Other sectors of the community were
eager to help, too. Craft breweries
and craft distilleries made hand sani-
-
tial businesses. Restaurant owners
donated meals to healthcare providers.
The Tampa Bay Rays hosted a
drive-thru mobile pantry at the team’s
Tropicana Field. The Duke Energy
Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater
transformed its lobby into a distribution
site for a new Meals on Wheels
for Kids, and later provided space for
COVID-19 testing.
Many people and organizations came
together to make St. Petersburg a
better city. Meet a few of our local
heroes.
ALEX HARRIS
ARTS CONSERVATORY FOR TEENS
A professional singer, songwriter and
national recording artist for Sony
Music Entertainment, Alex Harris is
also the co-founder of St. Petersburg’s
Arts Conservatory for Teens, an arts
enrichment program that mentors
underprivileged students in academic
success, leadership, and healthy
living, as well as the arts. When
teens couldn’t meet in person during
COVID, ACT launched free online
learning programs to keep them
motivated and on track.
What makes St. Pete special?
My music entertainment profession
and lectures give me the opportunity
to travel around the world and there
are few mid-sized cities that have
the unique eclectic, welcoming, and
Q&A
inclusive culture that St. Pete exudes.
The city also has a ‘rich’ music history.
not miss?
The James Museum of Western &
Wildlife Art, The Dalí Museum, a
show at the Palladium Theater, and
the historic Deuces on 22nd St. S,
where famous soul artists, such as
James Brown, Ray Charles, Nina
Simone, and Louis Armstrong performed
at the Manhattan Casino.
Don’t miss the Dr. Carter G. Woodsen
African American Museum garden. It
is a gem.
ESTER VENOUZIOU
LOCALSHOPS1
Ester Venouziou is the founder of
LocalShops1, a regional community
organization that supports locally
owned businesses with networking
opportunities, educational workshops,
and an annual holiday Shopapalooza
Festival showcasing the city’s many
creatives, makers and entrepreneurs.
This year, LocalShops 1 launched a
successful virtual online marketplace,
www.buylocaltampabay.com, to make
it easy for consumers to shop from
the comfort and safety of their home.
What makes St. Pete special?
Our beautiful surroundings and the
mix of old and new architecture stand
out, but what makes our city special
are the people—they are so creative,
resilient and giving. Our wonderful
community of small business owners
add to the hometown charm and
unique character that make St. Pete
so amazing.
2021 | St. Petersburg’s Visitors Guide 13
/www.buylocaltampabay.com