TREASURE ISLAND — If you need an example of why we love living in Florida, look no further than Treasure Island this weekend.

When Krista Clark moved to Florida several years ago, she had never seen the ocean. Although she landed in Orlando, far from the coasts, she decided shortly after her move that this was something she wanted to change.

Each of the 3,763 white wooden posts represented a tree that had been removed with permission in one of Pinellas County’s 13 municipalities that have received a Tree City USA designation.

ST. PETE BEACH — It will soon be cheaper for food truck vendors to sell treats during special events in downtown districts of the Community Redevelopment Area.

GULFPORT - Last year, while looking through discounted holiday decorations at Lowe’s after Christmas, Julie Stenstrom and her wife, Veronica Dasilva, found a large mailbox designed for letters to Santa.

“It was on sale, a really good deal, and the last one they had in the store,” Stenstrom said. “We didn’t go looking for it, but there it was. We looked at each other and said, ‘This might be fun.’”

INDIAN SHORES — Sand erosion on Florida’s beaches is an ongoing concern. Three speakers addressed subjects relevant to Florida’s beaches and industry at the Dec. 4 meeting of the Barrier Islands Governmental Council held in the Indian Shores Municipal Center.

A chilly weekend (by Gulf beach standards) didn’t deter thousands of tourists and locals from visiting the sand sculptures, retail and food tents, children’s play area and main stage at the Sanding Ovations event in Treasure Island Nov. 20-24.

Nothing says Florida quite like a holiday boat parade. And, boy, does Pinellas County have plenty to choose from. So get in the holiday spirit and check out our list of parades on the horizon.

GULFPORT — When ceramic artist Brenda McMahon moved to Gulfport in 2008, she discovered the city’s vibrant arts community. She was surprised to learn, though, that nobody had ever organized an open studio tour there.

McMahon knew that such a tour would be successful in Gulfport, which already enjoyed a thriving arts scene. So she decided to start one, and three years ago launched ArtJones.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — Former Mayor Robert DiNicola, 86, died Nov. 29.

INDIAN SHORES — “No Shave November” turned out to be a clean-cut event.

ST. PETE BEACH — Mayor Al Johnson and Commissioner Ward Friszolowski will retain their seats for another term while Commissioner Terri Finnerty will have an opponent in the March 17 municipal election.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — Mayor Cookie Kennedy, for the second year in a row, took time from a regular commission meeting to honor the city’s veterans. Just as she did a year ago, Kennedy called half-dozen select veterans from the audience and presented them with a lighted candle out of respect f…

REDINGTON SHORES — Elliott is not just any 2-year-old quarter horse. He is the star of his own book series.

REDINGTON SHORES — A resident’s complaint against a town commissioner questioning his business qualifications, professionalism and conduct toward her brought a strong rebuttal from the accused commissioner.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — Residents got a lesson Nov. 12 on how to cope with coyotes.

ST. PETE BEACH — At a recent strategic planning meeting, city officials were adamant that they don’t want St. Pete Beach known as a Spring Break mecca like Clearwater Beach — but they also don’t want the city to have a reputation as a sleepy bedroom community like Redington Beach.

GULFPORT — When Caroline Duvoe was laid off from her job at IBM in 2009, she knew one thing: she was done with corporate America.

TREASURE ISLAND — This year’s Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl and Beach Invasion events will be packed into one big day of island revelry, as the city joins ESPN Sports for beach games, cheerleader competition and marching bands.

TREASURE ISLAND — The 11th annual Sanding Ovations comes to the beach Nov. 20-24 at 104th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard.

The 28th annual Fall King of the Beach fishing tournament lured scores of anglers to ROC Park in Madeira Beach on Nov. 7-9.