Kids throughout Pinellas County are seeing their favorite playgrounds get a facelift. Beginning last year, Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources started updating playgrounds with equipment for all ages and abilities. Kids can now try out the new sliding, climbing, crawling and spinning at Walsingham, Fort De Soto and John S. Taylor parks.
Sign up for more Pinellas County tidbits like this in their monthly e-newsletter, The Wave, at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave.
2024 Gulfport Gecko Queen Submissions
Are you Gulfport’s next Gecko Queen? The Gulfport Chamber is looking for applicants who represent the spirit of Gulfport: Positivity, Charisma, High Energy, Kindness and Compassion. Applicants must be available to attend major Gulfport events throughout the year. Interested Gulfport residents 21+, of any gender, who enjoy the spotlight and have a positive message to share with the community are encouraged to submit a letter highlighting their desire to be Gecko Queen and their love for Gulfport.
Send your letter of submission to Events@visitgulfportflorida.com. The Deadline is July 15th. Public voting will begin on July 22nd.
The winner will be announced and crowned at the Gecko Ball!
FL Impact-Resistant Windows & Doors Sales Tax Exemption Period Ends June 30, 2024
A temporary sales tax exemption period on impact-resistant doors, impact-resistant garage doors, and impact resistant windows which began on July 1, 2022 will end on Tuesday, June 30, 2024. During this sales tax exemption period, tax is not due on the retail sales of impact-resistant doors, impact-resistant garage doors, and impact-resistant windows for commercial or noncommercial use. See the 2022-2024 Florida Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption FAQs for Consumers for more info at https://bit.ly/impact-tax-holiday.
See our list of individuals and small companies Paradise Recommends for your next home improvement project in Tampa Bay at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/local-home-improvement/.
Free In-Person Medicare Education by SHINE
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing 1-on-1 counseling & information. Their next event to speak with a SHINE volunteer will be Wednesday, June 26th at Gulfport Library. Click here to learn more.
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 June/July Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Local environmental organizations and city governments have community cleanups planned for after the 4th of July. See our growing lists of cleanups at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/4th-cleanups/
- LocalShops1 is in the process of booking entertainment to perform at the annual community festival that will take place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 10 am to 5 pm at Vinoy Park. Entertainment groups and performers who are interested need to be based in the Tampa Bay area and family-friendly. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/shopapalooza-2024-performers/.
- 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.
- Fertilizer restrictions are now in effect for Pinellas County. No nitrogen or phosphorous may be applied to turfgrass or landscape from June 1 to September 30. Learn more at https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/.
- Caddy’s Indian Shores and Madeira Beach are NOW open on Saturdays and Sundays 9AM-11AM for a breakfast experience like no other! Learn more about this favorite local restaurant with 5 locations at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/caddys/.
- In conjunction with their current special exhibition, Dalí’s Floral Fantasies, The Dali is hosting a mixology event where attendees can explore the magic of infusion during a unique cocktail experience. Get tickets to their Evening of Fruits & Florals Mixology at The Dali on July 15th at https://thedali.org/event/an-evening-of-fruits-florals-mixology/.
- In collaboration with The Woodson African American Museum, the Kiwanis of Gulfport are proud to present Gulfport’s 4th annual Celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday 15th! Click here to learn more about this local event.
- 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:
- The 4th at St. Pete Pier- July 4 INFO
- St. Pete Pier Run the 4th- July 4 INFO
- Largo 4th of July Celebration- July 4 INFO
- City of St. Pete Beach 4th of July Celebration- July 4 INFO
- Pass-a-Grille & Vina Del Mar 4th of July Golf Cart Parade- July 4 INFO
- Fourth of July at Innisbrook Resort- July 4–5 INFO
- Guflport’s First Friday Art Walk- July 5 INFO
- Suncoast Ladies Fishing Tournament- July 11-13 INFO
- Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Art & Craft Festival- July 13-14 INFO
- TradeWinds Eco Team’s Monthly Beach Cleanup with KPB- July 13 INFO
- An Evening of Fruits & Florals Mixology at The Dali- July 15 TICKETS
FIND EVENT MORE SUMMER EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/summer-2024/.
REMINDERS
- The June/July 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.
- Learn more about boating safety and how you can take a course in Pinellas County at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/safe-boating/.
- Get ready to lace up your running shoes and join us for the Madeira Beach Sunset 5K on Friday, June 28th 6:30pm. For just $35, you can register for this exciting race and experience the breathtaking beauty of the sunset along the sandy shores. As an added bonus, each participant will receive a Sunset 5K Beach Towel, making it a perfect keepsake to remember this memorable event. Register online now at https://bit.ly/2024-sunset-5k.
- Caladesi Island State Park, in Dunedin, Fla. has been named in the Top 10 Beaches List of 2024 by Dr. Beach! Dr. Stephen Leatherman, renowned for his expertise in beach evaluations, has recognized this stunning location as one of the top beaches in the United States. Learn more about this local beach at www.drbeach.org/#/caladesiislandstatepark/.
- Earlier this year, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater asked locals and visitors alike to vote for their absolute favs in 35 fun categories and they came through. Earlier this May, they announced their 2024 winners for “Best of St. Pete-Clearwater”! From “best beach” to “best restaurant” and “best rooftop bar” to “best dog hang-out,” they have got all the details to help make your Florida vacation tops in every way. Click to see 2024’s ‘Best of’ Winners!
- If it’s June, it’s time for Pride! It’s celebrated all month and all around St. Petersburg, with events designed to satisfy every preference and gender. A number of this year’s events are free; should you attend any of those, please think about making a donation to help St. Pride continue to keep its events accessible to the LGBTQIA+ community. Look for our 2024 PRIDE events listing in our June/July issue or online at www.paradisenewsfl.com/pride-2024-events/.
- Please plan ahead to help make your travel easy as PIE! Summer is a very busy time of the year, so please be patient and follow some easy travel tips. See St. Pete/Clearwater Airport’s (PIE) summer travel tips at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/summer-travel-tips-2/.
- Dennis Merritt Jones was guided to write When Fear Speaks…Listen to examine these questions and to introduce the idea that Fear may be an ally appearing at the exact right time with the gift of information we need—not just to survive but thrive. Learn more and find a link to buy the book at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/when-fear-speaks/.
- Join the St. Pete Beach Dune Savers Friday mornings this spring to help preserve local sand dunes. Volunteers are welcome to join to help every Friday 8:30-9:30AM. Locations vary by week. Volunteers will also about native species and how you can help preserve our precious dunes by removing invasive plants. For more information email Deb Rothenburger at d2bvr@aol.comm or Ayako Ruckdeschel at aruckdeschel@stpetebeach.org.
- Outdoor activities and spending time in nature are a great way to stay active and enjoy the greenery around us, with the added benefit of a greater emotional well-being. With so many proven ways to enhance mental health, there has never been a better time to enjoy the endless list of nature-focused activities that residents and visitors will find in the St. Pete-Clearwater area. See ideas for nature lovers at paradisenewsfl.com/nature-lovers-paradise/.
- 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.
