Recs and ReadsBy Anne McKay GarrisWill the person who crossed into Florida from the North, last week, and left the door open for this cold, please go back and shut it? We're waiting, in a patient, though shivering anticipation of getting back to being in the Florida we know and love, even as our faith in global warning seems to be weakening. That said, if you are getting cabin fever, there's a nice place, paid for by the taxpayers of Clearwater, where you can exercise in warmth and comfort, be around other people and enjoy yourself. It's called the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center, located on Clearwater Bay directly east of the tennis courts on Mandalay Avenue and Bay Esplanade. There's a state of the art exercise room, a large multi-purpose room where programs for exercise and entertainment are held and, if you prefer couch potato entertainment, you can use a computer, check out some excellent DVD's and, even read a good book, selected from the nice collection at the Library. Better still, you can get that feel good feeling by volunteering to help with some of the chores at the library. Now one gets more praise and appreciation than our library volunteers. Meantime, the Friends of the Clearwater Beach Library And Recreation Center are wrestling with a common problem -- money! The library has a matching grant in place to buy seven new computers. They will be used by volunteers at all the Clearwater libraries to teach computer programs - one on one, for no charge. The program, which is expected to begin in February, will make it possible for a person to get individual information on a program of their choice, and how to operate it. You will finally know how to "move a picture from the blogg to a disc," for instance, so you can print it and share with all the other grandmothers who are wanting you to admire their grandchildren also. At least that's what I'm looking forward to doing. Of course there's the problem of a matching grant, which means, someone else has to come up with the matching money. Never mind that the city can afford $9 million for a parking garage, they can't afford the $1,800 for the matching grant. The Friends are working on how to come up with the money. Any suggestions? Like a donation? May 2010 bring you health, happiness and a new commitment to participation in your community.
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