ST. PETE TACKLES NEW BOWL GAME:  
Earlier this month, the NCAA announced that a new collegiate football bowl game is coming to St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field this December. The game will feature a match-up between a Big East team and a Conference USA team, and will be televised on ESPN. Complete details here.

FREE MUSEUM DAY: St. Petersburg shines the spotlight on its vibrant arts and cultural scene with ArtsAlive 2008/Free Museum Day. On Saturday, May 17, admission is free for Pinellas and Hillsborough residents (with ID) to these participating museums:  Dali, Florida Holocaust, Fine Arts, St. Pete Museum of History, Great Explorations and Sunken Gardens. Florida Crafstmen Gallery and The Arts Center (always free) will offer gift shop discounts. Ride the Looper Trolley for 25 cents between venues. Contact: 893-7465.

FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING:  FloridaHousingSearch.org is a free resource where renters can find affordable properties, and landlords receive free listings. Either online or by phone at 877-428-8844, a number of helpful services are also available, such as a rental checklist, financial advice, and renter's rights and responsibilities.

JAMESTOWN APARTMENTS FOR RENT: St. Petersburg recently completed construction on 21 beautiful and affordable apartments and townhouses for rent in Jamestown. A number of these units are still available to tenants who qualify based on household size and income (for example, the maximum income for a household for two is $27,120. Call 893-7324 for more information or visit www.stpete.org/housing/jamestown.htm.

RAYS PROPOSAL PUBLIC HEARING: The next public hearing on the proposed new Rays stadium and the redevelopment of Tropicana Field will be held Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. in City Council Chamber, 175 Fifth St. N.  View the proposals at www.stpete.org/raysproposal.

BRIDGING ST. PETERSBURG & GULFPORT: The first ever 49th Street S. Celebration will be held Saturday May 17, with a parade and festival jointly hosted by Gulfport and St. Petersburg. The parade starts at 10 a.m. along 49th St. proceeding from 22nd Ave. S. to 18th Ave. S. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy entertainment, exhibits and booths showcasing local businesses and entertainment along the Tangerine Ave. Greenway, 18th Ave. S. between 49th St. and 52nd St. Entertainment includes The Island Boys and Groove Altar. Contact: 344-3711.

TEEN TECHNOLOGY CAMP: There are a limited number of spots available for Teen Technology Camp from June 9 to August 15. This full day, 10-week program includes: digital photography; computer layout & design; and digital video training. Students will shoot and edit their own video projects. Friday field trips include visits to TV stations, photo studios, graphic design studios and more. Resident cost is $600 for teens entering grades 7 through 10. Call 892-5877 or 892-5060 for more information and availability.

SUMMER SALSA CELEBRATION:Spend Memorial Day, May 26, at The Pier for "Salsa en St. Pete," an afternoon of hot salsa and Latin dancing in the Courtyard. There will be fun for the entire family, 4 to 9 p.m. Visit www.StPetePier.com.

PLAYCAMPS & TEEN CAMPS ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS: St. Petersburg Recreation also offers Playcamps and Teen Camps for students grades 1 through 9 for 10 weeks this summer, daily 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Supervised activities, break and lunch, fitness, crafts, field trips and more are included, while the curriculum stresses character building through the "St. Pete Values" philosophy of self discipline, achievement, respect, teamwork, responsibility and honesty. Registration now open, and spaces fill up quickly. Call 893-7441 for more information and availability.

HISTORY IN BLOOM: Visit the new Woodson Legacy Garden at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum, 2240 Ninth Ave. S. The Woodson Legacy Garden is a collaborative venture between the Chamber's Leadership St. Pete Class of 2008, the city's Midtown Economic Development Initiative and the museum. More than $40,000 in donations were raised by Leadership St. Pete to provide 13,000 brick pavers, 1,200 plants, sod, mulch, irrigation and fencing. The new garden now offers the museum a pleasant outdoor space for special events. On Tuesday, May 20, at 5 p.m., join city, museum and Chamber of Commerce leaders for "History in Bloom," as the new garden is unveiled to the public.

SENIOR HALL OF FAME AWARDS: St. Petersburg's 26th annual Senior Hall of Fame Awards honors seniors for their outstanding contributions to our community. The annual reception and ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 28 at 1 p.m. at the Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S. All nominees are 65 and older and have provided community service that benefits the quality of life in St. Petersburg. Please come celebrate with us on May 28, or call 893-7159 for more information.