Weekly Tidbits March 16, 2023

This past weekend, to kick off Pinellas County Schools Spring Break, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue partnered with Treasure Island Fire Rescue, St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation, and Suncoast Safe Kids Coalition for a life jacket giveaway event to help kids stay safe in and around water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States among children 1 to 4 years of age and the third leading cause of unintentional death among children/adolescents 5 to 19 years of age. (Text and Photos taken from Treasure Island Fire & Rescue Facebook)

Valspar Be Bright Mural Revealed at PIE

Valspar unveiled its latest Be Bright mural today by local artist Ashley Cantero at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Greeting guests as they pass through the arrivals area, the beach-inspired retro color palate paints a story of local treasures visitors will find in the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area.

“I am thrilled to share the beauty of our community through color and creativity in the Be Bright mural,” said artist Ashley Cantero. “When visitors arrive, I hope the kaleidoscope of color and geometric shapes inspire wonder and generate excitement as they begin their journey.”

Community leaders and special Valspar Championship guests joined together for the mural opening at the St. Pete-Clearwater Airport, which is the first indoor Be Bright mural in the country.

Read the full article at paradisenewsfl.com/valspar-be-bright-mural/.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Get thee to Camelot on Saturdays and Sunday through April 2 (10am-6pm rain or shine) with 60,000 of your cosplay pals. 1,000+ local businesses and organizations participate in this popular Tampa Bay Festival, which moved to Dade City 3 years ago.

Step back in time – the 16th Century, in fact – for the adventure, excitement and spirit of the Renaissance! Thrill to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds. Roam the village shoppes for unique crafts as artisans demonstrate period skills like blacksmithing and woodworking. Delight in comedy, music, magic, and more on nine stages of non-stop entertainment! Delight in the food and drink (unicorn cake, corn dogs, turkey legs). New this year is a Petting Zoo, Children’s Realm and for adults, a Swordmaster Challenge. Get tickets at https://www.bayarearenfest.com/.

Place Your 2023 Ads in Paradise News

Reach locals, snowbirds and tourists in 2023 with a PRINT AD in Paradise News! Over 36,000 copies of Paradise News are circulated throughout our local beach communities and St. Petersburg in racks & stacks at your favorite local business and 20,000+ mailboxes. To learn more about advertising email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com or call 727.363.6888.

NEW TIDBITS:

CLICK HERE to see last week’s tidbits.
The March Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 172 samples along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 62 samples: 24 in and offshore of Pinellas County, three offshore of Hillsborough County, 17 in and offshore of Sarasota County. Click here to see if your favorite beach is affected.
Congratulations to Nikita Johnson & team on taking 3rd place Saturday in the USF 2000 and 1st place Sunday at this past weekend Grand Prix of St. Petersburg! Learn more about this Gulfport racer in our March issue or online at paradisenewsfl.com/nikita-johnson/.
Join SHAPIRO’S Gallery as they celebrate 25 years in downtown St. Petersburg next Saturday, March 25th! Meet some of their gallery artists, experience special jewelry trunk shows and celebrate as Shapiro’s says thank you to the community. Learn more on their Facebook Event page HERE.
Join Preserve the ‘Burg for their first-ever “Millionaires and Bootleggers” tour of Old Southeast on Saturday, April 1st! They will gather near the north end of Lassing Park for this special tour before setting off down the brick streets of this historic waterfront neighborhood. Reserve your spot now at https://bit.ly/billionaires-and-bootleggers.
Clothes To Kids is clothing more families this year than in previous years. Families in our community are experiencing homelessness and unforeseen difficult situations. School aged children are in need of clothes and shoes. Learn more at www.paradisenewsfl.com/ctk-spring-2023/.
Mote Aquarium’s newest traveling exhibition, Voyage to the Deep, presented by Flying Fish opened to the public the Sunday, Feb. 19! Click here to learn more.
Click here to register for Rotary Runs the Beach on Indian Rocks Beach on March 18th.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Bay Area Renaissance Fest- Saturday & Sunday through April 2 TICKETS
Gulf Beaches Rotary Waterfront Spring Break Carnival- March 16-19 INFO
Rotary Runs the Beach- March 18 REGISTER
Preserve the Burg Lecture Series – March 22, April 25 REGISTER
Pinellas Ready-Set-Protect Hurricane Series- March 23, April 13, May 25 REGISTER (Registration Required)
St. Pete Beach Underwater Egg Hunt- April 8 INFO
Gardens by the Sea Tour- April 16 TICKETS
Los Vinos de Dali- April 29 TICKETS

REMINDERS

The March Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
Reach snowbirds, locals & tourists in 2023 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.
Click here to find Sarah Lyons’ Astrology Forecast for your sign.
Last monrh, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors approved the recommendation of keeping the SunRunner, the Tampa Bay region’s first-of-its-kind Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, fare-free for an additional six months. The 6-month free-fare period was initially promoted to end April 30, 2023, now the fares will be suspended until November 2023. Click here to learn more.
UPDATE FROM SKYWAY MARINA DISTRICT: As The Manhattan St. Petersburg’s development process progresses, they are excited to announce that they are now securing reservations for their 111 condo-style residences! Residences at The Manhattan—St. Petersburg will feature sweeping panoramic views, smart technology, and spacious, light-filled floor plans. Visit https://manhattanstpete.com/ to learn more.
Treasure Islettes Bingo every Thursday at 6:30PM at the Treasure Island Community Center. Come for an evening of great fun, food and friendly people – Jackpot $200 – $250! Free parking, free coffee and tea. Great snack bar. All proceeds go to charity and college scholarships. Doors open at 6 PM. Questions? Call 727-270-3178.
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.