TREASURE ISLAND
One of the newest Treasure Island businesses is Salty Sisters Gourmet Popcorn, a terrific new shop offering top quality fresh popcorn in an amazing variety of 25 flavors. Locally raised sisters Jennie and Jill, a nurse at St. Anthony’s and a social worker, respectively decided to jump into entrepreneurship on the beach. They are open at 107 107th Ave in Treasure Island, next to Gigi’s, from 10 am -7 pm every day. Their shop has sample dispensers ready for you to take a taste before you commit. Contact them about Gift Sets, Events, or Tins full of your favorite flavor from one to six gallons. The sisters plan to package and display their product for sale in resort gift shops and to promote Treasure Island welcome baskets featuring items from a number of downtown merchants. The TI&MB chamber of commerce will cut a ribbon there Feb 7th at 5 pm. Call 727-592-7107 with any questions.
Feola’s Italian Ristorante is celebrating its fifth anniversary at the Thunderbird Beach Resort 10700 Gulf Blvd. Feola’s Italian Ristorante is a family owned and operated business serving the St. Petersburg area since 1999. Their services include dine-in, carry-out, delivery and catering and events with a full-service bar. For more reservations or catering needs, call (727) 347-8415, or see feolasitalianristorante.com.
Downtown Treasure Island is the newest “Little Italy” on our beaches. Shrimpy’s Restaurant relocated and expanded from its prior “downtown” Treasure Island location to the northwest tip of St. Pete Beach where the Salty Rim recently closed. Cajun food and a full liquor bar on the water likely means success on the barrier islands. Italian food is also extremely popular and there are more of them on the beaches we serve than any other type of cuisine. We are going to have yet another very soon, as the space Shrimpy’s just vacated will soon become CARUSO’s Italian Ristorante. They are easy to find, almost across the street from Gigi’s and a block east of Feola’s. CARUSO’S may well be offering a different product than existing restaurants. The creative Italian breakfast menu in the window offers benedict specials from Florentina ($7.95) to a Treasure Island Shrimp & Scallops Benedict ($12.95) and Omelettes ($11.95-$13.95). Isle of Palms CA annual Spaghetti Dinner – Tues. Feb. 19th, 5-8 at the TI Comm. Ctr, 154 106th Ave. It’s open to the public. Live entertainment will be provided. Dine in or to go. Adult dinners are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Kids under 10 are $5. Get advance tickets at the TI /Mad Beach Chamber, 12601 Gulf Blvd. Call Shelly 860-480-3035 Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Isle Of Palms Civic Association or www.iopca.org
They will conduct an Island-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, March 2nd 8AM to 2PM. Cost for residents to participate is $5 per yard; shopping is free. The Isle of Palms Civic Association will run a food courton 115th Ave during sale hours. To participate or for info, call Deanne 727-368 6800 or Millie 727-430-2351.
The Treasure Islette’s Fashion Show and fundraiser luncheon ‘Raindrops and Roses’Is sponsored by and held atThe Club at Treasure Island, on Saturday March 16, 11 – 2 featuring Patchington Boutique. There will be door prizes, super raffle and a great silent auction. Call Judy Koepkey (615) 556-4977or BJ Flowers at (863) 420-1226 . The Treasure Islettes meet on the fourth Monday at 7 pm September to May at the Treasure Island Community Center. The Islettes welcome all women who have an interest in volunteerism. For more info contact The Treasure Islettes by email at tislettes@gmail.com or Toni Hawkins at (727) 360-9024.
The Islettes host Thursday night Bingos at 6:45 pm & 7:45 pm at the Treasure Island Community Center Park/Gulf Boulevard at 106th Avenue (behind Walgreens). Great snack bar, free coffee and cash prizes. Call Linda Hepp 727-270-3178.
David Chandler, a retired US Army veteran living in Treasure Island along with his wife Michelle have started Screamin Screens and Aluminum, Inc. (Lic 11341). Reviews they have received after over 40 jobs are complete are mostly all 5 star. Visit their website www.ScreaminScreens.com, email dave@ScreaminScreens.com. If you have screen work you need done contact him before he gets all booked up. You can call Dave on his cel 727-249-4202.Please tell him you read about him in Paradise NEWS.
ST. PETE BEACH
Sun Tan Art Center’s Art Splash Show 2019 – Sat., Feb 23 and Sun., Feb. 24 – 10 am – 5 pm Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm Sunday, Free, Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. St. Pete Beach. An oversized tent will feature the work of more than 75 local artists in competition for cash prizes. Offers fine art and craft, live demonstrations, food provided by the local eateries of SPB, and live music. suntanart.org/100-artists-show-post
NAN COLTON will portray Georgia O’Keeffe at PAG COMM CHURCH – March 12 – Nan Colton, a critically acclaimed performing artist in residence at the Museum of Fine Arts, will portray American iconic painter Georgia O’Keeffe at Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church on Tuesday, March 12th at 2 pm. The church is located at 107 16 Ave. in St. Pete Beach.
Georgia O’Keeffe is recognized as one of America’s most original painters. Her paintings, sensuous flowers, bleached bones against a red sky and earth etc., portray a vivid visual vocabulary that brings to life what she termed, “The wildness and wonders of the world as I live in it.” Ms. O’Keeffe’s artistic brilliance revolutionized and continues to influence modern art. At the time of her passing in 1986 at age 99, she left a vast body of work that earned countless awards and honors. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the world’s only museum dedicated to an internationally known woman artist. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or at the church office. Light refreshments will be served. For more info., call 360-5508 or visit www.pagchurch.org.
Sirata Beach Resort was recently named 2019 Winner In The Knot Best Of Weddings & WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards.
St. Pete Beach Public Library offers tech help on topics including spart phones, e-readers and more every Tuesday 3-4pm. Learn more about this program and other news in St. Pete Beach. For more information call 363.9238 or visit www.SPBLibrary.com.
Doug Izzo is the new incoming commissioner for District 2 in St. Pete Beach. He was unopposed. Rick Falkenstein gave up his seat early to let the incoming commissioner help choose a new city manager, a process now underway.
ISLA DEL SOL
The Deck is Opening – Celebrate With Them for Valentine’s Day! Thursday, February 14, 11am – 11pm. Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting 11 am . • Live Entertainment • 19 TVS • Eclectic Menu – Prime Rib Special all Day! All Sport Packages.
Island Life Animal Hospital, is under construction at Isla Del Sol Shoppers Village.
GULFPORT
Mark your calendar for the annual Gulfport Pink Flamingo Home Tour on March 2. See story on page 21.
Gulfport’s 1st Annual Peace, Love & Pride Festival is set for Sunday, February 10th, Noon-5pm in and around the Gulfport Casino. They are still accepting vendors, sponsor inquiries and volunteers. For info contact the Festival 727-289-9365.
ST. PETERSBURG
Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman discussed the importance of stemming climate change with a viable sustainability plan recently as part of the announcement that St. Petersburg is a Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge Winner. St Pete is one of 25 cities whose plans will be aided by a program from Bloomberg Philanthropy. “Climate of Hope,” Bloomberg’s insightful book and NYT bestseller is a must-read. While no actual cash is involved, winning comes with help worth an estimated $2.5 million.
Jeff Schorr of Craftsman House and Leslie Curran of ARTicles Gallery have teamed up to open Truffūla eco-boutique at 2935 Central Ave. Located between The Collectors Exchange and Hawthorne Bottle Shop, Truffūla is an upscale eco-boutique featuring earth-friendly products. They carry a wide range of sustainable items including organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo clothing (The apparel industry is the #2 polluter of our oceans behind the oil industry), upcycled jewelry, vegan handbags & footwear, wallets made from banana trees, hammocks, and a number of reusable items: water bottles, bags, straws. The art selection includes blown glass and pottery, handmade by artists who use methane gas from an old landfill to fire their kilns. Truffūla is the exclusive Tampa Bay area dealer for Kenneth Cobonpue’s nature-in spired furniture and will feature the return of wooden furnishings by local favorites, Funktionhouse.
Saturday, February 23rd, from 12-3 pm Is OPEN HOUSE at Friends of Strays Animal Shelter, 2911 47th Ave N, St. Pete, 33714. Public tours will be offered through the afternoon showing the medical department and dog kennels. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the shelter and learn how your support is helping save more animals than ever before!
Preservationists say MIRROR LAKE IS THREATENED! Mirror Lake is a part of downtown that brings out the WOW – but a 21-story modern styled high-rise threatens to change that. It would be built between two landmarks, the 1916 Mirror Lake library and the 1912 First Congregational Church building. City Council will decide the fate of the development at a hearing on February 7 at 9 am at City Hall.
“City council has a choice to apply the city code sections on neighborhood compatibility and say no to out of scale & out of place development or to set those provisions aside and say yes to anything goes for downtown development. Council also needs to consider starting the process to create a Mirror Lake historic district to be sure they have the best tools in place to keep the area special.”
Creative Loafing says ‘art lovers are in for a treat’ at The Dali’s current Magritte & Dali exhibit and Paradise News agrees!
Tickets ($90) are now on sale for the 2019 Los Vinos De Dali on Sunday, April 14th 4-7pm at The Dali.
FORT DESOTO
As a precautionary measure, Pinellas County Animal Services recently advised pet owners to refrain from bringing puppies, senior dogs, unvaccinated dogs or dogs with compromised immune systems to Ft. De Soto Park due to possible interaction with infected racoons. Pinellas County Animal Services has received no reports of exposures to pets from the infected raccoon. The tested raccoons no longer pose a threat to park visitors and pets. Pet owners should continue to avoid the park until further tests on other raccoons are completed.
Animal Services reminds pet owners to keep vaccinations for their dogs and cats up to date to prevent the spread of diseases. Pet owners can get their pets vaccinated at their private veterinary clinic. Animal Services strongly encourages every pet owner to establish a relationship with a veterinarian. This relationship is essential for a pet’s health and longevity and is an important component of responsible pet ownership.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Pinellas County Sheriffs Offices wants you to please lock your car doors and stow valuables out of sight.
Pinellas County has earned the Arbor Day Foundation’s designation of Tree City, USA for the 2nd time in three years for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Go Green Night is March 5th! A portion of tickets sales will benefit Tampa Bay Watch.
CASA was chosen as the charity of choice for the Florida Food & Brews Festival in Seminole on February 23-24. https://www.foodbrewsfestival.com
West Coast Players will hold auditions for D. L. Coburn’s play, The Gin Game, on Sunday, February 24 at 7 pm at West Coast Players theater. Production dates are April 19 – May 5, 2019.
TAMPA
Early Bird Tickets ($75) are now on sale for Lowry Park Zoo’s ZOOBREWS Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival on March 2nd 7-11pm. Ticket prices go up February 11th. Learn more and get tickets at https://shop.lowryparkzoo.com
TIERRA VERDE
Tierra Verde Hardware is having a going out of business retirement sale. The Johnsons invite everyone in to get a bargain during the big final sale that started Feb 1 and they thank everyone for their patronage over 17 years.
SOUTH PASADENA
The City of South Pasadena is looking for volunteers to help with the 33rd Annual Artspring Exhibition. Shifts are available March 25 – April 1, 2019. Artists are also needed to exhibit their artwork.
HEALTH
Keep up your 2019 resolution to get healthier with St. Anthony’s Health Seminars including free health screenings in February:
• Heart Healthy Screenings Thursday, Feb. 14 8 am-2 pm. St. Anthony’s Hospital, Auditorium, Ground Floor, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. The free screenings, which take about 15 minutes, include blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and a pre-screening for diabetes.
• Smoking Cessation Class Saturday, Feb. 16 10 am at St. Anthony’s Hospital Cafeteria Fishbowl, Ground Floor, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Valuable tools are provided during this two-hour class to help you quit using tobacco including coping with cravings and physical and emotional symptoms. The class includes free aids to help quit using tobacco while supplies last.
• Weight Loss Surgery Information – Thursday, Feb. 28 Noon at LifeHelp Second Floor Classroom, St. Anthony’s Resource Center, 500 Martin Luther King St. N, St. Petersburg Kevin Huguet, MD, will explain various weight loss surgery options during this information session.
100 Women Who Care of
Pinellas County is a philanthropic group that provides an avenue for women to join together to bring financial support to local, charitable organizations that have a 501(c)(3) status. Members commit to attending four meetings per year (one per quarter) and pledge to donate $100 to an elected charity at each meeting. The members have the opportunity to nominate any organization, three of the nominated organizations are then randomly selected to give a 5-minute presentation, a vote is taken, and then checks are written directly to the winning charity. Since February of 2013, the group has given $206,000 to local charities. The next meeting is 7-8 pm on Tuesday, February 19, Cove Cay Golf Club, 2612 Cove Cay Drive in Clearwater. There is a social time from 6-7 pm at the Cove Cay restaurant, where drinks and snacks can be purchased. More information, contact Co-Leader Brenda George at 727-515-1868 or check the Facebook page, 100+ Women Who Care- Pinellas County.
SUSHI BATTLE
Two of our favorite Thai and Sushi Spots, Nori Thai and Basil Leaf in St. Pete Beach are part of a battle for the ages between some of Tampa Bay’s best sushi joints! You are invited to join the fun. Enjoy samples of sushi from Tampa Bay restaurants and VOTE on who deserves to win the battle! Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:30 – 9:30 PM Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, 33602
General Admission to the Tampa Sushi Battle includes samples of sushi and sake from some of the finest sushi joints in the Tampa Bay Area. Taste them all and VOTE for the restaurant that deserves to win Sushi Battle and the GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS AWARD! Additionally, tickets include 1 SAKE BOMB drink (Must be over 21). Get tickets here.