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• Pet Pal Animal Shelter

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: January 25, 2010

  Here in Pinellas County, Realtors and affiliate members of the Pinellas Realtor Organization, volunteer to support many community events and causes.

  We are proud to call the communities that comprise Pinellas County home.  Because we live and work here, it is important to us to support area neighborhoods–and we do so in many ways. 

  Here’s another example of community collaboration–the upcoming Fidelity National Title and Pet Pal Animal Shelter “Wish List” Drive.

  According to the big-hearted, animal-loving folks at Pet Pal Animal Shelter, many furry friends have been surrendered to their facility, often left behind after hours by owners who, as a consequence of relocation or economic hardship, are unable to care for them.  This situation has burdened the Shelter with the expense of caring for these animals in need.  

  Pet Pal Animal Shelter is a “No Kill” shelter that serves the Greater Tampa Bay Area and needs to continue their work as a non-profit 501(c)(3).  If you wish to lend a hand, consider joining Fidelity National Title (an affiliate PRO member) and Pet Pal Animal Shelter in support of the Shelter’s upcoming “Wish List” Drive. 

  Visit Pet Pal Animal Shelter online at www.petpalanimalshelter.com.  This insightful website has all the information you need to get involved and even includes photos of adoptable pets!  If more convenient, to learn more, simply stop by Fidelity National Title’s Pasadena office to pick up a brochure or drop off a donation.  This office will assist Pet Pal Animal Shelter with donation collections throughout the month of February.

  A list of needed items is included below, along with some snapshots of cute dogs and cats that are waiting to be adopted! 

  Have a heart . . . Realtors and affiliate members of PRO do! 

  Just another excellent example of caring and sharing . . . in Paradise Found! 

  LIST OF PET PAL SHELTER NEEDS:   

  Doggie Desires:

  * Sturdy LARGE Dog Toys * Nylabones * Large and XL Kongs * New or Used Dog Crates

  * Large Basted Rawhides * Comfortis Flea Control * Dog Beds * Dog Treats

  * Sheets * Blankets * Advantix * Frontline Flea/Tick Control * Towels

   Kitty Care:

  * Cat Toys * Cat Litter * Disposable Scratching Posts * Comfort Zone Plug-Ins

  * Rescue Remedy * Cat Bowls (Crock) * Towels & Blankets * Advantage Flea Control

  * Cat Beds * New or Used Cat Carriers

  Shelter Needs:

  * New Large Capacity Front Load Washer/Dryer * Bleach * Pooper Scoopers

  * Laundry detergent * Dawn dish detergent * Paper Towels * Fabuloso

  * Gift Cards to Home Depot, Lowes, etc.  * Industrial Mops * Greased Lightning

  * Tools * Bags * Sponges * Wheelbarrow

  Medical Needs:

  * Flax Seed Oil Capsules * Fish Oil Capsules * Nail Clippers *Bandage Material

  *Gauze *Vet Wrap * Milk Thistle * Tono Pen

  PHOTO CREDIT:  Photos provided by Pet Pel Animal Shelter.

• Make A Resolution to Visit Ft. De Soto Park

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: January 15, 2010

  2010 is here and we are halfway through the first month of the New Year!  

  Many people take the opportunity to utter (often under their breath) a commitment to a New Year’s resolution.  Getting more exercise is often at the top of the list, and there is no easier way to keep a commitment to getting more exercise than participating in any one of a number of fun activities at Ft. De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, FL.

  Whether you enjoy hiking, jogging, skating, kite boarding, surfing, swimming, kayaking, bicycling, or the causal ease of camping, collecting shells on the beach, a museum tour, boat ride, fishing from the pier, bird watching, or a leisurely walk with a furry friend at the doggie park and beach, there is an activity for every person at every skill level at Ft. De Soto Park! 

  Getting more exercise in 2010 could not be easier or more fun! 

  More interesting facts and information about Ft. De Soto Park follow. 

  Have a great year.  I hope to see you at the Park . . . in Paradise Found! 

  Fort De Soto Park
  3500 Pinellas Bayway South
  Tierra Verde, FL 33715
  Park Office – (727) 893-9185
  Campground Office – (727) 893-9185

  Fort De Soto Named America’s Top Beach for 2009
  Pristine Area Favorite Lauded as “Portrait of Tranquility”
  Fort De Soto Park was named America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel community.
  Citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere,” the popular online travel network put the park’s North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list, based on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index. This marks the second time in three years the pristine Pinellas County beach has received top honors on an annual “best-of” list. In 2005 Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach!

  The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. First opened on December 21, 1962, when the state toll road named the Pinellas Bayway was completed, this park was dedicated May 11, 1963, in perpetuity as a public park. Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors.

  The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Markers showing the original building locations and a Quartermaster Storehouse Museum add to the park’s historic interest.

  Renovation and conversion of the East Beach concession building to a picnic shelter was completed in 1991. This picnic shelter can easily accommodate 200 visitors and you can now make shelter reservations online!

  The following amenities complement the Park’s natural and historic features:

  Over seven miles of waterfront, including almost three miles of the finest white sand beach in the United States.

  An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks.

  A 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store.

  Two large swim centers including a food concession area located at the North Beach Swim Center.

  Two fishing piers, one on Tampa Bay (500 feet long) and the other on the Gulf (1,000 feet long). Each pier has a food and bait concession.

  Fourteen large group picnic shelters incorporating award-winning aesthetic and functional design features.

  Twenty storm-resistant public restroom buildings featured in several national publications.

  A snack bar/souvenir shop offering a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.

  A 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort.

  A 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail.

  A 1-mile nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area, and a 3/4 mile nature trail in the Soldiers’ Hole area provides a glimpse of some the native fauna and flora.

  Quartermaster Museum. 

  2,200 foot Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail, providing access to nature for all visitors to Fort De Soto Park, regardless of their physical abilities.

  A Dog Park – Fort De Soto has the only dog park where dogs are allowed on the beach in a designated area.  Be sure to review the rules online! 

  Youth camping area for organized youth groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church groups, etc.

  Follow this link to the Ft. De Soto Park Official Website to view 360º Virtual Tours of the following park amenities:  Gulf Pier, North Beach, Campground, Shelter 14, Pier 1, Boat Ramp, Museum, Fort, Barrier Free Trail, and Dog Park.

  CREDITS:  Information and photos courtesy of Pinellas County and Ft. De Soto Park.  Some photos by yours truly.

• A Tank With a View

  Written by Bob Horn No Comments
  Last Updated: January 12, 2010

  What could be more utilitarian than a water storage tower?  I guess, in many places, there’s probably not much that’s more utilitarian.  But anyone in the northeast area of  St. Petersburg who ever turns on their water is getting it from this very decidedly non-utilitarian looking storage tower!  Much more fun than the standard gray tank that you see so often.  And just another example of how St. Petersburg does a great job of making ordinary things extraordinary… (Please click on the picture to see a full-sized image)

  
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