Tuesday, September 07, 2010 | Follow Us:
Brian Duncan performs at The Globe Coffee Lounge in St. Petersburg. - Julie Busch
Brian Duncan performs at The Globe Coffee Lounge in St. Petersburg. - Julie Busch

Environment

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What gives residents of the Tampa Bay region a sense of place? How about the downtown Tampa skyline? The wealth of arts venues in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Sarasota? The neighborhoods filled with bungalows, rails-to-trails and beaches that connect  communities? There's Dunedin's Main Street. And Bartow's Courthouse. And Bradenton's Village of the Arts. And Lakeland's lake homes. There are spectacular planned communities like Lakewood Ranch, Fishhawk Ranch and Westchase. There are superb medical facilities like Moffitt Cancer Center, All Children's Hospital and Tampa General, and exceptional colleges and universities like USF, HCC, Eckerd, Stetson and New College. There are fabulous golf courses, public parks and riverfront properties. And what about all those Third Places, where we hang out when we're not at work and we're not at home? Those places and so much more make up the unique fabric of the Tampa Bay environment and give us a sense of place that residents are lucky enough to call home.

Environment Features

Where Are You Now? Downtown Tampa? St. Petersburg? Share It On Foursquare

If you thought becoming "mayor'' of one of the Tampa Bay region's cities means putting your name on a ballot and buying yard signs, think again! Foursquare, a rapidly growing online social network, brings a whole new meaning to how one becomes "mayor'' and the length of time served. Young people are flocking to it here and elsewhere faster than their elders are lining up to vote in November.read on…

Artists & Writers Group: Harbingers Of Creativity, Incubators Of Talent

The Artists & Writers Group made a name for itself in the late '70s and early '80s by hosting wildly creative parties that drew crowds of free-spirited folks to Ybor City. Today, the nonprofit organization takes itself a wee bit more seriously, enough to provide plenty of excuses for fun wrapped around learning experiences featuring some of the best artistic and literary talent living, working and playing in the Tampa Bay region.read on…

It's All About Kids At New Glazer Children's Museum, Downtown Tampa

Are we there yet? Almost. Close your eyes and imagine! Sept. 25 is the magical day that will see eager eyes open wide at the grand opening of the new Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa, adding to museum row along the Tampa Riverwalk from the Florida Aquarium to the Tampa Bay History Center to the Tampa Museum of Art. read on…

Photo Slideshow: Dali Museum, St. Petersburg

The anticipated January 2011 opening of the new Dali Museum adds to the growing collection of museums in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota as the Tampa Bay region boosts its reputation as a top destination for arts enthusiasts from all over the world. Among the newest?  The Tampa Museum of Art, the Chihuly Collection and the Glazer Children's Museum, all helping spur the region's economy by creating jobs and an environment that appeals to business and industry executives looking to relocate.read on…

Gulfport: A Quaint & Quirky Pinellas Beach Town

Gulfport residents take their unique lifestyle quite seriously. "Our quaintness is obvious and the people who come here and buy Gulfport properties are attracted by its quaintness. We want to keep the integrity of that," says Mike Yakes, who grew up in town and has been mayor since 1991. High-rise condos, chain restaurants, big hotels and brand-name stores are practically non-existent.read on…

Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe = Good Eats, Funky Atmosphere In Seminole Heights, Tampa

Couple realizes dream in serving up favorite recipes surrounded by a multisensory feast of folk art and live music on North Nebraska Avenue. The result: a diverse group of diners often show up looking for visual and taste experiences they can't find elsewhere.read on…

When Grey Is Green: Mining For Energy Savings In Tampa Bay

Olive Tree Energy is a "green" energy company situated in the Tampa Bay region that is in the business of recycling everyday wasted energy and using it to boost efficiency in commonly used appliances. read on…

Coastal Caisson: Sustainability Fuels Construction Of New Basements In Florida

Creativity is bustling at Odessa-based deep foundation construction company Coastal Caisson. Using its Cutter Soil Mixer technology, developed by Bauer in 2004, the company has found its specialty incorporating underground construction with sustainable living.read on…

GourmetTrek Serves Up A Taste Of Tampa Bay While Making New Friends

Tag along as GourmetTrek introduces people to a taste of some of the Tampa Bay region's most interesting restaurants while teaching a bit about local cultures and neighborhood lore. The tours are designed to have a "positive economic impact by introducing people to restaurants, then they come back to them and bring others. It gives people more of a sense of community and ownership for the area where they live," says creator Anita Gary.read on…

Big Plans Aim To Attract You To Downtown Tampa's Riverwalk

With plans for a floating stage, living aquarium and six-mile-long pedestrian walkway, the downtown Tampa Riverwalk is likely to soon become a key destination for tourists and residents alike. Stretching more than 2 miles already, continued progress on the growing project just might be the key to revitalizing downtown neighborhoods and spurring economic development in the rest of the city.read on…
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