Green Bench Monthly Vol. 8, Issue 9, September 2023

From the Bench

A note from the Publishers

Hi, friends. This month marks seven years of Green Bench Monthly! We are grateful for the opportunity to share stories with you and incredibly thankful for the contributions of our talented writers, photographers, and community members who have poured their passion into these pages. It's not lost on us how rare it is to have a small print publication these days. Thank you to our readers and advertisers for supporting independent media!

On a personal note, we are SO excited because Mark Simms Painting and Local Roots Landscaping completely revived the exterior of our 1942 home. If you need painting or landscaping, we highly recommend giving them a call. We are so impressed by their work and think you will be too!

This month: Goodbye Hello Girls (pg. 6), a community hero (pg. 9), emerging artists (pg. 12), a greenhouse for businesses (pg. 14), a new dog-friendly cafe (pg. 20), and more in between.

Till next time, Ashley & Tony

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.

View of downtown. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

Goodbye Hello Girl, Meet the Strowger Switch

By Monica Kile, Historian and Tour Guide with I Love the Burg Tours

At 821 First Ave. N, between 8th and 9th streets, looms a mysterious, hulking building. An odd mix of brick and metal with virtually no windows, its form gives a clue to its function. What’s the story of this boxy behemoth?

Built in 1925 for the Peninsular Telephone Company (known as West Coast Telephone until 1923), the building’s mammoth size was necessary to house the massive batteries and equipment required to operate the revolutionary new “automatic dial” system that was installed in the fall of that year. Powered by the Strowger Switch, the automated system eliminated the need for the “Hello Girl” – the operators that had heretofore connected every single call placed throughout the city. By

Above: General Telephone Company Building, 1955.

Bottom left: This 1941 photo shows the remaining operators of the telephone company (those not displaced by the Strowger Switch), used only for longdistance calls and problem-solving.

Photos courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

the opening of the new building in September 1925, some 15,000 dial telephones would be installed in the city, a five-fold increase from the number of phones in use just two years prior. Half of the lines were to be party lines, with up to 10 phones connected to each, making for plenty of wonderful opportunities to eavesdrop on one’s neighbors.

The Strowger Switch

If the Hello Girls wished to lodge a complaint about the newfangled Strowger Switch that displaced them, they wouldn’t need to go far to harangue its inventor. He was buried just a mile away in Greenwood Cemetery. In the type of coincidence that could happen only in a resort city like St. Petersburg, the inventor of the Strowger Switch, the gadget that enabled the creation of an automatic dial-telephone system, had moved to town in the 1890s and died here in 1902.

Almon Brown Strowger came up with the idea for the switch as a desperate measure to protect his career. A Civil War veteran who fought for the Union in the Battle of Bull Run, Strowger went on to become an undertaker in Kansas City. He was convinced that his competitor’s wife, an operator at the local telephone company, was intercepting phone calls to Strowger’s mortuary business and relaying them to her husband’s funeral home instead. He sought a way to eliminate the middleman (a woman, in this case) from the connection of the phone call. Mechanically inclined, he designed his contraption using some straight pins and the round box used to store his shirt collars. Strowger patented his invention in 1892, but its usefulness wasn’t immediately

clear to the phone companies. He sold the patent after a few years for just $1,800. After its popularity grew, it would sell again, 15 years later, for $2.5 million, to Bell Telephone Systems. Meanwhile, Strowger moved to St. Petersburg in the late 1890s and took up his old career, working for the H.P. Bussey Funeral Home. Strowger died in 1902 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery on Dr. Martin Luther King Street S. A bronze plaque was placed at his gravesite in 1949 by members of the telephone industry to commemorate the significance of his invention. The Strowger Switch remained in use until the 1970s.

The construction of the Peninsular Telephone building in 1925 signaled the swan song of the Hello Girls, once cherished for their delightful voices and the personal connection they brought to each telephone call. Now callers would insert their own fingers into holes on new dial telephones, rotate the dial to the desired numbers, and wait in silence for a connection. Callers would speak to an operator only if they were placing a long-distance call or had a problem that warranted a supervisor’s intervention.

The Building’s Saga Continues

The gargantuan building at First Avenue N continued to serve Peninsular Telephone until 1957 when ownership transferred to the General Telephone Company. The building was the site of picket lines during a major strike against General Telephone in 1963 when nearly 3,000 members of Florida Local 824 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers AFL-CIO took part in a 59-day strike protesting salaries, seniority rights, and rules for employment of part-time workers.

In 2000, General Telephone merged with Bell Atlantic to become Verizon, and later, Frontier Communications. The building at First Avenue N was purchased by an LLC out of New Jersey in 2021, and its future is unclear. A quarter of the building is still used by Frontier Communications, with the remaining office space currently unoccupied. While its fate is uncertain, the next time you drive by the building, think of its past with the Hello Girls, Almon Strowger, and the 1963 General Telephone strike.

The author’s children and friends, using a printout of an old photo as their guide, traipsed through ankle-high grass to find the gravestone of Almon Strowger in Greenwood Cemetery in August 2023.

The vanguard of a block-long group of striking General Telephone Co. employees marches past the company office at 821 First Ave N on August 26, 1963.

Photo courtesy of Saint Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press

People of St. Pete: Steve Harris

By Lynn Waddell

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 that make St. Pete unique.

Magnolia Heights residents may know him as the neighbor who always has the right tool and a willingness to help. Animal rescuers embrace him as one of their own, and others may recognize him as the cheerful guy who drives down Central Avenue in a golf cart that looks like a miniature fire truck.

Stop by for a chat at the former firefighter’s St. Petersburg bungalow, and you’ll find Steve Harris has led a life more colorful than the windmills spinning in his yard.

Harris and his parents moved to St. Petersburg from Anderson, Ind., in 1960. He was 10. He graduated from the then-new Lakewood High School, which he notes at the time was the only local school with air conditioning.

He gained a different education when he later visited a friend in New York who asked him to a concert. “We really didn’t know what it was,” he says. It was 1969, and the concert was Woodstock. Not only does Harris still have the festival ticket to prove it, but he also has a picture, which he discovered only five years ago. In the background of a Life Magazine photo showing the bare backside of a woman facing the crowd is 19-year-old Harris. “If you can’t remember the ’60s, you obviously were there,” he jokes.

Firefighting. Unscripted

While he comes from three generations of firemen, Harris said he felt no pressure to follow the family tradition. Instead, he wanted to be a police officer and studied for it at St. Petersburg College. That was until a pal at a local watering hole persuaded him to join St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

Harris worked for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue for 30 years, spending the last 20 on its marine rescue dive team. When he started in 1974, he recalls a much quieter city. “When I got on shift, come 4 p.m., the sidewalks rolled up. The only excitement were the drunks in the alleys and at the John 3:16 Mission.”

Not that the city was without emergencies. Today, Harris can’t drive through town without triggering a memory of one call or another. He has a tall stack of photo albums filled with pictures and newspaper clippings chronicling his rescue calls. Call him an unofficial historian of the city’s bumps and burns. He fought the big fires in the 1980s at Webb City’s Nursery, the Sportsman pool hall on Central Avenue, and Jones Chemical. He responded to countless car crashes. (contd pg. 10)

Photos by Keith Kenney

(contd. from pg. 9)

“I loved the excitement of the unknown because every call is different,” he says. “You will see the strange, bizarre and the unexpected.”

Diving In

Inspired by the early 1960s television series “Sea Hunt,” Harris learned to dive and joined the department’s marine rescue team. He helped fish out pilots from Tampa Bay after they overshot the Albert Whitted Airport runway. He searched for bodies in cars submerged in retention ponds.

Ironically, he performed his most famous rescues when he was off duty. Once, on his day off at the beach, he resuscitated a drowning tourist. Another time, Harris and his other brother were driving on the north side of town when they noticed two cars drag racing across a canal from them. One of the cars lost control and veered into the water. No time or cell phones to call for help, Harris dove into the murky canal, pulled the driver out of the car, and saved his life.

No rest for the retired

Today, framed letters from governors and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, celebrating Harris’ rescues, sit in his den along with an impressive collection of firehouse relics from around the world. Many date back to the mid 1800s.

Not that he has much time to spend in his firefighter’s museum. He remains active in the Magnolia Heights Neighborhood Association and Gateway Exchange Club, both of which he has served as a past president. A volunteer for the Florida State Animal Rescue Coalition, he constantly responds to calls about sick or injured wildlife. He cares for more adopted cats than he cares to count. He makes time for golf-cart rides to Harvey’s 4th Street Grill or through neighborhoods to reach Central Avenue. “I’m in no hurry,” he says of his leisurely trips. “It’s not like I’m going to a fire.”

Woodfield Fine Art: Emerging Artists Showcase Opens Sept. 8

By Suzanne Driscoll

You won’t want to miss the upcoming Emerging Artists Showcase featuring the work of six talented artists carefully selected by Jim Woodfield, owner of Woodfield Fine Art. Their work is displayed in the gallery, and they will create four to six new pieces each for the showcase that will run from Sept. 8 through Oct. 7. Opening night will feature wine, beer and snacks in the company of art admirers from throughout

Tampa Bay. The artists include Douglas Thonen, Marie Rice, Paul Barrera, Jill Corless, Carol Crumrine and Sylvia Shanahan.

As an artist himself as well as an avid collector, Woodfield decided to open the gallery in 2015 after he met many local artists who were frustrated that they had nowhere to showcase and sell their work. Today he still selects artists only from a 50-mile radius, although he is

Jim Woodfield, owner of Woodfield Fine Art Gallery with works by Douglas Thonen, Marie Rice, Sylvia Shanahan, Paul Barrera, Carol Crumrine, and Jill Corless. Photos by Keith Kenney

not taking any new submissions at this time. “Some are emerging artists getting their first opportunity to exhibit their talent in a gallery setting, while others are internationally known and have won awards,” he said. “But all are brilliant!”

On the second Friday of each month, the evening before the Second Saturday ArtWalk, there is often an opening party for a particular artist’s new exhibition. Last month featured the art of plein air painter Robert J. Simone, known for his vibrant, colorful oils and dramatic portrayal of light. The show closes Sept. 2.

A Gallery for Local Artists and the Enthusiasts Who Love Them

Woodfield provides free delivery and installation services upon request. He also has made unique frames for particular pieces of art. Recently one client commissioned a 46-by-72-inch pastel painting, and it would have been very expensive to frame it since you can’t purchase a piece of glass over 60 inches. Woodfield specially ordered a static-free piece of acrylic and built a wooden gold-leaf frame to complement other framed works of art the homeowner had..

There are paintings for every budget at Woodfield Fine Art, with prices currently ranging from $200 for a lovely small oil painting to a triptych (a set of three associated paintings intended to be appreciated together) by Leslie Neumann for $12,300. Layaway plans are available.

It’s also important to Woodfield to develop working friendships with other art gallery owners in the area. “I frequently visit them to see which artists they are featuring, and if I don’t have the type of art a customer is looking for, I can refer them to another gallery,” he said. “Most of what I feature is representational art, while other galleries might specialize in contemporary or abstract work.”

Woodfield encourages customers to “Buy what you love, not what is going to match your sofa. Your sofa will wear out eventually, but an original work of art will be admired for a lifetime.”

Stop by Woodfield Fine Art at 2323 Central Ave. or visit www. WoodfieldFineArt.com to view a variety of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and glass from local artists. Woodfield can be reached at (727) 254-6981 or WoodfieldFineArt@gmail.com if you would like to make an appointment outside of regular posted hours.

“Triple Play” by Marie Rice

Above: “Dali’s Rainbow” by Paul Barrera

Below: “Sunset” by Douglas Thonen

Grow Your Business With The Greenhouse

By Emily Harris

The hustle and bustle of St. Petersburg wouldn’t be the same without its many entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the support system to bring them to life. The Greenhouse is St. Pete’s front door to business growth, providing education, resources, and direct mentorship assistance for local business owners to thrive.

Go Green

The Greenhouse is an experienced collaborative team of City of St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce team members, as well as a local network of professional partners who offer a multitude of well-rounded services to business owners by prioritizing five strategic objectives: navigation, coordination, connection, capacity building, and awareness.

“What matters most is serving entrepreneurs in a way that provides

meaningful and equitable access so all of St. Pete’s businesses can have the opportunity to thrive,” co-manager Tracey Smith said. “As the business community continues to grow, we are aware of the successes and challenges business owners encounter, and through it all, the Greenhouse stays poised to provide support through the ups and downs to help them achieve their goals.”

The staff are trained to deliver professional services such as mentoring, relationship building, and access to local resources to help businesses grow. They specialize in foundational workshops that aid in the growth of small businesses, such as “How to Write Your Business Plan,” “10 Tips For Advertising Your Business,” “Preparing to Finance Your Business,” and “Doing Business with the City,” to name a few.

“These workshops give people the tools needed to be successful in their business endeavors,” said Alexis Garcia, the Greenhouse’s economic development specialist. “We offer services that all entail one-on-one support. With our Business Navigation Program, an entrepreneur comes in to meet with a Greenhouse navigator to go over their business ideas, and from there we get them connected with a service that best suits their specific needs. Usually, mentorships through Florida SBDC or Pinellas County SCORE are recommended to help them accomplish their goals.”

Here We Grow!

Signature programs include the Goal Achievement Program (GAP), the Entrepreneurial Academy, and the Successful Women’s Advisory Group (SWAG), a support system where women smallbusiness owners work together to achieve their goals, create and build multimillion-dollar businesses, and contribute to local job creation.

Their current spotlight, the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) program, provides learning opportunities

The Greenhouse is located at 440 2nd Ave N.

Left, Alexis Garcia, the Greenhouse’s economic development specialist. Right, Tracey Smith, the Greenhouse’s co-manager. Photos by Chris Ryan

for participants to build key networking relationships. It also promotes reinvestment in the neighborhoods and businesses in southern St. Pete.

Tracey Smith spoke about the Greenhouse’s goals: “As we wrap up 2023, we’re leaning into our business navigation and preparing for the launch of our second CRA Microfund Cohort,” she said. ”In addition to our quarterly Greenhouse pop-ups around the city, soon our business navigators will begin to visit businesses in all eight council districts, so we may continue to be intentional with the delivery of Greenhouse services.”

One of the most successful ongoing events is 1 Million Cups, a free networking event every Wednesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m., hosted at the Greenhouse headquarters. Presenters can apply to pitch their business ideas for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute Q&A, giving them eligibility to apply for a biannual St. Pete Pitch Night.

Local Prosperity

If you’re an active member of the local business community, keep an eye out for the many events, programs, pop-ups, and workshops offered by the Greenhouse, and reach out to one of their navigators to get started on making your entrepreneurial dreams come true! With over 2,400 entrepreneurs served in the community this year, be on the lookout for more inevitable big waves from the Greenhouse. Visit StPeteGreenHouse.com for Greenhouse updates and opportunities to help your business thrive.

Keep an eye out for the many events, programs, pop-ups, and workshops at stpetegreenhouse.com

The SIMMS Team: Taking Client Services to a New Level

By Suzanne Driscoll

If you are thinking about putting your home on the market or buying a new one, you’ll want to put the SIMMS Team at Coastal Properties Group on the top of your list of real estate professionals to contact.

Tami Simms and her mother, Sharon, have been helping local residents to get the best possible prices on the homes they are selling or to find new dream homes for over 37 years. Tami is now the managing partner of the business, while Sharon focuses on data gathering, negotiation strategies, and monthly reporting. Amy Dinovo has been with the team for almost 20 years and provides transaction management services.

Whether you are buying your first home or investing in a multimillion dollar property, the SIMMS Team works hard to make sure you find the

home that is right for you.

Next page: Saturday Morning Market goers may recognize Tami as a regular volunteer.

Photos by Chris Ryan

Advice for First-Time Buyers

“The market is still very hot for starter homes, so preparation is key for all buyers,” Tami Simms says. “You will want to be fully pre-approved with a well-regarded local lender who is realistic about what you can afford, and what is comfortable for you.”

Whether you have just moved in or are getting your home ready to sell, the SIMMS Team has a complete list of quality repair and improvement vendors who are readily available.

The SIMMS Team, left to right: Amy Dinovo, Tami Simms, and Sharon Simms

Staying Involved in the Community and the Industry

The number of community groups that the Simms family is involved with are almost too numerous to mention. Tami Simms serves on the board of the Downtown Business Association and is president of the Business and Professional Women of St. Petersburg/Pinellas. As a major sponsor of the Saturday Morning Market and president of its board of directors, you can find her there every Saturday working as a volunteer to help provide sustainable, healthy food for the community.

“Half of our business comes from our community involvement and the other half is from referrals and repeat clients,” she says. “It is very rewarding to give back and help make St. Pete a better place in which to live and work.”

Tami Simms is also the lead trainer for the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and enjoys speaking at events and presenting webinars to other real estate professionals. “Here I can see trends in the real estate market and form relationships with real estate professionals all over the country,” she says. “If someone is relocating to another city,

I can recommend realtors to contact.” She is also a co-host of the Institute’s podcast, “Estate of Mind.”

The SIMMS Team is now part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, which is a strong relocation network of the world’s marketleading independent residential brokerages in more than 70 countries, with 138,000 sales associates.

“I have purchased property from coast to coast, but never have I had a person as responsive and thorough as Tami Simms,” one client reports. “Most Realtors are helpful right up until closing, and then they get their commission and move on to the next client. Tami has stayed with us through all the challenges of lining up help for cleaning and even tiny repairs. She is stunningly customer focused. Tami is pleasant, personable and has communication and anticipation skills far beyond any Realtor I have employed. She is a gem of a person and a real joy with which to work.”

If you’re looking for a local family team that will help you sell or buy a home that’s right for YOU, then give the SIMMS Team a call at (727) 898-2582 or visit them at 238 Beach Drive NE. You can check out their listings and past sales at www.SimmsTeam.com.

Popular Youth Acting Program Announces Permanent Home

By Monica Kile

What do a dalmatian, a hyena, and a candy-maker have in common? They’re all roles that local children have had an opportunity to play in recent productions by St. Pete MAD (Music, Acting, and Dance), the premier performing arts program for Pinellas County youth.

If you happened to catch all of those shows (101 Dalmatians, The Lion King, or Willy-Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), you would have found yourself in three different theaters around Pinellas County, as St. Pete Mad has had to rent rehearsal and production space for the past several years. Now, the popular program has announced a permanent home in a former church sanctuary in Gulfport. The space is part of the Sunflower Private School, who recently purchased the property that they have rented from the Gulfport Presbyterian Church for 47 years.

The new dedicated rehearsal and performance space will allow St. Pete MAD, which was founded in 2014, to expand its programming, introduce its new curriculum to a larger audience, and create teaching fellowships that bring national talent to the area. Long-term plans for the space include a Mystery Dinner Theater, and a Children’s Theater program, neither of which currently exist in Pinellas County.

Loyal families return to St. Pete MAD year after year, and overall enrollment has increased dramatically in recent years. The program draws children and teens from throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties for the professional-level training and performances it offers, as well as the sense of community those programs create. Heather Minichillo has two daughters, 9 and 13 years old, who have performed with St. Pete MAD for three years. “As parents you always hope to find activities that interest and challenge your children, and St. Pete MAD does that. Our girls have grown as actors and as people, and the lessons they’ve learned through MAD are invaluable.”

St. Pete MAD will offer productions of The Adams Family Musical in the nw space this October. Visit stpetemad.com for more information.

Footloose Summer 2022, Teen Cast

St. Pete MAD 101 Dalmations Kids Spring 2022 Performance. Photos courtesy of St. Pete MAD

Moon Mountain, an "alternative culture" bar, is coming soon to 204 1st Avenue North on the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete. The new bar is hoping to foster an active, healthy, creative, and communitybased lifestyle while serving kava, kratom, coffee, loose leaf teas, craft beer, CBD, and vape products. Moon Mountain hopes to open in September.

St. Pete Bakery, offering Kurdish and Turkish cuisine, is now open at 600 1st Avenue North, Suite 102 in downtown St. Pete. The new cafe serves authentic homemade chickpea soup, lentil soup, tabbouleh salad, as well as baklava, hummus, falafel, date balls, and of course, Turkish Delight. Most of the food items on the menu cost $6 and are naturally gluten-free, vegan, and organic. In addition to serving delicious Middle Eastern food, St. Pete Bakery also sells authentic tea sets, rugs, old photographs, hand-woven cloth accessories and lamps.

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.

Sage's Playground is coming soon to 218 4th Street North in downtown St. Pete. The new coffee shop and cafe will offer a massive two-story, 3,500-square-foot space for dog owners to hang out with their furry and human friends while grabbing a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Sage’s Playground will also offer a dog menu of puppaccinos and made-in-house dog treats and snacks. As for food, patrons will be able to enjoy a variety of made-to-order brunch items, such as breakfast sandwiches, and possibly a Tex-Mex-inspired lunch menu. The café is expected to debut in early 2024.

Fortu, an upscale pan-Asian steakhouse, is opening soon at 95 Central Avenue on the ground floor of the Ponce de Leon Hotel in downtown St. Pete. Fortu will offer dishes using locally sourced ingredients, ranging from small bites to filling entrees, all infused with elements from various countries throughout Asia. The bar at Fortu will focus on high-end Japanese whiskeys, craft cocktails, sake, and wine. Fortu is planning to open in September.

Sage's Playground is coming soon to 218 4th St N

Moon Mountain is coming soon to 204 1st Ave N

St. Pete Bakery is now open at 600 1st Ave N

Ride ‘em Cowboy is coming soon to 2451 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. If you’ve found yourself two-steppin’ to Luke Combs in your bedroom or consider yourself a rhinestone cowboy –or cowgirl – this new Grand Central District country bar will be right up your alley. An official opening date has not been announced yet, but expect the double swinging saloon doors to open at Ride ‘em Cowboy in a few months.

Fresco's Waterfront Bistro, a longtime staple of downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront, could look much different — or disappear entirely — because of the impending redevelopment of St. Pete's municipal marina. Located at 300 2nd Avenue Northeast, at the entrance of the St. Pete Pier, Fresco's has been serving St. Pete for 20 years and is the longest continually operated restaurant along the Beach Drive corridor. Two companies, Safe Harbor Marinas and Suntex Marinas, are bidding for a contract that would include redeveloping and operating the marina, which needs extensive repairs. Mayor Welch has the sole authority in selecting the developer. Once a developer is selected, an agreement will be drawn and submitted to City Council for approval.

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.

Ride 'em Cowboy is coming soon to 2451 Central Ave

Fresco's Waterfront Bistro, located at 300 2nd Ave NE

SEPTEMBER 2023

EVENTS

* Friendly reminder there is NO Saturday Morning Market this month. Market

resumes in October at Al Lang Stadium.

Whose Line St. Pete Saturdays

When: Saturdays @ 7:30PM

Where: Spitfire Comedy, 1920 1st Ave S

Cost: GA $25

Hands down the funniest show in St. Pete! Now running for six years. Improvisors make up scenes and games on the spot that will have you rolling in the aisles! Adults only please at the Saturday Whose Line show. Spitfirecomedy.com

Woodfield Fine Art: Emerging Artists Showcase

When: Opening Reception - Friday, September 8 from 5pm - 9pm, on display through Saturday, October 7

Where: Woodfield Fine Art, 2323 Central Ave

Cost: Free to attend Opening night will feature wine, beer and snacks in the company

of art admirers from throughout Tampa Bay. The artists include Douglas Thonen, Marie Rice, Paul Barrera, Jill Corless, Carol Crumrine and Sylvia Shanahan. woodfieldfineart.com

Second Saturday ArtWalk

When: Saturday, September 9 (every second Saturday) from 5pm - 9pm

Where: Central Arts District, EDGE Business District, Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, Uptown Arts District, and downtown Waterfront District

Cost: Free to attend Walk, drive, or take the trolley - it’s back! The trolley stops at over 40 ArtWalk venues. The Waterfront District galleries can be seen by using the free Downtown Looper, which runs every 15 minutes. Map available online. stpeteartsalliance.org/ artwalk

The Greenhouse: Starting a Business

When: Tuesday, September 12 9am - 10am

Where: Online Event Cost: Free. Registration

Required. The best way to get started! Receive information on the necessary licenses, permits, legal documents and requirements to do business in the State of Florida. Learn to refine your ideas into a plan for success. Stpetegreenhouse.com

Beach Drive Forums: City Poet

Laureate Gloria Munoz

When: Wednesday, September 20 6pm - 8pm

Where: First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Dr NE

Cost: Free, open to the public Gloria Muñoz, St. Petersburg’s poet laureate, will share what

it’s like to be a poet laureate and may even inspire you to write your own poetry. Muñoz is also a teacher, lyricist, and all-around multi-genre writer who has garnered an impressive roster of local and national grants, fellowships, and awards. fpcstpete.com

West St. Pete Community Picnic

When: Saturday, September 23 5pm - 8pm

Where: Azalea Park, 1600 72nd St N

Cost: Free, consider bringing a donation to Hank’s Bark Box or Love Thy Neighbor Florida. A grassroots community event that will bring together our

Ditch your car, ride the looper Trolley for FREE around downtown loopertrolley.com

Photo by City of St. Petersburg

police, fire, small businesses, local nonprofits, among a host of other partners. Live music, yard games, and more! Some of St. Pete’s best food trucks will be there -- Shiso Crispy, Slammer Shop, Duke of Ribs, and Uncle Louie G’s. This picnic is open to the public, completely free to attend and meant for all of St. Pete! It will be a family-friendly, leashed dog-friendly event that you won’t want to miss! arongbryce@gmail.com

4th Annual “Come OUT As You Are” Pageant

When: Sunday, September 24 6pm - 8pm

Where: VFW Post 39, 2599 Central Ave N

Cost: $10 Admission at Door! Cash Bar!

Performance Categories include: Creative Presentation & Coming OUT Story, Formal Wear Presentation, Question & Answer, Talent, People’s Choice: Fundraising. This is a 21 & Up Event for Competitors & Attendees! comeoutstpete.org

Anime St. Pete

When: Saturday, September 30Sunday, October 1

Where: The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N

Cost: $25 & up

Honoring anime and the cosplay it inspires. Brought to you by the organizers of St. Pete Comic Con. animestpete. floridacomiccons.com

2023 Run for All Children

When: Saturday, September 30 at 8am

Where: Starting at the main hospital, of the main hospital, with a beautiful course along the downtown St Petersburg waterfront and ends at Poynter Park

Cost: Kids dash Free; 1 mile fun run/walk $25; 5k $35 The 10th Annual Run for All Children is a familyfriendly, race benefitting the patients and families at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. www.facebook.com/ RunForAllChildren/

For more events, or to submit event information, visit greenbenchmonthly. com/events

Run for All Children Kids Dash. Photo via Run for All Children