Dear Big Max: Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Workers today hoisted Big Max on to its new spot at South Straub Park, in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.

ST. PETERSBURG - Workers started hoisting the large steel bars at 7 a.m. this to make sure that Big Max was in place by dinner time. It looked like a big construction project, when actually the work was the installation of a monstrous steel red sculpture. Locals gathered to commemorate the moment, while others watched from a distance as they dined at nearby outdoor restaurants, Bella Brava and Cassis. Big Max is a bright red sculpture of giants sticks that has been in Tampa for the last three years. Artist John Henry created the large public art piece. It will be in South Straub Park for the next 18 months. Welcome to the Burg!

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Kirsten Peck

11:55 am on Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I'm glad I went to see the Big Max arrival and installation. Quite interesting comments from the spectators and it is sure to stir up conversations. Welcome to the neighborhood!   more ›

Countdown to First Night St. Pete, Florida's Largest New Year's Eve Celebration

We take a look at where to go, what to do and how to ring in the New Year, St. Pete style.

Started in 1993 by residents as a safe way to celebrate the holiday while taking advantage of the beautiful downtown district, First Night St. Pete enters its 17th year on Friday night. The activity-filled celebration has grown and matured over the years. It is now recognized as the largest New Year's celebration in Florida. Starting at 5 p.m. and ending just after midnight, First Night St. Pete 2011 features music, dancing, arts and crafts, fireworks, magic, a bubble-wrap stomp and more. Festivities stretch from South Straub Park to the Pier and all points in between. All visitors have to do is buy a First Night button to participate in all the events. With a host of local businesses participating, a slew of artists performing, a …

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Miss Vi Noy's Social Scene

Miss Vi Noy Chills in St. Pete

Miss Vi Noy mingles with the crowd at the coolest outside lounge in the park at the Third Annual St. Pete Chillounge Night, enjoying a night of fashion, jazz, fireworks and best of all people watching!

When I showed up to the Third Annual St. Pete Chillounge Night, I wasn't quite sure what to expect—especially when I entered the gates and immediately had to strike a pose on the red carpet. "But I'm with the media," I told the photographer with a laugh. Miss Vi Noy loves celebrity -- rubbing elbows, people watching and snapping pictures of everyone else. Straub Park, transformed into a swanky outdoor lounge under the glow of blue light garnished trees, proved to be the perfect place to people watch two weeks ago. From Mohawks to ball gowns, I saw it all as people relaxed in upscale lawn furniture sipping cocktails, eating tasty treats from local restaurants including Ceviche, watching the fashion show and enjoying live jazz music. …

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Miss Vi Noy's Social Scene

Vi Noy Strikes a Pose in Straub Park

I know we haven’t officially met, but you will be seeing a lot of Miss Vi Noy around Downtown St. Petersburg and the Old Northeast. For my first social outing I stopped by South Straub Park for a charity yoga class.

I know we haven't met yet, but you're going to be seeing a lot of me around Downtown St. Petersburg and the Old Northeast. I'm what you might call a social butterfly.  But for me it's not just enough to be at the right spots at the right time, I want to take all of you with me. For my first official social outing I grabbed my yoga mat and stopped by South Straub Park for a donation-only class to help save the manatees. "Yoga in the Park: Salutations to the Sea" is a monthly class sponsored by several local businesses including Yoga Energy Studio and Natural Health St. Pete. Sitting in the lush green grass surrounded by other yoga enthusiasts, I couldn't help but feel relaxed with the backdrop of boats docked along the St. Petersburg Marina…

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