will be added on the south side of the Memorial Causeway, just east of Island Way, and at specific locations along the road. Intersections communicate with each other about how heavy traffic is and how long it will take to get to the next intersection.

New digital message signs, or DMS, will inform motorists of traffic delays, Amber or Silver alerts, hurricane evacuation instructions, or problems caused by accidents or inoperable vehicles. Digital message signs are at Crest Lake Park for westbound traffic, and will be added at Island Estates and Glen Oaks Park for eastbound traffic and at Courtney Campbell Parkway for westbound traffic.

This is part of the city’s Intelligent Transportation System, which features three hardware components that work together to help ease traffic flow: the timing of signals (known as Advanced Traffic Management System), cameras to monitor/adjust flow, and digital message signs.

“This project will make the entire corridor of State Route 60 from the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater Beach consistent in its traffic control strategy,” said Paul Bertels, Traffic Operations Manager, “giving us the ability to implement standard timing plans for the morning, midday, and afternoon peak hours and adaptive signal timing the rest of the day.”

Clearwater’s Intelligent Transportation System and Advanced Traffic Management systems are the first systems activated in a larger Pinellas County traffic effort. Funds for these systems were provided through a partnership between Clearwater, Pinellas County, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. State law prohibits any law enforcement agency from using this technology for traffic enforcement.

Saturday, July 16

Library provides Summer fun

The Clearwater Public Library System is hosting a variety of summer reading program activities throughout the summer for all ages.
Highlights for the upcoming week include:
Wednesday, July 20
· “Capowhat” Show, 2 p.m.A Brazilian multi-cultural, interactive show that highlights all aspects of capoeira, which is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music.East Library, 2251 Drew St.
· Kid’s Chess Club, 3:30 p.m.Learn how to play chess. Be sure to bring your own board.Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580 Thursday, July 21
· Make a Piñata Workshop/Hacer Una Piñata, 2 p.m.Learn how to make easy piñatas out of cereal boxes. Groups larger than 10 must register in advance.East Library, 2251 Drew St.
· Liang Acrobatic & Comedy Show Featuring Comedian Bill Patti, 3 p.m.Acrobat Liang will perform ancient acrobatic skills including plate spinning, head balancing, Chinese Yo-yo and hula hoops. The show is hosted by Master of Ceremonies/Comedian Bill Patti.North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.
Friday, July 22
· Create Your Own Fun Fridays, 2:30 p.m.Legos, coloring pages, drawing, board games, card games, books, and the Wii will be available in the program room.North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave. Saturday, July 23
· Teen Program Hire Me!, 1 p.m.Bank of America Foundation provides Hire Me! Teen Secrets to Getting a Job. Program will focus on career and job skills. Registration is required.Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580
· My Voice, 2 p.m.Practice your writing skills, learn new techniques, read what others are writing, and hear positive comments about your own.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. Monday, July 25
· ABCs of Arabic, 10:30 a.m.Teen volunteers will teach kids some beginning words in Arabic.Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580
· The Betty Spaghetti World of Food, 2 p.m.Enjoy music, magic, stories, and audience participation.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.
Tuesday, July 26
· Foreign Film Feast, 1 p.m.Join us in the Teen Room and watch films from all over the world while enjoying a snack.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.
· Novel Destinations Summer Movie Matinee, 3 p.m.Adults can enjoy a movie at the library. North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.
Wednesday, July 27
· Puppet Show: Three Wishes on a Magic Fish, 2 p.m.Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre presents a traditional Japanese fairytale presented with using traditional Japanese mask puppets. East Library, 2251 Drew St.
· Kiss Your Worries Goodbye, 3 p.m.A workshop where children in ages 6 and up will make their own Guatemalan Worry Dolls. Registration is required. Limit of 30.North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.
Thursday, July 28
· Origami 201, 2 p.m.Learn one very difficult origami craft. Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580
· Tony the Balloon Guy, It’s Showtime!, 3 p.m.International folktales will be told using balloons as props. North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.
· Kiss Your Worries Goodbye, 3 p.m.A workshop where children in ages 6 and up will make their own Guatemalan Worry Dolls. Registration is required. Limit of 30.East Library, 2251 Drew St. Friday, July 29
· Travel with Us, 1 p.m.Adults can watch a movie at the library.East Library, 2251 Drew St.
· Kiss Your Worries Goodbye, 2 p.m.A workshop where children in ages 6 and up will make their own Guatemalan Worry Dolls. Registration is required. Limit of 30.Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.
Saturday, July 30
· Games 2U: Extreme Summer Reading Finale, 1 p.m.Celebrate the end of summer by playing games.East Library, 2251 Drew St.

For more information about summer reading programs or to register, call (727) 562-4970 or visit www.myclearwater.com/cpl.

Puppeteers coming to Clearwater Library

Clearwater Library's own Teen Troupe, The Dascaloja Puppeteers, will perform at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave., Thursday, July 21 at 10:30 a.m. The puppets will present folktales, modern stories, songs and skits. The performance is recommended for children ages 6 and older.

For more information about summer reading programs or to register, call (727) 562-4970 or visit www.myclearwater.com/cpl.