Robert Neff enjoys travel, wine and food exploration 

In less than 5 hours, 

Summary of the workshops that I attended 

Images

Social Media 

Talent Management Workshop: How do you sell your killer script in the Crazy LA Market 

Actor's Workshop! 

Writers Workshop: Catching Lightning in a bottle

Producers Panel: But Seriously, How Do I Get My Film Made?

Writers and Producers Workshop - The Pitch Workshop

Draft:  Posted 16 March 2013

The story covers the conversations, stories, smart phone images and professional photography for the trip to from St Pete to Napa and back. The entire story was tweeted and was enjoyed nationally and internationally. The book is based upon the tweets and will include commentary, messages tweeted and photography. This will be an interactive book, perfect for an ebook. 

On Twitter, when you see #DivaOdessey, this is called a hashtag and is used to let followers or people searching on Twitter know – this is part of the conversation. 

Summary: Driving The Divas 

Itinerary

Scene: Driving on the interstate

Diva #2, who is 89 and sitting in the back seat, had misheard what I had said. She replied, "I had a boyfriend in that town." I paused and was baffled by her response, but I quickly remembered she has hearing aids and probably had not heard me right.

But now I was curious and decided to see where this conversation would go. So I asked, "So Dee, How many boyfriends did you have?"

Diva #2 responded in a cheeky tone, "Quite a few"

I was a bit surprised by her candor. I turned and looked back to see her chuckling. Then a big grin slowly formed while her eye smiled at me. After a few moments, her head turned to look out the window and what I imagined were fond memories.

Scene: Wedding reception. I sat at a round table with Diva #2's daughters and friends of the bride.

After the first toast Diva #2 s daughter wanted to hear about our trip with the ladies. I started with the story about how many boyfriends their mother had. All three looked at one another and the oldest said, “That is nothing! We have read her letters from her younger days. Our mom and aunt lived in San Diego during the war. Men were home on leave or being shipped off to war. They lived in a house that had five young attractive women. They were not saints!”

Sample Tweets:

HASHTAGS

MOBILE APP

City Information - Parking, trolley, more...

Social Media info for races, drivers and teams

Grand Prix St Petersburg

IndyCar Live Timing and Results

Learn more about St Pete

Dali Museum is inside the track. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Dali Museum to is only accessible to those who have purchased Grand Prix Ticket. Dali Museum Tickets Prices are: and tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for Kids. 

The Dali Museum Shop (Gift Shop), Cafe Gala, Theater and kid's room are on the first floor and free to enjoy. Tickets are required to see Dali's work on the third floor. There is a great view from the third floor of the track and Its incredible! One note, please have consideration the Dali's restrooms. These are for those who are shopping, eating and enjoying the Dali experience. I encourage you to use the Grand Prix provided restrooms and buy a mustache each visit..cup...wine glass.   

Originally posted to my web site, the article contains: an overview, emails from 1 Dec and 12 Dec 2011, an assessment, update and a time line. I opted to post this to Storify because a Oklahoma State Representative is trying to do the same but on a state level.

Overview

In the Fall of 2011, the county commission of Pinellas County de-funded art support in a cost cutting move. In place of the long-standing budget item, they unilaterally appointed Creative Pinellas, a non-profit organization, to shepherd the arts and provided them a $300,000 fund via contract.

To understand how the county officials made this decision, ponied up $300,000 and placed public trust in an untried organization, I asked my County Commissioner Kenneth Welch several questions. He deferred to The County Administrator Mark Woodard.

My questions centered around, but are not limited to:

The following is the email exchange between Administrator Mark Woodard and me.

Email from the County Administrator Mark Woodard - 1 Dec 2012 TOP

The Board did not engage Creative Pinellas Inc. as a vendor, therefore, the contracting provisions within the Purchasing Ordinance are not applicable. As described in my previous response, the Board of County Commissioners designated Creative Pinellas as the local arts agency pursuant to state law. The funding agreement is intended to provide transitional funds to the new entity. In FY10, the County transitioned responsibility for the STARS/STRIVE program from the Health & Human Services Department to a not for profit entity. Like the cultural arts transition, seed funding of $300,000 was provided. Once again, I encourage you to contact Creative Pinellas directly as most of your inquiries are related to their operations.

Email from the County Adminsitrator Mark Woodard - 12 Dec 2011 TOP

I hope that you found the information previously provided helpful.

On June 14th, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adopted an Ordinance that designated Creative Pinellas, Inc. as the arts agency for Pinellas County. Previously, the Cultural Arts Division (Arts Council), a county department, had this designation. As a result of budget reductions, the BCC wanted to transition arts and cultural activities to a private entity. In furtherance of that goal, a task force of stakeholders from the arts community formed. As a result of those efforts, Creative Pinellas was created. Here's a link to a local media report:
http://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/content_articles/070511_pco-03.txt
Regarding actions related to Creative Pinellas that came before the BCC,
you can find the materials that you seek on the county's website at
these links:

As you noted, Creative Pinellas has hired Mr. Dorhman to be their
Executive Director. I suggest that you direct questions related to the
specifics of his relationship with Creative Pinellas directly to him.

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me, rob@fifthworldart.com

Assessment

This decision was not transparent to the public and was made without adequate vetting of the situation, costs, solution and no long range sustainable plan.

The initial financial premise was that the county would pay a token amount for buzz officers and a part-time director at a cost of between $8-10,000 and $25,000 respectively. There was also a reference to $30,000 from Florida license plates for the arts and seed money from the county. If Pinellas County was to eliminate the arts programs from the county budget, this is what I term "De-funded the arts", how could they suddenly find $300,000 in seed money and pass an ordnance to give this to an untested company without accepting bids?

I have been a Contract Officer Technical Representative in the Federal Government responsible for multimillion dollar contracts. The terms and conditions that I read not have clear tasks and requirements, past performance to qualify an entity and metrics. This was a poorly proposed ordinance and plan. The documents listed above state that Pinellas County will provide financial support in addition to the $300,000. Hence, there is no true definition of the projected costs.

The 5 June article states the focus will be "probably" go to promoting the centennial celebration and hire a director and a couple buzz officers. Is the centennial celebration the real justification for funding Creative Pinellas? I must ask, what is the plan?

As a taxpayer, appears that I have no recourse. Pinellas County has approved a one-time payment of $300,000 via State of Florida law to one non-profit that has no demonstrated past performance.

The Tampa Bay Times has not investigated this nor do I expect they will launch an investigative article on Pinellas County's decision to de-fund the arts. Their interests seem to be in publishing multiple investigative pieces on a high visibility controversial religion, rather than investigate or cover the Pinellas County art scene.

Does Pinellas County really know what they are buying for $300,000 and what are the costs not covered by this? I do not see how Pinellas County Commissioners are protecting taxpayer interest and dollars.

UPDATE: 4 Mar 2011

Pinellas County states Creative Pinellas will be self-sufficient in 18 months. I question this statement and ask, "Since when did Pinellas County become an incubator for business?"

Where is Politico's Truth-O-Meter? The county states $300,000 was awarded. This is incorrect. Pinellas County is also adding space, web hosting and and support. In addition, the managerial oversight has not been factored into the cost. What is the totlal estimted cost and vomprehensivebudget?

Read the latest news article: Creative Pinellas announces new web site and goals for arts organization.

Time Line

Here is the research to date. If you have anything to add, please contact me!

26 Apr 2011

Creative Pinellas, Pinellas Local Arts Agency, April 26, 2011 [ Slideshow ]

24 May 2011

May 24, 2011 - Authority to Advertise a Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 90 of the Pinellas Code Relating to Community Cultural Programs

June 2011

Pinellas Cultural Affairs, e-news - No longer updated.

5 Jun 2011

No-frills promoter of Pinellas arts creates a buzz, not all good

14 Jun 2011

June 14, 2011 - Recommendation to Adopt a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 90 of the Pinellas Code Relating to Community Cultural Programs

5 July 2011

Creative Pinellas Buzz - Private Group to promote arts, culture

25 Oct 2011

Approval to designate Creative Pinellas, Inc. as the Local Arts Agency independent of Pinellas County

26 Nov 2011

Note: Pinellas "Creative" Arts Community on Facebook to publicize but there are only 53 likes and virtually no activity. People are asking questions but no replies.

Reference

Google Search on Pinellas Cultural

Pinellas County, Florida is not alone in defunding the Arts!

Kansas

About the Author: Robert Neff

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BOOK - The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay 

by Nevin Sitler, Ric Sitler

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