5 Things to Know in St. Pete: June 27

1. For the eighth year, St. Petersburg will host the Miss Florida Pageant, when 43 contestants arrive on July 1 to begin a week of competition and appearances that will conclude with the crowning of Miss Florida 2012 on Saturday, July 7, at the Mahaffey Theater.

2. The group trying to force a referendum for the future of the St. Petersburg Pier, VoteOnThePier.com, has sent out 40,000 of its petitions through the mail to registered voters. The petitions were scheduled to be delivered last Friday or Saturday. Vote on the Pier is hoping to obtain nearly 16,000 signed petitions to force a vote on the pier. 

3. Everyone's invited to sample farm fresh goodness when Breakfast With the Mayor' stops by Bob Evans, 4900 34th St. S., on Wednesday, June 27. Residents are encouraged to try something from the menu and support the local restaurant as they share informal conversation with Mayor Foster. Breakfast With the Mayor' is held on the fourth Wednesday each month.

4. St. Petersburg families are invited to share their home and culture for one week this July with a visiting high school student from Japan. Applications are now being accepted from St. Petersburg families to host an exchange student from our Sister City of Takamatsu, either the week July 20 to 25, or July 26 to August 2, 2012. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 29. Information on the Student Ambassador Host Family program is available in the Homestay Exchange Guide and Host Family application, available by calling the Arts and International Relations office at 727-893-7465 or online at www.stpete.org/hostfamily.

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