Green Bench Monthly Vol. 9, Issue 6, June 2024

Publishers

Ashley

Editor

Contributors

Suzanne

Emily

Monica

Candy

Tiffany Razzano

Lynn Waddell

Brian

Photographers

Kristina Holman

Ryan

Keith

Chris

Cover

Jordan Dillard,

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

Kenwood:

From the Bench

A note from the Publishers

All good things must come to an end, and for this little magazine the 88th edition is it. Our decision boils down to rising print costs and a need to find more time in the day. Green Bench Monthly has always been a passion project for us. We're proud that we never pushed big brands or national chains, only hired local contributors, and shared content that resonated with our souls. The stories we shared shined a light on local issues, raised money for non-profit groups, helped small businesses grow, and hopefully, we all learned a little about St. Pete's history along the way. Above all, the people we met and connections made through these pages are priceless. None would have been possible without our contributors, readers, and supporters. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. We look forward to the next chapter and will see you around, St. Pete!

All our love, 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.

Happy Pride Month! Mark your calendars for the parade and celebration in Grand Central p. 15. (2023 Pride Parade) Photo by Chris Ryan

Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

The Man Behind the Name: The Dwight Jones Neighborhood Center

By Monica Kile, Historian and Tour Guide with I Love the Burg Tours

How often do we walk past a building and give little thought to the name blazoned across the top? We might think the Dwight Jones Neighborhood Center on Burlington Avenue in Methodist Town was named for a city leader – perhaps a mayor, or the legislator who procured the money to get the facility built. Dwight Jones might have one day accomplished those things, but he never got the chance. Rather, he was a young man who made a tremendous impact on his community before his brilliant life was cut short.

Dwight Jones was born in 1950 in St. Petersburg’s Methodist Town, a historically African American neighborhood named for the stately Bethel AME church in whose shadow a vibrant neighborhood developed. In 1950, there were 68 businesses operating within the borders of Methodist Town (roughly Arlington Avenue on the south, Fifth Avenue on the north, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street on the east, and 13th or 16th street on the west.) Most of the businesses within those borders were owned by Black people.

Jones grew up on Jackson Street, just a stone’s throw from the future location of the neighborhood center that would bear his name. He was a natural leader: a runner on the high school track team and one of the founders of the Black Brothers and Sisters of the Northside organization, which advocated

for changes in Methodist Town, including better housing, paved roads, and adequate electricity. (As late as 1940, 60% of Black households in St. Pete had no electricity; the comparable number for white households was 2%.) Jones went to what then was St. Petersburg Junior College and graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in business administration.

Jones was known for his selfless nature, for helping young children with their school work and planning field trips to show them a bit of the world outside Methodist Town. He was not yet 20 years old when he joined his best friend (and future St. Petersburg Police Chief and Deputy Mayor) Goliath Davis to advocate in front of City Council.

A 1977 St. Petersburg Times article about Jones quoted a neighbor who remembered that he had little time for himself. He would come home from school, throw down his books, and head over to the neighborhood’s makeshift community center, a ramshackle building belonging to Methodist Town resident Willie Gregory, with a sandwich in one hand and a book for a child in the other. Friends recalled that Jones always thought he’d make time for himself when his other work was finished. In the summer of 1971, he was drafted into the Vietnam War. He was killed just a month into his tour of duty.

Jones was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was refused burial in the all-white Royal Palm Cemetery, where his mother tried to arrange for his interment.

Methodist Town was almost completely leveled in the late 1970s when the city developed the Jamestown public housing community. It was a heartbreaking and divisive time in which Black residents and businesses were displaced, while landowners, who were usually white, were compensated. The city received a $4 million dollar grant to construct a community center. Nine years after his death it was named the Dwight Jones Neighborhood Center, thanks to the tireless advocacy of Davis, Jones’ childhood friend.

Many St. Pete residents may never have walked down the stretch of Burlington Avenue where the center is situated. If you do, pause at the Dwight Jones Neighborhood Center to remember a son of St. Petersburg who gave selflessly for his community and then gave the ultimate gift on behalf of his country.

The Dwight Jones Neighborhood Center is located at 1035 Burlington Ave N. Jones (front and center) played for St.Pete High’s Basketball Team (1966).

People of St. Pete: Frank Clemente

By Tiffany Razzano

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.

When Frank Clemente visited St. Petersburg for the first time in 2001, long before it evolved into the vibrant, artsy city it is today, he immediately knew he had found his home.

The Los Angeles native spent time in Miami before moving to Tampa, where he and business partner, Lynn McGhee, grew their event-planning business, ConceptBait. They quickly became known for organizing elaborate, creative and experiential events, working with a range of local and national companies, as well as private parties.

“Our first party was a bat mitzvah. We had no inventory, but we said we had everything to create this party,” said Clemente, who trained as an interior designer at UCLA. “From that one party we got three. From those three, we got a wedding. From that wedding, we got our first corporate client.”

After a busy week of events, they decided to treat themselves to dinner one Sunday evening and took a drive into St. Petersburg for the first time.

“We made it over the Howard Frankland Bridge and onto Fifth Avenue, and then we landed in this dead zone called Central Avenue,” he said. “We looked at each other and said, ‘This will do.’ ” They saw the potential for growth in the then-quiet city and recognized the opportunity to be “a big fish in a little pond,” Clemente said. “Back then, there was no such thing as an events industry.”

They leased a building in St. Petersburg, outgrowing it within six months. When they moved into a larger space at 16th Street and Seventh

Avenue N., they also quickly reached capacity.

“But we stayed in it,” he said. “We couldn’t move, we were so busy.”

Clemente credits the company’s “meteoric rise” to joining the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and becoming active in the organization. They assisted with chamber events and participated in the Entrepreneurial Academy at the St. Pete Greenhouse. They were even named Business of the Year through the program two years in a row.

“That was what propelled us. We thought, ‘Let’s learn how to run a business,’ ” he said, adding that until then, “basically, we were winging it, because we had no idea what we were doing, but we turned out a great project. And we believed in the details, and the details were what were going to make us.”

In 2018, they sold their successful company. Clemente and his husband wanted to spend more time with their daughter and grandchildren, while McGhee and his partner planned to travel.

They missed the excitement and creative energy that comes with producing large-scale events. By 2019, they were ready to jump back into their work and formed FrankLynn Visual Marketing.

“We went to lunch one day and we both basically wanted to have the same conversation: ‘Retirement is for the birds. I’m bored stiff. I’ve gotta do something,’ ” Clemente said.

With FrankLynn Visual Marketing, they streamlined their business, focusing more on the design work, getting rid of their warehouses and farming out work to other companies. “We didn’t want that overhead or that inventory,” he said.

They nearly went under not long after launching because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, Bryan Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then-owner of the Vinoy hotel, kept them afloat.

“During the pandemic, every two weeks, he was doing renovations,” Clemente said. “And every two weeks, he put us into the grand ballroom, putting up drapes and bringing them down – we’re known for our draping designs – just for their internal meetings. We were replacing the windows in this ballroom because he didn’t want people to know there was all this disruption; he wanted to seem normal in the time of COVID, and it saved our company.”

Since then, they’ve worked with a range of clients: Visit St. PeteClearwater, Busch Gardens, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Honeywell, Starz, Harley-Davidson, the NFL and PBS.

The company also is known for designing St. Pete Pride Parade floats. The first they ever built was for the Birchwood hotel, with confetti cannons and color-changing lights and designs creating displays on white stretched Spandex. For Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, they designed a float to look like a speedboat. The company works closely with Cocktail St. Pete, producing all of the bar’s parties, including the June 1 Pride month kickoff. They also designed their Pride parade float, a 3D replica of the bar’s rooster logo.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Clemente said. “I can’t believe people pay me to do this. It’s something I could do in my sleep that I love immensely and I would do for free, but I would never tell anybody that.”

Frank Clemente sits on a float he designed for Cocktail St. Pete, to be featured in the 2024 PRIDE Parade. Photo by Ryan Kern

100 Women Who Care

By Monica Kile

In less than five years, a small group of local women have quietly donated more than $300,000 to a long list of nonprofit organizations, with little to no fanfare and zero overhead. Who are these angel investors? They are called 100 Women Who Care, but there are far more than 100 women in their ranks. The concept is simple: One hundred women gather for one night, four times a year, to learn about worthy causes through a pitch competition. (Think “Shark Tank” but with the newfangled gadget sales replaced by nonprofits trying to help the world.) At the end of the pitches and a question-and-answer session, each attendee votes for her favorite pitch. A winner is picked, and each attendee writes a check for $100, or donates online, directly to the recipient organization. This is fundraising without administrative cost, where the impact isn’t reduced by the staff salaries, catering, or event space, all of which is donated or paid for by the participants. The best part is that you don’t have to be wealthy to be a philanthropist who makes a difference.

There are more than 650 chapters of 100 Women Who Care across

the country. The idea started in Jackson, Michigan, with a woman trying to raise $10,000 for cribs for new mothers in her community. Women joining together for the betterment of society is a timeless concept, and the inception of 100 Women Who Care is reminiscent of the many women’s clubs that formed during the Progressive era of the late 1800s and early 1900s, before women had the right to vote and exercised their power and agency in oblique ways. More than 100 years ago, St. Petersburg had the Women’s Town Improvement Association and the St. Petersburg Women’s Club, whose Snell Isle clubhouse is the location for today’s 100 Women Who Care meetings. The women who gather there today can wield their power publicly (and 100 Women meetings are chock-full of business leaders, government officials, mothers, and wives), all aware that a small group of women banded together can accomplish much.

The St. Petersburg chapter of 100 Women Who Care was started in 2020 by two dynamic local women, Christina Noordstar and Lauren Brigman. Noordstar says the group’s members tend to be “everyday women who want to get involved but are very busy. We call them members, but we don’t want to scare off our busy women. They are only committing to coming to a meeting four times a year and giving $100 at each meeting. If they feel like doing more, they can reach out to those organizations. And many do. They have gone on to become board members and volunteers with the organizations they’ve learned about at our meetings.”

Winning the top prize is often transformational for the organizations that pitch, many of whom are small nonprofits with little to no staff; the prize is frequently more money than they’ve ever received at one time. “The majority of those that win the largest award, the $10,000 really catapults them,” Noordstar notes. But it’s not just small start-up nonprofits that take home the prize. “We’ve also supported larger organizations that have a specific project that they want to fulfill, like a unique clubhouse by the Mr. Strong Foundation for special-needs children outside of a clinical setting at the Nina Harris Center.”

Noordstar reflects on how 100 Women Who Care has opened her eyes to the great work being done all around us. “I think about organizations like Alpha House (a 2022 awardee), Resurrection House (’21), and Starting Right, Now. All have a ‘safe place’ where people can live and get back on their feet. They have physical apartments that are helping families, homeless teens, and pregnant teens. We drive by these places every day, and you would never know what is going on inside. There’s so much incredible work going on in our community.”

It’s a great reminder of the Margaret Mead quote, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” She might have added: “especially if it’s a group of women.”

If you’d like to get involved with 100 Women Who Care or the spinoff collaboration 100 Good Guys, visit: 100wwcstpetersburg.com and 100goodguys.com.

100 Women Who Care St. Pete Chapter founders, Lauren Brigman and Christina Noordstar. Photo by Chris Ryan

Cider Press Pub: Eat, Drink, and Socialize While Being Kind to Yourself, Animals and the Environment

By Suzanne Driscoll

If you’ve been in St. Pete for a couple of years, you may remember a locally treasured vegan restaurant in downtown called The Cider Press Cafe that closed during the pandemic. Now in a new location in Kenwood three blocks from Central Avenue, it has reopened as Cider Press Vegan GastroPub. Now there is also a full bar, plenty of free parking, a dog-friendly covered patio, and entertainment offered throughout the month.

Co-owners Johan Everstijn and Roland Strobel believe there are as many reasons to go “flexitarian” as there are people. “Even just having one vegan meal has health benefits for you, animals, and the environment,” Strobel says. “But if the food isn’t good, you won’t come back.” With pub favorites like Fish & Chips, Irish Nachos, Jambalaya Balls, Eggplant Parmesan, Black & Bleu Burger, French Quarter Shrimp PoBoy, Cider Press Cheezsteak Sandwich, or a Japanese-style Chicken Katsu Sando, these mouthwatering delights will have you coming back again and again. There’s a gorgeous full bar (even outdoor bar seating) that offers house-made cocktails and mocktails, beers on tap and bottled, wines, kombucha, and fountain beverages, plus juices, teas, and coffees.

“Each night has a different flair,” Everstijn says. On Mondays service industry peeps get 30% off the entire bill (proof of employment required); Tuesday is Public Quiz Night (trivia) that you play on your phone (winners get a free shot); Wednesday is Inflation Buster night featuring the Classic Burger, fries, and a Bud or fountain beverage for $10; Thursday is all-night Happy Hour (select $3 beers, $4 wines, and $5 vodka drinks); and on Fridays, you can order $5 Bar Bites until 7 p.m.

On Saturdays and Sundays the Pub is open for lunch and dinner, featuring a brunch menu in addition to the regular menu from noon until 4 pm. Brunch favorites include the Pub Slam (2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 pancakes, and home fries — all vegan, naturally), Breakfast Quesadilla, and Creole Shrimp Benny.

On select Saturday nights, the entertainment ramps up with acousticguitar nights and piano lounges. By the end of the evening, guests often are up dancing, singing, and getting to know each other.

As you’d expect, Cider Press Pub supports local nonprofits such as the St. Pete Youth Farm, PRIDE, and Sea Shepherd for ocean conservation. It also features environmentally conscious biodegradable to-go boxes, recycling, and waste reduction.

Cider Press | Eggplant Parmesan, made from scratch

Cider Press | Black & Bleu BEYOND BURGER®

Photos by Chris Ryan

Cider Press | Beer battered Banana Blossom “Fish” & Chips

Among many great reviews, patron Drew B. reports: “This place was absolutely awesome! Great service and great food. Staff was super friendly and made us feel like regulars with it being our first time. A definite must try spot!”

Cider Press Pub is at 3118 Third Ave. N in St. Pete. Reservations are advised for groups of five or more or on special holidays by calling (727) 914-7222. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Follow the Pub on Facebook/CiderPressStPete or Insta/cider_press_gastropub to stay informed about all upcoming events and special promos.

Cider Press Pub’s friendly bartender, Jordan Dillard.

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.

Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge, a new Latin-inspired restaurant from the owners of Brick & Mortar, plans to open in mid-June at 2147 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The 150-seat restaurant’s menu will

have an emphasis on small plates, featuring items like fresh ceviches and crudos, in addition to different variations of paella. There will also be two full liquor bars with one inside and another outside with a stage for live music, where Afro-Cuban-style and Latin jazz musicians will perform. Pulpo will offer lunch and dinner with extended evening hours from Thursday through Sunday, as well as a weekend brunch service.

Viv, a 15-story apartment building, has topped at 1000 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District. The community will include 269 marketrate apartments, a 355-space parking garage, and 15,500 square feet of commercial space. Amenities throughout the property will include a clubroom, a fitness center, a courtyard with a swimming pool, and coworking space. Completion of the project is expected in 2025.

Whitney Village, a 375-unit apartment community and a 32,000-square-foot pedestrian-only retail village, is coming soon to 3200 1st Avenue South located west of downtown St. Pete. The project is being developed by longtime St. Pete investor Blake Whitney Thompson and multifamily developer Greystar Real Estate Partners. The property is currently home to the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA campus, which will undergo an extensive renovation, including the addition of a lighted, artificial turf field fronting 1st Avenue South.

Florida Holocaust Museum’s expansion project has topped out at 55 5th Street South in downtown St. Pete. The initial phase of the expansion will contain a new entrance with enhanced security features, an outdoor second-story balcony, and a theater. The new space will also house the permanent collection of historical items from Holocaust survivor and political activist, Elie Wiesel. The museum’s expansion is expected to debut in 2025.

Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine is coming soon to 1246 Central Avenue in the EDGE District. The restaurant, which got its start in Winter Park nearly 20 years ago, serves authentic Turkish cuisine such as chargrilled chicken kebap, fresh babaganoush, and slow-braised lamb shank. The 5,200-square-foot restaurant will have an expansive bar area and plenty of seating, including outdoor seating along Central Avenue as well as in a courtyard shared with the neighboring Moxy Hotel. Bosphorous is expected to open in St. Pete’s EDGE District by the end of the year.

Pistil House, a flower shop and wine bar, is coming soon to 2533 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District. Guests will be able to craft their own colorful bouquets from a variety of available flowers. In addition to wine and coffee, Pistil House will serve beer, wine, and champagne, as well as mimosas during a brunch service. As for food, Pistil House may offer pastries in the morning and will have a variety of charcuterie boards throughout the day. Pistil House is expected to debut this June.

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.

Rendering of Viv, a 15-story apartment building coming soon to 1000 1st Ave N in the EDGE District

JUNE 2024 EVENTS

St. Pete Pride Youth and Family Day

When: Saturday, June 8 10am - 2pm

Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr NE

Cost: Free Admission

Join thousands of LGBTQIA+ youth, queer families and allies for a one-of-a-kind Pride event. Last year’s event was a remarkable reflection of St. Pete’s diverse and open-minded community, with many of the attendees being ally families. Guests will enjoy family-focused activities, vendors, and main stage performances. stpetepride.org

Pickleball 101

When: Tuesday, June 11 (second Tuesdays) 6pm - 7pm

Where: Bartlett Park, 2000 7th St S

Cost: Free, registration required Presented by Healthy St. Pete. Try out this exciting paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Paddles and balls are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. All fitness levels welcome! healthystpetefl.com

Sunday Market

When: Sunday, June 16 noon - 4pm

Where: ArtsXchange, 515 22nd St S

Cost: Free Admission Over 100+ vendors. Live painting

as well as live music from local DJ’s and Musicians! Family Friendly! Dog Friendly! stpeteissupercool.com

Sunset Market

When: Friday, June 21 5pm - 10pm

Where: Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave

Cost: Free to attend

Live music, live glassblowing demos, the best vendors from the Tampa Bay area, delicious bites from St. Pete’s favorite food trucks, games, and more! imaginemuseum.com

St. Pete Pride Parade

When: Saturday, June 22 from 5pm - 8pm

Where: Step off from Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr SE at 6pm!

Cost: Free to attend

Get ready to paint the town RAINBOW walking down Bayshore Dr with love, unity, and the undeniable energy of Florida’s Largest Pride Parade! stpetepride.org

Grand Central Street Fair

When: Sunday, June 23

noon - 5pm

Where: The Grand Central District, on Central Avenue between 20th Street and 31st Street

Cost: Free to attend

Bringing tens of thousands of all ages to the Grand Central District to enjoy block after block of entertainment, vendors, food, community partners, and a new Family Fun Zone. stpetepride.org

St. Pete Pier Run

When: Saturday, July 4 Wave 1 –6:30am (time limit 1 hour), Wave 2 – 7:45am (time limit 1:45 and strollers welcome)

Where: The Pier, 600 2nd Ave NE

Cost: $55 & up

Gather your friends and family to walk or run 4 miles on the 4th! The flat and fast course begins on the St Pete Pier near Spa Beach, goes along the scenic St Pete waterfront, and finishes on the Pier. stpeterunfest.org