Sunday, December 12, 2004

David Miscavige



I just want to comment about my respect and admiration for Mr. David Miscavige. He has done so much to make Scientology the movement it is today.

His work in ensuring that Scientology applied religious philosophy stays pure, and exactly as L. Ron Hubbard wrote it is a real inspiration to me.

He has incredible enthusiasm and drive to make the help our church has to offer to everyone, and I for one am doing MUCH more because of his example.

Here's a link to an article about David Miscavige at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Madrid, which happened in October 2004. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/153/story_15301_1.html

Thursday, October 21, 2004


Last week was the 25th annual Clearwater Jazz Festival.

It featured Allon Sams, Rick Braun, Big Z & The Sophisicats, Victor Wooten, Branford Marsalis, Pepper & Fine Thyme, Tony Vacca & World Rhythms, Chris Botti, Neville Brothers, Nate Najar Quartet, Uptown Jazz, Adelo Dalto & Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

4 days and nights of free jazz at the Coachman park -- what a great weekend!

Here are some excerpts from decent articles from the
St. Petersburg Times about David Miscavige: one of the leaders of the Scientology religion

David Miscavige


Although David Miscavige does not live in Clearwater, this town is very important to him because factually Clearwater is the spiritual headquarters of the Scientology religion.


Most religions suffer prejudice in their earlier years - the Christians in Rome certainly didn't have an easy time of it. Neither did early Mormons. Scientology is a new religion, and relations between the church and the city of Clearwater were strained for the first 20 or so years.

Although the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organizations (the name of the Scientology church in Clearwater) provides advanced services to Scientologists from all over the world, many have moved to Clearwater and made it their home.

I think Mr. Miscavige was disturbed by the animosity in the community toward members of our religion. And he took the time to better this relationship personally.

He granted an interview with the St. Petersburg Times which entailed several days of meeting with staff from the paper and touring them through Scientology facilities on both coasts.

This started the trend of St Petersburg and surrounding towns realizing that Scientologists are very good neighbors, are just like other folks, and have a great deal to offer the community.

Here are some of the articles the St Petersburg Times has written covering these actions by David Miscavige, and the ultimate result - an excellent relationship between Scientology in Clearwater and the Clearwater community.


THE OUTSIDERS

Robert Trigaux

David Miscavige

He may not agree, but his organization's expanding presence in Clearwater has had more economic impact than religious significance to the area. Miscavige is the Los Angeles-based head of the Church of Scientology, which in recent years has become the dominant developer in the city's downtown area.

Currently headquartered in the Fort Harrison Hotel, the Church of Scientology has spent millions in a steady acquisition of property and buildings.

Clearwater's traditional leadership is by no means comfortable in the growing Scientology shadow, but city officials are trying to make peace with the church (and its opponents) and reap some benefit of urban redevelopment from such a well-financed organization.

As a young man, Miscavige studied to become a Scientology minister. He later worked with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard to help produce training films and materials. Miscavige's real coup for the movement came in 1993 when he helped end the 40-year war between the Scientologists (seeking to protect their tax-exempt status as a religion) and the Internal Revenue Service.




SCIENTOLOGISTS CELEBRATE A 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Jan 1, 2000
G.G. Rigsby

In downtown Clearwater, more than 3,000 Scientologists gathered to mark the new year, but also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

A self-help book published in 1950 by L. Ron Hubbard, Dianetics led to the founding of the Church of Scientology four years later.

At the Los Angeles event, Church leader David Miscavige emceed a three-hour documentary on Scientology's history, from its early days after Dianetics, to the church's arrival in Clearwater in 1975, and on to the present as Scientology constructs its first-ever new building - a mammoth headquarters downtown that will be the centerpiece of a $ 60-million to $ 90-million expansion.


August 22, 1999, Sunday, 0 South Pinellas Edition

CLEARWATER OFFICIAL RECEIVES RARE SCIENTOLOGY SUPPORT

CLEARWATER - The icy relations between the city of Clearwater and the Church of Scientology appear to be defrosting as dozens of church members leaped to the defense of the embattled city manager.

After city commissioners sharply criticized City Manager Mike Roberto recently, hinting that his job was on the line, the letters and e-mails started pouring in.

Of the 36 letters and e-mails to City Hall and 44 pro-Roberto letters to the St. Petersburg Times, nearly 80 percent were written by Scientologists.

Church officials said this was no orchestrated effort, just a spontaneous effort by Clearwater citizens.

But the church's Los Angeles-based leader, David Miscavige, said the response is likely due to Roberto's unprecedented efforts to open the lines of communication and include Scientologists in talks about downtown redevelopment. But Miscavige cautioned that he also thought Roberto had made some missteps, including taking staffers on a retreat that cost the taxpayers $ 15,000.

"I worry about that being perceived as some sort of blind support," Miscavige said of the "mutual respect" he shares with Roberto. "I don't want to appear to be going to bat for the guy."


Tuesday, September 14, 2004

La Cienciología en España


In Celebration of the upcoming grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Madrid in Spain, [Iglesia de Cienciología de España] here is some information on Scientology in Spanish

Cienciología es una religión en el sentido más profundo y tradicional, porque se ocupa nada menos que de la rehabilitación plena del ser espiritual innato del hombre –sus capacidades, estado de consciencia y la certeza de su propia inmortalidad– y su relación con lo divino.

Cienciología tiene en común con muchas de las religiones más antiguas del mundo la creencia de que al hombre se le puso aquí para encontrar su propia salvación y que sólo haciéndolo puede comprender completamente su relación con Dios el Creador.

Cienciología, además, sostiene que el hombre es básicamente bueno y que su salvación depende de sí mismo, de sus semejantes y de su logro de la hermandad con el universo.

La nueva Iglesia de Cienciología de España que se acaba de restaurar ahora está aquí como monumento que representa la libertad para toda España.

El Presidente de la Asociación Civil de Dianética de Madrid, tiene el placer de invitarle a la ceremonia inaugural de su nueva sede central en Madrid al proximo 18 de Septiembre a las 16,30 h.


Cienciología soluciones eficaces ayudando a la sociedad con eficacia

Cienciología:una nueva religión

Cienciología:rasgos de religión
Here's a great letter to the editor that I found in the St. Pete Times.

Thanks goes to mystery couple

My husband and I would like to thank the couple that came to clear off our deck and ramp after Frances. You could not see the deck due to all the branches and leaves. We don't know many of our neighbors on Glenwood Avenue, since many people have moved out and new neighbors have moved in.

I am a paraplegic due to a car accident and have to rely on the ramp to enter my home. The couple had yellow T-shirts with the Scientology Ministries name on the back. We have lived in Clearwater for more than 36 years and have yet to have someone we don't even know come to help us. Yes, there are some caring people out there.

Mary Jane Hopper, Clearwater

Tuesday, September 07, 2004


"Scientology volunteer minister Judy Fagerman arranges emergency supplies for distribution to victims of Hurricane Charley, Sunday."



I'm very proud of my friends who have helped straighten things out in the wake of Charlie.

It's a blessing we didn't get hit in Clearwater and Tampa.

USA Today did this really nice story on the work they and other voluteers have been doing.

No such blessings with Frances, but the damage was still so much less than with the big C.



I'll be glad when hurricane season is over.

Friday, September 03, 2004

How's this for a great quote:

Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 1816
"I sincerely believe ... that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity under the name of funding is but swindling futurity on a large scale."

Here's a group I really recommend checking out for wise handling of business and economics:

The Hubbard College of Administration and their page on L. Ron Hubbard, after whom they are names, is very informative.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

After all the devastation of hurricane Charley, it's little solace to read that Charley a Harbinger of Busy Hurricane Season

and with headlines such as this: Medical Experts Fear Charley's Aftermath

I'm really glad to see Scientology volunteer ministers are on the job helping to sort things out in the aftermath.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help at Florida Disaster Site

As you can see in this site (Scientology Volunteer Ministers Bringing effective help to the community)
Scientology Volunteer Ministers have a reputation of always being there to help in times of disaster.

And life's personal disasters can be a lot worse than the "natural disaster" kind. Sometimes what goes on behind the walls of a perfectly "normal" home can be crushing - drug or alcoholism, infidelity, financial stress....

Scientology volunteer ministers use Scientology applied religious philosophy as laid out in the Scientology Handbook to help friends, neighbors, family members or even total strangers.

By the way, you don't have to be a Scientologist to use the techniques in the Scientology Handbook, or to be a Scientology volunteer minister. All you have to be is a caring person who wants to help others.

I'd say most people fit those qualifications....

Monday, August 09, 2004

I thought this was an excellent letter to the editor that showed up in the St. Petersburg times. Thought I'd reprint it here before it disappears into the ether of the WorldWideWeb.

"Re: Scientology's town, July 18.

Thank you for the time and attention of your reporter in ensuring accuracy in the recent two-part series on Scientology in Clearwater. (Tampabay: Scientology's town, Tampabay: About Scientology, Tampabay: The history of Scientology: A timeline, Tampabay:Scientology: Striving for mainstream, building new connections and Tampabay: Four key Scientologists)


The Scientology religion has grown at an unprecedented rate internationally in recent years, and that of course is reflected in Clearwater, the home of our international religious retreat. There is no conflict between that expansion and the revitalization of downtown, which benefits the entire community, a community much more diverse than some suggest. In addition to church staff and parishioners, the community includes 1,400 Pinellas County employees, 1,000 city of Clearwater employees, 1,000 business employees who work downtown, and the more than 100,000 residents who live within a 3-mile radius.

The downtown Starbucks is a good example of an amenity enjoyed by all citizens of Clearwater. Certainly the number of church parishioners and staff in Clearwater was a major factor considered by Starbucks. That is to be expected. Starbucks, like any business, must have confidence that it will succeed, and success means volume of customers. Similarly, the church presence would be a major economic factor in the decision of any other business or national chain considering opening downtown.

The economic impact of the church on downtown development is not based primarily on the church staff who live in Clearwater, but rather on the thousands of visiting parishioners who travel to Clearwater from around the world. In fact, they provide the same economic impact as "tourists" but year round. As your article explained, this presents an ideal opportunity for the development of downtown.

Downtown was a ghost town when the church moved to Clearwater in 1975. While it had previously thrived and was enjoyed by all local citizens, development had concentrated on the beach for tourists and on the malls for residents. At that time it appeared unlikely downtown could be developed as a destination point. The church filled that void. Today, virtually any retailer - especially name-brand stores, restaurants or a theatre - can expect to survive because of the numbers of Scientologists living and visiting in downtown. And that benefits all citizens, since the new facilities will be available to anyone, as in the case of Starbucks.

While some critics, who are not involved in downtown planning and do not know the factors involved in its development, may believe our motivations are selfish, they miss the point. Of course we would like a nice downtown with shops and restaurants and entertainment for the benefit of our visiting parishioners. But the church presence is also a "selling point" to bring those businesses downtown. If the city wants to use that presence, we not only do not object, we support the city in its efforts.

As we explained to the mayor, the city manager, and other city officials, and as people involved in downtown planning and others of goodwill have recognized, church and city expansion plans are not a point of conflict, but of cohesion. Cooperation is necessary to be successful.

It is time for us to move forward and work together to create the vibrant downtown that 80 percent of the citizens recently surveyed by the city said they want.


-- Ben Shaw, director, Church of Scientology, Flag Service Organization, Clearwater"

Sunday, August 08, 2004

When I look at how much he accomplished, and how much he helped people, I am astonished at how much
L. Ron Hubbard cared.

As brilliant and capable as he was, who could have expected him to do more than publish the book
Dianetics. Just that one book was an immense accomplishment and a priceless gift. Ask anyone who has experienced the miracles of Dianetics auditing or
New Era Dianetics auditing much more refined and exact techniques that took more than 20 more years of intense research to finally codify.

The other day I was listening to a taped lecture by L. Ron Hubbard, and I notice it was recorded on December 26th, and realize this man never took time off from helping people.

His life is an inspiration to me.

Here is some more information on L. Ron Hubbard:

Open Directory Project: L. Ron Hubbard
Times Must Change - An Article by L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard - The Dianetics Letters
L. Ron Hubbard - Bibliography Summary
L. Ron Hubbard, The Humanitarian - Education
L. Ron Hubbard and the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program
Catalog: L. Ron Hubbard Biographical
ePolitix.com - Hubbard Foundation
Alibris: L Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard - Humanitarian - Road to Self-Respect

Friday, August 06, 2004

IAS (International Association of Scientologists)


A couple of weeks ago I attended an event about the International Association of Scientologists, usually abbreviated to "IAS". This is a group that was founded in 1984 and it is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

So much has changed and improved in the the past 20 years - new Scientology churches and missions in many countries, L. Ron Hubbard's technology of study and drug rehabilitation in use in secular programs around the world, not to mention religious recognition in the United States and many other countries.

This is no small part due to the efforts of the IAS.

IAS Freedom Medal Winners



Read this story about an extraordinary man, what he has accomplished, and why he was awarded an IAS Freedom Medal:President, Criminon International: IAS Freedom Medal Winner Greg Capazorio

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

It's actually pretty hard for me to wrap my wits around there being "controversy" about Scientology in Clearwater Florida... unless it's being manufactured for someone's funny agenda.  Here's some more commentary:

Opinion: Cooperation helps Clearwater and Scientology

Sunday, July 18, 2004


 
The public face of Scientology in Clearwater: from left, Pat Harney, public affairs director; Lisa Mansell, downtown relations director; Ben Shaw, director for external affairs, and Mary Story, community affairs director.
 
 
Great article in the St Petersburg Times today called:   Scientology's town
 
It really shows how popular Clearwater is among Scienotlogists, and the impart the church is having on the community.
 
It's also good to see the St. Petersburg Times giving fair and unbiased coverage to the Church of Scientology in the paper.  I hope the second story in the series follows suit.

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

I really like this page about

Mary Story.

She is a member of the Church of Scientology and has been very active in the community for years, and is finally acknowledged for what she does in this page:

Tampa Bay Partnership

Scientologist are very active in the community in Clearwater and Tampa. Clearwater being a major center for Scientologists, there are many who live here.

There are
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
doing volunteer work in both communities as you can see here Church of Scientology Tampa: Tampa Volunteer Ministers Helping Thousands and here Church of Scientology, Flag Service Organization Community News & Events

This comes from a fundamental belief in Scientology that man is basically good and can be helped, and the fact that Scientology has technology that will and does help people.

Here is some more information on Scientology Volunteer Ministers

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers program was established by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard in the mid 1970's and is all-the-more important to helping our communities today than it was then.

Here are some more interesting sites about Scientology that I found the other day, and thought I'd share with anyone who watches my blog:

1010 WINS: Report: Firefighters Seek "Scientology Treatment"
The Source for truth on the Church of Scientology and its Members
Ability.org.uk Church of Scientology
US Navy Chaplain - Scientology
EUpolitix - Scientology
EUpolitix - Scientology Related Sites
Religions Of The World:Scientology
Tom Cruise: Scientology Helped Me
Scientology Marriage Solutions

Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Scientology in Clearwater

One thing about Scientology in Clearwater is that as a Scientologist, no matter where you are from, eventually everyone you know will show up here.

I've had problems with this sometimes. I've met people in New York, Texas, San Francisco, East Grinstead at Saint Hill, in Clearwater and in Los Angeles. Sometimes I'll run into someone I know really well and just can't place them until I remember where I know them from!

Because Scientology is the "mecca" for Scientology - that place where all Scientologists come to do their most advanced spiritual levels, it is "home" to all Scientologists everywhere.

The other day I was talking to someone about one of the Scientology Human Rights groups the Church of Scientology sponsors - Youth for Human Rights International. In the course of the conversation we realized we had several mutual friends, each of whom is involved in this group but who all hail from different places.

Scientologists often travel in support of the social programs we are involved in. For example, many Scientologists from Clearwater traveled to New York in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and helped in the rescue efforts as Scientology Volunteer Ministers. Scientologists have also traveled to France and Germany to support our churches there in their work to establish religious tolerance, not just for Scientology but for all religions.

I'm very proud to be a Scientologist. I have gained so much from it personally and helped many other people, and it is also so gratifying to know I am part of a religious movement that is really helping in society.

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

My friend Jenny just put up a new blog about the "Freewinds".

The Freewinds is a religious retreat for members of the Church of Scientology. It is usually cruising the Caribbean.







Freewinds

[image]




Here is a page from www.scientology.org that tells more about the Freewinds and the services it delivers.

The Freewinds is also known as the Flag Ship Service Organization or FSSO.

Many of my friends are going to the Freewinds this week to participate in a convention that commemorates the ship's maiden voyage in 1988. Hard to believe that was 16 years ago!

In the local area, the Freewinds is also known for its participation in jazz festivals such as pictured here: Jazz on the Freewinds





Wednesday, June 09, 2004

Mary Story is the Vice President and Director of Community Affairs of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization: the Scientology headquarters in Clearwater Florida.

According to the Tampa Bay Partnership
"The parishioners of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization contribute 170,000 hours ofvolunteer work annually in service to the Tampa Bay area working with community groups to strengthen neighborhoods, help the needy, improve literacy, fight drug addiction and abuse, promote the arts and provide wholesome entertainment to the community. These volunteer hours are contributed both to community betterment groups throughout the area as well as groups established by Scientologists. Church staff and Church members are active in over 100 charitable groups in the Tampa Bay community."

One area in which Scientology volunteers are particularly active is in the use of Scientology Study Tech. Study Tech is a very simple technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. He originally formulated Study Tech to help Scientology ministers learn the technology of Scientology counseling, but it has application in any area of study.

The fact is that schools don't teach kids to study. They try to teach their subjects and often fall short of providing an adequate education because students don't now the more basic skills of how to study in the first place.

What is most exciting about Scientology study tech is that once they master these simple skills, students can learn anything. The self-confidence and self-respect a student gains from being able to learn any subject is startling to see.

Here is more information on Scientology Study Tech.

Study Tech Library Based on the Works of L. Ron Hubbard - Study Technology of L. Ron Hubbard Bookstore

Scientology Study Technology

What is Study Technology?

L. Ron Hubbard: Study Technology

Scientology Study Technology: Learning is fun.

Applied Scholastics International: Study Tech


Wednesday, April 14, 2004

This article in the Clearwater edition of Freedom Magazine caught my eye, and I thought I'd share it.

David Miscavige, Master of Ceremonies - Annual Tribute Draws Record Numbers


As an overflow crowd of more than 4,000 Scientologists and friends were greeted by a striking and innovative laser light show and an audio-visual overview of the past year’s accomplishments, Clearwater was again the literal center of the Scientology world for the 1998 celebration of L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday on March 13 at the Fort Harrison.


Many of those in attendance are visitors from places as far away as Australia and Sweden. This year’s celebration was also seen by satellite and video relay in more than 100 countries, in 39 languages. But why is L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday celebrated in such a spectacular fashion?

As the evening’s first speaker and master of ceremonies, Mr. David Miscavige, addressed the audience, the answer was apparent: “Welcome to the night we gather in greater numbers than on any night of the year. For when we speak of L. Ron Hubbard, we honor a name transcending every language, every border, every culture... a name of truly universal proportions and, on one level or another, a man whom everyone recognizes.”

While perhaps best-known as the founder of the most vital and rapidly growing religious movement on Earth, L. Ron Hubbard also lived a diverse, multifaceted and exciting life, and ultimately delineated solutions for all he found wrong in the world around him. He still defies any simple categorization. And the results of his work are today benefiting more people than ever before.

Thus it was fitting to the occasion that Mr. David Miscavige, who knew and worked with Mr. Hubbard, offered the audience a sense of what continues to flow from Mr. Hubbard’s works — increased abilities and spiritual freedom, more harmonious relationships, and bettered conditions throughout society.

In the past 12 months alone, he said, more than 200 awards, proclamations and keys to cities have been presented in honor of L. Ron Hubbard — an unparalleled number — from across the United States and Canada, and from countries as diverse as the United Kingdom and Japan, Norway and Taiwan, Italy and Russia.

To fully appreciate what those recognitions signify, said Mr. David Miscavige, you have to look at Mr. Hubbard through the eyes of those who bestow those awards. “In other words,” he noted, “you have to place yourself in those lands where his technology is utterly new. You have to walk among people who never imagined one could conquer immorality, ignorance, drug addiction and illiteracy.”

The rest of the article can be seen here
There's a story on the beautiful new building for the Church of Scientology in Clearwater covering some of the tremendous work that went into getting this building done. I didn't realize you could take a tour to see how the construction is progressing, but the article says: "While construction of the Flag Building in the 200 block of South Fort Harrison is ongoing, members of the community are invited to see a unique view of the work-in-progress from the 10th floor of the Fort Harrison Hotel, as part of hotel tours. Call (727) 467-6860 for more information." See the whole article here:
Landmark Comes to Life: New Building for Church of Scientology in Clearwater

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

Scientology Home Page
This little piece in the San Francisco Chronicle today:

"Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt will make his managerial debut Thursday night for the Philadelphia Phillies' Class-A affiliate.

The three-time MVP became the first former player hired as a minor league manager after being elected to the Hall when he signed a one-year contract to run the Clearwater Threshers -- formerly the Phillies -- Oct. 14. The Threshers host the Dunedin Blue Jays, Toronto's affiliate Thursday.

In 1995, Schmidt, considered one of the best third baseman in baseball history, became just the 26th player elected into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. In his 18-year career, all with Philadelphia, Schmidt hit 548 homers -- ninth all-time, won 10 gold gloves and made 12-All-Star appearances."

Here's some information on the career of Mike Schmidt - quite an accomplished athlete to have on our very own team.

BaseballLibrary.com

More Scientology Links



Scientology Effective Solutions This goes into quite some detail on various activities Scientology churches participate in, in their communities.

Scientology Effective Solutions - Drug Abuse Information Scientology churches are well known for working to overcome drug problems in their communities. For example we have major drug-prevention and rehab programs that Scientologists run in Clearwater. This web site will explain why Scientologists are so passionate about handling this area.

Church of Scientology - The Foundation for Religious Freedom Here's a new page I just found - a very good description of the Scientology religion.

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Nice new Clearwater edition of Freedom Magazine is online, and features information on Scientology Volunteer activities in Clearwater.

Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Clearwater Aquarium


The migration season for marine turtles starts in April and goes til October. Our Clearwater Marine Aquarium does a great job rescuing stranded turtles, and giving them shelter. Learn more about this here:

The Naples News from yesterday has a story about a successful rescue of a sea turtle and his return to the sea through the work of the aquarium.



Scientology in Europe


A lot of European Scientologists come to Clearwater and live here. So I'm sharing my latest news, about a new web site that gives information on Scientology activities in Europe.

www.scientologyreligion.de
www.scientologyreligion.be
www.scientologyreligion.ch

And there are more coming.


Tuesday, March 16, 2004

A few years ago I visited the Advanced Organization and Saint Hill for Europe, located in Copenhagen. This is called AOSH EU for short. I met some wonderful people there, and found out that some of these friends I'd met 8 years ago are now in Clearwater training. They will go back to AOSH EU when they are done, but it is such a pleasure to see them. That's one of the most exciting things about being in Clearwater as a Scientologist - you meet so many people you have met before as people come here from all over the world to do the most advanced training and counseling services the Church offers.

Information on Scientology churches


Scientology Churches from Around the World

Sunday, March 14, 2004

This article appeared in the St. Petersburg Times today. It just shows what people can do for each other when they care. I think it speaks for itself:

Illiteracy on the ropes
Persevering boxer Tyrone Booze is simultaneously passing on his love of reading and punching to the next generation of fighters.
By MEGAN SCOTT, Times Staff Writer
Published March 14, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CLEARWATER - In one corner, there is a boxing ring, a couple of speed bags and some head gear and gloves. Two heavy bags containing sand swing gently from the ceiling.

On the other side of the room, there are new computers with special software to help children enhance their reading and math skills.

A set of World Book Encyclopedias are stacked behind the boxing ring. On another side are boxes of books waiting to be unpacked.

On one wall, someone has painted: Yes, You Can Learn to Read.

The opposite wall has pictures of boxing champions such as Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield.

Tyrone Booze stands in the middle of the ring.

His championship belt and silver cup are on the card table behind him.

It's Thursday night and a crowd has gathered.

For Booze, this night is the fulfillment of a dream. He has found a way to bring together his two loves: boxing and reading.

He watched Muhammad Ali knock out George Foreman. Ali was his idol.

Even now, a poster of Ali standing over a downed Sonny Liston hangs on the wall in the gym. Booze auctioned off a pair of autographed gloves from the former heavyweight champion as part of the fundraising for the Smart Fighter Institute.

Booze admired Ali not only for his boxing prowess, but because of what the champ stood for. Ali stood against the Vietnam War, and he accepted his punishment from the U.S. government.

When he was 8, Booze found his second home at the Belleview Square Boys Club, the neighborhood recreation center where he first learned to box.

While other boys in his Hartford, Conn., neighborhood were hanging out at the basketball court, Booze spent his afternoons in the boxing ring. He also trained - running, jumping rope, and hitting the speed bag. Sometimes he even hit trees - without gloves.

Boxing became his life.

He had dreams of making millions of dollars.

Booze graduated from high school in 1975 and began his professional boxing career. But he was a disadvantaged fighter, said Mort Sharnik, a former boxing writer for Sports Illustrated who now lives in Treasure Island.

"You have to have powerful people behind you," he said. "He never got the right fights because of his managers. A lot of managers who were looking for a good opponent who could put up a good fight but couldn't win turned to Booze."

Booze was too small for heavyweight. Too big for light heavyweight. His weight fluctuated from 190 to 220 pounds, making him a cruiserweight.

He didn't do much dancing around the ring. His strategy was simple: Knock people out.

"He was very aggressive," said Cal Calloway, one of his former boxing trainers. "He would meet you and try to walk right through you. He had a thunderous left hook that could put you to sleep."

Booze believed he could beat anybody, and he showed it.

He talked trash as much as the next fighter. When he was in the ring, those dimples in his cheeks disappeared. He got that look in his eye. He was ready.

Booze spent most of his time waiting to get fights. Most of them were overseas, in countries such as England, Germany and even South Africa. He fought Evander Holyfield in 1983 but lost by split decision.

When he moved to Clearwater in 1989, he began training at the Fourth Street gym in St. Petersburg. He met his wife, Tina, at a submarine shop on Cleveland Street.

Booze defeated Derek Angol on July 25, 1992, to win the WBO World Cruiserweight boxing championship. He lost the title the following year.

In 1998, he fought Jesse Ferguson and lost.

It would be his last fight.

Reading
Through his success and failure as a boxer, Booze kept a secret.

He could barely read.

In school, while other kids were studying, he was boxing or playing ball. He calls it, "gaming, messing around."

When Booze began boxing, he trusted his managers to read his contract. Some of them cheated him out of more than half his prize money. He relied on his wife to help him.

He never blamed his teachers. He took responsibility.

With his career over, he faced a decision: Keep faking it or face up to it.

"I thought, "What am I going to do with my life?,' " Booze said. "It's like any guy who steps out of the spotlight, what does this young man or young woman have to fall back on?"

In 1999, Booze walked into the Community Learning Center on N Fort Harrison Avenue and told people there he could barely read and write.

The learning center, which is based on L. Ron Hubbard's writings and teachings, provides free remedial reading to people of all ages.

"I think in life when you ask for help, some people say it's a weakness," he said. "I don't think it's a sign of weakness. I needed some help."

Booze worked with a private tutor for the next three years. He went there daily, in between his job working for Pinellas County facilities management and raising his two children, Sharee, now 12, and Tyrone, 10.

Tina Booze says her husband reads anything he can get his hands on.

He still carries a dictionary in his blue bag. His favorite author: Langston Hughes.

He now has two passions: reading and boxing.

Sharnik remembers Booze talking about those two things all the time. One day, he said to Booze, "There's no reason why you can't combine the two." Booze came up with the concept for the Smart Fighter Institute three years ago. With his wife's strong encouragement, he launched a pilot program last year with about 15 students.

Now with the Smart Fighter Institute about to open on Garden Avenue in a few days, Booze has taken the entire week off to put on the finishing touches.

"His wife has become as obsessed as he is," Sharnik said. "I've been with him, encouraging him more than anything else. You listen to him, and you're moved to tears. I think it's a very difficult thing he's doing. He's certainly dedicated."

The return
Booze, now 45, is back in the ring again.

He weighs about 260 pounds, but he still believes he can fight - if his wife lets him.

Thursday was the grand opening reception for the Smart Fighter Institute, located on the second floor of TBT Gym, 205 N Garden Ave. The students, who range in age from 10 to 18, start Monday and must be referred by a school counselor or teacher.

Josue Cordero, 15, is eager to start swinging. He was the first one to sign up, having heard about the program from a teacher at Highland Christian Academy.

At 135 pounds, Jose is definitely a lightweight.

"I want to have an education," says Josue, who lives in Clearwater. "I also like the training part. I like learning how to defend myself, getting in shape."

Calloway, who came up in the days of Joe Louis, was at the reception with another young fighter he is training. He has trained boxers such as Pinklon Thomas, who lost to Mike Tyson in 1987.

He compares boxing to martial arts. Both require discipline and confidence.

Booze ventures over to one of the large punching bags and throws a few punches. The bag swings ever so slightly.

He says boxing has lost some of its appeal, as people such as Ali, Holyfield, Joe Frazier and Foreman grow older and retire. He remembers when you could watch a match for free on public television. Now one can cost as much as $50.

"I miss it," says Booze. "I think every athlete has a time in his life when he misses it and thinks he can still do it. At that time, boxing was what I was into. That was my love."

Now, it's all about education. And reading.

Booze stresses that this program is about literacy more than boxing. The boxing is a tool to get them interested in learning.

Indeed, he has come a long way.

As he stands in the ring, he watches all the people who gathered to show their support. He speaks about his literacy problem. And he sends them a message:

"The most important thing is your education," he says. "It is your true freedom to life. We're going to make this program the best in the world."

More Information on L. Ron Hubbard Study Technology

Scientology Study Technology: Effective Education and Training
L. Ron Hubbard, The Humanitarian - Education
Revolution in Learning; Freedom Magazine
Education - The Fatal Flaw; Freedom Magazine

Sunday, February 29, 2004

ReligiousResources.org has a category on Scientology Theology where several good web sites are referenced.

Saturday, February 21, 2004

The Church of Scientology in Clearwater Celebrated the 77th Anniversary of Fort Harrison Hotel. This was the event of the season, with public officials, community leaders and celebrities attending a gala event at the Fort. Photos of the event can be seen here.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

I saw this letter to the editor in the Clearwater Times today, and wanted to share it.


Scientologists work to beautify, build up city

I am a small business owner, I am not a Scientologist, and I appreciate what the Church of Scientology has done and is doing for downtown Clearwater. There are many dedicated people - Scientologists and non-Scientologists - who would like to see more business brought to our downtown. I spend a lot of time, effort and energy volunteering, and I've met Scientology Church members who also volunteer their time, effort and energy to the same purpose of improving downtown Clearwater...."

"Regarding the Fort Harrison Hotel, I have attended certain events at the Fort Harrison and have never been approached to join the Church of Scientology; I feel very welcome there. I've asked many questions and have had them answered. Personally, I'm pleased that the Scientologists chose to refurbish that beautiful old hotel. A new page in history is alive at the Fort Harrison Hotel, and the rich old history of the Fort Harrison will obviously remain intact."


-- Lulu Carren, Clearwater "


Here's a nice site about one of the things Scientology is doing in Clearwater:

Groundbreaking Ceremony Clearwater Florida with David Miscavige

Monday, February 16, 2004

The Clearwater edition of Freedom Magazine gives a good overview of the kind of word Scientologists to to improve the Clearwater community.

Freedom magazine has been published by the Church of Scientology since 1968, and specializes in investigative reporting.

The current issue of the International edition of Freedom Magazine has the lead story: Education . It exposes the source of increased child violence and presents real solutions to the problem.