The Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Marriott Suites Sand Key, on Clearwater Beach, are the host venues for this weekend's 2021 Suncoast Jazz Festival. Among the entertainers on five stages between today and Sunday are the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Dick Hyman, Jason Marsalis, La Lucha, the Dave Bennett Quartet and Nate Najar. See the full schedule here.
Brick Street Farms, a St. Pete-based company that operates a hydroponic farm using climate-controlled shipping containers, was awarded $10,000. The group was awarded the $10,000 during the Disrupt the Bay event, which focuses on providing funding to businesses that are looking to grow or expand. Brick Street Farms plans to use the funds towards funding its new Hub model. The Hubs will provide an all-inclusive onsite farming and retail location in urban cores. Brick Street Farms plans to break ground on the new Hubs in February 2022.
Volunteers are being sought for the 5th Annual Skyway 10K, taking place March 6 at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The first 500 volunteers will be granted priority registration for the following year’s race. Email volunteer@skyway10k.com for more information.
For the eighth year in a row, the City of St. Petersburg has scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. "Receiving a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index is a reflection not just of our values, but of important policy advancements as well. It is a beacon, recruiting people and businesses to our city," St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a release. "Even though my time as mayor is coming to an end, I remain committed to this work and ensuring that LGBTQ residents and visitors forever view St. Pete as a city of opportunity, where the sun shines on us all."
Shufflrr, a presentation management solutions company, has relocated from New York to Tampa. The company has set up operations at Embarc Collective and plans to create 30 jobs over the next three years, according to an announcement. Shufflrr was co-founded by the brother-sister team of James Ontra and AlexAnndra Ontra. Shufflrr allows images, data and other information to be synchronized in a presentation library, which then can be easily shared. "Tampa provides a lower cost of living and fewer business barriers, which will better position us to grow Shufflrr over the next several years,” James Ontra, co-founder and CEO of Shufflrr, said in a release. “We visited multiple cities and were won over by Tampa’s business-friendly environment and growing tech ecosystem. We’re excited to plant roots in Tampa and grow our operations from this vibrant community.”
Area vegans have a reason to rejoice this weekend, as the third annual VegFeast returns to the Grand Central District on Nov. 20. As it has been every year, the vegan food festival and market will be hosted at Brick Street farms, although Third Avenue will now be closed to traffic to accommodate the large crowds. Over 20 vendors will be on hand serving vegan food, baked goods and cocktails. The event will also showcase local nurseries. VegFeast is located at 2233 3rd Ave. S. and will run from 12-4 p.m.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman took to Twitter to announce the City of St. Petersburg has executed an agreement to continue its relationship with St. Pete Pride through 2026.
It's official! The agreement is now executed. Our relationship with @stpetepride will continue through 2026. ☀️🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/Dsluysqbbm
— Rick Kriseman (@Kriseman) November 17, 2021
St. Pete Bikefest is roaring back into the area for a three-day festival beginning Thursday. Held at the Orange County Choppers Road House and Museum in Pinellas Park, Bikefest will feature vendors, special events and live music. This year’s headlining musical acts include Saliva, Lo Cash and Night Ranger. Paul Teutul Sr., who rose to fame with the American Choppers reality television series, will make a personal appearance on Saturday. For a full schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit stpetebeachbikefest.com.
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the destination marketing organization for the local region, has hit record year-end numbers for fiscal year 2021, which ended Sept. 30. Pinellas County tourist development tax collections totaled $73.2 million, a 5.7% increase compared to the previous record-setting $62 million in 2019. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) averaged $158.07 — a 6.4% increase from $148.51 in 2019, according to STR, a hotel data tracking company. Vacation rental stays increased despite the ongoing pandemic, the restrictions on international travel and the red tide woes. “This past year’s steady performance speaks volumes to our destination’s resiliency, as well as how our community came together to support the No. 1 employer in Pinellas County, tourism,” Steve Hayes, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater president and chief executive, said in a prepared statement. “As international borders reopen following an 18-month hiatus, we’re eager to welcome back a market that makes up 10-15% of visitors and see what the coming year brings.”
For the first time in the college's history, the University of South Florida leads the state in international student enrollment. An annual report released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, known as the Open Doors 2021 Report on International Educational Exchange, showed that USF leads all state universities with 5,974 international students. The students represent over 140 countries worldwide. USF ranks 19th nationally among public universities and 28th for both public and private universities. The announcement comes as universities across the county celebrate International Education Week, which lasts from Nov. 15-19.
The off-season awards keep coming for the Tampa Bay Rays as Manager Kevin Cash was named the American League’s Manager of the Year Tuesday. Cash becomes the first AL manager to win the award in back-to-back seasons, and just the second to achieve the feat in the history of Major League Baseball. Legendary Atlanta Braves skipper Bobby Cox took the National League honor in 2004-05. Cash’s award comes the day after Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena was named the AL’s top rookie. Fellow Ray Wander Franco finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, despite only playing 70 games. Cash received 19 of 30 first-place votes after guiding the young team with a small payroll and numerous injuries to the best record in the AL.
The planned development dubbed Snug Harbor, located on 39 acres at the southeast corner of Gandy Boulevard, has taken a step forward. On Monday, the St Pete Community Planning and Preservation Commission unanimously approved amendments for the development, which was first approved in 2009 and included retail. The new plans include multifamily units, a marina and restaurants. Miami-based Key International is listed as the applicant. The city council will hear a first reading of the amendments on Dec. 2.
