Things to Do

Music on the Water, Halloween Crafts, and Good Eats

By Jen Rimensnyder

This week’s roundup of local fun includes a lot of live music with a waterfront view, and the scoop on food and drink specials around town. Not feeling up to venturing out? Grab some takeout and do some crafts from home. Don’t forget, we’re still in a pandemic and it’s up to us to keep our community and our loved ones safe – bring your mask and keep your distance.

THURSDAY: Isabelle’s Burger & a Beer Special. Located at The Historic Peninsula Inn, Isabelle’s serves $10 burger, beer and a side of fries combo. Diners can also opt for wine, soda or iced tea. Local singer/songwriter Bill Vinhage performs on the veranda all evening. Reservations are highly recommended. Every Thursday until October 29. 5-9 p.m. 2937 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. Historicpeninsulainn.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Live music at Tutto Bene. Want to see more of Bill Vinhage? He’ll kick off the weekend on Friday at Tutto followed by Marianne & The Professor on Saturday evening. Guests can swing by for dinner and drinks while being serenaded with live tunes. The Italian bistro offers up a selection of pizzas, fat plates of pasta, antipasto and seafood, as well as gluten-free options. September 18-19. 5:30 p.m. 3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. Tuttobenegulfport.com.

SATURDAY: Red Neck Saturdays. Time to let down your mullet and have a cold one on the beach. The Drunken Clam also has beer specials and hosts Smirnoff Mondays, Margarita Tuesdays, Rumrunner Wednesdays and various specials throughout the week. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 46 46th Ave., St. Pete Beach. Drunkenclambar.com.

SATURDAY: Saturdays in September. During this week’s Saturdays in September hosted by A Friend Who Bakes and neighbors, Lida’s Jungle will be on-site with a selection of unique plants. Browse or make a dent in your wallet at Brenda McMahon Gallery, Custom House Decor and Gulfport Cigars. September 19. Free. A Friend Who Bakes, 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Unit 105, Gulfport. AFriendWhoBakes on Facebook.

SUNDAY: Waterfall Jam Session. Head over for the Sea Dog Cantina for live music by Andrew Carmouche while you sip margaritas. Diners can also take advantage of the menu loaded with Mexican-inspired eats and craft brews on draft. Every Sunday. 1-3 p.m. Sea Dog Cantina, 2832 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. Cantina.seadogbrewing.com.

MONDAY-SUNDAY: Live music at The Island Grille & Raw Bar. A trip to this restaurant is a staycation for locals and a must for tourists. Not to mention live music seven day a week. Snag bites like coconut shrimp, lobster bisque as well as eats for land lovers like wings and mojo chicken. The Island Grille & Raw Bar, 210 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde. Islandrawbar.com.

WEDNESDAY: Spooky Glass Magnets. Gulfport Public Library gets into the

THE ISLAND GRILLE AND RAW BAR Halloween spirit with this week’s virtual craft session, this one for adults and teens. The supply list includes glass stones, glue and craft paper to create spooky (or not-sospooky) magnets. Hop on Zoom or follow along on the library’s Facebook page. The library is passing out supplies beginning September 21 while supplies last. September 23. 2-3 p.m. Visit GulfportLibraryFL on Facebook for Zoom login.

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY: Live music at Bongos. Celebrate Hump Day into the weekend with live music. Drink in views of the water while holding a mojito and singing along to different acts nightly. 5-9 p.m. Grand Plaza Hotel, 5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Grandplazaflorida.com.

The Island Grille and Raw Bar

Gulport Dems Meet Virtually

The Gulfport Dems Club meets Monday, September 21 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. They’ll discuss the November election and have invited all the Democrat candidates on the ballot to join the meeting and talk about their candidacy. Get the Zoom link at facebook.com/GulfportDems or email info.gulfportdems@gmail.com.

LGBT Elder Event at Gulfport Library

EPIC Generations, a new program serving the needs of LGBTQ elders, will host an event on Friday, September 18 at the Gulfport Library in honor of National HIV and Aging Awareness Day. They will have a mobile testing unit to raise awareness about managing chronic conditions, and to offer free testing for HIV and Hep C. The event will also offer information on EPIC Generations first program, The Friendly Caller, designed to decrease social isolation among LGBTQ elders. It matches participants with trained volunteers for casual conversation several times/week with the goal of keeping elders connected to others and their community. Visit zeropinellas.org or call 727-328-5524 for more.

Pancakes!

Have you missed the famous Gulfport Lions Pancake Breakfasts? Well, good news! On Saturday, October 3, 8 to 11 a.m., the Lions Club of Gulfport, 4630 Tifton Dr. S. (behind the Gulfport Marina) will serve up their first pancake breakfast since the pandemic began. Following all CDC guidelines, Lions’ members and volunteers will serve all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, tea and orange juice for $8. Kids under 12 eat for half price. The Lions will limit seating to 50% capacity, and will also have outdoor seating and to-go meals. Lions Club of Gulfport, Florida Foundation Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization meeting the needs of those less fortunate in the Gulfport and surrounding areas. Find the Gulfport Lions Club on Facebook or call 727- 366-6341.

Check Out Gulfport’s Child Care

Kids in kindergarten through age 14 can now register for the 2020-2021 School Year Child Care Program at Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. The program provides bus transportation from Pasadena Fundamental, Bear Creek, Gulfport Elementary and Douglas Jamerson

Elementary. Hours are until 5:30 p.m. with extended hours available until 6 p.m. for an extra charge. The Recreation Center participates in the Afterschool Nutrition Program, a part of the Child Care Food Program, to provide nutritious snacks to children in afterschool programs at no extra charge. Hours of registration are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 893- 1068 for fees and registration.