Green Bench Monthly - Vol 1, Issue 3, November 2016

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Cristina Juska Nadine Maas Pam Sica

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From The Bench Inspiring stories, local art & thoughts for the Holidays

Contributors

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The Detroit Hotel While the Mayor and local groups fight to preserve First Block, we thought now would be a good time to walk through how it all started, with one Hotel

Amy Beeman Nicole Brand Luke Cross Jadyn Gonzales Jack Spinrad Alan Venable

Photo Credits

Cover and first photo for BungalowFest and Photos for Scott Johni, PA

by Kelly Nash Photography Back cover photo sourced from City of St Petersburg

Publishers

Ashley & Tony Sica

Contact

PO BOX 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734 (727) 280-5406 info@greenbenchmonthly.com

St Pete Nights Are Lit In Neon A pictorial by Alan Venable

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BungalowFest Celebrating Community through Architecture and Art

8 CASA

Confronting a Culture of

Violence and Silence

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Scott Johni, PA The Personal Touch at The Law Office of Scott Johni, PA

Direct-mailed to 15,500 homes in zip codes 33701, 33704 and 33713.

Neighborhoods included in our mailing:

Allendale Park, Allendale Terrace, Crescent Heights, Crescent Lake, Downtown, Euclid-St. Paul, Five Points, Greater Woodlawn, Historic Kenwood, Historic Old Northeast, Magnolia Heights, North East Park, Snell Isle, & Woodlawn

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Community Events A few upcoming events...

Mark your calendars!

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Editors

Inside this issue

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happen are truly inspiring.

In addition to showcasing more stories about local businesses (the shameless plug worked apparently), we will also feature a local artist spotlight beginning in the New Year (What else can we do with all this cool stuff you are sending in?!?). This column will be reserved for independent artists only. We are now accepting submissions. Please email editor@greenbenchmonthly.com if you would like to be considered for this column. This includes musicians, mixed-media, film anything you create or produce independently here in St Pete.

Last, but certainly not least, we hope all of you have a very Happy Holiday season. Should

you find yourself in excess of clothes, food, hygiene items, diapers, time, or would just like to donate money; please consider gifting to one of these great local organizations.

Pushed to the limits this time of year, they appreciate any help you can offer...

CASA (see pg. 8) and St Pete Free Clinic (ad on pg.

3) will gladly accept your donations and make sure they get into the right hands.

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As always, thanks for reading. And please do drop us a line or give us a call. We want to hear from you! Even if it’s just to chat for a bit about your family history or why you moved down here (those are my favorite by the way!). Please send your stories, art, ideas & ads (I know, I did it again) to editor@greenbenchmonthly.com or call (727) 280-5406.

Till next time, Ashley Sica - Publisher

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When Tony and I first got the idea to start a community magazine in St Pete, we knew it was going to be a great opportunity to meet people in the area and do what we love — publish stories.

What we didn’t anticipate is exactly how many amazing stories our readers have to tell.

Everyday I’m blown away by what you - our readers - are sharing with us. You are one awesome group of intelligent, creative, and passionate people!

I really don’t have words to express how grateful I am for our community. Sure, we have waterfront parks, a burgeoning downtown, rich history, and an impressive art scene (pfft!) - but the people who make all of this

Now (Above) & Then (Left) Photo Source: City of St Petersburg intervening years, it wasn’t until November of 1989 I once again entered the Detroit Hotel. I was greatly saddened to see the changes age had wrought.

I guess I had hoped it would still be as I recalled, but time had not been particularly kind.

Gone was the plush carpeting I remembered. In its place were bare, greyed wood floors that seemed to sag as I walked through the lobby. Chairs, tables and sofas had seen better days and dusty, tarnished chandeliers showed their age. The vestiges

The Detroit Hotel

by Jack Spinrad

When I was 15 years old, a chance meeting with an elderly gentleman sitting on a green bench in front of McCrory’s on Central Avenue led to a turning point in my young life. As a result of the wonderful history lesson he gave about the history of St. Petersburg, I developed a lifelong passion for history in general.

When my parents came to claim me after shopping in McCrory’s, we walked down Central Avenue, and when we came upon the Detroit Hotel, I asked my dad if we could just take a quick look inside. When he said yes, I excitedly ran up the front steps, and when I walked through the door I entered a different world. Were it not for the people dressed in the style of clothing common in the 1950s, I would have thought I had entered a Fred Astaire movie.

I may have been too young to

realize the hotel may have been showing its age after 60 some odd years, but at the time I still thought it was grand. Thick carpeting covered the floor and gleaming chandeliers hung from the ceiling. In the rear of the lobby was a check-in desk of well-polished wood with boxes behind, where patrons could pick up their keys and perhaps a message. Several people waited for service, and well-dressed people sat on plush chairs and sofas, deep in conversation or just resting. The hotel had an elegant restaurant with white tablecloths and bent wood chairs. My father, who had joined me, told me of the many famous people who had stayed there. Among them, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Will Rogers and who, I wondered, was Clarence Darrow?

Although I walked past the hotel many times in the

appeared about as well-worn as the hotel, sat around a table in the lobby playing poker, and between hands spoke of their remembrance of better days when the hotel was indeed the pride of St. Petersburg.

Today, with rumors of a plan to transform the city’s First Block (the area between Second and Third Streets and First Avenue North and Central Avenue, which includes the Detroit Hotel building) into a 25-story residential tower, the history of this once grand hotel

“When it was first completed, the 40-room hotel stood literally in the middle of nowhere, on a dusty street with no other nearby buildings” of a time when the Detroit was considered the Queen of St. Petersburg’s hotels could still be seen or imagined. The original reception desk, though also well-worn, still occupied the rear left corner of the lobby, with the original key boxes where patrons could pick up their keys and messages behind the counter.

Four older men, some of whom 6

flooded my mind.

The hotel was built in 1888

by Peter Demens, who was also responsible for bringing the railroad to St. Petersburg, and so started our city on the road to becoming the flourishing community we know today. The Detroit was built as the result of agreement between Demens and General John Constantine

The Orange Belt Railway started offering tours to St. Petersburg in 1889, and advertisements began to appear in northern papers featuring the Detroit Hotel and the healthful St. Petersburg climate, bringing early tourism to town.

In the late 1890s a gazebo with a minaret was added, and around 1910, a brick addition with 63 rooms was added on the west side of the building.

The year 1914 saw another brick addition on the east side. With that expansion, the original wood structure was encased by the brick.

A big hurricane struck the west coast of Florida in 1921, damaging many of the buildings and houses in St. Petersburg.

The Detroit lost part of its roof in the storm, but the destruction was not bad enough to put the hotel out of business and it was not long before the damage had been repaired.

The Detroit closed as a hotel

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Williams. General Williams gave Demens part of his land holdings in exchange for Demens’ agreement to bring the Orange Belt Railway to St. Petersburg.

A story goes that the two men, Demens and Williams, flipped a silver half-dollar to see who would get to name the town. It is said that Demens won the toss and named the town St. Petersburg after his hometown in Russia, and Williams got to name the hotel, which was not a part of the original agreement, after his hometown of Detroit. Demens built the hotel for $10,000, of which Williams contributed half, or $5,000.

When it was first completed, the 40-room hotel stood literally in the middle of nowhere, on a dusty street with no other nearby buildings, save for the terminus of the railroad. It was built in the Queen Anne style of the time and stood threeand-a-half stories high, with a tower standing 70 feet high.

in 1993. In 2002 it was converted to condos, and is today a fourstory building. To prevent development of a proposed residential condominium tower on top of the Detroit and other important pre-1910 landmarks, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman recently moved to designate the entire First Block as a historic district. However, this attempt failed due to a deadlocked vote in the City Council on Oct. 20, 2016. City

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rules prohibit council members from reconsidering their vote, however, Kriseman is continuing to look for ways to protect the history of the First Block and its iconic structures.

Let your voice be heard!

Residents may contact the city council via email at council@stpete.org to share their opinions on protecting the history of St. Pete’s First Block and the stately Detroit Hotel.

“The organization also works to break the cycle of domestic violence by equipping the community with new ideas and attitudes, starting with children.” violence by equipping the community with new ideas and attitudes, starting with children.

CASA’s Peacemakers program collaborates with The Haven of RCS to bring in advocates to discuss everything from dating violence to diversity to bullying. Peacemakers aim to teach children how to recognize signs of domestic violence, and most importantly, how to break the silence and ask for help (for themselves or others).

To undercut the culture of violence, the curriculum also teaches healthy communication and coping skills so children see an alternative to physical aggression and misplaced anger.

In addition to their in-school programs, CASA offers outreach and training programs for adult organizations such as churches, women’s clubs and other community organizations.

Though many of CASA’s efforts go towards emergency resources for families, additional efforts are helping change the

Elyssa Broussard, Youth Services Coordinator

CASA: Confronting a Culture of Violence and Silence

by Nicole Brand

CASA may be unknown to many in St. Petersburg, but some know this institution as a literal lifesaver. CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) is best known as a domestic violence shelter for women and their families who are seeking a way out of a dangerous situation. Women fleeing an abusive relationship can spend up to 45 days at the shelter while starting their new lives.

If relocation can be made possible through other means, such as staying with friends or family, CASA assists in providing outreach services to help keep the family united outside of the shelter setting.

As for the shelter itself, this transition space is about to expand to include the whole family—even the four-legged members.

Often, domestic violence survivors are reluctant to leave if there is a pet left behind that the abuser might use as leverage. To help eliminate that obstacle, CASA is expanding their facilities to provide an onsite kennel.

CASA’s advocacy doesn’t stop at its shelter. When a woman leaves her abuser, she is often thrown into a difficult financial situation. Her abuser may not have allowed her to work or manage her own finances, so something as simple as purchasing clothing for job interviews and day-to-day life can prove difficult, or even financially impossible. CASA helps address that challenge through their thrift shop, located off of 1st Ave. N., which provides affordable clothing for women from both the shelter and the community.

The organization also works to break the cycle of domestic 8

way our community thinks and talks about control-based relationships. By empowering children and community groups to facilitate their own conversations about domestic violence, CASA is reframing toxic mindsets that keep abuse victims in danger. Interim Executive Director Suzanne Horn stresses the importance of this outreach and its positive impact on the children it serves.

A child who recognizes abuse and speaks up may help save

KC, the puppet, is used to talk about emotionally difficult topics

greenbenchmonthly.com CASA Thrift Store located at 1011 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. For more information about store hours, donations, and big-item pickup, visit www.casa-stpete.org/thrift-shoppe If you would like to volunteer for CASA, please visit www.casa-stpete.org/volunteer and fill out an online application.

You can also assist by donating any of the following, much-needed items: kitchen tools, canned goods and other non-perishables, single beds, bedding, towels, toiletries and laundry detergent.

If you or anyone you know is living in a domestic violence situation, please call the 24-Hour CASA Help Line at 727-8954912, or call Florida’s Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-500-1119.

an entire family. Through a combination of emergency assistance and widespread community education, CASA is helping to slowly break down the thick walls silence that have left many in our community feeling powerless and alone.

For more information on CASA and their services, visit www.casa-stpete.org. If you are currently living in an abusive atmosphere and you fear a family member’s actions, the website has a “Close Site Now” button in the top right-hand corner that will send you directly to Google for your protection.

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Scott Johni, PA By Kelly Nash Photography

The Personal Touch at The Law Office of Scott Johni, PA

By Amy Beeman

Saint Petersburg Civil Trial Lawyer Scott Johni always knew he wanted to become an attorney, but in 1986 when he was a 19-year-old student attending Eckerd College, a life-changing car crash propelled him on his career path in injury law. The victim of a negligent, uninsured driver, Johni survived a fractured C2 vertebra, considered among the most severe of spinal cord injuries. The injury caused him to experience temporary paralysis necessitating major surgery followed by extensive physical therapy.

“When I survived the crash

in ’86...I was given a second chance, is how I look at it,” says Johni. “I can empathize with a lot of people who come into my office, because I’ve been there and I understand. That’s probably the most rewarding thing, is just the helping of other people. I like to at least think that that’s partly why I survived that accident.” Over the last 23 years, Johni has worked to bring justice to those who have been hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence by trying cases and negotiating fair settlements for his clients in the areas of personal injury,

consumer litigation and class action litigation on both sides of Tampa Bay. Johni says that debilitating physical injuries and economic consequences that people are left to deal with after car, motorcycle or pedestrian accidents are the biggest challenges his clients face, especially when the person at fault is uninsured or underinsured.

“In the blink of an eye things can change,” says Johni, which is why he says it’s a point of pride for the small staff at The Law Office of Scott Johni, P.A. to take good care of their clients. “We have a real personal touch as far as our office. Our clients know us, they know me and I’m the lawyer, they know my office staff, they get prompt responses; great service. We take great pride in that, our personal touch.”

Johni quips that his wife, Lisa, is instrumental in running the firm. “I always say she’s more important than I am to the actual day to day running of the office.” The couple started working together in 1995 and then in December 2015, they made the move to work full time out their St. Pete office on Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. Lisa Johni has worked in every office capacity, from claims handling, accounting, and the management of the various administrative aspects. “It either works for you or it doesn’t, working with your spouse, and with my wife, Lisa, it’s always worked well for the two of us.”

Another thing Johni notes

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as unique about his office is that while the vast majority of personal injury cases settle, he has a lot of trial experience.

“What differentiates my firm from a lot of firms out there is that I try a lot of cases,” Johni says. “There are cases that need to go to trial.”

Besides representing victims of accidents, Johni also contributes to the St. Petersburg area by volunteering at the front desk of the Ronald McDonald House in the Bayfront complex, something he’s done since the late 1990s. He and his wife are also active in the Canterbury School of Florida, where their daughter is a student. They also support the Junior League of St. Petersburg, Museum of Fine Arts, Lawyers for Literacy, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Guild, and the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.

Johni says his best advice to people to avoid the financial struggles that often result from unforeseen accidents is, “You have to protect against everyone else out there who has minimal or street legal coverage... so if you’re hurt you need to protect against other people not having enough insurance by purchasing Uninsured motorist coverage on your own automobile policy .

You cannot be over insured.”

The Law Office of Scott Johni, PA is located at 2600 Dr. MLK, Jr. Street N, Suite 300.

For more information, call (727) 520-7376, 813) 286-2811 or visit their website at www.johnilaw.com.

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logo had to be spotted within the homes in order to win a basket of rum, gift certificates to explore Grand Central, or an original piece of clay art by a local artist.

showcasing the art of Kenwood.

These exhibits contained the work of 22 artists, both local and nationally recognized, whose specialties varied from sculpture, to stained glass, to

“The eclectic art scene, opportunity to open home studios, and the innovation behind working around preservation and unique challenges is what BungalowFest is about.”

- Brenda Gordon, President of Historic Kenwood Once on the tour, the homes photography and mosaics.

The media found here was for were ordered purposefully, starting sightseers with a series more than admiring, as most

By Kelly Nash Photography items were offered for sale to of stunningly maintained bungalows, all of which predate support the thriving local art 1933. Diversity then took center scene. Sightseeing, however, stage, with a Georgian colonial- wasn’t confined to just the style 1946 home, a breathtaking specified homes and exhibits.

Beauty pervades the entirety of example of Spanish mission Kenwood, and the astute were architecture from 1924, and rewarded with a deeper look even a 1920s mission-style apartment complex, which had into its culture and past. Every street held its own unique mix been saved from demolition.

By Luke Cross Such variety of building design of architectural styles, ornate lawn and garden arrangements, is indicative of Kenwood’s rich BungalowFest allowed the heart history. The Kearneys, who took or nugget of history waiting to Historic Kenwood’s of the community to shine. Ask the time to fully redesign a 1928 be discovered. brick roads were bustling on any resident, and they’ll tell you bungalow, recalled, “It’s come a November 5, when the bastion A neighborhood so diverse, how warm, accommodating of art and architecture opened artistic and friendly wouldn’t long way. Kenwood used to be and friendly Kenwood is. David a block-by-block deal, nothing its doors to the residents of St. be complete without the Grand Boettcher, the proud owner of Pete and beyond during the Central District, Kenwood’s like what it is now, but even a 1932 bungalow, put it best: 18th Annual BungalowFest. very own shopping and dining then we fell in love with it.”

“Kenwood really is a welcoming, Showcasing the classical styles community. One of 40 Florida A few homes along the front porch, close-knit sort of for which Kenwood is known, Main Street communities, the tour contained studios and neighborhood.” more than a dozen homes District was designated in 2001 artistic workshops, which Seminole Park, which were put on display, ranging for the purpose of economic were completely open to served as the hub of Bungalow from a more contemporary revitalization, and has since the public, and two separate Fest, is a town square of sorts.

2014 craftsman bungalow to a grown to be the home of stops were solely dedicated to beautifully preserved, mission- The block-wide park is the style apartment building dating starting point of the festival, where attendees are provided back to 1925.

Alongside the breathtaking with a pamphlet introducing collection of antique residences them to Historic Kenwood, giving a brief synopsis of each was art of a different variety. home on display, and providing The neighborhood is an Artist Enclave, where in-home studios a map for the tour. From here, the 1.5-mile route could be may host yoga classes, create walked, or city trolleys were jewelry or sell paintings. Many available. Before embarking, homeowners along the tour those seeking a challenge proudly displayed their craft, were invited to participate in and two exhibits were created the BungalowFest Scavenger for displaying Kenwood’s Beautiful copper jewelry made by Marty Bosy Newlon creations. Above any historical, Hunt, where common items Visit fancyfunandflirty.com for more info. cultural or artistic significance, emblazoned with the Kenwood Above: Boettcher & Sharp House. One of the 13 homes showcased at this year’s Festival.

Celebrating Community through Architecture and Art

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greenbenchmonthly.com Top: Studio of Colin and Felicity Jenkins. You can find some of Felicity’s soft toy creations for sale at the MFA Museum Shop. Bottom: Ken Jenkins and Chad Williams, newly constructed bungalow featuring a large patio and pool

breweries, art galleries, antique shops and restaurants. Patrons of BungalowFest were provided with an assortment of dining options within a stone’s throw of the tour, such as Urban Brew and BBQ, Casita Taqueria or Old Key West Bar & Grill. The galleries and shops along the Grand Central District also share the same flavor as their neighboring community, as many of them are locally owned and operated.

Historic Kenwood’s 18th Annual BungalowFest was truly a celebration of a community’s civic pride. Brenda Gordon and Julie Longstreth, the chairs of the festival, and their neighbors wish to share the unique beauty of their neighborhood with the greater St. Pete community.

Of this one-of-a-kind event, Ms. Gordon said, “The eclectic art scene, opportunity to open home studios, and the innovation behind working around preservation and unique challenges is what BungalowFest is about. We have a tremendous amount of pride in this neighborhood, and want nothing more than to share it with others.”.

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Community Events Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

to the public. Presented by City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation.

For more information, call (727) 893-7441.

Cost: Free to the public

Bring in the holiday season with St. Petersburg’s festive kickoff celebration. Mayor Kriseman flips the switch that turns on the downtown Christmas tree and lights on Friday, November 25, from 5 to 7:30 p.m at North Straub Park. You’ll enjoy onstage entertainment provided by the St. Pete High Pitchforks, Expressions Dance Studio and the St. Petersburg Community Band. Children will also enjoy the activities and interactive games. Food concessions available. Blanket seating. Free

Snowfest - A Real Snow Event

When: Friday, November 25th, 5pm-7:30pm Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bay Shore Dr NE, 33701

When: Saturday, December 3rd, 10:30am - 3pm Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bay Shore Dr NE, 33701 Sixty-four tons of snow are expected to fall on North Straub Park at the annual holiday Snowfest celebration on Saturday, December 3, from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Activities include a big and kiddie toboggan slide, art tent, karaoke, moonwalk, giant slide, “glice” ice skating and

Check out the artwork of local oil painter Perry deVick and many other great artists during “Artists at Work in Historic Kenwood” on December 3rd and 4th a Kiddyland area designed especially for preschoolers with inflatable train, cookie decorating and more.

Wristbands are $5 and are required for all activities.

Save time from waiting in line, purchase wristbands in

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advance, from November 21 through December 2, at any St. Petersburg recreation center.

For a full list of recreation centers, please visit: www. stpeteparksrec.org/centers.html Cost: Wristbands are $5 and are required for all activities

When: Saturday, December 3rd, 10am-5pm and Sunday, December 4th, 12pm-5pm Where: Historic Kenwood, self-guided tour, follow the posted signs For two days, stroll through the architecturally rich neighborhood of Historic Kenwood, while you view the exhibits of 19 artists at 14 different stops. What you’ll find is a vast variety of work ranging from that of the emerging artist to internationally recognized professionals. The self-guided tour will include work by ceramicists, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, illustrators, and fine art painters. This year’s theme, “The Artist at Work,” allows patrons and visitors to engage with artists during their demos throughout the two-day tour. Learn about the design process and what steps an artist

takes to bring their ideas from conception to completion.

In addition, the Artist Tour just so happens to be held at the perfect time of year! Gift yourself a new piece for your collection or pick up gifts for friends and family!

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ artistenclavehistorickenwood or http://kenwoodartistenclave. org/studio-tours/ Cost: Free to the public

One-on-One Computer Assistance

When: Tuesday, December 6th, 10:30am-11:30am Where: James Weldon Johnson Community Library, 1059 18th Ave. S., 33705 Sessions are one hour longsign-up is required.

Call (727)893-7113 to reserve a spot or for more information.

Cost: Free to the public

19th Annual HONNA Candlelight Tour of Homes

When: Sunday, December 11th, 3pm-8pm Where: Historic Old Northeast Stroll our luminary-lined walkways and view lovingly crafted homes designed in a variety of Early 20th Century architectural styles. Visit eight distinctive homes that showcase a diverse array of interior design and decorating ideas for today’s lifestyles. Come experience this wonderful event and be inspired with ideas for your own home!

For more information call (727) 269-5521 or visit www.

HONNA.org Cost: In Advance $20; Day of the Tour $25. Call (727) 2695521 for where to buy tickets in advance. Tickets available the day of the Tour beginning 2:30pm at Westminster Palms, 939 Beach Dr. NE.

Diana Umpierre.

Diana Umpierre is Vice President of the International Dark-Sky Association and Chair of its Florida Chapter. She’s a Certified Planner, geographer, geoscientist and avid Everglades restoration grassroots organizer within Sierra Club. She spends personal time educating on the damaging effects of light pollution and partnering with others to protect the remaining natural dark skies in Florida.

Cost: Free to the public (craft beer is available and affordable)

St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts

When: Saturday, December 17th & Sunday, December 18th, 10am-5pm Where: South Straub Park, 198 Bay Shore Dr NE, 33701 The St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts returns to South Straub Park in St. Petersburg, across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts and sponsored by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and City of St. Petersburg.

Explore breathtaking original creations by painters, jewelers, mixed-media artists and fiber artist. Select from stunning creations in glass, ceramics, metalwork, fiber art and woodworking.

Cost: Open to the public.

Items available for purchase.

Roll Over & Read When: Wednesday,

Protecting Wildlife from December 21st, 3:30pmArtificial Light at Night 4:30pm

When: Wednesday, Where: Mirror Lake Library, December 14th, 6-8 p.m Youth Area, 280 5th St. N., Where: The Ale & the Witch, 33701 111 2nd Ave. NE, 33701 Reduce anxiety and build Learn about the impacts of reading skills by reading to a artificial light on many wildlife trained therapy dog. species and what can be done Call (727)893-7268 to to protect them. “Ales and Wild register for a session.

Tails” speaker series presented Cost: Free to the public by the Center for Biological Diversity, this month featuring 15

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Artists at Work in Historic Kenwood

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