A great Wildwood by Laura Reiley of the St. Pete Times here.
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Music at the Swig (PCI Beach Bar)
Lori Cherry and the jokers Friday evening and on Saturday, check out Dos Locos. That is “Hurricane Johnny” on vocals and guitar, “Conga Mark” on harmony vocals and congas and other hand percussion.
Retro-Rama Antiques & Collectibles Show
One man’s junk is another man’s 1963, Chicago-made Schwinn Typhoon Cruiser. One of the coolest events to hit the area is this Retro-Rama show. Wall to wall vintage ephemera, from postcards and pinups to furniture and fashion, as well as a cash bar to assist in making those tough purchasing decisions. Also on display will be original artwork from the legendary Florida Highwaymen painters (this alone making it worth the trip). The show runs from 10am to 5pm Saturday at the befitting Gulfport Casino, just a short drive inland from St. Pete Beach.
St Pete Christmas Tree Lighting
On Friday at 7pm, see St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker flip the switch to light the city’s holiday tree and decorations on the waterfront at Straub Park. Miracle on 34th Street will be shown after the lighting and its all on the city’s tab.
5th Annual Grand Central Chili Cookoff
Historic Grand Central district near Downtown St. Pete hosts their annual chili cookoff this weekend and looking at the forecast, its perfect timing. Live Entertainment, vendors, and a chance to weigh in on the contestants’ concoctions for the “People’s Choice” award. Saturday, 11am-4pm.
Toys for Tots Corn Toss Tourney
Huge prizes, 50/50 raffle, and much much more for those willing to aid Toys for Tots Pinellas by participation in the competition. Saturday at Mulligan’s Beach Bar starting at 1pm Go to www.BagBrothersCornToss.com for registration info.
A far cry from its ill lit, over-grown, demolition-pending state merely a year ago, designers Tara Oxley of BRGuest and Chris Sheffield of SL Design have collaborated to breathe life into the 1957 structure now home to our beloved Postcard Inn on the Beach and Wildwood BBQ. With an overlying theme of “free space” and a powerful use of color, PCI echos mid-century Florida vernacular with a few modern improvements thrown in for good measure.
Upon entry to the lobby, one is immediately aware of the spacial immensity; open, natural lighting, and plenty of seating areas combine with industrial sized ceilings fans and a strategically stenciled, bare concrete floor. The shelf spanning the north wall of the lobby is filled with books chosen for both their color and content; creating a tangible, pattern of hues and took three and a half days to assemble. Plenty of breathing room and seating areas push the tendency for conversation, intended to encourage the communal feeling between guest and patron alike. Furniture and lighting were gathered from vintage shops around the Bay Area, new skate decks were made into art peices, snapped skate decks for seating.
The ambient lighting flows freely through the lobby out to an inviting courtyard that isn’t just for show. The designer’s goal in the garden area was to utilize the real estate and continue the open feel of the design. The pathways, which once ran directly in front of the rooms, was pulled back to allow for a planter, and give the guest needed ”privacy and a sense of place” as Chris puts it. A manicure of the courtyard freed up an area for a fire pit and lamps were hung from surrounding tree limbs. When seen at night, the space takes on an almost dreamlike ambiance.
Inspiration for the rooms is undeniably contrived from American surf culture. A Bohemian’s paradise, no two are alike. And of the 197 rooms on the property, 32 overlook the pool area offering either a hammock or a pair of Adirondacks. Surf boards, beaded curtains and retro lamps and wall art drench the rooms in good vibes and the result is a sort of “found quality”. Iconic quotes adorn the two-tone walls of some rooms, while others feature large murals or vintage photography.
In short Tara and Chris nailed it. Their ability to meld aestheics and funtionality make PCI a logical, comfortable, down-right cool place to experience and give it a vibrant personality as rich as their own.
Share on FacebookMusic at the PCI Beach Bar
PJ and the Real Deal tonight from 6-10pm.
Greenflash Saturday night
1st Annual Sanding Ovations Masters Sand Sculting Competition and Music Festival
What should be a pretty big shin-dig this weekend, master sand sculptors meet in Treasure Island to create an impressive display of their skills with the trowel. The event which started Thursday, hosts not only an array of talented sculptors but food, drinks, arts and crafts, and a stacked line-up of local music. Friday will be Cornfused at 6pm with the Greg Billings Band going on at 8 and on Saturday Sarasota Slim kicks it off at 4 followed by Experimental Pilot and The Rocket Man Show ending in a fireworks display. On the beach parking available for the event which last Friday form 4-11pm, Saturday 10a,-11pm and Sunday 10am-7pm.
Chillounge Night Downtown St. Pete
Adjacent to the Historic Vinoy Hotel, Straub Park will transform again into a magnificent outdoor lounge with 6 trucks of beautiful lounge furniture. Benefiting Creative Clay and The Woodson Museum. Fireworks, food vendors, a Brazilian Samba Parade (?). A well done event, this Saturday 6-11pm, 21 and up. Find more info here.
Grand Central District Craft Art 2009
Outside the doors of Florida Craftsmen Gallery, at the crossroads of Central Avenue and Fifth Street North in Downtown St. Petersburg the nation’s finest craftsmen will showcase their talent and have a chance to win some $15,000 in cash awards. This is a free event going on this Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5pm.
Corey Avenue European Style Street Market
Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm; Produce, plants, flowers, foods, arts, crafts and live music. Street closed between Blind Pass Rd and Boca Ciega Dr. for tents, but free parking is available.
Share on FacebookSome great PCI plugs thanks to Molly Sims.
Share on FacebookIs this St. Pete Beach?
Celebrity appearances, synchronized swimmers and a never-ending supply of party favors, the Grand Opening Party at Postcard Inn Saturday night was one that won’t soon be forgotten. The accumulation of months of hard work and organization came together for a suitable event, announcing our presence out here on the beach.
Welcoming some 700 guests (pure speculation), never were we short on entertainment, food nor drink. Shaun Hopper exhibited some impressive finger-picking on the guitar in Wildwood BBQ- setting the mood for the full-coarse BBQ dinner hosted by, none other than actress/model Molly Sims. DJ Fresh on the 1’s and 2’s in the lobby and Men are from Mars took us back a few decades at the poolside stage- opening up for them, the Florida Master Synchronized Swimming Team.
A HUGE thanks to all who came out.
Share on FacebookCharlie Morris Band at the PCI Beach Bar
An obvious option, Charlie Morris will be tearing it up down at the beach bar tonight from 6-10pm. Come down and have a cold draft. Its Friday, you deserve it.
Ribfest
For twenty years now, RibFest has been filling Vinoy Park in downtown St. Pete with the sweet smell of BBQ and great music; Not to mention an assortment of other exciting attractions to pique the interests of young and old alike. The music line-up consists of some pretty well known acts such as Zac Brown Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Jet and George Thorogood to name a few, and some rich local talent as well. There’s also a classic car show Saturday and a motorcycle show on Sunday. National BMX stunt team “Hell on Wheels” will be busting endos, bar spins and monster back flips all three days, and of coarse, there’s the grub. Some good, cheap fun and it all benefits charity.
Corey Avenue Sidewalk Sale
Check out “downtown” St Pete Beach’s Sidewalk Sale all weekend long, between 10am- 5pm. Live music, food, beverages, arts, crafts and beautiful weather.
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Come and give thanks for some sunny, 72 degree weather!
Postcard Inn has a package for those open to do something a little different this Thanksgiving. It’s the PCI “Stay and Indulge Package”. A steal at $129.00 per night. This includes a full Thanksgiving Dinner and dessert for two (extra meals can be purchased for $19.95 Adults and $12.95 Children), breakfast and a stay in one of our garden rooms. Book for two nights or longer and receive a $25.00 Food & Beverage Credit each night extra you stay.
Also, we are now booking for Holiday Parties, Group Meetings and Corporate Retreats up to 200 People. Call Steven Rodriguez, Director, Sales and Marketing at 727-369-4920 for details.
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News Channel 8’s Gayle Guyardo sat down with our own Steve Rodriguez this morning to film a spot for her upcoming piece on PCI.
Channel 8 is “on his side” as Wildwood BBQ Pitmaster “Big Lou” Elrose demonstrates perfectly cooked ribs.
Catch the feature as it airs this Friday morning on NBC News Channel 8.
Share on FacebookLoads of great photos and a flattering little write up here.
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