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Hammers & Heartstrings Ball

Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
Last Updated: September 13, 2010

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is creating homeownership opportunities for people and families with the help of this community. We’re building together because we believe that a community where everyone has a decent place to live is a matter of conscience and action. Come build with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County!

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County will host their fourth annual dine-and-dance fundraiser on Saturday, September 25, 2010. Their Hammers & Heartstrings Ball takes place at the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa and benefits Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and families waiting for their chance to build a better life.

Mission Statement
Putting faith into action, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County promotes family stability by providing innovative and affordable housing solutions to qualified individuals and families. In partnership with our community, we work toward our ultimate goal of eliminating substandard housing throughout the county.

Volunteer
Get Involved in a Mission that Will Change Lives — Including YOURS!
What makes Habitat’s mission unique? You do! Volunteer opportunities make it possible for thousands of people to get active in our community and make a difference in the lives of children and families. Building a new home (or a remodel) takes time and money, but seeing a family get the keys to a home you helped build is inspiring. Come out and volunteer. Come make a difference.

If you are looking to help the environment, help build your community, meet new people, have fun, make a difference or earn community service hours, come volunteer at the Habitat ReStore, a non-profit retail outlet where new and gently used construction items, home improvement products and furniture are sold at discounted prices. Often people want to donate these things for use in Habitat homes. However, it is not practical, efficient or economical to try to adjust plans to accommodate most donated materials. The ReStore is Habitat’s solution for turning these donations, from environmentally concerned individuals and businesses, into money to build homes for families. Volunteers are needed to assist with off-loading donations, stocking the showroom, assisting customers and other administrative duties.

For more information about the Hammers & Heartstrings Ball or to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, visit the organization online at www.habitatpinellas.org or call (727) 536-4755.

Building hope is about believing in a new day . . . in Paradise Found!

CREDITS: Information and some images courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County. www.habitatpinellas.org.

Pinellas County Beaches

Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
Last Updated: July 19, 2010

Pinellas County Beaches

An unspoiled, beautiful part of life . . .
. . . in Paradise Found!

Pinellas County maintains three major parks along the Gulf Coast. Fort De Soto Park, located in Tierra Verde, at the south end of the county, is one of the largest county parks in the State of Florida, with over seven miles of shoreline.

Sand Key Park, located in central Pinellas County, has almost a half mile of beachfront. Howard Park is a gem located on the Gulf of Mexico in the northern reaches of the county in Tarpon Springs. These parks offer a list of amenities that include picnicking facilities, fishing opportunities and other items of interest to residents and tourists alike.

In addition to these major beach park facilities, Pinellas County has six beach access parks, including Indian Rocks, Tiki Gardens/Indian Shores, Redington Shores, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach. These beach access parks expand public access, and include restroom and shower facilities. Pinellas County beach access parks are used by almost eight million visitors each year.

There are several fabulous links on the official Fort De Soto Park website, including virtual tour views, a beach access guide and beach finder, a beach and shell guide, a birding checklist for Fort De Soto Park, a Google Earth tour of Pinellas County Beaches, and a water quality guide. This information is also available from the Pinellas County and Visitor’s Bureau websites, too. Helpful links provided below.

Two state parks in Pinellas County, Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island, provide almost five miles of direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Honeymoon Island State Park is accessible by car, while pristine Caladesi Island State Park is easily reached by modestly priced public ferry that departs several times per day from Honeymoon Island State Park. Amenities and ample public parking is available within the grounds of Honeymoon Island State Park for both facilities.

In addition to the parks mentioned above, several important municipal parks provide direct beach access, amenities and public parking as well. St. Pete Beach’s Pass-A-Grille and Upham Beaches, Treasure Island’s four city-operated beach access parks, Madeira Beach’s Archibald Park and Clearwater’s North and South Beach Parks are examples of municipally operated beach access facilities.

In Pinellas County, beach access is provided at 31 parks and 135 public easements providing well over 12,000 parking spaces available to the public.

Pinellas County continues to recognize the need for expanding the publicly available beach access points and the desirability of providing properly designed and aesthetically pleasing walkovers. The joint efforts on the part of Pinellas County, the State of Florida, our local beach municipalities and the tremendous citizen volunteer efforts employed in our dune replanting, continue to make our beach access expansion and enhancement program a resounding success.

About Pinellas County Beaches

Occupying a peninsula along the Gulf Coast in the heart of west central Florida, Pinellas County is the second smallest county in the state, containing less than 281 square miles. While small in total area, Pinellas enjoys a long coastline along the Gulf Coast, providing over 35 miles of fine white sandy beaches stretching from Tarpon Springs to Fort De Soto.

With over 3,150 people per square mile, Pinellas County today is by far the most densely populated county in the State of Florida and is second only to Atlanta Georgia’s Fulton County, in the southeastern United States. Large numbers of residents are attracted to the county’s mild sub-tropical climate and strong economy. In 1996, over 4.1 million overnight visitors came to Pinellas County from around the state, the nation and throughout the world. To support the growing needs of our expanding residential population and the large number of visitors drawn to our area, enhancing our beaches, the county’s greatest asset, is vitally important to our overall economy and quality of life in our community.

Spotlight — Fort De Soto named America’s Top Beach – 2008
Pristine Area Favorite Lauded as “Portrait of Tranquility”

Fort De Soto Park was named America’s Top Beach by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel community.

Citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere,” the popular online travel network put the park’s North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list, based on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index.

This marks the second time in three years the pristine Pinellas County beach has received top honors on an annual “best-of” list. In 2005, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/beaches.htm

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/virtual_tour_beach_menu.htm

http://www.pinellascounty.org/PDF/BeachGuide.pdf

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/?type=beach

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/pdf/beach-shells.pdf

http://www.pinellascounty.org/resident/recreation.htm

CREDITS: Information courtesy of www.PinellasCounty.org. Photography provided courtesy of my personal photo collection, my friend Brian Greene, and the beach panoramic scene photo provided courtesy of Pinellas County Communications Department

Dive-In Movies – St. Pete Beach Aquatic Center

Written by Connie Langhorst 2 Comments
Last Updated: June 14, 2010

The Dive-In Movie series is a popular summertime event. It is held at the:

St. Pete Beach Family Aquatic Center .

Plan on arriving early because it’s cool (literally and figuratively) to float and swim while a family favorite film is showing!

Bring your pool floats and beach chairs for some Friday night fun!

Admission is $3 per person. Limited to the first 150 people. Movies start at 8PM. Drinks, snacks and glow jewelry sold at the event. No coolers permitted.

Another family-friendly and fun way to spend time . . . in Paradise Found!

ABOUT THE ST. PETE BEACH FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER:

The St. Pete Beach Family Aquatic Center is a year-round heated facility that consists of a six lane Junior Olympic swimming pool with an attached children’s play area featuring several water features that spray, drop and squirt water. This play area consists of a mushroom shaped waterfall and colorful dumping cones. There are two large tubular slides for older children. Tables, lounge chairs, showers, and dressing rooms are available for patrons. The pool area features plenty of room for sunbathing, as well as shade for escaping the hot sun. All areas are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The St. Pete Beach Family Aquatic Center is located at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.

For more information about the Center or the Dive-In Movie series, call 727.363.9264 or direct an email to recreation@stpetebeach.org.

UPCOMING DIVE-IN MOVIE SCHEDULE:
June 18 - Finding Nemo
June 25 - Shrek
July 9 - Bug’ s Life
July 16 – Happy Feet
July 23 - Lion King
July 30 - Monsters Inc.
August 6 - Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs
August 13 - The Incredibles
August 20 - Madagascar

CREDITS: Press release information and photo of the Aquatic Center pool courtesy of www.stpetebeach.org.

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival

Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
Last Updated: May 4, 2010

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival

May 14-15, 2010

At the Don CeSar Beach Resort

The Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival is an electrifying, palate-pleasing, beachfront extravaganza showcasing the talents of renowned vintners, spirits producers, area chefs, and international culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Central Florida, along with its charitable partners Heartbeat International and Pro Start Culinary Program facilitated via Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association – Pinellas Chapter.

Now in its fourth year, the Festival has become the most anticipated wine and food destination in Central Florida. Held on the pristine sands of the 1928 five-star Don CeSar Beach Resort – Florida’s legendary Pink Palace – the Festival’s objective is to educate, entice, enlighten, and entertain patrons.

New Additions for 2010

Event organizers believe in partying like rock stars – and this year they’ve added two new evening events to the festival fantasy. In the spirit of the fest, these two newbies are infused with the high-energy entertainment and sensual treats that the event has become known for; Welcome LUSH and the Beam Beach Bash & BBQ. Pulsating sounds, island beats, exploding flavors, painted ladies, green gardens, bodacious BBQ and performing artists against the sun-drenched backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico – sounds like a palate pleasing, sensory indulging weekend.

Another fantastic reason to raise a glass and give a cheer . . . in Paradise Found!

For More Information, Contact:

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival
Tonya M. Valdez , TBW&FF – Director
Southern Wine & Spirits – Director of PR & Events
tvaldez@southernwine.com
Office: 813-775-7250

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL & EVENT CALENDAR:
http://2010.unleashyourpalate.com/index.html

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HOSTS:

Southern Wine & Spirits is the country’s largest wine and spirits distributor, serving 300,000 customers in 38 states. SWS is also the creators of several runaway event successes such as South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival and the newest sister festival, SWEET in New York City.

Heartbeat International is a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to save lives globally by providing cardiovascular implantable devices and treatment to the needy people of the world. Their vision and passion is to create a world class charitable foundation with successful global strategic partners. In 2009, Heartbeat International adopted a new strategic direction with the concept of a heartbeat global movement. Through strategic partnerships and alliances, the goal is to provide a greater compendium of cardiovascular services to the indigent populations served by Heartbeat International around the world.

FRLA’s Pinellas Chapter & Facilitated Pro Start Culinary Program
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is among the most influential trade associations in Florida. The association was established in 1946 to represent the restaurant industry. Since that time, the scope of FRLA’s representation has expanded to include the entire hospitality industry including lodging establishments, restaurants and thousands of suppliers to the industry. The association is committed to safe-guarding the needs of the hospitality industry and improving the business climate. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) is doing its part to keep the foodservice industry vibrant as they touch the lives of over 10,000 students and their teachers with industry training, scholarships and grant funding.

ProStart is THE career-building program for high school students who are interested in culinary arts and restaurant and foodservice management. Throughout an exciting two year period, they study in the classroom, participate in mentored work experiences, and test their skills in local and national competitions. Most importantly, ProStart students grow into the leaders our industry needs. It’s already working for approximately 80,000 student participants in more than 1,650 schools, across 47 states, territories and districtsProStart is an excellent career starter for high school students, and an exciting teaching opportunity for educators. ProStart students, educators, state restaurant association ProStart Coordinators, mentors and corporate partners all play a vital role in the success of ProStart. A percentage of the TBW&FF proceeds benefit the local, Tampa Bay Area program.

CREDITS: Event information, artwork, and photos courtesy of http://www.unleashyourpalate.com/ and the Don CeSar Beach Resort.

Beach Goes Pops XX

Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
Last Updated: April 23, 2010

2010 represents a huge milestone for this year’s Beach Goes Pops.

Organizers are extremely proud and happy to celebrate the event’s Twentieth exciting year.

Beach Goes Pops XX is the result of the combined efforts of The City of St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille Community & Vina Del Mar Island Associations and 150 plus volunteers who coordinate and help to produce free concerts on beautiful and historic Pass-A-Grille Beach in St. Pete Beach (FL).

The major sponsors are The City of St. Pete Beach and The TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach and ”Wind, Water and Energy Conservation” and “The Island Reporter.”

On Friday, April 23rd, the event welcomes three outstanding performing bands for your musical entertainment. Starting at 4:00pm, there will be live music, food and beverages till 10:30 pm.

On Saturday, April 24th, there will be three performing bands starting at 5:00 pm with music, food and beverages till 10:00 pm. The event proudly welcomes back Robert Romanski, music director and conductor of the Beach Goes Pops Orchestra, with Orchestra music starting at 7:30 pm and continuing till 10:00 pm.

Come join in the fun of an unforgettable Beach Goes Pops weekend with your family, friends and neighbors and enjoy the food, music and sunsets of Pass-A-Grille in a spectacular and unique beach setting.

Music and an unforgettable sunset . . . in Paradise Found!

For an entertainment schedule, press release, and images from past events, visit Beach Goes Pops online at www.BeachGoesPops.com.

For information regarding table sales for Saturday’s catered dinner by Wayl of a Time or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Paula Beersdorf at 727-459-8057 or paulab@sunriskinc.com. For any other questions please contact David Zavac at 727-278-1884 or dzavac@tte.com.

CREDITS: Information and artwork courtesy of www.BeachGoesPops.com.

St. Pete Beach Corey Area Craft Festival

Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
Last Updated: April 6, 2010

7th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Area Craft Festival

This Pinellas County (FL) event has become an annual favorite with residents and visitors alike.

Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach, located near Clearwater and Tampa, will welcome more than 100 of the nation’s best contemporary crafters amidst its great shops and restaurants. This open-air craft fair will feature handmade jewelry, ceramics, pottery, personalized gifts and much more. An expansive Green Market lends plants, exotic flora and homemade soaps. All crafts on display are handmade in the U.S.A.

Stroll along the Corey Avenue Art District to enjoy craft and artist displays, and have lunch or dinner at one of a bevvy of restaurants or food and beverage booths. If you have time take in a flick at the delightfully cool (as in funky) Beach Theatre.

Come spend a day . . . in Paradise Found!

7th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Area Craft Festival

Saturday – Sunday, April 10 – 11, 2010

Show Hours: Saturday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Free, no gate.

Corey Avenue in Downtown St. Pete Beach

Free Admission. Outdoor event.

Sponsored by St. Pete Beach Corey Area Merchant’s, Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, DirectBuy, St. Petersburg Times.

Hosted by American Craft Endeavors. For information call (813) 962-0388.

For GPS Navigational Address Use: 595 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, FL.

To learn more about this event visit, www.ArtFestival.com (click on Events and St. Pete Beach).

For more information about the City of St. Pete Beach, visit www.StPeteBeach.org.

CREDITS: Photos and event information courtesy of www.ArtFestival.com. Some photos are from other area Art Festivals.

St. Pete Beach

Written by MyPinellas.com No Comments
Last Updated: May 5, 2009

The numbers tell the story of St. Pete Beach: of the some 20 square miles that comprise this barrier island community just a little over 2 square miles is land. The rest is water. Needless to say, this is a paradise for anyone who likes to sail, swim, fish or just enjoy the tranquility of waterfront living.

Island Time
Three bridges lead to this beautiful island with its soft white sand beaches, beautiful city parks, and an array of retail, restaurants and hotels that serve residents and accommodate the many visitors who are drawn here. The most famous St. Pete Beach icon is The Don Cesar, Florida’s legendary “Pink Palace” luxury resort and an area landmark for nearly a century.

About 10,000 people live year-round in St. Pete Beach yet the number of residents doubles in the winter, when seasonal residents from other parts of the U.S., Canada and Europe come to stay. About 28 percent of the homes here are in fact second homes.

Activities
The warm Gulf waters and 4 ½ miles of beach afford plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. But St. Pete Beach also has one of the most active parks and recreation programs anywhere. The Family Aquatic Center is a popular destination for locals, and offers classes and swim teams along with the opportunity to just relax around the pool. Residents might partake in a painting class at the Cultural Arts Center or a hip hop class at the Community Center. Sports leagues are popular among adults and kids.

Special Time
Every April people from all over the county come to St. Pete Beach for the Beach Goes Pops event on Pass-a-Grill Beach. It’s free to the public with jazz on Friday and full orchestra pops on Saturday. In November the city puts on the Annual Fish Broil and Auction which started in the 1930s as a way to raise money for schools. This popular event features mullet charcoaled over open pits.

“St. Pete Beach is an island, a small place that’s not going to get any bigger. Those of us who live here love it and feel fortunate to be a part of it. Truth be known, I hate leaving the island for anything.” Danny Walker, resident since 1973.

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Factoids:
Population: 9,929
Land Area: 2.25 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 53.7

Points of Interest: Sailing, Swimming, Fishing, Waterfront living, White Sand Beaches, City Parks, The Don Cesar, Outdoor Recreation Opportunities. The Family Aquatic Center, The Cultural Arts Center, The Community Center, Sports leagues.