Green Bench Monthly Vol. 5, Issue 4, June 2020

VOL. 5, ISSUE 4, JUNE 2020

Green Bench Monthly* St. Pete’s Community Magazine

People of St. Pete

The Sunshine City’s

2020 Elections

Kyu Yamamoto pg. 8

First Big Boom pg. 26

Voting in St. Pete pg. 30

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

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

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

Photographers Brian Brakebill, Kelly Nash

Cover Photo Front Porch Photo Project by Kelly Nash Photography

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IN THIS ISSUE 4 From the Bench

20 Way to go Humans

5 From the Archives

22 Florida Supreme Green

6 People of St. Pete: Kyu Yamamoto 8 The Woodson Warriors Scholars 10 Raising Locals: Summer Camps

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

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12 Father’s Day Gift Ideas 15 Step Inside St. Pete: Downtown

24 Vet with Hart 26 The Sunshine City’s First Big Boom 28 Downtown Developments 30 Voting in St. Petersburg This Year

18 Baybes Who Brunch

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

From the Bench A note from the Publishers Happy PRIDE month St. Pete! We missed you!

You may have noticed; our last issue was in March. We decided to hit the pause button when the safer-at-home order was issued.

The necessary closures and restrictions put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 left everyone, including us and many of the businesses that advertise with us, unsure of what the future would hold. We still don’t know. One thing is certain, without support this magazine as we know it ceases to exist. If you enjoy our content, please support the businesses you see in GBM and tell them we sent you! If you received a free copy of this magazine, and would like to help us by paying for your subscription, we now offer an option to make a donation on our website at greenbenchmonthly.com.

While the future remains uncertain, we are inspired by our community’s efforts to navigate the “new normal”.

Like the Front Porch Photography Project (pictured on the cover this month). Started by our friend and incredibly talented documentary photographer, Kelly Nash, to help raise money for her family to adopt a baby. She plans to host another photography fundraiser soon (adoption is expensive!). Follow their journey on Instagram @kellynashphotography and check out their Go Fund Me page to donate: www.gofundme.com/f/kelly-and-dani-adopt-a-baby; And the Food Truck Convoy co-founded by Pastor Blake Clark of Radius Church and Dru Rabin, Director of St. Pete Music, Acting, and Dance. In response to the Pinellas County school closures, Clark

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg team enjoying Pop Goes the Waffle, funded by stpetemeals.com. Photo courtesy of the EDGE GUIDE. and Rabin organized a convoy of food trucks and partnered with local restaurants to serve 600 meals per day to neighbors in need. To connect, visit www.facebook.com/mealstoneighbors/; Or St. Pete Rising and EDGE GUIDE’s campaign to provide daily meals for healthcare workers. To date, they’ve raised over $100,000 and delivered over 7,800 meals! The best part is those dollars go straight to local restaurants and service industry workers who are so desperately struggling to stay afloat. For more info or to make a donation, visit stpetemeals.com.

The list goes on (pg. 20).

If we’ve learned anything the past few months, it’s just how interconnected we all are. American writer, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist, Audre Lorde said it best: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

We hope you enjoy this long overdue issue.

Spoiler alert: there are no events. But we do have lots of stories that will remind you why you live here.

Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

Till next time,

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com

*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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From the Museum’s Archives: Orange Belt Railroad With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias

In 1887, John C. Williams convinced Russian entrepreneur Peter Demens to forget about expanding his Orange Belt Railroad to Disston City (now Gulfport), and lay the tracks to the eastern side of the Pinellas peninsula on the shore of Tampa Bay. On June 8, 1888, the “Mattie” pulled into a town commonly known as Wardsvillle, but soon to be renamed after Demens’ birthplace - St. Petersburg. Only one passenger stepped off the train that day, a shoe salesman from Savannah. But both Demens and Williams had faith in the potential of the little town, and Demens fulfilled his promise to build a grand hotel​​named after the Michigan hometown of Williams. In the background of the photograph, you can see the Detroit Hotel that still stands today.

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

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Photos by Brian Brakebill

People of St Pete: Kyu Yamamoto

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

This month our spotlight shines on local artist and teacher Kyu Yamamoto. Born, raised, and educated in Japan, Kyu was working at a commercial art studio when he met his future husband Steve, an Eckerd College graduate who was teaching English in a Japanese high school. Love bloomed and in 1985 the couple moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Kyu worked as an assistant sculptor on the 42-foot Athena Parthenos. In 1992, the couple relocated to St. Pete where Kyu established himself as a respected fine artist and highly regarded public art contributor (winning a Muse Visual Arts Award in 2017) as well as a popular teacher. His home studio parallels the beauty of the couple’s refurbished mid-century house and both are filled with examples of Kyu’s work as a sculptor and painter. Leaving his studio after our talk (with an origami stork and a Japanese Kit-Kat candy bar in hand), I felt incredibly honored that he had welcomed me into his artistic world.

“capture the spirit, that which brings life” Before moving to the States, Kyu attended the highly-competitive Aichi Fine Arts University and then worked for several years at the commercial Rui Kobo Studios. Both helped to fine-tune his technical skills but his years studying sculpture at a fine arts high school in Nagoya, Japan provided the intellectual and emotional foundations

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for his present-day work as an artist. During those early years, his mentor taught him to THINK about his art and to ask the question: “why are you making this?” rather than “what are you making?” This approach to making art has informed his own work since that time.

As he explains, “I do not find it so important to capture the physical details of a figure, as I do to capture the spirit, that which brings life.”

Kyu cares about people and that attitude comes through in everything he does.

“Art provides an avenue for communication.”

Kyu passionately believes that art should elicit a reaction. It’s not the technical aspects that determine whether a piece is successful.

Instead, if his art makes you think or laugh or cry or brings a smile to your face, then he has achieved his goal. Before he begins a work of art, he knows what “story” he wants to communicate. His sculpture “Dignity” (on permanent display at North Shore Fire Station No. 4, 2501 4th Street North) is a perfect example of using art to make a statement. His goal was to convey the emotional juxtaposition of hope and sadness while also offering a space for inclusion. He succeeded beautifully. He also brings that communication-based approach to his teaching. For example, he recently taught a class at Gibbs High School in which he mentored a small group of 9th graders as they created selfportraits as a way to explore their own sense of self-esteem. As he told me, it was an eye-opening lesson in communication for everyone— students and teacher!

Before Covid-19 forced shutdowns, he also regularly taught sculpting and drawing for the Morean Art Center, the Clay Center of St. Petersburg, and the City of St. Petersburg (at Bay Vista Park).

He’s hoping he can return to teaching in the fall, so check the aforementioned websites for updates about future class schedules. In the meantime, he continues to devote his time to making “art you can feel.” Visit www.kyuyamamoto.com to find out more about Kyu and his ongoing artistic endeavors, including his pieces on display at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the University of Florida.

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Pantings by Jane Bunker. Left: Carnival 36”x48”; Right: Pas De Deaux 30”x40”. To view the full auction, visit bunkerscholarshipauction.com.

Photos courtesy of the Bunker Scholarship Auction

The Woodson Warriors Scholars

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Originally this story was meant to highlight two interconnected events sponsored by the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum: the second annual Jane Bunker art auction (to finance the Woodson Warrior scholarships) and the sixth annual First Ladies of African American History awards luncheon. The annual First Ladies event celebrates black women who have achieved a “first” in their respective roles while also serving as the venue for announcing scholarship recipients. Concerns connected to the COVID-19 outbreak forced the postponement of both events, but thanks to the generosity of Jane Bunker and the auction’s co-sponsor, the Woodson Museum, you still can help those worthy Woodson Warriors.

Who is Jane Bunker?

Jane Bunker is an artist and a woman that cares deeply about community. After moving to Gulfport in 2017, she was determined to use her talents to make a positive difference. Seeing a need, Bunker decided to do what she could to encourage and empower deserving

African-American high school seniors aspiring to attend college. From that initial desire came a plan: Make and sell art to raise money to help make those kids’ dreams come true. With the help of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum and museum Director Terri Lipsey Scott, the Bunker Art Auction and the Woodson Warriors Scholarship Initiative were born. The inaugural auction, held in March 2019, raised more than $40,000 and helped 17 Woodson Warrior scholars as they headed off to college.

Who are the Woodson Warriors?

Potential recipients of Woodson Warrior Scholarships must meet very specific guidelines. First, they must be St. Petersburg residents and Pinellas County high school or home-school graduating seniors with a minimum 2.0 cumulative unweighted GPA. Applicants also must submit a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or administrator as well as a 500-word essay on a specified (and challenging) topic. For example, students could write an essay in which they identify an issue facing the African-American community today.

As a member of the selection committee, Bunker reads every essay.

The responses, she notes, left her “feeling hopeful about our future.”

Meet some of the 2019 recipients at bunkerscholarshipauction.com/ the-scholars.

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Radiance 40”x30”

Want to Help?

The plan is to continue to grow the project over time by raising more money to help more students. As Bunker noted, “2019 was such a big success, we decided to do it again!” Circumstances forced cancellation of the 2020 Bunker Art Auction, which means that no new Woodson Warriors scholarships will be awarded this year. Instead, the Woodson Museum will hold an auction in March 2021, and Bunker will continue to sell her art (and accept donations) online and by mail.

All funds raised between now and the rescheduled Bunker art auction will be distributed to the 2021 Wodson Warriors. For paintings, auction updates, and ways to buy and donate, visit BunkerScholarshipAuction. com. You can also donate to the Woodson Scholarship fund, get Dr. Carter G. Woodson Museum event updates, and support the museum by visiting WoodsonMuseum.org

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The New “Normal” for St. Pete Summer Camps

By Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett Camps are a big part of growing up for lots of Sunshine City kids and they’re a big piece of the childcare puzzle during the summer, but coronavirus concerns make planning for, well, almost anything in 2020, extremely uncertain.

With the traditional school year cut short, some parents were looking forward to reconnecting their children with friends and routine when things returned to “normal.” For many though, that is simply still not the case.

“Nico was really excited to start camp at Riviera Day School in June and Canterbury in July. He was devastated when we found out RDS canceled all their summer programs. Canterbury has canceled one week already and who knows if he will get to attend any camps this summer.” said Christine Hunsberger, Nico’s mom.

Parents aren’t alone in their feelings of apprehension and worry though; camp owners and employees are also forced to make difficult decisions. With many small businesses reporting the devastating financial impacts of the Safer at Home Order, these camps were a way to rebuild and provide a much needed service for the community.

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Noisemakers Camp (2019).

Photos by Vandi Carmella.

“We waited and waited to see what was going to happen and if we’d even be allowed to run camp this summer,” said Gabe Whitney, owner of Noisemakers, Inc. “Due to the number of people signed up that wanted us to still run Rock Camp, and the government giving permission for businesses to reopen, we decided to continue with our summer camp.”

As most businesses have adjusted in some capacity, the process to generate income while keeping the best interests of public safety in the forefront have led to many businesses running their camps with some changes to meet CDC guidelines and keep their staff and attendees safe.

“We will be using a scanning thermometer at the beginning of each day to determine if someone has a fever. If they do they will have to go home. We will be taking handwashing breaks every 45 minutes. We have limited the number of kids drastically so as to maintain space between people and keeping the facilities as clean as possible,” said Gabe.

Taking these extra precautions is in the works for lots of camps, but many others have opted to write off 2020 as a lost cause. And some have tried to split the difference with virtual and take-home options.

Here are some of the anticipated changes to camps across St. Pete. We encourage you to reach out to any camp directly regarding hours and capacity as many may change to keep up with current CDC guidelines.

Magical & Make Believe Camp Crate available at shop.makemestudio.com Photo courtesy of makeme

The Art of Science All camps are canceled for Summer 2020.

Morean Arts Center Updated camp dates are June 15 - August. Virtual options are also available.

Makeme In-person camps are canceled, but camps-in-a-box are available to take home.

Canterbury School June camps will be held virtually with plans to hold July camps on-campus. July camp is postponed until the second week of the month.

St. Pete Dance Center All camps are canceled for Summer 2020.

Riviera Day School June camps are canceled. July is TBD.

Summer at Shorecrest Camps running June 1 - July 3 will be virtual; July 6 - August 7 camps are expected to be on campus.

St. Pete MAD (Music, Acting and Dance) All June camps are canceled. July camps are scheduled as originally planned as of May 26.

Great Explorations Children’s Museum The museum is temporarily closed to the public until further notice and camps have reached capacity for the summer.

City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Camp participants will be selected via lottery due to reduced enrollment. For the complete list of updated summer guidelines, please visit stpeteparksrec.org/camps.

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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Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

Father’s

For the Cultured Book + Bottle: bookandbottlestpete.com

For the Cigar Enthusiast Central Cigars: centralcigars.com

Day

For the Bicyclists A bike tune-up at Tony’s Bike Shop: tonysbikeshop.com

For the Fashion Forward Atlas Home & Body: atlasbodyandhome.com

Gift Ideas Father’s day is just around the corner (Sunday, June 21st) and there’s never been a better time to support local businesses. Here are a few ideas to show Dad — Grandad, Step Dad, Foster Dad, single Mom, and those who lost their Dads — a little extra (local) love this year:

For the Cool Daddy A new set of frames from Modern Optics: modernopticsfla.com For the Well-Groomed The Shave Cave: theshavecave.com

And the Spirit Drinkers St. Petersburg Distillery: stpetersburgdistillery.com Kozuba & Sons Distillery: kozubadistillery.com

For the Kid-at-Heart Cultosaurus: cultosaurus.com

For the Backyard Brewers Avid Brewing Company: facebook.com/AvidBrew

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STEP INSIDE

St. Pete

Step Inside St. Pete gives you an insider’s view of the most sought-after properties on the market today. Peek into the interiors of these beautifully appointed homes to marvel at the style and design of St. Pete’s most desirable properties. This issue we’re stepping into the heart of downtown, perfectly-situated amid all the action, a two-story condo just steps away from Beach Drive. (continued. on p. 16)

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Downtown Oasis

Welcome to Paradise 301 2nd St N Apt 5 Located in the heart of Downtown 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths 1,915 sq. ft.

Oversized Garage with Extra Parking No Flood Zone Low Monthly Fees

This spacious, modern townhome in the heart of Downtown is perfectly-situated amid all the action. Bask in natural light from two stunning stories of floor-to-ceiling windows, and host friends and family in a large, open-concept kitchen, dining and living area.

With sleek design, high-end amenities, and conveniently located just steps from the pool, you’ll get a resort experience right at home. Walk or bike all over town enjoying all the city has to offer, then come home to your personal oasis.

Copy by Erin Cody Ground level pool and interior photos

by Tony Sica Photography Aerial photos courtesy of Benoot Realty

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Totally Updated From floor to ceiling with new bathrooms, Kitchen, AC, Garage Door, and more!

There’s even a built-in hammock on the second floor!

Listed by Benoot Realty For more info, email geertbenoot@benootrealty.com or call (727) 944-4000

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Above: Baba on Central; Mixed Mezze, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Village Salad. Below: Mana Bakery Co; Strawberry Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Brioche Donuts.

Some Quarantine Staples

by Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch Hola Benchers! It’s been too long. “Quaran”tinis aside, (I just can’t bring myself to drink something whose primary ingredient is Emergen-C, no matter how yummy the vodka chaser is!). How has everyone been surviving the new normal? When the workday’s only change of scenery is the kitchen bar versus the couch, food has definitely been the provider of sanity in this house… and oh, how creative have these take-out and delivery options gotten! As restaurants begin to reopen and we find a new groove, let’s take a second to reminisce about the 4 best things to come out of quarantine.

First up, donuts for days! Mana Bakery has been a long-time favorite of mine at spots like Pineapple Espresso and Blush Tea and Coffee.

However, Kaitlin changed the game with donut delivery boxes. Of course, I had to order the Variety Pack with Strawberry Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Chocolate Brownie. These brioche donuts were the perfect Sunday wakeup. Keep tabs on her Instagram @manabakeryco to see what delights she whips up next!

Leaving room for dinner while trying not to bogart a half dozen donuts can sometimes be an act of futility, but these next two spots were

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Lolita’s Wine Market; “Make Your Own” Pizza Box

Trophy Fish; Salty Dog

worth it, quarantine buddy and sharing platter optional. Baba made my mezze platter dreams come true when I ordered practically “all the things” from their online ordering take-out menu, including some beautiful fresh, cut-to-order herbs from their pantry. The stars were definitely the muhammara, whipped labneh, and fresh pita.

Not to be outdone, Lolita’s Wine Market rolled out Pizza Boxes that provided sweet dreams made of cheese… and charcuterie, of course!

I created my own combination that included go-tos like the Ricotta Jar, Drunken Goat, Bacon Tomato Jam, Black Pepper Salami, and Spanish Marinated Anchovies paired with an Agustí Torelló Mata Cava.

Last, but not least, the spot that provided me with infinitely perfect to-go cocktails and kept me away from the dreaded “Quaran”tini (see

above for my feelings on that), Trophy Fish to the rescue! There’s just something about sipping a Salty Dog from your couch while binging the Last Kingdom or tipping back a Fin and Tonic from the back porch that provides a sense of normality and comfort among the chaos.

To all the restaurants that stayed open through the storm, to all the restaurants opening in this new world, and to all those in the industry… sending much love during this time. If you can’t wait until June 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 in my kitchen or holding my food up to a plant in my yard with a camera in my hand shooting food from around the Bay and beyond!

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Produce harvested from four school gardens by volunteers and delivered to St. Pete Free Clinic. Photo by Lisa Pineda

Way to Go Humans

By Nicole Brand Local food systems drive the economy of a place, create community, and provide jobs along with benefits for environmental sustainability, health, and nutrition. They are also more resilient to disruptive shocks such as the current coronavirus crisis. As of right now, commerce outside of the regional food system is not an issue, but warehouse storage systems inevitably will be stressed as distribution channels change. This is an opportunity to come together in solidarity, to share information, strategize solutions and develop responses to protect and connect across the food-based economy. That said, while community food-system development needs to strengthen on a macro level in this time of uncertainty, we continue to exist as our intriguing, weird, and beautiful human selves -- modifying how we gather for happy hours, diving into new entertainment strategies, and creating safety plans with our families and friends. In these wonky months, we might need more reprieve than usual, and moments of resilience deserve celebration.

In St. Petersburg’s world of urban agriculture, our intriguing human selves have had some true examples of beauty and connectivity that deserve acknowledgement. Ray Wunderlich of Wunderfarms rerouted a produce delivery when Mercy Keepers, a local food pantry, was forced to close its doors. While telling me about it over the phone, he managed to spread another moment of joy. While social distancing in nature, he saw not one, but five different species of butterflies, thanks to the rich amount of native pollinators planted at Edgemoor Garden. That’s

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Collard harvest with the Gathering of Women.

Photo by Samantha Richardson

something gorgeous to hold onto in between our obsessive socialmedia scrolls.

As jobs began to move to people’s homes, we started reaching out virtually to check on the world around us. Hillary Miller of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Services Family Nutrition Program called her partners to see what they needed. Many garden sites were on school properties with mandatory closures during the peak of harvest season.

A garden run by the Gathering of Women had food growing at Pinellas Technical College but didn’t have the ability to harvest. Miller made the connection for them and moved on to help other partners. Needs emerged from these experiences, and solutions came fast. Groups have since self-organized text-message chains to ensure food that needs to be harvesting makes it to proper channels.

Lisa Pineda of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Coalition (SUAC) had recently moved houses. Since it’s planting time, there was more work than ever to prepare land that hadn’t yet been cultivated. There were plans to host a community garden installation, but gatherings of more than 10 people were discouraged. A small group of SUAC members and friends joined forces and worked hard to put in garden beds. They maintained their 6 feet of safety for the planting of their 600 square feet of food plants. There is true beauty and hope in knowing we can foster community and take action in adaptive and safe ways.

The creativity of changing processes and protocols has been beautiful to witness. The droves of people at the Saturday Morning Market can’t be experienced in person just now, but vendors are doing an excellent job of keeping updated information on Facebook, and you can order online and pick food up at Al Lang Stadium. Pickup has turned into a drive-through service and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers still have access to the market.

Farms like Little Pond are changing their protocols, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares are being prepacked instead of customer selected in order to maximize safety. Pickup locations have been extended to meet social distancing needs of clients.

These adaptations are, in many ways, evidence of a stressed and strapped system. They also are astounding stories of our humanity and care capacities that demonstrate our ability to adapt. Sure, there is plenty to focus on with safety and health concerns, but there also is much to be celebrated in our actions to help sustain one another.

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Owner of Florida Supreme Green, James Carroll with daughter Juniper Rose. Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

Florida Supreme Green: This Family-Owned Business Wants to Revolutionize Your Lawn Care

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Florida Supreme Green owner and operator, James Carroll, wants to change how we approach lawn care. A family man and native-born St. Pete resident, James wants to help secure a healthy future for his family and community. He understands that going “green” can help create a nontoxic environment for today while also helping to protect our planet’s tomorrows.

From the Pink Streets to Tinsel Town and Back James was born and raised on the “Pink Streets” of south St. Pete.

After graduating from high school, he started his own firm in the tech industry while also working part-time in the family lawn care business.

Initially started by his grandfather, Fred Leone, in the 1960’s, James’ father, Bill Carroll, took over the business in the 1980’s parlaying it into two successful companies. When Bill decided to retire and move to North Carolina in 2005, James took his creative vision and his tech skills and moved to Los Angeles where he forged a successful career as a film editor and documentary director. Despite his success, California never really felt like home, so in 2019, James, Kara, and their two daughters, Juniper Rose and Magnolia Elizabeth, happily returned to St. Pete.

There’s No Place Like Home and Family James loves St. Pete and he knew that he wanted to start a business that would enable him to put his family first. To do this, he looked to revive the family’s lawn care business with his father. Convincing his dad to give up his North Carolina retirement life to join the venture was a bit tougher but June and Maggie helped make a pretty compelling argument.

In the end, family won and James’ parents returned to St. Pete. His father

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March 21st - 22nd take a self-guided tour through 21 stops featuring 33 artists. For more info and a tour map, visit kenwoodartistenclave.org

Above: James and Kara with their two daughters, Magnolia Elizabeth, and Juniper Rose.

Right: Florida Supreme Green's mowers put out 50% less noise compared to gas-powered mowers. Your kids and neighbors will thank you.

is now Head of Operations for Florida Supreme Green; he and James’ mother are thrilled that they get to see their grandkids a lot. Talking with James, two things are very clear: family comes first and he loves St. Pete.

Supreme Green James feels incredibly lucky to have found a path that allows him to live a balanced life while also contributing to the health and happiness of his favorite place. This attitude is the foundation for Florida Supreme Green’s approach to lawn care.

They want to take care of your lawn in a way that also cares for your family and community. They use only zero-emissions/reduced-noise equipment for your eco-lawn care. They also use zero toxic chemicals.

Weeds are pulled by hand or “whipped” with an electric or batteryoperated tool. This same approach is used for mowing, edging, hedge and/or bush trimming, and clean-up. Florida Supreme Green knows that the Florida growing season never really ends. It just changes as the weather moves from summer heat and humidity to the cooler, drier winter months and back again. Understanding this pattern, as it pertains to our local lawns, means that Florida Supreme Green can provide consistent care. So, whether it’s for a one-time clean-up or a scheduled (weekly or biweekly) maintenance, let Florida Supreme Green leave your home looking its best.

For more info about Florida Supreme Green visit www. floridasupremegreen.com or contact them at info@floridasupremegreen. com or (727) 677-5296

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Top, left: Cindy Topfer, Assistant; right: Dr. Hillary Hart, owner of Vet with Hart a Veterinary House Call Practice.

Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

A Vet with Hart

by Nicole Brand If you have a dog or cat, chances are you know how difficult it can be to make the trek to a veterinarian’s office. Depending on your pet’s personality, the waiting room could be a sound and smell smorgasboard or a horrific anxiety-riddled fright fest. The good news is that quality veterinary care for your furry companion is accessible from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re an ER nurse working 12-hour stints or your pet has a debilitating car phobia, home veterinary care is a safe and affordable way to keep your pet up-to-date on doctor’s appointments.

Veterinary Care in the Comfort of Your Pet’s Home Dr. Hart of Vet with Hart Veterinary House Call Practice has a mission to keep animals safe without having them venture into unfamiliar or undesirable territory to receive care. She lives up to her name, making the well-being of your pet her priority.

There are numerous reasons to choose in-home care with Vet with Hart Veterinary House Call Practice, from quick and simple updates on vaccinations and microchipping to ethical and effective pain management. Dr. Hart has served as a trusted end-of-life guide for many aging animals and is often able to work through safe pain management strategies to extend the time you get to spend with your fur family.

Preventative Care Dr. Hart’s primary focus is preventative medicine tailored to each patient’s lifestyle. Her creative problem solving and ability to clearly articulate her strategies to owners equals a win-win for you and your pet. Animal medication options can be convoluted and daunting, and yes, sometimes the end really has come for a furry loved one. Dr. Hart’s practice of care with dignity ensures a comfortable transition for animals. She’ll even make a clay paw print as a remembrance if you’d like. As a vet who comes to the patient, pets can transition in their own homes, surrounded by humans they trust.

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welfare advocacy groups and continues to play a role in changing laws that lead to the benefit of animal welfare. As a lifetime pet owner herself, all senior rescues, Dr. Hart understands the difficulties that complicated medication schedules can bring.

Beyond filling a need for medical assistance, Dr. Hart also regularly volunteers in the Tampa Bay Area as a surgeon for feral cat Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (TNVR) programs and free or low-cost vaccine clinics. Her monthly column, Ask the Vet, is published in the Feather Sound News.

In her own life, Dr. Hart has housed many rescues, including a pig named Josie. Currently, she’s fostering rescue dogs who truly live in the lap of luxury. Along with joint supplements and a multivitamin, her pets enjoy home-cooked warm meals ranging from lean chicken and mixed veggies to baked beef hearts with sweet potatoes.

At the heart of Dr. Hart’s practice is her mother/assistant, Cindy, who helps make cheerful deliveries to patients.

Elder Care End of life transitions aren’t always the best option, though.

Dr. Hart has educated many of her clients on pain management and comfort plans which can extend and improve the quality of their fur one’s life.

Most recently, Dr. Hart had the pleasure of helping a wheelchairbound client with her two large elderly dogs. The client’s golden retriever had an ear infection and could not rise or walk unassisted.

It was devastating for the owner that her own mobility issues made it impossible to meet the golden retriever’s needs. After an examination, an ear cleaning, and the use of pain management, the elderly dog was walking again and using the outdoor bathroom on her own! With a continued pain management plan, the owner and retriever were able to spend many more happy months together. Fortunately, this is not an isolated case and Dr. Hart has helped many pet owners through creative solutions to spend more time with their loved ones.

Dr. Hart is Here For You and Your Pets As a concierge veterinarian who spends time in a variety of settings, she’s committed to the safety and well-being of her clients and their pets. Whatever your pet needs may be, including but not limited to a physical exam, vaccinations, rabies licensing, microchipping, heartworm or FeLV/FIV testing, intestinal parasite testing, urinalysis, complete blood count or blood chemistry panels, treatment for an illness, geriatric care, hospice care, or compassionate gentle in-home euthanasia, Dr. Hart is here for you and your animals.

Reach Vet with Hart Veterinary House Call Practice at (727) 698-4425.

Practice with a Purpose Veterinary Medicine is more than just a job to Dr. Hart; it’s a calling. That’s apparent in the care and thoughtfulness she provides for clients and patients alike. She finds purpose in her profession and is currently working on founding a nonprofit to help low-income clients afford medical care for their pets.

Dr. Hart has spent a lifetime working with human and animal

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Coliseum, 1920s. Photos by City of St. Petersburg

The Sunshine City’s First Big Boom

By Tina Stewart Brakebill The sun shines nearly every day and everywhere you look, construction is underway. Tourists fill the downtown streets and newcomers make St. Pete their home in record numbers. As downtown development expands, African Americans increasingly are priced out of their homes and neighborhoods. A new ferry system offers visitors and locals an alternative avenue off and on the peninsula, but complaints about ever-increasing automobile traffic feed demands for better solutions. Soaring real estate prices, an extravagant new pier,

and the fate of local baseball are the talk of the town. Sounds familiar, but we’re not talking about today. We’re looking back to the 1920’s and St. Pete’s first big boom.

“A Virtual Paradise” As a whole, the 1920’s were a time of great contrasts. Nationally, business-friendly policies helped some people get really rich while others struggled to contend with rapidly rising prices and consumerism. Isolationism and anti-immigration sentiments were on the rise. Jim Crow laws, discriminatory policies, and the KKK envisioned an all-white America. Prohibition turned millions into willing cocktail imbibing law-breakers and flappers challenged gender-specific rules of behavior while conservative-minded people decried what they saw as a breakdown of values. St. Pete was not immune to the same issues that plagued other Southern cities, especially in terms of race relations, but that didn’t stop the Sunshine City from marketing itself as a virtual paradise and respite from the real world. The result was rapid growth of population, tourism, construction, and land speculation.

Expansion Between 1920 and 1930, St. Pete’s full-time population tripled from 14,000 people to over 40,000 and tourism reached new heights.

That’s a lot of new people to move around! By the early 1920s, St.

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Boats 1920’s SORC (Southern Ocean Racing Conference) St. Petersburg, Florida

“Million Dollar” Pier Aerial 1925.

Pete jumped on board the 20th century automobile transportation revolution, spending millions of dollars to pave, construct, and extend roadways and bridges. Even more exciting (and transformative) was the bridging of the Bay in 1924. Two years after The Gandy Bridge opened, the Bee Line Ferry debuted, offering direct links from DTSP to northern Manatee County for people AND their cars. As transportation shifts made it easier to get to and navigate within St. Pete, a housing boom looked to accommodate the nearly twelve new residents arriving every day. Between 1920 and 1924 the number of building permits issued skyrocketed from $3 million to $24 million in construction value. At the peak, nearly 50 subdivisions and 6,000 real estate agents competed for dollars and buyers. Many of these planned communities never came to fruition but (thanks in part to dredging and landfilling) by 1926, the city borders had expanded from eleven to fifty-four square miles. Several of St. Pete’s bestknown surviving neighborhoods trace their beginnings to this time, including Allendale, Snell Isle, and Euclid.

segregated. In reality, African Americans made up nearly 20% of the city’s population but marketing materials (and Jim Crow laws) envisioned a “white” city, so black residents could work as hotel maids or bellhops but were banned (along with black tourists) from renting rooms or enjoying the entertainment amenities.

Building Up Despite the flood of new locals, tourism remained the lifeblood of the city and St. Pete used a wide variety of tactics to lure visitors. A weekly “Tourist News” magazine boosted the city. Publicity stunts, such as the “Purity League” bathing suit inspectors, reminded northerners about the beauty of both beaches and sunbathers. In 1920, the marketing strategy proved so successful that hundreds of room-less visitors camped out of their cars at a makeshift “Tent City.” It was clear: the city needed more rooms—lots of them!

Developers quickly complied. Between 1921 and 1928, St. Pete added at least eleven new hotels, including two still in use (Vinoy Park and Don Ce-Sar) and several that have been repurposed (Princess Martha, Jungle Country Club, and the Rolyat). These hotels added thousands of rooms as well as hundreds of jobs but, like most venues (and neighborhoods) in St. Pete, they were strictly

Time to Play Fun in the sun was the centerpiece of St. Pete’s marketing strategy (as was the lax enforcement of Prohibition) but the beach life was only a small part of that fun. New entertainment venues sprung up all over town. The 1400-foot “Million Dollar Pier” proved to be the most popular attraction. Its 1925 opening provided visitors a solarium, a bathhouse, and a two-story building with a central atrium, open air ballroom, and an observation deck—all accessible by car or trolley. But that wasn’t all the 1920’s offered. Tourists (and locals) could shuffle at the Shuffleboard Club (1923), visit the history museum (1922), bet on a greyhound race (1925), shoot a round of golf at one of the four newly-built courses, or watch Babe Ruth and the newly arrived (1925) Yankees play during spring training. In 1924, the Coliseum (“St. Petersburg’s Palace of Pleasure”) provided a brand-new dance hall and the Florida Theatre (1926) provided an air-conditioned spot to see a show. Like area hotels, most entertainment venues banned black patrons, but the 1924 inauguration of the 22nd St. South Manhattan Casino provided African Americans a welcoming spot for dancing and performances by a wide variety of legendary black entertainers.

The Crash Comes Early to St. Pete All things (good and bad) eventually come to an end or at least take a turn. For St. Pete, that turn came in 1927 when the land speculation pyramid collapsed. Check back next issue for that story!

Sources available on request but include the prior research of Raymond Arsenault, Will Michaels, Jon Wilson, and Rosalie Peck.

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Naked Farmer is now open at 200 Central Ave #150

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.

Naked Farmer is now open on the ground level of the 200 Central office tower. This new fast-casual field-to-fork restaurant serves real food grown by farms close to home. The menu includes five farm-fresh bowls made from scratch, such as the Local Farmer which includes brown rice, charred broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted chicken thigh, garlic creme. Customers are also free to build their own bowl!

Book + Bottle is now open at 17 6th St N Italy Bottega is now open at 1045 Central Ave

Italy Bottega, an Italian cafe and market, is now open at 1045 Central Ave in the EDGE District! Swing in early for cappuccino and croissant and then come back for lunch and enjoy made-to-order panini sandwiches, salads and classic dishes, such as lasagna bolognese, eggplant parmigiana, and various types of quiche! The market side features display cases lined with meats and cheeses imported from Italy. Italian groceries and fresh ravioli and pasta will also be available.

Book + Bottle, a hybrid bookstore and wine shop, is now open at 17 6th Street North (formerly Holmes Shoe Repair). If you’re looking for a place to read, spruce up your book collection, take a class, enjoy a

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bottle of wine, work remotely, try new types of wine, chat with friends, learn something new, or just relax, Book + Bottle is the place for you.

Cellarmasters, a wine bar and bottle shop, is now open at 1005 1st Ave N in the EDGE District! Although the bar portion won’t open until the State of Florida and City of St. Pete deem it safe and acceptable, the retail portion of Cellarmasters is open. Owners Ryan Rugg and Kory Lynn have extensive experience selling and serving wine all over the country, so make sure you ask for their recommendations when you visit!

Gallery 3100, a four story apartment community, has broken ground at 3100 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The $20 million apartment community will contain a mix of one-bedroom, twobedroom, and three-bedroom units. Around 15% of the 122 units will

Cellarmasters is now open at 1005 1st Ave N

be income-restricted workforce housing units. Concrete foundation work is expected to begin in June and the first units at the property should be ready for move-in by late Spring 2021.

Raining Berries coming soon to 1601 Central Ave

Two tenants, Raining Berries and Mammamia Gelato Italiano, are coming soon to the ground floor of Artistry, a new luxury apartment community located at 1601 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. Raining Berries will serve fresh acai bowls, teas, kombucha, frappes and coffee. Mammamia will feature 32 flavors of gelato all made in-house. We cannot wait to try the amarena (sweet, dark cherry), apricot, pistachio crunch, and hazelnut!

The Sapphire is coming soon to 602 3rd Avenue South in Downtown St Pete. The new 6-story development will feature ten residential units ranging from 715 to 1,550 square feet in one-bedroom and three-bedroom floorplans. Also, the building will also have 685 square feet of ground floor retail which will front 3rd Avenue South.

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

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Registering To vote in Florida you must be registered at least 29 days before an election – by July 20 for the August primary and by October 5 for the November general election. Registrations may be updated for address changes at any time.

You can apply to register online as well as check or update your registration or print out a registration form at VotePinellas.com, the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website. The application forms, also available at many locations listed online such as libraries, include the mailing address for the Supervisor of Elections.

To be eligible to register to vote you must be at least 18 years old (or 16 to preregister to vote at 18), be a U.S. citizen and Florida resident, and not have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated or convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored. You will need a Florida driver’s license or Florida ID card (issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles) and the last four digits of your Social Security number to apply.

Voting in St. Petersburg This year By Andy Bragg The importance of voting in Florida, often called the ultimate swing state, is clear.

Florida voters decided the national 2000 presidential election by 537 votes and have supported the winner, with 52 percent of the vote or less, in the last six general presidential elections. While statewide offices and the Florida Legislature are dominated by Republicans, the 2018 elections were decided by 0.13 percent, 10,000 of 8.2 million votes, for senator and by 0.4 percent for governor.

There is potential for many more people to vote. Roughly 24 percent of U.S. citizens who would be eligible to vote are not registered, according to Wikipedia. In Pinellas County, 66 percent of registered voters voted in the 2018 general election, and 77 percent voted in the 2016 presidential general election.

The Elections The Florida Democratic presidential primary was held on March 17.

The primary election for Congress and state and local offices will be held on Aug. 18. The presidential general election will be on November 3 along with those offices, four proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and two additional ballot measures. See sample ballots for these elections at ballotopedia.org/florida.

Voting In Person Your polling place is listed on your voter information card (sent to registered voters). You may also select Find Your Precinct at votepinellas. com; enter your address, and the location will be listed. Last-minute polling place changes occurred in the March presidential primary voting due to the coronavirus. The Coliseum at 535 Fourth Ave. N is the polling location for five of the approximately 13 precincts in Green Bench Monthly’s distribution area. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election days. A current ID with photo and signature such as a Florida driver license or ID card is required for a regular ballot. A provisional ballot, to be researched immediately after the election, may be completed.

Early voting must be held for at least eight days before each election.

Check VotePinellas.com for locations, and hours.

Voting by Mail Voting by mail makes up more than half of the total in Pinellas County and is highly encouraged: • Voters who request mail ballots vote at a much higher rate than those physically going to the polls: 79 percent of those registered vs. 55 percent in the last general election in 2018.

• Voters by mail avoid standing in line for the same ballot at the polls.

To request to vote by mail, visit VotePinellas.com/MailBallot, or call (727)-464-VOTE. Requests must be received at least 10 days before the next election. Ballots will be sent to those on record at least 33 days before an election. Instructions and a return envelope are included.

The mail ballots must be received or dropped off at a Supervisor of Elections office (not at polling places) by 7 p.m. on Election Day. They also may be dropped off before Election Day at locations listed in the instructions. By signed letter, a voter may designate another person to pick up his/her mail ballot no sooner than the ninth day before an election. The designee must provide a photo ID and complete an affidavit.

Voters can check that their ballots have been received at VotePinellas.com.

Volunteer Opportunities The League of Women Voters is active in providing voter information and helping register voters in St. Petersburg. It is nonpartisan and encourages men to join (lwvspa.org).

Call the Republican Party of Pinellas or the Democratic Party of Pinellas to find out about Get Out the Vote activities.

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections is always looking for poll workers, a paid position (VotePinellas.org).

Note: The writer is a volunteer with the Democratic Party in St. Petersburg.

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

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