Discover the latest happenings, news, and events around Pinellas County in Paradise News Magazine’s December 2024 Tidbits! From community updates to upcoming holiday festivities, this roundup keeps you in the loop with everything that makes our paradise special this season. Dive in to explore local highlights, exciting announcements, and all the reasons to celebrate this December!
Find our December tidbits at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/tidbits-december-2024/.
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 3 | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday, December 10 | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- 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.
MFA Holiday Soirée on December 19th
Experience the magic of the season at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete’s Holiday Soirée on Thursday, December 19, from 5–8 pm! Delight in the festive atmosphere with live music by Boho Sideshow, a captivating troupe blending eclectic tunes with whimsical tales that will leave you mesmerized. Indulge in the warmth of the season with complimentary hot chocolate, cider, and holiday cookies, or sip on a festive drink from the cash bar. Enjoy a night of fun for everyone with holiday-themed docent tours, a spirited scavenger hunt, and hands-on crafts to spark your creativity. As you soak in the holiday magic, explore the MFA Collection galleries, where art shines with the spirit of the season.
Learn more at https://mfastpete.org/event/holiday-soiree-2024/
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 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:
- 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
- Annual Tarpon Springs Holiday Boat Parade- December 6 INFO
- Downtown St. Petersburg Christmas Lighted Boat Parade- December 7 INFO
- 30th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Ave Craft Festival- December 7-8 INFO
- St. Petersburg Holiday Movies in the Park- December 7, 14, 21 INFO
- Boley Centers 42nd Annual Jingle Bell Run- December 10 REGISTER
- 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 FALL EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/fall-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.