To quote from the movie Wolf of Wall Street: “Sell me this pen.” How do you sell it? You make someone need it.

And when coming up with products to market, it’s best to work with what we already know people need.

So, what are basic human needs? Like, mentally and physically? I’d say as a baseline: sustenance, rest, companionship - both romantic and platonic, and some feeling or concept of safety and productivity.

And where are some places you can get those in Clearwater and beyond?

Well, let’s start with the first one: sustenance. You’ve got Nature’s Food Patch on Cleveland Street, Publix, Walmart, and Tony’s Pizza, among many others. You pretty much have to shop at those sort of places because, whether you like it or not, you need to eat.

Now, as to rest. You probably have a bed and a house, so this one is mostly covered. Except sometimes you need to push away the desire for sleep. So, Starbucks.

Next up, companionship. This one’s not particularly locked down by anyone, at least platonically. But romantically: stop me when you’ve heard enough: Tinder, Match, OkCupid, Zoosk, Plenty of Fish, Geek 2 Geek, and so on and so forth.

Feeling safe and productive? We’re back to Starbucks for the latter and on to any insurance company and Bayside Urgent Care Center for the former.

And I could keep on going with this, expanding into less necessary “needs” but I think you get my point. The most successful businesses fit into, expand upon, or simplify what people need to do and have to have.

And I know all of this boils down to that old, but relevant chestnut “supply and demand.” But it is important to understand the base of the “demand” portion, so that you can better “supply.”

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com. 

Before I begin, a quick definition of “fair use.”

"a legal doctrine that portions of copyrighted materials may be used without permission of the copyright owner provided the use is fair and reasonable, does not substantially impair the value of the materials, and does not curtail the profits reasonably expected by the owner"

--Merriam Webster

And now, on to the article.

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Creators are going to create. It’s in the blood, the brain, the soul. But some now find themselves penalized for what they do. YouTube’s automatic copyright-infringement monitoring system is wrecking them. And people are asking: “Where’s The Fair Use?”

It’s a growing topic. And a growing hashtag (#WTFU.) An outreach of P.R. between internet creators and the audiences that love them. It’s part of a discussion of what it means nowadays to be a professional creator on the internet, and on the biggest video sharing site we have.

And this affects everyone — myself included — who enjoys YouTube, which I imagine is most of Clearwater. And, I imagine it’s most of America, considering the widespread ownership of computers in modern-day society.

Because commentary, and criticism, and parody are a legitimate form of art — enjoyed by many — with a long-standing history in print media that now finds itself attacked on YouTube.

And perhaps if all YouTube videos were a matter of hobby only, this may not be as big of a problem. But, we live in a world where artists make a living off of YouTube videos. And so we need to at least consider all the problems that restricting them poses.

Because if Fair Use becomes a non-defense, or if it’s basically ignored on YouTube, and the people doing honest, and legal videos can no longer do so without fear, then we stand to, and the creators certainly stand to, lose quite a bit.

An entire genre of videos — and many people’s livelihoods. No more reviews. No more commentary. No more “Let’s Play’s.” No more video discussion of films, television, or songs. A drastic loss of creativity on a still young form of artistic expression.

And I hate to leave this on such a bummer, but there are no set answers to the problem yet. At least not that I can see. But it is something we need to look at, and I urge you to watch one of the various videos on the subject. Because in our internet age, it’s becoming more and more important.

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.  

This may be news to some of you who are not gamers, or not big YouTube users, or born before 1990. But on the internet, there is a massively popular type of video called a “Let’s Play.”

The name, as far as I know, comes from the phrase “Let’s Play (INSERT GAME NAME HERE)” because that’s exactly what they are. It’s a video of someone else playing a game. The whole game sometimes, from start to finish, with commentary put over it.

And I know that seems, confusing...baffling. I think there was even a South Park episode making fun of it at one point. But, it is a thing, and it is popular, and I am a fan. Which is why I thought I’d discuss this a bit.

Because, if you look around Clearwater, you will see a few GameStop locations, and in Countryside Mall there’s also - in addition to GameStop - another store called GameXChange. And I wonder, how do Let’s Play videos affect those stores and their sales?

Because there are two sides to this. The first is that these videos sometimes get upwards of a couple million views. And you would assume that’s gold, publicity-wise. It’s essentially a celebrity endorsement. It’s serious marketing potential.

But the second, the flip-side, is that though more people know about the game, they might also feel no need to play it once they’ve seen it all. Like, when it comes to me, I’ve used Let’s Plays as a substitute for purchasing a game. And I imagine I’m not the only one.

So, as you can see, it’s up in the air. But, there is one thing that leans me towards it being a beneficial marketing scenario.

And that, is a digital download horror game called Five Nights at Freddy’s, which made its creator a stupid amount of money, and became one of the most popular choices for Let’s Plays. The game was so successful, it spawned three sequels.

So, it’s yet to be seen how this will all play out. Perhaps, Five Nights at Freddy’s was an exception. Right time, right place. Or maybe this doesn't translate to physical sales. Or maybe...it’s part of the opening act of something a little different. A form of art that is itself a marketing method.

But, really, only time will tell.

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.  

Hey you. Yes, you! The one with the colorful shirt and the beautiful eyes? If you’re reading this then you probably chose to because I mentioned Deadpool in the title, right? Well, what about me, you know, your narrator—I’m fun too!

Why does nobody care?

Nah, nah, I’m joshing you. Why do you think I put Deadpool in the title? Because I knew if you like Deadpool, you might read it. I mean, I like Deadpool. I haven’t seen the film yet, but I trust Rottentomatoes.com and last I checked they gave it an 81%. And I think that’s rad. And if you think that’s rad—then you might also like fourth wall breaking jokes.

“What’s a fourth wall breaking joke?” I hear you ask. Okay, I don’t actually hear you ask that, because I’m a collection of squiggles on your computer screen that manages to communicate intricate thought, that someone in the past bothered to put down on paper, but you get my point. Fourth wall breaks, what are they? Well, they’re what I’m doing right now. It’s when I totally acknowledge the actual facts of a piece of media.

Like if I’m in a movie and I act like I know I’m in a movie. Or when a character in a book addresses the reader. That’s breaking the fourth wall. And the reason for this term is interesting—no! Wait! Don’t walk away! I promise this will entertain if you don’t already know.

It comes from theater, because on a stage there’s three walls, that bind the actors into the scene, but there’s also the open part of the stage that you the audience is looking through. At least, assuming Wikipedia isn’t lying to me. So, you see, right?

I know you see, you’re smart. I like you, reader. I feel like you and I have some sort of thing going on here, a friendship. A blooming one? No? Alright, more chimichangas for me.

Anyhow, reader. The trailers for Deadpool utilize this for marketing and advertising all over the place. Like all over the place. Have you seen the promotional poster when you’re in line at the theater in Countryside Mall? The gag even works with paper printouts, for gosh darn sake.

But he’s not the only one who can use this, come on! Anyone can have a little fun and a little benefit from fully letting their silliness out and dripping it into the 3D past the restrictions of flat screens, print papers, and radio ads. Have a little fun with your advertising.

People really do respond to a little levity. There’s enough dry and dull things in this world as it is. Don’t add to that, be a little more like Deadpool...without all the murdering, and the swearing, and the other nasty things. Because I don’t endorse that part.

So... yeah, give it a try. And I’ll see you later if you decide to read this article again.

Bye, bye!      

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.  

We’re angry. We’re Americans. We’re pissed-off. WE’RE AMERICANS! And we have seen the administration and the banks and others screw us over so many times that is it any wonder Donald Trump is as far as he is?

Now, before I go any further with this article: I’m just going to clarify up front that it does not matter where I stand, personally, on the entire Donald Trump political debate. That’s not the point. I am only here to talk about how one man rose this fast with a strategy that’s fairly different than all the other candidates’.

Because you know what people are sick of? Being lied to. Or manipulated, or placated. You know…what a lot of politicians seem to be up to? And I’ve talked to, and heard enough from, people who support Donald Trump during this last year to see a running theme for why.

It usually boils down to this phrase: “Well, he’s the only one talking about these things.” And those things, he talks about, yet again, I’m not going to weigh in on. But for the sake of this article it doesn’t even matter. Because it’s marketing. And that I can talk about. It’s marketing with anger. Donald Trump, if he means someone ill will, uses a metaphorical sword, in broad daylight. Not a poison-tipped dagger.

And that’s new, and refreshing even. People have been so disabused of how effective our government can actually be. We’re cynical. I’m cynical. And he’s marketing to the cynical. He talks about how great America can be again—which acknowledges that it’s not that way now. He talks about solutions that sound like actual changes. And not in the typical way a politician would use the term “changes.”

And I can’t argue that it would cause change, across the whole of America, and it’s up to you, reader, if you think it would be good. But from the businesses on Cleveland Street through the whole of Clearwater, and everywhere else, we will feel it. Donald, above all, is a businessman—and a Republican. And I have no doubt he will change healthcare, and regulation, and possibly even our entire economy.

That is. If he wins.

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.   

1. It’s Super Popular on the Internet:

For better, or possibly for worse, the internet loves a list article. From cooking, to movies, to “Top Ten Best Florida Beaches” (spoiler alert: Clearwater Beach is on it for sure) there’s nothing that can’t find itself ranked on a list. And if the success of websites like Buzzfeed tells us anything, it’s that they are also powerful tools. So, why not use them for your marketing?  

2. People are More Likely to Read It:

There has been a myriad of articles and videos talking about why top five (or ten) lists are so successful. And perhaps my favorite theory is about the numbers themselves. People are busy, we live intensely packed lives, and the number on a list article’s title gives some clue to the length of it. Don’t have much time to read something? Well, this list, for example, has only five parts, so it will take a lot less time to read than say: a top twenty list. And when it comes to regular articles without any numbers, there’s no way to be sure, so you might skip it entirely if you’re in a hurry.

3. It Can Prompt Speculation and Discussion:

Ever been around someone you know when they’re reading or watching a top five list? They will sometimes tell you what’s on the list so far. And the conversations that will spark as a result, are in a way a form of word of mouth: the best kind of marketing.

4. It’s More Memorable:

I speak from experience with this one. Some months ago I had a family member read aloud the top one hundred television shows of all time. And I still remember that “Friends” got the number one spot. Months later. Just because of a random list. Additionally, the phrase “got number one” related to anything is enough to stick something in somebody’s memories.

5. There’s an Emotional Response:

You come across a list from a group going over best products. And the one you use doesn’t show up until…it’s number one! That’s validating, isn’t it? I’m not sure why, but for some reason, it feels like you won. And even if it’s just a product within your own company—you can still get that feeling in customers by telling them it was the “number one pick” or “the most popular choice.”

So, that’s my top five. And like all lists, it is subjective. But I hope you’ll consider giving the top five list a chance. If for no other reason than I did just manage to get you to read all the way to the end of this article.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.      

So, somehow I’d managed to completely forget that there’s a Whole Foods at Countryside Mall until recently when I ended up there for some reason or another. And after walking around the, honestly, rather aesthetically pleasing store, it got me thinking: is the reason the health food movement got so big just another example of marketing?

Well, yeah. I mean, obviously it is. Under the umbrella of the term “marketing” you will find every successful business/organization/group using it in some way or another. But it’s also different than any other type of marketing I talked about before…because it’s, dare I say, tinged with fear.

Because, while places like Nature’s Food Patch, and Whole Foods, and a lot of local mom and pop stores all offer high-grade, organic, natural food that does a lot for our community–I posit that half the reason we have so many of those kinds of stores lately is because we’re scared of our food.

And that’s part of a much bigger cultural problem, but just focusing on this one aspect, take a mental journey with me here. There was a time, and I’m going to leave it up to the reader to decide the exact length of it, where we assumed that all the food we were getting was perfectly fine to eat. That if the FDA let it through, and it was on our shelves and not spoiled, we were fine. We could eat it, chow down. No real risk.

I mean I wasn’t there, but I’d wager there was time where you wouldn’t even have a qualm with picking an apple directly off a random tree and eating it, when nowadays—no…just no. Bad plan.

And then, over time, we got these exposés, these documentaries, these sad stories of children getting diabetes, and in a flurry of online activity we attacked everyone. Parents, restaurants, the FDA, the government, Monsanto, GMO, literally anyone we could think of. And suddenly, and though they were there before, we found ourselves flocking in-mass to anything that we perceive to be healthier than the crap we found out most modern day food is.

So, this brings me to my point. While the majority of the appeal of health food and health food stores is it’s flavorful, more environmentally conscious, and–of course–healthier, we only discovered we wanted that when we found out most of what was available wasn’t all of those things.

Because on some level, however small, “organic” doesn’t just mean “good for me,” it means “not semi-edible poison.”

And whether they intended it or not, that’s a pretty effective way to get someone to buy a product.

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.  

Where do I even begin? Years. I waited years for this. This rebirth. A green lightsaber toy–I’ve had since I was a child–held in my hand. A four-hour long wait in a line. Others, my friends, my fellow nerds, gathered at AMC Woodlands Square 20. Ready for something we’ve dreamed of, but never knew we could have. It was worth it. It was all worth it. The moment the song began, the song you know in your heart, we cheered and the world cheered.

For Star Wars…RETURNED!

And I won’t spoil anything major. I wouldn’t dare. I am not a member of the dark side. But know this: you must see it. All of you reading this, you must watch this film. Soon.

Now, it is unnecessary for me to state just how much of an effect the original Star Wars trilogy had on everything. It changed the world of cinema. So when they decided to bring it back, to continue the series so iconic that even though the last movie came out around ten years ago we are still talking about it, they were careful. They marketed it perfectly. They calculated exactly what we wanted: a return to form.

A return to the things that made Star Wars great, with new technology to show it, and yet keep to its heart. Practical effects, no more Jar Jar Binks, a focus on interesting characters, and action instead of politics. And it had that. All of that.

So, though your business is probably not Star Wars, I think the lesson, the takeaway, is one of respect for your public. To give it your all. To not change what works, and improve everything else. To keep to the heart, the purpose of whatever it is you create, market, or sell. Be it customer service, quality, efficiency, or even the light of the Force.

And may it be with you. Always.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.   

Starbucks, America’s guilty pleasure. No, not because there’s something wrong with the drinks—there’s not, at least to my knowledge. But because of how much we are willing to drink the stuff. In fact, you’re probably having one right now, as you’re reading this.  

And when you find people buying something in that bulk, you know there’s good marketing afoot. And while Starbucks is a prime example of many clever practices, today I’m focusing on their holiday specialty drinks.

You know the ones. I’ve seen the lines at the Starbucks on Cleveland street, we all get them—there’s no hiding it. And they are really good. I’m not even going to argue against that. They are sugary goodness in a red cup.

They’re also a prime example of one of marketer’s favorite techniques. Pop quiz: what is one of the basic rules of economics? Answer: supply and demand. And one of the easiest ways to make a demand for something–to make it have value–is to limit its supply.

And now we come back to the gingerbread latte. Available only during a small portion of the year, and not even guaranteed to come around next time. It creates a want, based on scarcity. Sure, you maybe craved the drink before, but it sure does make it more of a priority when you know it’s not around for long, doesn’t it?

It’s a time-tested method. Why do you think people still get excited about the McRib? Even Christmas sales to some level operate on the same principle, just to a lesser degree.

And, as a technique, it’s one that a company can do, easily. Simply create a product that is of high quality, known to be wanted by your client base, and then make it only available for a limited time.  Sure, you might not always get the reaction you want. But I think the aforementioned lines at Starbucks speak for themselves.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.   

Black Friday: A state holiday characterized by deals, sales, and a dollop of madness. Regardless of whether or not you participate in this sometimes insane tradition, it’s inescapable in the areas that celebrate it. Advertisements for it are abundant. Almost every store capable of having a sale, does. Even the ones strictly online get their due through the newer Cyber Monday. Black Friday is a day where the expectation is you, as a consumer, have to go out and buy, buy, buy.

And so, a lot of people do it. They observe the event. And the sales are usually quite good, so I don’t blame them. But it doesn’t change the fact that on that one day you can expect things to be crowded. Full of people. Sometimes dangerously so. I didn’t personally observe it this year, but I can only imagine the crowds in Countryside Mall. Or at the Best Buy on Gulf to Bay Blvd—considering a few years ago people camped outside it.

But here’s the interesting part: it’s a marketing and sales event. It’s not like Christmas, or Easter, or any of the other holidays with a deep history. It’s a relatively new thing—only existing in its current form since around the mid-1900’s.

And the reason for its success, I think, happens to be a great example of marketing. The keyword: promote. Never underestimate the power of simply letting people know about your products. Or in this case, your specialty sales. 

Because to my knowledge Black Friday wasn’t formally announced, there was no nationwide declaration of its existence. It was simply a day that people wanted to shop, had the opportunity to shop, and did so in mass. And then business capitalized on it, they made it broadly known, and they advertised it. Black Friday became a term, and in its wake millions in sales. Doorbusters that are almost literal in name.

So, though this year’s Black Friday is through. The next one will be coming around soon enough, and in the meantime, who knows what your business can accomplish with enough promotion.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

Though it was rainy and soggy outside, as soon as I entered the large auditorium I felt...Christmas. The holiday condensed to one place. No, not the North Pole, but instead the Festival of Trees--presented by Amerilife.

It’s a winding path full of people, from couples to children to the elderly, all moving around the gorgeous trees and wreaths. Almost every festive foliage with a sponsor and a price, so that anyone could take them home to make their holidays brighter.

As I got further in, I notice detail after detail. The first being ornate, well-made, miniature Christmas houses. Creating a feeling of not only a forest, but also an elven village. And then there were the shops, of which I discovered there were a few.

A place for candy, a place for what appeared to be decorations, and perhaps my favorite: a place for popcorn. Per my tradition of visiting the newest local events, I had to buy something, and I was pleased with my choice: Sweet – E’s Kettle Corn, who were nice enough to give me a sample before I eventually decided on buying some of their delicious cinnamon sugar popcorn. Which disappeared quite quickly once I shared it with my family.

Finally, towards the back of it all, past the kids sitting with Santa, and even more trees, there was a performance. At the moment I was there, it was a ballet, and it acted as a good conclusion to my visit.

And when I left, with a bag of popcorn in my hand, I stepped outside. And though it was still wet from the rain, I did not feel cold. I felt warm. The way only the holidays make you feel.

Beneath the food and the parties and it’s somewhat complex historical roots, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. And while on that day I will be giving mine to my family and friends, and all the other things I am lucky enough to have, I think it also time to give it to some of the businesses that do so much to make their customers happy.

So, in no particular order:

Thank you, Chipotle on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, for serving food that I actually get to see before it goes into my burrito. And for being able to handle specialty orders on the fly amidst your fast-moving lines.

Thank you, Barnes and Noble by Sunset Point, for having a coffee shop built into your bookstore. For allowing two of the best possible smells--book paper and roasting coffee--to exist in the same place. For making an overwhelmingly pleasant atmosphere to browse in, and for having book displays marketing new interesting releases.

Thank you, Pierce Street Market underneath the Memorial Causeway Bridge, for updating me every time you’re open on Facebook, and for making it possible for me to support local businesses without having to travel around the entire city.

Thank you, One Stoppe Shoppe on Cleveland Street, for being in the perfect location for if I need something while I’m in downtown Clearwater. And for excellent customer service and being willing to answer my questions.

And finally, thank you to all of the other businesses who work so hard, who give us good service, and quality products. And in the spirit of the holiday, I hope that your employees have a nice Thanksgiving, and that you--the owners-- do so as well.  

And for all you reading this, I wish you the same.    

“Oscar bait.” A term perhaps not yet in the popular lexicon, but certainly known by people interested in the film industry. It refers to a type of movie that comes out around Oscar season, a period of time stretching through the last few months of the year.

Oscar bait is—by and large—films with heavy amounts of studio backing, big name actors, and gorgeous sets. They are also stereotypically period pieces and have to do with “true stories” or people with physical or mental disabilities. Sometimes even all at the same time.

The reason this happens is right there in the nickname. Movies coming out towards the end of the year are closer to the Academy Awards, and thus more likely for the judges to remember them. Additionally, for whatever reason, that combination of characteristics is also more likely to score points with those same judges.

In short, they are marketed to them, the same way a restaurant might market to you.

Now, I’m guessing you’re asking, “What does that have to do with me?”

Well, first is because it’s going to be inescapable. Barring Star Wars, these films are a big part of what critics and movie-minded people are going to be talking about. For us Clearwater citizens, these are a lot of what we are going to see playing in Cobb Theater at Countryside Mall. These are what the pre-film trailers are going to be.  

And second is that they are usually good movies. Sure a lot of them will fall under the same few rules I underlined above, but you’ll also get ambitious projects, controversial stories, and some seriously impressive acting.  This is the time where directors like Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino come out to play.

Going through the upcoming films, we have quite a few to look forward to, especially in the drama section. Coming later this month we have another amazing transformation from Eddie Redmayne, and a movie about a rather charged topic called The Big Short coming out for wide release in December.

So look forward to it, because the Oscar bait is coming, and it’s sure to be a feast for the eyes and the mind.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.  

Clearwater Academy International is, among other things, a school of sports and a school of arts, and since I already reported on their latest (as of this writing) undefeated football season, I thought now I would talk about their fall stage production: Seussical Jr.  

The younger kids in the school do this one, but that doesn’t mean the production aspect gets the short end of the stick. Far from it actually. The quality of the stage set is well-done, with controlled lighting and audio, hand-painted physical backgrounds, and a tree prop that I still don’t understand how characters are able to climb.

And as to the acting, it’s good.

In fact, I’m impressed how good it is. Especially with how well all the actors keep to their lines. Because the entire thing’s in rhyme, there’s no room for errors. Which is fine, because I didn’t hear any.  

Speaking of the actors, I’d like to give some special mentions to a few specific ones, who were--for me at least--a joy to watch. The first being whoever played the cat. I enjoyed every moment he was on stage, and I got quite a few chuckles out of his antics. My favorite moment being when he started playing a piano out of nowhere during another character’s song.

And then there’s the elephant and his bird love interest. Both do a tremendous job of acting and staying in character. The boy who played the elephant, even when he’s not the center of attention, kept up his character’s mannerism and elicited numerous smiles whenever I looked over. And the bird? The girl who played the bird was heartwarming. That’s the best word for it: heartwarming. Her story, her singing, her acting. All of it.

So, if you’re in Clearwater and want something adorable and uplifting, then come to the show at 7pm on the 7th. It’ll take an hour of your time, and it’s worth it. These kids worked hard for an awesome play.

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

Nerd culture is taking over America. It’s seeping into every aspect of what people consume and enjoy. From comic books to Star Trek to video games, the old stigmas are falling away, leaving in its place an acceptance of unabashedly and openly loving nerdy things.

And in the wake of this, the entertainment industry gave the people what they wanted, and the resulting numbers are staggering.

The latest season of the cult classic series Doctor Who had over 2 million tune into the premiere, and that’s not even counting British viewers.

Blizzard’s Hearthstone, a free-to-play online card game, clocks in at thirty million players, and is in the midst of releasing a fourth set of cards after only being around for a year.

And the trailer for the upcoming Star Wars film has a whooping fifty-seven million views and the movie is projected to earn two billion upon release.

Clearly, the market is well saturated, but for those of us who don’t want to spend all our time staring at a screen, I can think of no better option than Magic: the Gathering.

Created more than two decades ago by Richard Garfield, Magic is a fantasy card game you may already be familiar with if you’ve ever walked among school children. But what a lot of people don’t know is it’s not only for kids. In fact, it’s got a massive following and community.  One that, whether you know it or not, surrounds you as you’re reading this. Marketed seemingly by almost just word of mouth.

In Pinellas County alone there are nine different shops that sell cards, including Firefly Games on Seminole Blvd and Shortstops Sport Cards off of U.S. Highway 19. And in places like these on any given weekend you can see how big the game is, with rows of tables populated by people both young and old laughing, chatting, and slinging cards back and forth. I called it a community before, and that’s really the best word to describe it. Friendships and rivalries are made over cardboard, and some people have been involved with the game for years.

But that’s not to say it’s hard to get into for newcomers. Far from it actually. The game’s design makes it easy for novices to learn the basic ropes, and the community is often incredibly friendly to people who want to give it a try. With the most common entry-point being a weekly casual tournament called Friday Night Magic.

So, for those of you who just had their interested piqued, why not give it a shot? A world of monsters, magic, and competition awaits you, if only you’re willing to step inside.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

Walking down Cleveland Street, I see it off in the distance.

The sun’s on my back, and the beginning of a temperature that every Floridian looks forward to half-graces my every step. Making my way down the hill, a cluster of colorful tents brings a smile to my face.

And there it is: The Pierce Street Market, and it is absolutely bustling with people.

A couple of things become apparent right off the bat. #1: There are conversations everywhere. In true marketplace style, customers and merchants bring lively chatter to the entire area. And #2: They sell a lot more than just food and crafts here.

I recognize a couple of faces from around town as I get deeper into the market. There’s a massive line of shops going all the way back to the end of the pier. And with the concentration of tents and people in those fifty or so feet, it puts any mall I’ve been in to shame.

In fact, that was perhaps my favorite part of the whole affair: the variety. Unlike most malls or shopping centers they actually had items that interested me outside of clothing. My first stop landed me at “Fandomonium Designs,” a store that immediately appealed to my nerdy sensibilities. They sold personally engraved metal wristbands, and after some discussion and soul searching as to what I should get on it, I ran off to see more of the sights while they finished preparing.

From there I came across “Running Smoothie,” a health-food smoothie stand. The drinks, though a little different than what I was used to, turned out to be excellent, and under the Florida sun I finished mine in ten minutes flat.

The rest of my trip went by fast. A hand-crafted piece of art, a local band I quite like, a burst of intercostal air with entertaining results, and then it was time to go.

Driving away, with the market behind me, I had only one lingering thought. It hung on my mind and kept me with a grin.

“There’s another one on the 24th!”
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

Look out private high school football teams, because the Knights are coming. On September 4th the season begins and if it’s anything like last year, you better bring your A-game.

The local private school Clearwater Academy International started its football program in 2008 and since then has been a force to be reckoned with. Since 2012 their varsity team remains undefeated and continues to take home trophy after trophy.  

Now, normally, I wouldn't be the one being so excited about this. I’m not much of a football fan, but watching these guys play is legitimately intense. Despite often doubling the score of the other team, they never seem to get cocky, even when they pull off plays bordering on insane. During some of the games I managed to attend, I watched three separate occasions of mad dash sprints across tens of yards. And even in one case all the way from one end zone to the other.

So, if you’re interested in watching some football in person, I’d recommend checking them out. Their first game is at Land O Lakes, Florida, against Academy at the Lakes at 7 PM, and promises to be something to see. And if you can't make it to that one, check out their game against FISH, at Brandon, Florida next Friday at 7:30 PM.    

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.

The arts are important--I don’t think anyone would argue against that. Which is why it’s such a cool thing that Clearwater now has its very own center for it.

Located on Cleveland Street in Clearwater, the Clearwater Center for the Arts resembles, at least in my opinion, a miniature art museum. The walls are covered in paintings of all different sizes and shapes, each one beautiful and vibrant, and best of all, made by local artists. Not only is the place somewhere you could easily spend a half-hour wandering with a smile on your face, you can also take the artwork home with you. Everything’s for sale, and at reasonable prices.

Additionally, the center also has a host of events going on at any given time, ranging from thespian to poetic. And with the frankly jaw-dropping stage in the back of the Center as a platform to perform on, I can’t think of a better place in the city for these events.

So, if you’re looking for a little art in your life, or want to help support the creativity of this city, consider giving the Clearwater Center for the Arts a look!  

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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.