Author

Julie Garisto

Julie Garisto

A graduate of Largo High, USF, and the University of Tampa's Creative Writing MFA program, Julie Garisto grew up in Clearwater and now has a home in the Ocala National Forest. Between writing assignments, she's teaching English courses at Saint Leo University and other colleges. Julie has written arts features in Creative Pinellas' online magazine ArtsCoast Journal, Creative Loafing, Florida travel pieces (Visit Tampa Bay and Visit Jacksonville), the Cade Museum, and features and reviews in the Tampa Bay Times. Her previous journalistic roles include arts and entertainment editor for Creative Loafing, staff writer for the Tampa Bay Times, and copy editor for the Weekly Planet. Lately, she's been obsessed with exploring Florida's State Parks, small towns, and natural springs.

Julie Garisto's Latest Articles

Streets in Hyde Park Village showing how far to stay apart.
Floridians move cautiously into summer as some restaurants, businesses reopen

Restaurants, hotels, and other businesses gradually reopen with new operational practices and infrastructure designed to keep people safer from COVID-19 during the weeks ahead.

Chris Incorvaia of Stuart Dean Co. working at The Ring in Clearwater.
It’s not all about the beaches: Clearwater begins to get back to business

Clearwater business owners and civic leaders weigh in on transitioning back to full-time operation during COVID-19 and seizing opportunities to start fresh.

Clearwater Police thank the community on Facebook for bringing meals.
Clearwater residents pitch in during most challenging time

Now that spring-breakers have gone back home, Clearwater residents are getting down to the business of helping each other get through the coronavirus pandemic.  

An art wrap in Clearwater.
Clearwater wraps up creative neighborhood arts project

Clearwater’s art wraps have brought attention to local artists and beauty to intersections throughout the city.

Eric Stoltz meets his fans at GIFF 2018.
POSTPONED: This year’s Gasparilla film festival puts locals first

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Organizers of the 2020 Gasparilla International Film Festival have selected an array of films shot in the Tampa Bay Area, going back to #GasparillaFilm’s roots.

Soccer ball
For Good: Youth soccer initiative aims to level playing field for low-income families

Play it Forward assists with fees, uniforms, and other expenses so that costs are not an obstacle for any child or teen to participate in youth soccer.

City of Clearwater's new enhanced web tools give easy access to property information.
Clearwater launches online tool to attract new business investments to U.S. 19 corridor

Want to know more information before investing in property? The City of Clearwater's new enhanced web tools give easy access to data you need and some you didn't know you needed.

Gator by ESH.
Painting Tampa red, blue, black, yellow, and every hue in between

This weekend’s Tampa Bay Fresh Fest -- a celebration of local murals and artists -- create a positive economic impact on the Tampa Heights-Seminole Heights neighborhoods long after the annual event.

Artist Anastasia has been awarded a number of grants for her ongoing project FloodZone, including the South Arts Fellowship and Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography.
USF CAM solo exhibitions contribute to climate change conversation

Sponge Exchange by artist and educator Hope Ginsburg and FloodZone by artist Anastasia Samoylova each examine rising temperatures and sea levels, water quality, and the impact of our carbon footprint with both humor and pathos.

Signage at front of new USF Health College of Medicine in downtown Tampa.
Building anticipation: New places and spaces opening soon in the Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Area continues to be among the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the nation. Read up on the latest: The grand openings of a new USF Medical School and Embarc Collective downtown plus more than 25 new apartment and condo buildings, bars and restaurants, workspaces, and hotels to open in 2020.

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