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Safe Boating Is What Course Is All About

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune Correspondent

Published: September 8, 2007

Updated: 09/06/2007 05:44 pm

RUSKIN - Apollo Beach Sail and Power Squadron volunteers will teach a fall boating course on four consecutive Tuesdays, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way.

Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. preceding the first class. At the end of the course, an exam will be administered.

Florida law requires anyone 21 or younger operating vessels of 10 or more horsepower to be in possession of photo identification and a boater safety identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Successful completion of the course and the exam will qualify the student for the required card.

An optional three-week charting and GPS course will begin after the conclusion of the safe boating course.

'The waters of Tampa Bay are treacherous,' said squadron member Charlie Feldschau. 'Having been out on these waters at night, it's easy to get disoriented. I'm a past commander of the Rochester New York squadron. I've been on the United States Power Squadron's national and district committees. I'm qualified at the Junior Navigation level. I've been through every course and have sailed these waters for 15 years. I'm 82, and I still get the pants scared off me.

'This course is very good, rather comprehensive. I feel it's very worthwhile, especially for people new to the area. It's different from up north - the water is shallower, you run aground more. You learn to watch out for seagrass and oyster beds.'

The safe boating course materials fee is $45, with a $5 fee for each additional person sharing the literature. Space is limited.

For information or to preregister, call Don Freeman, (813) 684-5063.

The Apollo Beach Sail and Power Squadron meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday monthly at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5309 U.S. 41 N.

Smile Fridays Cause For Rejoicing

BRANDON - Bruce Waterman, immediate past president of the Hillsborough County Dental Association, is forging a new path, organizing dental care for underserved patients once a month, on Smile Fridays.

'One of the county dental association's goals was to expand the organization's community service,' Waterman said. 'I worked with the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus to create Smile Fridays. We have arranged for volunteer dentists to see patients one day a month, nine months out of the year.'

Dentists are recruited through the association, which has nearly 300 members. Waterman has provided Smile Fridays care, as have other Brandon area dentists, including Harold Welch and Mike Sipp.

A national event called Give Kids a Smile occurs once a year through the American Dental Association, Waterman said. 'Smile Fridays differs in that it occurs year-round and we see children and adults.'

Dental assisting and hygiene students 'work with the dentists and gain valuable experience that enhances their education,' Waterman said.

Smile Fridays take place once a month at the HCC Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. Since the first Smile Fridays event April 20, more than 40 patients have received $15,000 of free dental care, 'mainly restorative care' fillings, Waterman said. 'We usually have three dentists and six to eight dental hygienists. As we evolve, we hope to add other specialists to the provider mix.'

'Usually this sort of dental care involves pulling teeth-waiting until there's a crisis situation,' said Waterman's wife, Karen. 'With Smile Fridays, you don't wait until a crisis occurs.'

Waterman said the Hillsborough County school system 'has found out about it and has begun referring patients.' The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile that brings medical and dental screenings to local underserved children at their schools or shelters has referred patients. The HCC dental hygiene program also directs eligible patients to call Smile Fridays.

Patient eligibility for the no-fee visits is determined by a prequalifying process. Patients 'generally have to be 100 percent to 200 percent below poverty to qualify, and all dental care is provided at no charge,' Waterman said. 'This criterion is set by state standards of liability protection for volunteer dentists. ... Smile Fridays volunteers are not Medicaid providers.'

For information, call (813) 259-6304 and leave a message. Calls will be returned on Fridays.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors @tampabay.rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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