Citizen Beach - Community Journalism

In the News This Week

I’ve captured all the key news impacting our beach communities this week, so you don’t miss anything important!

• September 11 Anniversary: As we approach the anniversary, let us take a moment to remember the lives lost and the courage of those who responded with bravery and resilience. It’s a day for reflection, unity, and honoring the spirit of togetherness that emerged from tragedy. Here are eight ways to honor 9/11/01 in Tampa Bay.

• Friday the 13th? Time to party! Street Party Extravaganza on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach begins at 5 pm.

• Vacation Rentals a Sore Subject in Indian Rocks Beach: City residents chanted “Homes Not Hotels” as Commissioners consider loosening some restrictions (TBN Weekly).

• Citizens’ Voices Were Heard: Treasure Island Resident writes, in a letter to the editor of the TBN Weekly, “‘We the People’ triumphed over government overreach at the Treasure Island City Commission meeting and workshop on Tuesday night, Aug. 20.”

Movies at the Beach

When Hollywood Came to the Beach: Cocoon's Local Legacy

It’s been 40 years since Cocoon hit theaters, captivating audiences with its heartwarming blend of sci-fi, comedy, and drama. Directed by Ron Howard, the 1985 film tells the story of a group of elderly residents at a retirement community who are mysteriously rejuvenated after swimming in a pool infused with alien energy.

Cocoon was a box office success, earning two Academy Awards, including one for Best Supporting Actor (Don Ameche), and leaving a lasting impression on viewers with its themes of youth, friendship, and the mysteries of the universe. In 1985, Cocoon generated $85.3 million at the box office. Adjusted for inflation, that would be approximately $314.2 million in today's dollars. Cocoon ranked 6th in box office performance for 1985, a competitive year filled with iconic films like Back to the Future, Rambo, Rocky IV, The Goonies, and The Breakfast Club. Cocoon's earnings placed it among the year's top films.

What many people may not know is that much of Cocoon was filmed right here in our own backyard—in Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, and St. Pete. The movie showcased many familiar landmarks, bringing a touch of Hollywood to our quiet beachside communities. Let’s look at some notable locations and their roles in the film.

John’s Pass: One of the most famous filming locations is John’s Pass, where the character Jack Bonner (played by Steve Guttenberg) rents out his boat, the Manta III. Once a humble fishing village, John’s Pass has since transformed into a bustling tourist destination with its iconic boardwalk and shops. In the movie, you can spot the words “World Famous John’s Pass” on a building in the background as the aliens rent the boat.

Though it’s amusing to watch Guttenberg dive off the pass and appear to swim through what looks like the Great Barrier Reef (a far cry from the waters of our Gulf), it’s a fun reminder of the movie magic that brought this scene to life. The dock area is still owned by the man's family, who was there when filming occurred.

The Pool House: The famous “magical” pool scenes from Cocoon weren’t filmed next door to a retirement community at all. Instead, they were shot at an estate along Boca Ciega Bay called Casa de Muchas Flores (House of Many Flowers), located on Park Street North. The estate’s existing pool was temporarily outfitted with a custom-built pool house for the film. The owners liked the design so much that they later built a permanent version using the film’s plans.

Built in 1924, the house is a stunning example of Neo-Spanish architecture and sits on a 2.64-acre lot in the Jungle Prada neighborhood. While it’s not visible from the street, the estate remains a hidden gem in our area; with six bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, it is nearly 10,000 square feet, according to Realtor.com.

The Doctor’s Office Another local spot that made it into Cocoon is the Dolphin Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. The doctor’s office in the movie is the executive office at the Dolphin Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. Fun fact: the office still has some of the same photos hanging on the walls as it did back in 1985!” (link).

QUESTION: Were you living in the area when Cocoon was filmed? Hit reply to this email if you remember any details!

Sources: Cocoon (1985) Movie Filming Locations - The 80s Movies Rewind (fast-rewind.com) and ‘Cocoon’ turns 40: A look back at the movie some St. Petersburg officials didn’t want shot in the city (fox13news.com)

Scam Beach

This section will equip you with the knowledge and tools to protect yourself from the ever-evolving world of scams. We'll uncover the latest tactics scammers use, provide tips on identifying suspicious activity, and offer advice on safeguarding your personal and financial information.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to be alert for recent email scams.

According to detectives, the suspect is emailing a PDF attachment with your name, address, and a Google Street View image of your home as an extortion attempt. The scammer tells the prospective victim that they have downloaded spyware onto your phone to monitor your cell phone activity and will release the content to the public if their demands are not met. The scammer requests money via a Bitcoin transfer with a QR code on the PDF attachment. This is a scam!

The Sheriff’s Office advises citizens to refrain from opening or clicking on any links/emails from unknown or unverified sources and not to scan unknown or unverified QR codes. In these cases, we believe the scammer is using fear as a motivator, and there has been nothing to support the claim that anyone's devices have been compromised.

QR code phishing scams have been on the rise lately. As digital payments become more widespread, scammers exploit QR codes to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting users. This surge in QR code phishing has prompted companies to take action and highlight the need for consumers to stay vigilant.

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim, they are asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.

Eco Warrior Beach

Saving and protecting our natural environment — on the beach and off (Editors: Lisa Reich, Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group) and Ginger Goepper (Audobon Society Volunteer)

Mommys, Daddys, and Babies: A Lesson in Pelican Parenting

By Ginger Goepper, Pelican Presentation Attendee

Sometimes, it’s easier to connect with wildlife when we think of animals as families—parents and babies, just like us. That’s exactly what Mrs. Jeanette Edwards did during her Pelican presentation to Treasure Island's summer camp kids. She introduced the children to the world of pelicans by talking about “parent” pelicans and their “baby” pelicans, making it easier for them to relate to these incredible birds. She shared how pelicans nest, with baby pelicans eagerly begging for food, and how the young ones play by pretending to fish in the water—just like their parents.

To bring the lesson to life, Mrs. Edwards used a stuffed toy pelican to demonstrate how to carefully remove a fish hook from a pelican’s mouth using pliers. This taught both kids and parents a vital skill for protecting wildlife.

As the founder of Friends of the Pelicans, Inc., Mrs. Edwards is no stranger to these magnificent birds. Her dedication to their protection began in 2014 after a heartbreaking discovery. While fishing near her home, she came across two pelicans who had died after becoming entangled in a fishing line. Horrified by their suffering, she regularly patrolled the nearby mangrove island to rescue entangled birds. Over the past eight years, she’s personally rescued nearly 200 pelicans from that one location alone.

The Pelican presentation took place at Treasure Island's Sunset Vista Park, a public event hosted by the city as part of a commitment to environmental education. Sunset Vista Park itself has a special connection to conservation—established in 2003 with funds from the settlement following the tragic 1993 oil spill off our coast.

Through this event, the Friends of the Pelicans helped educate the community on how we can all play a role in protecting local wildlife. Mrs. Edwards' work is a powerful reminder of how much of a difference one person can make—and how we can all help save our feathered friends.

Eco Warrior  Editor's note: Clarification of a map posted last week indicated two pollution reports: One, if not both, were associated with local restaurant grease disposal and did not impact our waterways.

Rescue Beach

Rescuing and protecting our companion animals (Cats Editor: Monica Pugh; Dogs: editor needed)

TNVR Stray Cats in Pinellas County

By Human Society of Pinellas County

For those who have ever encountered free-roaming cats in their neighborhoods, you may have wondered about the best way to help. The answer is surprisingly simple and humane: Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR). This process has proven to be the most effective and compassionate solution to reducing the number of un-owned stray cats in our community.

In Pinellas County, TNVR has been a game changer. In 2013, the Humane Society of Pinellas (HSP) played a crucial role in passing the county ordinance that legalized TNVR. This paved the way for a sustainable way to manage the free-roaming cat population while protecting cats and people.

So, what exactly is TNVR? It’s a straightforward process. Cats part of a colony or living outdoors are humanely trapped using food as bait. These cats, often not socialized with humans, trigger a trap door when they step on a pressure plate inside the trap, ensuring they are safely contained.

Once trapped, the cat is transported to a participating organization for spay or neuter surgery. During the procedure, the cat is also vaccinated to protect against common diseases like rabies and distemper. To signal that a cat has been altered, its left ear is tipped—a universally recognized sign within TNVR programs. After the cat recovers from surgery, it is returned to its original colony to live out the rest of its natural life.

The benefits of TNVR extend beyond just reducing the number of free-roaming cats. Because the cats are vaccinated, the risk of spreading diseases to other animals—and humans—is greatly minimized. Cats spayed or neutered are also less likely to engage in nuisance behaviors, such as howling, fighting, roaming, or urine marking. The result is a quieter, healthier, and smaller population of outdoor cats.

Perhaps most importantly, TNVR supports HSP’s mission to reduce euthanasia in shelters. By preventing unowned cats from reproducing, we’re reducing the number of cats that could end up in overcrowded shelters.

How You Can Help: If you’re interested in helping reduce the free-roaming cat population in Pinellas County, the Humane Society of Pinellas offers humane trap rentals through their Pet Resource Office. While HSP does not perform the trapping, it can provide all the information you need to successfully and humanely trap cats and guide you to additional resources.

For those unable to trap themselves, local organizations like Meow Now! specialize in humane trapping. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community and improve the lives of these animals.

By supporting TNVR, we’re not just helping cats—we’re contributing to a healthier and more peaceful community for everyone.