Neighborhood-inspired restaurant opens in St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG —Boca Ciega Waterfront Bar & Grill, part of the HM Restaurant Group, has opened, and true to its name, the locally inspired dining destination overlooks Boca Ciega Bay.
The concept behind Boca Ciega Waterfront Bar & Grill, at 8790 Bay Pines Blvd., reflects the history, waterfront lifestyle and neighborhood character of Boca Ciega Bay through its menu, design and relaxed atmosphere, H&M Restaurant Group said in a press release.
“Boca Ciega Bay has such a distinct identity, and we wanted to create a restaurant that feels genuinely connected to this location and the surrounding community,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group. “From the menu and design to the atmosphere and hospitality, every element has been developed to celebrate the waterfront experience.”
The menu features coastal-inspired dishes, including Coconut Crusted Snapper topped with a sweet chili piña colada sauce and a Shrimp Burger made with chopped jumbo shrimp, applewood-smoked bacon and sweet red pepper jam. Guests can also enjoy fresh seafood, cold drinks and cocktails designed for afternoons and evenings by the water.
The restaurant serves lunch, dinner and cocktails and is open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit bocaciegawaterfront.com.
Open house to discuss rules for AI use in city offices
ST. PETERSBURG — City officials will host an open house Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the President Barack Obama Main Library to discuss how artificial intelligence software will be and should be used in local government operations.
The event, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will include city staff who can answer questions about current AI use in government, local businesses that use AI in their day-to-day operations, and organizations that provide AI classes or workshops for residents to learn more about and participate in.
The open house comes as the city launches an online survey to determine residents’ concerns about the use of AI in government functions. The survey can be found at https://tinyurl.com/4w6cbazy
The survey is open until Thursday, Sept. 10.
Due to limited space, registration is required to attend the AI Open House. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5yu4embn
Free Clinic expands food pantry to Lealman
ST. PETERSBURG — Lealman residents can now make an appointment to get free groceries closer to home with the opening of the FRESH Pantry at the Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank.
The appointment-based system allows for a personalized, grocery store-style shopping experience at no cost.
The pantry is operated by the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, which opened the second location because more than 2,000 Lealman residents a month visit SPFC’s St. Petersburg location and mobile drive-thru in south St. Petersburg.
Lealman experiences one of the highest concentrations of financial hardship in Pinellas County. According to a report by United Way Suncoast, nearly 69% of Lealman households are either living below the Federal Poverty Level or earn above the poverty line but still cannot afford basic household necessities due to the high cost of living.
Residents interested in scheduling a shopping appointment can do so at the SPFC website or via a direct link https://jaredfoodbank.qminder.site/.
Unveiling for Bayboro Harbor historical marker
ST. PETERSBURG — Preserve the ‘Burg and USF St. Petersburg will host a ceremony Friday, Aug. 21, for the unveiling of a new historical marker commemorating Bayboro Harbor.
The reveal will take place at 10 a.m.at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library on the USF campus.
Bayboro is one of the most storied stretches of waterfront in the city. Dredging of the harbor began in 1907, transforming what was once mud flats and salt marsh into the basin that would later host a U.S. Maritime Service training station during World War II and, eventually, the USF St. Petersburg campus itself.
The unveiling ceremony will begin with a panel discussion featuring USF professor Dr. Catherine Wilkins and recent USF grad Oliver Laczko, whose work inspired the new marker. The panel will discuss Bayboro Harbor’s evolution from working waterfront to campus centerpiece, and why markers like this one matter for keeping that history visible to students and neighbors alike.
Register to attend at https://tinyurl.com/4xn7w26y
PSTA sets hearings on route cuts, fare hikes
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will hold two hearings about proposals to eliminate some bus routes and possible fare increases.
The hearings will be Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 9 a.m. The hearings can be live-streamed on the PSTA website or on YouTube at PSTA Meetings.
Proposed route cuts include:
• Snapper Safety Harbor and Clearwater on-demand service
• Grouper Airport Shuttle serving St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Clearwater Beach
• Route 58 serving Seminole City Center, SPC Seminole, Osceola High School, Bardmoor Hospital, and PSTA Complex
• Route 16 serving Gateway Mall, Meadowlawn Middle School, Northeast High School, Mirror Lake Library, and Downtown St. Pete
• Route 90 serving Bay Point Plaza, County Beach Park, Tradewinds resorts, Boca Ciega Drive, and 75th Ave and Corey Avenue.