Weekly Tidbits October 31, 2024

Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News this November. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.


Partial Property Tax Refund

Property values and tax bills for the 2024 tax year are based on values as of January 1, 2024. While 2024 tax bills will not be reduced, residential property owners are eligible for a partial property tax refund due to damage associated with a catastrophic event if certain conditions are met. Please CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.

Under Florida Law, if a property is damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity after the damage or destruction occurs, the property owner may continue the homestead exemption. The calamity provision in Florida Law protects property owners from an increase in their assessed value following a catastrophe when repairing/rebuilding their property. The owner must notify the Property Appraiser that they intend to repair or rebuild the property and use the property as the primary residence following the completion of repairs. Review the scenarios at https://www.pcpao.gov/how-do-i/repair-replace-damaged-property. (Information courtesy of the City of Madeira Beach.)


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 December issue of Paradise NEWS- read by 100,000 locals and visitors online and in print. Book your ad or advertorial now for 2024/2025 for our best rates and placement. Deadline for ads & advertorials in our DECEMBER HOLIDAY issue is November 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.
  • Operation Blue Roof is now open and available for Pinellas County homeowners. A 5 minute website form, or a 15 minute phone-call will get the ball rolling. These are not your normal tarps, they are reinforced, anchored, and professionally installed AT NO COST TO YOU. Call today and protect your property. Go to www.blueroof.gov or call 1-888-766-3258 for more information.
  • 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.
  • More than 350 local makers and small businesses are coming together at St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Dr NE) on Thanksgiving Weekend for LocalShops1’s Shopapalooza Festival. The 2-day extravaganza celebrates local businesses, local arts, local tastes, local music, and the local vibe that makes Tampa Bay such a special place. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/shopapalooza-is-a-go/.
  • Earlier this month we included a list of useful website and phone numbers for hurricane recovery in Pinellas County in our weekly e-newsletter. That list is available on our website at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/hurricane-recovery-2024/. Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter by CLICKING HERE.
  • The Cross Bay Ferry restarted last weekend. See what their schedule is and get your tickets at https://www.thecrossbayferry.com/.
  • Tradewinds Island Resorts announced the are officially reopening for guests on October 24th.
  • 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/.
  • 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:

  • Savor St Pete- November 2-3 INFO
  • Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Home Games- November 2, 16 and December 16 TICKETS
  • Fall King of the Beach- November 7-9 INFO
  • SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival- November 8-17 INFO
  • Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival- November 8-10 INFO
  • Free Pops in the Park at Vinoy Park- November 9 INFO
  • Arts Annual 2024 Exhibit by Creative Pinellas- November 9- January 4 INFO
  • St. Pete Run Fest- November 15-17 INFO
  • St. Pete Opera presents Pinocchio- November 16-17 & 23-24 TICKETS
  • Free Pops in the Park at River Tower Park in Tampa- November 17 INFO
  • Bert’s St. Pete Bikefest- November 21-24 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/.’
  • 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. Click here to learn more.
  • 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/.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.