Weekly Tidbits August 5, 2021

August/September
Local Tidbits

Read all the local Tidbits from our August/September issue online at ParadiseNewsFL.com/summer-2021-tidbits.

Rapid Test of Ride Tide Mitigation Strategy

A bloom of Florida red tide, patchy and persistent since December 2020, has recently increased in severity in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and along the coast from Pasco to Sarasota counties, causing respiratory irritation at local beaches and widespread fish kills. The Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative, led by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is developing the tools and technologies to mitigate red tide and decrease the impacts on the environment, economy and quality of life in Florida. Keep reading at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/red-tide-mitigation/.

Red Tide Update

A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists on the Florida Gulf Coast. Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 96 samples. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 56 samples: seven from Pasco County, 25 from Pinellas County, two from Manatee County, 19 from Sarasota County, two from Charlotte County, and one from Lee County. Click here to learn more.

NEW TIDBITS:

CLICK HERE to see last week’s tidbits.
The August/September Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE to Zubrick Magic Theatre in St. Pete Beach!
Get tickets now for The Dali’s spirits of the age: an evening of art and tastings on Saturday, August 21st. Click here to get tickets & more about this local event.
Preserve the ‘Burg wants your input to plan out their fall Movies in the Park events including your movie suggestions. You can share your input or inquire about sponsorship by emailing info@preservetheburg.org.
St. Petersburg City Theatre will hold auditions for Dracula, The Vampire Strikes Back on Monday and Tuesday, August 16 and 17, 2021 at 6:30. Click here to learn more.
Use code IM50% at checkout when purchasing an annual membership to the Imagine Museum to get 50 percent off annual memberships throughout the month of August. Click here to buy a membership.
Gulfport’s The Life Celebration scheduled for this Sunday at the Casino has been postponed due to CDC recommendations. The event will be rescheduled for a later date.
The focus of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is to ensure that our arts & culture community is supported. See what they asked St. Petersburg Mayoral Candidates and how the candidates responded at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/arts-future-for-st-pete/.
The Florida Department of Revenue is announcing the 2021 Back-to-School Tax Holiday beginning Saturday, July 31 through Monday, August 9, 2021. CLICK HERE to find out what is exempt.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gecko Art Show- August 6 INFO
Angler Armory 2021 Fish Kids- August 7 INFO
Madeira Beach Sunset 5K- August 13 INFO
Gecko Pub Crawl & Poker Run- August 14 INFO
GeckoBall- August 28 INFO
20th Anniversary Geckofest- September 4 INFO

REMINDERS

The August/September Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
Reach customers this summer with our 2 month ads 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.
Red tide is present in Pinellas County waters. Check the current red tide status at https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.
Coyotes call Pinellas County home too! CLICK HERE for safety tips for you & your pets.
Click here to find Sarah Lyons’ Astrology Forecast for your sign.
Tickets are now on sale for Hooked on a Bad Spirit on July 30th at Gulfport’s Catherine A. Hickman Theater. Click here to learn more.
Pinellas County has launched a new Tropical Storm Flooding Risk Map to show residents their flood risk from tropical storms and hurricanes. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/elsa-flood-danger/.
Were you prepared? Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office limited barrier island access during Tropical Storm Elsa. Access was only permitted only for island residents, employees working on the islands and visitors staying at hotels or vacation rentals. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Pinellas County encourages residents to keep their sandbags as the Atlantic Hurricane season goes through November 30, 2021. Sandbags that did not come into contact with floodwaters can be safely reused or stored. Learn more at ParadiseNewsFL.com/sandbags.
Want to know what you can expect at this year’s GeckoBall? Click here to find out.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is launching an easier way for you to ride the bus, and you can test it out for free. The new electronic fare cards, with the catchy name Flamingo Fares, officially start July 5th with free rides through the end of August. Learn more at ParadiseNewsFL.com/flamingo-fares.
Gecko Ball and Gecko Crawl tickets are NOW ON SALE. Get ‘em in Gulfport at the Gulfport Beach Bazaar or at http://visitgulfportflorida.com/purchase-tickets/.
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.
The City of St. Pete Beach reminds dog owners that individuals who take their dog(s) on the beach may be fined $118 per City of St. Pete Beach Code of Ordinances.
Clothes to Kids needs donations! Learn how you can help here.