Pinellas Local News & Tidbits February 2018

PASS-A-GRILLE

The Pass-a-Grille Way paving project continues. Phase 1 should be complete by the time you read this, except for beautification and tree planting. Phase 2 from 1st to 19th – Everything is going as planned on schedule for completion date May 2019.

Blind Pass south of 75th is scheduled to have the same stuff done to it, burying electric and new pipes. DOT is going to be installing traffic overhead traffic digital  advisories/message boards on Gulf Blvd. Bayway to 75th in future.

More pedestrian crosswalks on Gulf Blvd (the blinking yellow lights) will be installed at Hotel Zamora 37th, 55th, 75th, and near 93rd Plans are going forward on new sanitary sewer from Hotel Zamora to 75th and eventually underground utilities. City of St. Pete Beach is also awarding a $1 million paving contact for city street needs. This means the only obstruction between you and Shaners Land & Sea Market, the Wharf or Genaro’s delicious Italian food is a flashing red light at the intersection.

PANCAKES AT PAG CHURCH

The Men’s Ministry of Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church will host its annual Pre-Lenten Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, February 10, from 8:00 am to 10:30 am.  

The popular “all you can eat menu”  consists of pancakes, sausage, orange juice, fruit and coffee and tea.  The centuries, old tradition of eating pancakes and like meals has it’s roots in the need to eliminate perishables such as eggs and milk from the family pantry prior to the beginning of Lent. Tickets are $5 The church is at 107 16 Ave., St. Pete Beach.  727-360-5508 or www.pagchurch.org.

TREASURE ISLAND

GULF BEACHES ROTARY TENNIS & GOLF CHALLENGE

The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club and the City of Treasure Island present the 19th Annual Rotary Tennis and Golf Challenge on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at the Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis Center, 10315 Paradise Boulevard.

The Tennis Challenge will be a Men’s and Women’s Doubles Round Robin for players of all playing levels and abilities starting at 9:00 am.  Golf Scramble for both men – women has a shotgun start at 9:30 am. Playing times from 9 am -noon, at a cost of $25/player, which includes play, goodie bag, prizes and raffle. The event will also be accompanied by a silent auction that includes tennis racquets, hotel and restaurant packages and much more. The tournament and auction are open to the public and you need not be a player to bid on the silent auction items. Food and beverage concessions will be available throughout the event.

Friday, February 16th, come cheer on the St Pete College Women’s Tennis Team when they challenge the Hillsborough Community College at 4 pm at Treasure Bay. After the SPC match, there will be a reception and silent auction preview at the Treasure Bay clubhouse. At 7 pm, a dinner catered by Glory Days Grill will be offered for $25 per person. Please make buffet reservations in advance by calling Treasure Bay at (727) 360-6062 or the Treasure Island Recreation Dept. at  (727) 547-4575, ext. 237.  

ST. PETE BEACH

Free Tax Help is available at the St. Pete Beach Library Every Friday from 10 – 2:30 Feb. 2nd – April 13. thanks to AARP Foundation Tax Aide. You must bring your Social Security Card. St. Pete Beach Public Library, 365 73rd. Ave., St. Pete Beach, 33706 (727) 363-9238 spblibrary.org

City of St. Pete Beach Seeks General Pension Board volunteer.  A vacancy has existed since Joanne Lentino resigned to successfully run for a school board seat. The  volunteer position requires St. Pete Beach residency and knowledge of financial investments and transactions. The board meets quarterly during regular business hours.  Find a volunteer application and more information about the pension board at www.stpetebeach.org or call the City Clerk’s office at 727-363-9201.

Adult First Aid, CPR & AED training

This course prepares you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults. This is a blended learning course including an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skill session. Online portion must be completed prior to attending the in-class portion. Class will be held on February 28, 10 am, at the St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. Cost: $30 and participates must be registered by February 14.  Call the Community Center at (727) 363-9245 or visit our website at www.spbrec.com.

Guy Harvey Outpost Hosts Away Lightning Game Watch Party

RumFish Grill at Guy Harvey Outpost is also the “Official Watch Zone” of the Tampa Bay Lightning for ALL away games. Watch on the 14-foot television screen in the bar or on one of the many TVs around the deck!  Saturday, February 24 – 7:00 p.m. – vs. Montreal Canadiens. TradeWinds Island Resorts is inviting hockey fans to head out to St. Pete Beach for fun-filled, family-friendly Tampa Bay Lightning game watching parties all season long. The action takes place at Guy Harvey Outpost, a TradeWinds Beach Resort.

The games will be broadcast on a huge screen directly on the beach and ThunderBug and the Lightning girls will be on-hand with fun giveaways. There will also be a DJ and beach games for the whole family. Food and beverages including cookout items and drink specials will be available for purchase. At every Watch Party, visitors can earn raffle tickets by visiting the bar and cookout to win a pack of tickets to see the Lightning play at home. Must be present to win. Coolers are not allowed, but fans are encouraged to bring their own beach chairs, umbrellas and towels.

For watch parties on the beach, $10 parking will be available at the Guy Harvey Outpost and at the neighboring Island Grand (while available – discounted from normal $20). Parking is free for all RumFish Grill patrons. For additional information, please call (727) 367-6461 or visit www.JustLetGo.com/Lightning.

Free Sunday Afternoon Music At St. Pete Beach Rec. Center.

On February 25 & March 25, 2-4 pm, enjoy light refreshments and plenty of dance music by the legendary Rhythm Kings. This event is free and open to all. Just show up at the Recreation Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. For more info, visit spbrec.com, or call 727-363-9245

MADEIRA BEACH

The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club Spring Break Waterfront Festival will take place at the Madeira Beach Recreation Complex & ROC Park located at 300 Municipal Drive from Thursday, March 15 – Sunday, March 18, 2018. This 4-day, fun-filled event offers a collection of carnival rides provided by Arnold Amusements, live entertainment and awesome food & craft vendors. ADMISSION IS FREE! Gulf Beaches Rotary Club has donated, over $50,000 to local charities in 2017. The Spring Break Festival is the clubs signature event and largest fundraiser each year. Proceeds from benefit local charities.  Thur.  3 -10pm Fri. & Sat. Noon–10pm;  Sun. Noon – 9pm

SOUTH PASADENA

Two new restaurants are opening soon in Pasadena Shopping Center:

Fortunato’s Pizzeria & Trattoria, featuring a delicious home style Italian menu in a cafe setting.  Outdoor dining is planned along with your favorite hand-tossed, stone-baked pizza, a variety of pasta dishes, hot and cold Italian sandwiches and more! Mangia!

KeKe’s Breakfast Cafe offering made-to-order breakfasts starting at 7am and lunch starting at 10:30am daily.  This is the first KeKe’s in South Pinellas County and is an excellent addition to our dining-out scene. 

ST PETERSBURG

St. Petersburg Preservation and event sponsor, Eileen Bedinghaus with RE/MAX Metro, will host a Mid-Century Porch Party and Open Home Tour on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, from 4pm – 7pm. The affair will be hosted on the property of  721 Pinellas Point Drive S, St. Petersburg.  The evening will make for a festive event celebrating some of the area’s most unique architecture! Attendees will be able to tour two “Bird-Cage” homes located at 721 & 751 Pinellas Point Drive South.

GULFPORT

Gulfport Senior Center welcomes David and Jenny, the amazing illusionist act from America’s at Talent! Friday, February 16, 7:30pm & Saturday, February 17,  2 pm at Catherine Hickman Theatre. Tickets $25,  Availableat Gulfport Welcome Center, Beach Bazaar and @ magicshowtix.com

CHAMBER

Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce announced awards at their annual dinner in January.

Business Award Winners:

  • Best Office Canines: Luci & Madison, Caputo Creative
  • Stellar Staff Award: Joe Magaddino, Dignity Beach Memorial Chapel
  • Awesome Office Traditions: The Don CeSar Resort
  • Biggest Community Impact: Duke Energy Linemen
  • Photographer Extraordinaire: Bob Schlesinger, Tropical Focus Photography.

Congratulations also to Robin Sollie on 10 years as President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce! Robin was celebrated for her 10 years of service and dedication with a speech from Tony Satterfield and a video created by Caputo Creative.

NETWORKING

HEC Network becomes KMA. Liz M. Lopez & Tracie Thompson, founders of the business mastermind and coaching group Keystone Mastermind Alliance purchased the HEC Network on January 15. Keystone Mastermind Alliance, founded in 2014, and HEC Network, founded in 2015 both enjoyed vigorous growth in Pinellas County.

“The HEC Network,” remarked Lopez. “was an adventure, a place to be yourself and be supported as a business owner and as a community member.  The KMA Network will keep that spirit and be a diverse community of business owners and entrepreneurs achieving more together.” Guests are welcome to visit a meeting and experience the KMA Network’s unique approach to business networking. To learn more about the new KMA Network and to find a schedule of events, visit www.kmanetwork.com.

PINELLAS COUNTY

State Representative Kathleen Peters has withdrawn her application for the Public Service Commission and continues to “focus first on serving her constituents as a State Representative, and subsequently on her campaign for District 6 on the Pinellas County Commission.”

FEMA Updating Flood Insurance Rate Maps  

– New coastal flood modeling may affect owners of properties susceptible to coastal flooding. FEMA has advised Pinellas County that its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are being revised. Preliminary maps will be available soon. The new maps are based on revised coastal flood modeling and may affect owners of properties susceptible to flooding from the Gulf, Tampa Bay and inland areas near waterways connected to the Gulf or Bay.

Flood map development is still in progress and FEMA has not yet made available preliminary maps intended for community review. Once FEMA releases preliminary maps for review, Pinellas County will make the maps available to the public online here.

TIERRA VERDE

Tampa Baywatch hosts the Bay Life Art Exhibit Friday, Feb. 23, 4 – 9pm at 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Fl 33715. This FREE event is open to the public. Enjoy an art raffle, light snacks and a donation bar. Fun for the whole family! NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott proudly presents  “eARTh from Space”  featuring her artistic experiences while on board the International Space Station. Presentation begins at 7pm in the Education Center- 2nd Floor. All artwork is for sale with a portion of proceeds to benefit Tampa Bay Watch. PN

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