Pinellas County Local News & Tidbits- March 2018

“Luck is believing you’re lucky.” – Tennessee Williams

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG

Paul’s Landing, the classy but casual new waterfront eatery at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort 501 5th Avenue NE, officially opened in mid-February 2018. Positioned to earn renown as a dining spot for locals and travelers alike, they claim to be concentrating on serving innovative Florida-inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. You will soon be invited here for social gatherings, family dinners and special celebrations. What’s more, the restaurant plans to host unique events for guests and the local community, such as themed dinners, trivia nights, black and white movies on the promenade and more.

Oak & Stone Partners with Tampa Bay Rowdies

Oak & Stone, a New American tavern featuring craft beer, artisanal pizza and gourmet fare, announced their first official professional sports franchise partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2018 season.  

Their 2nd location is opening at 199 Central Ave in downtown St. Petersburg (corner of Central Ave & 2nd St N.) in April 2018, just a few weeks after the Rowdies’ season opener.

The partnership will include player appearances, mascot visits, digital and social support pre and post game promotional opportunities as well as stadium visibility.

Walking distance from the iconic Al Lang Stadium, Oak & Stone will serve over 60 rotating varieties of mostly local American craft beers on a self-serve beer wall utilizing RFID technology. The full-service restaurant is gearing up for their opening as a pre and post-game meeting place.  

The 6,000 square foot, full-service restaurant serves up to 300 guests indoors and features an expansive 3,000 square foot outdoor patio with tables and chairs for an additional 150 guests. With comfy couches, fire pits, corn hole and billiards, there’s plenty of activities for guests to enjoy. “We’re thrilled about this partnership with the Rowdies. They’re an incredible community-focused organization,” notes Brett Decklever, co-owner of Oak & Stone.

ST PETE BEACH

CABA (Corey Area Business Association) scored a base hit with its first Corey Ave. Seafood Festival in early February, which exceded all expectations for attendance. St. Pete Beach Mayor Al Johnson and his city manager said they heard no major  complaints about the event, other than traffic and a few parking challenges faced by attendees. There are plans in the works for a repeat next year, and perhaps a stone crab festival sometime in the fall. The city will discuss allowing property owners to rent out parking spaces for such events in the future. The street is being closed for the Ides of March, with a St. Patrick’s Party on the 17th and the Sunday Fresh Market on the 18th.

New Pedestrian Crosswalks

A contractor working for the FDOT is installing new pedestrian crosswalks on Gulf Blvd at 38th Ave and 70th Ave. The road is narrowed to one lane in each direction from 7 am – 4:30 pm.  Expect delays.

Sanitary Sewer Pipe System Smoke Testing Program

February 20th a company called USSI began to smoke test St. Pete Beach’s sanitary sewer pipe system.  Testing the entire City system is expected to take until March 30th.  A door hanger with additional information and the schedule will be distributed in each neighborhood two to three days in advance of the test in that area.   USSI uses a motorized smoke machine to force non-toxic smoke, manufactured specifically for this purpose, into the pipes.  Any breaks or defects in the pipe will be identified by smoke rising through the ground.  The smoke should not enter a building however; if there is a dry P-Trap, defective wax seal under a toilet or vents, clean-outs or sump pumps connected to the sewer system smoke will be seen at the defective location. 

If you see smoke in any of these areas do not be concerned, the smoke is not harmful to you or your pets and will leave no trace or residue.  You should call a plumber to correct the problem. Please call St. Pete Beach Public Works at 727-363-9243 to address any question you have.

Honor Walk at Upham Beach

The 2018 Brick Campaign ends March 19, 2018. Installation of the bricks will occur early summer. For more information call 727.363.9232

Senior Excursions

The St. Pete Beach Community Center has Senior Excursions on the schedule for March. The excursions are a great way for local seniors to travel with friends.  All excursions will depart from St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. All participants must pre-register by Wednesday prior to the excursion.

Each trip is $15.

Cost covers transportation only.  All admissions or lunch are extra and the responsibility of the participants. For more information call the Community Center at 727.363.9245 or visit  www.spbrec.com

Trip Schedule

Mar 10—Ellenton Outlets
Mar 24 —Bok Tower Gardens (additional fee for admission )
Mar 31—Tampa Cuban Sandwich Festival

St Pete Beach Denies Extension of Paradise Grille Lease

City commissioners unanimously voted not to extend the Paradise Grille lease that terminates May 31. Mayor Al Johnson said the city has no complaints with the Grille or its operators.

He feels they have done a great job.  The lease had become too cumbersome and complicated to administer and needed to be rewritten.  The agreement was simply renewed in 2013. During the last 10 years, the Grille at Pass-A-Grille and Upham began to serve beers and wines.  The city wants a new lease, and in order to do that, they had to open it back up for bid.

Commissioners agreed to feel that after 10 years, it was time to re-examine lease terms and to see if the current operators were still the best option. Current operators  were invited to submit a bid and their “experience will be considered” they were told. Both Grille locations, at 900 Gulf Way and 6850 Beach Plaza, bill themselves as casual, laid back beachside places, offering American-style eats out on a patio, plus live music, a gift shop and a chance to enjoy Gulf breezes.

An amazing show of support (estimated at 250 people) filled the Commission chamber in favor of Paradise Grille operators. Other bids are being sought as well.

Commission waives cost-of-living increase for Merry Pier Operators

In separate action commissioners unanimously agreed to forgo a contractual cost of  living increase (about $1,000) in the Merry Pier operator’s lease ($40,000/yr) due to the ongoing construction that is disrupting parking and access to the pier.

We are sad to announce that Richard ‘RJ’ Siviur Passed.

The one-time Publisher of Tierra Verde Scene (which eventually morphed into The Island Reporter and the Tierra Verde Bulletin, which briefly became YOLO), Feather Sound News and Davis Island News had been working to publish a book “How to live to be 100” for the past 5 years. A meteorologist during the Second World War, Richard was recognized for his service by the  “Veterans of South Pinellas” at their spring event on May 1, 2015, in Pass-a-Grille when the new Bayway Bridge was dedicated. He also holds the distinction of being Paradise NEWS eldest sales rep at age 92. RJ Passed A Week Shy of Age 95.

SOUTH PASADENA

Calling All Artists & Volunteers  March 23 – 25 for the 32nd Spring Art Exhibition!  The city of South Pasadena is looking for volunteers to help with the 32nd Annual Art Spring Exhibition. Shifts are available on the following dates: March 19 – 26, 2018. Please consider donating a few hours of your time. Artists are also needed to exhibit their artwork in the following mediums: clay, fiber, wood, metals, glass, photography, paper or paint.  Sculptures may be submitted in clay, wood, metals or glass.

First, Second & Third Place ribbons will be awarded in three categories (artwork, photography, and sculpture), along with the Mayor’s Award and Honorable Mention ribbons. No entry fee required. To register or for more information, please contact City Hall at 347-4171 or cityhall@mysouthpasadena.com.

PINELLAS COUNTY

26th Annual Future of the Region Awards

Presented by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council CALL FOR ENTRIES   AVAILABLE NOW! 

Click on “Call For Entries” or visit  www.tbrpc.org  

Deadline to Enter: Friday, March 28, 2018

Staff Contacts: Wren G. Krahl, Deputy Executive Dir.  wren@tbrpc.org
Brian Ellis, Intergovernmental Services Coordinator brian@tbrpc.org

Lifeguards needed for 2018 Pinellas beach season

Pinellas County is hiring full- and part-time lifeguards for March to Sept. The county is hiring lifeguards to monitor county beaches and help visitors have a safe and fun time. Lifeguards will be stationed on county beaches at Fort De Soto, Sand Key and Fred Howard parks from March to September.  Individuals who enjoy helping the public in a fast-paced, detail-oriented role are encouraged to apply.  Positions are available for full-time or part-time seasonal employment, with pay starting at $12.55 per hour for new lifeguards and ranging to $14.98 / hour for senior-level lifeguards with an EMT certification. Lifeguards may work 8 or 10-hour shifts.  A list of current job openings is available at employment.pinellascounty.org.

MarineMax Honored with Sea Ray Awards

MarineMax recently received several awards for customer satisfaction and their efforts in selling Sea Ray. MarineMax Clearwater received excellence in customer satisfaction on Sea Ray purchases. For more information, please visit  www.marinemax.com

Eckerd College Debuts Multi-Million Dollar Visual Arts Center

Eckerd College’s new 33,000 SF Helmar & Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts features two galleries, a ceramics wing, digital arts and audio studios, a printmaking workshop and seven semi-private student studios.

Helmar E Nielsen, donated $7 million to Eckerd’s Visual Arts discipline endowing a professorship in film production.  For years, Film Florida and local film organizations across the state have worked exhaustively to bring major productions to the state. Recent critically acclaimed films such as the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, and The Florida Project, for which Willem Dafoe was nominated for an Academy Award, have revived interest in the Sunshine State’s potential as a filming destination.

Treasure Island / Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Community-wide Health Fair and Trade Show at the Treasure Island Comm. Ctr. Saturday April 21st. RGA, Gulfport and Seminole Chambers are involved and the American Legion shows old cars in the park outside. See ad to the right! There will be Health Care Screenings, Free Adm., free swag bags for first 100 guests and ‘tons’ of door prizes. There will be live music, but likely not what you can hear a few miles south at the FREE Beach Goes Pops in Pass-a-Grille!

The 28th Beach Goes Pops on Saturday, April 21st, 2018

In Pass-A-Grille there’s food, beverages and live music, Noon – 10:30PM with three outstanding bands. Peace of Woodstock 3:50 pm will be playing all of your favorite woodstock music. TomKats Jazz Orchestra 5:50 pm – 7:30 pm. An 18-piece band that for over 30 years have been performing jazz and swing music throughout the West Coast of Florida. Headliner, the Alter Eagles, take the stage 8 – 10:30 pm. They’re unbelievably close to the original Eagles and will have you singing along to all the favorites. Food & beverage (soft drinks, water, beer and wine) vendors available to the public.

There are 2 VIP Opportunities $100 – $125 ea. + fees/sold in advance, include 2 Food Trucks: St Pete Taco Lady and Surf & Turf Truck, unlimited beer, wine, Prosecco, exclusive access to luxury restrooms for VIP area guests.

The Chillounge  VIP area is living room style seating directly in front of the stage for $125 ea. + fees. The VIP Dining area is located behind the VIP Chill Lounge area for the evening’s performance.  VIP Tickets for the Dining section are $100 ea + fees / sold in advance. Visit www.beachgoespops.com for current event details.

Please contact Maggie Caruso at Maggie@visitpassagrille.com or Lisa Charest at Lisacharest@gmail.com for VIP Dining  or Chillounge reservations or sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds will benefit John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and will help create a treatment room for children undergoing & chemotherapy. Organizers thank the

City of St. Pete Beach, the dedicated Committee, the 180 plus volunteers who coordinate and sponsors who help to produce a day and evening of FREE CONCERTS on beautiful and historic Pass-A-Grille in St. Pete Beach. Additional event details at: www.Beachgoespops.com

Don’t Fall For Fake Duke Energy Billing Scam

Modern scam artists use increasingly sophisticated and intimidating tactics. The only way to protect yourself is to be vigilant, stay informed and guard your personal information. 

Remember, you do not have to sign anything or give personal information to anyone calling you on the phone, sending you an email or showing up at your door. If someone says they are from Duke Energy and you feel something’s not quite right about the situation, contact us immediately at 800.700.8744, then Contact the police and report the call if you feel an impostor called. They have posted some videos  to help you identify a scam. www.duke-energy.com/customer-service/report-fraud-and-scams.

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