Creative Pinellas has announced a second call to artists for the ongoing city-beautification project in the City of South Pasadena. Three murals were completed in November; the new call is for three additional murals on Pasadena Avenue. Application deadline is Jan. 24; information is at this link.
An estimated 6.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the year-end holiday travel period between Dec. 23 and Jan. 1 — a new record, according to AAA Auto Club.
Redfin recently reported that sales of the region’s costliest homes increased 36% throughout the third quarter - the nation’s largest increase. The online real estate platform’s chief economist said many affluent buyers have the resources to withstand high mortgage rates and costs. The study states that Tampa Bay’s non-luxury housing stock has decreased by 17% as less-affluent homeowners remain locked in place.
Anna Maria Island-based Wicked Cantina is opening a new location at 3650 Tyrone Blvd. N. in January. The Tex-Mex restaurant is taking over the former Sonny’s BBQ space near the El Dorado Furniture store. Company officials announced they are building a new patio and will offer daily happy hour specials and live music.
As part of the Poynter Journalism Prizes, St. Petersburg's Poynter Institute has created a new category for 2024: The Roy Peter Clark Award for Excellence in Short Writing will recognize compelling writing, in any medium, with pieces of 800 or fewer words. Formerly operated by the News Leaders Association, the 45-year-old contest also honors overall writing excellence, local accountability reporting, column writing, social justice reporting, innovation, editorial writing, diversity, freedom of information and distinguished coverage that makes a difference to communities. Entry deadline is Feb. 16.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) officials have added to the local “Royal Rumble weekend” lineup as Mark “The Undertaker” Calaway will bring his one-man show to Clearwater. The Sunday, Jan. 28 event at the Bilheimer Capitol Theater follows the Jan. 27 Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field. Tickets for the “UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW,” which features “never-before-heard stories” and a question-and-answer segment, go on sale Dec. 15.
For the second year in a row, labor analytics company Lightcast ranked Florida as the No. 1 state in the nation for attracting and developing a talented workforce,in its 2023 Talent Attraction Scorecard. The Talent Attraction Scorecard evaluates states based on job growth, education attainment, regional competitiveness and migration data.
FloridaCommerce announced the opening of the official 30-day public comment period to seek input on the State of Florida’s Digital Adoption and Use Plan, the state’s plan to access and operationalize $2.75 billion in funding. The funding prioritizes digital literacy and ensures people in Florida have the tools at their disposal to participate fully in the workforce, achieve prosperity and live resiliently. Read more about the plan and submit comments here.
Six University of South Florida employees shared one of the biggest awards in video production at the 2023 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards Dec. 2, for the Portraits in Patriotism video series, which shares immigrant stories with Florida students.
Spa Beach Park will be ground zero for New Year's Eve activities on the St. Pete Pier, starting at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The free event will include performances by DJ Lawmaker, live entertainment, food trucks, games and more. The City of St. Petersburg Fireworks display begins at midnight. The SunRunner bus service will operate until 1 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boosted their playoff odds Sunday with a 29-25 road win over the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay’s 6-7 record moves the Bucs into a three-way tie for first place in the dismal NFC South with four games remaining in the season. Tampa Bay holds a tiebreaker over the Falcons and New Orleans Saints with a better winning percentage against common opponents.
Michael Penix Jr., a Tampa Bay native, is among three finalists for college football’s highest individual honor - the Heisman Trophy. The University of Washington quarterback attended high school at Tampa Bay Tech and led the nation in passing yards this year while propelling the second-ranked Huskies to an undefeated season. Penix is the region’s first Heisman finalist and could hear his name called as the 2023 winner at 8 p.m. Saturday.
