Noted historian to unveil the past for Azalea group

Mac Perry is an expert on extinct Indian tribes in this area. He will talk Thursday at the Azalea Rec Center.

By ANDREW MEACHAM
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 4, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- A few neighbors of Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine were dining at the restaurant recently when a printed flier caught their attention. About Historic Jungle Prada summarized the exploits of Panfilo de Narvaez, who landed here in 1528 west of what is now Park Street, across Tampa Bay from John's Pass. Narvaez intended to explore North America, but only four of the 260 men he retained for the job survived.

Retired historian Mac Perry wrote the article, which also alludes to the origins of Jungle Prada, a defunct shopping center from the 1920s and home base to Saffron's, and the former Fullers Country Club Hotel (now Admiral Farragut Academy) just down the road on Park Street. One of the Saffron's customers, Mark Donaldson, knew Perry, and somehow the idea arose to ask him to speak before the Azalea Homes Community Association.

Donaldson, a marine engineer, has seen some of Perry's artifacts and witnessed his presentations, in which he covers 12,000 years in Pinellas County. Perry has been making such talks for years. He is an expert on extinct Indian tribes in this area and is the author of a book on Indian mounds.

Perry accepted the invitation, and will speak at Azalea's next membership meeting, at 7 p.m. Thursday at Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 73rd St. N. It includes an ice cream social.

Board members are working on extending the neighborhood history theme into September or October.

Grants are up for grabs

It's time to prepare grant applications. The city's Neighborhood Partnership awards neighborhoods and business associations up to $25,000 each year for projects that enhance the community. That can include entryway signs, landscaping or park improvements, or hiring a consultant to draft a neighborhood plan.

For every dollar given in a grant, the applicant group must come up with a "match" in cash, services, donated labor or materials, or some combination of the above. Moreover, successful grant applicants must receive 100 percent support from affected neighbors, property owners or business owners, said Rebecca Stewart, the partnership's special projects manager.

Other "musts" from Stewart include planning projects only for city-owned property, including public rights of way, and an inflexible deadline: Grant applications must be returned by 5 p.m. Sept. 27.

Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of members of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, the Federation of Inner-City Community Organizations, and other city leaders. The committee forwards recommendations to the City Council, which has final approval.

The Neighborhood Partnership is holding training workshops for fiscal year 2003 grant applicants on Aug. 22, 5 to 8 p.m.; and Aug. 23, 9 a.m. to noon. Both workshops will be held at City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N, in Conference Room 100 on the first floor. For information, call the Neighborhood Partnership, 892-5141.

Police to stage night out

St. Petersburg's version of National Night Out is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Woodlawn Park, 13th Avenue and 16th Street N. Police sponsors will supply hot dogs, chips and sodas. A live band will play oldies; clowns will wander among onlookers, who can check out police vehicles and fire engines. Police agencies hold the crime awareness events across the country. A limited number of bicycle helmets, as well as steering wheel locks for cars most likely to be stolen, will be given away.

Around the neighborhoods

The early registration deadline for this year's Florida Neighborhoods Conference has been extended two weeks, to Aug. 15. The conference, which offers 30 workshops and 10 neighborhood tours, will be held Sept. 6-7 at the Tampa Convention Center. Workshop topics include grant writing, code enforcement, historic preservation, effective lobbying and Crime Watch. Cost for both days is $35 ($40 with neighborhood tour) for registrations postmarked by Aug. 15; and $75 ($90 with tour) thereafter. For information, call the conference hotline at (813) 274-8340.

The City Council will hear from neighbors of a proposed library at St. Petersburg College and other interested residents at a public forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The plan has sparked debate, in part because the joint venture between city and college would close the Azalea Branch Library.

The Azalea Homes Community Association board has picked a winner for its semiannual $500 scholarship. Karin Scott, 29, graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1991 but left college after a year to join the work force. She has maintained 4.0 grades since returning to St. Petersburg College, where she is studying computer science.

The Sanitation Department is helping out North Kenwood residents Monday with a special pick-up. Neighbors should leave their carpet, old furniture, appliances, yard clippings and other items at their usual garbage pick-up locations no later than 7 a.m. Monday. Do not leave paint, solvents or other hazardous materials. North Kenwood's boundaries are Ninth to 22nd avenues N, from Interstate 275 to 34th Street.

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