Month Six.
Your endocrine system has already spent years’ worth of cortisol and adrenaline on arguing with strangers on the internet. The few things giving you hope — the Comey testimony, etc. — barely cause a blip on the radar, and none of those people with whom you’ve argued on the internet have given up any ground despite the facts being on your side. (Unless you’re one of those people sharing that bunk story about Melania Trump banning GMOs from the White House. That didn’t happen. Don’t be one of those people.)
Yes, that ambient sense of dread occupying your lower abdomen is going to be there for a while.
But there’s a ton going on out in the real world if you are interested in moving the needle — from environmental causes to repairing our elections process (you know, by taking all that effing money out of it) to marching under a rainbow flag.
“Ban the Bag” at St. Pete City Hall As you know, state lawmakers are all about taking away cities’ ability to ban things that cause obvious harm and diminish quality of life, like styrofoam and fertilizers. It’s called preemption. A law barring cities from banning plastic bags has been on the books for years, despite their being a ubiquitous detriment to Florida’s waterways and wildlife. Activists with the Suncoast Rise Above Plastics Coalition want you to join them in telling St. Pete City Council’s Natural Resources & Sustainability Committee to advance a proposed plastic bag ban. In doing so, the city would follow Coral Gables’ lead in standing up to the state’s efforts to crush home rule. Thursday, June 15, 10:30 a.m., 175 5th St. N., Ste. 100, St. Pete.
The People’s Forum For years, activists in St. Pete have surveyed residents on how they want the city to spend their tax dollars as part of what they call the People’s Budget Review process. Candidates from the crowded City Council District 6 race are also expected to be on hand. Thursday, June 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 330 5th St. N., St. Pete.
Summer of Resistance Community Meeting Across the bay, Tampa activists want to lay out their plans for what they say will be a summer packed with acts of resistance to the Trump administration, etc. Thursday, June 15, 6:30 p.m., North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa.
International Surfing Day Florida’s gulf coast is not exactly a world-class surf spot. But what’s important to Suncoast SurfRider Foundation is that they can reach as many people as possible with its promotion of environmental stewardship of our coasts — shreddable waves or not. Saturday. 9 a.m. Beach access across the street and slightly to the north of Suncoast Surf Shop. Saturday, June 17, Treasure Island.
Community Film: The Future of Energy The Trump administration may be trying to regress on U.S. energy policy, but this documentary chronicles the efforts of clean power advocates across the country to get us to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Go ahead, you deserve a little wide-eyed optimism for once. Saturday, June 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 2013 Greenbriar Rd., Clearwater.
Georgia Special! Many see the contest between Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff as a litmus for the national political mood. Georgia’s 6th Congressional District has been dependably red, but Trumpism and a dreamy young Dem in the running may change that on Tuesday. While there’s no central location for watching the returns on an election politicos across the country are watching, we’re positive watch parties will show up. We’ll keep you posted on such festivities over at cltampa.com. Tuesday, June 20, everywhere.
Move the Monument Activists in Hillsborough County want you to help them show the county commission just how offensive they find vestigial corporate monuments on county government property. They ask that you get there early to sign up for public comment. Wednesday, June 21, 8 a.m., 602 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Defend Our Democracy Originally brought up by St. Pete City Council Chair Darden Rice, this is an effort to start a conversation about getting dark money out of politics. While it may seem merely symbolic on the surface, backers hope it will snowball into in a lawsuit that will ultimately overturn Citizens United. Kind of a moonshot, but what the hey? Thursday, June 22, 7:30 a.m., 175 5th St. N., St. Pete.
The St. Pete Pride Parade & Festival Because there’s power in numbers, especially when the numbers are cute and fabulously (un)dressed. Saturday, June 24: Parade & Fireworks, 6:30 p.m., Bay Shore Drive NE, Downtown St. Pete. Sunday, June 25: Street Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Grand Central District, 22nd-31st streets.
This article appears in Jun 8-15, 2017.