On my first trip to St. Petersburg, I found myself sitting under the Florida moon meeting the nicest people in a combined open-air bar and dog park. I was sipping a cocktail with a band of ladies who frequent  The Dog Bar  because it has craft drinks and giant patio; a room dedicated to games like Skee Ball and ping pong, and it's a great place to relax with a drink and breathe in the warm Gulf air. And to top it off, it's lesbian co-owned, and thus the go-to spot for queer ladies. 

You might say that The Dog Bar captures the spirit of lovely St. Pete. It's fun and breezy, with a hint of gayness all around.              

             

             

              

              

               

             

Gibbs High School alumni gathered at the Orange Blossom Café to celebrate their 50th Golden Class Reunion. The class of 1967 joined in an evening of remembrance, laughter and joy as they relished in another year as Gibbs High alums.        

"We have witnessed the advancement of science, technology and medicine," said reunion president Jessica Isidore, touting the class and its ability to keep moving forward. "Through it all, we have endured." 

Over 80 well-wishers joined Winnie Foster to celebrate her 90th birthday Saturday, July 8 at the Allendale United Methodist Church. Mayor Rick Kriseman and Senator Darryl Rouson attended the event to honor Foster's work as a community activist who fought for integration, voting rights and fair job opportunities in Pinellas County.

Sheena Qualles organized the birthday party and described Foster's life of service as a "gigantic, indelible footprint of her dedication to her community."  

That, in a nutshell, is one of the challenges facing Barlow, who is the first person hired to plan, manage and coordinate activities in the area south of downtown St. Petersburg that holds promise for attracting high-power talent and high-wage jobs.