The St. Petersburg Coliseum has been our go-to place to swing in the new year since Renee and I had our first date there on Dec. 31, 1970. Last month, on Nov. 20, it turned 100. Built for what today seems a modest $250,000 and opened Nov. 20, 1924, the same day as the Gandy Bridge, the St. Petersburg Coliseum has a 15,500-square-foot dance floor, largest in the U.S. at the time. I recall on the eve of my 19th birthday, my new girlfriend, Miss Renee LaFountain, a ballerina and acrobatic dancer, was the entertainment for Jack Golly’s big band. She was 22 years old then. I told her I was turning 24. It was a little white lie she thankfully pardoned me for four months later when I told her the truth and proposed to her. While the St. Petersburg Coliseum had been a treasured dance location, it has also been home to a wide variety of events, from beauty pageants to Horned Toad races. Last year it held the area’s first pickleball exhibit and trade show. Get your tickets to their annual Swingin’ in the New Year celebration at https://newyearswing.com/.
Holiday Gift Wrapping Service at Gulfport Senior Center
Let Gulfport Senior Center take the stress out of your holiday season! Friendly “elves” at Gulfport Senior Center Foundation will wrap your holiday gifts for donations (Suggested Donation: $1–$5 per package). All proceeds go toward supporting programs and activities at the Senior Center.
- Tuesday, December 17 | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Monday, December 23 | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Hang out, enjoy some festive fun and let Gulfport Senior Center Foundation handle the wrapping while you relax. Your donations make a difference and help support the vibrant community programs that make the Senior Center a special place. Click here for more info.
Donate Toys for Tots at St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue
As the holiday season begins to draw near, St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue has teamed up again with the Toys for Tots team to help make Christmas wishes come true for needy children. They work very hard to make Toys for Tots a success, but could never do it without the help of our generous community members and business leaders.
The gift of a shiny new toy – something that most children take for granted – means to a needy child that someone cares, that he/she hasn’t been forgotten, that Christmas hasn’t passed him/her by.
Drop off location: Fire Station 23 (7301 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach)
Toys can be dropped off until Dec 16. Contact SPB Fire Rescue for more information.
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 February issue of Paradise NEWS- read by 100,000 locals and visitors online and in print. Book your ad or advertorial now for 2025 for our best rates and placement. Deadline for ads & advertorials in our February LOVE issue is January 10th. To place your ad, contact PETER ROOS by email at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com or call 727.363.6888!
NEW TIDBITS:
- The December Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- City of Gulfport Operation Santa 2024 will run December 2nd to 18th. This holiday season, the Gulfport Police Department continues its cherished tradition with “Operation Santa,” supporting local families in need. From December 2 – 18, residents are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys, gift cards, or monetary contributions at the Police Department, 2401 53rd St. S. Gulfport. Those seeking holiday assistance for children ages 0 to 10 can also apply during this time, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with required documentation. Gift pickups are scheduled by appointment on December 19 – 20. For more information or to arrange large donations, please call 893-1097.
- Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News this November. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
- 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:
- St. Petersburg Holiday Lights & Displays- November 30- January 1 INFO
- St. Petersburg Holiday Movies in the Park- December 14, 21 INFO
- The Polar Express Experience at The Baycare Sound- December 13 INFO
- Merry Beach Market & Holiday Festival- December 13-14 INFO
- S’mores with Santa at Pioneer Settlement- December 13-14 INFO
- Wreaths Across America- December 14 INFO
- Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Home Games- December 16 TICKETS
FIND EVENT MORE WINTER EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/winter-2024/.
REMINDERS
- The DECEMBER 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.
- Based on the direction from the City Commission, The City of St. Pete Beach has authorized an immediate waiver on 100% of the fees for storm-related work permits. This applies to both residential and commercial permits. Permit fee waivers began on Wednesday November 6th, 2024, and are retroactive to October 1st, 2024. The waivers will last through Tuesday January 14, 2025. At that time, the City Commission will meet and evaluate the possibility of extending the waiver. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/spb-permit-waiver/.
- Property values and tax bills for the 2024 tax year are based on values as of January 1, 2024. While 2024 tax bills will not be reduced, residential property owners are eligible for a partial property tax refund due to damage associated with a catastrophic event if certain conditions are met. Please CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.
- Explore more than 50 deals and discounts with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s new FREE FunShine Savings Passport, featuring museums, attractions, tours, local restaurants and shops. Click here to learn more.
- Learn more about boating safety and how you can take a course in Pinellas County at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/safe-boating/.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest Pinellas County news by signing up for their new monthly newsletter- The Wave. From 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.
- 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.
