6p Sat: 8am-11am (11am-3pm LIBRARY NEWS & EVENTS-Friday, 10:00 am-2:00 pm - AARP Tax-Aide prepares and e- files Federal tax returns, free: Fridays through Apr. 12; Monday, 11:00 am - Storytime Sing & Learn (ages 0-5): Start your toddlers on the road to reading and school readiness as they learn numbers, colors, and the alphabet through stories, music, and dance; Monday, 6:00 pm - Mayor's Open Office: present questions, concerns with Mayor Alan Johnson; Tuesday, 3:00 pm - Tech Tuesday: Smartphone Help (no repairs, no reservation required); Tuesday, 4:30 pm - St. Pete Beach Stitchers: Join friends, neighbors at this new weekly gathering of adult knitters, crocheters and needleworkers (not a class); Wednesday, 11:00 am - Music Appreciation Series: Famous Operas, Songs and Stories, presented by Christiane Vinet; Thursday, 12:00 pm - What's It Worth Antiques Appraisal by radio host Mike "the Appraiser" Ivankovich: Appraisal of one item for first 15 attendees. St. Pete Beach Public Library: Celebrating 50 years at 365 73rd Ave. SENIOR EXCURSIONS HOSTED BY THE ST. PETE BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER The St. Pete Beach Community Center has new Senior Excursions on the schedule January-March. The excursions are a great way for local seniors to travel with friends. All excursions will depart from St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. All participants must preregister the Wednesday prior to the excursion. Each trip is $15. Cost covers transportation only. All Admissions or lunch are extra and the responsibility of the participants. Time of trips are 9am-4pm. For more information call the Community Center at 727.363.9245 or visit www.spbrec.com Trip Schedule Feb 23rd 72nd Annual Fiesta Day Mar 2nd Florida Strawberry Festival (additional fee for admission) Mar 9th 2019 Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival (additional fee for admission) Mar 16th Ikea, Ybor City and The Columbia Restaurant Mar 23rd Tampa Premium Outlet Mall Mar 30th Dunedin Downtown Market MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF ST. PETE BEACH AND THE PINELLAS COUNTY SHER- IDD S OFFICE Just a reminder to all the South County communities and St. Pete Beach area that vehicle burglaries continue. Please be sure and lock your car doors and take anything that is or could look valuable out of your car. Many of these thieves work in groups and target all types of different communities. Don t fall into the trap of thinking your neighborhood wouldn t be targeted for these types of crimes. Check out the Sheriff s website for access to programs and services to learn how to protect yourself, your family and your possessions. To contact our Community Policing Officers call 727.582.5721.
6p HONOR WALK AT UPHAM BEACH The 2018-2019 Brick Campaign has officially launched. Orders will be received from November 5, 2018 until March 18, 2019. Installation of the bricks will occur early summer. For more information call 727.363.9232 or download the form Honor Walk at Upham Beach COMMUNITY INFORMATION & EVENTS Sunday Market on Corey Avenue from 10am-2pm Music in the Afternoon February 24th from 2-4p at the St. Pete Beach Recreation Center. For more information, call 727.363.9245. Free Lunch and Learn Wednesday February 27th at the St. Pete Beach Recreation Center from 12-1pm. Topic of Discussion Outsmart the Scammers. For more information or to reserve your seat, call 727.363.9245. Beach Clean Up Upham Beach Saturday March 16th from 9a-12p.
6p MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER TERRI FINNERTY ED.D., DIS- TRICT 1 Home Rule: The Florida constitution empowers citizens with the right of local self-government, or Home Rule. As the only form of voluntary government, Florida s municipalities are the embodiment of this right. A city is created by its citizens to provide additional functions and services for the particular benefit of the community. Local citizens develop a charter to specify the form, functions and power of their city government. The incorporation and city charter are approved by voters in a local referendum. Home Rule authorizes all governmental, corporate and propriety powers necessary to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions, and render municipal services. Home Rule is why not two cities are alike. City residents take pride in this diversity and responsibility. Strong Home Rule powers ensure that government stays close to the people it serves. Intrusion on Home Rule from the state or federal government undermines the constitutional right of citizens to govern themselves. As mentioned last week, there is a bill being introduced in both the Senate and the House that we must all work hard to kill since it will impact a municipality that regulates or may consider regulating single-use plastic straws. Those bills are HB 603 (Sabatini, Fine) and SB 588 (Hudson) These bills would preempt the regulation of plastic straws to the state and prohibit a municipality from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that would restrict a food service establishment from distributing single-use plastic straws. The bill does not grandfather any existing local ordinances. The bill allows an establishment to distribute plastic straws to customers only upon request but allows establishments to make straws available to customers through self-serve straw dispensers. Both bills have been referred to committee and will likely be scheduled for a hearing soon. Please express your comments or concerns to the bill sponsors or committee members that will hear these bills, their contact information is below. HB 603 Bill Sponsors: Rep. Randy Fine (850) 717-5053 Randy.Fine@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Anthony Sabatini (850) 717-5032 Anthony.Sabatini@myfloridahouse.gov SB 588 Bill Sponsors: Senator Travis Hutson (850) 487-5007 Hutson.Travis@flsenate.gov
6p MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER TERRI FINNERTY ED.D., DIS- TRICT 1 House Business & Professions Subcommittee: Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (850) 717-5078 Heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.go v Rep. Amber Mariano (850) 717-5036 Amber.Mariano@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Wengay Newton (850) 717-5070 Newt.Newton@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Ramon Alexander (850) 717-5008 ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Joseph Casello (850) 717-5090 Joseph.Casello@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Byron Donalds (850) 717-5080 Byron.Donalds@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin (850) 717-5119 JuanF.Barquin@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Randy Fine (850) 717-5053 Randy.Fine@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Michael ''Mike'' Gottlieb (850) 717-5098 Mike.Gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov House Business & Professions Subcommittee Continued: Rep. Brett Thomas Hage (850) 717-5033 Brett.Hage@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez (850) 717-5105 AnaMaria.Rodriguez@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Anthony Rodriguez (850) 717-5118 Anthony.Rodriguez@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. David Smith (850) 717-5028 David.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Josie Tomkow (850) 717-5039 Josie.Tomkow@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Matt Willhite (850) 717-5086 Matt.Willhite@myfloridahouse.gov
MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER TERRI FINNERTY ED.D., DIS- TRICT 1 6p Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee: Senator Joe Gruters (850) 487-5023 gruters.joe@flsenate.gov Senator Victor Torres (850) 487-5015 torres.victor@flsenate.gov Senator Travis Hutson (850) 487-5007 hutson.travis@flsenate.gov Senator Linda Stewart (850) 487-5013 stewart.linda@flsenate.gov Senator Tom A. Wright (850) 487-5014 wright.tom@flsenate.gov Remember legislators get thousands of emails. You will make a bigger impact if you call, or better yet, do both! This is truly a Home Rule issue for every city, municipality or village that wants to control the use of plastic straws in their community for whatever reason. It should have nothing to do with our state legislators deciding what we control or how we control it. Remember We Live Local! We Decide Local! Terri Finnerty, Ed.D Commissioner District #1 727-641-2314 tfinnerty@stpetebeach.org
St. Pete Beach Stitchers Tuesdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 4:30 p.m. Join your friends and neighbors for stitching and chatting at this new event! This event is open to adults interested in stitching (knitting, crochet, needlework). This program is open to most levels but is not a class. Help will be offered from the group but attendees should have a rudimentary knowledge of their craft. St. Pete Beach Public Library 365 73rd Avenue St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-363-9238 SPBLibrary.com
Music Appreciation Series: Famous Operas Songs & Stories Thursday, February 27 11:00 a.m. Christiane Vinet holds a Bachelor of Music from Boston University, and Master of Music from UNLV. She has served on the music faculty of St. Pete College and performed in the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Operas, Beatlemania, on tour in orchestra with Andrea Bocelli, Busch Gardens Christmastown and more. St. Pete Beach Public Library 365 73rd Avenue St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-363-9238 SPBLibrary.com
What s it Worth? Antiques Appraisal Thursday, February 28 12:00 p.m. Antiques Appraisal by radio host Mike "the Appraiser" Ivank Mike Ivankovich, host of WBCB 1490 S What s it Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser radio show will appraise 1 item for the first 15 attendees. Mike will explain how today s value is determined. St. Pete Beach Public Library 365 73rd Avenue St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-363-9238 SPBLibrary.com
March 30st Horan Park 10-2pm Free family friendly event that celebrates the art community with a twist! Register to participate in the book themed side walk chalk contest and visit with local artist, watch live performances, enjoy carnival games, food, beer and wine! Spaces are 5x5 with limited spots available so register early! Registration begins February 20th. Prizes will be awarded for each age category St. Pete Beach Recreation 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. 727-363-9245 www.spbrec.com