Realtor Bonnie Strickland joins Coldwell Banker downtown St. Pete Beach Drive office

Bonnie Strickland, founder of the former Strickland Property Group and St. Petersburg resident, has joined Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT and will be operating from its downtown St. Petersburg location at 280 Beach Drive NE. Strickland founded The Strickland Property Group, in 2010.  She resigned from the firm that acquired her business in April 2020. “I … Read more

Florida 500: Snapshots of influential Tampa Bay area women

The Tampa area is home to some of Florida’s most impactful business leaders. A select few make the annual Florida 500 list, which highlights influential executives among different economic sectors. These individuals are identified by Florida Trend magazine through extensive research. Below, select women who earned the most recent honor share advice and direction. Joy … Read more

Welcome to ‘Champa’ Bay (PHOTOS)

In March 2020, Tom Brady made national headlines when he announced he would be moving south and joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some people were shocked, and some savvy observers say they called it. Me, I was flabbergasted. “Huh? Can 2020 get any more bizarre?” Full disclosure: For those that do not already know, I’m … Read more

March marks 60 years for FKQ Advertising + Marketing in Clearwater

With Women’s History Month being celebrated in March, FKQ Advertising + Marketing’s 60-year anniversary holds a special significance. FKQ Advertising + Marketing, a full-service, independently-owned agency, was founded in 1961 during the heyday of the “Mad Men” era of advertising. “We are so proud to mark 60 years in the advertising and marketing industry where, … Read more

St. Pete Beach named no. 1 in U.S., no. 5 in the world by Tripadvisor

TODAY’S FORECAST: Sunny and warm with a 100% chance of walking on America’s Best Beach at sunset.   St. Petersburg Beach was voted the no. 1 beach in the United States and the no. 5 beach in the world by Tripadvisor for 2021. Madeira Beach landed at no. 9 in the U.S., Treasure Island at … Read more

Ernest Hooper joins United Way Suncoast as vice president of communications

United Way Suncoast has named Ernest Hooper as its vice president of communications, effective March 1. Hooper was previously the communications director for the American Cancer Society’s southwest Florida division. Before joining ACS, Hooper was a columnist, editor, sportswriter and ambassador for the Tampa Bay Times. “We are excited to have Ernest join the United … Read more

Valor Capital to debut $70 million, COVID-designed, luxury property in Clearwater (RENDERINGS)

There’s a new state-of-the-art, COVID-designed, $70 million boutique condominium development planned for Clearwater called Serena by the Sea. “Serena by the Sea is Valor Capital’s latest pride and joy,” said Regina Sotomayor, chief organizational officer at Valor Capital, in a statement. “It’s an evolution of design that takes into account the need to prioritize our … Read more

Hard Rock Hotels shares plans for REVERB By Hard Rock Hotel In Tampa

Hard Rock Hotels has announced plans for the development of a new addition to the REVERB by Hard Rock portfolio in Tampa. The business casual hotel concept is designed to be an “energetic, cultural hub for connection, creation and inspiration among music fans, locals and travelers alike,” according to a statement. REVERB Tampa East is … Read more

Bank of Central Florida names Tampa Bay market executive

Bank of Central Florida, based in Lakeland, Florida, named Lauren Fernandez as Tampa Bay market executive. The Bank has launched a five-year growth initiative, called Vision 2025, to grow the community bank across the I-4 corridor. With offices already established from Orlando to Plant City, expanding into the Tampa Bay market was the next step, … Read more

Staying positive during a pandemic

Rainer Scheer signs off on most, if not all, of his social media posts with “cheers.” It’s a testament to his unwavering positivity and perseverance. Scheer, founder of Chillounge Night, Florida Furniture Rental, the Sunset Lounge Experience, along with his wife, Patricia Filomeno, owner of Ink Graphics Media & Drone Videography Florida, make their living … Read more