Alexandre the Cat Meets a Purposeful Porpoise

Chapter One in a continuing series of adventures by the author, entirely true in spirit and partly true in fact. This is what you get when a sailor has turned into granma.

Alexandre the Seagoing Cat is born in the bilge of a boat at the RiverBend Marina in Florida. He is born wearing a black and white coat, like a man going to a fancy party in a tuxedo and being very grand. This isn’t really his style, at heart, but he goes with it. Because what else are you gonna do?

He dreams of the sailing the seven seas, but he is still just a little kitten. So he sets about learning all the seagoing cat skills he will someday need.

First, he practices prowling on the bouncy decks, and balancing on the bowsprit.

Next, he practices swimming! He learns how to blow bubbles on his exhale and how to not snot up a bunch of water on his inhale.

After he dries off in the sunshine, he practices coiling lines to keep everything ship shape. This is lots of fun. Cat-kind really love playing with string. Maybe a little too much fun for a kitten! The charts for navigation are a little crunchy, but he sinks his little claws into them anyway.

One fine morning, he rolls out of his bunk with a strange feeling: All his 20 paw pads are tingling, and his whiskers feel sparkly.

“Today is the day! The time is ripe! I must go to sea!”

With a song in the air, Alexandre hoists the sails, hauls up his anchor, and sails out of the harbor.

To sea I go,
To see the world
With all my sails, wholly unfurled
On a fresh breeze that twirled
And a big sneeze my whiskers are curled
And more than a few little fleas!

All is going splendidly, until he loses sight or scent of land. Everything is blue, blue, blue! The horizon is a flat circle all around him on his little sailing vessel. He feels a little blue too.

“Now how will I know which way to go?” he wonders, feeling just a little seasick. He wishes he had studied the chart lessons a little more carefully.

But he has a full arm of bananas hanging from the boom, so he eats one. The fruit flies make a little cloud around his big long bunch of bananas. He says, “That’s okay, guys. We can share.” He doesn’t mind too much, they hardly take a bite! He could share with them all night!

Feeling a little better now, he remembers his friends—the fish and the birds and the turtles who had followed him from his homeport. They are all very experienced navigators, so he asks them for advice.

But they all have different ideas.

The birds says, “Go east to the Bahamas! Nice reefs there!”

The fish says, “Go north with the Gulf Stream! Sargasso seaweed floats there!”

The turtles say, “Go west to our hatchery in the Florida Keys!”

The barnacles clinging to his hull have no opinion at all. They just say, “Hey, we’ll stick with ya no matter what!”

This is all very tiring, so he curls up in his hammock for a nice nap.

When Alexandre wakes up, the moon and stars are shining on the sea. He feels like singing a song to ease his loneliness.

For I am forlorn,
Just a seagoing cat…with no destination
Wandering the waters, far from where I was born
Wondering where to go,
North, south, east, west, I am torn!”

Like always, the sun comes up in the east, and Alexandre decides to eat a good breakfast and give it a good think.

“Maybe I should turn around and go back home, back the way I came?”

This seems like a plan, so he pushes the tiller to starboard, all his sails flapping. His genny was gapping and the water was trickling alongside, and for a minute he wonders if he is choosing the right way.

But just as he calls out hard alee! and hauls in his lines to make a new course, up pops a new friend alongside. His name is Joah. Joah is a very clever, very handsome, very capable porpoise!

And Joah is a fun-loving fella, who makes a twirl up in the air, with dark smiling eyes and a most wonderful giggle and laugh, who stands on his tail and says, “Hey! Don’t worry! Don’t give up! I know the way to a sweet island bay where my papa lives! Follow me!”

I know the way to a sweet island bay
Where bananas and passion fruit grow
It’s not too far to go!
Hey, hey, hey! Come on!
Hip hip hurray! Let’s up up and away!”

So Alexandre, the slightly uncomfortable-in-a-tuxedo cat, smartly adjusts course to follow Joah, the fun-loving tail-twirling porpoise.

The sun sets again, and the moon and stars appear, and Joah (who can always swim much faster than Alexandre could sail, but Joah is very patient and kindly) kept circling back to sing songs and tell tales of his ocean travels and all the adventures that lay ahead of them.

Day after day, night after night, Alexandre sails on, with Joah the sleek, smart, clever dolphin leading the way.

Alexandre has plenty of time to study his charts and figure out how to read them. He discovers that Joah had the right idea all along.

Just when he is down to his last banana, Alexandre sees a little bump on the horizon far ahead of them. Sure enough, the bump grows bigger and darker as he keeps slowly sailing over the waves and waves and waves, and Joah cavorts in the waves and spins on his tail and makes Alexandre laugh and says, “Prepare to make landfall, captain!”

Sure enough, the bump turns into a bigger bump and then two bumps and then three bumps—green mountains!

Alexandre can smell the powdery sweet leaves of the trees, fruits and flowers and freshwater springs that tickled his whiskers and made him feel quite hungry. But he also can see white lines where the waves are breaking on the shore, and this made his tummy feel a little ooogy. He wonders if his boat would go crunchety-crunch on those reefs!

But Joah swims up in his wake and says, “Don’t be a silly cat! Look at your charts and your compass! Look at the colors of the water! Keep going, keep looking, and you’ll find the safe channel into port!”

Sure enough, as they draw closer, keeping just off the shore, coasting along the coast, as Alexandre has learned from his pilot books, the water shows many colors—yellow green for the shoals and shallows, black spots for the coral, and finally, a dark blue purple snaky stripe and a red and a green bouy marking the entrance.

Joah says, “There you go! That’s your way in!”

Alexandre carefully sails through the passage, finds a nice calm spot in the bay, drops his anchor, lowers his sails and furls them up tightly, as snug as a bug in a rug. When he is done with that, he just sighs with happiness. Joah cavorts around the hull until he must bid his farewell and go back out to sea, where he has lots and lots of things he must do.

“Thanks for keeping me company, buddy, Alexandre shouts. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Joah my friend!”

Joah laughs and sings out a hearty, “Hasta luego, amigo mio! Until we meet again!”

And they always do.

Author Genevieve Jacobs landed in Vermont in 1987 after a lifetime under sail. Besides being a regular Loose Cannon contributor, she is a long time professor of psychology, a mother and grandma, a psychotherapist and bricoleur. Currently, her work in progress is a book, “Jenny: A Night Sea Journey.” She recently launched her own Substack entitled Sea Stories.

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Aug 28, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

Dolly Weakens – Fred Pickhardt

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Dolly Weakens

Fred Pickhardt

Aug 28

Tropical Storm Dolly has degenerated into an open tropical wave, according to the National Hurricane Center, however, still has maximum sustained winds of 35 knots while it moves west at 22 knots. Satellite images suggest that there still remains a low level circulation pattern.

Dolly is currently in a hostile environment with significant southwesterly shear and dry air. These conditions should continue for at least the next 2-3 days, and the remnants should slowly weaken during this time. The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding to the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola over the weekend and into early next week.

NOAA National Hurricane Center

NOAA High Seas Forecast

Ocean Weather Services

Forensic Marine Weather Expert

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Aug 28, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments
Cruisers’ Net Weekly Newsletter – August 28, 2026
Cruisers’ Net Newsletter for this week has just been emailed via Constant Contact.

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 36.3004,-76.2189999
School Days, Summer Nights & Weekend Fun! 🎶☀️ – Elizabeth City

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Elizabeth City sits at the southern terminus of the Dismal Swamp Canal and has the well-earned reputation of being a transient-friendly town with free dockage for 72 hours.

https://visitelizabethcity.com/

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

Yacht Gossip in the Bahamas: The 1943 Version Is Pretty Juicy – Loose Cannon

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When all else fails, try journalism.

Yacht Gossip in the Bahamas: The 1943 Version Is Pretty Juicy

Wenner-Gren’s ‘Southern Cross’ And Her Role in Wartime Intrigue

Peter Swanson

Aug 23

**Southern Cross** underway in the Bahamas.

CAMERA 1, OPENER: Three well dressed men converse in the sumptuous saloon of a 320-foot yacht moored in the Bahamas. Their names are George Soros, Elon Musk and Prince Harry. England and the United States are allies in a war. It’s a Netflix remake, and Russia is the enemy du jour.

Soros is suspected of working for Moscow, the Prince is a Russian sympathiser and likely traitor, and Musk is, of course, the richest guy on the boat.

The climactic scene happens at the end of Episode 7, when Musk is assassinated in brutal fashion, a crime that is investigated in subsequent episodes but never solved. Critics are unkind. “Lurid, cartoonish, farfetched. Why is Soros always the bad guy?” they write.

Yet this very scenario—the black-and-white version, you might say—was playing out in the Bahamas in 1942-43.

As war broke out in Europe, Swedish industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren sailed to Bahamian waters aboard Southern Cross, the fifth or sixth largest private motoryacht in the world. Wenner-Gren’s tenure in the Bahamas mixed business and pleasure; among his offshore properties was Paradise Island in Nassau, the site of today’s Atlantis mega-resort and marina.

And while you might think that the Bahamas were the farthest place in the world from the mayhem of war, during 1942 and 1943 a critical phase of the Battle of the Atlantic was raging all around the islands.

Predatory U-boats were lying in wait for the oil tankers from Venezuela and American refineries along the Gulf of Mexico as they tried to make their way north along the Gulf Stream. German successes were staggering.

In June-July 1942 alone, 30 ships were sunk along the southern edge of Bahamian waters. By November U-boats had sunk 263 ships in the Caribbean Sea. Britain’s wartime leader Winston Churchill was apoplectic; he wrote President Roosevelt begging for more aggressive action by the U.S. Navy, which had been uncharacteristically lethargic.

England needed oil and other strategic goods to survive. She needed food. German U-Boat successes were dangerously close to forcing London to capitulate.

Allied intelligence agencies mistrusted Axel Wenner-Gren intensely. The Swede made his fortune as founder of the Electrolux vacuum cleaner company, but he was also a major owner of Bofors, the Swedish armaments manufacturer that had covertly assisted in Germany’s re-armament under the Nazi regime.

Wenner-Gren openly boasted about his friendly connections to Hitler’s inner circle, and his crew was formerly of the Swedish Navy, a pro-Nazi institution within neutral Sweden. Southern Cross itself had immense fuel capacity and bristled with antennas connected to its state-of-the-art radio room.

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(Wenner-Gren had purchased Southern Cross from American tycoon Howard Hughes for $1 million. “The Aviator” had been courting Hollywood in the 1930s and used the palatial vessel as his personal offshore drilling platform, you might say.)

Events of September 1939 fueled Allied suspicions toward the Swede. They happened while Southern Cross was on a pleasure cruise in the North Atlantic. In the first sinking of the submarine war, U-30 torpedoed the liner Athenia with 1,450 Canadian and American passengers on board.

Southern Cross happened to be nearby. She rescued 200 survivors and delivered them to Ireland. Allied intelligence considered her proximity highly suspicious and saw causality in what was proffered as coincidence. Allied intelligence suspected that even if Wenner-Gren hadn’t come to the Bahamas in 1942 on a secret mission to refuel German submarines, Southern Cross may have been serving as a scout ship, helping U-boats find targets such as Athenia.

Despite official paranoia, Wenner-Gren was able to take up residence in the Bahamas. He became friendly with the Duke of Windsor, who had come to Nassau to serve as wartime governor of the Bahamas, then a British possession. The Duke was formerly known as Edward VIII, King of England.

In a spectacular 1936 news event, he had abdicated the throne of England to marry the “woman I love,” an American divorcee named Wallis Simpson. The abdication twosome were frequent guests aboard Southern Cross, and Wenner-Gren once loaned the use of his yacht to run Wallis over to Florida to have a tooth pulled.

Before the war, the Duke and his wife had met Hitler and expressed their admiration for the Nazi regime. It is widely suspected that the Duke later engaged in treasonous wartime communications with the Nazis, any evidence of which will remain under the seal of British government secrecy until 2046. He was believed to be Hitler’s first choice as puppet ruler of Britain after the planned German invasion. Churchill, in effect, had exiled the Duke to Nassau to get this troublesome royal out of the way.

Another friend of Wenner-Gren was Sir Harry Oakes, slain in one of the 20th century’s great unsolved mysteries. Harry Oakes could be compared to the Elon Musk of his day; certainly he was one of wealthiest men in the British empire. A native of Maine’s Downeast region, Oakes amassed an enormous fortune by discovering gold in Canada, became a Canadian citizen and eventually landed in Nassau, a tax haven, where he was knighted for his good works in the community.

The Allied spy services trusted none of the three amigos: Axel Wenner-Gren, Harry Oakes and the Duke of Windsor.

While on a cruise to Mexico, the allies blacklisted Wenner-Gren, forcing the Swede to remain there with his famous yacht. Now communicating at longer range, the Duke and Oakes are suspected of having made a series of investments brokered by their buddy Wenner-Gren—illegally. These deals would have been in contravention of wartime monetary regulations and, given Wenner-Gren’s involvement, possibly designed to expand Nazi influence in Latin America.

When Sir Harry Oakes’ body was found bludgeoned, bloody and burned in July 1943, the Duke of Windsor did something very odd. Instead of summoning Scotland Yard, he forbade anyone but two mediocre, hand-picked Miami police detectives from investigating the case. These detectives arrested Oakes’ son-in-law, a dashing French marquis, on evidence so flimsy as to be nearly invisible.

Why not Scotland Yard? Conventional wisdom is that a competent investigation might have uncovered Oakes’ and the Duke’s illicit dealings with Wenner-Gren, which would have infuriated Winston Churchill.

Alfred de Marigny was quickly acquitted of the gruesome slaying. Despite the favorable verdict, he was ordered to leave the Bahamas, but as consolation he was given the rope they would have used to hang him. It was a special type of rope, you see, imported from Britain.

He and wife Nancy went to stay for a short period at the home of his friend Ernest Hemingway, just outside of Havana, Cuba, at a time when the novelist happened to be working as a freelance agent for U.S. Naval Intelligence at the Havana embassy.

Who killed Harry Oakes? Books have been written on the subject, pointing the finger at the American Mafia, which wanted to develop casinos in Nassau, or Allied intelligence services, or a combination of both. Another scenario blames the scion of a prominent (to this day) Bahamian real estate brokerage.

Secret documents surrounding the relationship between the Duke of Windsor and the Nazis may hold some answers, but secrecy fuels speculation and the Internet spreads it. Some have even speculated that Wenner-Gren himself may have been involved in the killing, though that would seem out-of-character for the affable industrialist.

WHO KILLED HARRY OAKES? HEMINGWAY DID IT, LOOSE CANNON SAYS

Novella Takes Hemingway and His Boat to an Historic Assassination

Peter Swanson

July 7, 2025

Read full story

Wenner-Gren remained in Mexico for the duration of the war, donating Southern Cross to the Mexican Navy for use as a training vessel. One account has the ship being scrapped in 1960. His business dealings in Latin America accrued even more wealth for Wenner-Gren, not the least of which was founding what became Mexico’s telephone monopoly.

After the war, Wenner-Gren returned to the Bahamas and, among other things, bought up property on the island of Andros. Friends and surrogates minimized the Swede’s connection to the Nazis, saying Wenner-Gren himself had exaggerated his relationship with men such as Air Marshall Herman Goering. In that, Wenner-Gren joined the legion of powerful people then trying to distance themselves from the Nazis, who not only were defeated but had been outed as genocidal criminals.

Wenner-Gren died in 1961, and, aside from unproven wartime suspicions, is remembered through the foundations that bear his name. One of the Swedish magnate’s good works, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, continues to be a prominent supporter of worldwide research in “all branches of anthropology.”

His company ALWEG built the original Disney World monorail.

After the Bahamas, the Duke of Windsor was never given another official role. He and Wallis quietly lived out their lives unloved by anyone but each other.

JFK and Wenner-Gren’s Mistress

Just when you thought the story could not get any juicer, comes a precious footnote to the Wenner-Gren story. Wenner-Gren and John Fitzgerald Kennedy shared a girlfriend, and his presidency might be an unintended consequence of the affair.

She was a Danish beauty named Inga Arvard. As young woman, she moved in Nazi circles, attending Goering’s wedding, twice lunching with the Fuhrer, and even accompanying him to the Berlin Olympic Games. Her second husband had been employed by Wenner-Gren, which reportedly led to her to Wenner-Gren’s bed.

“Inga Binga,” as young JFK called her, began sleeping with him around the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, while Kennedy was serving as an ensign in the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington. Soon the affair between the 24-year-old naval officer and the married Nazi sympathizer came to the attention of Kennedy’s superiors and the FBI.

FBI agents followed the couple, bugged their hotel rooms and telephones. The idea that a suspected German Mata Hari was carrying on with an intelligence officer and son of a former U.S. ambassador, no less, did not sit well with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Joseph Kennedy himself.

To preserve his political future, randy Jack was forced to end the affair. His dad ensured there were no immediate consequences, but Kennedy was reassigned and eventually sent to the Pacific to command PT-109, not a yacht, but nevertheless one of the most important vessels in the American imagination. Kennedy’s war record helped the senator from Massachusetts carve out a narrow victory over Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election.

The JFK-Arvard affair is documented in the 2016 book by Barbara Leaming entitled “Kick Kennedy: The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter.” The book was reviewed by *People* magazine.

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

August El Niño Update – Fred Pickhardt

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August El Niño Update

Historic El Niño?

Fred Pickhardt

Aug 24

∙

Preview

Bird’s eye view: Reserves advance oyster reef drone monitoring in the Southeast | NERRA

The 2026 El Niño continues to quickly strengthen and spread. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) states that there is a greater than 90% probability that a very strong El Niño will develop during the upcoming fall and winter. In addition, NOAA indicates a potential (69% chance) for a historic event during October–December 2026.

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 33.3735,-79.28859999

SCDNR Coastal Updates September – SCDNR

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An American alligator sunbathes at Santee Coastal Reserve (Photo: Emma Berry/SCDNR).

Welcome to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Updates newsletter! You are receiving this email because you attended one of our public programs or signed up for updates from our agency. In this monthly newsletter, you’ll find the latest outdoors news, volunteer opportunities, useful career information and more. We hope it will help you enjoy and protect our state’s beautiful coastline.

What’s happening outdoors along the coast in September?

Water temperatures remain high. Consider avoiding fishing for adult or ‘bull’ red drum until temperatures drop and spawning ends in October.
The 2026 SC shrimp baiting season opens September 11th at noon.
Sea turtles are still hatching. Keep lights out for loggerheads if you’re on the beach!
September is SC’s peak hurricane month. Make sure you’re prepared.

News Updates Header SC is having a banner year for loggerhead turtle nests | Post & Courier

Captain Sams Spit conservation deal moves forward after budget approval | ABC4 News

How SC is fighting derelict boats polluting Lowcountry salt marshes | The Island Packet

South Carolina youth continue to excel in national wildlife competition | ClemsonNews

Events Volunteer Header Advanced Pier Fishing (Myrtle Beach) | Wednesday, September 9th, 6PM – 8PM | This clinic builds on the introductory class to pier fishing. We will teach you how to tie your own rig, advanced knots and more technical aspects to pier fishing, such as using spoons or lures. Kids ages 6+ and adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

ACE Basin Property Tour (Edisto Island) | Friday, September 11th, 9AM – 12PM | Join SCDNR Staff on a tour of the ACE Basin where we explore the cultural and natural resources found throughout Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Register here.

ACE Basin Fun Day (Edisto Island) | Saturday, September 12th, 10AM – 1PM | This free event will have hands-on activities, booth, scavenger hunts and a chance to ride on the E/V Discovery for an educational boat ride in the ACE! You must register here for the boat ride.

SCORE MWR Fabrication w/ Casual Crabbing with Tia (Charleston) | Wednesday, September 16th, 9AM – 12PM | Volunteers will help cut, bend, and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure and then shovel recycled oysters into shaped wire. These reefs will be used to attract oyster larvae to their new forever home! You must register here to attend.

Mackerel Pier Fishing (North Myrtle Beach) | Saturday, September 19th, 8AM – 11AM | This clinic will teach you how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel for targeting mackerel, cast and more! Kids ages 6+ and adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

SCORE Trash Picking w/ Charleston Waterkeeper (North Charleston) | Tuesday, September 29th, 1PM – 3PM | Volunteers will use trash grabbers to pick trash out of recycled shells. Recycled oyster shell will be used to replant various State Shellfish Grounds and for various restoration projects. You must register here to attend.

Mommy & Me Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown) | Friday, October 2nd, 10AM – 1PM | Fishing Clinic for moms and kids! Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR Staff and SCDNR certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing. You must RSVP here to attend.

SCORE Trash Picking w/ Charleston Waterkeeper (North Charleston) | Tuesday, October 6th, 1PM – 3PM | Volunteers will use trash grabbers to pick trash out of recycled shells. Recycled oyster shell will be used to replant various State Shellfish Grounds and for various restoration projects. You must register here to attend.

SCORE MWR Fabrication (Charleston) | Thursday, October 8th, 9AM – 12PM | Volunteers will help cut, bend, and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure and then shovel recycled oysters into shaped wire. These reefs will be used to attract oyster larvae to their new forever home! You must register here to attend.

Take A Kid Fishing Day (Horry County – multiple locations) | Saturday, October 17th, 8AM – 11AM | Join SCDNR & partnered Horry County Fishing Piers for the annual Take a Kid Fishing Day. This event will take place over multiple piers. Kids over the age of 3 and one adult guardian will get to fish for free! Participating children must RSVP to attend and be a SC resident.

Interested in saltwater fly fishing clinics? You can keep an eye out on our calendar at www.saltwaterfishing.sc.gov for upcoming clinics. Fly fishing clinics will only advertise for a short window and have limited capacities.

Jobs and Career

We’re hiring!

Wildlife Biologist I | Georgetown County, SC | The employee will conduct face-to-face interviews with marine recreational anglers following protocols established by the NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Informational Program.

Building/Grounds Specialist | Charleston, SC | This employee will be responsible for groundskeeping, landscaping, minor repairs and maintenance duties for the research and administration facilities of SCDNR, Marine Resources Division at Fort Johnson.

Natural Resource Technician II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will be responsible for assisting with habitat development work on the Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project.

See all open SCDNR jobs here. Click Search Openings, Filter, Search Agency, Department of Natural Resources.

Landscape at Samworth Wildlife Management Area (Photo: SCDNR).

Partner Opportunities

Training Program Coordinator | North-Inlet Winyah Bay NERR | Georgetown, SC | This highly collaborative role strengthens science-informed management, builds stakeholder capacity, and supports the Reserve’s mission to protect and sustain South Carolina’s coastal resources through education, engagement, and applied science.

Executive Director | Open Land Trust | Beaufort, SC | The Open Land Trust seeks an experienced and community-minded Executive Director to lead South Carolina’s first and oldest land trust into its next chapter of conservation impact across the southern Lowcountry.

August and September are peak spawning months for red drum in South Carolina!

August and September are peak spawning months for red drum in South Carolina, and successful spawning activity is critical to producing the next generation of red drum, like the fingerling seen below.

If you’d like to help the population rebound, give these adult (or bull) drum a break from fishing pressure during these months. They’ll still be around when temperatures dip and spawning ends in October – after they’ve had a chance to contribute to next year’s crop of young fish.

An angler demonstrates fish best handling practices by keeping the red drum horizontal and in the water. (Photo: Kaitlyn Hackathorn/SCDNR).

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 27.7403,-82.69619999

City of Gulfport Monday (08/24/26) Newsletter, Gulfport, FL

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Gulfport Marina includes dry boat storage, ship store, bathroom, public boat ramp, parking, fueling stations, lighted range markers and guest docking facility.

The City of Gulfport and Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay

City of Gulfport Monday Newsletter

City of Gulfport, FL

Mon, Aug 24, 2026 at 5:07 PM

Reply-To: info@mygulfport.us

To: larry.dorminy@cruisersnet.net

Weekly news & updates

August 24, 2026 | City of Gulfport, FL – Gateway to the Gulf Newsletter

E-Newsletter: Monday, August 17, 2026

Missed last week’s update? Click here to read it now.

Upcoming Events

See what’s happening this month.

Senior Center E-news

Click here to see what’s happening next.

Library Calendar of Events

Upcoming activities at the Gulfport Library.

Recreation Center

Click here to see all classes and activities.

Gulfport Community Update

Click here to read more.

Gulfport Arts & Heritage

Click here to see upcoming events.

Be Prepared This Hurricane Season!

The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30. Be prepared, visit the City of Gulfport Hurricane Center for important storm preparedness information, resources, and updates.

Hurricane Center

Gulfport City Council

Mayor

Karen

Love

Smiling woman with short reddish hair wearing a brown top against a light blue background.

Report

826-7208

Ward 1

Jennifer Daunch

893-1002

Vice Mayor

Marlene Shaw

A smiling woman with long gray hair. Wearing a black jacket and a red blouse stands in front of vibrant pink flowers.

Report

826-7311

Ward 3

Jennifer Webb

Smiling young woman. Long wavy brown hair. Blue and white striped shirt. Green plants and tree in background.

893-1001

Ward 4 Nancy

Earley

Smiling woman. Long straight brown hair. Black turtleneck. Arms crossed. Plain light background.

269-6625

A Message from the Mayor

Good Afternoon, Gulfport,

Work on the floating docks is progressing very well, and they should be open soon. Before we can safely welcome everyone back, the new lighting must be installed. Even better, once this work is complete, the crew will move to the marina’s south basin to remove what remains of the damaged docks so reconstruction can begin.

If you feel as though we received more than enough rain over the past week, I encourage you to attend the free Rainwater Harvesting class this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Neighborhood Center on 49th Street. Come learn practical ways to capture rainwater and help keep excess water out of our streets.

Have you received your proposed property tax notice? If something does not make sense or you believe there may be an error, bring it with you to my office hours this Thursday, and we will review it together. My office hours are held every Thursday at City Hall from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

If that time does not work for you, please send your specific questions to klove@mygulfport.us. Please note that I do not respond to policy questions or social issues through social media.

-Mayor Love

City Manager’s Gulfport Community Update

Gulfport Community Update: August 16 – 22, 2026

Since the beginning of August, Code Enforcement has opened 201 new cases, including 143 related to high grass and weeds. With grass and weeds growing quickly this time of year, it is a great time for residents to check their yards and stay on top of regular mowing and property maintenance. A little routine upkeep goes a long way in helping keep Gulfport’s neighborhoods clean, safe, and looking their best! Your efforts make a difference in our community.

Gulfport City Hall and City facilities will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Sanitation services will run on their regular schedule, and the Gulfport Marina will remain open.

Upcoming Official Meetings

City seal. Text reads Gateway to the Gulf. City of Gulfport Fla. Incorporated Oct. 12 1910. Illustration of waterfront with buildings pier and boat. Circular black and gold design.

City of Gulfport: Meetings Calendar September 2026

September 3, 2026 – Council Meeting – 6:00 pm (Thursday)
September 4, 2026 – Historic Preservation Committee – 11:00 am
September 9, 2026 – Board of Adjustment – 6:00 pm
September 10, 2026 – Special Magistrate – 9:30 am
September 15, 2026 – Council Meeting – 6:00 pm
September 16, 2026 – Neighborhood Watch – 6:00 pm

All meetings are open to the public and are held in the City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2401 53rd Street South, In Person, unless otherwise noted. Meetings may occasionally be added, cancelled or rescheduled after this list is published. Please check the city’s website https://mygulfport.us for updated information.

This Weeks Events & Meetings

Keep Calm & Carry Yarn

Monday, August 24th | 10:15 a.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Join us for a weekly knitting and crochet group! Bring your current project, start something new, learn a new skill, and meet other crafters! Don’t know how to knit or crochet? That’s ok, we can help you get started. Call 727-893-1074 for additional information.

“Bring Your Own Book” (BYOB) Club

Monday, August 24th | 1 p.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Join us for our weekly Bring Your Own Book book club at 1:00 p.m. Read quietly, enjoy free coffee or tea, and discuss your latest reads or all-time favorites with fellow book lovers. Participation is free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://mygulfport.us/library or call 727-893-1074.

Visit our Website

Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market

Tuesday, August 25th | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.

The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is a year-round open-air market held in Gulfport’s Waterfront District on Beach Blvd. It also offers a variety of independent shops, boutiques, galleries, its own beach and a large cluster of restaurants, all within easy walking distance. The Fresh Market offers visitors the opportunity for a relaxing day trip in a small town full of “Old Florida” charms.

Teen Space for Ages 12 – 18

Tuesday, August 25th | 3 p.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Join us for Teen Space! Spend time with friends and meet new ones. Come play games, work on art projects, watch movies, or just hang out. Activities vary each week, and what we do is up to you! Ages 12 to 18 only. For additional information, call 727-893-1074.

Community Town Hall: Rainwater Harvesting

Thursday, August 27th | 6 – 7:30 p.m.

49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.

Join Mayor Karen Love for a free Community Town Hall on Rainwater Harvesting and discover practical ways to better manage rainwater around your home and property. Environmental scientist and Certified Rainwater Harvesting Practitioner Diane Willis will share how rainwater harvesting can help reduce flooding, protect homes and landscapes, conserve water, and improve the health of local waterways. Whether you’re looking to safeguard your property or learn more about sustainable water management, this informative presentation is open to all Gulfport residents.

Tickets & Info

2026 Annual Gecko Ball: “Gecko Music Awards”

Saturday, August 29th | 6 – 10 p.m.

Stetson University, 1401 61st St. S.

Put on your best music-inspired costume and join the Gulfport Merchants Chamber for the Annual Gecko Ball on Saturday, August 29, from 6 to 10 p.m. This year’s Gecko Music Awards theme promises an unforgettable evening of live music, dancing, a costume contest, the crowning of the Gecko Queen, local art auctions, food trucks, photo opportunities, and adult beverages by donation. Each attendee will receive a complimentary Gecko Music Awards T-shirt featuring artwork by local artist Daniel Cruz.

Tickets are $40 each or $450 for a reserved table of 10. Individual tickets are available at the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, Gulfport Corner Store, and Gulfport Beach Bazaar. Reserved tables must be purchased in person at the Gulfport Beach Bazaar.

Backtrack Blues Band Concert

Saturday, August 29th | 8 – 10:30 p.m.

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

Enjoy an evening of award-winning blues when the Backtrack Blues Band performs at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater on Saturday, August 29. One of Florida’s longest-running blues bands, Backtrack has been entertaining audiences with original music since 1980, earning multiple Tampa Bay Music Awards for Best Blues Band. Known for its electrifying live performances, the band delivers a powerful mix of classic Chicago-style blues, exceptional musicianship, and high-energy entertainment.

Upcoming Events & Meetings

What’s on Your Mind? With Councilmember Marlene Shaw – Every First Wednesday

Wednesday, September 2nd | 2 – 3 p.m.

Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S.

Join Councilmember Marlene Shaw for casual conversation and community connection at Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S., every first Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, she’s here to listen and talk about the issues that matter to you.

Councilmember Shaw also holds City Hall office hours every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at 2401 53rd Street South. Appointments are available upon request.

Contact mshaw@mygulfport.us or (727) 826-7311 for more info.

Pixie Playtime

Thursday, September 3rd | 10:15 a.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Explore the enchanted garden at Gulfport Library with ukulele music, magical moments, and playful adventures. Recommended for fans of fairies and caregivers of all ages.

Puzzle Swap

Thursday, September 3rd | 12 p.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Join us for Gulfport Library’s Puzzle Swap on Thursday, September 3 at 12 pm. Bring up to 5 puzzles to swap. Puzzles must be 300+ pieces, complete, and in good condition. Each puzzle will grant you a ticket to trade for another puzzle of similar size. Chat with fellow puzzle enjoyers and enjoy free refreshments!

More Info

First Friday Gulfport Night Market

Friday, September 4th | 5 – 9 p.m.

Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)

Formally known as Art Walk on the first Friday and IndieFaire on the third Saturday, these recurring monthly events will launch for 2025 branded as the Gulfport Night Market. The night market concept unites the energy of the former events, offering an evening marketplace experience with vibrant local offerings from local makers, artisans, and small business vendors to engage the community and visitors as they shop, stroll, and sip in beautiful downtown Gulfport.

Art Reception & Exhibit

Friday, September 4th | 6 – 8 p.m.

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

Join the City of Gulfport for the monthly First Friday Art Reception on Friday, September 4, at the Catherine Hickman Theater. Enjoy an evening of local art, conversation, and community while exploring the featured exhibit in the Theater Lobby. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase at the theater bar. Come out, support local artists, and enjoy a relaxed evening in Gulfport!

Learn More

GeckoFest: Gulfport’s End of Summer Celebration

Saturday, September 5th | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.

Gulfport’s signature end-of-summer celebration returns on Saturday, September 5, transforming the historic waterfront into a vibrant festival filled with live music, local art, delicious food, street performers, vendors, and family-friendly fun. This year’s “Gecko Music Awards” theme encourages everyone to dress as their favorite musical artist or genre and join in Gulfport’s beloved costume tradition. Come experience the creativity, energy, and community spirit that have made GeckoFest a Tampa Bay favorite for more than 20 years.

Gulfport City Hall & Facilities Closed

Monday, September 7, 2026

Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) Meeting

Thursday, September 10th | 6 – 8 p.m.

49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.

The Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) is a volunteer group dedicated to enhancing Gulfport’s natural environment and promoting sustainability throughout the community. This is a meeting held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.

Community members interested in environmental stewardship, sustainability initiatives, and enhancing Gulfport’s natural beauty are encouraged to attend and get involved. G.E.T. works to expand and diversify the city’s tree canopy through initiatives such as a citywide tree inventory, community tree planting efforts, public education on proper tree selection and care, and outreach highlighting the environmental, economic, and quality-of-life benefits of trees.

City of Gulfport 9/11 Commemoration

Friday, September 11th | 8:30 a.m.

Williams Pier, Shore Blvd. S. & 54th St. S.

Join the City of Gulfport for its 7th Annual 9/11 Commemoration at Williams Pier. As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the community is invited to gather in remembrance of those who lost their lives and to honor the courage and sacrifice of first responders, service members, and everyday heroes. The ceremony will include a moment of silence, the lowering of the flag, and commemorative remarks. All are welcome to attend this meaningful community tribute.

Tickets & Info

2nd Saturday’s at Trolley Market Square: Laughter is Medicine

Saturday, September 12th | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Trolley Market Square, 4900 Tangerine Ave. S.

Join Fusion 49th District on Saturday, September 12, at Trolley Market Square for Laughter Is Medicine, the kickoff to its new Healthy Corridor Initiative. This free community event will feature local vendors, businesses, community organizations, and wellness partners, with a ticketed 90-minute comedy show featuring comedian Tarus Josey beginning at 6 p.m.

Reading Isn’t Ruff with Therapy Dogs

Wednesday, September 16th | 4 p.m.

Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

Children can practice their literacy skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog and handler. Bring your own book or borrow one from the library! We’re excited to welcome the Hearts of Gold therapy team and their furry friends to our Read to a Dog program. Recommended for Grades 2–5, but children of all ages are welcome. For more information, call 727-893-1074.

Gulfport Neighborhood Watch Meetings

Wednesday, September 16th | 6 p.m.

Every third Wednesday of each month

City Hall (Council Chambers), 2401 53rd St. S.

For more information, please contact Mr. Jim Wright Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at 727-893-1022 or jwright@mygulfport.us.

Free Community Tree Giveaway

Saturday, September 19th | 9 – 11 a.m.

Clymer Park (Greenway), 23rd Ave. S. & Beach Blvd. S.

The City of Gulfport invites residents to the Free Community Tree Giveaway at Clymer Park, part of our ongoing Plant a Tree initiative. Gulfport residents with a driver’s license or water bill for proof can receive free trees to enhance their property and support the city’s environmental sustainability efforts.

For more information, please contact the Parks & Facilities Superintendent at 727-893-1092.

More Info

Third Saturday Gulfport Night Market

Saturday, September 19th | 5 – 9 p.m.

Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)

The Gulfport Night Market operates year-round from 5pm to 9pm on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month. The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Markets team to work directly with new and returning vendors and to manage the Gulfport Night Market events. Tampa Bay Markets is a local events management company that operates 13 successful local markets and special events within the greater Tampa Bay Area, celebrating its 15th anniversary year of operation.

Gulfport’s Battle of the Bands

Saturday, September 19th | 6 – 9 p.m. (Doors open at 5)

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

Experience an exciting evening of live music at Gulfport’s Battle of the Bands at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater. Presented by the Gulfport Senior Foundation, this exciting event will showcase talented local bands competing live for top honors in front of a live audience. From rock and blues to pop and original music, attendees can expect an evening filled with outstanding performances, friendly competition, and community spirit. Come cheer on your favorite performers and support local talent!

Eliza Neals Brings Electrifying Blues-Rock to Gulfport

Friday, September 25th | 7 p.m.

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Eliza Neals brings her powerhouse vocals and electrifying blend of blues, rock, and soul to the Catherine A. Hickman Theater on Friday, September 25. Known for her dynamic stage presence and heartfelt performances, Neals promises an unforgettable evening of live music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., tickets are $25, and seating is limited. Purchase tickets online and join us for a night of exceptional entertainment in Gulfport.

Nan Colton as Georgia O’Keeffe

Sunday, September 27th | 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

Step into the world of one of America’s most celebrated artists as acclaimed actress and playwright Nan Colton brings Georgia O’Keeffe to life at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater. Through captivating storytelling and performance, this one-woman show explores O’Keeffe’s remarkable life, groundbreaking art, and enduring legacy. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with all proceeds benefiting the Gulfport Senior Foundation.

Gulfport Community 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, October 3rd | 8 a.m.

Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S.

Lace up and join the City of Gulfport for the Gulfport Community 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 3, at 8 a.m.! The starting line will be located in front of the Historic Gulfport Casino Ballroom at 5500 Shore Blvd. S. This family-friendly 3.1-mile waterfront course welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels. Registration is $17 per participant and will remain open through Wednesday, September 30, at 4:30 p.m. Participants who register by September 23 are guaranteed to receive an official event T-shirt. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this fun community event! Not running? You can still support Operation Santa, which helps provide holiday gifts to local children ages 0–10, by making a donation through the race registration site.

Legendary Singer-Songwriter Janis Ian Documentary Screening & Rare Live Appearance

Saturday, October 3rd | 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Av

The Gulfport community is invited to experience a special afternoon celebrating the life, music, and legacy of legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian during a screening of the acclaimed documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, followed by a rare live appearance and conversation with Janis Ian.

Community Outreach

Explore Gulfport’s past!

Click here to view digitized City records from 1920 – 1974.

Gulfport History Museum Online Collection

View the Museum’s online collection here.

Latest Beach Water Quality Sampling Data

See the latest report here.

Gulfport Charter & Code of Ordinances

Online access is provided at the following link.

Bill Payment Options

View and pay Utility & Marina Billing accounts online here.

Employee Directory

Click here to view the Gulfport Employee Directory.

“Take 2 on Tuesdays” with Mayor Karen Love

Take Two on Tuesday with Mayor Love – Remembering 9/11

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Aug 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

COASTLINES – Janice Anne Wheeler, Sparring With Mother Nature

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Where do you flock for relaxation? Are you lucky enough to occupy your own piece of coastline? Or would you prefer another place to dwell?

If you just dove into our very engaging little community, please read SPARS & SPARRING, .….it introduces my wonders and my wanders. ~J

COASTLINES

Humanity occupies them under remarkably opposite circumstances

Janice Anne Wheeler

Aug 23