In the News This Week

• What happened to Gulf Blvd. project funds in St. Pete Beach? Fox 13 provided an important update last night into the mismanagement of the Gulf Boulevard undergrounding project,

• Caught on Camera: Treasure Island Car Wash Vandalized. Owner Erik Norrie is now offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can identify the vandals — looking like inebriated, scooter riders!

• Fiery Road Rage: St. Pete Beach district fire chief resigns after road rage incident with cyclist.

• Two Out of Three? Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach have been selected in the “Top 10 Friendliest Towns to Visit in Florida”. Treasure Island was seen grimacing and sulking after being left out.

• More Sand for PAG Beach: Pinellas County has received authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to resume work on the nourishment of Pass-a-Grille Beach.

• Rent Price Dropping? The latest Redfin rental report shows that rent prices in the Tampa Bay region are dropping. The median apartment asking rent in the U.S. rose 0.7% year over year in June, but Tampa Bay posted a 6% decline -- the largest on record.

• Maui Zowie! Tiki Bagel begins serving Brooklyn-style bagels in July at St. Pete Beach. 455 75th Avenue North, open 7:30 am to 2 pm.

• Like Chicken Tenders? Raising Cane Coming to Tyrone Square Mall (adjacent to Tires Plus). Construction is scheduled to begin in December, with doors opening in early fall 2025.

• Dreamy Flea Market: Every Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Corey Avenue in SPB hosts up to 85 vendors. The emphasis is on local fresh, hydroponic, organic veggies, gourmet takeout treats, locally made crafts, and live music.

Eco Warrior Beach

Beach Chicks (NOT what you’re thinking!)

By Ginger Goepper

Before any of us were born, Black Skimmers had been nesting on our shores, raising their chicks amidst all kinds of peril: storms, predation, flooding, human interference, and, sadly, cruelty. So, Audubon Florida volunteers like me educate beachgoers about this amazing life cycle to create an atmosphere of supportive protection for these beloved shorebirds.

The Black Skimmers are an imperiled species, which means they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers join Audubon Florida Staff to mark off fencing around the nesting colony. Signs are erected to inform beachgoers about the nesting shorebirds. Their nesting season starts in May and wraps up by early September. During that time, they live on a precarious edge between life and death. Even so, they are strong survivors.

Every summer during nesting season, Dr. Beth Forys, under oversight by FFWC Officers, leads her Eckerd College students, Audubon Florida Staff, and trained volunteers in banding Pinellas Black Skimmers. This event occurs a few weeks after their birth. Banding assures several birds can be tracked to study their migratory patterns. Several years ago, a banded Skimmer, exhausted from his travels, was brought into Seaside Seabird Sanctuary on Indian Rocks Beach. The band indicated he had been born on St. Pete Beach twenty-six years earlier! With nourishment and "TLC," the aging Skimmer was released to continue his journey by the shores.

Last summer, I researched and created a decade of Black Skimmer nesting locations on a map of St. Pete Beach. I also listed the number of fledges from each of those colonies. Below is the map I created to record patterns, successes, and failures among our nesting Black Skimmers on St. Pete Beach. If you would like to follow the progress of the Skimmer colonies at all the Pinellas coast locations, you may ask to join our Facebook group: Tampa Bay Area Bird Stewards. If you want to work with Audubon Florida to protect our shorebirds during nesting season, contact Holley Short, Audubon Florida Shorebird Program manager: [email protected] .

“Customary Use” and Environmental Protection

By Carlos Miro

Few realize that the “customary use” doctrine plays a vital role in environmental protection and conservation. Rooted in local communities' intimate knowledge and stewardship, customary practices often embody sustainable resource management principles.

An Example of Customary Use in Environmental Conservation:

Centuries-old oyster harvesting practices in Florida’s Apalachicola Bay show the power of customary use in environmental stewardship. Local communities are often the strongest stewards of their environment — here, oyster harvesters developed sustainable methods that safeguarded the oyster population and broader ecosystem health. By merging traditional knowledge with modern science, oyster harvesters revitalized the bay, underscoring the pivotal role of customary use in ecosystem preservation and local livelihoods.

Challenges and Opportunities

While customary use offers significant potential for environmental protection, it also faces challenges, but these should not overshadow the immense potential of customary use in environmental protection.

There is growing recognition of the importance of integrating customary use law into environmental governance. Governments and conservation organizations can achieve more effective and equitable environmental protection by working with local communities to strengthen and support customary practices.

What does our elected representative in the Florida State Legislature think about customary use on your beaches? Florida Rep. Linda Chaney says, “I believe residents should have beach access and not be forced into limited areas like a single public beach area.” Rep. Chaney was formerly a City Commissioner in St. Pete Beach and now represents our area in the state legislature.

Do you want to know more about customary use and why it’s important? Visit Florida Beaches for All.

Treasure Island Promotes “Waterside Wisdom”

Starting on Wednesday, July 24, the City of Treasure Island will be holding a short series of one-hour educational conversations designed to educate our communities on beach-environment topics. These sessions will be led by experts from Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, Friends of Pelicans, and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. Each week, those attending will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, gain valuable insights, and learn practical ways to contribute to preserving our beautiful coastal environment.

Rescue Beach

Florida Fleas: A Serious Threat and Hard to Remedy

Recently, this comment was posted on social media: “Hello, fellow Pet Parents: What flea regimen seems to work best in our area? I had my German Shepherd on Simparica Trio but am considering Nexgard Plus. I am also looking for something for my indoor cat and possibly the outdoor feral cat that hangs around the house.”

In just a couple of days, there were over 40 replies posted, with recommendations. Here’s the breakdown:

• Simparica Trio: Mentioned seven times.

• Trifexis: Mentioned six times.

• Nexgard Plus: Mentioned four times.

• Seresto Collars: Mentioned three times.

• Bravecto: Mentioned three times.

• Cheristin: Mentioned once.

• K9 Advantix: Mentioned once.

• Strohghold: Mentioned once.

• Heartgard: Mentioned once.

• Diatomaceous Earth: Mentioned once.

• Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Water, and Witch Hazel: Mentioned once.

 QUOTED — Some of the replies:

• I've been using Seresto collars for several years. They also repel mosquitoes. I watched them around my dog but never landed on her. They do work. Seresto surprised me. The collars are AWESOME and last for most of the year!

• My two shepherds are on Bravecto with zero issues. They also get the yearly heartworm shot, so I’m not trying to remember monthly meds.

• I use Nexgard Plus, but I think a huge factor is having your yard sprayed for fleas.

• I use Trifexis for my two. I buy it out of Canada. It’s much cheaper (www.canadapetcare.com).

  • Response: It’s not much cheaper; six months is $159. My vet sells it for $189, so it's only about $30 cheaper. I was hoping it was half the price, but it’s not.

  • Follow-up: Trifexis used to cost me $130 through 800-Pet-Meds. I'm paying $75 now for a six-pack. Plus, you bypass the vet costs of heartworm tests and office visits. It adds up.

• I just ordered a Simparica trio, saving me $50 for six months' supply.

• Heartworm tests are necessary at least once a year; animals with heartworms can die from taking Simpatico or Trifexis.

Florida Breeding Super Fleas

In Florida, there is growing concern that fleas are becoming resistant to many commonly used medications. Reports indicate that some flea populations have developed resistance to popular topical treatments like Frontline Plus and K9 Advantix, which have been in use for many years. This resistance arises because fleas that survive these treatments pass on their resistant genes to the next generation​ (BioMed Central)​​ (Union Lake Veterinary Hospital).

Here are two replies regarding natural remedies:

• “I use lemon juice, vinegar, water, and witch hazel on all my pets. I put it in a spray bottle, sprayed my hands, and rubbed it down to the skin. Then I brush. I put it on a brush. Then, I sprayed everywhere inside and outside. It works for me, and I have lots of pets.”

• “If you want to treat the outside or inside of your house with something fabulous and safe for everyone, use diatomaceous earth! We will be overrun with pests this year—and even if you're treating your house, it doesn’t mean anyone around you is doing it! So, use it everywhere—you can even use it in your garden too! Research it and check it out! I stand by it for sure! PS, please use a breakaway collar on the feral cat if you will treat it too! Thank you, and I hope you can control those fleas and pests!”

Natural Remedies for Eliminating Flea Infestations

Natural remedies can offer an effective and safe solution if you're battling flea infestations on your pets and around your home. In my own experience, we had a very serious infestation that lasted for many months, despite the fact we were using monthly dosages of some of the prescription products mentioned above. I don’t remember how much money we spent treating our cats and taking them to the vet, but it was a lot. We even gas-bombed our house twice.

Believe it or not, the only things that worked for us were Diatomaceous Earth and Flea Traps (shown below). Next time, we’ll also try using lemon juice, etc.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a fantastic option for a powerful, all-natural indoor and outdoor treatment. This fine powder is made from crushed fossilized algae with microscopic sharp edges. When fleas come into contact with DE, the sharp edges puncture the flea's exoskeleton (outer shell). These punctures damage the waxy coating on the flea's exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die. DE can be effective against adult fleas and some flea larvae but doesn't kill flea eggs. So, it may require consistent use to interrupt the flea life cycle.

• Indoor Use: Sprinkle DE on carpets, pet bedding, and other surfaces where fleas are present. Leave it for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly. For bagless vacuums, empty the canister into a trash bag outside. For canisters with bags, dispose of the bags in your outside trash bin.

• Outdoor Use: Apply DE around your yard, focusing on areas where your pets spend the most time. It’s safe for use in gardens and can help control various pests.

• Caution: While DE is generally safe for humans and pets when used according to instructions, inhaling it can irritate the lungs. Use food-grade DE and wear a mask when applying it.

Flea Traps with Light and Sticky Paper: Flea traps that use light and sticky paper can also effectively manage fleas indoors. These traps attract fleas with a light source, and the sticky paper ensures that the fleas are captured and unable to escape.

• How They Work: Place the traps where fleas are commonly found, such as near pet bedding or in corners of rooms.

• Effectiveness: The light attracts the fleas, and the sticky paper traps them, reducing the flea population over time.

• Advantages: This is one of the most affordable flea control options. You can easily see the number of fleas trapped, allowing you to gauge the severity of the problem and track the effectiveness of your control measures.

Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Water, and Witch Hazel Spray: A simple yet potent remedy involves using a mix of lemon juice, vinegar, water, and witch hazel. Here's how you can prepare and use it:

• Method: Mix equal parts of lemon juice, vinegar, and water with a splash of witch hazel in a spray bottle.

• Application: Spray the solution onto your hands and rub it thoroughly into your pet's fur, reaching down to the skin. You can spray it directly onto a brush and comb through your pet's coat. Additionally, use the spray on furniture, pet bedding, and other areas where fleas might be hiding. This mixture helps repel fleas and leaves a fresh scent.

By incorporating these natural remedies into your flea control regimen, you can protect your pets and home from infestations without exposing them to harmful chemicals.

Lifestyle Beach

Restaurant Review by Dana Ball, Foodie

I am a foodie. I am not a food critic; I am not a chef, nor am I here to criticize a restaurant. My husband and I love eating out, and I am here to hopefully give you some insight into some restaurants in our area and share our experience. Maybe I uncover one you haven’t heard about or give you a nudge to retry one you haven’t been to in a while. Sometimes we eat out like we did this week, with our dinner club, sometimes just ourselves.

Last night, it was my husband Joe’s choice for dinner club (DC), and he chose a restaurant that we had driven by for 15 years but had never been in. The restaurant Joe chose was Carino's Northern Italian Cuisine located at 9524 Blind Pass Rd #5, St Pete Beach.

We had driven past Carino’s and always said we needed to check out the restaurant with the piano bar. Upon entering, you will notice that the interior is original, and I mean, I feel it desperately needs updating. Our DC members felt the original décor brought a certain charm to it. Once you have the food you might forget the décor. The portions are healthy in size and made fresh. We started out with a portobello mushroom topped with crab and melted creamy mozzarella cheese. It was special, and I would suggest asking if they have it when you go. It is large enough for 2-4 people to share. We also had Calamari Fritti - fried squid with Marinara sauce. Large pieces of squid that were beautifully fried, not greasy at all.

For our dinners, we had a variety of dishes. I had one of the specials not on the regular menu, the Osso Buco – veal shank braised in white wine - with Penne in Vodka (pink) sauce. The meat was braised perfectly making it juicy with a nice contrast to its rich and hearty sauce. Joe had the Chicken Marsala - Chicken breast sauteed with mushroom, sweet Marsala wine, and demi glaze - and Penne, which he loved. The chicken was thin and moist. Other DC diners had Pollo Scarpariello - Sauteed Chicken breast and sausage with mushroom, white wine, and lemon butter sauce - Pollo Fiorentina – Chicken breast sauteed with onions, topped with spinach, mozzarella cheese, a touch of brandy and cream sauce, Eggplant Parmigiana - Sliced Eggplant with topping of Marinara Sauce and mozzarella cheese, to name a few. Each meal also came with delicious warm bread and salad. The restaurant has a full bar and a nice wine list. Everyone raved about their food and said they would return.

What also made our dining experience outstanding was the service. Our waiter, Hamid, did an excellent job serving a table of 10. He was personable, knowledgeable about the food, and had a great sense of humor. I almost forgot to mention that we ate in the piano bar. There is the main dining area and the piano bar. Joe made arrangements for the piano player to come in on a Tuesday for us, which added to the ambiance and fun of the evening. The entertainment is on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights only.

If you haven’t been to Carino’s try it out. If you haven’t been in a while, give it another try. I hope you like it as much as we did. If you have a suggestion of a restaurant for me to try drop me a line at [email protected]

Home Beach - Real Estate News

By Dana Ball, Realtor

As a full-time professional Realtor, I get asked on a daily basis, “How is the market here?” I can say with confidence that it is fundamentally good. As of mid-2024, the real estate market in our area has shown mixed trends. Median home prices have marginally increased. The number of Single Family Homes (SFH) sold has slightly increased in zip 33706 and decreased in 33708 from June 2023 to June 2024.

Condo sales in both zip codes decreased from last year. More notably, properties are spending more time on the market compared to last year. The market has experienced home buyers having unreal expectations of the mortgage market reality and challenges of insurance prices reflecting broader trends in Florida’s real estate market. Here is a snippet of what sales looked like from June 2023 and June 2024.

City Beach

Empowering our local communities through informed and active engagement to address local challenges and foster self-reliance.

Advocacy: The St. Pete Beach PAC

By Claudine Reece, Director, Friends of St. Pete Beach PAC

Friends of St. Pete Beach PAC, a newly formed political action committee, is committed to endorsing and electing candidates who align with the community's needs. This initiative comes in response to the significant upcoming election on Tuesday, August 20, where SPB residents will have the opportunity to reclaim their right to representative government.

In the past year, all four commissioners resigned, appointing their own replacements. Now, it’s time for the residents of St. Pete Beach to choose their representatives. The focus is on District 2, where the election will feature candidates Nick Filtz and Lisa Robinson. Residents can vote in person or request a mail-in ballot via the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

To better understand the candidates, voters can watch their interviews before the City Commission on YouTube: Here is the link. Mr. Filtz's segment begins at time marker 13:40, and Ms. Robinson’s at 35:00. These interviews highlight stark differences in their engagement and understanding of key city issues.

Candidate Insights:

Nick Filtz:

• No attendance at City Commission meetings, workshops, or town halls.

• Emphasizes the need for growth and family return to St. Pete Beach.

• Lacks clear solutions for city issues like roads, crosswalks, and beach clean-up.

• Voted against several resident-favoring conditions on the Sirata and TradeWinds Conditional Use Permits (CUPs).

Lisa Robinson:

• Attended multiple City Commission meetings, workshops, and visioning sessions.

• Involved in planning and production of live events, bringing extensive logistical and safety experience.

• Addresses significant issues like sea level rise, stormwater management, and redevelopment permits.

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of city planning and regulations, advocating for resident interests.

The Friends of St. Pete Beach PAC endorses Lisa Robinson, recognizing her 20-year commitment to improving life in St. Pete Beach. Her knowledge of local regulations, active participation in city meetings, and advocacy for residents make her the preferred candidate for District 2.

The Friends of St. Pete Beach PAC aims to elect leaders dedicated to preserving community character, investing in infrastructure, protecting wildlife, maintaining beaches and water quality, ensuring public safety, and upholding fiscal responsibility.

Stay informed and engaged by visiting FriendsofStPeteBeach.com to learn more about the candidates and their platforms. Your involvement is crucial for the future of our beach community.

Community Beach

Building strong communities empowers individuals, enhances the quality of our lives, and fosters a just society.

QUESTION: Does a “just society” work at the level of a small city?

ANSWER: While the term "just society" often evokes grand societal visions (for example, the Civil Rights movement), its principles can be realized within smaller communities. In fact, small cities like St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach often provide a fertile ground for fostering a just society at the local level due to our close-knit nature and the potential for direct citizen engagement.

What does that mean? Generally speaking:

• A strong sense of community where residents feel informed, connected, and supported.

• A commitment to environmental protection and long-term well-being.

• A strong emphasis on government transparency, fiscal responsibility, and openness to citizen input.

• A concern for the less advantaged and a willingness to help through community-based initiatives.

• A safe and secure community, relatively free of crime and free of unequal application of laws, standards, and rules.

History Beach

Courtesy of the Treasure Island Historical Society

If you continue reading, consider yourself a history fan! And consider this your invitation to become a member of the Treasure Island Historical Society (TIHS). Anybody can join!

Once you’re a member, you can go on field trips with us to key spots in the area, watch YouTube recollections of old-time locals’ island tales, and attend speaker events and gatherings with others interested in Treasure Island’s history.

A yearly individual membership is $25, a family membership is $45, and a lifetime membership is $250 (we accept Venmo: @tihsorg to 727-542-2977), The money from your membership goes toward preserving Treasure Island’s history.

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or look for us on Facebook! Unfortunately, the Careless Navigator, an establishment that was part of the island's quirky nautical character, has been replaced by large goldenrod condominiums at the corner of the entrance to the Isle of Capri. Wistfully look at them the next time you go by!

A “scuttlebutt” is a nautical term for a wooden cask used to serve water on a ship. Kind of the landlubber’s water cooler, where much gossip, another type of scuttlebutt, might be shared.

Picture Beach

Pictures from local residents: With this picture, Ginger reminds us there is more to our communities than sand and surf. There is real beauty in our cities on the Gulf in Pinellas County — beauty beyond the beach — in our intercoastal waterways, in our parks, and in our people.