$7.9 Million Can Buy Room To Roam On Pasco Farm

Sheik Island Farms, a 360-acre property in rural Pasco County, features a state-of-the-art equestrian facility, two houses and a two-story office building with a three-bedroom apartment.

And for $7.9 million, it can be yours.

Surrounded by rolling hills, orange groves and woodlands filled with wildlife, the property is being marketed by Sotheby's International Realty, a name usually associated with high-profile auctions of art, jewelry, furniture and all manner of valuables once owned by the rich and famous.

Inquiries have come from across the United States, as well as Canada, Brazil, Britain and Ireland.

The property, southwest of Dade City, includes Buddy Lake and Lake Pasadena and also includes two large riding fields and seven fenced pastures.

Damaged Park Back In Business

TAMPA - Cypress Point Park is back in business after storms and steady erosion whittled away the banks of the park on the western edge of Cypress Street on Tampa Bay.

Traffic is expected to slow near Cypress Point where the city has scheduled a rededication ceremony this morning to mark the end of the park's shoreline restoration.

In addition to sand replenishment and seagrass plantings to stabilize the erosion, the 50-acre park at the western edge of Cypress Street received new restrooms and a covered shelter.

The dedication is set for 10 a.m.

Chamberlain Band Boosters Honor 1st Director

FOREST HILLS - Robert C. Price wrote the score for Chamberlain's alma mater and served as the high school's band director for 24 years. Now the band boosters want to mark his contributions permanently.

The boosters will present two commemorative bricks in Price's honor to his son, Bob Price Jr., at homecoming on Thursday. One includes his motto: "Always Striving for Excellence in Education."

Price died in 1995. He was Chamberlain's first band director, starting in 1956. He was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1996.

YMCA Is Newest Hangout In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG - There's a new place to work out or hang out in south St. Petersburg.

The new Childs Park YMCA at 691 43rd St. S. opened Tuesday morning after a nine-month construction schedule. The 15,000-square-foot facility will offer programs for adults and youngsters, including an after-school program.

There is also a smaller version of a public library, which will house a computer lab and a smaller collection of books and magazines.

Students Can Drill Military Schools

TAMPA - Students interested in attending a military service academy can head to an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at MacDill Air Force Base's Davis Conference Center.

Officials from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Naval and West Point military academies will answer questions.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, will greet students and their families.

Those interested in attending must call Castor's office at (813) 871-2817 by Thursday.