Five Things We Learned on Patch this Week

A new palm reader for Pinellas County middle and high schoolers cannot predict the future. But this high-tech scanning system will make the lunch line move faster. Pinellas County Schools are the first in the nation to use a palm scanning system, which is manufactured by Fujitsu.

 Starting in October the city will have two Sunday markets for expanded shopping opportunities. The Corey Sunday Market will now be in Horan Park behind the St. Pete Beach Police Department. The new Corey Fresh Market will be on Corey Avenue.

The City of Madeira Beach's Board of Commissioners met Wednesday night, September 14th, with a number of salient issues on the agenda. There was one topic, however, over the installation of parking pay stations, that dominated the night's discussion; promising to have far-reaching effects throughout the community.

 One could almost hear the collective sigh of relief, as Dr. John A. Stewart left retirement to fill in as Pinellas County Schools Superintendent. Superintendent Julie Janssen was fired by the school board, just as the new school year started. A quick move by the board brought Stewart, a veteran administrator, into the harsh limelight to pick up where Janssen left off.

 Married mother of four Christi Bassford used to go to big, discount stores and buy generic to try to save on her food bills. Now she buys national brands at the supermarket and saves 80 percent on her grocery bills. And she does it by just spending three or four hours a week couponing and shopping.