Five Things We Learned on Patch this Week

For over 26 years, Nancy Markoe has been a firm supporter of the "American creative economy." At the Nancy Markoe Fine American Crafts Gallery in St. Pete Beach, Markoe is proud of the limited number of artists in her shop. She keeps it to a few hundred, with each one from the United States.

Two buildings were damaged by storm winds on Madeira beach at about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to Pinellas County Sheriffs. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies, Madeira Beach Fire Rescue and other local fires rescue units were called to the scene.

One location often shamefully overlooked on Gulf Blvd is the appropriately titled "Redington Long Pier."  Nestled between two towering hotels, one can't really be blamed for passing it by; though it's certainly not a place to miss.  Open seven days a week, Redington's Long Pier provides beach goers with the chance to get some fishing done without all the inherent hassles of first obtaining a Florida fishing license and then lugging poles and bait to the beach!

“If you want good government you need good people.” That's the mantra of Leslie Waters, Seminole City Council member and former speaker pro tempore of the State House who is running for Dennis Jones District 13 Senate seat against House majority whip Jim Frishe in the Republican primary.