5 Things You Might Have Missed Last Week on Patch

1. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay is looking for South Tampa residents to become volunteers at its Davis Islands location. The nonprofit organization was created to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving medical treatment in area hospitals. There are Ronald McDonald Houses all over the world, with 11 houses in Florida, including one in St. Petersburg and one in South Tampa on Davis Islands.

2. The city parks department is asking Davis Islands residents to look at two site plans for renovating the Roy Jenkins public swimming pool, which has been closed since 2009. A consultant has developed two options for renovating the 81-year-old pool.

3. Hands Across the Sand - a worldwide campaign to raise awareness of the hazards of offshore oil drilling - on Saturday spread out over 50 Florida beaches and more than 40 states. A small patch of beach just south of the Gandy Bridge had an intimate holding of hands across the sand.

4. The Tampa Bay Lightning were named the #2 team in all of professional sports in a poll by ESPN The Magazine. The ranking was determined by the team meeting certain criteria - mainly, how much they give back to the fans compared with the time, money and emotion fans invest in the club. Next year we want the Cup and a #1 ranking by ESPN. Go Bolts!

5. Are you passionate about something in South Tampa? Whether it's food, family, schools, government, business, social issues, exercise, fashion or business— if it's your thing, we'd like you to consider blogging for South Tampa-Hyde Park Patch. Contact Gene D'Alessandro if you are interested.