Announcements

Drop Your Ballot at St. Pete Beach Library

The St. Pete Beach Public Library will be a ballot drop-off location for the November general election. Poll workers from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will be on site from October 19 to November 2, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are voting by mail, you can bring your completed ballot to the library instead of mailing it. Visit votepinellas. com for more.

City of St. Petersburg Ready to Restart

The City of St. Petersburg announced on Tuesday, September 29 that events will resume and public facilities – libraries, recreation centers and others – will reopen Monday, October 5. The Restart St. Pete initiative means third-party, co-sponsored and private events can resume, but must comply with guidelines from the CDC and local health authorities. Recreation center rooms will be available to rent, and gymnasiums and fitness centers can resume operations. Each center will have their own opening plan and COVID-19 procedures. Call your local center for more. St. Petersburg Public Libraries will reopen with limited hours and curb-side pickup. Visit splibraries.org for details. Find updates, resources and more at restartstpete.com.

Beta Sigma Phi Meets Again

Gamma Omega Master Executive Board will meet on Monday, October 7 at 7 pm. at the home of Val Rankin. Beta Sigma Phi is a social and cultural women’s organization and our council has eight chapters of various degrees with members of all ages. Many chapters have adjusted meeting times and locations to practice social distancing. For more, call First Vice President Joyce Powell at 727-641-1245.

A Little Help from Santa

It’s not yet Halloween, but it’s never too early to think about Santa. Gulfport’s “Operation Santa” is ready to make lists and check them twice. Gulfport residents who could use a little help with Christmas gifts for their children are encouraged to contact the Gulfport Police Department, 2401 53rd St. S., for Christmas assistance through December 18, Monday through Friday. Each family’s head of household must bring photo identification, proof of Gulfport residence, as well as the name(s) and age(s) of child(ren) living in the home. Folks must pick up gifts at the police department December 20 and 21, by appointment only. Operation Santa is also looking for donations! Any help is appreciated, and they’re looking for donations of money, new unwrapped toys or gift cards. Call 727-893-1097 to learn more.

Make Pinellas Count

America gets one chance each decade to count its entire population and the 2020 Census is your chance to make sure Pinellas gets its fair share. The census determines the size of political representation and how billions of dollars are spent on federal and local programs. Public transit, affordable housing, school lunches, Medicaid and SNAP are just a few programs that rely on census data. Your response is secure, confidential and protected by law. The short survey is a civic duty laid out in the Constitution – and vitally important to your community’s future. Take the census by mail, phone or online. Visit pinellascounty. org/census2020 for more.

Need a Mask?

The City of Gulfport hands out free masks to all who need them at two locations: the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., weekdays from 1 to 8 p.m.; and the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S., weekdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find other local mask distribution sites at covid19. pinellascounty.org.