Green Bench Monthly Vol. 6, Issue 6, June 2021

VOL. 6, ISSUE 6, JUNE 2021

Green Bench Monthly* St. Pete’s Community Magazine

Pride: More Than a Parade Consistently Inconsistent

RadioStPete pg. 10

Unique Glasses to Make You Shine

Modern Optics pg. 16

pg. 6

Community Calendar

Events pg. 22

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

Editor Mary Jane Park

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Contributors Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch Tina Stewart Brakebill Erin Cody Brian Zucker

Photographers Brian Brakebill Kristina Holman

Cover Photo

“Pride & Love” mural by Jay Hoff, Chad Mize, and LGBTQ youth volunteers from Metro Inclusive Health. Located in the Grand Central District at 2437 Central Ave. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Contact PO BOX 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734

IN THIS ISSUE 4

From the Bench

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Non-Profit News & Needs

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Pride: More Than a Parade

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People of St. Pete: Nate Taylor

10 RadioStPete: Consistently Inconsistent Programming Expands

18 Baybes Who Brunch: Eggcellent Spots to Get Down with Brunch 21 St. Pete Rising: Downtown Developments 22 Events

14 Body Electric Athletics: Not Your Average Gym

16 Modern Optics: Unique Glasses to Make You Shine

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St. Pete Ibis. Photo by Brian Brakebill

From the Bench A note from the Publishers Happy Pride Month, St. Pete!

We are re-printing an updated version of a story that first appeared in our June 2019 issue, Pride: More than a Parade (pg.

6). This is the first time in five years of publishing that we’ve rerun a story, but we felt it was important to revisit the reasons our community celebrates Pride—especially since there is no parade this year (see pg. 22 for other Pride Festival events). We also want to take this moment to recognize how far we’ve come, and that there’s still more work to be done to make St. Pete (and beyond) equitable for all.

Happy Father’s Day (June 20th) to all you dads and dad-figures! We hope you enjoy your day and, while you’re at it, grab a free pint at McArthur’s (pg. 23).

Last but certainly not least, congratulations to the class of 2021! You survived one of the most challenging Tony and Ashley Sica school years in modern history. Hats off to Publishers / Owners all of you. May your futures be bright and pandemic-free.

Till next time,

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com

*All are welcome on this bench.

The history of the green benches is layered. For some, it is a reminder of a painful period of racism and segregation. To others, it is a symbol of welcomeness and hospitality. We carry this name to shine a light on our city’s history and in celebration of those who work tirelessly towards a more inclusive St. Pete. To read more about our story and the history of the green benches visit greenbenchmonthly.com/about.

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Kelli Casto, Executive Director of Saving Our Seniors

Non-Profit News & Needs Many of St. Petersburg’s not-for-profit organizations provide vital services to our community. If you have time or resources to give, it can go a long way. To submit ‘news or needs’ for publication, email hello@ greenbenchmonthly.com.

Saving Our Seniors: Filling the Gap Between Medicare and No Care SOS fills the gap between Medicare and financial limitations with a focus on providing more independence to seniors who would normally have to remain sedentary or face reinjury due to the unavailability of proper equipment to improve care options. Volunteers are needed to help with pickup and delivery, phone support, equipment sales, marketing and donations. For more info, visit savingourseniors.org.

You + A child who needs you + A weekly 30-minute virtual lunch = Lunch Pals!

The Lunch Pals program is a network of volunteers who meet with Pinellas students for thirty minutes once a week at lunchtime.

Community partners and businesses are encouraged to engage in the Lunch Pals program. Businesses who participate in the program nurture a thriving St. Petersburg community while mentoring more confident potential employees and entrepreneurs. Lunch Pals info sessions will begin in July. For more info, visit Lunchpals.org.

Help Reach St. Pete Reach St Pete bridges the gap between people and resources in St. Pete. They provide quality access for those in need with Motel Outreach, Southside Assistance, and Fill the Need programs. To get involved you can donate, shop their Amazon wishlist, volunteer, or host a hygiene/fundraising drive. For more info visit reachstpete.org.

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Pride Parade. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Pride: More Than a Parade

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Fifty-two years ago this June, patrons at the Stonewall Inn in New York City took a public stand. Pushing back against an election year escalation of officially sanctioned harassment, customers refused to quietly endure yet another police raid targeting the LGTBQ community.

Word of their defiance spread and more people joined the protest.

Ultimately, the Stonewall Uprising inspired a growing demand for “Gay Liberation” as evidenced by the commemorative marches held one year later in NYC, Chicago, and LA.

Pride Born from Adversity The need for this liberation was clear. In the decades before Stonewall, public scare campaigns plus discriminatory policies and laws increasingly targeted the LGTBQ community. Being “outed” as a gay or lesbian person could result in the loss of employment, shelter, custody of children, and even freedom. Locally, hundreds of “suspected homosexuals” in the Tampa Bay region lost jobs or were jailed for “crimes against nature” as a result of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee’s nearly decade-long campaign of harassment. Given the very real risks, it is not surprising that members of early gay rights groups (like the Mattachine Society or the Daughters of Bilitis) often endeavored to keep their individual identities private as they lobbied for laws to protect the right to simply exist without harassment. The Stonewall Uprising and the movement it inspired marked a definitive shift in the fight for gay rights, stepping squarely into the public arena.

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Shouting Gay Pride But this shift wasn’t just about bringing the fight into the light.

Like the women’s liberation movement, the Gay Liberation movement demanded equality AND respect for identity. Liberation meant that social, civil, and legal equality should not be predicated on adherence to someone else’s definition of gendered “norms.” A sign at an early march may have said it best: “Gay is Proud.” As this simple message spread to more and more cities, annual marches to commemorate Stonewall grew into something more; they became avenues to shout their pride. By the 1980’s, most major cities in the U.S. held a wide variety of annual Pride events. But “Pride Parades”, in particular, offered the best opportunity for celebration along with commemoration as the LGBTQ community proudly, and loudly, demanded rights and respect.

Tampa Bay Pride The Bay region was a little late to the show; but in 1992, after some sporadic events in the 1980’s, the Greater Tampa Pride Organization (GTPO) initiated their annual Pridefest. The first Pridefest in Ybor City included a rally and short march. Over the next decade, the growing event rotated between St. Pete and Tampa before hitting some internal and external speed bumps. Internally, Pridefest Tampa Bay suffered from the effects of financial mismanagement. Externally, GTPO was dealt a blow when conservative Hillsborough County politicians

“Pride & Love” mural by Jay Hoff, Chad Mize, and LGBTQ youth volunteers from Metro Inclusive Health for the 2019 SHINE Mural Festival in celebration of Come Out St. Pete. Located in the Grand Central District at 2437 Central Ave. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

adopted a policy that effectively banned Pride events. However, by this time, the Tampa Bay LGTBQ community had come too far to be silenced and St. Petersburg offered a place to be heard.

over four themed weeks with a signature event each weekend instead of the usual parade and festival. Details are available in our Calendar of Events (pg. 22) and at www.stpetepride.org/events.

St. Petersburg Pride

Not Just a Month-Long Party

Not everyone was ready to listen, but City Councilman (and future mayor) Rick Kriseman was. In June 2003, he signed a proclamation declaring June as “St. Petersburg Pride Month” and the Pride party began! This inaugural Pride Month included events at the Palladium Theater, the Holocaust Museum, Spa Beach, The Art Center, and Georgie’s Alibi. But, no doubt, the Grand Central District’s parade and street festival were the biggest hits, drawing over 10,000 attendees that first year. Since then, the St. Pete Pride Parade has become Florida’s largest. Each year offers more sponsors and participants, including the first-ever TransPride March in 2017. Not even the relocation of the parade from Central Avenue to Beach Drive could dampen the growth. In 2018, an estimated 200,000 people braved the heat to revel in the parade. Another 50,000 attended the Grand Central District Street Fair. In 2019, the Pride Celebration drew an estimated 265,000 people and it’s likely that 2020 would have broken records as well, but Covid-19 precautions forced the event’s cancelation. Luckily, St. Pete Pride is back in 2021! Still mindful of safety, June will shine its pride

Why is it so important that St. Pete Pride is back, even though we can’t have an extravagant parade and festival? Because Pride month is not just a party. It’s a way to speak out. Despite strides made towards equality, the work is not done. Despite local protections, a majority of states (including Florida) do NOT fully protect LGTBQ+ people from discrimination, which means, for example, that in many places LGTBQ+ people can be legally evicted, denied medical treatment, forced into “conversion therapy,” or kicked out of a restaurant. True equality is still down the road, so the march forward must continue. (For detailed stats, visit the Human Rights Campaign at www.hrc.org.) As long as LGTBQ persons can be denied basic human rights, we need to keep speaking up!

Pride parades, festivals, picnics, concerts, and rallies can help do that by commemorating the past, celebrating the present, and recognizing the need to continually build a community of support, fighting for equality for all.

Thanks to Jim Nixon, for his generous help as I researched this piece.

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People of St. Pete: Nate Taylor

By Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Pete is celebrated for its fabulous weather, beautiful vistas, world-class food scene, and thriving cultural atmosphere but the people of St. Pete truly make this city something special. In appreciation, each month Green Bench shines a light on one of the many people who make St. Pete unique.

This month we’re putting the spotlight on Nate Taylor. As the division director of community initiatives for Metro Inclusive Health, he’s usually ensuring that Metro’s message is heard throughout Tampa Bay. It was a pleasure to shift the virtual megaphone and give him a shout-out!

From Philly but Where’s Home?

Taylor’s family is from Philadelphia, but he is a proverbial “military brat,” having lived in a variety of places around the world during his young life. His family was posted in Japan during the time he was ages 14 to 17, and he grew to love it so much that he returned on his own after he graduated high school. For two years, he worked as a director of community activities in Kamiseya, coordinating activities and events to promote cultural awareness for service members and their families. He also taught English classes for Japanese nationals. When his two-year contract ended, he returned to the United States, settled temporarily in Virginia Beach, and entered college at Washington, D.C.-based Strayer University.

Photo by Brian Brakebill

Helping Others Brings Him Home For the next eight years, Taylor was not only a Strayer student, he also was an employee. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and management and rose from a student services officer to director of campus operation, concentrating on helping people access education, especially those who may have struggled with more traditional paths. His eight years at Strayer involved several relocations, including a short stay in Tampa, as work promotions took him to several of the university’s many U.S. campuses. When Taylor arrived in Tampa Bay, he remembers thinking: “This is home.” In 2010, as he decided to shift career paths and landed in St. Pete, where he returned to his roots helping provide career and educational counseling for military spouses and service members. After serving on Metro Inclusive Health’s volunteer board for four years, he experienced another career turn.

We are Family From its inception as a small HIV and AIDS outreach organization in the 1990s to its current status as a flourishing 501(c)(3) organization, Metro Inclusive Health offered support for the community. Metro’s mission is simple: “We strive to promote a healthy environment for all and foster diversity within the community as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or economic status.” Taylor’s goal as the division director of community initiatives is to make sure that message gets to anyone who needs it, internally and throughout the community. When he’s not spreading that message, he’s probably taking care of his 3-year-old daughter, Skylar, along with her two mothers, who are longtime friends of Taylor’s. When he does get the occasional night off, you might also find him on stage as Pheyonce Montrese at drag venues across the Tampa Bay area. After a lifetime of moving, Taylor has found a home and family in St. Petersburg.

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Local musicians Gale Trippsmith, Kirk Adams, Vinny Spleski, and Joe Interante prepare for a live FM and Internet broadcast from the Southview Arts studio soon to originate many live RadioStPete local music broadcasts. Photos by Brian Brakebill

RadioStPete: Consistently Inconsistent Programming Expands

By Tina Stewart Brakebill When we last checked in with RadioStPete, station founder and program director Joe Bourdow was thrilled by the progress of what he described as “local internet radio for St. Pete and the world.” Now, just 18 months later, RadioStPete has expanded onto the FM dial. Sunshine 96.7 FM provides a wide variety of music options while RadioStPete Online continues to offer its eclectic range of programs. No matter how you like to listen or what your favorite program, it’s an exciting time for fans of community-focused local radio.

The Original: RadioStPete Online Founded in 2013 to promote “the good things happening locally and to put a voice to the people,” RadioStPete’s “consistently inconsistent” programming offers a 24/7 blend of talk, music, news, and live local coverage. It plays regularly scheduled, widely varied thematic blocks including jazz, country, classical, pop and classic vinyl. In addition to regular newscasts, every weekday at noon, you can widen your horizons with “Lunchtime Conversations” and its mix of news, weather, Garrison Keillor and interesting features published

by St. Pete Catalyst and other local producers. Movie buff? Tune in Saturday nights for the popular podcast “Cinema Clash.” Local sports fan? Tune into the “Locked on Rays” podcast every weeknight at 5:30, or enjoy live sports talk with “St. Pete’s Sports Connection” every Saturday, live from Ferg’s. RadioStPete Online isn’t just a talkradio station, a music station, a sports station, or an all-news station.

Listeners can count on a mixture of music, news, and talk, along with live coverage of local events. It’s a delightfully inconsistent lineup designed to inform and entertain.

More Music: Sunshine 96.7 FM When the FCC granted RadioStPete the broadcasting license for 96.7 FM in March, local music had reason to rejoice. Like RadioStPete Online, Sunshine 96.7 FM has program blocks, but although it offers a smattering of other programming along with daily news and weather updates, its primary focus is music, especially the local music scene.

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As Bourdow described, “it’s a place to hear the best local musicians play and the place to hear the shows those musicians love.” Sunshine 96.7 Music Director J Kolb hosts “Music from the Bay with J,” from 2 to 5 p.m. daily. Tune in, and you can listen to some of the Tampa Bay area’s best singer songwriters and bands playing original music and covers. Then stick around after the news break to enjoy local recordings from the past decade with the “Old Pirate,” Rick Crandall.

Most evenings you also can hear local singers, songwriters, and bands play during the “St. Pete Nights” show. When Sunshine Radio isn’t featuring local talent, it broadcasts popular syndicated shows like the most widely distributed blues radio show in the world, “Beale Street Caravan;” the live-audience Americana format “Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour;” and singer-songwriter focused “Acoustic Café.”

Simply put, Sunshine 96.7 FM loves music, and it shows.

Love Local: Support Local Non-Profit Programming For complete information on programming, podcast archives, and all the ways you can listen to both StPeteRadio Online and Sunshine 96.7 FM, visit www.radiostpete.com. RadioStPete is a locally based nonprofit all-volunteer organization with a volunteer board and 501(3)C tax-exempt status, so consider offering your support to help keep RadioStPete and Sunshine 96.7 FM local and live.

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Body Electric co-founders and co-owners, Jenny Miller and Katelyn Grady with their daughter Harlan Grady Miller. Photos by Kristina Holman

Body Electric Athletics: Not Your Average Gym

by Erin Cody As a St. Pete resident, you’ve likely heard of, or even visited, The Body Electric Yoga Company. Due to the madness of the past year, however, you may have missed the birth of their brand new branch: The Body Electric Athletic Company (BE Athletic). “Yoga is so much more than the physical practice,” says Katelyn Grady, Body Electric cofounder and co-owner. “When guided by yoga philosophy, any physical practice can be done in such a way as to make it yoga.” Athletic activity with a yoga vibe? Sounds pretty awesome.

Athletics + Mindfulness “We want to bring the mindfulness, present-moment-awareness, and non judgemental observation of the yoga practice into fitness,” Grady says. “There’s been a lot of new research on the nervous system and resiliency, and we try to incorporate that into the fitness model.

Many of us yogis are athletes, and we wanted to share how a yogic mindset can take your training to the next level.”

“Our interest is in teaching people to intelligently train themselves, and create a sustainable, lifelong fitness habit,” co-owner and co-founder Jenny Miller says. “We emphasize education, personal agency, and

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learning to listen to your body. We also have this huge, beautiful space that’s intended to help you downshift and separate your experience here from the rest of your busy life. After all the sloth and anxiety of the last year, you deserve a nice environment, and you deserve to take this time for yourself.”

A Gym Without Attitude Still growing and changing after just over a year in business, BE Athletic is seeing many of its yoga clients, as well as many new gym members seeking strength, cardio, and overall physical fitness in a soothing and encouraging environment. Both owners particularly love the strength training classes at their gym, and Grady is particularly drawn to the simplicity, fun, and effectiveness of kettlebell sessions.

“It’s not easy to make a group class accessible to everyone who shows up, bring in the elements of mindfulness and somatic awareness, and deliver an a**-kicking,” says Miller. “What we’re trying to create is a habit of present moment awareness into fitness,” says Jenny, “and that’s been a game-changer to the people who’ve been working out with us.

And as we refine our programming, it’s only going to get better.”

The Body Electric’s introductory offer, The 21 Day Hustle, includes Unlimited Yoga, Athletic, and Streaming classes for $65

It’s “One Day” or “Day One” What do these two have to say to those of us who may have recently stumbled on our health plans? “It’s pretty simple,” Grady says.

“It’s one day, or Day One -- you choose.”

“If you feel like you’re too far gone to start, what you underestimate is how great you’re going to start feeling immediately, as soon as you get going.” says Miller.. “Six months from now, you’re going to wish you started today. So, start already!”

The Body Electric’s introductory offer, The 21 Day Hustle, includes Unlimited Yoga, Athletic, and Streaming classes for $65 (see back cover to save even more!). In addition, you receive full membership privileges, like Open Gym, ice baths, free mat and towel rental, and discounts on special events and retail. Why wait?

For information visit thebodyelectricyoga.com/thebeathletic, call (727) 490-9361, or swing by the new gym, 655 31st St. N, near the Pinellas Trail.

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Modern Optics is located in the Grand Central District at 2433 Central Ave. Photos by Kristina Holman

Modern Optics: Unique Glasses to Make You Shine

By Erin Cody “Life’s too short to wear boring glasses!” enthuses Chuck Eubanks, Florida Licensed Optician, stylist extraordinaire, and owner of eyewear boutique Modern Optics. He is out to show citizens of his favorite city that your glasses can be just as fun and unique as you are.

“For the same reason, it’s important people love their cars, shoes, watches, purses, etc.” he says. “These items serve a purpose, but who doesn’t enjoy a compliment now and again?” According to the many glowing reviews across social media, compliments on the glasses from Modern Optics are a constant.

Boutique Style Chuck Eubanks, optomestrist and owner of Modern Optics Photos by Kristina Holman

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Eubanks got into the game when he purchased an established optical boutique in 2003. “By 2011, I decided it was time to transition to a new aesthetic: fewer designer name-brand frames and more

Explore the many unique frames and lens products at Modern Optics - we promise you won’t be disappointed!

independent ‘boutique’ frames,” he says. With his great eye, Eubanks curated a killer collection, and Modern Optics was born. The first store was in St. Pete Beach. Eubanks relocated to trendy Central Avenue in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, to be closer to his customer base in downtown St. Petersburg, the Old Northeast and Snell Isle. “If you want to grow your business, be in a location that’s growing,” he says. “There is not a better place than St. Pete and the Grand Central District.”

The smart mid-century modern style of the shop is inspired by Eubanks’ St. Pete upbringing. He came up on the wave of modernism, and now rides it to perfection. Media have taken notice, too. In the past year, both a national commercial and an infomercial scouted Modern Optics and filmed in the boutique.

“We at Modern Optics strive to offer our clients individual service, and unique frame choices and lens products,” he says. “We spend time to help people decide the look they want. Our glasses are fun, and you will get lots of compliments! I promise!”

Your Favorite Accessory

fronts that can be easily attached with magnets to totally change your look,” he says. “People can even decorate the fronts themselves. Imagine wearing a thin gold metal frame one day and the next day adding a bright red front with applied rhinestones. Talk about versatility.”

Modern Optics now offers lenses to help with color blindness as well as UFC fighter Tony Ferguson’s Signature Edition from Dillon Optics. “He’s been wearing Dillon’s sunglasses for a long time now,” Eubanks says. “The lenses are crazy cool. They’re mirrored but with no shine to them.”

The real superstars are the iGreen line of frames. Made in Miami, the fully customizable specs are the perfect reflection of one’s personal style. “Each client can choose from over 100 styles made from plastic acetate,” Eubanks says. “Each frame is available in three sizes and in 400 colors. They come with interchangeable temples (side ear pieces) in 15 colors that the client can change out themselves. They also are available with nose pads for people who need a better fit.”

To get individual attention, glasses no one else will have, and a great eye (!) for style, swing by Modern Optics and find the frames that make you feel like a million bucks. Who knew eyewear could do that?

What’s so special about these glasses? Eubaks demonstrates a few new styles. “Our MODO Metal frames have colorful plastic

Visit Modern Optics at 2433 Central Ave. or online at www. modernopticsfla.com, or call (727) 360-2511.

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Sammy + Paco’s ; Paco’s Benedict

Eggcellent Spots to Get Down with Brunch

By Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch My dears, the sun is here to stay, porches are the rage, and Sundays should be filled with foodie deliciousness, boozy sips, or both. Let’s be honest… “I brunch and I know things”, so as we stand on the precipice of all things summer, I bring to you my top picks for where you need to be spending your Sunday Fundays for weeks to come!

First stop is 5th Ave new kid on the block, Sammy + Paco’s, a place where teal walls and sunflower dreams are made, brought to you from Kelly and Alex Rodriguez of Lolita’s fame. Open from 8am2pm on weekends. They cater to early morning and slow riser folks alike. The Paco’s Benedict is also now topping my list of favorite egg dishes in the Bay. Yes, I said it! Marble rye piled with beet house-cured salmon, poached egg, heirloom tomatoes, tomatillo, hollandaise, and the lightest dill relish is imperative.

Next, we venture over to the Warehouse Arts District to Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier. I’m desperately trying to track down their decorator because I may want to move into their dining room. It’s that gorgeous! This is the perfect spot for a leisurely boozy Sunday listening

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Wild Child; Buttermilk-Masa Pancakes

to live tunes or a special Bourbon tasting in their Tasting Room. My picks will forever be their Bloody made with Bacon Fat-Washed Horse Soldier Bourbon and the Stillhouse Eggs Benedict with biscuits, fried green tomatoes, porchetta, and chive hollandaise. Don’t forget to make a res because they book out pretty far in advance!

Our last two spots are surprisingly neighbors and both have porches that I adore. Y’all, I’ll alphabetize here because I love them both too much to pick favorites. Baba will give you all the Mediterranean vibes and may even protect you from the Mondays with all their “evil eyes” beautifully placed throughout. Sipping on a Spartan Nectar filled with homemade limoncello on the porch certainly transports you to another realm, regardless. Lately, they have been playing around will new menu items, but the lightest Ricotta Pancakes with berries still remain a tried and true fav.

If you’ve saved room, cross the street and enter the most fun colorful porch at Wild Child splashed with multi-shade teal picnic tables, and walls with shades of coral, lemon, and lavender. If you need a pick me up to get you through the rest of the day, try the Brandy Latte Punch with Bandit Vanilla Cold Brew Syrup for a nice punch. Must tries include the Buttermilk-Masa Pancakes topped in crema (you will lick off all available silverware and maybe even the plate) and the Burrata Toast with tangerine marmalade, pickled strawberries, and refreshing mint that makes for a perfect bite.

If you can’t wait until July to see what I’m eating, then check more content out on Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at baybeswhobrunch@gmail.com. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!

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Paradeco Coffee Roasters is now open at 111 2nd Ave NE

Sauvignon Wine Locker is now open at 241 Central Ave

Downtown Developments

By Brian Zucker, Owner of St. Pete Rising It seems like each time we take a stroll through downtown there are new restaurants and galleries opening and more apartment complexes and condo towers being built. We realize it’s difficult to keep track of everything. Luckily, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Each month we will feature a few of the most exciting new downtown developments that are on the horizon for the Sunshine City.

Paradeco Coffee Roasters is now open at 111 2nd Avenue Northeast in the Plaza Tower and Courtyard Shops. Paradeco has put a ton of time into sourcing high-quality coffee beans while also leaning into the latest in coffee tech. They’ll offer a rotating selection of four to five single-origin coffees from countries like Peru, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Colombia. From the moment you step through the door, you’re greeted with tropical vibes. A plant wall featuring 195 live plants is situated over a 70’s-style pink couch in the back of the shop. The various curves and archways exude an Art Deco design that inspired the name of the business – Paradeco.

DalMoros Fresh Pasta to Go is now open at 653 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. Dal Moro’s offers five fresh pasta styles (without the preservatives) that are cooked-to-order and ready to eat within three minutes. Once you order, a team member tosses your fresh, house-made pasta in a pot and then into a small box. From there, select your sauce, pile the toppings high, and you’re set for a filling, delicious lunch on the run! And for an authentic Italian experience, round off your meal with a serving of decadent tiramisu, which comes in classic or Nutella.

KOJO, a pan-Asian restaurant and bar, is coming soon to 551 Central Avenue on the rooftop of Central Park Food Hall. Kojo will feature flavors from China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea with a touch of European flair offering dishes like Udon Carbonara, Miso Black Cod, and Tea Smoked Chicken. For dessert, finish the night off with the Matcha Dusted Donut Holes served with a sesame chocolate sauce and a condensed milk-matcha sauce. Kojo will be just one of ten concepts at the upcoming three-story Central Park Food Hall in downtown St. Pete.

Central Park is expected to open in 2022.

SOMA is coming soon to 630 4th Avenue South. Nestled just outside the Innovation District, this 4-unit townhome community will include an elevator in each unit, 10-foot ceilings, gas cooking surfaces, and gas tankless water heaters. Each home will be 2,890 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage. The project will have

two, two-unit buildings separated by an interior paved motor court with garages accessible via the alley. The homes will start at $1.2 million.

Sauvignon Wine Locker American Trattoria is now open at 241 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. This hidden oasis of food and drink is located on the second floor of the Jannus Block, accessed through a discrete hallway next to Five Bucks Drinkery. Sauvignon focuses on fresh seasonal food prepared by executive chef and Annata-alum Chris Ciarcia.

The wine menu boasts around 150 bottles ranging in price from $35 to $1,200 per bottle and everything in between. Menu items include Roasted Heirloom Beets, Cavatelli Primavera, and the Creekstone Farms Natural Filet served with truffle whipped potatoes, charred broccolini, and a caramelized shallot herb butter.

St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay up-todate, visit StPeteRising.com.

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EVENTS Williams Park Summer Market When: Starting June 5th through the end of September; every Saturday from 9am - 1pm Where: Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave N Cost: Free Admission The Saturday Morning Market moves to the shade of Williams Park. Shop a variety of local farms, food trucks, plants, artisan foods, and crafts. saturdaymorningmarket.com

Get Active With Kids & Kubs

When: Pickup games Tuesday and Thursdays at 9am Where: 901 North Shore Park Blvd Cost: Free Summer Ball is underway,

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open to all veterans, rookies, and prospects age 74 & up. The coming months are the time to get in shape for great fun.

All player positions open for male and female players for the 2021-2022 season. Contact Jon Reynolds at (517) 420-6358.

RAINBOW @ MIZE Gallery When: Exhibit opens Friday, June 4th from 6pm - 9pm; runs through June 27th; Saturdays 10 am -5 pm; Sundays 10 am - 2pm; or by appointment.

Where: MIZE Gallery, 689 Dr MLK Jr Street N, Unit C Cost: Free Admission Featuring 40 new works by 40 LGBTQIA+ Artists. Each artist was assigned a color of the rainbow and created a new work

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on a supplied circular canvas. chadmize.com

StPete2050 Community Workshop #2 When: Wednesday, June 9th from 6:30 pm - 8pm Where: Virtual Cost: Free Join the City in the process of updating the City of St. Petersburg Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations to incorporate the StPete2050 community themes and goals as articulated by the community during the StPete2050 outreach process. stpete2050.com

We Are Family Pride Event When: Saturday, June 12th from 11am – 5 pm Where: The Pier, North & South Straub Parks Cost: GA $5

Enjoy this first-of-its-kind Pride event to celebrate the family culture of St. Pete and beyond. Family focused vendors, entertainment, food and beverages will be available in the parks. bit.ly/we-are-family-stpete

REVERBERATIONS on view at the James Museum When: Saturday, June 19th Sunday, August 29th daily from 10am - 5pm Where: The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave Cost: Adult $20; Child $10; Senior, Military and Student Discount Presented by the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, REVERBERATIONS shares artwork from emerging and established Black artists who live and work in Tampa Bay and across the Southeastern United States. thejamesmuseum.org

Pride Central When: Saturday, June 26th from 1pm - 7pm Where: 500 - 1100 blocks of Central Ave Cost: Fundraiser Stride with pride! Shop-hop / barcrawl style event to support local independent businesses while raising money for Metro and Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT).

Over 30 participating businesses and several entertainment ‘stations’ throughout the district. #pridecentralstpete

Pride Picnic & Fireworks

PrideFest in dramatic fashion.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase. bit.ly/pridefestpicnic

St. Pete Pier Run

When: Sunday, July 4th at 6:30am Where: St. Pete Pier, 800 2nd Ave NE Cost: $50 Gather your friends and family, and kick off your 4th of July celebrations with the inaugural St Pete Pier Run! The 4 mile run showcases the amazing St Pete Pier, which opened in 2020, as well as St Pete’s scenic waterfront.

The event includes live music for all to enjoy. stpeterunfest.org/ st-pete-pier-run/

When: Saturday, June 26th from 2pm - 9pm Where: South Straub Park, 198 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: GA $5 PrideFest’s final weekend will invite visitors to spend an evening along the beautiful downtown waterfront, enjoying picnics, To submit event info, or view more musical performances, and a events, scan the qr code or visit fireworks display that will cap off greenbenchmonthly.com/events.

JUNE 2021 /

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