Weekly Tidbits October 3, 2024

FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
Florida homeowners and renters who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/fema-helene/.


CANCELLED & POSTPONED EVENTS:

  • ALL Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Taste of the Beaches events (CANCELLED)
  • 2024 Gulf Coast Bike Trek (POSTPONED)

TBBCoC is Ready to Help!

Businesses and residents on the barrier islands, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce has built a large volunteer network that is ready to help. If you or your business needs assistance please fill out their form to see if they can get you matched with some of our volunteers. Find their form at https://bit.ly/helene-tbbcoc-help.

Volunteer to help at https://bit.ly/beaches-strong-volunteers


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 October Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
  • This October, in support of the Hurricane Helene relief efforts and communities in need, TBM is partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay to create donation drop-off centers at each market location from October 5th through October 27th, 2024. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/2024-tbm-donation-drive/.
  • 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. Whether you have a free afternoon during your stay or need to start planning your getaway, the FunShine Savings Passport is an excellent way to explore more trip possibilities. Click here to learn more.
  • 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:

  • Oktoberfest Pinellas!- October 4-5 INFO
  • Fall Festival at DK Farms- September 30- October 31 INFO
  • A Ghostly Haunted Trolley Tour- Wednesdays in October INFO
  • St. Pete Beach October Concert Series- Fridays in October INFO
  • St. Pete’s Super Greek Festival- October 4 INFO
  • Fashion Funds the Cure- October 4 TICKETS
  • St. Stefanos’ Super Greek Festival- October 4-6 INFO
  • Fearville at DK Farms- October 4-26 INFO
  • 2024 Gulf Coast Bike Trek- October 5 INFO POSTPONED DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE
  • 4th Annual Grand Central Brewhouse Oktoberfest Weekend- October 5-6 INFO
  • 2024 Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Taste of The Beaches- October 5-13 CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE
  • Ghost Ship Royal Conquest- October 6-27 INFO
  • SHINE Mural Festival- October 11-20 INFO
FIND EVENT MORE FALL EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/fall-2024/.

REMINDERS

  • The October 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.
  • Grab your PSL and a chunky blanket! Paradise News is jumping into Fall with our full list of upcoming fall events. Find our always growing list of upcoming local events at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/fall-2024/.’
  • Heads up, starting October 1st parking rates will increase to $4.00 an hour in all City of Madeira Beach owned spaces and lots. Payment can be made via ParkMobile, LLC – USA app, parking lot kiosk, or phone number provided on the kiosk. Resident Parking Permit renewal will start December 1st in person and online.
  • American Stage announces their 2024/25 Beyond the Stage Season lineup! Get tickets at https://www.americanstage.org/beyond-the-stage.
  • Third Annual Don Cesar Place Halloween Pet Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th. Spooktacular Prizes will be awarded for: 1)Cutest, 2) Scariest, 3) Best Pet/Owner Combo, 4) Best Movie Themed. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/don-halloween-pet-parade/.
  • Tickets are now on sale for St. Petersburg Museum of History’s Beers on the Pier craft tasting exPIERience on Saturday, October 26th at St. Pete Pier. Learn more including how to get tickets at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/beers-pier-2024/.
  • The Discovery Center is busy brewing up a cauldron of Halloween fun for all ages! From candy-filled cruises and haunted history tours to ocean-themed pumpkin painting, there’s something for everyone this spooky season! Find all their October events & volunteer opportunities at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/tbw-october-events/.
  • The 4th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix, presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, promises exhilarating powerboat and jet ski racing the weekend of October 18-20 at the downtown waterfront area and Pier District. This event is the climax of the entire P1 Offshore race season, during which championship titles will be awarded. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/2024-p1-grand-prix/.
  • Learn more about boating safety and how you can take a course in Pinellas County at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/safe-boating/.
  • The 2024 International Coastal Cleanup will take place from September 1st to October 31st at sites throughout Pinellas County. Keep Pinellas Beautiful has hosted this cleanup series in Pinellas County for 25+ years, joining other organizations and individuals from around the globe, to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways and help assess the presence of litter in our environment. If interested in hosting a site, please contact Megan Jackson, Program Coordinator, at mjackson@kpbcares.org. Find KPB’s upcoming events at https://www.kpbcares.org/upcoming-events.
  • Did you know that rechargeable batteries can explode and cause fires when they are thrown away with your regular trash or recycling? All it takes is one battery to cause a fire, which can harm workers, damage equipment and ruin perfectly good loads of recyclable material. Free battery drop-off centers are available throughout Pinellas County, including at stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s and Batteries Plus Bulbs. For more information on what types of batteries need to be taken to a drop-off center and to find a location near you, visit the Where Does It Go? Search Tool. (Information courtesy of Pinellas County Government)
  • The 43rd Annual John’s Pass Seafood Festival set for January 17-19th is now accepting applications for vendors. For more information visit JohnsPassSeafoodFestival.net.
  • Get ready to indulge in a culinary extravaganza like no other at the SAVOR St. Pete Food & Wine Festival! This spectacular event is a feast for the senses, featuring top-notch cuisine, exquisite wines, flavorful craft beers, and luxurious spirits. Mark your calendars for a weekend of delectable delights on Saturday, November 2nd, and Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. Get tickets now at https://bit.ly/3W8t9fJ.
  • 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 WaveFrom 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/.
  • 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.
  • 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.