Weekly Tidbits August 1, 2024

Check out our Tidbits column from the August/September issue at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/tidbits-as-2024/.


2024 GECKOCRAWL Tickets Now on Sale!

Tickets for the Annual Gecko Poker Crawl are now on sale at The Gulfport Beach Bazaar and The Gulfport Corner Store. Tickets are $25 and include one drink at each of the 6 bar crawl locations. Poker Only tickets are available for $10. Gecko Crawl participating locations are – The Tiki Bar & GrillNeptune GrillPeninsula Bed & Cocktails, Gulfport Brewery + Eatery and The North End TaphouseHurricane Eddies will be this year’s host of the after-party. Gecko Crawlers will be able to enjoy a free beverage at participating locations, all are located within walking distance. Tickets are also available online and can be picked up the day of the Crawl. Get yours at https://visitgulfportflorida.com/gecko-crawl.


Happy Hour with the Historian: Turning Liquid into Land

For over 100 years, St. Petersburg’s waterfront attracted dreamers and schemers seeking warm weather and wealth. Their visions and dreams changed our waterfront forever.
Join Tampa Bay Watch Founder & President Peter Clark, and Museum of History Executive Director Rui Farias on Thursday, August 8th to learn how a cast of colorful characters turned a sleepy fishing village into a world-famous tourist destination, and what happened to the Tampa Bay ecosystem as a result! CLICK HERE to reserve your spot.


29th Annual Great Bay Scallop Search

Join Tampa Bay Watch for their 29th Annual Great Bay Scallop Search on August 24th! They’re calling all snorkelers, boaters, and kayakers to help us monitor the health of the bay scallop population. By tracking these elusive creatures, TBW gains valuable insights into the effectiveness of their conservation efforts & promote environmental stewardship.

Learn more & register at https://tampabaywatch.org/scallop-search/.


Get Your Local Business Noticed in Paradise News!

Fall in love with Paradise News this snowbird season! Reach more locals and visitors in print or online by placing your ad or advertorial in the October issue of Paradise NEWS- read by 100,000 locals and visitors online and in print. Book your ad or advertorial now for 2024/2025 for our best rates and placement. Deadline for ads & advertorials in our OCTOBER issue is September 10th. To place your ad, contact PETER ROOS by email at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com or call 727.363.6888!



NEW TIDBITS:

  • The August/September Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
  •  The Saturday Morning Shoppe and Live Love St Pete are teaming up again this August for a “Back to School” event on Saturday, August 3rd at Tropicana Field  (Lot 1).  Over one thousand backpacks with school supplies will be given out to local elementary school students from 4 to 8pm.  And this year, Live Love St Pete will also be providing 1000 free uniforms to kids who need them.  This is a free event that is open to the public. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/live-love-st-pete-adds-free-uniforms/.
  • Join the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce for breakfast on Friday, August 9th at Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key. Attendees can meet decision makers in our county and get inside information on decisions that impact our communities and our businesses. Meet the Candidates, where you will have the opportunity to connect with several dynamic leaders running for Office. $40/person. Get tickets at https://www.tampabaybeaches.com/.
  • The Gulfport Florida Pride festival surpassed all expectations this year, successfully raising $10,000 for two local nonprofits. The funds will be equally divided between the Sonia Plotnick Women’s Health Fund and the Gulfport Kiwanis Club. Learn more about the local charities at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/gulfport-pride-2024-success/.
  • Let us know what you are thinking about what is happening on our local beaches and St. Petersburg by submitting a Letter to the Editor at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/letter/. Letters will be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Paradise News.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Guflport’s First Friday Art Walk- August 2 INFO
  • UB40, English Beat & Maxi Priest at Baycare Sound- August 8 INFO
  • SLASH S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival at BayCare Sound with Special Guests- August 10 INFO
  • TradeWinds Eco Team’s Monthly Beach Cleanup with KPB- August 10 INFO
  • FWCOS Annual Orchid Auction- August 17 INFO
  • Gulfport’s Third Saturday IndieFaire- August 17 INFO
  • Tarpon Springs Hippie Fest- August 17 INFO
  • 10th Anniversary Monte Carlo Casino Night- August 24 TICKETS
  • 13th Annual Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest- August 24 INFO
  • DFAC’s Wearable Art Fashion Show- August 24 INFO
  • Madeira Beach Burger Week- August 24-30 INFO
  • GECKOFEST- August 31 INFO
FIND EVENT MORE SUMMER EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/summer-2024/.

REMINDERS

  • The August/September Issue is NOW online. Read it here
  • Reach snowbirds, locals & tourists in 2024 with a print ad in Paradise News!  Email Peter Roos at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com to place your ads in Paradise News in Print. 
  • Pinellas County Sheriffs Offices wants you to please lock your car doors and stow valuables out of sight.
  • CLICK HERE to signup for ALERT PINELLAS to get vital updates during hurricane season.
  • Coyotes call Pinellas County home too! CLICK HERE for safety tips for you & your pets.
  • Learn more about boating safety and how you can take a course in Pinellas County at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/safe-boating/.
  • Known for bigger than life gourmet burgers and their Gulf Boulevard location in St. Pete Beach, Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is a family-friendly local restaurant. On Wednesdays, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. See more of their specials at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/kids-boulevard-burgers/.
  • Get ready to indulge in a culinary extravaganza like no other at the SAVOR St. Pete Food & Wine Festival! This spectacular event is a feast for the senses, featuring top-notch cuisine, exquisite wines, flavorful craft beers, and luxurious spirits. Mark your calendars for a weekend of delectable delights on Saturday, November 2nd, and Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. Get tickets now at https://bit.ly/3W8t9fJ.
  • LocalShops1 is in the process of booking entertainment to perform at the annual community festival that will take place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 10 am to 5 pm at Vinoy Park.  Entertainment groups and performers who are interested need to be based in the Tampa Bay area and family-friendly. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/shopapalooza-2024-performers/.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest Pinellas County news by signing up for their new monthly newsletter- The WaveFrom beach restoration to countywide road construction, The Wave will the most important news from Pinellas County Government to your inbox each month. Sign up now at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave.
  • Fertilizer restrictions are now in effect for Pinellas County. No nitrogen or phosphorous may be applied to turfgrass or landscape from June 1 to September 30. Learn more at https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/.
  • Join the St. Pete Beach Dune Savers Friday mornings this spring to help preserve local sand dunes. Volunteers are welcome to join to help every Friday 8:30-9:30AM. Locations vary by week. Volunteers will also about native species and how you can help preserve our precious dunes by removing invasive plants. For more information email Deb Rothenburger at d2bvr@aol.comm or Ayako Ruckdeschel at aruckdeschel@stpetebeach.org.
  • The Madeira beach social club is an active senior group located in Madeira Beach, Florida. Their club provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to socialize, participate in various activities, and build lasting friendships within our community. Click here to learn more.
  • The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families. Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.
  • Reminder to our residents and visitors. No Dogs On The Beach! If you see something, say something. Contact Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at 727-582-6200.
  • Connect with the City of Gulfport through their app! CLICK HERE to learn more and download it.
  • The City of St. Pete Beach is now using See Click Fix for residents to submit issues to the city. Click here to learn more.

August/Sept Issue

Read the August/September issue at www.paradisenewsfl.com/current-issue.




August/September Features

ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT

Meet muralist Sara Salem and abstract artist Jen Kroeger.

ECO

How you can help save the monarch butterfly in Pinellas County.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Claire Brinsden Jordan shares how you can keep your eyes spry for healthy vision and a happy life.

COOKING CORNER

Janet Nummi shares a recipe for ASIAN RAMEN SALAD- a healthy, filling, and easy salad perfect for potlucks, BBQs, vacays!

ENCOURAGING WORDS

Dennis Merritt Jones discusses the wisdom of practicing self-awareness in an exclusive message for Paradise News.

TIDBITS AUG/SEPT 2024

There is a new owner at Madfish Grill (the shiny diner looking restaurant between the…

LEGAL CORNER

Steve Walden Attorney at Law explains the basics of the divorce process in the state of Florida.

ART NEWS

By Caron Schwartz Immerse yourself in the captivating world of watercolors at the Florida Watercolor…

GULFPORT MATTERS

By Marlene Shaw With its mix of businesses and a calendar brimming with over 70…

HANGING AROUND

Caron Schwartz discusses how the $32 million the state of Florida cut from next year’s arts and culture budget will affect Pinellas County.

PUBLISHERS MESSAGE 

Pete & Renee check in from a hot Florida summer in Paradise to catch you up on whats happening in Pinellas County.

CAREGIVER CORNER

Elli Baldwin, CDP discusses the difficulties couples aging at different rates and how her team can help.