Thinking About Your Next Chapter in Clearwater or Pinellas County?

For many homeowners 50 and older, the next real estate decision isn't necessarily about finding a bigger house. It may be about downsizing a longtime home, preparing for retirement, moving closer to family or simply finding a home that better fits the life you want now.

Melissa Stamos brings more than 25 years of real estate experience and holds the SRES® | Seniors Real Estate Specialist® designation, reflecting specialized training focused on the real estate needs of buyers and sellers age 50+.

But Melissa's connection to Clearwater goes beyond real estate. She's involved with the Rotary Club of Clearwater, is a graduate of the Clearwater Citizens Academy and is actively involved with Keep Keene Green.

Not ready to move but starting to think about what's next? Start with a conversation.

or

Checkout her Facebook page HERE →

Let's work together. Learn MORE →

The weather is finally getting nicer. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes didn’t get the memo.

One of the best parts of fall finally arriving in Clearwater is being able to spend more time outside without feeling like you’ve stepped into a sauna.

The patio starts looking inviting again. Dinner outside sounds good. Maybe it’s time to fire up the grill, sit by the pool or enjoy a drink in the backyard.

And then...

buzzzzzzzzz. 🦟

Yep. The mosquitoes would also like to enjoy your backyard and you.

This year, they’re more than just annoying. With dengue making news around Tampa Bay, Clearwater has turned to a surprisingly tiny ally in the fight against mosquitoes: fish.

Clearwater recently released thousands of eastern mosquitofish, also known as gambusia, into Prospect Lake, Glen Oaks, Moccasin Lake and Salls Lake, areas selected following mosquito-bite complaints.

These little native fish have one particularly useful item on the menu: mosquito larvae.

Also, Clearwater apparently isn’t finished. The city has purchased another 31,000 mosquitofish for future releases.

That helps in Clearwater’s lakes. Unfortunately, the city probably isn’t dropping 31,000 fish into our flowerpots, gutters and birdbaths anytime soon.

That part is up to us.

Before spending money on sprays, candles or the latest mosquito-killing contraption Facebook swears will change your life, look for standing water.

Flowerpot saucers, buckets, toys, clogged gutters, birdbaths, tarps and other containers can become mosquito breeding spots. Even a surprisingly tiny amount of water can be enough. UF/IFAS recommends regularly emptying water-holding containers and refreshing things such as birdbaths and pet bowls several times a week. What's Happening Around Florida

Have bromeliads? Those beautiful little water cups can also become mosquito nurseries, so periodically flushing them is a good idea. Gardening Solutions

Sometimes the best mosquito-control product costs exactly $0.

This is where things get interesting.

You’ll find plenty of advice online recommending citronella, rosemary, lavender, basil, mint and other plants as natural mosquito repellents.

They’re lovely plants. Grow them if you like them.

Just don’t expect your rosemary plant to become an invisible mosquito force field.

UF/IFAS says some of these plants contain oils with mosquito-repelling compounds, but simply having the plants sitting around your patio isn’t considered effective protection. The active compounds generally need to be extracted and used in an appropriate formulation. What's Happening Around Florida

There are plant-derived ingredients with evidence behind them. Oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD and 2-undecanone, for example, are among the active ingredients used in EPA-registered repellents recommended by the CDC. CDC

Essential oils and homemade remedies are another story. Some may provide temporary relief, but effectiveness can vary considerably, and concentrated oils can irritate skin or trigger reactions in some people. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean harmless or effective. Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS

If you want more established protection, the CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents containing active ingredients including DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD or 2-undecanone. Follow the product label, particularly when using repellents on children. CDC

Screens, loose-fitting clothing that covers exposed skin and keeping mosquitoes from breeding around your home provide additional layers of protection.

Also, if you have standing water that can’t simply be dumped, UF/IFAS points to products containing Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), commonly sold as granules or mosquito dunks, for controlling mosquito larvae when used according to the label. Gardening Solutions

None of this means surrendering the patio until January.

Take five minutes and dump the standing water. Check the screens. Flush those bromeliads. Choose whatever repellent approach makes sense for you and your family.

Then fire up the grill, pour something cold and enjoy the part of the year when living in Clearwater reminds us why we put up with August.

The mosquitoes have had the backyard long enough.

Consider this their eviction notice. 🦟🚫

October has arrived, the temperatures are finally starting to cooperate, and Clearwater is getting into the fall spirit this weekend. We may still have palm trees instead of changing leaves, but we'll take what we can get. 🌴🍂

🎃 Countryside Family Fall Fest kicks things off Friday, October 2 at the Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive. It's geared toward families, with games, sports and seasonal activities for the kids. Admission for ages 2–18 is $4 with preregistration or $6 the day of the event, and the event is cashless. Countryside Recreation Center event information

Then on Saturday, October 3, downtown gets its turn with 🍁 Fall Y'all at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street. The waterfront celebration brings family-friendly fall festivities, arts and cultural entertainment to one of the best outdoor spots in downtown Clearwater. Clearwater events calendar

So if you've been waiting for an excuse to get outside now that stepping outdoors no longer feels like opening an oven door, this might be the weekend.

Grab the family, enjoy a little Florida-style fall and, sure, order the pumpkin-spice whatever.

Just leave the wool sweater at home. 😂🌴🍁

Some Clearwater events are simply fun. This one is something a little more special.

This Saturday, Make a Difference Fishing will welcome kids and young adults with disabilities to Pier 60 for a morning of fishing, encouragement and a chance to experience something they may not always have easy access to.

The free event is open to registered anglers 22 and younger, and participants even receive fishing gear they can take home and keep. Registration has already closed for this year's tournament, but that doesn't mean the rest of us can't appreciate, share and support what they're doing.

Make a Difference Fishing is a nonprofit dedicated to helping children with disabilities through fishing events designed specifically for them. And in a community with no shortage of things competing for our attention, this is the kind of Clearwater story worth stopping for.

If you'd like to learn more about the organization or find ways to support future events for special-needs kids and their families, take a look at what they're doing.

📍 Pier 60 | Saturday, October 3

Learn more about Make a Difference Fishing

Before you load up the car, take a peek at the live beach cam to see exactly how busy it is out there. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to go and when to enjoy our little slice of paradise another day.

Check current water temperatures and conditions Here

Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here

Our pets aren't just animals - they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.

Zena has been missing for over 195+ days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

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Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

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Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

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River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.

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Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.

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🎸 Jessica Rose Acoustic Guitar - FREE - Friday October 2nd - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Clearwater Brewing Company Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Act 3 Friday October 2nd - FREE - 7:00 pm Whiskey Wings Countryside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Zach Seufert Friday October 2nd - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎤 😂 Clearwater Comedy Club - Jennie Stencel - Friday & Saturday 8:30 pm 483 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater INFO & TICKETS→

🎤 😂 Clearwater Comedy Club - The Dark & Dirty Comedy Show - Friday & Saturday 10:30 pm 483 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater INFO & TICKETS→

🎸 Phoenix 5 Saturday October 3rd - FREE - 7:00 pm Whiskey Wings Countryside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Alan Pelno Saturday October 3rd - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸🇯🇲 Ziggy Marley Sunday October 4th at 5:00 pm The BayCare Sound Clearwater, FL INFO→

READ MORE →

🧘 Free Sunset Yoga Monday at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - FREE admission - Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, 33764, Meet on The Green LEARN MORE →

🚶‍♀️ SilverSneakers: Zumba Gold Class Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map LEARN MORE →

🧘 Yoga Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map FEES & LEARN MORE →

🦅 Moccasin Lake Nature Park (Clearwater) — A peaceful 51-acre preserve with shaded oak trails, boardwalks over the lake, and a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary where you can see rescued eagles, hawks, and falcons.

⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm.

🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map.

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →

Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would enjoy it.

Until next time,

Stan, Scoop and Scout