St. Pete Beach Public Library News
ST. PETE BEACH — The St. Pete Beach Public Library has set its schedule of upcoming events.
• Monday, July 27, 11 a.m.-noon — Tech help walk-in: Get help with technology basics for phones, computers, and library-related applications. Monday tech help is on a walk-in only basis
• Monday, July 27, 4 p.m. — Story Time Adventures: A special patriotic birthday party themed adventure for the USA.
• Tuesdays, 10 a.m. — Story Time: 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, July 29, 1-4 p.m. — Mahjong: Bring some friends and play Mahjong. (not instructional)
• Wednesday, July 29, 5-6 p.m. — Family magic show: Come for a spellbinding mix of magic and comedy from Cesar Domico. An energetic comedy show full of participation at the front of the audience.
• Thursday, July 30, 10 am. — Boogie & Bubbles: 20 minutes of music and movement. Great for ages 2-5.
• Friday, July 31, 11 a.m. — Worm farming & compost workshop. Come for an engaging workshop with laica worms and discover the fascinating world of worm composting. Don’t miss your chance to win your very own worm farm complete with a colony of 200 red wigglers.
• Saturday, Aug. 1, noon — Author Talk with Chaim Freiberg: The presentation will introduce the background and the real-life personalities that inspired the characters in the story.
• Saturday, Aug. 1, 2-3:30 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 at https://calendly.com/stpbeachlibrary/30min or call 727-363-9238. Because this program will be occurring after regular library hours, all other library services will be suspended during this time.
Gulf Beaches Library sets events
MADEIRA BEACH —The Gulf Beaches Public Library is located at 200 Municipal Drive. Here is a schedule of upcoming events:
• Writers group: Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon.
• Adult coloring book group: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon.
• 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.
• A novel book club: New at the library, this book club focuses on fiction, from hidden gems to cult favorites. Meets every two weeks at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28: “Calder Brand” by Janet Dailey. Tuesday, August 11: ‘“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone,” by Benjamin Stevenson.
• Adult Summer Reading: Read a book, tell the library about it, enter for a chance to win a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card.
The library is currently taking gently used donations of books; no textbooks. It also offers ongoing tech help with library apps like Kanopy, Hoopla, and Libby.
Find the Gulf Beaches Library on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and on the library website at gulfbeacheslibrary.org.
Beaches Chamber celebrates legislative victories
ST. PETE BEACH — The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber is celebrating the successful passage of several key legislative priorities following Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of Florida’s 2026-2027 state budget. The legislation represents a significant victory for Tampa Bay beaches, tourism industry, and local businesses, Chamber officials said in a press release.
Among the Chamber’s top legislative priorities this session were funding for beach nourishment, continued investment in Visit Florida, and protecting the Tourist Development Tax. All three priorities were successfully secured.
The budget includes $86 million for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Strategic Beach Management Plan, with $43 million allocated directly to Pinellas County for beach nourishment projects. These funds will help restore and maintain Pinellas County’s beaches, strengthen coastal resilience, and protect one of the region’s most valuable economic assets.
The governor also approved $80 million in funding for Visit Florida, ensuring the state can continue marketing Florida to visitors around the world.
In addition, lawmakers protected Florida’s Tourist Development Tax, preserving a critical funding source for destination marketing organizations, including Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. The Tourist Development Tax, paid by overnight visitors staying in hotels and vacation rentals, provides the resources needed to market Pinellas County as a premier travel destination and helps attract visitors whose spending supports local restaurants, hotels, retailers, attractions, and small businesses.
“These are significant victories for Pinellas County,” said Charlie Justice, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. “Our beaches are the foundation of our local economy and protecting them while continuing to invest in tourism marketing ensures our businesses remain strong and our communities continue to thrive. We appreciate the governor and legislator for recognizing the importance of these investments and for supporting the communities that make The Tampa Bay Beaches such a special place to live, work, and visit.”