For decades, the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center has been a trusted resource, helping older adults stay active, engaged, and independent. As our community’s senior population continues to grow, so does the need for a larger, modern facility designed to meet their evolving needs. The Gulfport Senior Center Foundation is committed to raising funds to support this much-needed expansion. To help make this vision a reality, they are hosting another Golf Classic at Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club at 8001 Cumberland Rd., Seminole, on Sat., April 5, at 8am. Their goal is to raise $50,000, with 100% of the proceeds directly supporting the capital building campaign. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Thank you for your support in making a lasting impact on the lives of local seniors! www.gulfportseniorfoundation.org/golfclassic2025
Ticket price and locations: mpscfoundation@tampabay.rr.com 727-893-1244 Amy Oatley
Tickets are $150/player www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/9L4N83C3JQV26
Known as one of the oldest and largest triathlon clubs in the country, the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club recently welcomed member #4067. Want to be #4068? Founded in 1993, the Mad Dogs are known as “fun loving triathletes who train, race and howl together, with members of all levels of experience and expertise.” This phrase is on the cover of their monthly newsletter, The Finish Line, a 32-page digital magazine packed with member pictures, upcoming birthdays, race results, new member welcomes, and training tips. At all the local races, frequently at Ft. De Soto, members stand out in their colorful race kits, and when crowding the podium. The club is known for their Wednesday evening open water swim in Pass-a-Grille, and other weekly training sessions around the area, some involving coffee and snacks afterwards. Anyone considering dipping their toe into triathlon is welcome to show up at training sessions to see what it’s all about. Membership is $50 annually and includes race fee and product discounts, a club shirt and swimming cap. For more information contact club president John Hollenhorst at jhollenhorst@sbcglobal.net
Jackie Yost, long time Mad Dogs, and a triathlon legend, has not run a race for a few years now, but we can forgive her for that, as she will by 97 years old on 3/19. She played sports most of her life. In high school, she played on the basketball team. She majored in Health, PE, and Recreation at Women’s College of UNC-Greensboro. She loved playing golf and tennis and started running in her 50s. She took up triathlons when she and her husband Larry moved to Treasure Island in the early 80s. Her first competition was St. Anthony’s Meek and Mighty She was inducted into the Florida USAT Hall of Fame in November 2012. She earned the All-American title multiple times. Her last competition was St. Anthony’s sprint triathlon just before Covid.
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners recently adopted a countywide dune protection ordinance to further protect the dunes and vegetation from damage caused by human activities, such as walking on them or digging. Pinellas County conducted an emergency sand dune project after Hurricane Idalia in 2023 that included the construction of sand dunes between Clearwater Beach and Pass-a-Grille. Many of those dunes were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Helene. The county is working to get new emergency beach nourishment projects permitted for Sand Key, Treasure Island and Long Key. Dunes will be included in some of the project areas in concert with widening and elevating the beaches.
The city of St. Pete Beach is teaming up with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for a pilot program aimed at stricter, enhanced enforcement of the current beach ordinance. The pilot program runs until April 30. Regulations to be enforced include alcohol restrictions on the public beach, alcohol consumption in cabana service areas, trash disposal, staying off the dunes, and keeping dogs off the beach. To ensure compliance, the city’s Code Enforcement and PCSO will be increasing patrols and employing a zero-tolerance policy. Notice of enforcement will also be promoted on social media, on the city’s website, and via Variable Message Boards provided by PCSO on 75th Street and the Bay Way.
Fort De Soto Park’s popular North Beach reopened to the public on Feb.17, completing the restoration of the park following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The storms caused flooding in park facilities, damage to boat ramps and fishing piers, and the loss of hundreds of trees. Thousands of tons of debris were swept across the park’s beaches and campsites, requiring extensive cleanup efforts by county staff, partners and volunteers.
The largest park in the Pinellas County park system, Fort De Soto Park spans 1,136 acres across five interconnected islands. It features diverse ecosystems, recreational facilities and historical landmarks, including a fort built in 1898. Amenities include campgrounds, fishing piers, nature trails and pristine beaches, making it a popular destination that attracts more than 2.7 million visitors every year. Residents and visitors may reserve campsites and shelters through the county’s reservation system.
While the boat ramp is operational, amenities remain limited due to ongoing recovery efforts. Visitors are encouraged to use caution when accessing the facilities and to be courteous to others navigating the area.
For more information about Fort De Soto Park and other Pinellas County parks, visit www.pinellas.gov/parks.
Feb. 16 was Tampa Bay Watch’s 32nd Anniversary! For 32 years, Tampa Bay Watch has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the Tampa Bay watershed. Thanks to supporters, volunteers and restoration teams have:
- Installed over 19,000 oyster reef balls, restoring habitats and improving water quality
- Restored more than 1.6 million square feet of shoreline with oyster shell bars and native grasses
- Provided hands-on marine education to 45,000+ students and teachers
- Welcomed nearly 159,000 visitors to the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center for immersive conservation experiences
One of the most impactful ways to protect Tampa Bay for generations is through thoughtful planning. By including Tampa Bay Watch in your will or estate plan, you help ensure that its restoration projects and educational programs continue long into the future. As they celebrate their 32nd Anniversary, they are looking ahead to the future – and they invite you to be part of it!
Pinellas Botanicals & Brunch Fest
March 29-30 from 9am-4pm, Pinellas Park explodes with a weekend bursting with a vibrant fusion of blooming beauty and mouthwatering brunch delights. Festivities will include live music, a best brunch competition, a selection of unique plants, charming garden accessories, talented local artisans, craftsmen, and kids activities. Pinellas Botanicals & Brunch Fest, England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. Contact: Suzanne King 727-322-5217suzfest@gmail.com
Kolter Group has revived Corey Landings, a mixed-use development on a 3.9-acre development site located along the Intracoastal Waterway, at the east end of Corey Ave., in the heart of St. Pete Beach. Kolter acquired the site in Nov. 2024.
The development would include 162 condominiums, a 4,000-square-foot restaurant, retail space, a public park, boat slips and a waterfront plaza. The scope has shrunk considerably and the project was changed from luxury apartments to condominiums since Ram Realty Advisors withdrew an application in June 2023 for 243 Class-A residential units, a 5,000-square-foot restaurant space, a public park and 12,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. The Kolter project was presented Feb. 17 at a community meeting at the Sirata Resort.
The University of South Florida has received a $2.2 million donation from Joey Redner, founder of Cigar City Brewing, and his wife, Jennifer. The gift will support the university’s on-campus stadium and its brewing arts program. Joey Redner, a sixth-generation Floridian, founded Cigar City Brewing in 2007. The company grew from a small operation producing 5,000 barrels annually to one distributing 60,000 barrels, by 2015. Redner sold the business in 2016 to Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery.
The brewing arts program will use the gift to enhance learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in the craft beer industry. The donation will be evenly divided, with $1.1 million going toward the new stadium and the other half benefiting the brewing arts program, a 23-week online course offered on USF’s St. Petersburg campus that prepares participants for careers in craft brewing.
University of South Florida President Rhea Law has plans to step down after a national search is conducted to select her successor. Law, who has led USF since August 2021. In 2023, the university became the first Florida public institution to join the Association of American Universities, a group representing the top 3% of research universities in the United States and Canada. The achievement marked the culmination of a 15-year goal, set when Law was chair of the USF Board of Trustees. USF broke ground on a new on-campus stadium in November 2024. “Our university is on an incredible trajectory and the foundation is in place for a new leader to take us to even greater heights,” Law said. “One of the hallmarks of great leadership is knowing when it is time to create space for new ideas and fresh perspectives.” The University of South Florida secured a record $738 million in research funding during fiscal year 2024, marking a nearly 7% increase from the previous year and a 35% rise since 2022. The new funding record brings USF closer to its goal of reaching $1 billion in annual research funding, by 2030.
The City Theatre has a new roof and is back in business. Upcoming performances are as follows:
- On the main stage, Sister Act, March 28-April 6. Little Theatre (lobby events) A MidSlumber Night’s Dream March 21 & 22 Throwback Prom & Karaoke May 17, Pride Night June 29.
- The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum on Tenth Ave. in Pass-a-Grille has some great events coming up too.
- March 22, 6pm – Sunset Voyage to Egmont Key (listed on Eventbrite)
- April 19 – Walking Tour of Pass-a-Grille
- May 9 – Skyway Tragedy 45th Memorial – Book talk with Bill DeYoung & Jerry Knight
- June 4 – “Just Beachy” book signing with Wendy Wax
Contact FriendsoftheGBHM@gmail.com for more information.
Spring break and its sunny side up time to enjoy a nosh and the water view at St. Pete Beach’s The Wharf Restaurant at 2001 Pass-a-Grille Way. The old Florida feel and friendly folks serve up their world-famous Fish Fry Tuesday and Taco Wednesday. Lots of seafood and sandwich specials daily including soft shell crab, crab and shrimp Double Play, a lamb and beef gyro and the prime rib dip. Most Fridays and Saturdays, they shuck oysters after 5pm and offer a succulent ceviche special. On St. Patrick’s Day there will be corned beef and cabbage, of course! Best of show are the grouper or Reuben sandwiches, conch fritters, loaded fries with bacon and melted queso, sesame tuna, wings and coconut shrimp with Thai dipping sauce. The refreshed back deck with new seating and remodeled docks are now done! Live music w/Rob Tyre Wed.-Sat. 6-9:30pm. Full bar, specialty cocktails and Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 3:30-6pm in the bar only. The kitchen generally closes at 10pm. Stop in for seafood or ribeye dinner; choose yellowfin tuna, grouper, mahi-mahi, shrimp, scallop or crab cake with two dinner sides. Save room for the key lime pie. www.wharfpag.com
Malio’s Beach House Ribbon Cutting
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Malio’s Beach House.
With the original owner of the Tampa institution, Malio Laverone, looking on and two more generations wielding the huge scissors, a ribbon was cut to open Malio’s Beach House (steak/seafood/coctails)with a VIP crowd cheering them on. The restaurant and bar is now open for business. www.maliosbeachhouse.com
