Helpful resources

• The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority offers free rides to students, teachers, or staff members of Pinellas County Schools — just display your school or employee ID badge to the PSTA Driver.
• The Hillsborough County Public Library offers a variety of online homework help resources, and the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative has fine-free library cards available to children and teens.
• Multiple Hillsborough County Schools will provide all students with free breakfast and lunch all year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. See if your child attends one of the 174 CEP schools.
• Submit any back to school photos taken today for a chance to be featured on the Pinellas County School district’s social media pages.
• Check out these before and after-school programs with the City of Tampa and St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation.

Back to school events

• Back 2 School Bash | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 12-5 p.m. | Hillsborough County Fair, 215 Sydney Washer Rd., Tampa | Free | Celebrate the start of the school year with yard games, inflatables, hayrides, face painting, food trucks, and resources to help kids prepare for the school season.
• Back to School Skate | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 12-9:30 p.m. | Skate World Tampa, 7510 Paula Dr., Tampa | $11-$16 | Wear a school T-shirt for $2 off admission and enjoy café specials.
• The Kind Mouse Back to School Food Drive | Monday, Aug. 21-Friday, Sept. 8 | Times vary | Remote | Sign up for The Kind Mouse to bring empty bins to your home, office, or shop, and they’ll pick up the bins once they’re full.

• Yoga for All at the MFA | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 8-9 a.m. | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $10-$20 | Latreca Ali guides you through stretching, breathing exercises, and a yoga flow — bring your own mat or towel.
• Count Down Improv Festival | Thursday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 12 | Times vary | HCC, 1304 E. 11th Ave., Tampa | $20-$65 | Take in solo, duo, and trio performances from 77+ comedians.

• Guardians vs. Rays | Friday, Aug. 11 | 6:40 p.m. | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $10-$181 | Watch the Rays take on Cleveland — and rock out to a post-game concert from country superstar Lee Brice after the game.
• Bier Fest | Friday, Aug. 11-Sunday, Aug. 13 | Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa | $95 | The annual “slice of Bavaria” event is back, featuring more than 60 brews, live music, and German-inspired dishes — included with admission.

• Art Yard Sale | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Roam at this giant art yard sale chock full of work by local artists — all items are priced from $1 to $100.
• Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa & Too Short | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 6 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa | $47-$1,863 | The legendary rappers take the stage for their “High School Reunion Tour 2023.”

• Upstairs Downstairs Live Theater | Sunday, Aug. 13 | 2-2:30 p.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $7-$12 | Step back in time and enjoy 30-minute, single-character performances that bring turn-of–the-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests to life.

• A new casual Maryland-style seafood restaurant recently opened in St. Pete at 5281 Park St. N. Ragin’ Reef features items like “reef baskets,” tacos, skewers, salads, and — of course — Maryland’s staple of crab cakes. You can check out the restaurant Wednesdays through Mondays. (I Love the Burg)

• New Kurdish and Turkish bake shop St. Pete Bakery is now open. After serving up goods as a regular vendor at the Saturday Morning Market, bakery owner Tanya Shkaki recently opened the brick-and-mortar store at 600 1st Ave. N., serving up items like Turkish coffee, homemade chickpea soup, and treats like baklava. (St. Pete Rising)

• SPCA Tampa Bay’s annual Clear the Shelters adoption event is coming up on Saturday, Aug. 26. If you’re looking to add a furry friend to the family, adoption fees for all animals on the adoption floor at SPCA will be waived during the event. View adoptable animals on SPCA’s website.

• The Tacos at Margaritaville festival is coming up this Saturday, Aug. 12 in the Skyway Marina District. The free-to-attend festival runs from 2-6 p.m. and features food trucks with specialty tacos, beer vendors, and live entertainment. (I Love the Burg)

• We’re crazy in love with the fact that Beyoncé is making a stop in the Cigar City next week. You may have to drop bills, bills, bills for ‘em, but tickets are still on sale. While her impending arrival is all up in your mind, you can countdown to our upcoming guide for navigating the “Renaissance World Tour” here in Tampa.

• Speaking of Queen Bey, she’s featured in a new mural by local artist Cam Parker. You can check out the new mural in honor of Beyoncé coming to town at 1703 N. Tampa St. — if you take and post a picture, Cam hopes that you tag Beyoncé. (Tampa Bay Times)

• According to a study by StreetEasy, Tampa is a top moving locale for folks hoping to leave New York City. Along with Orlando and Miami, Tampa was in the top 10 locations where New Yorkers were looking for homes outside of NYC. (WFLA)

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co. is dropping a new brew soon in honor of the Buccaneers. The Bucco’s Brew orange blossom honey wheat ale will hit taprooms this Friday, Aug. 11 — just in time for the preseason to begin.

• Applications for the Leadership St. Pete Class of 2024 are now open. To apply, you must be at least 22 years old and live or work in the St. Petersburg area. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26. (St. Pete Catalyst)