In a city everyone calls Paradise, your home and business shouldn’t have to worry about the next storm. At FloodSafe Solution, we design custom flood protection that keeps water out and peace of mind in –fast, permanently, and right here in St. Petersburg.
– Jonathan Cruz, president and partner of FloodSafe Solution
Don’t wait for the next storm to find out your property isn’t protected. Call 727-966-2778 to schedule your free property assessment today.
Residential Flood Protection
Custom flood barrier systems and drainage solutions to protect your home’s foundation, basement, and entryways.
Commercial Flood Defense
Protect your business from water damage with engineered mitigation systems tailored to your structure’s vulnerabilities.
Water Intrusion Assessment
Detailed inspections to identify weak points in your home or building’s structure before water becomes a problem.
Custom Barrier Systems
Permanent or temporary barrier setups that activate when water levels rise ideal for high-risk zones and hurricane season.
17 Real Estate Law
10 Tree Services
Gulf Coast Property Maintenance provides tree services and more. BY
PETER ROOS
12 Dining
Want your home to skip probate? A Lady Bird deed solution. BY
DANIELLE L. VAUGHN, ESQ.
21 5 Star European Car Repair
Keep it light with sushi on hot summer days. BY
STEPHEN RAFFERTY
14 Health & Wellness
Ongoing scientific studies offer emerging insights for those on a lifelong wellness journey. BY
CLAIRE BRINSDEN JORDAN
16 Hanging Around: Poland
Discovering ancestry, architecture, and culture in Europe. BY
CARON SCHWARTZ
Potter’s Precision Imports repairs high-end import vehicles with advanced diagnostics and highly trained service technicians. BY PETER
ROOS
24 Artists Spotlight
Where the Jimmy Buffett Party Never Ends: Parrotheads gather for Fins Up Forever 2026 BY
ANDREA MARTONE
29 Music Scene
The 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday at Coachman Park Oct. 15-18 BY
NANETTE WISER
On the cover: Roseate Spoonbills in St. Petersburg, Florida August falls right at the start of their post-breeding dispersal, making late summer and fall the absolute prime season to encounter them in the St. Pete region. Local birding experts even note that they are more common here during this timeframe than at any other point of the year. www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/birds-of-florida
Hurricane Guide: www.pinellas.gov/hurricane-guide
Alert Pinellas: Sign up to receive emergency notifications by text, phone, or email. www.pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas
Know Your Evacuation Zone: Find your evacuation zone before a storm threatens and keep it with your emergency plan. www.KnowYourZoneFL.com
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Private, Peaceful, Protected
Discover Marina Bay in St. Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community. Just seven minutes to downtown and seven minutes to St Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Condominiums of Marina Bay redefine luxury and provide resilience by building to Fortified Standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models
• FORTIFIED™ Construction for the utmost protection against hurricanes and extreme weather
• Featuring unparalleled design and construction that far exceeds building code requirements.
• Concrete block construction all floors
• Natural gas cooking and generators standard
• Private elevator from garage to living level
• Impact windows and doors
• Two pools, day dock, fishing pier, fitness room
• Deep water boat slips no bridges to the Gulf
To the builder of Marina Bay, it’s EVERYTHING.
Marina Bay is the FIRST community in Pinellas County to receive the FORTIFIED Gold™ designation.
To thearchitects andbuildersof MarinaBay,it’s EVERYTHING.
FORTIFIED™ goes beyond code, meaning FORTIFIED™ Construction far exceeds most building codes and improves the performance of buildings against natural disasters and reducing the risk of personal property losses.
Buildingto FORTIFIED means creatingresilienthomesthat willbetterwith-standsevere weather.
FORTIFIED goesbeyond code,meaningitexceeds mostbuildingcodesby improvingtheperformance ofbuildingsagainstnatural disastersandreducingtherisk ofpersonalpropertylosses. HOW IMPORTANT IS SAFETY TO YOU?
PUBLISHERS MESSAGE
Welcome to the Aug.-Sept. issue, our second bimonthly each summer. If you are reading a printed copy, we are also online at www.paradisenewsfl.com. Our online team emails a FREE weekly newsletter each Thursday to a growing list of subscribers. Find this week’s under the weekly tab and enter your email to be added to the list. We welcome new advertisers this issue Craig Munroe’s Gulf Coast Property Maintenance, Dr. Jamie Todd who opened Shoreline Animal Hospital, where Dr. Rose’s St. Pete Beach vet office was for years, at 6650 Gulf Blvd. Dr. Todd has expanded her practice from the highly respected Court Street Animal Hospital in Clearwater, and Sunbiz Construction. Yoga Teacher Jeanne Salvo will be back from Nov. to May, at Pass-a-Grille Community Church.
We moved back into our fully renovated bungalow 15 months after Helene flooded and Milton damaged the roof of our home and office on St. Pete Beach. Since we lost most of our furniture in the flood, we have been carefully choosing replacements and are still “settling in.” Meanwhile, with sounds of recovery construction continuing all around us, our focus has turned toward protecting our home and our health.
I had already outlived my parents, when I switched Medicare Advantage plans this year to get Dr. Colin Chan as my PCP (Primary Care Physician). Reputedly one of Tampa Bay’s top diagnosticians, I challenged Dr. Chan to predict what was going to kill me and when. After a high PSA score on a blood test, he ordered an MRI, then a biopsy by urologist Dr. Nicholas Laryngakis of Florida Urology at Orlando Health Bayfront and ultimately, my Humana HMO Medicare Advantage plan paid for my successful robotic cancer surgery (at Moffitt) May 21st. After an abnormal reading on an in-office EKG, in March, Dr. Chan also sent me for a heart CT scan and calcium score from South Tampa Cardiology. After a super high calcium score, Dr. Chan had ordered a CCTA scan to see where I needed stents. The first opening was June 4, six weeks later. I got the result June 11.
Dr. Chan prescribed nitroglycerin to carry with me and sent me to the cardiologist. Dr. Gregg Shuyler had just ok’d me for my cancer surgery. I got an appointment the next day. After a quick look at the scan results Dr. Shuyler checked the operating room schedule on his computer and asked what I was doing early Monday morning. By noon on the 15th of June, after less than an hour, I had a stent in an artery that badly needed it and just a bandage on my wrist as a souvenir. Curiously, Shuyler’s partner, surgeon Andrew Rosenthal said my “heart had already done its own bypass.” He found another place that needed the stent. I am so thankful to Dr. Chan for quickly finding the two things that could have caused me to suffer, or worse as I get older and to refer me for expert care. Cardiologists Gregg Shuyler and his partner, surgeon Andrew Rosenthal represent Orlando Health at Bayfront and Crossroads. I met with Gregg at the new Orlando Health “Crossroads” facility you have seen advertised in Paradise News that was built near Tyrone, where the County Clerk outpost used to be. The successful cardiac catheterization and stent placement was done at the James Heart Center at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital complex in DTSP. I’m thrilled to say that Orlando Health hosted both my biopsy and heart catheterization and the facility and staff were amazing, as was Moffitt Cancer Center.
The Tampa Bay area has some excellent healthcare providers. I am also pleased to say I am pretty satisfied overall with the Humana HMO Medicare Advantage plan we are in. Enough about me. We finally got a break in late July from desert-like weather for a reminder that it is storm season. Thank the Lord for the rain. Be safe and enjoy it. In October, we return to a monthly frequency.
www.ParadiseNewsFL.com
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Paradise NEWS
Volume 32 Number 7 • Aug./Sept. 2026
PUBLISHERS
Peter Roos | Marketing & Sales
813.230.3965
sales@paradisenewsfl.com
Renee Roos | Creative Director 727.421.0341 info@paradisenewsfl.com
ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Janet Nummi info@janetnummi.com
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE MANAGER Kaeley Dawson paradisenewsfl@gmail.com
EDITORIAL
Caron Schwartz - Art News & Hanging Around Buddy Baker - Arts & Leisure / Events
Emergency care that’s in the neighborhood, and on your side.
Have a plan and find a location.
Fast emergency care starts with a plan.
Scan the QR code to find an Orlando Health ER location near you, with a dedicated team when you need them the most.
TIDBITS
Stay in the know all month long – scan the QR code or head to www.paradisenewsfl.com to subscribe to our weekly emails, and you can read the full Tidbits at www.paradisenewsfl.com/ tidbits-as-2026
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America –St. Petersburg chapter, invites you to an elegant evening of inspiration, entertainment, and community support at their dinner and musical Extravaganza on Saturday,
Sept. 26 from 5-8:30pm at the University of South Florida, University Student Center Ballroom, 200 Sixth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Tickets $75 (QR Code or) through Eventbrite. For information, contact 727-896 2355 or stpetesicklecell@verizon.net, Checks may be mailed payable to: SCDAA–St. Petersburg Chapter, Inc., P.O. Box 14141, St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Each year Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber invites locals and visitors to a personal “taste tour” at Taste of the Beaches. Grab your friends and family and enjoy signature dishes from a variety of local restaurants from Tierra Verde all the way up to Clearwater Beach. Each $10 ticket gets you whatever taste is offered by
a restaurant of your choice; but buy a few tickets, because you have eight days to try as many restaurants as you want! At the end of the event, a portion of proceeds goes to a local nonprofit. Please email Tina@ tampabaybeaches.com for sponsorship information and more details on how to get involved. It kicks off at a free concert in St Pete Beach’s Horan Park Oct. 2. The Taste of the Beaches runs Oct. 3-11. You can peruse the participating restaurants and the tastes they offer online at www.tampabaybeaches.com. Stop into the chamber office at 6990 Gulf Blvd. in late September and purchase a bunch of taste tickets to share.
Beach Safety Reminder
Before heading into the Gulf, check for rip current warnings, watch the flags, and know your limits – conditions can change quickly this time of year. If caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to shore. Read more: www.paradisenewsfl.com/ rip-current-411
Water Restrictions
Drought conditions mean the Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended one-day-per-week watering rules across Pinellas County through Oct. 1. Residents should follow assigned watering days and conserve water whenever possible.
Fertilizer Ban
Fertilizer use is prohibited in Pinellas County through Sept. 30 to protect local waterways. Summer rains can carry nutrients into Tampa Bay, contributing to harmful algae blooms – so hold off until October.
St. Pete Celebration
Save the date: Feb. 6, 2027, for a citywide celebration of St. Petersburg’s 135th birthday benefiting the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The evening will feature dining, music, auctions, and community awards, with details coming soon.
Burger Week
Madeira Beach Burger Week returns Aug. 21–30, with more than a dozen local spots serving $10 specialty burgers. Visit Madeira Beach restaurants, track your favorites, and enjoy a week of supporting local dining.
Kerouac House Events
August brings concerts, workshops, and community gatherings to the Jack Kerouac House, including performances by Jim Lauderdale and Chuck Prophet, plus poetry and storytelling events. It’s a lively month at this neighborhood hub for creativity and connection.
Heritage Village Celebrates 50 Years of Preserving Pinellas History
Heritage Village proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026 while joining communities nationwide in commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The milestone marks 50 years since the 1976 Bicentennial movement that inspired the creation of historical organizations, preservation societies, and open-air museums dedicated to preserving local stories.
Throughout the year, Heritage Village is honoring both anniversaries with special programs, exhibits, and events celebrating five decades of collecting, preserving, and sharing Pinellas County history.
Fall highlights include:
• Sept. 19 – National Constitution Week: We the People of Pinellas; Our Split from Hillsborough County
Explore the local history behind Pinellas County’s creation and the events that shaped our community’s identity.
September Exhibit Opening:
– 50 Years of Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing at Heritage Village
This special exhibit celebrates the people, artifacts, and stories that have helped build Heritage Village’s legacy over the past half-century.
• Oct.11 – Speaking of History: William Bartram, a New Nation, and the Drifting State of Florida Literature. Historian Thomas Hallock explores Florida’s literary landscape and the legacy of early American naturalist William Bartram.
• Nov. 8 – Speaking of History: St. Augustine’s Role in the War for Independence. Historian Trevor Bryant examines Florida’s unique role during the American Revolution.
Learn more about Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary programs and events: www.pinellas.gov/ heritage-village/
Gulfport Time Capsule
Photos Now Online
Curious what Gulfport residents tucked away for the future back in the 1970s? You can now take a look. Photos from the opening of Gulfport’s 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule – unearthed on July 4 – are now available to explore online, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the people, keepsakes, and spirit of the era. The collection is still growing, with more items being
By Kaeley Dawson
added as they’re cataloged, so it’s worth checking back as this piece of local history continues to unfold. https://bit.ly/ gulfport-timecapsule
The Beach Theatre Celebrates One Year with New Membership Program
The Beach Theatre is celebrating its first anniversary on St. Pete Beach with the launch of a new membership program! For $50 per year, members receive $3 off regular movie tickets, early access to select special events, membersonly screenings, and exclusive theatre updates. Paradise News publishers Peter and Renee Roos joined the celebration as the community gathered to mark one year of the beloved neighborhood theatre’s return. www.thebeachtheatre.com
The Helm Is Growing on St. Pete Beach
Good news for fans of The Helm – the popular St. Pete Beach restaurant is getting a bigger home! The Helm is moving next door into the former Verducci’s Trattoria and Pizzeria space at 7800 Blind Pass Road, giving the restaurant nearly twice the room for guests, a larger kitchen, and a private dining area.But the original Helm location isn’t going away. It’s getting a new life as The Scullery, a community gathering spot featuring cooking classes, private events, workshops, and a curated selection of kitchen goods, home items, and local gifts. The Helm is expected to reopen this summer, with The Scullery following in late August. www.helmtampabay.com
FRANK T. HURLEY
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BALI APARTMENTS, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, second floor unit, remodeled and just a block from the beach. $2000
OAKS APARTMENTS, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, first floor end unit, parking for two cars. $1700
SUNSET BEACH, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, across from the beach, updated Kitchen, and baths, $4000
We are here to help with your rental and property management needs. Call us for an in home consultation about what we can do to help you make the most of your investment.
TREE SERVICES
Gulf Coast Property Maintenance Tree Services
Craig Munroe is one of the hardest-working, versatile and accomplished serial entrepreneurs in the area. We introduced him years ago as the force behind Salty Rim, A Slice of New York, Shark Tales, and FoCheezy, the amazing gourmet grilled cheese place that started with a food truck and then expanded to multiple brick and mortar locations. At the end of 2024, he stepped away from the restaurant world to persue business in other areas. After the storms in 2024, most of his day-to-day efforts were focused on helping folks recover from the devastation.
His “day job” is CEO of Gulf Coast Property Maintenance, which provides a number of home services including fence, irrigation, sod and property landscapes. However, the main focus is to provide dependable, reliable and quality tree services to the local community. As a certified Arborist, he and his team understand trees are one of the most valuable features of any property, offering shade, curb appeal, privacy, and environmental benefits. At the same time, they require proper care to remain healthy and to prevent potential hazards. Gulf Coast Property Maintenance supports homeowners, rental property owners, commercial clients, and associations with practical tree care solutions tailored to Florida’s coastal conditions.
One of the company’s core services is tree trimming and pruning. As an ASI Arborist, he also carries the PPQ Certification ensuring he and his teams are experienced in structural pruning, a method that doesn’t just improve the look of the tree but also regulates the tree’s health and development to ensure longevity and strength. Regular trimming helps improve the appearance of trees while also encouraging stronger growth and better structure. Removing weak, dead, overgrown, or crossing branches can reduce the risk of breakage during heavy rain and high winds. Strategic pruning also allows more sunlight and airflow through the canopy, which can benefit both the tree and the surrounding lawn or landscape beds. Craig says his teams like to employ precision tree trimming, aimed at helping trees thrive, and minimizing the number of trimming trips required.
Gulf Coast Property Maintenance also assists with tree removal when a tree is dead, diseased, storm damaged, leaning, or located too close to buildings, driveways, utilities, or other structures. Safe tree removal requires planning, equipment, and experience, especially when large limbs or trunks must be handled in tight spaces. The company focuses on completing removals carefully while protecting the surrounding property as much as possible.
By Peter Roos
Stump grinding and stump removal are important follow-up services that help restore the usability and appearance of a yard. Old stumps can attract pests, create tripping hazards, interfere with mowing, and make landscaping projects more difficult. By grinding or removing stumps, Gulf Coast Property Maintenance helps clients reclaim outdoor space and prepare areas for sod, mulch, planting, or other improvements.
Because Florida properties are frequently exposed to thunderstorms, tropical weather, and hurricane-season risks, storm preparation and emergency cleanup are also key parts of professional tree service. His qualified staff can help identify branches or trees that may pose a risk before severe weather arrives. After storms, they can assist with fallen limbs, damaged trees, debris removal, and general property cleanup so owners can return their landscapes to a safer, cleaner condition.
For managed properties, reliable tree service is especially valuable because it supports tenant safety, preserves property value, and helps prevent small maintenance issues from becoming costly emergencies. Whether the need is routine trimming, hazardous tree removal, palm care, stump grinding, storm cleanup, or ongoing landscape maintenance, Gulf Coast Property Maintenance offers practical service with attention to detail, safety, and curb appeal. Their goal is to keep properties looking professional while protecting the people, structures, and outdoor spaces that depend on healthy, well-managed trees.
Visit them online at www.gulfcoastpropertymaintenance.com and complete a “Get In Touch” card or call 727-870-0123 or email info@gulfcoastpropertymaintenance.com. Be sure to say “Paradise News sent me.”
DINING
As we all try to enjoy the summer, it can be a little stifling at times and this can affect our appetite. But we must eat and therefore I’ve always found sushi to be a perfect choice on such days.
BASIL LEAF
Tucked away on Gulf Boulevard, Basil Leaf Sushi has built a reputation as one of St. Pete Beach’s most reliable dining spots. This modest but consistently enjoyable destination offers something different than many beach settings: freshly prepared Japanese food served with consistency and care. It is a spot I’ve both made plans to attend but also popped in when needing something light and fresh on the beachside, and I’ve always left with a great experience.
Presenting a menu that is broad without feeling crowded, Basil Leaf offers sushi and sashimi alongside Japanese favorites and Thaiinspired dishes. Gyoza and seaweed salad make a solid start, but the specialty rolls are the highlight, built with fresh ingredients that let the fish stand out without relying on heavy sauces or gimmicks. There is plenty for diners who want more than sushi. Teriyaki dishes, curries, and noodle bowls are all well executed, and seafood remains a strength throughout. The food is straightforward, well prepared, and satisfying.
Service is attentive and the staff know the menu well enough to offer useful recommendations. Basil Leaf stands out for quality and consistency. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and careful
preparation make it well worth a visit, whether you are stopping in for the first time or returning for a favorite roll.
6395 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach | 727-360-4000
UMAMI SUSHI HIBACHI RETAURANT AND BAR
One of my go-to spots for excellent Japanese food, Umami Sushi Hibachi Restaurant and Bar on Tyrone Blvd. is a hidden gem. In a city packed with seafood restaurants, trendy cafés, and international dining options, Umami succeeds by combining fresh sushi, lively hibachi cooking, and warm hospitality under one roof. It is a restaurant that offers both quality and variety without sacrificing either.
Featuring an impressive selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and classic Japanese appetizers along with their hibachi menu, Umami caters to a wide palate but it doesn’t feel too oppressive a task to choose your meal. Crab Rangoon, pork gyoza, and lightly seasoned edamame provide an excellent start, while the signature specialty rolls showcase fresh fish, balanced flavors, and creative presentation.
For those looking beyond sushi, the hibachi entrées are among the restaurant’s greatest strengths. Prepared with flair and precision, the steak, chicken, shrimp, and scallop combinations are generously portioned and served with perfectly cooked vegetables, fried rice, and flavorful sauces. Traditional favorites such as teriyaki, katsu,
and noodle dishes ensure there is something for every appetite, making Umami an easy choice for groups with varied tastes.
One aspect of Umami always sticks out whenever I dine there is the speed! Be prepared to have your food arrive in record time without any loss in taste or freshness. It is remarkable and something I look forward to when I need a quick bite in that area of the city. That said, I feel equally at ease relaxing and enjoying the scrumptious food and breezy environment with a large family gathering or a more formal meeting. Whichever is your reason, you are bound to leave satisfied. 3942 Tyrone Blvd. St.Petersburg | 727-800-2799
ICHIBAN IZAKAYA RESTAURANT
Along with friends and family, I’ve been going to Ichiban Izakaya on 16th St. N for years and simply never been let down. Having built a loyal following as one of St. Petersburg’s most reliable spots for authentic Japanese dining, I recommend it to anyone who wants a tasty meal but might not have the time to go downtown or to
By Stephen Rafferty
the beach. Not only will you get quality food, but the room is small without being cramped, reinforcing that this is a neighborhood locale with all the personal touches that come with it. Besides exceptional sushi, the menu reflects the variety of Japanese pub-style cuisine. Fresh sashimi and well-prepared nigiri highlight the quality of the seafood, while specialty rolls offer a balanced mix of flavor and texture. Small plates such as yakitori, karaage, gyoza, and takoyaki make sharing easy and give diners a chance to sample a wide range of dishes. It is all fresh, undeniably delectable and can be washed down with the best Thai iced tea in the city. The hot entrées are just as appealing, with succulent bowls of ramen and udon alongside crisp katsu, grilled seafood, and well-seasoned rice dishes. Portions are satisfying without being extreme, and the kitchen delivers a consistent standard across the menu. Whether ordering a few appetizers or a full meal, diners can expect careful preparation and attention to detail along with excellent service. While not in the most noticeable location, do not sleep on Ichiban if you are near it.
2050 16th St. N, St. Petersburg | 727-896-1101
eat
shop drink
Come for a visit, enjoy a Day Pass, or take the elevator home. Experience a diverse range of flavors, exciting entertainment, and the perfect getaway in your backyard.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Study Session
As the kids head back to school to fill their brains with all sorts of new information, it seems the perfect time to investigate the latest in health news. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a science nerd, so reading health-related studies is kind of my thing, but what good is this plethora of new information if no one knows about it? Ongoing scientific studies offer emerging insights for those on a lifelong wellness journey, so here is the abbreviated version of some of my favorite findings.
Sunscreen’s New Ingredient
For decades Europe and Asia have safely used the sunscreen ingredient bemotrizinol, known as PARSOL Shield, a chemical sunscreen filter. The FDA has just approved it for use in the United States, heralding a new generation of sunscreens. PARSOL Shield offers improved UVA protection, which is lacking in current US sunscreens, in addition to UVB protection. While UVB rays cause sunburn, the UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, leading to pigmentation, premature aging, and skin cancer.
The advanced broad spectrum PARSOL Shield is more stable in sunlight compared to sunscreens currently available in the US, and there is minimal absorption into the skin. It can also provide strong protection at relatively low concentrations, making PARSOL Shield sunscreens more lightweight and comfortable to wear. Consumers can expect to see new products containing PARSOL Shield on store shelves by the end of 2026. Always soak up the sun safely!
The Amazing Avocado
An avocado a day may be replacing (or joining) the apple to keep the doctor away. Avocados contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. A 2025 study found that women who ate 2-3 tablespoons (1/4 of an avocado) a day also lowered their risk of diabetes compared to those who didn’t. Another recent study showed that eating an avocado a day lowers glycemic load by slowing digestion and helping to reduce the spike in blood sugar that occurs after eating. Both studies suggest that avocado is a super food for improving meal quality and
reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes. So go ahead and order that guac!
Strength Training Sweet Spot
A new study that tracked U.S. health data over 30 years found that adults who averaged 90-120 minutes of strength training per week had a 13% lower risk of death from any cause, a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease, and a 27% lower risk of death from Alzheimer’s and other neurological disease. These benefits leveled off after more than two hours of
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strength training a week, suggesting that moderate amounts of exercise are the “sweet spot.” The study also found that those who combined strength training with cardio workouts enhanced these longevity benefits with a 45% lower risk of death than people who did not exercise at all. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to live longer!
New Non-Opioid Pain Management
In January of 2025, the FDA approved the first drug in a new class of non-opioid pain
medications. Journavx is prescribed for short-term treatment of moderate to acute pain. It targets sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system to stop pain signals from reaching the brain. Journavx offers patients an alternative to opioid pain management, which carries the risk of addiction and overdose. Because it acts on the peripheral nervous system instead of the central nervous system, there is no risk of addiction with Journavx. It also lacks the risks to the GI tract and kidneys associated with NSAIDS like Advil or Aleve. Journavx does come with some side effects, including muscle spasms, itching, rash, and elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase in the blood, and it can also reduce the effectiveness of other medications. People taking Journavx should avoid any food and drink containing grapefruit. If you have surgery coming up, ask your doctor about non-opioid pain management for post-operative pain relief.
B-12 Deficiency Mimics Aging
Our bodies only require a microscopic amount of Vitamin B-12 to support red blood cells, nerves, and DNA production. Most people who eat animal products get enough B-12 without supplementation. However,
By Claire Brinsden Jordan
B-12 deficiency is still common among adults over 50, vegans, vegetarians, and people who don’t absorb it properly due to conditions like celiac or Crohn’s disease. Symptoms of B-12 deficiency like exhaustion, weakness, or “brain fog” usually develop slowly, which is why it is often mistaken for normal aging. A 2026 study found that when cells lack enough Vitamin B-12, it disrupts DNA in the cell “powerhouse” called mitochondria and reduces cell energy production. This leads to fatigue. As a pesco vegetarian over the age of 50, I take a B-12 supplement daily. If you suspect you have a B-12 deficiency, see your healthcare provider for testing.
Science continues to gift us with new insights and invention when it comes to leading a healthy life. From the development of improved sunscreens and non-addictive pain medication to research on nutrition and fitness, there is always more to discover. I hope that sharing these findings can help you on your health and wellness journey.
HANGING AROUND
If it’s Tuesday, this must be Kaluszyn
For many of us, planning a spectacular European vacation might include Paris! Barcelona! Venice! Instead, Lenny and I spent two weeks in Poland to trace my family’s roots. We enlisted the help of Genealogy Tour (www.genealogytour.com), a Wroclaw, Poland-based travel company that does the research and provides a trip as customized as you’re willing to pay. There were seven on the tour, Lenny, me, and a family of five adults. Co-owner Tomasz was our driver and guide.
We hit typical must-see tourist hot spots: Warsaw, Krakow, Lublin, Lodz. Concentration camps: Majdanek (sad, austere), Auschwitz-Birkenau (just plain horrifying).
By Caron Schwartz
Poland was not what we expected. We knew about the Nazi horror followed by Soviet domination, so we imagined it would be bleak and dreary. What we discovered was a modern European country: clean, safe, young, vibrant.
Cities are juxtapositions of medieval architecture and modern skyscrapers. Road traffic is heavy, but vehicles immediately stop for pedestrians. Ubiquitous bike paths are crowded with Gen Zs and Millennials commuting, riding with their kids, or delivering UberEats. Wide sidewalks to protect pedestrians from speeding ebikes. Public transit is abundant and free for seniors.
We spent a day in Kaluszyn, where my mother’s ancestors flourished for generations before her parents fled pogroms in the early 20th century. Using only my mother’s maiden name, Yedwab, and state archives, Tomasz discovered she was descended from the YedwabCzapka dynasty, which translates to “silk-hat.” Grandpa was a tailor, so it makes perfect sense.
Poland’s Jewish population was destroyed by the Nazis and has not recovered. However, Jewish heritage is preserved by the state and Jewish organizations. There are also monuments commemorating the Poles who suffered and died resisting. After the Nazis, Poland was overtaken by the Soviets. In the 1980s, Poland’s Solidarity labor movement was instrumental in bringing an end to the Soviet Union.
Everyone we met was friendly to Americans, and proud to show off their country. And did I mention how inexpensive everything is? With an exchange rate of about three zloty to the dollar, Poland is quite the bargain.
I’m looking up at the Old Town Krakow city gate while the rest of the group walks ahead.
For most Floridians, the family home is their most valuable asset, and the one most likely to get stuck in probate. Many people try to avoid that by adding a child to the deed. It feels simple, but it can be a costly mistake: you’ve just given away part of your home, exposed it to your child’s creditors and divorces, and possibly triggered tax problems.
Florida offers a better tool that most homeowners have never heard of: the Lady Bird deed, formally called an enhanced life estate deed.
Here’s how it works. You keep complete control of your home for life. You can sell it, mortgage it, rent it out, or change your mind at any time, no one’s permission needed, and no one else’s signature required. When you pass away, the home transfers automatically to whomever you’ve named, with no probate, no court, and no waiting.
But wait, doesn’t a will do the same thing? Not quite. A will tells the probate court where you want your property to go, but
By Danielle L. Vaughn, Esq., B.C.S., LL.M.
your family still has to go through probate to get there. That process can take months and cost thousands in fees. A Lady Bird deed bypasses the courthouse entirely: your beneficiaries simply record a death certificate, and the home is theirs.
The benefits go further. A Lady Bird deed doesn’t disturb your homestead protection or property tax exemptions, and it’s one of the few tools that works alongside Medicaid planning. Because the transfer happens at death rather than as a lifetime gift, your beneficiaries also receive the property at its current market value for tax purposes, which can mean major capital gains savings if they later sell. Only a handful of states allow it, Florida is one of them.
There’s flexibility, too. You can name multiple beneficiaries. And because the people you name have no legal rights to the property while you’re alive, you owe them nothing if you change your mind. Sell the home, and the deed simply has nothing left to transfer, no permission slips, no hurt feelings with legal consequences.
Compared to other estate planning tools, it’s also remarkably affordable. A properly drafted Lady Bird deed costs a fraction of what a revocable living trust does, making it one of the best values in Florida estate planning for homeowners whose main asset is the house itself.
It isn’t right for everyone. Complex family situations, blended families, or multiple properties may call for a trust instead. And a poorly drafted deed can create the very title problems it was meant to avoid, this is not a do-it-yourself project.
At Vaughn Law, we’ll help you decide whether a Lady Bird deed fits your estate plan, and prepare it properly, because the wording matters.
Danielle L. Vaughn, Esq., B.C.S., LL.M. Board Certified Real Estate Attorney VAUGHN LAW, PLLC 350 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach Phone: 727-223-6080 www.dvaughnlaw.com
GULFPORT MATTERS
GECKOFEST TAKES CENTER STAGE AND HITS THE RIGHT NOTE AT 26!
It wouldn’t be Gulfport without a little theatrical flair. This year’s “Music Awards” theme invites costumed creativity across GeckoFest, the Gecko Ball, and the walking parade.
Aug 7: 11th Annual Gecko Art Show Opening, a showcase of original works by nine local artists, from bold paintings to imaginative mixed media. 6-8pm at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. Free admission. The show runs through Aug 27.
Aug 9: Gecko Crawl and Poker Run, 4-9pm. Whether you’re out to win or just along for the fun, the Gecko Crawl is a night of laughter, libations, lively entertainment, and prizes. General admission is $30; poker-only tickets $10. Tickets: available online or in person the day of the event until 3:30pm.
Aug 29: Gecko Ball, 6-10pm. Enjoy live music, dancing, a costume contest, a live auction of local art, a silent auction packed with unique items, photo ops, food trucks, BYO feast, adult beverages by donation, and the crowning of the new Gecko Queen. Held at Stetson University, 1401 61 St. S, this year’s theme is Music Awards. Channel your inner rock star, pop icon, music legend, backup dancer, record executive, paparazzi favorite, red-carpet celebrity, or just come as you are. Tickets: $40 each, or $450 for a reserved table of 10.
Sept 5: GeckoFest, 10am-8pm, 3101 Beach Blvd. S - free admission and parking. Known as one of the most vibrant street festivals on Florida’s Gulf Coast, this family-friendly event brings the community together with live music, street performances, aerialists, acrobats, magicians, fire-eaters, dancers, art, and costumed characters throughout the day. Explore dozens of vendors offering handcrafted art, crafts, and gifts, along with a mix of food and drinks - and support local businesses by shopping and dining at Gulfport’s galleries, shops, and eateries. A walking parade kicks off at 6pm, and everyone is invited to join in.
Tickets for Gecko World events can be purchased at the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, Gulfport Corner Store, and Gulfport Beach Bazaar.
FMI: visitgulfportflorida.com/event/geckofest
*This year’s Gecko World proceeds will benefit the Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation, Sonia Plotnick Health Fund, St Pete MAD, and CANDL Corps.
Parking can fill up fast on festival and market nights. There’s an easy way to get around: RIDE THE SPECIAL EVENTS GULFPORT LOOPER SHUTTLE! A free and convenient service connecting residents and visitors from off-site parking locations to key destinations throughout the city. There are trolley stops or wave it down. FMI: www.mygulfport.us/trolley for the most up-to-date schedule and route maps. 727-893-1000
Gulfport never really slows down. Between the Tuesday Fresh Market from 10am to 2pm, the First Friday and Third Saturday Night Markets from 5pm to 9pm, and everything else on the calendar, there’s always a reason to be out and about.
Aug. 15 & Sept 19, 9-11am - Tree Giveaway, Clymer Park (Greenway), 23rd Ave. S and Beach Blvd. S. Beautify your property while enhancing environmental sustainability in our community. Proof of residency is required. FMI: Parks & Facilities Superintendent, 727-893-1092
Aug. 20 & Sept. 17, 5:30-7pm - Arts & Heritage: Original Gulfport Walking Tour Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S. Stroll through history and learn about the creation of our seaside hamlet. Tour guides share the town’s history and stories; the tour starts at the History Museum, where visitors can also view historic photos. Free for members; $15 for all others. FMI: Purchase tickets in advance at gulfporthistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org
Aug. 22, 4-6pm - St. Pete Dance Presents “On Broadway”: A Ballroom Extravaganza at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. This high-energy performance celebrates the unforgettable music, choreography, and timeless stories that have captivated audiences for generations. FMI: st-pete-dance-showcase.eventcube.io/events/96482
Sept. 11, 8:30-9:30am - 9/11 Commemoration (25th Anniversary) at the Veterans Park. The city of Gulfport hosts its 7th annual 9/11 Commemoration, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This solemn gathering brings together community members, local leaders, first responders, and veterans to honor the lives lost and the extraordinary heroism displayed that day. FMI: 727-893-1118
Sept. 12, 9 am-12pm (check-in begins prior to 9am) - Fusion 49th District: Community Cleanup Meet at Trolley Market Square
Sept. 12, 6-8pm - Fusion 49th District: Laughter Is Medicine Trolley Market Square. A special evening event.
Sept. 16, 6-8pm (every third Wednesday) - Gulfport Neighborhood Watch Meeting City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. Get updates on activity in your area and learn about recent incidents, scams, and fraud. FMI: jwright@mygulfport.us or 727-893-1022
Sept. 22, 3-4:30pm - Nan Colton Brings Georgia O’Keeffe to Life at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. The Gulfport Senior Foundation invites the community to a captivating one-woman performance. Acclaimed actress, playwright, and historian Nan Colton portrays
By Marlene Shaw
renowned American artist Georgia O’Keeffe in an engaging theatrical presentation exploring her life, work, and legacy through storytelling and performance. All proceeds benefit the Gulfport Senior Foundation. FMI: Tickets available through Eventbrite (eventbrite.com)
ART UP CLOSE
· Brenda McMahon Gallery - First Friday art opening receptions with music, plus Third Friday art events and extraordinary events. FMI: brendamcmahongallery.com / 727-454-0453 / Facebook
· DRV Gallery - First Friday art openings with music and Third Friday art events. FMI: drvgallery.com / 727-382-7004 / Facebook
· Third Saturday Art Openings & Reception - Hosted by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, 5317 Gulfport Blvd. S, 4-6pm. FMI: visitgulfportflorida.com
· First Friday at the Hickman (Theater Lobby)Art Reception at the Hickman, 5501 27th Ave. S. An evening of art, conversation, and community. This monthly reception showcases local artists in a welcoming gallery setting, 6-8pm.
*FOR LIVE MUSIC, WEEKLY JAMS, AND OTHER THINGS HAPPENING IN GULFPORT, FOLLOW GULFPORT MATTERS ON FACEBOOK AND STAY CONNECTED.
LOOKING AHEAD
Oct. 3, 8-10am (registration closes Sept. 30) - Community Gulfport 5K Run/Walk at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S. The city of Gulfport invites runners and walkers to enjoy a scenic waterfront course through the downtown district. You can also support the cause by donating to the Gulfport Police Department’s Operation Santa, which provides holiday gifts to children ages 0-10. Gift cards and monetary contributions may also be donated at the Gulfport Police Department, 2401 53rd St. S. FMI: Register or donate at runsignup.com
Oct. 10 - Fusion 49th District: A Brunch of Fun Trolley Market Square
We first introduced Beverly J. Gianna to Paradise NEWS readers in the spring of 2016. Her jewelry store in Wisconsin has been successful for over 42 years. Ten years ago, Beverly acted on her dream to open a shop on our beautiful beaches. She made quite a number of long-lasting friends in town that she considers like family.
She is a highly trained, trusted, and respected jeweler that enjoys people and life. Bev is also a diamond expert with contacts in Antwerp, Belgium. She has visited them to buy diamonds directly for stock and to fill orders. Beverly’s team 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 in 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 over 42 years of experience in the industry, she can help to restore, redesign and repurpose items that have sentimental value. Jewelry connoisseurs are especially welcome to contact her. Bring in any gold or jewelry that you would like to use as a trade-in, trade-up, or sell. She offers in-house financing with deferred interest.
Call 727-513-3469 or visit her website www.BeverlyGianna.com or stop in to visit her at Beverly Gianna Luxury Jewelry & Design 6647 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
before after after
5 STAR EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR
Potter’s Precision Imports Offers Specialist Care to Tampa Bay’s European Auto Owners
For owners of European import cars, finding the right repair shop often comes down to trust, training and attention to detail. Paradise News has previously introduced Potter’s Precision Imports, a 5-star service center that has built its local reputation around those very qualities.
The independent repair shop serves the St. Pete and Tampa Bay area with a focus on high-end import vehicles: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, Sprinter Vans, Land Rover, and Jaguar (2008-present) repair.
Potter’s growth has been fueled by its acquisition of top-notch technicians, all with the same philosophy: to treat people like they matter. No auto repair is too small or too large for its team of professionals.
Tom Potter’s background includes credentials as an ASE Master Technician, Mercedes-Benz Master Technician and Mercedes-Benz Master Service Advisor and was southern regional winner in the 2009 “Stars of Service Championships at Crown Euro-Cars.”
The shop’s stated mission is to provide quality automotive repair through a team of specialists dedicated to customer satisfaction. Its operating principles include using up-to-date vehicle data and
By Peter Roos
advanced diagnostic equipment. For Tampa Bay residents who prefer an independent alternative to dealership service, Potter’s Precision Imports is a specialist shop built around technical credentials, diagnostic capability and a personal approach to import auto care.
I can vouch for them from personal experience. Tom and his team took great care of the older Mercedes Benz station wagon that served as both our personal car and the delivery truck for a pallet of Paradise News magazines each issue for years. We are looking forward to their excellent service on our newly acquired Audi TT convertible as well. They are a specialized service center for all the brands listed above, including aftermarket warranty work. If you reach out to them, please let them know you read about them in your Paradise News.
The shop, located at 4200 31st St. N, Unit D, St. Petersburg, can be reached at 727-914-8968 weekdays 8am-6pm. Visit them online at www.pottersimports.com
ART NEWS
Frank photos A Terrible Beauty | Photographers Amid Chaos is on view at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in St. Pete. Taking its title from William Butler Yeats’s poem “Easter, 1916,” the exhibition explores how artists across time have confronted trauma, strife, and destruction to make sense of a chaotic world.
https://bit.ly/mfabeauty
What’s my line? The August MFA Writer’s Workshop is Line/ Break, a workshop about why poets break a line – and what happens in the white space around it. Explore how a single shift in lineation can change the rhythm, the meaning, and the feeling of a poem. 8/20, 5:30pm. https://bit.ly/mfa-writers
Hello operator? Hankering for a rotary telephone? How about a ruff, one of those stiff, pleated circular collars you see in Shakespeare’s plays? Everything from 50 years of shows must go! Find your keepsake at American Stage’s flea market 8/7-8 at the theatre, 163 Third St. N in St. Pete. www.americanstage.org/ flea-market
Attention Dalí Museum
members During August, you can enjoy free admission to the Glazer Children’s Museum This Tampa museum, which encourages children to learn, grow, and thrive through play, is ranked one of the Top 10 Children’s Museums in the country by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. www.glazermuseum.org
Worth the trip There’s still time to see Something Borrowed, Something New at the Sarasota Art Museum. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into private collections held throughout SW Florida. The show showcases some of the most prominent artists of our time, from Louise Bourgeois to David Hockney and Ai Weiwei. Through 9/27. https://bit.ly/sam-borrowed
Art lovers tip The Sarasota Art Museum is FREE on the second Sunday of the month!
What’s in your wallet? If it’s a Bank of America credit or debit card, all the world’s a museum entrance for free. To find out what’s available in the Tampa
Bay area, or anywhere you’re passing through, check out https://bit.ly/boa-impact
Life is sweet Yours truly attended the opening of Juicy: A Slice of Florida Life, Creative Pinellas’s newest exhibition at the Sightline Gallery at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Reproductions of vintage citrus crate labels and large, blown glass fruit sculptures illustrate Florida’s identity as a tropical paradise. That’s glass artist and gallery owner Duncan McClellan explaining to me how Steve Hagan created a larger-than-life glass lime. On exhibit through 9/30. https://bit.ly/juicy-slice
Lost & found A vacationer found a painting on a Seville sidewalk and picked it up because he liked the frame. What he didn’t realize was that his find was a picture valued at $170,000 by the Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla. The owner was in the habit of putting it in the car and taking it on holiday but accidentally left it leaning against a wall and drove off. After some research, the finder
discovered the truth and police returned the painting to the rightful owner.
Tweet, tweet, tweet August is bird month at Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport. FOR THE BIRDS – An Artful Fundraiser features 18+ artists showing their “bird art.” 10% of sales proceeds will go directly to Birds in Helping Hands, a rescue organization helping birds in crisis. The show opens 8/7 with jazz singer Sasha Tuck and Mike Hoke from 6-9pm. www.brendamcmahon gallery.com
It’s about time The Art of Banksy has toured the world for 10 years and finally has arrived in Tampa Bay. The exhibition features 160 original and authenticated Banksy works including prints, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, handdrawn sketches, limited-edition pieces, and more. At the Straz Center in Tampa thru August. www.banksyexhibit.com/tampa
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. -Leo Tolstoy
Blast from the past Meet turn-of-the-20th-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests Sundays at 2pm during Upstairs/Downstairs at the hotel-turned Henry Plant Museum in Tampa. August characters include: Sergeant Henry Dobson, First Lady Edith Roosevelt, builder Henry Plant, hunting & fishing guide Arthur Schleman, and President Teddy Roosevelt. https://bit.ly/plant-stairs
Trash to treasure For the past two decades, a Grand Rapids, MI man looked after his great-grandfather’s trunk, which was filled with century-old film reels. He couldn’t interest museums or antique stores, so he donated the cache to the Library of Congress, which discovered one was a long-lost film by Georges Méliès, the French pioneer of early cinema. The one-shot, one-reel film tells a story of a robot and its creator’s struggle to control his ingenious machine.
Elvis is in the building Join the St. Pete History Museum 8/7 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first appearance in St. Pete. Bob Kealing, author of Elvis Ignited, will present Elvis’s rise to fame in Florida – including his fateful 1956 performance at the Florida Theatre in downtown St. Pete. https://bit.ly/spmoh-history
Grants available The Arts Council of Hillsborough County Professional Development for Artists (PDA) Grant Program provides support to advance the careers of artists in Hillsborough County. Artists may apply for up to $2,000 for either education or equipment.
https://bit.ly/hills-grants
Pop opportunity The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts manages a flexible grants program that has given over $300 million in cash grants to more than 1,000 arts organizations in 49 states and abroad. It has donated 52,786 works of art to 322 institutions worldwide. More info and application at www.warholfoundation.org
Arrr-tists wanted Applications are open for the 57th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. On 3/ 6-7, 2027, 250 artists will gather at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park to show their work and compete for $92,000 in awards, including
By Caron Schwartz
the $15,000 Raymond James Best in Show Award. Applications close 9/7. www.gasparillaarts.com
Brother can you spare a dime
The Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement (MAACM) presents Faces of Inequality: Depression-Era Photography. During the 1930s, photographers across the nation captured the lives of the marginalized and disenfranchised, creating images that reveal both suffering and resilience with unprecedented honesty.
https://bit.ly/maacm-faces
FMoPA film Join the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa for a showing of First Frames. The documentary follows photographer Serbest Salih, a Syrian refugee, and his mobile darkroom as he travels to overlooked communities across Turkey. The film is told mostly from the child’s perspective as they engage with photography for the first time. 8/20 at 5:30pm. www.fmopa.org
Reading room Tombolo Books welcomes back bestselling Florida-based author and friend of the bookstore Kristin Harmel to celebrate her new novel Meet Me in Paris, a book of intertwined stories of love, loss, courage, and redemption set over the course of one magical week in the City of Lights. Join avid readers at Coastal Creative in St. Pete for brunch on 8/29 from 11:30am-12:30pm. https://bit.ly/meet-harmel
Fall festival Celebrate Pinellas County’s artistic verve during Art Everywhere, a month-long celebration of culture and creativity at our beaches, parks, and city venues, organized by Creative Pinellas. Immersive installations, music, dance, and interactive pop-ups will turn the entire St. Pete-Clearwater region into an open-air gallery and stage during Nov. & Dec. Watch this space for details. https://bit.ly/fall-art-everywhere
ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT
Where the Jimmy Buffett Party Never Ends: Parrotheads Gather for Fins Up Forever 2026
St. Petersburg has been a long-standing anchor in Jimmy Buffett’s Florida story, serving as one of his earliest and most frequent performance venues on the Gulf Coast. Buffett first appeared there in November 1974 at the Bayfront Center, an indoor arena that hosted top entertainers for decades, and from the 1970s through the 1980s he returned repeatedly, often with the Coral Reefer Band, drawing crowds that quickly learned to expect beach-bum anthems rather than standard rock shows. For local musicians and beach bars, playing Buffett became almost mandatory: “You can’t play the beaches without playing Buffett,” and his songs – especially “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” – have become the unofficial soundtrack of St. Pete’s Gulf-side lifestyle.
That enduring popularity has translated into official recognition as well. In 2024, Florida created “Jimmy Buffett Day,” celebrated on Aug. 30, to honor his contributions to the state’s culture, music, and entrepreneurial legacy, and St. Petersburg remains a key stop for the Coral Reefer Band, which continues to tour under Buffett’s “keep the party going” ethos. While much of Buffett’s more detailed history is tied to Key West, St. Petersburg’s concert venues, beach bars, and Parrothead community have helped cement his music as part of the city’s identity, making the connection between the city and the artist feel as natural as the nearby skyline of the Sunshine Skyway and the warm Gulf waters themselves.
From sun bleached sandals to grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts, the most devoted Jimmy Buffett followers – those lifelong Parroheads who have turned his beachy tunes into a decadeslong lifestyle – now pack the Hotel Venezia in Venice every September for the Fins Up Forever concert, where the air smells of salt, tailgate food, and nostalgia as Gypsies in Paradise belts out “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and the signature tribute “Fins” to keep Jimmy’s party spirit roaring long after summer fades. Gypsies in Paradise is not a centuries old ethnic group, but a modern “Trop Rock” supergroup created specifically to honor the music and concert spirit of Jimmy Buffett during the Fins Up Forever tribute concerts. The name plays on Buffett’s island paradise persona while signaling that the band is a traveling ensemble of
top regional performers united for a single purpose: to keep the party going.
Who is in the band called Gypsies in Paradise?
When performing as Gypsies in Paradise in Florida, the group features:
Lucy Malia – lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, harmonica (founder of Lefty Lucy Band)
Nick DiBlasio – vocals, guitar (cofounder of Lefty Lucy Band)
Sunny Jim – 15-time Trop Rock award winner, guitarist/percussionist
John Patti – steel pan star and multi-instrumentalist
Jax Bowers – studio and live performer
Klee Liles – studio and live performer
Aloha Steve – studio and live performer
These musicians normally play in various local and regional bands (including the Lefty Lucy Band in Colorado and Southwest Florida), but they converge under the Gypsies in Paradise banner for Buffett tribute shows.
How Gypsies in Paradise Was Founded
The band was assembled by the nonprofit Fins Up Forever, cofounded by Denise Fox, to create a living tribute to Jimmy Buffett’s music and the unique tailgating, community driven concert culture he championed. After Buffett’s death in 2023, organizers wanted more than a single cover band; they wanted a rotating allstar lineup that could reproduce the energy of his legendary shows. Fox says Finns Up primary goal is to raise money for Eternal Reefs and Reef Relief. Based out of Key West. Jimmy Buffet was also a supporter. “We’re not trying to BE JB,” says Fox, “we’re trying to spread his joie de vivre and legacy and put that out into the universe to create fun, positive vibes.” Malia adds,
By Andrea Martone
“We are ambassadors of his lifestyle, his joie de vivre and his musical connection with people and his fans are missing out on this now that he’s dead. We ‘re honoring his lifestyle and his music.”
Nick DiBlasio adds, “We are stewards of Jimmy Buffett’s lifestyle and music and being able to produce this concert year after year helps us further his motto “keep the party going.”
Lefty Lucy Band, already a well-known Buffett tribute act in the Gulf Coast region, became the core. Its founders, Malia and DiBlasio, brought in Sunny Jim, John Patti, Jax Bowers, Klee Liles, and Aloha Steve – musicians respected in the Trop Rock scene – to form a larger, more versatile ensemble. In other contexts, the same core musicians may perform as Lefty Lucy or in other configurations. The project also serves as a fundraiser: proceeds from Gypsies in Paradise tribute shows support Reef Relief and Eternal Reefs, organizations aligned with Buffett’s environmental and coastal conservation interests.
“Fins Up Forever” Concerts and the Florida Tribute
The third annual Fins Up Forever Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert will be held on Sept. 4-5 at 7pm in Venice. See details below. The venue’s proximity to Venice Beach and the “Hotel Venezia” location underscore the coastal, Buffett-style atmosphere.
If You Go:
• Event: 3rd Annual Fins Up Forever Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert (these concerts sell out fast so buy your tickets now!)
• Tailgating parties pre-concert! Pack your cooler and make a night of of it!
• Date: Sept. 4-5
• Time: 7pm (doors open at 6pm)
• Location: Hotel Venezia, 425 U.S. 41 Bypass N, Venice
• Features: Full band performance, traditional parking lot tailgating, and classic hits like “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
• Tickets & Details: Book your spot or check updates directly via the Fins Up Forever Official Site
www.finsupforever.org
Email: gypsiesinparadiseband@gmail.com
Note: These concerts are not Parrothead events.
Venues are listed, alphabetically clubs 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
VOLUNTEERING YOGA
Listings for the following categories can be viewed online at www.paradisenewsfl.com
(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
Tues-Fri 9am-4pm www.beachartcenter.org
Closed for month of August
Heart of Pinellas Decorative Artists Clearwater Garden Club, 405 Seminole St., Clearwater. Local chapter of National Society of Decorative Painters 727-244-4321 www.hpdafl.com
Morean Arts Center 719 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-822-7872 www.moreanartscenter.org
Contemporary art gallery. Art classes year-round. Through 8/8 – JOYLAND: Benaiah Cusack Through 9/23 – Sugar High: 2026 Members Show Through 9/23 – It’s Been a Privilege: Ceramics from the Giordano Collection Through 9/23 – Neverne Covington: Into the Mystic
8/15-9/23 – Lines of Life: 50 Years of Figure Drawing
10/10-30 – Practice Dying: Skull & Bones Exhibit 10/10-12/31 – Shapeshifter: New and select works by Palehorse.
Morean Center for Clay 420 22nd St. S, St. Pete 727-821-7162 ext 2311 www.moreanartscenter.org
Largest pottery studio in the Southeast
Through 9/5 – Universal Narratives: A Group Show Presented by Taylor Robenalt
8/8-9/7 – Dani Lewis: Apricity 9/12-10/3 – The Contemporary Woodfire Potters of Georgia
Morean Glass Studio
714 First Ave. N, St. Pete 727-822-7872
www.moreanartscenter.org
Studio hours 12-5pm, daily demonstrations. Classes available. Closed Labor Day
Muddy Potter Art & Clay Studio 1140 Main St. #5 Dunedin 813-476-2836
www.muddypotter.info
Classes, open studio
Painting with A Twist 5625 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park www.paintingwithatwist.com
Pinellas Arts Village
5600-5800 Park Blvd. (north side), Pinellas Park. First Saturday Art Walk
5-9pm: Studios @ 5663, Saint Paint Arts, Bottles Pub, Painting with a Twist, Pinellas Park Art Society, Swartz Gallery
Pinellas Park Art Society
7770 52nd. St. N, Pinellas Park Classes, workshops, open studio 727-331-5558
Meets third Saturdays, 11am-noon www.pinellasparkartsociety.org
Saint Paint Arts
Artist/muralist Derek Donnelly 727-342-2593
Studios @ 5663
5663 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park
727-313-2250
Art gallery, event space
First Saturday Art Party www.studios5663.com
Suntan Art Center 411 19th St. S, St. Pete www suntanart.org
Classes, Art Mart every weekend 727-367-3818
Swartz Art Gallery
5609 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park 727- 421-0553 www.claytonswartz.com
Metal sculpture
The Clay Co-Op
2724 Sixth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-321-2071 www.claycoopstpete.com
Classes, workshops, kiln firing
The Hive Community Clay
2200 22nd Ave. S, St. Pete 727-290-6515 www thehivecommunityclay.com
Classes, open studio, pottery, jewelry sales
Arts & Leisure
Baker | Events, Arts & Leisure Coordinator
Treasure Island Art Guild
154 106th Ave., Treasure Island, www.treasureislandartguild.org
Weekly classes, workshops, open studio at various venues. Monthly meetings with show, awards, demonstrations. Questions to: theartguild.board@gmail.com
Veterans Art Center
6798 Crosswinds Drive N, St. Pete 813-504-3092 www.vactb.org
Using alternative therapies through art
Zen Glass Studio & Gallery
600 27th St. S, St. Pete 727-323-3141 www.zenglass.com
Classes and workshops.
ART GALLERIES
Art at 400 Studios
400 23rd St. S, St. Pete www.art-at-400.com
Where local artists go to work. By appointment, Art Walk
ARTicles Fine Art Services
Leslie Curran Gallery 1234 Dr. MLK Jr St. N, St. Pete 727-898-6061 www.articlesstpete.com
Artists of Elements
2638 Sixth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-420-7438 www.artistsofelements.com Hosts exhibitions, performances, and workshops. By appointment or Art Walk
ArtLofts
Florida CraftArt Gallery (second floor) 10 Fifth St. N, St. Pete 727-504-8788 www.theartlofts.com
Open to the public every second Saturday 5-9pm and then by appointment, or by chance.
ARTpool Gallery
2030 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-324-3878 www.artpoolrules.com
Open Tues-Sat, noon-5pm Bring your own shopping bag.
ArtsXchange
515 22nd St. S, St. Pete
Open Fri.-Sat., 11am-5pm www.warehouseartsdistrict.org
Atelier de SoSi 2380 Sixth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-370-4192 Tues-Thurs 1-5pm www.atelierdesosi.com
August Vernon Galleries 3043 Beach Blvd., Gulfport 412-953-3036 www.augustvernon.com/galleries Tues. 10am-6pm, Wed.-Sat. 11am-8pm, Sun. 12-6pm, Mon. closed
Brenda McMahon Gallery 2901 Beach Blvd. S #104 Gulfport 518-692-7742 www.brendamcmahongallery.com
Chihuly Collection
720 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-822-7872 ext 5102 www.moreanartscenter.org
Pre-purchase of tickets recommended Admission includes a live glass demonstration at Morean Glass Studio. Through 11/29 – Pattern and Pause: Matthew Szidik, Kailey Carleton and Kimberly Fahey
Big Cypress Gallery 52388 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee 239-695-2428
Cobb Gallery Eckerd College, Library Circle, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete www.eckerd.edu/visualarts/program
Craftsman House 2955 Central Ave., St. Pete www.craftsmanhousegallery.com Gallery-Café-Pottery Studio
Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center
1846 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-825-0515 www.creativeclay.org
Ongoing studio and performing arts opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
8/8 – Second Saturday ArtWalk 9/4 – First Friday Art Market 9/12 – Second Saturday ArtWalk 10/2 – First Friday Art Market 10/10 – Second Saturday ArtWalk
St. Petersburg College, 2464 Drew St., Clearwater Open Mon-Thurs: 9am-5pm; Fri: 9am-2pm
D Gallerie
1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Unit C, St. Pete www.d-gallerie.com
DRV Fine Art Studios & Gallery 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport www.drvgallery.com
Duncan McClellan Gallery 2342 Emerson Ave. S, St. Pete 813-760-6600 www.dmglass.com
8/8-10/4 – Birds of Paradise Group Exhibition (extended)
Buddy
ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS
Scan the QR code for all event listings to take with you or online at paradisenewsfl.com/august-september-2026. Sign up to receive upcoming event e-news online at www.ParadiseNewsFL.com Follow us on facebook.com/ParadiseNews
RECURRING EVENTS
First Fridays • 10am-2pm, Creative Clay Outdoor Art Market, 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg • 5-9pm, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Gulfport • 6-9pm, Concert in front of Studio Movie Grill, Seminole City Center, 11201 Park Blvd. N, Seminole
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
Saturday & Sunday • 7am-1pm Pinellas Farmers & Flea Bazaar, Win Derby, 10490 Gandy Blvd., St. Pete 1st Saturday • 8am Beach Cleanup, Archibald Park, 15100 Gulf Blvd. Mad. Beach.
2nd Saturday • 8:30am, Beach Cleanup, Suncoast Sailing, 11165 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island • 9am-2pm, Market on The Bluffs, 2747 Sunset Blvd, Belleair Bluffs. Farmers Market/craft event on the street in front of Belleair Bluffs City Hall. • The Market Marie, 10am-3pm, Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater • 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.
3rd Saturday • 10am-2pm, Crossroads Market, Crossroads Christian Church, 1645 Seminole Blvd., Largo • 10am-5pm, Creative Pinellas at Pinewood, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo • 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 • 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. 4th Sunday • Lealman Farmers Market 10am-2pm, Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N, St. Petersburg
CONTINUING
NOW REGISTERING – 33rd Annual Ride and Run with the Stars Registration is now open for the 33rd Annual Ride and Run with the Stars on 11/21, the largest law enforcement sponsored holiday fundraiser in the Tampa Bay area. The race has relocated to Safety Harbor Waterfront Park, but the traditional 5K Run, 1-mile Family Fun Run, and 10-mile Bike Ride will return. The new venue allows for the addition of a 10K Run and 62-mile bike ride. Early registration is $50 through Aug. 31; $60 after that. The Family Fun Run is $45 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under Visit www.rideandrunwiththestars.com for more information/register.
Through 9/27 – The Art of Banksy
Prices vary based on day and time of attendance, Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. Featuring more than 160 original works, The Art of Banksy is the world’s largest authenticated collection of privatelyowned Banksy art worth $35 million. The showcase features original and authenticated works associated with the most intriguing and talked-about artist in modern history. On display are prints, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, unique works and limited-edition pieces. The exhibit features iconic works such as “Girl and Balloon” and “Rude Copper” alongside some of Banksy’s lesser-known masterpieces. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/s2rkay8ytinyurl.com/yc6eaf9a
Through 9/3 – Leonard Baskin: Leaders of the Constitution, 1787 $10 donation, Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm, Leepa Ratner Museum of Art, 600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this powerful series of portraits honors the visionaries who shaped the foundation of American
Dunedin Fine Art Center 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 727-298-3322 www.dfac.org Through 8/16 – Futurology Through 8/16 – Out of Many, Still Many Through 8/16 – Underseers: Jason Lazarus Through 8/23 – Pressing On: Printmaking At the Dunedin Fine Art Center Through 8/16 – Materiality: Jim Gigurtsis and Mike Cannata Through 8/16 – Futurology 9/12 – DFAC Con
Ekeko Gallery 2620 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-685-5577
Facebook
Five Deuces Galleria 2101 & 2135 Third Ave. S, #5, St. Pete 813-489-9741
Open 1st and 2nd Sat, 11am-4pm most days + by appt.
Facebook
Florida CraftArt Gallery
501 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-821-7391 www.floridacraftart.org Sat. Mural Walk/Bike tours
FloridaRAMA
2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete Cooler than a museum, smarter than a theme park, weirder than a carnival. www.floridarama.art 8/17 & 31 – Maker Mondays 9/7 & 14 – Maker Mondays
Gulf Coast Artists Alliance St. Pete ArtWorks, 5546 First Ave. N St. Pete 727-738-8010 www.gcaa-fl.org
Art gallery, art classes and meeting place for artists
Heiress
2622 Fairfield Ave S, Bldg. 7, Studio A, St. Pete www.heiressgallery.com Contemporary gallery and art advisory
Luis Sottil Studios 400 Beach Drive NE, Suite 150, St. Pete 727-220-1567
Facebook
Mirella Cimato Art Gallery 2145 First Ave. S, St. Pete (inside St. Petersburg Opera) 727-543-9190
Facebook
Through 8/31 – Arte Italiano (in collaboration w/ Miart Gallery, Milan, Italy)
Nielsen Center for Visual Arts Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 800-454-9009 www.eckerd.edu/visualarts/program
Red Cloud Indian Arts 214 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-821-5824 www.redcloudindianarts.com Representing authentic Native American arts.
Soft Water Gallery
515 22nd St. S, St. Pete 727-327-3473 www.softwatergallery.com
Through 9/6 – Peonies in Winter: The Long-awaited Works of Nate Jessup
Stirling Art Studios & Gallery 730 Broadway (second floor) Studio 12, Dunedin Facebook
Open Thurs-Sun 11am-3pm, Second Saturdays #4 place to visit in Dunedin –Trip Advisor
Studio Jomac
320 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-430-4712
www.studiojomac.com Tue.,Thur., Sat., Sun. 10am-4pm or by appointment
The Domingo Studio 2620 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport 727-821-2315 Facebook
The Werk Art Gallery & Object Lab 2210 First Ave. S., St. Pete 727-289-8685 www.thewerk.gallery
Uniquely Original Art Studio 915 24th St. S, St. Pete 727-239-3696 tinyurl.com/mrx4c253 Original Afrocentric art, open by appointment and during Art Walk
Vince Anthony Fine Art Gallery 10611 Bay Pines Blvd. #5, St. Pete 727-401-2886 www.fineartamerica.com/art/ vince+anthony
Wild Space Gallery 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete, Bldg. 7 www.floridawildlifecorridor.org/ wild-space-gallery Open Wed-Sat 2-6pm, until 9pm on Art Walk
ARTS PERFORMING
American Stage Raymond James Theatre 163 Third St. N, St. Pete 727-823-7529 www.americanstage.org
8/7-8 – Theatre Flea Market 10/1 – Broadway by Candlelight: The Things We Do for Love (at James Museum)
Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 800-361-8388 www.asolorep.org
Benchmark International Arena 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-301-2500 www.benchmarkintlarena.com
8/7 – Mumford & Sons
8/14-16 – Monster Jam Freestyle Mania
8/22 – PFL Tampa
9/12 – The Strokes 9/18 – Zac Brown Band 9/25 – Gabriel Iglesias
10/2 – Los Tigres del Norte
10/10 – Phil Wickham
10/14 – Weezer
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
405 Cleveland St., Clearwater
727-791-7400 www.rutheckerdhall.com
8/8 – Gold Dust Woman
8/21 – Supertramp: Breakfast in America (Classic Albums Live)
9/10 – Ann Wilson
10/10 – Jimmy Failla
10/14 – Rodrigo y Gabriela
Summer Movie Series
8/14 – Stripes (1981)
8/15 – Glory (1989)
8/29 – Miracle (2004)
9/5 – Apollo 13 (1995)
Bininger Theater for Performing Arts
Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 727-867-1166
www.eckerd.edu/theatre
Catherine Hickman Theater
5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport
727-893-1070
https://tinyurl.com/bdf4drzp
8/7 – 11th Annual Gecko Art Show
8/8 – Mentalist Joshua Seth
8/22 – St. Pete Dance presents “On Broadway:”
A Ballroom Extravaganza
8/29 – Backtrack Blues Band
9/4 – Art Reception & Exhibit
9/25 –Eliza Neals Brings Electrifying Blues-Rock to Gulfport
9/27 – Nan Colton as Georgia O’Keeffe
10/2 – Art Reception & Exhibit
Central Park
Performing Arts Center
105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793
www.largoarts.com
8/15 – Clearwater Jazz Holiday
8/22 – An Evening w/ Journey’s Jonathan Cain
8/23 – Bad Co. Legacy
9/4-13 – Come From Away
Early Bird Dinner Theater
13355 49th St. N, Clearwater 727-446-5898 www.earlybirddinnertheater.com/site
Eckerd College International Film Series
Free, 7pm, Miller Auditorium, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 727-867-1166
www.eckerd.edu/international-cinema
Eight O’Clock Theatre 105 Central Park Drive, Largo 727-587-6793
https://tinyurl.com/4kavfsbb 9/4-13 – Come From Away
Ferg’s Pavilion
1320 Central Ave., St. Pete www.fergsevents.com
8/12 – Totally Tubular Festival
8/22 – Dokken / Lynch Mob w/ Deep
9/11 – I Love the 90s Tour: Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan and more
6099 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-498-5205 www.freefalltheatre.com
8/14-23 – The Sponge Bob Musical 9/18-10/4 – What a Wonderful Feeling
Green Light Cinema
221 Second Ave. N. St. Pete
508-816-8968 www.greenlightstpete.com
80-seat art house theater
Through 8/6 – I Want Your Sex 8/7-8 – Sherman’s March (4K re-release)
8/7, 9 – Remake
8/8 – Hell on Hells: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
8/14-16, 19-20 – The Samurai and the Prisoner
8/28-29, 9/2-3 – Late Fame
Gulfport Casino
5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport 813-840-3715
Weekly dancing/instruction Closed until further notice.
Gulfport Community Players
Back Door Theater 1619 49th St. S, Gulfport 727-322-0316
www.gulfportcommunityplayers.org
Jannus Live 200 First Ave. N, St. Pete 727-565-0550 www.jannuslive.com
Outdoor standing-room-only venue
8/7– Elysian Space Dust presents the Second Annual St. Pete Grungefest 8/26 – Buckcherry and Black Stone Cherry 9/2 – Rico Nasty
9/4 – Citizen
9/13 – Isaiah Rashad
9/16 – Jutes
9/17 – Robin Trower
9/18-19 – Elevation Rhythm
9/26 – Pouya
9/29 – The Format
9/30 – Loathe
10/1 – Suki Waterhouse
10/2 – Streetlight Manifesto
10/3 – Mariachi El Bronx w/ Bedouin Soundclash & Max Diaz
10/7 – Thundercat
10/8 – Cannons
10/10 – Willow Avalon
10/13 – Basement
LAB Theater Project
812 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa 813-586-4272 www.labtheaterproject.com
Produces only works from emerging playwrights.
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 www.madtheatre.com
10/9-18 – Spring Awakening
Manatee Performing Arts Center
502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton 941-748-5875 www. manateeperformingartscenter.com
8/6-16 – Fame the Musical
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
Amphitheatre
Florida State Fairgrounds
4802 US Hwy. 301 N, Tampa 813-740-2446 tinyurl.com/52rmv4ex
8/15 – Motley Crue
8/18 – Avenged Sevenfold & Good Charlotte
8/19 – Jack Johnson
8/21 – Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson
8/24 – Goo Goo Dolls
8/29 – Dirty Heads & 311
9/10 – Luke Bryan 9/11 – The Kehlani World Tour
FRIDAY OCT 16 THURSDAY OCT 15
SATURDAY OCT 17
SUNDAY OCT 18
CHRIS BOTTI KIM WATERS, JEFF KASHIWA & STEVE OLIVER
SHEILA E. & THE E-TRAIN ARTURO SANDOVAL
LARKIN POE BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION THE WOOD BROTHERS DUMPSTAPHUNK PLAYS SLY
ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS
democracy. Baskin’s compelling portraits capture 12 influential delegates of the Constitutional Convention. A selection of six portraits is accompanied by interpretive texts detailing each delegate’s role in the 1787 convention.
Through 11/29 – Pattern and Pause: Matthew Szidik, Kailey Carleton and Kimberly Fahey
Included with admission to Chihuly Collection, 720 Central Ave., St. Pete. Presented annually, this featured artist exhibition at the Chihuly Collection highlights the work of artists who create and teach at the Morean Glass Studio. Matthew teaches summer camp, intermediate glassblowing, and flameworking workshops. He describes his work as an invitation to imagination and reflection, aiming to transport viewers “out of their everyday routine and into a place of meditation.” Kimberly Fahey serves as an introductory glassblowing instructor and assistant demonstration artist. Her work combines glass and painting to explore meditation, movement and material connection. Kailey Carleton is a beginning glassblowing instructor and demonstration artist. Describing her work, Kailey says: “I am drawn to the stillness found in small, often-overlooked moments in nature and seek to evoke that quiet sense of presence within my work.”
UPCOMING
8/4-9/20 – Through Their Lens: A Journey of Self-Exploration
$12, 10am-5pm/ Sun 12-5pm/ Mon closed, The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 1630 E. 7th Ave., Ybor, Tampa. This exhibition features the work of emerging student photographers from across the Tampa Bay area. It highlights the creativity, perspective, and personal storytelling of young artists exploring identity, environment, and self-expression through photography. Drawn from a pool of 221 submissions representing 27 schools across Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas counties, the exhibition showcases 25 selected photographs alongside a selection of work by Jacob Ari Kamis.
8/7-8 – Theatre Flea Market
Free, Fri 3-8pm/Sat 9am-4pm, American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Pete. Step behind the curtain and discover hidden treasures at the first ever American Stage Theatre Flea Market! For two days only, American Stage is opening its doors and clearing out decades of theatrical magic. Browse costumes, props, vintage décor, furniture, posters, set pieces, and one of a kind finds from past productions, along with plenty of unexpected treasures from around the theatre!
8/7-9 – St. Pete Sunlit Waters Art Festival Expo
Free, 8am-6pm, South Straub Park, 198 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Pete. Dive into creativity with an exciting, vibrant, in-person outdoor experience where creativity meets inspiration. The St. Pete Sunlit Waters Art Festival Expo brings together exceptional artists, unique handmade masterpieces, and art lovers in a stunning coastal setting. Come explore incredible original artworks, connect with local and national creators, and enjoy a beautiful weekend in the park! Organized by California Event Planners.
8/7-9 – Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
$10-$23.18, 7pm/3pm on 8/9, Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N, St. Pete. What happens when all 209 Grimm fairy tales collide? Pure fairy-tale chaos! Join Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel, the Frog Prince, Rumpelstiltskin, and dozens of other unforgettable characters as they race through one wildly funny adventure filled with magic, mayhem, and nonstop laughs. This fast-paced comedy is packed with surprises and is perfect for audiences of all ages! Event by Beyond the Wings Theater. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4ypbp2en
8/7-30 – For the Birds: an artful fundraiser
Free admission, 6pm, 2901 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. More than 18 artists will show “bird art” at this exhibition where 10% of the sales proceeds go directly to Birds in Helping Hands, a rescue organization helping birds in crises. Hosted by Brenda McMahon Gallery and Carroway + Rose. On 8/15, volunteers from Birds in Helping Hands will be on hand for a conversation about their organization from 6-7pm.
9/17 – Empire of the Sun
9/23 – TLC & Salt-N-Pepa
9/24 – Wu Tang Forever
9/25 – Tim McGraw
10/3 – Treaty Oak Revival
10/8 – Logic & G-Eazy
10/9 – Bryson Tiller
10/10 – Five Finger Death Punch
Living Arts Center
1204 Rogers St., Clearwater All tickets advance sale only www.wileyhouseconcerts.org
8/15 – Kristopher James
8/16 – Bunco
9/19 – Mike Kinnebrew
9/20 – Bunco
10/10 – Sean Cunningham
10/15 – Tyler Hilton
New Tampa Performing Arts Center
8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa 813-829-2760 www.newtampaartscenter.org
9/11 – Arts Fest ‘26
OCC Roadhouse and Museum 10575 49th St. N, Clearwater 727-231-1510 occroadhouse.com
8/8 – Pet Day: Wiener Dog Derby 8/16 – Pa’La Cultura: A Celebration of Latin Music, Art & Community
8/22 Amanda Band USA: Boston Tribute 8/28 – Fleetwood Max: The Definitive Fleetwood Mac Band 8/29 – EMMEET Tampa: The Largest Bike/Car Event 8/30 – Strait Out of the Box: A Tribute to George Strait 9/5 – Kid Kentucky (Kid Rock Tribute) w/ Johnny Rebb 9/6 – Brothers After All: Allman Brothers Tribute 9/20 – Third Rail Theory
9/13 – Brigade: The Music of Heart 9/19 – Titanium Tart w/ Argus 9/27 – Stone Tampa Pilots w/ Rooster (Alice in Chains 10/3 – Wheels for Wreaths. Keep, Bike & Car Show
10/3 – Still Standing: A Tribute to Elton John 10/4 – Hotel Alabama: Tribute to The Eagles & Alabama
Patel Conservatory 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa Dance / Theater / Music / Adult Classes 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org/patel-conservatory
Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center 4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park 727-369-5746 https://tinyurl.com/mv2d99dj 8/15 – Remembering Woodstock starring Peace of Woodstock & A Tribute to Santana 9/12 – Tribute to Stevie Wonder
Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa 813-350-6500 www.raymondjamesstadium.com
9/12-13 – Bruno Mars 10/9 – Karol G
Riverwalk Tampa www.thetampariverwalk.com Latin Thursdays
Second Sundays – 11am-3pm: Market + Art Walk, Armature Works
Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 727-791-7400 www.rutheckerdhall.com
8/7 – Changes: A Tribute to the Music of David Bowie
8/20 – Starship feat. Mickey Thomas & John Waite
8/23 – Buddy Guy
9/12 – The Mavericks 9/22 – W.A.S.P.
10/2 – America
10/4 – Celtic Thunder 10/8 – Boz Scaggs
10/9 – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
10/10 – Tom Jones
10/11 – K-Pop Moonlight Princesses 10/15 – The Vampire Circus
Safety Harbor Art & Music Center 706 Second St. N, Safety Harbor 727-725-4018 www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com
Seminole Hard Rock Event Center 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa 813-627-6649 www.seminolehardrocktampa.com Venue undergoing renovation
Skipper’s Smokehouse 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa 813-971-0666 www.skipperssmokehouse.com
8/7 – Grateful Dead Night w/ Uncle John’s Band
8/20 – Eric Johnson
8/28 – Ward Davis 9/4 – Blacktop Mojo 9/5 – Grateful Dead Night / Uncle John’s Band
Sparkman Wharf 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa www.sparkmanwharf.com
St. Petersburg City Theatre 4025 31st St. S, 727-866-1973 www.spcitytheatre.org
8/7-9 – Theatrical Teens of Tomorrow presents Pippin! 9/18-27 – The Suffragette’s Murder Stageworks Theater 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., #151, Tampa 813-374-2416 www.stageworkstheatre.org 9/24-10/11 – Jane Austen in 89 Minutes
Straz Center for the Performing Arts 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org
Through 8/9 – American Idiot Through 9/16 – The Art of Banksy 8/19-9/6 – Penelope 8/24 – Kasendra Rose 9/5 – VCAE Meet & Greet 9/6 – Performing Arts College & Career Fair
9/26 – Chuchu Valdes 9/30 – Vitamin String Quartet & A Girl Named Tom 10/6-11 – Buena Vista Social Club 10/13 – Black Violin w/ Braxton Cook 10/14-11/8 – Misery
MUSIC SCENE
Fall is my favorite time of the year for two reasons. Cooler weather and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday at Coachman Park Oct. 15-18. This year’s headliners (Chris Botti, Sheena E, Arturo Sandoval, Larkin Poe) have me giddy with anticipation. I had the pleasure of interviewing CJH’s Steve Weinberger, the CEO who leads a team of volunteers to give CJH Experiences such as the jazz jam Aug. 15th at Central Park Performing Arts Center, the October Jazz Holiday and more importantly, musical opportunities for local youth to learn and play music. www.clearwaterjazz.com
This is the 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and this year, each day has a genre, three stages, fabulous food and drink and expanded VIP experience. “We’re programming an entire waterfront environment in this wonderfully renovated Coachman Park, and that means there’s opportunities for everybody to experience Jazz Holiday completely differently depending on how they want to spend the day. We have the general admission experience on the green. We have reserved seats. We have our wonderful VIP experience new this year. There are stage front tables that also have VIP access, which is really cool,” says Weinberger.
CJH strives to make the festival feel curated from the moment you walk into the park with Cool Jazz Thursday, Feel the Rhythym Friday with Latin jazz legend Arturo Sandoval and Sheila E. On the weekend, enjoy Blues and Brass Saturday and Roots and Funk Sunday. CJ’s Backstage’s Monday night’s popular Tom Kat Orchestra Jazz Jam with Scotty Wright and Tony Castellano who will take over the Pier Party Stage with a swing dance party to the smooth jazz on the Lower Plaza Stage where Reinhardt George Group with guitarist Barry Green, there’s something for everybody.
New this year are the two side stages (Pier Party, Plaza Stage) are open to the public at
By Nanette Wiser
no cost, and people can come in and roam around and enjoy the waterfront, and they can even bring blankets and lawn chairs if they wanted to sit up on the sunset bluff and overlook.
Lots of local musicians are featured including St. Pete Jazz Festival maestro David Manson with his band O Som Do Jazz, Ronnie D and the Superstars and our Young Jazz Lions Alumni Jazz Blues Collective featuring Alex Malkovich, James Wall & Friends; and CJH Youth All-Stars hosted by Frank Williams, Michael Kernodle and Tyler Wertman on Sunday.
New this year is cool vibe on Sunday with the Freeman Sound whose mission is about music and mental health called the Chilltronic Lounge, a mix of electronic music with jazz samplings and a Greek DJ and producer known as Mr. T and local DJ favorite Austin Van der Bleek creating an immersive mindset experience before.
MUSICAL NOTES We’ll talk more about November’s Suncoast Jazz Festival in our October issue. Until then, head over to Gulfport for Grego Anderson at the North End Tap House, Green Light Lounge + Kitchen for their jazz, music and comedy nights, Adrian’s Steakhouse for some cool weekend jazz and of course St. Pete Beach’s Chill.
ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS
8/8 – Candlelight: Tribute to Bad Bunny
$48, 8pm, First Baptist Church of St Petersburg, 1900 Gandy Blvd. N. Discover the music of Bad Bunny under the gentle glow of candlelight. Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3xmjtrjt
8/8 – St. Pete’s Rock the Block Day Festival
12 noon-midnight, 1320 Central Ave., St. Pete. This all-day, high-energy block party in the heart of downtown St. Pete brings together music, community, and purpose for one unforgettable experience. From national headliners to regional and local artists, the festival delivers nonstop live music across multiple stages, alongside food and craft vendors, carnival rides, a kid’s zone, and immersive brand activations for all ages. The event supports foster youth, raising awareness and funding through 1 God 1 Faith Ministries. Check here for ticket prices: https://tinyurl.com/v56ue2d4
8/15 – Craft & Treasure Sale
Free admission, 9am-2pm, Jerger Hall Life Enrichment Center, Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th St S, St. Pete. Some 50 local crafters and vendors will be on hand in an air-conditioned space with unique and handmade crafts including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and much more. Benefits the church’s Angel Outreach Ministry, which supports local vulnerable children and families with clothing, food and even a Christmas party. Free parking.
8/16 – Pa’ La Cultura Latin Music & Art Festival
$10 and up, 1pm, OCC Road House, 10445 49th St. N, Clearwater. It’s more than an event… it’s a full celebration of culture, music, and community! Get ready for an unforgettable day featuring live music and top DJs bringing the best in Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cumbia. Bring your friends, your family, and your dancing shoes! https://tinyurl.com/uvpdabfv
8/21-30 – Madeira Beach Burger Week
$10/burger. This city-wide celebration will pay tribute to America’s sweetheart – the hamburger! Each participating restaurateur and chef will prepare their unique take on the burger. By using the official Madeira Beach Burger Week Passport, burger aficionados can map out their culinary journey, explore new restaurants, challenge their taste buds, and connect and share their experiences on social with other Madeira Beach foodies, all while being entered to win awesome prizes! www.madeirabeachburgerweek.com
8/22 – FloridaRAMA LitFest
$22-$40, 12 p.m., 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete. FloridaRAMA’s first LitFest turns an immersive art venue into a day-long literary marketplace. Meet local authors, catch hourly panels, and browse independent presses. https://tinyurl.com/2ctvppud
8/22 – Fear Circus Unleashed
$30, 8:30pm, The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N. St. Pete. A horror circus for adults. Twisted clowns, fearless acrobats and immersive nightmare scenes — performed live, up close, and with nowhere to look away. Ages 16+ only. Contains horror imagery, simulated violence, strobe and haze, very loud sound, and extended sequences of darkness. Not suitable for children, expectant parents, or anyone with photosensitive conditions. www.tickets.fearcircus.com/events/4
8/22 — SOLAS Presents: An American Songbook by Candlelight
$20-$65, 7pm, North Bay Community Church, 3170 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Experience the anthems of America’s finest acts, performed live by a string quartet in an intimate candlelight setting. Experience the greatest hits from America’s most iconic bands and artists, from Billy Joel to Prince, Stevie Nicks to Whitney Houston, performed live, under the gentle glow of hundreds of candles. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/76n3ap4m
8/28 — On High Festival
$40.66-$78.24, 4pm, Spa Beach at The Pier, downtown St. Pete. Featuring Pepper and The Movement, Surfer Girl, Brother Ali, The Grouch & Eligh. One epic day of live music, vendors, and vibes. All ages welcome; kids 12 and younger are free with a paid guardian. www.OnHighFest.com
Studio Grand Central 2260 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-202-7019 www.theoffcentral.com
9/10-20 – Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 10/15-26 – Constellations
Sunshine City Comedy Club 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-435-0327 www.sunshinecitycomedyclub.com
Tampa Theatre 711 N Franklin St. Tampa www.tampatheatre.org 813-274-8286
One of America’s most elaborate movie palace Live
10/2 – Atsuko Okatsuka Film
8/7-13 – Cat Video Fest 8/8 – The Black Pirate (free) 8/23 – Wicked (free) 8/28 – Back to the Future (free) 9/25 – The Princess Bride (free) Theater is under renovation through September. Check individual films for viewing location
Tarpon Springs Cultural Center 101 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 www.tarponarts.org
Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 www.tarponarts.org
8/22 – Yacht Rock Gold Experience
The Baycare Sound Coachman Park 301 Drew St., Clearwater 727-791-7400 www.rutheckerdhall.com
8/8 – Deep Purple 8/19 – Squeeze w/ Adam Ant & Haircut 100 8/27 – Devo
9/1 – Blues Travelers & Gin Blossoms
9/4 – Yellowcard
9/12 – Mersiv
9/16 – Modest Mouse
9/19 – John Fogerty and Steve Winwood 9/25 – Rise Against 10/4 – Ziggy Marley & Govt. Mule
10/9 – Ty Myers
10/10 – The Avett Brothers 10/11 – Freedom Rocks 10/13 – Tedeschi Trucks Band
The Beach Theatre
315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach
Built in 1940 and restored in 2024-25, now a classic movie theatre and live entertainment venue www.thebeachtheatre.org 727-340-2866
8/6-8 – Cat Video Fest
8/9 – Bay Area Performing Arts Cabaret
8/10 – Popcorn & Punchlines
9/4-6 – The Green Flash
The Coliseum
535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Pete 727-892-5202
Built in 1924
8/9 – Indie Flea
8/16 – St. Pete TCG Trade N Play
8/30 – Natural Wellness Expo
9/4-6 – H&R Gem Show
9/14 – Tampa Bay Job & Career Fair
9/19-20 – St. Petersburg Rescue Catstravaganza
10/9 – Nurse John: Against Medical Advice Tour 10/11 – Tampa Bay Bridal Show
The Mahaffey Theater
400 First St. S, St. Pete 727-300-2000 www.themahaffey.com
8/16 – Gipsy Kings feat. Tonino Baliardo 9/24 – Little Big Town 9/26 – Don Lemon and D.L. Hughley 10/3 – Caamp 10/9 – Nurse John
The Palladium 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Pete 727-822-3590 www.mypalladium.org Closed beginning 8/1 for renovation
The Studio@620 620 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-895-6620 www.thestudioat620.org 8/3-31 (Mondays) – Writing For The Screen: The Short Screenplay 10/1-11 – The Wash
USF Yuengling Center 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa 813-974-3111 www.yuenglingcenter.com 9/19 – Ryan Castro 9/23 – YSL Records & Young Thug 10/8 – Dermot Kennedy
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941-953-3368 www.vanwezel.org
8/6 – Derek Hough 9/13 – Ron White 10/11 – Boz Scaggs
West Coast Players 21905 US 19 N, Clearwater 727-437-2363 www.wcplayers.com 8/21-9/6 – See How They Run 10/9-25 – The Book of Will
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota 941-366-1505 www.westcoastblacktheatre.org 10/14-11/22 – Sophisticated Ladies
Zubrick Magic Theatre 1211 First Ave N, Suite 101, St. Pete. Thur.-Sat. 7pm; Sun. 2pm 866-ZUBRICK (866-982-7425) www.zubrickmagic.com
MUSEUMS
Florida Holocaust Museum 55 Fifth St. S, St. Pete 727-820-0100 www.flholocaustmuseum.org
Exhibiting Thor, a Danish fishing vessel used in the 1943 rescue of more than 7,000 Jews.
Through 9/26 – I Say the World Should See Them: 80 Years Since Liberation
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 1630 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa 813-221-2222 www.fmopa.org
Through 12/6 – 25 Years of FMOPA: Highlights from the Permanent Collection 8/4-9/20 – Through Their Lens: A Journey of Self-Exploration
Glazer Children’s Museum
110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-443-3851
www.glazermuseum.org
Created specifically for children 10 and under.
Home of Big John, the world’s largest fossil Triceratops Through 9/30 – Toddler Takeover
9/26 – Birthday Bash (museum anniversary)
10/1 – Spooky Science
Great Explorations
Children’s Museum
1925 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-821-8992 www.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.
8/14 – Museum After Dark
8/22 – Ignite! (science festival)
Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-552-1610
www.gulfbeachesmuseum.org
Closed until further notice, but holding events in community.
Gulfport History Museum
5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-201-8687
www.gulfporthistoricalsociety.org
8/20 – The Original Gulfport Walking Tour
8/21 – Gulfport Trivia Night
9/17 – The Original Gulfport Walking Tour
9/18 – Bringing Your Ancestors to Life
Henry Plant Museum
401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-254-1891 www.plantmuseum.com
A National Historic Landmark Live classical music performances every third Thur. Most Sundays – Upstairs/Downstairs at the Tampa Bay Hotel Through 8/30 – Gaspar’s Gold: Carnival and Community in a New South City
Heritage Museum
100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs
727-942-5605
www.tarponarts.org
History and culture of the Greek community.
Imagine Museum
1901 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-300-1700 www.imaginemuseum.com
Contemporary American Studio Glass. Thur. $5 after 5pm 8/7 – Music Night feat. Jeremy Carter 8/18 – Dance Social w/ Pankaj Gupta 8/25 – Music Night feat. Roger Harrison
John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road., Sarasota 941-359-5700
www.ringling.org
Mon. – Free admission all day Thurs. – Art After 5
One of the preeminent arts institutions in the United States.
Through 8/8 –Summer Circus Spectacular
Through 8/11 – Community Gallery
Through 8/23 – In the Flesh: The Nude in Japanese Art Through 9/16 – The Evocative Lens Through 11/1 – Seventeenth-Century Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Through 11/15 – Andrea Carlson:
A Constant Sky Through 1/3 – Canvas City: The Materials of the Tented Circus Through 1/3 – The Art of Care: Conservation at The Ringling 9/12-4/4 – Yoshida Fujio: Secret Gardens
Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
600 E Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs 727-712-5762 www.leeparattner.org
Docent tours on Sundays
Features work of 20th and 21st century masters.
Through 9/3 – Leonard Baskin: Leaders of the Constitution, 1787 Through 9/13 – Abraham Rattner: French Watercolors
Through 11/29 – Babs Reingold
Museum of the American Arts And Crafts Movement
355 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-440-4859 www.museumaacm.org.
Sun. Film Series – 12:30/2pm Daily Arts and Crafts-inspired films
Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-894-4368 www.mfastpete.org
Thur. $10 after 5pm Through 8/30 – Babs Reingold: After Venus 8/15-1/3 – New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations
Museum of the Unknown 4105 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Explore the world of alien artifacts 727-256-0611 museumoftheunknown.com
Museum of Motherhood
2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete, Bldg. 7 877-711-6667 www.mommuseum.org
Thu-Sat Noon-6pm, Sun Noon-3pm
Second Saturday Art Walk. Escape Womb Experience (18+)
Palm Harbor Museum 2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor 727-724-3054 www.palmharbormuseum.com
Thur.-Sat. 10am-2pm 9/2 – Pirates of the Florida Coast w/ historian Robert Jacob
Safford House Museum 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs 727-942-5805 www.tarponarts.org
Restored 1883 Victorian home Docent-led tours
St. Petersburg Museum of History
335 Second Ave. NE 727-894-1052 www.spmoh.com
Trolley Tours: Seating is limited; reserve early –
First Saturday: Historic Downtown St. Pete
Second Saturday: Baseball history
Third Saturday: West St. Petersburg
Rum Runners, Spaniards & Natives
8/7 – Burning Love: Celebrating Elvis & the Sunshine City 9/12 – History in a Bottle: A Historical Whiskey Journey
Happy Hour with The Historian:
• 8/13 – Dr. Leslie Poole:
Tracing Florida’s Journeys
• 10/8 – Dr. Tyler Gillespie: The Thing About Florida Man: Poems Revisited
ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS
8/28 – The Women of My Life Concert
Free, 7-9pm, St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S, St. Pete. Experience an evening of original music, personal storytelling, and the world premiere of a song created through a collaboration between artists Dave and Heather Hamar and 25 Pinellas County residents to explore the history, present, and future of America. The husband-and-wife duo have worked for decades in performance arts, with Dave as a musician and Heather as a vocalist and actress. Music by Dave Hamar, performed by Anyan Devery. Concert is free, but RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/2w99d4wu
8/28-29 – Drone Art Show: Harry Potter
$62.90/ $42.90 ages 3-12, 8:30pm, Tampa Bay Tournament Sportsplex, 9330 E Columbus Drive, Tampa. The show blends cutting-edge drone technology with the iconic music from the Harry Potter™ films to create a spellbinding spectacle under the stars. As 1,200 drones move in perfect harmony in the sky above, iconic moments from the films are revisited in a breathtaking display of light and magic. A live electric violinist will play key moments from the Harry Potter™ film soundtrack. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4c4bny29
8/29 – Nashville Night in Tampa
$75 and up, 8pm, Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. One in a series of concerts at the Straz Center, it features Nashville’s hit-making songwriters playing their songs and sharing their tunes’ origin stories. Performers will be Anthony Smith and Brice Long. Smith’s memorable song titles include “Cowboys Like Us,” “Who Invented the Wheel,” “Half a Man,” “Run,” “I’m Tryin’,” “Up to the Depths” and “Infinity.” Long’s songwriting hits include “Heartache on the Dance Floor,” “Nothing On But the Radio,” “Like a Cowboy,” “Anything Goes,” “Today,” “Let’s Don’t Call it a Night” and “What I Can’t Put Down.” www.strazcenter.org
8/30 – Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival: “Kiss Me Kosher”
$10, 6pm, Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave N, St. Pete. The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival introduces Out on Screen, a year-round film series celebrating Jewish stories through the lens of LGBTQ+ experiences. The inaugural screening will feature the award-winning romantic comedy, “Kiss Me Kosher,” a romantic misadventure that crosses cultures, generations and expectations. When two generations of Israeli women fall in love with a German woman and a Palestinian man, family traditions are challenged, cultural differences collide and chaos ensues. The Out on Screen series will continue in the winter/spring of 2027. Tickets: TBJFF.org.
9/4-6 – Tampa Bay Comic Convention
$35 (single day) and up, Tampa Bay Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. The Tampa Bay Comic Convention is a dream destination for Twilight fans, featuring Cullen family stars like Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, and Jackson Rathbone. Attendees can experience exclusive cast panels, personalized autographs, and massive group photo ops. Use promo code MAGIC to save. Kids 10 and younger are free!
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/s2rkay8y
9/3 – Hooks and Irons Golf Tournament
$125/$500 foursome, 8:30am, Seminole Lake Country Club, 6100 Augusta Blvd., Seminole. Pinellas Park Firefighters IAFF Local 2193 is hosting its first annual Hooks and Irons Golf Tournament. Funds from this event will be in memory of Cayden Riley, the teenage son of a fellow firefighter, who recently died from cancer. Registration and more information at www.hooksandironsgolf.com
9/6 – Performing Arts College and Career Fair
Free,1-3pm, Teco Theater, Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa
Students interested in pursuing a college degree in dance, music, or theater are encouraged to attend Straz Center’s Seventh Annual Performing Arts College & Career Fair. All attendees, including guardians and guests, must register to attend. RSVP for fair: https://tinyurl.com/yc3rcje
Passes to participate in workshops from 9am-1pm hosted by college reps can be purchased ($20) at https://tinyurl.com/2rzep5bv
Sarasota Art Museum 1001 S Tamiami Trail, 941-309-4300 www.sarasotaartmuseum.org Through 9/27 – Something Borrowed, Something New Through 9/27 – Maria A. Guzmán Capron: New Works Through 8/19 – Jill Mayer: Slumpies Through 10/25 – Beautiful Ideas: The Prints of Sol LeWitt
Seminole History Museum 7464 Ridge Road, Seminole (Seminole City Park)
Open Thurs & Sat, 10am-1pm www.seminolehistoricalsociety.org
Exhibits include fossil mammoth bones found in Millenium Park. Monthly speakers, private tours for groups.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum 3301 Gateway Centre, Pinellas Park. 727-579-8226 www.tbauto.org
Sundays: Historian guided tours
Tampa Bay History Center 801 Old Water St., Tampa 813-226-0097 www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
Walking tours of Tampa neighborhoods Through 11/29 – Mapping the 14th Colony
Tampa Museum of Art 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-259-1720 www.tampamuseum.org
Thur. 4-8pm: pay-as-you-will admission. Houses one of the most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the southeastern U.S. Through 8/23 – Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound Through 10/4 – Charles Atlas: Kiss the Day Goodbye Through 1/3/27 – Eye of the Beholder: The William Knight Zewadski Legacy Through 1/31/27 – Here and Now: Selections from the Contemporary Collection Through 4/4/27 – Avant Garde: Remarkable Women in the Permanent Collection Through 5/23/27– The Etruscans: A Mysterious Italian People
Tarpon Springs Railroad Depot Historical Museum 160 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs 727-943-4624
www.tarponspringsarea historicalsociety.org
The Dalí Museum One Dali Blvd., St. Pete 727-823-3767 www.thedali.org
Thur. and Fri. reduced admission after 5pm
Queen Heaven: Now playing in The Dalí Dome on select nights Advanced-purchase timed tickets recommended Through 10/18 – Dali in America Through 10/18 – Dali’s Tarot Through 4/18/27 – The Architecture of the Dali
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art 150 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-892-4200
www.thejamesmuseum.org
Tues. $10 all day Through 9/7 – Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan 9/19-1/10/27 – Ed Mell: Legacy in Light
USF Contemporary Art Museum
3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa 813-974-4133 ira.usf.edu
8/24-3/6/27 – Picture(sque): Ellen Harvey Works 1999-2025
USF Graphicstudio
3702 Spectrum Blvd., Ste 100, Tampa 813-974-3503 ira.usf.edu
Woodson African American Museum of Florida 2240 Ninth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-323-1104 www.woodsonmuseum.org One City Chorus – Mon. 7pm
MUSIC
Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association Jazz Jam, Mon., 7-9pm, Hangar Restaurant, 540 First St. SE, St. Pete. www.aldowningjazz.com
New Horizons Band of Gulfport Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-345-0285 www newhorizonsbandgulfport.org Novice, intermediate musicians
School of Rock St. Petersburg 2401 Central Ave., 727-871-7625 www.schoolofrock.com Guitar, drum, singing, keyboard/piano lessons. Additional schools in Clearwater, Tampa, and Tampa North
South Pasadena Community Band 727-515-5407 www.southpasadenaband.com All-volunteer band
St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus Music Center 6605 Fifth Ave. N, 727-341-4360 www.spcollege.edu/events
Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society Cove Cay Golf Club 2612 Cove Cay Drive, Clearwater www.sdjs2022.org
Tampa Bay Symphony Performances in various locations 727827-8087 www.tampabaysymphony.org
TomKats Jazz Orchestra
Monday Nights: CJ’s Backstage 7022 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-202- 8881 www.tomkatsjazzorchestra.com
OPERA
Opera Tampa at Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org
2145 First Ave. S, 727-823-2040 www.stpeteopera.org
Various performance locations
St. Petersburg Opera Guild www.stpeteoperaguild.org
The Pinellas Opera League Thur.: Opera at the Dali www.pinellasoperaleague.com
ECO
Monthly Treasure Island Beach Cleanup
Second Saturday 8:30am St. Petersburg Municipal Beach, 11260 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. Supplies provided mjackson@kpbcares.org 727-533-0402
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Pete 727-893-7326 tinyurl.com/yc3k32ms Closed Mon.
Environmental education center, Terry Tomalin Campground, Pinellas Pioneer Settlement
Brooker Creek Preserve 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs 727-453-6800 www.brookercreekpreserve.org
Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-552-1862 www.pinellascounty.org/park Campgrounds, ferry services to Egmont and Shell keys. Some areas closed or limited Parking $6/vehicle
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
700 Second Ave. NE, at The St. Pete Pier 727-291-4103 www.tbwdiscoverycenter.org
Daily boat tours of Tampa Bay ecosystem, interactive exhibits, daily talks, guided tours.
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-453-6500 www.weedonislandpreserve.org
3,200-acre natural area. Guided hikes, birding, and photography tours. Archaeology lectures, classes and webinars.
GARDENS
Florida West Coast Orchid Society
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N, Seminole 727-420-7230 www.fwcos.org
Garden Club of St. Petersburg Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 72nd St. N. St. Pete www.gardenclubstpetersburg.org
Ikebana International
Lealman Exchange Community Center, 5175 45th St. N, St. Pete www.ikebanastpetersburg.com
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 1534 Mound St., Sarasota 941-366-5731 www.selby.org
Through 8/30 – Robert Louis
Stevenson: A Child’s Garden of Verses (Spanish Point campus)
Through 9/13 – Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith (downtown campus)
Pinewood Cultural Park
12520 Ulmerton Road, and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo
Heritage Village www.pinellas.gov/parks/heritage-village Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026
Florida Botanical Gardens –Free 100-acre park www.flbg.org
Third Saturday – Gardens open noon5pm; Heritage Village open 10am-4pm
Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577 www.hubbardsmarina.com
See website for overnight camping
LIBRARIES
Gulf Beaches Public Library
200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach 727-391-2828
www.gulfbeacheslibrary.org
Gulfport Public Library 5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1074 www.mygulfport.us/gpl
9/12 –DFAC Con
ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS
$25/$50 VIP, 2-8pm (VIP access 1-2pm), Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. An unforgettable day where art, fandom, gaming, cosplay, and creativity come together! Explore Artist Alley and the Vendor Hall, meet special guests from the worlds of animation, gaming, and voice acting, enjoy interactive panels and presentations, participate in gaming experiences and tournaments, shop unique collectibles and artwork, and show off your creativity in a cosplay contest. Featured guests will be voice actors Erin Nicole Lundquist and Zelda Khan Black. www.dfac.org/events
9/12-13 – 26th Annual I Like It Hot !Festival
Free admission, 10am-4pm, England Brothers Park, 5010 Dave McKay Way, Pinellas Park. Florida’s longest-running hot sauce festival and one of the longest-running spicy food festivals in the United States. Visitors can explore an incredible selection of hot sauces, seasonings, salsas, gourmet foods, snacks, specialty products, and unique retail vendors while meeting the makers behind their favorite brands. Whether you’re a casual foodie or a dedicated heat seeker, there’s something for everyone. Family and pet friendly. Free parking.
9/18-19 – Elevation Rhythm “Washed” Tour
$41.33, 7pm, Jannus Landing, 200 First Ave. N, St. Pete. The Washed Tour is a new experience that won’t just be a night of worship, but an experience filled with community and music that celebrates the freedom found in Jesus. From high-energy anthems to honest moments of surrender, every song from these nights is an invitation to leave the past behind and step fully into the life God is calling you to. Tickets: www.elevationrhythm.com/tour
9/26-27 – Anime St. Pete
$51, 11am, Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 First St .SE, St. Pete. This celebration combines innovation, entertainment, and community spirit in perfect harmony. Two-day pass available. https://tinyurl.com/bddsfbbr
9/30 – Vitamin String Quartet and Girl Named Tom
$39 and up, 7:30pm, Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. Fresh off Season 4 in Netflix’s Bridgerton and known for transforming pop and rock anthems into virtuosic instrumentals, VSQ will team up with Girl Named Tom, whose breathtaking harmonies and heartfelt songwriting won The Voice in 2021. Enjoy music-making at its highest level, with reimagined classics and modern hits, stunning performances and unforgettable collaborative moments. www.strazcenter.org
10/1 – Broadway by Candlelight: The Things We Do for Love
$500 and up, 6-8:30pm, American Stage at James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave., St. Pete. This enchanting candlelit evening celebrates Broadway’s most beloved love songs – all in support of American Stage. Cocktail and business attire. www.americanstage.org/broadway-tables
10/2-4 – Scaradise at the Florida State Fairgrounds
$35 and up, Fri 1-8pm, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-7, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Hwy. 301, Tampa. Presented by Busch Gardens Howl-o-Scream Tampa Bay. Nearly 30 “horror-ble” celebrities from the fright genre will be on hand for photographs and autograph sessions, including Norman Reedus of Walking Dead, Megan Lawless of Obsession, Nathan Mitchell of The Boys, and Cara Buono of Stranger Things. And, of course, merch. www.scaradise.net
10/4 – Designer Couture Kids, Fashion Week
$45, 1-3pm, Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Ave. Tampa. Get ready for a super fun in-person extravaganza where fashion meets cuteness! Perfect for all the little style icons out there, this event showcases amazing outfits and playful designs. Children 3 and under are free but must sit in your lap. All parents interested in their child participating as a model please send the following information to register your child: name of child, email of parent, age of child (Kids ages 3-10) Send to: kneal@voguemodeling.com, you will be notified. Kids model free! https://tinyurl.com/6e7jw43w
ON THE HORIZON 11/7-8 – Art Harvest, Dunedin
11/21 – Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show, Tampa
1/30/27 – Gene Simmons Band w/ Lita Ford, Ferg’s Pavilion, St. Pete
Florida’s largest American Indian mound on private land.
Drum circle first Fri.; Sun. tour, meditations, special events
Soothe Our Souls (S.O.S.)
4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-360-7411
www.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
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 727-441-1790
www.cmaquarium.org Rescue, rehab and release Home of Hope, of Dolphin Tale II.
Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-273-4000
www.flaquarium.org
Mote Science
Education Aquarium
225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Purchase tickets online to guarantee date of choice: https://tinyurl.com/5n7adtup 941-374-2673
A world-class, 110,000-square-foot facility dedicated to marine science, education, and immersive public experiences.
Seaside Seabird Sanctuary 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-391-6211
www.seasideseabirdsanctuary.org Cares for approximately 3,500 birds every year; home to over 80 permanently injured residents. Free. Donations accepted. Tours.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa 813-935-8552 www.zootampa.org
Madeira Beach Market Dec.-May 10am-2pm 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach
FRIDAYS
Treasure Island Friday Morning Market Dec.-April, 9am-2pm Community Center Park 154 106th Ave. https://tinyurl.com/8xwmwe3f
Creative Clay Outdoor Art Market
First Fridays, 10am-2pm 1846 First Ave. S, St. Pete
Sunset Market
First and third Fri. nights, 5-10pm, parking lot of Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Pete
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Dunedin Downtown Market 9am-1pm, Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Fri. market Nov.-May until 2pm; Sat. market year-round.
Gulfport Night Market
First Friday and third Saturday Downtown Gulfport, 5-9pm
SATURDAYS
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market Oct.-May, 9am-2pm Al Lang Stadium parking lot, 230 First St. SE June-Sept. 9am-1pm, Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N www.saturdaymorningmarket.com
The Market Marie Second Saturdays, 10am-2pm Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater
Crossroads Market Third Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Crossroads Christian Church 1645 Seminole Blvd., Largo
Mezzo Market
One Saturday a month Oct.-May, 11am-4pm, 1111 Central Ave., St. Pete Facebook
SUNDAYS
Corey Avenue Sunday Market 10am-2pm Oct.-May 9am-1pm June-Sept. Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach www.coreyave.com
Sunday Market St. Pete Weekly, 10am-2pm/June-Aug. 9am-1pm St. Petersburg High School, 2501 Fifth Ave. N
Indian Shores Sunday Market
Nov.-May, 9am-2pm
Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores
49th Street
Makers/Growers Market
First Sunday, 10am-2pm Red Feather Studios, 1301 49th St. S, Gulfport
St. Pete Sunday Market
Third Sun. of the month, Noon-6pm Arts Xchange 515 22nd St. S, St. Pete
6798 Crosswinds Drive N, D-106 St. Pete. 727-459-9178 (text for fastest response) www.saltysoulsyoga.com
Silver Sneakers Yoga
Warren Webster building, 1500 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach Fri. 11:15am www.spbrec.com
South Pasadena Yoga
• Gentle Yoga: Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am
• Yoga Flow: Thursdays, 10:40-11:40am, South Pasadena City Hall, 7047 Sunset Drive S barbmoeller1@gmail.com
Sunken Gardens
1825 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-560-7317 Mon. & Wed. 10:30am
Sun Sea Air Yoga & Wellness 2321 49th St. S, Gulfport 727-220-0231 www.sunseaairyoga.com/ sun-sea-air-yoga Booking ahead recommended.
Sunset Yoga at The St. Pete Pier First Wed. 7-8pm. Free tinyurl.com/3m2wbmc6
Yoga at The Dali
Dali Museum, third Sun., 9-10am https://tinyurl.com/bd6e88mz
CLASSIFIED
ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES
David J. Strickler, CPA, PA, djscpa1@aol.com 727.906.9600
ACUPUNCTURE
Ancient Healing Acupuncture & Herbs
Authentic oriental healing arts are still the foremost healing methods in China. 6600 31st. Terrace N., St. Pete. 727.384.4826
AIR CONDITIONING / HEATING
Red Royal Services can service your existing HVAC or replace it. 727.315.0793
ANNUAL HOME RENTAL
Keyrenter property management takes the work and worry out of being a landlord.
KeyrenterStPete.com or call Sam 727.202.2700
BLINDS & SHUTTERS
Shopping for Window Treatment? Blinds, shades and shutters from Déco and energy-saving to Storm Protection. Act quick (install by 12/31 to get 30% tax credit) on ALTA Shades.
Call The Shutterman 727.810.4606 or TheShuttermanFL.com
Call for a free in-home consult. See ad for 30% off next purchase. Call Budget Blinds 727.821.0976 or the motorization, automation experts Saphire Shades and Shutters 727.289.1629 sales@SaphireShades andShutters.com
CARPETS & RUGS
DEMOLITION
If demolition is your next move… visit www.Down2Ground.com
Call 239.955.9855 or email Down2Ground Demo@gmail.com
DENTAL SERVICES
Century Dental, Advanced Dental Technology,bImplants, Reconstructive, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry, 617 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach,n40 Years Experience – Free 2nd opinions CenturyDental.org 727.367.3313
Pier Dental, 8351 Blind Pass Rd., SPB Family-owned General and Cosmetic Dentistry with Personalized Care. Florida native Dr. Brittany Pierpont. PierDental.net 727.363.6169
DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY
Free Pick-up & Delivery
Dry Clean, Wash-Dry-Fold, Alterations, Patio Cushion Cleaning, Shoe & Handbag Repair, Pick-up at home or office 2x weekly, Sacino’s Cleaners
sacinoscleaners.com 727.471.0573
EDUCATION
Hire an advocate to get your child(ren) an education designed to meet their unique needs. Call Bill 302.745.7472 drwilliamlane.com
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Your contact for all things electrical. Solar hookup, generators, wiring and rewiring homes and businesses. Red Royal Electric 727.228.1065 FITNESS
Top Shape Fitness
Professional Rug Cleaning & Invisible Repairs – Free pick-up and delivery.Also, the largest selection of imported Handmade works of art you can walk on.
Oriental Rug Bazaar 727.726.8787
COLLEGE ADMISSION FL-based College Counselor Helping students with college admissions ic-prep.com
CLOSET DESIGN & INSTALLATION
Get organized. Maximize the space you have in closets, pantries, laundry rooms & more. newclosettoday.com
Call for a free consult 727.641.6448
CONDO FOR SALE
Downtown St. Pete Condo @The Beacon on 3rd Eighth floor 1BR/1BA unit with a north view Secure Older building w/good reserves, pool, gym, HOA, Includes Power, A/C, cable, Club Room, Balcony, Pets OK. Assigned Parking Next to USF, Dali, Publix $295,000
Open gym, personal training, in-body testing, infrared sauna. Mention Paradise News for $5 off. 727.338.3269, 4615 Gulf Blvd. #116, St. Pete Beach
HAIR BRAIDING
Get your hair braided by an Expert. Braids by Serina 727.241.3948
HANDYMAN
Yard Work, Concrete, Stucco, Block, Painting, Pressure Washing, Handyman. No Job Too Small! 727.222.7599
HEALTH & NUTRITION
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?
Depression / Bipolar Support
Group Meets in 2 St. Pete locations, 7pm weekly, free, no registration, confidential. Tuesdays 7pm - Allendale Church 3803 Haines Rd. N and Thursdays 7pm - Pasadena Church
227 70th St. S Call 727.410.1569 for info or visit: www.dbstampabay.org
HOUSEKEEPING & CLEANING
Dependable European Lady15+yrs exp., High Quality, Reasonable Rates, References. 727.564.1473
Laddy’s Cleaning Serviceon thebeaches over a decade 727.430.8826
Home & Office CleaningExperienced, Efficient European Cleaning LadyFree Estimates, Great local references, 10+ years Irina 727.481.1364
INSURANCE
Bentley DeNight Insurance Services can save $$$ on Flood Insurance and can quote Homeowners, Auto & Business Insurances
727.344.4500
JEWELRY
Beverly Gianna Luxury Jewelry & Design is a full service jeweler and diamond expertwho loves to redesign inherited jewelry intomodern wearable pieces. 6647 Central Ave. St. Petersburg 33710 727.513.3469
LOCKSMITH SERVICES
Lock Repair Service during daytime hours, weekdays. Vet owned. Tommy Locksmith 727.755.3975
LUMBER
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
MARKETING SERVICES
Janet Nummi, Graphic Design info@janetnummi.com
Buddy Baker, Copyediting melvin.baker@gmail.com
MASSAGE SERVICES
Helios Health – Zoe (MA31664) offers massage and Infrared sauna therapy on West Central Ave. at 57th St., St. Petersburg 727.322.8883
MEDICAL SERVICES
Primary Care, Concierge Medicine, Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine, Men’s Health, Sports Medicine
Chronic Disease Management
Jason Philippe 727.322.4226
Reverse Aging while you still can! Colin Chan MD 727.571.1688
PAINTING SERVICES
Residential or Commercial Painting Flo-Pro Painting 727.337.6888
Surgery and Laser Center
727.525.9900
“Reverse the Signs Of Aging Anywhere on your body, Rebuild collagen & reduce wrinkles.”
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
Marina Bay – New Construction
Near Eckerd. More than beautiful. Resilient, Private, Peaceful, Protected FORTIFIED 727.906.3300
MarinaBaystPete.com
RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION
Insurance Companies are now rejecting claims if no one has been there in 14 days.
Property Watch Ninja’s are your boots on the ground
When you’re not around.
PropertyWatchNinja’s.com or Call 727.620.2620
SCREEN REPAIR
Screen Repair for Pool Cages, Patios and Lanais, call or text for a FREE Estimate.
Rescreen Rescue 727.348.4307
SLIDING DOOR REPAIR
Stop struggling with old sliding doors.We fix it to open for a fraction of thecost of a new door. We replace windows too. Lic. C1050, YouTube.com/user/SliderRepairs
Slider Repairs 727.493.2644
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
Free Beach Rides 727.776.7553
TUTORING
Portuguese & French Tutoring Conversational-Grammar-Literature parigitropicale@gmail.com 727.301.5917
Piano lessons your home or my studio.All ages & styles, afford able, 25 years of experience. 727.688.2782
French lessons by French nativeAll levels. Text or call 571.435.5606
Hire an advocate to get your child(ren) an education designed to meet their unique needs. Call Bill 302.745.7472 drwilliamlane.com
WINDOW CLEANING
PLASTIC SURGERY
Coundouriotis Facial Plastic
See Life More Clearly, 30 yrs. exp., Residential, Commercial. Estimates are free. Call Tim 727.488.8516
CLASSIFIED ADS
10 Words 10 issues $100
20 Words 10 Issues $200
Single issue or less than 10 $2.50/word. Call 727.363.6888. Email sales@paradisenewsfl.com
SIMPLY PUT
By Dennis Merritt Jones, DD
It’s All About Your BS
If you want to change the DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE
Know the Difference between a THOUGHT and a BELIEF
“Plant a belief; harvest a thought.
Plant a thought; harvest feelings.
Plant feelings; harvest words.
Plant words; harvest actions.
Plant actions; harvest a habit.
Plant habits; harvest a character.
Plant a character; harvest destiny.” ~ Source Unknown
Have you ever wondered where your thoughts come from? In the Dhammapada, the Buddha teaches, “Our life is shaped by our mind: we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it.” By “evil thought,” Buddha did not mean only malicious intent, but any thought that is negative, unproductive, or destructive.
It is undeniably true that negative thinking produces suffering. Yet this raises a deeper question: if thoughts shape our lives, what shapes our thoughts? Perhaps it’s time to drill down a bit deeper on this topic.
Simply Put – It’s All About Your BS (Belief System)
Centuries after Buddha, Jesus came along and offered insight into this query through his understanding of the law of cause and effect when he said, “It is done unto you as you believe.” Notably, he did not say, “as you think.” In the chain of cause and effect, belief precedes thought. Belief initiates the process; thought follows. Just as suffering follows negative thinking, thinking itself follows core beliefs. From this perspective, thoughts are not the primary cause of our experiences, but a secondary effect of our BS.
The movement of belief into lived reality follows a clear pathway of cause and
effect. Our deepest core beliefs give rise to thoughts. Those thoughts generate feelings. Feelings then influence our words and actions. As we speak and act, we experience emotional and tangible outcomes that appear to confirm what we already believe. This reinforces the original belief, and the cycle repeats. Over time, this contiguous loop – belief, thought, feeling, words, behavior – solidifies into habit energy.
Habitual patterns shape character, and character ultimately determines destiny. For this reason, the most important question is not “What are you thinking?” but “What do you believe?” The totality of these beliefs form what can be called consciousness: the accumulated set of assumptions, interpretations, and conclusions we carry in the mind. In other words, if you wish to change the direction of your life learn to focus more on your core beliefs and less on your thoughts.
THE TAKEAWAY: Changing thoughts alone is not enough, because thoughts are effects, not causes. True transformation begins at the level of consciousness – the internal framework you have been building from the day you were born. However, this framework does not change overnight. Beliefs formed through a lifetime of experiences cannot be undone instantly. But meaningful change does not require immediacy; it requires intention.
Begin by choosing awareness – an awareness of your unity with life and a creative universe in this moment. From that awareness, plant a new belief. In doing so, you begin to reshape not just your thinking, but the direction of your destiny.
Dennis Merritt Jones’ vision is “Guiding People to Purpose.” He is an award-winning author of seven books, a keynote speaker, and personal mentor/coach who loves living in St. Petersburg. If you would like more information regarding his availability as a speaker, his mentoring programs, and his books, please visit his website at DennisMerrittJones.com.
Rare Legacy Estate on the Open Water
Stunning grounds, expansive views, a dock with lift, all on over 200 feet of open water on Tampa Bay. Add the neighboring property for another 100 feet of seawall.
Elevator, pool, gorgeous, private, must see.
$4,950,000
Discover luxury coastal living
Incredible Views, Marine Life, and More
Live the Florida dream in this unique custom home on the southern shore of Pinellas County or add it to the property at left to create an irreproducible estate.
Wide Canal Views and Great Outdoor Living
At the junction of the Tierra Verde’s Grand Canal and Baby Grand, this spacious, elevated home features vaulted ceilings and an incredible enclosed pool deck. Slip with lift, plus davits
$1,750,000
Luxury in the Sky Over St. Petersburg
Designed by award-winning Arquitectonica with interiors by NYC’s Celano Design Studio, the residence delivers on every expectation those views create.
Incredible 270° views of City, Bay, & Gulf
$3,245,000
Angela Mathias, Andrew Salamone
Ron Salamone, Libby Salamone
Helping people buy and sell the finest St. Petersburg Properties for over 30 years.
info@stpete.pro www.stpete.pro (727) 456-8093
Move-in Ready in Tierra Verde
This home has the design everyone wants: Split floor plan with vaulted ceilings wrapping around a gorgeous pool deck, updated systems, spacious kitchen, and more.
4 beds, 3 baths, 2973 sqft 3 Beds 2.5 baths, plus office and flex space. $1,795,000 $1,295,000
Buy a Piece of Tierra Verde’s North Shore
In one of the most desirable locations in Pinellas County, this waterfront home is being sold at lot value but the existing home has a ton of potential, as well.
