Due to a case of Covid-19 in the band, Saturday's Capitol Theatre concert by guitarist Eric Johnson has been rescheduled for Sept. 5. Tickets for the March 18 show will be honored on the new date.
Time Magazine ranked Tampa among 50 of the “world’s greatest places,” calling it “Florida’s city du jour.” Staff listed the Water Street development, the five-star Tampa Edition Hotel, Tampa Riverwalk and Sparkman Wharf as highlights. The article also mentioned St. Petersburg and credited Tampa's proximity to the “art-loving, dog-friendly city" and Pass-a-Grille and Clearwater beaches.
The International Science Council has selected Heather O’Leary, an anthropology professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, as one of just 40 delegates for the United Nations 2023 Water Conference. O’Leary is an expert on global inequities in water politics, women’s rights, the environment and urbanization. She will work with other experts and leaders to advocate for science’s role in developing global water policies in New York City from March 22-24.
Chef Cris Ponte is bringing his modern Italian restaurant concept to the Ascent St. Petersburg apartment and hotel tower. The lease at 225 First Ave. N. marks a return to Pinellas County for the James Beard Award finalist, as he opened his first restaurant, Café Ponte, in Clearwater. While the eatery closed in 2020, Ponte launched OLIVIA and Ponte Modern American in Tampa and partners on two other concepts.
Voters selected Adrian Petrilla to replace Al Johnson as St. Pete Beach’s mayor Tuesday. Johnson has led the city since 2017 and sought a third term. Petrila, a real estate broker, received 55% of the vote and advocated against increasing density in the beach community.
Aura at 4th, a 150-unit garden-style apartment complex in St. Petersburg’s Gateway area, has sold to California-based TRIG Investment Group. Tampa property investment firm Northmarq announced the transaction in a release and did not disclose a purchase price. Aura at 4th is at 10980 Oak St. NE, adjacent to Gandy Boulevard and near Derby Lane.
Citing a Saturday forecast of inclement weather, the Tampa Downtown Partnership has moved the annual River O'Green event - the city's official St. Patrick's Day Festival - to Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. The Hillsborough River will be dyed green, with live entertainment and children's activities in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Click here for the official event website.
Financial information platform SmartAsset recently found that Pinellas County home values rose by 73.36% over the last five years. That is the ninth-largest increase in Florida. Hernando County paced the state, with home values increasing 83.26% since 2018.
The St. Petersburg casual-chic seafood restaurant Trophy Fish will open its first Tampa location Friday, with an official grand opening set for March 22. The new location is at 5901 N. Florida Ave., in Seminole Heights, sharing the building with the owners' sister craft cocktail concept, Mandarin Heights.
The owners of La La, a St. Petersburg karaoke restaurant and bar, have bought Cask Social Kitchen. CEO Stephen Bishop sent a letter to employees March 6 stating that the new owners would immediately close the restaurant at 208 Howard Ave. in Tampa and convert it into a different concept. La La St. Pete opened at 2324 Central Ave. in February 2022.
The St. Petersburg Police Department received $51,157 in November 2022 to participate in a statewide campaign to increase roadway safety. The agency has since conducted 24 operations, which include education and enforcement measures. SPPD officers have made educational contacts with 188 pedestrians, 109 bicyclists and 329 motorists, issued 153 citations and provided 67 bicycle lights through February.
Officials with the City of St. Pete Beach and the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce have partnered to offer grants and loans through the St. Pete Beach Business Site Improvement Program. Eligible projects include accessibility improvements, outdoor beautification, public art and historic preservation. The deadline to apply is March 31, and for more information, visit the website here.
