Aquarium, Keep Pinellas Beautiful to celebrate World Oceans Day
CLEARWATER — Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tampa Bay Roots & Shoots Alliance, will sponsor a World Oceans Day celebration on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2.pm. at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The free event will feature 50 exhibitors from around Tampa Bay and the nation who are committed to protecting our oceans and our environment.
“World Oceans Day reminds us of the critical importance that the oceans and the environment play in our everyday lives, and how important it is for us to protect the ecosystem services they provide for our future generations,” said Patricia DePlasco, executive director of Keep Pinellas Beautiful. “This celebratory event is the perfect opportunity for families and individuals to learn what they can do to make a difference, be inspired, and connect with environmental organizations that share their visions and goals.”
No ticket is required for entry.
For more information and full list of exhibitors, visit www.cmaquarium.org/events/ or www.kpbcares.org/upcoming-events.
The event is sponsored by Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Pinellas County, Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, GreatWonder, and Tampa Bay Water.
Flotilla urges sober boating for Fourth of July weekend
CLEARWATER — As Americans prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th Independence Day on the water, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater is joining Operation Dry Water’s national call for sober boating this Fourth of July weekend.
With the Fourth of July ranking among the busiest boating weekends of the year, the stakes for making responsible choices on the water have never been higher.
“Impaired boating is impaired driving,” said a spokesperson for Flotilla 11-1. “Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is both dangerous and illegal — and this holiday weekend, law enforcement will be watching.”
Boating presents unique physical stressors — prolonged sun exposure, wind, vibration, and motion — that can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs more rapidly than on land. These conditions impair judgment, balance, and reaction time, compounding the dangers that come with BUI.
All recreational boaters are encouraged to plan ahead:
• Complete a boating safety course before heading out
• Stay sober — designate a sober skipper if needed
• Wear a life jacket at all times on the water
• Always use your engine cut-off switch/kill switch lanyard
• Make sure you have all your safety gear aboard and know how to use it
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings
Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater offers free vessel safety checks and the Boat America boating safety course to help boaters get ready for the season. To schedule a check or register for a class, contact Flotilla 11-1 at clwtr.auxboating@gmail.com or visit clwboatingsafety.com/boater-class-registration.
Clearwater student part of champion Enactus Team
Brant Simmons of Clearwater recently was a member of a team from Belmont University that was crowned early stage national champions in the 2026 Enactus USA.
Belmont took first in Early Stage and second in Impact at the annual three-day event, held two months ago in Denver, Colorado. The competition convenes students across the country to network, learn and present their student-led social enterprises.
The student organization is dedicated to assisting local nonprofits in creating positive change in the community. At its core, Enactus offers students the opportunity to turn ideas into action and action into real-world impact.
The recent victory is the first time in over a decade that Belmont Enactus has earned the national spotlight for its student-led work.
At the U.S. Expo, Belmont took first place in the Early Stage competition for its Farm Store project and second place in the Impact Stage competition for Neighbor’s Harvest, a student-developed produce subscription model.
Their “early stage” project — a project that hasn’t launched - outlines a business plan for a self-sustaining farm store in Brentwood. Designed as a community hub, the store would offer affordable, locally sourced food while supporting sustainable agriculture and connecting neighbors.