Tampa International Airport is hosting a hiring event Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon inside the main terminal event space. Representatives from the Transportation Security Administration and about two dozen companies will attend and hope to fill over 400 jobs. For more information, visit the website here.
The University of South Florida announced Tuesday that Joey and Jennifer Redner have donated $2.2 million for two initiatives. Half of the gift will support a new stadium in Tampa and the other half will enhance a growing brewing arts program on the St. Petersburg campus. Joey Redner founded Cigar City Brewing in 2007 and sold the company in 2016.
The City of St. Petersburg is accepting applications for its Student Ambassador Program, a cultural exchange initiative with St. Pete's sister city, Takamatsu, Japan. Selected students will travel to Takamatsu for up to three weeks in the summer, and students from Takamatsu will come to St. Petersburg and stay with host families to immerse themselves in American culture. The program's application window is open through March 7 at stpete.org/international.
The Don CeSar resort recently announced that it would reopen late in the first quarter, which runs through March, after suffering damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. According to the social media post, officials have repaired essential systems and “seized the opportunity to upgrade” many amenities. The 97-year-old Don CeSar will initially offer reduced services upon reopening.
St. Petersburg has three nominations in the 2025 USA Today Readers Poll. A panel of experts and travel writers created a list of 20 nominees in each category. St. Pete has a nomination for Best City For Street Art; the Warehouse Arts District has been chosen as one of the nation's Top 20 arts districts; and the Dali Museum has a nod as Best Arts Museum. This becomes the template for the media outlet's 2025 Readers' Poll, which will name the top ten vote-getters in each category - voting is open through Feb. 17.
Pinellas County Government is encouraging residents to participate in the statewide Great Tornado Drill on Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. Schools, organizations and individuals are asked to simulate a Tornado Warning, find a safe place to take cover, and take a selfie photo to post on social media using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill. More details and a suggested itineary for the day can be found here.
100 Women Who Care of St. Petersburg, a local giving circle, has opened applications for nonprofits to apply for its next meeting Feb. 20. Nonprofit leaders make a five-minute pitch and can win a grant of up to $10,000. The application is available online at this link.
Central Florida-based Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill will open its first Tampa Bay location in St. Petersburg at 3118 3rd Ave this spring. N. in the Shoppes at Kenwood shopping center. Cider Press Vegan GastroPub previously occupied the 2,275-square-foot space. Pepe’s will offer contemporary Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine and specialty margaritas.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor recently announced she would host a commemorative pinning ceremony Jan. 30 to honor local Vietnam War veterans. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Nelson Poynter Library on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus and is open to all Vietnam veterans, their families and supporters. Those interested in receiving oft-overdue recognition and a lapel pin should contact Castor’s office through its website or call (813) 871-2817.
The Florida Aquarium will offer up to 50% off four general admission tickets in exchange for Gasparilla Pirate Fest beads through Feb. 16. The promotion is part of Tampa’s Bead-Free Bay initiative. Throwing beads into the bay is illegal and a detriment to marine wildlife and water quality.
Pagoda Asian Grill, a new fast-casual concept under P.F. Chang’s umbrella will host a grand opening celebration Feb. 1 at 1550 66th St. N. The St. Petersburg location is the first in the region and third nationally for the upstart chain. The grand opening event begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature live music, a photo booth and “exclusive Pagoda swag,” according to the announcement.
The intersection at 5th Avenue and 16th Street North in St. Petersburg is now closed indefinitely after a massive depression formed Wednesday due to a water main leak. While water main repairs have concluded, the Florida Department of Transportation plans to replace a stormwater pipe and reopen the roadway by Jan. 31. City officials expect intermittent closures of 16th Street’s southbound lane at the intersection of 5th Avenue and encourage drivers to use alternate routes.
