And we're back from beers, bars, music and the Renaissance Festival; here's hoping you enjoyed the weekend, whatever your pleasure.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6:
In wake of a badly botched test rollout that included faulty equipment and unprepared administrators and students (and that everyone saw coming a mile away), the Times makes an admirable and reasonable case that the state should hold itself to the same accountability it would hold its students.
Tampa Bay Beer Week got started in earnest, kicking off the first of 200 events to be held around the area. Rumor has it this is officially the last year to attend as a cool person, and anyone who makes Beer Week '16 or later their first will deserve all the withering tones and eye-rolls they inspire.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7:
Favorite Carpe Diem won the Tampa Bay Derby, essentially paving the way for a Kentucky Derby appearance. Yes, we still have a horse track. No, I didn't know until shortly before this weekend, either.
Sold-out day one of the Gasparilla Music Festival included great sets, great food and mayor Bob Buckhorn reportedly uttering the phrase, "tonight, let's rock and roll." When the mayor admonishes you to rock out, you should probably consider rocking out.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8:
And finally, the city of St. Petersburg announced it wants to hire 100 new police officers this year to compensate for retirements. The city says it's definitely committed to making its police force more diverse, better trained in contemporary techniques and, uh, less "shooty-shooty."
