Green Bench Monthly Vol. 7, Issue 4, April 2022

VOL. 7, ISSUE 4, APRIL 2022

Green Bench Monthly

St. Pete’s Community Magazine American Stage in the Park Presents Footloose pg. 12

Smaller Crowds:

By the Bay pg. 16

St. Pete Rising

Downtown Developments pg. 20

Events

Things to do in April pg. 22

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

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Editor Mary Jane Park

Contributors Tina Stewart Brakebill Suzanne Driscoll Gabrielle Reeder Brian Zucker

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Photographers Brian Brakebill Aziz Halabi Kristina Holman

IN THIS ISSUE

Advertising Sales

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From the Bench

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

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The Founding of the City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs & the Melrose Clubhouse

Cover Photo American Stage in the Park photo by City of St. Petersburg

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

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People of St. Pete: Jeff Schorr

10 Rainbow Veterinary Hospice: LOVE, DIGNITY and COMFORT

14 Budget Blinds of North St. Petersburg: Window Treatments for Every Room 16 Parks of St. Pete: Smaller Crowds By the Bay 20 Downtown Developments 22 Events

12 American Stage: Presenting Footloose at Demens Landing Park

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Pelican on the St. Pete Pier Fishing Deck. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

From the Bench

9). Explore parks by the Bay (pg. 16). And get your fill of what's on the horizon for St. Pete in Downtown Developments (pg. 20). Plus plenty of events you won't want to miss (pg. 22)!

A note from the Publishers And just like that, it's April! Earth day is on the 22nd, and in case you weren't aware — the city has a couple of conservation programs that you might want to take advantage of: Rainwater Guardian Workshops and Sprinkler System Checkups. Both are free. After completing the Guardian Workshop, participants will be eligible for a free rain barrel from the city. For virtual class times, visit stpete.org/residents/ sustainability/water_conservation/resources.php. To apply for a sprinkler system checkup, email SensibleSprinkling@stpete.org.

This month, you can find us in Demens Park watching Footloose

by American Stage (pg. 12). Also in this issue, a chat with Jeff Schorr, owner of the Craftsman House and St. Pete preservation advocate (pg.

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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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The Founding of the City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs & the Melrose Clubhouse

By Tina Stewart Brakebill

Lauffer Branch YMCA, 1962. L-R: Monticello Campbell, Katie Lou Postell, Mary McLaughlin, Mattie Everett. Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

Dedicated in 1942, the Melrose Clubhouse for the City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs served as a center for civic and recreational gatherings during an era of strictly enforced segregation. Designated as a historic landmark in 1993, the clubhouse stands today as an important physical reminder of the vital role women’s organizations played in the story of St. Petersburg’s Black community.

Women and Clubs Initially focused on literary endeavors, self-improvement, or social opportunities, women’s organizations expanded quickly in the 19th century. By the early 20th century, many began to direct their attention to social-welfare issues and reforms such as women’s suffrage. Even though these clubs were almost always separated by race, they could provide all women avenues for political and civic influence in the days before they had any direct access to political power. The passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, seemed to render many white women’s reform-focused clubs less necessary, especially as the progressive era stalled during the booming 1920s. In communities where Jim Crow disenfranchisement still reigned, granting women the vote had little impact on the civil or political landscape; Black people were denied the vote. The local club movement continued to flourish, as women organized in an effort to offer opportunities for education, uplift, and recreation during the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s.

City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs Local club leaders considered uniting their strength under an umbrella organization. Led by local educator and activist Fannye Ponder and fellow educator Olive B. McLin, the City Federation

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of Colored Women’s Clubs (CFCWC) was born in 1938. Soon after its organization, it was affiliated with both the Florida and the National Federations of Colored Women’s Clubs. The local Federation’s goal was clear: Use the united power of its affiliated clubs “to promote better educational advantages, to promote social and civic improvements, establish recreation for young people, and to educate the citizenry towards better and higher standards of living.”

Beginning with seven member clubs, it grew quickly to 12. These affiliated clubs provided a steady stream of civic, social, educational, and often entertaining, avenues for Black engagement as well as uplift. For example, in March 1941, the Federation hosted its second annual Coronation Ball. The “musical background for this gay affair was furnished by Fess Clark and the Swingsters.” The Manhattan Casino, decorated to resemble a “royal court,” served as the backdrop for the presentation of the finely dressed “royalty” from each of the member clubs. At the end of the night, a king and queen were crowned based on the amount of money raised for the community, not because of their finery. The CFCWC’s core goals “to promote better educational advantages … social and civic improvements … recreation for young people, and to educate the citizenry towards better and higher standards of living” always remained paramount.

Soon after organizing, members began a campaign to construct a clubhouse to provide a safe space for that effort.

Building a Clubhouse The drive began with the CFCWC, but support for the project expanded beyond the member organizations. The First Congregational Church pledged $1,000 and sponsored a fundraiser.

One of its members, Dr. Charles A. Lauffer, donated land and $5,000 “upon the condition … the property shall be improved and used for the educational, social, and recreational facilities for colored people … and for gardening by and for the needy…..” With this foundation in place, the plan for the clubhouse moved forward. In December 1941, the St. Petersburg Times published a rendering by architect Henry Kohler along with a description of the Melrose Park “clubhouse for negroes now under construction.” The paper offered a brief history of the local Federation and a detailed description of the clubhouse: “It was designed to provide adequate facilities for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YWCA and YMCA groups as well as quarters for club meetings. Three buildings are planned, including facilities for a kindergarten and a day nursery. The clubhouse … will include an auditorium … a stage and six rooms where groups can meet simultaneously.”

Melrose Clubhouse Four years after the CFCWF formed, the Melrose Clubhouse (1801 Melrose Ave. S) opened. For many years, the two-story concrete-block facility served as a nexus for club meetings, community gatherings, and service. It housed a wartime nursery for African-American children and provided a space for the Melrose Park YMCA when Jim Crow segregation denied Black men and boys access to the main branch. Eighty years after its dedication, it still holds the memories of the bonds forged and the lives touched by the determination of St. Pete’s Black community as a whole and the City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs in particular.

Sources are available on request. The author relied on previous research conducted by Scott Hartzell, the African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg, and Preserve the ‘Burg. For more information visit afamheritagestpete.org and www.preservetheburg.org

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snowy) playground allowed him to indulge his love of hiking and snowboarding while it also produced a lifetime appreciation for the importance of the natural world. This attitude coupled with his math and science skills led him to earn a degree in environmental engineering and then an MBA from Boston’s prestigious Northeastern University. After spending several years as a working engineer monitoring SuperFund sites, he realized he needed to make a change. He was good at his job, but it didn’t bring him joy, so he decided to open his life up to other possibilities.

Sunshine and New Possibilities

Photo by Brian Brakebill

People of St. Pete: Jeff Schorr

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 are highlighting Jeff Schorr. As the founder and full-time owner-operator of Craftsman House, his vision helped nurture the artistic-centered vibe fueling St. Pete’s renaissance. He’s also been actively involved with groups like Preserve the ‘Burg, CarFree St. Pete, and the Jack Kerouac House preservation group as they endeavor to protect and preserve what’s special about the community.

Snowy Beginnings Originally from Saratoga, N.Y., Schorr grew up in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Proximity to this pristine (and often

Schorr traded those snowy mountains for sunshine and sandy beaches, and he turned a sideline into a new career. For several years, Schorr had balanced his engineering career with his passion for selling and creating clothing and gear for the surf, skate, and snowboard community. Over the next few years, he successfully launched his own company and represented and sold premier clothing and gear. He even helped legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk launch his product line.

As times and the industry changed, Schorr grew tired of the constant, necessary travel. He wanted to spend more time in the place he had decided to call home. He also had begun to think more and more about an even bigger dream: creating a community space where art, music, food, and people could come together. In 2003, he took the first step in fulfilling that vision when he bought an old house on Central Avenue, in what was then the desolate and rundown west end of the Grand Central District.

Craftsman House Two years and three months later, that old bungalow became the renovated Craftsman House. Built in 1918 as the model home for what is now known as the Historic Kenwood District, it took on a new life as an art gallery / café / artists’ studio / performance venue. Schorr received considerable community support, which helped keep his dream alive. In particular, the foundational members of the arts community of that era welcomed Schorr and Craftsman House with open arms, and he quickly joined the handful of venues that made up the ArtWalk in the early 2000s.

Since those early days, his girlfriend, Chrissy Auger, has helped with digital marketing and social media as Craftsman House diversified by adding an Airbnb on the floor above the gallery, and a second location at the St. Pete Pier. The Sunshine City has changed, but Schorr has stayed true to his vision. He still “loves art, music, food, and people,” and he’s created a shared community space where those things come together. His future path is intertwined with Craftsman House. “I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” he said.

For information, visit www.craftsmanhousegallery.com or on Facebook at Craftsman House Gallery.

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The Exelby’s family pets from left to right: Rico, Petunia, Sylvia, Harvey, and Weedie. Photo courtesy of Rainbow Veterinary Hospice

Rainbow Veterinary Hospice: LOVE, DIGNITY and COMFORT

By Suzanne Driscoll One might think it would be sad to work with pets only at the ends of their lives, but Dr. Cindy and Misty Exelby find it to be rewarding and their life’s calling. Rainbow Veterinary Hospice does not provide routine mobile veterinary care. Hospice is their exclusive commitment to the pets in Pinellas County. With compassion, kindness, and in the best interest of the pet – while also considering the intense grief experienced by the family – they offer in-home pet euthanasia and hospice care.

The Exelbys owned a very successful veterinary practice in Santa Fe, N.M., for 14 years. “The only way we fell short,” Misty Exelby remembers, “was at the end of their lives when asking their pet parents to bring them to the place they least liked to go. Avoiding a clinical environment provides a peaceful, fear-free passing in the pet’s familiar safe surroundings.”

Relocating to Pinellas County in 2017 allowed the Exelbys to open a practice to provide palliative care to help relieve pain and suffering, and to perform euthanasia at the pet’s home or another familiar nonclinical surrounding. They also provide an optional “Front Room” setting for those who choose not to utilize their own homes. They named their practice Rainbow Veterinary Hospice after the poem “The Rainbow Bridge,” which refers to where pets wait for their human family after passing.

Expert Palliative Care Services “Our goal is to alleviate suffering when a terminal diagnosis arises and extending the life of the pet is the choice of the pet parent,” Dr. Cindy Exelby says. “I make a home visit to assess their needs. The pet might need additional supportive care in the form of adjusting medications, rehabilitation techniques and other hospice needs. Cognitive dysfunction is a common occurrence in geriatric medicine and can also be addressed.”

Making the Final Decision Dr. Exelby helps pet parents with the decision process in navigating end of life issues. The practice’s website offers a quality of life scorecard to help pet parents evaluate the animals. “Everything we do is all about honoring the pet with dignity,” Misty Exelby says. “We treat every single wee one like our own by dedicating our lives to providing high quality loving care.”

Cremation Services Rainbow Veterinary Hospice helps you through the process every step of the way. Perhaps you would prefer the euthanasia take place in a special room in your home, another location, or under a pet’s favorite tree. Friends, family members and other pets in the home can gather to surround a pet with love and support to say their final goodbyes. Unique scenarios have included a final farewell on the sailboat the dog had grown up on. Another said her last goodbyes surrounded on her dock by loving neighbors in their kayaks.

“We can also provide cremation services, as we have toured many crematoriums over the years and chose to use one with our shared value system, “ Misty Exelby says. “We work with Pet Passages of Largo, where all pets are handled honorably and responsibly. We even deliver the ashes back home to you to provide a full circle for the families and pets we serve.”

Rainbow Veterinary Hospice is a local, family-owned business providing care to Pinellas County only. Service is provided on weekdays, with some evening and weekend hours available by appointment.

For information, call (727) 318-7558 or visit RainbowVeterinaryHospice.com

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Voted ‘Best of the Best’ for Tampa Bay Times people’s choice 2020 and 2021 awards.

Long Distance Moving Tips

By Big Man’s Moving Company Local moving is ranked as 1 of the top 5 most stressful life events.

So moving long distance or from state to state must be in the top 3, right? Hiring a reputable company will decrease the stress and ensure a smooth transition.

Florida is one of the least regulated states for moving companies, and conducting your own research is paramount. Consumers can visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website to investigate whether a company can legally move across state lines. Simply Google “FMCSA snapshot”, search by “Name”, enter the company’s name, and look for “authorized for hire” and a checkmark by “interstate”. Failure to hire a licensed interstate mover may result in your items being held at a weigh station until the consumer or a licensed interstate mover comes to claim them!

Have you seen the horror stories describing lost shipments? Hire a moving company who has GPS on their trucks so they can always pinpoint where your items are.

Have you heard about movers who lose items? Hire a moving company who will exclusively dedicate the truck to your items, and will not take the items off and on.

Have you read about instances where furniture was ruined or completely decimated? Hire a moving company with full-time, professionally trained movers. Don’t hire a broker, who contracts the individual parts of the move to different companies (1 to load, 1 to drive, 1 to store, 1 to unload), and won’t take responsibility because they don’t know who created the damage.

Most consumers obtain 2-3 estimates; If one estimate is substantially less than the others, it is definitely too good to be true!

Companies who are fully licensed and insured for interstate moving are all within the same ballpark, and will carry general liability and cargo insurance. In addition, they will have W2 employees covered by workers compensation (as opposed to 1099 independent contractors who can be doing construction one day, landscaping the next, and moving your home the following day).

Big Man’s Moving Company, a contributor to this article, was voted “Best of St Pete” and the #1 Mover in Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021. Their professional team has completed 5500 local, statewide, and out-of-state moves in 5 years of business. Bigmansmoving.com 727-772-3458

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Left: American Stage in the Park attendees enjoy food and drinks while waiting for the show to begin. Photo by City of St. Petersburg This year’s leads in Footloose Right: Top, Lea Marinelli plays Ariel; Left: Alex Deleo plays Ren. Photos courtesy of American Stage

American Stage: Presents Footloose at Demens Landing Park

By Suzanne Driscoll Are you ready to kick off your Sunday shoes? American Stage is proud to bring the iconic Footloose: The Musical to Demens Landing Park in downtown St. Pete from April 6 through May 8.

For more than 30 years, American Stage has presented an outdoor performance so everyone in the community can enjoy a professional theater experience. “Footloose was chosen because it’s a good-time, fun musical based on the movie that many people have seen,” says Rachel Harrison, associate artistic producer.

The high-energy, rock ‘n’ roll show tells the story of Ren McCormack, a Chicago teen who moves to a rural town where dancing has been outlawed. As he tries to carve out a place for himself, he ignites a revolution in the town as the younger generation rebels against the strict rules of the local preacher. Through explosive choreography and invigorating songs, Footloose celebrates the spirit and optimism of young people fighting for change.

In order to welcome those who might not be able to afford a professional theater production, two preview performances will be offered on April 6 and 7 for $21 per person or “Pay What You Can” at the gate. Tickets for subsequent performances start at $21 per person when purchased in advance.

Lawn and reserved seatings are available. GENERAL Lawn Admission (ADVANCE): Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: $21; Friday, Saturday: $27 GENERAL Lawn Admission (AT THE GATE): Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: $32; Friday, Saturday: $37 PREMIUM Blanket Seating: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: $38; Friday, Saturday: $42 RESERVED Chair Seating: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: $42; Friday, Saturday: $53 Lawn admission free to children 6 and under.

To ensure everyone has a good view, only chairs without legs will be allowed in the general and blanket seating areas. A “stadium seat” is

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a good example of the type of chair that is acceptable. Other types of chairs can be used at the back of the general lawn seating.

Many people decide to make it an even more special evening by planning picnics with food from home or from concession trucks at the site. (Alcohol is not permitted to be brought into the park.) Demens Landing opens at 6 nightly, with every performance starting at 8 p.m.

Construction and Closure Details for Demens Landing Due to construction of the Footloose stage, Demens Landing Park will be closed for public use until the show ends on May 8. Parking for the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina will be by permit only now through May 8. The park over the First Avenue SE bridge will be closed to the public during performances.

Elaborate Sets Enhance the Production Jerid Fox, former director of production operations, designed the Footloose sets in 2020. “They are weatherproof and very rugged,” Harrison reports, “and have a very rural look with barns, a train bridge and water tower. There will be a church and houses with dining rooms that roll onto the stage on trestles, with of course plenty of room for dancing.”

“This is a very anticipated and long-awaited production,” producing artistic director Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj says. “With national actors and many of our local musicians returning, folks can count on a very fun and memorable evening.”

Pre-order tickets for Footloose at AmericanStage.org or call (727) 823-7529. Demens Landing Park is at First Avenue SE at Bayshore Drive.

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Budget Blinds offers in-home consultations and convenient online shopping. After a consultation, clients can come in to their new office on International Court and view additional samples or review what they chose. Photo by by Jozie Jennings

Budget Blinds of North St. Petersburg: Window Treatments for Every Room

By Suzanne Driscoll Like many other St. Petersburg residents, Samantha and Shaun Roberts decided to make the move here to take advantage of our beautiful weather. Coming from Liverpool, England, in 2016, they were looking for a business opportunity to use their years of experience in sales and marketing, and they were excited to purchase Budget Blinds of North St. Petersburg.

“What sets us apart from the competition is we provide design and installation services for every budget,” Shaun Roberts says. “We work with a wide variety of vendors and offer free in-home consultations

and on-the spot estimates. We’re happy to do just one window or even hundreds for a commercial business or apartment building.

And we stand by our work and have a wide variety of industryleading warranties.”

Popular Trends “Woven wood shades are very popular these days,” he says. “And the iconic Florida plantation shutters are a mainstay, where you can open them for a lovely view. Many clients like to have a shutter with a honeycomb shade behind it. Motorization can be added to the majority of our product offerings, making opening and closing very easy by remote or phone app. And now we offer a rechargeable motor you just plug in to an outlet about every 12 to 18 months.”

In addition, motorized shades can be connected to home Wi-Fi to set schedules throughout the day. Roberts finds this works great for their young son, since he knows he has to stay in bed until the shades rise at 7 a.m. “It is also nice for security reasons to have shades opening and closing while you are not at home.”

Other Window Treatments Budget Blinds offers a full range of window treatments that include custom drapes and soft treatments. These can also be ordered with motorized drapery rods and blinds programmed to open and close right from your cell phone. Many customers choose to install

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Samantha and Shaun Roberts, owners of Budget Blinds of North St. Petersburg. Photo by Kristina Holman

blinds on the inside of a window with drapes arranged over them.

“We offer some neat options for kids’ rooms with fun designs and bright colors in blinds and draperies,” Shaun reports, “and every shade has a cordless option for your children’s (and your pets’) safety.”

Online Shopping Makes It Easy Many of Budget Blinds’ clients live out of town where they are waiting for their new home to be built or simply prefer to shop online.

Samantha and Shaun can go into a home under construction and measure while the owners can view swatch samples online or have them mailed so they can touch and feel the material.

Budget Blinds now has a new office on International Court N. After a home consultation, clients can come in and view additional samples or review what they chose. “This makes it very convenient for landlords and owners of new construction projects, for example, where we can’t always meet in the home,” Shaun says.

Area residents themselves, the Robertses know the importance of supporting local businesses. “As a thank you to our clients for referring us to friends and family, we give a $25 gift card for a variety of locally owned businesses that our customers can choose from. We always shop locally as well, and our employees live here, too. Veterans currently receive an additional 5 percent discount, and if anyone mentions you saw the Budget Blinds article in Green Bench Monthly, you can receive 25 percent off for all of 2022!”

If you are ready to save energy and beautify your home or office, visit Budget Blinds of North St. Petersburg at budgetblinds. com/northstpetersburg or call (727) 285-9914. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for special promotions.

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Pinellas Point Park is located at Amber Way & Manor Way S. Photo by Brian Brakebill

Demens Landing is located at Bayshore Dr. & 2nd Ave. S. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Parks of St. Pete: Smaller Crowds By the Bay

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.

A significant percentage of St. Pete is bordered by water, and thanks to the influence of early leaders like then-St. Petersburg Times editor William Straub, miles of that waterfront is public park land. Of the many individual parks included in those waterfront acres, Vinoy, North Shore, and Straub (North and South) tend to get the most attention. That’s not surprising: They’re adjacent to the many entertainment offerings of downtown and provide fantastic venues for large gatherings as well as numerous areas for exercising, visiting, or simply enjoying the view. If you’re looking for smaller crowds without giving up the waterfront, St. Pete offers plenty of other options including Alfred Whitted, Lassing, Demens Landing, Pinellas Point, Tippets, Poynter, Little Bayou, Crisp, Flora Wylie, and Coffee Pot.

Make a Memory Several parks provide fantastic spots for contemplating the view or shooting photos. If you’re a morning person, Flora Wylie, Demens Landing, Alfred Whitted, and Lassing provide unobstructed views for catching the first rays of the sun as it rises over Tampa Bay. Visitors to Pinellas Point, Tippets, or Little Bayou can enjoy the natural wonder of the protected mangroves as well as the beautiful view of the water and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, especially in the early evening when the bridge’s lights shimmer against the night sky. Poynter Park’s marina view, green space, and art installation provide a great space for a picnic and a photo shoot. If making a memory includes a frolic with your pup, then Lassing, Pinellas Point, and Tippets offer an abundance of green space for play. And if Fido doesn’t scare them away, you may also see a plethora of butterflies and waterbirds enjoying the spaces.

Small Can Be Active, Too If you’re looking for a park that provides opportunities for getting in or on the water, then our smaller waterfront parks still can be your answer. Many of St. Pete’s waterfront parks are kayak launching points for the Pinellas County Blueways Paddling Trail, including some of our smaller venues like Demens Landing, Coffee Pot, Crisp, and Lassing. If your bigger boat also needs to launch, then the ramps at Crisp, Demens Landing or Grandview may work for you. Check with the city parks department for more specific rules and regulations. On-shore activities more your thing? Then look no further than the exercise zone at Crisp Park, the playgrounds at Coffee Pot and Crisp, or the many fishing options available at these smaller, but still publicly accessible, waterfront parks.

For information about waterfront parks or any other of St. Pete’s many other parks, visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441.

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The Sketchbook Project is coming soon to The Factory Salty Nun is now open at 2501 Central Ave

Downtown Developments

The Sketchbook Project is coming soon to The Factory at 2622 Fairfield Avenue South in the Warehouse Arts District. After spending over a decade in Brooklyn, the world’s largest collection of artist sketchbooks is moving to St. Pete. The collection boasts an impressive 55,000 sketchbooks (and growing!) from over 100 different countries. The pages of these books are filled with rough sketches, paintings, portraits, and comics using mediums like graphite, charcoal, chalk, watercolor, and ink. They tell stories of love, comedy, guilt, tragedy, and politics.

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.

Salty Nun is now open at 2501 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. Two of Gulfport’s most popular businesses have partnered to open Salty Nun, featuring Stella’s southern-style breakfast and Salty’s incredible bar. Visit Salty Nun’s beautiful outdoor, pet-friendly patio for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a drink. Who’s ready to have some fun at the Nun?

Delmar 745 is now open at 745 Delmar Terrace S

Delmar 745, an affordable apartment community, is now open at 745 Delmar Terrace South in downtown St. Pete. The 12-story, 65-unit apartment community, which is located just five blocks from Central Avenue, caters to families making 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Rents range from as low as $200 per month for one-bedroom units to as much as $600 for two-bedroom units. Amenities include private and secure parking, secure bicycle storage, energy-efficient appliances, laundry room, fitness center, and computer room with free internet.

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Renovations to Williams Park could be coming soon

La Segunda Central Bakery is now open at 2436 4th St N

La Segunda Central Bakery is now open at 2436 4th Street North.

The bakery serves the same fresh-pressed Cubans, guava and cheese turnovers, and Italian cookies as the Ybor and South Tampa locations. Best of all, their famous cuban bread will be baked on-site every morning in St. Pete instead of being trucked in from Tampa. La Segunda Bakery is the largest producer of Cuban bread in the world, pumping out a staggering 18,000 loaves every day.

Domus Urbana is located at 644 3rd Ave S

Domus Urbana has topped out at 644 3rd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete. As of this week, the roof has been installed and the building is expected to be dried in by the beginning of April. The five-story building will feature four floors of residential space on top of ground floor vehicular parking, bike parking, lobby, and fitness center. The community will also include a dog park. Domus Urbana is completely sold out and is on track for completion by this fall.

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.

Renovations to Williams Park bandshell could be coming soon

Renovations to Williams Park bandshell could be coming soon in downtown St. Pete. The first bandshell was constructed in 1895 after a fence was built to keep wandering livestock from entering to graze. Today’s bandshell was designed in 1954 by local architect William Harvard and is the site for Localtopia and the beloved Saturday Morning Market in the summer months. A recent study identified $780,000 in needed repairs to the bandshell and just over $500,000 in upgrade opportunities. Proposed upgrades include providing collapsible staging platforms and noise control features to accommodate larger events, upgrading and enlarging the existing back-of-house space, and improving handicap accessibility across the property.

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APRIL 2022

EVENTS Five Points & Crescent Heights Community Yard Sale When: April 9th from 8am - 1pm Where: Five Points and Crescent Heights Neighborhoods Five Points and Crescent Heights will once again be opening their doors and selling their treasures; from 22nd Ave N to 38th Ave N between 4th and 9th Streets.

ART HEALS When: Saturday, April 9th from 5pm - 9pm Where: ArtsXchange, 515 22nd St S Cost: Free Art Heals, gives survivors a voice

to share their stories, increases awareness and helps prevent sexual abuse to people of all ages and genders. suncoastcenter.org

under free. Students with a valid school ID are free.

The Inaugural two-day street When: Monday, April 18th festival of the arts celebrates the from 3:30pm - 8pm birth, life, and works of William Where: St.Petersburg Polish Shakespeare. Activities include American Society, 1343 Beach dr. performances of “Shakespeare Cost: $10 persale; $12 at the door Shorts”, visual art, music, A Polish platter dinner, cash bar, street performers, activities for and live music by the New Sounds kids, food trucks, and drinks. band a polka dance at 6pm. stpeteshakefest.org Everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day so wear your red and white! For Art Therapy tickets, Ken Jakubowski at (727) Workshops for 666-5357 or kmjak@verizon.net

5th Annual Dyngus Day Dance

47th Annual Mainsail Art Festival Curtain Up! When: Saturday, April 16th & Performances Sunday, April 17th from 9am - 5pm Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: Free Admission Ranked one of the Top 14 Fine Art & Design Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. 250+ Juried Fine Art & Craft Exhibitors. Live music entertainment. Culinary Arts food court. mainsailart.org

When: Friday and Saturdays at 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm April 21st - May 1st Where: St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St S Cost: Adults: $23 / Students: $15 / Children 10 & under: $10 The hilarious story of five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre & plan to bring it back to life. Their plans go awry & it’s a race to keep their audience from guessing the truth of the matter. Will they be able to save the theatre? spcitytheatre.org

William Shakespeare’s Birthday Bash!

When: April 23rd from 10am 9 pm and 24th from noon - 5pm Where: Studio Grand Central, 2260 1 st Ave South Cost: $10 for adults, kids 12 and

Female Military Personnel & Veterans

When: Fridays 3:30pm - 6:30pm, April 22nd - June 10th Where: Creative Clay, 1846 1st Ave S Cost: Free Explore creative expression in a safe environment. No prior artistic experience is necessary.

Register: marcy@creativeclay.org or (727) 825-0515

$6 Sundays at the St. Petersburg Museum of History When: every Sunday through June from noon - 5pm Where: St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 2nd Ave NE Cost: $6 admission No reservations or pre-purchased tickets required. Just visit the museum on the St. Pete Pier. spmoh.com

For more events, or to submit an event, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/events 22

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