Gulfport Tidbits
Gecko Crawl Celebrates “Gecko Season” in Gulfport. The 8th Annual Gecko Crawl will include a poker run, an opportunity to sample drinks at six locations and a festive street party in Gulfport’s colorful Waterfront District. The Crawl will be held Saturday, August 8th from 4 pm to 9 pm, with after party beginning at 9 pm. Tickets are on sale at participating bars and restaurants: Little Tommie’s Tiki, Mangia Gourmet, Neptune Grille, O’Maddy’s, Peninsula Inn & Salty’s, all located within easy crawling distance along Beach and Shore Boulevards. Crawlers may start at any participating location and continue their Crawl in any order.
Advance Tickets for $20 available at Gulfport Beach Bazaar, 3115 Beach Blvd. in Gulfport. Day of the Crawl, remaining tickets will be sold for $25 each at all
participating locations during the Crawl until sold out! For more on Gulfport’s Gecko related festivities see geckofest.com or visitgulfportflorida.com. The Gecko Art Show on August 7, the Gecko Ball on August 29 and the GeckoFest street festival on September 5 round out the growing slate of late summer Gecko fun, celebrating Gulfport’s favorite reptile! Contact: Biff Lagan; 305.923.1803 or biffcop@gmail.com.
Indian Rocks Beach Tidbits
No Wake Zones. IRB City Commission (at Nov. 2014 meeting) made a recommendation to the FWC to include 95% of IRB’s waterways (including two, previously excluded basins on each side of 20th Ave) in the Manatee Protection Rule for Western Pinellas County. This means for seven months of the year, ALL of IRB’s waterways will be no wake zones and closed to motorized watersports (skiing, knee boards, wave-runners, etc.) except in the channel. Some residents are trying to fight the move. They have to hire an attorney to file an Injunction to the FWC Approval of the Final Rule ($5000 cost) and/or petition local, State and Federal representatives (150 signatures needed) to relieve IRB citizens from “Undue Interference” with the rights of fishers, boaters and water skiers. If you are interested in helping stop this by signing the petition, collecting signatures or donating to the fund, email danalyn703@gmail.com.
North Redington Beach Tidbits
Sandy Paws Vet Clinic – Sandy Spaw Boutique 16701 Gulf Boulevard, North Redington Beach, FL 33708, offers a relaxed experience for both you and your pet. The shop opened in 2015 as an extension of Sandy Paws Veterinary Clinic. Its mission is to offer high quality pet food, healthy treats, thoughtful toys & unique gifts. The Spaw environment is clean, cozy and safe.
Pinellas County and Florida State Tidbits
Pinellas County is offering two remarkable real estate opportunities in St. Petersburg / Clearwater. These properties are offered via a Request for Negotiation (RFN) process. Please visit www.PCED.org/forsale for details. Toytown: 240-acre Redevelopment Site. Historically a landfill in mid-county with excellent interstate access. This is a very attractive prospect for a mixed-use redevelopment plan that could incorporate office/ industry, retail, residential and recreational development. Learn more at PCED.org/toytown The deadline for responses is August 18, 2015, at 3:00 pm.
Young-Rainey STAR Center: 96-acre commercial complex for sale via RFN.
A request for negotiation has been issued for the sale of the Young-Rainey STAR Center. This M-1 (light industrial) zoned campus is a manufacturing and technology hub currently managed by Pinellas Co. Learn more at PCED.org/forsale The deadline for responses is August 31, 2015, at 3:00 pm. Sue Steele, CPPB ssteele@pinellascounty.org FAX: (727) 464-3925 Purchasing Department 400 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue, Annex Bldg. – 6th Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756. Questions regarding Toytown must be received in writing by August 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm.
The Doyle Sailing Center, a little cove on Boca Ciega Bay on the west side of Eckerd College campus, is being transformed into the Doyle Sailing Center. The $1.6 million Center, which is scheduled to be completed this summer, will elevate Eckerd’s sailing program to the top tier of its collegiate competitors. Eckerd already has one of the best waterfront facilities of any college in the country, says Reali. “But it’s not big enough,’’ he says. With so many recreational opportunities and the Eckerd College Search and Rescue program located at the Waterfront, the sailing team is cramped for space. The Doyle Sailing Center, will include floating docks with 26 slips that will provide quick and easy access to Boca Ciega Bay, where the team trains & competes.
On May 21st, the St. Petersburg City Council approved the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Plan, an action matched by Pinellas. The Plan focuses on reducing poverty and revitalizing South St. Petersburg, a 7.4-square mile area consisting of Midtown & Child’s Park. “Now that City Council has approved the CRA,” commented Mayor Rick Kriseman, “we will address a range of issues facing our citizens in this area: insufficient transportation, limited access to food, lower educational attainment, limited access to health care, increased crime rates, high unemployment, and inadequate and insufficient housing. I want to particularly thank County Administrator Mark Woodard, and each of the County Commissioners
for their vision and their leadership in helping implement this plan.” A major component of the Redevelopment Plan is the establishment of a tax increment financing (TIF) district and a Redevelopment Trust Fund for the entire redevelopment area, which requires further approval by both City Council and the County Commission. Tax increment financing directs most of the future increases in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County property tax revenues generated within a TIF district into the Trust Fund. This increased revenue, known as the “increment,” is then used to fund eligible redevelopment projects within the boundaries of the TIF district. City Council has taken action on the Trust Fund at its June 11, 2015 meeting, with the County Commission following suit on June 23, 2015.
Revenues from the TIF district will be used to assist the initiatives described above, particularly those directly supporting private business development/job creation and housing development. This is a departure from the City’s past policy of using TIF to fund public improvement projects. With small businesses in the CRA starved for capital, TIF revenue can eventually provide public funding to assist private projects that implement the goals and objectives of the Plan. The City estimates that more than $66 million in TIF revenue will be available to fund redevelopment efforts in South St. Petersburg over the 30-year life of the Redevelopment Plan, with cumulative revenue in the first five years of the Plan expected to exceed $1.8 million. The City and County will begin annual deposits into the Redevelopment Trust Fund in spring 2016. St. Petersburg City Council approved a three-year lease giving the Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium, formerly the Pier Aquarium, a new home in the port’s visitor terminal. Secrets of the Sea anticipates opening in spring 2016.
National News
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior Appropriations bill offered by Congressmen David Jolly (FL-13) and Curt Clawson (FL-19) that would prohibit researching, investigating or studying drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. “We can achieve energy independence without expanding drilling to the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We must continue protecting our pristine beaches, our fisheries, our marine sanctuaries, and coastal communities ” Jolly said.
St. Pete Beach Tidbits
The long-awaited soft opening of Verducci’s Italian Market took place in July and the market is offering prepared foods to eat in or take out daily from 10 am to 7 pm. The build-out is amazing and the food is terrific. They are well prepared for orders to go and are working out the dine-in challenges. The grocery items offered are top-of-line brands, most directly from Italy. Check here first before you go to the mainland for Italian food items. You may well save a trip. Lunches are offered daily with many items ready to grab and go.
Robin Sollie, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed to serve on the Visitor Services Committee of VISIT FLORIDA through June 30th, 2016. Chairperson, Tammy Heon and Vice Chair, David Reese will be joining Sollie. More information about Visit Florida can be found online at: www.visitflorida.com For more about the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, contact Julianne Wilhelm, Member Support, at (727) 360-6957 or visit www.TampaBayBeaches.com/events
St. Pete Beach’s Sunset Celebration is held the 2nd Saturday of each month for two hours surrounding sunset, at the Sunset Bell in Sunset Park on Sunset Way at the west end of Corey Ave. (74th Ave.) in St. Pete Beach, the Sunset Capital of Florida. In addition to its website, StPeteBeachSunsetCelebration.com the event has a Facebook page and a gmail account. For vendor information and more contact Tom de Yampert, Office 727-388-9922 or text him at 727-420-2669. A Sunset bell is rung nightly in this location and at the Paradise Grille in Pass-A-Grille.
Construction is about to get underway on Pass-A-Grille Way. An Agreement with Nelson Contractors is in place and the first concern is traffic during the project’s first phase. According to Jay Anderson who has been attending weekly meetings and sending out minutes, contractors will have input on everything, but city will hold them to keeping residents happy. Fred Shepard (hired by city as watchdog) is going to be the point person for the city and will be on site everyday… he is the troubleshooter. ‘Will’ will be the contractor’s man in charge. They plan to be working from 7:30 AM to 6 PM for 18 – 19 months at 75-100 feet per day average. All underground utilities have to be approved by various government entities before road bed can be repaved. Tina Douglass and Amy Loughery are working with the city on the landscape-Washintonia plan to insure proper placement and size.
Ruthie & Paul Buxbaum, owners of “Chill” are remodeling Madeleina’s Cottage, 363 Corey Ave. in anticipation of moving their restaurant to that location. Chill amazingly made it to Trip Advisor’s top position while battling a host of facility challenges. The new space is more than 1,000sf larger and has a beautiful kitchen, complete with walk-ins and a state of the art hood and ventilation system. “The move will solve our facility issues”, says Ruthie, “including food storage, sanitation, gas equipment, appropriate plumbing, dramatically better air conditioning, and air quality issues. Moving 1 ½ blocks east on Corey Ave. will allow us to create a truly sustainable restaurant space that has EVERY advantage. The beautiful big kitchen will let us get the food out quickly and provide the opportunity to cater, something our current space does not allow. Carl’s piano bar will have a perfect space with a dance floor and a late night bar menu. The whole move is a dream come true.”
St. Petersburg Tidbits
Beach Branch of All Children’s Hospital Guild has elected new leaders. The Guild’s mission is “to advocate, volunteer and fundraise for children and families of All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine,” with a vision of “supporting healthy tomorrows … for one child, for All Children.” The Beach Branch meets first Tuesday of the Month, September through May (except December), 10:30 a.m., at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway. If you share a commitment to children, attend a meeting and/or contact Claudia Roberts, crobe16116@msn.com.
Tax Preparer Volunteers Needed! Volunteers, many of them your neighbors, helped the community e-file approximately 1660 returns last year at no charge! Volunteers are needed at all sites: the Sunshine Center, and the libraries of St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Gulfport and Gulf Beaches (Madeira). Open positions include greeters to get taxpayers signed-in, client facilitators who help to make sure taxpayers have all necessary paperwork and preparers to complete the returns. All volunteers are IRS certified. So, if you like working with people and/or have a good head for numbers, please sign up at www.aarp.org , click on Volunteers and then select taxes. You will be contacted in December with the training dates.
Merle Norman/South Pasadena, a locally owned and operated cosmetics studio offering the finest in beauty supplies, cosmetics and beauty consultation has added a selection of fashion wigs. Additional information or a sample copy, Contact: Irena Pilecka, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Wig Studio, 6801 Gulfport Blvd S, Ste 9, South Pasadena, FL 33707, 727.344.7367.
The Rotary Club of West St. Petersburg raised more than $12,000 at a July 11 fundraiser for the Claybaker D.U.S.T.O.F.F Foundation (CDF) at Simpatico Wines. More than 30 attended the Wine Paring dinner, with Mangia Gourmet providing an amazing five-course meal while Mike Meyer and Patti Robertson provided spectacular wines. CDF is ever moving forward and needs continued sponsorship. Visit www.claybakerdustoff.org
The Red Oar Boutique, located at 7228 Central Ave., St. Pete 33707 opened in July. They carry vintage furniture and decor, new/ upcycled clothing and eclectic gift items.