rich 1.0 What happens when St. Petersburg’s neighborhoods come together for a little friendly competition, community spirit, and shuffleboard? In this episode, Domenico Pontoriero sits down with Franklin Alves, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA), to talk about the Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown and the power of building stronger connections among neighbors. Franklin explains how CONA brings neighborhood associations together to share resources, connect local leaders, and help residents become more engaged in their communities. He also discusses CONA’s unique neighborhood leadership program, which gives participants an inside look at how city government works and how they can help make St. Pete a better place to live. The conversation spotlights the Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown, a fun, community-wide event at the historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club near Mirror Lake. With neighborhood teams, local organizations, food vendors, friendly rivalries, and the chance to compete for the Mae Hall Trophy, the event offers something for everyone—even if you’ve never played shuffleboard! Whether you want to meet your neighbors, get involved in your neighborhood association, learn more about local leadership, or simply enjoy a uniquely St. Pete experience, this episode is for you. This event is FREE. Food and beverages will be available for purchase or BYOB. Neighborhood Associations will be tabling with representatives and neighborhood swag. Event Details: Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026 Time: 3–8 p.m. Location: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Admission and participation: Visit CONA’s website for registration and event details. Learn more or get involved: CONA website: https://www.stpetecona.org/ Shuffle Showdown information and registration: https://www.stpetecona.org/shuffleshowdown CONA Leadership Program: https://www.stpetecona.org/leadership St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club: https://www.stpeteshuffle.com/ In This Episode What CONA is and how it connects St. Petersburg’s neighborhood associations. How residents can become more involved in their communities. CONA’s neighborhood leadership program and what participants can learn about city government. The return of the Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown, a tradition that began in 2018. How neighborhoods can participate, form teams, and compete for the Mae Hall Trophy. Why you don’t need shuffleboard experience to join the fun. The historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club and its place in the heart of downtown. How simple, shared experiences can bring neighbors together and strengthen community ties. Get Involved Want to make a difference in your neighborhood? Visit CONA’s website to find resources, explore leadership opportunities, and learn how to connect with your local neighborhood association. Then mark your calendar for the Shuffle Showdown and come meet your neighbors! About the Guest: Franklin Alves is president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA), a volunteer-led organization dedicated to connecting, educating, and empowering St. Petersburg’s neighborhood associations. About the Host: Domenico Pontoriero hosts this conversation on Radio St. Pete, highlighting the people, organizations, and events that help make the local community thrive. #RadioStPete #StPeteCommunity #NeighborhoodShuffleShowdown #StPeteShuffleboard Radio St. Pete Podcast Archive https://audioboom.com/channels/1842136-radio-st-pete-podcast-archive Audioboom https://audioboom.com 480 95 https://audioboom.com/i/43877757/600x600/c 600 600 <iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8962879/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>