By Peter Roos
Treasure Island Fire Rescue TIFR wants local chefs to bring the heat to this year’s Chili Cook-Off, Feb. 17, 5-7pm at the Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave. There will be music, prizes, a raffle and more. There will also be beer and wine available for a donation. There will be prizes for top three chili recipes in “The Open Class” and “The Pro Class.” The “Dominique Reiter Award” will be presented by TIFR Chief Trip Barrs for the best-decorated chili station. For $10 patrons can sample and vote on all the entries. Tickets must be pre-purchased at the Treasure Island Fire Department during regular business hours, Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm. Admission is limited to 100 people. Children under 12 years are free.
The Art Guild of Treasure Island is seeking interested volunteers to fill all offices for its Executive Board of Directors: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Interested? Contact chairperson Chris Sewell before April 1 at theartguild.board@gmail.com. 154 106th Ave., Treasure Island. Share your love for Art and Lead the Way!
Join Tampa Baywatch for four opportunities throughout 2023 to Cheers and Beers to 30 Years at different breweries where you will share a pint with TBW staff and executive team, celebrate the accomplishments of the past three decades, and find out what is in store for the next 30 years. The inaugural event is on Feb. 16, their 30th anniversary date, from 5-8pm at 3 Daughters Brewing. No RSVP required; this is a free event. They also sent a big thanks out to their restaurant partners who contributed to a successful pilot year of the Oyster Shell Recycling Program with almost 25 tons of oyster shells! The top contributor, by more than 9 tons of shells, was Paradise NEWS’ June/July issue cover story subject The Island Grille & Raw Bar at 33,768 lbs.The restaurants and watering holes of Corey Avenue’s 300 block will be recognizing
Mardi Gras this year, with a street party on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21 starting at 7pm. The Twisted Tiki, Chill, Elizabeth’s Grapes Wine Café, and Swigwam, (which has for years celebrated its anniversary in a similar fashion on St. Patricks Day), along with sponsors, are hosting Stormbringer. This Mardi Gras event will benefit Metropolitan Ministries.
The Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island hosts Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 24. Just to remind you about a major event we promoted a month or two back, the Bilmar also hosts the Cajun Occasion on Feb 10th, a Low Country Boil Fundraiser for Sonny’s Green Acres, a non-profit related to the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center at Johns Pass. Under Sonny Flynn, it has expanded its role as an exotic animal rescue. “We are in the building process of Sunny Green Acres an agricultural education center in Clearwater,” said Sonny. “Our mission for this event is to raise funds for the Catch & Release Fishing Pond, Sulcuta Tortoise Habitat and an outdoor pavilion. We will start the night with a Gator Bite Sunset Toast and a New Orleans style jazz band.
Silent Auction, Fun & Games, and Dancing the night away, are just a few of the details. Wear your most outrageous, outlandish yet stylish Cajun accessory to the boil and you might possibly win a prize! We promise tons of frivolity and fantastic food, and every penny we raise goes to save more exotic and farm animals in Pinellas County.” Get tickets for $100 on Eventbrite.
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute south of downtown is hosting an open house. From touch tanks with live critters to activities and demonstrations for kids, there is something for everyone! Speak with some of Florida’s top researchers, hang with sharks and rays, and learn about manatees, birds, coral, red tide and more! Saturday, February 18th, 10am-4pm, 100 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg.
The St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, Feb. 21-24 is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the current global issues and to engage in thought-provoking discussions with experts from all over the globe. This year’s event will cover diplomacy, global and local issues, security, and more. It will provide a platform for attendees to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and build connections with like-minded individuals. Opening Keynote at Eckerd College Fox Hall 2/21 at 6pm.
Dr. Isaiah (Ike) Wilson III (Colonel, U.S. Army, retired) has earned a reputation as a versatile and innovative soldier-scholar. A decorated combat veteran with multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and extensive operational experience across the greater Middle East, Dr. Wilson is a nationally and internationally-recognized leading advocate for change in how America understands and deals with matters of security affairs and uses of force, in times of peace and war, at a time when disruptive change continues to outpace organizations and organizational leadership ability to think and act fast and effectively, and closing at Eckerd College – Beninger Theatre – 2/24 at 6:30pm. Daily sessions Feb. 22-24 at USFSP. Get free tickets and make a donation at www.WorldAffairsConference.com
If you are thinking of riding the PSTA SunRunner Bus, between the beaches and downtown, just walk on. It is FREE to ride until mid-April. The route terminates at the public park on St. Pete Beach, across from Dolphin Village Shopping Center. There are a number of dining alternatives within a short walk, including Outer Banks Seafood Company, who could have a freshly steamed Low Country Boil for you to eat in the Courtyard on their picnic tables. There is also Chick-Fil-A, Burger-ish, Bueno Italian, Blue Fugu Japanese Steakhouse, Starbucks, and an Indian restaurant opening soon.
One you may not have thought about is the Dolphin Beach Resort, immediately north of the park. Director of Sales and Marketing, Niel Blake, told us he is inviting all of our readers to enjoy either breakfast or dinner at Boca Sands, with free parking long enough to take a walk on the incredible beach there. When Boca Sands is not open, food and drinks are available at Flippers.
If you are headed downtown from St. Pete Beach or South Pasadena, there are any number of fun destinations or connections. Downtown is full of interesting restaurants, museums, shops, attractions, boat rides and so much more.
The Sunrunner is a great choice for getting to an event at the Trop or a bite at Fergs. It is also perfect for Grand Prix weekend.
Paradise NEWS’ home office has enjoyed rooftop solar panels for over 10 years. We deliver bulk copies in a Chevy Volt full of solar power. We were lucky enough to own a home with an unshaded south facing roof 10 years ago, when rebates were available. I felt a little guilty about that. However, Duke has levelled the playing field with their new program Clean Energy Connection. Clean Energy Connection is your way to help support renewable energy and get the savings benefits of solar without rooftop panels or contracts. All for as little as $7 a year! Duke Energy generates solar power at multiple large-scale solar installations across the state on behalf of Clean Energy Connection subscribers. If you contact them, let them know you read about it in Paradise NEWS.
