Green Bench Monthly - Vol 5, Issue 2, February 2020

VOL. 5, ISSUE 2, FEBRUARY 2020

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

From the Bench pg. 4 Black History

The Donaldsons pg. 6

Step Inside St. Pete

Fall In Love With

Snell Isle pg. 15

Volunteering pg. 26

CONTENTS

18 Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

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

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Contributors Andy Bragg, Angelica, Tina Stewart Brakebill, 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 From the Bench at Crescent Lake Photo by Kelly Nash Photography

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

4 From the Bench

18 Baybes Who Brunch: Charcuterie

5 From the Archives

20 Helen Wade Insurance

6 The Donaldsons

22 Speak Easy Pediatrics

9 Classical, Jazz & All That Pizzazz

24 The Affordable Housing Challenge

10 Love Advice

26 Fall In Love with Volunteering

12 Raising Locals: Museum Programs

29 Downtown Developments

14 People of St. Pete: Rosalie Peck

30 Events

15 Step Inside St. Pete: Snell Isle

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Photo by Kelly Nash Photography.

From the Bench A note from the Publishers Whether it’s welcome back or welcome for the first time, we’re glad you are reading this issue. This month we are celebrating the trailblazers—those who thrived in the face of adversity and fought for justice and equality. We salute these heros year round, but in honor of Black History Month, we’re shining a light on John Donaldson (pg. 6) and Rosalie Peck (pg. 14).

For some newcomers, it’s hard to imagine this city as segregated as it once was: African Americans banned from the lunch counter at Webb’s City, the Pier, and the green benches that lined Central Avenue. When the Jim Crow era ended, and these spaces became integrated, some celebrated the victory by embracing the new freedom. As Rosalie Peck noted in a 1991 essay: “I love the Pier because, as a black child … I was denied access. Now, as an adult, it is my pleasure.”

There’s still work to be done to make the black community feel welcomed in our city. If you’re interested in continuing this conversation, we invite you to join us, The Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and other local leaders for “Beyond the Green Bench: A Conversation for a New Generation” on Feb. 18th. See events (pg. 30) for details.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner (Feb. 14th), so we’re filling your hearts with love advice (pg. 10), museum programs for kids (pg. 12), volunteer opportunities (pg. 26), and specials from local businesses (see ads). If cheese is your thing—you’re in luck.

Charcuterie is on the menu this month (pg. 18).

Till next time,

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

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From the Museum’s Archives: Roser Park With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias You can thank the Fig Newton for one of St. Petersburg’s first, and most unique neighborhoods. Charles M. Roser, a cookie manufacturer and fig lover from Ohio, developed a machine that could inject fig paste into dough and turn a fig roll into a cookie. The Fig Newton was born.

Roser sold his patent, factory and the Fig Newton to a company that would later become Nabisco and headed to Sunshine City in 1910. Roser purchased swamp land and orange groves south of 6th Avenue South and between 4th and 9th Streets, and just on the outskirts of the city began developing his upscale, extremely unique neighborhood in 1911.

Surrounded by Indian mounds and picturesque Booker Creek, Roser’s

development quickly became a tropical oasis of impressive architectural styles from Bungalows to Tudor Revivals. Roser went on to develop hundreds of homes as well as commercial property on Central Avenue, Mound Park Hospital’s home for nurses and Mercy Hospital - the first hospital for the city’s African American residents. Roser died in 1937 but his legacy lives on. Roser Park, recognized as St. Petersburg’s first historic district, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Find more historical photos like this one, visit the St. Petersburg Museum of History website at spmoh.com.

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John Donaldson. Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

The Donaldsons: St. Pete’s First Black Settlers

By Tina Stewart Brakebill In 1868, John Donaldson joined a handful of other hardy souls trying to plant roots in the Lower Pinellas Peninsula. Soon after his arrival, he married Anna Germain. For two decades, the couple and their children were the only African-American family settled in present-day St. Petersburg. Life on the isolated, undeveloped lower peninsula was tough. Success was rare, but by all available accounts, the Donaldsons lived a full, and relatively unrestricted, life. This feat is all the more remarkable given the widespread racial discrimination that shaped post-Civil War America.

Reconstruction Undone In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the formerly enslaved black population embraced the possibilities of Reconstruction Era efforts to reshape society and politics. Throughout the South, African-Americans endeavored to expand the Constitutional ban on slavery into the lived freedom and actual opportunity promised by federal Reconstruction efforts. Black Americans registered to vote, ran for office, established churches, opened businesses, and purchased land. Unfortunately, Jim Crow segregation laws, widespread disenfranchisement, and discriminatory social norms negated many efforts for black Americans to achieve real civil, legal, or social equality. By the turn of the century, two decades of relentless, violent

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white pushback against change meant that black hopes of a changed and equitable South were largely gone. Despite that bitter reality, Donaldson and his family established a successful life in Pinellas County.

Moving For Hope We likely will never know what ultimately led the teenage John Donaldson to relocate from Alabama to Florida. Like many former enslaved people, he was working for his former owner as a paid laborer.

When Louis Bell, Jr. decided to move, the power dynamics of their situation may have compelled Donaldson to join him. Or Donaldson may have seen the move as a chance to improve his situation. Either way, he and a young housekeeper (and former enslaved woman) named Anna Germain accompanied Bell and his family on the 30-day ox-cart journey from Alabama. Upon arrival, Bell purchased 3 acres of land, determined to produce a profitable sugar-cane crop. Isolation, lack of transportation options, and an untimely freeze proved too challenging, and Bell eventually left the peninsula. This time, however, Donaldson did not follow. In 1871, he took his carefully saved wages and purchased 40 acres of land one mile north of Salt Lake (present-day Lake Maggiore) and set out to do what Bell had failed to: successfully settle on the Lower Pinellas Peninsula.

1857 Map of Florida, focused on present day Pinellas County (visit our website for entire photo). State Library of Florida, Florida Map Collection.

Success On the Fringes To say that the lower peninsula was remote and isolated is no exaggeration. When the Civil War ended in 1865, only one family remained of the handful that had tried to make a go of it in the years before and during the war. Over the next decade, hopeful pioneers arrived, but most of them failed and moved on. In 1876, only about 25 intrepid settlers, including Donaldson, remained. That same year, the lower peninsula got its first post office (at Big Bayou) followed two years later by the first store, but the nearest railroad depot was still 90 miles north in Cedar Key. Despite this isolation, the Donaldsons made their farm work for them. They cleared 5 acres of land and grew sugar cane and sweet potatoes, eventually adding a small orange grove to their crops. They also bought some hogs and cattle, and years later, Donaldson’s son Edward reminisced that his father’s homemade sausages and sugar-cured hams “were the talk of the country.”

Isolation as Protection Like the rest of the South, in the decades after the Civil War, Florida embraced a racially discriminatory path, outlawing interracial marriage, mandating legally separate schools, segregating public facilities, and instituting poll taxes, literacy tests, and whites-only primaries. But until 1888, the Donaldsons were the only African-American family on the sparsely settled Lower Pinellas Peninsula. The physical isolation of the fringe settlement meant that the usual strictures of race and class played a lesser role than they did in places with a more organized social life, meaning that the family had greater opportunities than did many other African-American families in the South. For example, Donaldson worked as a postmaster and signed the 1897 petition to separate Lower Pinellas from Hillsborough County. Several of the 11 Donaldson children went to the Disston City School along with white children.

As Donaldson’s son Edward recalled, “Nobody thought a thing about it.” And when John Donaldson died from tuberculosis in 1901, he was buried alongside 300 of his white pioneer neighbors in the Glen Oak Cemetery (as was his wife, Anna).

This dynamic did not last. When the Orange Belt Railroad arrived in 1888, it spurred a population rise that included black laborers.

Discriminatory policies, laws, and social norms followed, and by the turn of the century, St. Petersburg’s racial dynamics echoed those of the rest of Florida and the South. Despite that reality, in which African-Americans in St. Petersburg were being subjected to active and sometimes violent discrimination, a white man and former neighbor recalled in 1914 that Donaldson had been “universally respected.”

Given all the Donaldsons accomplished, that description seems inadequate, so in honor of Black History Month we celebrate John and Anna Donaldson, St. Pete’s first black settlers.

Sources available on request and include the research and writings of Ray Arsenault, Valerie Kasper, and Scott Taylor Hartzell.

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Left: Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil. Right: St Pete Jazz Fest. Top; (Feb. 28) Soak up the sounds of virtuoso steel pan artist Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his quartet. Bottom; (Feb. 29) Vocalist Alexis Cole and the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra; both perform at the Palladium.

Classical, Jazz & All That Pizzazz

by Erin Cody This time of year pianos and drums, violins and trumpets ring out across the bay. St. Petersburg is enjoying a bumper crop of mindsoothing, smile-inducing music; jazz, classical, and everything in between. Let’s explore what’s coming to our local stages.

TFO my goodness!

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is on fire right now, with numerous performances at the Mahaffey Theater this month. First up, on Feb. 8, is The Music of Bond...James Bond, featuring more than 50 years of tunes from the popular spy movies. On Feb. 22 and 23, take in Beethoven’s magnificent Violin Concerto. If you can pop out late in the morning on Feb. 27, enjoy free coffee with the 11 a.m. performance, All About Tchaikovsky. Finally, the TFO Pops brings you simply stellar music in their 8 p.m. show on Feb. 29, Out of This World. The evening will feature music from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, as well as pieces from Star Wars, E.T., Star Trek, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Tickets for these shows begin at only $21.

Jazz it up On the jazz front, the Mahaffey is serving up an evening of toe tapping tunes with Grammy-nominated jazz vocalists Gregory Porter & Ledisi. Tickets start at $39.50. Check out themahaffey.com for more

details or to purchase tickets for any of these performances.

The Palladium Theater also will see a lovely variety of jazz and classical stylings this month. Spend Valentine’s Day evening enjoying timeless love songs from vocalist Whitney James and her band.

Whitney James Jazz Valentine will be performed at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14.

On Feb. 28, the Chuchito Valdes Trio brings Caribbean-influenced jazz tunes to the Palladium at 8 pm. Tickets to these performances start at $25.

Pavlo in Concert will swing the Palladium with Mediterranean music at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23. At 8 p.m. on Feb. 25, the Tampa Bay Symphony production Land and Sea welcomes music by Debussy and Zare, as well as Young Artist Competition winner Jack Heller.

Tickets to see Pavlo are $40. Symphony admission is $20, free to youth and students. Visit www.mypalladium.com for information or to purchase tickets.

St. Pete Jazz Fest is back The annual St. Pete Jazz Festival begins on Feb. 25 with awesome music, affordable tickets ($10-15), and a variety of venues. Take advantage of it! Lineup, schedule, and tickets are available at stpetejazzfest.com/tickets.

Enjoy our bounty this month, St. Pete! The weather is crisp, the sun is shining, and music is in the air. Get out there and take it all in!

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Photo by Kelly Nash Photography.

Love Advice From St. Pete Couples Who’ve Stood the Test of Time

by Erin Cody With the hectic holiday season behind us and Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it is a perfect time to slow down and contemplate our romantic relationships. I have always been in awe of couples in longterm partnerships who still have smiles on their faces and love in their hearts. What are the keys to relationships that span decades?

I asked a few folks who have been married for more than 25 years what love and relationship advice they have to offer. Their wisdom is astounding.

By the way, all names have been changed.

Amy, married 38 years, on the importance of shared experiences: “Make memories (go places and do things together) and talk about them. This strengthens a couple’s bond. Your partner may be the only person who shares some of your important memories.”

Frank, married 50 years, on individual communication styles: “Figure out the best way to communicate with your partner when you are angry. For us, it is over the telephone. Texting definitely doesn’t work for us.”

Christine, married 49 years, on letting things go: “Often forgive yourself and your spouse, especially as you get older. Be willing to just go with the flow sometimes and let the other person be ‘right.’”

Ellie, married 27 years, on respect: “Respect for each other is key. Being affectionate and caring

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towards each other, no matter the circumstance, also goes a long way.”

Betty, married 40 years, on the importance of friendships: “Keep your friends. Don’t expect your partner to be everything to you and fill your every need. Your partner may not be able to comfort you or advise you in every circumstance or share your every interest.

Even soulmates need friends.”

Andrew, married 42 years, on respecting each other’s space: “Sharing household duties and giving one another “space” has been very important over the years. This is going to sound trite, but we moved from being “in love” to loving one another. I know it’s corny but I believe it is essential for a marriage.”

Jerry, married 45 years, on choosing the right partner: “When picking a partner, so the relationship has a chance of lasting, pick someone with complementary traits. If you are outgoing, find someone who is less so. Above all else, try not to change your partner. Enjoy that you are different.”

Often the most useful relationship advice is not romantic, but practical. Romance alone does not make a relationship stand the test of time. What advice would you offer those who are looking for a strong, long-term partnership?

I hope you enter this new decade with a sense of love, excitement, respect, and admiration for all of your relationships. May they grow ever deeper and more tender.

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Dali Museum. Photo by Vandi Carmella.

Photo courtesy of the Imagine Museum.

Raising Locals: Museum Programs to Help Your Kids Fall in Love with Art

By Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett For many parents, art museums often aren’t the first places that come to mind as kid-friendly destinations. After all, there’s no touching, no running, and no snacking allowed in the galleries (even we get upset about that last one sometimes). On the other hand, there are limitless opportunities to let your imagination run wild and incredible worlds to discover.

Kimberlynn Martin, Manager of Education and Youth Programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, notes, “Young children are expert learners, constantly observing everything around them. At an art museum, they are surrounded with new colors, shapes, patterns, materials, and ideas to explore.”

So with all of the world-class museums located in St. Petersburg, cultivating a passion for arts and culture in our kids comes easily in this area. There is plenty to learn about and love with help from regularlyscheduled children’s programs like these at local museums.

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The Dalí Museum On Saturdays, The Dalí Museum offers two organized opportunities for children to delve into the world of Surrealism — the Little Surrealists Tour, a one-hour docent-guided tour for families, and DillyDally with Dalí, an afternoon of drop-in arts and crafts activities. Mini Melodies is another program taking place on select Tuesdays that invites preschoolaged children to learn about Spanish music and the cultural world of Dalí. thedali.org/events

Imagine Museum On the calendar every third Saturday of the month, Imagine THAT! is a chance for families to make a craft or participate in an activity at the Imagine Museum. Crafts and activities vary each month and are included with admission to the museum. imaginemuseum.com/events

Museum of Fine Art. Photo by Vandi Carmella.

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art presents many opportunities for child-led exploration. Family Days happen every second Saturday and highlight a new theme each month with story time, a kid-friendly tour, and a make-and-take art project. Every first Friday, James Playdates offers art, songs, and stories for the little ones and their caregivers. The museum also hosts Family Art Making, a drop-in art studio for kids and teens, on the last Saturday of the month. thejamesmuseum.org/youth-family/

Morean Arts Center In addition to a multitude of child and teen art classes, the Morean Arts Center provides two days each week for free, drop-in art exploration.

On Saturdays, activities geared toward kids ages 5 to 10 are available at the Morean Arts Center; the Morean Center for Clay hosts a similar program on Sundays for children ages 3 and up. moreanartscenter.org/classes-2/family/

The Museum of Fine Arts The MFA encourages families to “inspire a love of art from around the world” with programs like Museum Minis, a twice-monthly meeting for preschool-aged kids and their caregivers filled with stories, songs, art, and more. The museum also offers arts and crafts, family tours, and scavenger hunts at Explore More! Family Days on the third Saturday of each month. mfastpete.org/programs/family-programs/ Of course, there are many other museums and experiences — including the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, St. Petersburg Museum of History, Florida Holocaust Museum, and 2nd Saturday ArtWalk — to visit on your own with your family. And with the anticipated spring opening of the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, new possibilities are always popping up in St. Pete. Did we mention how exciting it is to be raising little locals in the Sunshine City?

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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Left: Book cover ‘St. Petersburg’s Historic 22nd Street South’ by Rosalie Peck and Jon Wilson.

Right: Million Dollar Pier that denied access to African Americans until the end of the Jim Crow era in the 1960’s. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

People of St. Pete: Rosalie Peck

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

This month we’re taking a look back to honor the late Rosalie Peck.

Born during the nadir of Jim Crow, Peck spent much of her life defying racist assumptions and restrictions while forging paths for others to follow. Among other accomplishments, she helped desegregate a local college, earned a graduate degree in social work, wrote several books, and placed fourth in the Ms. Senior America contest after being crowned Ms. Senior Florida in 1991. When she died in 2009 at age 82, she left behind a diverse legacy marking the ways in which St. Petersburg was made better by her efforts.

“the worst of times and the best of times … a place called home” Born in 1927, Rosalie Peck was the last of 10 children. Raised in St. Pete, she attended the local all-black schools, Jordan Elementary and Gibbs High School. Legally mandated segregation was one part of the bitter reality Peck faced growing up in the Jim Crow South, but she also recalled the ballast provided by her southern St. Petersburg neighborhood. “The bitter made less soul-searing and less long-term damaging to soul and psyche because of love. ... We were insulated,” she wrote. “Cushioned and supported by a web of life comprising community.” It was the reality of racism that led her to move to Washington D.C., after high school to enter Cortez Peters Business College, one of the few black-owned schools in the United States. The support of her hometown community brought her back and helped launch Rosalie Peck onto a brave new path.

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The “road less traveled” that “made all the difference” Founded in 1954 by a local group of prestigious African-American men, the Ambassadors Club strove to work “within the system” to improve the lives of black residents. In 1961, they decided the time had come to integrate the all-white St. Petersburg Junior College (today’s St. Petersburg College). Rosalie Peck was chosen as one of two students to lead the challenge. Decades later, she remembered her anxiety and fear, but she also recalled her joy at the thought of realizing her and her parents’ long-held desire for a college education.

After successfully passing the entrance exam and making it through her first day, she knew she was, as she described it, “in my element.”

Building on that initial confidence, she decided to pursue the “road less traveled.” Choosing that path ultimately “made all the difference” in her life. Among other things, it eventually led her to BethuneCookman College and then to Atlanta University for her master’s degree followed by a successful social work career.

“Remembering 22nd Street: The Way We Were” After retiring in 1978, Peck dedicated much of her time to writing.

She authored several books, including (with Jon Wilson) St. Petersburg’s Historic 22nd Street South and St. Petersburg’s Historic African American Neighborhoods. Both celebrate the history of the local communities that helped buffer life in the Jim Crow South. Looking back, she credited her parents for raising her “to seek the higher good and to be ready when change long hoped-for came” even when that “much-needed thing” came “with a price.” So while she never minimized the challenges, Peck also advocated embracing the possibilities of a brighter future. As she noted in a 1991 essay: “I love the Pier because, as a black child … I was denied access. Now, as an adult, it is my pleasure.”

Author’s note: As a transplanted northern historian, I regret never having had the opportunity to meet Rosalie Peck except through her writings. Her books, along with Gwendolyn Reese’s “I Am” column for The Weekly Challenger, provided the main sources for this story.

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Cheesy Like a Sunday Morning

By Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch Jim Gaffigan said, “The real question is do we trust people who don’t like cheese.” My lactose intolerant peeps notwithstanding; I believe the answer is a resounding no. This month I decided to switch things up.

First, I’ll take you on my favorite charcuterie journey through the Burg and then give you the tools for an epic “make your own”. Because let’s be honest, there is just something so comforting about the forecast reading: cloudy with a chance of gouda!

From left to right: Annata - Pick 7 Board; Brick and Mortar - B&M Farmers Board; Lolita’s Wine Market - You Pick Cheese, Meat, Accoutrements; Trader Joe’s and Zazoo’d - Make Your Own Board.

My first ventures into the charcuterie world started years ago with the introduction of Annata to Beach Drive. To this day, this spot holds a special place in my heart. The best time to visit is Sunday for ½ off bottles under $100. If I’m in a sharing mood, I’ll opt for the “Pick 7” which comes out on the cutest pig shaped board. It’s always fun to switch it up and if you’re feeling adventurous let the waiter choose for you. My go to picks always include the St. Andre Triple Cream, Sausage of the Day (love the cheddar jalapeño), and ever-changing Pâté (the duck port mousse is amazing). The JCB No 69 sparkling rosé makes for the perfect pairing.

Next, head down Central for a board with some elevated Southern flare. Brick and Mortar is known for its creative combinations and their charcuterie is no different. The B&M Farmers Board is chef ’s choice, so you never know what you’re going to get, which is half the fun! Some of my past favs have included homemade drop biscuits, trout roe, chicken liver pâté, Roquefort, and apricot coriander preserves. It’s best to get here early for a table, as it is a small space that fills up quick. Try to nab a table outside and enjoy the sunset!

Pocketed on the cutest little side street, our third spot is adorned in twinkle lights and fronted by white rocking chairs for sipping wine while you await your table. Lolita’s Wine Market allows for a wonderful level of personalization when it comes to their boards. Everything is a la carte, so cheese, meat, and accoutrements are up to you. My absolute go-tos are the ricotta jar with lavender honey, drunken goat, speck, and bourbon bacon tomato jam. This is also THE spot for expanding your wine palate, although ya girl finds it really hard to branch out from my love, Huber Sparkling Rosé (if you’re sensing a theme… I’m a sucker for all things pink with bubbles!)

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Last, but not least I’m going to give you the tools to rock the socks off your next party or impress that special someone with a DIY charcuterie board. It’s very important to start with the right base or board. I love to peruse Zazoo’d because they always have awesome seasonal options (like this tree), as well as different shapes and sizes. Once you know how much room you have to work with, it’s time to get yourself over to Trader Joe’s with a game plan because let’s be honest, it’s very hard not to purchase the whole store! I always try to pick my cheeses in an array of textures and flavors for variety. Accoutrements and décor for the board I add in based on a theme or season. For this board, my theme was woodsy holiday. I wanted pops of red and green that would speak to that. For cheese, I went with Le Délice de Bourgogne Triple Cream, Toscano with Black Pepper, Royaal Grand Cru, and Amsterdam Aged Gouda. The meats I chose were Chianti Salami, Sopressata Salame,

and Sliced Prosciutto. However, if you don’t feel comfortable cutting the meat yourself, they have great mixed packs. For accoutrements, I chose Fig Butter, Horseradish Aioli, and Honey Comb (which I love to top with Mike’s Hot Honey I keep on hand). I garnished with Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds, Italian Green Olives, Peppermint Bark Popcorn, Raspberries, and pieces of wreath. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I think red would be a great theme, and I might switch the greenery for flowers and the more holiday flavors for something a little sweeter.

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

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Left to right: Keri Harding, Samantha Feuer, Phil Poirier, Nancy Joerss, Helen Wade, Blake Poirier, Chris Brown.

The office of Helen Wade Insurance agency is located in the Skyway Marina District at 3209 30th Ave S. Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

Helen Wade Insurance Is Ready To Be Your Lifeline

By Erin Cody If it stresses you out to think about insurance, you’re not alone.

With so many important ramifications, getting the right insurance coverage for you can seem overwhelming. Like finding the right sherpa to guide you up Mount Everest, the right agency can take the anxiety and guesswork out of insurance, leaving you feeling prepared and protected. Why attempt to summit alone when you can have a knowledgeable, experienced agent by your side? Helen Wade Insurance is ready to be your lifeline.

“Great service, helped me choose coverage we need and not pay for coverage we don’t need. Financial advice is thorough and helps with retirement goals for a good life. Helen has a team that is top notch and honest, which gives us peace of mind,” reads one of Helen Wade Insurance’s bevy of 5-star reviews across online platforms.

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Helen Wade Insurance Agency is a family-owned and operated business. (left to right: Phil Poirier, Helen Wade, and Blake Poirier)

Local Knowledge and Experience Owner and agent Helen Wade grew up right here in St. Pete. She has worked in the biz since 1994, and took over her family’s agency in 1999. Wade and everyone at her independent, family-owned and operated business knows what it’s like to live in the ‘burg: the good, the bad, and the messy. As such, they offer everything you might need including life, personal, commercial, home, business, property, auto, boat, and, importantly, flood insurance. The folks at Helen Wade work with both the National Flood Insurance Program and private carriers to ensure that you get the best possible coverage.

No one wants to think about what would happen in the event of a disaster. With Helen Wade Insurance on your side, you won’t have to. You can rest easy knowing that, should the worst happen, the knowledgeable folks at Helen Wade will take care of it with just one phone call.

Expertise + Customer Service New to town? Helen Wade Insurance is ready to provide a safe landing. “Helen Wade is just phenomenal,” gushes another reviewer.

“It’s been very confusing for me as I just moved to Florida, am renting and in the process of buying a new home. Helen has been so quick to answer all of my questions. I can’t appreciate her sense of urgency more. And, even more importantly, I trust her opinion as she is clearly an expert in her field. She has explained everything I need to know with professionalism and has been very thorough every step of the way.”

What can you do to make sure you are ready for whatever life throws your way? Wade suggests that everyone review their policies every couple of years, and that it always helps to have a second pair of eyes. Check your deductibles and rates, and ensure that your values are up-to-date. Be sure to let your agent know of any home improvements.

You may qualify for a discount you were unaware of!

Should the worst happen, you want the best people on your side.

Ease the grief of wading through the murky insurance waters alone, and breathe a sigh of relief when you entrust Helen Wade Insurance.

Helen Wade Insurance Agency is located at 3209 30th Ave S. in St. Petersburg. Give them a call at (727) 866- 6311, email Helenwade@ allstate.com, or visit their website at www.allstate.com/helenwade.

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Speak Easy Pediatrics from left to right: Jacqueline Farrell, Alex Miele, Kate Besonen, Megan Nettleton, Ashley Kaczur, Kailyn Demich.

Photo by Kelly Nash Photography

Speak Easy Pediatrics: Pediatric Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy

by Tina Stewart Brakebill Kate Besonen began her career as a Speech and Language Pathologist working in the school system and a home-health private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. This invaluable experience reinforced her passion for working with children but it also revealed ways in which the structures of institutional learning limited the effectiveness of her work. This passionate belief in finding a more effective way to provide treatment led her to launch Speak Easy Pediatrics in January of 2017.

Since then, Speak Easy has expanded into a team of highly trained, licensed, and enthusiastic speech, occupational and physical therapists dedicated to helping children reach their full potential.

Why Speak Easy Pediatrics: Play-Based Early Intervention!

Kate’s desire to build a community-based early-intervention practice came out of a simple goal: “to provide the best possible treatment, and therapeutic support system for each child and family that is served.” This goal led her to incorporate practices based on each child’s specific needs

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rather than insurance requirements or school-mandated scheduling.

As Kate explained, Speak Easy Pediatrics practices a play-based model that emphasizes family involvement, parent education, and training. Speak Easy also comes to YOU! Therapy is provided within a child’s “natural environment,” rather than a clinic or office setting.

Conducting sessions at a child’s home, daycare, or preschool is convenient for parents and more comfortable for kids. It also allows Speak Easy therapists to use materials familiar to your child and incorporate functional outcomes in your child’s everyday routines.

Therapists come ready to play with plenty of fun, novel toys, and stimulating activities. The hour-long sessions also allow for snack and potty breaks, and an occasional sibling or pet inclusion. Your kids will love every minute of the sessions because 90% of their time is spent where they learn best: on the floor, playing! Don’t be surprised when they race to the door, excited to get learning, and more importantly, excited to get playing! This play-based approach provides kids AND parents the tools they need to keep progressing even when they’re not in a formal therapy session.

Kate Besonen, M.A. CCC-SLP

Why Speak Easy Pediatrics: A Team Approach Speak Easy promotes a team-based approach to treatment. They work with each member of the family, providing therapy strategies and guidance so that at the end of each session everyone feels educated and empowered. This approach ensures greater success, progress, and generalization of your child’s goals. Each session is also tailored towards your child’s specific and ever-changing needs. So, for example, if your child is struggling to tell you what he wants to eat for a snack, then they will take the session directly into your kitchen and model ways to provide choices or label objects. Speak Easy will help families learn how to incorporate cues and therapy strategies to ease this sometimes stressful time of day.

What happens if families aren’t able to be a part of the session? No worries! As a working mom, Kate knows how challenging the work/ life balance can be. Speak Easy understands that communication is the key to success for every member of your child’s team. So even if the family can’t be at every session in person, Speak Easy therapists will keep caretakers, teachers, and parents informed and connected via text, email, phone calls, and even videos of direct therapy.

Who Can Speak Easy Help?

Speak Easy offers assessment and treatment for children ages birth to 18 years with varying medical diagnoses and conditions. Speak Easy also services private and charter schools throughout Pinellas County. If you have concerns related to your child’s expressive, receptive, or social communication, reading abilities, gross and fine motor development, postural control, endurance, sensory integration and processing, behavior challenges, anxiety, executive function and coordination, Speak Easy can help! If you have questions related to your child’s development, or would like to set up an evaluation, consultation or treatment, contact Speak Easy today.

To find out how Speak Easy Pediatrics can help YOUR child thrive, contact them at 614-940-4428 or speakeasypediatrics@ gmail.com. You can also learn more about the individual therapists and the many services they offer by visiting Speak Easy Pediatrics at www.speakeasypediatrics.com.

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Burlington Post offers 86 affordable 55+ apartments in Historic Kenwood located at 3201 Burlington Ave. Photo by Tony Sica.

The Affordable Housing Challenge

By Andy Bragg Housing affordability remains a challenge locally despite the very strong economy and median-income growth.

The Tampa Bay Times recently reported that about 40 percent of St. Petersburg households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Tampa Bay ranked 18th out of 20 similar U.S. communities in housing affordability in a recent Tampa Bay Partnership study.

“If the market doesn’t create sufficient affordable housing, policy mechanisms need to be used,” said former City Council member Karl Nurse, a director and supporter of nonprofit organizations.

Mayor Rick Kriseman’s goal of “safe, decent housing that’s affordable for all our residents” is being addressed: • Nonprofits and homeowners are taking advantage of city zoning changes and incentive programs to create more low-cost housing.

• Last July, the city announced a 10-year affordable housing plan pulling together current and planned programs.

• The city also recently launched its StPete2050 visioning process about what St. Petersburg can become over the next 30 years.

The Current Situation Charitable organizations with volunteers, donations and non-profits can develop houses in St. Petersburg relatively inexpensively. Nurse estimates a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house can be marketed for $140,000 to $170,000, compared with prices of at least $250,000 by a for-profit developer. This can make the long-term difference for first-time

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buyers. Nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, community lender SELF and builder Sustainable Communities are active.

Celebrate Outreach expects to complete a 635-square-foot “tiny home” for a veteran facing homelessness by June on a site obtained through the city’s new program offering foreclosed lots for affordable development. So far, 26 lots have been made available in this program.

St. Petersburg has loosened 1970s-era zoning regulations to allow for smaller, low-cost housing units. Restrictions have been reduced on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) such as garage apartments, and parking requirements for small apartments. A neighborhood traditional mixed-residential (NTM) zoning category has been created for major corridors, with additional areas to be determined. Buildings with up to four residential units will be allowed in those sections.

Alex Nicolas, neighborhood association president for Campbell Park, a largely African-American area, says his neighbors have met and will proceed to obtain NTM zoning. Interest in Campbell Park has grown because of its location near Grand Central and outside flood-prone areas.

“The process may take a year,” Nicolas said. “Residents are tired of living by an abandoned home or vacant lot and see this as the spark to create affordable housing and help the entire neighborhood flourish.”

“Assisting affordable multifamily development is a big part of what we do,” Neighborhood Affairs Administrator Rob Gerdes, said. The city was involved financially with the development of large facilities such as Burlington Post in Historic Kenwood and requests that proposals

Aerial of Mirror Lake. A luxury residential tower planned on Fifth Street N near Mirror Lake will result in the demolition of 97 low-rent apartments in seven buildings. Photo by Bronson Cheeks. for city-owned sites such as the old police headquarters include mixedincome housing.

Displacement of residents is an ongoing issue the City attempts to mitigate by increasing the options available to tenants. A luxury residential tower planned on Fifth Street N near Mirror Lake will result in the demolition of 97 low-rent apartments in seven buildings. The threat of litigation and concern about the city’s ability to attract business and jobs led the City Council to approve the project.

The Plan The 10-year plan aims to create or preserve 7,000 households for those earning up to 120 percent of area median income. It includes $60 million – primarily from existing tax sources, but including $20 million in a proposed fee on market-rate construction – for building and preservation of 2,400 multifamily units. It estimates that 3,200 homes will be preserved by remedying code violations; 300 ADUs constructed; 500 homes purchased; 150 single-family lots provided; and more than 200 affordable units created because of incentives and on city-owned land.

It also aims to make middle-income housing more affordable by increasing market-rate units in the new NTM zones and encouraging developers to add ADUs. The plan is separate from the public-housing programs of the St.

Petersburg Housing Authority. Gerdes notes the city would very much like for the the SPHA to add units and is willing to offer assistance.

The Vision The StPete2050 visioning process will cover the full range of topics on what the city will become over the next 30 years. It is under way with community feedback workshops and is expected to be completed by fall.

Implementation will follow through updating the comprehensive plan and land-development regulations.

City City member Darden Rice, vice chair of the countywide landuse and transportation-planning agency Forward Pinellas, advocates policies that address transportation and small-business costs together with housing affordability. StPete2050 may provide a forum to consider such a broad range of ideas.

Rice envisions clusters along future bus rapid transit (BRT) routes with NTM zoning and frequent service. The goal would be distributed, walkable, complete neighborhoods where land costs are relatively inexpensive, parking requirements are low, and residents can walk or ride to work and retail areas without needing a car.

Developing an affordability strategy is important, Rice said.

“Otherwise, St. Pete risks losing authenticity and becoming a tougher place to live for many. It would negatively affect the whole city.”

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Big Brother Art and Little Brother Freddie reading by the tennis courts at North Shore. Photo by Claire Selius

Fall in Love With Volunteering

By Erin Cody Volunteering is something many of us would like to do, but few actually make it happen. Why? “I know it’s good for the community... but why would I spend my free time doing work I’m not getting paid for?” Touché, but volunteering doesn’t have to be like plain ol’ kale that you only eat because it’s good for you. There are plenty of ways to consume kale that are actually pretty darn tasty.

I suggest taking the kale approach to volunteer work - turn it into something you actually like! What do you really enjoy doing?

Try turning your hobbies or general interests into forces for good so everyone wins.

My entry to local volunteer work was through my love of planning parties. In early 2017, I linked up with the non-partisan, nearly century-old League of Women Voters. They have a number of “action groups” you can work with based on your particular area of interest, such as Sustainability, Immigration, Gun Safety, and Education. Unsure of where to jump in and make a difference, I offered to produce a fundraising event. I built a Downtown scavenger hunt that highlighted female-owned businesses, and it was a hit. I had an awesome time with them, and am now happily, deeply involved with the organization.

So what do YOU like to do that can benefit your community?

Do you love animals? Perhaps you’d like to volunteer at local no-kill shelter Friends of Strays, or Pinellas County Animal Services.

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Options range from greeter to pet socializer to photographer and beyond. Time with animals can be a major stress reliever and greatly benefits both parties. Segall Bloom used to volunteer at Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma. “They had tigers, bears, wolves, birds, lemurs, and a bunch of other animals. We did everything from feed the animals, clean cages, repair things, and give the animals enrichment. It was awesome!”

Like to work with children? There are a number of mentoring programs that are always in need of volunteers. Big Brothers Big Sisters offers an amazing opportunity to make a real difference in a child’s life. “I’ve been mentoring a young girl named Trinity for nine years now. The bond we have created is special and unique. I have been able to give her so many new experiences. As she moves into high school, the support and mentorship I will give her will hopefully help her excel into the next phase of her life,” says Big Sister, Kristin Wilson.

Like to get outside and get your hands dirty? Check out Habitat for Humanity. Want to support the arts and see free shows? Try the Mahaffey or any of the local theater companies to see how you can get involved. VolunteerMatch.org is a great place to explore a wealth of options. You can create filters for the areas that interest you and/ or the type of work you wish to do.

Volunteering has truly enriched my life; I was so happy to learn that I could create my own volunteer opportunity instead of having to fit into a box. Try it out! Find an organization you like and see what you can do for them. Show St. Pete some love by giving back!

Shelli Hemans (St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce / The St. Pete Store), and Tami Simms (The Simms Team) invite you to join the Sunshine Street Team: a Downtown Business Association initiative.

Volunteer opportunities near you: Join the “Gang of Nice People” Downtown: Sunshine Street Team Organized by the Downtown Business Association Do you like helping people? Are you passionate about St. Petersburg? Join the Sunshine Street Team today!

The Sunshine Street Team is a dynamic program designed to enhance the downtown St. Petersburg experience for visitors and locals alike, build longer lasting relationships between visitors and St. Petersburg establishments, and generate metrics surrounding these experiences. 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. E-mail today for an application! SunshineStreetTeam@ gmail.com or visit http://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/sunshine-street-team.html

Localtopia 2020: The biggest one EVER! Organized by Keep Saint Petersburg Local (KSPL) This years’ festival takes place at Williams Park on Saturday, February 22nd from 10 am to 5 pm (Rain Date: February 29th, 2020). There are a variety of shifts/tasks available. KSPL is always eternally grateful to awesome volunteers, without whom this festival would not be possible! St. Pete’s largest “Community Celebration of All Things Local” showcasing 250+ of your favorite independent businesses and community organizations. Each volunteer receives an exclusive volunteer T-shirt + beer ticket/s* according to hours worked and a warm glow knowing you’ve helped make this one of the most memorable days ever in #StPete! *You must be 21+ to receive beer tickets. To register, visit http://bit.ly/localtopia-volunteer

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Rumba Island Bar & Grill coming soon to 6445 4th St N

MÜV medical cannabis dispensary coming soon to 1101 1st Ave North

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.

Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern is coming soon to 29 3rd Street North (formerly Sea Dog Pub DTSP) on the Jannus Block in Downtown St Pete. From the owners of The Galley, Mary Margaret’s menu will include classic items like the Proper Shepherd’s Pie with lamb, Kennedy’s Corned Beef and Cabbage, and The Reuben Sandwich with Guinness Gravy. In true St. Pete style, there will be real options for vegans too, such as a vegan shepherd’s pie. As for the drink selection, Mary Margaret’s plans to have the largest selection of Irish whiskey in the area, including high-end offerings like Green Spot, Middleton Very Rare, and Red Breast. A grand opening is planned for the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, March 14th-15th, and of course on the big day March 17th, as well.

Rumba Island Bar & Grill is coming soon to 6445 4th Street North (formerly WingHouse). Rumba, which has two additional locations in Clearwater and Oldsmar, gives diners a taste of the islands in a laidback tropical atmosphere. Menu items include favorites like the IslandStyle Quesadillas and Jerked Smoked Chicken Wings for starters and the signature Rumba Salad with Grouper, Crispy Coconut Shrimp and the Caribbean Pulled Pork for an entree. And best of all, sangria, classic margaritas and well cocktails are two-for-one all day every day.

Construction on the new restaurant is well underway, however there is no expected opening date.

Chicken Salad Chick is coming soon to 1221 4th Street North (formerly China City). The eatery specializes in twelve varieties of made-from-scratch chicken salads, served either by the scoop or on a sandwich. Although the restaurant offers traditional chicken salad, why not try something new like the Kickin’ Kay Lynne, made with a combination of buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and Sriracha. Chicken Salad Chick is currently in permitting and plans to open sometime in 2020, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

MÜV (pronounced “move”), a medical cannabis dispensary, is

coming soon to 1101 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District. They will offer an extensive selection of medical marijuana products including flower, pre-rolls, a wide range of vaporizer pens, topicals, oral sprays, and more. All of MÜV’s cannabis is grown in a state-of-the-art indoor facility in Apollo Beach, just a short trip across the Skyway Bridge. For convenience, an independent medical marijuana doctor has leased the space next to MÜV. Buildout on both the doctor’s office and dispensary began at the end of January and should open toward the end of April.

Petworks, a holistic cat & dog market, is now open at 1 Beach Drive SE #106 on the ground floor of Bayfront Tower. They offer the healthiest foods and treats, only safe toys and accessories, and all natural wellness products. PetWorks doesn’t carry any products from China, plus they offer local 2-hour delivery. Your fur family will love PetWorks!

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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Localtopia 2018.

Photos by City of St. Petersburg.

EVENTS

platter dinner will be served from 2pm - 3pm for $10. Enjoy dancing to the music of the Polka Generations Band from 3pm 6pm. Admission is $8 presale and $10 at the door. Presale tickets may be purchased at the club or by sending a check. Last year’s event sold out. Buy your tickets early. For more info, contact Ken Jakubowski (727) 360-4939.

MIZE Gallery: Glitch When: Opening Friday, February 7th from 6pm - 10pm; on display through February 23rd Where: MIZE Gallery, 689 Dr MLK Jr Street N, Unit C Cost: Free to attend Artist exhibit featuring Stephanie Agudelo, Bask, Joe Boccia, L Brook, Saumitra Chandratreya, Jean Michael Fait, Ora Fraze, Infinite Third, Southeastern Guide Carrie Jadus, Daniel LloydMiller, Chad Mize, Adriaan Mol, Dogs St. Petersburg Katie Niewodowski, Emiliano Settecasi, Frank Strunk III, Justin Walkathon When: Saturday, February 22nd Wagher, Daniel Williams, and from 9am - 2pm YUNGBLD. For more info, visit Where: Vinoy Park, chadmize.com.

701 Bay Shore Dr. NE Cost: Free to attend Beyond the Bring your family, bring your Green Bench: A friends, bring your dogs, and bring your friends’ dogs to our Conversation for a 2020 Walkathon! This free, New Generation family-friendly event includes When: Tuesday, February 18th a 3K walk and a Waggin’ Tails from 6:30pm -8pm Festival with live music, food, Where: The Historic Manhattan vendors, and an exciting raffle Casino Event Hall drawing. For more info, visit Cost: Free to attend. RSVPs are www.guidedogswalkathon.org. required. See link below.

Join The Dr. Carter G. Woodson Localtopia 2020: African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, “A Community and other local leaders for Celebration of All panel discussion as we reflect Things Local” upon voices of the past and examine the role of controversial When: Saturday, February 22nd from 10am - 5pm historical icons in modern society. For more info, and to Where: Williams Park, register, visit via http://bit.ly/ 330 2nd Ave N green-bench-conversation.

Cost: Free to attend

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Brain Health Symposium When: Saturday, February 29th Where: Sunshine Center, $5 (minimum) suggested donation 330 5th St. N. at entrances Cost: Free to attend Keep Saint Petersburg Local is Learn about the latest brain proud to bring back Localtopia health research from the for its 7th year! LOCALTOPIA experts. Receive information is St. Pete’s largest “Community and insight from researchers, Celebration of All Things Local” neurologists, professionals and showcasing 250+ of our city’s individuals living with dementia. favorite independent businesses Complimentary brain healthy and community organizations. lunch provided. Limited seats This family-friendly festival available; to reserve yours, call also commemorates KSPL’s (727) 893-7101.

8-Year Anniversary. For more info visit localtopia. keepsaintpetersburglocal.org.

Awakening Into

the Sun Health & The St. Petersburg Wellness Festival Polish American When: Saturday, March 7th and Society’s second Sunday, March 8th from 9am - 6pm annual Paczki-Polish Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE. Donut Dance Cost: Free to attend When: Sunday, February 23rd from 1:30pm - 6pm Where: The Polish American Society, 1343 Beach Dr. SE Cost: $8 - $10 Come and celebrate Fat Tuesday with a traditional Polish doughnut. A Polish

Live music, group yoga classes, healthy & delicious food (vegan friendly). 125+ vendor booths featuring local artisans. Face painting & games for kids. Pet adoptions. A fun weekend for the whole family! For more info visit www.awakeningintothesun.org.

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

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ST PETE FL PERMIT NO. 4