Green Bench Monthly - Vol 2, Issue 3, March 2017

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Inside this issue Editors

Cristina Juska Nadine Maas Pam Sica

Contributors

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

5 #UpliftStPete 10 Absolutely Beautiful

Women’s Town Improvement Flowers

Association: Here’s to a Unique Local Creations Legacy 6

St. Petersburg Creating Memories One Pier at a Time

12 Northeast Animal Hospital

Keeping Happy Pets

Happy Since the 70’s

Photo Credits

Cover art by Lesli Pringle-Burke Photos for Absolutely Beautiful Flowers

by Kelly Nash Photography

Publishers

Ashley & Tony Sica

Contact

PO BOX 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734

(727) 280-5406 info@greenbenchmonthly.com 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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Eyeglass World A National Brand With A Heart For Community 14

Sound Exchange Make Spring Cleaning 15 Profitable

Earth Day Celebrate Our Beautiful Florida Environment and Sustainable Living Community Events & Local Happenings Local Artist Spotlight Featuring Singer / Songwriter Ella Jet

Proud member of:

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#UpliftStPete: Here’s to a Legacy Not too long ago I was delighted to find a package from Arcadia Publishing in our mailbox. Inside, I found a book entitled The Hidden History of St. Petersburg by Will Michaels. I loved the title and couldn’t wait to begin reading.

Fanning through the first few pages, a poem titled Reunion in the Sunshine City caught my eye. If you have not had the pleasure of reading this piece by Helen Pruitt Wallace, poet laureate of St. Petersburg — do yourself a favor and look it up. It so charmingly captures the essence of St. Petersburg.

Cruising through the book I came to the chapter

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about the Women’s Town Improvement Association (WTIA). This group was founded in May of 1901 at the Detroit Hotel by the “city’s most prominent women”. Early WTIA efforts focused on the beautification of Williams Park. In fact, most of the gardening and planting of magnolias, oaks, and date palms was done by Association women.

As a result of WTIA efforts, we now can enjoy beautiful waterfront parks, sidewalks, band shells, and paved streets to name a few.

Take a moment to reflect on how important their work was in shaping this community…

“The Association left a

legacy of compassion, civic responsibility, and vision that serves as a model for the city yet today”.

With love and deep gratitude, here’s to carrying on the legacy that WTIA left behind.

Many thanks to Arcadia Publishing for the perfect timing and Will Michaels for unearthing St. Petersburg’s not-so-obvious history. To get your own copy of The Hidden History of St Petersburg, visit

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Books at Park Place at 10468 Roosevelt Blvd N and tell the owner, Nancy Alloy, that we sent you.

This is the first in a series titled #UpliftStPete. This series will feature and honor groups and individuals who have taken action to positively impact our city.

Do you know a group or individual that uplifts St. Pete? Email editor@ greenbenchmonthly.com for publishing consideration.

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Municipal pier and railroad pier - Saint Petersburg, Florida. 1917 or 1918.

Black & white photonegative, 4 x 5 in. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

St. Petersburg: Creating Memories One Pier At a Time

By Jack Spinrad

As is my habit, I was walking on the concrete path near the Bay off North Shore Drive NE, when I came upon a familiarlooking green bench. The bench beckoned me to sit for a while, and as I sat in the shade of a large, old oak tree, I was reminded of the long-ago day when I had a chance meeting with an old man. It turned out he had, as a boy, witnessed the first train of the Orange Belt Railway chug into the budding village of St. Petersburg in 1888. Although the old man indicated he would like to meet with me again, it wasn’t meant to be. That encounter did, however, foster a lifelong interest in the history of St. Petersburg.

As I sat on the bench and stared out at the rubble of what was once the iconic St. Petersburg Pier and its inverted pyramid...the view made me reflect on the history of the five different piers that have extended from the city’s shoreline near Spa Beach.

The history of St. Petersburg’s piers began in 1889, when Peter Demens, in order to fulfill his contract with John Williams, extended his railway eastward and built the Railway Pier. This structure reached out into the Bay, allowing ships to load and unload the railroad’s cargo. The Railway Pier became a sight-seeing and recreational attraction for both residents and tourists. This pier lasted

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until 1906, when it was replaced by the 3,000-foot Electric Pier, which served as a steamship dock and also had electric trolley tracks to serve the passenger terminal at its end.

The Electric Pier was replaced in 1913 by the wooden Municipal Pier, built ten feet away from its nowdefunct predecessor. The new pier featured a solarium, bath house and beach. On October 25, 1921 the Municipal Pier was heavily damaged when a hurricane plowed through Tampa Bay. The remnants of the Municipal Pier sat abandoned until 1925, when a million dollar bond, along with another $300,000 in pledges, allowed for the construction of what for obvious reasons became known as the Million Dollar Pier. This pier, with its Mediterranean-style architecture, opened in 1926 and featured an open-air ballroom, an observation deck and a large atrium to host community events. A trolley would deliver you to the entrance portico, but eventually the portico was closed off to make way for first television station in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market, WSUN-TV. In 1967 the Million Dollar Pier closed and was demolished.

The controversial Inverted Pyramid Pier opened in 1973

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Aerial view of million dollar recreation pier Saint Petersburg, Florida. 19--. Color postcard, 9 x 14 cm.

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. on the same site as the longgone Million Dollar Pier, and featured nightlife, shopping, boat rentals, weekly festivals and a branch of the popular Columbia Restaurant. A festival-market style retail space of close to 70,000 square feet was added in 1987.

A 2004 report to the city council indicated that maintenance of the pier and its approach was no longer cost effective, and they should prepare to replace the pier within the next ten years.

A plan was made with an allocation of $50,000,000 for the work to be done. In March 2006, then city council member Rick Kriseman said, “The most important piece of the puzzle is, ‘What does the community want?’.”

It wasn’t until 2009 that Mayor Bill Foster appointed an advisory task force on the topic. It took 14 months of meetings with consultants and the public to develop a plan for the Pier’s replacement, to be called The Lens. The proposed design caused much acrimony and was heavily debated. The animosity finally led to a referendum called Stop the Lens. When it finally came to a vote, The Lens proposal was soundly rejected by a two-thirds majority.

With the rejection of The Lens design, Mayor Rick 7

Kriseman began the process of finding a suitable replacement in January of 2014. A Pier Committee was formed to discuss the merits of the top three new pier designs that had been submitted. They ranked the Pier Park design as their number-one pick. Some weeks after the initial meeting, Mayor Rick Kriseman said that the residents of St. Pete just wanted to see their elected officials build a pier. The St. Petersburg City Council approved the Pier Park plan on May 7, 2015. Demolition of the Inverted Pyramid began on August 18, 2015.

Susan Robertson, the Pier’s former marketing director, said: “I know it’s progress. I know we have to move on, but there are a lot of memories.” Certainly, this is a feeling shared by many St. Petersburg residents.

It remains to be seen how closely the design of the Pier Park, scheduled to be completed in 2018, will resemble the final product when it graces the St. Petersburg waterfront.

No doubt the new pier will bring new memories. But whether its history will be as meaningful to future generations, as our past piers are to those of us who are old enough to remember them, is yet to be told.

Aerial view of The Pier - St. Petersburg, Florida.

Not before 1973. Color postcard, 9 x 14 cm.

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

Artist rendering of the new St. Petersburg Pier.

Scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Visit www.newstpetepier.com for more information.

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Eyeglass World: A National Brand With A Heart For Community

by Alan Venable

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There’s a lot more to Eyeglass World than being your one-stop shop for all things eyewear. As part of the National Vision Inc. family of optical retailers, Eyeglass World keeps customers happy with an impressively wide range of services and products. Part of their success may be attributed to one simple mission — “to help people see their best to live their best”. Eyeglass World has over 100 locations across the U.S. and offers eye exams, contact lenses, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and protective eyewear. The service they deliver is top-notch, providing same-day service for most prescriptions. If you’re picky about your glasses, just know they have hundreds if not thousands of frames in-store. Oakley®, Ray-Ban®, Cover Girl®, Daisy Fuentes™, you name it.

While the store excels on multiple levels, Eyeglass World also does a lot to give back to the local community.

The St. Petersburg store partners with elementary schools and nonprofits like the Lions Club to educate and provide discounted services to those in need.

The partnership between the St. Petersburg store and the St. Pete chapter of the Lions Club is four years strong, now.

Each year, the store hosts an event where less fortunate in the area are invited in for a free vision screening and to pick out frames for new glasses. The Eyeglass World team then dispenses the glasses and educates their owners on how to care for frames and lenses. This event alone helps around 90110 people per year and continues to grow. Throughout the year, the St. Pete store also provides glasses at a large discount to customers associated with the Lions Club, ensuring that everyone who needs help seeing gets the opportunity.

Another annual tradition for the St. Petersburg store is to partner with elementary schools in the area to educate and contribute where needed. The District Manager attends school events and gives health professionals kits that include an eye chart, 100 disposable occluders, flyers, stickers, and vouchers for children especially in need.

Even though they operate on a national scale, Eyeglass World makes sure to reach out and help the local communities the stores are a part of. They’re a big brand with a local heart.

Eyeglass World in 33704 is located at 3520 4th St N and can be reached at (727) 369-0043. For more information please visit their website at www.eyeglassworld.com/storelist/st-petersburg-fl-33704/.

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Make Spring Cleaning Profitable with Sound Exchange

by Luke Cross

Do you have stacks of unwanted CDs taking up valuable storage space? Maybe a classic record player or bulky 8 track recorder that’s too outdated to use, but too vintage to throw away? Instead of junking your old media and equipment, give it new life with the help of Sound Exchange. A fixture in the local music scene since the late ‘80s, Sound Exchange has served as the home to virtually every form of entertainment for nearly three decades.

And they do carry just about everything. The store’s main selection is filled with every genre of music, no matter how niche, on mediums including vinyl records, cassettes and CDs. Alongside an expansive selection of movies and media-related collectibles, a recently expanded inventory of literature and comic books lines the store’s shelves. Sound Exchange is also known for vintage stereo equipment, which they buy, sell and repair.

With an inventory ranging from turntables to action flicks to collectible figurines, most any form of media can be brought in for quick money or an upgrade. “Sometimes people trade in the old for the new, and sometimes they just walk out with cash,” said Erin Stoy, Marketing Director for Sound Exchange.

This constant flow of vintage sound equipment and classic media means their locations in Pinellas Park, Brandon and Tampa consistently have new 9

entertaining additions. “We always have a fresh selection for customers, they can come in several times a week and find new interesting things.” she continued.

Buying and selling used means the store is a collector’s dream. Over its many years of operation, Sound Exchange has purchased and traded innumerable out-of-print or unusual goods. Why trust a faceless online vendor with your collection of rare comics when the friendly, knowledgeable staff of Sound Exchange is a short drive away? Years of trading experience means any media or audio equipment, no matter how unique, will be given a fair price and a new home.

In fact, some of the people handling and repairing your gear have been doing so for decades. “We have faces that have been on staff for 20 plus years,” shared Stoy, “and in that time they develop relationships with the customers.”. Casual audiophiles, part-time film buffs and occasional bookworms have just as much reason to stop by and drop off old media as the hardcore fans, thanks to such an engaged staff. “They really get to know you and what you’re interested in.” she continued.

When that ancient reelto-reel tape deck is traded in, it becomes more than just obsolete tech. Instead, the dedicated crew at Sound Exchange repair it back to full working order and add it to

the rows of history that fill the shop. Aisles of literature, film, music and gear contribute to a unique feel that fills Sound Exchange: “There’s a vibe in a record store that’s just not present online,” said Stoy, “A lot of our customers enjoy coming in, talking to staff, and browsing.”. Their specialization in classic audio equipment also transforms the store into a walk down memory lane for older generations who come in to reminisce. “We have some regulars who go straight for the vintage section, it has a real nostalgia and connection for them.” Stoy stated.

While each branch of Sound Exchange in Pinellas Park, Bradenton and Tampa each have their own unique feel and specialization, any one would be more than willing to give you a good value for used gear or media.

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Whether it’s time to clean out the out the old record collection, sell off that growing stack of blu-rays or find a new home for your first guitar amp, Sound Exchange will put up a fair price or credit towards an upgrade, all while honoring its legacy.

“Formats never really die for us,” said Stoy, “we try to keep that spirit alive.”

Sound Exchange in Pinellas Park is located at 7688 49th St North, and can be reached at (727) 545-0042; Tampa is located at 14246 N. Nebraska Ave. (813) 9789316; and Brandon at 805 W. Bloomingdale Ave. (813) 651- 9316.

For more information please visit their website at www.

SoundExchangeTampaBay. com or their Facebook page at Facebook.com/ SoundExchangeTampaBay.

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Unique Local Creations at Absolutely Beautiful Flowers

by Amy Beeman | Photos by Kelly Nash Photography Do you have an upcoming special event that truly requires the personal touch that only your local florist can provide? Perhaps you are proposing to your wife-to-be or even making floral plans for your future wedding… delivering Baby Congrats or Twin Flower arrangements to celebrate new arrivals… or you’re having to say a final good-bye to a departed loved one with a funeral arrangement… or even picking out the perfect corsage for your first prom date. Remember that Absolutely Beautiful Flowers lives up to its name offering these particularly personal services with panache!

The soothing smell of fresh flowers, a smiling staff and a cute mini-schnauzer named Jean-Claude holding court in his doggy bed are the first things you will notice when walking into Absolutely Beautiful Flowers in downtown St. Pete.

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Located on bustling 1st Ave N, the shop may appear small but don’t be fooled by the square footage. During their busy season, they hire more than 30 staff members to keep up with demand for their unparalleled services. This makes sense considering they were named one of the top 100 Florists in the country by FTD! Founder Brad Catlin, takes pride in their unique creations and their mission to get people to shop locally when buying flowers. While the business is only in its sixth year, Brad has worked professionally in the floral industry for more than 25 years, having developed his love for plants and flowers as a kid. He noted, “My mother was always a flower person, a plant person…

My parents owned a hardware store and nursery up in central Florida. Flowers are just another extension of what I was doing

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with Pinterest and everything on the Internet, there are no them” like they do in European secrets in this world.” Now, company’s Instagram feed is that’s an invitation worth loaded with photo after photo culture, where people buy flowers regularly—just because accepting! of gorgeous arrangements, Brad emphasizes that Shop owner and floral artist, including tropical, extravagant they like them, and not when you buy local, it’s better only when there is a special as well as elegant minimalist Brad Catlin for both the consumer and occasion to commemorate. styles. Do check it out the the community. Take a few The staff delivers all next time you need some in the garden center. It’s been minutes to stop in... Mother’s around the Bay Area, from inspiration for the perfect something I’ve been around Day is right around the Pinellas to Hillsborough to reflection of your feelings. pretty much my whole life.” corner... Choose a seasonal “I’ve always loved flowers,” Manatee County, providing Now, the florist has a dozen bouquet of flowers, specialty Catlin said. “It’s a creative side flowers for all occasions. staff members, all of whom plants or a gift basket to reflect They regularly fulfill orders of me. I paint, I sew; it’s just were trained by Brad. While your genuine love and caring. for different wire services, another facet of who I am…

Catlin says he does not have “Uniqueness, individuality, website sales, as well as for any secret tricks, he does know Another way of expressing creativity—these are all things anyone who comes into the short cuts and formulas, and is myself without using paint you’re going to get at a flower shop. Interestingly, with their or material, because you can happy to share them with his location on First Ave. N., Brad shop that you won’t get at create things with flowers devoted team.

Publix,” Brad said. He added, noted they don’t get as many that most people don’t think Besides the variety of “One hundred percent of your walk-ins as they would like, about.” Having a passion for traditional arrangements money is going to stay here simply because most people all things floral, Brad said he for things from funerals to and not go to corporations.” are just driving by. “Walk-in would love it if more people celebrations, prom corsages Absolutely Beautiful traffic would be a wonderful would incorporate flowers to holidays, the florists at Flowers is located at 574 1st thing to build up,” Catlin said. into their lives, if for no other Absolutely Beautiful Flowers Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. reason than to appreciate their “We’d love for everybody to can create specialty bouquets For more information call come in. You can come in natural loveliness. He would that look like cakes, animals, 727-470-5825 or visit like to see Americans “be more and you can watch. I don’t emoji’s and even strawberry www.absolutelybeautiful.us. have trade secrets because open to flowers, embracing daiquiris. What fun! The

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Sometimes Leeloo answers the phone to help out

Northeast Animal Hospital: Keeping Happy Pets Happy Since the 70’s

by Alan Venable

The Northeast Animal Hospital (1401 4th St N) gives local Saint Petersburg pet owners a lot of honest comfort. Reviews online will show you that visitors receive respect, kindness and understanding from all areas of staff. Whether you’re taking your pet for a groom or a severe surgery, the Northeast Animal Hospital is “devoted to pets and their people.”

That’s their motto, and they

stick to it.

The Animal Hospital has taken care of Saint Petersburg’s pets since the early 1970’s. Dr. Scribano has headed the team of veterinarians since 1998, ensuring that both clients and their pets feel at home at the hospital for nearly twenty years now. “We really try to do what’s best for the pet and make sure clients are comfortable with a decision

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or recommendation,” Dr. Scribano told me. “We try our best to be good messengers.”

The Northeast Animal Hospital stays active in the local community, which is a great thing for a pet-friendly town like Saint Petersburg.

The team participates in local events for rescue groups such as the SPCA, Friends of Strays, and Southeastern Guide Dogs. They’ve conducted dog washes downtown, and Dr. Scribano was the attending vet at the last Southeastern Guide Dogs outing in St. Pete.

Three years ago, the Northeast Animal Hospital opened a sister office downtown that offers grooming and pet daycare in addition to outpatient care.

Maybe you’ve noticed Pets In The City in the Plaza Tower & Courtyard Shops (111 2nd Ave NE #113). It’s got an easy, comfortable feel to it. There’s a big window front where you can see dogs being groomed, “like watching a painting being painted,” Dr. Scribano said. People are being dragged to the front door by pets wanting to get inside.

Pets In The City accomplishes a positive, pet-friendly atmosphere by staying true to the Northeast Animal Hospital’s motto.

You can feel the positive atmosphere at the front door.

There’s less anxiety when a dog hears other dogs playing

or sees attentive, happy employees. It’s a big change from typical stark vet clinics with its hip and modern feel. Plus, Pets In The City is conveniently located near the Ale and The Witch, giving you a new reason to grab a delicious craft beer.

Most pet services can be done right at Pets In The City downtown. And for severe procedures, clients need only travel two miles to the Northeast Animal Hospital.

Vets travel back and forth between both facilities, which keeps things familiar and trustworthy.

Here’s the honest truth: If your pet has friends in Saint Petersburg, they’re the team at the Northeast Animal Hospital and Pets In The City.

For more information about Northeast Animal Hospital and Pets In The City, visit them on the web at northeastanimalhospital.com or petsinthecitystpete.com.

Dogs feel comfortable at Pets In The City

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Earth Day Celebrates Our Beautiful Florida Environment and Sustainable Living Submitted by Chart 411 On April 22, historic Williams Park will be filled with lively music, engaging conversation, delicious food, and the sound of children playing in one of our most beautiful public spaces. It’s a great time to learn how small changes in our lives can make a big difference for our planet.

This beautiful and relaxing day in the Florida sunshine began with an environmental nightmare nearly 50 years ago.

In 1969, a huge oil spill off the California coast near Santa Barbara fouled beaches and killed thousands of birds and sea creatures. This awful event also started a movement to protect our air and water, clean up our rivers and streams, and make some dramatic changes in our country. It also led to the birth of the first Earth Day. On April 22, 1970 twenty million people took to the streets, parks, and community centers to demonstrate for a healthy and clean environment. By the end of that year, this national movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air and Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. President Richard Nixon said, “Santa Barbara… has frankly touched the conscience of the American people.”

This year, Earth Day will be celebrated by more than one 13

billion people in virtually every country on Earth, making it the largest secular observance in the world.

Earth Day in Williams Park is uniquely “St. Pete” – a city that works hard, tries new ideas, and chills out in the evening with some great music, tasty food, and a favorite beverage.

It all starts at 10 AM with environmental exhibits, artists and makers, live stage events, demonstrations on sustainable living, an electric vehicle show, and dozens of other activities.

Featured exhibits include a “Go Outside and Play” area with the Tampa Bay Rays, Great Explorations Museum, Tampa Bay Lightning, and good old fashioned playground games.

You can also visit with birds of prey and assorted creepy crawlies from Boyd Hill Nature Center, learn how to protect and preserve our pollinators, get over your fear of bats, and come to respect coyotes.

You can check out Planet Health, the source for natural wellness; The Future of Energy, including solar energy displays; Water is Life, a call to action to save our waterways; and TRASHED, small steps to solve a big problem and Electric Avenue where you can preview, for the first time in the Tampa Bay Area, the new Chevy Bolt, a game changer in affordable electric cars.

There are musical

Commissioner Ken Welch and friend performances throughout the day, including appearances by the “Happy Hands,” signing chorus and Jeff Blake, a well known local artist whose songs celebrate character, commitment and compassion.

Food and beverages will be plentiful, but you won’t see any Styrofoam, straws, or single use plastic bottles. The Earth Day vendors commit to doing business in a sustainable way!

As the festival winds down, a free Concert for the Earth will fill the park with the sounds of Uncle John’s Band, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Apple Butter Express, The John Clark Band, Moon Mammoth, and Trenchfoot Shindig.

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It’s the biggest free music extravaganza of the year!

Food and craft beer sales continue throughout the evening, and you can refill your water bottle for free at any time.

St. Pete Earth Day is cosponsored by The City of St. Petersburg and Chart 411, a local 501(c)3 focused on building a more sustainable community. For more information, visit our website at www.earthdaysp.com or look for us on Facebook.

Join us to celebrate the beauty of this planet and our commitment to preserve and protect her.

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Community Events & Local Happenings Country Western Luau CHNA Art in the ‘Hood: Cafe and Catering, and Rollin’ Senior Wildlife Biologist Jeanne Murphy at Boyd Oats Grocery Store.

When: Saturday, April 1st Mural Unveiling Party from 6pm-10pm Where: 1520 4th Street North, 33704 The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 14 St. Petersburg, 1520 4th Street North is hosting the 8th Annual Country Western Luau Saturday, April 1 from 6pm-10pm. Mix and match cowboy hats, boots and tropical attire for this dinner/ dance with live music by The Southern Knights Band, a buffet dinner, door prizes, 50/50 and more. Benefits the baby milk fund at All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medical.

For more information, call 727-894-7320 Cost: $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door

When: Sunday, April 2nd, 2:30 PM Where: Visit mychna.org for details Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association volunteers have secured a matching grant from the city of St. Petersburg, and will soon unveil two new murals by artists Cecelia Lueza, Derek Donnelly, and DAAS. Join our community for the unveiling of the murals with food, music, prizes, and fun. Scavenger hunt and neighborhood cleanup kick off at 2:30 - all ages and abilities welcome!

Sponsors and donors include Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Tampa Bay Watch, Ace Hardware, Banyan

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Check out the CHNA Facebook page, mychna.org, or the Nextdoor App for details/exact location as the date nears. Questions?

Contact Angie C. at AHSVolunteerCoordinator@ gmail.com.

Cost: Free admission

Tracking Backyard Aliens

When: Tuesday, April 11th, from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., 33705 Florida is being invaded!

From nomadic coyotes to thrown away pets, our backyard wildlife and plants are changing.

Join Sensing Nature’s

Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., on Tuesday, April 11, from 7:30 -8:30 p.m. to learn how to differentiate between exotic species and our natural Florida species as well as how to prevent new exotics from creeping throughout our state.

Cost: Free admission For more information, contact 727-893-7326 or visit stpeteparksrec.org/boyd-hill.html.

Sunlit Festival presents 3rd Annual Celebration of Literature When: April 10-25, 2017 (17 events over 16 days!)

Where: Visit sunlitfestival.org for details Literary and other arts and cultural circles will

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intersect during the third annual SunLit Festival, a springtime celebration of literature from April 10 to 25.

Produced by Keep St. Pete Lit, the Festival will a host a kick-off party on April 6 at the Chihuly Gallery from 7-9 p.m.

Event programming will include a Jack Kerouac Celebration with jazz musician David Amram; local writers performing their written work inspired

by Museum of Fine Art’s photo collection; literary history walking tours; poetry reading/signing with poet Jane Hirshfield; timed writing “death” matches; short story contests; and a spelling bee supporting literacy.

SunLit will also present kids poetry night hike, a citywide read/write in, writing workshops, storytelling/ improv events, and a book release party for local author and New York Times bestseller, Lisa Unger, and also

collaborate with the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair.

For more information visit www.sunlitfestival.org.

Hairspray In the Park!

When: April 19 – May 14, 2017 Show starts at 8 PM Where: Demens Landing, Bayshore Dr SE, 33701 It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable “pleasantly plump” teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire — to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show.

When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star.

She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do!

PLEASE NOTE: No alcohol or pets are allowed into the park, by City Ordinance.

Cost: $18 - $40 Please visit http://americanstage.org/ park/ for ticket options.

Local Artist Spotlight:

Ella Jet

If you’ve been to Ruby’s Elixir on a Saturday night between 6:30 and 9:30, you may have had the pleasure of listening to the spellbinding voice of St. Pete native, Ella Jet. Despite being just 18 years old, her self-written songs coupled with her folk rock vibe sound more like the wise words of an old soul.

In 2014 Jet was selected into the prestigious Grammy Museum’s Music Revolution Project and already she’s opened for National Acts: We The Kings, Vonda Shepard, Emily Kinney, In The Valley Below, The Prettiots, and Lovedrug. She’s also played support at Ruth Eckerd Hall for Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas and her musical hero Bob Dylan.

Her debut CD “Black Wave Diary” will be released sometime this year and she’s formed a new band called Daydream that will be backing her as she performs the songs off of her new album. In her own words, “I like my music to show the simple beauty of a stunted sunflower growing up through the cracks of this crazy messed up world”.

Catch her Thursday, April 6th at The Ringside Cafe and Thursday, April 20th at The Ale & The Witch or Saturdays solo at Ruby’s Elixir from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For more information about Ella Jet, like her on Facebook or follow her on Instagram @ellajetmusic.

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