Happy New Year 2024, Paradise News’ 30th anniversary year. It is interesting to look back over three decades of publishing Paradise News. The cover story in the first issue celebrated the new state-of-the-art public safety command center that was opening next to the Corey Causeway bridge in St. Pete Beach. In the meantime, the city police force was merged into the Sherriff’s operation 10 years ago, saving the city millions annually, and the building was leveled to provide more parking.
In the printed magazine, which can also be found at www.paradisenewsfl.com on the first of each month, Buddy Baker’s updated arts and leisure and events listings typically fill pages 43 to 55. You can see six weeks of highlights in 20 categories from art centers to yoga. Street addresses, phone numbers, web sites and shows, or special events are listed by date. Locals and visitors look to Paradise News for restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, shops, recreation, spas and services. Got an idea? Email our editor Nanette Wiser with your recommendation.
Renee Roos and Sally Yoder founded the publication in 1995, after meeting as volunteers at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum on Tenth Avenue in Pass-a-Grille (see museums on page 49). Renee is credited with naming St. Pete Beach the Sunset Capital and had a role in starting the popular Sunday Market on Corey Avenue as well.
Have you made plans to be in the path of totality for the April 8 total solar eclipse? We saw the total eclipse in Nebraska in 2017 and an annular eclipse in New Mexico onOct. 14, 2023. After April 8, 2024, there won’t be another visible in North America for 20 years. Quite a number of cities, from San Antonio, Texas, to Newfoundland, are planning eclipse events to celebrate the historic occasion. Visit www.nationaleclipse.com/maps.html for detailed state by state maps. Make plans now, as many places to stay are filling up. Mercury is in retrograde April 1-15 so plan to return somewhere you have been before, and stay there Monday night if you can, to avoid post eclipse travel challenges.
We thank you for reading the Paradise News. If you do not get it in the mail and would like to, subscriptions start at $19.95 per year. You can subscribe online at www.paradisenewsfl.com. When you visit any of our advertisers, please let them know you saw them in Paradise News. Have a great year!