| In
this edition…
FEMA
Continues
To Assist Citizens
Don’t
Let
Family Fishing Day
Get Away
Owning
Your First
Home In 2005
Neighborhood
Enhancement Grants
Now Available
Deck
The Paws
With Fun And Folly
Remember
To
File For
Homestead
Exemption
Hurricane
Season
Ends Quietly
County
Offices
Closed For
Thanksgiving
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Owning Your First Home In 2005
Thinking of buying your first home in 2005? Let the First-Time
Homebuyers Program make it easier for your dream to come true!
A couple making up to $51,900 are eligible to take part in the
program, and some of the program’s options even include
a grant to help cover closing costs. New and existing homes with
purchase prices as high as $189,682 can be purchased through the
program from the Housing Finance Authority. The first steps are
to sign up for a prospective homebuyers’ class and to find
a lender. For information on purchasing your first home, call
the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County at (800) 806-5154.
Remember
To File For Homestead Exemption
If you’ve purchased a home this year and have not filed
a Homestead Exemption, make sure you file for this benefit. If
you are eligible, the exemption will allow you to save about $500
on your property taxes. Exemptions are granted to homeowners who
are Florida residents and live in a dwelling that is their permanent
home as of Jan. 1 of the taxable year. Homeowners should file
as quickly as possible, but the deadline is March 1 for the taxable
year for which you want to qualify. For example, file by March
1, 2005 to qualify for an exemption on the tax bill you’ll
receive next fall.
County
Offices Closed For Thanksgiving
All Pinellas County offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday,
Nov. 25-26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular
hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 29. Thanksgiving and the Friday
that follows are nine of the paid holidays county employees receive.
Constitutional offices such as the Property Appraiser and Tax
Collector are also closed for the holiday, as are the courts.
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Top
Stories…
FEMA
Continues To Assist Citizens
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives will
be in Pinellas County Dec. 6-11 to assist citizens in filing for
damages caused by this Atlantic hurricane season’s four
major storms. FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery personnel will be
stationed at the parking lot of the former Jumbo Sports Center,
13355 49th St. N., Pinellas Park. The Government On The Go Bus
will be there 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to assist citizens. The site is
on the southeast corner of 49th Street and Ulmerton Road. The
agency’s usual procedure is to have citizens file for damages
by telephone or via its Web site, but this visit will allow residents
the opportunity for face-to-face contacts. To apply for assistance
by phone, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Speech- or hearing-impaired
callers may dial (TTY) (800) 462-7585.
Neighborhood
Enhancement Grants Now Available
Pinellas County’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program
is accepting applications to fund projects that will beautify
unincorporated neighborhoods, promote safety and build partnerships
among community residents, organizations and the county. Matching
grant amounts will range from $1,000 to $10,000. The deadline
to apply is Dec. 17. Applications must show neighborhood support
for the proposed project, represent an unincorporated area of
the county and provide a public benefit to the community. Neighborhood
nonprofit organizations located in unincorporated Pinellas County
are eligible for funding assistance. For information or an application,
call the Pinellas County Community Development Department at (727)
464-8237.
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Don’t Let Family Fishing Day Get Away
The Pinellas County Parks and Recreation Department invites you
and your family to the first Family Fun Fishing Day at Walsingham
Park from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Kids and
their parents will have the opportunity to enjoy a fun, free,
outdoor event together, complete with fishing poles and bait provided
by event sponsors: Pinellas County Parks and Recreation Department,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Kiwanis of Seminole.
Anglers from amateurs to experts are invited! Future Family Fun
Fishing Days are planned for the first Saturday of every other
month; locations will rotate among Walsingham, Ridgecrest and
Taylor parks. For more information, call (727) 464-3347.
Deck
The Paws With Fun And Folly
You can go home again – if you’re a pet adopted from
Pinellas County Animal Services. Pets and their owners are invited
to the Family Reunion and Open House at Animal Services from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. There are plenty of activities
for everyone, including a free holiday pet photo with Mrs. Santa
Paws and fun exhibits such as a petting zoo for kids. Pick up
the purrfect gift by purchasing an adoption gift certificate or
go home with a loving, furry friend for half-off the usual $30
adoption fee. All animals must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Animal Services is at 12450 Ulmerton Rd., Largo. For information,
call (727) 582-2600.
Hurricane Season Ends Quietly
The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30 and, although our area
was pounded by four hurricanes earlier this year, things are looking
pretty quiet as the day approaches. The 2005 season begins June
1, but it’s a good idea to be prepared for emergencies year-round.
Know your home’s evacuation level and consider upgrades
to your home now to help it withstand next year’s storms.
You may find lower prices and a better selection of supplies during
the off season while resting easy that you’ll be prepared
before next year’s first named storm arrives.
Links
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