| December 6, 2021 | City of Gulfport, FL – Gateway to the Gulf Newsletter |
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| Upcoming Events See what’s happening this month. |
| City Manager Report Read the current community news. |
| Senior Center E-news Click here to see what’s happening next. |
| Library Calendar of Events Upcoming activities at the Gulfport Library. |
| Michael J. Yakes Recreation Center Click here to see all classes and activities. |
| Historic Casino Weekly Dance Events Click here to see the Casino’s Weekly Dance Schedule. |
| All City Facilities Closed Friday, December 24, 2021 in Observance of the Holiday |
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| This Weeks Events & Meetings |
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| | City of Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting Monday, December 6th | 6 p.m. Clymer Park, Gulfport Blvd. S. & Beach Blvd. S Enjoy an evening of light refreshments and festive music featuring the New Horizons Band of Gulfport. Meet the Mayor & City Council. Santa will visit and listen to little ones’ holiday wishes. For more information, call 893-1118. |
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Downtown Waterfront District Beach Blvd. S. |
| | Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market Tuesday, December 7th | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Join us weekly at our open-air fresh market for the region’s freshest produce, arts & crafts from local creators and a fresh array of locally sourced botanicals along the shops and restaurants of scenic Beach Boulevard. |
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| | Ballroom Dance Lessons w/ Carol Baker Tuesday, December 7th | Noon – 1 p.m. Mambo | 1 – 2 p.m. Samba | 2 – 3 p.m. dancing |
| Gulfport Casino Ballroom 5500 Shore Blvd. S. $10 admission Call 727-798-3660 |
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| | Argentine Tango Dance & Lesson w/ Kathleen & Steve Prucher Tuesday, December 7th | 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. |
| Gulfport Casino Ballroom 5500 Shore Blvd. S. $10 admission Call 727-742-3368 |
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| | Virtual Neighborhood Watch Meeting Every Wednesday | 1:30 p.m. |
Broadcasting “on Facebook” Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Check on updates for your area and learn about recent incidents related to vehicle, residential burglaries, BOLO’s and stolen vehicles. For more information, please contact Mr. Jim Wright Volunteer Coordinator at 727-893-1022 or jwright@mygulfport.us. |
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| | Swing Dance & Lesson w/ Swing Time Wednesday, December 8th Lesson 7 – 8 p.m. | Dancing 8 – 11 p.m. Gulfport Casino Ballroom 5500 Shore Blvd. S. $10 admission |
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Gulfport Casino Ballroom 5500 Shore Blvd. S. |
| | Soul Night at the Gulfport Casino Friday, December 10th | 7 p.m. – midnight Second Friday of Every Month Doors Open 6:45pm | $10 Admission Dance to the best in Funk, Soul, Disco, Motown, Rhythm & Blues, with an exciting mix of retro and modern dance music, great for a variety of partner dances (Hustle, Swing, West-Coast, Blues, Cha Cha, Shag, Fusion, etc.), plus group, line, and freestyle dancing too! Arrive early for a Dance Lesson 7 – 8 p.m. |
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| | USCG Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety Class Saturday, December 11th | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coast Guard Auxiliary 7-16, 3120 Mariam St. S. This Class is being offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of Gulfport and includes instruction, materials, classroom discussion and qualifies for the Florida Boating I.D. Card to be issued. To register or for more information, contact Marty Richardson at 630-674-5352 or via email merichardsonjr@att.net. |
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| | Join the USCG for the Lighted Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, December 11th | 5 p.m. USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 7-16, 3120 Miriam St. S. We have the best seats in the bay!!! Bring your chair and enjoy an evening of music, hot coco and cookies. We will be collecting unwrapped toys to support Gulfport Police Operation Santa or bring a non-perishable food donation for the Gulfport Senior Center Food Pantry. |
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| | 36th Annual BCYC Lighted Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, December 11th | 6 p.m. Each year, BCYC members and members of the general public come together to spread holiday joy by decking the hulls and heading out on Boca Ciega Bay to parade the BCYC way! See the parade from Osgood Point all the way to Isla del Sol! |
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| Upcoming Events & Meetings |
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| | New Horizons Band Holiday Concert Tuesday, December 14th | 7 p.m. Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. The New Horizons Band of Gulfport invites you to join us as we perform Sounds of the Season. |
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| | Mobile Food Pantry Thursday, December 16th | 3 – 5 p.m. Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. FREE pre-packaged box of groceries while supplies last. For more information, please call 727-443-4031 ext. 506 or email info@hopevillagesofamerica.org. |
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| | Cocktails and Candy canes – Third Saturday Indie Faire Holiday Event! Saturday, December 18th | 1 – 9 p.m. Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S. Come and celebrate the Holiday Season at a special Third Saturday Indie Faire! You’ll find a night market brimming with art, jewelry, plants, crafts, and other locally crafted finds. Along with vendors, you can catch live music and a special visit from Santa! |
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Members $7 Non-members $10 |
| | USA DANCE Presents Ballroom dancing Monday, December 20th | 7 – 10 p.m. Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S. USA Dance provides dance opportunities for local citizens by organizing affordable social dances, dance lessons and dance workshops. The goal of the Suncoast chapter is to serve the USA Dance mission which is to increase the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing in America. Contact Nancy Welch at, nancy01FL@aol.com for more information. |
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| | Destination Theatre & Calliope Stage Present A Christmas Carol Tuesday, December 21 – Thursday, 23 | 7:30 p.m. Catherine Hickman Theater 5501 27th Ave. S. Join us for a uniquely intimate and celebratory holiday experience reimagined with two performers in Tony Brown’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ original story, A Christmas Carol. You won’t want to miss this delightful Christmas experience! |
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| | Gulfport Lions Club – Feeding Tampa Bay Mobile Food Program Tuesday, December 30th | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Gulfport Lions Club 4630 Tifton Drive S. For additional updated assistance, text FTBFYI to 855-530-3663 or visit https://www.feedingtampabay.org. |
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| | Swingin’ the New Year Friday, December 31st | 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S. Grand New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring 7-Piece Hot Swingin’ Band, Blues Walk. Live Music and dancing celebration from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Swing Dance Lesson: 8 – 9 p.m. (no partners needed). Midnight countdown with champagne toast available, dance performances and a photo booth! Dress to Impress! New Year’s & Vintage Attire Encouraged |
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| | First Friday Art Walk Friday, January 7th | 5 – 9 p.m. Downtown Waterfront District Beach Blvd. S. Come join us with free live music up and down the street. Follow the flags for artist clusters, displaying paintings, jewelry, glass, mixed media sculpture and more. First Friday Art Walk is a juried event that welcomes emerging and professional artists in all media to engage in our arts loving community. |
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| ALERTPinellas Sign up for emergency notification services here. |
| Pinellas County Emergency Management Prepare yourself and your family here. |
| Latest Beach Water Quality Sampling Data See the latest report here. |
| Public Cameras Check out our live streaming cameras here, to see what you are missing. |
| Gulfport Charter & Code of Ordinances Online access is provided at the following link. |
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| Are You Ready to Help Gulfport Rebound? The Gulfport Rebound incentive program will provide vouchers for Gulfport residents for use at participating businesses negatively impacted by COVID‐19 as payment for goods and services. Don’t delay! Vouchers expire January 10, 2022. |
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Pick-up will be by appointment only, so it’s important that we hear from you right away. For more information on Operation Santa, please call at 893-1097 and leave a message. |
| Operation Santa 2021 It’s that time of year again and Santa is putting his list together! If you are a Gulfport resident and could use a little help, the Gulfport Police Department is now accepting applications for Christmas assistance through December 17, 2021, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday at Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. Each family’s head of household must bring photo identification, proof of Gulfport residence as well as the name(s) and age(s) of child(ren) living in the home. Operation Santa will collect Christmas gifts for children ages 0 to 10 years of age. There will be no home deliveries and you must pick up your gifts at the Police Department from December 20 – 21, 2021. |
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If you have any questions, please call 893-1097 and leave a message and someone will return your call. |
| To Assist Operation Santa 2021 For 30 years, Gulfport Police Department employees have sponsored a program called “Operation Santa” in which toys are donated to needy children that live in the City of Gulfport. Operation Santa has always been very successful in part due to the contributions we receive. We would again like to ask you for your help in the form of donations, i.e. monetary, new unwrapped toys, and gift cards. Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. |
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| JOIN THE BAND – “Your Best is Good Enough” Calling all musicians and aspiring musicians! (And especially percussionists!) The New Horizons Band of Gulfport will begin our first session of 2022 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave S, Gulfport, FL. The New Horizons mission is to give adults an opportunity to play music with others, whether that person is just learning to play a musical instrument, returning to play after a long absence, or lifelong player. - Green Band/beginning band – meets between 5:00 and 5:45 pm. This group is for those learning music for the first time or experienced musicians starting a new instrument.
- Concert Band meets between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. The band plays marches, show tunes, and popular music.
The Session 1 fee is $25 to cover band expenses. Bring an instrument and music stand. |
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| Help for Families with Children For families with children, finding and accessing the right services can be a challenge. That’s why the Family Services Initiative was created: to provide real-time help for struggling Pinellas families. Trained professionals work in partnership with families to help overcome their challenges. Plus, resources are available for basic need items like food, kids’ beds/bedding, transportation, and rent/utility assistance. Four agencies are at the core of the initiative: 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services (PEMHS), and the Juvenile Welfare Board. In addition, multiple community partners access and contribute to the system. |
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| The Gulfport Public Works Department located at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center (1617 49th St. S.) is an official collection site for rechargeable batteries! For more information, please call 727-893-1089 or visit https://mygulfport.us/public-works-department/. |
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| The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families. Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today. |
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| Coming Soon! Veterans Park Memorial Pavers Available Now to Support the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation |
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| Wood Ibis Park is a 4-acre park located along 58th St. S. at approximately 28th Ave. S. The most distinguishing feature of the park is the lake. With native aquatic plantings and a fountain to keep the water aerated, the park has become a favorite location for small bunnies, wading birds and a variety of ducks. |
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| GEMS door-to-door transportation has provided independence & freedom to elderly and disabled residents of Gulfport for over 40 years. Any Gulfport residents 55 & older or residents with a disability can take advantage of GEMS door to door service for a yearly membership of $70 plus $2 per ride. For more information, call 893-2242. |
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If you have questions please contact library staff at (727) 893-1073 or (727) 893-1074 during normal business hours, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Gulfport Public Library is open with normal business hours. We are committed to the health and well-being of the citizens we serve. The Gulfport Library is open with limited services to the public, observing best practices for the safety of both citizens and staff. If you continue to self-isolate and require library services: The Gulfport Public Library has a number of free services patrons can utilize to checkout eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, or learn a learn a language. If you have questions please contact library staff at (727) 893-1073 or (727) 893-1074 during normal business hours, Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. |
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| The City App for iOS and Android mobile devices, allows residents to connect more conveniently with City government to report issues and request non-emergency services. For more information, please email info@mygulfport.us or call 727-893-1118. |
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| | City of Gulfport Florida2401 53rd Street SouthGulfport, FL 33707 |
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