GULFPORT
The Gulfport Veterans Memorial Ribbon is a fundraiser to support programs and services of the Senior Center. Now you can reserve a brick in Phase Two of the Veterans Park Ribbon of Memorial Pavers. With construction of phase two, the meandering ribbon of engraved bricks will connect the sidewalk to the flagpole base at the beautiful waterfront park. The public is invited to purchase a brick to honor or memorialize a friend or family member. The park is located on the waterfront at 5350 31st Ave. S. The second phase of pavers will be installed later this year. bricksrus.com/donorsite/gulfportfoundation
TREASURE ISLAND
According to the Tampa Bay Times, a company tied to South Florida-based investor Shlomo Melloul bought the Treasure Island Plaza for $5.85 million – which sits on the north side of the causeway and across the street from the Thunderbird Beach Resort – and has plans to redevelop the shopping center into a mixed-use property with 12,000 square feet of retail and about 40 housing units above, according to a media release. The 20,000-square-foot site at 118 107th Ave. previously owned by Dowling Properties was built in 1981 and houses 11 tenants. The sale closed June 30. The Post Office/Bookstore, Diny’s Jewelers, Carino’s and Foxy’s will all be affected by this redevelopment.
GET SMART
Tampa Bay Innovation Center will kick off STEAM powered by CO.STARTERS Cohort # 18 9/13 on Zoom from 6-9pm. The STEAM program is a 10-week facilitator-led program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the relationships, insights, and tools needed to turn ideas into action and turn a passion into a thriving endeavor! Guest speakers include seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals from key occupations. The class is $375, but The Innovation Center has received funding from Creative Pinellas to support artists, art organizations and arts-related organizations within Pinellas County to participate in CO.STARTERS at no cost. tbinnovates.com/steam
CONDO COMPETITION
Two Tampa Bay (Tampa, St. Pete) homes are finalists in the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt, both listed by Smith & Associates Real Estate. The Ultimate House Hunt is a month-long online promotion held on HGTV.com annually, showcasing extraordinary homes for sale in eight categories: Amazing Kitchens, Beachfront Homes, Countryside Retreats, Curb Appeal, Downtown Dwellings, Homes with a History, Outdoor Escapes, and Waterside Homes. The contest is one of the channel’s most popular contests, generating over 1.5 million votes last year. The ONE downtown St. Pete condo features a stellar view of Tampa Bay and bespoke architectural features. Vote for DTSP! hgtv.com/design/ultimate-house-hunt/2023/downtown-dwellings
KILLER HEAT According to NoHeatStroke.org, Texas is the only state that experiences more pediatric hot car deaths than Florida. Between 1998-2022, 102 children were killed in our state after being left or getting into hot cars. According to KidsandCars, 88% of children who have died in a hot car were 3 years old and younger, 68% of children who got into vehicles on their own are male, and most are ages 1-4. Hot cars aren’t just dangerous for children; pets suffer heatstroke and can die in hot cars. Make sure your child is never left alone in a car. Place the child’s diaper bag or item in the front passenger seat as a visual cue that the child is with you. Make it a habit of opening the back door every time you park to ensure no one is left behind. To enforce this habit, place an item that you can’t start your day without in the back seat (employee badge, laptop, phone, handbag, etc.)
MOVING
Bank of America Institute reports that net flows of domestic migration (people moving within the United States) continue to follow pandemic trends. BofA internal data, which leads the Census Bureau population data by almost a year, found that as of 1Q 2023, cities that saw a large influx of people during the pandemic are still growing faster than other cities in recent quarters, but housing prices are weakening even in cities with growing populations. High on the list are Tampa and Orlando, both with a net increase of +0.8% between 1Q 2022 and 1Q 2023.
TUNE UP
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has partnered with Spotify to curate theperfect “Beach Day Beats.” Summertime songs are inspired by iconic spots around St. Pete/Clearwater and include Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney’s Guitars and Tiki Bars. visitstpeteclearwater.com/list/beach-spotify-playlist
GOOD DEEDS
Clear Vision Media, an award-winning marketing agency, and partner Lancer Craft Boats conducted a high-impact campaign that raised over $165,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS). The funds will support ACS’s ongoing efforts to fund research, spread awareness, and provide support to cancer patients and their families. They were honored at the 2023 Las Vegas Barrett-Jackson Auction. clearvision.media.
HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY
The Zubrick Magic Theatre turns two and the 93-seat venue continues to astound and entertain sold-out audiences, earning its prestigious five-star rating on Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Facebook. Nestled in the heart of St. Petersburg, the Zubrick Magic Theatre has become a cherished gem in the local community, offering an unparalleled experience that merges the artistry of magic, illusion, and storytelling. Chris and Ryan Zubrick, the visionary owners and master illusionists behind the theatre, first opened the doors to Zubrick Magic Theatre on July 29, 2021.
COUNTY KUDOS
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) presented The Pinellas Clerk’s Office with the Recognition of Excellence Certificate for participation in the third annual Best Practices Excellence Program. Established in 2020, the program allows Clerks and Comptrollers to receive recognition for completing assessments that evaluate the acceptance of certain Best Practices. “We are honored to be recognized amongst our peers for Recognition of Excellence in Best Practices. We aim to implement practices that allow our office to serve our citizens effectively,” said Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The 2022-2023 Best Practices Excellence Program evaluated and recognized Clerks and Comptrollers for the following best practices: Appeals, Court Record Retention and Destruction, Determination of Indigency, Evidence Storage and Destruction, Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult Injunction, Guardianship Audits, Reporting Mental Health Cases to State Agencies, Requests to Redact Exempt Personal Information, Risk Protection Orders and Unclaimed Funds.
RECYCLE OR WOE!
With growth, comes too much garbage for the county’s landfill. The county’s 2020 solid waste master plan for dealing with garbage for the next 30 years reported that each Pinellas resident generates 12 pounds of waste per day on average. With 200,000 more residents projected by 2050, the current landfill at the county’s Solid Waste Disposal Complex near 28th Street will fill up around 2100. After that, the county will have to pay to truck waste out of the county. In July, the county asked for residents’ input on ideas for reducing waste. Request a recycling guide and for updates, go to pinellas.gov/department/solid-waste/
.MEET & GREET
On 8/29 from 8-10am, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an exclusive breakfast to honor community leaders at the Marriott Clearwater Sand Key. The Community Hero award, last received by Representative Linda Chaney at last year’s inaugural event, will again be presented to an elected official this year. Attendees will also get to hear from keynote speaker Peter Schorsch, President of Extensive Enterprises Media, publisher and founder of Florida Politics.com and popular political email newsletter Sunburn.
ST. PETE BEACH
Ram Realty Advisors has withdrawn as developer for the proposed Corey Landing mixed-use project and Fortress is looking for another developer. The city commissioners would like to purchase the site for a waterfront park with dock access. Originally the project was to feature a seven-story residential complex with 243 units, restaurant, retail, a public park, and boat dock area. CABA and the Tampa Bay Markets are in discussion as to the future of managing the popular Sunday Corey Avenue Market. Fingers crossed for the TBM. Stay tuned.
HOTEL HOOPLA
Patrick & Chris Calhoon, commercial brokers with Smith & Associates Real Estate, have sold the 1.82-acre site at 14550 Walsingham Road in Largo, for $1,050,000 to Indian Rocks Hospitality, LLC near the Indian Rocks Beach causeway, and construction is planned for a new Hampton Inn in the near future. The Doubletree Hotel in North Redington Beach will get a facelift this fall. The TradeWinds Resort will expand as well. Expect new buildings, 600 more rooms, 33,000 square feet of conference space, nearly 18,000 square feet of new retail space, three new pools and three new parking garages.
SPORTS & REC
Rowdies Coach Neill Collins departs St. Pete to coach Barnsley FC in the English Football League One after having nabbed 98 wins over in six seasons. Wallethub ranks Tampa #3 as America’s best cities for recreation, thanks to the boat tours, water sports, swimming pools and bike rentals. Anglers vs wildlife advocates may lead to new fishing rules at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park where 200,000+ visitors fish, and in many cases, entangle pelicans and other birds in fishing gear. Stay tuned.
STEM-SATIONS
Local dignitaries welcomed the $11.7 million, 117-foot research vessel Western Flyer in July, another milestone for the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub and St. Pete as a recognized marine research center internationally.
In 2022, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute donated the Western Flyer to the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) and the University of South Florida. USF also is launching a new program to increase the ocean STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) workforce. Renalytix opened a new laboratory and office in St. Pete. They use AI to find clinical diagnostic solutions for kidney disease; their KidneyIntelX, has been granted Breakthrough designation by the FDA and is designed to help make significant improvements in kidney disease prognosis and treatment to slow or halt progression early and help patients avoid end-stage kidney disease, dialysis, or transplant.
ALLIGATOR & WILDLIFE FIRE FUND
The tragic July fire at the beloved Discovery Center in John’s Pass shocked us all. You can make a donation on the website of The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce here. https://business.tampabaybeaches.com/events/details/alligator-wildlife-fire-fund-22537
SEE-WORTHY
At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Rudy and Rosie have officially made their move to the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex in anticipation of construction beginning on our new Rudy and Rosie have officially made their move to the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex in anticipation of construction beginning on our new manatee rehabilitation center! The duo is doing well, eating, and also interacting together with their animal care team. They will be acclimating in our medical pool for a short period of time before they are given access to explore other areas of the Complex.
COUNTY’S PROPOSED BUDGET
Proposed budget totals $3.8 billion with no change in millage rate was presented by Pinellas County Administrator Barry A. Burton in July, and it accounts for increases in cost and materials without raising the property tax rate. The budget includes $2.8 billion for County operations (excluding transfers) and $946.5 million for capital improvement projects. At the same July meeting, the Lealman redevelopment plan amendment and Housing Action Plan was approved as well as the smoking ban on beaches in County parks.
TREASURE ISLAND’S beloved Waffle House has renewed their lease. Visitors and locals can do a happy dance over eggs, bacon, flapjacks and waffles for years to come. With all the new hotels and condos, it’s sure to be a popular hang-out. Still going strong after 30 years! Open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, where else can you get breakfast after an evening excursion. You’ll always find a friendly face under the sunny yellow sign.
SPIRITED ADVENTURES A
fter seven years of operations in their St. Petersburg location, Kozuba Distillery is moving to a brand-new facility in Pinellas Park. It will take a couple of months to fully establish the new location. Until then, the downtown distillery, tasting room, and retail store will be temporarily closed. Stay tuned.