Paradise News Magazine- March 2023

DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS

(Partial listing of Rack & Stack locations)

ST. PETERSBURG

Sundial Shoppes Happy Feet Plus

Florida Jean Co Hollander Hotel

Vinoy Hotel So Chic Consignment

Morean Art Center St Pete Chamber

Florida CraftArt Chihuly Museum

The Hangar Terminal

GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT

Fergs

TYRONE AREA

CONTENTS

MARCH

Paradise NEWS

Reaching 100,000+ in print, online, social media, web content, weekly eblasts, and more!

Cody’s Road House Ancient Healing

GULFPORT

Chamber Habana Café

Seabreeze Inn Library/City Hall

Gulfport Casino Art Village

Sail Market Boulevard Shoppe

ISLA DEL SOL & BAYWAY ISLES

Regions Bank Island Salon

Sterling Cleaners Isla Yacht & CC

Patchingtons

TIERRA VERDE

Billy’s Century 21

TD Bank Mariott

Phila Deli Wong Lee’s

Tony & Nello’s Island Grille

SOUTH PASADENA

Ace Hardware Spiro’s Deli

Winn Dixie Fountains Towers

Regions Bank Regenesis Ortho.

PASS-A-GRILLE

Merry Pier The SeaHorse

Paradise Grille Paradiso Boutique

Gennaro’s The Wharf

SeaCritters Hurley Realty

Suntan Art Center Don CeSar Shaners Land-Sea Mkt

ST. PETE BEACH

Basil Leaf Nikko’s Dog Bar

Smith & Associates Sea Dog Brewery

Resort Realty Vito & Michael’s

Library/City Hall Riptides Lounge

Nori Thai Sushi Paradise Grille

Agave Mexican Synovus Bank

Larry’s Ice Cream Mediterranean Kitchen

Baird Realty Coldwell Banker RE

TBB Chamber Basil Leaf Sushi

ReMax Preferred Gulf to Bay Bait

Dolphin Landings UPS Store

Cafe Soleil 5th/3rd Bank

Dolphin Bch Resort Skidders

COREY AREA DISTRICT

Art Expo Chill Restaurant

SPB Post Office Coastal Cottage

Frog Pond Beach Theatre

TREASURE ISLAND

Bilmar Hotel T.I. Hardware

The Pearl ReMax Metro

TI & MB Chamber Keller Williams Realty

JOHN’S PASS VILLAGE

Kilwin’s Ice Cream Spice & Tea Exchange

Chamber Kiosk Sand Bar Ice Cream Shop

MADEIRA BEACH

Century 21 Beggins Post Office

Recreation Center City Hall Library

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PUBLISHERS MESSAGE

The height of season has arrived. That can be a blessing and a curse. This time of year, for about 60 days, everything is full, from March to May, the beaches and downtown St. Pete are busier than ever with the Grand Prix and spring training. From a business point of view, it is prime time. If you like festivals, events, arts, sports, outdoor fun, music, dining, and nightlife, you can thank our Arts & Leisure editor and proofreader Buddy Baker, Art News writer Caron Schwartz and exec editor Nanette Wiser for 1,000 things to do during High Season.

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival runs weekends through the 2nd of April in Dade City. The 90-minute drive from here into the woods takes you back in time to a festival in a quaint 16th century English village. The Madeira Beach Recreation Department turbo-charged the live entertainment line-up for The Gulf Beaches Rotary Spring Carnival, March 16-19 at R.O.C. Park in Madeira Beach. Steve Traiman’s feature covers the Florida Holocaust Museum, celebrating 30 years of support to our Jewish community.

Longtime readers may remember one of our early Life Well Lived honorees, Disney Legend Al Konetzni, who was joined on our cover by Mickey Mouse for Al’s 100th birthday in May 2015. We have honored the memory of several very significant local personalities in our Life Well Lived column. This month we celebrate our Treasure Island friend and neighbor, sail maker and yacht builder Charley Morgan, 93, who passed in January, just a few hours after his wife Maureen’s demise. Also, this issue, we greet Brittany Pierpont, a new St. Pete Beach dentist.

If you like Paradise News’ covers and would like to see a bunch in one place, check out the past issues tab under the current issue on the home page of our website, www.paradise newsfl.com, where you can see the last nine years worth (90 issues) of our work displayed in order. If Paradise News is not mailed to you and you would like it to be, you can subscribe online for $19.95/year (10 copies) or $75 for five years (50 editions). You can also subscribe for FREE to our weekly Thursday e-blast with the Top 5 things to do each weekend.

Real estate continues as our top ad category, but the three “H”s – healthcare, home improvement and hospitality – are all on the rise. We have you to thank for that. It always helps us when you tell our businesspeople you saw them in Paradise NEWS.

In the past few months, we are pleased to have helped some of our great restaurants get their stories out: RumFish Grill; Sea Dog Brewing Co., Sea Dog Catering (food trucks); Outer Banks Seafood Boil, now steaming in-house; The Helm, featuring SPB’s best brunch, provisioning, and catering; Slyce Pizza; and 82 Degrees. We also welcome the Sovereign Boat Club, offering premium boating experiences on a budget; Van Selow Design; and YörDör (helping to increase home sale prices by overseeing home improvements); and All-Phase Paving.

We are ALWAYS looking for good, reliable companies that not everyone in town knows about. When you have a good experience with a non-advertiser, please suggest they advertise in Paradise News to let tens of thousands of your neighbors know about them. They can call 727-363-6888 or email sales@paradisenewsfl.com Thanks for reading Paradise News!

Paradise NEWS

Volume 29 Number 3 • March 2023

PUBLISHERS

Peter Roos | Marketing & Sales sales@paradisenewsfl.com

Renee Roos | Creative Director info@paradisenewsfl.com

EDITORIAL

Nanette Wiser - Executive Editor wiser86@gmail.com

Steve Traiman - Feature Editor traimancreativecopy@gmail.com

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Janet Nummi

CONTRIBUTING COLUMINISTS

Caron Schwartz - Art News / Hanging Around Sarah Lyons - Astrology

Buddy Baker - Arts & Leisure & Events

Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones - Encouraging Words Dr. Johnathan Pierce - Pet Health

Michael Moses - The Centre

Susan Koenig - Good Deeds

Pamela Joy Trow - Words of Joy

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Janet Nummi • City of St. Pete City of Madeira Beach & Public Media Resource Images

SUBMISSIONS - WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paradise News welcomes submissions. 727.363.6888 • info@paradisenewsfl.com

DEADLINES - Advertising • Classified • Editorial 10th of the month, one month prior to print

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MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS

Corey Area Business Association

Greater Gulfport Chamber of Commerce

2007 “Business of the Year Award” Recipient

Preserve The Burg • Skyway Marina District

St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

Entrepreneurial Academy Spring 2019

Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce

2008 “Small Business of the Year” Award

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PUBLISHED BY: Paradise News, LLC

P.O. Box 66385, St. Pete Beach, FL 33736 727.363.6888 • info@paradisenewsfl.com

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In Pain? Trouble Sleeping? Anxious? Depressed?

by Michael Moses

Have you tried medicinal marijuana?

More seniors than ever before use cannabis products to manage chronic pain, sleep better and even strengthen their bones. In fact, seniors are the fastest-growing demographic of medical marijuana users in the United States.

University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers report that older adults use cannabis primarily for pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the report stated that 15 percent had used cannabis within the past three years. Half were using it regularly and mostly for medical purposes.

“Pain, insomnia and anxiety were the most common reasons for cannabis use. For the most part, patients reported that cannabis was helping to address these issues, especially with insomnia and pain,” said Christopher Kaufmann, PhD, co-author of the study and assistant professor in Geriatrics and Gerontology in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego. Of patients surveyed, 61 percent of those who used cannabis started after age 60.

“New users were more likely to use cannabis for medical reasons than for recreation. Also, new users were more likely to use it topically as a lotion rather than smoking or ingesting edibles. They were more likely to inform their doctor about their cannabis use too.”

“The clinical workforce needs to become aware of cannabis use by seniors and learn the benefits and risks of cannabis use in their patient population,” said Alison Moore, MD, senior

REPORTS: 61% of 1st time users over 60 years old, medical marijuana is generally effective for:

• Pain • Insomnia • Anxiety

author and chief of the Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego.

The Centre at St. Pete Beach, 7525 Blind Pass Road, is an educational, recreational and event facility whose mission it is to help people integrate medicinal marijuana into their lives. Within the Centre, Triverde Health has a number of doctors who schedule appointments at the Centre to facilitate access to the state-issued Medical Marijauna Card.

They have an easy online questionnaire to complete in advance. Anyone residing at least 31 days a year in Florida can apply.

The Centre also offers a variety of anxiety-reducing yoga and massage, with or without your medication.

Gainswave™ and Femiwave™ two new therapeutic treatments at the Centre, aim to help both male and female clients enhance and optimize their sexual performance and pleasure. No drugs or surgery are involved in these effective therapeutic sound wave procedures. Call 727-322-4588 or visit thecentrespb.com for more info and to schedule.

The Centre Wellness Café, where you can get the best cup in town and a snack is available 7-2 daily at the window on Blind Pass, or inside the Centre.

Chef John Parker is now in the kitchen preparing breakfasts, lunches – Cubans, Philly’s, Salads – and take-and-bake dinners to go. Call the Wellness Café at 727-409-3009 with questions and to-go orders.

Scan the QR Code with your smart phone to learn more about The Centre at St. Pete Beach, a medicinal marijuana-centric health, education, meeting, and event facility in the literal center of St. Pete Beach.

REMEMBER WHEN Preserve The Burg has launched a new PlaceMattersSP: A Community Lecture Series, in partnership with USF’s Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. Our expert speakers will highlight the places, people and stories that define St. Pete’s past and future. 3/22@ 7pm “St. Pete Below the Surface: Archaeology in our City Parks” with Dr. Rachael Kangas and 4/25 @6pm “Shine On: Street Art and Urban Revitalization” with Dr. Elizabeth Strom and Jenee Priebe.

FLORIDA NEWS Thanks to Gov. DeSantis, Florida health officials will accept applications for 22 medical marijuana licenses in late April. An emergency rule about the licenses generated an immediate buzz in the cannabis industry, as the number of licenses in the state will double. The rule came more than six years after Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment broadly authorizing medical marijuana and after lawmakers in 2017 approved a framework for the industry.

Learn to start a business 3/7, 4/4, 5/2 and 6/6 or to write a business plan 4/18. Workshops fill quickly; register in advance at www.PCED.org/sbdc

Pinellas County Economic Development works tirelessly to support business owners. From the robust manufacturing base and flourishing tech sector, to record low unemployment rates, this past year, as One Pinellas County, they helped deliver a business-friendly environment, assistance with business growth, new manufacturing space and good jobs.

TPA UPDATES Vacay in San Diego and Puerto Rico just got easier. On Oct. 5, Alaska Airlines will begin nonstop service this fall between TPA and San Diego (SAN), while Frontier Airlines is helping expand routes between Tampa to Puerto Rico with nonstop flights to Aguadilla (BQN) this spring. TPA also has a tick list of upgrades including moving walkways in the Long Term Parking Garage and demolishing the outdated Monorail in the Long- and Short-Term garages, adding

500 new spots. To help address rising costs, there will be a parking rate adjustment for TPA’s Economy Parking Garage beginning April 4. The maximum daily rate for Economy parking will go up by $2, increasing the total for 24 hours of parking there from $12 to $14. Hourly rates will not be affected.

Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out a health care budget proposal that would pump hundreds of millions of dollars to increase payments for treatment of complex maternal and pediatric care, as well as supply innovative cancer care and research. DeSantis’ suggested spending plan for the fiscal year 2023-2024 directs $47.5 billion to the state’s six health and human services (HHS) related agencies. Also, it includes increases for community mental health providers, Alzheimer’s research, and providers working with young children with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network at Pinellas County offers business training, consulting, referrals and resources.

THE FUN ZONE History Channel’s show Pawn Stars will film in Tampa, St. Petersburg and 13 other cities in the second season of Pawn Stars Do America. Cardio Sport St. Pete takes its popular workouts to the St. Pete Pier on the second Sunday of each month at 9:30am at Family Park at The Pier; register for the free pump!

COMMUNITY

LEADERS

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce held their 2023 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8. They thanked their outgoing board, welcomed the new 2023 board of directors, and handed out their annual awards.

RAYS THROWBACK The

ECO WARRIOR Pinellas

Business of the Year was Sunshine Scenic Tours. Husband and wife, Dustin and Renee O’Neal, have worked together for 14 years and purchased Sunshine Scenic Tours in 2019 and are owners of Royal Conquest Pirate Ship, the Dolphin Quest and the Shark Boat. Dustin and Renee work to stay involved in growing tourism in their communities through creative projects and the promotion of Final Fridays in John’s Pass. Community Hero was Sarah Laracuente, Sail Market Boutique & Gallery. A small business owner that works to support local artists and fellow small business owners all while donating a portion of the proceeds to a personal mission. Sarah takes 10% of those sales and donates to St. Vincent de Paul Cares, a solutions-based nonprofit aimed at ending homelessness.

Tampa Bay Rays will celebrate the team’s 25th anniversary season with a 25th Anniversary jersey patch, regular use of the throwback Devil Rays uniform which they will wear Opening Day and all Friday home games, the establishment of the Rays Hall of Fame and more. The Rays Hall of Fame will celebrate the former players, managers, coaches, broadcasters, and executives who made exemplary contributions to the franchise. The Rays Hall of Fame will induct an inaugural class of Don Zimmer (Sunday, April 2, vs. Detroit Tigers), Wade Boggs (Sunday, July 9, vs. Atlanta Braves) and Carl Crawford (Saturday, Aug. 26, vs. New York Yankees). Each date will include pregame ceremonies and a special giveaway for fans, namely a Don Zimmer Zim Bear Bobblehead, a Wade Boggs Can and a Carl Crawford Mystery Bobblehead. Visit www.RaysBaseball.com

County Commissioner Charlie Justice was recognized by Keep Pinellas Beautiful as their “Outstanding Environmental Civil Servant” at the organization’s annual luncheon in February.

Justice has helped enact policy to protect the Tampa Bay estuary system and was the catalyst behind the formation of the Stormwater/Wastewater Partnership which includes Pinellas County staff as well as elected officials and city staff from the 24 municipalities, working together to improve our infrastructure, and teaming up for the occasion of a catastrophic storm or wastewater event.

Commissioner Justice continues to champion environmental service through his work on the Tampa Bay Estuary Program where he has served as chairman of the board.

BIZ BITES A national urgent care clinic dedicated to pets will expand its footprint in the Tampa Bay area with a new location in St. Petersburg. UrgentVet opened in the Tyrone area in mid-February (1470 66th St. N) and is the company’s 31st clinic nationwide and its 12th in Florida. It’s an affordable alternative to vet ER open on holidays, weekends, and after-hours.

The Sunshine State is on the cusp of a recession according to Sean Snaith, an economist, and director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting Canadian snowbirds have resumed their travels to hot and sunny locales like Florida, but they’re worried they may not be able to afford such a lifestyle for much longer.

ST. PETE BEACH Rainy season is fast approaching, and the city of St. Pete Beach announced a new Adopt-A-Drain program. St. Pete Beach is partnering with residents to help make sure storm drains are free of debris. This improves the ability of the drain to move stormwater and protects our wildlife as well as overall water quality. To participate in the city of St. Pete Beach Adopt-a-Drain program, read the program information, watch a training video and learn more: www.stpetebeach. org/724/Adopt-A-Drain. On Feb. 23, the city of St. Pete Beach invited the community to provide input on its visioning study for complete streets and multimodal transportation in the Downtown Corey area.

BAY AREA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Get thee to Camelot on Saturdays and Sunday through April 2 (10am-6pm rain or shine) with 60,000 of your cosplay pals. More than 1,000 local businesses and organizations participate in this popular Tampa Bay Festival, which moved to Dade City three years ago.

Step back in time – the 16th Century, in fact – for the adventure, excitement and spirit of the Renaissance! Thrill to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds. Roam the village shoppes for unique crafts as artisans demonstrate period skills like blacksmithing and woodworking. Delight in comedy, music, magic, and more on nine stages of non-stop entertainment! Delight in the food and drink (unicorn cake, corn dogs, turkey legs). New this year is a Petting Zoo, Children’s Realm and for adults, a Swordmaster Challenge.

Every weekend has a different theme. Enjoy Wine, Chocolate & Romance March 4-5, Viking Invasion March 11-12, Shamrock & Shenanigans March 18-19, Once Upon A Time March 25-26 in magical Fittlesworth with princesses, princes, faeries, elves and fantastical inhabitants and High Seas Adventures April 1-2. Children under 4 and parking are free. www.bayarearenfest.com 12838 Auton Road, Dade City. P.S. Hop over for the 2023 Bay Area Kegs N Eggs April 8 11am-5pm at the same location.

TIERRA VERDE Paradise just got more famous. Tierra Verde was named the No. 5 most trending destination in the United States in 2023 by Trip Advisor in its latest ranking of places soon to be “hot spots.” Home to Shell Key, Fort De Soto Park (seen here), The Island Grille and Raw Bar, Vista at the Top cocktail lounge, Billy’s Crab Shack and million-dollar homes, the island community is a spot behind scenic but pricey Sonoma, Calif. From fishing to kayaking, this outdoor sports mecca and laid-back neighborhood earned this well-deserved accolade.

The Ultimate Seaside Paradise

Waterfront Dining

82 Degrees provides nature imbued interiors and fresh Southern coastal cuisine to launch you into the decadence of an unhurried coastal vacation.

Whether you are dining in for brunch, lunch or a leisurely dinner, 82 Degrees provides a space to enjoy craft cocktails, fine wine, and locally distilled beer with alfresco dining options and live music. With locally sourced ingredients, signature drinks and an unparalleled atmosphere, 82 Degrees is a favorite amongst locals.

7203 Sunset Way

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

727.292.0282

Eatat82.com

SPIRITS

By Nanette Wiser

DRINK TRENDS Moderation is not a moment, it’s a lifestyle. Now an $11 billion global business, no- and low-alcohol has proven to extend beyond a moment as well and is projected to grow 7% in volume over the next four years, according to IWSR, a drink data company. At the same time, tequila and whiskey premium and boutique brands continue to soar. Mixologists are having a field day with uniquely crafted bitters and Italian spirited cocktails. For high end mixology, bartenders prefer Belvedere or Haku vodkas, Monkey 47 gin (especially for gimlets) or Nolet’s, and for rum, a newcomer – Haiti’s Clairin Sajous – made from fresh-pressed cane juice or aged El Dorado – perfect for daiquiris. For a sipping tequila, taste Clase Azul Reposado, Fortaleza. For bourbon drinks, taste test W.L. Weller, Elijah Craig 18 and E.H. Taylor. A friend highly recommends the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery’s Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Spend some time at Leuken’s, Pasadena Fine Wine & Liquors, or Norman’s Liquors where you can find the coolest brands and beers (CellarMasters downtown for wine and brews as well).

SHAG ME BABY Retro is the rage, especially The Porn Star Martini created by London Townhouse’s bartender Douglas Ankrah – a sulty mix of vanilla and passion fruit with a shot of sparkling wine created in the early 2000s.

Porn Star Martini 1 1/2 oz. vanilla flavored vodka, 1/2 oz. DeKuyper passion fruit liqueur, 1 oz. passion fruit puree, 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice,1/2 oz. vanilla simple syrup, 2 oz. chilled sparkling wine. Make It: Add all ingredients except sparkling wine into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and serve with sparkling wine on the side.

SPRING SIPS While a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris or Albarino sounds lovely with Easter dinner ham or rack of lamb, may we suggest a floral cocktail for adults supervising the Easter egg hunt? To make the Hibiscus-Infused Mezcal, in a covered container combine 3 oz. of dried hibiscus flowers with 1 liter of mezcal, then cover and let soak for 48 hours. Strain out the solids and bottle the mezcal for use. The infusion will keep indefinitely, but the color and flavor will fade over time.

Hibiscus Mezcal Cocktail 1 1/2 oz. Hibiscus-Infused Mezcal, 3/4 oz. Campari, 2/4 oz. Grenadine, ¾ oz. fresh lime juice, 1 dash Angostura Bitters. Make It Shake all of the ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a clove-studded orange slice.

Indulge your taste buds in one of our three restaurants just steps away from St. Pete Beach!

GARDENS BY THE SEA

On Sunday, April 16, from 1-5pm, the Pass-A-Grille Woman’s Club is hosting a fundraiser and guidebook to the neighborhood’s most spectacular gardens. PAGWC is the oldest social club on the island, and PN publisher and member Renee Roos says, “in addition to touring the awesome gardens, the party in Vina Del Mar Park with music, food and drink ushers in spring with style.”

Tour beautiful Vina del Mar homes with luxe gardens in backyards, on patios and decks with Florida-friendly and exotic plants and flowers. Meander to the Garden Party in Vina Park, where you can visit arts/crafts and plant and flower vendors. Enjoy live music, dancing, beer or wine, delicious desserts, and the St. Pete Beach Fire Deptartment’s famous pulled pork bbq ($10). You can use cash/credit at the beverage and dessert trucks.

Get your tickets $15 online: www.gardensbytheseapagwc. eventbrite.com or $20 day of event at the door. You can also purchase tickets in advance at these supporting businesses: Patchington (Bayway/Isla Del Sol), Elizabeth’s, Simply Perfect (Corey Ave./St. Pete Beach), and Paradiso or Bamboozle (Pass-A-Grille). For sponsorship or more information, email PAGWC1@gmail.com

HOUSE & GARDEN

SPRING CLEANING We’ve all become clean freaks and now know that soap with hot water is not as good as using an alcohol-based cleaner (70 percent of higher) or a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) or disinfecting wipes made with bleach at least twice a week if not daily. But do you know some of the germiest spots in your home could be your spice jars, faucets, light switches, remotes, phones, computer keyboards, microwave pads and game consoles? Another culprit in your kitchen is your cutting board, countertops and the humble sponge which should be tossed every couple of weeks, cleaned with diluted bleach solution or

placed in a bowl of water with soap in the microwave. Give your laundry room a once over. Bacteria can grow in your washing machine drain, and bacteria from dirty laundry, such as underwear and towels, can collect in the washer drum. Run an empty cycle of hot water and a half cup of bleach once or twice a month depending on usage.

DIY ART Love looking at art in galleries but on a budget? Why not consider purchasing a local artist at the markets or 2nd Saturday ArtWalk in downtown St. Pete or Vintage Marche? We’ve discovered new favorites in the Warehouse District (Wendy Costa)

Gardens Sea by the TOUR

By Nanette Wiser

and even explored making our own masterpieces at Painting with Picasso. Here’s a DIY project you can do on a Saturday afternoon using a simple swirling technique to paint an abstract watercolor masterpiece. Blend color around a canvas using a foam brush, your finger, or even an empty condiment bottle to create a unique design. Then craft an inexpensive frame from painted wood lattice strips. Another inexpensive DIY project is to take that beautiful sunset or Florida birds in flight photo and blow it up on canvas or matte in a frame.

OUTDOOR LIVING Give your porch or patio a makeover for spring. Optimize a small space by avoiding chunky furniture, opting for tall, slender rocking chairs or a narrow bistro set. For a larger porch, create multiple zones in a consistent style and color. Create a reading nook with a cushioned bench and side table for lemonade and a potted plant. For easy outdoor entertaining, set up a small vintage table, a colorful placemat, vase with fresh flowers and chairs. Add seasonal throw blankets and pillows, an outdoor rug, wall décor or a mirror.

Tour beautiful Gardens, Patios & Decks adorned with plants and flowers on scenic Vina del Mar and a Garden Party in Vina Park.

Sunday, April 16, 1-5pm

Visit arts & crafts, plant, and flower vendors. Enjoy live music, dancing, beer/wine, desserts, and the St. Pete Beach Fire Dept.’s pulled pork!

QUESTIONS? PAGWC1@gmail.com

TICKETS: www.gardensbytheseapagwc.eventbrite.com

$15 in advance, $20 @event, $10 Pork BBQ

Purchase tickets at: Patchington (Bayway/Isla Del Sol) • Elizabeth’s or Simply Perfect (Corey Ave./St. Pete Beach) • Paradiso or Bamboozle (Pass-A-Grille)

Pass-A-Grille Woman’s Club Presents

FASHION

FASHION FUNDRAISERS In March, support the 3/4 Raymond James

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Showcase, 3/8 8th Annual Spring Soiree with Hospice

Women of Philanthropy, 3/10 Women of Distinction Woman of Promise luncheon benefits the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, 3/10 The Chiseler’s Market Minaret shopping preview party benefits The Chiselers, 3/10-11 Forrest Grape Tampa Theatre Winefest and fundraiser, 3/30 The Longest Table benefits WUSF Public Media in downtown St. Pete. Check Facebook for details.

BOUTIQUES Spring into style and get a jump on your Easter/Passover finery. Shop Treasure Island’s Isle of Style (located inside of Benjamin’s Studio), St. Pete Beach’s Elizabeth’s Boutique, Fish Hippie and Natural Comfort (Naot or Onex sandals), Gulfport’s Sail Market, downtown St. Pete’s Pippa Pelure or MisRed and for gently used fashions, check out Posh Tot, The Attic, The Closet, So Chic, ReTreat, Anona Thrift, and others.

BIKINIS Jessica Oxner is a talented St. Petersburg artist and entrepreneur who designs straps as accessories to bikinis. Her swimwear is for the woman who wants to make her own statement, turning heads at a pool party or just sunbathing at the resort. Oxner has always been swimwear obsessed, but sometimes found it hard to find a unique high-quality suit, wanting something individualized with embellishments, rhinestones, and removable accessories. Out of this thinking came

Shop

By Lady Sadie

Oxner’s line Divergent Swimwear that the buyer can customize with changeable straps and reversible pieces. Even better, her swimwear is made with high performance recycled nylon and is modifiable to cut down on waste from fast fashion, so you can look sexy and still be eco-friendly.

www.divergentswimwear.com

LIVES WELL LIVED We bid a fond farewell to fashion icons Raquel Welch (her stylish wigs helped many women through cancer) and Paco Rabanne, who died in February. This fashion world innovator designed Jane Fonda’s Barbarella space-age skimpy outfit and helped define sixties style.

Shoes on Beach Drive

Happy EastEr!

Diabetes is a disease that we commonly associate with people, however, did you know that your canine and feline pets can develop this disease? Diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by a persistent increase in blood sugar, due to the lack of or resistance to insulin.

What is insulin? It is a hormone (produced in the pancreas) that is responsible for telling the cells of the body when to burn sugar for energy. Think of the sugar as someone knocking at the cell’s door, waiting to come in. This door is always locked and needs insulin to act as the key to open it. If the door cannot be unlocked, then the sugar waits in the blood stream and never gets absorbed.

As the sugar builds up in the system, it will be released into the urine as excess and waste. This is what causes the very characteristic insatiable thirst and urination. Water follows the sugar out into the urine in very large amounts, increasing the pets desire to drink to replace the losses.

Because the body is having such a difficult time absorbing the sugar it will start to seek out other non-sugar sources of fuel such as fat and protein, causing weight loss. This can start to accelerate as the diabetes worsens. The more fat reserves are broken down, waste products, called ketones, can build up. This is what causes diabetic keto acidosis (DKA). This can result in vomiting, lethargy, or inappetence and requires emergency intervention and possibly hospitalization. Whenever diabetes goes unchecked, the sugar can cause cataract formation.

Sugar is absorbed into the lenses of the eyes, where it is changed into sorbitol. The sorbitol crystallizes, increasing the opacity and density (whitening / bluing) of the lenses, creating cataracts.

Early warning signs are increased thirst and urination. If you notice these, or any vomiting, lethargy, and change in appetite, please take your pet to your veterinarian.

Island Life Animal Hospital

Dr. Danielle Gallo

Dr. Johnathan Pierce 5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107 Saint Petersburg, FL 33715 727-289-3776

islandlifeanimalhospital.vet

YOUR Home Renovation Resource

Open our door to upgrade yours! YörDör helps you get your home perfected to either enjoy or to sell. Maximize your home’s potential with YörDör and let them suggest easy renovations that translate to higher offers on your home or condo. YörDör hires and manages vetted contractors so you don’t have the hassle. Call today for a FREE consultation 727-390-4811!

• Specializing in new construction builds, renovation projects to perfect your home or small remodels to get your home ready for sale.

• Services include kitchen and bath renovations, home additions, casitas, outdoor kitchens, pools, home automation, and creation of energy-efficient homes through state-of-the-art hurricane-rated doors, windows, solar-powered and battery backup systems.

For our client at 3742 Foster Hill Dr. N, YörDör did a Level 3 Renovation and increased finished square footage, added additional beds, bath, lap lane pool, outdoor kitchen, pergola, and oversaw intensive landscaping to mitigate a busy street. – Matthew

Erickson, YörDör President

YörDör was easy to work with and the consummate professionals with an impeccable roster of contractors and services to call upon. They make small improvements with big results...I sold my home for $100,000 more than its listing price. – Steve G., Homeowner

LIVE LIFE BETTER

WORDS OF JOY Spring starts March 20th, so our resident artist Pamela Joy Trow wants to share Sister of the Spring and the poem “Capture the moment, savor the day…may it be happy in every way.” As March 25th is my birthday, I also like her birthday card with this message for all my Aries friends: “If you aim for the stars, you’ll get there someday, heaven is only a lifetime away. As you wait from afar, just live the day and capture the night in your own special way.” This is one of her many fantastic illustrations! Pamela’s whimsical images of nature, mermaids, and messages of hope appear in her cards, prints and other merchandise available at www.pamelajoytrow.com

By Nanette Wiser

HEALTHY SNACKS

Everyone’s snacking more than ever! More than 90% of the U.S. population consumes two to three snacks daily according to Current Developments in Nutrition. If you want to snack for health and weight loss, hummus is your best friend with numerous health benefits. Hummus contains fiber, is rich in protein and can reduce blood sugar spikes. The Journal of Nutrition reports people who ate an afternoon snack of hummus and pretzels reported less hunger than when they munched on a granola bar (both were 240 calories). The hummus was such a potent appetite suppressant that it even helped the volunteers snack less later in the evening, reducing their overall daily intake by 120 calories compared to when they ate the granola bars. I like the red pepper or spinach and artichoke hummus, best paired with veggie dippers such as red pepper strips, sliced cucumbers, baby carrots or radishes.

PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE Life is a pie, best consumed in slices. You can’t eat it all at once, so start with a list of the most important aspects and rank those areas. Some might be a bigger slice than others, and they can change over time. It’s all OK as long as you honestly speak from your soul and avoid what makes you weary with this suggested list: family, friends, income, marriage or romantic relationship, health and fitness, spirituality or faith, personal growth, professional growth, rewarding work, using your talents, wealth and savings, prestige or status, your impact on society, influence and power leisure or relaxation time, independence, security or the place you live.

SAIL AWAY Our county is a watersports paradise that includes paddleboarding, kayaking, sightseeing boat tours by, speed boat rides, family-friendly pirate ship excursions, and romantic sunset cruises on the Gulf of Mexico, the Intracoastal Waterway, Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay and adventures. Our CVB recommends guided nature tours by boat so you can see local birds and animals. Learn about the dolphin population in Clearwater Bay on a dolphin and wildlife boat tour from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. On the St. Pete Pier, the Tampa Bay Discovery Center also offers nature tours. If you’re a seashell collector, head south to Pass-a-Grille Beach to catch a boat tour to Shell Key Preserve or catch the ferry to Egmont Key State Park to explore the remains of Spanish American War-era Fort Dade in this pristine wildlife refuge. Visit https://bit.ly/3JR3ulU for boating and watersport ideas.

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Island Time Outdoor Furniture The Chairman of the Beach

By Peter Roos

Markus’ Island Time Outdoor Furniture is a St. Pete Beach success story. Being a success story in St. Pete Beach doesn’t mean you get rich, but for most of us, living on the island is enough. In 2003, Markus was selling software to school districts during the week, returning to St. Pete Beach on weekends. One day, he found himself with just one Adirondack chair and wanting to make a match. Markus, who had been yearning to make something with his hands, set out to create a beach chair, with just a few tools. He still has that chair. Then he sold another to a curious neighbor. It hasn’t stopped.

Since then, Island Time Outdoor Furniture has become the local go-to source for quality outdoor furniture. Markus was home building chairs when his sons came home from school and he loved being a dad to them. The elder son embraced hockey and at 16 years old is playing for a team in upstate New York. The younger has found new freedom taking his bike on the SunRunner to meet his friends, “The Tampa Bay Area is an incredible place to raise a family,” said Markus.

When his business outgrew his carport, Markus moved Island Time Outdoor Furniture to 75th Ave., just west of Blind Pass, where he spent 12 years. Last summer, Island Time Outdoor Furniture

moved two blocks east, after acquiring the building where Coastal Glass used to be, between Enterprise Rental Car and Horan Park.

Island Time Outdoor Furniture has earned a reputation for designs that comfortably fit customers of any dimensions. They to switched to “polywood,” and use a true 1” thick material (5/4) rather than everyone else’s standard 3/4” thick. The difference shows up in sturdiness, comfort and reliability over time. Everything is screwed together with stainless steel screws. Besides producing the strongest, most comfortable Adirondack chair designs around, Island Time Outdoor Furniture has a new line of outdoor patio furniture assembled from the same colorful materials. There are a variety of tables and chair styles that are just as well designed as the original Adirondack models. If you are in the market for outdoor furniture that will hold up to the sun and salt air, this is it.

You can get the best quality outdoor furniture delivered to you locally or shipped anywhere in the country.

Our hope for our dental future has returned to St Pete Beach, after recently meeting Brittany Pierpont, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Dr. Pierpont assumed the practice of Dr. Asta Grinis on Blind Pass Road across from St. John’s Church. The office will continue to provide exceptional patient care under the new name of Pier Dental, a reference to her name and proximity to the beaches.

Today, much of the world has changed to a corporate style dentistry, where maximizing profits has taken the place of dentists who take the time to make patient care their top priority. The motivation to provide excellent care to clients who may be with you for the rest of your career doesn’t exist in corporate chains. Dr. Pierpont is the same kind of highly educated, trained, and experienced professional I imagine top dentists were when they established their practices a career ago, before corporate dentistry became so prevalent.

While the married mother of two currently resides in the area, she is no newcomer to Florida’s sunset capital. Dr. Pierpont grew up in St. Petersburg and spent many summer days in St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille. She was honored to play Division I collegiate volleyball at Boston College, while

simultaneously completing her rigorous pre-med bachelor’s degree. She then attended the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, considered one of our nation’s finest. Dr. Pierpont went a step further and continued her advanced education and experience during her residency at East Carolina University. She then returned to the sunshine state nearly 10 years ago and has worked with the most experienced dentists in the Tampa Bay region.

Learning how to best treat patients started far before formal training for Dr. Pierpont, as she learned from her father who has been a respected cardiologist in St. Petersburg for 40 years. It was he who taught her to apply the golden rule, to treat each patient as she would want to be treated. She describes herself as an “ethical dentist”and says she has asked her office manager to plan more time for her with each patient so she can provide genuine, quality care and treat each of her patients with the respect they deserve.

“Corporate dentistry is more about the bottom line than patient care. That is why I am thrilled to have established a professional dental option for patients which focuses on their treatment. There are often options in dental care with solutions that will look better, last longer, and be more comfortable. I believe it is important to discuss all the available options, so the patient is more confident that the selected treatment plan is the best option for them,” Dr. Pierpont told Paradise NEWS.

Pier Dental is open and accepting new patients. Book an appointment now! Call 727-363-6169

(Let Dr. Pierpont know you read about her in Paradise News!)

Can Alzheimer’s Disease be detected by a BLOOD TEST?

The University of South Florida is seeking healthy older adults to volunteer for the Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study. This landmark study examines whether computerized brain training exercises can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additional funding was awarded to further investigate if Alzheimer’s disease can be detected early through simple blood tests.

The grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health expands USF’s PACT study. The PACT study will now work with the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias to analyze blood specimens collected from study participants.

The PACT study is recruiting volunteers aged 65 and older with no signs of cognitive impairment or dementia. Those interested in the study may participate in initial testing at the USF Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota campuses or at Reliance Medical Centers in Lakeland. Participants may also join the study at Clemson University, University of Florida, University of North Florida, or Duke University. PACT participants may now volunteer to provide blood samples that will be used to develop tests for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

“We need another 2000 healthy older adults to volunteer for the PACT study. We are very grateful to the 1800 volunteers from Tampa Bay who have already joined our fight against Alzheimer’s disease by

enrolling in PACT”, said principal investigator Jerri Edwards, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Participants will now not only be contributing to our work on how to possibly prevent dementia, but also advancing efforts to develop blood tests for early detection of the disease.”

More information is available at the PACT study website, www.pactstudy.org, or by calling (727) 873-4090.

Studies like PACT take on increased urgency because no proven treatments yet exist to cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Existing methods of diagnosing dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease require expensive PET scans or invasive cerebrospinal fluid samples, but scientists are now working toward developing simple blood tests to replace the existing methods.

The USF PACT study concentrates on the effectiveness of computerized programs, or brain games, for preventing dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. At the end of the PACT trial, the scientists will examine the blood samples from willing participants and determine which specific blood-based biomarkers predict Alzheimer’s disease, the severity of the disease, and/or responsiveness to treatment.

Mobility Back

Detecting Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear may help prevention efforts.

Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand, UNTIL NOW! Dr. Gibbons provides patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand, UNTIL NOW! Dr. Gibbons provides patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

If you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well. Local resident Alice G. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

“I was angry all the time because of all the things I couldn’t do anymore because of my Fibromyalgia. That anger cycled through to depression and affected everyone around me, my husband more than anyone. It made our lives miserable.”

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body. To make things complicated it affects everyone’s body a little differently. To make things even more complicated, those effects can change on a daily basis. Sometimes you’re plagued with widespread muscle pain and fatigue, and other days it’s a headache and heightened sensitivity to touch.

“I could barely stand to have the light weight of bedsheets touching me, much less a hug from my husband.” explains Alice.

This is what it’s like to suffer from Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make everyday life incredibly difficult. Mundane, daily tasks are nearly impossible.

All too often, these symptoms are only made worse because practitioners find it difficult to understand and even more troublesome to treat. It’s characterized by widespread pain in muscles, and tissues rather than inflammation of the joints, muscles, and tissues. Then your primary care doctors suggest dietary changes, pain liniments, and prescription medications to the point where your life is no longer ruled by Fibromyalgia. It’s now ruled by a difficult routine and pill regimen that is supposed to aid in avoiding flare ups.

Alice put it this way, “My life was no longer my own."

Eventually Alice did her own research and discovered that acupuncture can improve the quality of life in Fibro patients. Determined to find the best in the business, she discovered AAIM | Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine in St. Petersburg, led by Dr. Rebecca Gibbons.

Dr. Gibbons specializes in difficult to manage chronic pain cases.

She uses the time tested science of acupuncture and integrates it with modern medical advancements that encourage healing and recovery. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that is commonly used to reduce various forms of pain.

Acupuncture works by reducing inflammation, stimulating the release of endorphins and offers much needed, effective symptom relief for Fibromyalgia.

Then Dr. Gibbons skillfully layers other noninvasive therapies like ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ and O3 Regenerative Therapy™ for amplified, long-lasting results.

“I feel like a new person. My husband comes with me to my appointments. For the first time since we moved here, one of my neighbors told me I looked good! It’s a miracle she treated my Fibro, I don’t know how else to explain it.”

Dr. Gibbons and her staff specialize in treating chronic pain, complicated neurological conditions, and autoimmune diseases.

For more information about Dr. Gibbons and what she treats, visit AchieveAcuim.com or if you are ready to schedule, call 727-272-3587 for a comprehensive consultation.

"I WAS TIRED OF LIVING WITH MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN."

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS ALL CDC GUIDELINES FOLLOWED, PLUS SOCIAL DISTANCING

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Nanette Wiser

AH-CHOO! Florida’s allergy season is longer than most states as something is always in bloom. December through May is the season for pine and oak pollen, while grass pollen poses a problem from April through October. Symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red or watery eyes, and itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth. Pollen adheres to the mucus membranes, and if sinuses get infected, antibiotics or steroid treatments may be needed so it’s good to use preventative measures. Antihistamines can help relieve symptoms and in the worst cases, immunotherapy. There are natural interventions that help relieve symptoms such as Neti pots, cleansing the nose with Ayr saline spray, taking probiotics, exploring herbal remedies and acupuncture. In the house, use an air purifier, keep your windows closed, leave your shoes outside and wash clothes immediately that have been worn outdoors.

BRUSHING 101 Oral health is a key part of overall wellness and brushing is the first defense; it prevents plaque and tartar build-up, prevents cavities, lowers the risk of gum disease and certain oral cancers. The ADA guidelines to proper brushing? Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush with short strokes about the width of one tooth. Move your toothbrush back and forth along the outside surfaces of your teeth, applying gentle pressure as you brush. Use back-and-forth motion to brush along the chewing surfaces of your teeth. To properly brush the inner surfaces of your teeth, hold your toothbrush vertically and brush up and down along the insides of your teeth. Brush your tongue using a few back-to-front strokes to remove bad breath–causing bacteria. Rinse your toothbrush after you use it. Store your toothbrush in an upright position and let it air-dry.

BAD BREATH If you’re worried about bad breath, aka halitosis, you’re not alone. Oral hygiene products like alcohol-free mouthwash and tongue scrapers can help, but if these quick fixes don’t resolve the issue, it’s best to consult a doctor or dental professional. There are many contributors to bad breath including poor dental hygiene habits, strong foods/drinks such as garlic or onion, dry mouth (from smoking or drinking alcohol) or even health conditions (sinus, mouth, throat, gut). Flossing and brushing your teeth daily is essential. Drinking lots of water to flush away food particles and keep your mouth hydrated is also helpful. Most importantly, see your dentist annually for a cleaning and a check-up of your mouth, tongue, and teeth.

As our community grows, so does our ability to care for it.

Our new patient tower is now open.

For 90 years, St. Anthony’s Hospital has treated the community with extraordinary, compassionate care. That continues with our newest project: a 90-bed patient tower, featuring all private rooms, plus a new lobby and Seventh Avenue entrance. We’ve also renovated select cardiovascular and respiratory spaces and moved and upgraded the cafeteria and dining area. This expansion increases our ability to offer even better care and an enhanced patient experience. As the needs of our community grow, so does our commitment to meeting them at St. Anthony’s Hospital, the only BayCare hospital in St. Petersburg.

Learn more: StAnthonys.org

IRISH FARE & FUN Everyone’s name starts with an O’ as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day which falls on Friday, 3/17, but will be celebrated by jolly Irish and their friends all weekend at local bars and festivals. Although saddened by the news that downtown St. Pete’s Courigan’s Irish Pub has closed (forever home to laddies

and lassies at one of the biggest parties of the year), DTSP’s Williams Park will be serving up emerald dishes and drinks. Don your green and see for yourself why Irish eyes are smiling

St. Paddy’s @Corey Ave. (3/17 10am-11pm) The street party features food, dancing, drinking and three bands: Sandy Bottom Boys, Bad Neighbors and Beach Rats, with tables and chairs available on the street. Say Slainte to your pals at Swigwam’s, the center of the festival. St. Pete Beach

Indian Shores Annual St. Patrick’s Festival (3/11 11am-4pm) This free popular festival features live entertainment, music, arts and crafts vendors, food, beer, wine and Irish dancers 12:30-1pm.

Municipal Center

O’Keefe’s Tavern (3/17 11am-midnight) Live bands, bagpipers, Irish dancers and more. Family friendly during the day. No cover, free parking. www.okeefestavern.com Clearwater

Finley’s Irish Pub and Eatery (3/17-18) Tent parties, great food, local bands and beer; $5 cover charge. Come back for the meatloaf and Reuben apps, great blues and weekend music after St. Paddy’s. www.finleysirishpub.com Largo

O’Maddy’s Bar and Grill (3/17 10am-11pm) Waterfront view, beer and a Reuben is your lucky charm. www.omaddys.com Gulfport

WATERFRONT BAR & DINING

• BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

• FULL BAR, HAPPY HOUR MON-FRI 2-6PM

• LOCAL BEERS, SEA DOG & SHIPYARD

• FAMILY-FRIENDLY & GAMES

• SPORTS BAR & BIG SCREEN TVS

Paddy Fest St. Pete (3/17 10am-10pm) The inaugural downtown party serves Irish fare, dancing, Celtic games, art and attire; the Redbreast Whiskey Experience and Guinness Perfect Pour Tent in $5

By Nanette Wiser

Williams Park. Bands include My 3 Kilts (from North Carolina), Mac Tier (feat. Ken Walker & Christer Saarikko), First Of The Day (U2 Tribute Band), Chad McDonald, Jimmy Bragg, Lucid Druid (Celtic bagpipe, drum and more), Guinness Lake (Cage O’Hanlon & Anna Dean), the World Champion Dunedin Pipe Band, Stormbringer and the Gilleoghan Irish Step Dancers. $5 admission (includes one free green beer); Proceeds benefit Ocean Aid 360. Ages 21+ after 5 pm. VIP tickets include open bar, corned beef and cabbage, VIP bathroom, private tented area and free re-entry.

NOSH NEWS Seminole’s Trip’s Diner closes and reopens as The Apple Butter Café Torchy’s Tacos debuts in the Tyrone area. Prima Cantina opens in St. Pete Beach. Taco Tuesday is now Taco Sunday when Sea Dog Cantina Food Truck joins the Corey Ave. Market one Sunday/month (3/26, 4/23, 5/28, 6/25, 7/23, 8/20, 9/24).

A fabulous refreshed menu debuts at Treasure Island’s Sea Dog Brew Pub with all your favorites and some new ones. Enjoy happy hour 2-6pm Mon.-Fri. and breakfast daily. (Can you say lobster benedict?). At Wednesday’s Madeira Beach Market, you can buy fresh produce from a booth, thanks to Clearwater’s HEP’s (Homeless Emergency Project) community garden.

For crepes, you can’t go wrong at La Croisette in St. Pete Beach, Marquise Café in Pasadena, Café Paris in Indian Rocks and Alsace French Bistro in Tierra Verde. At Alsace, there are sweet (lemon curd, salted caramel, nutella and suzettes made with orange marmalade and flambé with triple sec!) and savory crepes. My favorite is the spinach, red onions, béchamel, swiss cheese crepe with a side salad and hard-boiled egg.

COOKING CORNER

Go green for St. Patrick’s Day with a buffet fit for a leprechaun. Start with Avocado Hummus, corned beef and Swiss mini pot pies, lemon-lime frosted green cupcakes and these beverages. Slainte!

By Nanette Wiser

IRISH BUCK 1.5 oz. Irish whiskey; 1/4 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed; 2 ounces ginger ale, chilled, to top. Add the whiskey and lime juice into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with the ginger ale and stir gently and briefly to combine.

CORNED BEEF & SWISS MINI POT

PIES Ingredients: 8 oz thinly sliced cooked corned beef, coarsely chopped; 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz); 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup; 1T Dijon mustard, 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers

GREEN SPRITZER Before your guests arrive, slice lemon, lime and apple and put them in a pitcher with ice. Add three cups lemonade, 1.5 cups green apple mixer and a dash of green food coloring. Top off the pitcher with three cups of 7UP. For adults, add 1.5 oz. to a cup and pour in the spritzer! Or whip up an Irish Buck, garnished with a lime wheel.

AVOCADO HUMMUS Ingredients: 1 (15oz.) can chickpeas, 1 ripe avocado halved and pitted, 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup tahini, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp. ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt. Preparation: Drain chickpeas, reserving 2 tablespoons of the liquid. Transfer the chickpeas and the reserved liquid to a food processor. Add avocado, cilantro, tahini, oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt. Puree until very smooth. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

Original Biscuits (8 Count) Preparation: Heat oven to 375°F. Grease or spray 8 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix corned beef, cheese, soup, and mustard until well combined. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Press each biscuit to form 5 1/2-inch round. Place 1/3 cup meat mixture in center of each round. Gently pull edges up and around filling, and place into muffin cups. Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place, leaving some of the filling exposed. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from pan.

(Recipe & photo courtesy of Pillsbury)

Odi’s Kitchen Serves Healthy Salads & More

by Peter Roos

Odi’s Kitchen is a St. Pete Beach success story. For fifteen years, owner Odise Armata sold produce in St. Pete Beach’s Captains Mart Plaza, eventually adding sinks, and selling a few prepared fresh food items. When he moved across the street into a bigger space, he expanded his inventory with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, delicious gyros, and entrees from his favorite family recipes.

Once Odise knew the business was thriving, he married and brought his high school sweetheart, Mirela from his hometown to St. Pete Beach. They are the proud parents of two children. Today, Odi’s Kitchen sells everything you need to embrace a healthy Mediterranean diet, including olive oil, cheeses, and olives as well as imported wines from the region. It’s a local favorite for dine in and take out.

Mirela’s Talent Salon shares the building they are buying across from the Post Card Inn. During the last few years, he and his father renovated the space, adding kitchen equipment with a hood, an outdoor dining area and sprucing up the indoor restaurant with comfortable table and counter seating and a bright, welcoming décor.

The menu is the star of the show from a big selection of soft drinks, imported and domestic wines & beers to vegan options (quinoa, tabouli). You’ll love the subs, wraps, savory pita sandwiches, Odi’s famous soups and 20 freshly made salads, especially the Greek salad with feta cheese, olives, pepperoncini, and ripe red tomato. We enjoyed the Mediterranean platters, with pita, hummus, homemade dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and more.

Take home some authentic Mediterranean dishes such as stuffed peppers, souvlaki, falafel, and desserts. Odi’s can also cater your next event or party. “We strive to bring the great and authentic taste of the Mediterranean to St. Pete Beach. To ensure this, we only use the freshest and healthiest ingredients such as olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, sumac, seeds, and more every single day,” says Odi. And it shows, from the five-star Yelp reviews to top five on Trip Advisor. Visit www.odiskitchen.com for a menu. Stop in, order online, or call 727-564-0101 for pickup or dine in at Odi’s Kitchen located at 6355 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach or use Door Dash for delivery.

ECO

By Nanette Wiser

COMMUNITY GARDENS

With Earth Day in April, now is the time to cultivate a home garden or cultivate a community garden plot in Pinellas County (Azalea, Old Northeast, Old Southeast, and dozens more).

In St. Pete, community gardens are allowed in all zoning districts as a principal use, subject to administrative approval. A permit is required to establish a community garden on vacant property. The initial permit fee is $50, and renewal is $10 every year; email DevRev@StPete.org. Also in St. Pete, the Meadowlawn Ecological Center & Community Garden is located off 74th Ave. N. and 18th St. and currently has 20 garden plots. Meet your neighbors, grow healthy food, and teach your children where their food comes from. Find one near you. www.tinyurl.com/PinellasUrbanGarden

HERE COMES THE SUN

Clearwater Marine Aquarium teamed up with Duke Energy to bring clean energy to Pinellas County. The Dolphin Solar Canopy at CMA is the latest solar facility contributing to Duke Energy’s efforts to have 1,500 megawatts of solar generation in Florida by 2024. The Dolphin Solar Canopy includes 665 solar panels that are expected to produce nearly 250 kilowatts of AC power (kWac) when operating at peak production. The clean energy generated by the solar panels goes directly onto the grid to serve Duke Energy customers in Florida.

THE PULP FIU News reports that scientists believe a weapon against citrus greening already exists in nature. Researchers are turning to a plant’s own microbiome to fight the destruction of citrus greening on Florida’s citrus trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded FIU scientists $500,000 to investigate natural compounds that could suppress or even eliminate the deadly bacteria that causes citrus greening. Currently, no cure exists for this disease that has left its mark on Florida’s citrus production, causing more than a 70% reduction in orange crops since first appearing in the state in 2005.

FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS The Majeed Discovery Garden! A Place for Children to Learn and Explore is under construction. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 11, 2022, and construction started July 5 and hopefully will open Summer/Early Fall 2023. The two+ acre site is located along McKay Creek with 500 linear feet of frontage. It is also adjacent to 1+ acre of wetland and native plant buffer on the east and southern boundaries of the Garden and will include a pond area for additional exploration of aquatic ecosystems. The hands-on children’s garden will help visitors to focus on the care and nurture of plants and animals as they interact in creative spaces designed to stimulate all five senses.

Locals rave about these two fabulous Redington Shores restaurants with sensational food, wine, and craft beers. Amy and Charles Popp, owners of Stan’s Epicurean and Stan’s Tapas Lounge say: We are foodies looking to provide an amazing culinary experience for like-minded people. With top ratings on Open Table and Yelp, guests praise the amazing culinary experience. Both restaurants are available for private parties.

In an adorable bungalow, beautifully decorated, Stan’s Epicurean serves a prix-fixe dinner (menu changes weekly), Thurs.-Sat. 6-10pm. Reservations usually go quick for the beautifully plated and equally superb dishes paired with stunning boutique wines and bubbly. On a recent evening, the tantalizing menu was an ode to gustatory delight: Amuse Bouche, Mediterranean Stuffed Mushroom, Arugula Berry Salad with Goat Cheese, Intermezzo, choice of Caramelized Scallops or Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon and a Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. Bravo!

Next door, Stan’s Tapas Lounge’s jazz music and twinkling votives hum with conversation at the bar and tables, a hip modern decor that is warm and inviting with the finest small plate service on the Gulf Beaches. Open Tues.-Thurs. 4-9pm and Fri.-Sat. 4-11pm, it’s a breath of casual sophistication.

It’s hard to decide among the Briskit Bruschetta or the tapas - from the garden (Marinated Olives), the field (Deviled Eggs Carbonara, Plancha Steak) or from the sea (Baja Ceviche, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, oysters, and smoked fish spread) or charcuterie platters. Save room for chef’s dessert and take home the seasonal soup of the day.

But there’s more culinary joie de vivre. Diners flock to the Friends with Fondue Wednesday, with different cheeses and accoutrements each week. (We loved the mild and creamy brie fondue with apples, grapes, seasoned baguette, and bell peppers.) Tapas Tuesday is 50% off two Chef Picks; Thirsty Thursday is 50% off your 2nd glass of wine or beer; Foodie Friday 4-6pm is 20% off your food order.

STAN’S EPICUREAN 17471 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores 727-317-2033 www.stansepicurean.net

STAN’S TAPAS LOUNGE 17477 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores 727-592-2028 www.stanstapaslounge.net

Madeira Beach R.O.C.(ks)!

Carnivals, concerts and where to eat, shop and play in this delightful Gulf Beach neighborhood

By Nanette Wiser | Photos VisitStPeteClearwater.com

When you come to Madeira Beach, summer is year-round. There’s something for everyone, from beautiful pristine beaches and parks to entertainment and friends you haven’t met…yet! You can take yoga on the beach, parasail or catch a pirate cruise from John’s Pass, embark on a fishing excursion with Hubbard’s Marina or cast off with a Salty Boat Rental. There’s live music and festivals everywhere. Best of all, the sunshine is free!

There’s so much to do and see in Madeira Beach. The Gulf Beaches Library near City Hall offers free clubs, talks, Scrabble and dozens of activities including children’s storytelling hours. The Rec Center features the popular cardio drumming and other exercise classes for every levels.

Looking for a place to host a party? Check out West Events and Tide The Knot Weddings on Gulf Boulevard for beautiful alfresco and interior venues as well as local hotels and beach pavilions rented out by the city as well as indoor/outdoor spaces at City Hall and Mad Beach Rec Center too.

Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Madeira Beach, a Paradise neighborhood that welcomes you with a smile. Check out all the Madeira Beach restos, bars and coffeehouses in this cover story as well.

R.O.C. Park stands for Remember Our Children, celebrates the lives of our children, and remembers the joy they brought to this world. Opened in 2015, it’s a great place for concerts, softball, walking and watching the annual holiday boat parade.

R.O.C. Park hosts dozens of events, from King of the Beach fishing tournament and festival to the annual Spring Carnival on St. Paddy’s Day weekend and other events are around the corner. Don’t miss Annual Kite Day at R.O.C. Park 5/13 10am-1pm; the first 500 children will receive a free kite.

SHOP The ultimate spot to browse and enjoy the great outdoors is John’s Pass Village for apparel, crafts, kites, spices, home decor and jewelry, especially The Bronze Lady. Visit the new Madeira Beach City Store for logo shirts and caps. For swimwear and souvenirs, look no further than Surf Style or Colette’s Fashions & Swimwear. Bronze Lady Home Furnishings is the ultimate destination for coastal décor for your home and patio.

ATTRACTIONS Be sure to walk Wednesday Madeira Beach Market from 10am-2pm; features local artisans, live music, lunch bites and beach vibes and an afternoon at Archibald Memorial Beach Park. Check the beach out at www.timbchamber.org/beach-cams How about teeing off at Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf, a family favorite?

The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center in John’s Pass is a non-profit providing humane, professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned native wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild. The Center is home to over 250 animals including lizards, small mammals, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and of course … alligators. It’s the ultimate way to learn and get up close to these animals. www.Kissagator.com

Looking for family fun on St. Patrick’s Day weekend? From 3/16-3/19, The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club in partnership with city of Madeira Beach’s Recreation Department will host the 13th Annual Spring Break Waterfront Festival at R.O.C. Park on the waterfront, located at 300 Municipal Drive. This four-day, fun-filled event will offer a collection of carnival rides provided by Arnold Amusements, live entertainment as well as awesome food and craft vendors. All profits from the carnival are donated to local children and families in needs. Visit bit.ly/3YTXD3B for tickets/info.

The live music line-up is stellar with Fusebox 3/16 6-8pm. On Friday, Juna N Joey perform 5-7pm, Southbound 75 8-10pm; on Saturday Second Rodeo hits the stage 2-4pm, followed by Lee Cole & The Wranglers 5-7 and Pirate Flag Band 8-10pm. Sunday kicks off with Electric Soul Therapy 2-4pm and Twisted Revolvers 5-7pm. You can shop till you drop with vendors selling crafts and more.

Madeira Beach hosts many popular events and fundraisers. The Grouper Gala is May 6 @6:30-9pm with The Black Honkeys Band and 9pm fireworks. July 3 is the annual Independence Day fireworks at 9pm. In 2024, the 42nd Annual John’s Pass Seafood Festival returns Jan. 19-21.

On May 20, Gulf Beaches Rotary and

Old Salts Fishing Foundation also hosts a fishing clinic at R.O.C. Park seawall, giving 100 fishing rods/reels, goody bag to every child to take home as their own.

A fan favorite is Mad Beach’s Final Friday’s live music in front of the John’s Pass Bell Tower, hosted by Mad Beach with other businesses. Enjoy K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation 3/31, Lee Cole and the Wranglers 4/28, Big Brother Band 5/26 and 8/25, Crossfire Creek Band 6/30, K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation 11/24; bands TBD for 7/28 and 12/29.

The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club has been supporting the needs of our local community for over 60 years. This club contributes approximately $50,000 each year to local and international efforts to make the community and world a better place in which to live. This event has drawn over 10,000 participants during each four-day period. The event is organized and managed by volunteers. All of the proceeds are deposited into the club’s foundation. Every dollar in the foundation is directed by the Board to help those in need: Eckerd College Search and Rescue, Metropolitan Ministries, All children’s Hospital, Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Pinellas Education Scholarships, Voices for Children, and many other very deserving organizations.

Most businesses have budgeted funds for contribution to charitable causes.

www.gulfbeachesrotary.com

Spring Break Festival sponsors include Century 21 Beggins Enterprises, Crabby’s On The Pass, Caddy’s Madeira Beach, Johnson Bros. Corporation, Publix, Guardian ad Litem Foundation, William Karns Enterprises, Edie and Jim Earle, Associated Paper, Beach Builders, England & Associates, Elks Lodge, Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen, Brass Captain, Salt Water Hippie, and Ricky T’s.

LET’S GO!

March 16 Thursday 4-10pm

March 17 Friday 2-10pm

March 18 Saturday 1-10pm

March 19 Sunday 1-8pm

DAILY TICKETS Rides Wristband $25 pre-sale tickets; $30 day of event.Youth (12 & under) Ticket 3/16 $20 valid 4-10pm Thursday only pre-sale only; $30 day of event.

PAID PARKING

200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach

300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach

Winn-Dixie (Reserved Area)

Archibald Memorial Beach Park

Eat @ Mad Beach

Dining and drinking in Madeira Beach is fun every day of the week. With happy hours and the Wednesday Madeira Beach Market, live music and alfresco views, who could ask for anything more in this little slice of Paradise.

Before you come over the Tom Stuart Causeway to the Gulf, take a detour to Slyce Pizzeria in the Publix Shopping Center for gourmet pizza, cocktails, wine and craft beer with a beautiful 2nd floor water view and live music. You can pull up by boat or car to the adjacent McDonald’s, Angry Pepper Waterside (smoked meat, seafood, Louisiana favorites plus 60 beers) or American Legion (members only). Pick up some fresh mahi and grouper from Key West Seafood before you head home from the beautiful Madeira beaches.

Speaking of a meal with a view, you can’t beat two legendary local chains, Caddy’s Madeira Beach or John’s Pass and Crabby’s On The Pass for seafood and the ultimate party with live music. Want the best grouper and shrimp on the beach? Look no further than Dockside Dave’s. Pete’s Sushi & Poke serves extraordinary sashimi, specialty sushi rolls and Asian fare as does Thai Star Sushi Bar and Thai Am 2.

In John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, Hooter’s is the spot for chicken wings and sports while the best seafood can be found at Walt’z Fish Shack, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Sculley’s Waterfront, and the Friendly Fisherman, then stop by Ice & Cream Creamery or Kilwins for some sweet delights. Prefer pizza and Italian comfort food? DeLosa’s Pizza & Restaurant is deeply gratifying for red wine and lasagna or pepperoni pizza. For burgers and fries, look no further than The Boardwalk Grill. For local beer and eclectic fare, stop in Mad Beach Brewing Co. For live music and cheap beer, Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill is a local legend.

For breakfast, lunch, and delicious coffee drinks, stop in Sweet Brewnettes, a charming bistro or the Madeira Beach Snack Shack right on the beach. Daiquiri Shaq Raw Bar & Grille is now serving breakfast as well at 9am and is the weekend dance and drink hot spot serving flights of daiquiris.

For day drinking and live music, I suggest Saltwater Hippie or Brass Captain, interrupted by a delicious meal next door at Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen deck (Detroit pizza) and an Aperol Spritz. Mad Beach.

My two faves for Mexican are Coastal Taco, serving authentic Baja fare and guacamole from scratch, and Mad Beach Cantina, whose elevated view and margaritas are a great place to take visitors. Burgers and American casual fare can best be found at The Reef and The Lucky Lizard, no frills but plenty strong drinks.

For a fabulous fine dining experience, make reservations at The Gulf Bistro for French fare or Mario’s Ristorante (bring your wine) for regional Italian dishes elegantly presented. We also like Lisa’s Café for brunch, seafood, and steak. Finish up the day at The Ember Rooftop Lounge at The Cambria Hotel or behind The Cambria, the new Tiki Docks & Grill for an amazing view and sophisticated cocktails and boat drinks.

The Florida Holocaust Museum has named Carl Goodman as its new president and CEO to carry out the mission of FHM, honoring the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. Formerly director at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in New York the past 14 years (and with MoMI for 34 years), Goodman was introduced at the Museum’s annual “To Life” Gala Feb. 3. He pledged to continue the work begun in 1992 by St. Pete businessman/philanthropist Walter Loebenberg who escaped Nazi Germany in 1939.

The mission is more important today than ever, as hate crimes are on the rise in the U.S. and globally. As Goodman summarized, “All of the suffering and loss is meaningless if we do not understand what took place and act to ensure that it will never happen again. We must challenge and educate those who promote hatred and intolerance. The vision of The Florida Holocaust Museum is a future in which peace and harmony are a reality in our neighborhoods, in our nation and in our world.”

Loebenberg’s vision to teach the members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides began with a modest 4,000 sq. ft. building in Madeira Beach. After drawing more than 125,000 visitors the first four years, the Board raised funds for its current 27,000 sq. ft. headquarters in downtown St. Pete, where most events are held.

Goodman steps into the director seat March 13, assisted by the current Interim Executive Director Erin Blankenship (who returns to her previous role as deputy director). With a dedicated and talented staff in place, look to FHM for provocative exhibitions and programs in 2023 and beyond.

Understand The Holocaust One of the largest Holocaust museums in the country, you can better understand this egregious historical

period through the museum’s notable artifacts, audio-visual library, photographic archive, artworks and more. Through recorded histories, survivors’ stories and holograms, visitors can connect with individuals who suffered or died in the Holocaust. From the museum’s inaugural exhibit in 1992 “Anne Frank in the World” to its current exhibits and speakers’ bureau, FHM leads the way in dealing with hate and antisemitism.

March 1 – 6:30-7:30pm

Author Roslyn Franken will talk about her parents’ amazing story. In MEANT TO BE, the GOLD award-winning book, she reveals the unforgettable true story of her parents, John and Sonja Franken, who with their courage and triumph became two unlikely survivors of WW II.

March 15 – 6:30-7:30pm

TESTIMONY THROUGH ART Panel Discussion and Exhibition

Reception for “Memories of My Life in a Polish Village” by Toby Knobel. This multigenerational discussion will feature Professor Rakhmiel Peltz and Lillian and Steven Flueck Finkler and their children as they explore Toby Knobel’s legacy as a Holocaust survivor and artist.

Listen to the Museum’s audio tour, watch interviews with Holocaust survivors, interact with artifacts, and much more! Before you go, see the Visitor’s Guide and download the app from www.thefhm.org/visit/guide to your smartphone

(App Store or Google Play). Located at 55 Fifth Street S., St. Petersburg. Open Tues.-Sun.10am-5pm. Limited parking in the lot behind Museum; access the lot from First Ave. S or from the alley off Fifth St. S.

Holocaust education program at FHM Holocaust survivor sharing her story at FHM

By Steve Traiman / Photos Florida Holocaust Museum

Steve Traiman is president of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman; he offers freelance business writing services. Contact him at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com

HANGING AROUND

By Caron Schwartz

When we host guests who want to bask on sugar-sand beaches we steer them to Pass-a-Grille, our personal favorite. I wondered what else Pass-a-Grille offers so I set out for a grand girl’s day out with my sister.

The only thing I hate more than searching for a parking space is paying for it. So we parked near a Sunrunner stop and rode St. Pete’s BRT (bus rapid transit) to the St. Pete Beach Access parking lot. Then Sis requested a ride with the Freebee app (a free ride service throughout St. Pete Beach) to the Suntan Art Center, where a friend was mounting a show.

We made our Fitbits happy by walking along tree- and beach cottage-lined Pass-a-Grille Way to the Leaping Llama Café, where the friendly staff whipped up a surprisingly spicy avocado toast. We then beat a path to Shaner’s so my sister could get the grouper reuben she craved.

We vowed to return with our menfolk to The Wharf and Red, White & Booze for cocktails. Or maybe the Seahorse Restaurant at the corner of Pass-a-Grille Way and Eighth Ave. We ambled along the historic shopping district window shopping until we saw Bamboozle Etc. where Sis and I discovered an amazing selection of dress sneakers as well as hats, tees, and accessories.

Then refreshments at Paradise Sweets. My sister sipped her black coffee as I indulged in a magnificent affogato – espresso chip ice cream smothered in espresso. Sufficiently caffeinated we ventured into Pass-a-Grille Park to check out the legendary Trudie Perry Shuffleboard Courts. Next time we’ll book brunch at The Dewey and enjoy their rooftop view with adult beverages.

Taking a Freebee, then a short Sunrunner ride back to the car, we gave our girl’s day out a 10!

SARASOTA’S SELBY GARDENS Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature is on view through June 25 at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus. The exhibition will showcase the creativity and innovation of the American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), who founded Tiffany Studios and served as the first design director of Tiffany & Co., the renowned jewelry and silver firm established by his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902). This is the first exhibition of its type to be presented in a botanical garden and it highlights the connection between Tiffany’s work and the natural world. Tiffany’s celebrated stained-glass windows and lamps will inspire stunning horticultural displays in the Tropical Conservatory and throughout the Gardens. These kaleidoscopic displays of flowers and foliage will play with light, color, and material to create a truly immersive experience that blurs the line between art and nature.

By Nanette Wiser

NATIONAL TREASURES Now is the time to reserve your national parks adventure and plans to visit America’s national monuments. To get you in the mood, PN recommends the award-winning photography book Our National Monuments by QT Luong that captures the richness of America’s landscape that remains more than two centuries past the birth of the country. At a time when sprawl is pressing more and more across many states and natural areas, these places protected as a collection of national monuments capture the imagination of a time and a wild America many no doubt thought was long past.

Accompanying the horticultural displays will be outstanding examples of Tiffany’s work (lamps, vases, and other objects) on view in the Museum of Botany & the Arts as well as the story of Tiffany and his firm, which revolutionized glassmaking and elevated the status of American decorative arts at home and abroad, all reflecting the beauty of nature. Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, FL 34236 Also returning in 2023 and 2024 is writer, performer, and visual artist Patti Smith (known as the punk poet laureate) who is Selby Gardens’ inaugural Artist in Residence. Smith will combine public activities such as readings and performances with private time, drawing creative inspiration from the gardens and collections. After your excursion, plan to dine (Crab & Fin) and shop at Sarasota’s St. Armands Circle.

SPRING TRAINING The boys of spring are back, with the Rays “going north” to Orlando’s Disney ESPN’s Wild World of Sports complex then moving to Tropicana Field March 1, the Yankees in Tampa, and the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Perhaps one of the best baseball experiences is catching the 2022 National League champion Phillies at Clearwater’s BayCare Ballpark. BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004 and is the home of Phillies Spring Training and the Low-A Southeast League Clearwater Threshers The Phillies have been training in Clearwater since 1947, the second-longest affiliation between a major league club and its spring training home in baseball. Enjoy the popular Tiki Bar (tickets required), a reserved picnic table down the third-base line and a family-friendly area where the kids can run loose while parents supervise from their blanket in the outfield berm. There are luxury boxes and a Hooters-sponsored large video screen and it’s right off U.S. 19.

DOWNTOWN CONCIERGE

By Nanette Wiser

The Grand Central District will soon have its very own dedicated charcuterie shop courtesy of Graze Craze. Tampa’s King State craft beer and coffee roaster is opening in the historic Harlan Hotel building at 15 Eighth St. N. A nautical-themed restaurant, Nauti Duchess, is taking over the downtown space previously occupied by Caddy’s at 217 Central Ave. Baystar Restaurant Group’s popular Caribbean-themed restaurant Rumba Island & Grill is now open on Fourth St. in the old WInghouse Bar & Grill location. Cane & Barrel is the rooftop of the new AC Hotel, Ascent St. Pete.

DRINK & DINE

Looking for an event or wedding space?

The Mahaffey’s waterfront view can’t be beat, and The James Museum’s ballroom is fabulous. New to the party is Savant on Second serving up indoor and outdoor spaces for as many as 350 guests with skylights hand-painted by Ya Ya La’ford on the 20-foot-high ceilings. Don’t forget about The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, ranked the No. 1 hotel and resort in St. Pete by U.S. News & World Report.

Are you ready for the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon 3/11 at Vinoy Park? Visit www.guidedogswalkathon.org to sign up, fundraise, or create a team. Now’s the time to raise funds and support our marvelous dogs in their mission to help people with visual impairments, veterans with disabilities, and kids facing tough challenges.

On 4/14-4/16, Tampa Bay Blues Festival returns to Vinoy Waterfront Park, kicking off with Tommy Castro & The Pain Killers at the Palladium Theater 4/13; 4/14 Robert Cray, Tommy Castro, Ana Popovic, Larry McCray and Colin James; 4/15 Tower of Power, Tab Benoit, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Chris Cain, Dawn Tyler Watson; 4/16

The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mr. Sipp, Vannessa Colier, Jimmy Carpenter, J. T. Lauritsen accompanied by delicious food, drinks and view. Ticket available for each day, VIP and three-day passes. www.tampabaybluesfest.com

On March 9, enjoy King State Brewing’s Lagerfest at The Brutalist in St. Pete that will feature 35 craft breweries. The Brutalist is a collaborative contract brewing facility headed by Aric Parker of King State Beer and Vinny Giusto, former head brewer of Hidden Springs Ale. Visit The Brutalist’s Temple of Beer for music and food, featuring 20 rotating taps of Florida’s best breweries, showcasing what’s brewed in-house for them and their partners. We are looking forward to March’s Rum Barrel Aged Pecan French Toast Imperial Sweet Stout!

FUN St. Peterburg Museum of History has a new exhibit based on a book in the Little Cooperstown Gallery, “Black Baseball in Living Color.” This collection of 72 portraits showcases the stars of the Negro Baseball Leagues and is on loan from author Jay Caldwell. Caldwell commissioned artist Graig Kreindler to paint over 200 5x7 portraits of the players who could only play in a league of their own when Major League Baseball remained segregated. The St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club hosts an open house 3/25 @9am-noon, providing lawn bowls, training lessons and an overview of the game’s rules. www.st.petersburglawnbowling.org

SHOP On 3/14 @7-8pm, Tombolo Books welcomes local author Marie Still to the bookstore to celebrate the launch of her debut novel that explores dark family secrets in its intricate twist that will keep you spellbound. From fantasy to mysteries, biographies to non-fiction, browsing books with a coffee next door at Black Crow Coffee Co. is my favorite pastime.

Charles Eugene Morgan Jr., 93, sail maker and yacht builder, passed early this year just a few hours after his wife, Maureen. Called Charley by his friends (and he had many), he was born in 1929 (Chicago), but raised on Florida’s West Coast and a grad of University of Tampa. Paradise NEWS followed his career and philanthropic efforts with admiration. In a 2016 PN issue, we ran the article “Charley Morgan: Still Spry at 85!”

A lifelong water enthusiast, he took a job at Johnson Sails on the Hillsborough River and in 1952 founded Morgan Racing Sails. Morgan’s first well-known boat was a 40′ fiberglass centerboard yawl Paper Tiger that won the Southern Ocean Racing Conference in 1961 and 1962. Unable to find a builder for Tiger Cub (a smaller version of Paper Tiger), Morgan founded Morgan Yacht Corporation in 1965, and Heritage Yacht Corporation in 1975.

He built yachts 24’-45’ long, many becoming popular and world-famous in their class. His imagination and technical skills were legendary. Charley designed trawlers for Chris Craft, sailboats for Compac, 57 sailboats and a fleet of 100+ watercrafts for Disney World; the largest was 120 feet! Remember him when you see Disney submarines, jungle cruise boats and steamboats.

Although Morgan Yachts are built for comfort, Charley was proud of the Morgan Invasion, an annual rally and race, just for boats he built.

By Peter Roos

It was hosted by the Treasure Island and Davis Island Yacht Clubs, and it later morphed into The Tampa Bay Hospice Cup, becoming a major fundraiser for Suncoast Hospice.

Want to ride on a Morgan Yacht? Captain Dan Peretz’ Dolphin Landings Charter Center has used Morgan yachts for decades. Call 727-360-7411 and have a Dolphin Watch or Sunset Sails in Charley’s memory for just $55. www.dolphinlandings.com

We first introduced Beverly J. Diny to Paradise NEWS readers in the spring of 2016. Diny’s Jewelers has been successful in Wisconsin for over 38 years.

Seven years ago, Beverly acted on her dream to open a shop on our beaches. She is considered a highly trained and respected jeweler that enjoys people and life. Bev is also a diamond expert who travels to Antwerp, Belgium, to buy diamonds directly for stock; and she takes personal orders. Beverly is dedicated to continuous satisfaction with every individual experience. Her talents are many, but her favorite talent is

refurbishing old jewelry that just sits in a jewelry box for her clients.“Women are bringing me jewelry that was their families and asking me to turn their beloved piece into a more modern design, by recycling these older gems and precious metals,” said Beverly.

With 38 years of experience in the industry, we can help to restore, redesign and repurpose items that have sentimental value. She offers in-house financing with deferred interest. Call 727-513-3469 or visit DINYSFlorida.com or stop in to visit Beverly in the Clock Tower Plaza at 130 107th Ave, Treasure Island.

Diny Jewelry awarded the 2023 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Madeira Beach/Treasure Island Chambers.

Morgan Yachts’ St. Petersburg facility. Courtesy Good Old Boat

Charley Morgan, designer of Heritage and the influential Morgan Out Island 41 (top row, far right) with Heritage’s 1970 America’s Cup crew. Courtesy Cruising World/Steve Colgate

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

So many concerts, so little time. The Florida Strawberry Festival showcases dozens of famous bands 3/2-3/12. Ruth Eckerd added rocker Pat Benatar 4/27 to their line-up and Amalie Arena hosts Duran Duran 6/17.

JAZZ JAM Join the Al Downing Tampa

Bay Jazz Association Monday night at downtown St. Pete’s Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge! Hang out, grab a drink, enjoy, or even get up and jam as seasoned host Dwayne White artfully guides the evening to bring a night of killer jazz tunes for all. Join the jam in advance by signing up at www.aldowningjazz.com. Do you miss the jazz jam at The Independent in DTSP? Be sure to catch drummer Sandi Grecco, Mark Moultrop and James Suggs at The Studio Public House most Sundays from 3-5pm plus other visiting musicians. Get your tickets now for the Clearwater Smooth Jazz Jam at Ruth Eckerd Hall 6/2-6/3 featuring David Benoit and Boney James.

THE ALE & THE WITCH Just celebrated their 12th anniversary in Feb., this legendary al fresco courtyard concert venue inside The Plaza serves up folk, rock, indie bands, blues, and Grateful Dead tribute band Uncle John’s. Fab beers, from Lindemans Framboise to local craft brews, a friendly vibe, and no cover charge, it’s the place to be for live music Wed.-Sun. (with bluegrass Wed.) and blues on Sunday.

www.thealeandthewitch.com

By Nanette Wiser

you good-time ukulele funk featuring sweet harmonies with a bluegrass/Americana feel. The group’s founding members, Shannon and Kyle Biss, met in 2004 while Kyle was working at a local record shop. In 2010, then bass player Kyle picked up a ukulele with the intention of learning songs to sing and harmonize with girlfriend Shannon for fun. The eclectic, tuneful duo – now known as The Applebutter Express – was the talk of Tampa and now includes Zach Rogers (bass) and Jason Baker (fiddle) playing popular events such as Hulaween and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The self-described “ukulele funk” group’s song Hey My Brotha – a single from their project One For The Home Team –was featured in the Ron Howard film “The Good Lie” in 2015.

FOLK FUN The melodic Applebutter Express performs 3/5 at Gasparilla Festival of Arts and 4/15 at the Second Annual TBUS Ukulele Fest in the Clearwater District. The Applebutter Express brings

POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE PN pal and interior designer/party planner Laura Fage and realtor hubby Frank recently relocated from St. Pete to North Carolina where they promptly named their new home Eden. Enjoying a park bench with jazz legend Nina Simone was an unexpected bit of luck for the music loving pair, who discovered that Tryon, N.C., was her hometown.

On 3/2 @The Palladium, Synia Carroll pays tribute to Nina Simone in song and stories. Synia is joined by Paul Gavin (drums), James Suggs (trumpet), John O’Leary (piano), Brandon Robertson (bass), and Mark DeRose (percussion).

Our friend and fashionista Fiona Frensch gives us a taste of Nina when she plays locally at Elizabeth’s, The Deck on Isla and other St. Pete Beach spots. Tune in to Fiona’s new radio show Monday 4-5pm showcasing Women In Song and local musicians from the jazz to the blues.

GOOD DEEDS

GIRLS INCORPORATED OF PINELLAS

Girls Inc. is a national organization whose mission is to “inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.” Unlike other childcare agencies, it is dedicated to the affirmation of a pro-girl environment focusing on the empowerment of girls, ages 5-15, to learn to appreciate their whole selves, discovering their strengths, developing their individual skills, and to help girls today become the leaders of tomorrow.

Girls Inc. Pinellas, opened in 1961 and is located on a quiet street in Pinellas Park, housed in a recently renovated one-story building, colorfully painted and well-equipped for classroom spaces, including an outdoor playground. There are science, photography and computer labs, a large kitchen, and a gym.

Darla Otey, the gracious and energetic director, is passionate about the school’s driving forces – celebrating each individual while creating long-lasting mentoring relationships in a pro-girl environment, using research-based programming to equip girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives, to navigate gender, economic, educational, and social barriers, and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults.

The agency provides academic support, healthy living, and life skills to approximately 400 girls every year through three programs: the After School Enrichment, Operation SMART Summer Camp and Operation SMART Spring Break Camp.

Most recruiting is done via word of mouth from the girls themselves. The Pinellas group currently has three administrators and five on the facilitation team. In the summer they hire extra staff for the 100-150 girls who enroll. This year the summer camp will be free of charge for everyone.

Otey proudly explains that discipline problems are rare because the girls want to be in the programs. They mentor and

By Susan Koenig

encourage each other’s endeavors, and the rules of behavior, strictly adhered to, are simple – show compassion and respect, and put cell phones aside while in attendance.

The Board of Directors, “critical to our success,” says Otey, runs all the fundraisers. The most significant one, held annually in the spring and attended by hundreds of charitable-minded adults, provides most of the annual funding for the organization’s programs.

Please join Girls, Inc. for their Fuel Her Fire annual fundraiser is May 12 at 6pm. The event is held at Clearwater’s Opal Sands Resort, and features a gourmet buffet. $200/ticket www.girlsinc-pinellas.org

Murals in Mind

As if gazing at St. Pete’s wonderous murals wasn’t enough, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has partnered with PixelStix to enhance 12 of them with uplifting messaging. Each has been embedded with performance videos (music, poetry, dance, drama) that can be accessed with a phone app. Learn more: www.stpeteart salliance.org/muralsinmind

Party like it’s 1993

The Bogdanov family opened shop on April 1, 1993, and celebrates 30 years of art including graphic design and tattooing on, no joke, April 1, 6-10pm at their 140 First Ave. N, St. Pete studio. A $25 raffle ticket could get you a Bogdanov tattoo, surfboard, or painting. For more information email donna@bogdanov.com

pastels and bright white swirling lines. The project is a collaboration between the local coffee roaster and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. Proceeds from the $25 cans support the St. Petersburg Arts Endowment. And you can get a refill for just $10! Look for the next in the series this summer.

Historic Kenwood Artist Studio Tour

Meet the artists in their homes and studios during the sixth annual Artist Studio Tour on March 18 & 19. It’s also a great opportunity to see Historic Kenwood’s bungalows, purchase original art, and experience performing art. Schedule and map: https://bit.ly/3XEWCvi

Performing Arts AwardeeAlexander Jones and project ALCHEMY

Art and Technology AwardeeMikhail Mansion

Visual Arts AwardeeCatherine Woods

It’s not heavy, it’s the humbler metals

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement presents Dignity and Grace, showcasing more than 300 brass and copper metalworks from its larger collection These Humbler Metals, American Arts & Crafts Metalwork Works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Tiffany Studios, Marie Zimmermann, Elizabeth Copeland, Gustav Stickley, Robert Jarvie, and others are included. www.museumaacm.org

FUNdraisers

The 33rd annual Florida Winefest and Auction is excited to announce their upcoming “No Fooling”

Champagne Reception, Wine Brunch and Charity Auction, April 1 from 11am-3pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This event will benefit disadvantaged youth in Manatee and Sarasota counties and will feature a seated four-course brunch catered by Chef Paul Mattison, owner of Mattison’s Restaurants and Catering Company. The live auction will include wines, jewelry, trips, food experiences and unique excursions, and much more.

www.floridawinefest.org

Java Jive

Drop by any Kahwa to check out its newest artsy coffee can wrapped in St. Pete artist Glenyse Thompson’s signature

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

2023 MUSE Award Honorees! Ambassador of the Arts AwardeeKatie Deits/Florida CraftArt

Literary Arts AwardeeMaggie Duffy

Patron of the Arts AwardeeBelinda Dumont

Enlightened real estate

Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico home is on the market for $15 million. Located three miles outside of Santa Fe, the adobe structure was the last place O’Keeffe lived before she died in 1986 at age 98. Among other magnificent artifacts and architecture, the greenhouse holds a Bodhi tree grown from a seed given by the Dalai Lama when he visited. It’s said the seed traces back to the tree that the Buddha sat under to attain enlightenment.

The 30th annual Gala Under the Stars is an unforgettable fundraiser in support of American Stage. Join us for our largest fundraising party of the year, held on the opening night of American Stage’s production of Ragtime in the Park, an inspiring musical about the power of the human spirit. Don your parasols and bowler hats, enjoy a spirited live auction, and experience the Tony Award-winning musical as the sun sets over the St. Petersburg waterfront!

Tickets and sponsorship information: www.american stage.org/gala-under-the-stars

The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) raised more than $900,000 at its annual benefit gala at The Vinoy on Feb. 4 where it shared the museum’s plans for combating antisemitism. The FHM’s success will prove helpful as it meets the challenges of the rise in antisemitism, changing technology, and the aging and loss of Holocaust survivors. The FHM also introduced its new President and CEO Carl Goodman, the former executive director of the Museum of the Moving Image in New York.

Calls to artists

You too can compete in Art Fusion Galleries St. Pete competition. There’s no subject, and artists can submit multiple times and in different categories including painting and mixed media, photography, and sculpture. Deadline is May 12. A panel of art collectors, curators, and directors will judge applicants’ artwork. Apply at https://bit.ly/3k68wRn

The Hopper Prize is accepting entries for its Spring 2023 artist grants. Grants of $3,500 (2 available) and $1,000 (4 available) are available to artists and photographers worldwide working in all media. In total, 6 artists will receive unrestricted cash grants totaling $11,000. www.hopperprize.org

The St. Petersburg Month of Photography (SPMOP) in May will kick off with the presentation of a new Photo Laureate. Tampa Bay photographers, submit your portfolio on the SPMOP website by March 17! Six finalists will get to exhibit their work at the Morean Arts Center, and the new Photo Laureate will have a solo exhibition during the Lumen Photo Festival in May 2024. www.spmop.org/photolaureate-2023

Creative kids

March is Youth Art Month!

The Clearwater Arts Alliance in partnership with Creative Pinellas is celebrating by presenting K-8th grade works of art from Pinellas County Schools. The exhibition runs from March 4 to April 2. The opening reception is Sunday, March 5, from 1:30-3pm with awards presented at 2pm. https://bit.ly/3lPPuiy

American Stage summer camp is sooner, and less money, than you think. Purchase two, four, six, or eight weeks of summer camp. Regular price $275 per week; two-week bundle $510; four-week bundle $1,020, six-week bundle $1,500; eight-week bundle $2,000. For dates and themes see https://bit.ly/3Z0Ek9v

By Caron Schwartz

The exhibit will be open to the public Thurs.-Sat. from 11am-3pm.

www.pava-artists.org

Tell me a story

St. Pete’s Museum of Fine Arts new series, The Story of Art, focuses on art history, a story that is continually being retold as we discover new things and look afresh at the familiar. We invite you to join MFA curators to learn more about our collection, contextualized with other objects from around the world, as we take a grand tour through the story of art. The hour-long talks are given Thursday evenings through May. Learn more and register https://bit.ly/3SezrXC

Trashy Treasures, the Dunedin Fine Art Center’s venerable Art Garage Sale, returns. Donated artworks and art supplies will be offered by silent auction March 1 through the BEST Of TRASHIES pARTy on Saturday, March 18 from 6-8pm. Meanwhile, DFAC prices the rest of it to sell on a first-come-first-served garage sale basis on March 9 from 10am-4pm. More info at https://bit.ly/3XQvGsy

Dunedin doings: PAVA’s 2023 Annual Members’ Awards Exhibit returns to The Cool Art Shop in Dunedin on March 9 and runs through April 1. The exhibit showcases artworks by PAVA’s professional artists. Cash awards totaling $3,000 and ribbons will be awarded at the opening reception March 15 from 6-8pm.

Is he or isn’t he

You might think you recognize Owen Wilson’s next role. But the soft-spoken television painter, with his perfectly coiffed perm, is supposedly not playing beloved TV artist Bob Ross. Instead, the forthcoming comedy, Paint, tells the story of Carl Nargle, a television art instructor who specializes in tranquil landscapes clearly meant to evoke Ross’s oeuvre. The promo for the film falls short of referencing “happy little trees,” but Wilson is channeling Ross in a major way.

“May the roof above us never fall in. And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.”

– Irish Proverb

ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT

held belief among non-Natives that Native American culture would soon disappear and his work reflects this. This exhibition offers examples of Native art from the 19th century to today, illustrating Native cultures as very much alive and thriving.

By Nanette Wiser

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE In April,

The James Museum in downtown St. Pete will celebrate its fifth anniversary with its fundraiser Jamboree at The James 4/15 6-10:30pm where you kick up your heels for an evening of country western fun. In the last five years, their exhibits have put St. Pete in the art world’s spotlight (Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams). Kicking off 2023, the museum continues to showcase the imagination of Western artists and images with “The Stories They Tell: Indigenous Art and the Photography of Edward S. Curtis” on view Feb. 4-May 14.

This unique exhibition examines the relationships between art and cultural identity by pairing the photographic images of Native American culture by Edward S. Curtis with correlative Native art (90 objects curated from collections) and is presented in three sections: Southwest pottery and basketry, California basketry, and Northwest Coast carving and textiles. The mesmerizing show reflects on how objects harbor memories and tell stories about a time, a place, and a people.

“This exhibition allows us to explore how diverse artforms are physical reflections of unique environments and ways of life,” says Caitlin Pendola, curator of this exhibition. “The objects chosen for this exhibition, not often seen in Florida, provide context and a new way of understanding Curtis’s work and Indigenous art.” Adds Curator of Art Emily Kapes: “This exhibition marks the beginning of what will be an ongoing examination of Curtis’s legacy, with more exhibitions of his work to come in the future.” www.thejamesmuseum.org

transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.

www.freefalltheatre.com

Edward Curtis produced one of the most extensive photographic projects in history. He was working during the early 20th century, at a time when it was a commonly

ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE Is there no end to Matthew McGee’s charming chameleon performances such as James Beard in I Love To Eat? Now the game is afoot when he plays Sherlock Holmes with Eric Davis as Dr. Watson in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at freeFall Theater 3/25-4/23. Playwright Ken Ludwig

Want to indulge your dance fantasy?

The Warehouse Arts District (WADA) presents a mini series of classes based on film choreography. Enjoy a curated curriculum of three 2-hr dance workshops that include brief screenings of popular movies, from Singing in the Rain to La La Land, followed by dance lessons to learn the choreography! All skill levels are welcome. $60/workshop @The Arts Education Center 515 22nd St. S on 3/4 and 4/1 from 5-7pm.

Arts & Leisure

Venues are listed, alphabetically within category, in the following sequence of categories. Each listing includes address and web link, if available. Most web links are active when you are online at www.paradisenewsfl.com or copy and paste them in your browser.

IN THIS ISSUE:

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

ART – GALLERIES

ARTS – PERFORMING

MUSEUMS

MUSIC OPERA FILM

ECO

GARDENS FERRIES LIBRARIES

MARKETS

SPIRITUAL ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

Listings for the following online at www.paradisenewsfl.com

TOASTMASTERS

THRIFT SHOPS

(Events are subject to change. Please visit website or call to confirm.)

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

Beach Art Center

1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach 727-596-4331 beachartcenter.org

Through March 24 –

Student-Teacher Show

April

10-May 12 – Poetry in Motion Show

Charlie Parker Pottery

2724 Sixth Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-321-2071

charlieparkerpottery.com

Heart of Pinellas

Decorative Artists

Pinellas Park Art Center, Roe’s Deli, 5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park.

Local chapter of National Society of Decorative Painters.

727-244-4321 hpdafl.com

Painters of all levels welcome.

Morean Arts Center

719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-822-7872

moreanartscenter.org

Contemporary art gallery. Art classes year-round.

Through March 23 – Agueda Sanfiz

Through March 23 – Tom Kramer

Through March 28 –PCCA Alumni Exhibition

April

8-June 22 – Fresh Squeezed: Emerging Artists in Florida

Morean Center for Clay

420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg 727-821-7162 ext 2311 moreanartscenter.org

Largest pottery in the Southeast

Morean Glass Studio

714 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-822-7872

moreanartscenter.org

Daily demonstrations every hour noon to 4pm. Classes available.

Pinellas Park Art Society Park Station Building 5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park 727-360-4406 pinellasart.org

Suntan Art Center at Don Vista Arts Center 3300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-367-3818 suntanart.org

Classes, Art Mart every weekend on Pass-a-Grille Beach Monthly members’ shows

March

5-29 – Featured Artists Susan Hess & Theresa Franke

12 – Retreat Yourself wellness retreat

April

1 – 60th Birthday Bash

The Hive

559 49th St. S, St Petersburg 727-290-6515

thehivestpete.com

Classes, open studio, pottery, and jewelry sales

Treasure Island Art Guild treasureislandartguild.org

Painting workshops weekly

Veterans Art Center

6798 Crosswinds Dr. N, St. Petersburg 813-504-3092 vactb.org

Provides opportunities for military and veterans to develop and showcase creative and artistic accomplishments

Zen Glass Studio & Gallery

600 27th St. S, St. Petersburg 727-323-3141 zenglass.com

Offers glassblowing and lampwork classes and workshops.

ART GALLERIES

To see galleries participating in Second Saturday Artwalk in downtown St. Petersburg, go to www.stpeteartsalliance.org/ experience-arts/artwalk

Art at 400 Studios

400 23rd St. S, St. Petersburg 786-567-1024 facebook.com/Artat400/

Art Fusion Galleries

106 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-827-7195 artfusiongalleries.com

ARTicles/Leslie Curran Gallery

1234 Dr. MLK Jr St. N, St. Petersburg 727-898-6061 articlesstpete.com

ARTpool Gallery

2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-324-3878 artpoolrules.com

Open Wed.-Sun., noon-5pm

ArtsXchange

515 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg Open Fri.-Sat., 11am-5pm

Atelier de SoSi

2380 Sixth Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-370-4192 atelierdesosi.com

Brenda McMahon Gallery

2901 Beach Blvd. S #104 Gulfport 518-692-7742 brendamcmahongallery.com

Bula Barua

2534 Terminal Drive S, St. Petersburg 727-900-1063 bulagallery.com Blown glass on canvas

Chasen Galleries

1830 S Osprey Ave., Sarasota 941-260-5787

chasengalleries.com/sarasota

Chihuly Collection

720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-822-7872 ext 5102

moreanartscenter.org

Advance ticket recommended

March

4-June 4 – Karen Tucker Kuykendall & Steve Hagan

Clyde Butcher Galleries clydebutcher.com/galleries

Through April 23 –

Daydreaming: Niki Butcher’s Hand-Painted Photography Clearwater Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. EXTENDED

March

18 – Meet Niki Butcher, Clearwater Main Library Venice Gallery & Studio 237 Warfield Ave. S, Venice 941-486-0811

Big Cypress Gallery 52388 Tamiami Trail, Ochopee 239-695-2428

Cobb Gallery

Eckerd College, Library Circle, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009

eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Collectors Exchange Gallery 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg 727-898-6061 articlestpete.com

Open Sat. 11am-5pm

Craftsman House

2955 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-323-2787

craftsmanhousegallery.com

Gallery-Café-Pottery Studio

March

14 – 15th Annual Pi Day

17 – Ellis Paul in concert

18 – Chuck Brodsky in concert

Buddy Baker | Events, Arts & Leisure Coordinator

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

www.paradisenewsfl.com/march-2023-events

Scan QR code for event listings online to go with you. Sign up to receive upcoming event e-news online at www.ParadiseNewsFL.com • Like us on facebook.com/ParadiseNews

RECURRING EVENTS

Tuesdays & 4th Saturday • 9am-3pm, Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S. www.gulfporttuesdayfreshmarket.com

Fridays • 5-9pm, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Gulfport. A juried event featuring emerging and professional artists. First Friday of every month.

Last Friday • 6-9pm, live music at the John’s Pass Bell Tower, John’s Pass Boardwalk and Shopping Village, 12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach

Saturdays • 9am-2pm, St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, First Ave. SE and First St., Al Lang Stadium parking lot near the marina. Celebrating community, food, and creativity. October through May.

1st Saturday • 8am Beach Cleanup, Archibald Park, 15100 Gulf Blvd. Mad. Beach.

2nd Saturday • 8:30am, Beach Cleanup. TI Waffle House, 11185 Gulf Blvd.

• 5-9pm, St. Pete Artwalk. Artists and gallery owners from 40 studios and galleries in five arts districts show off their latest works. Take the trolley, drive or park and walk. www.stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk

3rd Saturday • 5-9pm, Indie Faire, Beach Blvd., Gulfport. Outdoor, socially distanced event in Gulfport features local art, handmade crafts, jewelry, and pottery to locally sourced botanicals.

4th Saturday • Gulfport 4th Saturday Fresh Market 9am-2pm • Pinellas Arts Walk 4-8pm, Pinellas Arts Village Walk, 5600-5800 Park Blvd. (north side), Pinellas Park. Pinellas Park Art Society, Donnelly COVE, Complete Sweet Shoppe, Pompei Factory, Studios @5663, Painting with a Twist, Bottles Pub, and Swartz Gallery.

Sundays • 9am-1pm Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market, Indian Shores Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. Local vendors offer everything from gourmet foods to fine art. (November-April).

www.TheBeachMarkets.com. Library Book Sale every third Sunday. • 10am-2pm/Summer 9am-1pm, Corey Sunday Market, Corey Ave. (74th Ave), St. Pete Beach. Almost a hundred vendors with an emphasis on local fresh, hydroponic and organic veggies, gourmet take-out treats, locally made crafts and live music. (9-1 June - Sept.) Every other Sunday • 9am-noon, Organic Farming at Eco-Village, 302 15th St. N, St. Pete. Volunteer in a community garden that provides access to fresh organic produce, opportunities for physical activity, connection with nature.

ONGOING

Through April 2 — Bay Area Renaissance Festival

$11.95-up, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-6pm rain or shine, 12838 Auton Road, Dade City. Step back in time – the 16th Century, in fact – for the adventure, excitement and spirit of the Renaissance! Thrill to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds. Roam village shoppes for unique crafts as artisans demonstrate period skills such as blacksmithing and woodworking. Delight in comedy, music, magic, and more on nine stages of non-stop entertainment! www.bayarearenfest.com

Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center

1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-825-0515 creativeclay.org

Creative Pinellas

12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo 727-460-5477

Gallery hours noon-5pm Wed-Sun creativepinellas.org

Crossroads Gallery

St. Petersburg College, 2464 Drew St., Clearwater 727-791-2548

Collection of SPC student art spcollege.edu/friends-partners/ community-resources

Custom House Décor 2901 Beach Blvd., Gulfport 727-317-5936 customhousedecor.com

Tuesday Fresh Market

D Gallerie 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Unit C St. Petersburg 407-921-3608 d-gallerie.com

DRV Fine Art Studios & Gallery 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport 727-382-7004 drvgallery.com

Duncan McClellan Gallery 2342 Emerson Ave. S, St. Petersburg 813-760-6600 dmglass.com

Dunedin Fine Art Center 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 727-298-3322 dfac.org

March 18 – Trashy Treasures art garage sale

Ekeko Gallery

290 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St. N, St. Petersburg 727-685-5577 facebook.com/Ekeko-Gallery

Elliott Gallery

Eckerd College, Nielsen Center for Visual Arts, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009 eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Through March 17 –Brian Ransom

Factory St. Pete 2622 Fairfield Ave. S St. Petersburg thefactorystpete.com

March

17 – CAMPGround 23 festival of new music

Fairgrounds St. Pete 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg Works by more than 60 local and international artists fairgrounds.art

Five Deuces Gallerie 2101 Third Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Open by appointment & Artwalk Facebook.com/five22222

Florida CraftArt Gallery 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-821-7391 floridacraftart.org

Sat. Mural Walk

Through March 11 –

Clearly Collaborative

March

17-April 29 – Members Show

Gulf Coast Artists Alliance St. Pete ArtWorks, 2604 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-738-8010 gcaa-fl.org

March

18 – Artsy Rummage Sale

Heiress NEW 2622 Fairfield Ave S, Bldg. 7, Studio A, St. Petersburg

heiressgallery.com

Contemporary gallery and art advisory

Luis Sottil Studios 400 Beach Drive NE, Suite 150, St. Petersburg 727-220-1567

facebook.com/luissottilstpete

Mirella Cimato Art Gallery

2145 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg (inside St. Petersburg Opera) 727-543-9190

facebook.com/MirellaCimatoGallery

Nielsen Center for Visual Arts

Main Gallery

Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009 eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Red Cloud Indian Arts

214 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-821-5824

redcloudindianarts.com

Representing authentic Native American arts

March

10-11 – Artie Yellowhorse

Soft Water Gallery

515 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg 727-327-3473

softwatergallery.com

Stirling Art Studios & Gallery

730 Broadway (Second Floor)

Studio 12, Dunedin 800-325-2050 facebook.com/StirlingArtDunedin

New artist exhibits monthly

Syd Entel Galleries

247 Main St., Safety Harbor 727-725-1808

sydentelgalleries.com

The Art Lofts

Florida Craftsmen Galleries

(second floor)

10 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-504-8788 theartlofts.com

By appointment only

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery

2323 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-254-6981 woodfieldfineart.com

Through March 4 – Cousins: Oil & Water

ARTS PERFORMING

Amalie Arena

401 Channelside Dr., Tampa 813-301-2500 amaliearena.com

March

3 – Blake Shelton

4 – Rauw Alejandro

8 – Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

10 – Greta Van Fleet

23-26 – Disney On Ice

28 – Eagles

31 – Marco Antonio Solis

American Stage

Raymond James Theatre

163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg 727-823-7529 americanstage.org

March

3-5 – Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival (at James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art)

23 – Eaglemania

April

12-May 14 – Ragtime

Asolo Repertory Theatre

5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 800-361-8388 asolorep.org

Masks required inside building

Through March 5 – Silent Sky

Through March 26 – Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers

Through April 13 –

Chicken & Biscuits

March

15-April 22 – Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

405 Cleveland St., Clearwater 727-791-7400

rutheckerdhall.com/capitol-theatre

Through March 1 – Lyle Lovett

March

2 – Ones: The Beatles #1 Hits

3 – Gino Vannelli NEW DATE

8 – Pablo Cruise

9 – Alan Doyle w/ Chris Trapper

12 – Spyro Gyra

13 – The Righteous Brothers

14 – The Moody Blues’ John Lodge

17 – Martin Sexton

18 – Eric Johnson

19 – Joanne Shaw Taylor

22 – Gordon Lightfoot

25 – Rick Wakeman

31 – Space Oddity: The David Bowie Experience

April

1 – Gaelic Storm & The High Kings

2 – The Monkees Celebrated by Micky Dolenz

7 – Jimmie Vaughan

14 – Jake Shimabukuro

15 – CAL: The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper

21 – Home Free

22 – My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy!

23 – Leonid & Friends

27 – Hoodoo Gurus

May

4 – Cream of Clapton Band

Bininger Theater

Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-867-1166 eckerd.edu/theatre

Catherine Hickman Theater

5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1070 mygulfport.us

“May neighbours respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you.”

– Irish Proverb

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

UPCOMING

March 3 — Ninth Annual MUSE Awards

$125 and up, 7-10pm, Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd St. S. Sponsored by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the MUSE Awards celebrate the diversity of the arts and culture in St. Petersburg. Winners will be announced in the categories of Ambassador of the Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Patron of the Arts, and Art and Technology. www.stpeteartsalliance.org

March 3-4 — Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert

$52.50 and up, March 3, 7:30pm/March 4, 2pm, Straz Center, Tampa. Ron Spigelman will conduct The Florida Orchestra in performing the score live while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. www.strazcenter.org

March 3-4 — HOB Brewing Music & Craft Beer Festival

$6 (beer tickets)/$80 Fast Pass VIP tickets, 4-10pm Friday/noon10pm Sat-Sun, Edgewater Park, Dunedin. A two-day music and beer experience with craft vendors, food and more. www.hobbeerfest.com

March 3-5 — Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival

$100 (all access), James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave. A collaboration between the museum and American Stage, the festival will include readings of plays currently in development and conversations and forums with working artists. Regina Victor will be the keynote speaker Friday night. www.americanstage.org

The plays, and their playwrights, will be:

• Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto

• Mestiza, or Mixed by Melissa Leilani Larson

• Decolonizing Your Mind with Walter Mercado by Jayne Deely

• The Figs by Doug Robinson

• Lati-NO! by Miguel Muñoz

• After Orlando by Madeline Sayet (pop-up performance)

March 4 — Gulfport’s Pink Flamingo Home & Garden Tour

$25/$30 at door, check-in begins 10am. The 2023 Home Tour takes you through Gulfport’s popular Garden District to view homes with architectural styles ranging from bungalows to mid-century Florida ranch homes.

March 4-5 — 53rd Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Free, 9am-5pm, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa. The festival will showcase more than 250 artists and their work. It will also feature the works of local young artists and a weekend full of live entertainment

March 10 — Listening Room Festival Showcase

$45/$100 (VIP), 7:30-10pm, Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Hear intimate stories and uplifting songs in a “listening room atmosphere” from Ariella, Peter Mulvey, A Tale of Two, and Jeffery Straker. The VIP after-party will feature The Rough & Tumble. Festival runs March 9-12, with house concerts each day. www.listeningroomfestival.com

March 10-12 — 54th Annual Pow Wow Festival

$20-$50 (three-day wristband), 9100 113th St. N, Seminole. Enjoy three days of carnival rides, food vendors, carnival games, and live entertainment. Sponsored by the Seminole Recreation Department.

Central Park Performing Arts Center

105 Central Park Dr., Largo

727-587-6793 largoarts.com

March

3-12 – 9 to 5

15 – The Irish Comedy Tour

26 – LP & The Vinyls

29 – The New York

Rockabilly Rockets

30 – The U.S. Stories

April

6 – Majesty of Rock: A Journey & Styx Tribute

Coachman Park

301 Drew St., Clearwater 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com

A venue of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.

Scheduled to open July 21 with performances by Michael Franti & Spearhead

Early Bird Dinner Theater

13355 49th St. N, Clearwater 727-466-5998

earlybirddinnertheater.com/site

March

9-April 23 – Mom’s Gift by Phil Olson

Eckerd College International Film Series

All films free to the public, 7pm Miller Auditorium, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-867-1166

eckerd.edu/international-cinema

March

10 – An Elephant on a Spider Web

31 – EO

April

7 – Close

14 – Dos Estaciones

Eight O’Clock Theatre

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793

eightoclocktheatre.com

March

3-12 – 9 to 5

Floridian Social Club

687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-322-4600

floridiansocialclub.live

March

3 – The Black Honkeys

4 – Steeln’ Peaches: An Allman Brothers Revue

12 – Aurela Gace w/ Edon Molla, Kafkasso

Francis Wilson Playhouse

302 Seminole St., Clearwater 727-446-1360

franciswilsonplayhouse.org

Through March 5 – Gypsy

March

30-April 9 – Private Lives

freeFall Theatre Company

6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-498-5205 freefalltheatre.com

March

3 – Varla Jean Merman’s Ready to Blow

24-April 23 – Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Gulfport Casino 5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport 813-840-3715

mygulfport.us/recreation/casino

Weekly dancing/instruction

Gulfport Community Players Back Door Theater

1619 49th St. S, Gulfport gulfportcommunityplayers.org

March

23-April 2 – Crimson Sails musical

Jannus Live

200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-565-0550 jannuslive.com

March

5 – Ballyhoo

11 – Steel Panther

14 – They Might Be Giants

17 – Sabrina Carpenter

18 – Moe

24 – The Winery Dogs

25 – Get the Led Out

26 – Bryce Vine

28 – Polyphia

30 – The Efferusphere Is Here

April

1 – Elderbrook

2 – Nothing More

3 – JXDN

5 – Lorna Shore

8 – The Polish Ambassador

11 – Skinny Puppy

12 – Wage War

13 – Umphrey’s McGee

14 – Masego

15 – Molchat Doma

M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa

(Music Acting Dance Theatre of Tampa)

@ The Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 madtheatre.com

Manatee Performing Arts Center

502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton 941-748-5875

manateeperformingartscenter.com

March

2-12 – Company

18 – Sinatra: The Musical

April

5-23 – Driving Miss Daisy

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union

Amphitheatre

Florida State Fairgrounds

4802 US Hwy. 301 N Tampa 813-740-2446

midflorida.com/amphitheatre

National Theatre Live

Eckerd College, Miller Auditorium

4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Performances in HD campusce.net/eckerd/course/ course.aspx?catid=159

March

11 – Much Ado About Nothing

Patel Conservatory

1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, Dance / Theater / Music / Adult Classes 813-222-1002 patelconservatory.org

Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center

4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park 727-369-5746

pinellas-park.com/161/ Performing-Arts-Center.com

March

4 – Doobie Brothers Tribute

11 – Red Corvette: Prince Tribute

April

15 – Heart & Led Zeppelin Tribute

Raymond James Stadium

4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa 813-350-6500

raymondjamesstadium.com

March

18-19 – Innings Festival

April

13-15 – Taylor Swift

Ruth Eckerd Hall

1111 N McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-791-7400

rutheckerdhall.com

March

2 – 114 Years of Broadway

3 – Trixie & Katya Live!

4 – Doo Wop Reunion

5 – The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute

12 – Little River Bands w/ Lords of 52nd St.

15 – TFO: Divine Inspiration

19 – A Carpenters Tribute

19 – Harry Potter vs. Star Wars

23 – Steve Miller Band

25 – Johnny Mathis

30 – R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

April

1 – Paul Anka

2 – Barbara Eden

7-8 – On Your Feet

13-14 – The Price is Right Live

15 – Postmodern JukeBox

16 – TFO: Wild West

17 – Styx

18 – Indigo Girls

19 – George Benson

20 – Wilco

21 – Billy Idol

23 – Cats

26 – TFO: Making Waves

26 – Natalie Merchant

27 – Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

28 – Steve Martin & Martin Short

30 –TFO: Sinatra and Beyond

May

7 – TFO: Mendelssohn’s Elijah

10 – TFO: The Power of Music

12 – A Tribute to ABBA

13 – Joe Gatto

Safety Harbor Art & Music Center

706 Second St. N, Safety Harbor 727-725-4018

safetyharborartand

musiccenter.com

March

10-11 – Will Evans

17 – Tall Trees

23 – Blood Brothers

24 – Ariella

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

5223 Orient Rd., Tampa 813-627-6649

seminolehardrocktampa.com

March

7 – Cheap Trick

16 – Iliza Shlesinger

20-21 – Aaron Lewis

23 – Michael Bolton

28 – Skid Row & Buckcherry

30 – Pop Evil

April

2 – Ricardo Montaner

Skipper’s Smokehouse

910 Skipper Rd., Tampa

813-971-0666

skipperssmokehouse.com

March

10 – Church of Cash

23 – Nick Schnebelen Band

30 – Rolling Stones Tribute

31 – The Red Elvises

April

7 – Uncle John’s Band

14 – Reckless Kelly

Corey Avenue Market MARKETS

By Susan Schiber

FLOWER POWER Spring is always in the air on Sundays at Corey Ave Market! Bright blooms to brighten up your day! Sunflowers, tulips, roses, carnations ... something different every week!

PIck up a pre-made bouquet, design your own, or just purchase that single rose to make yourself and somebody else smile.

Meet our flower vendors, who alternate weeks, in front of Chill restaurant.

Lucy with Florafete believes it isn’t a party without flowers! When she is not at the market, she is out there offering wreathand bouquet-building tutorials at your home or anywhere you choose. Lucy also offers an array of floral services including pop-up bouquet bars, bouquet subscriptions, and events. Find out more @florafetestpete or www.florafete.com

Annette with Poise flowers loves to create unforgettable memories! Her booth at the market is always filled with bright blooms and her signature eucalyptus bundles! Committed to excellence, she offers a unique and one-on-one approach to your floral needs creating spectacular memories. Find out more @poiseflowers or www.poiseflowers.com

Follow the market www.facebook.com/coreyavenuemarket, Instagram @coreyavemarket or www.tampabaymarkets.com

Market hours: 10am-2pm, Nov.-May / 9am-1pm June-Sept.

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

St. Petersburg City Theatre

4025 31st St. S, St. Petersburg

727-866-1973 spcitytheatre.org

Oldest continuously operating community theater in Florida since 1925

March

17-26 – All Shook Up

Stageworks Theater

1120 E Kennedy Blvd., West Bldg., #151, Tampa 813-374-2416

March

2 – Ilana Glazer

3 – Girls Gotta Eat

7-11 – WineFest 2023

12 – Hollywood Awards Night

22 – Chelcie Lynn

April

11 – Chris Distefano

15 – Rob Schneider

Tarpon Springs Cultural Center

March 11-12 — Skyway 10K Race and Race Expo

Some 8,000 runners race 6.2 miles on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Sunday, March 12. Runners have already been selected by lottery, but spectators can watch the race at the Race Expo in Lot 7 of Tropicana Field. The expo, which will begin Saturday, March 11, will feature live music, vendors, food and drink among other activities. Race proceeds support the Armed Forces Families Foundation.

March 11-12 — 48th Annual Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival

$5, 9am-5pm, Craig Park, Tarpon Springs. One of the largest juried art festivals in Southwest Florida, the festival hosts over 150 artists from around the United States. FREE shuttle service from Tarpon Tower back parking lot, 905 E Martin L. King Jr. Drive.

March 18 — Historic Kenwood Artist Studio Tour

Free, 10am-5pm. Enjoy two days exploring the art and culture-filled neighborhood of Historic Kenwood where artists live and work. Some 30 artists will present their artwork at 21 homes/studios. www.kenwoodartistenclave.org/artist-studio-tour/

March 21 — afroQuantum Experiences: ArtMaker Talks

Free, 7-8pm, Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. Virtual at Facebook Live - Facebook.com/CreativePinellas. Join Artist Laureate Jake-ann Jones as she talks one-on-one with leading artists, thinkers, critics, and creators about arts and artists in the Black and Brown community and in society. 727-582-3600

March 23 — Reclamando Our Narrative Writing Series (#4)

Free, 7-8pm, Virtual only. Workshop series for the Latinx community to claim their stories, heal and connect, and participate in conversations about race equity, unity, and advocacy. Meetings are once a month through May 12. The series is organized by Mi Gente Mi Pueblo. For more information, and to register, visit the Reclamando Our Narrative Writing Series on Facebook (www. facebook.com/events/1265133814270883/?active_tab=discussion) and scan the QR code. #5, on April 15, hybrid session 1:30-4:30pm.

March 23-24 — Bob Marley

$39.50 and up, 8pm Thurs./7:30pm Fri., The Straz Center, Tampa. This Bob Marley doesn’t wear his hair in dreadlocks – he’s from Maine, and he’s a stand-up comedian. He’s also the 2022 winner of the XM/Sirius Super Bowl of Comedy. 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org

March 24 — Arts Legacy REMIX: Global Pride: A Unified Community Free, 7:30-9pm, Riverwalk Stage, Straz Center, Tampa. Authentic self-expression and experience will be celebrated in this commemoration of the Stonewall Riots. Local talented artists will be featured.

stageworkstheatre.org

March

16-April 2 When the Righteous Triumph

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827

strazcenter.org

Through April 8 – Shear Madness

March

3-4 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in concert

5 – BIPOC Play Reading Series

5 – U.S. Army. Field Band

8-26 – Wicked

10 & 12 – Pagliacci

15-April 9 – Misery by William Goldman

23-24 – Bob Marley (the comedian)

29 – Vienna Light Orchestra

29-30 – Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond

31 – Flamenco Vivo

Carlos Santana

April

1 – Taste at The Straz

2 – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4

2 – Hits! The Musical

11-16 – Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird

Riverwalk Stage

(free performances)

March

24 – Arts Legacy REMIX: Global Pride – A Unified Community

Studio Grand Central

2260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-202-7019

studiograndcentral.com

Home to the Off Central Players

March

16-25 – Native Gardens

Tampa Theatre 711 N Franklin St. Tampa 813-274-8286

tampatheatre.org

One of America’s most elaborate movie palaces

101 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs

727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

March

11 – Attention Seniors: Outsmart Scammers

26 – The Good Ole Days Sing-Along

April

2 – Flip Flop Opera: Bizet

Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center

324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs

727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

March

11 – Bachelors of Broadway

25 – Elements: the Ultimate Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire

April

1 – The Jersey Tenors

15 – Super Duos

The Mahaffey Theater

400 First St. S, St. Petersburg

727-300-2000 themahaffey.com

March

7-April 2 – Shen Yun

11 – The Florida Orchestra’s 55th Celebration

15 – One More for the Road (Bob Anderson as Frank Sinatra)

23 – Eaglemania

24 – Stars of the Sixties

25 – The Guess Who

April

12 – Theresa Caputo

The Palladium

253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg

727-822-3590 mypalladium.org

March

1 – The Tamburitzans

2 – Nina On My Mind

3 – Absolute Queen

4 – A Night of Classic Burlesque

6 – Cowboy Bebop Live

8 – Time for Three:

Palladium Chamber Series

9 – SPC Bands

10 – Listening Room

Festival Showcase

11 – Women of Jazz XVII

12 – TFO: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice & More

24-28 – St. Pete Opera: Beethoven’s Fidelio

April

1 – TFO: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4

2 – Chuchito Valdes Trio

4 – Kristy Parton & Helios

Jazz Orchestra

12 – Mile-End Trio

13 – Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Kickoff Party

The Studio@620

620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-895-6620 thestudioat620.org

Masks requested while in building

March

3-4 – Shasta Velvet at “Club Dirty”

10-31 – Ancient Warriors Artwork

10-31 – Bete Noire: The Migrant and the Mendicant, painting MFA thesis exhibition by Dr. Dallas Jackson

14 – Blah Blah Blah

Literary Open Mic

17 – Monthly Comedy Night

18 – Shopizaar 2023

20 – Radio Theatre Marches On

24 – DanceBreak Live:

25 – Opera, Tales of Passion: The Facts Behind the Fiction

29 – Monthly Poetry Open Mic

31-April 2 – Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan

April

4 – Simon Lasky Group

USF Yuengling Center

12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa 813-974-3111 yuenglingcenter.com

April

5 – The Thorn

8 – Royal Comedy 2023

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941-953-3368 vanwezel.org

March

1 – Chicago Symphony w/ Riccardo Muti

3-4 – Sarasota Orchestra: Gershwin, Berlin & Friends

6 – 113 Years of Broadway

7 – Pilobolus

8 – Temptations & Four Tops

9 – The Mikado

10 – Kenny Loggins

12 – English Chamber Orchestra

13 – Town Hall: Jose Andres

14 – On Your Feet!

16 – Ireland with Michael Live

17 – Sarasota Orchestra presents Emperor

20 – Andy Sandberg & Broadway

Friends in Concert

21 – Gordon Lightfoot

26 – Michael Bolton

27 – Buffalo Philharmonic

28 – Jay Leno

29 – Paul Anka

31 – Sarasota Orchestra presents A Hero’s Life

April

3 – Thomas Friedman

5 – Gaelic Storm & The High Kings

11-16 – Mean Girls

West Coast Players 21905 US 19 N, Clearwater 727-437-2363 wcplayers.com

March

10-26 – Unnecessary Farce

Zubrick Magic Theatre

1211 First Ave N, Suite 101, St. Petersburg

Performances Thur.-Sat. 7pm; Sun. 2pm 866-ZUBRICK (866-982-7425) zubrickmagic.com

Voted “Best Family Magic Show”

MUSEUMS

Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

2240 Ninth Ave. S, St. Petersburg One City Chorus – Mon. 7pm woodsonmuseum.org

March

13 – Can We Talk?

Florida Holocaust Museum

55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg 727-820-0100 flholocaustmuseum.org

Through Aug. 27 – Lukasz Baksik Matzevot for Everyday Use

Through Aug. 27 – Memories of My Life in a Polish Village: Testimony in Art by T oby Knobel Fluek

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa 813-221-2222 fmopa.org

New location

Glazer Children’s Museum 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-443-3851 glazermuseum.org

Created specifically for children 10 and under.

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

March 24-April 23 — Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

$45-$55, 2pm/7pm, freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. www.freefalltheatre.com

March 25 — Dunedin Seafood and Music Festival

Free admission, noon-9pm, Olde Bay Café, 51 Bay St., Dunedin. Friends, family, kids, and pets will enjoy Edgewater Park’s marina views and eclectic downtown vibes. Music will be provided by Steve McNulty, Aubrey Wollet, and Jericho Turnpike.

March 25 — Gulfport Art in the Yard

Free, 10am-4pm, throughout Gulfport. More than 70 artists will showcase their original art in their yards. Sponsored by the city of Gulfport.

March 25-26 — Tampa Bay Throwdown Corn Hole Tournament

Free admission, 10am-7pm, Raymond James Stadium tailgate site, 3401 W Heiter St., Tampa. Sponsored by Shipyard Brewing Co, this is a regional qualifier for the American Cornhole League Florida. More than 60 teams will compete for $7,000 in total prize money. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Gramatica Family Foundation. Hosted by ACL Cornhole pro Mike Ferreira. A food truck and alcoholic beverages will be available. Team registration $80 in advance; $90 day of. Contact Mike Ferreira, 727-991-2872, or mferreira741996@ gmail.com. A celebrity ProAm will be held March 25.

March 26 — BBQ & Blues Vendor Fest

General admission, noon-5pm, Tropicana Field Lot 4. Grab some BBQ and enjoy the tunes! Sponsored by Saturday Shoppes.

March 29-30 — Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond

$55 and up, 7:30pm, The Straz Center, Tampa. Acclaimed choreographer Joya Kazi will present an exploration of Indian music from the vibrant costumes to the “ghungroo” dancing bells. Journey from the soundstages of Bombay’s enormous film industry to India’s royal palaces and sacred temples to the swaying voices from desert villages and modern stages. 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org

March 30-April 1 — Tall Ships

Port of St. Pete, Tall Ships Challenge® Gulf Coast Series! Catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on 2023 fleet of tall ships. Enjoy fine festival foods and food trucks, craft beers, music, street performers and festival marketplace. www.tallshipsstpete.com

April 1 — Taste at the Straz 2023

$95/$175 VIP/$2,000 tables, 6pm VIP admission/7pm general, various locations in and out of Straz Center, Tampa. This annual eat-and-drink extravaganza on Tampa’s Riverwalk provides the Bay area’s best food, craft brews, cocktails and more while supporting the artistic endeavors of the Straz Center. Multiple stages of live music. Tickets online at www.strazcenter.org, box office, or 813-229-7827.

April 1-2 — Pinellas Pepper Fest

Free, 10am-5pm, England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. Spicy contests and music. Sauces, BBQ, spices and more. Pet and family friendly.

Great Explorations

Children’s Museum

1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-821-8992 greatex.org

First Sun. of month open special hours for special needs families. Families with a SNAP, EBT, or WIC card get in free every Tues. Limited hours.

Gulf Beaches Historical Museum

115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-552-1610

gulfbeachesmuseum.com

Gulfport History Museum

5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport Free admission 727-201-8687 gulfporthistoricalsociety.org

Henry Plant Museum

401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-254-1891 plantmuseum.com

Live classical music performances every third Thur.

Most Sundays – Upstairs/ Downstairs at the Tampa Bay Hotel

Through March 5 – Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition

Heritage Museum

100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

History and culture of the Greek community

March

2 – A Macro Look at Microplastics

April

6 – District Overview & Water Conservation Tips 8 – Folk Rock Revival

Imagine Museum

1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-300-1700

imaginemuseum.com

Contemporary American Studio Glass, Thur. $5 after 5pm

John & Mable Ringling

Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota 941-359-5700 ringling.org

Mon. – Free admission all day

Thurs. – Art After 5

Through March 26 –

June Clark: Harlem Quilt

Through April 2 – The Marvellous Marbling of Matsui Kosei

Through May 28 – Gods and

Lovers: Paintings and Sculpture from India

Through Jan. 7, 2024 – As long as there is sun, as long as there is light. Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art

March

18-Sept. 4 – Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

600 E Klosterman Road., Tarpon Springs

727-712-5762 leeparattner.org

Through March 12 – Structure of Prints: The Dorothy Mitchell Collection

Through May 21 – The Palladium

Series: The Other Side of Dance

Through June 25 – Herb Snitzer: In the Present

April

1-30 – State of the Digital Arts PCS student exhibition

Museum of the American Arts And Crafts Movement

355 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-440-4859 museumaacm.org

Sun. Film Series – 12:30/2pm

Daily Arts and Crafts-inspired films

Museum of Fine Arts

255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-894-4638 mfastpete.org

Thur. $10 after 5pm

Cocktails & Collections third Thur. Through March 26 – Rodin and The Age of Impressionism

Through May 21 – Images Private and Public c.1500-1800

Through June 25 – Unexpected Visual Conversations

National Comedy Hall of Fame Museum

2435 U.S. 19, Holiday 727-541-7876

nationalcomedyhalloffame.com

Closed, museum expansion underway

Safford House Museum

23 Parkin Ct., Tarpon Springs

Restored Victorian home built in 1883 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

St. Petersburg Museum of History

335 Second Ave. NE

St. Petersburg

727-894-1052 spmoh.com

Watch “Ancient History for Kids” on YouTube!

Happy Hour with the Historian:

March

4 – Trolley Tour

9 – Happy Hour with the Historian: “Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy”

10 – Craig Pittman Cat Tales: The Wild Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther

11 – Walking Tour

April

14 – Kerry Kriseman: Accidental First Lady – On the front lines (and behind the scenes) of local politics

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre, Pinellas Park. 727-579-8226 tbauto.org

Tampa Bay History Center

801 Old Water St., Tampa 813-228-0097

tampabayhistorycenter.org

Walking tours of Tampa neighborhoods

Through April 2 –

Kitschy Cartography

March

1-31 – Hillsborough County

Women’s Hall of Fame

4-Oct. 15 – Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird

April

12 – Duckwall Annual Lecture

15 – Key West and the Florida Keys

Tampa Museum of Art

120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-259-1720 tampamuseum.org

Thur. 4-8pm –pay-as-you-will admission

Through March 26 – Highlights from the Karam Collection

Through April 16 –

All in Favor: New Works in the Permanent Collection

Through April 16 –High School Art Competition

Through July 9 – Travels in Italy: A 19th Century Journey through Photography

Through Aug. 27 – Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Perez Collection

Through June 30, 2024 –

Purvis Young: Redux

Tarpon Springs Railroad Depot

Historical Museum

160 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs Free admission 727-943-4624 tarponspringsarea historicalsociety.org

The Dalí Museum

One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg 727-823-3767 thedali.org

Thur. and Fri. reduced admission after 5pm

Advanced-purchase timed tickets recommended Through April 30 –The Shape of Dreams

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-892-4200 thejamesmuseum.org

Tues. $10 all day

Through May 14 – The Stories They Tell: Indigenous Art and the Photography of Edward S. Curtis March

3-5 – Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival (w/American Stage)

USF Contemporary Art Museum Institute for Research in Art

3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa ira.usf.edu 813-974-3503

Through March 4 – Poor People’s Art: A (Short) Visual History of Poverty in the United States

USF Graphicstudio 3702 Spectrum Blvd., Ste 100, Tampa Free admission 813-974-3503 graphicstudio.usf.edu/GS/ gs_about.html

MUSIC

Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

Mon. Night Jazz Jam, 7-9pm, Hangar Restaurant, 540 First St. SE, St. Petersburg, aldowningjazz.com

New Horizons Band of Gulfport Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport Novice, intermediate musicians 727-345-0285

newhorizonsbandgulfport.org

March

25 – Pinellas Community Festivals of Bands

SPORTS

Gulfport resident Nikita Johnson has a need for speed. He and his brother Kai are on the race car circuit in the U.S. and abroad and he just returned from a successful run in Europe. In the March 3-5 Grand Prix, Johnson is the USF 2000 presented by Cooper Tires rookie driver of the No. 17 VRD Racing. Not bad for a 9th grader with a 4.0 GPA!

He’s been racing since he was five, starting off first with karts in the U.S. and Italy, always winning and moving up. At age 13, he was the youngest F4 Champion in history. Nikita’s 2023 goals are to win the USF 2000 Road to Indy Championship and scholarship and place top 3 in the European FIA Formula 4. His home track is Sebring International Raceway, and he already has sponsorship from Walkers Cay Resort, Allen Exploration, Tiger Precision Products and PSA Check Charity.

His track record is impressive. In 2022, he finished third in the inaugural USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires title chase with three wins, seven additional podium finishes and two pole positions. Johnson also contested a partial season in the Cooper Tires USF 2000 Championship, qualifying among the top five in seven of his eight starts and earning a best finish of second at Portland International Raceway and was a USF Juniors YACademy Winter Series Champion.

In 2021, the cool cat was a Legends Road Course World Champion, third-place oval (asphalt) and won an F4 Homestead YACademy Race and a F3 and Indy Pro track records at Homestead (unofficial). In 2020, he set the Legends track record at Lincoln, Penn., on the dirt oval (all classes) and was second in the National Championship dirt oval.

On his bucket list: “I want to earn a Rolex Daytona 24 Hours watch,” says Johnson. “And to be the next American in F1.” His racing hero is Max Verstappen but he is also a Tampa Bay Lightning fan. When he’s not racing, he enjoys your typical Florida pastimes such as spear fishing, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, working out and is an avid animal lover. Follow him on Facebook at nikitajohnsonracing.

ARTS & LEISURE

School of Rock St. Petersburg

2401 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Guitar, drum, singing, keyboard/ piano lessons 727-871-7625 schoolofrock.com

South Pasadena

Community Band

All-volunteer band 727-515-5407 southpasadenaband.com

April

13 – Free Concert in Hibiscus Hall

St. Petersburg College

Gibbs Campus Music Center 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-341-4360 spcollege.edu/events

March 9 – SPC Concert Band & Wind Symphony Concert, Gibbs Campus

Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society

Cove Cay Golf Club

2612 Cove Cay Drive, Clearwater sdjs2022.org

March

12 – The Midiri Brothers

19 – Davy Jones Hot Jazz Orchestra

Tampa Bay Symphony

Performances in various locations 727-827-8087 tampabaysymphony.org

TomKats Jazz Orchestra

The Blue Parrot Mon. 7-9:30pm

85 Corey Circle, St. Pete Beach 727-368 9619 tomkatsjazzorchestra.com

Greg Dunn, Tomkats Music Dir. dunngsje@verizon.net 727-637-4123 tomkatsjazzorchestra.com

OPERA

Metropolitan Opera: HD Live Miller Auditorium, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Live high-definition broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera 727-864-7600 campusce.net/eckerd/course/ course.aspx?catid=156

March

18 – Lohengrin

April

1 – Falstaff

15 – Der Rosenkavalier

Opera Tampa at Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org

March

10-12 – Pagliacci

Sarasota Opera House

61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota 941-328-1300 sarasotaopera.org

Through March 24 –

Madama Butterfly

Through March 25 –Don Giovanni

March

11-26 – Ernani

17-25 – Therese

April 8 – Grand Statements

11 – Fireworks 15 – Grand Friendships

St. Petersburg Opera Company 2145 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-823-2040 stpeteopera.org

Various performance locations

March

24-28 – Fidelio (Palladium)

St. Petersburg Opera Guild stpeteoperaguild.org

April

15 – 2023 Young Adult Vocal Competition

The Pinellas Opera League Socialize and be entertained first Wed. October-June

Thur. Opera at the Dali pinellasoperaleague.com

ECO

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg 727-893-7326 stpeteparksrec.org/ boydhillpreserve

Tram Tours Sat., guided tours, classes. Encompasses Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center, Terry Tomalin Campground, and Pinellas Pioneer Settlement

Brooker Creek Preserve 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs 727-453-6800 brookercreekpreserve.org

Tram Tours Sat.

8,700 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods.

Fort De Soto Park

3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-552-1862

pinellascounty.org/park Campgrounds, ferry services to Egmont and Shell Keys.

Seven miles of beach, historic fort, two fishing piers (Bay Pier closed through winter 2023).

Tampa Bay Watch

Discovery Center

700 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, at The St. Pete Pier 727-291-4103

tbwdiscoverycenter.org

Daily boat tours of Tampa Bay ecosystem

Weedon Island Preserve 1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-453-6500 weedonislandpreserve.org

Guided hikes, birding, and photography tours.

GARDENS

Florida West Coast

Orchid Society

Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo 727-420-7230 fwcos.org

Second Thurs, 7:30pm, visitors

welcome. Educational classes

March

11 – Orchid repotting clinic

Garden Club of St. Petersburg

500 Sunset Dr. S, St. Petersburg 727-381-8920

gardenclubstpetersburg.org

Monthly special events

Ikebana International St. Petersburg Chapter 65 500 Sunset Drive, St. Petersburg (Garden Club building)

Ikebana – centuries-old art of Japanese floral arranging. ikebanastpetersburg.com

Monthly demonstrations

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

1534 Mound St., Sarasota 941-366-5731 selby.org

Through June 25 – Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature

Pinewood Cultural Park

12520 Ulmerton Road, and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo

Includes:

• Heritage Village – Free 21-acre

living history museum pinellascounty.org/heritage

• Creative Pinellas –creativepinellas.org

March

21 – AfroQuantum Experiences: Artmaker Talks

• Florida Botanical Gardens –Free 100-acre park flbg.org

First Sat. –

Historic House Concert Series

Second Sat. –Speaking of History Series

Third Sat. – Gardens open 7am-5pm; Creative Pinellas open noon-5pm; Heritage Village open 10am-4pm

March

25 – Florida Native Plant Symposium

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg

Adult and child

horticultural workshops

727-892-5715 sunkengardens.org

March

5 – Flamingo Festival

16 – Florida’s Carnivorous Plants

Talk and Plant Sale

April

2 – Orchid Festival

FERRIES

Crossbay Ferry

Connecting Downtown Tampa Aquarium Wharf to Downtown St. Petersburg Vinoy Basin

Wed. through Sun., October through May 727-273-5932

thecrossbayferry.com

Egmont Key Ferry

Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

Pirate Water Taxi

Hop on, hop off, 14 stops along the Hillsborough River and Tampa Riverwalk. 813-223-7999

piratewatertaxi.com

Shell Key Ferry

Fort De Soto Boat Ramp

727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

See website for overnight camping

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

“A light exists in Spring, Not present in the year at any other period, When March is scarcely here.” – Emily Dickinson

ARTS & LEISURE

LIBRARIES

Gulf Beaches Public Library

200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach 727-391-2828 gulfbeacheslibrary.org

Gulfport Public Library

5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1074 mygulfport.us/gpl

St. Pete Beach Public Library

365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-363-9238

Monday/Wednesday 10-8

Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 10-6

Saturday 10-2 Sunday closed

Topics in American History: 1st Tues.

Mayor’s Open Office: 2nd and 4th Mon

Feature Films: 3, 6, 17

Book Club: 3rd Thur

Tech Help: 2nd Mon

Adult Crafternoon: 4th Thur

Donut Happy Hour: 2nd Tues

Concert Series: 3/1, 3/8

Talking Books Library:

Children’s Programs

Story Time: Tues

Family Movie Night: 13

Family Crafternoon: 3rd Tues

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Book Club: 4th Tues

Home School Social: 2nd Thur

Story & STEAM: 3rd Sat spblibrary.com

President Barack Obama

Main Library

3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-893-7724 splibraries.org

Closed for renovation

MARKETS

TUESDAYS

Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market

9am-3pm, January through April 9am-2pm, May through December Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S, Gulfport

Second Tues. Clothing Swap, Moved to Russian Club, 2920 Beach Blvd. S visitgulfportflorida.com

WEDNESDAYS

Madeira Beach Market

November through May 10am-2pm 15000 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach

FRIDAYS

Treasure Island Friday Market December through April, 9am-2pm Community Center Park (behind Walgreens) 104th Ave. & Park Place, Treasure Island. Free parking, live music. Pet friendly. 727-360-4121 islandneighborschamber.org

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Dunedin Downtown Market 9am-2pm, Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Fri. market November-May; Sat. market year-round. facebook.com/ DunedinDowntownMarket/

SATURDAYS

Market in The Bluffs

9am-2pm, second Sat., September through May 2747 Sunset Blvd., Belleair Bluffs Outdoor market facebook.com/marketinthebluffs

St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market

October through May, 9am-2pm

Al Lang Stadium parking lot, 230 First St. SE, 727-455-4921 saturdaymorningmarket.com

SUNDAYS

Corey Avenue Sunday Market 10am-2pm/Summer 9am-1pm Corey (74th) Avenue, St. Pete Beach 727-498-8778 tampabaymarkets.com

Indian Shores Sunday Market

October through April, 9am-1pm

Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-300-6551 facebook.com/ IndianShoresSundayMarket/

SPIRITUAL

Sacred Lands

1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg 727-347-0354

sacredlandspreservation.org

Drum circle first Fri.; Sun. tours, meditations, special events

Soothe Our Souls (S.O.S.)

4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-360-7411 sootheoursouls.org

Provides complimentary sailing for seriously health-challenged people and their support groups

Spiritual Conditioning Program

153 107th Ave., Treasure Island

Pat Jano at 727-324-9222

Small group Bible study

ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center (formerly Alligator Attraction)

John’s Pass Village, 12973 Village Blvd. A-D Madeira Beach, 727-329-8751 kissagator.com

Explore, learn & kiss a gator

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 727-441-1790

cmaquarium.org

Rescue, rehab and release Home of Winter and Hope, stars of Dolphin Tale I & II

Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-273-4000 flaquarium.org

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota 941-388-4441 mote.org

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-391-6211

seasideseabirdsanctuary.org

Free. Donations accepted. Tours.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa

One mile west of I-275 (exit 48) 813-935-8552 zootampa.org

Through April 30 – Bugtopia

CLUBS-SERVICE/SOCIAL

Gulfport Lions Club

Second and fourth Tues. 6:30pm Gulfport Lions Clubhouse

4630 Tifton Dr. S, Gulfport 727-709-6694

facebook.com/Gulfport-Lions-Club

Pass-A-Grille Shuffle Board

January through March

Tues./Thurs./Sat., 10am–noon

Pass-A-Grille Park, Ninth & 10th Ave. Member $20/yr., open to public.

Preserve The ‘Burg 727-824-7802

preservetheburg.org

Works to educate, advocate, and celebrate all things related to St. Pete’s history.

Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches

Tues., Noon. VFW, 12901 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach facebook.com/RotaryGulfBeaches/

Second Saturday Singers

Second Sat. October through April, 9am–noon Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th St. S, St. Petersburg

Sing songs you love, ages middle school and up bobd@pccumc.org

Senior Solos

Second Mon. except July and August, 1pm, Pinellas Park Senior Center, 7625 59th St. N, Pinellas Park. Social group of singles 50+ 727-369-5694

pinellaspark.com

Social Club of St. Petersburg 2500 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. Bocce, cards, and social events. Open to the public on Mon. and for special events.

majordl050@aol.com

727-798-6355

socialclubofsp.org

St. Petersburg Audubon Society

727-753-9731 stpeteaudubon.org

101+ Years Conservation

St. Petersburg Chess Club

540 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Open every Fri. for members from 6-11pm; Sun. 2-4pm for group chess lessons and friendly games. Individual lessons available. chessclubjoy.webs.com

727-776-5583

ARTS & LEISURE

St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club

330 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg

November to April, Mon., Wed., and Fri. 9:30am. Free lessons available.

727-344-4240/ 416-410-7671 stpetersburglawnbowling.org

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Fri., 7-10pm, Free.

559 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg 727-822-2083 stpeteshuffle.com

Suncoast Bonsai Society

Third Sat. 10am

Seminole Recreation Center 9100 113th St., Room 210A, Seminole

Demos, workshops, evaluations. Bring your own tree. One of oldest bonsai clubs in Florida. 727-209-7974 suncoastbonsaisociety.org

Suncoast Quilting Circle

Works to preserve and promote the art of quilt making. suncoastquiltingcircle.org

Swiss Club

Second Sat. 11:45am, October through May 12425 Sixth St. E, Treasure Island Augie – 727-522-0771 swissclubstpetersburg.com

Tampa Bay Surface Guild

Second Mon., 6:30-8:30pm Good Samaritan Church

6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park Coloring, patterning, structuring and transformation of fabric, fiber, and other materials surfacedesignguild.com

The Contemporaries

Support group of Members of Museum of Fine Arts. Monthly lectures, gatherings and field trips supporting contemporary artists of Tampa Bay. mfastpete.org

The Treasure Island Historical Society

Second Mon., 5pm September through May 250 104th Ave., Treasure Island 727-641-5203 facebook.com/ treasureislandFLhistoricalsociety

Treasure Islettes

Bingo Thursdays 6:30pm, Treasure Island Community Center, 106 154th Ave. Doors open 6pm. Jackpot $200-$250! Free parking, free coffee and tea. Proceeds go to charity and college scholarships. 727-270-3178 treasureislettes.weebly.com

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Flotilla 7-8, St. Pete Beach

Promoting boating safety with a 12week repeating cycle Safe Boating Program, Tues. 7pm. Start at any point in cycle. Warren Webster Building, 1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=070-07-08

Tampa Bay Women In Tourism

Third Friday, various venues. Fosters relationships, encourages growth within the industry and your business. tampabaywomenintourism.com

WordSmitten Writing Workshops

Third Sat., 1-5:30pm, $15/session 800-727-6214 ext 101 wordsmitten.com

CLUBS

–

ATHLETIC

Clearwater/St. Petersburg

Ski Club

Second Tues. 6:30pm, September to May

Mike’s Pizza & Deli Station, 13560 49th St., Clearwater. Pinellas County’s only ski club. 727-743-3108 snowshark.org

Mad Dogs Triathlon Club

Wed. night swims through summer, 6pm, Hurley Park Shelter, Pass-AGrille Beach, 1600 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach. 727-582-1910 stpetemaddogs.org

Tampa Bay Beach Bums

Beach volleyball for players of all levels. Gulfport 727-437-2867

Facebook

St. Pete Road Runners

Member of Road Runners Club of America. Walkers, joggers, noncompetitive & competitive runners.

ARTS & LEISURE

YOGA

Beach Yoga Pinellas

Various locations

727-222-6476

Beachyogapinellas.com

Salty Souls Yoga

Various locations

727-459-9178

saltysoulsyoga.com

Silver Sneakers Yoga

Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach 727-363-9245

Fri. at 11:15am spbrec.com

South Pasadena

Gentle Yoga NEW

Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am. South Pasadena City Hall, 7047 Sunset Drive S. Chair or mat option. Instructor has 40+ years experience. barbmoeller1@gmail com or 856-296-3647. Free/donation.

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-560-7317

Mon. & Wed. 10:30am

The Centre of St. Pete Beach 7525 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach 727-258-2001 thecentreSPB.com/calendar1

• Wake Up My Body

Mon. & Sat. 9-10am Hatha Yoga Wed. 6-7pm Mindful Slow Yoga. wakeupmybody.com

• St. Pete Aerial Yoga AM & PM Aerial Yoga Class options. Beginners welcome. Private sessions and group parties available. Reservations required stpeteaerialyoga.com

• Prism Wellness Yoga

Tues 3:30pm – Hatha Yoga Thurs 9:30am – Mindful Meditation Reservations required prismwellnessandyoga.com

Monthly meetings, guest speakers, coaching, group runs, Grand Prix Series and social events.

HEALTH

Depression Bipolar Support Meets at various locations and times. 727-410-1569 dbsatampabay.org/index.html

Jazzercise Exercise Classes Mon. & Wed. 5:30pm Treasure Island City Hall, 120 108th Ave., Treasure Island 727-687-6695 jazzercise.com

Memory Café – Gulfport

Third Mon. 12:15-2pm

Neptune Grille, 5501 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. Support for those suffering from dementia and their loved ones. RSVP 727-327-0167 sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571 catemcarty@gmail.com

Memory Café – St. Petersburg

Second Mon. 11am-1pm

Carrabba’s St. Pete, 1951 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. RSVP 727-327-0167 sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571 catemcarty@gmail.com

Walking Club & Memory Café

Third Fri. 10-11am group walk Tyrone Square Mall 11:15am-1pm

Memory Café at Red Robin, 2468 Tyrone Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, RSVP 727-345-3581 sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571 catemcarty@gmail.com

Wednesday Walkers

Second and fourth Wed. 9am, varying locations. Sponsored by Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1244

VOLUNTEERING

AARP

Various volunteer opportunities aarp.org/giving-back

Daystar Life Center

1055 28th St. S., St. Petersburg Many volunteer opportunities available. 727-825-0442 facebook.com/DaystarLifeCenter

Empath Health

Suncoast Hospice

Locations throughout Pinellas County. Training provided. Ages 14+ years. empathhealth.org

Friends of Strays

2911 47th Ave. N, St. Petersburg Nonprofit, no-kill shelter 727-522-6566 friendsofstrays.com/home

Hope Villages of America, Inc.

Positions needed at Food Bank, Haven of RCS, Grace House, Thrift Store. Helping families of hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence. 727-443-4031 ext 506 rcspinellas.org/Volunteer

Marine Exploration Center

Looking for volunteers who are passionate about the marine environment. 727-209-7115 mecstpete.org

Meals on Wheels

13945 Evergreen Ave., Clearwater Need volunteer drivers to deliver meals. 727-573-9444 neighborly.org

State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of FL, 14250 49th St. N, Suite 4000, Clearwater.

Help abused, abandoned, and neglected children 727-834-3493 guardianadlitem.org

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance 100 Second Ave. N, Suite 150, St. Petersburg

Help advocate for the arts, empower artists and drive arts-related economic development. In-person and virtual volunteering opportunities. 727-754-6404 stpeteartsalliance.org

St. Petersburg Free Clinic 863 Third Ave. N, St Petersburg 727-821-1200 ext 114 stpetersburgfreeclinic.org

Tampa Bay Watch 3000 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-867-8166

tampabaywatch.org

I sla D el s ol & T I erra V er D e

2 - 5-6oz Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

1 lb. Extra Lean Ground Beef

2- Center Cut Boneless pork chops

2 Pork or Chicken Dijon

1 lb. Bacon or Sausage

2 - Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

2 - Chicken Cordon Bleu or Other Chicken Rolls www.BaywayCountryStore.net

Do Your Hurricane Shutters Need Some TLC? Outstanding Shutter Maintenance, Repair & Cleaning Protect Your Investment www.TheShuttermanFL.com, email theshutterman727@gmail.com or call 727-810-4606 NOW!

www.dignitymemorial.com/

funeral-homes/st-pete-beach-fl/beach-memorial-chapel/9761

If you have not been in the newly renovated chapel for a Celebration of Life lately, please stop by.

Prepare to be surprised.Serving our community with funeral and cremation services for over 80 years.

CLASSIFIED

ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES

David J. Strickler, CPA, PA, djscpa1@aol.com 727.906.9600

BACKGROUND CHECKS

King Background Screening

Since 2006. Tenant & employee background checks. Full credit report, nationwide criminal, and nationwide eviction. $50 See website for full details. KingBackgroundScreening.com

Denise Anderson - Owner Call/Text 941.284.4612

KingScreening@gmail.com

BODY SCULPTING

Medically supervised targeted weight loss with EMSCULPT at Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

CAREGIVER

In-home aid, dementia/companion care, meals, laundry, groceries, pets, appointments. St Petersburg / S. Pinellas. References available. Maritza Palmucci 813.230.9392

COMPANION

Call Joyce Vorns with Rachel’s Angels for kind, compassionate care like family. From meals and bathing to shopping and laundry. jvorns@gmail.com 727.768.7547

COMPUTERS & VIRUS REMOVAL

Pinellas Family Computer Service

PC & Mac Technician for your home or business. Stephen Johnson A+ sjohnson@pfcs.biz 727.803.0219

DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY

Home Pick-up & Delivery-Dry Clean, Wash-Dry-Fold, Alterations, Patio Cushion Cleaning, Shoe & Handbag

Repair, Pick-up 2x weekly Sacino’s Cleaners sacinoscleaners.com 727.471.0573

Residential, Commercial Linen & Maid Services

MNC Cleaning Service

Stop in 9-4 at 7863 Blind Pass Rd. or call 727.826.0133

Laundry Wash - Dry - Fold Service

Laundromat 7815 Blind Pass Rd., SPB, call Laura 727.458.1412

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELERS

Quality Construction with a woman’s touch. vanselowdesign.com

Master Certified Kitchen & Bath

Remodeler, Green Certified Professional 727.391.2959

Schedule a FREE Consultation TODAY

HEALTH & FITNESS

Ancient Healing Acupuncture & Herbs

Seasonal Allergies, Hip & Back Pain

April Wang 727.384.4826

Certified Chinese MD, (Tyrone Area)

6600 31st Terrace, St. Pete

Worried About Your Memory?

Alzheimer’s Association –

Offers FREE & Confidential

Memory Screenings, CALL to schedule 727.893.5657

HAULING - DELIVERY

HB Hauling Demo, junk removal, dump trailer rental & more. 727.793.5816

Hot Momma’s Hauling does pick-ups and delivery, including shell, sand, and pavers. Trailer rentals, junk removed, clean outs. Call Ashlie 727.678.3156

LetMommahelpyou.com

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Gulfport Nutrition - 5012 Gulfport Blvd. S., Cardio Drumming Classes. Call Marlene for Info 305.619.9734

HEARING CARE

Pasadena Hearing Care

Anne S. Carter, Ph.D. 727.329.8852

Don’t let Hearing Loss impact your life. HELP WANTED

Sacino’s Formalwear is hiring quality tailors, sales associates & management trainees. Join our expert team today! Resume to rons@sacino.com

HOUSEKEEPING & CLEANING

Dependable European Lady15+yrs exp., High Quality, Reasonable Rates, References. 727.564.1473 11/23

Reasonable cleaning. Homes, windows, offices. Experienced and insured. Pinellas county. 727.259.3558

Laddy’s Cleaning Service - on the beaches over a decade 727.430-8826

Laundry Wash Dry Fold Service

Laundromat - 7815 Blind Pass Rd, St. Pete Beach. Some Pickup/Delivery Available. Call Laura 727.458.1412

Cleaning Is Our Passion - Maids, Maintenance & More. Steadfast, Reliable, Best of Beaches service for 25+ years. L/B/I 727.363.1074

Home & Office Cleaning -

Experienced,Efficient European Cleaning LadyFree Estimates, Great local references 10+ years Irina 727.481.1364

INSURANCE

Academy Insurance - Full LinesFlood -Residential & Investment Property Specialist Call Rose rwainwright@academyins.net 727.343.0419

Bentley DeNight Insurance Services can save $$$ on Flood Insurance and can quote Homeowners, Auto & Business Insurances 727.344.4500

IV THERAPY

Medically supervised IV Infusions at Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

JEWELERS

Diny’s Jewelers - Custom Designs, restoration & repair; appraisals & more! 130 107th Ave., Treasure Island (N of Clock Tower) DinysFlorida.com 727.513.3469

LOCKSMITH SERVICES

COVID SAFE Lock Repair Service during daytime hours, weekdays. Vet owned. Tommy Locksmith 727.755.3975

LUMBERS

Need wood to match your old house? If it isn’t in stock, ask if we can make it for you. Anderson Lumber 666 49th St. S 727.321.3111

MARINE CONSTRUCTION

Island Marine Construction - Docks, Boat Lifts, Service, since 1997. Licensed Marine Contractor, C-8463 727.363.7282

MASSAGE SERVICES

2Reds Massage (MM37417) is growing brand new treatment rooms open for medical massage or complimentary therapies. Great location for St. Pete and south beaches. Call Marsha Jo 2redsmassage.com 727.278.1175

Helios Health – Scott (MA-25432) & Zoe (MA31664) offer massage, personal training and Infrared sauna therapy on West Central Ave. @ 57 St., St. Petersburg 727.322.8883

MEMORY CARE

Memory challenges are complex. Let’s figure them out together. We take care of Moms and Dads.

Inspired Living at the Ridge inspired.living.care

A purpose-built memory-care facility on high ground. Join us for an upcoming Dementia Live interactive presentation 727.231.5396

PAINTING SERVICES

Residential or Commercial Painting

Flo-Pro Painting 727.337.6888

PAYROLL SERVICE

For 1-50 employees. Competitive. Employee Retention Tax Credit Consultant. Get your application filed! Jack.Welsh@Payrollvault.com

Payroll Vault 727.424.4044

PERSONAL CHEF

Hire a French personal chef and enjoy dinner with your guests!

Text or call 571.435.5606

Custom Meals and Delivery

Andrea Dudley 813.541.8437

PET SERVICES

CBD for Pets - Natures Pet Herbals has a variety of CBD Hemp based products for you and your pets. The Centre@StPeteBeach carries Natures Pet Herbals for your pets and top quality CBD products for you!

Stop by 7525 Blind Pass Rd.

PET SITTING & WALKING

Pete’s Perfect Pet Care is a true professional. Get happy text messages from your best friend daily while you are apart. Bonded and Insured. 727.742.2599

Pete@PetesPerfectPetCare.com

PLASTIC SURGERY

Coundouriotis Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Center 727.525.9900

“Reverse the Signs Of Aging Anywhere on your body, Rebuild collagen & reduce wrinkles.”

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Make New Friends at The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay, a Watermark, Waterfront Community convenient to Paradise NEWS readers. Call 727.202.3474

SCREEN REPAIR

Screen Repair for Pool Cages, Patios and Lanais, call or text for a FREE Estimate.

Rescreen Rescue 727.348.4307

SEAFOOD & BUTCHER SHOP

Shaners Land & Sea Market @ P-A-G

2000 Pass-A-Grille Way, St Pete Beach 8am-7pm, 7 days 727.367.4292

SEO & WEBSITES

Advanced Digital Media Services develops websites with SEO built-in to get your company to the top on Google. Text or call 727.509.6930

SLIDING DOOR REPAIR

Stop Struggling w/ Old Sliding Doors. We fix it to open for a fraction of the cost of a new door. We replace windows too. Lic. C1050, YouTube.com/user/SliderRepairs

Slider Repairs 727.493.2644

STUFF FOR SALE

Harleys & Corvette by Original Owners

2009 Harley Davison (HD) Softtail MC, Jet Black w/14k miles; $8,000

2017 Harley Davison (HD) Hard Candy Hot Red Flake, w/1,100 miles; $15,000

2010 Corvette Convertible 3LT, Black, w/39,900+ miles; $35,000

Always garaged! CALL 727.253.5364

Camera – Samsung WB35 Compact Digital 12X Zoom – 16.2 MP Gently Used Take great photos and share them easily 727.644.1270

TERMITES

Cameron Termite & Pest Control Inspections, Treatments and Tenting Camerontermite.com 727.577.0789

TOURS & TRANSPORTATION

Paradise Tours & Transportation

Call us 1st for your transportation needs. We will take you where you want to go! Sightseeing tours and transportation around Tampa Bay. 727.417.8036

BATS - Bay Area Taxi Service

BatsTaxi.com 727.367.3702

Free Beach Rides 727.776.7553

TUTORING

Portuguese & French Tutoring

Conversational-Grammar-Literature

Paristropical@gmail.com

727.303.2541

Piano lessons your home or my studio. All ages & styles, affordable, 25 years of experience. 727.688.2782

French lessons by French nativeAll levels. Text or call 571.435.5606

Reading tutor. Certified. Grades 2-8.

1:1 Zoom or in-person. 941.962.5782 actuallylearnit.com

WANTED-PIANO

Steinway Grand piano. 727.381.4400

WEIGHT LOSS

Medically supervised, overall or targeted weight loss IV Therapy Too.

Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

WELLNESS

WellCare Coach / Independent Shaklee Distributor. Build Immunity! Take Meology Assessment! On FB @WatershedVisionsWellness

Jill jkwenner@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

10 Words 10 issues $100

20 Words 10 Issues $200

Single issue or less than 10 $2.50 per word. Email: sales@paradisenewsfl.com Or call 727-363-6888.

MARCH ASTROLOGY

Thinking planet Mercury enters dreamy, psychic, creative Pisces on the 1st; catching up with the Sun and Neptune this month. This promotes exploring our inner world but challenges us in logical areas. Emotions may override intellect now so be careful in decisions. The Full Crow Moon in Virgo on the 7th brings awareness of health, duties, and work that need balancing. We can let go of illusions and denial and put work into getting results. The first of two significant planetary shifts will also happen on the 7th. Reality planet Saturn enters Pisces and works toward resolving the issues of those in need. It will also stimulate us to spend time on self-discovery.

Mid-month the cosmos becomes even more active as love and money planet Venus visits practical, sensual Taurus on the 16th and we are more conservative and patient in these areas. Energy planet Mars will be up to full speed on the 17th after its long shadow phase. Mercury moves on to quick-acting Aries on the 19th so decisions and speaking become direct. The vital and expressive Sun visits assertive, independent Aries on the 20th bringing the Vernal Equinox, or the first day of spring. And a New Moon on the 21st in Aries is heavily aspected to get us moving and doing.

The biggest news of this year and the century is Pluto’s visit to Aquarius on the 23rd where it will stay until June. The great transformative influence of this planet will be uncovering and uprooting Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and Scorpio individuals. On a global level, Aquarius is the sign of the future, technology, AI, ETs, and metaphysics. However, in June, Pluto returns to Capricorn to finish its time with that sign, Cancer, Libra, and Aries as well as the structures in government, corporations, and areas of authority.

by Bay Moorings Animal Hospital

ASTROLOGY

by Sarah Lyons - Sirius Systems Astrological Services sarahlyonsastrologer.com | 727.347.4737

“Get Sirius About Your Future”

On the 25th, Mars moves on to the home and family sign Cancer. Put energy into working through issues in these areas or disruptions will occur.

ARIES: Full moon highlights workplace and wellness concerns. You are favored and fortunate all month. Your new year begins with the Vernal Equinox; full of promise, family focus, and clearing the old and future plans.

TAURUS: Romance and children are highlighted; speculation needs moderation. Enjoy alone time or a secret retreat. Social life is active. New plans are made in private; you get busier later with short trips, conversation.

GEMINI: Home and family are in the spotlight; you take charge this month. Career is active; karmic rewards begin. Beliefs are felt intensely. Friends and social life are enjoyed with new paths opening in future directions.

CANCER: Travel is highlighted and conversations are revealing. You may question current beliefs. Superiors favor you. Equinox will bring new career options with growth possibilities. You are energized late month.

LEO: The spotlight is on finances; earning, resolving debt, and receipts. Energy goes into social activities. Relationships are sorted out to keep or let go. Travel and communication will open new doors later this month.

VIRGO: The focus is on you, taking charge, challenging authority, and clearing a path forward. Relationships bring responsibilities. Your health and the workplace endure upheaval. New options for finances enhance.

Sirius Systems Astrological Services

LIBRA: Unknown facts are revealed that modify your understanding. Health issues are attended to. Your job may add obligations; duties. New beginnings in personal and business relationships are mutually beneficial.

SCORPIO: Social events, children, and romance may bring expenses, and need attention. Home and family begin to undergo significant changes. A new welcomed direction opens with work. Wellness plans are beneficial.

SAGITTARIUS: Your career and position in life are in the spotlight. Home and family need attention; fix issues, enjoy rewards. Try to cooperate with others. Romance and children are enjoyed and bring new excitement.

CAPRICORN: Conversations are serious, siblings need support, and daily life brings duties. The focus falls on travel and education with ties to work. Financial changes begin. New plans for family and home life are enjoyed.

AQUARIUS: Finances and resources are in the spotlight with careful planning. You yourself begin to grow and release old patterns. The fun focus turns to health awareness. Daily life feels new; expansive; savored.

PISCES: Relationships are in the spotlight. Saturn brings ongoing clarity to your sign. Health and healing begin profound healing on all levels. A new beginning in earning and financial matters brings continued growth.

www.sarahlyonsastrologer.com • www. facebook.com/sarahlyonsastrologer Office: 727-347-4737 “Get Sirius about your future!”

“Astrology is a Language. If you understand this language, The Sky Speaks to You.”

– Dane Rudhyar

ENCOURAGING WORDS

By Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones

WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL

Every Season Is a Rite of Passage

Do you love the winter season or dislike it? Some might say that answer depends on their age and current geographic location. At this moment, much of the mid-western and eastern states are under siege of a major winter storm; those that live there are indeed hearty souls. As a native son of Michigan, I know how long and cold winter can be for an adult. On the other hand, I have to admit – as a kid – I loved those snowstorms. The good news is, regardless of whether you love or dislike winter, it will come and go just as every season does. Ironically, the one constant in life we can count on is change and the seasons of the year illustrate this point beautifully. We don’t have to pretend to enjoy the winter if spring is our preference but what if we could consciously embrace the season, understanding it is a prerequisite – a rite of passage – for the spring to follow. In other words, rather than denying, resenting, or railing against the season, what if we could simply allow it to be without making it good or bad, trusting that what is to come in the seasons ahead will bless us in countless ways.

And now for the metaphor: The lesson for all of us is that we too have seasons in our lives and each has its purpose; each is a rite of passage opening us to the season which follows. While some may think of the seasons of their life as the aging process

that is not what I am referring to: Irrespective of our age, and regardless of the time of year, we all go through various emotional seasons on a regular basis. There are times of light and warmth...there are times of cold and darkness...there are times of growth and expansion...there are times of letting go to prune back the barren branches of the past in order for future growth in the upcoming season.

evidenced in the simplicity and elegance with which the four seasons unfold, each unto the next, with its own unique beauty and purpose. With this in mind – and with this time of year bringing the season of winter--perhaps now offers us the perfect opportunity to, as Thoreau says, resign ourselves to the influence it offers us with no agenda...to just be open and see what this season of our life has to offer us if we remain teachable.

What if we could see the true meaning and value of the “winters” of our life knowing that they are necessary for the new life and possibilities for renewal that we know will appear in the upcoming spring of our life? For some of us, the barren landscape of our “winter” may include grieving the loss of a loved one or cherished friend or pet. For others it may mean accepting a change of lifestyle or job. For others the winter of our life may simply be a time to pull back and be in spiritual hibernation, spending quality time within the interior of our own being, communing with the Self which nurtures and sustains us and connects us with all of life.

It has long been said that if one attunes themselves to nature, great wisdom will be

Thoreau was a wise man – he lived in harmony with and witnessed nature: If we have the eyes to witness the process we’ll see that each season selflessly sets the stage for the next; you will never hear autumn complain to winter that it is unwelcome, nor see spring resist the coming of summer. Each season uniquely blesses every living thing in nature with what it needs to continue its growth and evolution as it has from the dawn of time. Nature is very skilled and accepting of the “what is” and using it to unfold the “what can be.”

The practice is to embrace whatever season you are in and accept its influence rather than deny it. Draw the value and meaning of each season of your life by honoring it, trusting and knowing that it is a rite of passage, that there is purpose in it. Perhaps most important, fully embrace the season in which you currently are, knowing that, be it pleasant or painful, winter, spring, summer or fall, this too shall pass.

Peace, Dr. Dennis Merritt

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Waterfront Condo with Deeded Slip in Anchor Cove

Dock your boat behind this beautiful updated condo in one of Tierra Verde’s favorite condos w/ high ceilings and views!

2 baths, huge pool, tennis courts.

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Incredible Views and Impeccable Luxury

Gulf breezes and some of the most astounding views in Tampa Bay from this Tierra Verde penthouse condominium.

Elegance, Luxury, and Location in Tierra Verde

Over 5155 square feet of interior space and over 11,000 sqft of total luxury living in this Monte Cristo home by Matta.

Port-cochere w/ garage fit for your car collection.

Penthouse with Deeded Slip on the Grand Canal

Incredible views from this 2295 sqft penthouse on the Gulf Coast’s premiere boating water, 20,000 lb lift, large patio.

Waterfront Living at its Best in Tierra Verde

Townhome-style condominium with views, deeded slip, garage, and so much more.

Super Cute, Updated, and Ready to Move In

One of the most affordable properties on Isla del Sol is also downright fantastic. Turn-key in Palma del Mar.

2 beds,

baths and bonus room.

beds, 3.5 baths, garage, boat slip with lift.

Mathias, Andrew Salamone, Ron Salamone, Libby Salamone