There is a new owner at Madfish Grill (the shiny diner looking restaurant between the Bellweather Resort and Crabby Bills in St. Pete Beach). Mark Thomlinson and his staff are earning 5-star reviews once again for their chateaubriand experience and their fresh creative seafood dishes. Expect an excellent wine list and one of the top dining experiences on the beaches.
The newest place in town is DECANTER Wine and Tapas Bar, at 7115 Gulf Blvd., where Sandra used to offer German food. The proprietors, Nilied and Miguel Quiot, are Treasure Island residents. Miguel is a wine rep with a family background in food service in their native Puerto Rico. Nilied is a chemist with an infectious smile. She said they are a wine bar with tapas and small plates and desserts with a Spanish influence. Just open a few months with 35 5-star google reviews. Tell them you read about them in Paradise News.
LeeAnn Moore, a lifelong competitive athlete, has opened a new Top Shape Fitness gym at Dolphin Village shopping center. LeeAnn says “At Top Shape Fitness, it’s pretty straight forward: we want you to feel your best, top shape. Workout with a personal trainer or utilize the open gym machines, free weights, or cardiovascular equipment. Post workout recovery in the Infrared Sauna or full spectrum light bed. All in a clean environment where you feel comfortable working out at your own pace and level. No annual membership and no initiation fees. Choose a monthly package that works best for your goals or for visitors, select a daily or weekly package. With our reservation system, you reserve your time, eliminate the worry of overcrowding or if the equipment will be available. Let us help you reach your goals. Maybe it’s strength or flexibility so you can swing the golf club a little harder or pick up the grandchildren without worry or pain, get ready for the beach, or train for a competitive race. Either way, Top Shape will support you along your journey.” Visit www.topshapespb.com for a tour.
Tampa Bay Watch and the City of St. Petersburg took a giant step forward in the Maximo Park Living Shoreline Project (featured image). Over three exciting days, 120 passionate volunteers installed 602 oyster reef balls and 17 tons of shell, creating nearly 8,000 square feet of living shoreline. This significant effort aims to boost coastal resilience, protect cultural treasures, and enhance water quality – proving that together, we can make a difference!
Creative Pinellas welcomes the Florida Watercolor Society 53rd Annual Exhibition from Aug. 8 until mid-October. This exhibition invites guests to immerse themselves in the captivating world of watercolors. The Florida Watercolor Society (FWS) is one of the largest state watercolor societies in the country, boasting almost 1,000 members. The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo, is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10am-5pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
The Florida West Coast Orchid Society (FWCOS) hosts Julien Baruch from Krull Smith in Apopka, as the featured speaker Thursday, Aug. 8. His topic will be “Introduction to Bulbophyllum Species.” Julien is bringing plants to sell. Doors at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N, Seminole, doors open at 5:45pm. Beginner class starts at 6pm. Main meeting at 6:45pm. Nine days later in the same location, on Saturday morning, Aug. 17 at 9am, orchid lovers can preview over 100 orchids which will be put up for auction starting at 9:30am. For info visit :www.FWCOS.org parnold3@tampabay.rr.com 727-475-0750
The St. Petersburg Junior Woman’s Club is hosting their 2nd Burg BBQ Benefit at URBAN Brew & BBQ, 2601 Central Ave., at 5pm on Oct. 12. It will include a full dinner buffet, live music, a photobooth, free shuffleboard, raffle baskets, silent auction, 50/50 tickets, and more! Proceeds from the fundraiser will continue a long tradition of volunteer service projects in the community, benefiting organizations locally and around the world. They focus on five areas of service: Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Environment, Education and Libraries, and Health and Wellness.
The Princess Martha’s 100th anniversary! In 1923, Franklin J. Mason began construction of a grand hotel in St. Petersburg, originally known as the “Hotel Mason.” Preserve the Burg image credit Florida Memory #PHA097.
The Neoclassical hotel had over 250 rooms and the exquisite interior included high ceilings, grand staircases, a stunning dining room, and 15,000 square feet of Spanish mosaic tiles. The building was sold less than a year later to William Muir who renamed the hotel “The Princess Martha” in honor of his wife. The Princess Martha was designated a historic landmark in 1995, and the city’s oldest barber shop is still in business on the ground floor.
St. Pete College has an Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS) with goals to help promote student, economic, and community engagement through collaboration and education programs with government and non-government partners in a bipartisan environment.On Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7, near Tarpon Springs, join their discussion about workforce initiatives, trends, and developmental training across our state. The following Tuesday, Nov. 12, at noon at the SPC Clearwater campus join ISPS as they examine the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in the legal system. For more info or to register for these programs, visit www.isps.spcollege.edu or call 727-394-6942.
Music for all tastes this fall in Tampa Bay
October brings concerts and Taste of the Beaches back to St. Pete Beach and beyond once more. Every Friday in October, the city of St. Pete Beach kicks off the fall weekends with a concert. Welcome to the October Concert Series in Horan Park! Bring your friends, family and chairs and enjoy a night full of live entertainment! These are FREE events. Food, beer, and wine will be available for purchase. Every Friday in October! On Oct. 4, The Horny Toads perform as the Tampa Bay Beaches launch their annual fun and fundraising promotion.
The Florida Orchestra will celebrate 10 years of Music Director Michael Francis, featuring epic global masterpieces such as Beethoven’s Fifth alongside a wide variety of music, from country hits to film scores with famed composer James Newton Howard.
Taste of the Beaches is a 9-day taste tour! Locals and visitors will experience tastes from many restaurants, all of which could use the support of our community! Immerse yourself in local flavors and specialty dishes while visiting different communities and new restaurants. Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 13. www.tampabaybeaches.com/taste
Clearwater Jazz Festival (CJF) returns to its Roots for its 45th anniverary, on the waterfront in Coachman Park, Oct. 17-20, for the 45th annual Clearwater Jazz Festival. The 2024 line-up is as follows:
Thursday, Oct. 17, Gates Open 4pm
Tampa Bay Times Stage
- 6:30-8pm – Galactic Featuring Jelly Joseph
- 8pm – CJH Young Lions
VSPC Plaza Stage FREE
- 4:30-6pm JAZMIN GHENT
Pier Party Stage FREE
- 4:30-6pm YOUNG LIONS FESTIVAL JAM HOSTED BY ALEX MALKOVICH
Friday, Oct 18 Gates Open 4pm
Tampa Bay Times Stage
- 7:30PM – 9PM Tower of Power
- 9:30PM – 11PM Cory Wong
VSPC Plaza Stage
- 4:15-5pm – John C. O’Leary lll & Trace Zacur
- 5:30-7pm – Pete Carney & Orange Alert
Pier Party Stage
- 4:30-7pm – CHILLtronic Takeover with Austen Van Der Bleek & Jask
Saturday, Oct. 19 Gates Open 3pm
Tampa Bay Times Stage
- 7:30-9pm – The USAF Academy Band Falconaires
- 9:30-11pm – Sierra Ferrell
Pier Party Stage FREE
- 3:15-4pm – CJH Young Lions Collective
- 4:30-5:30pm – Castellano All-Stars
- 6-7pm – Le Jazz
VSPC Plaza Stage FREE
- 4-5pm – CJH Youth All-Star Jazz Band Hosted by Frank Williams
- 5:30-7pm – Polyrhythmics
Sunday, Oct. 20 Gates Open 3pm
Tampa Bay Times Stage
- 6:30-8pm – Mavis Staples
- 8:30-10pm – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
VSPC Plaza Stage FREE
- 3:15-4:15pm – Friends of Fil Organ Trio
- 4:45-6pm – Steeln’ Peaches
Pier Party Stage FREE
- 3:30-4:30pm – The Family Funk
- 5-6pm – Have Gun, Will Travel
* Rain or Shine / NO REFUNDS Schedule and artists may change or cancel. All prices will increase the day of the show.
For a preview of local jazz greats, CJF invites you to a preview in DTSP with: Side Door VIP Preshow. Sokolowski Trombone Project and Premium Open Seating for the Jazz & The World Concert. Complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres by E&E Stakeout Grill / Guppy’s on the Beach / Cash Bar available.
Doors at 6pm and VIP Preshow Sokolowski Trombone Project starts at 6:15pm, Aug. 23 at the Palladium Theater. 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Tickets $25 to $120. For info call 727-822-3590.VIP Preshow tickets are sold as tables of 2 or 4, and include access to VIP pre-show and premium open seating for main event, featuring Diego Figueiredo, Tito Puente Jr., Fred Johnson, Jose Valentino, Ona K & La Lucha. Doors at 7pm and concert starts at 8pm. GA tickets include: access to main event with first come first served. Open seating. Purchaser must present photo ID upon check-in. Cash bar ONLY available.