Zip Line Tour May Be Coming To Clearwater

Investor Dev Pathik, founder and CEO of Sports Facility Advisory and Clearwater Canopy Tours, wants to build a zip line trail though Sand Key Park. Pathik currently operates zip line tours in Hawaii and now wants to also offer them closer to his Clearwater headquarters. The Hawaii zip line facility is so popular, tours must be booked 5 weeks in advance. The trail would attract worldwide tourists and add tens of thousands of hotel room bookings, according to his proposal.

Zip lines are seats suspended by cables that are attached to very tall towers. The proposed trail would have four or five zip lines and three or four footbridges suspended on telephone poles 35 to 40 feet high. The highest structure would be an entry tower which Pathik hopes to build on a “spoil mound” near the Sheraton Sand Key, with a combined height of 75 feet for the tower and the mound.

While he Pinellas County Parks Advisory Board likes the idea of tree-top level environmental tours of Sand Key Park, Sand Key residents and Clearwater City Council have questions and concerns. Pathik made a presentation Monday to the Clearwater City Council on Monday. It's unknown at this point if the county can move forward with the project without the council's approval. The project might require city building permits and height variances for the towers. The Sand Key Civic Association is meeting with condo associations and planning a town hall meeting on April 4 at the Sand Key Sailing Center.

Sea Captain Hotel Will Be Replaced With New One

Say goodbye to another 50's era beach side landmark. The owner of the Sea Captain motel on Devon Drive is tearing down the outdated hotel to replace it with a bigger modern one. The site is next door to the former Port Vue hotel, which is being replaced with a Holiday Inn.

The new hotel will have 85 rooms, fitness center, conference and banquet rooms, rooftop sundeck, and 93 space parking garage.

2nd Annual Beach Walk Benefit Walk

The 2nd annual Beach Walk will be Saturday January 22, 2011. Sponsored by Chapel-by-the-Sea and RCS Food Bank, the Beach Walk raises funds and food to RCS Food Bank in Clearwater. Registration for Beach Walk open sat 7:30 a.m. at the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach and the Beach Walk starts at 8:30 a.m, followed by a pancake breakfast. A raffle will be held following the Beach Walk with proceeds going to the RCS Food Bank.

The 2 mile course will go along the beach, turning at the Hyatt and returning along the beach walk and Mandalay ending at Chapel-by-the Sea, with entertainment provided throughout. Participants receive a Beach Walk T-shirt ind items from local merchants. Registration is $12 for adults and $9 for children 6 to 18, breakfast is $6.

Participants and supporters are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to the Beach Walk. For registration call Shari Maxwell at 446-0430.

Bay Esplanade Boat Ramp Will Open Next Month

The boat ramp on Bay Esplanade is closed and should be open next month. The ramp is being replaced with concrete extending below the water line, and the boarding dock will be moved south to create more launching room. The ramp is the only one in Clearwater Beach and work is scheduled to be complete February 14th.

"Dolphin Tale" Filming Wraps - Aquarium Open Again

The filming of "A Dolphin Tale" is finished, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is open for business again. The 3D movie was filmed over 3 months and filming finished last month. The movie is scheduled to be released later this year, and stars Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd. The aquarium is open to visitors again, and is located at 249 Windward Passage.

Hulk Hogan Gets Married In Clearwater Beach

Hulk Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel yesterday in the backyard of Hogan's home, which is on Clearwater Beach. It wasn't exactly a "quiet affair" however. According to police, they were called to the home around 5:30 when a brawl broke out offer a reporter trying to crash the wedding. No one was arrested, and no guests were inolved. The scuffle occured when security approached the reporter.

2010 Holiday Boat Parade Schedule

Tierra Verde Lighted Boat Parade
December 8th, 6 pm
Starts just east of Billy's Stone Crab, and travels the Grand Canal to the Tierra Verde Bridge.

St Pete Beach and South Pasadena Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
December 10th, 6 pm
Begins at Merry Pier in Pass a Grille and travels through St Pete Beach, ending in South Pasadena.

Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade
December 11th, 6:20 pm
Begins at the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge, and ends at John's Pass

Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade and Tree Lighting
December 11th, 6 to 9 pm
Begins at Marker 1 Marina, travels south, and then heads north to the Municipal Marina adjacent to Edgewater Park.

St. Petersburg Illuminated Boat Parade
December 11th, 6:30 pm
Parade takes place near the Pier - Spa Beach, The Pier and Vinoy Basin are recommended for best viewing.

Gulfport Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
December 11 at 6 pm
Begins at the Gulfport Municipal marina, travels past the William's Pier and into the canals of Town Shores and Broadwater communities.

Island Estates Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade
December 11 at 6:30 pm
Begins in Mandalay Channel, travels to Coachman Park, and to the Clearwater Yacht Club's judging stand.

Redington Beach and Indian Shores Lighted Boat Parade
December 19th, 6 pm
Begins at the Madeira Beach Causeway, travels through Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores, then through Indian Shores, ending at the Pub Restaurant.