Free concerts series begins on the beach
ST. PETE BEACH — A series of free spring concerts will kick off this week at Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, from 7-9 p.m.
KC and the ‘70s Flashback Party Band will open the series Friday, March 13. Other bands scheduled to play include:
• Friday, March 27: The American Stones
• Friday, April 10: Smooth D and the Boyz
• Friday, April 24: Beside Myself–Elton John and Billy Joel Tribute Band
Sponsored by the town’s Resident Services Department, concertgoers can enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere while listening to crowd-favorite hits performed by live bands. St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue will be on-site serving hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill. Beer and wine will be available for purchase with donations benefiting the Suntan Art Center and the Veterans of South Pinellas.
Parking for all concert events is free. Residents are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.
St. Pete Beach Public Library News
ST. PETE BEACH — The St. Pete Beach Public Library has set its schedule of upcoming events.
• Monday, March 16, 3 p.m. — Tea at Three: Enjoy tea and light refreshments whilst watching a film.
• Tuesdays, 10 a.m. — Story Time! This lively story time is 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, March 18, 1-4 p.m. — Mahjong: Bring some friends and play Mahjong. The library will provide both the American and Chinese versions of the game. This is not an instructional or guided gaming program. Seating is limited.
• Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 p.m. — Feature Film: See spblibrary.com for movie details.
• Thursday, March 19, 2 p.m. — A Novel Idea Book Club: Join for a discussion about Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Email: spbbookclub@gmail.com
• Friday, March 20, noon — Feature Film: See spblibrary.com for movie details.
• Friday, March 20, noon -3:30 p.m. — Big Red Bus Blood Drive: The Big Red Bus will be parked outside the library. Donate blood, help save lives. Walk-ins welcome, you can also register here: https://tinyurl.com/3uwejpzz
• Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. — Florida-splaining with Cathy Salustri. Gulfport author Cathy Salustri talks about her book, Florida Spectacular, and what makes Florida a truly exceptional place. A Q&A and book signing will follow.
• Saturday, March 21, 2-4 p.m. — Tech Help: Get one-on-one help with technology basics and library-related app (no repairs). For Saturday Tech Help, the library offers walk-ins, or sign up for a 30-minute appointment here: https://calendly.com/stpbeachlibrary/30min or call 727-363-9238. Please note, because this program will be occurring after regular library hours, all other library services will be suspended during this time.
Visit SPBLibrary.com for details about other programs.
Library to host book sale
INDIAN SHORES – The Indian Shores Library will hold a book sale during the town’s St. Patrick’s Festival on March 14.
Hundreds of books will be available.
Payment for the books is through a donation to the library.
The St. Patrick’s Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Indian Shores Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. There will be Irish dancers, bagpiper and harp players, photo booth and vendors including beer, wine, food and more.
Treasure Island home sells for record $3.845 million
TREASURE ISLAND — Treasure Island has recorded its highest residential sale of 2026 with the $3,845,000 closing of 9546 W. Gulf Blvd.
The transaction stands as the only property in Treasure Island to close above $3 million this year. The only other comparable sale occurred in neighboring St. Pete Beach. The Gulf-front residence was listed at $3,995,000 and sold in less than 15 days.
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty global real estate advisor Robyn Gunn represented the sale.
Built in 2006, the direct-on-the-sand residence offers 4,870 square feet of living space with five ensuite bedrooms, expansive Gulf views and multiple levels of outdoor living. Additional features include a private elevator, oversized garage, balconies on every level, and a pool and heated spa positioned directly along the sand.
Chamber dinner marks beaches shared vision
ST. PETE BEACH — The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce gathered business leaders, elected officials, partners, and members at TradeWinds Island Resorts for its 2026 Annual Dinner, an evening that celebrated the momentum, resilience, and shared vision driving the Tampa Bay Beaches forward.
Guided by this year’s theme, “Our People. Our Progress. Our Purpose.,” the night reflected on a year defined by growth and collaboration across the coastal business community.
President and CEO Charlie Justice opened the evening by recognizing the collective strength behind the Chamber’s progress. Over the past year, the Chamber welcomed 132 new members, graduated 23 leaders from its Leadership Institute, helped distribute $150,000 to 60 member businesses through a partnership with the Glazer Family Foundation, and continued high-level advocacy efforts in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to protect beach nourishment funding and oppose offshore drilling near Florida’s shores.
“These aren’t just numbers,” Justice shared. “They represent confidence. They represent belief in what we are building together.”
The Chamber also recognized three organizations whose work embodies the spirit of the Tampa Bay Beaches community:
• The Protector of the Beaches Award was presented to Tampa Bay Watch, honoring their unwavering commitment to preserving the coastal environment that defines and sustains the region.
• The Office Tradition Award was awarded to Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, recognizing an organization that understands that culture begins from within.
•The evening’s Business Excellence Award was presented to Clean Eatz.
The Chamber formally inducted its 2026 Board of Directors and marked the transition of leadership from outgoing Chairman Scott O’Berry to incoming Chairman Tim Johnson of Waterfront Realty.
Gulf Beaches library sets week’s events
MADEIRA BEACH — Here is a schedule of upcoming events at the Gulf Beaches Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive.
• Writers Group: Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon
• Library App Help: Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. For help with Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla.
• 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.
• Book Club: Tuesday, March 17, 10:30 a.m. — “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell.
• Adult Art Class: Tuesday, March 17, from 5-7:30 p.m. — Watercolor class with artist Deb Barnard. All materials will be provided. Registration required.
• AARP Tax Help: Through April 14. Appointment required. Call 727-346-8256 to make an appointment.
• Sound Bath Meditation: Saturday, March 28, from noon to 1 p.m. — Led by Tamara Rokicki, a certified Sound Healing and Meditation Practitioner. Bring a mat and a pillow and get ready to be “bathed” in sound frequencies and vibrations for a deeply restorative session. To register, visit bit.ly/LibraryMeditation.
The library is currently taking gently used donations of books. No textbooks please.
For more information about activities at the Gulf Beaches Library, visit Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and the library’s website at gulfbeacheslibrary.org.
Beaches Chamber calls for balanced property tax reform
ST. PETE BEACH — The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has released a public statement supporting meaningful property tax relief, yet urging lawmakers to ensure reforms do not unintentionally harm small coastal communities.
“Property tax relief is an important conversation,” said the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “But it must be approached thoughtfully to ensure our local governments can continue to provide the services that keep our communities safe, resilient, and economically strong.”
Chamber leadership emphasized that any property tax reform must be equitable and must not undermine the ability of small cities and counties, particularly coastal and tourism-driven communities, to fund and deliver essential public services.
The Chamber urged the Legislature to work collaboratively with local governments, business leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure that any proposal:
• Is fair and equitable across property types and communities
• Protects the fiscal stability of small cities and counties
• Includes sustainable mechanisms to offset lost local revenues
• Preserves funding for post-hurricane recovery, emergency response, and long-term resiliency investments.