Tidbits By Peter Roos
FLORIDA
Florida passed a bill that makes to-go cocktails permanent!! The bill, which allows restaurants and bars to sell to-go beer, wine and cocktails in sealed 32-ounce or smaller containers, is expected to be signed by the governor, making to-go cocktails permanent starting July 1.
ST PETE BEACH
Road Construction
Metro Equipment Service Inc. began the installation of a new sanitary sewer force main in Gulf Boulevard for the City of St. Pete Beach. This phase of the work began near 37th Avenue & Gulf Boulevard, progressing north in phases over 3-4 months. See full details on the city website www.StPeteBeach.org.
SEASALT Properties have named Michael Dupre as Chief Marketing Officer. A Tampa resident, Michael was born in Rhode Island and has lived in Florida for 25 years. Since 2015, Michael held the position as Chief Marketing Officer for Compass Land & Title and was tasked with creating relationships and building brand recognition in the real estate community throughout Tampa Bay. As a part of the Compass executive team, he saw tremendous growth as Compass received accolades as one of the top title companies in the region. SEASALT headquarters is located on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach.
Don CeSar’s Prime Video “Life’s Rewards”
If you are hunting for something to watch on Prime video, “Life’s Rewards” is worth a peek. It is a redemption story following Dan Kinney, the privileged son of a wealthy manager who, after a business trip gone bad, is fired and stranded at The Don CeSar with few assets to his name – with the exception of a massive pile of hotel points.
In the series trailer, a hotel employee tells Dan he has enough points to stay at the Don for six months, so he does. It is the first of its kind, developed not only to entertain but to interestpeople in visiting.
Hurricane Expo & Water Safety Day
SPB Fire Rescue and the SPB Aquatic Center are sponsoring a Hurricane Expo in Horan Park on May 15, 10am - 2pm, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.
You’ll find local emergency management personnel, Meteorologist, Kids Activities, CPR Demos, Beach Safety, Lifejacket Fitting, Information on Swim Lessons, an Ice Cream Truck and even a free lifeguard donut! For more info call 727-363-9264.
TREASURE ISLAND
City Manager Garry Brumback To Retire
After 3½ years as city manager, Garry Brumback plans to exit gracefully at the end of May. “I’ve told myself for years ‘Be sure to get out of the way before you become a clog in the system.’
We have a new mayor, new city hall, great fire and police department, terrific recreation, planning, public works, and if all goes well, my replacement Amy is already shadowing me. I have had a lot of fun in my career and now it’s time to let younger people in on the fun. My wife and I live on Paradise Island and we are looking forward to enjoying a lively retirement in Paradise.
Turtle Friendly Street Lights
Waffle House on Gulf Blvd. in TI is ground zero for a test of turtle-friendly street lighting. A press introduction to the new lights featured city manager Garry Brumback in one of the last of his tenure. He raved about the perseverance of Assistant Public
Works Director Stacey Boyles, PE, LEED AP on the subject of turtle-friendly streetlights. Jeff Baker, Community Relations Manager for Duke Energy’s Southern Coastal region said getting turtle-friendly lights to test on five-lane wide Gulf Blvd was a challenge.The ones routinely used on two-lane coastal roads were not bright enough. If approved by FDOT in May, the rest of Treasure Island is next. Funds are coming from The Turtle Conservancy.
MADEIRA BEACH
Commission Seeks Input on Events
The City of Madeira Beach will be celebrating its 75-year anniversary in 2022. Throughout the year, the city looks to host marquee events to celebrate all Madeira Beach has to offer. Planning for these events is underway and they are looking for community feedback to focus on what type exciting events and activities you would like to see. Visit www.madeirabeachfl.gov/75th-anniversary-celebration/
GULFPORT
Advisory Committee on Aging Seeks New Members
This committee serves as a liaison between Gulfport’s senior community and the City of Gulfport. Appointed by City Council, committee members consider and advise the City on ways to enhance the quality of life for seniors in Gulfport. For more info, contact Rachel Cataldo at 727-893-1231.
TIERRA VERDE
The new high bridge is OPEN! Although construction continues for a roundabout at the base of the bridge on the island.
Good Times Continental Restaurant, 1130 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, 727-867-0774 lost half of its management team when Sid passed, but continues a 43 year legacy, serving mid-Europe’s cuisine. Crispy Roast Duck, Hungarian Chicken Paprika’s, Schnitzel Paprika’s, Goulash, like your European Grandma makes. Including homemade soups daily and specials like Saurbraten, Brandied Cherry Duck, Scamp Key West, Jagerschnitzel, Salmon Gustav. Apple Strudel made daily for dine-in or to-go. Pilsner Urquell and Hacker Pschorr on Tap.
ST. PETERSBURG
St. Pete Golf Cart Rentals Open Downtown “Visit Downtown St. Pete in a new street legal golf cart anytime 7 days a week. St. Pete Golf Carts is locally owned and operated. Our rentals are first-come, first-serve by call or email. Drop-offs and pick-ups will be at the same location. Golf carts will be returned at 7pm. Day rental price is $200 which includes taxes and fees! Nothing beats having your own personal golf cart to cruise around in! Once you rent, you’ll wonder why you never did before!” 76 4th St N #2231, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
John Collins Gets Key to St. Petersburg The recently retired leader of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, John Collins, received a key to the City at the May 13 council meeting. Mayor Rick Kriseman credited John with “transforming St. Petersburg into a true City of The Arts.” John’s nephew Patrick says John’s retirement plan is “to learn to play the guitar.”
100 Women Who Care gives $11,050 to BABY BASICS
Baby Basics’ mission is to provide free diapers, kindness, and a sense of community to low-income working families. All donations go directly to buying quality diapers. A $5,000 matching grant will come from the Schulze Foundation. Contact Brenda George at 727-515-1868 for more information or email brendageorge7@gmail.com
Rotary Beach Restaurant Raffle!!
Drawing is Memorial Day, May 31 at 4pm
This is our way to give back to the local restaurants that have been hit hard by the pandemic. The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg West is PURCHASING these gift cards to support our local eateries; some restaurants have offered to donate some gift cards.
- 1st Prize $2500 – 25 – $100 cards
- 2nd Prize $750 – 15 – $50 cards
- 3rd Prize $500 – 10 – $50 cards
Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Please check out the link for Rotary Club to enter to win. www.go.eventgroovefundraising.com/spwrotaryraffle/Campaign
ST PETE PROUD in JUNE
Throughout the month of June, St Pete Pride will host 4 themed weeks to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community while showcasing the best of St Pete. Each weekend, thousands of people will gather (safely) for signature events hosted in outdoor locations, while all month long, over a hundred participating St. Pete restaurants, cultural institutions and retail partners will attract guests with events, discounts and Pride-friendly offerings. St. Pete Pride has worked diligently to design a creative and safe Pride with a twist with the goal of giving our LGBTQIA+ community the opportunity to gather, educate and celebrate while ensuring safety and wellness in the time of COVID-19.This year most events will be ticketed to enforce capacity regulations.
• Official Pride Flag Raising – Tuesday, June 1
St. Pete City Hall, 175 5th St. N, St. Pete. 10am.
• PrideFest Kickoff Reception – Thursday, June 3
Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. 6-9pm. $10/ticket. Kick-off Celebration, sunset, beach vibe, limited free apps, drink specials!
• Signature Event: Pride OUTside – Saturday, June 5
Vinoy Park. 7am-2pm. $5/ticket. Waterfront Festival highlighting St. Pete’s Great Outdoors!
• Pride Run St Pete: 5K and Diva Dash – Saturday, June 5
Starts/Ends at Vinoy Park, run along the city’s magnificent waterfront. 7-10am.
• We Are Family – Saturday, June 12
St. Pete Pier, North Straub Park, South Straub Park. 11am – 5pm. $5/ticket.
• Arts + Qulture – Saturday, June 19
The Factory, 2622 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete. Afternoon event $5
• Pride Picnic – Saturday, June 26
Straub Park. 2-9pm. $5 Food trucks, festival vendors, Pride Fireworks at dusk.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Shortage of Help on Beaches
There is a shortage of qualified help on the beaches, a condition that has been aggravated by COVID related staff shortages. One beach hotel recently said this on their Facebook.
Hotel Update: We are experiencing COVID-19 related staff shortages, which may impact the quality of your stay with us. We are currently not accepting any new bookings for stays between now and July 5th, but we will open our bookings back up when we can. We have reached out to some guests and have processed cancellations, but if you haven’t been contacted by us then your reservation is intact. I am also happy to personally check the status of any reservation so please utilize the Facebook messenger feature to provide me with your name and date of your stay and I will get back to you as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and hope to see you all later this year! The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is acting as a referral service for people looking for work and companies needing help. Call 727-360-6957 stop by 6990 Gulf Blvd. or visit
www.business.tampabaybeaches.com/contact
The Treasure Island/Madeira Beach Chamber is likewise heavily involved. Chamber President Barry Rubin says the problem is primarily due to the doubling of the unemployment reimbursement by the federal government. “The state pays $275 and the feds pay $300 for staying home. Even if they were making $15/hr. for 40 hours, they wouldn’t take that much home. Would you work?” If interested in the services of this group, call 727-360-4121.