By Peter Roos
GULFPORT
The Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce (GMC) suggests local shoppers start saving receipts from GMC member businesses to enter an amazing raffle in December. “Shopping local is incredibly important, especially during the holiday season. GMC encourages residents and visitors to explore the unique finds in its creative community this holiday season,” says GMC prez Barbara Banno. “It’s a magical time in our whimsical town. Shoppers tell me all the time – there’s no place like Gulfport. Our member businesses sell the kind of distinctive products and services that make gift recipients feel special. Shopping isn’t a chore in Gulfport. It’s a treasure hunt!”
To find GMC members,
consult the directory at www.visitgulfportflorida.com. Each transaction with a GMC member will qualify for a raffle entry. The more frequently customers buy, the more entries they receive. Save your receipts and bring them to the IndieFaire on Gulfport Blvd Block Party on Dec. 17th. You will get an equal number of entries to win gifts donated by area businesses. Winners will be drawn on Dec. 17th at 7pm in front of the GMC Welcome Center, 3101 Beach Blvd. S. in Gulfport, 33707. Needn’t be present to win.
SOUTH PASADENA
Free yoga classes Thursday mornings at S Pasadena, City Hall, 7047 Sunset Dr. S.
Beginners 9:30-10:30am, Yoga Flow (intermediate) 10:40-11:40am.
Barbara Moeller, (MA, E-RYT500) has 40 years’ experience as a yoga teacher. For more, email barbmoeller1@gmail.com or call 856-296-3647.
ST. PETE BEACH
The Helm, 7736 Blind Pass Road, next to Verducci, is building a reputation as the place to go for lunch and brunch, and for the best seafood market on the beach. The cooling weather is equally comfortable for indoor or al fresco dining under the big white canopy. Currently serving only 10:30am-4pm Tues.-Sat., but keep an eye out here for possible expansion of service to include breakfast and maybe even Sunday Brunch in season. Check out the interesting menu online at www.helmtampabay.com. Call 727-363-HELM (4356) for reservations or concierge “Stock the Fridge” service.
TREASURE ISLAND
Some of the world’s greatest sand sculptors compete at the annual Sanding Ovations Masters Cup. You can find them at www.sandingovationsmasterscup.com.
- Thurs., Nov. 17, 10am-6pm
- Fri., Nov. 18, 10am-10pm
- Sat., Nov 19, 10am-10pm, Fireworks 9:45pm,
- Sun., Nov. 20, 10am-6pm
Encore Weekend
- Sat., Nov 26, 10am-10pm
- Sun., Nov 27, 10am-6pm
Kite Festival (Main Weekend)
Kites fly 10am-4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Presented by Windworks.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists – Come early on Sunday Nov 20.
The Suncoast World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR) will commemorate on Nov 20th, on the Sanding Ovations stage at 9am at 10400 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island and 1pm at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave N, St. Petersburg. This high-profile global event is to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on roads and to acknowledge the suffering of all affected victims, families and communities. This day offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries, and pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals who deal daily with the traumatic aftermath of road crashes. World Day of Remembrance was created to: Remember victims, Support families as they grieve, Act to reduce traffic violence by reducing speeding and informing the public of safe practices and laws. See website for more information: www.worlddayofremembrancesuncoast.org
TAMPA BAY
Tampa International Airport got a check for $2,500 from Cintas as part of an award package for adding the “America’s BEST Restroom” award to their growing list of accolades. Money Magazine pegged Tampa Bay in the Top 10 for Best Places to Live. They said “Tampa is a rare combination of action-packed and affordable. Tampa’s downsides include the traffic and climate, which is sweltering and hurricane-prone in the summer. But if you can stand the heat, pun intended, you’ll benefit. You can immerse yourself in sports: The Buccaneers won the 2021 Super Bowl, but fans can also enjoy University of South Florida Bulls games at Raymond James Stadium. Catch the Tampa Bay Rays indoors at Tropicana Field or three-time Stanley Cup champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Tampa Bay area – which includes nearby cities like St. Petersburg and Clearwater – is bursting with culture. Check out Surrealist art at the Dalí Museum or see a touring Broadway show at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Go to the beach or Busch Gardens, home of the award-winning Iron Gwazi roller coaster. And don’t miss Gasparilla, an annual pirate festival with a MardGras-style parade.”Gus Stavros, education philanthropist, passes at 97. “Gus Stavros’ long standing commitment to championing free enterprise and economic education has made a transformational impact on thousands of teachers and students,” said USF President Rhea Law. “The University of South Florida and the state of Florida have lost a great advocate, a generous philanthropist and a dear friend whose legacy will live on for generations to come.”
For more than 40 years, Stavros dedicated his time and resources to advance economic education throughout the state of Florida. The son of a Greek immigrant who built a successful business, Better Business Forms, from scratch, Stavros believed economic education was good for everyone. He was particularly passionate about economic education for young people.
WUSF’s “All Night Jazz,” a fixture in the central Florida music scene since 1966, has ended. Jazz director Bob Seymour and his successor Mike Cornette inspired generations of high school students in the Tampa Bay area to pursue jazz education. The radio station has also helped hundreds of professional musicians reach a wider audience by broadcasting interviews and in-studio performances and promoting their concerts.
PINELLAS
Florida awarded St. Petersburg College over $3 million in October for workforce education, part of a broader state funding blitz. SPC, which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary, offers various workforce educational opportunities, including certificates in sales and marketing, health care, manufacturing, technology and others.
PIE (St. Petersburg / Clearwater airport) hosted two more successful Honor Flights on Sept. 20th and Oct. 18th with the community cheering the veterans’ return home from their day in Washington D.C. We look forward to the return of Honor Flights in the spring. Keep posted at www.honorflightwcf.org.
USF St. Pete’s Florida Studies program celebrated their 20th Anniversary. USFSP’s new Regional Chancellor Christian Hardigree congratulated the 69 distinctive alums from the program. Program co-founders and Professors Emeritus Gary Mormino, Ph.D. and Raymond Arsenault, Ph.D. were welcomed by the program’s director, Christopher Meindl, Ph.D., and shared the program’s history. Attendees included St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch (a USFSP grad), Vice Regional Chancellor for Academic Affairs Deni Elliott, Florida Rep. Ben Diamond – District 6, USFSP Board Member Debbie Sembler, former St. Petersburg City Council Member Sally Wallace, USF Dean of College of Arts & Sciences Magali Michael, former USFSP Dean College of Arts & Sciences Frank Biafora, USFSP Acting Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Thomas W. Smith, former USF Regional Vice Chancellor of External Affairs Helen Levine and Executive Director Florida Humanities Nashid Madyun.
St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously to ban the smoking of cigarettes and vapes at the city’s parks and beaches. A new state law leaves it up to cities and counties to decide if they want to enforce a smoking ban. Several citizens spoke out during the council meeting on why they felt the ordinance should be enforced in St. Pete.
The director of Florida Conservation for Ocean Conservancy says making this decision will have a positive impact on marine life and the environment. What that actually means for the Gulf beaches is very little. St. Petersburg owns the parking and beachfront across from Waffle House in Treasure Island, but little else on the beaches.
VENICE
Legendary landscape photographer Clyde Butcher and Niki Butcher are looking forward to meeting you at their annual Holiday Open House and Book Signing at their Venice Gallery & Studio.Sat., Nov. 19th, 9am-3pmVenice Gallery & Studio, 237 Warfield Ave., Venice, FL 34285This annual event is free and open to the public. RSVP Link:www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-book-signing-meet-clyde-butcher-tickets-449588620667Questions? Call 941-486-0811.
Tampa International Airport and Virgin Atlantic will celebrate the inaugural flight of the airline’s new year-round service to London’s hub airport, London Heathrow (LHR), next week. This event marks the start of a major international route with a premium carrier for the Tampa Bay region. The new nonstop flights will feature Virgin Atlantic’s new Airbus A330-900neo, the first of 16 Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft to be put into service by the London-based carrier. This is the first time TPA is offering nonstop service to Heathrow, marking a significant moment for Tampa Bay’s growing prominence as an international destination. Heathrow is TPA’s largest unserved market in Europe. Initial four flights/week increase to daily flights year-round on Nov. 28.
The Airbus A330-900neo is the latest addition to Virgin Atlantic’s fleet and is designed to provide a premium, personalized experience for every single customer. The A330neo features Virgin Atlantic’s latest generation Upper Class cabin, including its iconic social space and innovative Retreat Suite. In 2019, Virgin Atlantic became the first U.K. airline to announce a firm order for up to 16 Airbus A330neos, reaffirming its commitment to flying the cleanest, greenest fleet in the sky.
The Paradise News readership area is blessed with some excellent Chambers of Commerce, in which we have been active for decades.
They love and cherish their volunteers, without whom they never run too smoothly. They each have wonderfully informative websites that outline their services. They each have a welcome center for visitors seeking information. Some have more than one.
St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce
Treasure Island / Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce
The Corey Area Business Association (CABA) is planning a concert on Thursday, Nov. 17th, to benefit Hurricane Ian victims to our south.
According to emails from CABA President Michael Johnson, Corey Ave. will be closed for the event. Expect some great music.
In separate news, the Corey Sunday Market is no longer sponsored by CABA, to whom they have paid around $50,000 in fees in the past few years. When CABA did not fulfill their contractual obligations and lied to Tampa Bay Markets, the city of St. Pete Beach gave Tampa Bay Markets the right to operate the market without CABA’s blessing. Talk about eating “The Goose.”