Happy New Year
Welcome back seasonal residents and returning guests. We have some exciting outdoor events early this year, including the: St. Pete Beach Classic Race, John’s Pass Seafood Fest, St. Petersburg Boat Show, and the return of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, including a 15-year-old race car driver from Gulfport. On Classic Race weekend Jan 13-15th, please be patient with any street blockage early each day. It would not surprise us if the recent sale of the Sirata Beach Resort for record prices might mean 2023 would be the final year of the St. Pete Beach Classic Race. Run if you can, enjoy the public activities, like the health expo at the Rec Center on opening day, a beach bonfire and a cleanup.
I had earned a series of degrees from St. Petersburg Junior College and USF, including a master of business administration (MBA) degree in 1975. Business has changed rather dramatically in the past forty-five years, and I have been lucky enough to audit several classes like the Small Business Executive Program of the Jim Moran Institute (JMI) For Global Entrepreneurship run under Florida State University’s College of Business. Being a bit set in my ways, I may not embrace new apps, tools and techniques that are presented by JMI Director Shane Smith’s hand-picked lecturers on a wide variety of business concerns. I got value from them, however, and also from my fellow participants in the class. Some subjects like business valuation, building equity and planning for succession were particularly helpful. Thank you all. I treasure the JMI diploma earned at 70 years of age. as a constant reminder that we are never too old to continue to learn. Access to continuing adult education is part of the rewards of life in paradise. See what is offered by my alma maters, or Eckerd College and OLLI. So much is available online these days too, onpodcasts and the like.
The arts took a terrible hit over COVID and are just starting to recover. Some folks are still too nervous to congregate, but thanks to founding sponsor, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, www.ArtsAxisFlorida.com is providing online access to local arts performances for free. Check it out.
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