Recs and ReadsBy Anne McKay GarrisPreliminary recommendations on budget cutting by the City of Clearwater include closing the Beach Library and the Beach pool, as well as demolishing the pool. This is only the beginning of the budget process and the final decision on what to cut and what to keep is up to our representatives, the City Council members. Therefore, the Friends of the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center are calling a meeting for tonight, at 6:00 p.m., at the Recreation Center to discuss a strategy for convincing the Clearwater City Council that the real estate taxes paid by Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, and Island Estates ought to be sufficient to pay for one small library and swimming pool in our community. Only a large number of citizens working together in the democratic process of representative government can make this happen. Even if you can't read and don't swim, please help to keep this a viable community by being at the meeting and voicing your concerns. Last week I watched my three-year-old great grandson rapidly become comfortable in the Gulf of Mexico. Shortly after his first, timid adventure into the surf, we had to watch him closely because, after that, he marched cheerfully into the surf and proceeded fearlessly onward until the water was up to his chin. His father, who had been thinking his son too young for swimming lessons, at three, made a rapid reassessment and I expect the youngster will be learning early this summer. How about you and your children? It's time to sign up for swim lessons at the Clearwater Beach Pool. If they're already swimming, they will enjoy the swim teams, which will begin on June 14, and continue in weekly sessions until August 19. The swim teams practice on Mondays through Thursdays and compete with other city teams on Fridays. Each week a new team is formed. For the rest of us, now is the time to say, "Meet me at the pool!" It's a cool, relaxing, and refreshing place to visit, and includes a whole lot less calories than "lunch." Members of the Wednesday Writer's Group at the Beach Library are working on stories for publication in local media. New members are always welcome. Writer's Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
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