Welcome to the March 2026 edition of Paradise News, the beloved community newsmagazine serving St. Petersburg and the numerous “cities” on its barrier islands. Designed to help both residents and visitors get the most out of their time in and near St. Pete Beach, the sunset capital of Florida, Paradise News has, for over 30 years, provided Arts and Leisure and Events listings, updated each month, which comprise roughly the back third of each issue. Starting on page 35 this month, there are about 15 categories, of which performing arts is only one. The new issue usually appears online on or near the first of each month (except July and September), and links are provided in the following Thursday’s digital newsletter, which you can subscribe to for FREE on our website www.paradisenewsfl.com.
We are a 30-something community news magazine written mostly by relocated northerners, just like most of our readers. The communities we serve are full of professional people, business owners and retirees. Many of us are still trying to recover from hurricane Helene’s devastating late September 2024 flood and Milton’s winds two weeks later. As an example, St. Pete Beach’s PJ’s restaurant got demolished late in February. We have been including recovery lessons in almost every issue and know that some of you have learned well.
Our cover story this month features the “Beachmaker” a new resort for the heart of Madeira Beach, that will be owned by its guests. Check out the article on page 26 and see if this investment is for you.
The movement to designate an out-of-sight beach at Fort Desoto as “clothing optional” is gaining momentum after several years. Land of Lakes is the “clothing optional capital of the world” but if residents want a clothing-optional beach, they currently have to go to the east coast of our state. It sounds like a good move for tourism in the area.
It is the “height of season” here in Paradise and there are LOTS of fun things going on in the area. The Renaissance Festival, for example, (from Michigan) is in Dade City on weekends through March. It is a lot of fun when the weather is right, especially if you dress up.
After having the same, reasonably priced, efficient, web press for our magazine for the past 25+ years, we had to hunt for a new one in January. If you got this issue in the mail, it should have been there before the 15th. That is our goal. I want to apologize for the late arrival of the February edition. It was printed by the second new magazine printer we have had to use so far this year. The first, in Jacksonville, was quite expensive, and the second, in Miami, was painfully slow. Hopefully, we can now count on the “Goldie Locks effect” so that the third new magazine printer will work out “just right.” At least our newest printer is in Pinellas County, where Paradise News is from.
Our readers are the only reason Paradise News has thrived for over 30 years. Thanks for reading and letting our advertisers know you read about them in Paradise News.