Issuu

VOL. 7, ISSUE 3, MARCH 2022

Green Bench Monthly

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

”Artists at Work” Tour Invites Guests into Home-Studios pg. 22

St. Pete Women

A Powerful Force pg. 6

Parks of St. Pete

Coconut Park pg. 16

Woodson Warriors

Leading the Way pg. 24

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Publishers

Ashley & Tony Sica

Editor Mary Jane Park

Contributors Tina Stewart Brakebill Suzanne Driscoll Gabrielle Reeder Brian Zucker

Photographers

IN THIS ISSUE

Brian Brakebill Aziz Halabi Kristina Holman

Advertising Sales Sally Epply (302) 519-5038 sally@greenbenchmonthly.com

Cover Photo ”Artists at Work” by Kristina Holman

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

From the Bench

St. Pete Women: A Powerful Force

People of St. Pete: Tiffany Ford

10 RE/MAX Realty Unlimited: A New Partnership with We Insure 12 Anderson-McQueen: Customized Funerals and Life Celebrations 16 Parks of St. Pete: Coconut Park

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18 Thrive By Five Pinellas: Because Every Child Deserves Equal Access to Every Opportunity for Success 22 ”Artists at Work” Tour Invites Guests into Home-Studios 24 Woodson Warriors: Leading the Way 26 Downtown Developments 28 Events

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The Woodson Warriors Scholarship auction will be held at the Coliseum on Sunday, March 27th (pg. 24). Photo by City of St. Petersburg

From the Bench

short and long-sleeved, dresses and shoes. Each year Clothes To Kids clothes more than 11,000 low-income and in crisis school children, PreK-4 to 12th grade for FREE. For more info visit www.clothestokids.org

A note from the Publishers Happy March! Virgina Woolf said it best: "For most of history, Anonymous was a woman". Which is why we are celebrating Women's History Month. From the women's group that banded together for the first sidewalk in St. Pete (pg. 6) to those making history today (pg. 24)—we salute you! With Spring just around the corner, our events calendar (pg. 28) is more packed then it's ever been. After the last two years of cancellations and postponements, it's really a joy to see. To submit your event, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/events. With the change of seasons Clothes to Kids is in need of donations. Specifically: boys’ and girls’ pants, shorts, tops both

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Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

Till next time, Ashley & Tony

*All are welcome on this bench.

The history of the green benches is layered. For some, it is a reminder of a painful period of racism and segregation. To others, it is a symbol of welcomeness and hospitality. We carry this name to shine a light on our city’s history and in celebration of those who work tirelessly towards a more inclusive St. Pete. To read more about our story and the history of the green benches visit greenbenchmonthly.com/about.

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Women’s Town Improvement Association (WTIA) event c. 1910. Photos courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

St. Pete Women: A Powerful Force By Tina Stewart Brakebill In honor of Women’s History Month, we are taking a look back at the women’s volunteer organizations, or “clubs,” as they were often called, of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Lemonade Stands, Sidewalks, and Parks Before St. Petersburg was incorporated as a city in 1903, local women organized influential infrastructure improvement campaigns. For example, they banded together in 1891 to push for the town’s first sidewalk, even raising money for the project by selling lemonade and ice cream. In 1893, these same women undertook the work to transform The Park (present-day Williams Park). They lobbied, raised money, and physically helped lay down walks, clear undergrowth, and build a fence. Over the next several decades, this female-centered energy produced a network of women’s clubs including a local branch of the nationally influential Women’s Christian Temperance Union. These organizations pursued a variety of reforms, but arguably the most powerful of these groups was the home-grown Women’s Town Improvement Association (WTIA). In 1913, it moved into its own building across from Williams Park on First Avenue N (now the Church of Scientology’s St. Petersburg LIfe Improvement Center).

The Lobby and the Legislature WTIA members, many of whom had been part of the earlier park improvement efforts, wielded tremendous influence in St. Petersburg. As members of the city’s elite white families, the women had the connections and time to work for popular goals like the

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city’s beautification. They also tackled less popular issues like conservation, temperance, health care, prison reform, education, and voting rights for women. These progressive-minded women led the charge to protect birds and other wildlife, pushed for “blue laws,” and established a “poor-sick” fund to provide the indigent with medicine. The WTIA lobby led to the appointment of St. Petersburg’s first parole officer as well as passage of the state’s first mandatory schoolattendance legislation. Not surprisingly, the first woman to run for the Florida Legislature, Katherine Bell Tippetts, came from the ranks of these reforming women.

Working Women & the YWCA The early 20th century also marked the rapid rise of wage-earning women. Many upper- and middle-class female “club” reformers feared for the health and safety of the women thrust into the working world. As a response, they initiated a variety of campaigns to provide support. One such effort is the YWCA. First organized in the 19th century, the YWCA movement expanded rapidly in the early 20th century. Its facilities offered health classes and employment advice as well as providing women safe places to take breaks (pioneering the idea of a “rest room”), eat an inexpensive meal, or spend the night. Local women financially supported the national efforts of the YWCA until 1919, when St. Petersburg’s size and working population supported the need for its own branch. Soon after, the YWCA moved into its own downtown facility on Second Avenue S (present-day home of Rococo Steak), where volunteers began to hold “Circle Groups” to help women secure safe employment.

Willie Lee McAdams c. 1930.

Working Mothers and Day Nurseries As the number of working women increased, so did the number of working mothers, prompting reformers also to champion the idea of “day nurseries” (early versions of day-care centers). Regional segregation and national discrimination practices often meant people of color were ignored or denied access to reform organizations and programs. In St. Petersburg, local black women addressed the needs of the African American community through separate organizations like the City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and various religious institutions. For example, Willie Lee McAdams (wife of the Rev. Oscar McAdams, minister, math teacher and future president of the local NAACP) founded the city’s first Day Nursery for African American children at the couple’s Trinity Presbyterian Church (at 902 19th St S). For 25 cents per week, black families could go to work secure in the knowledge that their young children were safe at the Happy Worker’s Day Nursery.

Reforming Women Changed St. Pete and America Power can come in many forms. For years, women lacked access to the ballot box, but that didn’t keep them from advocating for causes they believed in. Using their influence and their numbers, female reformers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries proved to be powerful forces for change.

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Photos by Brian Brakebill

People of St. Pete: Tiffany Ford 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 placing local theater director and art educator Tiffany Ford in the limelight. Ford is passionate about using the power of artistic expression to “empower people to connect, collaborate, and achieve more together.”

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From Whitney to Belle and Beyond: Finding Her Heart’s Desire A native Floridian, Ford grew up in Palm Beach Gardens as the youngest child of a stained-glass artist/art director and a professional golfer. With artists and athletes as role models, she might have envisioned herself as a painter or perhaps a Master’s champion like her grandfather Douglas Ford. Young Ford saw a different future: She’d be the next Whitney Houston! That 8-year-old girl’s dream guided her path for years. She performed in secondary- school chorus and musical productions, entered the musical theater program at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and even spent a summer playing “Belle” at Disneyland. She enjoyed the stage, but soon realized that the founding of UCF’s student-run production company, Project Spotlight, manifested her true heart’s desire: “working collaboratively with a group of people to create a new thing.” After earning her bachelor’s degree in arts and theater with a minor in philosophy, she allowed that realization to guide her choices.

The Power of Art A national nomination in directing for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival brought Ford to Washington, where she spent eight years teaching and directing. She also found time to co-create and lead the Wobble Rocket Stage. This youth improvisational theater trains students in collaborative performance, and her involvement reinforced her desire to expand her involvement with “devised theater.” This process in which a whole creative team develops a show collaboratively is central to her understanding of the power of art. “Experiencing and creating art breaks barriers and builds connections within people and between people,” she said. Wanting to center this process in her work, she grabbed the opportunity to move to St. Pete in 2013 and became the education specialist at Sarasota’s Asolo Repertory Theatre. Of the many devised theater pieces she collaborated on while there, she is proudest of the collection of local immigration stories called “Faces of Change: Growing America” which connected people and broke barriers both on stage and off stage. The experience reinforced the idea that theater could be a powerful tool for social change. In 2015, she took that transformative energy to American Stage Theater where she served as the director of education and outreach and the director of Improv for seven years.

Crossroads and New Challenges During her tenure at American Stage, Ford focused on bringing arts and the community together with a variety of initiatives that included school tours, improv programs, and corporate training. Earlier this year, she decided it was time to pursue new ways to engage with the community through the arts. Taking advantage of this career crossroads, she continues her exploration of collaborative work centered on access and inclusion, including working with the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and taking the lead in the creation of the Sunshine City Improv Theatre. Ford cares about the impact that the arts can have in a community and she is excited about the collaborative possibilities the future will bring.

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RE/MAX Realty Unlimited has partnered with We Insure: Insurance Unlimited to provide one-stop shopping for all your real estate needs. Left: Peter Botto, We Insure: Insurance Unlimited’s agent In charge. Right: Jenny Roche, certified luxury home marketing specialist as well as a certified military housing specialist

Photo by Aziz Halabi

RE/MAX Realty Unlimited Forms A New Partnership with We Insure By Suzanne Driscoll One of the many steps in buying a new home is to obtain home insurance, and, if necessary, flood insurance. RE/MAX Realty Unlimited, one of the fastest growing RE/MAX offices in the state, has partnered with We Insure: Insurance Unlimited to provide one-stop shopping for all your real estate needs.

“We offer all types of insurance, including auto, marine, home, flood, umbrella, and term life,” says Peter Botto, We Insure: Insurance Unlimited’s agent In charge. “And we work with over 30 carriers to find you the best company and the lowest rate possible for all your insurance needs. Many of our competitors only work with one or two carriers.” “We are thrilled to have Peter join our team,” says Jenny Roche, RE/MAX Realty Unlimited’s managing broker. “He brings over 30 years of property casualty insurance experience and has seen all the ups and downs in the industry.” “These days home insurance involves much more than finding the best price,” Botto reports. “First you need to find a company willing to insure your property, as many major carriers have either stopped writing in the state or drastically tightened their guidelines. Last year, when two major carriers went out of business, over 60,000 people in Florida had their insurance suddenly canceled and then had to scramble to find coverage.”

Comprehensive Services for Buyers and Sellers Jenny Roche has been serving the St. Petersburg area for nearly 20

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RE/MAX Realty Unlimited is located at 2012 Fourth St. N

years and is viewed as a local community expert. She works diligently with all clients, from first-time buyers to professionals to professional athletes. In addition to managing office and transaction-compliance issues for all Tampa Bay offices, Roche is a certified luxury home marketing specialist as well as a certified military housing specialist.

Tips for Home Buyers In these days of bidding wars and homes’ selling for well over asking price, Roche advises buyers to insert an appraisal-gap contingency clause in their offer to state that they will cover the difference if the home does not appraise for the price offered. “This makes you a stronger buyer in the eyes of the seller, and can increase the chances of your bid winning,” Roche reports. “We spend a lot of time with out-of-town buyers who are looking all over the state to decide where to move,” she says. “We show them all the different neighborhoods of St. Pete, and after they return home we continue to send them videos of properties they might like. And virtual showings are only as good as the person behind the camera, so we make sure to capture everything in a realistic way. We’ve had several closings where the buyer never saw the home in person until that day.”

Worldwide Services for High-End Properties Selling a luxury home requires special marketing efforts, and RE/ MAX Realty Unlimited offers services such as three-dimensional video tours and an extensive photography and marketing package. There is a network of agents located throughout the world for any type of relocation services. RE/MAX Realty Unlimited agents share their success with the local community by making substantial donations to the local Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital as part of the National Children’s Miracle Network. They are also involved with numerous events and fundraisers to help give back to the community they love. If you want to shop for insurance, call Peter Botto with We Insure at (727) 610-9983. If you want to learn more about the St. Petersburg community, call Jenny Roche at (727) 308-3330, visit homesaroundstpetersburg.com or stop by their local office at 2012 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg.

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Anderson-McQueen Funeral director Michael Shorter. Photo by Aziz Halabi

Anderson-McQueen: Customized Funerals and Life Celebrations By Suzanne Driscoll It’s comforting to have a neighborhood funeral service provider that understands your unique needs to share your grief and celebrate the life of a loved one. John S. Anderson and William F. McQueen established the Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home in northeast St. Petersburg in 1952. Today the business also consists of the Tyrone Family Tribute Center, Pet Cremations, Sunnyside Cemetery, and the Cremation Tribute Center. In 2017, John McQueen made the decision to retire and partnered with Foundation Partners Group, headquartered in Orlando. Funeral director Michael Shorter received his training at St. Petersburg College, then had an internship with AndersonMcQueen. “I always wanted a career where I could be of service to other people, and found that providing funeral services was the perfect choice to help people in a time of great need,” he said. 12

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Customized Services for All Anderson-McQueen personnel are happy to help personalize any type of memorial service. Called the ShareLife approach to funeral planning, it combines a variety of products, services, technology and personal enhancements that transform traditional funerals into one-of-a-kind celebrations. Shorter recalls one man who used to race cars. For his celebration of life, Shorter arranged for his car to be displayed in the parking lot and implemented audio-visual effects of a race theme. Families can hold their services at a church, an outdoor location or inside one of the Anderson-McQueen Tribute Centers. Heritage Hall, for example, features a multisensory experience with a floor-to-ceiling video wall where photos and

videos are displayed along with meaningful music and special scents. There is a separate children’s play center and full catering services can be provided. If some family members are unable to attend, live, online broadcasting as well as digital recordings can be arranged. A ShareLife certified celebrant can be requested, a master storyteller who leads services or works alongside clergy to help tell the special story behind the life of a loved one. Military honors will also be arranged for veterans. A memorial website can be created, and at the end of any service, balloons, butterflies, or doves can be released.

FEMA Benefits Available “Not many people seem to be aware of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) COVID Funeral and Burial Reimbursement program,” Shorter said. “If your loved one died as the result of COVID-19, you can receive up to $9,000 to help cover funeral expenses.. “At Anderson-McQueen, we don’t just say, ‘Goodbye, and good luck’ at the end of a funeral service,” Shorter said. “In our after-care program we stay connected to families during their grief journey, which includes helping them with FEMA reimbursement and veterans’ benefits, and specific steps to take when finalizing their loved one’s affairs.”

Services for Beloved Pets Pets are important members of a family, too, and it can be painful to lose them. The Tyrone location offers a special crematory for pets, and in the Rainbow Bridge Room you can have a quiet space to say your final farewells.

Plan Ahead for the Sake of Your Loved Ones Renee Walls, manager of family services, highly recommends planning ahead for the type of services you would like to have. “Grieving is difficult enough. Planning ahead removes an additional burden from your family, eliminates emotional overspending and guarantees today’s prices forever, providing a reassuring peace of mind for everyone involved,” she said. “We recently worked with someone who made their arrangements in 1995, and the family realized savings of locked-in prices from 27 years ago.” For information, call (727) 822-2059 or visit www.AndersonMcQueen.com.

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Coconut Park is located at the intersection of Sunset Drive and 5th Avenue South. Photos by Brian Brakebill

Parks of St. Pete: Coconut Park & the Garden Club of St. Petersburg By Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Pete is home to more than 150 parks, offering a wide variety of possible activities. There are over 100 picnic areas, 80 playgrounds, 44 miles of fitness trails, 30 basketball courts, 21 boat ramps, 11 softball fields, six dog parks, five beaches, three skate parks, two disc-golf courses, and one Jai-Alai court. But that’s not all! We also have 76 tennis courts. 33 football/soccer fields, 31 baseball fields, nine volleyball courts, four historic sites, three nature preserves, and one splash pad. And, still, there’s more! Simply put, choose an activity (or choose to just relax) and there’s a city park that fits your needs.

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Located at the intersection of Sunset Drive and 5th Avenue South, Coconut Park provides visitors a beautiful setting where they can quietly enjoy the view from one of the many available benches or take a meandering walking path through the park’s unique garden spaces. Thanks to a collaboration between the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation department and the Garden Club of St. Petersburg, these distinctive plots located throughout the 3.2-acre park offer something special for almost every kind of flora fan.

Take in the distinctively tranquil feel of the Japanese Garden

The Gardens

For more information about the Garden Club of St. Petersburg’s activities and membership, visit www.gardenclubstpetersburg.org

The Garden Club The Garden Club of St. Petersburg (GCSP)’s mission is simple: promote an interest in gardening, horticultural study, preservation, beautification, and community service. First organized in 1928 with 47 charter members, it was soon divided into smaller subgroups or “circles,” with each circle responsible for different aspects of the club’s activities. Its steady growth led to its incorporation in 1950, before transitioning into a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization in 1971. Today, with a membership of over 200 people, the GCSP’s facilities are located in Coconut Park and the club supports the park both financially and physically. In addition to maintaining and beautifying each distinct garden space within Coconut Park, members from its five current circles focus on a variety of horticultural topics and community outreach, including gardens and plant projects in area schools and nursing homes.

Coconut Park’s multiple gardens take visitors on a widely varied horticultural journey but the three most distinctive spaces may be the Native Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Butterfly Garden. The Native Garden offers a winding path that takes visitors through a garden replete with flowering plants, a bird feeder, numerous small statues, and (depending on the season) lots of really big grasshoppers before ending at a bench. A short walk across green space takes visitors to a short bridge and pagoda where they can take refuge from the sun and take in the distinctively tranquil feel of the Japanese Garden. Conversely, the Butterfly Garden offers colorful blooms meant to attract visiting butterflies as well as colorful mosaic seating areas to attract visiting humans. If those choices don’t peak a visitor’s interest, they also can admire the wide variety of drought resistant Bromeliads that thrive in the Florida heat or the lovely Tropical Garden and its handmade steppingstones adjacent to the Garden Club Center. There really is something for everyone.

Thanks

Thanks to the Parks & Recreation Department for all they do! For more information about Coconut Park or any other of St. Pete’s many parks visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441. For more information about the Garden Club of St. Petersburg’s activities and membership, visit www.gardenclubstpetersburg.org or call (727) 3818920. You can also find them on Facebook @gardenclubstpetersburg.

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Left: Community Foundation Tampa Bay CEO Marlene Spalten; Right: Dr. Bilan Joseph, Director of Thrive by Five Pinellas. Photos by Brian Brakebill

Thrive By Five Pinellas: Because Every Child Deserves Equal Access to Every Opportunity for Success By Tina Stewart Brakebill A recent state report shows that, based on entry assessments, fewer than 60 percent of Pinellas County children are adequately prepared to begin kindergarten. The local nonprofit Thrive By Five Pinellas is committed to changing that statistic: “We don’t think that’s acceptable, and you shouldn’t, either.”

Building a Strong Foundation Numerous studies demonstrate that the years between birth and age 5 are the most critical time for brain development, as well as a crucial time span for building the foundation for skilled thinking, behaving, and emotional well-being. Building that foundation requires a strong early-childhood system that helps to ensure that children are “ready to thrive in school — cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally — by the time they reach kindergarten.” Thrive By Five Pinellas is focused on “creating, connecting and

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supporting community resources for healthy development and kindergarten readiness for children under age 5.” By 2026, they hope to lift the “ready” number from 60 percent to 90 percent. A strong foundation can reduce future challenges and open greater opportunities for successful lives, especially for children in lowincome and underserved communities. Dr. Bilan Joseph, director of Thrive By Five Pinellas, explains that it also makes “dollars and sense” to help prepare children for a better future because their success levels affect the entire community.

Collective Impact Founded in 2017, Thrive by Five Pinellas uses that collective impact approach to bring together a diverse set of community partners dedicated to a common vision: “ensure an equitable, accessible, responsive and accountable early childhood system that will increase

the percentage of children in our community ‘ready’ for kindergarten.” Last year, the organization added a strong “backbone” to this mission by joining the Community Foundation Tampa Bay (CFTB). Founded in 1990, the CFTB “connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisers, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region.” As president and CEO of the CFTB Marlene Spalten explains, “Healthy childhood development can contribute to positive progress in our community’s vibrancy, economic mobility and mental well-being.” For example, Thrive By Five Pinellas’ mission to get more children “ready” for kindergarten dovetails perfectly with the foundation’s LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network’s mission to increase opportunities for higher education and high-quality certifications. Thrive By Five Pinellas’ focus on building a strong foundation can help pre-empt future challenges for hopeful college students, but this foundation also clearly contributes to CFPB's overall mission to cultivate “a better, more vibrant community.”

Family members take in art at the Museum of Fine Arts. Photo City of St. Petersburg

“Every Child is Everyone’s Child” Joseph sums up this sentiment beautifully: “Every child is everyone’s child.” As community members, there are innumerable ways to help our kids achieve greatness. Visit www.tb5p.org to find more information about volunteering or making a tax-deductible donation. If you can’t donate time or money directly, there are many other ways to help. For example, we can amplify the voices of lowwage child care teachers; contact elected officials to share support of family-friendly legislation that is equitable, accountable, and responsive; and support public libraries, especially their reading programs. We also can help get the word out by liking and sharing Thrive By Five Pinellas on Facebook.

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Josh and Brooke Anderson, owners of Big Man’s Moving Company. Voted ‘Best of the Best’ for Tampa Bay Times people’s choice 2020 and 2021 awards.

4 Steps in Selecting a Moving Company With relatively low barriers to entry, there are literally 100’s of moving companies across Tampa Bay. So how do you determine the “haves” from the “have nots”? Most consumers acquire 2-3 estimates before making a hiring decision. We asked Brooke and Josh Anderson, owners of Big Man’s Moving Company, for some must-ask questions when interviewing movers to compare apples to apples: Step 1: Interpreting “Licensed and Insured”: Companies always say they are “licensed and insured”, however there is much more to the phrase. Company A is cheaper than the rest and their “licensed and insured” means they have a business license from the state of FL (Sunbiz. org) and insurance on their trucks. This does not protect the customer. Company B is licensed and insured with workers compensation on their W2 employees, general liability insurance, and cargo insurance. Company B will have a DOT #, and an IM # for intrastate moves, and an MC # for interstate moves. Step 2: Who is coming into your home? Company A uses 1099 independent contractors (basically day laborers from Craigslist) who can be mowing lawns one day, bartending the next, and moving homes the following day. This information is never openly offered to the consumer. Company B employs full time, professional, uniformed movers who have been drug tested and background checked. They have a history of success with the company.

Step 3: Reliability: Has the mover ever “no showed” on moving day or canceled a move? Red flag!!! There are several factors that can give you peace of mind: 1. Agreement upon booking- Does the moving company send a contract to e-sign upon booking so they must legally show up? Do they take a deposit? 2. # of Movers- Some companies always send 3 movers on a truck. Why? If someone calls in sick, the move can still go on! This company will never cancel due to lack of manpower. 3. Reliable Trucks- When doing your research, did you see photos of the moving trucks? Did they look newer and well maintained? Another main reason movers cancel: truck maintenance issues. Step 4: Research: Have you read reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, BBB, etc? Moving is a human business and sometimes mistakes happen, but reputable companies consistently maintain a 4.5-5 star ratings on all of the major sites. Has the company won any awards? Is it easy to research the company? Do they have a professional website? How does the owner or management handle disputes? Big Man’s Moving Company has performed over 5,000 successful local, statewide, and out-of-state moves since inception in January 2017 and was voted the #1 Mover in Tampa Bay. Bigmansmoving.com 727-772-3458.

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Painting by D. YaeL Kelley, one of 25 artists on the “Artists at Work” tour. Photos by Kristina Holman

”Artists at Work” Tour Invites Guests into Home-Studios By Gabrielle Reeder Home to painters, sculptors, ceramicists, mixed-media painters, costume designers, jewelers, and performance artists, the Artist Enclave in Historic Kenwood enables creatives to live, work, and teach from home.

Tour On Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Enclave opens home-studio doors to demonstrations from 25 artists during the fifth “Artists Studio Tour — Artists at Work.” This free, self-guided event invites guests to explore 18 different studio demos while witnessing various evolutions, styles, and processes artists use daily.

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Artist, D. YaeL Kelley

To plan your tour, Kenwood Gables Boutique Bed & Breakfast at 2801 Seventh Ave. N will have pamphlets and maps detailing each of the 18 stops (Woodfield Fine Art Gallery at 2323 Central Ave. will also have maps during open hours, on Saturday only). Green Bench Monthly spoke with two artists who have demos on the tour.

Artist: D. YaeL Kelley From selling painted and laminated textbook covers to classmates when she was 14 to hosting art shows internationally, D. YaeL Kelley now focuses on organic expressionist paintings and impressionist portraits she creates in her home studio. “What you’re looking at when you look at these paintings is transparent oil-glazes,” she said. “You’re looking at 100 layers of paint. Each one is individually sectioned off, and I mix a lot of my own pigments.” Kelley plays around with iridescent colors and resistance colors so viewers can see different colors from different angles, but also so the paintings change throughout the day. Kelley is less focused on capturing a specific object in her work and more about evoking a feeling, or meaning. “There comes a time when you say, ‘I’m interested in what makes your face, what movement makes your face, what balance of color and light and shadow [makes your face], and I don’t necessarily need it to be your face anymore.’ I need it to be the color and the pattern and the movement that implies a certain feeling you get when you look at a person,” Kelley said.

Artist, Luci Westphal

Artist: Luci Westphal Originally from Hamburg, Germany, documentarian and photographer Luci Westphal moved to Kenwood in 2020. Although she is new to the community, she took a leadership role on the tour committee. “The studio tour for me is really big on a personal and creative level,” she said. “That I’m embracing the idea that I am an artist and not just a documentarian, and that I will be standing on my own in a space and inviting people to see my work. That’s a pretty big deal to me.” Westphal’s studio stop on the tour includes demos of her nature photography, which she prints on metals that can withstand Florida’s harshest weather conditions. Her newest photo series showcases the intersection of nature, industry, and urban environments. “It draws attention to things that are already around us and reminds us that they are here,” she said. One example she used was the manatees at the power plant in Apollo Beach. “I’m exploring the idea that nature can still thrive in urban environments, and it’s, again, drawing attention to nature.” For more information on the Artist Enclave visit www.historickenwood.org/artist-enclave For more about the tour visit www.historickenwood.org/artist-tour

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From left to right: Richelle Still - Woodson Warrior, Jane Bunker - Artist, Lauryn Latimer - Woodson Warrior. Photo by Brian Brakebill

Woodson Warriors: Leading the Way By Tina Brakebill In 2019, local artist Jane Bunker auctioned off 20 original paintings and launched the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fund. As of 2021, with the help of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, the fund has awarded more than $137,000 to 31 deserving students. This year, Bunker and the museum hope to see that number grow even bigger as they strive to support the ongoing promise of present and future Black scholars and leaders.

The Scholars are Thriving “We are so proud of our scholars,” Bunker says. “They are thriving. No one has dropped out of college since the beginning, and the average GPA (grade point average) is about 3.6. They are all very supportive of each other and speak about how important it has been for them to be a Woodson Warrior.” Current Woodson Warrior, Lauryn Latimer agrees. “No matter how hard college might be … because there’s not people in my classes looking like me … I had to remember that I’m a Woodson Warrior,” she says. “They have hope in me. I need to have hope in myself.” The chosen scholars represent seven high schools and 17 colleges.

The Gala: Give From Your Heart Donations are welcome year-round, but two special events are helping to raise funds for present and future Woodson Warriors. Bunker’s recent works are on exhibit and offered for sale at the Chihuly Museum until April 30, with proceeds going to the scholarships fund. Secondly, in cooperation with the Woodson Museum, the Woodson Warrior Scholarships Fund is sponsoring a fundraising event on March 27 at the historic Coliseum. Attendees will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres from 4 to 5 p.m. before award-winning investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones takes center stage.

GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM / MARCH 2022

The Embrace 30x40 Painting by Jane Bunker. Proceeds benefit the Woodson Warrior Scholarship fund. Her paintings are on sale at the Chihuly Museum until April 30th.

Nikole Hannah-Jones Photo by James Estrin, The New York Times

Known for her coverage of civil rights and racial injustice, she is also the creator of the 1619 Project. The work received a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for commentary. The judges cited her “sweeping, provocative and personal essay for the ground-breaking 1619 Project, which seeks to place the enslavement of Africans at the center of America’s story, prompting public conversation about the nation’s founding and evolution.” The evening will be capped by an opportunity to donate to the Scholarships Fund in a “Bid From the Heart” event at 6:30. For more information, go to www.woodsonmuseum.org and www.woodsonscholarships.com.

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GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM

The SunRunner is coming soon to St. Pete

Good Night John Boy is coming soon to 16 2nd St N

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.

LALA St Pete, a restaurant and bar featuring private karaoke rooms, is now open at 2324 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. LALA’s seven ready-to-rent private karaoke rooms each have a different theme. Will you and your friends sing the night away in the Grammy Awards Room, the Speakeasy Room, or the Rock and Red Room? The food menu at LALA ranges from American cuisine and pub favorites to Mediterranean-inspired and French-influenced dishes. And did we mention LALA has a rooftop bar

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and shared courtyard with Grand Central Brewhouse? The SunRunner is coming soon to St. Pete. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s new Bus Rapid Transit system will take riders from downtown to the beach, and vice versa, in 35 minutes (and you won’t have to worry about finding or paying for parking!). The $44-million, 10.3-mile route will debut this summer. Good Night John Boy, a 70s-themed nightclub is coming soon to 16 2nd

Voodoo Brewing Co. is coming soon to 220 4th St N

Street North in downtown St. Pete. In the space formerly home to Ringside Cafe, get ready to dance the night away on Good Night John Boy’s lightup dance floor under the glow of multi-colored neon lights and spinning disco balls. From the shag carpet to the crazy wallpaper, the interior design will send you 50 years back in time. The signature cocktail at Good Night John Boy will be the Disco Punch, a rum-based drink served in a take-home disco ball. Good Night John Boy hopes to open by the end of April. Voodoo Brewing Co. is coming soon to 220 4th Street North in downtown St. Pete. The brewpub will include 15 to 20 taps dedicated to Voodoo beer in addition to a few local guest taps. Voodoo is known for their tropical West Coast IPA called Good Vibes and Voodoo Love Child, a Belgian-style Tripel aged on sour Michigan cherries, raspberries, and passion fruit. Voodoo Brewery Co. is set to open in April Art House, a proposed 42-story condo tower, launched sales last month. Art House will feature 244 units with two or three-bedrooms and

2DCafe is coming soon to 2105 Central Ave

between 1,300 and 2,600 square feet. Cloud 9, an expansive amenity deck will occupy the entire ninth floor and will feature a resort-style pool, an exclusive cocktail bar, and poolside cabanas. Pre-construction pricing begins in the $800,000s. Construction on Art House is not expected to begin until late 2022 with an estimated completion in late 2024. 2DCafe is coming soon to 2105 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District of downtown St. Pete. As you enter, you’ll leave behind the 3D world and step into a two dimensional black and white illustration created by local artist Chad Mize. The menu will offer global cuisine with an emphasis on European specialties, offering items like salads and paninis in addition to small bites like avocado toast, goat cheese and mushroom toast, empanadas, and more! 2DCafe plans to open in March. St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay up-todate, visit StPeteRising.com.

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GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM

St. Pete Pier. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

MARCH 2022

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

Empty Bowls 2022

Spring CareFest

When: Saturday, March 5th from 11 am - 3 pm Where: Clay Center of St. Petersburg, 2010 1st Ave S Cost: GA $25 Join us for a family-friendly event that acts as a reminder that no one should be hungry or homeless. Featuring hand-crafted bowls, local soup, live music, a silent auction, and more! 100% of proceeds go to ending hunger and homelessness in our community. svdpsp.org

When: Saturday, March 5th Sunday, March 27th Where: throughout St. Pete Cost: Volunteer The yearly celebration of volunteering and giving back to the community in St. Pete has returned for the month of March. Neighborhood and community-based groups are invited to join. Find ways to participate and more information online. stpete.org/CareFest

First Mondays with American Stage & Creative Pinellas When: First Mondays (March 7th) from 7pm - 9pm Where: the Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd Cost: Free Experience professional staged readings of short plays, stories and poems presented in partnership with American Stage and Creative Pinellas. “First Mondays” will feature stage readings of excerpts from scripts and short stories with professional actors and artists. americanstage.org

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery: Painted Snapshots When: Opening reception Friday, March 11th from 5pm - 9pm; Closing reception Saturday, April 2nd from 5pm - 9pm

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Where: Woodfield Fine Art Gallery, 2323 Central Ave Cost: Free Admission The Midcentury memories of Artist Jamie Willis. woodfieldfineart.com

Southside Jazz with Henry Ashwood When: Every second Saturday (March 12th) from 6pm - 9pm Where: The Historic Manhattan Casino, 642 22nd St S Cost: Free Admission An organic collective of St. Pete’s premier Jazz artists. Each month we will feature the best of entertainment. Seating is first come first serve, so early arrival is strongly encouraged.

St. Pete Pier’s ShamROCK Festival When: Saturday, March 12th from 1pm - 9pm Where: St. Pete Pier,

Lisa Presnail, one of 18 artists participating in the Artist Enclave Studio Tour. Photo by Kristina Holman

600 2nd Ave NE Cost: GA $10; VIP $55 Join the St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Enjoy tribute bands with NIGHTRAIN: A Guns & Roses Tribute and The Broken Hearts: a Tom Petty Tribute Band, Irish Dancers, Leprechaun visit, Nomadic Magic shows, and of course authentic Irish beer & food offerings. ShamROCKfestStPete.com

Where: Historic Old Northeast, from 5th Ave NE to 30th Ave N, up to 4th St Cost: Free Admission Sales will be listed on a neighborhood map available online or in print the morning of the event. honna.org

VegFEAST IV

When: Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th from 10am - 5pm Where: 18 stops throughout Historic Kenwood; maps available at Woodfield Gallery at 2323 Central Avenue (Saturday only), and Kenwood Gables 2801 7th Avenue North (Saturday & Sunday) Cost: Free, Self-guided Open to the public: 25 artists, demonstrations during annual “Artists at Work” Tour. See artists working and demonstrating their process. historickenwood.org

When: Saturday, March 12th from Noon - 4pm Where: Brick Street Farms, 2233 3rd Ave S Cost: Free Admission Vegan food festival and market. Golden Dinosaurs, Nah Dogs, St. Pete Ferments, Vegan Halal Cart, and many more!! https://www.facebook.com/ events/673031400399564/

Historic Old Northeast Yard Sale When: Saturday, March 19th from 8am - Noon

Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood Studio Tour

Continued on pg. 30...

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Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon. Photo by guidedogs.org

‘Events’ continued...

Southeastern Guide Dogs St. Pete Walkathon When: Saturday, March 19th Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: Fundraising Bring your family, bring your dogs, bring your friends and bring your friends’ dogs. This free, family-friendly event includes a 3K walk and a Waggin’ Tails Festival with music, food, vendors, and an exciting raffle drawing. Walkathon is Southeastern Guide Dogs’ largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds help breed, raise, train, and match dogs with people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges. Guidedogs.org

Woodson Warriors Bunker Scholarship Auction When: Sunday, March 27th from 4pm - 7pm Where: The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N Cost: Tickets $100 Gala Fundraiser with Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prizewinning creator of The 1619 Project, to support the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fund, hosted by the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. The Woodson Scholarship assists African American students with the next level of education. The evening will include presentations from several scholars, and a “Bid From the Heart” led by auctioneer Jason Alpert. Tickets available online. bidpal.net/woodson

GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM / MARCH 2022

Outdoor Storytimes in the Parks. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Outdoor Storytimes Florida Antiquarian in the Parks: Bay Book Fair When: Friday, April 1st through Vista Park When: Tuesday, March 29th from 10:30am - 11am Where: Bay Vista Park, 7000 4th St S Cost: Free Free reading & music fun for children of all ages. Bring your blanket. Presented by the St. Petersburg Library System. Programs will be canceled in cases of inclement weather. Call 727-892-5296 to confirm. spark@stpete.org

Sunday, April 3rd Where: The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N Cost: Students $1; 1-day Pass $6; Weekend Pass $10 The oldest and largest antiquarian book fair in the Southeastern United States. 100+ booksellers from all over the country bring volumes of every description from very rare to reading copies on every conceivable subject. floridaantiquarianbookfair.com

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

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GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM

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

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