The Don CeSar Hotel will host its annual two-day Beach Polo Classic January 9-10. The full three-on-three matches feature four chukkas, or periods, each and will be held twice daily at noon and 2 p.m. Social distancing and mask wearing will be required during the event. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
PTM Partners, the Miami-based real estate investment firm behind the Edge Collective project in St. Petersburg, has hired Thomas Strand as vice president of acquisitions and capital markets. Strand will source, underwrite and execute new opportunity zone acquisitions and assist in asset management of current projects, a news release said. He is expected to play a fundamental role in identifying new investment opportunities for PTM's recently launched second fund. Strand previously was a director for Building and Land Technology’s investments and development team. PTM, which is focused on Qualified Opportunity Zones, plans a mixed-use retail, hotel and co-working development in the heart of the EDGE District in downtown St. Petersburg.
Game 4 of the World Series was named the "Game of the Year" by Sports Illustrated. In that game, two Los Angeles errors allowed Randy Arozarena to slide home and win the game 8 to 7. Game 4 of the Stanley Cup, when the Tampa Bay Lightning won in overtime on a power play goal, also was in the running for the SI Game of the Year, as were Game 3 of the NBA Finals and Super Bower 54.
Rock 'n' roll singer Bret Michaels will perform Jan. 8 at Ruth Eckerd Hall, in a concert exclusively for the Friends of Music member appreciation program, which funds performing arts charities. For information about becoming a member (and attending the concert), call (727) 712-2712.
Wengay "Newt" Newton has become the first candidate to file paperwork for the St. Petersburg's mayoral race in 2021. Newton has served in the Florida House of Representatives representing District 70 since 2016, but he did not seek reelection to the House this year to run for the Pinellas County Commission. He lost the county commission race to Renee Flowers. He previously served on the St. Petersburg City Council for eight years. No other candidate officially has entered the mayoral race, although there's wide speculation that former County Commissioner Ken Welch and current City Council member Darden Rice also will run. The current mayor, Rick Kriseman, has served since 2014 and is serving his second term. Term limits prevent him from running for re-election.
Florida's economic recovery is losing momentum, a new report from Wells Fargo Securities said. Employers added just 4,000 jobs statewide in November, the smallest monthly gain since the spring. Overall employers have regained about 59 percent of the jobs lost during the lockdown period in March and April, the report said. The November unemployment rate held steady at 6.4 percent. Wells Fargo is bullish on Florida long-term however. Analysts expect the state to add 265,000 jobs in 2021 and 318,000 jobs in 2022. "Florida also continues to attract scores of new businesses, particularly in the tech, aerospace and financial service fields. Florida will continue to benefit from the exodus of businesses and residents from higher-cost areas who seek lower rents and fewer regulations," the report said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Brian Gnage of Pinellas Park to serve as a judge on the Pinellas County Court. Gnage has been a prosecutor in the Sixth Circuit State Attorney’s Office since 2011. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his law degree from Stetson College of Law. Gnage fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Steve Berlin to the Sixth Circuit Court. In 2020, DeSantis has appointed 61 judges bringing his total number of judicial appointments to 117, a news release from his office said.
The City of St. Petersburg will hold is sixth annual State of the Economy address virtually Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. This year's focus will be on a resilient economy and topics will include a snapshot of key economic trends, small business, equity and workforce development and building on St. Pete's assets. Reservation details will be available on the city's website.
1347 Property Insurance Holdings has changed its name to FG Financial Group. The St. Petersburg-based company said the new names better reflects its diversified holding company strategy. The company sold its homeowners’ insurance operations last year and is implementing business plans to operate as a diversified insurance, reinsurance and investment management holding company, a news release said. FG Financial's common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the new ticker symbol "FGF", effective Dec. 17. The Company’s series A preferred shares also began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “FGFPP”.
DataLink Software has acquired Miami-based healthcare data integration and financial informatics company Orizon360°. DataLink, based in Tampa, has technology that aggregates data, giving insurance companies and healthcare providers a real-time view of patient care. The deal broadens DataLink’s product offerings, by allowing users to enhance provider partnerships and improve patient outcomes across the care continuum, according to a news release. It also expands DataLink’s Florida footprint with Medicare Advantage payers and providers in the state. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the acquisition was supported by Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm that is lead investor at DataLink.
St. Petersburg's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade will be virtual in 2021. A co-production by the City of St. Petersburg and Advantage Village Academy, the parade will livestream at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 through www.advantagevillageacademy.com. In addition, it will air on Bay News 9 and WTSP (10 Tampa Bay). The Virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet will stream at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, followed at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 by a live Creative Dance Showcase at the Campbell Park Football Field.
Raymond James Financial has agreed to buy Financo, a boutique investment bank focused on the consumer sector. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year. Financial terms were not disclosed. Financo, with offices in New York and London, provides investment banking services for sectors such as beauty and personal care, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, enthusiast brands, healthy living and active lifestyle, and home furnishings, a news release said. John Berg, the CEO of Financo, will lead the consumer and retail practice at Raymond James Investment Banking. Mark Goodman, who currently heads Raymond James Consumer & Retail Investment Banking, will continue working with clients and building the practice as vice chairman once the transaction is completed.
