Weekly Tidbits December 21, 2023

The final boat parade of the 2023 Holiday Season is this Friday, December 22nd!
Click here to reserve a table at Caddy’s Johns Pass for prime watching!

Read our cover story on all 5 Caddy’s locations at ParadiseNewsFL.com/caddys.

SunPubs Celebrates Successful Holiday Toy Drive!

SunPubs is doing its part to spread holiday cheer this December! The hospitality group partnered with the local YMCA to host a Toy Drive at each of its restaurants across Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Caddy’s Waterfront, Mad Beach Cantina, Sculley’s Seafood Restaurant, Grove Soho and MacDinton’s Irish Pub. SunPubs strives to make the community a better place for the people who live in and visit the areas in which they serve and are proud to work closely with a variety of local nonprofit organizations to support their missions.

Click to read about Sunpubs in our December Tidbits & Caddy’s Cover Story.

Indian Shores Begins Dredging

Gator Dredging has begun moving sand onto our beaches. Please continue to stay off the beach while they are working. Beaches are closed except for the access at 193rd Ave. until the contractor goes on holiday break from 12/23 – 1/1.

Join MOTE for their Monday Lecture Series in 2024!

Every January, Mote hosts a science lecture series, now known as Mote-ivational Mondays, featuring Mote scientists who share their world-class research on Monday evenings. Each lecture takes place from 6 –7:30 p.m. in the Wave Center on the main aquarium campus (doors open at 5 p.m. for a pre-lecture reception) and includes a live presentation and a Q&A session. Lectures are also live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

Click here to learn more and RSVP.

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 December 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 DECEMBER HOLIDAY issue is November 10th. To place your ad, contact PETER ROOS by email at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com or call 727.363.6888!

NEW TIDBITS:

CLICK HERE to see last week’s tidbits.
The DECEMBER Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
Ring in the New Year and kick off 2024 on the right foot with Caddy’s at their famous New Year’s Day 5K At Caddy’s Indian Shores. The run/walk is in an out and back 5K on the hard packed sand to the start/ finish line arch. Racers get an awesome finishers medal o encourage you to stay positive and healthy throughout 2024. Click here to register now.
First Night St Petersburg is excited to announce its return for the 2023-2024 celebration year, marking the 30th annual New Year’s Eve celebration of arts. This year’s event, themed “Art in the Park,” will be held at North Straub Park from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023, and is free for all ages, thanks to First Night St. Pete’s sponsors, Hines and the Tampa Bay Rays. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/first-night-st-pete-30/.
The WWE Royal Rumble is set to take place at Tropicana Field in sunny St. Pete, Florida on January 27, 2024! Get your tickets at https://atmlb.com/3NotGVY.
Next spring, Paddy Fest St. Pete is bringing two full days of Irish food, drinks, music, and festivities to Williams Park on Saturday, March 16th and Sunday, March 17th, 2024. Learn more about becoming a sponsor at paradisenewsfl.com/paddy-fest-2024/.
Three-day tickets to the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding are now on sale to the public . The iconic race event set for March 8-10 along St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront will celebrate its 20th annual running in 2024. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/2024-grand-prix/.
Join the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce as they bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024 in style at the Gulfport Casino! Tickets are $50 each ON SALE NOW HERE ! The theme is Masquerade Ball. Event Highlights include Spectacular NYE Gala at the iconic Gulfport Casino, unforgettable night filled with glamour and mystery, live entertainment, dancing, and more surprises! Stay tuned for more exciting announcements! Click here to buy tickets.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

American Stage Presents Acts of Faith- November 21- December 17 TICKETS
Victorian Christmas Stroll- November 24- December 23 INFO
Christmas in the Wild at Zoo Tampa- November 24- December 30 TICKETS
Enchant St. Pete- November 24- December 31 TICKETS
Holiday Lights in the Garden- November 24- December 31 INFO
RESCHEDULED Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade- December 22
St. Pete Haunted History Tour- December 28 Register
“Toast by the Coast” Tradewinds NYE Masquerade Party- December 31 INFO
Swingin’ in the New Year- December 31 TICKETS
First Night St. Petersburg- December 31 INFO
Reliaquest Bowl- January 1 INFO
Sunshine Comedy Festival- January 11-14, 2024 TICKETS
St. Pete Power & Sailboat Show- January 18-21 TICKETS
WWE Royal Rumble in St. Pete- January 27 TICKETS
Monster JAM!- February 10-11 TICKETS

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.
St. Petersburg Museum of History’s Downtown St. Pete Walking Tour are back! These 90-minute tours with Museum Director Rui Farias explore the cultural history of downtown while viewing historic landmarks. The tour departs from the Museum of History at 9am. Tours are limited to 20 guests. Members: $10 | Not-yet-members: $15. Please note that reservations are required and spots are limited. Click here to reserve your spot.
Embrace a taste of paradise on Rumfish Grill’s new Youtube Series: Get Hooked with Chef Hilton. In his latest video, Chef Hilton shows us how to make a flavorful Florida classic – Fresh Grouper Ceviche. Watch the video on RumFish’s on YouTube Channel HERE. See what else RumFish has on their menu at https://www.tradewindsresort.com/rumfish/.
Pinellas County Animal Services is offering free animal adoptions to help find them loving homes this holiday season as a major renovation at the shelter gets underway. During the project, the shelter will have a greatly reduced capacity to hold animals, so Animal Services needs the public to help adopt and foster animals throughout the next year. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/2023-free-animal-adoptions/.
The Madeira Beach Fitness Center is now accessible to Madeira Beach residents. Learn more about how you can access the Fitness Center at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/madeira-beach-fitness-center/.
Season subscriptions are on sale now for St. Pete Opera’s 2023/24 season at https://stpeteopera.org/.
Clothes To Kids inventory on shoes is extremely low. Sadly, they are out of many sizes starting at children size 12 all the way up to adult size 13 girls, boys, juniors, and young men. Clothes to Kids asks that go through your closets and donate gently used shoes or purchase a pair or two and donate to Clothes To Kids. All children deserve to have shoes that fit them. Learn more about Clothes to Kids & how you can donate at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/ctk-needs-shoes/
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.