The heat is oppressive, and so is The Man.
Offsetting the former are beach days with chilly beverages.
But how to deal with the latter?
Show up and make your voice heard.
Fortunately, there are plenty of cool events to attend: candidate forums in St. Pete, social outings where you can chat with like-minded individuals, as well as at least one protest where you can show off your latest placard artistry.
Granted, much of the week’s political events are St. Pete-centric — you know, what with those mayoral and city council elections that could have a profound impact on the entire Tampa Bay region and all.
Some of these events involve beer; others require you to sit in a crowded room full of angry and opinionated people unless you can get someone you know to livestream it so you can watch from the comfort of your own home (with beer).
The Liberal Agenda:
Pints & Politics The first of several events of its kind, this outing invites you to come meet the candidates in St. Pete City Council’s District 4 race. Council Chair Darden Rice is the incumbent in this race; her opponent is Jerick Johnston. If you had any doubt over whether this would be a worthwhile event, consider the name of the group that’s hosting it: Renegades for Science. ’Nuff said. Fri., July 14, 7-9 p.m., Flying Boat Brewery, 1776 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Women’s March NRA Accountability and Gun Violence Awareness Rally If you thought the Women’s March was done in January, you are sorely mistaken. The local chapter has been instrumental in tons of events throughout the region. This weekend, the Hillsborough and Pinellas chapters of the Women’s March are planning to protest that cute little social club known as the National Rifle Association. For the most part, activists will rail against the creepy ad the NRA put out a couple of weeks ago that vaguely suggests that maybe we should do another Civil War. Sun., July 16, 11 a.m., Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 Ashley Dr., Tampa.
City Council debates Four of the eight St. Pete City Council seats are up for reelection, though only two of those races are all that competitive: Council District 2 and Council District 6 (which has about a bajillion contenders). Most of the contenders in all four races are expected to show up to this League of Women Voters Debate. Whether Uhuru supporters will actually allow a debate — as opposed to shouting down any candidates that aren't theirs, an M.O. that seemed to be working for them during the mayoral portion of Monday's downtown Tampa forum — remains to be seen. Mon., July 17, St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 5th St. N., St. Pete, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 6).
Night at the Resistance Upper back pain. Lower back pain. A stubborn tightness in your chest that you’ve had since November. These last eight months (at least) have been taking their toll on our physical and psychological well-being. That’s why the people behind this private event want to help you unwind — if just for a night. There’ll be food, cocktails, live music, games and, best of all, intelligent conversation. Don’t forget: to get in, you have to RSVP on the event’s website. Mon., July 17, 5:30 p.m. The Queens Head, 2501 Central Ave., St. Pete.
Mayoral forum Had enough St. Pete politics yet? Well, tough. Tonight, one of several mayoral forums is underway. The League of Women Voters is once again moderating this one, though it is unclear who is confirmed to speak. Tues., July 18, St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 5th St. N., St. Pete, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 6).
Confederate monument vote In case you haven’t heard, that confederate monument is indeed still standing at that Hillsborough County Courthouse Annex. County Commissioner Les Miller put another vote on its potential removal for Wednesday morning, and there is actually a chance that at least one of the swing votes on the board may change his or her mind. Wed., July 19, 9 a.m., 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Cocktails and Conversation It's only midweek and you've gotten into 10 arguments about Donald Trump on Facebook. Feel better? No? Thought so. This League of Women Voters event helps you unwind around — you guessed it — cool, like-minded people. Wed., July 19, 6 p.m., Hofbrauhaus St. Petersburg, 123 4th St. S., St. Pete.
The big debate This is the one all those people are protesting about, so we thought we'd give you some advance notice. The two Ricks will duke it out at center stage while angry lower-tier candidates and their supporters shout and stuff. Should be fun. Tickets are free, but they're first come, first served (find them at the venue, 727-822-3590). Luckily, this will be televised and streamed and all that good stuff. Tues., July 25, 7 p.m., The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Pete.
…In which the St. Pete City Council will attempt to defy the state legislature by passing a ban on plastic bags. Supporters are asking people who give a crap about the environment to stop in and voice their opinion. Thurs., July 27, 3:30 p.m., 175 5th Ave. N., St. Pete.
This article appears in Jul 6-13, 2017.