Look out private high school football teams, because the Knights are coming. On September 4th the season begins and if it’s anything like last year, you better bring your A-game.

The local private school Clearwater Academy International started its football program in 2008 and since then has been a force to be reckoned with. Since 2012 their varsity team remains undefeated and continues to take home trophy after trophy.  

Now, normally, I wouldn't be the one being so excited about this. I’m not much of a football fan, but watching these guys play is legitimately intense. Despite often doubling the score of the other team, they never seem to get cocky, even when they pull off plays bordering on insane. During some of the games I managed to attend, I watched three separate occasions of mad dash sprints across tens of yards. And even in one case all the way from one end zone to the other.

So, if you’re interested in watching some football in person, I’d recommend checking them out. Their first game is at Land O Lakes, Florida, against Academy at the Lakes at 7 PM, and promises to be something to see. And if you can't make it to that one, check out their game against FISH, at Brandon, Florida next Friday at 7:30 PM.    

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

The arts are important--I don’t think anyone would argue against that. Which is why it’s such a cool thing that Clearwater now has its very own center for it.

Located on Cleveland Street in Clearwater, the Clearwater Center for the Arts resembles, at least in my opinion, a miniature art museum. The walls are covered in paintings of all different sizes and shapes, each one beautiful and vibrant, and best of all, made by local artists. Not only is the place somewhere you could easily spend a half-hour wandering with a smile on your face, you can also take the artwork home with you. Everything’s for sale, and at reasonable prices.

Additionally, the center also has a host of events going on at any given time, ranging from thespian to poetic. And with the frankly jaw-dropping stage in the back of the Center as a platform to perform on, I can’t think of a better place in the city for these events.

So, if you’re looking for a little art in your life, or want to help support the creativity of this city, consider giving the Clearwater Center for the Arts a look!  

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

The Shipping Channel is a USPS Contracted Postal Unit. 

We offer the same services as the USPS but, at a more convenient location. We are located at 1487 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. in Clearwater, FL 33756

New owners and a new look! Come check us out!?

Here is what you'll find:

USPS Stamps

FREE Priority Mail & Priority Mail Express envelopes and boxes

Packing & shipping supplies

Gifts

Handmade customizable items

T-Shirts, hats & apparel

Beverages & snacks

We look forward to seeing you soon!

On Saturday 30th of May I had the chance to take part in a really great event designed to aid with the betterment of Williams Park in downtown St Petersburg. The park, which includes an impressive Veterans memorial, and an award winning bandstand, has become a place where the homeless gather, and where a lot of drug dealing occurs. Take Back Williams Park was designed to help start turning that around, and to give back a valuable resource to the city and its people.

By getting the ball rolling and raising funds to put on more public events in the park, this event really is helping a lot. It has been concluded that by doing this, entertaining and giving something back to people, the area can be uplifted while the council works on long term handlings to deal with the homelessness and drugs.

The Summer Market has moved into the park on Saturdays now, which is helping, and sometimes people do use the bandstand to put on music and to deliver talks. If you take a walk around the park and can look past the current problem, you can see the potential that the place has, and how it could be as part of an ideal scene..

There was a silent auction with some really stunning artwork donated by artists such as Jim Warren, and other great items such as orchestra tickets and great food, and other great deals from local businesses who want to support the cause. There was live music by Nikki Baker, Haley Graves, Rob Meister, and others which really brought the place alive. Glamour came in the form of a fashion show.

It was a lot of fun - the food was great, and everyone really enjoyed themselves and raised some money to further the cause of not only halting the decline of an area, but reversing it.

WABAMM at Tampa Bay Veteran's Alliance Memorial Groundbreaking Ceremony | Skycrest, Clearwater

Local press coverage is a vital part of small town USA and there is nothing to promote an organization like the ground breaking for a veteran’s memorial.  The Tampa Bay Veteran’s Alliance broke ground today on their regional memorial in Downtown Clearwater, FL today.

It was a bright sunny May morning, with few clouds in the sky, not too unbearable heat temperatures outside, and very good shade in Skycrest Park.  Father Bob Swick and Marc Norton, who head the TBVA introduced the first steps to making their veteran’s memorial a reality with patriotic fanfare and a vast amount of positive public relations from a number of very important local figures. 

The City of Clearwater’s Mayor, George Cretekos was in attendance and spoke a few words about the positive nature of the TBVA Memorial, and the nature of Father Bob.  Congressional Representative David Jolly also spoke and was effusive in his praise for the memorial and the good works that Father Bob has done for veterans in our area.

Marc Norton the President of the Tampa Bay Veteran’s Alliance Building Fund spoke and was very grateful for the attendance, thanking our veterans in attendance and describing how the memorial would look upon completion.

This was a great event and Wabamm is proud to be part of it.  Promoting the value of our nation’s veterans is always a worthwhile task, and anything we can do to promote one of the nicest parks in the county for families of all generations to come and spend time together is a good thing.

We would like to add our thanks to Father Bob and the Tampa Bay Veteran’s Alliance for producing this memorial and giving us the occasion to attend a local event we will remember.