Luna delivers $1.6M for wastewater upgrades
Treasure Island City Commissioners pose with U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and a check she presented for $1.6 million in federal funding for the city’s wastewater collection system lining project. The funding will help the city line portions of its existing wastewater collection system to reduce stormwater and groundwater infiltration, improve system performance, and lower long-term maintenance costs. The lining project will reduce infiltration levels from the current 45-65% to a goal of 10%, extending the life of the pipes by up to 50 years. The city owns and operates more than 122,000 linear feet of predominantly vitrified clay pipes installed between the 1940s and 1970s. After decades of service, portions of the system have become prone to cracks that allow stormwater and groundwater to enter the wastewater system, increasing strain during normal operations and heavy rain events.
Treasure Island sets weekend patriotic boat parade
Treasure Island will hold a patriotic boat parade Saturday, May 23, as the U.S.A. celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“This is not a political event,” the city said in announcing the boat parade. “It’s a fun, family-friendly flotilla bursting with red, white, and blue spirit, with boats decked out with American flags, sparkling with stars and stripes, and radiating American pride.”
The parade route starts behind the Publix, cruises around Treasure Bay, sails under the Treasure Island Causeway bridge, weaves through the Isle of Palms and Isle of Capri neighborhoods and drops anchor in John’s Pass. It’s the perfect way to showcase our beautiful waterways while honoring America’s milestone birthday.
Register your boat to become part of the fleet, or grab your lawn chair, slap on your brightest red, white, and blue outfit, wave a flag, and cheer from the shore. Treasure Bay will be open to the public and offers one of the best viewing spots in the area.
For more details or to register your boat, visit MyTreasureIsland.com/TI250. You can also call the Parks and Recreation Department at 727-547-4575, ext. 246, or email recreation@mytreasureisland.org.
Presentations to discuss Coastal Master Plan
TREASURE ISLAND — Residents and business owners are invited to participate in Community Flood Listening Sessions, providing an opportunity to share concerns related to local flooding and community flood risks. These sessions will be held on the fifth floor of City Hall on the following dates:
• May 26: 2-3 p.m., session for business owners
• May 27: 6-7 p.m., session for residents
The sessions will be facilitated by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, which is spearheading the Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan, a four-year, grant-funded initiative (2025-2028) aimed at bolstering regional resilience by addressing inland and coastal flooding impacts through a coordinated, data-informed, and community-inclusive planning process. Throughout this initiative, the TBCMP will identify flood-prone communities, prioritize restoration and flood mitigation projects, and guide long-term adaptation strategies across seven counties, including Pinellas County.
The objectives of the TBCMP encompass the development of the inaugural plan, fostering regional coordination, encouraging community participation, maximizing co-benefits for flood and habitat risk mitigation, and informing local and regional adaptation investments.
Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Event
Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste will hold a collection and disposal event on Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Treasure Island Community Center Park.
Bring household chemicals such as old gasoline, motor oil, paint, and certain batteries to the event, where those nasty items can be dropped off for free. (Quantity limits apply.)
For full details and quantity limits, visit: https://pinellas.gov/household-hazardous-waste-hhw-collection
Treasure Island sets summer camp for kids
Treasure Island’s 10-week Summer Camp for children ages 5 to 12 runs from June 1 through Aug. 7, with the camp closed on Friday, July 3. Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours available from 7 to 7:45 a.m. and 5:05 to 5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. Campers will enjoy a variety of activities, including games, sports, arts and crafts, parties, guest speakers, entertainment, movies, field trips, and more.
Register online or stop by the recreation department office at Treasure Island City Hall at 10451 Gulf Blvd, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact 727- 547-4575 ext. 246 or email recreation@mytreasureisland.org.
St. Pete Beach Public Library News
ST. PETE BEACH — The St. Pete Beach Public Library set its schedule of upcoming events. On Monday, May 25, the library will be closed in observation of Memorial Day.
• 10 a.m. Storytime: Get ready to wiggle, giggle, and groove. This lively story time is perfect for children ages 5 and under and their caregivers. Explore stories, songs and movement that build early literacy skills and support motor development.
• Wednesday, May 27, 11 a.m. Memory Table: Sharing the Stories Behind Our Keepsakes: A friendly roundtable gathering where adults are invited to share a meaningful item and the story behind it.
• Thursday May 28, 10 a.m. Inclusive Art Hour with Creative Clay: Creative Clay’s mission is to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences in the arts. Make art at the library alongside teaching and member artists from Creative Clay. There’s no right or wrong way to create. All materials are provided.
• Thursday May 28, 1 p.m. Intro to OLLI: Join for a 30-minute presentation from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Find out more about classes and events offered through this adult learning program at Eckerd College.
• Friday, May 29, 12 p.m. Feature Film: For movie details visit spblibrary.org.
• Saturday, May 30, 2-4 p.m. Tech Help by appointment: Get help with technology basics for phones, computers, and library-related applications. (No repairs). For Saturday Tech Help, sign up for a 30-minute appointment here: https://calendly.com/stpbeachlibrary/30min or call 727-363-9238. Please note, because this program will be occurring after regular library hours, all other library services will be suspended during this time.
Gulf Beaches Library announces activities
MADEIRA BEACH — The Gulf Beaches Public Library has scheduled the following upcoming events and activities:
• Closed: Monday, May 25. Memorial Day.
• Library App Help: Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. For help with Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla.
• Mahjong: Thursdays, 11 a.m. Old and new members welcome.
• Investment Club: Thursdays, 2:30-4 p.m.
• Meditation: Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon. Relax and rejuvenate at the end of the week.
• Scrabble: Fridays, 1-4 p.m.
• Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. ages 2 and under; Fridays at 10:30 a.m. ages 2-4.
• Author Talk: Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. Gulf Beaches Library staff member Christine Sloman will present her new memoir, ‘idk, my dad has dementia,’ do a Q&A, and sign copies of her book.
• 250th Anniversary Celebration: Stop by the library during June and July to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation. Sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence and receive a free flag.
• Adult Summer Reading: Starts June 1. Read a book, tell us about it, enter for a chance to win a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card.
The library is currently taking gently used donations of books. We do not take textbooks.
Gulf Beaches Library is located at 200 Municipal Drive in Madeira Beach, FL. Find it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit the library’s website at gulfbeacheslibrary.org.