Announcements

Get Ready to Deck Your Halls

Are you ready to get in the holiday spirit and brighten up Gulfport for the holiday season? It’s time for the City of Gulfport’s Holiday Decorations Contest. Santa and his elves will judge on Wednesday, December 16. No one knows what time the big red sleigh will come through, but please be ready by 6 p.m. Deadline to enter the contest is noon on December 16. There are two theme categories: general and commercial. The general theme is for single home only, and the commercial theme is for single business and professional locations, including home occupations. Stop by the Gulfport Recreation Center or City Hall to pick up an application. Call 727-893-1068 for more.

Be a Helper with CERT

They always say, “Look for the helpers.” Now, you can be one, as a member of Gulfport’s Community Emergency Response Team. CERT trains citizens to help the community during a disaster, as well as assist the city for things like traffic control during planned events. CERT meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday of the month. Call James Wright at 727-893- 1022 for more.

Virtual Learning on the Beach

St. Pete Beach Parks and Recreation offers a Virtual Learning Assistance Program at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. The program allows for smaller groups of kids, with a dedicated staff member monitoring their engagement with the PCS online curriculum. This is not a tutoring program, but oversight for children working with MyPCS online curriculum. Looking for more fun for the kids? St. Pete Beach’s licensed after school program has games, sports, homework time, swimming and more. Transportation provided from Azalea Elementary and Gulf Beaches Elementary. Go to spbrec.com or call 727-363-9245.

Operation Santa Needs Little Helpers

For 29 years, Gulfport Police Department employees have sponsored “Operation

Santa” to give toys to needy children in Gulfport. Operation Santa is successful in part due to the contributions from residents. This year they want help in the form of monetary donations, new unwrapped toys, and gift cards. It’s been a particularly challenging year for some families and your thoughtfulness will make their holiday. Call 727-893-1097 and leave a message.

Curbside Reading at the Library

Don’t feel safe going back into public places? The Gulfport Public Library has you covered at the curb! You can pick up requested materials — books, reemployment forms, tax forms, your copy of the Gabber, what have you — at the curb. You can either reserve books online, via email, or by calling the library, Pick up materials Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more details at mygulfport.us/gpl.

You Might Qualify for a Free Smoke Detector

The City of Gulfport provides free smoke detectors for elderly and lowincome households within Gulfport City limits. If you need one, please call 727-893-1059 for more information.

Senior Center Pantry Needs Donations

Got extra food? If you do, the Gulfport Senior Center Pantry needs it. They’re looking for non-perishables like tuna, peanut butter, dry cereal, pasta sauce, soups and canned meats. Any Gulfport resident 50 and older can use the pantry. The Senior Center keeps the pantry open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. If you have food to donate, drop it off anytime. If you could use food, bring your photo ID, a utility bill, or bank statement (to prove residence) and your SSI proof of income. Wondering if you can use the pantry? Call Rachel at 727-893-1231.

Got Garden?

The Pink Flamingo Home Tour is thinking outside the box for its 2021 tour or, more accurately, thinking outside the house. If you know of a garden, alley or nifty or neato outdoor feature you think the world deserves to see – or if you have one yourself – send the info along to the Pink Flamingo Home Tour organizers so they can investigate and, hopefully, add it to the 2021 tour. Email ‘em at pinkflamingo@visitgulfportflorida.com.

St. Bart’s Thrift Shop is Open

Fans of St. Bart’s Thrift Store rejoice! The store reopened its doors on Tuesday, September 22 with safety measures in place. Throughout the pandemic, volunteers have collected donations, so they have plenty to offer. The shop is ready to welcome back their regular customers with masks and social distancing. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is at 3747 34th St. S. Proceeds benefit the church food pantry.