Around Town: August

A few things recently seen and heard in the Gulfport area…

The fun continues as Gulfport celebrates the end of summer and all things Gecko leading up to the biggest events of the year … Residents and visitors have enjoyed seeing gecko art in the wild at various locations throughout Gulfport before the art is auctioned at the Gecko Ball on Saturday, August 27 at the Casino ballroom … As of this printing, a few tickets may still be available for the Gecko Ball by calling the Beach Bazaar or the Gulfport Welcome Center. Up-to-date ticket availability and event information can also be found on the Gecko Ball Facebook page … Next up is the GeckoFest street festival along Gulfport’s waterfront district on Saturday, September 3 … Over 300 attendees enjoyed the Tampa Bay Beach Bums volleyball tournaments on August 13 … Mermaid Bay Mercantile Company closed for a short vacation and will reopen on August 30 … St. Pete Preservation’s Twilight on the Town walking tour happens in Gulfport on Thursday, August 25, beginning at the Gulfport Historical Museum at 7 p.m. and ending at Pia’s Trattoria at 8:15 p.m. The event is free to Gulfport Historical Society and St. Pete Preservation Society members and $5 for everyone else … Manatees on the Bay, formerly Spinnakers, has some exciting renovations in the works, according to general manager Rob Pascal. Besides a new menu, comprehensive craft beer

offerings and full bar, new owners Theresa and Perry Murphree are revamping the downstairs area of the  restaurant. There will be a U-shaped bar and seating in the main dining room, which will be open-air with a garage door concept featuring three doors with rollups, a piano bar in the next room, music upstairs overlooking Boca Ciega Bay on Friday and Saturday nights and Reggae music on Sunday afternoons. The grand opening happens September 2 at 6 p.m. with a buffet and champagne toast … The weekly K-5^th grade Science Club returns to the Gulfport Public Library on September 12 at 3 p.m … The building at 2908-A Beach Blvd. S. that housed the Apothecary will be the new home of LocalShops1. Owner Ester Venouziou hopes to be open by GeckoFest … An Oh! Florida Porch Party celebrating the writings of Craig Pittman will be held at the Gulfport Historical Museum on September 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. … Reservations are available now for the Chef’s Table outdoor fine dining experience along Beach Blvd. on Monday, October 3, sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants Association to benefit Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA). Nine Gulfport restaurants and chefs are participating, offering four course meals. For details and pricing information, visit the Gulfport Chef’s Table event page on Facebook or contact the GMA … Those who miss Peg’s Cantina and Brew Pub, a Gulfport institution since 2004, can now visit Peg Wesselink and Tony Dodson at their new location, Pinellas Cru at 901 1^st Ave. S. Billed as a conversation bar, the bar/restaurant features craft beer, fine wine and, soon, whiskey plus build-your-own cheese and meat plate options. Pinellas Cru will be open nightly on weekends only through September … Seen on a t-shirt: When your gecko is broken, you have reptile dysfunction.