Summertime  technically arrives on June 20th at 7:59pm when the plane containing the earth's pole and the center of the sun is exactly perpendicular to the earth's orbital plane and ... heck, summer arrives when the sun is exactly where it should be for summer to technically arrive. Summertime storms don't need any calendar to arrive officially, like the doozy of a storm last Friday ("doozy" meaning "wind gusts of 61mph, rain and hail"). Storm debris wrapped around power lines, a patio roof went to visit a neighbor's garage, power lines went down on Marina Terrace, a trampoline bounced over a house, and two drawbridge gates on the causeway bridge got bent. Club Capri on 116th Avenue got hit the worst when almost one-third of the roof was ripped away by wind. Treasure Island Fire, Police and Public Works were busy, busy, busy cleaning up Friday's mess when another gully-washer ("gully-washer" meaning "37mph winds and nearly an inch of rain") blew through on Sunday. Don't get caught off-guard - TIFD Chief Charlie Fant recommends getting a NOAA Weather Radio available for about $30 at your favorite store (and at stores you don't like, as well).

City Commission meets Tuesday June 17th at 6pm
Some of the agenda topics up for discussion and action:

• Consideration of a Blind Pass Slow Speed/Minimum Wake Zone
• Establishing a Sunset Beach Swim Zone from Weckesser Park to the Blind Pass Jetty
• 4th of July Fireworks!

ave some green to sail the deep blue
Boat owners with birthdays in July, August, or September may begin renewing their boat registration now to take advantage of the three-month early renewal option and beat the Pinellas County July 1st fee hike. The Pinellas Tax Collector will process July, August, or September early renewals at the old rate if paid before July 1, 2008. Here's the new fee schedule for boat registration:

• Class A-1 - Less than 12 feet in length, and all canoes to which propulsion motors have been attached, regardless of length: from $3.50 to $5.50.
• Class A-2 - 12 feet or more and less than 16 feet: from $10.50 to $16.25.
• Class 1 - 16 feet or more and less than 26 feet: from $18.50 to $28.75.
• Class 2 - 26 feet or more and less than 40 feet: from $50.50 to $78.25.
• Class 3 - 40 feet or more and less than 65 feet: from $82.50 to $127.75.
• Class 4 - 65 feet or more and less than 110 feet: from $98.50 to $152.75.
• Class 5 - 110 feet or more in length: from $122.50 to $189.75.
  Applicable county fees, service fees and other charges remain the same.