Officials with CareerSource Pinellas and the Lealman Exchange Community Center are hosting a career and resource fair Wednesday, May 24, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Participating employers - all located within a five-mile radius - include BayCare, Coke Florida, Jabil, Pinellas County Government and several others. Community partners will also provide onsite wraparound services and resources. To register, visit the website here.
Tony Award-winning singer and actress Idina Menzel, from the original Broadway and stage productions of Rent, and Broadway’s Wicked, will headline the 2023 St. Pete Pride Friday Night Concert June 23 at Jannus Live, the evening before the St. Pete Pride parade. Menzel also voices the role of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen movies (“Let it Go” has become her signature song). Tickets (18+ only) are available here.
The St. Petersburg Police Department is conducting an Enhanced Law Enforcement Engagement program in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 leadership through October. Officers will increase their presence along state roads with high crash rates and bolster public awareness. The announcement states that 11 fatal crashes have occurred in the city, compared to 20 at this time last year.
In partnership with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, the University of South Florida's College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is offering a free online course designed to help managers and employees address mental health in the workplace, according to a Monday announcement. Starting next month, the new seven-session course, Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace, will cover symptoms of some of the most common mental and behavioral disorders, how to identify behaviors that may suggest an impairment and how to approach the employee. "Every year businesses lose billions of dollars due to mental and behavioral health issues experienced by members of their workforce or their family members. These financial losses can be attributed to absenteeism, a decrease in productivity and medical claims,” Julie Serovich, dean of the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, said in a statement.
A report published Sunday by a prominent sports publication stated that prospective ownership groups have inquired about buying and relocating the Tampa Bay Rays. The Athletic’s article, citing anonymous sources, also noted that Tampa-based Dex Imaging Chairman Dan Doyle Jr. is among those interested in an ownership stake. However, team owner Stuart Sternberg issued the following statement: “I expect we will build a ballpark in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for generations to come. I also plan on remaining the Rays owner.”
Florida International University coastal scientist Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman recently released his 33rd annual best public beach rankings, and a Pinellas County amenity made the top five. Caladesi Island State Park, located near Dunedin, fell from second to fourth on the latest list. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandle placed first, and three Hawaii beaches made the cut.
Pet product retailer Chewy.com has named St. Petersburg’s Pinellas Ale Works (PAW) as the nation’s most dog-friendly brewery. The company notes that in addition to offering 40 different beers on tap, PAW features a weekly “yappy hour” that supports animal-focused charities. The canine-centric brewery at 1962 1st Ave. S. recently celebrated its seventh anniversary.
Tampa Bay will soon be home to a new professional women’s soccer franchise, and the USL Super League club needs a name. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is calling on the community to help decide the team’s moniker, colors and crest before it debuts in August 2024. Residents have until midnight Friday, June 16, to submit their ideas online at SuperLeagueTampaBay.com.
Team Fishel, a construction and engineering services provider, is permanently downsizing its Tampa workforce at 3804 Coconut Palm Drive. In total, 34 workers will be cut by Aug. 8, according to a May 10 dated notification letter the company sent to the state. The Ohio-based company noted the 34 workers represent less than a third of its overall staff; however, the letter indicated it may cut additional employees over the next 90 days.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is starting a multipronged initiative to bolster youth and neighborhood safety in response to recent concerns. The first phase of his “renewed commitment” encompasses four aspects: Launching a Not My Child antiviolence and community awareness campaign, with a neighborhood walk on May 26; spreading awareness of summer camp offerings and activities sponsored by the city; hosting community conversations with “specific audiences;” and hiring a new director of education and youth opportunities. For more information, visit the website here.
Creative Pinellas and the City of South Pasadena have entered into a partnership to paint a series of six to eight murals along Pasadena Avenue. The murals will be created by local artists. South Pasadena residents are asked to take this brief survey, so that the organizations will have community input before work begins. Community discussion meetings will be announced.
For the past six years, officials from St. Petersburg-based Jabil and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have partnered to transform a community space in need, culminating in a grand reveal on the final day. They selected Artz 4 Life Academy in Clearwater for this year’s project, and the announcement states, “It will be the biggest transformation to date.” Over 100 Jabil employees are volunteering to support the nonprofit this week.
