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City launches 2023 arts grant applications

The City of St. Petersburg has begun the application period for its 2023 Arts and Culture Grant Program. Eligible nonprofit arts-focused organizations can apply for up to $22,000 (award levels will be based on the organization's size and budget). The application form, eligibility requirements and other information can be found here.

Tampa Downtown Partnership CEO retires

Lynda Remund, who heads the Tampa Downtown Partnership, a not-for-profit group comprised of business leaders, has retired, according to the Partnership's Monday announcement. Remund has served as CEO and president for the last five years. Longtime executive Shaun Drinkard will serve as interim president as the Partnership launches a nationwide search a permanent leader.   

Albert Whitted presents scholarships to students

Over the weekend, Friends of Albert Whitted Airport members presented scholarships to students working towards a career in aviation. The airport, partnering with St. Pete Air, offers two kinds of scholarships for St. Petersburg area residents: one for the youth who have demonstrated a strong interest in flight training but who could use financial assistance to complete it, and another for those who may be exploring aviation for the first time. A total of 19 people (ages 16-24) were awarded aviation scholarships. A crowd of 130 people, including parents and six St Petersburg City Council members, attended the event. 
 

Lightning clinch playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning qualified for the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season Saturday with a 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders at Amalie Arena. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 38 saves behind the net for the Lightning, his second shutout in three games. Tampa Bay sits four points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division, and the two teams will face off in the first round of the playoffs.

Rays complete season-opening sweep

The Tampa Bay Rays kicked off their 25th anniversary season in grand fashion, completing a season-opening sweep for the fourth time in franchise history. A 4-0 Opening Day victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday preceded a 12-2 clobbering Saturday and a 5-1 win to finish the homestand Sunday. Baseball legend Don Zimmer became the first person inducted into the new Rays’ Hall of Fame before Sunday’s game against the Tigers.

Jet loses part of its wing near St. Pete

A pilot made an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport (TPA) Thursday night after a small jet lost part of its wing while flying near St. Petersburg. TPA officials said the Cessna Citation was flying at 27,000 feet when the aircraft lost a portion of its left wing and winglet, which extends from the tip. The only person onboard was the pilot, who safely landed the jet.

Local companies rank in America’s top workplaces

Top Workplaces, the nation's credible employer recognition program, has released its annual rankings for the Top 100 Workplaces USA list and two of the top 20 companies are based in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Top Workplaces evaluates companies that have at least 2,500 employees and ranks the companies based on feedback captured by the employee engagement survey. Tampa’s Baldwin Risk Partners claimed the No. 11 spot and St. Petersburg-based Power Design earned the No. 20 ranking. Wisconsin-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation won the top ranking.  

Local leaders invite public to housing summit

Members of the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact will soon unveil their Housing Action Plan, which brings government, private industry, nonprofits and residents together to create more options. Stakeholders, including local mayors, will discuss proposed solutions at the 2023 Homes for Pinellas Summit. The event occurs Friday, April 28, at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. To register, visit the website here.

A ‘food forest’ is sprouting along the Deuces

Residents along South St. Petersburg’s 22nd Street South corridor will soon have access to fresh fruits and vegetables as the Deuces Food Forest opens May 20 at the intersection of 9th Avenue. The grand opening coincides with the 2023 Natural Food Festival. In addition to fresh food, the community asset will provide education on healthy eating and building sustainable organic gardens.

Chevrolet dealership fully operates on solar power

The Dimmitt Chevrolet Clearwater dealership announced Wednesday that it has completed a nearly year-long project to convert the 13-acre facility to fully operate on solar power. "Dimmitt partnered with ESA Solar and Duke Energy to go green in anticipation of the company’s own future energy demands, due to the growth in sales and service of electric vehicles," according to the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth publication. The solar energy system is expected to generate more than one million kilowatts of power per year. 

Rays sell out another home opener

Thursday’s Opening Day game will mark the 17th consecutive year the Tampa Bay Rays have sold out their home opener at Tropicana Field. The team takes on the Detroit Tigers at 3:10 p.m., and former pitcher James “Big Game” Shields will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and symbolically retire as a Ray. While no tickets are available, fans can watch the game on Bally Sports Sun.  

City asks residents for input on stormwater plan

The City of St. Petersburg is asking the public to weigh in on the stormwater master plan, a multi-year plan that aims to improve stormwater quality, reduce flooding, and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise in St. Pete. Input on the plan and corresponding maps is being accepted until May 5. A virtual public meeting will be held Wednesday, April 12 from 6-7 p.m. Residents can also visit www.stpete.org/stormwatermasterplan to provide input through an online form or visit one of four pop-up locations at a city recreation center. 

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