New St. Pete Downtown Partnership CEO brings fresh perspective

“How do you preserve the best of St. Pete, while recognizing that St. Pete is going to change?” That’s a central question for Jason Mathis, the new Chief Executive Officer of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.

Mathis was hired to lead the Downtown Partnership – a private organization that invests in project-based initiatives in city core to benefit St. Petersburg businesses and citizens – in July. After an extensive, months-long search process, he will fill the role left vacant by former CEO Joni James, who stepped down in late 2017. Mathis brings 20+ years of experience in nonprofit work – most recently with the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City.

Read more

Chillounge Night founder celebrates 10 illuminating years

If you’re going to throw a party, Rainer Scheer believes, make it big and make it memorable.

Scheer is the creator of Chillounge Night, an upscale moveable feast of cool, illuminated lounge furniture, mood lighting, food, drink, entertainment and more. Scheer’s outdoor, nighttime concept is celebrating 10 years in 2018, and in keeping with his hard-earned reputation as the selfless host with the most, he’s not throwing himself a self-congratulatory bash.

Read more

The American Nightmare [The Penny Hoarder]

Ten years ago, the economy was imploding. In late 2017, The Penny Hoarder asked readers to tell them their foreclosure stories. More than 50 people responded.

Read more