Paradise News May 2024

CONGRATULATIONS to JANE MCCROARY

YACHT & TENNIS CLUB OF ST. PETE BEACH

BLISS AWAITS

St. Pete Beach

34 Hurricane Prep

Condo / Hotel

A rare opportunity to invest on the beach, at a resort and in ‘downtown’ simultaneously. BY

JEFF BEGGINS

16 Steak for Dinner?

Whether you are on the mainland or on a barrier island, here are some great places to try. BY

KELLY ROUSE

20 St. Pete Taco & Tequila Festival

On the waterfront in Vinoy Park BY PARADISE NEWS STAFF

22 Sea Turtle Nesting Season runs May 1-Oct. 31, basics & where to learn more. BY JANET NUMMI

24 Remembering Frank Hurley, Jr. Memorializing the late beach historian, author, statesman, and real estate broker. BY STEVE TRAIMAN

30 Beach Under Construction

Sirata & Tradewinds Resorts lead their neighbors in redevelopment approvals. BY PETER ROOS

August is often the height of season, but planning now can save a lot. BY PARADISE NEWS STAFF

36 Pinellas Trail

See the county on your bicycle. BY PARADISE NEWS STAFF

37 Summer Camps

Outdoor, arts, sports, STEM, eco BY JANET NUMMI

39 All are Welcome at St. Albans

A warm welcome for souls seeking spiritual guidance, community, and serving the lord. BY PETER ROOS

41 Caregiver Corner

The Sandwich Generation is caught between needy senior parents and kids. BY ELLI BALDWIN, CDP

55 Pride 2024 Kickoff

The St. Pete Pride Pageant @ The Palladium, May 26, 5-11pm BY PARADISE NEWS STAFF

59 Tampa Bay Markets

New markets, fresh seasonal produce, and locally crafted goods BY PETER ROOS

Private, Peaceful, Protected

Discover Marina Bay in St. Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community. Just seven minutes to downtown and seven minutes to St Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Condominiums of Marina Bay redefine luxury and provide resilience by building to Fortified Standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models

• FORTIFIED™ Construction for the utmost protection against hurricanes and extreme weather

• Featuring unparalleled design and construction that far exceeds building code requirements.

• Concrete block construction all floors

• Natural gas cooking and generators standard

• Private elevator from garage to living level

• Impact windows and doors

• Two pools, day dock, fishing pier, fitness room

• Deep water boat slips no bridges to the Gulf

To the builder of Marina Bay, it’s EVERYTHING.

Marina Bay is the FIRST community in Pinellas County to receive the FORTIFIED Gold™ designation.

To thearchitects andbuildersof MarinaBay,it’s EVERYTHING.

MarinaBayistheFIRST BUILDERandONLYDEVELOPMENTinPinellasCounty toreceivetheFORTIFIED GOLDdesignation.

FORTIFIED™ goes beyond code, meaning FORTIFIED™ Construction far exceeds most building codes and improves the performance of buildings against natural disasters and reducing the risk of personal property losses.

Buildingto FORTIFIED means creatingresilienthomesthat willbetterwith-standsevere weather.

FORTIFIED goesbeyond code,meaningitexceeds mostbuildingcodesby improvingtheperformance ofbuildingsagainstnatural disastersandreducingtherisk ofpersonalpropertylosses. HOW IMPORTANT IS SAFETY TO YOU?

PUBLISHERS MESSAGE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

www.paradisenewsfl.com/letter

Welcome to May 2024, the fifth monthly issue of our 30th year publishing Paradise News. We managed to take a week away from Paradise to visit friends in Arkansas and Missouri, who joined us at the Historic 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to watch the midday sun disappear from the U.S. sky for the last time in 20 years. It was memorable and a lot of fun. May brings us Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, May 5, National Nurses Week starts May 6 and ends on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12. Memorial Day is observed on May 27, the last Monday in May. It honors the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Many people in Florida observe this holiday with ceremonies, parades, and visits to cemeteries to honor fallen soldiers. Our May cover story is a salute to the investments being made in our readership area for the future of our tourism industry, and an opportunity to own a spot of your own in up-and-coming “downtown Madeira Beach.”

Our May issue also contains the first of hopefully many Artist Spotlight columns by Andrea Martone, an experienced arts editor who is new to Paradise News. Caron Schwartz continues her excellent work with Art News and a column by and about her, called Hanging Around. This month she is hanging around boutiques. Marlene Shaw brings us current on Gulfport Matters. Steve Traiman is back, celebrating 20 years of feature writing for Paradise News. This month, he updates a history story he contributed in 2004 about local journalist and author, Pass-a-Grille realtor, historian and statesman, Frank T. Hurley. Elli Baldwin’s Caregiver Corner is about the “Sandwich Generation,” who are caring for parents or grandparents while still raising children. We also have the skinny on Sea Turtle Nesting, St. Pete Pride, Summer Camps, a Pinellas County Trail Guide, and news about Skin Cancer in our Health and Wellness column by Claire Brinsden Jordan, and Kelly Rouse who contributed a super Dining column about seafood last month, writes about area’s best steak places. The ECO column this month is about Brown Pelicans. For national shrimp day on May 10, Cooking Corner presents a Shrimp Ceviche recipe.

Our next two summer issues are bimonthly. Advertising deadline is the 15th of the month before. New issues can be found on our website www.paradisenewsfl.com on the first of June and August respectively. Print copies can be found on most racks and stacks starting between the 6th and the 10th of most months. Home delivery is generally the 12th to the 15th. If you hang on to the last one until the next one comes, you will always have what you need. Our website www.paradisenewsfl.com is an amazing searchable resource of the past 10 years of local history. You can read, download and print from anything we have published in the past 10 years using the past issues button, under the current issue tab. In this digital age, people do not always give us enough notice about their upcoming activities, so we also publish a weekly digital newsletter to which you can subscribe online for free. Containing our top five things going on each weekend, and a new set of tidbits each week on Thursdays, the most recent one is online under the weekly tab. If you would like a print copy mailed to you, subscribe online or using the form in this issue, for less than $2 a copy, $1.50/each on a 5-year subscription. Thanks for reading Paradise News.

2024 READER SURVEY We would love to hear from you!

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PUBLISHERS

Peter Roos | Marketing & Sales sales@paradisenewsfl.com

Renee Roos | Creative Director info@paradisenewsfl.com

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Janet Nummi info@janetnummi.com

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE MANAGER

Kaeley Dawson paradisenewsfl@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Caron Schwartz - Art News, Hanging Around Buddy Baker - Arts & Leisure / Events

Dennis Merritt Jones, DDEncouraging Words

Dr. Johnathan Pierce - Pet Health

Kelly Rouse - Dining

Claire Brinsden Jordan - Health & Wellness

Anthony A. Velardi, Esq. - Legal Corner

Elizabeth (Elli) Baldwin, CDPCaregiver Corner

Marlene Shaw - Gulfport Matters

Andrea Marone - Artist Spotlight

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri - Motorcycle Safety

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Visit Florida • City of St. Pete • Janet Nummi Public Media Resource Images

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WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

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P.O. Box 66385, St. Pete Beach, FL 33736

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Start Your Next Chapter at Marina Bay

Enter Marina Bay beneath a graceful canopy of live oaks that frames the approach to these elevated Spanish Mediterranean homes nestled in Marina Bay. This meticulously manicured 60-acre gated, pet-friendly waterfront community is located near Eckerd College, Bayview Isles, and Tierra Verde, overlooking the tranquil shores of Boca Ciega Bay. Boat slips with lifts are available for purchase with these homes.

TIDBITS

Dave Sorokowsky of Paph Paradise is the speaker at the Florida West Coast Orchid Society May 9th meeting. His topic will be “Don’t Fear the Slippers” (paphiopedilums) Location is Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N, Seminole. Doors open 5:45pm; Beginner class at 6pm. Meeting starts 6:45pm.For information visit www.FWCOS.org email: parnold3@tampabay.rr.com or call 727-475-0750.

Curious who you may have been before? Join the Past Life Regression Workshop, May 11, 5-7pm. $45 each at As Above So Below Metaphysical and Crystal Shop. Call or book online under classes/workshops. 727-289-1199 www.asabove sobelow347.com. Explore past life regression through hypnosis in a small group setting with Lora Hypnosis, Certified Hypnotist, Clairvoyant, and Intuitive Empath. Located in the courtyard at Dolphin Village Shopping Center, 4615 Gulf Blvd.#106, St. Pete Beach.

Good Day Sunshine State: How The Beatles Rocked Florida

When: Friday, May 17 at 7pm Where: Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport. Come join awardwinning journalist Bob Kealing, author of Good Day Sunshine State: How The Beatles Rocked Florida as he shares tales of

that tumultuous year – 1964 –that John, Paul, George, and Ringo made their Floridian debut. Not only did Fab Four capture hearts and light up stadiums, they also, Kealing reveals, taught us something important about the connection between music and activism. A book signing will follow the talk. Copies of Good Day Sunshine State are available for pre-order. Be sure to select the pre-order option when you register (payment will be due when you order). The talk itself is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30pm, programming begins at 7pm.

On Saturday May 18, or June 15, or the third Saturday of any month, at 3pm join the Gulfport Historical Society as they take a stroll through history in Gulfport. The tour examines the creation of this small seaside hamlet; the tour guides — all Gulfport locals with a penchant for history and storytelling — share the town’s history and stories with the group. The tour starts at the Gulfport History Museum at 3pm, where you can take a peek at some of their historic photos. Tour is $15 / person. (Free for Gulfport Historical Society members.)

There is a water cooler at the museum to fill your bottle up before the tour. They don’t love turning people away, but when the group gets too large it’s hard for everyone to hear our

tour guides. Please note: While it’s optional, tour guides do appreciate tips.

Hurricane Preparedness

Expos Are you prepared? The Atlantic Basin Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

Gulfport - Thursday, May 30, 6-8 pm at Catherine Hickman theater. Free and open to the public. Q & A with experts. Visit with hurricane related vendors. Find your evacuation zone. Enjoy slice of pizza and drink for $3.

Bobby Deskins, Chief Meteorologist WTSP Channel 10 News will speak at 7pm. For information call 727-8931118 or visit www.mygulfport.us/ hurricane-center.

Saturday, June 1, 10am-12pm – St. Pete Beach Community Center

This is a free event aimed towards helping educate the local community about the importance of preparation and planning. Find out what the St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue team and other agencies are doing to prepare this year. All residents are encouraged to bring their families out to this great event. Goodie bags will be distributed to the first 120 participants. Bags will include educational materials and many other give-a-ways. Guest Speaker will be WFLA’s Jeff Berardelli, Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist and leader of the Max Defender 8 Weather Team with WFLA News Channel 8. Presentation will be at approximately 11:30am.

The City of St. Pete Beach Commission voted 3-2 to negotiate with Fran Robustelli, current city manager of San

By Peter Roos

Leandro, Calif. for the city manager spot here. The city brought a retired prior city manager in as interim after Alex Rey resigned. Mayor Adrian Petrilla just started last April and all of the city commissioners are new also since the prior set all effectively resigned Jan. 1, due to new Florida state financial reporting requirements for local officials.

Three recent deaths have local connections. We regret the passing of Senator Bob Graham, who was a good governor and served a 40-year sentence in the U.S. Senate. In 2005 his name was given to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge he helped get rebuilt. The other character, Steve Lamb, was the most vocal of the barrier island drug smugglers of the 1970’s. His book, Smuggler’s Ghost and a just released movie The Green Flash will likely make Steve more of a legend. Harry Metz United States Army Ret. 1SG (First Sergeant) 7th Divison MP Co. passed April 27. Harry’s local roots go deep. He attended Boca Ciega High School as well as St. Petersburg College. He was long-time President of Veterans of South Pinellas County Inc, served as city commissioner from Passa-Grille and Vina Del Mar and was a volunteer and friend of patriots everywhere.

Bayfront Health is now Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

A new name, for a new century of care. Three years ago, we welcomed Bayfront Health into the Orlando Health family of hospitals. Since that time, we’ve been making steady investments in Bayfront Health and the St. Petersburg community to improve the quality of care and your patient experience, with expanded services and access to more top specialists. And we are proud to add our name. Stay tuned for even more good news to come.

OrlandoHealth.com/Bayfront

TIDBITS

The Twelfth Annual St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs was held Feb. 6-8 at the USFSP Student Center. This year’s theme, “Rethinking,” explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world and its impacts from national security and risk management to art and disseminating information. Other topics included how U.S. politics is viewed by foreign observers, the relevancy of monarchies, erosion of the rule of law and democracy and civility. The conference has grown in size and scope, attracting accomplished professionals and scholars who have lived and worked abroad and overseen critical decisions around the world. Videos of the conference presentations are now available at www.world affairsconference.org

Straz Center’s Opera Tampa has been giving audiences their fix since 1996 and presents a lineup for 2025 worthy of a standing ovation. It includes two Opera Tampa premieres and a fresh production of a perennial favorite − in all, a blend of American and Italian fare that will appeal to both die-hard fans and newcomers. The 2025 season includes their first-ever presentation of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Jan 31 at 8pm and Feb. 2 at 2pm, based on the satire by Voltaire. Then comes an original staging of Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, March 7 at 8pm

and 9 at 2pm, set not in the Rome of the original story, but here at home − in Ybor City. The season wraps up with that favorite tear-jerker, Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème on April 11 and 13, 2025.

Preserve the Burg’s Vision-Aire Porch Party in Pinellas Point, May 22

After arriving in St. Petersburg in the early 1950s, Chicago architect Glenn Q. Johnson partnered with industrial designer George Ely to introduce Vision-aire homes on 69th Avenue South and Pinellas Point Drive South. George Ely was head of the design firm Visioneering, and president of Better Living, Inc., the firm that purchased and developed the 100-acre plat between 9th and 7th Streets South, from 58th Ave. South to Pinellas Point Drive S. Vision-aire homes were designed with living areas that faced the southeast with jalousie windows, to invite breezes in from Tampa Bay. Over time, the Vision-aire name faded in use, and they came to be known as “bird-cage” homes for their unique and open-air design. This is a special opportunity to visit and tour one of the original split-level Vision-Aire homes. $30 for PTB members and $35 for non-members. May 22, 6pm, 780 69th St. S, St. Petersburg. www.preservetheburg.org

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

While most artistic photographers of the 1960s focused entirely on black and white, Joel Meyerowitz (b.1938) bridged a gap by exploring two very different bodies of work contemporaneously. His energetic black and white New York streetscapes are celebrated for their quirky characters and architectural detail; at the same time, his ethereal photographs of Cape Cod, Mass., focused on the singular light and seascapes of the unique peninsula. By 1972, Meyerowitz permanently adopted color photography so that even his urban images explored the tones and hues of city life. Together, his collection of works explores the visual gatherings of a master at his best. On view through July 7. 1630 E. 7th Ave., Ybor., Tampa, 813-221-2222

Admission: $12 Adults $10 Students/Military/Seniors www.fmopa.org

In 1977, photographer Gary Monroe, a native of Miami Beach, embarked on a decade-long project to photograph the aging community of South Beach. Vastly different than the glitzy beach community of today, the area was home to primarily Jewish retirees who embraced the sun, sand, and cheap rents. The photographs in the exhibition are composed of the community’s candid moments, daily activities, and community gatherings. Monroe‘s sharp eye and empathetic viewpoint transform the mundaneness of people walking down the street into a reflection of a vanished way of life. On view through May 19.

The Historic Old Northeast in St. Pete is a beautiful place to live and visit. It’s a hot spot for wild Halloween decorations during spooky season, hosts an enchanting candlelit tour of homes in the winter, and is walking distance from the fabulous Coffee Pot Boulevard and North Shore Park. The neighborhood was just named the most idyllic urban haven in America according to a survey conducted by www.easycoops.com

Alley’s Way, the 34ft 1985 Sea Ray Cruiser used by Repair the Sea, a Tampa Bay nonprofit with a focus on marine restoration, has been refitted from to new electric power, making it completely carbon neutral. Repair the Sea was founded in 2022 by Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, who has been working at Eckerd College since 2009. Rosenthal also leads SCUBI Jew, a club that works with Repair the Sea in their educational and marine cleanup efforts. “We are partners with God in repairing the world, but if we don’t work to repair the sea now, the rest of the world doesn’t stand a chance,” Rosenthal says. The organization hosts biweekly dives, aboard Ally’s Way, to collect debris in the bay. Eckerd students are active participants. The vessel was named in honor of former SCUBI Jew member Allison Willen, who passed away in 2015. The project took around three years to complete

TIDBITS

with the help of three international businesses, Xantrex, Mastry Engine Center and Vetus. For Ed Rosenthal, the connection between conservation and Judaism is a clear one. He references the traditional Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which means “repair the world,” and encourages kindness and action to make the world a better place. The emission-free propulsion system is powered by Xantrex Lithium-ion batteries. “What better way for the club and its certified divers to clean the Tampa Bay reefs than with clean technology,” said Mastry Electric Hybrid Manager Nancy Frainetti, who spearheaded the three-year effort, in a prepared statement. “It’s exciting to bring this project to fruition and to provide the latest technological advancements to benefit such a worthwhile organization that does so much to improve the area’s marine environment.”

If you are affected by road construction and repair, the Pinellas County Roadway Advisory Map has the latest information on roadside construction and lane/road closures from Pinellas County, various municipalities, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and contractors in the area. You can even get contact info to reach the public official in charge.

FEMA maintains a discount program saving policyholders up to 40% off the premiums for their ever-increasing flood insurance bills. Pinellas County was just recognized as the best in the country, on April 1, when the new, better rating of 2 instead of 3 out of 10 earned it’s residents an additional 5%, to 40% off their flood insurance rates. County Commission Chairperson Kathleen Peters said two recent initiatives helped the county up its score, a vulnerability assessment and a plan to manage substantial flood damage. She said the score of 2 is an amazing improvement over the 7 they had in 2013 when they began to focus on it.

The Pinellas County Office of Resilience and Asset Management is made up of three programs: Enterprise Asset Management, Energy and Water Conservation, and Sustainability and Resiliency. These programs work together to promote efficient use of county resources. and significantly contribute to the county’s Resilient Pinellas Action Plan. Pinellas County has completed its Resilient Pinellas Action Plan, the county’s first comprehensive plan to guide its sustainability and resiliency initiatives for years to come. The plan sets multiple goals based on data and public feedback, with steps that will make the county and its residents more prepared to handle a range of challenges, from sea level rise to hurricanes. The 56 initiatives outlined in the action plan are either in progress or will be considered for inclusion in departmental work plans. Their aim: make emergency response

infrastructure more resilient, help reduce energy and water use, promote healthy ecosystems, and keep the economy thriving, among others.

Pinellas County’s Sustainability and Resiliency Program developed the plan with community and partner organizations’ input.

The program will launch a leadership committee to assist with the implementation of the plan across departments in collaboration with partners.

A few of the upcoming and in-progress initiatives in the plan include:

• Continuing to improve adaptability of water and wastewater systems to withstand environmental threats and hazards, such as flooding and hurricanes.

• Increasing resilience and capacity of emergency shelters.

• Implementing a new program to reduce invasive species on public lands.

• Switching more County vehicles from traditional gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) where feasible.

• Improving resource efficiency of County facilities by conducting energy audits.

“We are proud to announce this comprehensive plan, which reflects our commitment to creating a brighter future for Pinellas County for generations to come,” said County Commission Chair Janet C. Long. “This plan will help guide our efforts to support our residents and visitors, improve and protect our environment, and maintain a strong economy.” The Resilient Pinellas Action Plan was developed over the course of two and a half years. The process included:

• An extensive review of county programs and policies, with input from internal advisory committees to consider all aspects of county operations.

• Public outreach through a public opinion survey and an external advisory committee.

• A greenhouse gas inventory to measure the carbon footprint of county operations and unincorporated Pinellas County communities. To learn more about the Resilient Pinellas Action Plan, visit: www.resilient.pinellas.gov

St. Pete Beach had previously gained notoriety for some of their resiliency plans which are being implemented. Treasure Island also recently introduced a Terrain Modification program to “Elevate TI” to reduce or eliminate “sunny day flooding” and better prepare for coming sea level rise.

www.MyTreasureIsland.org

Sand dunes are the first line of defense against approaching storms. The Army Corp of Engineers plans a 10-foot-high dune system all the way from Pass-a-Grille to Clearwater Beach. Beach replenishment has been held hostage lately, however, in an effort to get a few remaining property owners to comply with easements to allow replenishment. In spite of all that, Pinellas County plans to proceed with initial emergency replenishment in Pass-a-Grille Beach using tourist tax dollars with a request out to the Army Corp to provide way more sand for phase 2.

www.stpetebeach.org/ CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=827

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

By Sheriff Bob Gualtieri

MOTORCYCLES ACCOUNT FOR 14 PERCENT OF ALL TRAFFIC FATALITIES

Motorcycles are just 3 percent of registered vehicles, and less than 1% percent of miles traveled, yet 14 percent of all traffic fatalities involve them. Additionally, more than 80,000 motorcyclists are injured each year. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Be a safe rider. Be visible and predictable. Car drivers need to pay attention, but motorcycle operators have a responsibility too.

• Obey traffic control devices and stick to the speed limit.

• Leave sufficient room between you and other vehicles.

• Check and signal before you change lanes, and never pass in the same lane or ‘ride the line.’

• Drive defensively, as if other vehicles don’t see you –because often they may not.

• If you are in a crash, a helmet can save your life or prevent traumatic brain injury.

• Find the most comfortable style that matches your head shape, size, and the type of riding you do.

• Make sure your helmet is DOT-compliant – look for the sticker on the back and watch out for fakes. Safe helmets usually weigh about three pounds. It may be uncomfortable to wear full gear in a Florida summer but covering your arms and legs with denim or leather is a good idea.

• Wear gloves, and boots that come over the ankle too. Black leather may look good, but bright colors keep you safer. Opt for high-visibility colors on your upper body and add reflectors to your clothing or to your ride.

• Know how to ride a motorcycle. I don’t just mean get a few pointers from your friend in an empty parking lot. You need a motorcycle endorsement to legally ride in the State of Florida.

You must complete the Basic Rider Course, which teaches the fundamentals of riding your motorcycle responsibly and safely. Advanced courses which help prepare you for more extreme or unexpected situations are a good idea too. Take time to get used to your motorcycle, practicing in easy conditions and working your way up to more challenges as your skills improve. Know how to ride in the rain and prepare for how you’ll handle slick roads or obstructions. Keep your motorcycle in good repair and check it before every ride. Check your tires – pressure and tread – as well as brakes, lights, signal, and fluids. Make sure loads are balanced, and that any necessary adjustments are made to compensate for additional weight. Make sure your passenger knows to mount only when the kickstand is raised and the motorcycle is braced, to keep their feet on the footrests, hold the driver’s waist or the handholds, and avoid making sudden moves. Pinellas County averages 524 motorcycle crashes and 27 fatalities annually. Ride smart to avoid becoming part of that statistic.

Indulge your taste buds in one of our three restaurants just steps away from St. Pete Beach!

OurChildrenHaveRights.org

By Jake Hornstein, Our Children Have Rights.Org (OCHR)

Navigating Child Support in Florida

Navigating child support can be a complicated and emotional process. Having a clear understanding of Florida laws and the guidelines that govern child support payments is the best way to navigate the process more seamlessly, while avoiding major mistakes. At OCHR, we exist to help with this, at no cost to the family.

1. Overview of Child Support:

Child support is grounded in the thought that both parents are legally and financially responsible for the child. A set of statutes is designed to protect the best interests of the child. The support obligations are overseen and enforced by The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR).

2. Understanding Support Payments:

Support payments are the monetary contributions made by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent and are intended for the benefit of the child. Florida guidelines consider the combined monthly net income of both parents, health insurance costs, and the number of overnights the child spends with each parent.

3. Child Support Enforcement:

Mechanisms by Florida courts are in place to ensure that a custodial parent receives the child support that they’re entitled to. Measures that can be employed to ensure payments are made include wage garnishment, property liens, and other legal resolutions. Rule of thumb, if you are required to pay child support, and you can’t make a full payment, pay what you can! Courts prefer to see effort in making payments and may frown upon no effort at all.

4. Can Child Support Orders Be Modified?

Yes. A child support order can be adjusted under a “Substantial Change in Circumstances.” These include changes in income, employment status, changes in childcare expenses, overall changes in child expenses, and more. It’s essential for parents to have a clear understanding of the requirements to file a petition for modification of child support payments.

In conclusion, navigating child support requires an understanding of the legal context, guidelines, and enforcement methods. The more familiar a parent is with the complexities of child support, the more empowered they are to make educated decisions that prioritize the best interests of the child.

OCHR is a Pinellas based nonprofit that helps parents more seamlessly navigate their child custody and co-parenting journeys, at no cost to the family. We were recently recognized with the AMPLIFY Clearwater “Community Spirit Award.” Support of our mission is vital, and we kindly ask our community to consider a financial contribution to our mission.

Most importantly, if you, or someone you know, needs our assistance, we’re here for you. We’re on a mission… A mission to protect the rights of children to have access to both responsible parents by providing education, resources, and support services for successful co-parenting. Why? Because Our Children Have Rights.

Contact Jake at JakeHornstein@OurChildrenHaveRights.com or www.OCHR.Org To donate: www.ourchildrenhaverights.org/donate.

Protect the rights of children to have access to parents by providing education, resources, and support services for successful coparenting strategies.

at ourchildrenhaverights.org/donate

Tierra verde

Tierra Verde

DINING

The Gulf Coast may be known in culinary circles for its amazing seafood, but we are also fortunate to have many incredible steakhouses in our area. A steakhouse is a restaurant that primarily specializes in serving various cuts of beef, cooked to order. They often offer a range of steak options, such as ribeye, filet mignon, sirloin, and porterhouse, cooked to customers’ preferred level of doneness. Steakhouse menus typically include side dishes like mashed potatoes, vegetables, and salads, along with a selection of sauces and toppings to complement the steaks. The ambiance of a steakhouse is usually cozy and upscale, making it a popular choice for special occasions. But why wait for a celebration? Any visit to one of these top-rated establishments will provide an evening to remember.

FORTU

Fortu is a Pan-Asian steakhouse, and it was an extraordinary dining experience. From the moment we stepped inside, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication, with sleek décor and ambient lighting setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. The menu was a fusion of flavors, offering a tantalizing array of Izakaya and Pan-Asian inspired dishes alongside premium cuts of beef from both Japan and Australia. We opted for the tasty, charred Wagyu wonton tacos to start. For my entrée, I chose the 8oz prime filet, and it was a revelation of tenderness and flavor, perfectly complemented by the accompanying peppercorn cream sauce. The service was exceptional, with attentive staff providing personalized recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless. The curated sake selection was impressive, and the cocktail menu was inventive, offering unique concoctions that perfectly complemented the bold flavors of the cuisine. To top off our evening, our server treated us to a delectable Ube cheesecake, as he’d heard we were celebrating a birthday.

Overall, Fortu surpassed my expectations and left me eager to return. www.forturestaurants.com Tues.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm, Sun. 10am-10pm, Closed Mondays.

SAUVIGNON WINE LOCKER & AMERICAN TRATTORIA

Chris Ciarcia is a resident of St. Petersburg and level two Certified Sommelier in the American Court of Sommeliers. Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria was his longtime dream. As described on their website: “Sauvignon means savage in French. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are savage grapes and are the inspiration behind our restaurant name.” At Sauvignon, you will find a knowledgeable staff and indulge in a culinary journey where prime cuts of beef are meticulously selected and expertly prepared to perfection. Or choose from their delicious menu of house made pastas. Immerse yourself in an elegant ambiance and enjoy a glass or bottle of wine from their extensive and eclectic selection, enjoying the view of Central Avenue from their lovely balcony seating.

At Sauvignon, you will experience the epitome of fine dining. www.sauvignonstpete.com

Tues.-Thurs. 4-10pm, Friday 4-11pm, Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 10:30am-9pm, Closed Mondays.

ROCOCO STEAK

Rococo expertly provides a “modern take on steak.” They have a reimagined interpretation of the American steakhouse, offering a wide variety of inspired menu items and flavors in an historic 1920s YWCA building. Dining at Rococo is an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and ushered into a sophisticated ambiance that set the tone for the evening. The menu offered an impressive selection of premium cuts of beef, each expertly cooked to perfection. Not in the mood for steak? They offer several fish options as well as duck, pork chops and New Zealand Elk. There are many side options, from the creamed spinach to roasted mushrooms and parmesan truffle fries. The service is impeccable, with our server providing excellent recommendations and ensuring that every need was met.

The wine list is vast and varied, offering the perfect pairing for our meal. They are a Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence” winner nine years running. Enjoy a meal at Rococo Steak and you will find there is a reason that they have had a loyal following since their opening in 2013. www.rococosteak.com

Mon.-Thurs. 4-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 4-11pm, Sun. 4-9pm.

1200 CHOPHOUSE

Answering the call for a top-notch steakhouse on the beach side, chef/owner, Dan Casey, Chicago native, opened 1200 Chophouse in St. Pete Beach in 2013. And they’ve been getting rave reviews ever since! Their upscale comfortable ambiance along with taste bud delighting dinners that are reasonably priced keep diners coming back. Steaks are seared sealing in succulent flavor at 1200 degrees–which inspired the restaurant’s name. Specialties range from the Twin Filet Mignon Oscar and juicy New York strip to the Bone-In “Tomahawk” Ribeye and Porterhouse for two. The service is friendly and will happily help you pair a wine with your meal to enhance your dining experience.

By Kelly Rouse

They also have a VIP Rewards Club, and you will want to be a member! www.1200chophouse.com Mon.-Sun. 5-10pm.

82 DEGREES BAR & GRILL

Taking their name from the average daily temperature in St. Pete Beach, 82 Degrees Bar & Grill serves up paradise. Gaze out over the Gulf of Mexico and watch the sunset while you savor their light bites menu at happy hour or enjoy a leisurely dinner. If you’re seeking a great steak, there are terrific options “From the Butcher.” For those craving seafood, chicken, pork or pasta, there are “Chef Specials” which include a fantastic Creole Grouper, along with seasonal specials. With alfresco dining available along with live music, you can sip your craft cocktail, fine wine, or local craft beer while enjoying the Gulf breeze. They also offer brunch, featuring a “Beach Benedict” with crab cakes and “Filet & Eggs” with truffle mushroom sauce. Is your mouth-watering yet? www.Eatat82.com Brunch 10am-3pm daily. Happy hour 3-5pm daily. Dinner 5-9:30pm daily.

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COOKING CORNER

Who knew there were so many national food day observances in May? Why not take a St. Pete foodie tour this month and on National Shrimp Day, May 10 try the Yucatan Shrimp at Doc Ford’s, steamed peal and eat or coconut shrimp at The Wharf, pappardelle pasta with shrimp at DeSesto’s, or a variety of sushi shrimp or rolls at Nori Thai or Basil Leaf.

May also brings peak spring fruits and vegetables at the markets. Check out the local market dates, times, and locations on pages 58-59 of this issue.

SHRIMP CEVICHE

Here is a simple healthy shrimp ceviche recipe that is made with poached shrimp (instead of raw) and finished with tomato, avocado, and cilantro.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes)

2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

(about 3 tablespoons)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 medium avocado

Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Turn off the heat, add the shrimp, and poach until the shrimp are opaque and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the shrimp and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Chop the shrimp into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, lime juice, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and salt, and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Just before serving, dice the avocado, add to the ceviche, and gently toss to combine. Serve with tortilla chips, if desired. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

One of Tampa Bay’s Largest Taco & Tequila Festivals at one of the most beautiful waterfront parks in Tampa Bay May 10-11!

This waterfront festival will have tons of authentic tacos, premium margaritas and great live music in downtown St. Pete’s Vinoy Park. The St. Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival will feature over 30 tacos vendors, many great margaritas and other cocktail options, many great live bands, live mural artists, cold beer, games, prizes and so much fun!

Food will be available for purchase from over 30 food vendors. Matador Cantina VIP Admission: $39 Presale | $45 Day-of General Admission: $7 Presale | $10 Day-of Kids 13 & Under Are FREE

Ticket Includes:

• General Admission + Access to Private Matador Cantina Area with Extra Amenities

• Margarita Battle! With Cocktail & Beer Samples from 12+ Restaurants, Distilleries & Breweries

• Private Dining Tent & Tables

• Executive Bathroom Trailer

• Front Row Stage Section with High-Top Tables

• Additional Beer & Cocktail Sales Booths

• Furniture & Additional Extras

• Ages 21+ (Your children may accompany you into this area)

Dogs are allowed, but they must be leashed, cleaned up after and hydrated by owner. This event is designed to provide equal opportunity for enjoyment by all participants. If you would like to request any particular aids or services pursuant to disability laws, contact the city of St. Petersburg Community Affairs Division at 727-893-7345 or 727-892-5259 TDD/TTY. If you have any questions, e-mail eventtreeonline@gmail.com.

St. Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival www.stpetetacos.com Vinoy

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SEA TURTLE NESTING

LOGGERHEAD TURTLES RETURN TO THE GULF BEACHES TO NEST

In May, as the warm white sands of the Florida beaches welcome the waves of the Gulf of Mexico, an annual event begins: the nesting season of loggerhead turtles. These magnificent sea turtles, known for their distinctive large heads and powerful jaws, return once again to the shores of their beloved Florida home to continue their age-old ritual of nesting and reproduction.

Nesting season is from May 1-Oct. 31 each year and all seven species of sea turtles that return are either endangered or threatened. Only about one in a thousand hatchlings make it to adulthood, which is why it’s important to make sure they have the best chance to nest, hatch and return safely to the ocean. The loggerhead is the most common sea turtle found in Pinellas County. The most important thing for beachgoers to understand is not to interfere with sea turtles or their nests (which are marked with a small sign and plastic tape around their nests).

During nesting season, limit light that is visible from the beach and turn off lights visible from the beach after sunset. 12 out of 13 Pinellas County barrier island municipalities have light ordinances in place to assist our hatchlings in finding their way to the water. Best lighting practices during nesting season can be found online at www.stpetebeach.org.

Nourishment Projects While the sight of these ancient mariners is a cause for celebration among locals and tourists alike, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable creatures. Local authorities, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens have rallied together to safeguard the nesting sites and minimize human interference during this critical period. During beach nourishment projects, scientists permitted by FWC monitor and relocate sea turtle nests as needed. Further in-depth monitoring of sea turtles and their nests occurs for three years following a nourishment project.

Prior to beach nourishment projects, portions of Sand Key had no dry beach and thus no nesting habitat for marine sea turtles. From 2011 to 2019, the annual number of total nests observed along Pinellas County beaches has risen by more than 400%. Without the habitat provided by periodic nourishment projects, the number of nests laid each year would be much lower. In 2020, the nesting numbers decreased. This decrease was seen across the state of Florida.

Educational Initiatives To raise awareness about the significance of sea turtle conservation, educational programs and guided tours are being offered to residents and visitors alike.

By Janet Nummi

These initiatives aim to enlighten the public about the life cycle of loggerhead turtles, the threats they face, and the steps individuals can take to support their survival. If you’re interested in learning more, or would like information about what you can do to help protect the sea turtles, here are some links to organizations making a difference.

Sea Turtle Conservancy www.helpingseaturtles.org

Sea Turtle Trackers www.seaturtletrackers.org

Sea Turtle Protection www.pinellas.gov/sea-turtle-protection

Clearwater Marine Aquarium www.cmaquarium.org

Sea Turtle Viewing Opportunities www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/ wildlife/sea-turtle/where-to-view/

A Call to Action As loggerhead turtles continue to grace the shores of our Gulf beaches with their presence, it is incumbent upon all of us to play a role in their conservation. By respecting nesting areas, reducing light pollution, and disposing of waste responsibly, we can contribute to the preservation of this natural wonder and all the life it sustains. Call the FWC Wildlife Alert number 1-888-404-FWCC to report: stranded hatchlings, harassment of sea turtles, disturbance of nests, dead or injured sea turtles or hatchlings, entangled sea turtles, or sea turtles caught with fishing gear.

Launched in 1996, the “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” specialty license plate raises money for two important programs that benefit Florida sea turtles –the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Turtle Protection Program and the Sea Turtle Grants Program, which distributes money back to the local level for turtle conservation projects. The sea turtle plate is the number two overall selling specialty tag in Florida, and the number one environmental specialty plate. By purchasing the sea turtle specialty license plate, Floridians are voluntarily funding important programs to save endangered sea turtles and their habitats.

To learn more about the Sea Turtle Grants Program and the “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” specialty license plate, please visit www.helpingseaturtles.org

Estate Planning, Elder Law & Real Estate Attorney

What is a Durable Power of Attorney, and Why Is It Important?

A Durable Power of Attorney is an extremely powerful document in which you, as the principal, delegate certain powers to another person referred to as an agent or attorney-in-fact. In Florida, a Durable Power of Attorney is effective from the moment you sign the Durable Power of Attorney and does not depend on whether you are incapacitated at a later date. Sometimes people refer to a Healthcare/Medical Power of Attorney or a Financial Power of Attorney. In Florida, a Durable Power of Attorney is akin to a Financial Power of Attorney because a Durable Power of Attorney pertains to your finances, and a Living Will and Designation of Healthcare Surrogate are akin to a Healthcare/Medical Power of Attorney because those documents pertain to your healthcare decisions.

A comprehensive Durable Power of Attorney prepared by a lawyer covers areas such as banking, investments, buying and selling property, business transactions, handling claims and litigation, dealing with insurance, applying for public benefits such as Medicaid, and handling tax-related matters.

As the French author Voltaire poignantly stated long ago, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Therefore, when thinking about who you should designate as your agent in a Durable Power of Attorney, I recommend someone who is mature, responsible, level-headed, fiscally prudent, and does not have any bad habits because that person will have access to your finances by virtue of the Durable Power of Attorney. Oftentimes, a person will choose their spouse, adult child, or close friend to act as their agent as well as a backup in case the first person is unable to serve or passes away, and I recommend choosing someone local, if possible, in case your agent needs to be on the scene at the drop of a hat and handle your affairs in an emergency.

According to Florida law, an agent under a Durable Power of Attorney must act in good faith with loyalty, care, competence, diligence, and keep a record of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions. An agent under a Durable Power of Attorney is also entitled to reimbursement for expenses as well as reasonable compensation unless the Durable Power of Attorney provides otherwise. A person is limited to serving as an agent under a Durable Power of Attorney for no more than 3 principals at the same time because some agents were

using Durable Powers of Attorney to serve as de facto guardians of many principals and were exploiting unsuspecting victims.

A principal may revoke a Durable Power of Attorney at any time, and an agent may also resign at any time. A Durable Power of Attorney is only effective while someone is living, so an agent under a Durable Power of Attorney may no longer act for the principal through the Durable Power of Attorney after the principal passes away.

Although a Durable Power of Attorney can be a risky proposition if you appoint the wrong person as your agent, the benefits typically outweigh the costs because if you don’t have a Durable Power of Attorney and become incapacitated, you may need a guardianship which may be extremely expensive, time-consuming, and involves court oversight. As part of your overall estate plan, I highly recommend you have an elder law attorney prepare a Durable Power of Attorney for you.

Anthony A. Velardi, Esq. AV Law PLLC Treasure Island, FL 33706 727-641-4110 anthony@avlawpllc.com

Remembering Frank T. Hurley, Jr.

Iconic Pass-a-Grille Historian

Frank Hurley, Jr. was the real estate broker in Pass-a-Grille when it wasn’t much more than an historic fishing village on the sandy shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Before that, he was a journalist and an illustrator.

Story by Steve traiman

He had a great memory, a quick wit, a brilliant imagination, an excellent command of the English language and he loved writing. We eventually got him to give us a long-promised signed edition of his first book, Surf, Sand & Post Card Sunsets, which he said he gave to all home buyers who closed through his office.

It is an interesting, easy and entertaining read about the aboriginal Timucuan natives, the Spanish explorers and eventually the personalities that first settled in Pass-a-Grille. The book starts off,“There is a place called Pass-A-Grille, where it all began.”Among highlights: Broken pottery shards found in Timucuan Indian burial mounds on the beaches date to 1100-1200 A.D. … Ponce de Leon careened his flagship for hull cleaning on Mullet Key in 1513 … The “great gale,” the hurricane of 1848 that hit the area, was the most devastating in Florida history until Andrew in 1992 … John Gomez, self-styled “last of the pirates,” is credited with bringing the first “tourists” to Long Key and Pass-A-Grille from Tampa in 1857 on his schooner Red Jack. He’s also credited with “inventing”

the legend of Jose’ Gaspar, whom he described as “a Spanish naval officer turned pirate in 1783 who cut a bloody swath through the Gulf for 38 years.” … In 1884, just 19 years after the Civil War ended, St. Petersburg’s early settlers visited Longboat Key and Pass-A-Grille … St. Petersburg Times editor William Straub, part-time Pass-A-Grille resident, was instrumental in getting a charter bill through the Florida Legislature, and on June 6, 1911, Governor Albert Gilchrist signed the bill creating the Town of Pass-A-Grille.

Hurley’s well-received first book, “Surf, Sand & Post Card Sunsets,” a history of Pass-A-Grille and the Gulf Beaches, published in 1977 and revised in 1989 and 2007, is a direct result of his long-time love of history. His Washington home was close to historic Fort Stevens, where President Lincoln came to observe a Civil War battle, and then Lt. Oliver Wendell Holmes reportedly shouted, “Get your head down, you damn fool!” His mother’s father was a boy in Virginia during the Civil War, and his father’s parents helped settle the Arizona Territories in the 1890s.

They lived on an Indian reservation where Grandma Hurley collected artifacts now in the Smithsonian and made an historic photo collection that Frank was able to restore. During World War I his mother became one of the first “Yeomanettes,” an organization created when the Navy realized women could be used in a variety of jobs to free up men for active duty. “Mom had graduated from business school and was working for National Geographic when she joined up,” Frank notes,“and was in the downtown Naval Department headquarters until the Armistice.”

Real estate was Frank’s third career, the first in journalism, split by a stretch with the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) from 1943-46. He grew up in Washington, D.C., covering his high school activities including sports for the Sunday Washington Times.

“I found a love for sports,” he recalls,“and was covering everything from wrestling matches to the Golden Gloves, which I had to skip my senior prom to cover. It was pretty heady for a kid of 16 to 18.” Frank volunteered for the USAAF and wrote briefly for several Army papers, then spent most of the war in the Pacific Theater on Okinawa with the ordinance section of the 7th Army.

After the war, he used veteran’s benefits to attend St. Petersburg Junior College, editing the student paper, and began writing for the now defunct St. Petersburg Evening Independent. His most vivid memory was his lead coverage of the 1950 Labor Day hurricane.“It was my first front page banner headline,” he notes. Moving

June hurley young iS Flanked By her daughTer kaThleen coker and Son Sean aT don ceSar’S 90Th BirThday

to California, he was editor of the Arcadia Tribune from 1956-57 and was writing for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner when he was called back to Pass-A-Grille to help with the family realty business.

Frank’s nephew, Sean Hurley, who now heads the Hurley Associates realty firm, told Paradise News,“This company my grandfather started, has been a part of Pass-a-Grille and the city of St. Pete Beach for more than 75 years. It will continue to be a testament of our love for this community and this part of the neighborhood, so others can live the great beach life we have to offer.

“In early 2014 we lost Uncle Frank just before he turned 90. He was a true Renaissance man - Realtor, writer and historian. His first book, ‘Surf, Sands & Postcard Sunsets’, was the primer history book about the Gulf beaches.

“He never had children but treated me like a son. His widow, Betty, still lives in the area. Later that year we lost my dad, J. Kenneth Hurley. They had both worked together in our realtor business since 1966 when my grandfather, Col. Frank T. Hurley, died.

“The road ahead was a mystery. I had not realized how much their insight and depth of knowledge was relied on by me and the great people working with me at the firm.  The times were changing, social media was more impactful, and online realty services were evolving and making bigger impact to the housing market than I would have dreamed. As a company we have worked to embrace these changes – applying the lessons learned from my father, my uncle and my mom.”

“As we found our stride, my mother June Hurley Young died. She had spearheaded the ‘Save the Don CeSar Committee’ in the 1970’s and found a buyer to rebuild the icon of St. Pete Beach. She was a TV personality - for 14 years as Miss June on ‘Romper Room’. She was always a force in every challenge she undertook.

“The people who guided me and were part of the St. Pete Beach fabric are gone, but as I move forward, I am more aware of the loss of their guidance and nurturing.

The hole they left will never be filled, but the legacy they left on St. Pete Beach will live on in me, my sister and our next generation.”

Renee Roos encouraged Frank to write articles for the Grille Bits Newsletter she published for the Pass-a-Grille Community Association from 1987 to 1995. She computerized Frank’s typewritten drafts with handwritten corrections in all the margins in pencil, so that they could become his second book, “Pass-a-Grille Vignettes: Times Past and Tales Remembered.” Frank was also quite

an artist. He personally arranged sketches he had done throughout his career into a booklet. He gave the Museum the rights to both. For more about Frank T. Hurley Jr., visit the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, 115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach, Friday & Saturday, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, 1-4pm. During open hours only call 727-552-1610.

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Sean Hurley for his excellent comments and photos. Feature writer Steve Traiman, president of Creative, Copy by Steve Traiman, can be reached at www.traimancreativecopy@gmail.com for business writing services.

Frank and ken hurley oFTen ParTiciPaTed in ciTy acTiviTieS

Frank in hiS oFFice Showed oFF Some SkeTcheS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE SKIN-NY ON SKIN CANCER

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and while we live in paradise here in South Pinellas with lots of outdoor time, we are only about 2,000 miles from the equator where the sun’s rays are the strongest. Skin damage from harmful rays can occur in as little as 15 minutes of exposure. And on the beaches, we are subjected to the reflective rays off sand and water. It’s no surprise, then, that Florida has the second highest incidence of melanoma skin cancer in the United States according to the National Institutes of Health.

In fact, one in 10 Floridians have been told they have skin cancer.

There are three main types of skin cancer, with melanoma being the most dangerous as it can spread to other parts of the body. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type that grows slowly and is less likely to spread. It usually appears as a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump or a pinkish patch of skin. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type and can spread if not detected early and treated. It typically looks like a firm, red nodule, or a flat lesion with a scaly or crusty surface.

Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, but it is the most aggressive and will likely metastasize to other organs if not detected and treated quickly. It arises from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin and often appears as a new mole or an existing mole that changes in size, shape, or color.

Staging refers to the degree to which the skin cancer has spread, based on the physical exam. According to the American Cancer Society, the earliest stage of skin cancer is stage 0 (also called carcinoma in situ, or CIS). The other stages range from I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but you are at higher risk if you have fair skin, red, or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, and freckles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer rates are higher in women than men before age 50, but are higher in men after age 50, which may be related to differences in recreation and work-related UV exposure. Most melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure. You should perform regular skin self-examinations as well as get an annual

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skin check by a dermatologist for early detection and prevention of skin cancer.

A NEW TREATMENT FOR MELANOMA

Recently, in February 2024, the FDA approved the first cellular therapy treatment for patients with melanoma that is either unable to be removed surgically or has already metastasized to other parts of the body. Amtagvi (lifileucel) is a T-cell immunotherapy derived from the patient’s own T-cells, which help the immune system fight cancer. Part of the patient’s tumor tissue is removed, and the T-cells are extracted, manufactured, then returned to the patient via a single infusion. Initial trials showed a positive response rate of 31.5%. The therapy does have some side effects but is a new weapon against aggressive melanomas that have not responded to PD-1 inhibitors or drugs targeting the BRAF gene.

SUN SAFETY & SUNSCREEN

You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapply every 2 hours. If you are in the water, you should reapply more frequently, even if the sunscreen claims to be water-resistant or waterproof.

While it’s important to protect your skin from the sun, make sure you choose a safe sunscreen, or you could do more harm than good.

o Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 with broad spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays. SPFs above 50 only refer to UVB protection, not UVA protection. UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and are associated with a higher risk of developing melanoma.

o Choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of a chemical sunscreen. OXYBENZONE is a chemical that enters the bloodstream and acts like estrogen. It can remain in your blood for several weeks and has been linked to endometriosis and low birth weights in females, and lower levels of testosterone and sperm in males. Chemical sunscreens are also toxic to coral and marine organisms.

o Avoid SPRAY sunscreens which are difficult to apply effectively and evenly, but also contain harmful chemicals that can be inhaled.

By Claire Brinsden Jordan

Don’t rely solely on sunscreen. Use other methods of sun protection like umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, and clothing to minimize the use of sunscreen. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10am and 4pm, and always avoid indoor tanning beds. People on certain medications may be more sensitive to the sun. Making the effort to protect your skin, even on cloudy days when UV rays are still present, not only protects you from skin cancer, but also minimizes brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Remember that your skin is the largest organ in your body, so treat it well!

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Dr. Coundouriotis is dual board-certified and fellowship-trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and offers the latest and most trusted cosmetic services including laser, injectables, eye rejuvenation, wrinkle treatments, CoolSculpting™, HydraFacials, microneedling with PRP and more.

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EARLY TRAINING IS BEST

Veterinarians see many patients with different personalities. We love them all, but some are more challenging than others. Every day we deal with patients that have aversions to having their paws touched, their heads examined, their mouths and under their tails stared at. Fear aggression, general aggression or even cage related anxiety or aggression are common. We deal with varying degrees of severity with all of these behaviors. We also see the patients generally lacking in manners that, while they mean well, they just do not know how to behave. Just like with our own children and grandchildren, it is up to us to go through the motions to teach appropriate behavior and expose our pets to contact and situations that may be scary or might induce anxiety.

Exposure to social situations is very important, especially from early development age. While it will be more difficult, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Start by crate training. This is especially helpful with separation anxiety as well as in situations such as veterinary visits, boarding, evacuations during natural disasters where crating may be required. Crate training really needs to start at a very early age and “tough

love” as well as making sure that we ignore and don’t give in to “tantrums” in association with crating are strictly followed. If most pets are “given an inch they will typically take the mile” and attention during tantrums can reverse any progress. This also provides structure and a place for the pet to return to as their own space. Most pets that are properly crate trained enjoy their space and will spend time there through the day.

Professional obedience training is worth its weight in gold. Seeking out professional help is not a sign of weakness as a pet owner. It enhances the basic training and love that you can provide as a pet parent. It gives your pet structure and the opportunity to learn how to behave appropriately. This goes far beyond “sit and stay.” It focuses on the distractions of life and how the pet responds to them. A true professional trainer will be able to identify the pet’s weaknesses and help them appropriately respond in a manner that is calm and not threatening.

Professional training is also very helpful in situations where behaviors may have already been learned and need correction. Although it is better to be proactive than reactive, in situations of adoption or difficult genetic predisposition, a professional trainer that is well versed in particular breed traits is more

likely to be able to give the pet parent the tools and training for appropriate management. We have seen many patients that have been too difficult to handle in hospital, that once receiving professional training have become some of our most compliant patients.

If you have questions about training and need recommendations for trainers, your veterinarian will likely have professionals that they routinely refer patients and clients to. A trained and obedient pet makes for happy pet parents, veterinary professionals, and most of all…happy pets.

HANGING AROUND

By Caron Schwartz

I Have Nothing To Wear

It’s Spring when every woman’s fancy lightly turns to … her closet (sorry Alfred, Lord Tennyson).

The springtime blues hit as I put away the sweaters I had been cuddling up in during the coldest Florida winter in memory. Where’s my spring-appropriate duds for the few weeks of nice weather before humidity descends upon us like locusts? I needed a wardrobe intervention, but wanted more than the usual suspects.

Bay Club, a new boutique on Fourth St. N in St. Pete, was first on my list. The black exterior, which made me think I was about to enter an exclusive nightclub, contrasted mightily with the sunny apparel inside. As I browsed pretty little things I’d never squish into, a pretty little blonde hung silently behind the counter. She could tell I was not in my element.

A walk across the street to the other Fourth N. boutique, Shandy Style, would have been nice. But without a stop light or crosswalk for as far as the eye could see I drove a half block to a turn-around. The two-story white building oozed Southern charm. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The merchandise, which ranged from cute to sophisticated to sexy, was sized for every body, although nothing appealed enough to try on.

“Let’s enjoy a nice windows-open drive to Bellair Bluffs,” I suggested to my intrepid partner, Lenny. Little did he know my hidden agenda was checking out the two Suzettes’ establishments on Indian Rocks Road. “We can stop at the Belleair Coffee Company,” I offered as enticement.

Lenny, whose wardrobe hasn’t had a facelift since the Reagan administration, couldn’t resist the java jaunt. But when I rolled past the coffee shop, he knew the jig was up. At Suzette’s on the Rocks, a helpful employee-of-a-certain-age steered him to “spouse equivalent” seating. I loved the selection but hesitated to spend so much on something I’d only wear until we turned on the air conditioning. Right next door Suzette’s Too, however, was more my speed and price point, and I walked out with a long-sleeve sale-rack special suitable for next fall.

But the cure for springtime blues was close to home. I walk past Zaiya Artizen Market in Gulfport nearly every day. So, it should come as no surprise that that’s where I found a comfy cotton Buddha Love T-shirt made by local creative genius Lisa Taylor.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Tradewinds Rendering

Beach Under Construction

By Peter Roos

After months of deliberation and testimony from the public and parties involved, the St. Pete Beach City Commission approved plans for the controversial Sirata Beach Resort expansion on Feb. 28 and the Tradewinds Resort expansion six weeks later.

Mayor Adrian Petrilla, who had run and won under a conservative plan and promised to replace the city manager and the entire commission in an effort to slow or stop redevelopment was one of two nay votes both times, but the new commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the developments.

The hotel redevelopment had been anticipated since the city of St. Pete Beach amended its comprehensive plan in 2012. It was delayed by lawsuits from citizens that led to the rebuilding of the city’s sewer system. In the meantime, several resorts had sold to owners intent on redeveloping the mostly 1960s buildings that are no longer competitive. The price they paid and the development costs, water and sewer fees, etc., will help keep those costs more reasonable for residents. While the two largest resorts have had their plans approved, there are more in the pipeline.

According to the Sirata plans, two new hotels will be constructed adding a net 275 rooms on the property. A 10-story, 290-key luxury hotel will be constructed on the north side. The existing building that contains 98 rooms will be demolished to make way for the new hotel.

On the south side, which is a surface parking lot, a select service, 130-key hotel will rise eight stories. In addition, the existing hotel will undergo renovations that include the elimination of 57 rooms and renovation of the remaining rooms, replacing and upgrading the pool and the relocation of the Compass Grille restaurant.

This Tradewinds Resort redevelopment plan has four phases over as long as 20 years. The initial phase encompasses the construction of a 12-story, 154-key hotel on the south side of the property facing the Seamark condominiums. It will have a two-story beachfront restaurant, a pool, and a six-story parking

Sirata Rendering

tradewindS Site plan

Miramar Rendering

garage. As part of the many development agreement conditions, the parking garage will have faux plants shielding the levels of parking. The pools will also close by 9pm. The hotel will sit at an angle so that the views of Seamark residents are not disturbed. The developer is not seeking any variances and will nearly double the required setbacks for the towers, garages, and commercial buildings.

The new hotels will have amenity decks with pools, restaurants, and music, which will have a decibel restriction. There will also be a 4,800-square-foot rooftop viewing deck on phase one’s 12-story hotel that will be open to the public.

Legal spokesperson Elise Batsel, a partner at Stearns Weaver Miller in Tampa, addressed looming questions from Mayor Petrila who voiced various concerns, including the 20-year agreement term, which exceeds the term of most development agreements.

Batsel explained that the 20-year agreement ensures the project can move forward amid unexpected issues such as a pandemic or a red tide event, which may cause hotel occupancy to plummet. She argued that given the scale of the redevelopment, the 20-year

development agreement term allows the developer to outlast any economic uncertainty. Under the long-term agreement, the developer will have to provide three different beach access points, and stormwater improvements, among other infrastructure benefits.

There are several smaller potential projects behind the Sirata and the Tradewinds. The developer who built the Cambria in downtown Madeira Beach has plans to redevelop the Schooner in Madeira Beach and the Miramar near the south end of St. Pete Beach’s Large Resort District.

There are community meetings (often the first step) for the Miramar on April 30 and The Post Card Inn on May 8. A proposal is also expected by the city from the owner of Plaza Beach Resort.

Meanwhile, there is an exciting new condo-hotel breaking ground soon in the most incredible spot in burgeoning Madeira Beach. The Beachmaker at 14500 Madeira Way in downtown Madeira Beach will house 10 multi-million-dollar penthouses and 161 condo-hotel units operated under the Marriott Autograph flag. Marketed exclusively by Century 21 Beggins Realty, details follow.

An Exclusive Opportunity to Own a Piece of the New Marriott Autograph Collection Resort in Madeira Beach

By Jeff Beggins

The Madeira Beach area is rapidly emerging as the premier destination for rejuvenation and opulence. At its heart lies the Beachmaker Resort, poised to be the crown jewel of the middle Gulf Beaches and the Madeira Beach Town Center. This upscale resort, known as The Beachmaker Hotel, which has the prestigious honor of being selected as an upscale Marriott Autograph Hotel, like the Vinoy in Downtown St. Petersburg, boasts over 25,000 square feet of upscale retail on the ground level, featuring boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and chic bars. On level 4, an indoor and outdoor banquet and wedding facility awaits, along with two pools, and multiple restaurants offering breathtaking views of the beach, sunset, and the Intracoastal waterway.

A state-of-the-art skybridge ensures a safe, short, and seamless journey from the glistening sands of Madeira Beach to the upscale enclave of the Beachmaker Resort. With 161 condo hotel units spanning floors 4 to 7, owners can relish 90 days of personal use, augmented by the Marriott reservation system, which effortlessly manages bookings and revenue sharing during periods of absence.

Every unit within the Resort boasts balconies overlooking the water, ensuring a constant

The Beachmaker

The Beachmaker Hotel brings all the imagery, beauty and spirit of your favorite beach town into one experience at Madeira Beach. It’s a landing for comfort-seeking sand slingers who want to vacation without feeling like a tourist. As an owner, you get to provide your guest with an experience like no other. All without lifting a finger.

ABOUT THE PROJECT At The Beachmaker, guests will enjoy modern Art Deco architecture with a casual beach vibe. The design is inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the founding developers who pioneered the access to the island during the 1920s. Previously unattainable by heavy mangrove and tropical wooded areas, the new beach community was named after the Portuguese island of Madeira, which means “wood” in their native language. Dynamic spaces boast the monumental days of the island’s opening with the Mitchell Bridge, which was named as a result of a gamble through a chess match between the founding developers Noel Mitchell and Alfred Archibald. This was a true testament of their love for games. Mitchell named the bridge and Archibald was in the first vehicle to cross it. They continued to share the discovery of this coastal area by opening a casino, bath house and restaurant for friends and family to enjoy. The hotel and public ground level park stand as the Town Center residing on a triangular block parcel between downtown Madeira and the public beach access of Archibald Memorial Park. The hotel and resort-like amenities will bring a revitalized energy to Madeira Beach and become the iconic landmark of entertainment and commitment to community.

Jeff Beggins, Real Estate Partner

Direct: (813) 245-0015

Office: (800) 541-9923

jeffbeggins@c21be.com

Beggins Enterprises

connection to the scenic island and beach surroundings. Preconstruction pricing ranges from the $700Ks to $1.9M, requiring only a 20% down payment placed into escrow until completion. For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, 10 distinctive penthouse residences on level 8 offer access to exclusive amenities, including concierge and room service. Preconstruction pricing for these residences ranges from the $3.2M’s to $4.8M’s, with early buyer incentives available for those ready to seize this extraordinary opportunity.

Jeff Beggins, alongside partners Bill Karns, Marcus Winters, Tom Frederick, and others, spearheads sales for this visionary project. Exclusively handled by CENTURY 21 Beggins Enterprises in Madeira Beach, sales efforts are underway. The Beachmaker Resort website, www.TheBeachmakerResort.com, provides comprehensive information, including a 39-minute deep dive video, renderings, floor plans, and pricing. Open your camera over the QR code to take you directly to the landing page.

Interested parties can connect directly with Jeff Beggins for personalized assistance in selecting the perfect unit, location, and floor plan. “The best opportunities for ownership often lie in a project’s inception,” Beggins notes, highlighting the incentives available to early buyers.“We’re nearing development commencement, creating the need to move quickly to become among the first owners to enjoy the early benefits.”

HURRICANE PREP

Hurricane season is in effect from June 1-Nov. 30, but locals know storms can form any time of year, from tornados to gusty thunderstorms. In May 2020, Tropical Storms Bertha and Arthur occurred. Be prepared with a game plan that includes obtaining a proof of residence emergency permit if you live on the barrier beaches, so you can return after a storm. Sign up for Alert Pinellas to receive community notifications about inclement weather www.member.everbridge.net/ index/453003085614894#/signup.

• Know your evacuation zone

• Create an emergency supplies kit and stock up. Remember your pets’ needs too.

• Have a list of important documents and medications

• Think about finances–have extra cash available in the event of power outages

• Write your hurricane plan and review with the family

• Review your insurance policies

• Strengthen your home (windows)

• Get your emergency access permit. www.pcsoweb.com/ emergency-access-permit

With many people moving here from other places, including non-tropical locations, hurricanes may seem like a fairy tale. Because it’s important to be prepared, Paradise News aggregated contact and useful government and other links on our website, paradisenewsfl.com/hurricane for our readers to consult in addition to Pinellas County’s excellent links at www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/default. htm#hurricaneguide

It’s essential to have a plan now and know the best way to stay safe during a disaster like a tornado or hurricane. Find resources at www.disasterpinellas.gov Review the Pinellas County Hurricane Guide at www.pinellas.gov/make-a-plan/ hurricane-guide-english

EVACUATION ZONE MAP It’s important to know your zone and what that means for the impact of storm surge, flooding and wind on you and your home. Have a plan on where you will go and let your family or friends know what that is. Mobile and

manufactured homes are vulnerable to strong winds. Power can be lost in high winds, so if a family member or you rely on electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment register for the special needs program. Know what shelter you would go to, and which are pet friendly.

Pets are not allowed in special needs shelters. Pinellas County offers several pet-friendly general population shelters. If you are registered for a special needs shelter and you have no other options for your pet, call Pinellas County Animal Services at 727-582-2600 to register your pet. Animal Services will make arrangements to care for your pet throughout the duration of your shelter stay. Pet-friendly shelters 727-582-2600 www.pinellas.gov/emergency-information/ public-shelters

Get information on sheltering your pet, how to register for a pet-friendly shelter and what you need to prepare. Pre-registration required for special needs shelters. Special needs shelters 727-464-3800 www.pinellas.gov/special-needs

Basic Emergency Supplies lists of general items and for homes including important documents, special needs for babies, service animals and pets. It also provides access info to public and special needs shelters. www.pinellas.gov/ make-a-plan/build-your-emergency-kit

For re-entry post-evacuation, the permit should be hung from your vehicle’s rearview mirror. Law enforcement posted at city entrances will scan the barcode on your permit to verify your residence. With your help, local police and the sheriff’s officers will be able to keep trespassers from easily accessing your property. Permits are available in every barrier island City Hall (Clearwater residents can also go to the Police Dept. and in Tierra Verde to the Fire Station). Get your re-entry permit now!

BARRIER ISLAND RETURN PASSES

After the hurricane passes, all residents will need a pass to get back home when it’s safe. These are available from your local police station or the sheriff’s office in your town. Get one now.

READY PINELLAS MOBILE APP “Ready

Pinellas” was designed to help residents prepare themselves and their families before a storm and as a storm approaches. Use all of the tools to stay safe and take the information with you as you finalize your preparations. Download the free app “Ready Pinellas” on your mobile device by searching the Apple App Store or Google Play.

RE-ENTERING THE

COUNTY Sheriff Gualtieri emphasizes, “If you live in a barrier island community, make sure you are registered for and know where you’ve placed your Emergency Access Permit. When a mandatory evacuation order is lifted, law enforcement officials will scan these permits at designated re-entry points. Barrier island residents may register directly with their city government during its general office hours year-round, so don’t wait until an evacuation order has been issued to secure yours. “If you registered for and still possess your Emergency Access Permit from years prior, you DO NOT need to register again. If you don’t know if you need a permit, visit www.pcsoweb.com/emergency-accesspermit or call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 727-582-6200. The County Emergency Management website notes that if you have evacuated out of the area, returning home can have some challenges if a storm has done significant damage to the county. Bridges and roads may be closed due to damage, flooding, or debris. Officials may have entire areas closed off to everyone, even residents. It’s important to remember that coming home is not a guarantee. So before heading home, be sure to watch or read the news to learn the latest information about road conditions and damage reports for Pinellas County and surrounding areas.”

PREPARING KIDS FOR DISASTERS

Disasters are scary for everyone, but even more so for kids. There are things you can do to help them prepare and alleviate some of that fear: Young children should have a ready-to-go kit with items to keep them busy and give them comfort. Favorite toys or snacks work well. Involve older kids in your planning. They can help check supplies or make a shopping list. Have family drills on fire, tornado and hurricane safety.

www.pinellas.gov/make-a-plan

wwwe.pinellas.floridahealth.gov/ programs-and-services/emergencypreparedness-and-response/ emergency-planning/hurricane-info

www.myseminolechamber.com/ hurricane-preparedness.html

www.stpete.org/residents/public_safety/ hurricane_center.php

www.stpetebeach.org/259/ Hurricane-Season-Preparedness

A HAven for outdoor entHusiAsts

www.pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-trail-guide

Spanning a whopping 75 miles from the vibrant streets of St. Pete to the quaint shores of Tarpon Springs (and back again), the Pinellas Trail is more than just a path – it’s a journey through the heart of Pinellas County’s most scenic landscapes. Linking bustling hubs like Palm Harbor, Dunedin, and Gulfport, this greenway corridor is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature aficionados alike.

Each month, a staggering 160,000 individuals lace up their sneakers, hop on their bikes, or glide along on skates to explore this natural gem. From walkers to joggers, cyclists to skaters, the trail welcomes all, offering a tapestry of experiences woven from ancient live oaks, trailing Spanish moss, and tranquil waterways teeming with avian life.

But behind this idyllic escape lies a tale of determination and community spirit. Born from the vision of Bert Valery, fueled by the tragedy of his son’s bike accident, and nurtured by the dedication of the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, the trail emerged from the ashes of a 34-mile stretch of abandoned railroad. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and civic engagement.

Safety is paramount on these winding paths, with the Pinellas County Security Task Force and vigilant park rangers keeping watch. Yet, it’s the tireless efforts of trail volunteers, acting as the eyes and ears of the community, that truly ensure peace of mind for all who traverse these trails.

But it’s not just about the journey; it’s about the experience. Thanks to the tireless work of the Friends of the Pinellas Trail, amenities like bike racks and refreshment stops pepper the route, ensuring comfort and convenience for all travelers. And for those seeking guidance along the way, the Guide to the Pinellas Trail stands as a trusty companion, detailing everything from rest stops to bike shops with the flick of a page. www.friendsofthepinellastrail.org

Yet, beyond the mere recreation, the Pinellas Trail is a lifeline for the community it serves. It breathes life into local businesses, fosters connections among neighbors, and champions the cause of environmental conservation. By promoting alternative transportation and preserving precious green spaces, it paves the way towards a more sustainable future for all.

As the trail continues to evolve and expand, with new rest areas and interpretive signage enriching the experience, one thing remains certain: the Pinellas Trail isn’t just a path – it’s a lifeline, a sanctuary, and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sunshine State.

SUMMER CAMPS

By Janet Nummi

SHENANIGANS FOR KIDS

As the Florida summer sun starts cranking up its thermostat, families around St. Pete are getting ready to dive headfirst into a whirlwind of wacky camp adventures tailor-made for kids of all stripes. From wild outdoor escapades to artsy antics, the area has got a whole bag of tricks to keep those young minds buzzing and those spirits soaring higher than a pelican on Red Bull. www.saintpetersburgsummercamps.com

Outdoor Hijinks With St. Pete’s backyard boasting beaches that are all but begging for sandcastles and parks that practically scream explore me, it’s no wonder it’s the primo spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Summer camps around here are all about kayaking, paddleboarding, and treks through nature’s greatest hits, giving kids the chance to go full-on while getting their daily dose of Vitamin SEA and D.

www.stpeteparksrec.org/camps www.stpetebeach.org/718/ Explorers-Club---Summer-Camp www.WaterSportsCamp.Eckerd.edu www.GreatEX.org www.StPeteYMCA.org

Artsy Fartsy Fun For the little Picassos and Mozarts itching to make a masterpiece, St. Pete has an arts scene hotter than a jalapeno dipped in sriracha. From getting down and dirty with clay to splattering paint like a pro, these summer camps are the ultimate breeding ground for creative chaos, with seasoned pros guiding these mini maestros toward artistic glory.

www.creativepinellas.org/ uncategorized/12594/arts-summer-camps www.stpeteartsalliance.org/ education/st-pete-summer-arts-camps www.mfastpete.org/ summer-camps-at-the-mfa

Sports Smackdown Got a pint-sized LeBron or Serena in the making? The burg’s got ‘em covered with summer camps that turn kiddos into athletic dynamos faster than you can say game on. Whether it’s kicking it on the soccer field or acing on the tennis court, these camps aren’t just about scoring goals –they’re about building teamwork, sportsmanship, and muscles to make The Rock jealous.

www.StPeteTennisCenter.com www.BaysideSportsAcademy.org www.NinjaAcademyStPete.com www.SPCHS.org www.bevolleyacademy.com

STEM Shenanigans In a world that runs on gigabytes and gizmos, St. Pete knows the importance of getting kids geeked about science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM). That’s why these summer camps are all about hands-on experiments, robot showdowns, and coding chaos, turning even the most tech-shy tots into bona fide Einsteins in the making.

www.StPetersburg.USF.edu www.TheArtOfScienceLLC.com www.SPCollege.edu www.Farragut.org www.NCK12.com

Eco-Extravaganza St. Pete’s got its eye on the prize when it comes to saving the planet, and these summer camps or volunteer activities are where the eco-warriors of tomorrow get their start. Think beach cleanups, garden parties, and crash courses in critter conservation, turning these pint-sized campers into nature’s very own Avengers, ready to take on anything that threatens their green kingdom.

www.tampabaywatch.org/camps www.kpbcares.org/upcoming-events

So as the mercury starts its slow crawl up the thermometer, families buckle up for a summer filled with enough camp craziness to make even the most seasoned camper feel like a kid again. Whether they’re on the stage, painting masterpieces, or saving the world one recycling bin at a time, these kids are in for a wild ride – one they’ll be talking about ‘til next summer comes rolling around.

By Marlene Shaw

A CHARETTE, A PUBLIC MEETING AND A MAYORAL “TIRADE”

Without question, it has not been business as usual. Between a public meeting regarding 49th St. S improvements, a marina charette and what is being described as a mayoral “tirade” at the April 2 council meeting, it has been an interesting time.

MARINA PROJECT CHARETTE

A marina project charette was held at the Casino Ballroom. The organizers were prepared for 80 participants. Since a marina project has come up multiple times over the years, public interest was not a surprise. Just under 200 attendees lined up and the organizers found themselves somewhat overwhelmed. Participants were advised that the goal was to achieve a consensus. Tables were provided with cut-outs to place on maps at each table to indicate desired changes.

The organizers and Councilor O’Hara advised that only one out of the 17 tables desired changes beyond adding restrooms and kayak storage, thus a hearty applause followed as participants heard the announcement that a consensus for maintaining the status quo had been achieved. The question remains whether council will listen or attempt to railroad development through. Continued involvement of the community is still critical.

FUSION 49TH DISTRICT

Approximately a week later, a public meeting took place to provide an opportunity for business owners and citizens to view alternatives for improvements on 49th St. S. Boards on display showed variations on the number of lanes, raised walkways, speed calming installations, lighting, bus stops, a 12-foot walkway to accommodate both bicycles and pedestrians, and more. The partnership between Gulfport, St. Petersburg, various agencies, and volunteers from each city is proving to be quite exciting. The meetings are the first Monday of each month at the Gulfport 49th St. S Community Center. The meetings are an excellent opportunity to hear reports of progress and be a part of the process.

SWEARING IN AND MAYORAL “TIRADE”

Approximately 15 individuals spoke during public session. Comments included an issue regarding the daily noise complaints relative to the Sazerac club, an ongoing lift station overflow in the marina district, a positive comment regarding Fusion 49th District, the removal of a large old oak tree, positive comments from recent police academy graduates, accountability of an event that was purportedly a cancer fundraiser but ended up being promoted as a race party, appreciation for the Art in the Yard rain date, a number of comments expressing concerns about the recent election, council treatment of women councilors over the years, and more comments opposing marina development.

Chief Vincent reported on the extensive effort made by the police department to respond to the noise complaints from the neighborhood around the Sazerac club.

Cheryl Hanafin, former Financial Director, was introduced, presented gifts to council, and spoke about having established her own auditing LLC.

Advanced Engineering reported on the vulnerability study and watershed management plan on which they are working. More concise details are expected by the end of the year. It appeared a consensus was achieved to utilize safe materials in the center area of the dog park.

A number of suggestions were discussed pertaining to the annual review of the meeting conduct rules. Results included a more active parliamentarian role and the speaking order during meetings (council will discuss first, public comment will follow, then return to council to finalize and vote). The city attorney will make the changes and return it to council for approval.

Just prior to the mayor quickly adjourning the meeting, Mayor Henderson read a prepared statement. A portion of his statement was reasonable. At the juncture that inaccurate information was directed at Councilor Thanos, citizens started walking out and some were asking the attorney why an accusational tirade was permitted. Many citizens had hoped council would do a reset and foster harmony. They now believe the mayor’s action has made this more difficult. Following the meeting, a citizen quoted Buddha, “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace,” and added the importance of leadership choosing words carefully and thoughtfully rather than causing division. Citizens will be listening and observing. There is an expectation of professional, positive leadership going forward. Follow Gulfport Matters on Facebook for all the great things happening in Gulfport.

ALL Are WELCOME at St. Alban’s

By Peter Roos

Corey Avenue, the four-block-long main street in St. Pete Beach, is a curious collection of bars, boutiques, barbers, restaurants, salons, and offices, including City Hall and a law office.

On opposite corners you will find the Post Office for the beach communities and the historic five and dime, now serving as a coastal-themed recycled furniture and fixture store. There are also art galleries, a shoe store, realtors, computer repair, a holistic vet and a pet groomer and, side by side, a soon to be revived historic theatre and long-time chapel and funeral provider, now part of Dignity Memorial.

Directly across the street from these historic venues is another familiar storefront, known since 1965 as the Attic Shoppe thrift store, 316 Corey Ave. Renee and I frequently visit thrift stores when we travel, looking for an item we forgot to pack, an extra suitcase for the return trip, or some heavier clothing we did not think we would need. We have seldom found a more welcoming place than this. Open from 10am-2pm, six days a week, by volunteers from St. Alban’s Church, a few blocks north on Blind Pass Road, the Attic Shoppe, 727-360-5647, welcomes

donations and performs an essential service, especially for more budget challenged community members. They sell women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry, housewares and decorative items. Profits are donated directly to community needs such as CASA, St. Giles Food Pantry and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Donations can be brought to the store during working hours or to the church, where sorting and cleaning of donations are done, and where an annual Christmas sale is held in early November, and a rummage sale in the winter.

Renee and I wondered about the friendly, welcoming attitudes of the workers there, and found it was very common at the church as well.

St. Albans, 330 85th Ave., (stalbansbeach@ gmail.com) is an Episcopal Church holding services each Sunday at 10am. They also operate a highly rated Christian preschool for 1-5-year-old children, which currently has openings for youngsters. www.stalbansdayschool.com

There are multiple ways to be active and serve the church. Their Care Team provides care and comfort to members who are in the hospital, confined at home or grieving a loss. These efforts take place through phone calls, visits, and sending cards of support. They also hold a weekly Healing Service on Wednesdays at 11am in the Church. The Property Team helps maintain the large campus with gardening and light repairs.

The church’s watchword these days is “Find Rest for Your Soul.” Omar Reyes

has been the spiritual leader at St. Alban’s since 2020. “St. Alban’s is a faith community where diversity is honored and celebrated; acceptance, encouragement and love are given so that all people may explore their journey in faith; and where, through our many gifts, we cultivate a desire to give in thankfulness for all God has given us.

“We are of different ages from different backgrounds and during ‘the season,’ different countries. We are straight, we are gay, we are trans. Some are single, some married, some partnered, some – single again. We are women, men, and children. Some of us live alone, some with others. People who come to St. Alban’s have all kinds of different reasons for choosing to make this a spiritual home – and this is a blessing. So, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

“Whether you are looking for a spiritual connection and guidance or you are seeking an accepting and welcoming Christian community, come by on Sunday for service at 10am or stop by and talk to our volunteers at the Attic Shoppe Mon.-Sat. 10am-2pm. You can learn more online at www.stalbanstpetebeach.org

If you have questions for a human, email stalbansbeach@gmail.com or call 727-360-8406, Monday-Thursday 9am-2pm. Please let us know you read about us in Paradise News.”

“We know there are relocates from congregations elsewhere who may be looking for a community to be a part of, and we want you to know you are welcome here at St. Albans.”

BEAUTIFUL EXPANSIVE VIEW –one-of-a-kind opportunity on the market today - This lot offers a WIDE LONG-RANGE VIEW OF OPEN WATER in one of the most sought-after locations on Treasure Island! The lot is 135 feet deep and ready for your new custom waterfront paradise.

30 Paradise Lane, Treasure Island, FL

In This To Be Built Home:

ELEGANCE MEETS SAFETY to withstand the coastal environment: Meets All Fema Requirements, Design and Build Expertise.

Custom Kitchen and Fine Line Appliances: The heart of this home is a chef’s delight. Immerse yourself in a gourmet kitchen boasting custom cabinetry, fine line appliances, and a design that seamlessly merges functionality with sophistication.

Elevated decks offer panoramic vistas of this magnificent water view, creating an idyllic setting for relaxation and entertainment.

The renderings in the photos are for inspirational purposes and can be changed based on the buyer’s needs or desires.

The 75 feet of elevated seawall includes a span beam and anchor system in the existing pool area. For enthusiasts of fishing, boating, water sports, beaches, restaurants and entertainment, Treasure Island and the neighboring towns offer something for everyone.

Situated on the main channel of Boca Ciega Bay, you have quick and easy access by boat to John’s Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, or meander the scenic intracoastal waterways past dolphin hangouts, islands of mangroves, and seabird habitats, resting at your favorite dock-and-dine waterside restaurants.

You can walk or ride your bike to the white sand beaches in minutes, with shops, dining. The vibrant arts and cultural events of downtown St. Petersburg, is an easy drive east.

Enjoy your new waterfront paradise built to today’s standards and showcase this OUTSTANDING VIEW!

Lot Only $1,630,000 | MLS# U8236286

Listed by CENTURY 21 Jim White & Associates

Sara Robertson 727-687-4646 | sarasells247@gmail.com

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Designation

Green Designation • Multi-Million Dollar Producer

House & Lot Pre-Construction $3,780,000.

Custom designed home by Lubke Construction.

CAREGIVER CORNER

The Sandwich Generation

What is the Sandwich Generation?

Are you between 40 and 60, simultaneously raising kids and assisting your aging parents?

The sandwich generation is not a specific generation like the millennials or Generation X but a phenomenon that can affect anyone whose parents and children both need support and care. Members of the sandwich generation are multigenerational caregivers and are “raising” their parents and kids simultaneously –quite literally sandwiched between family generations that both need care. The sandwich generation phenomenon is a new concept – so new that the term was coined within the last 10 years. More people identify with the sandwich generation because people have children later in life; therefore, they have older parents when their children are born.

Helping an aging parent is interesting because it can take many different forms. Adult caregivers often help with daily living activities like dressing, eating, and transportation. Caregivers are often responsible for the financial burden of caring for their aging parents. As if caring for their elderly parents wasn’t already a full plate, sandwichers are unique in the sense that they still have minor children at home who require emotional, physical, and financial support. Sandwichers must care and make difficult decisions for those who depend on them.

The mental load the Sandwich generation carries daily makes their heads spin, putting them at risk for MAJOR

BURNOUT

There is only so much time in the day, and with many people to care for, sandwich generation members need to remember to prioritize their own well-being and mental and physical health.

Below are six tips for the sandwich generation to help them care for the generations around them and themselves.

Talk about Money – Talk with your elderly dependant sooner rather than later. You may be able to help find a better savings plan, or at the very least, you will be in the know and know what/ if any financial burdens are on you. We know this is not an easy subject to broach, but it is important to have a clear picture to prepare properly.

Have a Partner – Have a partner to help you manage caring for both generations. It doesn’t always need to be a spouse, but you need another person to help offload some of the work of caring for at least one of the generations. We have clients who are single parents. They depend on a sibling to help with their adult parent care. We also have clients who are married and care for both sets of parents. A dependable partner and solid communication are key.

Take a Break – When caring for multiple generations, it is likely hard to find time for yourself, but it is essential to recharge so you don’t burn out. Schedule time DAILY to plug into what you need physically, emotionally, and mentally. Make your well-being a priority and a non-negotiable. Even just 20 minutes spent doing what you need can significantly impact your mental health and, therefore, those around you.

Consider a Multigenerational Home – Are you considering purchasing a new home? Consider a multigenerational model. A multigenerational home can accommodate a family with children and allow space for a grandparent(s) to live in the home comfortably. Some homes are described as “two homes under one roof” with separate entrances and small kitchens. Often, budget-friendly options will have a separate large bedroom with an ensuite on the private side of the house. Either way, ideally, it helps with caregiver duties and the financial obligations that come with it. This allows family member(s) to maintain some privacy and space and only be a quick shout-out if someone needs help. This floor plan has grown in popularity, and you will see builders identify space as a “flex” area (ie: huge entertainment area/gym space/large home office or a private room for a loved one you are caring for), knowing you can utilize the space in different ways helps people see the benefit for the short and long term uses.

Connect with Other Sandwichers – Make it a priority to connect with others who identify with the sandwich generation. Meet them for a walk, coffee, or something more substantial to share stories about caring for your parents and kids. Try to find peace in knowing YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Often, when caring for two generations, your care will come last… it is not okay. YOU NEED TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST sometimes. It is impossible to pour from an empty cup, but it is so hard to prioritize filling your cup. We know, we get it. Please try.

Pat Yourself On the Back – You are doing something unprecedented by humanity by caring for both generations, even before the pandemic. Add a pandemic to that mix, and well, you’re a damn superhuman. Wow. We’re proud of you.

We cannot say it enough: people who identify with the sandwich generation need extra support! We are here to help you navigate uncharted waters. Our services are free to our clients, please contact me anytime to discuss your unique situation and see how we can support you.

“See” you next month! If you have any specific topics or questions you would love for me to cover, please contact info@sunwaysseniorliving.com or call 727-314-6415.

Sunways Senior Living Concierge www.sunwaysseniorliving.com info@sunwaysseniorliving.com 727-314-6415

5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Ste. 101, Sarasota, FL 34232

ART NEWS

Emergence Creative Pinellas’s eighth annual Emerging Artist Exhibition showcases the work of their 2024 Emerging Artist grant recipients: Kaitlin Crockett, Vanessa Cunto, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Fran Failla, Tyler Gillespie, Antonia Lewandowski, David McCauley, Harriet MonzonAguirre, Gaby Rosa and Luci Westphal. Opening reception 5/9, 6-8pm. Exhibition runs through 7/21.

https://bit.ly/cp-2024-artists

Sound bites An American Stage and Creative Pinellas collaboration, FRESH INK, offers short plays once a month. Enjoy bite-size, free plays that are diverse, inclusive, inventive, and adventurous at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas.

https://bit.ly/florida-fresh-ink

Glass, glass everywhere

Zen Glass Studio & Gallery in St. Pete offers glassblowing workshops to create pint or wine glasses, paperweights,

beads, and more.

https://zenglass.com/

Kevin Daigle, resident glassblower at DMG (Duncan McClellan Gallery) hot shop, will guide you through making your own drinking glass in our on-site hot shop.

https://bit.ly/cups-with-kevin

While you’re at DMG check out Bloom & Ripen, the gallery’s summer exhibition, which focuses on fruit and florals of the collection. Curated by Zuzu Bartlett, the vision was to bring an appreciation to work already in the collection by inviting a fresh perspective. On view through 10/31. www.dmglass.com/24118-2

Nights @ MAACM Studio Sips! Bring a friend or a loved one to the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement for an evening of fused glass art-making while enjoying a glass of wine. 5/10 5-7pm. https://bit.ly/studio-sips

Date night Turns out MAACM is on Healthy Framework’s list of 10 best museums in town for first dates, especially if they appreciate architecture and art. Glass museum Imagine (yet more glass!) is on the list, too. You can even book a private tour. https://bit.ly/ museum-dates-st-pete

Art for all The proposed new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark and surrounding Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment will each feature $500,000 worth of city-owned, insured, and maintained public art installations. According to a new St. Pete ordinance amendment, a percentage of construction costs for municipally funded projects must benefit the Art in Public Places Fund.

I’ll drink to that Indulge in art and flavor with Kahwa Coffee’s newest Artist Coffee Canister designed by Ya L’Ford! Not only does it come filled with coffee, it showcases stunning, one-of-a-kind designs by local artists. The cans are part of a

partnership with the St. Pete Arts Alliance (SPAA) and their mission to help grow the St. Pete Arts Endowment (SPAE).

Who’d a thunk? The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is a talented visual artist! Check out his online gallery: www.ronniewood.com

Revolutionary An eyewitness depiction of the Continental Army hung in a New York apartment for decades is now part of the Museum of the American Revolution’s collection. The museum’s curator of exhibitions Matthew Skic researched the ink, paper, handwriting, and newspaper articles to determine the artist was Pierre Eugène Du Simitière, a Swiss artist who moved to Philadelphia in 1774 and often drew scenes of the American Revolution. https://bit.ly/rev-war-sketch

And action! Film Tampa Bay received a nomination for the Emerging Location Award as part of the Global Production

Awards. Other nominees include Saudi Arabia, Albania, and Lake Tahoe. The winner will be announced at the Cannes Film Festival 5/20.

https://bit.ly/film-tampa-bay

Film productions continue to flock to the Tampa Bay Area. Downtown St. Pete takes center stage in the new made-for-TV movie, Roommate Regret, which was filmed almost entirely in the dynamic Downtown St. Petersburg area.

Page-turner Join Tombolo Books to celebrate local, bestselling author Kristin Harmel’s paperback release of her latest book, The Paris Daughter Harmel will be joined by fellow local, bestselling author Sarah Penner for an evening that fans of historical novels with brilliant women at the helm will not want to miss! 5/14, 7-8pm. www.tombolobooks.com/events

Artist opportunities

Florida CraftArt wants you to showcase your creativity and vision in their upcoming exhibi-

tion, HEROES. Whether you’re captivated by legendary figures from mythology, fascinated by everyday heroes, or inspired by personal tales of resilience, you are invited to contribute your unique perspective to this dynamic exhibition. Deadline 6/7. https://bit.ly/florida-heroes-art

ACT (Arts Conservatory for Teens) is seeking teaching artists from a variety of disciplines: theater, voice, dance, music production, game coding, fashion (design and modeling), visual arts, photography, graphic design, songwriting, and audio/visual. If you are passionate about the Arts and also about ACT’s mission to educate, empower, and enrich the lives of youth, please email your resume to: darnel@ artsconservatoryforteens.org

Arquetopia Foundation offers artist residency scholarships for visual artists, designers, and writers in Mexico or Peru through its Art*Aid Scholarship. Programs include specific instructional programs and selfdirected residencies. Deadline: 9/2. www.arquetopia.org

Céilís anyone? Learn traditional Irish dance (aka céilí) Wednesday nights at the MAR’s new HQ at the St. Petersburg City Theatre. No experience required. https://bit.ly/mar-classes

I Love St. Pete Learn all about our beloved city during Inside St. Pete, a one-day welcome to newbies and long-timers both. Hosted by the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. https://bit.ly/inside-st-pete-2024

By Caron Schwartz

Speak up, please! If you haven’t already, take the Current Arts Coast Cultural Plan survey. Help shape the future of Pinellas County’s arts and culture. https://bit.ly/ coast-arts-survey

NODZ ART’s What Is It? It’s multi-media artist Kevin “Nodz” Nodland’s show representing his artistic journey: past, present, and future. On view through 6/2 at St. Pete ArtWorks. Opening reception 5/11, 5-9pm. www.gcaa-fl.org/ classes---events.html

Art/history Celebrate the 10-year partnership between Pinellas County Schools and the St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts. History and art are brought to life as student artwork and performances animate the evening’s festivities. 5/7, 7-9pm. Free, registration required. https://bit.ly/pcs-10th

Art/camp Your kid age 9-14 can be a Junior Docent at The Dalí Museum’s weeklong camp.

They’ll discover new ways to interpret and create art, meet new friends, and have fun in the Museum. The week concludes with a reception and Junior Docent-led gallery tour showcasing each student’s voice, Dalí knowledge, and their own surrealist art. Contact sayad@thedali.org

You say it’s your birthday Brenda McMahon Gallery celebrates five years of fine art during May. Drop by the downtown Gulfport shop to check out emerging and professional local and national artists and Artist of the Month. If the place seems bigger, it’s because McMahon expanded into the space next door previously occupied by Custom House Décor. www. brendamcmahongallery.com

Got credit card? The Bank of America Museums on Us program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit and credit cardholders free admission to over 225 museums across the US on the first weekend of every month. Tampa Bay participants: Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. https://bit.ly/boa-museums

ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT

The St. Petersburg and Clearwater areas have a rich history of artists and a vibrant arts scene, which have evolved into a premier arts destination, with a collaborative and multifaceted arts community spanning visual arts, performing arts, museums, galleries, and public art. The arts have become deeply woven into the identity and character of these cities, serving as a “catalyst” for their renaissance and growth. This is my debut of a monthly column that will profile artists across mediums, from visual arts to performing arts. I welcome you to reach out to me if you would like to be featured in future issues via email at ParadiseNewsArtistsSpotlight@gmail.com.

~ Andrea Martone

The “Zenz” of Mural Painting

39-year-old Michigan transplant Brad Zenz has been living in St. Petersburg for 11 years. His “Zen” moment came when he worked for the Dali Museum for some time before venturing out on his own to be a mural artist. With a Fine Arts degree, he recognized the beauty of the landscape surrounding St. Petersburg and was particularly drawn to azaleas, which would eventually lead to a business painting murals at residential homes. “Treasure Island resident homes and hotels have a lot of blank walls,” says Zenz, “I want to be that artist who transforms the space into beautiful murals.” While working on murals is one of his passions, he also does canvas painting and uses his fine arts skill with a mixture of graffiti, traditional painting and mixed media. His fees are quite reasonable, starting at $20 a square foot, a small price to pay for a masterpiece. In his spare time, Zenz enjoys his time with his wife and two retired greyhound racing dogs. You can reach Brad at: www.backyardmurelz.com, or www.bradzenz.com, email: Bradley.zenz@gmail.com

Pharaoh, Cleopatra & The Universe

If you believe in reincarnation, then Sara Salem will tell you that she most likely had a strong past life in Egypt, as evident by her prolific artwork depicting the leaders of ancient Egypt. Egyptian by birth, 25-year-old Salem moved to St. Petersburg three years ago after living in Dubai for some time. “I needed a change,” says Salem, “and Dubai seemed to be an interesting place to live for a while.” She now works as a full-time muralist, artist and art teacher in St. Pete, but has expanded her talents into teaching yoga, reiki healing and conducting sound bath classes at her studio called Phi Artland, who many say is the best mind, body fitness center in St. Pete www.phiphiartland.com. Salem enjoys creating realistic, abstract murals, and uses lots of bright colors. “My emotions inspire me for my work,” she says. Her wellness studio has truly taken off given its vast assortment of offerings for those in St. Pete who want to achieve higher consciousness, inner peace, and express themselves through art. Martial arts is also offered, and Salem uses Muay Thai – a type of martial art found in Thailand. Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the “Art of eight limbs,” as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and body room, meditation, yoga. Salem’s husband, Fahd, is the coach of martial arts. Married for 12 years, he is also Egyptian. Sara says they have been “best friends before we ever got married.” The couple’s two Yorkies round out their bliss. To learn more about Sara and her work, visit: finearts@phiphiartland.com

By Andrea Martone

What does a Mermaid Goddess and the Paranormal have in common? Brandy Stark. Sixty-year-old Stark has been a resident of Gulfport since 1992. She is a lifetime educator with an art passion that led her to working with metal sculptures evolving into wire mermaids, dragons and fairies, “I designed them primarily because I teach classical mythology,” says Stark. She is now incorporating crystals into her metal sculptures; “it’s all about the energy and synergy between the two,” she says. Her creations span sizes from 6 inches to 14 feet long, 5-foot diameters. She displayed her Mermaid at the Dali Museum, but it is often seen all around, as she repaints the mermaid every six months or so with different costumes (themes: sea hag Halloween, witch, ghost mermaid). She hopes to sell her Mermaid Goddess for a permanent installation somewhere in St. Pete. In her spare time, she is fascinated with the supernatural and paranormal. She is the host of Valentwe’en, an art show each year in St. Petersburg (www.spirits ofstpete.com/valentween). Valentwe’en was spawned in 2015 and its origins started as a new holiday to combine Second Hallowe’en (replacing Valentine’s Day, as inspired by memes on social media) and environmentalism (tied to the later spring holiday of Earth Day). “The intention of Valentwe’en was to turn February into the new October with gothic and romantic themes,” says Stark. Valentwe’en is celebrated in February, either on the full moon, or, if no full moon, on the 13th day. Heightening intrigue about Brandy Stark, you should know she’s part of the oldest team in the Tampa Bay area, called “The Spirits of St. Petersburg,” and she is an archivist who researches paranormal activity throughout the Gulf Coast. Stark has a studio at ArtLofts in St. Petersburg and can be reached at www.bstarkart.com/about

Online at www.paradisenewsfl.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

ART – GALLERIES

ARTS – PERFORMING MUSEUMS

MUSIC OPERA FILM

ECO GARDENS FERRIES

LIBRARIES MARKETS

SPIRITUAL ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

CLUBS – SERVICE/SOCIAL

CLUBS – ATHLETIC HEALTH

THRIFT SHOPS

VOLUNTEERING

YOGA

(Events are subject to change. Please visit website or call to confirm.)

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

Beach Art Center

1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach

727-596-4331 beachartcenter.org

Now enrolling for kids’ summer camp.

Heart of Pinellas

Decorative Artists

Pinellas Park Art Center, Roe’s Deli, 5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Local chapter of National Society of Decorative Painters

727-244-4321 hpdafl.com

Morean Arts Center

719 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-822-7872

moreanartscenter.org

Contemporary art gallery. Art classes year-round. Enrolling for summer camps.

Buddy Baker | Events, Arts & Leisure Coordinator Arts & Leisure

Morean Center for Clay

420 22nd St. S, St. Pete 727-821-7162 ext 2311

moreanartscenter.org

Largest pottery in the Southeast Registering for summer camp

Morean Glass Studio

714 First Ave. N, St. Pete 727-822-7872

moreanartscenter.org

Daily demonstrations every hour noon to 4pm. Classes available.

Pinellas Arts Village

5663 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park

• Studios @ 5663

Fourth Saturday block party and indoor market. facebook.com/Pav727/

Pinellas Park Art Society

Park Station Building

5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park

Members’ work shown at Pinellas Park Library and Pinellas Park City Hall 727-360-4406

Meet third Saturday, 11am-noon pinellasparkartsociety.org

Suntan Art Center at Don Vista Arts Center

3300 Gulf Blvd., suntanart.org Classes, Art Mart every weekend

5/4-31 – May Members Show 6/2-30 – June Members Show

The Hive

559 49th St. S, St Pete 727-290-6515 thehivestpete.com

Classes, open studio, pottery, jewelry sales

Treasure Island Art Guild treasureislandartguild.org

Painting workshops weekly

Veterans Art Center

6798 Crosswinds Dr. N, St. Pete 813-504-3092 vactb.org

Opportunities for military and veterans to develop and showcase arts.

5/4-5 – Star Wars Virtual Fan Art

Chart Art Event

Zen Glass Studio & Gallery

600 27th St. S, St. Pete 727-323-3141 zenglass.com Classes and workshops.

ART GALLERIES

Art at 400 Studios

400 23rd St. S, St. Pete art-at-400.com By appointment, Art Walk

Art Fusion Galleries 106 Central Ave., St. Pete artfusiongalleries.com

ARTicles/Leslie Curran Gallery 1234 Dr. MLK Jr St. N, St. Pete 727-898-6061 articlesstpete.com

Artists of Elements

4746 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-420-7438 artistsofelements.com

ArtLofts (second floor)

Florida CraftArt Gallery 10 Fifth St. N, St. Pete 727-504-8788 theartlofts.com

Open ArtWalk or by appointment

ARTpool Gallery

2030 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-324-3878 artpoolrules.com

Open Wed.-Sun., noon-5pm

ArtsXchange 515 22nd St. S, St. Pete

Open Fri.-Sat., 11am-5pm warehouseartsdistrict.org

Atelier de SoSi

2380 Sixth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-370-4192 atelierdesosi.com

Brenda McMahon Gallery

2901 Beach Blvd. S #104 Gulfport 518-692-7742 brendamcmahongallery.com

Bula Barua

2534 Terminal Drive S, St. Pete 727-900-1063 bulagallery.com Blown glass on canvas

Chasen Galleries

1830 S Osprey Ave., Sarasota 941-260-5787 chasengalleries.com/sarasota

Chihuly Collection

720 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-822-7872 ext 5102 moreanartscenter.org

Clyde Butcher Galleries clydebutcher.com/galleries

Venice Gallery & Studio 237 Warfield Ave. S, Venice Big Cypress Gallery 52388 Tamiami Trail, Ochopee

Cobb Gallery

Eckerd College, Library Circle, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

5/5-17 – Eckerd Review: The Exhibition

Collectors Exchange Gallery 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Pete articlestpete.com Open Sat. 11am-5pm

Craftsman House

2955 Central Ave., St. Pete craftsmanhousegallery.com Gallery-Café-Pottery Studio

Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center

1846 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-825-0515 creativeclay.org

5/3 – May First Friday Art Market! 5/27 – The Good Folk Traveling Show 6/8 – June Artwalk

Creative Pinellas 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo 727-460-5477

Gallery noon-5pm Wed-Sun creativepinellas.org

5/7 – Fresh Ink

5/9-6/21 – 2024 Emerging Artists Exhibition

5/18 – Third Saturdays at Pinewood

6/4 – Fresh Ink

6/15 – Third Saturdays at Pinewood

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

Scan QR code for event listings online to go with you or online at paradisenewsfl.com/may-2024

Sign up to receive upcoming event e-news online at www.ParadiseNewsFL.com Like us on facebook.com/ParadiseNews

RECURRING EVENTS

First Fridays • 10am-2pm, Creative Clay Outdoor Art Market, 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg • 5-9pm, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Gulfport • 6-9pm, Concert in front of Studio Movie Grill, Seminole City Center, 11201 Park Blvd. N, Seminole

Last Friday • 6-9pm, live music at the John’s Pass Bell Tower, John’s Pass Boardwalk and Shopping Village, 12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach

1st Saturday • 8am Beach Cleanup, Archibald Park, 15100 Gulf Blvd. Mad. Beach.

2nd Saturday • 8:30am, Beach Cleanup. Municipal Pavilion, 11260 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 11185 Gulf Blvd.• The Market Marie,10am-3pm, Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater • 5-9pm, St. Pete Artwalk. Artists and gallery owners from 40 studios and galleries in five arts districts show off their latest works. Take the trolley, drive or park and walk. stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk

3rd Saturday • 10am-2pm, Crossroads Market, Crossroads Christian Church, 1645 Seminole Blvd., Largo • 10am-5pm, Creative Pinellas at Pinewood, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo • 5-9pm, Indie Faire, Beach Blvd., Gulfport. Outdoor, socially distanced event in Gulfport features local art, handmade crafts, jewelry, and pottery to locally sourced botanicals.

4th Saturday • Pinellas Arts Walk 4-8pm, Pinellas Arts Village Walk, 5600-5800 Park Blvd. (north side), Pinellas Park. Pinellas Park Art Society, Donnelly COVE, Complete Sweet Shoppe, Pompei Factory, Studios @5663, Painting with a Twist, Bottles Pub, and Swartz Gallery.

Crossroads Gallery

St. Petersburg College, 2464 Drew St., Clearwater spcollege.edu/friends-partners/ community-resources

Custom House Décor 2901 Beach Blvd., Gulfport 727-317-5936 customhousedecor.com

D Gallerie

1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Unit C, St. Pete d-gallerie.com

DRV Fine Art Studios & Gallery 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport drvgallery.com 5/3 – Plein Air Adventure Group Opening Reception 6-8pm 5/4-18 – Saturdays Plein Air Adventure Group Exhibition 1-4pm 5/18 – Creative Visual Games Workshop, 1-4pm, $35

Duncan McClellan Gallery 2342 Emerson Ave. S, St. Pete 813-760-6600 dmglass.com Through 5/12 –Tim Rawlinson/Kazuki Takizawa Through 6/24 – Ross Richmond Through 7/31 –Raven Skyriver & Kelly O’Dell Through 7/31 –Charlyn Reynolds Exhibition 5/11-7/31 – Rob Stern Exhibition 5/12 – Live Demonstrations & Lecture by Rob Stern 6/8-8/31 – It Figures: Body of Work

Dunedin Fine Art Center 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 727-298-3322 dfac.org Through 5/19 – #SMF Faculty

Ekeko Gallery

290 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St. N, St. Pete 727-685-5577 facebook.com/Ekeko-Gallery

Factory St. Pete

2622 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete thefactorystpete.com

5/15 – Art Salon 2: Contemporary Art 6/14-15 – Shades of Pride: LGBTQ+ Juneteenth Festival

Fairgrounds St. Pete

800 28th St. S, St. Pete Works by more than 60 local and international artists fairgrounds.art 5/4 – Mamapalooza

Five Deuces Gallerie 2101 Third Ave. S, St. Pete Open by appointment & Art Walk Facebook.com/five22222

Florida CraftArt Gallery

501 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-821-7391 floridacraftart.org

Sat. Mural Walk Through 5/12 – Animal Attraction

Gulf Coast Artists Alliance St. Pete ArtWorks, 2604 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-738-8010 gcaa-fl.org

5/11 – Art Show by Kevin Nodland

Heiress 2622 Fairfield Ave S, Bldg. 7, Studio A, St. Pete heiressgallery.com

Luis Sottil Studios

400 Beach Drive NE, Suite 150, St. Pete 727-220-1567 facebook.com/luissottilstpete

Mirella Cimato Art Gallery 2145 First Ave. S, St. Pete (inside St. Petersburg Opera) 727-543-9190 facebook.com/MirellaCimatoGallery

Nielsen Center for Visual Arts Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 800-454-9009 eckerd.edu/visualarts/program Senior Thesis Exhibitions Main Gallery Through 5/3: Alexx Carr 5/5-10 – Zoe Sabadish 5/12-17 – Zoe O’Brien

Elliot Gallery

Through 5/3 – Sydney Thuss 5/5-5/10 – Emma Kohanski 5/12-17 – Maggie Taishoff

Cobb Gallery

Through 5/3 – Daisy Tahan 5/5-17 – Eckerd Review: The Exhibition

Red Cloud Indian Arts

214 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-821-5824 redcloudindianarts.com Representing authentic Native American arts.

Soft Water Gallery

515 22nd St. S, St. Pete 727-327-3473 softwatergallery.com Through 6/1 – Topos 5/11-7/6 – Homecoming: New Work by John Hosford

SPACE

855 28th St. S, St. Pete Warehouse Arts District facebook.com/spacestpete

Stirling Art Studios & Gallery

730 Broadway (second floor) Studio 12, Dunedin 800-325-2050 facebook.com/StirlingArtDunedin Open Thurs-Sun, Second Saturdays

Syd Entel Galleries

247 Main St., Safety Harbor 727-725-1808 sydentelgalleries.com

The Domingo Studio

2620 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport 727-821-2315 facebook.com/The-Domingo-Studio

The Werk

2210 First Ave. S., St. Pete 727-289-8685 thewerk.gallery Through 5/12 – Spectrum

Uniquely Original Art Studio 915 24th St. S, St. Pete 727-239-3696 https://tinyurl.com/mrx4c253 Original Afrocentric art, open by appointment and during Art Walk

Vince Anthony Fine Art Gallery 10611 Bay Pines Blvd. #5, St. Pete 727-401-2886 fineartamerica.com/art/ vince+anthony

Wild Space Gallery

The Factory St. Pete, Bldg. 8 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Pete floridawildlifecorridor.org/ wild-space-gallery/ Through 5/25 – Genevieve Lykes Dimmitt and David Price: The Nature of Healing

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery

2323 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-254-6981 woodfieldfineart.com

ARTS PERFORMING

Amalie Arena

401 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-301-2500 amaliearena.com

5/9 – AJR

5/11 – We Them One’s ComedyTour

5/21 – Bad Bunny

5/24 – NF

5/31-6/1 – Kane Brown

6/4 – Luis Miguel

6/6 – Grupo Firme

6/8 – Megan Thee Stallion 6/14 – Justin Timberlake

American Stage

Raymond James Theatre

163 Third St. N, St. Pete

727-823-7529 americanstage.org

Through 5/5 – Disney’s Beauty & The Beast In the Park

5/15-6/16 – Hedwig and The Angry Inch (at Jannus Live)

Asolo Repertory Theatre

5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

800-361-8388 asolorep.org

5/8-6/9 – 12 Angry Men: A New Musical

Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

405 Cleveland St., Clearwater

727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com

5/3 – Emo Orchestra

5/4 – Taj Farrant

5/11 – Don McLean

5/17 – Queen: News of the World

5/18 – Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras

5/22 – Five for Fighting 5/24 – Saigon Kick

5/25-26 – Todd Rundgren

5/27 – Allman Betts Band

5/31 – Lee Asher

6/2 – Mr. Big

6/9 – Steve Earle (solo)

6/14 – John Hiatt

Bininger Theater for Performing Arts

Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 727-867-1166 eckerd.edu/theatre

5/2-3 – Student Showcase

Catherine Hickman Theater

5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1070 mygulfport.us

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ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

ONGOING

Through 5/5 – American Stage presents Disney’s Beauty & the Beast in the Park $28-$45, 7:30pm, at Demens Landing, Bayshore Drive and Second Ave. S. The classic fairy tale, as retold by Disney, with talking teapots and clocks, an emotionally stunted beast, and a determined princess. Sing along with the music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Tickets: www.americanstage.org/event-calendar

Through 6/23 – Live Conservation of 17th Century Spanish Tabernacle

Free with museum admission $12-$22, 10am-2pm, Tues.-Fri., Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, downtown St. Pete. This small, intensive exhibition focuses on the conservation of a gilded, painted, and carved tabernacle made in Northern Spain during the mid-1600s. The object preserves most of its original surface. However, over time, woodworms, daily use, and even changes in humidity and temperature have damaged the work. Conservationist Luis Seixas from Lisbon is undertaking the cleaning, consolidating, and restoring this precious artifact live within the Miriam Acheson Gallery. Special Saturday sessions 5/4 and 6/1,10am-noon.

UPCOMING

5/1 – St. Pete Library’s Outdoor Early Literacy Program

Free, 4:30-5:30pm, Family Park at the St. Pete Pier. Bring your blanket and be ready for free reading and music fun, for children of all ages!

5/4 – Derby at The Pier

$35 (general) to $5,000 (VIP), 3pm, Spa Beach Park, The St. Pete Pier, downtown St. Pete. Break out your derby hats, sundresses, seersucker suits and bow ties and sip on mint juleps and bourbon cocktails at the largest Kentucky Derby themed party in the area. Presented by 13 Ugly Men to benefit Academy Prep Center. Tickets and information: www.eventliveus.com/event/322385513-ugly-men-presents-derby-at-the-pier-2024

5/4 – Tampa Bay Chalk Festival

Free, 9:15am-4:30pm, 22nd Street S in St. Pete between Seventh Ave. S and Ninth Ave. S. The sidewalks of the Deuces will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colorful squares by chalk artists ranging from professionals to beginners. Hosted by the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project.

5/4 – WMNF Tropical Heatwave

$40, 6pm-1am, The Cuban Club, Ybor City, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba (14th St.), Tampa. This locally sponsored, annual music festival celebrates diversity in music, featuring independent artists and a variety of local musicians playing on four stages. Tickets are only available online or at the box office on the day of the show. Tickets: www.wmnf.org/wmnf-events/ tropical-heatwave-2024/thw-faqs/

Central Park

Performing Arts Center

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793 largoarts.com 5/3-12 – Sweeney Todd 5/4 – Heartbeat of the Earth 6/14 – Jen Kober

Early Bird Dinner Theater 13355 49th St. N, Clearwater 727-446-5898 earlybirddinnertheater.com/site 5/4-6/16 – Bell, Book and Candle by John Van Druten

Eckerd College International Film Series Free, 7pm, Miller Auditorium, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete 727-867-1166 www.eckerd.edu/ international-cinema 5/3 – A Still Small Voice (US)

Eight O’Clock Theatre

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793 eightoclocktheatre.com

5/3-12 – Sweeney Todd (at CPPAC)

Floridian Social

687 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-322-4600 thefloridiansocial.com 5/2 – Lady Gaga Drag Show w/ Adriana Sparkle 5/3 – The Spazmatics 5/4 & 7 – Reggae Rise Up 5/5 – Cinco de Mayo: Live Mariachi & Latin Music

5/9 – Mother’s Day 2/ Gloria West 5/11 – BYNX

Francis Wilson Playhouse 302 Seminole St., Clearwater 727-446-1360 franciswilsonplayhouse.org 5/2-19 – A Little Night Music

freeFall Theatre Company

6099 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-498-5205 freefalltheatre.com Through 5/12 –Nollywood Dreams

6/6-16 – You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown

Gulfport Casino

5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport 813-840-3715 mygulfport.us/recreation/casino

Weekly dancing/instruction

5/20 – USA DANCE presents Ballroom Dancing 5/25 – Salsa y Bachata Addicts 3rd Anniversary

Gulfport Community Players Back Door Theater 1619 49th St. S, Gulfport gulfportcommunityplayers.org

6/6-16 – And Baby Makes Seven (at Hickman Theatre)

Jannus Live

200 First Ave. N, St. Pete 727-565-0550 jannuslive.com

5/1 – Erra w/ Make Them Suffer, Void of Vision, Novelists

5/3 – Waxahatchee w/ Good Morning

5/4 – Chris Renzema

5/8 – Kurt Vile

5/9 – Queensryche

5/10 – Destroy Boys w/ Margaritas Podridas & Chokecherry

5/11 – Periphery

5/16 – Grateful Shred & Circles Around the Sun

5/17 – Rev. Horton Heat w/ The Surfrajettes

5/18 – The Beaches + G Flip

5/21 – Thievery Corp.

5/22 – Madison Beer

5/25 – Kamelot

5/28 – Joyner Lucas

6/6 – Hunxko

6/8 – Collie Buddz w/ Kash’d Out & Cloud 9 Vibes

6/13-16 – Hedwig & The Angry Inch

LAB Theater Project

812 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa 813-586-4272 labtheaterproject.com Produces only works from emerging playwrights. 5/2-19 – Fly Away Home by Gwendolyn Rice

M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa (Music Acting Dance Theatre of Tampa) @ The Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 madtheatre.com 6/14-29 – Urinetown (at The Straz)

Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton 941-748-5875

manateeperformingartscenter.com Through 5/12 – Kiss Me Kate 5/3-4 – Sancocho

5/11 – Celebrate Broadway!

Springs Musical Theatre Show

5/15-16 – Dramature’s

All-American Road Trip

5/18 – Art & Soul’s

7th Annual Recital

5/26 – International Ballet of Florida Presents

The Wizard of Oz

6/13-23 – Royal James Theater presents “Murder by the Book”

MIDFLORIDA

Credit Union – Amphitheatre

Florida State Fairgrounds

4802 US Hwy. 301 N, Tampa 813-740-2446

midflorida.com/amphitheatre

5/4 – Brooks & Dunn

5/10 – Chris Stapleton w/ Grace Potter & Nikki Lane

5/11– Hozier

5/22 – Dave Matthews Band

5/31 – Niall Horan

6/5 – Tyler Childers

6/14 – 21 Savage

National Theatre Live

Eckerd College, Miller Auditorium

4200 54th Ave. S, St. Pete Performances in HD http://tinyurl.com/y5fxrtc3

New Tampa Performing Arts Center

8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa 813-829-2760

newtampaartscenter.org

5/5 – South of the Border

5/10 – Tampa Bay Symphony: A British Fantasia

5/12 – Acme Jazz Garage

5/25 – Paw Patrol the Movie

Patel Conservatory

1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, Dance / Theater / Music / Adult Classes 813-222-1002 patelconservatory.org

Registering for summer camps

Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center

4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park 727-369-5746 pinellas-park.com/161/ Performing-Arts-Center.com

5/11 – Greggie & the Jets

Tribute to Elton John

Raymond James Stadium

4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa 813-350-6500 raymondjamesstadium.com

Riverwalk Tampa

thetampariverwalk.com

Second Sundays – 11am-3pm: Market + Art Walk, Armature Works

5/3 – Taste of the Riverwalk 2024 5/4 – Taco Fest

Ruth Eckerd Hall

1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 727-791-7400

rutheckerdhall.com

5/1 – TFO: Waltz Into Spring

5/2 – The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

5/3 – Indigo Girls

5/4 – David Spade

5/5 – TFO: Disco Fever

5/8 – Toto

5/10 – Steve Trevino

5/19 – TFO:

Elgar’s Enigma Variations

5/26 – TFO: Mahler Resurrection Symphony

6/1 – Hauser

6/2 – Happy Together Tour: The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues & The Cowsills

6/7 – Foghat, Cactus & Pat Travers Band

6/14-15 – Clearwater Smooth Jazz Jam

Safety Harbor

Art & Music Center

706 Second St. N, Safety Harbor

727-725-4018

safetyharborartand musiccenter.com

5/18 – Marlene Stovall spirit medium

Seminole Hard Rock

Hotel and Casino

5223 Orient Rd., Tampa 813-627-6649

seminolehardrocktampa.com

5/5 – The Offspring

5/15 – En Vogue

5/16-17 – Chippendales

5/19 – Vintage Culture

5/26 – Aly Sanchez

6/2 – Wayne Newton

6/12-13 – My Big Gay Italian Wedding

Skipper’s Smokehouse

910 Skipper Rd., Tampa

813-971-0668 skipperssmokehouse.com

5/17 – JT Curtis & The Florida Scoundrels

5/19 – Scratch My Back (benefits Friends of Hillsborough County Animal Services)

5/24 – Shemekia Copeland w/ Backtrack Blues Band

Serving the Beaches For 3 Generations PH. (727)367-1949 FX. (727)367-1304, (800)783-6929

2506 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 www.hurley-associates.com

email: info@hurley-associates.com

The Lincrest Apartments, $6,750,000

Call Frank T. Hurley Associates to get your Real Estate sales done!

Beach House Condominium, 3rd floor, 2 bedroom over looking the beach. $900,000

Annual Rentals available, 2 bedrooms, 1 or 2 bath, from $2000-$3100 a month. Pass-a-Grille area.

We are here to help with your rental and property management needs. Call us for an in home consultation about what we can do to help you make the most of your investment.

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

5/4-5 – Star Wars Virtual Fan Art Chart Art Event

Free, 7am Sat.-10pm Sun., virtual. In honor of Star Wars weekend, Studio M Art and The Veterans Art Center of Tampa Bay are sponsoring a nationwide, all-ages chalk art competition that anyone can participate in, from wherever they live. Time to use the force (and some chalk) and create your favorite images celebrating the galaxy far, far away. Prizes will be awarded to leveled categories. Details at www.studiomartfl.com/star-wars-chalk-art-event

5/9 – Mother’s Day with Gloria West & Swing Time

$10/$18 at door, 7-10pm, Floridian Social, 687 Central Ave., St. Pete. Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Floridian Social with live music from the talented Gloria West; free dance lessons from Swing Time at 6pm. Venue is 21+. General admission floor is standing room. General admission tickets at https://tinyurl.com/5ywcdxsh To reserve a VIP table, email concierge@thefloridiansocial.com.

5/9 – Florida West Coast Orchid Society meeting Free, 5:45pm, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N. Seminole. Dave Sorokowsky of Paph Paradise will speak on paphiopedilums. Beginner class 6-6:30pm; meeting 6:45pm. parnold3@tampabay.rr.com 727-475-0750

5/9-7/21 – 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition Free, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. An innovative exhibition of work showcasing the dynamic creations of this year’s 10 Emerging Artists grant recipients. Beginning 5/18 through June, on select dates, the artists will present talks about their art practice and exhibition collection. Talks schedule at www.creativepinellas.org/2024EAE

5/10-11 – St. Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival

$7 advance/ $10 day of, 13 and under free, 4-10pm Fri/ noon-8pm Sun, Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Drive NE, downtown St. Pete. A waterfront festival with tons of authentic tacos, premium margaritas and great live music. The festival will feature over 30 tacos vendors, many great margaritas and other cocktail options, mural artists, cold beer, games, prizes and much fun! Info and tickets: www.stpetetacos.com/index.html

5/25 – Anders Osborne Duo 5/31 – Dale Watson & His Lonestars

6/14 – Sunny Sweeney

Sparkman Wharf

615 Channelside Drive, Tampa

• Burger Fi

• Jotoro

• LightHaus

• Noblerice

• Splitsville

• Shortwave Coffee

* Whatever Pops sparkmanwharf.com

St. Petersburg City Theatre 4025 31st St. S, 727-866-1973 spcitytheatre.org

5/19 – Little Theatre presents Mystery Night

Stageworks Theater

1120 E Kennedy Blvd., West Bldg., #151, Tampa 813-374-2416 stageworkstheatre.org

Through 5/12 – Our Town 6/7-23 – Falsettos

Straz Center for the Performing Arts 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org

Through 5/5 – Peter Pan Through 5/26 – A BIPOC Play-Reading Series

5/3 – TFO: Disco Fever

5/4 – Beginning Dance 1 Recital 5/4 – Spring Into Dance 5/4 – Breakin’ Out 5/4-5 – If I Cry

5/5 – Tampa Bay Symphony 5/11-12 – Next Generation Ballet’s Giselle

5/11 – Heroes

5/12 – Mother’s Day Brunch 5/15-6/9 – The Smuggler: A Thriller in Verse 5/16 – Kathy Griffin 5/17 – TFO: Elgar’s Enigma Variations

5/18-19 – Kevin Hart

5/21 – Dementia Man 5/22 – Arts & Mind Village Convening 5/23 – Voices of the Community Town Hall

5/28-6/2– Clue 6/9 – Bluey’s Big Play 6/11-16 – Les Miserables 6/14-29 – Urinetown Riverwalk Stage (6-9pm, free)

5/11 – Taylor Reed 5/31 – Eliana Blanchard 6/12 – Adam Ezra Group

Studio Grand Central 2260 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-202-7019 theoffcentral.com

5/4, 11, 18, 25 –May Comedy Series

Sunshine City Comedy Club 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-435-0327

sunshinecitycomedyclub.com

Tampa Theatre 711 N Franklin St. Tampa tampatheatre.org

813-274-8286

One of America’s most elaborate movie palaces

5/4 – Star Wars: A New Hope (film) 5/4 – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (film) 5/4 – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (film) 5/13 – Triple 7 (film)

5/11 – Roy Woods Jr. 5/19 – Kung Fu Panda (film) 5/19 – Food Roots (film) 6/8 – Ali Siddiq

Tarpon Springs Cultural Center 101 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

5/3-5, 10-12 – Always A Bridesmaid: A Comedy by Jones, Hope, Wooten

Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center

324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

5/18 – Kiss Me Once: Stories from the Homefront w/ Kathy Kaefer 6/1 – Six One Five Collective 6/8 – Cathy Ladman 6/15 – The Edge Effect

The Mahaffey Theater 400 First St. S, St. Pete 727-300-2000 themahaffey.com

5/1 – Jack Hartmann & The Hop 2 It Band

5/2 – TFO: Waltz Into Spring

5/3-5 – Shen Yun

5/6 – Jacob Collier

5/7 – Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr. 5/10 – Sting w/ The Florida Orchestra 5/11 – Chris D ‘Elia

5/16 – TFO:

Inside Elgar’s Enigma Variations

5/17 – One Night of Queen

5/18 – TFO: Elgar’s Enigma Variations

5/21 – BAM: Safety First

5/23 – TFO: Inside Mahler’s

Resurrection Symphony

5/25 – TFO: Mahler’s

Resurrection Symphony

5/29 – Mike Birbiglia

6/2 – A&G Dance Academy

The Palladium

253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Pete 727-822-3590 mypalladium.org

5/1 – Palladium Chamber Series

5/4-5 – St. Petersburg Ballet Company

5/7, 12 – Tampa Bay Symphony: A British Fantasia

5/9 – A Night of Funk Fusion: The J-Rod Sullivan Band ft. Kyle Schroeder

5/16 – Swinging Down Broadway

5/24 – Synia Carroll album release

5/25 – Fred Astaire Dance Studio: The Great Movie Ride

5/26 – St. Pete Pride Pageant

6/7, 9, 11 – St. Pete Opera: Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor

The Baycare Sound Coachman Park

301 Drew St., Clearwater 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com

5/4 – Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles

5/9 – Diana Ross

The Studio@620

620 First Ave. S, St. Pete 727-895-6620 thestudioat620.org

Masks requested while in building Through 5/5 – Hamlet620

5/9 – Radio Theatre Project Reunion & Celebration

5/11-25 – PLUS: A Group Art Exhibition

5/14 – Blah Blah Blah Literary Open Mic

5/21 – The Sokolowski Trombone Project

5/25 – Orilla: Con Alma

6/1 – Resilient Reflections Opening Celebration

USF Yuengling Center 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa 813-974-3111 yuenglingcenter.com

5/6 – Sleep Token w/ Empire State Bastard

5/18 – Amon Amarth

6/9 – The Kid Lardi

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

941-953-3368 vanwezel.org

5/1 – George Thorogood & The Destroyers

5/4 – The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

5/5 – Kenny G

5/10 – One Night of Queen 5/11 – Jimmy Failla

5/24 – Friday Fest: Hot Tonic Orchestra

6/2 – Celtic Throne

West Coast Players

21905 US 19 N, Clearwater 727-437-2363 wcplayers.com

Through 5/12 – Exit Laughing

6/7-23 – Love/Sick

Zubrick Magic Theatre

1211 First Ave N, Suite 101, St. Pete. Thur.-Sat. 7pm; Sun. 2pm 866-ZUBRICK (866-982-7425) zubrickmagic.com

MUSEUMS

Florida Holocaust Museum

55 Fifth St. S, St. Pete 727-820-0100 flholocaustmuseum.org

5/6 – Yom

HaShoah Commemoration

5/22 – Rays Up Night: First Pitch & Benefit Game vs. Boston Red Sox

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa 813-221-2222 fmopa.org Through 5/19 – Gary Monroe: Life on South Beach –1977-1986 Through 7/7 – Joel Meyerowitz: Confluence, 1964-1984 On View

Glazer Children’s Museum 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-443-3851 glazermuseum.org

Created specifically for children 10 and under.

Great Explorations

Children’s Museum

1925 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-821-8992 greatex.org

First Sun. of month open special hours for special needs families. Families with a SNAP, EBT, or WIC card get in free every Tues. Limited hours.

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

5/11 – Mother’s Day Market at 3 Daughters Brewing Free admission, noon-6pm, 3 Daughters Brewing, 2100 Second Ave. S, St Petersburg. Shop the annual Mother’s Day Market, with more than 50 local vendors selling artwork, jewelry, candles, plants, cooking supplies, sauces, clothing and so much more!

5/12 – Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner

11am-3pm, Bascom’s Chop House, 3665 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat Mom and the family to a wonderful meal at Bascom’s, which will be serving a special brunch menu. Dinner menu will be available all day.

5/12 – Mother’s Day Brunch/Dinner Cruise

$105.09, 10:30am/2:30pm, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Treat mom to an unforgettable Mother’s Day cruise aboard Yacht StarShip! Indulge in a delicious brunch buffet prepared by our executive chef while enjoying the vibrant beats from a DJ and soaking in the breathtaking views of downtown Tampa on the top deck. Call 813-223-7999 to book. Dinner cruise boards at 6pm. https://tinyurl.com/7t9jz9sx

5/12 – Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

$86 (adult), 11am-3pm, Tradewinds Island Resorts, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Here’s a toast to Mom! The Grand Palm Colonnade will offer a decadent brunch buffet. See full brunch details and menu at www.tradewindsislandresorts.ticketspice.com/mothers-day

5/12 – Mother’s Day Wheel Try It Experience

$38, 10am-8pm, Practically Pikasso, 6850 Central Ave., Suite A, St. Pete. Each session is a 1-hour pottery wheel introduction for up to four guests. Studio will walk you through the steps of making a simple pot and getting the feel of the wheel. Ticket per person includes one-hour session, one finished piece to be fired and glazed, digital images of session text or airdropped to you the same day Reserve preferred time slot at www.practicallypikasso.com

Gulf Beaches Historical Museum

115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-552-1610

gulfbeachesmuseum.com

Gulfport History Museum 5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-201-8687

gulfporthistoricalsociety.org 5/17 – Good Day Sunshine State: How the Beatles Rocked Florida

Henry Plant Museum

401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-254-1891 plantmuseum.com

Live classical music performances every third Thur. Most Sundays – Upstairs/ Downstairs at the Tampa Bay Hotel Through 12/23 – Imperfect Harmony: Man, Machine, and Music at the Tampa Bay Hotel

Heritage Museum

100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

History and culture of the Greek community 5/21 – Anclote Key Lighthouse: A Historical Monument Three Miles Offshore

Imagine Museum

1901 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-300-1700 imaginemuseum.com

Contemporary American Studio Glass. Thur. $5 after 5pm 5/10 – Debbie Arambula: The Heart’s Kaleidoscope –An Artist’s Journey to Celebrate Love (reception)

John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road., Sarasota 941-359-5700 ringling.org Mon. – Free admission all day Thurs. – Art After 5 Through 5/19 – Watermelon Regatta (restored) Through 6/2 – Michele Oka Doner: The True Story of Eve Through 6/23 – Mountains of the Mind: Scholar’s Rocks from China & Beyond Through 6/27 – Joseph’s Coat: A Skyscape by James Turrell Through 1/5/25 –Shinique Smith: Parade

Through 9/21/25 –Embodied: Highlights from The Ringling Collection Through 8/25 – Photographs of the Traveling Circus & Carnival Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art 600 E Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs 727-712-5762 leeparattner.org

Through 5/5 – Pinellas County Schools Student Show 5/18-8/4 – Interwoven 5/18-8/4 – Florence Putterman: With Love

Museum of the American Arts And Crafts Movement

355 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-440-4859 museumaacm.org

Sun. Film Series – 12:30/2pm Daily Arts and Crafts-inspired films Through 6/2 – Masterpieces: Extraordinary Works from the Two Roses Foundation

Museum of Fine Arts

255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-894-4368 mfastpete.org Thur. $10 after 5pm Registration for summer camps now open

Through 6/23 – Live Conservation: Restoring a 17th century Spanish Tabernacle Through 6/30 –Claudia Pena Salinas 5/18-9/15 – Lizzi Bougatsos & Lonnie Holley: Never the Same Song

Palm Harbor Museum 2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor 727-724-3054 palmharbormuseum.com Thur.-Sat. 10am-2pm

Safford House Museum 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs 727-942-5805 tarponarts.org Restored 1883 Victorian home

St. Petersburg Museum of History

335 Second Ave. NE 727-894-1052 spmoh.com

5/19 – Historic Boat Tour

Happy Hour with the Historian 5/9 –Dr. Tim Spofford: Education for all – 70 Years after Brown v. Board of Education

6/13 – Dr. David Head: Britain’s Colonies Lost – The Revolution in Florida

Sarasota Art Museum

1001 S Tamiami Trail, 941-309-4300 sarasotaartmuseum.org Through 7/7 –Contemporary Artists of the Hermitage Artist Retreat Through 9/29 –The Truth of the Night Sky: Anne Patterson & Patrick Harlin Through 4/26/26 –Molly Hatch: Amalgam

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre, Pinellas Park. 727-579-8226 tbauto.org

Tampa Bay History Center

801 Old Water St., Tampa 813-226-0097 tampabayhistorycenter.org Walking tours of Tampa neighborhoods Through 7/14 –Decade of Change: Florida Through 7/14 –Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s

Tampa Museum of Art

120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-259-1720 tampamuseum.org Thur. 4-8pm: pay-as-you-will admission. Enrollment open for summer camps Through 5/19 –Pepe Mar: Myth and Magic Through 6/23 –Reframing Haitian Art Through 7/28 – Works from the collection of Norma Canelas Roth and William Roth Through 9/1 – The Last Picture Show: Paintings by Rod Penner

Tarpon Springs Railroad Depot Historical Museum Free. 160 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs 727-943-4624 tarponspringsarea historicalsociety.org

The Dalí Museum One Dali Blvd., St. Pete 727-823-3767 thedali.org Thur. and Fri. reduced admission after 5pm Advanced-purchase timed tickets recommended

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Ave., St. Pete 727-892-4200 thejamesmuseum.org Tues. $10 all day

Through 5/26 – Masterworks from the Rijksmuseum Twenthe & the National Museum of Wildlife Art

USF Contemporary Art Museum

Institute for Research in Art 3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa 813-974-3503 ira.usf.edu

5/14-18 –Breaking Barriers: Portrait

USF Graphicstudio

3702 Spectrum Blvd., Ste 100, Tampa 813-974-3503, free admission graphicstudio.usf.edu/GS/ gs_about.html

Woodson African American Museum of Florida

2240 Ninth Ave. S, St. Pete 727-323-1104 woodsonmuseum.org

One City Chorus – Mon. 7pm Through May – Sister Gertrude Morgan: A Ministry of Divergence 5/8 – Sit a Spell Conversations: Black Voices in the Humanities 5/13 – May’s “Can We Talk” Book Discussion

MUSIC

Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

Jazz Jam, Mon., 7-9pm, Hangar Restaurant, 540 First St. SE, St. Pete, aldowningjazz.com

New Horizons Band of Gulfport Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-345-0285 newhorizonsbandgulfport.org Novice, intermediate musicians

School of Rock St. Petersburg 2401 Central Ave., 727-871-7625 schoolofrock.com

Guitar, drum, singing, keyboard/ piano lessons

WASH - DRY - FOLD

Cushions, bedding, pillows, rugs & much more!

• Dry Cleaning

• Wash-Dry-Fold

• Alterations

• Shoe & Handbag Repair

• Patio/Boat Cushion Cleaning

1120 Pinellas Bayway South, #204 • Tierra Verde, FL 33715 www.DavidStrickler.com • Email: djscpa1@aol.com 1120 Pinellas Bayway South, #204 • Tierra Verde, FL 33715 www.DavidStrickler.com • Email: djscpa1@aol.com

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

5/19 – St. Petersburg Museum of History Historic Boat Tour

$40 members/$45, 10am-noon, leaves Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center dock at the St. Pete Pier. The two-hour tour highlights how a cast of colorful characters turned a sleepy fishing village into a world-famous tourist destination and learn what happened to the Tampa Bay ecosystem as a result. Travels along the waterfront from Snell Isle to Coquina Key. Seating limited to 40. www.spmoh.com/event/historic-boat-tour-8

5/26 – Mx. St Pete Pride Pageant 2024

$20-$50, 5-11pm, The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Pete. The Mx. St. Pete Pride Pageant is St. Pete Pride’s annual contest to select Mr., Miss, and Mx. winners who will represent St. Pete Pride during its 2024 Pride Season. Special guest judge Alyssa Edwards. Tickets: www.mypalladium.org/events/mx-st-pete-pride-pageant

6/1 – 8th Annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

10am-1:30pm, 6312 Dartmouth Ave. N, St. Pete. Caroline Gallagher’s C&C Lemonade Factory’s eighth annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser coincides with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s Lemonade Days nationwide event. Activities include face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy and popcorn, and a donor raffle. One hundred percent of all donations support childhood cancer with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

6/1 – Gulfport Pride

Free admission and parking.

10am-8pm, downtown Gulfport Waterfront District. In addition to 130-plus local makers and small businesses, many businesses along Beach and Shore boulevards are planning live music, “fun-raisers,” and more fun and games. There’s even a local business décor contest! Plus, two main stages and, of course, a marching band.

6/1-23 – Sarasota Music Festival

Prices vary by concert and venue, at Holley Hall and Sarasota Opera House. The 2024 Festival celebrates six decades of bringing some of the world’s greatest musicians and teachers together with younger colleagues, to share their wisdom and experience in an intensive three weeks of non-stop learning and music-making. Tickets at www.sarasotaorchestra.org/festival

South Pasadena Community Band 727-515-5407 southpasadenaband.com All-volunteer band 5/23 – Free Concert, S. Pasadena City Hall

St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus Music Center 6605 Fifth Ave. N, 727-341-4360 spcollege.edu/events

Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society Cove Cay Golf Club 2612 Cove Cay Drive, Clearwater sdjs2022.org 5/19 – Davy Jones Hot Jazz Orchestra

Tampa Bay Symphony Performances in various locations 727-827-8087

tampabaysymphony.org 5/5-12 – A British Fantasia

• 5/5 -Straz Center

• 5/7 & 12 – Palladium

• 5/10 – New Tampa Performing Arts Center

TomKats Jazz Orchestra The Blue Parrot Mon. 7-9:30pm 85 Corey Circle, St. Pete Beach tomkatsjazzorchestra.com

OPERA

Opera Tampa at Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org

Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave., 941-328-1300 sarasotaopera.org

St. Pete Opera 2145 First Ave. S, 727-823-2040 stpeteopera.org Various performance locations 6/7-11 – Lucia Di Lammermoor (Palladium)

St. Petersburg Opera Guild stpeteoperaguild.org

The Pinellas Opera League Thur.: Opera at the Dali pinellasoperaleague.com

ECO

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Pete 727-893-7326 stpeteparksrec.org/ boydhillpreserve

Closed Mon.

Environmental education center, Terry Tomalin Campground, Pinellas Pioneer Settlement

Brooker Creek Preserve 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs 727-453-6800 brookercreekpreserve.org Tram Tours Sat.

Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-552-1862 pinellascounty.org/park Campgrounds, ferry services to Egmont and Shell Keys.

Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

700 Second Ave. NE, at The St. Pete Pier 727-291-4103 tbwdiscoverycenter.org

Daily boat tours of Tampa Bay ecosystem

Weedon Island Preserve 1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Pete 727-453-6500 weedonislandpreserve.org

Guided hikes, birding, and photography tours. Archaeology lectures, classes and webinars.

GARDENS

Florida West Coast Orchid Society

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N, Seminole 727-420-7230 fwcos.org

Garden Club of St. Petersburg

500 Sunset Dr. S, 727-381-8920 gardenclubstpetersburg.org

Ikebana International

500 Sunset Drive, St. Pete (Garden Club building) ikebanastpetersburg.com

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

1534 Mound St., Sarasota 941-366-5731 selby.org

Through 6/30 – Yayoi Kusuma: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe Through 8/31 – Clyde Butcher: Nature Through The Lens

Pinewood Cultural Park 12520 Ulmerton Road, and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo Heritage Village pinellas.gov/parks/heritage-village

Creative Pinellas –creativepinellas.org 5/9-7/21 –

2024 Emerging Artists Exhibition

Florida Botanical Gardens –Free 100-acre park flbg.org Third Saturday – Gardens open 7am-5pm; Creative Pinellas open noon-5pm; Heritage Village open 10am-4pm

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Pete Adult and child classes sunkengardens.orgjhyy6

FERRIES

Crossbay Ferry

Connecting Downtown Tampa to Downtown St. Pete Wed.-Sun. through May 727-273-5932 thecrossbayferry.com

Egmont Key Ferry

Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

Shell Key Ferry Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

See website for overnight camping

LIBRARIES

Gulf Beaches Public Library 200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach 727-391-2828 gulfbeacheslibrary.org

Gulfport Public Library 5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1074 mygulfport.us/gpl

St. Pete Beach Public Library

365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-363-9238

Mon/Wed 10-8

Tues/Thurs/Fri 10-6

Sat 10-2; Sun closed

See spblibrary.com for daily events 5/8 – Veterans History Project Information Session 1pm 5/15 – Documentary, 5pm 5/17 – Meet the Author: Bozena Gasior - “I Heard the Light: A mother’s story of her son’s journey through autism to self- expression” Noon 5/27 – Library Closed (Memorial Day)

President Barack Obama

Main Library

3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Pete 727-893-7724 splibraries.org

Closed for renovation.

SPIRITUAL

Sacred Lands

1700 Park St. N, St. Pete 727-347-0354

sacredlandspreservation.org

Drum circle first Fri.; Sun. tours, meditations, special events

Soothe Our Souls (S.O.S.)

4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-360-7411

sootheoursouls.org

Provides complimentary sailing for seriously health-challenged people and their support groups

Spiritual Conditioning Program

153 107th Ave., Treasure Island

Pat Jano at 727-324-9222

Small group Bible study

ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 727-441-1790 cmaquarium.org

Rescue, rehab and release Home of Winter and Hope, stars of Dolphin Tale I & II

Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-273-4000 flaquarium.org

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota 941-388-4441 mote.org

PRIDE KICK-OFF

By Peter Roos

The St. Pete Pride month-long festival is back in its full splendor celebrating its 22nd anniversary year led by one of the most diverse boards in the organization’s history. Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, business owner/ consultant, LGBTQ+ advocate, and president is the first black president for Florida’s largest Pride celebration. www.stpetepride.org

“Being the first Black president is indeed a big deal,” he says. “I also want to acknowledge that we have further to go!”

The festival kicks off on May 26 with the St. Pete Pride Pageant at The Palladium. Here are some highlights of this year’s celebration:

May 26: 2nd Annual Mx St. Pete Pride Pageant (The Palladium)

June 1: St Pete Pride 22nd Season Kick-Off Party (Grand Central District)

Date TBD: Stonewall Reception

June 8: LGBTQ+ Youth & Family Day (North Straub Park)

June 14 & 15: Shades of Pride Festival: An LGBTQ+ Juneteenth Celebration (The Factory)

Date TBD: Get Nude: Nothing But Your Flag!

Date TBD: Transtastic Celebration

Date TBD: Shades of Pride

June 21: Friday Night Concert (Jannus Live)

June 22: St Pete Pride Parade, TransMarch & Festival (North & South Straub Park)

June 23: St. Pete Pride Street Fair (Grand Central District)

Mx. St Pete Pride Pageant 2024 @ The Palladium May 26 | 5-11:00pm | COST TBD

St. Pete Pride is thrilled to announce the return of the Mx St. Pete Pride Pageant!!! Join them on May 26 to celebrate the incredible talent of our local LGBTQIA+ community and to honor the artistry, beauty, passion, and commitment of our 2023 Court. Be a part of the step down performances of Mr. St. Pete Pride 2023, Mr. Vyn Suazion, Miss St. Pete Pride 2023, Ceazia Giovanni Kreshe, and St. Pete Pride’s 1st Mx St. Pete Pride, Kamarion Lavish.

If you’re interested in sponsoring the Mx St. Pete Pride Pageant or looking for more information on sponsorship, please email sponsorship@stpetepride.com

For more information on becoming a contestant in the Mx St. Pete Pride Pageant, please email pageant@stpetepride. com. Contestant Registration is now open for alternates currently. To access the Mx. St. Pete Pride Contestant Registration Packet, go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/ 1saKJTFs0piOhHJzL3KsWcIO7u0JEZbAG/view

dr. Byron green-caliSch

By ryanS williamS-JenT

ARTS & LEISURE

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-391-6211 seasideseabirdsanctuary.org Free. Donations accepted. Tours. 5/11 – World Migratory Bird Day

ZooTampa at Lowry Park 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa 813-935-8552 zootampa.org

CLUBS-SERVICE/SOCIAL

Gulfport Lions Club

Second and fourth Tues. 6:30pm Gulfport Lions Clubhouse 4630 Tifton Dr. S, Gulfport 727-709-6694 facebook.com/Gulfport-Lions-Club

Pass-A-Grille Shuffleboard

January through March Tues./Thurs./Sat., 10am–noon Pass-A-Grille Park, Ninth & 10th Ave. Member $20/yr., open to public.

Preserve The ‘Burg 727-824-7802 preservetheburg.org

Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches Tues., Noon. VFW, 12901 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach facebook.com/RotaryGulfBeaches/

Second Saturday Singers

Second Sat. 9am–noon, Oct-April Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th St. S, St. Pete bobd@pccumc.org

St. Petersburg Audubon Society 727-753-9731 stpeteaudubon.org

St. Petersburg Chess Club

540 Fourth Ave. N, St. Pete Open every Fri. for members 6-11pm; Sun. 2-4pm group lessons and friendly games. chessclubjoy.webs.com

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club 559 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Pete Fri., 7-10pm, Free. stpeteshuffle.com

Suncoast Bonsai Society

Seminole Recreation Center 9100 113th St. Third Sat. 10am suncoastbonsaisociety.org

Suncoast Quilting Circle

Works to preserve and promote the art of quilt making. suncoastquiltingcircle.org

Swiss Club St. Petersburg Welcomes new members. Inquire via website: SwissClubStPetersburg.com

Tampa Bay Surface Guild

Good Samaritan Church

6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Second Mon., 6:30-8:30pm Coloring, patterning, structuring and transformation of fabric, fiber, and other materials surfacedesignguild.com

The Contemporaries

Support group of Members of Museum of Fine Arts. Monthly lectures, gatherings and field trips supporting contemporary artists of Tampa Bay. mfastpete.org

Treasure Island

Historical Society

Treasure Island Community Center Garden Room, 154 106th Ave. Sept.-April, Second Mon., 5pm facebook.com/ treasureislandFLhistoricalsociety

Treasure Islettes

Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave. Bingo Thursdays 6:30pm treasureislettes.weebly.com Supports charity and college scholarships.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach

Safe Boating Program, Tues. 7pm Warren Webster Building, wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=070-07-08

Tampa Bay Women In Tourism Third Fri. various venues. tampabaywomenintourism.com

CLUBS – ATHLETIC

Clearwater/St. Petersburg Ski Club

Mike’s Pizza & Deli Station, 13560 49th St., Clearwater. Second Tues. 6:30pm, Sept.-May. 727-743-3108 snowshark.org Pinellas County’s only ski club.

Mad Dogs Triathlon Club

Wed. night swims through summer, 6pm, Hurley Park Shelter, Pass-AGrille Beach. stpetemaddogs.org

Tampa Bay Beach Bums

Gulfport 727-437-2867

https://tinyurl.com/5n8s8f2k

St. Pete Road Runners

Walkers, joggers, non-competitive & competitive runners. facebook. com/StPeteRoadRunners

HEALTH

Jazzercise Exercise Classes

Treasure Island City Hall, Mon. & Wed. 5:30pm 727-687-6695 https://tinyurl. com/43caxjwr

Wednesday Walkers

Second and fourth Wed. 9am, varying locations. 727-893-1244. Sponsored by Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport

THRIFT SHOPS

Anona Thrift Shoppe

12025 Indian Rocks Road, Largo Mon., Wed.-Sat. 10am-3pm handsofhealinginc.org/thrift-shoppe

Attic Shoppe

316 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach facebook.com/albansministry

CASA Thrift Shop 1011 First Ave. N, St. Pete casa-stpete.org

Creative Thrift Art Store

(at Creative Clay)

1846 First Ave. S, St. Pete creativeclay.org/creative-thrift

HEP Thrift Store

1212 N Betty Lane, Clearwater Facebook.com/hepthriftstore

Pass-A-Grille Beach Community

Church Thrift Shop

107 16th Ave. & Pass-A-Grille Way, Tues., Thurs., Sat. 9am-noon pagchurch.org

St. Vincent’s Thrift Store

180 34th St. N, St. Pete https://tinyurl.com/yc4kjb2u

Church by the Sea Thrift Store

495 137th Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach

Tues., Thurs., Sat. 10am-2pm churchbythesea.com/thrift-store

VOLUNTEERING

AARP

Various volunteer opportunities aarp.org/giving-back

Daystar Life Center 1055 28th St. S., St. Pete Needs volunteers 727-825-0442 facebook.com/DaystarLifeCenter

Empath Health Suncoast Hospice Training provided empathhealth.org

Friends of St. Pete Beach Library 727-363-9238 stpetebeachfriends@gmail.com

Friends of Strays

2911 47th Ave. N, St. Pete 727-522-6566 Nonprofit, no-kill shelter friendsofstrays.com/home

Hope Villages of America, Inc. 727-587-7747 rcspinellas.org/Volunteer

Keep Pinellas Beautiful

Conducts regular and frequent cleanup events. kpbcares.org/upcoming-events

Marine Exploration Center Needs volunteers 727-209-7115 mecstpete.org

Meals on Wheels

13945 Evergreen Ave., Clearwater Needs volunteer drivers. 727-573-9444 neighborly.org

State of Florida

Guardian ad Litem Program

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of FL, 14250 49th St. N, Suite 4000, Clearwater. guardianadlitem.org

By Peter Roos

THE BROWN PELICAN Green back minnows have been everywhere lately, and the brown pelicans have been entertaining us while getting their fill.

The brown pelican is a seabird, spending most of its time on or near the ocean. This species feeds on fish and has a very unique way of foraging. Unlike other pelican species, who work in flocks to corral their prey, brown pelicans hunt alone. They dive head first into the water from heights as great as 50 feet (15.2 meters) to scoop up fish near the surface. Once they capture the fish, they tip their head upward or to the side to drain the water from their bill pouch. Though it looks as if the pelican submerges itself in the water during the dive, they usually remain on or near the surface of the water.

Brown pelicans inhabit beaches, sandbars, docks, dredge spoil islands, estuarine islands, mangrove islands, sand spits, and islets on both coasts of North and South America. Along the Pacific side, the species can be found from British Columbia to the southern tip of South America; on the Atlantic side, they can be found from Maryland to South America. In Florida, brown pelicans are widespread along the coast and can be seen inland during the non-breeding season.

Females lay between one and three white eggs, and incubation can take up to 30 days. Both adults incubate and feed the nestlings, which remain in or near the nest for approximately 70 days. Brown pelicans become sexually mature between the age of three and five years old.

Brown pelican populations suffered a severe decline during the 1960s and 1970s due to the effects of DDT. The population has rebounded since DDT was banned. Today, the main threats are habitat degradation, sea level rise, pollution, and the destruction of coastal wetlands. Increased coastal development may increase the presence of predators that will feed on pelican young and eggs, including rats, raccoons, opossums, crows, feral hogs, and coyotes.

www.seasideseabirdsanctuary.org

ARTS & LEISURE

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

100 Second Ave. N, Suite 150 727-754-6404 stpeteartsalliance.org

St. Petersburg Free Clinic 863 Third Ave. N stpetersburgfreeclinic.org

Tampa Bay Estuary Program

263 13th Ave. S., Suite 350 St. Pete 727-893-2765 tbep.org/get-involved/volunteer

Tampa Bay Watch 3000 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde tampabaywatch.org

YOGA

Beach Yoga Pinellas Beachyogapinellas.com

Salty Souls Yoga saltysoulsyoga.com

Silver Sneakers Yoga Community Center, St. Pete Beach Fri. 11:15am spbrec.com

South Pasadena Yoga

• Gentle Yoga: Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am

• Yoga Flow: Thursdays, 10:40-11:40am South Pasadena City Hall 7047 Sunset Drive S barbmoeller1@gmail.com

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Pete 727-560-7317 Mon. & Wed. 10:30am

Sunset Yoga at The St. Pete Pier

First Wed. 7-8pm. Free https://tinyurl.com/3m2wbmc6

The Centre of St. Pete Beach 7525 Blind Pass Road, 727-258-2001 thecentreSPB.com/calendar1

Yoga at The Dali Dali Museum, third Sun., 9-10am https://tinyurl.com/bd6e88mz

MARKETS

TUESDAYS

Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market

9am-3pm, Oct. through April 9am-2pm, May through Sept. Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S, First Tues. Clothing Swap: Russian Club, 2920 Beach Blvd. S visitgulfportflorida.com

WEDNESDAYS

Madeira Beach Market Nov.-May 10am-3pm 15000 Madeira Way

FRIDAYS

Sunset Market

First and third Fri. nights, 5-10pm, parking lot of Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Pete.

Creative Clay Outdoor

Art Market

First Fridays, 10am-2pm 1846 First Ave. S, St. Pete

Treasure Island Friday Market Dec.-April, 9am-2pm Community Center Park islandneighborschamber.org

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Dunedin Downtown Market

9am-1pm, Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Fri. market Nov.-May until 2pm; Sat. market year-round.

SATURDAYS

Crossroads Market

Third Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Crossroads Christian Church 1645 Seminole Blvd., Largo

St. Petersburg

Saturday Morning Market Oct.-May, 9am-2pm Al Lang Stadium parking lot, 230 First St. SE

June-Sept. 9am-1pm, Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N saturdaymorningmarket.com

The Market Marie

Second Saturdays, 10am-3pm

Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater Mezzo Market

One Saturday a month Oct.-May, Baum Avenue between Intermezzo Coffee & Green Bench Brewing, St. Pete intermezzo.co/mezzo-market

SUNDAYS

49th Street Makers/Growers Market

First Sunday, 10am-2pm Red Feather Studios, 1301 49th St. S, Gulfport

Corey Avenue Sunday Market 10am-2pm/June-Oct. 9am-1pm Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach coreyave.com

Indian Shores Sunday Market Nov.-April, 9am-1pm

Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores facebook.com/ IndianShoresSundayMarket/

St. Pete Sunday Market Third Sun. of the month, 12-4pm Arts Xchange 515 22nd St. S, St. Pete

Sunday Market St. Pete Weekly, 10am-2pm, St. Petersburg High School, 2501 Fifth Ave. N

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

Art Mart at Pass-a-Grille Sat. & Sun., 9am-2pm (+ Fridays through April) 900 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach

Tampa Bay Markets, who ran the Corey Ave. Sunday Market for eight years until last fall, operates a new Sunday outdoor market Sunday 10am-2 pm on the campus of the historic St. Petersburg High School, 2501 Fifth Ave. N. If you miss some of the vendors that used to be at the Corey Sunday Market, you will likely find them there.

More than 75 vendors line Devil’s Drive, winding through the campus of St. Pete High, for this weekly market event. Sunday Market St. Pete showcases vendors who offer farm-fresh produce, multi-cultural foods, innovative arts, hand-made crafts, sustainable, eco-friendly products, and wellness services. Tampa Bay Markets curates the vendor assortment to also include artisanal product offerings such as sauces, jams, baked goods, and pet treats alongside fresh produce, plants, honey, and eggs.

The new market also features live local music each week, with a spotlight on artists with an array of up-tempo musical styles. Enjoy while you shop, snack, and socialize.

For residents and visitors on the beach, head over to Madeira Beach Market on Wednesdays 10am-2pm, grab lunch at one of the Market’s delicious food vendors and enjoy the live music.

Each event is in pedestrian-friendly, outdoor locations that can host a minimum of 50-100+ vendors that sell only fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted, fair trade, vintage and eco-friendly products. www.tampabaymarkets.com

In 2024, Tampa Bay Markets is partnering with Fulfill Your Destiny to bring four quarterly grant opportunities to their vendor community. The grant applications are open to small businesses who participate with Tampa Bay Markets in the outdoor markets and events they operate across Tampa Bay. Jeff Goble’s D.O.L. Woodwork, a Disabled Veteran-Owned small woodworking business, will receive a $1,000 Business Builder Grant award from the Fulfill Your Destiny organization on Saturday, May 4, at Tampa Bay Markets’ Fresh Market at Wiregrass.

The award ceremony will take place at 10:30am at the market’s music stage area located at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel.

Award recipient Jeff Goble retired as a Green Beret colonel after a 31-year Army career, deciding to pursue a new area of expertise with D.O.L. Woodcraft. Goble says, “D.O.L. stands for De Opresso Liber, Latin for ‘To free the oppressed,’ the motto of my Special Forces regiment. I thought it fitting to take a piece of my military life with me on this new journey. The grant will put my savings for a commercial jointer machine over the top.”

The remaining $1,000 Business Builder grants will be awarded in July, September and December through the Fulfill Your Destiny competitive grants program.

For more information visit: www.tampabaymarkets.com and www.fulfillyourdestiny.org

Cleaning Guarantee

Cleaning Service LLC

CLASSIFIED

ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES

David J. Strickler, CPA, PA, djscpa1@aol.com 727.906.9600

ACUPUNCTURE

Ancient Healing Acupuncture & Herbs Authentic oriental healing arts are still the foremost healing methods in China. 6600 31st. Terrace N., St. Pete. 727.384.4826

ANNUAL HOME RENTAL

Keyrenter property management takes the worry out of being a land lord. KeyrenterStPete.com or call Sam 727-202.2700

BOAT CLUB

Limited Membership Boat Club with Premium Boats. All day usage for a fraction of the cost of ownership. SovereignBoatClub.com

Tierra Verde – 727.200.3474

BLINDS & SHUTTERS

Do Your Shutters need some TLC? Hurricane Shutters Sold, Installed, Cleaned, Maintained & Repaired. The Shutterman 727.810.4606

Shopping for Window Treatment? Call for a free in-home consult. See ad for 30% off next purchase. Call Budget Blinds 727.821.0976 and/or Service First Installers CAREGIVER/COMPANION

In-home aid, dementia/companion care, meals, laundry, groceries, pets, appointments. St. Petersburg / S. Pinellas. References available. Maritza Palmucci 813.230.9392

Companionship, errands, transportation to appointments, light cooking, cleaning, and laundry, medication reminders. Call Gail 260.242.0246, email gail@compassionatecompanioncare forseniors.com, compassionate companioncareforseniors.com

CARPETS & RUGS

Professional Rug Cleaning & Invisible Repairs – Free pick-up and delivery. Also, the largest selection of imported Handmade works of art you can walk on.

Oriental Rug Bazaar 727.726.8787

COLLEGE ADMISSION

FL-based College Counselor

Helping students with college admissions www.ic-prep.com

CLOSET DESIGN & INSTALLATION

Get organized. Maximize the space you have in closets, pantries, laundry rooms & more. newclosettoday.com

Call for a free consult 727.641.6448

DENTAL SERVICES

Century Dental, Advanced Dental Technology, Implants,Reconstructive, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry, 617 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach, 40 Years Experience – Free 2nd opinions

CenturyDental.org 727.367.3313

Pier Dental, 8351 Blind Pass Rd., SPB Family-owned General and Cosmetic Dentistry with Personalized Care. Florida native Dr. Brittany Pierpont. Pierdental.net 727.363.6169

DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY

Home Pick-up & Delivery-Dry Clean, Wash-Dry-Fold, Alterations, Patio Cushion Cleaning, Shoe & Handbag

Repair, Pick-up 2x weekly Sacino’s Cleaners free pickup/delivery wash-dry-fold, drycleaning sacinoscleaners.com 727.471.0573

Laundry Wash-Dry-Fold Service

Laundromat 7815 Blind Pass Rd., SPB, call Laura 727.458.1412

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Your contact for all things electrical. Solar hookup, generators, wiring and rewiring homes and businesses. Red Royal Electric 727-228-1065

HEALTH & FITNESS

Ancient Healing Acupuncture & Herbs Seasonal Allergies, Hip & Back Pain April Wang 727.384.4826

Certified Chinese MD, (Tyrone Area) 6600 31st Terrace, St. Pete Worried About Your Memory?

Alzheimer’s Association –Offers FREE & Confidential Memory Screenings, CALL to schedule 727.893.5657

HAULING - DELIVERY

HB Hauling Demo, junk removal, dump trailer rental & more. 727.793.5816

Hot Momma’s Hauling does pick-ups and delivery, including shell, sand, and pavers. Trailer rentals, junk removed, clean outs. Call Ashlie 727.678.3156

LetMommahelpyou.com

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Gulfport Nutrition - 5012

Home Care and Maintenance Personal & Virtual Assistance Arriving / Departing Services Home Decor, Declutter, Design, & Organization. Lisa loves Projects. Call 502.419.1498

NestWatchHome.com HOUSEKEEPING & CLEANING Dependable European Lady15+yrs exp., High

INSURANCE

Bentley DeNight Insurance Services

can save $$$ on Flood Insurance and can quote Homeowners, Auto & Business Insurances 727.344.4500

IV THERAPY

IV Lounge@ The Centre SPB

See AD Page 7. Ask about getting your infusion where you are, or at 7525 Blind Pass Rd., 727.258.2001 thecenterspb.com

LOCKSMITH SERVICES

COVID SAFE Lock Repair Service during daytime hours, weekdays. Vet owned. Tommy Locksmith 727.755.3975

LUMBER

Need wood to match your old house?

If it isn’t in stock, ask if we can make it for you. Anderson Lumber 666 49th St. S 727.321.3111

MARINE CONSTRUCTION

Island Marine Construction

Docks, Boat Lifts, Service, since 1997. Licensed Marine Contractor, C-8463 727.363.7282

MARKETING SERVICES

Janet Nummi, Graphic Design info@janetnummi.com

Buddy Baker, Copyediting melvin.baker@gmail.com

MASSAGE SERVICES

Helios Health – Zoe (MA31664) offers massage and Infrared sauna therapy on West Central Ave. at 57th St., St. Petersburg 727.322.8883

PAINTING SERVICES

Residential or Commercial Painting Flo-Pro Painting 727.337.6888

PET SITTING & WALKING

Pete’s Perfect Pet Care is a true professional. Get happy text messages from your best friend daily while you are apart.

Bonded and Insured. 727.742.2599

Pete@PetesPerfectPetCare.com

PICKLEBALL/TENNIS LESSONS

Private/group lessons for all ages/skill levels. 727.481.6375

brian@sunshinecitytennis.com

PLASTIC SURGERY

Coundouriotis Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Center 727.525.9900

“Reverse the Signs Of Aging Anywhere on your body, Rebuild collagen & reduce wrinkles.”

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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ENCOURAGING WORDS

By Dennis Merritt Jones, DD

Your Body Is Trying to Get Your Attention The Question Is, Are You Listening?

We are not so cold-blooded as to say to a person with pain that there is no such thing as pain. That is not our idea or purpose. We admit the fact. IT IS QUITE A DIFFERENT THING TO ADMIT ITS NECESSITY. ~ The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes

When was the last time you had an intentional conversation with your precious earth-suit—the body in which you live? Yes, it can communicate with you and, if you are like me, it is likely that your body usually starts the conversation with some sort of pain or discomfort. It’s by no mistake that pain plays such an important role in our conscious evolution. Physical pain, eventually, will gain your undivided attention. The question is, are you listening when it knocks on your door—or do you ignore it and try to muffle its voice?

Spiritually speaking, we know we are not just our body; we know we are far more than a swirling mass of atoms, protons, and molecules manifesting as so many pounds of human flesh and bone. However, let us not underestimate the importance of this clay house we temporarily occupy. Our body exists in its own field of innate intelligence— it is profoundly wise and, at many levels, knows what it is doing; not only does it know how to gain our attention, it will attempt to heal itself when given the opportunity. Too often, when pain arises, we rush to the medicine drawer, liquor cabinet, refrigerator, or otherwise try to muffle the messenger with one substance (or activity) or another— anything to avoid it.

Your Body Is On a Long-term Lease

Think of your body as an automobile because, in a manner of speaking, that is exactly what it is—a vehicle your soul-self leased to ride in on its journey through the terrain of the human condition. It has been said our body is very much like a carbon-based, biodegradable, disposable vehicle that requires regular maintenance as long as we continue to use it. Recently, this truth became even more obvious after having a bike accident that left me with torn, fully separated rotator cuffs on both of my shoulders. I knew I had to make peace

with the messenger of pain, and I knew it wouldn’t go away until I did. Rather than pushing back at the intense pain I acknowledged its presence and that it had my FULL attention—and asked it to reveal the message it had for me.

My Question (to the pain):

Why are you being so persistent—what do I need to know more about you so you can be on your way?

Answer (from the pain):

Humility—you need to learn to be open to being served; to receive from others who extend themselves to you with no strings attached.

Compassion and Empathy—you need to hold a deeper sense of caring for others (as well as yourself) who are in pain and who suffer in ways you never imagined… until now.

Appreciation—for what is right with your body and the body of your relationships… and for the simple gift of your life; your blessings are abundant.

Gratitude—for your surgeon, including the skilled nursing staff and physical therapists—and for other “caretakers” (aka, my saint of a wife, as well as strangers on the street who went out of their way to ensure or ease my comfort).

Patience—for the natural healing process as it unfolds within this body, trusting as its innate wisdom leads the way—and patience with other people (both friends and strangers) courageously living with chronic pain with no end in sight.

Trust and Surrender—be willing to literally “Let go, and let God” and trust the process. Rather than push against the energy of this pain, transcend it by mindfully breathing deep into it and being present with—and in—your body.

Find the balance between being and doing—become more aware of the choices

you make that have obvious consequences. When you can consciously be here “now” you merge your being with your doing and can witness your choices in the present moment where they usually serve you better.

Forgiveness—for yourself for inflicting such needless guilt, shame and pain on yourself—such as, WTF were you thinking at 72 years of age when, of your own volition, you jumped on an electric bike that was bigger than you?” And, let’s not forget forgiveness for others who, over the years, have inflicted pain on you as well; they too, were your teachers.

Willingness—to know there is more to know on the other side of this experience and that it is not yours to deny the pain that comes into your life—but to listen to it; to use it to ascend, to live so mindfully proactive in your body that you no longer require the motivation of pain to shape a life truly worth living.

There were more responses to my question—but I trust you get my point. Often it is through our greatest pain, rather than our greatest pleasures, that we find our way back to the wholeness of who we came here to be. We just need to be still and listen for the guidance our pain offers. Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet, echoed these sentiments perfectly when he wrote, “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know your pain.” Sometimes it’s the deepest pains we suffer that can open us to receive the guidance we need to stay on the pathway. After all, that is why we came here in the first place—to go where the infinite pathway leads. Love your body, treat it well and listen carefully to what it has to say— it’s wiser than you know.

Peace, Dennis Merritt Jones, DD • Copyright © 2024 - DMJ Presentations LLC • www.DennisMerrittJones.com Dennis Merritt Jones’ vision is “Guiding People to Purpose.” He is an award-winning author of six books, a keynote speaker, and personal mentor/coach who loves living in St. Petersburg. If you would like more information regarding his availability as a speaker, his mentoring programs, and his books, please visit his website at DennisMerrittJones.com

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