DOWNTOWN - Members of a committee created to recommend a new use for the old Federal Courthouse have selected a proposal to open a photography museum and two charter schools in the building.
The Classic Courthouse Rehabilitation Advisory Committee on Tuesday ranked the proposal by managed health care executive Pradip C. Patel as the best of three finalists and asked city staff members to work out details about the building's long-term financial stability and who would occupy it.
Although the committee members said none of the proposals were perfect, they favored the Patel plan because it posed the least risk. Patel has offered to spend $6.5-million on renovations to the historic building on Florida Avenue.
Broadcast group, WMNF to sponsor voting meeting
HYDE PARK NORTH - Free Speech Radio News, an independent news broadcast group, and WMNF sponsor a town hall meeting to discuss voting issues at 7 p.m. today at Friday Morning Musicale, 809 W Horatio St.
The live, public event will be broadcast nationwide as part of Pacifica Radio's "Election 2004: Issues Countdown" series taking place in swing states.
Panelists include: Greg Palast, BBC and London Guardian journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller The Best Democracy Money Can Buy; Bev Harris, investigative journalist and founder of blackboxvoting.org; and a representative from the NAACP.
Karen Burns, president of the League of Women Voters in the St. Petersburg area, will moderate as panelists discuss the upcoming electoral process and potential polling problems. After the panel discussion, audience members will have a chance to join the debate.
A donation of $5 is suggested at the door.
For information, call Nell Abram at 251-5813.
Famed cookbook author to appear in Tampa
TAMPA - Inkwood Books and Mise en Place present an evening with famed cookbook author and teacher Marcella Hazan at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd.
Hazan helped to popularize authentic Italian cooking with The Classic Italian Cook Book more than 20 years ago. On Thursday, she will sign copies of her latest book, Marcella Says: Italian Cooking Wisdom from the Legendary Teacher's Master Classes.
The cost is $49 per person, $69.95 per couple and $20 per additional guest. The price includes a signed copy of Hazan's recipe book, appetizers and a glass of Prosecco. A cash bar will feature Italian wines.
Call Mise en Place at 254-5373 for reservations or Inkwood Books at 253-2638 to order signed books if you cannot attend.
Child resource center offering two workshops
TAMPA - Baby Bungalow, a child resource center at 3106 W Azeele St., is offering two workshops for parents and caregivers of children up to 5 years old.
Tame Those Tantrums, a workshop designed to help parents handle their child's temper tantrums, will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Lori Heller, a certified parent educator, will discuss the seven reasons for tantrums and offer tips on how to handle them. The cost is $10.
On Wednesday, Baby Bungalow hosts an infant/child CPR class from 6 to 10 p.m. The class prepares attendees for unexpected emergencies and teaches techniques that can save a child's life. The cost is $25. Call C.J. at 478-4585 to register.
DOWNTOWN - The Florida Prostate Cancer Network hosts a town hall meeting on prostate cancer and issues that impact men's health from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St.
Each day in Florida, 44 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The FPCN meeting will address topics such as education and early detection. There will also be a concurrent session for women, to discuss women's health issues.
The event is free. Call 870-4747 to register.
University of Tampa offers course in Japanese
TAMPA - The University of Tampa is offering a seven-week basic course in Japanese. The class will meet from 6 to 7:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Thursday.
The course is designed for people interested in an introduction to Japan and its language.
The cost is $510 for credit or $368 to audit.
For information, call Susan M. Taylor at 253-3333, ext. 3359, or staylor@ut.edu
