By Peter Roos
Looking for a meaningful way to keep kids curious and active during winter break? At Tampa Bay Watch’s Holi-Bay Camp, they’ll swap screen time for salt air, sunshine, and the magic of Tampa Bay. Hands-on science activities, boat trips, and outdoor adventures will help us discover how local animals adapt to the colder months in their own unique ways. Each day spotlights a different Bay resident and its habitat, and in true Tampa Bay Watch style, we’ll blend exploration with creativity through nature-inspired crafts, music, and movement. Whether they drop in for a day or stay for several, campers will learn to spot the signs of winter around us. There may not be snow in the forecast, but there’s plenty of warmth, wonder, and festive fun ahead! Holi-Bay Camp is designed for children 6 to 10 years of age and will be offered on Dec. 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31. www.tbwdiscoverycenter.org/camp
The Beachcomber Resort and Jimmy B’s Beach Bar located at 6200 Gulf Boulevard reopened last month as recovery from last fall’s hurricanes continues to progress. Half the rooms are brand new as are all the common areas. Jimmy B’s has been missed. They frequently win the best beach bar in the area and occasionally the entire state of Florida.
Meanwhile the Beachcomber’s neighbor, the Post Card Inn at 6300 Gulf Boulevard, also known as the PCI Resort, has been vacant since last year’s hurricanes hit our coast. It will soon be renovated into The Luce, a 200 room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel scheduled to open April 5, 2026. Originally built as the Colonial Gateway Inn in 1957 and reimagined as the Postcard Inn in 2009, the hotel’s owners proposed an 87-room expansion to the Postcard Inn in 2024, but those plans were ultimately abandoned after Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused significant damage. The LCP Group, which purchased the property in March 2022 for $83 million, is overseeing a full renovation of the 9-acre beachfront resort, working alongside management firm Crescent Hotels & Resorts. Additional amenities will include lawn games, a 24-hour fitness center, boutique retail, and 14,000 square feet of event space. Guest rooms will feature Lavazza café machines, bath amenities, and smart TVs.
The Gulfport Merchants Chamber invites artists 18 and older, working in all mediums/substrates, to join the 7th Annual Gulfport Plein Air Festival from April 13-18, 2026. Registration is $40. Deadline: March 31, 2026. Participating artists are requested to bring canvases and other surfaces they intend to use to the Gulfport Welcome Center (5317 Gulfport Blvd) for stamping at the Artist Meet & Greet on Monday April 13th 4-6pm. (stamping of canvases and other surfaces is also available on Tuesday) Paint Gulfport’s scenic locations and submit your favorite painting on Friday, April 17th at the Gulfport Merchant Chamber Welcome Center between 1-2pm and 4-5pm.
Registration includes a plein air workshop on Saturday, April 18, 10am-12pm with award-winning artist/instructor Jack Providenti. The festival finale Exhibition & Collector’s Sale is on April 18 from 4-6pm with prizes and awards! Artists must be present. $300 cash award for Best in Show, and the following fun awards will each receive a Blick gift card worth $50.
- Spirit of Gulfport – the piece that best embodies the fun and funky atmosphere of Gulfport
- Gecko Award – best incorporation of a gecko in a painting.
- Best Tree Award – best expression of a tree
Link to register: www.cloudfolios.com/exhibitions/330 or emailart@visitgulfportflorida.com.
Our Fresh Markets offer visitors the opportunity for a relaxing day trip. Every Tuesday in Gulfport, a small town full of “Old Florida” charms from 9am-2pm, the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is open. Parking in the village is free. Learn more online at www.visitgulfportflorida.com/event/gulfport-fresh-market-2.
The same times work at the Treasure Island market on Fridays in the TI Community Park, Saturdays in downtown St. Petersburg, and Sundays both at the St. Pete High School and on Corey Ave., in St. Pete Beach.
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 www.pinellas.gov/the-wave.
The Madeira Beach Social Club is an active senior group located in Madeira Beach. Their club provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to socialize, participate in various activities, and build lasting friendships within our community.
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 St. Pete Beach 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.
The City Theatre on 31st St. S in St. Pete is a true community theatre that just celebrated its 100th birthday. Lisa Marone is a Pass-a-Grille resident and volunteer who has been supporting both the Theatre and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, amongst other pursuits for more than a decade. To recognize the centennial of the City Theatre and a number of other significant institutions in the area, Lisa produced a beautiful and fascinating 2026 Calendar with photos and history about the following:
- The St. Petersburg Yacht Club;
- The St. Petersburg Museum of History,
- The Sunshine School
- The State Theatre
- The Beach Theatre
- St. Petersburg High School
- Merry Pier in Pass-a-Grille
- The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
- The St. Petersburg City Theatre
- The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
- The Vinoy
- and the Don Cesar Resorts
They are $20 each at the Don Cesar gift shop and at the City Theatre and would make a GREAT stocking stuffer for all history buffs. Those who enjoyed last month’s article about the “Importance of Wolves in America” and the wolf preserve in Divide, Colorado, might like this a lot. There is also a wolf preserve in Florida. Seacrest Wolf Preserve, 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd., Chipley, 850-773-2897 is a 5.5-hour drive from Tampa Bay, near Panama City Beach. Might make a great weekend trip this winter.
Saturday Group Tour: $35 per person, includes a guided tour and small animal meet-and-greet, Private VIP Tour: $250-$500 for a private tour, depending on the package and number of people. Wolf Meet n Greet Trip: $63, includes a 3-hour guided tour and visit to Falling Waters State Park. If you’re planning to visit, book in advance, especially for VIP tours or Saturday group tours Tickets can be purchased through their official website www.seacrestwolfpreserve.orgHours: 9am-4pm, Tues.-Sat. Reservations: Required for all tours, can be made through their website or by phone. Keep in mind that the preserve is a non-profit organization, and tickets support their conservation efforts.
Cheer on the holly-days at St. Pete Beach’s The Wharf in Pass A Grille! Bring your visitors for the best waterfront view and grouper sandwich, cool cocktails and succulent appetizers. Favorites include juicy shrimp (peel-and-eat, coconut, spicy bang bang or stuffed with cheese and jalapeno), wonderful wings in 9 flavors, seared rare ahi tuna, fried calamari, smoked fish spread, battered mushrooms or green beans, loaded tots or jalapeno conch fritters. The sandwiches and burgers are equally tantalizing. Try the blackened mahi sandwich, the massive Reuben with house-made ranch chips, the steak and cheese or patty melt as well as the monster burger with bacon and pepper jack slathered with chipotle mayo. Go light with a chopped or Caesar salad. Like Cajun food? You’ll love the New Orleans-style gumbo with chicken, ham, andouille and shrimp. Check Facebook for daily specials (Taco Wednesday, Fish Fry Tuesday), happy hour Mon.-Fri. 3:30-6pm (bar only) and rock out with Rob Tyre Wed.-Sat. 6-9:30 pm. Book the front deck for your private party; you get a dedicated server & incredible view. Ask about our kids’ menu. Come by boat, bike or car!
Applications now open for 2026 Sunstar FirstCare Ambulance Membership
- Membership covers 100% of expenses associated with deductibles and co-payments.
- Membership covers 50% of medically necessary trips denied by insurance.
- Enroll now for coverage from Jan. 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027.
Now is the perfect time to enroll in the Sunstar FirstCare Ambulance Membership. Residents are encouraged to enroll now to receive more than a full year of financial help with out-of-pocket expenses for ambulance transportation.
The estimated average cost of a single ambulance transport is $1,037. Annual membership fees for the 2026 Sunstar FirstCare Ambulance Membership plans are $89 for a single membership and $133 for a family membershipd.
Applications can be found online at www.pinellas.gov/firstcare or by calling 727-582-2008 to receive an application by mail. Membership covers 100% of expenses associated with deductibles and co-payments and 50% of medically necessary trips denied by insurance. Uninsured members receive a 20% discount on medically necessary ambulance transportation.
The Sunstar FirstCare Ambulance Membership is not an insurance plan. It is a Pinellas County government program that works with an individual’s insurance company to minimize out-of-pocket ambulance expenses. Completed applications with payment in full, received before the end of the calendar year, will be effective on Jan. 1. Completed applications with payment in full received after Jan. 1 will be effective on the postmark date.
Current members will receive a renewal package by mail starting Dec. 1. Members who have changed addresses should contact 727-582-2008. For more information and detailed plan coverage, call 727-582-2008 or visit www.pinellas.gov/coverage.
Good Housekeeping Magazine named our area a top destination for 2026. St. Pete-Clearwater’s sugar white sands and emerald waters continue garnering attention, further solidifying the destination as the home to America’s Favorite Beaches. Joining an extensive list of accolades is the recent recognition in the Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Travel Awards, recognizing St. Pete-Clearwater as one of the country’s top beach escapes, lauding the popular visitor getaway for seamlessly blending its stunning sunny shoreline with a vibrant, world-class city vacation experience. A beach getaway and a city vacation rolled into one, St. Pete-Clearwater blends sunny shoreline with world-class attractions. In the morning, you can splash around near some of the 36 miles of Gulf Coast beaches (including Clearwater Beach, which has fun inflatable slides on its powdery white sand). Then seek afternoon shade at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which rescues and rehabs dolphins, or the Dali Museum, which showcases works from the Spanish surrealist and other icons. “This destination gives off European vibes, but you can also get your typical ‘beach town’ vacation fix,” said one tester, who stayed with her spouse at the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. “The Dali Museum was one of the most incredible ones I’ve experienced,” she added. She loved Sunken Gardens, which was full of flora and flamingos: “It is retro, has a history to it, and feels like the perfect place to bring your kids but also enjoy as adults.” Another tester, traveling with her teen, raved about her stay at the Island Grand at Tradewinds resort.
The Island Grille & Raw Bar in Tierra Verde serves up a breathtaking view, amazing seafood and crafted cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends, families and visitors especially during the holiday season. From the popular three course early bird dinners (Mon.-Fri. 3-5pm $22.95) to happy hour Mon.-Fri. 11am-6pm, it’s a fan favorite. Enjoy awesome fresh seafood, steak, kabobs, tacos and the exceptional raw bar, from oysters (raw, chargrilled or steamed) to stone crabs. There are daily lunch specials such as Monday’s smash burger, Tuesday’s tacos, Wednesday’s Buffalo chicken sandwich, Thursday Philly steak and cheese hoagie, Friday’s beer-battered fish fry with coleslaw and fries, Saturday’s salmon BLT wrap and Sunday’s black-n-blue shrimp Caesar salad. Dinner specials range from Tuesday’s shrimp trio feast (blackened, coconut and stuffed shrimp) with two sides to Saturday’s 8oz. tenderloin filet topped with crabmeat, asparagus, hollandaise and served with two sides. Enjoy live music Saturday 1-5pm and 6-10pm; Sunday 12-4pm and 5-9pm and steel drum Sundays (weather permitting). Book your party now for 25 dining guests or more to celebrate the season’s good tidings.
Call 727-767-0020 or email info@islandrawbar.com.
The City Theatre is looking for volunteers to help with their Christmas Carol shows. The show runs Dec. 19-28. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm.
The playhouse needs ushers, concessions, box office and house managers. If you are interested in volunteering, click the link below to see what is available, and to sign up. Email office@spcitytheatre.org with any questions. www.signupgenius.com/go/600D49A5AE23A1FA7-60687027-christmas#/
Leaders of the ARK Invest-backed Tampa Bay Innovation Center celebrated a new chapter in the business accelerator’s story. It will now be known as spARK Labs by ARK Invest.
This rebranding reflects a change in strategic direction and leadership, said CEO Rebecca Brown, who began her tenure in July. An open house event at the ARK Innovation Center, where the nonprofit is headquartered, was held to mark the occasion.
Now incubating 25 companies, spARK Labs launched a new program to help businesses scale and grow in October. Startup leaders can receive one-on-one support, collaborate with the ARK Invest research team and gain access to a group of advisors. Capital opportunities are also available. “It’s a whole new focus on the disruptive innovation technologies that ARK Invest really spearheads. So, we are incubating companies across artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, and blockchain.
Treasure Island’s commissioners voted Nov. 19 to deny the Thunderbird’s owners, who bought the property in 2024, permission to rebuild 20 feet higher (from 60 to 80 feet) and with more rooms. “We all love the Thunderbird,” said Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez at Wednesday’s commission meeting. “I’ve spent many sunsets behind the Thunderbird. But in this case, we have to do what’s right for the city and its citizens.” Residents said that Treasure Island would lose its unique identity should the “new” Thunderbird’s owners be allowed to add to its height. Treasure Island, they argued, should not become a “wall of tall buildings” that blocks views of the water. Speakers also decried the city’s lack of a master plan, calling it irresponsible to consider one development at a time, potentially using a different set of criteria for each case. Before the final vote of denial sent the owners back to the drawing board, Gilad Ovaknin addressed the commissioners. He responded to Vasquez’s inquiry as to why the property, on the beach side, was still somewhat unsightly from the 2024 hurricane damage, and why demolition had not commenced. “We’d like to defer any expense to the time that it’s relevant. The right time for us, in terms of the prospective, is once we get the entitlement – meaning we have the approval, that we know that we can go to more detailed plans. At the same time, we can do part of the demolition. That would make more sense for us.” Commissioners voted to hire a master planner.