TAMPA BAY BY AIR
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) had 178,962 passengers in August, the most ever for that month. Of 1,571,826 domestic travelers year to date through August, 13,885 (less than 1%) were international travelers.
Allegiant Air, which operates 55 of the current 59 nonstop routes will add nonstop service to Albany, New York on Dec. 12.
Flair Airlines, a new carrier to PIE will offer a nonstop international service to Winnipeg, Canada starting Dec. 15. The airport currently has two nonstop international flights to Halifax and Toronto through Sunwing Airlines.
Swoop, a subsidiary of WestJet and Canada’s first true ultra-low-cost carrier, is entering the U.S. market with five new international flight routes, including one from Hamilton, Ontario to Tampa International Airport three times per week starting Oct 10.
A one-way ticket from Hamilton to Tampa starts at $119 CAD or $91.51USD. TIA currently has nonstop flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, St. Johns and Halifax, serving 339 passengers per day. “Hamilton is less than an hour from Toronto. This is another way of reaching the Toronto market for those wanting a low cost way to travel.”
ST PETE BEACH
FREE Friday Night Concerts are held throughout October in the Waterfront Park by the Community Center & Pool in St. Pete Beach. Outdoor markets resume on Saturday in Downtown St. Pete and Sundays 10 – 2 on Corey Ave. (74th Ave) in Downtown St. Pete Beach.
Tampa Bay artist Derek Donnelly created a tropical scene complete with a gecko lizard for the Sirata Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach. It was part of a $15 million renovation of the property including an all-new Harry’s Bar.
A Silent Auction of Holiday Season Baskets sponsored by the Friends of the St Pete Beach Library starts at 10 AM on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Bidding ends 5 PM on Friday, Dec. 14.
Auction Chair Ron Waters notes that 15 baskets of selected books will be offered plus various BUY IT NOW baskets presented during the five-week bidding period for those patrons who can’t wait until Dec. 14 to claim with a winning highest bid. The first two BUY IT NOW baskets will be a Chanukah Basket and an Art Basket. Other themes – all for new and pristine books – include Christmas, The Civil War, Baseball, Florida Cooking, WWII Europe, Wine, Art, Authors of Florida (First Editions), A Dogs’ Basket, International Cooking, Women in War, Florida Authors Signed Books, WWII Pacific, Paris and Asian Cooking.
These themed baskets make great holiday gifts or presents for any occasion and the money raised is used by the St Pete Beach Library for the many special programs offered throughout the year for all patrons. Watch for details on the Library’s web site at www.spblibrary.com
PASS-A-GRILLE
A summary of Jay Anderson’s report from early August 2018 progress meeting with City and Contractors. Road construction continues on PaG Way south of Shaner’s market. About 50% done as of August. Street signs installed later this year in PAG will have the new city logo.
There will be palms installed from 19th down to 1st and some on Gulf Way south of 8th along sidewalk. Merry Pier, after evaluation, needs a complete redo, ($700,000 maybe).
Signage at beach walkovers (big beach balls) will be done over tastefully and moved to beginning of walkway, there will be foot baths at selected walkovers installed at top (offset) of walkover so water will drain into dunes.
There is new plan being devised for Paradise Grille area beautification to include the whole street area too. New trash receptacles at beach side (sand and blue for recyclables) to be picked up by the city’s new specialty vehicle Seawall along PAG Way from 12th to 1st has some challenges to deal with that will need addressing in the future.
The vault being built at 3rd to handle storm water is still not finished and will be another month at least…think if you lived here and noisy water pumps were running 24/7 for almost 4 months.
Gulf Way is on repaving schedule (ground down) and new “cool” asphalt put down. “Cool asphalt”…google it….is a sand colored asphalt that reduces temperature for everyone and everything near it…..nice…where has this been…..Augusta brick that has been unearthed in the road redoing will hopefully be repurposed in Pass A Grille (the city is storing it) i.e. like maybe crosswalks at 8th and Pass A Grille Way or the beautification of the Paradise Grille plan or…8th Ave.
Hex block that is taken up for road work will be returned…..to same site taken from Gulf Blvd (34th-75th) sometime next year city will begin undergrounding of electric and storm water and sewer, utility upgrades. Traffic concerns at the 8th and PAG intersection once construction of the road starts there in full force was discussed….and it is almost “play it by ear” as it proceeds along, with an emphasis to make it as open as possible for businesses
St. Pete Beach has released the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Annual Report 2017. The report illustrates successful mitigation and preventative efforts by the city to protect citizens, property, infrastructure and the environment in the community. It also depicts proposed future projects that are intended to mitigate and prevent hazards. The LMS and the Annual Report are part of the City’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS).
The CRS rating that a community receives directly impacts the amount of rate reduction that all policy-owners in the City receive on their flood insurance. Copies of the report are available at www.stpetebeach.org or by calling 727-363-9266.
TREASURE ISLAND
Treasure Island Police will be conducting High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle laws on Gulf Blvd from the Blind Pass bridge to 123rd Avenue from October 8th 2018 through May 17th, 2019.
This area has had more than its share of accidents and pedestrian fatalities. The goal of this enforcement effort is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.
Enforcement efforts will focus primarily on education to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. However, violations may result in warnings or citations depending on the circumstances. Treasure Island also recently doubled fines for most parking violations, however it is now lawful to back into a parking space in Treasure Island.
William “Trip” Barrs, retiring Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Dunedin will become Chief for Treasure Island. He retires from Dunedin October 1, after serving 26 years as Deputy Fire Chief for 6 years, Shift Commander, Lieutenant, and Firefighter/
Paramedic. Chief Barrs holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Leadership from Eckerd College, and he is a candidate for a Master’s Degree in Public Leadership / Emergency Management. He holds a number of professional certifications including Executive Fire Officer, Chief Fire Officer, Paramedic, Live Fire Training Instructor, Instructor III, Fire Inspector and United States Coast Guard licensed captain.
MADEIRA BEACH
The Mid-Week Madeira Beach Open Air Market, scheduled for Wednesdays, moved to SEMINOLE & will open Wednesday, Nov. 7. The Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market will open on Sunday, November 5.
Both Markets are Seasonal and are scheduled to run weekly through the end of April, 2019. Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market runs 9-1, at 19305 Gulf Blvd. The Markets host local vendors who offer everything from produce to fine art. Attendance is free of charge and family friendly. Leashed pets are welcome.
GULFPORT
Pinellas’ first food hall to open in Gulfport:
The Artisan, billed as an “art & food collective” in the site of the old Boca Bay Grille and bar at 2832 Beach Blvd in Gulfport, is scheduled for a September opening. Restaurateur Tom Golden’s creation will be Pinellas County’s first food hall, with two kitchens for a bakery and sushi and raw bar, a bar on the back patio, an art gallery and bookstore.
Vegan deli Golden Dinosaurs arrives in Gulfport:
Brian and Audrey Dingeman, transplants from Iowa, are serving up vegan salads, soups, pressed sandwiches (plans are for several kinds of Reubens) and baked treats at Golden Dinosaurs, In the former home of Mangia Gourmet at 2930 Beach Boulevard in Gulfport. The shop also offers local craft beers and Bandit Coffee.
Shopapalooza Festival, Part 2 – Sat. Nov. 24, 2018 10am to 5pm at South Straub Park – 198 Bayshore Dr NE, Saint Petersburg, 33701! Representatives from both the Gulfport Merchants Board and City of Gulfport will set up an information booth outside and inside the Gulfport Trolley while attendes spin a wheel for free prizes, tour the Special Events Displays inside the Gulfport Trolley and take home information about Gulfport’slocal businesses and events.
The Gulfport Welcome Center offers information and resources to visitors, residents, and local businesses and Gulfport-themed merchandise and souvenirs for sale. Located at 3101 Beach Boulevard S. Suite #1, Gulfport, Florida – (727) 344-3711, the Welcome Center is available to guests in the heart of Gulfport’s scenic Waterfront District, just a few steps from Boca Ciega Bay.
Gulfport GetGo Has a New Car & New Hours!
Check out our New Car! Primary service is now available via a gas-powered GETGO Club Car added to the fleet this month. The new car can transport 6-passengers and is handicap accessible. They’ve just added mid-afternoon weekend hours! Their hours of operation are: 10-1 & 5-8, 7 days a week including holidays and weekends. Just added: 2-4 Thursday-Saturday.
A Gulfport skate park is being built at the Michael J. Yakes Recreation Complex at 5730 Shore Blvd. over the next few months. Once open, the skate park will be free and open to the public, with no age limit for entry. Members of the St. Pete Skatepark Alliance and the PIVOT Custom Parks worked exhaustively to make this project a reality. In addition to ramps, decks and jumps, the new skate park will also add tons of trees to the Gulfport complex.
TIERRA VERDE
The Tierra Verde Business Partnership is accepting nominations for the 2018 TVBP Person of the Year Award and the 2018 Outstanding Tierra Verde Business Award. The Person of the Year Award recognizes an individual’s significant service to our community. The Outstanding Business Award recognizes a business in Tierra Verde for noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contribution to the community, and significant community service efforts.
The presentation of both awards will be made during the 2018 Holiday Social – Dec. 5th. Please click on the button to review the eligibility criteria for award recipients and to download the nomination forms! Previous award recipients can be viewed at http://tierraverdebusinesspartnership.com/about-us/awards/
ST PETERSBURG
SPC Jazz Band FREE at the SPC Music Center Wed. Oct 17
The SPC Jazz band, directed by David Manson, performs at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College Music Center, 6605 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Wed., Oct.17, 2018 at 7:30 PM. The big band jazz concert will feature Swing, Bebop, Latin jazz and vocal arrangements with singers Sonja Spence, Cheryl Aqbunaq, Nancy Kern & Katherine Knippel.
Vehicles for Change in Downtown St. Petersburg
Perhaps you’ve seen the 5-seater electric vehicles running around downtown St. Pete. The Nickel Ride’s eco-friendly vehicles provide free and fun public transportation downtown supporting tourism and enhancing resident’s work/play lifestyles. This cool alternative transportation arrived this August, and you’ll see some of your favorite restaurants (Parkshore, 400 Beach, The Hangar, Ferg’s) advertised on them.
Want to catch a FREE ride?
Riders connect with The Nickel Ride via their mobile app available for iOS and Android, can call 855 WER FREE, or hail a Nickel Ride on the streets. Driver tips are encouraged, of course, but the money you save (Uber, taxi, bus) can be spent at downtown’s great bars, restaurants, concerts, services, and attractions. Perfect for museum-hopping, festival-going or date night, The Nickel Ride is an exciting new way to celebrate the city and our thriving business community. www.TheNickelRide.com
HH Insurance opens in St. Petersburg –
There has been a Holehouse insurance business in St. Petersburg since 1979, originally opening as a Nationwide Insurance agency and then becoming an independent agency in 2008.
Day-to-day operations at the new agency at 3443 First Ave North are run by Jake Holehouse, with a well-earned reputation in local print and TV media as the “floodinsurance expert”.
He got his Masters degree in Risk Management & Insurance from Florida State University, and holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, putting himin the top 0.5% of all insurance professionals.
He serves as flood insurance advocate for the City of St. Petersburg and for many communities.
The agency specializes in all lines of property and casualty insurance and offers free consultations on solutions to rising flood insurance rates on the barrier islands. Contact the firm by phone at (727) 498-5551 or email at sales@hhinsgroup.com.
The Crafty Squirrel to open in old Fortunato’s space:
The spot occupied for decades on Central Ave. by Fortunato’s Italian Market will now be occupied by The Crafty Squirrel, with artisan pizzas, craft cocktails (served in teapots!) and more than 60 beers. The place, at 259 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete, will feature long pub tables and booths, with garage-style doors opening out onto the street.
A grand opening reception is planned soon.
Grateful Fed has a new home: The Grateful Dead-themed Grateful Fed Pub, which opened in St. Pete’s Urban Style Flats last year, has found a new location at 711 Third Ave. S. Its original reopening date of Aug. 1 has been pushed back
No Vacancy taking place of Kings Street in St. Pete:
Kings Street Food Counter, part of restaurateur Stephen Schrutt’s Hunger + Thirst Group, has closed and will be replaced by another HTG restaurant, No Vacancy, this fall. The new eatery will feature indoor and outdoor bars and a patio lounge, with Florida and island-inspired dishes and cocktails. No Vacancy will be at 937 Central Avenue, in St. Petersburg’s EDGE District.
Beer and ice cream? Big Storm says, why not?
Thirsty Big Storm Brewing customers have a new option at the brewery’s Clearwater taproom. Big Storm Creamery, right next door to 12707 49th St. N in Clearwater, offers 18 ice cream flavors and specialty desserts, like the Big Storm Nitro Coffee Float made with Big Storm cold brew coffee and coffee ice cream. “In the near future, we expect to sell beer-inspired small batch desserts,” said Big Storm partner L.J. Govoni.
The Woodhouse Day Spa® opened Sept 27th in the James Museum complex on 1st St., offering refreshing, rejuvenating & renewing services, including a unique Vichy Shower. “As a guest reclines face-down on a spa table, the rain bar with shower heads, is adjusted so that the warm water cascades over the guest’s back, legs, and feet. When an alternate hot/cold rain shower is performed, it is one of the most results oriented therapies. Benefits: balancing, firming, toning, detoxifying, oxygenating, restorative, relaxing” according to the grand opening announcement. Renee loved the facility with a dozen massage rooms and the Vichy Shower, can be used to rinse after massage therapists give a seaweed wrap. gm@stpete.woodhousespas.com 75 1st Street South, St. Petersburg.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Caravel Chapter, has a mission this year to place a wreath at every veteran’s grave at the Bay Pines National Cemetery on December 15th. Last year there were over 5,000 wreaths delivered but there are over 40,000 graves. In a bustling community such as Pinellas County, much greater participation is possible and should be expected. You can make a huge impact this year by being a sponsor and/or volunteer. Please contact Diana Schwarz for more information at dianasf11@aol.com.
PINELLAS COUNTY
The Third Annual Oozefest?
It’s the Cheesiest Food Festival in St. Pete. Twenty three local gourmet food trucks will line up at Albert Whitted Park in downtown St. Petersburg with cheese-centric menus ready to satiate the appetite of residents looking to get their pre-Turkey Day fix. Is the event pet-friendly? 100% — and it’s great for families, too. There will be a children’s playground at the center of the event. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of craft beer to sample in the beer garden. The event runs from 6-11pm on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Pinellas earns top recycling rate in Florida for a third time
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s 2017 annual recycling rates for individual counties and the entire state show that Pinellas County has the
highest county recycling rate at 82 percent. This is due to a credit for producing renewable energy at its Waste-to-Energy facility and recycling through traditional programs, such as curbside recycling. There is still room for improvement. Residents may be aware of challenges facing recycling markets and can do their part by placing quality materials in their recycling containers. From the curb, materials are transported to a materials recovery facility (MRF). Plastic, glass, metal bottles and containers, and paper are processed at MRFs, then baled to be sold and used again. The cleaner the material,the better for all.
To further citizen engagement, Pinellas joined a regional “Trash the Tangler” campaign to encourage residents to keep recycling tangler–free. A tangler is an item, such as plastic bags, cords and clothes that jam recycling processing equipment, making it difficult for MRFs to recycle valuable material.
Residents are encouraged to get the most out of their recyclable material by keeping tanglers out of their recycling bin. Visit www.TampaBayRecycles.org and www.pinellascounty.org/recycle
Pinellas County launches new tool for Red Tide cleanup requests Streamlined system is easier for citizens to use, more efficient for staff – To report large numbers of dead fish due to the Red Tide bloom, visit: www.pinellascounty.org/redtide under the header “How to Handle Dead Fish.” Click on “Create Report,” then select the type of problem, add comments, provide contact information, and attach pictures. You can give the precise location by either clicking on a map or entering an address.
If there are a small number of dead fish, citizens can scoop them out and place them in a trash bag for disposal through normal trash pickup or a drop-off location.
Drop-off locations are also provided through a link at www.pinellascounty.org/redtide Pinellas County’s contractor cannot conduct cleanup activities on private property. The contractor was deploying 20 harvesting boats offshore and within the Intracoastal Waterway, along with six beach rakes. Over 588 tons of Red Tide-related debris had been removed by Sept 20.
Festival of Trees to Benefit Tampa Bay Watch
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural Festival of Trees event Saturday, November 24, Tampa Bay Watch will benefit. A family-friendly festival! Visitors will vote for their favorite tree and donate to Tampa Bay Watch. Companies who want to participate should register in advance, choosing your sponsorship level and will receive a tree to decorate. The company decorated tree, will be on display at a requested location, where visitors and the public can enjoy it and bid on it at the auction.
- Reserve booth spaces to participate as a food, beverage, or retail vendor. Register in advance for a location of your choice.
The event will take place at the following locations:
- St. Pete Beach Comm. Center,
- Madeira Beach City Center,
- Treasure Island Comm. Center,
- Indian Shores Municipal Center,
- Indian Rocks Beach City Hall
For information about Tampa Bay Watch, visit www.tampabaywatch.org
- For information about the event, email Emily Roberts at emily@tampabaybeaches.com PN
Article by Peter A. Roos