Weekly Tidbits September 19, 2024

NEW TIDBITS:

• The August/September Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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/.
• 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/.
• The City of Gulfport will be giving away free trees on Saturday, September 21st 9-11am at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. The role of trees and green spaces within the City of Gulfport’s built and natural environment is of great significance. Click here to learn more.
• This month, Pinellas County is breaking ground on two new community parks. High Point Community Park (shown in a project rendering) is a partnership between the County, Pinellas County Schools and the City of Largo. It will have athletic fields, basketball courts, a playground and a walking trail. Dansville Community Park will be located in the Greater Ridgecrest area and will include a multi-use path, sidewalk, benches, a picnic shelter and more. Sign up for updates from Pinellas County with their WAVE e-newsletter at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave/.
• September is National Fall Prevention Month – a time when aging advocates all over the country raise awareness on how to stop the devastation of falls for older adults. SAGES Theater, a local nonprofit 6 years young will have multiple shows raising fall awareness this September & October in Pinellas County. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/denying-gravity/.
• American Stage announces their 2024/25 Beyond the Stage Season lineup! Get tickets at https://www.americanstage.org/beyond-the-stage.
• The third annual Anime St. Pete is opening the doors to an unforgettable first fan convention experience with its “Newbie Welcome Experience,” a specially curated program aimed at showing the ropes to newcomers of anime cons. Taking place September 28-29 at the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum, this experience starts at 11am each day and offers a panel, guided tour, and photo opportunity — all led by the event’s guest cosplayers. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/anime-st-pete-newbie/.
• 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:

• South Pasadena Band FREE Concert- September 19 INFO
• Gulfport’s Third Saturday IndieFaire- September 21 INFO
• American Stage presents Ring of Fire- September 25- October 20 INFO
• Clearwater Latin Jazz Fest- September 27 INFO
• Clearwater Offshore Nationals- September 27-29 INFO
• Run for All Children- September 28 INFO

FIND EVENT MORE FALL EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/fall-2024/.

REMINDERS

• The August/September 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/.
• 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 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/.
• 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.

December Issue