Green Bench Monthly - Vol 3, Issue 12, December 2018

Vol. 3, Issue 12, December 2018

St. Pete’s Direct-Mail Community Magazine

Birds of Crescent Lake pg. 16

Pinellas Point

Pink Streets pg. 6

Making a Loving Difference

Rainbow Vet Hospice pg. 14

Holiday Events for

Grinchy Grown-Ups pg. 26

Publishers

Ashley & Tony Sica

Editors (this issue) Rui Farias Marilyn Jade Mary Jane Park Cathy Weisberg

Contributors (this issue)

Tara Britton, Tina Stewart Brakebill, Vandi Carmella, Erin Cody, Rui Farias, Denielle Kennett, Jack Spinrad, Brian Zucker

Photographers

From the Bench

Brian Brakebill Emily Canfield Kelly Nash

Cover Photo: Birds of Crescent Lake

by Tony Sica

Contact

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

Proud member of:

“Truth” sculpture reflected in a puddle at Vinoy Park.

Photo by David Calvin of David Calvin Furniture Studio (see ad on pg.11 )

Merry Christmas; Happy Hanukkah; Happy Kwanza; Season’s Greetings: we hope whatever you celebrate and whoever you celebrate with brings you joy, peace and happiness this holiday season! Check out our event calendar on pg. 30 for a list of community celebrations; if holidays aren’t your thing, see pg. 26; and if you have little humans, make sure to flip to pg. 20. The National Audubon Society, Bird Life International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology declared 2018 the year of the bird, so in its honor we present to you the Birds of Crescent Lake on pg. 16. Cheers to the next chapter, St. Pete! See you in 2019.

Till next time,

In This Issue: 5 6

From the Museum’s Archives

Pinellas Point: Pink Streets

9 Community News 10 St. Pete Rising

12 Fur, Feathers or Fins: Animal House Naturals

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com 14 Rainbow Vet Hospice: Making a Loving Difference

24 People of St. Pete: Kenny Larson

18 Stand Up to Silence

26 Grinchy Grown-up Guide to the Holiday Season

22 Bridging the Gap

30 Events

16 Birds of Crescent Lake 20 Raising Locals

29 Downtown Developments

Green Bench Monthly Is Direct-mailed to 15,400 homes and businesses in zip codes 33701, 33704 & 33713. Neighborhoods included in our mailing:

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

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From the Museum’s Archives: George Gandy & La Plaza Theatre

With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias His name is synonymous with the first bridge connecting St. Petersburg with Tampa that still carries thousands of passengers daily.

However, George S. Gandy should be credited with initiating St. Pete’s reputation as a cultural city. Gandy, a contractor from Philadelphia, arrived in St. Petersburg in 1903 to manage the power plant and trolley line. After partnering on a few projects, Gandy announced the building of the La Plaza Theatre on the corner of 5th Street and Central Avenue.

One of the largest structure in the area at the time, Gandy claimed the La Plaza had the largest stage south of Atlanta. It was quickly dubbed

“Gandy’s White Elephant” by skeptics who said the tiny city couldn’t support a theater of such size. The La Plaza opened on March 13, 1913 with an operatic performance of Il Trovatore by the Royal Italian Opera Company. They were the first of many major entertainers to perform there. The La Plaza was one of the first commercial structures to offer its patrons air conditioning, enjoying financial success for years.

This historical image of St. Petersburg, and many more, are available in the Museum’s archives. For more information, visit HistoryStPete.org.

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Pinellas Point Pink Streets. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

Pinellas Point: Pink Streets

By Jack Spinrad

A good friend and I were discussing the many named neighborhoods that exist within the boundaries of St. Petersburg. When The Greater Pinellas Point Neighborhood came up, I was truly surprised to learn that my friend had never heard of the “Pink Streets”, making it a good subject for this story. Before submitting it, I sent the article to Barbara Ellis, the president of The Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association whose home is on the Pink Streets to see what she thought.

Did I mention that Barbara Ellis also happens to be my son-in-law’s mother? At any rate, I was told that residents of the Pink Streets were pretty particular about making certain all my information was correct.

Accordingly, she asked Gerry Lembke, the neighborhood’s historian, to send me “A History of The Pink Streets”. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his help and acknowledge that he is greatly responsible for the following abridged version of my tale.

Bee Line Ferry, Pinellas Point, St. Petersburg, Fla. 1949. Hand-colored postcard. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

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The First Concrete (Pink) Streets

Land in what is now known as the Pink Streets and some nearby areas was acquired by Marguerite Cook in 1906 with money from her husband’s Publishing Company in Elgin, Illinois. The land was left virtually untouched for almost 20 years. In 1925, the year Pinellas Point was annexed into the City of St. Petersburg, Marguerite and her son, George E. Cook, formed Murok Realty Corp. which was responsible for the development of the Pink Streets. Pink dye was added to the concrete mix to create its distinct color. Not only were the streets pink, they were the first ones paved with concrete in Pinellas County.

The Bee Line Ferry

It must have been a challenge to entice prospective buyers to build homes “in the middle of nowhere”. In the 1920’s, the Pink Streets were quite isolated from the rest of the City of St. Petersburg. There was only the Bayou Castle, built by Edward Branch, beginning in 1906 and completed around 1908 on the northeast corner of 55th Avenue S and 4th St. There were a few farms south of what is now 54th Avenue S. Also “in the middle of nowhere”, The Bee Line Ferry began operations in 1926.

The ferry ran from 4th St. S and Pinellas Point Drive (which is now Bay Vista Park) in Pinellas County to Manatee County at Piney Point just south of the Hillsborough - Manatee County line.

This was at a time when St. Petersburg was enthusiastically promoted throughout the Eastern United States, resulting in the first “population boom”. Murok Realty was not to be outdone in promoting the advantages of its development. An ad in the St Petersburg Times on November 5, 1925 entitled, “The Fabric of Life”; and a 1927 brochure that called Pinellas Point “The Healthiest Spot on Earth”; spoke of the area’s curving roads with their red coloration and touted countless reasons to reside in the Pink Streets.

The Pink Streets Neighborhood is bordered by Pinellas Point Drive on the north, 10th Street S on the east, Tampa Bay on the south, and the end of Serpentine Circle (street number 2199) on the west. The main entry into the area from Pinellas Point Drive is 14th St. S which was originally called “The Concourse”. By 1930, at least 17 homes had

The Pinellas Point Tocobaga Indian Mound was donated to the City of St. Petersburg in 1958 and became an official historical and archeological landmark in 1993.

Take a stroll along the beautiful waterfront at Pinellas Point Park and catch a glimpse of the Sunshine Skyway.

Photo by Tony Sica

been built. Among them are the two most famous homes: the previously mentioned Bayou Castle and the Tippetts home at 7300 14th Street S, the residence of Katherine Bell Tippetts, an influential woman in the history of St. Petersburg.

this temple mound. He donated the mound and surrounding property to the City of St. Petersburg in 1958. The Pinellas Point Mound became an official historical and archeological landmark in 1993.

Over time the Pink Streets became severely cracked and beyond repair. They were finally torn up in 1990 and 1991. The city was against repaving the area with the signature pink concrete. The Pink Streets homeowners were able to eventually prevail and, at a cost of several thousand dollars to each resident, the neighborhood was able to retain the distinct color of their streets.

Today, the Pink Streets remains one of the premier neighborhoods in St. Petersburg. It is well worth the 10-minute trip from downtown to wander this beautiful area, perhaps spending some quality time in the waterfront Pinellas Point Park or the Pinellas Point Tocobaga Indian Mound.

Preservation as Progress

The Great Depression forced the bankruptcy of Murok Realty and the suspension of development in the Pink Streets until well after World War II. In 1940, Edward C. Wright purchased the undeveloped Pink Streets land and, over time, he sold most of it to Rutenberg Development.

But not the Tocobaga Indian Mound! Unlike most other developers on Florida’s west coast, he apparently respected the historic significance of

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WELCOME Our newest community supporters:

ActionCOACH Tampa Bay is hiring a full-time salaried employee Business Coach! If you are ready for a career change that is both fulfilling and rewarding, you’ll want to check this out! For more info, see their ad on pg. 13.

Donate new or gently used clothing to Clothes to Kids located at 2168 34th Street S.

Sunshine Street Team volunteers Shelli Hemans and Tami Simms want your help!

Community News Pinellas Names District’s Top Teachers

Congratulations to Northeast St. Pete finalists: Andrea Anderson (SPHS) and Emily Maker (NSES); they and other eight finalists were chosen from 130 nominees who were scored by a panel of judges. The 201819 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Evening of Excellence, held at Mahaffey Theater on Monday, Jan. 28th, 2019.

Clothes To Kids Has Great Need for Elementary Boys & Girls Jackets

The cool weather is here and Clothes To Kids (CTK) needs new and gently used jackets for our kids; especially elementary school boys and girl’s jackets sizes 6-12.

Each year CTK provides more than 11,000

low-income and in crisis school children, PreK-4 to 12th grade with clothes: including a jacket. Families who qualify for free or reduced priced lunch or that are in crisis can make an appointment to shop at one of their stores. Call today! 727-441-5050.

Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2168 34th Street South.

Volunteers Needed! Join the DTSP “Gang of Nice People”

The Sunshine Street Team is actively seeking volunteers. Training provided.

Becoming a visitor guide is a great way to show your pride in the city and meet people from far and near. To get involved, call Program Director, Rhonda Sanborn (415) 377-1872 or E-mail SunshineStreetTeam@ gmail.com!

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Budget Blinds’ slogan is “style and service for every budget” and the owners of the North St Petersburg location deliver just that; Samantha and Shaun Roberts look forward to helping you soon! They are offering a generous 25% off to GBM readers. For details, see their ad on pg. 7.

David Calvin Furniture You may have seen his puddle shot (see pg.3) photos in the Facebook group, “I Love St Pete”— but what you may not realize is that in addition to capturing those stunning shots, he also builds custom furniture! “Where Art Meets Architecture” See his ad on pg. 11.

Sapphire Audio family owned and operated with over 20 years experience, Sapphire Audio can make all your AV dreams come true. And they are offering a killer special on tv mounts and wi-fi hot spots right now (just in time for gifts and superbowl)!

For details, see their ad on pg. 11.

Oxi Fresh the “World’s Greenest Carpet Cleaner” is now available in St. Pete thanks to local Roxanne Stein. Before (and maybe after) you entertain, check out the discounted prices they are offering to GBM readers. See story and ad on opposite page (8).

Say hello and tell them you saw their ad in Green Bench Monthly!

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St. Pete Rising!

By Erin Cody

If you’ve ever read the Downtown Developments column in this publication, you are surely familiar with the passion and dedication of St. Pete Rising founders Anthony Close and Brian Zucker. Their venture showcasing local urban development is a labor of love and devotion.

DTSP “Coming Attractions”

St. Pete Rising spotlights Downtown St. Petersburg’s coming attractions: new restaurants, bars, museums, hotels, condominiums, apartments, etc. According to the guys, “If there is a shovel in the dirt, we want to know why!”

Recognizing the importance of small businesses and the difficulty of getting them off the ground, Close and Zucker work with owners and developers to craft stories about upcoming projects. “If we can make opening day a little easier by giving these new businesses some exposure, we’ve done our job.”

St. Pete Rising founders Brian Zucker and Anthony Close.

Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

Both have full-time jobs, and consider St. Pete Rising a “full-time hobby,” one they happily pursue with no ads or monetization plan. St. Pete Rising exists strictly out of an adoration of and commitment to their city.

For the Love of the ‘Burg

You guys seem to be really in love with St. Petersburg. What do you find so special about this town?

There is so much to love about this city. I always describe St. Pete as having a small-town vibe, but with big city amenities. Our downtown has nearly everything you’d ever want in a walkable urban city, yet you can still stroll down Central Avenue and run into people you know. Speaking of the people, everyone in St. Pete is so friendly, welcoming and accepting of absolutely everyone.

Another thing that makes St. Pete really unique is our ruthless dedication to supporting local businesses. In recent years, we’ve seen multiple chains close in downtown St. Pete because they cannot compete with the locally run businesses.

Lastly, I love our city’s commitment to the arts. We have worldclass art museums in the Dali, the James Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as incredible murals scattered all over town by local artists such as Justin Wagher, Ya La’Ford, Zulu, and the Vitale Bros.

How did you decide upon urban development as your focus?

St. Pete Rising was really born out of necessity. Before St. Pete Rising, there wasn’t a website that compiled information on new development in Downtown St. Pete. If you wanted to learn about an ongoing project, you had to visit multiple websites and read multiple news articles just to get the full picture.

Many of the regional media organizations do a pretty good job reporting on the larger projects that are under construction, but there are so many smaller developments that go unreported or get lost in the news shuffle. We felt there needed to be a website that covered the smaller projects just as well as the larger projects.

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We also wanted to build a website that could be used as a resource, one that was comprehensive enough that it could provide information on all of the projects being built, both large and small.

We maintain an Active Projects page on St. Pete Rising which outlines every development that has been proposed or is under construction in downtown St. Pete.

Downtown Developments

Tell me a bit about your Downtown Developments column in Green Bench Monthly (pg. 29).

There is so much construction in Downtown St. Pete these days, we found it really difficult to keep track of everything. Our monthly column, Downtown Developments, briefly summarizes all of the exciting development news from the previous month, such as new restaurant openings, a condo tower breaking ground, or the installation of new bike lanes. It’s essentially the Cliff Notes of all things coming soon to DTSP. Do you have a favorite article you’ve written?

I’ve always loved the article I wrote about Pizza Box back in 2016.

In my opinion, they make the best pizza in Tampa Bay. What really makes Pizza Box special are the owners, Kelley McKell and Adam Duff. Those two are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. And in order to get the doors open in 2016, they poured everything they had into their 750-square-foot space. Making matters even tougher, another pizzeria opened three doors down from them. I’d like to think that my article helped get a few more people through their doors back when they really needed it.

These guys deserve a medal, don’t they? If you see Anthony Close or Brian Zucker on the street, give them a well-deserved high five!

For more information and to keep abreast of all the latest news, visit StPeteRising.com and like them on Facebook.

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From L to R: Lori (16 yrs), Rebecca (off an on 32 yrs), Sue (30 yrs), Adam (5 yrs), Emily (Manager 20 yrs) Photos by Emily Canfield.

Fur, Feathers or Fins: Animal House Naturals

By Tara Britton After forty years in the pet industry, Animal House Naturals has become a staple in St. Petersburg. Owners Jim and Donna cultivated a professional team that operates more like family than a staff. With employees who have been with the company for up to thirty years, Animal House Naturals has proven that they and their dedicated team aren’t going anywhere.

The pet store is committed to helping you care for all of the creatures in your life with “fur, feathers or fins.” They’re known for carrying one of the largest inventories of natural and organic pet products in all of Tampa Bay. From feeding to grooming, dressing and playing, shoppers can find everything needed for pet parenting including adoptable pets themselves!

The team at Animal House Naturals has the knowledge and experience needed for you to feel confident in pet care decisions.

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Meet The Team

Susan just celebrated thirty years with Animal House. Her passion and the positive experience has kept her in her position all these years.

Her go-to suggestion for pet owners is to reevaluate their pet’s diet. She feels a healthier diet means a happier pet. She owns a pug mix at home who thrives on Natural Balance Fat dog formula. Find Sue if you have questions regarding birds, too; she has several and is your best source for tips on toys and treats for your winged friends.

Manager Emily has been with the company twenty years. She grew up in the store as a customer and now her own son, Tyler, shares this experience helping out and reaffirming the feeling of family. Attending trade shows throughout the year, Emily helps keep the store “up-todate” with all pet items. She’s attended educational seminars and toured dog food manufacturing plants, too. She loves that Animal House is constantly receiving new, exciting products for pets and enjoys trying them out at home with her own to share honest feedback. At home, Emily has dogs of various breeds and ages, cats, gerbils, fish and chickens. Her vast knowledge makes her confident she can, “help new pet parents through just about anything, as well as help others choose the best pet for them.” Her own giant breed and senior citizen pups, “can’t go without,” their LiquidVet Joint Care, which is locally made in St. Petersburg!

Rebecca started in 1986, and has been with the company on and off ever since. She was born into the pet business, saying her parents owned their own pet store, and feels, it “could not be a happier place to be.” The clientele of Animal House is so loyal in St. Petersburg, she says, that she feels every customer is a friend. She owns guinea pigs, so she’s got great recommendations for their care, like feeding them Oxbow foods as well as Sunseed salad as special treats.

Lori has been with the team sixteen years. According to Emily, Lori

The staff at Animal House Naturals cares about you and your pets.

Susan’s go-to suggestion for pet owners: “reevaluate their pet’s diet.”

is the unofficial in-store food and ingredient expert. She is always asking food representatives questions and doing independent research to stay educated on the latest. She’s enjoyed representing the store during the Great American Teach In and hosting field trips for students. She hopes to help encourage people to become animal lovers while understanding the responsibilities and rewards that come with animal care! At home, Lori has a pit bull, prairie dogs, a pig, chickens, fish, a tortoise and a bearded dragon! Her pit bull suffers from severe allergies and she feels Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Turkey formula helps.

Adam has been with the company for what he calls, “five amazing years.”. He calls the atmosphere at Animal House Naturals friendly and family oriented. His coworkers make work fun, and he’s met plenty of loyal shoppers over the years who’ve become friends. He even met his girlfriend at the store! Adam has a cat, rabbit and different types of reptiles.

He’s known around the store as the reptile expert, and recommends Zilla reptile munchies dehydrated foods as treats or as an addition to a reptile’s regular meals.

Visit the knowledgeable team at Animal House Naturals Pet Center in the Northeast Park Shopping Center located at 274 37th Ave N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704. If they don’t carry something your family needs, special orders are available. They’re open Monday-Saturday from 9am8pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Give them a call at (727) 821- 4466 or visit their website at www.animalhousepets.com.

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The Exelby’s grand dog, Rico, and daughter Julia playing the guitar. Rico passed over the rainbow bridge in this bed he loved so much.

Rainbow Veterinary Hospice: Making A Loving Difference

By Tina Stewart Brakebill The dogs and cats in our lives are more than pets. They are family. So when age or terminal illness brings their time with us to an end, we want their trip to the “Rainbow Bridge” to be as stress-free and full of love as possible. Luckily, pet families in Pinellas County can turn to the caring arms of Rainbow Veterinary Hospice. They specialize in hospice-only mobile care, meaning Rainbow Veterinary Hospice comes to you. They provide compassionate euthanasia in the comfort of your home or other favorite location ensuring a peaceful and loving transition.

Who is Behind Rainbow Veterinary Hospice?

Rainbow Veterinary Hospice is the creation of Dr. Cindy Exelby, DVM and her longtime partner and wife, Misty Exelby. The two had an extensive history in the veterinary field, including fourteen years building a successful clinic in Santé Fe during the late 1990s and early 2000s. But their return to Cindy’s home state of Florida in 2014 gave them the opportunity to concentrate on the one thing they felt was lacking in a standard veterinary clinic or hospital, including theirs: end of life practices. Forcing families to bring their pets to the institutional setting of a clinic to say their final goodbyes seemed unnecessary. They were determined to do things differently.

They wanted families to be able to make decisions about those final moments that demonstrated their “last act of love.” And from that simple idea, Rainbow Veterinary Hospice was born.

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Dr. Cindy Exelby, DVM provides veterinary hospice care for cats too.

The Rainbow Bridge

The popular prose poem, The Rainbow Bridge, inspired the name of their venture.

Simply put, the poem describes a place—”just this side of heaven”—where our beloved animals wait for us. They are free of pain and the aches of old age. Able to frolic happily while waiting to be united with their families.

But knowing that your beloved pet will be free of pain doesn’t completely eliminate the reality that the decision to put your dog or cat “to sleep” is one of the most difficult choices a family can make. Rainbow Veterinary Hospice knows that being surrounded by love in a familiar setting can make the decision and the transition easier for everyone.

How Can They Help?

An in-home Rainbow Veterinary Hospice consultation includes a physical exam, an assessment of the pet’s pain and quality of life, and a treatment plan to best serve your pet’s needs. They are dedicated to maintaining quality of life in the terminally ill or senior pet so Dr. Exelby will provide her professional

Johnilaw and its staff are proud to support our community through donations, event sponsorships and volunteer service to these organizations that help improve the lives of children, families and veterans. As we enter the Holiday Season, please consider making a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one, to a charity of your choice.

The Exelby’s family pets from left to right: Rico, Petunia, Sylvia, Harvey, and Weedie.

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

— Winston S. Churchill

judgement on a path forward. This path may mean pain management or providing comfortable care but if euthanasia becomes the ultimate course, Rainbow Veterinary Hospice will be with you every step of the way as you decide how to proceed. They trust you and will honor your choices. For example, euthanasia can be performed at your home in your pet’s favorite bed or perhaps under their favorite tree or at the end of the family dock. Any place that they feel safe and comfortable.

It’s For the Love

The passion that the Exelbys have for their work is obvious.

They do it for the love. And as a locally owned family business they are not tied to a big corporation’s rules or price tags. They can do what’s best for the family. So if you want your beloved dog’s last moments to be in the hull of the boat that he grew up on, then Dr. Exelby will come to your boat (and they won’t charge extra). They also will help with decisions about burial and cremation services. Simply put, they are dedicated to, “providing a loving goodbye in the comfort of the pet’s home surrounded by friends and family.”

That Love is Palpable

Testimonies from grateful clients abound on Facebook and the Rainbow Veterinary Hospice website. They are so thankful for the compassionate, dignified, and loving way Rainbow Veterinary Hospice handled their pets’ last moments. As Dr. Exelby explains, the animals themselves sense that she is there to help and care for them. That trust helps reduce stress in their final moments, but it’s not just the animals that sense the love. Perhaps the words of a little girl facing the loss of a lifetime companion say it best. After meeting Dr. Exelby, she sweetly told her, “When you cross over the Rainbow Bridge, tons of dogs will be waiting for you!”

They’re There For You

If you have questions or want more information about in-home animal and pet hospice care in Pinellas County, you can text (or call) Rainbow Veterinary Hospice at 727-515-1243 from 8am to 8pm. Or visit their website anytime at www.rainbowveterinaryhospice.com.

(727) 520-7376 | johnilaw.com 2600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N. #300 St. Petersburg, Florida 33704 Hiring a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based upon advertisements alone. Before deciding, ask to receive free written information about our qualifications and experience.

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Anhinga

So Many Birds!!

Limpkin at Crescent Lake. Photos by Brian Brakebill

Birds of Crescent Lake

By Tina Stewart Brakebill In 1918 Congress passed legislation to protect birds from being maliciously killed. To celebrate the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, National Geographic, the National Audubon Society, Bird Life International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology partnered to declare 2018 the Year of the Bird. In the January 2018 issue of National Geographic magazine, best-selling author (and bird enthusiast) Jonathan Franzen kicked off the year by writing about “why birds matter.” And his longer answer began with this beautifully concise observation: “If you could see every bird in the world, you’d see the whole world.” And while Crescent Lake’s bird population may fall short of “every bird,” you’d be forgiven for thinking it comes pretty close.

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Visitors come to Crescent Lake Park for many reasons. The park has a historic baseball field, a walking path, two dog parks, and a playground as well as abundant green space. Visitors also will see birds. Lots of birds. According to the eBird Hotspot count, 127 different species have been spotted in the last 10 years, with 73 different sightings just this year. Ubiquitous Florida birds like parakeets, egrets, herons, limpkins, cormorants, anhinga, and bald eagles can be common sights year-round. Other, rarer birds also have made appearances at the lake including black-bellied whistling duck, American wigeon, mottled duck, pied-billed grebe, chimney swift, and ruby-throated hummingbird. Migrating birds, like the American white pelican, also have begun to make seasonal appearances. The lake has become one of Pinellas County’s favorite bird-watching venues. Its attraction, for people and birds, didn’t happen by accident.

It’s the result of hard work.

The Evolution of an Ecosystem

The Friends of Crescent Lake has been central to that. As recently as 11 years ago, Crescent Lake was essentially “a bowl of water in the middle of a lawn,” chairwoman Lucy Trimarco says. The city’s practice of spraying the lake with herbicide produced algae blooms and left the lake mostly void of plants and wildlife. Wanting to improve the water quality and see the lake come alive again, community members partnered with the city and went to work. Learning that the lake was part of the Tampa Bay Estuary system gave them access to Tampa Bay Estuary Program grants that helped finance the necessary equipment for a monthly clean-up campaign as well as plantings. Almost 100,000 pounds of invasive water lettuce have been removed since just the spring of 2016. Regular removal means the city needs to spray only rarely, and new plant life can be introduced and maintained. The result is an invigorated wetland that helps to clean the water while also providing a habitat for renewed wildlife.

Crested Duck

Blue Heron

Pekin Duck

The Circle of Life

Birds returned to Crescent Lake, as did other Florida wildlife.

The revitalized lake provides a source of constant fascination for area bird watchers and a fun learning experience for a novice Floridian like me. Trimarco was kind enough to share a number of stories about the evolving habitat of Crescent Lake Park, or the “Central Park of St. Pete,” as she calls it. In one, there were the mysterious attacks that left several geese injured. What were the culprits? Coyotes? Dogs?

Coyotes would be the more exciting answer, but unleashed dogs are the more likely suspects. The geese have been relocated to a safer place, Trimarco told me.

My favorite story involves the humble limpkin and its food of choice, the tiny apple snail. Apparently the native apple snail was disappearing, generating a drop in the limpkin population. Then an invasive exotic and larger type of apple snail emerged, much to the limpkins’ delight. Limpkin populations increased again, only to be put (somewhat) in check by Crescent Lake-dwelling predators that target chicks and other juvenile birds. It’s nature’s circle of life at work, and you can see it unfolding every day at Crescent Lake Park.

Want to Know More About The Circle of Life and Why Birds Matter?

If you’d like to know more about Pinellas County birds, visit the St. Petersburg Audubon Society at www.stpeteaudubon.org.

For an up-close look at what’s happening at Crescent Lake (including the date for the next community volunteer clean-up day), check out the Friends of Crescent Lake Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofcrescentlakepark.

If you’re a bird watcher and would like to report a sighting or see what (or who) is popping up at the lake this week, visit Crescent Lake’s ebird site at ebird.org/hotspot/L676978.

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Stand Up to Silence: Limited Edition GBM Anniversary T-Shirts Benefit CASA

Limited quantity; Men’s and Women’s Sizes SMALL - X-LARGE.

These eye-catching shirts were designed by local artist and GBM Illustrator, Erik Jasek, to celebrate Green Bench Monthly’s two-year anniversary. We asked Erik to pick a local charity to donate the proceeds. His choice: Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA).

CASA may be unknown to many in St. Petersburg, but some know this institution as a literal lifesaver. CASA is best known as a domestic violence shelter for women and their families who are seeking a way out of a dangerous situation. Women fleeing an abusive relationship can spend up to 45 days at the shelter while starting their new lives. If relocation can be made possible through other means, such as staying with friends or family, CASA assists in providing outreach services to help keep the family united outside of the shelter setting.

Printed on super soft cotton, these t-shirts make a great stocking stuffer or just a stellar gift in general, in our humble opinion. Stop by our website to buy one today. Hurry though, we have limited supply and once we sell out, this print will retire forever!

BUY NOW

greenbenchmonthly.com/store

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Raising Locals:

Make a Resolution for Quality Time

by Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, families typically want the same things: less screen time, more quality time. Luckily for us, living in a city as family-friendly as St. Pete makes it easy to spend time together doing fun things that don’t involve Wi-Fi. This holiday season, why not set your family up for resolution success by thinking outside of the gift box? Here are a few “experience” present ideas for every budget that make sticking to New Year’s resolutions easier than cleaning up the clutter on Christmas morning.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

For the adventurers, an annual pass to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a resolution two-for-one -- you and your kids can get steps in while enjoying the scenic trails around Lake Maggiore together. A family membership is $50 for the year and includes access to the Preserve and special events like Alligator Walks and Insect Treks. Get a halfprice discount by becoming a Friends of Boyd Hill member first at FriendsofBoydHill.org. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve: 727-893-7326

Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Give the gift of play with an annual family membership to Great Explorations Children’s Museum! Great Ex offers tons of hands-on fun with interactive, educational exhibits and space to run and climb for even the youngest explorers. Reciprocal deals will help you score bonus family time with free admission to places like Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Basic memberships start at $100. With big expansion plans and exhibit renovations coming very soon, now is the time to join.

GreatEx.org

Music & Me

Tour scenic trails around Lake Maggiore.

Photos by Vandi Carmella

Strengthen family bonds while singing and learning in Music & Me classes. This play-based program for young children (yes, even babies) and their grownups spans the musical spectrum with fun songs, instrument play and an open invitation to dance to your heart’s content while also supporting major facets of childhood development. Registration is now open for Winter 2019 weekly classes beginning in early January and ending in late March. Cost is $210 per ten-week session, but new families are invited to try a class at any time. MusicandMeLLC.com

NoiseMakers

What could be more fun than mastering a new instrument with your kid? NoiseMakers, St. Pete’s Central Avenue music hub, offers laidback parent-child lessons while claiming, “you’re never too young to rock; you’re never too old to learn.” Contact owner Gabe Whitney via email or phone to get started on your way to family rock band stardom.

Pro tip: lessons are discounted when made together. Noise-Makers.org

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Shuffleboard isn’t just for old-timers anymore. The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club has excelled in reviving the sleepy Florida pastime and transforming it into a hip attraction for all ages in downtown St.

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Above: Sign, learn and bond in Music and Me Classes Below: Never to early to learn how to shuffle at the Shuffleboard Club

Pete. With a membership, not only are you guaranteeing your family year-round fun and open access to the Club, but also the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing your part to help keep St. Pete cool (and all for only $60 per year). StPeteShuffle.com

The Wonder Studio

We could all use a place where we’re free to get messy in the name of discovery. The Wonder Studio provides just that -- child-led, multisensory art and science classes for children ages 18 months and up and their caregivers. Touted as “12 Weeks of Wonder,” Winter/Spring 2019 classes are open for registration and begin in early January with a price tag of $330 for the season. The Wonder Studio: 727-667-4090 Other locales we love with memberships and opportunities for prime family gifting potential include: AR Workshop, The Dali, Growing Up, James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, makeme studio, Museum of Fine Arts and Practically Pikasso.

Vandi and Denielle are the moms behind Sunshine City Kids, an online resource for all things kid-friendly in St. Petersburg. Follow the Sunshine City Kids at www.sunshinecitykids.com.

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Bridging the Gap: Public Art and Dog Park Proposed for MLK Underpass

By Vandi Carmella To residents in the Historic Uptown Neighborhood, the vacant lot on the southeast corner of MLK Street N. and 5th Avenue N. appears dark, desolate and unsightly. Local real estate broker John Barkett wants to change that.

The city-owned lot, situated partially under the I-375 overpass, serves as a divide between the trendy Edge District and the revitalized MLK Business District in the Historic Uptown Neighborhood.

Barkett has spent the last 15 years investing in both districts and sees the opportunity to safely connect the two while providing area residents and visitors new public amenities.

“Through a collaboration with the St. Pete Arts Alliance, the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association, the City of St. Petersburg, Coast Bike Share and others, we are planning a dog park on this site featuring public mural art under the dim overpass similar to the recent successful Deuces Live Project,” Barkett announced at the November Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association meeting.

The multifaceted proposal also integrates a Coast Bike Share hub, space for additional parking and the possibility of a cutting edge urban soccer field.

Well-versed in the St. Pete arts scene, Barkett has provided buildings as canvases for the SHINE Mural Festival and has also commissioned artists privately to beautify neighborhoods in recent years. His vision for this project includes partnering local artists with students from the Gibbs High School Visual Arts Program to create panels of vibrant art to be placed directly on and under the overpass.

Among early supporters of the project are local businesses and residents. Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association members in attendance at the November meeting voted unanimously to move forward with the plan for improvements on the lot.

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“It will be wonderful to take that dark and uninviting underpass and turn it into a dog park with lighting and additional parking,” HUNA president Kristy Andersen explains. “We want to get involved with choosing the artist and artwork, and we want parking to be available for our residents.”

But while initial enthusiasm is evident, the path to approval is most likely long and arduous, even with precedent set by the Kenwood Dog Park and Deuces Live Underpass Project. The process begins in the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and requires green lights from City Council, the Florida Department of Transportation and others to continue. Funding, of course, will play a pivotal role and can include the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget, matching grants available to neighborhood associations, Arts and Culture grants, community fundraisers and in-kind donations from businesses.

Undeterred by the work ahead, Barkett remains optimistic -- “It is rare that a project of this type melding animal lovers, art lovers, residents, businesses and the City creates a win-win. We have seen amazing support so far and plan to see this through to fruition for the good of the surrounding neighborhood and St. Pete as a whole.”

READY FOR

Company?

Winter is a popular time for family and friends to visit us and escape the cold. In addition to a variety of sleeper sofas with mattress choices to ensure they get a good night’s sleep, here are some items to make their stay more comfortable:

Carafe and glass to keep by the bed

One of a kind bed tray by a local artist for breakfast in bed

A comfy throw to wrap in for that morning cup of coffee

Seahorse hooks for towels and robes

Find these items and much more at

Call us for a consultation: (727) 821-4100 Or visit our showroom at 3034 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N.

TampaBayFurnishings.com

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Photo by Kelly Nash Photography

People of St. Pete: Kenny Larson

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 that makes St. Pete unique.

This month we’re turning our attention to Kenny Larson. Kenny is not a complete stranger to the spotlight. He’s done a bit of modeling over the years and was also an All American long jumper for his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Still competing, he’s currently training for a Masters’ Meet in January. The 40-year-old’s goal is to hit a long-jump of 19 feet 3 ¼ inches down from his college best of 24 feet, but impressive nonetheless! As notable as all that is, it’s Kenny’s eleven years as a local United States Postal Service mail carrier that brought him to our attention.

“Waitin’ For the Postman”

Originally from Texas, Kenny’s family lived for a time in Tennessee before relocating to Wisconsin. After earning a degree in Sports Management, a job interview brought Kenny to St. Pete in 2001. Although the new job didn’t pan out, it did help him decide to make Tampa Bay his home. He quickly arranged a job transfer and for the next six years worked in sales for Coca Cola. To him, it was a good job but never felt like a perfect fit. So when the opportunity to join the USPS arose, he grabbed it. Carrying mail may have not been his original plan, but it turned out to be the career he was waiting for.

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“Please Mr. Postman”

Why is it such a perfect fit? He’s outside instead of being stuck in a cubicle. He’s active instead of being tied to a desk. And most importantly, he’s part of his community. He says the “best thing” about the job are the relationships he builds with those on his route. Recently reassigned from Magnolia Heights to a route including Granada Terrace and the Old Northeast, he says the hardest part of this move was saying goodbye to the old neighborhood!

Kenny is also a bit of a hero. Not once, but TWICE, Kenny spotted (or smelled) something suspicious and called the fire department. In one case, he alerted an unsuspecting tenant so they could safely evacuate!

But my favorite story about Kenny’s years as a mail carrier is a love story.

“Signed Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours” Kenny was substituting for another carrier on an unfamiliar route when he entered a condo lobby to deliver mail. Thirty seconds later he was out the door, unlikely to deliver at that address again. But, unbeknownst to him, a beautiful woman he had noticed at the top of the lobby stairs, Heather, had also noticed him! She had been on her way out for a run, but something made her take the initiative and say hello. They talked for a few minutes and he shared his phone number. He then continued his route and she continued on her run, but that wasn’t the end of the story.

She called, and, as they say, the rest is history. In October of 2013, they wed and two years later received their own special delivery. Now Kenny, Heather, and their adorable three-year-old daughter, Teagan, are living happily-ever-after in their Euclid-St. Paul home.

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Grinchy Grown-up Guide to the Holiday Season

By Erin Cody Not in the holiday spirit this year? There’s plenty to do in December that doesn’t smack of holiday cheer, or if it does, is firmly tongue-in-cheek. I present to you a guide for those of us, the childfree and Grinchy, who are not into anything involving sleigh bells or good little girls and boys.

I know we Burg-ers don’t love crossing the bridge, but it is well worth it to Scrooge-it-up at The Castle’s dark holiday celebration, Hallucination Before Christmas, in Ybor City on Dec. 15. The raucous annual event features four themed rooms based on The Nightmare Before Christmas, live entertainment, and absolutely no cheesy holiday kitsch.

The following weekend, on Dec. 22, The Castle will also host a onesie/pajama party. I, for one, will have a blast dancing around in my old-school Batman onesie among the super-serious, latex-clad, goth chicks. It’s the little things.

You’ll be grateful to be free of children and Christmas carols at Cage Brewing’s Grateful Dead Night on Saturday, Dec. 22. Bring your pups, go to town on some BBQ, and rock out in their beer garden.

The folks at Cage invite you to have “A Very JERRY Christmas.” A

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welcome update, eh?

Just want to drink your way through the season? I highly suggest checking out Iberian Rooster’s new Drag Brunch on Saturdays. The $25 tickets include the show, an entree, breakfast pastries, and a mimosa or bloody mary. After that, mimosas are $3 and bloodies $5, or just get upstairs, where you can score unlimited mimosas in a variety of flavors for $15!

If Sunday boozy brunch is what you’re after, hit up Oyster Bar. Their high-end Bottomless Brunch Buffet will only set you back $18, and bottomless mimosas are $14; bloodies are $18. If you don’t leave there satisfied and sloshy enough to want to wear a stupid Santa hat, you’re doing it wrong.

Prefer your inebriation with a dash of culture? The Museum of Fine Arts invites you to attend their Cocktails & Collections event on Dec. 20, and the third Thursday evening of every month. Each event is themed, and the $20 price tag includes a docent tour, live music, hors d'oeuvres, and an art-inspired signature cocktail.

This is also a great time to check out the Imagine Museum. Skip the Jingle Bells, and instead wander through a glass art wonderland on Thursday evenings for $5 After 5. On Tuesdays at 5:30, drop in for an hour of yoga and zen out surrounded by their beautiful collections. The cost is $10, don’t forget to bring your mat!

Finally, we can’t forget the festive glory of Dog Bar in the winter!

They’ll be hosting an Ugly Sweater “Paw-ty” all day Dec. 21, so grab your most hideous top and join the fun. What’s cuter than a pup in a costume? A pup in an ugly X-mas sweater, of course! They’ll also give you another opportunity to don that onesie on Dec. 23 for their own onesie party. You may want be a doggy to fit in, but I’ll be there in a kitty onesie, just to shake things up.

Worry not, you can definitely survive the season unscathed

by Christmas cacophony. Just seek out those events which aren’t holiday-themed -- I promise there are plenty! I also suggest seeing some awesome movies that play with your holly jolly expectations, like the 1974 horror classic, Black Christmas, the newer Krampus and, of course, Nightmare Before Christmas! Happy Grinchmas, everyone!

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Photo by City of St. Petersburg

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.

A new affordable hotel was announced last month for the Grand Central District, a first of its kind for the neighborhood. A 7-story Tru

by Hilton hotel will be built at 1650 Central Avenue in an area that is currently experiencing significant redevelopment. Three separate apartment complexes, which will bring over 700 new residential units to Downtown St. Pete, are currently under construction across the street from the future hotel. Tru by Hilton is a newer Hilton hotel brand that caters to travelers seeking affordable but vibrant and energetic accommodations. In addition to 132 rooms, the project will provide over 10,000 square feet of retail along Central Avenue. The site has already been cleared and vertical construction is expected to begin in early 2019.

Want to explore Downtown Tampa without having to worry about traffic on the bridges? The Cross Bay Ferry relaunched last month with an improved schedule and cheaper fare compared to the pilot project from 2016. The 45-minute ferry ride, which sails out of the Vinoy Basin, costs $8 for adults and $5 for seniors, military (active and retired), and students. In Tampa, the ferry docks at the Florida Aquarium, which is also within walking distance of the newly renovated Channelside Bay Plaza, now called Sparkman Wharf. Visit www.TheCrossBayFerry.com to buy tickets.

ONE St. Petersburg and 930 Central Flats, two of Downtown St. Pete’s most anticipated residential projects, started move-in’s last month. Located at 100 1st Avenue North, ONE St. Petersburg sold out of all 253 condos earlier this year. Details on who will fill the project’s 17,000 square feet of ground-level retail space will be announced in the coming months. 930 Central Flats, located at 930 Central Avenue, brings 218 apartments and 3,500 square feet of retail to the booming EDGE District. Over 20% of the units have already been leased.

Three tenants inside Baum Avenue Market, located at 1113 Central Avenue, are now open for business — Serene, Avocado Valley, and Valhalla Bakery. Serene is a wellness bar featuring smoothies, smoothie bowls, and wellness lattes. A few items on Serene’s menu contain adaptogens, which are combinations of herbs and medicinal mushrooms

that have roots in Eastern medicine and Ayurvedic healing traditions.

The Now and Zen smoothie is a must for any chocolate lover! Avocado Valley is a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced eatery specializing in fresh healthful ingredients and saj bread, a thin Middle Eastern bread cooked on a dome shaped griddle. For the perfect on-thego meal, try the Falafel Saj — crispy chickpea and fava bean croquettes, pickled beets, tomato, lettuce, parsley and tahini. Valhalla Bakery is an award-winning bakery that specializes in cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, tarts, pies, scones, and more. Treat yourself by indulging on the YOLO, two chocolate chunk cookies filled with a thick layer of smooth bourbon buttercream. This will be the second location for Valhalla Bakery, whose first location is in Orlando. As a side note, all menu items are vegan, but these treats are so delicious, we promise you would’ve never known if we hadn’t told you!

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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2018 Santa Parade. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

Events Jewels of the Imagination at the Museum of Fine Arts

When: Saturday, Dec 15th Sunday, March 31st Where: MFA St. Pete, 255 Beach Dr NE Cost: Admission Varies View radiant masterworks

by Jean Schlumberger from the Mellon Collection on display at the Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibition brings together the extensive Schlumberger collection of Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, donated to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts between 1985 and 2015. For more info, visit mfastpete.org/exh/jeanschlumberger/.

Meet Santa in North Straub Park

When: Through Sunday, Dec 23rd from 6-9 pm Where: North Straub Park,

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400 Bayshore Dr NE Hosted by City of St. Pete, visits with Santa are free. Cameras are welcomed and encouraged.

For more info, visit stpete.org.

Holiday Boutique at the Florida CraftArt

When: Now through Monday, Dec 31st Monday - Saturday from 10am-5:30pm; Sunday Noon-5pm Where: Florida CraftArt, Florida 501 Central Avenue Cost: FREE The Holiday Boutique is the ultimate artful shopping experience with fine jewelry, clay, glass, ornaments and more handcrafted by talented Florida artists. For more info, visit floridacraftart.org.

Holiday Movie in the Park: Santa Buddies The Legend of Santa Paws

When: Friday, Dec 21st movie starts at 7pm Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Dr NE Cost: FREE

GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM / DECEMBER 2018

Bring your blanket or lawn chairs to settle in for a waterfront holiday movie. For more info, visit www.StPeteParksRec.org/ holidayevents.

First Night St. Pete 2019

When: Monday, Dec 31st Where: First United Methodist Fellowship Hall, Sanctuary and Chapel; Mirror Lake Community Library; Cathedral of St. Peter; Williams Park; Plaza Courtyard; South Straub Park; North Straub

Park & Finale Stage; St. Petersburg Museum of History; Hampton Inn & Suites St. Petersburg; and La Deja Vu Cafe; from 4pm midnight.

Cost: Advance Sales: $12 for Adults; $5 for children 6-12; 5 & under free. Button prices after Dec 30th: $15 for Adults; $10 for children 6-12; 5 & under free.

First Night St Petersburg is a family friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Arts. Ring in the New Year with music, dance, aerial arts, fire, bubble stomp,

Annual New Years Golf Invitational

puppets, aerial art, creative fun, fireworks a scavenger hunt and so much more! Programming and show times vary. For full schedule and to purchase entry, visit www. firstnightstpete.com/schedule/.

Swingin’ the New Year

When: Monday, Dec 31st from 9pm - 1am Where: The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Avenue North Cost: $35 each Enjoy live music and dancing, swing dance lessons, a midnight countdown and balloon drop, a vintage fashion photo shoot and contest, party favors and chocolates, prizes and a full cash bar with champagne toasts.

Dress to impress! New Year’s and vintage attire encouraged. Cash bar. All ages. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www. tampabayswing.com.

93rd Annual New Years Golf Invitational When: Wednesday, Jan 2nd Saturday, Jan 5th Where: St. Petersburg Country

Club, 2000 Country Club Way S Past participants include established PGA Tour winners beginning with Masters champion Bob Goalby, continuing with Gary Koch, Gary Hallberg, and Bob Tway to name a few. For more info, visit newyearsinvitational. com/overview-championship/.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Puppet Show

When: Monday Jan 14th and 28th; starting at 10:30am Where: St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 9th Ave N Cost: FREE Shows for children ages 3-7 will be held on select Mondays through April 2019. Based on the book of the same name by Eric Carle, the show introduces young children to the library and the joy of books. The Junior League of St. Petersburg has been presenting this, and other, popular puppet shows for children at the Main Library since the 1940s. Groups of 10 or more, including schools, must pre-register by calling (727) 892-5296.

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Green Bench Monthly P.O. Box 76095 St. Petersburg, FL 33734

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