Each year, young bicycle riders don their finest turn-of-the-century-inspired vintage threads and roll up for a retro-fun ride in and around downtown St. Pete. For the 2014 event on Feb. 15, hundreds of participants gathered at the Shuffleboard Club, conjuring the 1920s and ’30s with music by local jazz legend Buster Cooper and swigs of 21st century craft beer courtesy of Cycle Brewing. Kudos to the event and St. Pete Shuffle for another great wing-ding on wheels. stpetetweedride.com
People & Politics
Don Zimmer was one of the few Yankee or Red Sox players that Rays fans adored, and that’s because the effervescent, super-cuddly “Zim Bear” spent 10 years on our side as a coach and advisor. Zim — who died in June at the age of 83 — got a touching tribute when Rays broadcaster Todd Kalas announced his death during a game against the Miami Marlins. “I felt like I was getting a gift every time we talked,” Kalas said as he choked back tears. “Really sad news.” Deadspin ran this video clip of his remarks.
“This court concludes that a citizen’s right to marry is a fundamental right that belongs to the individual.” Those were the words of Judge Luis Garcia of the Monroe County Circuit Court, whose July ruling was the first in a slew of similar decisions by “activist judges” that may eventually wind up toppling the state’s anti-gay marriage amendment. Fun fact to rub in the face of John Stemberger Republicans: Garcia was appointed by Republican Governor Jeb Bush.
Runners-up: Water Works Park, more breweries
Runners-up: Vinoy Park (St. Petersburg), Crescent Lake Park (St. Petersburg)
