Green Bench Monthly - Vol 5, Issue 1, January 2020

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2020

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

Urban Farm(r) Revolution pg. 26

Are we there yet?

St. Pete Pathways pg. 6

Movers and Makers

Small Business Everyday pg. 9

Downtown Developments

St. Pete Rising pg. 29

CONTENTS

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

Advertising Sales Eileen Brock

Editors Rui Farias, Marilyn Malara, Mary Jane Park, Cathy Weisberg

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Contributors Angelica, Tina Stewart Brakebill, Nicole Brand, Vandi Carmella, Erin Cody, Rui Farias, Denielle Kennett, Brian Zucker

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Photographers Brian Brakebill, Kristina Holman, Brooke DeMartino, Kelly Nash

Cover Photo 15th Street Farm

by Brooke DeMartino

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

4 From the Bench

18 Rainbow Veterinary Hospice

5 From the Archives

20 Edwards Elder Law

6 Are we there yet?

22 Urban Farm(r) Revolution

9 Small Business Everyday

24 Saving Water While Saving Money

10 People of St. Pete

26 Happy Valentwe’en, St. Pete!

12 Baybes Who Brunch: Sweets

29 Downtown Developments

14 ME-Therapy

30 Events

16 Raising Locals: MLK Dream Big

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Community mural celebrating diversity, inclusion, acceptance and love;

by Jay Hoff, Chad Mize + LGBTQ youth volunteers; located at 2451 Central Ave. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

From the Bench A note from the Publishers

Happy 20’s, St. Pete! A wise professor once said, “a good leader is a bridge builder.” We would take this a step further and say that being a good neighbor, teacher, and friend is rooted in building bridges as well. Our resolution for 2020 is to build as many bridges as we can. Will you join us?

On that note, the future is bright and this issue is packed.

Before we dig in, we’d like to congratulate Radius Church (see their ad on pg. 30), all of our wonderful readers, and community sponsors who volunteered their time and resources to help feed 1,500 people in need over the holidays. It’s because of groups like Radius, and readers like you, that St. Pete is such a special place to live, work, and play. What’s your favorite volunteer event or project? We’d love to hear about it. We may even feature it in an upcoming story. Email hello@greenbenchmonthly.com.

This month we’re taking a closer look at St. Pete pathways (pg. 6), thinking local first (pg. 9), and trying to find our green thumb (pg. 22). We hope these stories inspire you to dream big (pg.

16), and save water (pg. 24).

To our readers who sent us holiday cards—you made our year. Thanks for reading GBM and supporting our community.

Till next time,

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

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From the Museum’s Archives: Round Lake With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias At the turn of the 20th century, life in St. Petersburg centered around the immediate downtown. Families living north of 5th Avenue were living in the country, tending to cattle and oranges. Although early homes date back to 1898, the Historic Uptown area, and especially Round Lake was a tropical paradise until the housing boom of 19081917 pushed St. Pete residents past 9th Avenue North.

Over the next two decades Bungalow, Tudor and Mediterranean Revival and even Art Moderne style homes eventually popped up everywhere on the “outskirts” of town near the pretty circular lake.

Before it became part of the city’s spectacular park system, Round Lake was first seen as a health hazard, and later a tourist attraction.

The Health Board wanted Round Lake filled in 1913, drainage and overflow was polluting nearby water wells. That year, the City’s park commissioners ordered the use of sand dredged from Reservoir Lake (Mirror Lake) to create the park around the lake. Its banks sloped to create an amphitheater for future concerts. Muck removed from Round Lake was used to fertilize the brand new waterfront parks lining Beach Drive.

With St. Pete quickly becoming a hot spot for tourists, in 1916, Board of Parks chairman Roy S. Hanna wanted to turn Round Lake into an alligator farm, rivaling the famed tourist attraction in St. Augustine.

“The alligator - the original Florida inhabitant - is rapidly disappearing.” said Hanna.

Apparently the rest of the board did not agree and Round lake remained a city park. In 1922 the Board of Trade (today’s Chamber of Commerce) funded the construction of an observation station on the north shore of the lake, and in the 1950s/60s, the City parks & recreation department held the annual children’s fish-a-thon at Round Lake.

Find more historical photos like this one on the St. Petersburg Museum of History website: spmoh.com.

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Orange Belt Railroad. Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

“Are we there yet?”: An Abbreviated History of St. Pete Pathways

By Tina Stewart Brakebill For many nascent communities, the difference between successful growth and stagnation can hinge on transportation. Quite simply, if you can’t get there, by choice or chance, then a promising village may stagnate rather than thrive. As a peninsula on a peninsula, St. Petersburg experienced such a dynamic when the transportation revolution paved the way for the shift from a fishing village to the Sunshine City.

From Mud Paths to Railroads Like earlier indigenous occupants, early white settlers navigated the area mostly in small boats or by treading on makeshift mud paths.

The horse (first introduced by Spanish explorers) offered the most significant transportation shift until the Orange Belt Railroad arrived in 1898. Two years after the train nicknamed “Mattie” chugged into town, the village’s population had soared from just a few families to nearly 275, making it the largest settlement on the peninsula. By the turn of the century, St. Pete had officially incorporated as a town of 1,600 people, elected a local government, and installed the first telephone.

More than 30 street lamps lighted the unpaved streets. The Orange Belt Railroad had laid the welcoming tracks for St. Pete’s future.

Trains and Trolleys As the 20th century unfolded, the Orange Line (which by 1895 was part of the Henry B. Plant rail system) continued to bring a steady stream of newcomers to St. Pete. Special tourist trains unloaded thousands of seasonal “snowbirds” each winter. Taking advantage of the city’s new electric-power plant, the first trolley car was launched in 1905. Track length tripled by 1920, and riders could take a trolley to Coffee Pot Bayou, onto the Electric Pier, and even to the end of the peninsula to catch a ferry to Pass-A-Grille beach. For residents and

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The Cross-Bay Ferry. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

Learning from our Past Sunshine Skyway (1960). Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

tourists alike, trains and ferries brought people to St. Pete. Once here, trolleys offered the best bet for moving around the city. As St. Pete grew in numbers (14,000-plus residents by 1920) and in area (from 11 square miles to 53 by 1930), people looked for new ways to get around.

The Automobile Enters the Race St. Petersburg’s first automobile rolled down the street in 1905.

More likely, it bumped down a dirt path. Unpaved city streets and virtually nonexistent county roads meant that the town had only 22 cars in 1908. By 1920, attitudes were changing. Trains and trolleys were still in the lead, but automobiles were the future! To accommodate this shift, citizens and city leaders sought more and better roads and bridges. Bond issues were approved providing millions of dollars which were spent to pave, construct, and extend roadways and bridges, linking expanding neighborhoods and new businesses, as well as the barrier islands. Even more exciting and transformative was the day Tampa Bay was bridged! To great fanfare, the Gandy Bridge opened in 1924, with more than 30,000 people in attendance to celebrate. But that was just the beginning.

Highways and Bridges Defeat Trains and Trolleys The Great Depression temporarily stalled development, but tourism spiked in the late 1930’s. By the 1950’s, St. Pete boomed again. The population nearly doubled in that decade and many of those 180,000 people wanted to drive. Trains, trolleys, and ferries represented the past. Millions of dollars went to improve and expand automobile access from all directions. By 1960, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge eliminated the need for a ferry by directly connecting St. Pete to southern Florida.

U.S. Highway 19 linked the west coast of Florida to the mainland states and the Howard Frankland Bridge offered a second direct route to Tampa. Trolley lines were ripped up and buses took over as the city’s public-transportation vehicles. In 1963, railroad service to downtown St. Petersburg ceased, almost 75 years to the day that the Orange Line opened. St. Petersburg hitched its future to the automobile.

In the 1950’s, better access to transportation helped spur development but it also brought new problems. New subdivisions and shopping centers attracted newcomers and businesses. Parking issues and traffic jams became common topics of discussion. There were concerns about the negative effects of all the dredging, building, and paving. In some ways, the story seems familiar as prosperity and growth are once again reshaping the city. Once limited mostly to downtown St. Petersburg, complaints about traffic jams and lack of parking have extended into other areas. Development again compounds worries about environmental sustainability. As we move into the future, transportation choices once again have the power to alter our path.

Florida has been slow to embrace transportation alternatives, but looking to a prosperous and more environmentally friendly future, St. Pete aims for a less car-dependent path.

Riding into the Future: Bikes, Ferries, and the BRT This future path is multifaceted. For example, in 2015, the city approved the Complete Streets plan. The goal is to encourage walking and biking by creating streets that are safe and convenient for all.

Dedicated bike lanes and shared roads provide commuters enginefree options. Electric trolley lines are long gone, but the public transit system is making strides to be more accessible and environmentally sound. In 2018, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority added two zero-emission electric buses to its fleet and more are planned. The proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will link downtown to the beaches and numerous business centers, reducing cars on the road and time hunting for parking. The seasonal Cross-Bay Ferry provides an option for avoiding bridge traffic and Tampa parking frustration.

In recent years the discussion of a light-rail system has entered the mass transit mix. Ironically, this would represent a return to the once highly effective use of trolleys 100 years ago, as referenced earlier in this article.

No one thing is the answer for creating an efficient and sustainable transportation system, but history shows that today’s choices have long-term effects. The time to protect our future is now.

For more information on the proposed BRT system, visit www.psta. net/about-psta/projects/bus-rapid-transit-brt/. Find recent news on Complete Streets at www.stpete.org/transportation/complete_streets. php and the Cross-Bay Ferry at www.thecrossbayferry.com JANUARY 2020 /

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Above: Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

Right: Search keepstpetelocal.org for local businesses.

Movers and Makers: Small Business Everyday

By Tara Britton Small business Saturday has come and gone, but you can celebrate the initiative every time you spend when you choose local first.

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express to encourage shoppers to support local brick and mortars. It happens at the height of shopping season, the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Since 2010, the “holiday” has been observed around the United States by small business owners and local lovers alike.

But what happens every other Saturday of the month, every other month of the year? The meaning of Small Business Saturday is more than a catchy slogan. We challenge you to put your money where your mouth (and community) is and embrace the spirit of Small Business Saturday all year long!

Follow makers on social media and sign up for their newsletters!

Many share deals and customer loyalty perks within their newsletter updates, along with their event schedule so you know where they plan to vend.

Visit brick and mortar shops that carry locally made goods! There are several throughout St. Pete, including: The Merchant, Retrograde Goods, Market at Left Bank and The St. Pete Store.

Use small business directories to find artists, jewelers, service providers and more! Search directories like Keep Saint Petersburg Local before looking elsewhere.

Support small businesses without directly spending! There are plenty of creative ways to do this, including: sharing photos, tagging businesses in recommendations, leaving reviews and engaging with their social media accounts (like, comment, share).

Think Outside the (Big) Box (Stores)

Be the Difference

More Than a Tagline

Find alternative ways to shop. Here are some suggestions for shopping small year round: Attend local markets! Meet makers and put a face to the products you’re consuming. Find a list of markets we recommend at marketmafia.com.

More money stays within our community when you spend local.

Get out and treat every day as though it’s Small Business Saturday!

Market Mafia is a resource connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets. Find local happenings and #HitTheMarket, visit www.MarketMafia.com.

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People of St. Pete: Mandy Keyes

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

This month we are focused on Mandy Keyes, owner and operator of the Community Café on Central Avenue. Opened in December 2013, the vegetarian, vegan restaurant and coffee shop in the heart of the LGTBQfriendly Grand Central District is a popular gathering spot. It’s easy to see why.Keyes has created a place with a cozy, welcoming vibe and great food. From the local art on the walls to the locally sourced products on the menu and the community events she hosts, her love for (and support of) St. Petersburg and its diversity is obvious.

Looking For Joy Becoming a business owner was not a forgone conclusion. “I’m not a born entrepreneur,” Keyes said. The Wisconsin native graduated from the University of WisconsinMadison and began a career in interior design.

She liked the work and was good at it, but she also felt as though she was hiding her identity as a “queer kinky woman.” Plus, it’s COLD in northern Wisconsin! In 2009, when her thengirlfriend decided to move to Florida, Keyes grabbed the opportunity for warm weather and a new start. The relationship was not meant to be a lasting love connection, as it turned out, but St. Petersburg was. Its funky, bohemian vibe reminded her of Madison, and it immediately “felt like home.” But she soon realized something was still missing. Her true joy came in connecting people, and from that realization an idea was born: to make building community the focus of her life.

Building Community To do that, she needed a space. Originally, Keyes’ goal was to be part of a food co-op.

When that idea fell apart, she forged ahead on her own. After refinancing her house and recruiting a small investor, she had just enough capital to open Community Café. She

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Photo by Brian Brakebill

offers great vegetarian and vegan food and a wide selection of coffee, tea, and kombucha, but she also opens her doors to the local community. The Community Café provides space for art openings and local musicians as well as organized groups like St. Pete for Peace, Spread the Vote/Project ID, Drag Queen Story Hour, and the St. Pete Time Bank. As Keyes envisioned, Community Café has become a part of the community and a place for people to connect.

Supporting Community Informed in November that her lease would not be extended beyond the end of the year, Keyes and the Community Café face an uncertain future as she endeavors to find

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an available space amid rapidly rising rents.

Understandably, she is distressed about this turn of events, but the community’s reaction has provided a constant state of uplift. As she told me, the overwhelming amount of public support has “reaffirmed both the validity of (her) original goal and the importance of continuing to pursue that goal.”

She is thankful for that support and is hopeful that this unexpected detour will lead to something even better. As of this writing, the Café’s fate is still in flux, although plans are in the works for an “even cooler” community co-op space where she and like-minded partners can keep building community. For up-to-date news, visit the Facebook page @ CommunityCafeStPete.

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Plant Love Ice Cream; Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich with “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” Pecan Ice Cream

Wandering Whisk Bakeshop; Santa’s White Christmas Cupcake

Baybes Who Brunch: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blueberry Photos and Story by Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch The new year always starts with an influx of resolutions. Gym memberships abound and salad companies make bank. Think of this as the anti-resolution guide or your annual cheat sheet. Y’all, this guide might not make you skinny, but it will make you smile! So, let’s raise a cupcake to enjoying life to the umpteenth sugary degree in the ‘20s!

We start our sugar dreams with our “something old” down at Plant Love Ice Cream. Now, this spot has by no means been around forever… it just happens to have been a fav longer than any on this list! I love that this spot in the Edge District is all vegan all the time and with constantly changing flavors, you can’t go wrong! My past favorites include Pistachio, Creamsicle, and “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” Pecan. The best way to stay up to date on current offerings is to check their Insta stories @ plantloveicecream. I’m anxiously awaiting the return of the Cookie Sandwich. If you’re not scared to get a little messy, this will be for you. It’s made with two delicious chocolate chunk cookies from Valhalla (whose

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new space we are awaiting with bated breath!).

As we head on down to Pinellas Park for our “something new”, we meet a bakery pop-up from a Food Network competitor. Wandering Whisk Bakeshop opens periodically for specific events or you can special order (think holiday or birthday goodness). Pop-ups are posted on their Instagram @wanderingwhisk . A word to the wise: arrive early! Once they open the doors, the line snakes around the building. Their Christmas opening was filled with special treats such as Santa’s White Christmas Cupcakes topped with cookie dough snowballs and Snowman Macarons.

I can’t wait to see what they’ll roll out next!

Benchers do not fret, we did not borrow a cake and go on the lamb!

For our next spot… by “borrowed”, we mean Love Food Central where they take the epic idea of red velvet cake and make it deliciously plantbased with their Beet Red Velvet masterpiece. How can one not devour an electric pink cake? Their bake case is always revolving and also includes

Love Food Central; Beet Red Velvet Cake

Bright Ice; Triple Scoop Cone with Blueberry Cinnamon and Roasted Strawberry with Brown Sugar and Balsamic

lovelies like strawberry cupcakes and cheesecake. The best spot to stay up to date is their Insta, @lovefoodcentral.

Last, but not least we travel down to Kenwood’s newest gem for a mile-high cone at Bright Ice. With ice cream that’s all the colors of the rainbow, it’s so hard to decide. I went with a fruit salad of sorts: blueberry cinnamon and roasted strawberry with brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in a homemade waffle cone. I’ve definitely got my eye on the orangesicle

with caramel for next time!

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

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ME-Therapy. Photos by Kelly Nash Photography.

ME-Therapy: Uncover Brilliance

by Tina Stweart Brakebill Psychotherapist and ME-Therapy founder Emy Tafelski is passionate about wanting to help people reach their full potential and live their best lives. She also knows that seeking psychotherapy can feel scary or overwhelming. This desire to help people coupled with her understanding of the fear associated with asking for help form the foundation from which the pillars of ME-Therapy rise.

You are WELCOME here!

As Tafelski explains, “ME-Therapy is a psychotherapy practice built on the pillars of acceptance, authenticity, and wholeness. The therapists embrace these principles and have been chosen because of their ability to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.

ME-Therapy wants to help you find your way back to yourself and each other in whatever ways are necessary.” Or to put it more simply: you are welcome here!

But is ME-Therapy for ME? Have you ever wondered whether there is more to life? Do you feel like you’ve lost your passion? Does the chatter in your brain make it hard to make decisions? Do you feel like you’re stuck? Are you struggling to move past an old trauma or a new obstacle? The truth is that life can be a complicated and messy journey. Dealing with the bumps and detours and even the smooth patches along the way can be a challenge. But no matter where you are in your journey, the therapists at ME-Therapy “meet you where you are so they can help you get to where you want to be.” They accept YOU. They believe in the amazing potential that is YOU.

Why ME-Therapy: Acceptance ME-Therapy believes that most people could benefit from getting some help as they navigate life’s challenges but they also know that deciding to share your struggles with a therapist can be daunting.

They understand that fear, which is why ACCEPTANCE is one of their key pillars. The therapists at ME-Therapy are NOT in the business of judging you. They are here to help. It doesn’t matter if you seek therapy as an individual or a couple, or if you identify as poly, kink, or other consensually non-monogamous relationship styles; Me-Therapy professionals provide a non-judgmental space where you can work on whatever is holding you back from a fully authentic life, without worrying about being judged.

Why ME-Therapy: Authenticity Can understanding your own personal truth help you move towards your best life? ME-Therapy knows the answer to that question is “YES!” But finding your own truth can be difficult. Every day, we are bombarded with messages about what we should do and how we should

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be. Those messages can drown out our inner voices and leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. The therapists at ME-Therapy can help you find ways to mute the chatter so that you can tune into your own voices and figure out who you really are. Embodying your fully authentic self can be essential to creating successful personal relationships, a fulfilling sexual life, and a joyful existence. No matter what stage you’re at in life, authenticity is key in your journey to wholeness.

Why ME-Therapy: Wholeness ME-Therapy professionals want to help you be you—more fully.

They understand that achieving that wholeness means all aspects of your personal truth need to be addressed: mind, body, and spirit.

To accomplish this, they use a variety of mind- and body-focused therapies to help you be more creative, caring, and productive. These therapists can help you gain a deeper sense of wholeness and balance so that you move forward in your relationships and your career. METherapy can help you be what you want to be.

ME-Therapy Founder, Emy Tafelski, LMFT and ME-Therapist, Robert (Bob) Ryan, LMHC, ATR.

The First Step Therapists at Me-Therapy offer a holistic approach centered on acceptance, authenticity, and wholeness. They offer individual and relationship therapy as well as intimacy counseling. For more information about individual therapists and how ME-Therapy can help you, visit www.me-therapy.com or call (727) 735-1257. Conveniently located at 2719 1st Ave. N., ME-Therapy offers flexible day and evening appointments in a safe and welcoming space. So contact them today and take that first step to uncover the brilliance within you, the brilliance that IS you.

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Photo above and below by City of St. Petersburg.

Raising Locals: Dream Big this MLK Day

by Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is always a day off from school for Pinellas County students, but it should also be a day on for children to learn about and explore the lasting legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Celebrations across St. Petersburg are a wonderful place for families to participate in honoring Dr. King’s life and dream; events, however, aren’t limited to just one day of remembrance.

Presented by Advantage Village Academy, a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes self-sufficiency, financial stability, and economic development in the community, MLK-related “Dream Big” events will offer residents the opportunity to honor Dr. King throughout the long weekend beginning Friday, January 17th and concluding Monday, January 20th with the nation’s longest-running Dr. MLK Jr. parade.

MLK Weekend Step Show Friday, January 17, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Start the weekend off with a big kick. This show — filled with complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps — will feature popular Tampa Bay sororities and fraternities in a step show competition. Catch these lively performances at St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs Campus. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating.

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MLK Music and Culture Festival Saturday, January 18, 11:00am - 5:00pm

St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront comes alive with entertainment, food vendors, cultural vendors, performer meet-andgreets, and a live DJ for the inaugural MLK Music and Culture Festival located at Albert Whitted Park. Admission is free to this event.

MLK Dream Big Gospel Explosion Sunday, January 19, 4:00 - 6:00pm

Rejoice with the first-ever MLK Community Choir at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church. Rev. Kevin Parrott will lead the choir in celebrating the life of Dr. King through spiritual songs and hymns. Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Photo above and left by Vandi Carmella.

community leaders, local businesses, and more joining in on the action.

The parade route starts at 3rd Street and 1st Ave South and concludes at Tropicana Field.

MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day Monday, January 20, 2:00 - 8:00pm

MLK Dream Big Band Showcase Sunday, January 19, 8:00pm

Taking place at the Campbell Park Football Field, marching bands from colleges around the country and area high schools will go on field to demonstrate their skills to the community in this entertaining showcase.

MLK Dream Big Parade

Bring the whole family to lots 6 and 7 at Tropicana Field immediately following the parade for the annual MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day. This free, all-ages festival features bounce houses, slides, food vendors, community leaders, and local businesses and organizations. Additionally, many organizations at this event are recipients of the 2020 St. Petersburg College MLK Day of Service awards.

Monday, January 20, 11:00am - 1:00pm

For more information on these events, visit facebook.com/ MLKdreambig or ava727.eventbrite.com.

Billed as the “nation’s longest-running parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King,” this legendary celebration is back in the Sunshine City. Join over 50,000 parade-goers in downtown St. Petersburg to celebrate Dr. King with college bands, high school bands, City services,

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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Rainbow Veterinary Hospice: Love, Dignity and Comfort

By Erin Cody No one likes to think about losing a beloved furry family member.

It’s a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, but Dr. Cindy and Misty Exelby at Rainbow Veterinary Hospice bring love, dignity and comfort to this difficult experience. “Our service exists to make it easier

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Above: 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. Photo by Stephanie Lynn Warga / Tiny House Photo.

for the pet and the parent to access end-of-life care and euthanasia in their own homes, where the pet is most comfortable,” says Misty Exelby, co-owner of Rainbow Veterinary Hospice. “It takes their fear away; there are no lab coats, no other pets barking or meowing in the background. Pets feel safe with their families in their own home, passing peacefully and without fear.”

Loving Care Rainbow Veterinary Hospice provides an incredibly kind and heartfelt service; one that relieves suffering, honors a beautiful life, and considers the grieving family. If this sort of practice sounds new to you, you are not alone. “We owned a free-standing veterinary hospital in Santa Fe for many years,” Misty continues. “The only way we fell short was at the end of their lives, when we asked their parents to bring them to the place they least liked to go.

It felt so unfair to us, so we vowed that once we relocated to Florida we were committed to providing exclusively hospice care in the home for our beloved wee ones, allowing their fear and trepidation to disappear.”

Rainbow Veterinary Hospice also provides hospice support. “When a terminal diagnosis arises and extending the life of the pet is the choice of the pet parent, we can send Dr. Cindy over to access the needs of the pet, and provide loving, compassionate palliative care to extend their lives as long as they are not suffering. People appreciate knowing there is a doctor to help with palliative care until, together, it is agreed that no more can be done.”

From the Mouths of Babes “We walked into a home where a 10-year-old answered the door,” shares Misty.

“The young girl asked us quietly, ‘Are you the doctor who came to help our Henry pass over the Rainbow Bridge?’ We answered affirmatively.”

She said, ‘Mommy and Daddy told me Henry will be waiting for us when it’s our turn to go over that rainbow bridge, too, because we have loved him and fed him and taken good care of him.’ “We replied that yes, this is what we believe to be true.” She replied, ‘Wow. You are a lucky doctor. There will be so many dogs waiting for you when it’s your turn!’

The Fondest of Farewells One peek at the reviews on Rainbow Veterinary Hospice’s Facebook and Google pages shows just how beloved they are. Clients actually requested that the pages be set up so they could share their stories and experiences, helping other people find the best way to their final farewells to their loved ones.

“We have had people invite their parents and friends who love their wee ones over to say goodbye. We have been asked to provide our service on boats or docks where the dogs grew up. Our services have been requested on the favorite ledge of an elderly feline as she lay in dignity in her favorite sun spot on her favorite porch or under a favorite tree or at grandma’s where they played for hours with the grandchildren,” smiles Misty.

“There are no words big enough to explain how special the experience can be made when love is the driving force. Our clients are so appreciative, so loving and kind. We get big hugs months later in Publix when they recognize us and stop to thank us.”

A Family Business Rainbow Veterinary Hospice is proud to treat animals with the grace they deserve at the end of their lives, when they need it most.

They are a local, family business providing care to most of Pinellas County. Evening and weekend hours allow even 9-5 folks to access their important services.

They have dedicated their lives to providing high-quality, loving care to our sweet animals, and can even arrange cremation services. “Most importantly”, Misty says, “Every wee one is handled like our own.”

For more information, please call (727) 515-1243 and visit Rainbowveterinaryhospice.com.

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Left to right: Margi Pecukonis and Amelia Nichols – Client Services Coordinators, Stephanie M. Edwards - Founder and Attorney, Susan Bauer – Office Manager and Probate Paralegal, Candy Porter - Marketing Coordinator.

Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

Edwards Elder Law, P.A.: Finding Understanding and Peace of Mind

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Compassion, education, and individual attention are the principles that guide the team at Edwards Elder Law, P.A. Founding attorney Stephanie Edwards established the practice on a simple idea: “You can’t get peace of mind if you don’t understand.” Because the firm’s goal is to guide and educate people as they grapple with how best to make plans for future uncertainties, Edwards Elder Law provides a compassionate atmosphere in which clients feel comfortable asking difficult questions.

The team believes that a collaborative effort offers the best path to reach the understanding necessary to forge an individualized strategy to ensure its clients’ safety and security.

Edwards Elder Law: Origin Story A graduate of the University of Virginia, Edwards earned her J.D. from the T. C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond, and ultimately decided against practicing law. A successful career in human

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resources brought her to St. Petersburg before she was drawn back into law by the experiences of a close friend. Watching her friend contend with the confusing legal issues surrounding the illness and eventual death of his father inspired her to return to law school After earning her LL.M. in elder law from Stetson University College of Law, she launched Edwards Elder Law in January of 2011. She and her team since have helped numerous individuals and families make some of life’s most difficult decisions.

Why Edwards Elder Law? Edwards Elder Law focuses only on estate planning, incapacity planning, Medicaid planning, and probate and trust administration.

The entire legal team is committed to providing compassionate support and knowledgeable guidance, building their expertise and experience to identify clients’ available resources and the legal steps they need to take. The smaller, boutique-style approach means that Edwards limits the number of clients she accepts in order to make sure that each receives personalized attention. Bottom line: Edwards Elder Law guides people as they cope with some of life’s most difficult decisions.

It’s Never too Early to Ask Questions!

If you think you may be ready to start addressing a current need or planning for future needs, then make the call! It’s never too early to ask questions. The Edwards Elder Law team is committed to providing valuable information and one-on-one services to clients, offering free

Edwards Elder Law is located at 2510 1st Ave N.

initial consultations. It’s also why the firm offers fixed prices, rather than hourly fees, for most of services. They want clients to be able to participate in the process, “sleep on it,” and ask further questions without fretting that a phone call will become a “billable hour.” If you have estateplanning questions or a loved one who is not as independent as in the past, or if you’re not sure whether you or your family is adequately prepared for the future, then contact Edwards Elder Law. Edwards and her team will provide the guidance you need to take that next step.

Finding Edwards Elder Law For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Edwards Elder Law at (727) 209-8282. The office address is 2510 First Ave. N; website www.edwardselderlaw.com

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Emmanuel Roux. Photos on this page by Brooke DeMartino.

URBAN FARM (R) EVOLUTION

by Nicole Brand If you’ve ever planted in a Florida garden, you know it can be no small feat to keep it alive and thriving. Florida soil is naturally sandy, and unless you’re planting natives or climate-appropriate plants and keeping a watchful eye, the probability for death is real. Yet despite monoculture threats like citrus greening, Florida remains an agricultural hub in the United States. Our urban peninsula is far from being a growing center, although at least one veggie and tropical garden now thrives in the heart of St. Petersburg.

A Farm Is Born The project’s date was auspiciously chosen to coincide with the climate-awareness work of 350.org: On October 10, 2010, nearly 75 volunteers convened to help two friends bring their vision to life. St. Petersburg urban agriculture legend Bill Bilodeau paired up with French transplant and gardener extraordinaire Emmanuel Roux, who

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15th Street Farm located at 310 15th St. N.

established the connection for the garden site at the Faith House. The now-defunct nonprofit was a halfway house that had a bit of land, a failed attempt at obtaining a parking-lot permit for that land, and no future plans for the quarter acre. Bilodeau and Roux sure did, though.

Their original vision held three main objectives: They wanted to send food directly to the residents of Faith House who were working through their recovery journey. They wanted to provide a therapeutic experience for clients. And they wanted to act a demonstration garden for what might be possible in the realm of urban agriculture.

With 90 cubic yards of mulch and equal amounts of fresh nitrogenrich bits, the volunteer team layered the property in mulch and plant matter, a lasagna-style method used in permaculture. The mulch came directly from the city, and much of the nitrogen-rich plant matter came in the form of invasive aquatic plants collected from local retention ponds. By the end of the day, permaculture keyhole-design gardens dotted the premise, and plants had already been placed in the fertile mix. As the mixture of mulch and plant material broke down, the biomass created nutrient-rich soil to nourish the crops.

In time, Faith House lost financing, yet the growing persisted.

Some young investors purchased the land, and the space was rebranded as the EcoVillage. After clocking thousands of volunteer hours, Bilodeau and Roux decided to step away. Fast forward through several changes in structure, and Lev Pasikhov took over the garden and became one of the first paid garden managers in Pinellas County. With

Field to Fork Dinner. Photos above courtesy of 15th Street Farm.

these structural changes, the goals shifted to focus specifically on the third original objective. The building on the property briefly became a hostel, and people came from all over the world to visit the tropical oasis. That phase was short-lived.

With Soul and Soil Each iteration of the project has done more soul-and soil-building than providing a mechanism of direct nutrition, but the lessons learned have been beneficial. Zoning issues have plagued the entirety of the project. From failed parking-lot permits, the garden was born. Because of a glitch regulating urban chicken farming, 60 birds became 10 and then none. Blatant disregard for residential zoning quickly shut down the hostel phase of the garden. What was possible with proper planning butted heads with what was probable.

Jacob. Photo by Brooke DeMartino.

The Evolution Still, the garden persists. In a full-circle solution, Bilodeau and Roux returned in 2018 to revitalize project. They restructured beds, revived neglected tropical fruits, and shifted focus once more. The original Faith House Garden, then EcoVillage, blew through several more names before becoming the 15th Street Farm. Bilodeau now works his own garden, volunteers at the local Youth Farm project at Enoch Davis Recreation Center, and teaches organic gardening at Pinellas Technical College. Roux began consulting and has laid out more plans for the project, at 310 15th St. N. The space continues to exist as a haven where people can convene with nature, sitting under the shade of the mangoes and moringa or spending an hour or two planting a new crop of Everglades tomatoes and arugula. Roux wants to facilitate those connections to the earth.

He is working with a nutritionist to create a program about the human epigenetic connection to nature and hopes soon to have a full commercial kitchen on property to house farm-to-kitchen culinary demonstrations and dinners. It’s been a wild ride in nearly a decade’s time for this tiny farm in St. Petersburg, but there seems to be a bright future ahead.

Want to volunteer with Emmaneul Roux and his trusty dog, Jacob?

Interested in setting up a tour or class? Call (727) 251-1879.

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Save water (and money!) with rain barrels. Photos by Vandi Carmella.

Saving Water While Saving Money

By Vandi Carmella Florida’s rainy season may not begin until June, but stormwater mitigation efforts run year-round in the Sunshine City.

The City of St. Petersburg continues its efforts to help residents make conservation a lifestyle with the launch of the Rainwater Rebate Program in November. Single-family utility customers can cash in on this new program by attending a free Rainwater Guardian Workshop held at locations throughout the city.

According to the city’s Water Conservation Coordinator Chris Claus, the goal of the program is “to recognize the positive efforts of residents to conserve potable water and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff leaving their properties.”

Rainwater Guardian Workshops launched in St. Petersburg in 2016, with the latest series starting this past September. In the classes, residents can expect to learn how individual actions influence our local waterways and leave with the knowledge to properly build and manage rainwater collection devices including rain barrels, rain totes, and rain gardens.

In addition to general knowledge and use, safety and planning are stressed during the presentations. (A full rain barrel can weigh more than 400 pounds, and a 275-gallon rain tote weighs more than a ton!)

Mosquito-prevention methods are also discussed, and publications are provided to assist with measuring rainwater runoff and planting rain gardens.

With the new rebate program, workshop participants are eligible

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for a $50 rebate (on a first-come, first-served basis) on the purchase of a rain barrel and accessory items or more for other collection devices. Free rain barrels are available to participants upon workshop completion and when other eligibility requirements are met.

The workshops are proving to be a draw to residents. Since the start of the Rainwater Guardian Workshop series in September, city staff have educated nearly 300 participants and provided 170 free rain barrels.

A dozen workshops already scheduled through May, with more in the works. Locations for the classes include Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and City of St. Petersburg recreation centers. Attendance rates are at 98 percent, and workshops scheduled through February already are at maximum capacity.

Joining other popular conservation initiatives like the Toilet Rebate Program and Sensible Sprinkling Program, the Rainwater Rebate Program is expected to evolve based on participant feedback and as new methods and technologies for harvesting rainwater emerge.

All efforts are designed to offset residents’ costs in doing their part to protect the environment.

Claus adds, “Through awareness and education, we hope to empower citizens to successfully implement green infrastructure measures and Florida-friendly practices in their home landscapes.”

For more information on this program and others, visit stpete. org/WaterPrograms or email RainwaterRebates@stpete.org.

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Happy Valentwe’en, St. Pete!

By Erin Cody This is the year to celebrate Valentwe’en! What is it? So glad you asked! Dr. Brandy Stark, founder of ghost tour company SPIRITS of St. Petersburg, fashioned the new holiday to be an alternative to Valentine’s Day. “Valentwe’en is a second Halloween, or a Gothic Valentine’s Day,” says Stark. It is for dark romances, like The Addams Family or Little Shop of Horrors. Whether or not you are coupled, it’s a lovely respite from all the syrupy Valentine’s Day activities.

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Dr. Paul Bearer and guest at SPIRITS of St. Petersburg’s annual Valentwe’en event. Photos by Brandy Stark.

A Day For Dark Romance “It’s a day to have fun and dress up either as a Goth or as one’s favorite Romantic couple,” Stark says of the local holiday. “It is a great time for romantic strolls on ghost tours, or to give one’s mate a bundle of beautiful black calla lilies.”

There are several enjoyable many ways to celebrate Valentwe’en.

You could dress on-theme or take in a dark romance like Warm Bodies or Corpse Bride. Perhaps you might go on a ghost tour or hand out a few spooky/sweet Valentwe’en cards. Make the day your own!

Watch out for the Grim Cupid!

Dr. Stark warns, “Watch out for the Grim Cupid, the lesser known cousin of the Grim Reaper. He is prone to make one spout Valentwe’en poetry, like ‘Roses are red, veins are blue, blood is sweet, and so are you!’”

The new holiday takes place on the full moon, which will fall on Feb. 19 this year. A Valentwe’en Art Show will take place at ArtLofts (10 5th Street North, above Florida Craftart), beginning on Feb. 8, Second Saturday. You can also check out the Shadows in the Sunshine Ghost Tour by bus, hosted by Paradise Tours. Their theme for the month of February will be “Spectral Romance,” featuring ghostly love stories. Tickets are $25 pp, and tours will run on Friday nights at 6pm.

For more info on Valentwe’en and SPIRITS of St. Pete, check out their websites, http://sppipinellas.homestead.com/Valentween.html and http://sppipinellas.homestead.com/HOME.html, and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theGrimCupid and https://www.facebook.com/stpetersburgparanormalinvestigation.

Happy Valentwe’en, everyone! Show that spooky someone you care...if you dare.

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Grand Central Brewhouse coming soon to 2324 Central Ave

The Blend: Coffee & Wine is now open at 490 1st Ave S

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.

The City of St. Petersburg has received an unsolicited offer for the purchase of the existing Municipal Services Center located on Central Avenue between 3rd Street and 4th Street in Downtown St. Pete. If the City accepts the $12 million offer, it would make way for two separate mixed-use towers bringing office, retail, hotel, residential, and parking to our downtown core. The City would contribute 1.38 acres in land across from City Hall along 2nd Avenue North for a new Municipal Services Center and the Central Avenue site would likely be the future home to Pinellas County’s tallest tower, even topping 400 Central’s proposed height of 515 feet. Other proposals for the Central Avenue land are due by January 31, 2020.

The inaugural list of vendors at the Pier Marketplace has been revealed. In phase one there are a total of 17 vendors including seven market stalls and ten market tents. Vendors will be selling everything from t-shirts, hats, jewelry, popcorn, caricatures, and more. The new St. Pete Pier is on track to open in Spring 2020.

The Blend: Coffee & Wine is now open in the lobby of the Tampa Bay Times building at 490 First Avenue South. Along with the standard coffee menu offerings, such as shots of espresso, lattes, and cold brew, The Blend also introduces St Pete to coffee trends that haven’t yet made it to the Sunshine City, such as white coffee and sparkling coffee.

Although it’s located in an office building, The Blend doesn’t want to feel too corporate. “I want people to be able to walk in wearing flip flops or a suit jacket,” says the owner, Stacha Madsen. The new shop, which is open to the public, can seat around 40 customers. Outdoor patio seating is also be available.

Grand Central Brewhouse is coming soon to 2324 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District (formerly Taco Bus). Tyler Singletary, formerly of Flying Boat Brewing Company, is expected to serve as Head Brewer. Grand Central Brewhouse’s drink menu will feature a wide variety of lagers and a full range of ales, including pale ales, IPAs and darker ales such as porters and stouts, plus some funky and sours beers.

The new brewery is part of a larger development that will feature two separate buildings divided by an outdoor courtyard and beer garden. On one side of the lot will be the Grand Central Brewhouse, while the other side will be a future third-party restaurant.

Blo: Blow Dry Bar is coming soon to the ground floor of 930 Central Flats, a new apartment community, in the EDGE District. Put simply, a blow dry bar specializes in washing, blow drying, and hair styling. They do not cut or color hair. Perfect for when you want a glammed-up look without spending hours in a hair salon. The other retail parcel on the ground level of 930 Central Flats will be occupied by a pharmacy, which will take up 1,285 square feet. The shop is being managed by My Choice RX. 930 Central Flats opened last November and is now 95% occupied.

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

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Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

EVENTS Kindergarten Registration When: Begins Jan. 13th Opportunities to explore classrooms, meet teachers, register for school and find out how to get children ready for kindergarten. Learn more and see a schedule of events at pcsb. org/KG.

State of the St. Petersburg Economy When: Wednesday, Jan. 15th @ 3pm - 5pm; social 5pm - 6pm Where: The James Museum, 150 Central Avenue Cost: Free to attend Learn how the city’s economy is performing with a focus on demographics, economic drivers, and key development indicators. RSVP required. To register, visit: bit.ly/state-of-st-pete

Shuffleboard Club Annual Tweed Ride When: Saturday, Jan. 18th, doors open @ 2pm Where: Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr N Cost: $25 - $30 A leisurely bike ride through downtown St Petersburg, wearing your finest tweed or other fashionable vintage. stpetetweedride.com

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2020 St. Pete Beer & Bacon Festival When: Jan. 18th @ 12pm - 7pm Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Dr. NE. Cost: $15 & up; children 10 & under free Featuring beer and food from local brewers and restaurant/catering vendors. www.stpetebeerandbacon.com

34th Annual MLK Dream Big Parade When: Monday, Jan. 20th @ 11am Where: Parade starts at 3rd St and 1st Ave S, ending at Tropicana Field Cost: Free to attend This year’s lineup includes ollege bands, high school bands, City Services, various community leaders, local businesses and more!

See pg. 16 for full schedule.

Where are You? Looking for Loved Ones After the War When: Monday, Jan. 27th @ 6:30pm - 8pm Where: Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 5th St S Cost: Free (RSVP Required) In her presentation, Debórah Dwork will trace how survivors searched, and what they found. flholocaustmuseum.org

“A Night at the Brewseum” When: Friday, Jan. 31st @ 7pm - 10pm

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Where: Great Explorations, 1925 4th St N Cost: GA $45; $55 after Jan. 24th (21+ only) With the help of Bay Area breweries, Great Explorations Children’s Museum will transform into a “brewseum” for adults to play like a kid again! Greatex.org

pARTy of the STrAnGE

When: Saturday, Feb. 8th @ 6:30 pm - 9pm Where: Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive Northeast Cost: $175 A fundraising event sponsored

by The Stuart Society, celebrating art in theatre, featuring a backstage motif, dramatic drinks and foods, edgy entertainment, and a theatrical flavor to the Museum’s Marly Room and Great Hall. www.mfastpete.org

Second Saturday ArtWalk

When: Second Saturday (Feb. 8th)

Where: More than 40 Studios & Galleries Cost: Free to attend Hop on and off at 20 free Trolley stops. See new work by local and national artists, enjoy refreshments and live music. stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk/

Vintage Marchê Market When: The first weekend every month. Saturday, Feb. 1st @ 9am - 6pm & Sunday, Feb. 2nd @ 9am - 5pm Where: 2200 2nd Ave S Cost: Free to attend Vintage Marchê is Tampa Bay’s newest and largest monthly market. Explore thousands of square feet of unexpected treasures & curiosities. vintagemarche727.com For more events, or to submit event info, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/ events. To submit volunteer opportunities email hello@ greenbenchmonthly.com

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

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