St. Pete CALL team
While Tampa police defend the department’s latest scandal (“Renting While Black”), their counterparts in St. Petersburg are watching a new Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program respond to crisis situations without police. As of late July, St. Pete’s unarmed responders had answered nearly 3,000 crisis calls that would’ve gone to cops, meaning the department has heeded the call from activists who want police to rethink and re-tool the way they engage with the community. police.stpete.org
Best of the Bay 2020 People, Places and Politics: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay critics and readers pick the best—and shittiest—people, places and politicians of the last year.
Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay
Hunger has always been an issue in Tampa Bay, and we’re not talking about the kind of pangs you feel when scrolling through foodie Instagram, either. We’re talking about the kind that can turn a family on its head and drive folks to do things they normally wouldn’t. Thankfully, pantries like Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay have always been there—and stepped up especially huge in the peak of the pandemic—for the community. Powered by donations and volunteers, these essential nonprofits do work that we hope isn’t necessary one day—until then we’re glad they’re here to feed the city. metromin.org and feedingtampabay.org
Gay Commie Skate Crew
For more than a year, the crew has taken the streets and skateparks of Tampa Bay by storm. The crew is hell on four wheels (they love Halloween), but they’re so much more at the same time. They bring their queer, leftist, mutual-aid based mission to the spaces where they skate and they fight for causes like #landback, as well as resisting polluting oil pipelines. They give to the needy and protect each other in a sport usually dominated by males. Together, they’ve found solidarity and protection, and through their activism, they’ve extended those same values to complete strangers. @gcsc.tampabay on Instagram
Winner: Tom DeGeorge
Runners-Up: Miguel Fuller, Nadine Smith
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2021.
Winner: I Love the Burg
Runners-Up: St. Pete Rising, Ayana Lage
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2021.
Andrew Harlan of St. Pete Supper Club, I Love The Burg and Tombolo Books
He’s everywhere. Editor of ilovetheburg.com, co-founder of the St. Pete Supper Club Facebook group, marketing coordinator at Tombolo Books, Andrew tells us what’s going on, what’s good to eat and what’s good to read with an open-hearted enthusiasm that’s infectious. How does he have the energy to cover all this territory? Not sure, but he says he walks 10 miles a day; look for him on Central Avenue or another boulevard near you. @harlanyoung on Instagram
Fight For 15
Workers’ fight for a $15 minimum wage, in Florida and across the United States, has been years in the making. While last year’s $15 Minimum Wage Amendment Campaign was bankrolled by Orlando attorney John Morgan, the real heroes to get Florida on track toward a $15 minimum wage by 2026 were the workers—particularly unionized workers with unions like the SEIU and workers organizing with Fight for $15 and a Union. From leading car caravans through McDonalds drive-thru lines in the Tampa Bay area, to knocking on thousands of doors to secure votes, Fight for $15—and its allies—scored a resounding victory for Florida workers, garnering bipartisan support for higher wages. Solidarity. fightfor15.org
Winner: Jeff Vinik
Runners-Up: Stella Myers, Darren Andersen
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2021.
