VOL. 6, ISSUE 11, NOVEMBER 2021
Green Bench Monthly* St. Pete’s Community Magazine
Shop LOCAL at Charlie Parker Pottery pg. 14
People of St. Pete
Downtown Developments
Events
Leo Gomez pg. 9
Mini-Golf & Hotels pg. 20
Holiday Markets pg. 22
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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica
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Editor Mary Jane Park
Contributors Tina Stewart Brakebill Suzanne Driscoll Gabrielle Reeder Brian Zucker
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Photographers Brian Brakebill Kristina Holman
IN THIS ISSUE
Cover Photo Charlie Parker Pottery photo by Kristina Holman
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From the Bench
14 Shop LOCAL at Charlie Parker Pottery
Contact
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17 Parks of St. Pete: Abercrombie Park
PO BOX 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734 (727) 280-5406 hello@greenbenchmonthly.com
A Tourist Town and a Training Ground: St. Pete during World War II
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People of St. Pete: Leo Gomez
10 SHINE Mural Festival Shines in 2021 12 Radius Church Continues to Give Back to the Community
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18 Arts and Crafts Movement on Display in St. Petersburg 20 Downtown Developments 22 Events: Holiday Markets
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From the Bench A note from the Publishers The theme this month is SHOP LOCAL. We say it every year, but after the last eighteen months especially, a lot of local retailers are depending on this season to make up for lost sales. So that means you've got a job to do St. Pete — stay out of box stores (as much as you can)! As Keep Saint Petersburg Local puts it "Think local first". Every big or small purchase you make at an independently owned business makes a difference. This issue is full of ads that feature gift ideas, special offers, and experiences to share. From goodies for your pets, dance lessons, pottery classes, professional services, to skin rejuvenation, and flowers — we're sure you can find something for everyone on your list! On another note, if you can, please donate food, time, or money to the Radius Thanksgiving drive. It's been amazing to watch this drive grow over the years! Their goal is to feed 500 families this year, so whatever you can do to help them make that happen will go a long way in the community. See back cover for details. From our family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, with great food, surrounded by family and friends! Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners
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Till next time, Ashley & Tony
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If you're a regular at El Cap, chances are Johnny Johnson has greeted you with his famous phrase, "Hello Beautiful People". Known as the Mayor of El Cap, Johnny is celebrating his 30th anniversary working for the St. Pete staple. Next time you go to El Cap, make sure to say "Hi" and tell Johnny congratulations! It's people like him that make St. Pete such a great place to live and visit. Thank you for your service, Johnny! El Cap Restaurant is located at 3500 4th St N, open daily at 11am.
*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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U.S. Coast Guard and maritime training ships at anchor, Bayboro Harbor, St. Petersburg, Fla. 1940. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
A Tourist Town and a Training Ground: St. Pete during World War II By Tina Stewart Brakebill In December of 1941, the United States declared war on the Axis Powers and officially entered a war already raging overseas. Even before the attack on Pearl Harbor, policymakers in the United States had anticipated our escalating involvement with a series of actions that brought the overseas war effort closer to Tampa Bay and changed St. Pete’s future path.
The Best Laid Plans In the year leading up to Pearl Harbor, locals followed the war news, registered for the draft as required by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 (the first peacetime conscription act in U.S. history), and contributed to the budding defense industry. The 1941 Lend-Lease Act escalated manufacturing meant to supply material aid to the war effort in Europe. Campaigns reminded people that the old family coffee pot could become part of an airplane and urged “housewives … to turn any old pots, pans, and other scrap … over to the government for defense purposes.” Throughout 1941, however, locals eyes also were on area political issues, including how St. Petersburg chose its mayor and a proposed liquor ordinance that mandated daily closing times and complete closures on all
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Sundays and election days. To many, war seemed far away. Organizers couldn’t even drum up a robust show of support for a volunteer Home Defense Unit. Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce budgeted $100,000 to promote tourism “in the warmth of the subtropics” and predicted a record season. The December declaration of war after the surprise of Pearl Harbor changed everything. All eyes turned to the war. Local tourism was initially crippled and the already existing military presence escalated.
The Military Moves In Two years before the United States officially entered the war, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station at Bayboro Harbor began conducting antisubmarine air patrols over the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the 1939 Presidential Proclamation prohibiting submarines from belligerent nations from entering American ports. That same year the Coast Guard also reopened its Bayboro Harbor naval base as a training station for merchant seamen. By 1940, two training ships were bringing in a steady stream of training recruits as dredging and filling expanded the base and reshaped the shoreline. In the wake of Pearl Harbor, even bigger changes unfolded. Local officials lobbied hard to convince the government that St. Pete was a perfect place to house and train newly drafted and volunteering soldiers. In June 1942, that effort was rewarded as soldiers began to arrive for Army Air Corps technical service training. Over the next year, more than 100,000 trainees filled almost every major hotel and camped out at the Piper Fuller Airport and Jungle Club Golf Course. The Army Air Corps left in July of 1943, but those rooms remained filled as the maritime training facility at Bayboro Harbor expanded and the Army Transport Corps Marine Officers Cadet School arrived. A significant number of pilots also trained at Pinellas Army Air base (north of St. Pete) and at MacDill Field (in Tampa), and those trainees also regularly made their way to the Sunshine City. In addition, many soldiers brought their families to live with them during training. Hotels, streets, bars, beaches, and restaurants were overflowing in a “sea of khaki,” but St. Pete also experienced a boom in house and apartment rentals and purchases as many military families decided to remain in town after soldiers shipped overseas.
Volunteer registration at the Civic Exhibition Center - St. Petersburg, Florida. 1942. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
“Sure the Army’s Here, But St. Petersburg Can House You Too” Tourism took a big hit in early 1942, as travel restrictions and gas and oil rationing kept people at home. Many popular seasonal attractions also were canceled for the duration of the war, including the Festival of States, the St. Petersburg-to-Havana yacht races, and spring training baseball games. Nevertheless, the Sunshine City still had warm air and sunny skies, and boosters quickly developed a marketing strategy that took advantage of those assets. Pivoting from the idea of travel as a luxury, they promoted St. Pete’s “winter visitors” as patriots. Visiting or relocating to Florida freed rooms for workers in crowded defense-industry cities and eased the need for heating oil. Campaigns urged northerners to get their “Vitamin V for Victory at Sunny St. Pete” and reminded them they could get their “sunshine quota” in “America’s sunshine base for freedom.” Extensive national ad campaigns as well as a 5000-mile circuitous booster road trip from Florida to Milwaukee and back emphasized that, even with the military in town, St. Petersburg still had 60,000 rooms available for rent. Targeting the elderly, those unfit for service or defense work because of their health, and the families of soldiers, the Chamber of Commerce and other boosters spent tens of thousands of dollars to attract people to the city. Their efforts paid off. Promoters estimated their efforts brought $50 million into the local economy.
After the War: St. Pete Booms At the war’s end, the military mostly left, but the wartime influx of soldiers and their families as well as the “winter visitors” set the stage for a major demographic expansion. Many soldiers either stayed or returned after the war. They were joined by throngs of other people looking to make a fresh start or enjoy the winters in the Florida sun. By 1950, St. Pete’s year-round population was nearing 100,000 people with winter numbers far beyond that. This growth led to a building boom that boosted the local economy in myriad ways. The next few decades presented numerous and serious challenges, especially in regard to the fight for racial equality and environmental protections, but wartime shifts contributed to the foundation for a changed city and a postwar boom in prosperity. Sources include St. Petersburg & the Florida Dream by Ray Arsenault and Warm Wishes From Sunny St. Pete by Nevin D. Sitler.
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Gomez working on a community mural project for the 2021 SHINE Festival located at Bayfront 744 6th Ave. S. to thank health care workers.
was a challenge, but Gomez remained focused on his dream of a career as an artist. As he approached high school graduation, he applied and was accepted into the competitive graphic arts program at the Modern College of Design. In 2012, he graduated with a mountain of debt and a job with a leading design agency. Rising quickly from junior to senior designer, Gomez was off to a good start. By 2014, he was eager to strike out on his own so he could focus on doing “things he cared about” for “clients he clicked with.” He set a deadline and began to plan.
“There’s art here!”
Lemo Gomez. Photos by Brian Brakebill
People of St. Pete: Leo Gomez 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 Monthly shines a light on one of the many people who make St. Pete unique. This month our eyes are on local artist Leo Gomez. His beautifully hand-lettered signs can be seen at many of our favorite local shops including Black Crow Coffee, Beau & Mo’s, and The Body Electric Yoga Company. His murals, like “Hello Sunshine” in Historic Uptown and his 2019 Shine Festival piece “Sunshine on my Mind,” beautifully capture the spirit of the city while also illustrating his connection to the community he has adopted as his own.
On the search for a community with the right “vibe,” he briefly visited St. Pete in 2015 and immediately knew he’d found his new home. Gomez appreciated the graffiti art that filled Bogotá. Finding St. Petersburg’s emerging mural movement felt like an opportunity to return to a first love. Inspired, he packed a trailer and set up shop as a freelance hand-lettering artist. He explored, visited local businesses, and sold himself and his talent. Since those early days, he’s been widely and wildly successful. His hand-lettered signs, menus, apparel, and murals can be seen all around town; he’s also become a mentor to many younger artists as a classroom and on-site teacher. His body has paid a price for that success, and he spent most of the summer recovering from shoulder surgery. Rather than see this forced work-break as a negative, however, Gomez took this time to remember why he wanted to be a freelance artist: “to use the power of hand-lettering to communicate inspiring messages for our community.” He realized he didn’t have to say yes to everything. Instead, he is refocusing on projects that convey his connection to the community. That’s why his first major post-surgery endeavor was the Shine Festival’s community mural tribute to doctors, nurses and other frontline workers that have braved the devastation of Covid-19 in which health-care workers painted alongside him. Find more about this mural as well as his other work at www.leogomezstudio.com.
From Colombia to Columbus Born in the capital city of Bogotá, Colombia, Gomez loved art as a child. His grandmother and his aunt were both fine artists, and his family encouraged him to express himself visually. His love of drawing evolved from color-pencil creations at age 2 to the musicand graffiti-influenced graphic art of his teens. At 15, he brought this urban-style artistic vibe with him to Columbus, Ohio, when his family relocated. The culture shock of the move from a population-dense, culturally diverse metropolis to a mid-size midwestern community
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SHINE Mural Festival Shines in 2021 By Gabrielle Reeder International, national and local artists alike grab spraypaint and hop on scaffoldings to create poetic, inspirational, and masterful murals for St. Petersburg’s SHINE Mural Festival every year. The seventh annual SHINE festival occurred between Oct. 15th and Oct. 24th, and this year, it truly shined. “Weather interferes every single year! This has actually been the first time we haven’t had rain. But typically, there’s a tropical storm or hurricane during SHINE. We always tell the artists to plan on losing at least a whole day of painting to rain,” Jenee Priebe, Associate Director of the SHINE Mural Festival said. A passion project of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the SHINE Mural Festival was born in 2015. Sixteen artists are annually selected by a curation team and assigned a wall across eleven districts in St. Pete and Gulfport.
Artists “We are looking for a diverse group of artists with an established voice or message in their work,” Priebe said. Bakpak Durden, an artist originally from Detroit, shared their inspiration
Left: Mural in progress by Bakpak Durden at 919 1st Ave N. Right: Mural by Greg Mike at 915 1st Ave N. Photos by Gabrielle Reeder
behind their mural on the east wall of The Bends (919 1st Ave N.). “I started painting murals four years ago as an assistant, and then I started creating my own maybe two- two-and-a-half years ago,” Durden said. “Gonna basically be how I feel, but very vague and cryptic so that I’m not influencing other people’s emotions.” At the time of interview, Bakpak Durden’s project was untitled, but in its initial stages of creation phrases such as ‘I should have lost it by now, truly lost it’, ‘Strange’, ‘Bakpak was here’ and various symbols accentuated the yellow outlines and black background.
Community Engagement In addition to producing new murals every year, SHINE hosts events to engage and involve other community members. “We also produce a small series of ‘Bright Spot’ mural projects that involve community volunteers. The artists and the walls change year to year but the concept stays the same!” Priebe said. Alejandro Quintero, owner of d-gallerie (234 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N Unit C) hosted the first annual d-railed, a train-art exhibition to bring viewers back to the origin of street art. Over 30 10-inch and 20-inch designed trains were displayed. “It’s a form of street art, so what we decided to do was kind of take street art to the beginning. To take the collectors to memory lane. Basically cities back in the 80s, like New York, L.A., Chicago where you would see all of these subway trains, or even cargo trains with graffiti on the side. Even if you didn’t live in those cities, you’ve always seen it in movies and TV,” Quintero said.
Audience Priebe hopes that those who might not have much interest in the museum or art gallery experience can find themselves entertained by the murals and form a closer bond with St. Pete. “I believe the murals can be a launching point for people of all ages to be inspired by art and begin to appreciate its impact on individuals and on whole communities,” Priebe said. “SHINE draws such a diverse crowd of people. It seems the edgy-ness of it draws a younger, more alternative crowd but the accessibility of the art pulls in a range of ages”. To read more about the artists and see a map this year’s murals, visit https://stpeteartsalliance.org/experience-arts/shine-mural-festival.
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Left: Radius Church is located at 165 13th St. N. Right: Radius Church Pastor, Blake Clark. Photos by Kristina Holman
Radius Church Continues to Give Back to the Community By Suzanne Driscoll “Showing the visible, tangible love of Jesus” is how Pastor Blake Clark of Radius Church views his ministry. Just like the radius of a circle moving to the perimeter, Clark and his congregation are “people on a mission, moving out in ever-widening circles to change our world.” In addition to offering meaningful Sunday gatherings, Radius members are active in helping those in need throughout the community. Originally from Nashville, Tenn., Clark moved to St. Pete in 2007 to serve as a youth minister. Over the next five years working in the
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community with students, he fell in love with the city and its people. After a time of sabbatical, Clark and his family returned to start Radius Church in September 2014. “We’re not a ‘Sunday, one-and-done’ kind of church,” Clark says. “We are out in the community every day helping the less fortunate.” One of their many projects is a PB & Jelly Deli food truck that travels throughout the city to provide food for the hungry. When schools were closed as a result of Covid-19, Radius helped launch a Food Truck Convoy with other providers to donate more than 20,000 meals for kids and their families. The church is non-denominational and attracts people of all ages from many walks of life. Rather than calling it a church “service,” Clark invites everyone to Sunday “gatherings” at 9:15 and 11 a.m. There are numerous classes for children and a nursery for infants. Before each Sunday gathering a free breakfast is offered to those in need. Once per quarter, the church partners with “Showered and Empowered,” a nonprofit that provides a trailer with clean showers and a washer and dryer. Representatives from the health department are on hand, and donations of clothing are distributed. Clark and two church members recently returned from a mission trip to Louisiana to assist with the cleanup after Hurricane Ida. He is creating a “Rad Relief ” team of people willing to travel to other locations to help with disaster relief.
Radius “gathers” every Sunday at 9:15 and 11am. There are numerous classes for children and a nursery for infants.
Expanding the Current Space Clark is excited to see the completion of an upstairs remodeling project that will offer meeting space for the community. “We will now have beautiful rooms for our Sunday School classes for kids, and we invite community groups to come in and use the space during the week,” he says. Nonprofit organizations likely will be able to use the space at no charge.
Volunteer Opportunities for Thanksgiving It will be “all hands on deck” to prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving meal donations for those in need. “Last year we donated 350 meals, and this year we plan to do 500,” Clark says. Food donations of corn, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and macaroni and cheese can be dropped off at locations such as Great Explorations and Black Crow Coffee, where you will receive a free coffee when you donate. Monetary donations are also appreciated and can be mailed directly to the church. On Nov. 21, the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, volunteers will pack up the dinners for delivery the next day. “We think of ourselves as a small church but a large family,” Clark says. “We seek to love others as God loves us, and we put that love into action every day by helping others in this wonderful community.” Radius Church is at 165 13th St. N in St. Pete. For more information, please visit RadChurch.com, call (727) 265-1035 or follow on Facebook or on Twitter @RadiusChurchFL. The food truck can be booked for private events; for every meal sold another is donated.
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Left: Charlie Parker “throwing” a bowl on the pottery wheel. Right: Charlie Parker Pottery is located at 2724 Sixth Ave S. Photos by Kristina Holman.
Shop LOCAL at Charlie Parker Pottery By Suzanne Driscoll There are many pottery artists to choose from in the world-class arts destination of St. Pete, and Charlie Parker Pottery stands out from the crowd. With a long career in creating beautiful ceramics, Parker is also an expert teacher who offers personalized classes for all levels of experience. Parker began his career in pottery as far back as 1967. At age 14, he joined the Minnesota Clay Company as a part-time clay mixer. He later studied with Warren Westerberg at Westerberg Pottery in Minneapolis, where he focused on form and expression. While working with Westerberg, Parker refined his techniques in glaze application and firing. In 1996, Parker teamed up with Russ Gustafson-Hilton and Stan
Cowen, two of the best pottery artists in Florida, to establish St. Petersburg Clay Company. “We were the first private group to set up a gas kiln in the area, and the city had no idea how to issue a permit for it,” Parker recalls. St. Pete Clay eventually moved to the historic Seaboard Coastline train station at the corner of 22nd Street S and Fourth Avenue. Now known as the Morean Center for Clay, it has 32,000 square feet of space and is one of the largest pottery studios in the Southeast. In November 2010 Parker fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning his own studio.
A Unique Talent “Coming from Minnesota where there were different forms of firing and more functional work, I bring a unique perspective to creating pottery,” Parker says. “I utilize different forms of soda and gas kiln firing that not many artists use, and I make all my own glazes.” Parker is known for his beautiful large bowls created in brilliant colors. If a customer is concerned about having room to store a large piece, he suggests that it be displayed on a wall as a work of art, then taken down when to be used. Space is also rented out to other pottery artists, and all are welcome to add their names to the waiting list. A gallery at the studio showcases Parker’s one-of-a-kind ceramics as well as the work of the resident artists, including bowls, vases, jewelry and sculptures. You can even shop virtually from the website, CharlieParkerPottery.com, and there is currently free delivery for any purchase within St. Pete.
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Above: Nancy Parker and artist in residence, Kayla Harbeitner Below: Visit during ArtWalk for 20% off select pieces and
“Buy 2, Get One Free” pricing for small demonstration bowls
Parker has received numerous awards from Florida CraftArt, and in 2018 he won the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance MUSE Award as Artist of the Year.
A Fun Way to Celebrate Parker has hosted bachelorette, birthday and anniversary parties in which participants can make small ice cream bowls and bring their own drinks and snacks. Hours for those events are 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at $50 per person. Parker and his staff finish the work in the kilns, and participants return to pick them up and enjoy some ice cream. He is excited to announce the return to participation in the Second Saturday ArtWalk in St. Pete. From October through December 2021 during the ArtWalk evenings from 5-9 pm, the gallery will offer 20 percent discounts off of Parker’s work and “Buy 2, Get One Free” pricing for small demonstration bowls. Parker hopes that everyone will SHOP EARLY, SHOP SMALL and SHOP LOCAL this holiday season. “We have a great place to take a class and purchase a gift for all of your loved ones,” he says. Charlie Parker Pottery is at 2724 Sixth Ave. S in St. Petersburg. To make an appointment for a class, call Nancy Parker at (727) 321-2071 or write to CharlieParkerPottery@gmail.com.
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Silva filed a homestead claim and became one of the area’s first white settlers. Changing hands over the next decades, the land eventually came into the possession of Josephine Watt, the daughter of one of St. Pete’s earliest doctors, John Bayton Abercrombie. A former Confederate soldier and slave owner, Abercrombie relocated to St. Pete in the 1880s. Sometime after his death in 1912, his daughter donated the land “to preserve … an unspoiled bit of the native beauty of Florida” in her father’s honor, as “a tribute to the memory of the Old South.”
Stroll, Contemplate, Learn Photos by Brian Brakebill
Parks of St. Pete: Abercrombie Park By Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Pete is home to more than 150 parks, offering a wide variety of possible activities. There are over 100 picnic areas, 80 playgrounds, 44 miles of fitness trails, 30 basketball courts, 21 boat ramps, 11 softball fields, six dog parks, five beaches, three skate parks, two disc-golf courses, and one Jai-Alai court. But that’s not all! We also have 76 tennis courts. 33 football/ soccer fields, 31 baseball fields, nine volleyball courts, four historic sites, three nature preserves, and one splash pad. And, still, there’s more! Simply put, choose an activity (or choose to just relax) and there’s a city park that fits your needs. If you’re looking for a quiet and shaded place to watch the sunset over the waters of Boca Ciega Bay then Abercrombie Park is a perfect choice. Located at Park St. and 38th Avenue N, it’s also a great venue for a serene walk, mediative contemplation, or brief reminder of the area’s human and environmental history.
Thankfully the segregationist legacy of “the memory of the Old South” is no longer a guiding tenet for the park, but the goal to preserve the native beauty of Florida still remains paramount. Recently expanded by 2.4 acres of uplands and 1.2 acres of submerged land, St. Pete’s Parks & Rec department is focused on Abercrombie Park’s role as a destination for ecotourism and education. Used as a specimen site for indigenous flora, visitors can enjoy the growing number of trees and plants as they meander along the walking trails and boardwalk before stopping for a picnic. Educational signage throughout also offers visitors insights into the history of the area’s indigenous peoples. Learning new things is great but visitors don’t need an educational goal to enjoy the park. It’s a wonderful place to just “be.” As soon as a park-goer leaves the parking lot, the congestion of St. Pete’s roads can be quickly forgotten. A tree lined and paved path provides an easy route to the beach where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Boca Ciega Bay.
Thanks Thanks to the Parks & Recreation Department for all they do! For more information about Abercrombie Park or any other of St. Pete’s many parks visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441.
A Brief Look at a Long History One of several St. Pete parks with remnants of the area’s indigenous peoples, Abercrombie Park contains mounds and shell middens documenting the presence of village life during the early Weeden Island period (140-565 CE) and again during the early Safety Harbor period (890-1390 CE). By the time Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821, the Tocobago peoples of the Safety Harbor period had succumbed to the disastrous effects of European contact. For decades after their demise, the coastal landscape remained mostly uninhabited, except for the occasional fisherman or hunter. In 1843, a turtle farmer named Joseph
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One of the original five Stickly pianos on display at the MAACM. Photo by Gabrielle Reeder Left: One of only five original Stickley pianos on display inside MAACM. Right: A glass window display peering out into downtown St. Pete. Photos by Gabrielle Reeder
Largest Collection of the Arts and Crafts Movement on Display in St. Petersburg By Gabrielle Reeder The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM) invites visitors to explore the largest collection of Arts and Crafts style artifacts in the world. The five-story and 137,000 sq. foot display transports you to the origins of the 19th and 20th century movement.
Movement Originating in England the latter half of the 18th century, and making its way to America in the 1890s, William Morris and John Ruskin despised the growing demand for machines, believing they took away human jobs while creating subpar materials. In order to combat this industrial complex, they introduced the Arts and Crafts Movement: an attempt to use simple, man-made and Earthly materials to create furniture, textiles, pottery, lights and more. At the basis of the movement, the items would bring users closer to nature and allow them to appreciate simplicity and man-made creations.
Two Red Roses Foundation Rudy Ciccarello took his fondness for the Arts and Crafts Movement and put his vision into place. In 2004 he founded the Two Red Roses Foundation, an organization that strives to provide education, materials and research on the Arts and Crafts Movement. To further his interest
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in the style, Ciccarello founded the museum. Thoughts of the monument began buzzing in 2014, however the building of the museum started in 2017, with doors opening on September 7, 2021. The Red Roses Foundation displays its colossal collection in the museum and there is a room dedicated to Ciccarello’s personal collection of paintings, furniture and artifacts.
Museum With over 800 pieces of art, furniture, pottery, textiles, lamps and installations, the museum can pique anyone’s interest. Walking into the building, a gargantuan white spiral staircase will catch your eye. To add to the entrancing effect of the architecture, chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the building is surrounded in clear windows, peeking out into the midst of Downtown St. Petersburg. “MAACM has something for everyone, with art, exhibitions, educational programs, research library, Museum Store, and Arts Café. Followers of the Arts and Crafts movement enjoy the depth of the collection, while those new to the movement are enchanted by its beauty,” Betsy Walch, the director of development at the MAACM said. “We strive to provide MAACM’s visitors with an educational and entertaining experience. At its core, the Arts and Crafts movement was about making life better through art, and we hope visitors leave enriched,” Walch said. For more information visit www.museumaacm.org.
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Par Bar is now open at 2253 1st Ave S
Residences at 400 Central has broken ground
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.
Par Bar, a mini-golf themed bar, is now open at 2253 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District. The bar has ten taps filled with a mix of local craft beer, sake, and wine-based cocktails. After grabbing a drink at the bar, start making your way to hole 1! Other activities include ping pong, cornhole, jumbo beer pong, and Golden Tee. And if you get hungry, Nueva Cantina operates a permanent food truck on site. The Exchange Hotel is coming soon to 234 3rd Avenue North in downtown St. Pete. Formerly home to Hotel Indigo, The Exchange Hotel is currently undergoing a complete renovation to update and modernize the building. In addition, a restaurant and bar by Jeff Gigante’s Next Level Brands is planned for the ground floor. The new hotel plans to soft open before the end of the year. A 41-story condo tower has been proposed for 200 Central Avenue.
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Kolter Group, the developers behind ONE St. Petersburg and Saltaire, are planning to build another tower that will include 248 residential units, parking, and ground floor retail. Construction is not expected until late next year and will likely take 24-36 months to complete. The property is currently a surface parking lot. Residences at 400 Central has broken ground in downtown St. Pete. The 46-story tower will house 301 residential units, over 35,000 square feet of private amenities, and over 65,000 square feet of ground level retail and office space. Residents at the $400 million tower will have access to 24/7 concierge services, a resort-style heated pool and spa, an entertainment area with bocce courts and fire pits, an outdoor dining space with barbecue grills, a dog walking area, and a putting garden. Once complete, 400 Central will be the tallest residential tower on Florida’s Gulf Coast. 400 Central is expected to be complete by early 2025.
The Wet Spot Pool Bar is coming soon to 2355 Central Avenue
The Wet Spot Pool Bar is coming soon to 2355 Central Avenue at the historic Mari-Jean Hotel in the Grand Central District. The new watering hole will be operated by David Fischer, who also owns two other bars on the property – Cocktail, St. Pete’s newest gay bar, and The Saint, a sinful speakeasy. St. Pete’s newest pool bar will feature frozen drinks and a full menu of food served poolside. Weekly events will bring DJs, musical acts, and drag shows to the pool’s outdoor pergola stage. Construction has commenced and should take around nine months, just in time for St. Pete Pride in June.
The Cordova Inn is expanding at 253 2nd Ave N
The Cordova Inn is planning a major expansion in downtown St. Pete. Located at 253 2nd Avenue North, the historic hotel will be adding 62 rooms (for a total of 94 rooms), a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a pool. While the expansion is expected to upgrade the hotel, the mission of delivering an intimate boutique experience at an affordable rate will stay the same. The owners expect to obtain the necessary approvals over the next few months before beginning construction by the end of the year. The expanded Cordova Inn is expected to open in 2023. 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 St. Pete Run Fest When: Friday, Nov. 12th Sunday, Nov. 14th Where: Downtown St. Pete Cost: see website for options With distances for kids, beginners and seasoned runners, there’s plenty to entertain the entire family. stpeterunfest.org
Holiday Market Presented by Tampa Bay Times When: Saturday, Nov. 20th and Sunday, Nov. 21st from 10am - 5pm Where: The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N Cost: Free Admission Start your Christmas shopping early, including home essentials, unique handmade gifts, cosmetics,
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holiday decor, food, apparel, accessories, and more! tampabay.com
The Coffee Pot Turkey Trot When: Thursday, Nov. 25th Where: Coffee Pot Bayou, 200 35th Ave NE Cost: $40 entry fee A family–friendly, timed 5K looping around St. Petersburg’s Coffee Pot Bayou on Thanksgiving morning. runsignup.com/ coffeepotturkeytrot
Shopapalooza Festival When: Saturday, Nov. 27th and Sunday, Nov. 28th from 10am - 5pm
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Photo by City of St. Petersburg
Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: Free Admission More than 250 local shops, artists, musicians, food vendors and service providers each day. www. shopapaloozafestival.com
Christmas Tree Lighting at Straub Park When: Saturday, Nov. 27th from 5pm - 8pm Where: Straub Park, 198 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: Free Join the Mayor and the rest of the city for the annual Christmas Tree lighting. Stpete.org
Winter Market in the Warehouse Arts District When: Saturday, Dec. 11th from 3pm - 9pm and Sunday, Dec. 12th from 11am - 3pm Where: Multiple venues in the Warehouse Arts District including Arts Xchange, The Factory (and Fairgrounds), 22 South Food Hall + more Cost: Free Admission 200+ Vendors, Santa Reading & Strolling the Pinellas Trail, Holiday Decor, Luminaries at Sunset, Music & More! stpetewintermarket.com For more events, or to submit an event, visit greenbenchmonthly. com/events
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Green Bench Monthly P.O. Box 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734
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