CURRENT ISSUE Click on cover to open e-magazine....

Current Issue:
Were you a summer camper?
The alternatives for day camping in our area are amazing. No matter what interests your children may have, chances are someone in the area offers a summer camp experience catering to it. One of our longest cover features, the 7 page story barely does more than list what's available. You'll find an even more informative version online by clicking on the link supplied below.

This month also contains a peek at the "Fishermen Lost At Sea Memorial" at John's Pass Village, an announcement about the NEW Phase of BP Oil Spill Claims processing that is beginning in early June 2012. Even claims that were previously denied may be resubmitted, especially for coastal tourism-related businesses. Also, see Business Profiles on a new skin care boutique and a brand new Philadelphia Deli in Tierra Verde.

Summer Camps - 2012     Kids have lots of choices for summer camps - so do adults!. For a list of events  click here.

Every issue has columns including such topics as Your Finances, presented by a Gold Fund expert; Legally Speaking, by an attorney specializing at the moment in foreclosure defense; Decor, by a professional decorator; news and events from local libraries; classes and events at local recreation departments; Arts & Leisure (community events calendar), Stuff to Do (clubs, boating classes, networking...); Classified Ads; a custom written Astrology Column and Playing Around (listing of local musicians).

NEWS OF INTEREST

Bayway Bridge replacement construction project 
For information about the Bayway Bridge Construction project email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 727-864-5464.

VOTE!
 WFN's* Ultimate Fishing Town
http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/uft/home.php
WFN is looking for the Ultimate Fishing Town.
Your community could win a $25,000 donation and be featured on WFN! Nominate Your Town Now! (*World Fishing Network)
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN's wide-ranging programming lineup includes a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world's top anglers, the network also includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi and WFN's Reel Fishy Jobs. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, which delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7.
Originally launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors. In the U.S., distributors include Verizon FiOS, Dish Network, Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, GVTC and Charter Communications.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - …Guardians Needed! 
To accompany World War II veterans to Washington, DC, so the veterans can see the memorials built on the National Mall as a tribute to their service.  A chartered Allegiant Air jet will take 75 elderly veterans to DC for a day trip, leaving Clearwater International at 7 am to return at 7:30 pm to a public “Welcome Home” parade.  While in Washington, stops are planned at the Iwo Jima and WWII Memorials.  The veterans can visit the Lincoln, Washington, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials as well.  Their chartered buses will pass Arlington National Cemetery, the Navy, Air Force, and Jefferson Memorials, U.S. Capitol,
and the Pentagon. Each veteran gets a “guardian angel,” someone in good physical condition 18 - 75 years old who is willing to donate $400 or more
to HFWCF to help cover operating costs. Prospective guardians should visit www.honorflightwcf.org, to print, complete and mail a guardian application to P.O. Box 55661, St. Petersburg, FL 33732.

Click here for COMMUNITY EVENTS Calendar

Featured Community Events…

 "Sunset Capital of Florida"  Story - Sunset Capital

 •  www.StPeteBeach.org  •  www.TampaBayBeaches.com

• www.StPeteBeachToday.com • www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
www.CoreyAve.com    

St. Pete Beach RECREATION -  www.spbrec.com  •  St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Suncoast Hospice Beach Walk on St. Pete Beach.
Registration starts - 8AM at the Sirata Resort. Free parking available at the county parking area across from Dolphin Village Shopping Center 46th Avenue. The resort is a short walk north at 5300 Gulf Blvd.. To be part of this great event, just go to the website to register: www.thehospicefoundation.org/beachstroll
If you are forming your own team, go to “Register St. Pete Beach” and follow the directions. Be sure to register at the St. Pete Beach /Sirata location.  After the stroll, there will be prizes, entertainment, and food/drinks available.  So plan on staying for a while and enjoying beautiful St. Pete Beach.

Music in the Afternoon – Free Concert • Sundays, May 20
“A nifty event" Get up & dance - music of the Rhythm Kings - refrshments.
SPB Community Center's - Boca Ciega Ballroom, 2pm-4pm  

June 2 - 3, 2012
19th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Area Craft Festival
10am – 4pm595 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach - Corey Avenue
Merchants Association hosts & produced by American Craft Endeavors. Featuring quality affordable crafts America made, including folk art, pottery, handmade jewelry, paintings, personalized gift items, scented soaps and body products with prices range $3 to $3,000. Green Market offers exotic live plants and gourmet items. Admission free  www.CoreyAve.com

The WINNERS!
…Jimmy B's Beach Bar Wins Best Florida Beach Bar for the Second Straight Year
Jimmy B's Beach Bar, located on St. Pete Beach, won best overall beach bar for the second year in a row. Jimmy B's was the top vote getter and a has 5 Flamingo beach bar rating, the highest available from Florida Beach Bar. Shephard's Beach Resort Backyard Tiki Bar, Clearwater Beach, placed second and was chosen the Best Beachside Beach Bar for the second year in a row.

Official winners for 2012!
#1 - Jimmy B's Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach
#2 - Shephard's Beach Resort, Clearwater Beach 
#5 - Bongos Beach Bar & Grille, St. Pete Beach
#6 - Harry's Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach 
To check out the list and other information view:   www.FloridaBeachBar.com

Tierra Verde…

Tampa Bay Watch  •  TampaBayWatch.org
"Best Environmental Organization" in the 2011 Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Reader's Poll!
"Non-Profit Business of the Year" 2012 - Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce  
 

Celebrating 100 years of history
"City of Imagination" • www.mygulfport.us/

Gulfport Chamber of Commerce  • 727-344-3711.
4926 Gulfport Bl vd. Southside near Jackson Hewitt and Gulfport Hardware.
www.gulfportchamberofcommerce.com      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       www.industrialartscenter.org

The Gulfport Area Chamber and the Gulfport Senior Center are celebrating Older Americans Month in May.
This year’s theme is “Never Too Old to Play”.  The Chamber is asked businesses to provide special discounts during the week of May 21-25 for seniors 50 and over.  Stop by 4926 Gulfport Boulevard S.  Gulfport, FL 33707 m-f 10-4pm, call (727) 344-3711 or visit the chamber website for more info. www.gulfportchamberofcommerce.com/

 #1 Arts Destination for Mid-Sized City - 2011 - Second Year    Full Story

Downtown Art Association's - 2nd Saturday Gallery Walk
- Saturday, June 9, 2012  5 - 8:30pm•  www.stpetearts.org     

FREE - Start at Craftsman House.  Pick up a copy of St. Petersburg's Gallery & Museum guide,  board the Central Avenue Shuttle.


St. Petersburg Arts & Entertainment Pass

In St. Petersburg, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Chihuly Collection presented by The Morean Arts Center, The Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop, and the Mahaffey Theater have joined forces to encourage greater participation in the arts.   A new St. Petersburg Arts and Entertainment Pass provides a single admission to each of the following: Museum of Fine Arts,  Chihuly Collection (includes Glass Studio and Hot Shop),and any mid-day live series performance at the Mahaffey Theater.   read more...

Enjoy FREE Film Classics & Music each Thursday evening in May.  Located on St. Petersburg's beautiful downtown waterfront, in North Straub Park.  The movies and music events are produced by St. Petersburg Preservation.  Fun begins with music at 7pm, and movies at dark on the Beach Drive side of the park, between 4th and 5th Avenues NE.  Movies are free; pay-what-you-can donations appreciated.
May 17th -- Music by Grant Peeples.  Movie:  Rear Window
May 24th -- Music by Rebekah Pulley. Movie:  Sleepless in Seattle - Keep St. Petersburg Local  Potluck Night - buy or bring a dish to share with neighbors.
May 31st -- Music by Clearwater Bluegrass Review.  Movie:  Ferris Bueller's Day Off

May 19, 2012
Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival
Grand Central District - 1pm to 6pm.  The 5th craft beer St. Petersburg festival presented by CraftBeerExpo.Org part of American Craft Beer Week,  first that includes popular food trucks from throughout Tampa Bay. Approximately 40 craft beer breweries on hand. Large portion of these breweries are Florida locals Green Bench Brewery (Saint Pete) Big Storm Brewery (Odessa) Saint Somewhere (Tarpon Springs) Little Giant Brewery (Bradenton). Live entertainment, held in Grand Central District between the 2800-2900 blocks of Central Avenue.
Beer tickets: $35 / adv. - $40 / day, and inc; $9 tickets - food trucks.  Proceeds benefit D&B Ministries and Grand Central District Assoc.  Non-food vendor opportunities available. Information, Lauren Ruiz, GCDA’s Executive Director, 727.828.7006 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - Call for future tour dates
St. Petersburg Preservation summer evening historic walking tour series
“Twilight on the Town” historic walking tour
7 pm (tour lasts approximately 90 minutes) Location: Tour starts… front of Central Cafe & Organics, 243 Central Ave. (next to the historic Detroit Hotel). Tour ends… courtyard at Ale & Witch (111 2nd Ave. NE).
What to do on a summer mid-week evening?
Join St. Petersburg Preservation for a relaxing downtown stroll, learn a bit of history and architecture, all followed by a chance to cool down and hear live music at the Ale & Witch, the craft beer emporium that has brought the Plaza courtyard across the street from Baywalk back to life.  Those joining the tour will get a chance to see some of the best of downtown’s 1920’s boom era architecture, find out how a small town at the turn of the century created one of the largest waterfront parks in the country and hear stories about how sunshine, bathing beauties and sports were used to market St. Pete as a place to go!
Tour: Free / members, $5 / nonmembers suggested donation Reservations welcome but not required: (727) 824-7802 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More information about… St. Petersburg Preservation, Music & Movies in the Park and walking tours is available at www.stpetepreservation.org or contacting Peter Belmont (727) 463-4612.

July 1 - 7
Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant
Progress Energy Center for Arts/Mahaffey Theater, 401 1st St. S.,
Contestants from all over Florida compete in talent, active wear, and evening gown categories for the honor of representing the state in the Miss America pageant. www.missflorida.org

MARTHA STEWART SELECTS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS,
AS THIRD TOP LOCATION FOR WEDDING RECEPTIONS
 MarthaStewartWeddings.com has recommended the MFA as the third most desirable location for wedding receptions on the east coast of the United States.
Twenty-five locations, mainly in or near New York City, are on this select list. No other venue in Florida and only one other museum, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut, are included.
The site has this to say about the MFA: “At the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, choose from a giant glass conservatory, Spanish-style gardens, or a classic ballroom with 22-foot-high ceilings for your event. Before the festivities begin, your guests can wander around admiring all the artwork.” For more information, please contact Allison Canfield, Manager of Special Events, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 727.896.2667, ext. 221. Ms. Canfield would be happy to provide a tour of the Museum for those planning a reception or celebration. The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, can make your special day truly unforgettable.

The top ten locations follow:
1)    The Hartford Club, Hartford, Connecticut
2)    The Bowery Hotel, New York City
3)    Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
4)    Studio 450, New York
5)    Wainwright House, Rye, New York
6)    The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York City
7)    Metropolitan Building, Long Island City, New York
8)    New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
9)    Riverside Yacht Club, Riverside, Connecticut
10)    New York Academy of Sciences, New York City

Check out the Community Events Calendar at top of this page

Treasure Island...

"Sandcastle Capital of Florida" www.mytreasureIsland.org

Saturday May 19, 2012 
Rally for the Cure 9 am
Tennis Mixer will be at the Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis facility, Treasure Island, for $20 pp. The event is open to the public. Call (727) 360-6062.

Friday Flicks in the Park
Presented by the City of Treasure Island - Treasure Island Community Center Park -106th Avenue & Gulf Blvd.  Begins - 7:00pm  food vendors • activities for kids, movies begin 9:00pm.
Friday, June 8        Dolphin Tale
Friday, June 22      Puss n’ Boots
Friday, July 13        Big Miracle
Friday, July 27        Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows
Movies shown under the stars on giant outdoor screen. Bring blankets & lawn chairs and enjoy the show. Snack vendors and children’s activities  available
before and during the movie. Event is FREE to public. Additional information, contact Treasure Island Recreation Dept. (727) 547-4575, ext. 237 or visit  
City’s website at www.mytreasureisland.org


Saturday Sunsets
City of Treasure Island’s Saturday Sunsets celebration Treasure Island’s beach on 1st & 3rd Saturdays (Behind) Bilmar Beach Resort , 10650 Gulf Blvd.
A free family event features artisans, food vendors, crafters,& live musical, weather permitting, 1 - 9pm.
Saturday, June 2 – 1pm to 4pm - Paul Anthony • 5pm to 8:30pm -  Rendezvous
Saturday, June 16 – 1pm to 4pm  - Sunza Beaches  •  5pm to 8:30pm - Michael Nichols
Saturday, July 7 – 1pm to 4pm - Calamity Jane   •  5pm to 8:30pm     Paul Anthony
Saturday, July 21 – 1pm to 4pm - De Lie’ed Parrots  •  5pm to 8:30pm     Michael Nichols
Parking on beach $5 per vehicle. Entrance to the beach parking … St. Petersburg Municipal Beach parking lot at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard.
Information: Treasure Island Recreation (727)547-4575, ext 237 or  http://www.mytreasureisland.org

 May 19 - John Edward - Psychic Medium and Author
An international acclaimed psychic medium, lecturer, and author of several New York Times best seller. Worldwide audiences internationally
acclaimed talk shows, “Crossing Over” & “Cross Country”. Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Westshore Airport, Tampa. Tickets 1.800.233.3123, JohnEdward.net or Telecharge

Largo…

May 26, 2012
Armed Forces History Museum - host Abilities Wine Tasting
2050 34th Way N., Largo, 727.539.8371 www.armedforcesmuseum.com
The Armed Forces History Museum in Largo, FL is currently holding its annual membership drive. The purchase of a membership allows free admission to the tasting. This event is now in its 23rd year, and has netted $3.38 million in support of Floridians with disabilities.

Dunedin…

June 23 – 24, 2012
10th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival,
10am – 4pm - 271 Main Street, Dunedin
Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival returns to Main Street with another first-rate craft showcase featuring a unique blend of contemporary, original works at affordable prices.  Green Market offers festival goers a broad selection of exotic plants, dips and other gourmet items. Craft enthusiasts can explore the art of 150 local and national crafters from 30 different states.  Admission free

Indian Rocks Beach…

Saturday June 2nd
2nd “Sunset at the Beach 5K Walk”
event starts at the Holiday Inn Harbourside, 401 2nd Street, Indian Rocks Beach, 33785, www.hiharbourside.com. 
Registration - June 2nd is $25/adult  and begins at 5 pm.  $5 child ticket for ages 6-12, under 6 free.  The walk begins at 7:30 pm.  Purchase tickets before and after the walk for opportunity to win 50/50 drawing (need not be present to win) and fabulous gift basket drawing (must be present to win).  Drawings
will be right after the walk.  For more details:  info@bikersraisingawareness .org or call 727-698-0078.  All proceeds benefit Bikers Raising Awareness® (BRA ) a 501 (c) 3 not -for-profit group, founded by Largo resident, Evi Green, has raised over $297,000 to pay local breast cancer patient’s living expenses. Since 2007, more than 60 Tampa Bay cancer patient’s families have been helped.  All funds raised pay utilities, rent, insurance, etc. for cancer patients and their families. Visit www.bikersraisingawareness.org for more.

May 26 - 
16th Annual Young Anglers Inshore Fishing Tournament
- presented by John's Pass Village and Boardwalk and Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium
Where: Hubbard's Marina, John's Pass Village, 7am-2pm, Madeira Beach.
Cost: $15, 5 years old and under; $25, 6-15 years old. Three divisions and 4-5 categories for prizes.  Register: mail, person, on-line. Information: Hubbard's Marina, (727) 393-1947
The fishing tournament will benefit Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium, Madeira Beach Fundamental and John's Pass Village Association. To see the news item  http://www.pieraquarium.org/news/news.asp?id=90644

Pinellas County... 

Pinellas County Events to Do....
 …May thru August 2012 listings