5 Things to Know in St. Pete: April 25

1. St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and members of City Council are now working on the Fiscal Year 2013 city budget. Residents are invited to the first of three to share their input on future needs and funding priorities. The Public Budget Summit will be held Wednesday evening, April 25, 6 p.m., at J.W. Cate Recreation Center, 5801 22nd Ave. N. 

2. The Green Thumb Festival, St. Petersburg's annual Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration, returns for its 26th year to Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Avenue N. on April 28 & 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family festival features horticultural and environmental exhibits, programs and seminars highlighting ways to landscape effectively, conserve natural resources, recycle, and improve the environment.

3. Suncoast Hospice, the Pinellas County Urban League and the YWCA of Tampa Bay invite the public to participate in this event to take a stand against racism and discrimination. Meet either at Suncoast Hospice's Community Service Center or the Pinellas County Urban League (333 31st St. N., St. Petersburg) at 11:15am. At 11:45am, walk with the group to Central Avenue and 32nd Street to link hands in unity. Afterward, there will be a program of speakers including Gwen Reese and Jon Wilson, co-chairs of the city's African-American Heritage Project. Participants are encouraged to wear purple.

4. The Pinellas County School Board will hold a workshop Wednesday, May 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. to hear public input on the Board’s search for the next superintendent of Pinellas County Schools. The Board’s search consultant, Dr. Wayne Blanton, Executive Director of the Florida School Boards Association, is scheduled to attend.

5. Patch is partnering with Feeding America Tampa Bay to help feed the needy in our community. Help us gather 2,000lbs of food. We'll take care of the heavy lifting but we need your help to gather food for hunger families in St. Pete and Tampa Bay. Leave spare nonperishable’s in our drop-off boxes, which are located at , and . If your business is interested in hosting a box, please email William Mansell.