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Clearwater Vacation Guide
Welcome Home 'Nitro' - Clearwater Marine Aquarium releases endangered loggerhead sea turtle
On Thursday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m., Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), offered a story of inspiration and hope in the wake of Hurricane Dorian with the release of an endangered loggerhead sea turtle on the pristine sands of Clearwater Beach, named the nation’s #1 beach by Trip Advisor.

Administrator Names New Finalists for
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President & CEO 
Pinellas County Administrator Barry A. Burton on Tuesday announced the names of the three new finalists for the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President and CEO position. They are: Christopher Barrett, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau President & CEO; Steve Hayes, Visit Pensacola President & CEO; and Jeffrey Seifried, President & CEO of Branson Lakes/Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB.

Minimum Wage Adjustments Proposed
There is a push to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour on several fronts. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association opposes such a drastic increase as it would be devastating to the hospitality industry, which is critical in the Sunshine State.
Nominate your employee for the ROSE Award
ROSE (Recognition of Outstanding Service Excellence) Awards recognize front line hospitality employees who demonstrate excellent customer service. Do you have an employee who is dependable, passionate and exemplifies great customer service? Nominate them today for a ROSE Award!

Nomination Deadline: September 18, 2019

NEW FEARS MEET NIGHTMARES OF THE PAST AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY’S 20 TH ANNIVERSARY HOWL-O-SCREAM 
Howl-O-Scream 2019 unearths long-buried icons of the past and new nightmares as Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay celebrates “20 Years of Fear” with sinister surprises at every turn. Brave souls can venture
through horrifying houses, terrifying scare zones and thrilling rollercoaster rides in the dark for 22 select nights beginning September 20.

Upcoming Public Meetings
Click on links below for meeting agenda and location details.

Goodbye Coachman Park, Hello Coachman Commons!
One day, officials envision, the city’s $60-million-plus downtown waterfront will be complete.
The parking lot near Coachman Park will be transformed into a concert green complete with a...
Government Affairs / Transportation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 17th

Discussion:
2020 Legislative Priorities
Please join us as we continue the conversation around our 2020 Legislative Priorities.

Location:
"The Ring" Workspaces
600 Cleveland Street Suite 300 Clearwater, FL 33755
Questions?
Email: Don Ewing, Chair of Government Affairs Committee
don@flbss.com
Friday, September 13th, 2019
11:30am-1pm
$25 Member/$30 Nonmember
$10 CYP/Ambassadors
@ Holiday Inn & Suites Harbourside
Tuesday, September 24th, 2019
6pm-8pm
Free To Attend
@ Hooter's Original
Wednesday, October 9th, 2019
5:30pm-6:30pm
Free To Attend
@ The Ring Workspaces
Thursday, October 10th, 2019
11am-7pm
$150/Player
$600/Team
@ Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019
5pm-7pm
$20 per Attendee
@ Pour Yours
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
8pm-10pm Cocktail reception at 6pm
Tickets start at $75
@ Amalie Arena
Tuesday, October 29th, 2019
6pm-8pm
Free To Attend
@ Radiance Medspa
Garfield's Cyber Safety Adventures Earns 2019 Academics' Choice Smart Media Award
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is pleased to announce that Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures has been honored with a 2019 Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award , a prestigious seal of educational quality, reserved only for the best mind-building media and toys.

Ladies Boutique Now Open!
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has launched a new shopping experience, the BuildHer Boutique. This ladies boutique will sell and accept donations of gently used, high end accessories at a resale prices at the Pinellas ReStore location. All profits from the boutique will benefit the Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and will go towards building affordable homes for members of the Pinellas and West Pasco communities.

Christmas Under the Oaks on November 10th
Christmas Under the Oaks presented by GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club is our single biggest fundraiser of the year. It’s an excellent opportunity for artists, crafters, and small businesses to display a wide variety of crafts, art, and products to active shoppers seeking unique gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

Second Annual Holiday Extravaganza!
The City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency is gearing up to begin filling vendor spaces for our Second Annual Holiday Extravaganza Holiday Pop Up Market! This year we are looking for up to three businesses to set up shop from Nov. 30 thru Dec. 22, 2019 at our Second Century Studios location at 331 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, FL. There is no cost to participate.
We are looking for vendors that have items that are giftable, grab and go, handmade, versatile, or varied (jewelry, clothing, candles, signs, art, plants, etc.).  
There is no cost to be a vendor. While the CRA can help with some marketing through our channels, vendors will have to promote and market their businesses and help to bring new customers to Downtown Clearwater. Vendors will also be responsible for staffing their spaces and their own payment processing.  
If you are interested in applying to be a vendor, please fill out the form below: 

The deadline for applications is Monday, September 16, 2019. Applications will be reviewed and vendors will be selected and notified by Friday, September 27, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact Tarin Mohajeri, program coordinator for Second Century Studios, at  tarin.mohajeri@myclearwater.com .
Decker Ross Interiors Welcomes New Designer
Renee Bitinas recently joined the Decker Ross Team as a Design Assistant to Jen Kravchuk, Senior Designer. Renee is an Interior Design Graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburg, a Fine Artist, and a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Since obtaining her degree in 2016, she has been working in modern interior design at a firm in Portland Oregon and in Fine Art, selling her paintings internationally. Her discipline and inspiration are derived from a Military Tour in Germany as well as refining her design skills in college. Education and travel throughout Europe have molded Renee into the Interior Designer and Artist she is today. Newly located from the Pacific Northwest to Florida, she is excited to put her skills to good use on the coastal scene and Decker Ross is excited to welcome her to their team!

Calling all volunteers! Jazz Holiday has volunteer opportunities for EVERYDAY of the festival!
Columbia Community Harvest - All of September

For the entire month of September, all Columbia restaurants will be donating 5% of guests’ checks to the charity of their choice. Mark your ballot Children’s Dream Fund when you eat there this month!
Columbia location include: Tampa’s historic Ybor City, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Celebration, Columbia Cafe at Tampa Bay History Center on the Riverwalk, and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport

Rent office space for $500 per month!
Move-in special! Receive your 1st months rent FREE!
Schedule a tour with Joe Santolucito at 727-481-3194

Dinner for Dreams
Dinner for Dreams
Sunday, September 15, 2019
5 PM
Terra Sur Cafe
5358 West Village Drive
Tampa, FL 33624
Children’s Dream Fund invites you to Dinner for Dreams. Enjoy an elegant 5-course menu crafted by Terra Sur Cafe, with wine pairings provided by Kevin Pelley, Luxury Specialist for Republic National Distributing Company. Set a date with family and friends to help make a dream come true!

Division Partners
Kind Regards,
Jeni Borrow
Vice President of Membership
727.461.0011 ext 226
jborrow@clearwaterflorida.org


To submit content to future Membership Newsletters, please email to Jeni