For the first time in four years, the Tampa Bay Airfest is flying into MacDill Air Force Base. Organizers expect the event, held Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, to draw over 150,000 people. Admission and parking are free, but visitors can buy premium seating. AirFest takes place just before the 75th anniversary of the Air Force, and four-star Gen. Mike Minihan will make an appearance. The event features aerial stunts by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with demonstrations from F-22 Raptor stealth fighters and C-17 refueling planes
Mayor Ken Welch is hosting an Academy Awards watch party Sunday, in honor of St. Petersburg native Will Packer leading the show’s first all-Black production team. Packer attended Maximo Elementary, Bay Point Middle and St. Pete High School before attending college at Florida A&M. Packer went on to become one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers, whose production credits include Girls Trip, What Men Want, Think Like a Man and Stomp the yard. Packer also served as the executive producer for the critically acclaimed Straight Outta Compton. The watch party for the 94th Annual Oscars takes place Sunday, March 27, at the Woodson African American Museum’s legacy garden. Doors open at 7 p.m., and Welch will offer remarks before the show begins at 8 p.m. To register, visit the website here.
During Thursday’s St. Petersburg City Council meeting, Mayor Ken Welch presented Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck with a key to the city. The symbolic award was a show of recognition for Shuck putting herself in harm’s way to stop a drunk driver during the Skyway 10K race on March 6. Shuck,47, was unable to attend the ceremony as she recovers from her injuries. The mother of two and a 26-year veteran of the Highway Patrol attempted to intercept the driver before reaching the runners, resulting in a near head-on collision.
The University of South Florida celebrated the opening of the Bellini Center for Talent Development on Thursday (today) at the Tampa campus. Named after local philanthropists Arnie and Lauren Bellini, the center is intended to further increase career opportunities for USF graduates while providing Tampa Bay businesses with a talent pipeline of employees uniquely prepared to meet their needs through a three-year-plus certification program, according to USF. The center was made possible by a $10.6 million donation from the Bellinis. Unlike other career-development programs, the Bellini Center will rely on business executives to lead workshops addressing the hard and soft skills they want to see in future employees, such as writing refined resumés and can provide one-day internships. The center is specifically for the students in the Muma College of Business.
The long-awaited 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture that's being installed inside the Tampa International Airport is nearing completion. The floor-to-ceiling artwork called "Home," created by artist Matthew Mazzotta, was first announced two years ago. The piece was scheduled to be completed long ago in the airport's main terminal, but it was delayed due to the pandemic. The pink fiberglass flamingo piece is meant to appear like the bird is dipping its head below the water. The water illusion is created with resin. Currently, yellow barriers surround the structure that is now expected to be fully installed in the coming weeks.
The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority’s Selmon Extension, a raised highway over Gandy Boulevard, has now reopened to commuters. THEA reopened the 1.9-mile extension Thursday (today) after temporarily closing it this week so engineers could perform maintenance on horizontal strands that came loose from their anchor. The $230 million extension was completed in 2021 and provided an express connection from the south end of the Gandy Bridge to Brandon.
For the upcoming exhibition THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND: Grief, Discovery, and Remembrance, Creative Pinellas is asking community members to share work created by loved ones who have passed away over the last two years from Covid and other causes. Creative Pinellas is looking for loans of artwork, photographs, handwritten recipes, journals, handmade clothing, correspondence, poetry and more. "In learning the stories behind the objects," said Interim Gallery Director Beth Gelman, "we can carry on the legacy of those who are no longer with us.” The items - which will be carefully catalogued, and returned when the exhibit is over - can be delivered to the Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Blvd., on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, Wednesday through Sunday between now and Sunday, April 17. THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND will open with a reception May 12.
New details have recently surfaced on the planned 6-mile extension of Tampa's popular Riverwalk. The extension will connect the Riverwalk on the east side of the river to the west side. It will complete the gap of what will result in a 12.2-mile path. It will start at Platt and Bayshore and will connect under the Brorein Street Bridge. There will be an enhanced pedestrian crossing over Cass Street. It will also provide a connection to the new Rome Yard Development near the North Boulevard Street North South Bridge. Public officials expect the expansion to be completed by 2026.
According to a social media post from Mayor Ken Welch Wednesday morning, the City of St. Petersburg continues to seek applicants for the role of city administrator. Together with the mayor, the city administrator oversees over 3,400 employees and a $711 million operating budget meant to serve 258,800 residents. According to the city’s job posting, the maximum salary for the position is $228,000. The administrator helps implement policies, analyzes and offers budget recommendations and represents the city’s best interest at various meetings. Welch said he seeks “an engaged leader to help us achieve our vision of in-touch, transparent governance that emphasizes intentional equity for all” during a “pivotal point” in St. Petersburg’s growth.
Stevyn Bartlette won the $5 million top prize on a $20 Gold Rush Limited scratch-off game from a ticket he purchased from the St. Petersburg Publix store at 3030 54th Ave. South. Barlette chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3.96 million, according to the Florida Lottery. Publix will receive a $10,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
As the mortality rate for Florida’s manatees continues to rise due to a loss of seagrass and other ecological factors, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is expanding life-saving facilities for the gentle giants. The efforts are spread throughout three phases, with the first, a temporary rehabilitation pool, coming this summer. Manatees in need of care can recover in the pool before returning to their natural habitats. Phase two is a partnership between the aquarium and the City of Tarpon Springs to open three more rehabilitation pools at the Marine Mammal Stranding Facility in Fred Howard Park. That project is waiting on a request for state funding, and officials expect it to open within a year. The final phase is the construction of a $10 million manatee hospital. The aquarium is still raising funds for that facility and did not release a timetable for construction. According to FWC data, 420 manatees have died in the state as of March 11.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies and over 5,000 fans celebrated twice Saturday night. First, the Eastern Conference champions unveiled banners marking their regular season and conference success followed by a 2-0 shutout of the Indy Eleven. Juan Tejada and Jake LaCava scored for the Rowdies.
