St. Pete Beach Public Library News
ST. PETE BEACH — The St. Pete Beach Public Library has set its schedule of upcoming events.
Monday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.-noon. Tech help — walk-in: We offer help with technology basics for phones, computers, and library-related applications. Monday tech help is on a walk-in only basis.
Monday, Aug. 3, 5-5:45 p.m. District 2 commissioner meeting. Join District 2 Commissioner Lisa Robinson for her open office hour at the library.
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Story time: Get ready to wiggle, giggle, and groove. This lively story time is perfect for children ages 5 and under and their caregivers. We’ll explore stories, songs and movement that build early literacy skills and support motor development.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 4-5 p.m. Pokémon club: Trade, battle, and catch them all at Pokémon club.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 11-noon. Donut happy hour: Socialize with other adults while enjoying doughnuts and coffee.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1-4 p.m. Mahjong: Bring some friends and play Mahjong. (not instructional)
Thursday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. Boogie & Bubbles: 20 minutes of music and movement. Great for ages 2-5.
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friends of the Library meeting: Join the Friends of the St Pete Beach Library for their monthly board meeting. Open to the public.
Friday, Aug. 7, 11 a.m. Laughter wellness: You won’t want to miss this hysterical experience that will heighten your awareness of the therapeutic and restorative values of joy and laughter. Presented by Empath Health.
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2-3:30 p.m. Tech help by appointment: We offer help with technology basics for phones, computers, and library-related applications. (We do not make repairs). For our Saturday tech help you can sign up for a 30 minute appointment here: https://calendly.com/stpbeachlibrary/30min or give us a call at 727-363-9238. Please note, because this program will be occurring after our regular library hours, all other library services will be suspended during this time.
Beaches Chamber announces 2026 Taste of the Beaches
ST. PETE BEACH — Save your appetite. The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce has announced the return of Taste of the Beaches 2026, kicking off on Friday, Oct. 2, with Taste Week running Oct. 3-11.
For just $10, food lovers can discover new local favorites, revisit beloved restaurants, and experience the incredible flavors of the Tampa Bay Beaches. Whether it’s the restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or your go-to neighborhood spot, Taste of the Beaches offers an affordable way to explore the area’s vibrant dining scene while supporting a local nonprofit organization. The benefited organization has not yet been announced.
Festivities begin with the Taste of the Beaches kick off event on Oct. 2 at Horan Park in St Pete Beach, followed by nine days of culinary exploration featuring participating restaurants across the Tampa Bay beaches communities.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone back for another year of great food, community, and giving back,” said Charlie Justice, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Taste of the Beaches is a wonderful opportunity to support our local restaurants while making a positive impact in our community.”
Gulf Beaches Library sets activities
MADEIRA BEACH — The Gulf Beaches Public Library has released 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.
• 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.
• Novel book club: This book club focuses on fiction, from hidden gems to cult favorites. Meets every two weeks at 10 a.m. The next book is “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” by Benjamin Stevenson on Tuesday, Aug. 11, followed by “The Binding Room” by Nadine Matheson on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
• Book lovers club: Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 10:30 a.m. “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata.
• Adult summer reading ends Aug. 7. Read a book, tell the librarians 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.
Ongoing tech help is available with library apps like Kanopy, Hoopla, and Libby.
Gulf Beaches Library is located at 200 Municipal Drive. Find it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit its website at gulfbeacheslibrary.org.
Mad Beach sets road milling, paving schedule
Roadway work in Area 3 is scheduled to begin Aug. 3 and continue through Aug. 12, city officials said.
Crews will mill existing road surfaces and lay new asphalt on several neighborhood streets. In most cases, milling will take place the day before paving, except where weekends interrupt the schedule.
The tentative schedule:
• Milling Aug. 3, paving Aug. 4: East Parsley Drive from A Street to West Parsley Drive and Marguerite Drive; A Street between East and West Parsley drives.
• Milling Aug. 4, paving Aug. 5: East Parsley Drive from A Street to Lynn Way; Lynn Way from East Parsley Drive to Marguerite Drive.
• Milling Aug. 5, paving Aug. 6: West Parsley Drive from Marguerite Drive to 140th Avenue East.
• Milling Aug. 6, paving Aug. 7: East Parsley Drive from Lynn Way to 140th Avenue East.
• Milling Aug. 7, paving Aug. 10: South Bayshore Drive from 140th Avenue East to Island Drive.
• Milling Aug. 10, paving Aug. 11: Pruitt Drive from Pay Point Drive to East Parsley Drive.
• Milling Aug. 11, paving Aug. 12: Marguerite Drive from West Parsley Drive to 140th Avenue East.
During construction, residents can expect temporary traffic delays, increased noise and limited access to some streets while crews are working.
To keep the project on schedule, the city asks residents to:
• Avoid parking on streets scheduled for milling or paving.
• Follow posted traffic signs, detours and directions from work crews.
• Use extra caution when driving, walking or biking through active work zones.
• Allow extra travel time when passing through the area.
Redevelopment study meetings continue
TREASURE ISLAND — The third in a series of four in-person meetings on the city’s commercial redevelopment study areas will be held Monday, Aug. 3, and will focus on the John’s Pass area.
The final meeting, on the downtown area, will be Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Both meetings run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Treasure Island City Hall, fifth floor, 10451 Gulf Blvd.
The interactive format is designed to gather ideas, concerns and opportunities from residents and business owners. Free parking and refreshments will be provided.
Treasure Island sets budget workshops, hearings
TREASURE ISLAND — Treasure Island’s fiscal year 2027 budget meetings begin next month, and the city is encouraging residents and business owners to take part.
The meetings give the public a chance to share ideas, priorities and concerns directly with city leaders.
• Budget workshop: Friday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• First public hearing: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
• Second public hearing: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m.
Treasure Island police recognized in state traffic safety challenge
TREASURE ISLAND — The Treasure Island Police Department was recognized at the July 21 City Commission meeting for its performance in the Florida Department of Transportation’s Enhanced Law Enforcement Engagement Challenge.
Over the past four years, department officers have consistently ranked among the state’s top performers, earning about $25,000 in traffic safety equipment each year at no cost to city taxpayers, according to a city news release.
The equipment includes:
• Radar speed trailers
• Variable message boards
• Handheld laser speed enforcement units
• Portable breath-testing devices
• Portable traffic data recorders
• Galaxy Air Lights
Points in the challenge are not earned by writing tickets, but through high-visibility patrols, community education and proactive safety initiatives intended to prevent crashes.
Fire rescue plans 25th anniversary 9/11 walk
TREASURE ISLAND — Treasure Island Fire Rescue will hold its annual Memorial Walk on Sept. 11, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks and what the department expects to be its largest commemoration to date.
The walk covers 3.43 miles, a nod to the 343 firefighters who died responding to the World Trade Center attacks. It begins at 8:46 a.m., the moment the North Tower was struck, at the Freedom Boat Club, 12765 Kingfish Drive, and finishes at the Heron parking lot on Sunset Beach, 7545 Bayshore Drive. The route runs along Gulf Boulevard, with refreshments and snacks available along the way.
Free parking will be available at all Sunset Beach lots and at City Hall. A shuttle will run through the morning, carrying participants to the starting point beforehand and back to the parking areas afterward.
Participants are invited to gather after the walk at Caddy’s Treasure Island, 9000 W. Gulf Blvd.
Community members of all ages are invited.
Treasure Island seeks applicants for city boards
TREASURE ISLAND — Treasure Island has several openings coming up on city boards.
They are:
• Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency — four openings
• Code Enforcement Board — three openings
• LIFT Board — four openings
Applications are due July 31.