By Peter Roos
Vintage Variety – A Vaudeville-Inspired Stage Extravaganza
Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Catherine Hickman Theater
This isn’t just a show – it’s a whirlwind of old-school charm and jaw-dropping talent, all packed into one unforgettable night! Inspired by the golden era of Vaudeville, Vintage Variety brings a dazzling mix of performances to the stage that will keep you laughing, clapping, and gasping in awe from start to finish. $30 includes a free beverage and light appetizers. Tickets: www.vintagevariety2025.eventbrite.com
Here’s a taste of what’s in store:
- Hilarious Comedy – quick wit, physical humor, and laugh-out-loud sketches
- Gravity-defying acrobatics – strength, balance, and breathtaking stunts
- Mystifying magic and juggling – Sleight of hand and impossible feats of coordination
- Sultry burlesque and dynamic dance – glamour, style, and powerful movement
- Live music and classic variety acts – all wrapped in a nostalgic, vintage flair.
Also on Aug. 16, the Pinellas Beaches (aka TI & Mad Beach) Chamber of Commerce hold their annual Monte Carlo Casino Night, this year, once again, at the West Events Center on Gulf Blvd. in Madeira Beach. They may be sold out, but if interested, call Jill at 727-360-4121.
St. Pete Beach city commission appointed Jon Maldonado as District 4 commissioner to represent Pass-a-Grille and Vina Del Mar to replace Joe Mulholland who resigned effective June 24. An election on Nov. 4 will select the commissioner to finish out Joe’s term through March 2027.
Also on June 24, Treasure Island hired an army veteran, former school superintendent and current city manager of Keystone Heights in North Florida’s Clay County. The commission, mayor and vice mayor were unanimous in their approval of Charles Van Zant as interim city manager. If he meets performance goals, the job will be permanent, otherwise a new search will be held.
Madeira Beach has 37 beach groins running from personal property lines into the Gulf that date back to the 1950’s. Of those, 22 were deteriorating and were recently rebuilt. The city of Madeira Beach got a matching 1.75-million-dollar grant from Florida Division of Environmental Protection. The groins have been a very effective way of keeping sand on the beach in Madeira Beach for over 70 years. Sand accumulates naturally rather than having to be pumped ashore like is done for beaches north and south of Madeira.
St. Pete Beach is working on a new Beach Ordinance. The legislation has been broken into three separate ordinance proposals.
- Ord 1: Behavioral: issues like abandoned property, smoking, unattended fishing lines, pop up businesses, tent sizes, etc.
- Ord 2: Wildlife & Lighting: Updates lighting technology terminology, signage and pool lighting rules.
- Ord 3: Cabana Services / Alcohol / Beach Furniture: Storing beach furniture daily and set back rules.
Ordinances will be reviewed at the August 20 Beach Stewardship Committee Meeting.
According to a new study by WalletHub, St. Petersburg is in the top 20 cities in the country for recreation. The ranking celebrates cities that prioritize parks, outdoor amenities, and accessible entertainment. St. Pete offers year-round out-door recreational experiences for all ages. North Shore Park for example, features one of the city’s popular outdoor gyms, along with public restrooms, beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, an outdoor shower area, and scenic walking paths that wind through an arboretum. The park is also home to the lively North Shore Aquatic Complex, a favorite for swimmers and families. A nearby sidewalk stretches along Coffee Pot Boulevard, offering a peaceful waterfront route for runners and walkers alike. Throughout the city, the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department hosts a variety of fitness classes outdoors. Residents can join group sessions for cardio kickboxing, yoga, kayaking, and pickleball. These programs are spread across parks citywide, making it easier than ever to stay active without spending a dime. Visit online at www.stpeteparksrec.org.
Mark your calendar now to join Tampa Bay Watch for this year’s Evening for the Bay: Sea Star Soiree! Sponsors and guests will enjoy dinner, cocktails, entertainment, live and silent auctions, a magnificent sunset, and much more!
- Saturday, Nov. 1, 6-10pm
- 3000 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde
More than a celebration, this signature event supports Tampa Bay Watch’s mission to restore the bay every day. Don’t miss this evening under the stars filled with connection, purpose and estuary magic.
The beloved annual Taste of the Beaches, organized by the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is taking place Oct. 3-12. This beloved annual event brings together the best restaurants from across our stunning beach communities for a week of culinary delights and family-friendly fun. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay will be the recipient of proceeds. Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country. They develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
St. Pete Beach welcomed the grand reopening of The Beach Theatre this July. (Pictures of owner and new theatre below.)
The Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, also referred to as Truth-in-Millage (TRIM) Notice, is a very important document relating to your proposed property value and taxes for the current year. Sent out to all property owners in late August, this document includes:
- Market value of the property
- Property tax exemptions applied
- Tax rates from local taxing authorities
- Date and time all taxing authorities hold hearings to adopt their tax rates and budgets
Florida Homeowners! Attend Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s public education event! Thursday, Aug. 21, 12-1pm, 2500 34th St. N, 2nd Floor, St. Petersburg.Doors open at 11:30am and please note that seating is limited. Do you have specific questions about your property or exemptions?
Virtual or in-person attendance. www.events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e1ee0d83-aa03-4795-890e-388847e70831@c32ee18f-a4c7-46ff-af40-8ed605642745
100 Women Who Care of Pinellas County recently celebrated its 50th meeting (spanning 13 years of giving) by donating nearly $20,000 to Good Neighbors Food Bank. On average, nine fatalities occur each day on Florida roadways. The state developed a 2026 safety plan to reduce the number of accidents. Florida is leading the nation in preparing to meet the transportation safety and mobility challenges that arise from the inevitable increases to the aging population. The Florida Department of Transportation developed and maintains a website to support the work and efforts of our Safe Mobility for Life Coalition. It is the Coalition’s mission to reduce crashes by improving the safety, access, and mobility of Florida’s aging road users. To learn more, visit www.SafeMobilityFL.com.
CASA Pinellas is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its domestic violence shelter, one of the largest in the state of Florida. A decade ago, survivors in Pinellas County often had to choose between escaping abuse or staying with their pets. CASA Pinellas changed that – and since then, its shelter has provided safety to thousands of families and their animals. The launch of the shelter in 2015 tripled CASA’s capacity. Last year alone, CASA provided over 23,000 bed nights at its shelter for survivors and their children fleeing abuse.
Helen French is the new executive director of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA). A celebrated performing artist, educator, and longtime arts advocate, Helen brings more than 20 years of creative leadership to the role. Helen previously served as Chair of the SPAA Board and most recently led fundraising and development at the Palladium Theater. She is also co-founder of the BEACON performance series, a former Artist Laureate for Creative Pinellas, and a passionate supporter of arts education and community engagement.
Pinellas County completed the northern segment of the Pinellas Trail Loop in mid-July with the opening of the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal Bridge! The new pedestrian bridge at McMullen Booth Road and Tampa Road in Palm Harbor creates 65 contiguous miles of trail. Eventually, the loop will encircle Pinellas. See Pinellas County’s announcement video on Instagram and read more about the project on their website!
Hurricane Helene did a number on beach towns like Pass-a-Grille, Sunset Beach and Madeira Beach. Mary Ann Ferenc, famous for her Mise en Place iconic eatery near the University of Tampa, built The Dewey and the Berkeley Beach Club, 109 8th Avenue, Pass-A-Grille, as her retirement dream. That dream turned into a nightmare on Sept. 26, 2024, when a wall of sand and water invaded the businesses on Eighth Ave. Expected insurance proceeds have not materialized. In mid-July, the three-story concrete building and businesses were sold to Helen and Dave Feinburg of Pass-a-Grille to be run with their daughter.
The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is holding $64,914.35 in unclaimed funds – and some of it might belong to you. The Clerk’s annual list of unclaimed funds includes 818 checks for jury duty, court fee refunds, vendor invoices, and other court-related services payments. If unclaimed by Sept. 1 the funds will be forfeited under Florida law. “We encourage residents and vendors to check the list – your name might be on it,” said Angel Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “It only takes a few minutes to claim what’s yours.” To view the list, visit www.ManateeClerk.com. If you believe you may have unclaimed funds, contact the Clerk’s Accounting Division by email at clerkaccounting@manateeclerk.com or call 941-749-1800 for instructions on how to file a claim. Other county clerks likely have a similar issue.
The Wharf Restaurant & Bar in St. Pete Beach’s Pass-a-Grille has added a private party space off the front patio, big enough for 15 guests and it can be reserved in advance and comes with a dedicated server. The new docks and back patio dining area are ready for action, and the new menu features a fan favorite from the daily specials, bang bang shrimp. With the best grouper sandwich on the beach, sensational seafood entrees (mahi, scallops), shrimply delicious appetizers including coconut and peel-n-eat shrimp and Tuesday Wharf Famous Fish Fry and Taco Wednesday, no wonder it’s a local and visitor favorite with a never-ending waterview and friendly service. There’s a kid’s menu, specialty cocktails and new shirts and hats with Petey the Pelican logo (no relation to publisher Pete Roos, but just as handsome) and key lime pie that sweetens everyone’s day. Best of all, rocking live music is BACK with Rob Tyre Wed.-Sat. 6-9:30pm, weather permitting. Happy hour Mon.-Fri., 3:30-6pm (bar only).