Featured image: Prescribed burning has myriad benefits for the landscape and ecology, but also helps to mitigate larger, unplanned fires.

Smokey Bear famously taught us that we can prevent forest fires. But what if your forest needs fire to survive? 

Many of Florida’s natural communities, including scrub and pine flatwoods, are fire-dependent, meaning they rely on periodic fires to stay healthy. Our state’s long, wet summers produce heavy vegetation growth – ample fire fuel – and our spectacular thunderstorms supply the igniting spark. The result, for much of Florida’s post-Pleistocene history, has been regular, low-intensity fires across much of the region.… Read More

With coming renovations of St. Pete’s historic Palladium, one thing remained uncertain: What would become of the theater’s resident instrument, the massive Skinner Organ Opus 552?

The organ, which had been at the theater since it opened in 1925, is admittedly seldom used these days. But when Donna Guillaume, Dean of the St. Petersburg Chapter of American Guild of Organists, found out it was going to be removed, she had one response: “What?”

“Over the years, members of our local organists guild played the Skinner Organ,” says Guillaume. “Barry Stevens was the resident organist [when the building was still the] Church of Christ, Scientist, from 1970 through 1987.… Read More

The fourth annual St. Petersburg Press Literary Event, held May 13 at The Palladium’s Side Door venue, celebrated the literary scene with the theme, “The State of the Word.” And the state of the word was good.

St. Petersburg Press is the foremost book publisher in the Tampa Bay area. The business was the brainchild of Joe Hamilton with collaborating insight from his coffee klatch buddies Paul Wilborn and Roy Peter Clark. All three are writer-celebrities in the local literary scene and beyond. Hamilton is not only the founder of St. Petersburg Press, but also of St. Pete Catalyst. Wilborn, who is the executive director of the Palladium Theatre, wore his familiar dual hats as master of ceremonies and chief piano player providing entertainment breaks for the event, now a tradition.… Read More

For over thirty years, Tampa Bay Watch has served as stewards of the watershed, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of our local marine and wetland environments. As important to their mission as the projects they spearhead is education and outreach – and since 2020, the Tampa Bay estuary has had an immersive, interactive advocate in the 3,000-square-foot Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier.  

The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center has a sweet nostalgia factor for anyone with an affinity for The Pier Aquarium of the old, inverted triangle. In this brighter, more accessible space, Tampa Bay Watch engages visitors from all over the world with exhibits connecting them to Tampa Bay’s ecosystem.… Read More

As Father’s Day approaches, there’s a unique market experience where you might just find that perfect gift and more: the St. Pete Sunday Market in the Warehouse Arts District.

The event is the brainchild of Kody Roussert and Soudabah Moayedi, founders of St. Pete is Super Cool, which showcases the best things around town. 

“Every local in St. Pete has noticed the growth that has happened over the past few years in our city,” explains Soudabah. “The world is finally realizing how great St. Pete is. From the amazing weather, local art, amazing beaches, and our sense of community, what isn’t to love about our city?” … Read More

‘Tis the season to shop – and support local business! More than 350 local businesses will take over Vinoy Park on Thanksgiving weekend for Shopapalooza Festival 2023. According to LocalShops1 founder Ester Venouziou, the beloved holiday extravaganza is expected to be one of the largest Small Business Weekend events in the nation.

​Co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg, Shopapalooza is a production of LocalShops1, recognized as Tampa Bay’s most active voice for small businesses. “We foster collaborations and organize events to connect businesses with businesses, as well as businesses with shoppers,” Venouziou explains. “Our signature event is Shopapalooza, the most popular holiday festival in downtown St.… Read More

Arthritis impacts 60 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability, but it’s not just a disease affecting older people – it also impacts 300,000 U.S. children. Hard to imagine, though there are 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. They are all disorders affecting the joints, typically with swelling and inflammation; managing the symptoms can often mean living with pain for a lifetime.

Florida Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation Melissa Hughey tirelessly helps spread the word. A graduate of Florida State University School of Sports Management, Hughey spent an internship with the Tampa Bay Lightning before entering the non-profit arena.… Read More

Springtime in St. Petersburg comes early. Trees, flowers, and everything green throw their pollen to the wind like confetti, heralding the season’s arrival. Snowbirds head back north; humidity is on the rise. And the intense sound of “angry bees buzzing” signal yet another springtime tradition: IndyCars and their high-revving engines making practice runs. The trucks, trailers, and roadway detours downtown, along the bayfront, and around Albert Whitted Airport mean just one thing…it’s time for the Firestone St. Petersburg Grand Prix, presented by RP Funding. This year’s racing, and myriad other events, take place March 3-5.

For those new to the sport and rusty on the French language, Grand Prix literally means “grand prize,” so the term is applied to a great many types of races.… Read More

In October, the City of St. Petersburg announced that the St. Pete Pier was selected as one of six winners of the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 Global Awards for Excellence, a top honor recognizing the best new urban designs in the world. This year’s winners include two from North America, two from Europe, and two from Asia Pacific. The St. Pete Pier was one of just two designs in the United States to be awarded. 

“This is an incredible, meaningful accomplishment for our city and our iconic waterfront,” said Mayor Ken Welch. “The ULI Global Awards for Excellence win puts the St.… Read More

North Shore Elementary PTA and Friends of North Shore Elementary (FNSE) worked tirelessly over this summer with the faculty and staff of our historic school to ensure a flawless start to the 2019-2020 school year for our students. Leading up to the beginning of the school year, both of these groups supported several important teacher, family, and student programs.

The Squire Session is an opportunity for incoming kindergarteners to meet teachers and each other and have a pre-school assessment. The PTA provided breakfast and coffee for parents, held a uniform swap shop, offered a selection of spirit gear, and gave parents an opportunity to join PTA.… Read More