Green Bench Monthly - Vol 4, Issue 7, July 2019

VOL. 4, ISSUE 7, JULY 2019

St. Pete’s Direct-Mail Community Magazine

Set Your Alarms for the Annual Sunrise Sale! pg. 27

Movers and Makers

Tricks of the Trade pg. 14

Step Inside St. Pete

Mirror Lake Condo pg. 22

Hot Songs

Summer in the City pg. 26

Publishers

Ashley & Tony Sica

Advertising Sales Eileen Brock

Editors

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

Contributors

Angelica - Baybes Who Brunch, Andy Bragg, Nicole Brand, Tina Stewart Brakebill, Tara Britton, Vandi Carmella, Erin Cody, Rui Farias, Denielle Kennett, Connor Storch, Brian Zucker

Photographers Brian Brakebill, Kristina Holman, Brooke DeMartino, Kelly Nash

Blue Heron at Crescent Lake. Photo by Brian Brakebill.

FROM THE BENCH Are you still there, St. Pete? If you haven’t passed out from heat exhaustion yet, you’re in luck. We’ve got cold beverages (pg. 16), the best ice cream in town (pg. 18), youth-friendly theater (pg. 21), live music (pg. 26) and a few other ways to escape the heat. A HUGE thank-you to all who shared your homes, workspaces, and labors of love with us for our new column Step Inside St. Pete (pg. 22). We look forward to sharing each unique space with all of you, but first let’s talk about the cost of living (pg. 6).

Till next time,

In This Issue:

Cover Photo 2018 Sunrse Sale

By Brian Brakebill

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

Proud member of:

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From the Museum’s Archives

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The Cost of Living

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People of St. Pete: Christine Page

10 The Renaissance of Board Games For Everyone!

12 Naturally Green Products: Keeping the Bugs Out of the ‘Burg

Green Bench Monthly Is Directmailed to 15,500 homes and businesses in zip codes 33701, 33704 & 33713. Neighborhoods included in our mailing: Allendale, Crescent Heights, Crescent Lake, Downtown, Euclid-St. Paul, Five Points, Greater Woodlawn, Historic Kenwood, Historic Old Northeast, Magnolia Heights, North East Park, Snell Isle, & Woodlawn

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com

14 Movers and Makers Selling at Local Markets: Tricks of the Trade

16 Baybes Who Brunch: Party Like It’s Christmas in July

22 Step Inside St. Pete: Mirror Lake Condo

18 Raising Locals: Get the Scoop on the Best Ice Cream in St. Pete

26 Hot Songs, Summer in the City: Where to Listen to

Live Music

20 Bee’s Learning: The Tutoring Service That Gives Back

27 Set Your Alarms for the Annual Sunrise Sale!

21 Theater: Youth Friendly, Adult Approved

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24 The Bragg Family: St. Petersburg Then and Now

29 Downtown Developments 30 Events

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Round Lake Fishathon

Youth Aerial Circus

From the Museum’s Archives With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias Long before there were computers, video games and social media, the children of St. Petersburg spent their summers flying through the air, fishing Round Lake and racing kind-of fast cars. The City of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department sponsored the Youth Aerial Circus which taught kids how to fly on the trapeze at Woodlawn Community Center. Using equipment donated by Ringling Brothers Circus, the aerial group was the only one of its kind in the nation. St. Pete Parks & Rec also organized

Soap Box Derby

the City Fishathon at Round Lake. On 22nd Street, residents would gather to witness 11-15 year-olds who built their own cars, race in the annual Soap Box Derby. Pictured is the City Fishathon and Youth Aerial Circus, circa 1960, and John Burke, winner of the 1950 Soap Box Derby receiving the trophy from Mayor Stanley Minshall.

These historical images of St. Petersburg, and many more, are available in the Museum’s archives. For more information, visit HistoryStPete.org.

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The Cost of Living

Burlington Place, 3155 Burlington Ave N.

By Nicole Brand What do you think of when you imagine affordable housing in Florida? Does Section 8 housing come to mind? Do you envision your grandma watering her hibiscus outside a single unit in a sea of mobile homes?

Affordable housing, whether for rent or for sale, is no simple topic.

By definition, the United States uses the term to describe both rented and owned housing that does not exceed more than 30 percent of a household’s income, including utilities. Though there is nowhere near a shortage of housing, every state in the union lacks affordable housing to varying degrees. Pinellas alone has 16,000 families on the waiting list to access affordable housing.

Affordable housing has some clear long-term impacts. A study conducted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business shows crime went down in lower-income neighborhoods where affordable-housing

projects were implemented, and home values increased. Although the stigma of public housing often centers on fears of increased crime and decreased property values, these projects serve a growing number of educators, firefighters, nurses, and elderly people on fixed incomes.

That said, the bad reputation remains. Recently, the Grace Connection Church on 64th Street S submitted a proposal with the city to dismantle the church and rebuild, proposing 85 affordablehousing and workforce units on its 5-acre location. Last month, the plug was pulled on the proposal after neighbors voiced concerns of impact to traffic, property values, privacy, and crime.

What’s the status quo?

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority historically has worked toward solving affordable-housing problems. Its mission is to “provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.” It now has a nonprofit arm, RISE Development Corp., which aims to work toward more affordable rental housing options through renovating existing multifamily properties and fostering new construction. Work is already under way at the Jordan Park Apartments in Midtown.

What’s the rub there?

Public opinion on the St. Petersburg Housing Authority isn’t in fantastic standing at the moment. The organization has had a few snags including an inability to produce records to the public and clear instances of leadership ordering staff to spend considerable time on non-work-related items. Beyond the local, historically, there are still a lot of mistakes to undo in the realm of housing.

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New building regulations could make it possible for more accessory dwelling units like this garage apartment. Photo by Tony Sica.

It’s not all bleak, though.

There is a treasure trove of resources to implement affordable housing plans. The Florida Housing Finance Corp. has a Catalyst Program that helps organizations and local governments with technical assistance such as how to develop effective and affordable housing strategies, including regulatory reforms. This would come in handy in our Sunshine City. We don’t have consistent financing toward the creation of affordable housing, but many of the recent innovative strategies proposed to address pieces of the affordable-housing puzzle require updated zoning and development regulations. It’s not impossible, but it takes diligent and careful planning.

What needs to be coupled with that diligent and careful planning?

Innovation, of course! There have been some creative discussions around affordable housing in the St. Petersburg area. Some ideas just integrate into existing structures. Developments such as Burlington Place reserve a small number of their units as lower-rent options.

Others are still in the theory phase from One Community’s 19 Big Ideas for St. Pete. Take these two: The Sunshine City Accessory Dwelling Project has proposed the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that could bolster income for homeowners and provide more affordable housing for those without large families in tow. St. Petersburg is in the process of examining and changing some zoning and development regulations to allow for small structures like these, but building them is not allowed yet.

The Florida Housing Coalition is an award recipient of the Fannie Mae Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge and is exploring the concept of revitalizing vacant commercial spaces as vibrant mixeduse communities that provide affordable housing and co-working space to low-income entrepreneurs. The idea is on point, and currently unfunded.

Ultimately, when it comes to affordable housing, conditions are rarely perfect. Money must be allocated, partnerships forged, zoning and regulations smoothed out, and communities informed. When we think about affordable housing, it’s good to reach back to the basics.

What’s 30 percent of your income? Can you live off of the rest? Can your local teachers?

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Proudly Supports

The Children’s Dream Fund was founded in 1981 with the single purpose of fulfilling dreams for children ages 3-21 who have been diagnosed with a lifethreatening illness and live in West Central Florida.

Dreams vary as much as the personalities of the children we serve. They may involve meeting a celebrity, a trip, a gift such as a computer or a playground, or our most-requested dream, a week at the Give Kids the World Village, which enables a child to visit all of the Orlando-area theme parks. Since its inception, the Children’s Dream Fund has made dreams come true for over 3,000 children.

Every child deserves hope and a dream with the help of our generous and caring community, we will always be here to make their dreams come true.

For more information about Children’s Dream Fund visit www.childrensdreamfund.org or call (727) 896-6390.

(727) 520-7376 | johnilaw.com 2600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N. #300 St. Petersburg, Florida 33704 Hiring a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based upon advertisements alone. Before deciding, ask to receive free written information about our qualifications and experience.

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People of St. Pete: Christine Page

Photo by Brian Brakebill

By Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Petersburg 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 who make our city unique.

This month’s person is the executive director of the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, Christine Page. First as a club member, then as longtime volunteer, and now as director, Page is passionate about the “world’s largest shuffleboard club.” As she told me, there is “something magical about the place,” and she is enthusiastic about sharing that vision. Simply put, she wants everyone to feel as she does about the club.

From Indy to the ‘Burg Looking back, no one, including Page, would have predicted she’d end up as the executive director of a nonprofit shuffleboard club. Born and raised in Indianapolis, she graduated from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and a desire to get out of the Midwest. She took a chance on a relationship and a graphic design job in Gainesville. Neither worked out, but soon after she arrived in Florida, opportunity knocked again, this time in St. Pete.

Finding “Home” Over the next few years, she settled in, eventually buying a nearly 100-year-old bungalow in the Euclid-St. Paul neighborhood. Still, it didn’t quite feel like home. Her job as a freelance web developer was okay, but she found herself thinking about how she might turn her deep love for historic buildings into a career. While pondering a move to Washington, D.C., she made a fateful decision. She went to what was then the newly inaugurated Friday Night Shuffle at the Shuffleboard

Club. She had long admired the building from the outside, but when she stepped past the gates, she knew. She didn’t need to go away to find old buildings to love or to help. That night, she finally felt at home.

The Shuffleboard Life From that night forward, the club became an increasingly important part of Page’’s life. She attended the free Friday Night Shuffle, joined a league, and became a pretty good player. She downplays it, but she placed fifth in the women’s single division of the 2017 International Shuffleboard Association’s (ISA) World Championship in Brazil, and in October she’ll be playing in Vienna. She also volunteered lots of time to help nurture the budding resurgence of the Shuffleboard Club. In 2007, she joined the Board, and in 2009 became its president. As president, she oversaw one of the club’s proudest accomplishments: hosting the ISA World Championships. The club kept growing, from its handful of members in 2005 to 1,200 by 2015. By then, it was clear that someone needed to be at the helm full time. In March 2015, Page transitioned from her role as volunteer president to being the club’s first executive director.

Looking Forward Page is the first to say, she doesn’t do everything alone. The club board is great, and she works with five additional employees and (when needed) 100-plus volunteers. But she also admits the club takes most of her time. Laughing, she remembers: “I used to have other hobbies.

Now the club is my life.” She’s not complaining though. She loves her life and her job. She looks forward to helping the 95-year-old Club grow without sacrificing its magic. As she told me, “they’re gonna have to drag me out of here.” So come by, experience the club offerings, and don’t forget to say “Hi” to Page. She’ll probably be there!

Find out more about the Club at stpeteshuffle.com JULY 2019 /

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Jason and Michelle Acker, owners of Critical Hit Games, located at 11270 4th St N, Suite 218. Photos by Brooke DeMartino.

The Renaissance of Board Games - For Everyone!

by Erin Cody Many of us enjoy playing games like Scattergories or Trivial Pursuit at family gatherings. Perhaps we remember rainy childhood days playing Monopoly or Uno. Tabletop games (board games, card games, etc.) have recently been enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity.

Tabletop and Vin Diesel posting about his latest D&D game, tabletop gaming is suddenly a cool thing to do. Comics are now blockbuster movies, the Big Bang Theory is a hit show full of gamers, and even big box retail is getting in on the action with expanded board game sections.”

Board Games? Really?

Joking Hazard

No longer are game shops stalked solely by the bewedgied and the neck-bearded - quite the contrary. There are a spectacular array of games on the market: competitive and cooperative, long and strategic, quick and easy, super nerdy to truly dirty. There truly is something for everyone.

According to Jason Acker, owner of local shop Critical Hit Games (11270 4th Street N., Suite 218), “What was once a niche hobby and traditionally the province of nerds is now enjoying mainstream acceptance and popularity. With celebrities like Will Wheaton hosting

Games are fun! They’re low-pressure social interactions, even for the shyest among us. Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I brought a couple of games to our family dinner and instead of awkwardly talking about work or the weather with cousins we see once a year, we guffawed through a raucous game of Joking Hazard.

“The inherently social aspects of tabletop gaming help us to connect in person in an increasingly digital life,” Acker says of this phenomenon. His shop hosts open game playing every day, but Wednesday and Saturday evenings are their official tabletop game nights. Just come in, grab a game from their open play shelf, have a seat and play - for free! You can also bring your own game or purchase one to play. Their staff is always happy to help match newcomers with games they’ll love.

Human Connection The new Vortex Bar and Game Room (2329 28th St. N) is also getting in on the action. Owner and operator Kristin Moss believes that, “People are looking for a way to make more of a human connection. Board games offer a chance to get to know someone in a way that many other activities don’t. There’s no better way to get a sense of someone’s personality on a first date than by beating him at his favorite game. Many of the newer games provide wonderful opportunities to open up discussions into topics that might otherwise be avoided, but in a lighthearted way.”

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Kristin Moss, Owner and Operator of Vortex Bar and Game Room located at 2329 28th St N. Bring a game or play one of theirs.

There are also gaming “Meetup� groups you can check out. St. Petersburg Board Game Night has been gathering on a regular basis at the Overflow Brewing Company. St. Pete Beers and Board Games for Young Adults hosts events for the younger set at the Flying Boat Brewing Company.

What To Play?

Interested in getting your game on but not sure where to start?

A few personal favorites are Dixit, Exploding Kittens, Tokaido,

Potion Explosion, and Crabs Adjust Humidity, a take on the everpopular Cards Against Humanity. There are even some you can play with a group or just two of you, like Blokus, Carcassonne, and Pandemic.

Tabletop game nights with friends make for a wonderful bonding experience. If you want a night of games and booze without having to clean the house, head out to Vortex. Bring a game or play one of theirs, but make sure you mention Green Bench Monthly to get 15% off your tab!

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Give No More Bugs! a try. When you use the code GREENBENCH, you’ll get $5 off at www.natgreenproducts.com. Photos by Kristina Holman

Naturally Green Products: Keeping the Bugs Out of the ‘Burg

by Connor Storch Here in paradise, just like we wear SPF to shield us from the scorching sun, it’s smart to use bug repellents that protect us from insects invading our cozy homes and bodies. At the grocery store, there’s an abundance of bug spray labels to choose from, ranging from militarized bug defense, to family friendly.

One mosquito repellent boasts a fragrance called “Tropical Fresh®.” I gave it a spritz and was assaulted with the “chemically” scent of DEET, a common bug repellent, dressed up in a fragrance that could be described as coconut, but has likely never been in the same room as the fruit. Luckily for me, there’s a better bug spray in town, and it’s one of several Naturally Green Products by Amy Mandel and Lauren Englander.

green solutions like the No More Bugs! repellent that is available online, on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and at the local Refillery on 30th Ave. N.

A Message in Every Bottle Every product I bring into my home is an invitation into my body as well. A bug repellent I put on my skin, a pest control product I use in my house are all going to at some point come into contact with my hands, face, food and nervous system. Beyond this, every ingredient I use ultimately runs back through the sewers and landfills and into our ground and water. This means that anytime one of us sprays a concoction with DEET, the chemicals end up in our shared environment.

Knowing this, Naturally Green Products started working with cities like Jacksonville that need products strong enough to clean stadium parking lots and sidewalks, but won’t wreak toxic havoc in the sewers. Amy and Lauren have scaled those bulk products into

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No More Bugs! cedar oil based formula is safe for you, your pets and the environment.

Amy Mandel and Lauren Englander, founders of Naturally Green Products

What Does Green Actually Mean?

Green is about putting purpose over profit by only using ingredients and packaging that is essential. Naturally Green Products takes out the synthetic fragrances and dyes for a more authentic product. Green means making more versatile and sustainable products. For Amy and Lauren, this means doing all of the above, in order to keep the world clean.

Instead of potent chemicals, one smells a subtle, comforting base of cedarwood in their No More Bugs! spray. I’ve since learned that the Ancient Egyptians actually imported and used it to preserve mummies from infestation. Developed with a local organic chemist, Naturally Green’s blend is non-toxic, DEET-free, and is certified as ‘BioPreferred’ by the United States Department of Agriculture. This one product can be used on skin, your plants, your pets, and in your home!

They’ve even added No More Bugs! Bamboo Towelettes in a refillable container to their line. These wipes are 100% biodegradable, unlike most others on the market.

“We make it easy to change.”

Lauren Englander, Naturally Green Products

What led Amy and Lauren to be so green? They’ve always loved living in beautiful Florida and looking out for others. Both are USF graduates and have been friends for over thirty years. Amy helped establish Equality Florida in 1997, which is a civil rights organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. Lauren left the corporate world after losing both of her parents to cancer.

Now through Naturally Green Products she’s able to help others understand the environmental factors that may cause diseases.

Give No More Bugs! a try. When you use the code GREENBENCH, you’ll get $5 off at www.natgreenproducts.com. Call 1-800-860-4733 and you’ll likely reach owners Amy or Lauren who can answer any questions you have. They’re people just like you and me who want to keep our bodies, our homes and the entire world clean and safe from hazardous chemicals. Let’s go green!

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Jewelry By ReJuled. Photo by Emily Canfield.

Bohemian Reves hand poured botanical candles

Selling at Local Markets: Tricks of the Trade

By Tara Britton Recent chats with well-known handmakers in St. Pete revealed various benefits to selling your wares at craft markets. From brand exposure to instant customer feedback, makers around St. Petersburg have reaped rewards from selling at local markets ranging from financial gain to finding their tribe.

That’s not to say that success doesn’t come with a lot of hard work.

If you already own your own business or are considering pursuing a creative side hustle, here are some suggestions from local experts.

Preparation is Everything Julie Angerosa is the talent behind the eco-chic jewelry, REJuled, made from natural stones and repurposed metals. She stressed that success at an event begins before you arrive.

“It’s helpful to do a dry set up at your house,” she said. Pop your tent or table in your yard and lay everything out. “It’s part of market initiation, learning what works for you and doesn’t.”

Vendors need to think about how their display will look to shoppers. “What will they see when they walk past?” Angerosa suggests placing products at varying heights, including eye-level, to draw people in. She places products that customers can try on, like bracelets, on the ends of tables for easy access. She also considers the best placement for a checkout area to avoid traffic jams.

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Shop REJuled at rejuled.com and find Julie’s work in several local boutiques around town including The Merchant and The Market at Left Bank.

Try Everything Amelia Dean handcrafts the plant based skincare and hand poured botanical candles at Bohemian Rêves. She’s found success not only around Tampa Bay, but traveling the country at other craft markets.

Her suggestion is to try everything, twice.

“It’s really hard to gauge with just one market,” she notes. All factors have to be considered when reviewing how well your products did at an event, including what else was going on in that city on that day.

According to Dean it’s good to: have realistic goals about getting into a market the first time you apply, have a backup plan and understand there’s a rotation of vendors at markets. She’s found a strong following in cities like Chicago, and will follow traveling markets to cities she knows her product line does well in. “Do a little research,” she said, and “know your customers.” Even the same market group can have a different turnout for customers in different regions, and it’s important to try new things but track trends on where you do well.

Find Bohemian Rêves at bohemianreves.com or visit Amelia’s new brick-and-mortar opening later this summer at 1620 Central Avenue.

Evan Neidich of Fox & Crow

Stay on the Sunny Side Julie Dye of Blossom and Shine

Persistence is Key Julie Dye is the handcrafter behind the minimalist, geometrically inspired jewelry at Blossom and Shine. She’s been in business for a decade, and she suggests that if your application to vend at an event has been rejected, don’t take it personally.

“If there’s an event you really want to be a part of, it’s important to go to that event and make sure your product fits in that event.” Vendors have to know their brand and their audience. “It’s not just about who they want but what’s best for you, too.”

On the flip side, “If there’s a dream market for you to get in to, don’t give up on it.” Julie did exactly that and as her business developed, her application improved along with her brand. Dye reiterated, “Keep trying.”

Visit Blossom and Shine at blossomandshine.com or visit her studio at The Art Lofts during the ArtWalk the second Saturday of every month.

Evan Neidich is the maker behind the “gifts and art that bring joy” known as Fox & Crow. She suggests you remember to make the most of each opportunity.

When you’re just starting a business “it hurts to have a bad day,” Neidich noted, but not every market, every time, will be a winner.

“Sometimes it’s about improving your work and sometimes it’s just a bad day. It doesn’t mean you didn’t make good moves for your business that day, or make a new friend.” You may discover a great collaborative opportunity with a fellow vendor, someone may email you days later with a commission project, “or some days the best thing that’s going to happen is you had a beautiful sunny day in Florida.”

Find Fox & Crow at etsy.com/shop/foxandcrowco and catch her teaching with Nomad Art Bus where their mission is “Art for all.”

Make friends and small business mentors by participating in a local market. Try everything. Reapply if you’re not accepted. With a little bravery, creativity and commitment, you could join the ranks of the maker community in St. Pete and beyond.

Market Mafia is a resource connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets. Find local happenings and #HitTheMarket, visit www.MarketMafia.com.

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“Cinny Bunny”, Datz

“Through the Mirror”, The Mandarin Hide

Baybes Who Brunch: Party Like It’s Christmas in July Photos and Story by Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch This month, I’ve got drinks on the brain. I’m giving you cocktails of all kinds y’all! So, what are we waiting for?

On the first day of the workweek Baybes Who Brunch gave to me… if you were thinking a partridge in a pear tree, alas I’ve yet to see one hanging around in the wilds of the ‘Burg. My gift to you today is caffeine in a pretty little mocktail served up at new addition, Datz. I give you the “Cinny Bunny,” a tall glass of cold brew with almond milk, cinnamon bun syrup, topped high with whipped cream and a vanilla-iced mini cinnamon bun. It will have you hopping into the office ready to tackle your week.

On the second day of the workweek Baybes Who Brunch gave to me…Test Kitchen Tuesday at The Mandarin Hide.

Every Tuesday, they create themed specialty cocktails. I ventured in on Phantom of the Opera Tuesday and though no one popped out with any masks to whisk me away, I did

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get to sip on this lovely. Named “Through the Mirror,” this drink packs a punch with Plymouth Gin, Wheatley Vodka, Lillet Blanc, and Orange Blossom Water.

Brunchers do not fret thinking you missed out! Order a Vesper (James Bond’s cocktail of choice) with orange blossom water on other days. Check out Mandarin’s Facebook page for future Test Kitchen themes. Ask for our friend Nilson at the bar. Tell him Baybes Who Brunch sent you.

On the third day of the workweek I give to you… a boozy Dole Whip sundae.

Head on down to Beans and Barlour for their boozy treats. I went for the Piña Colada Pineapple Dole Whip Float with silver and coconut rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and pineapple Dole Whip soft serve. Bring a buddy because this treat is best shared. I dare you to see if you can race to the bottom before it melts in this Florida heat.

On the fourth day of the workweek I’m

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going to have you walkin’ into the party like you were walking onto a yacht… or a small boat in Saigon circa 1967. On Thursday, we venture to Saigon Blonde for the “Shiso Vain,” a refreshing blend of Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, lime, shiso, crystallized ginger, and grapefruit soda. If you love the dark tropical vibes here as much as I do, you should also check out their Tropical Tuesdays and Whiskey Wednesdays each with a specialty cocktail for $6. Check out their Instagram for details.

On the fifth day of the workweek Baybes Who Brunch granted me a reader’s mecca, a bar with a wall of books. I might have squealed when I entered Room 901.

The “Swizzle Me This” is a great choice combining St. Pete Oak and Palm rum, ginger syrup, lime, grapefruit, and an Averna Float. This is the perfect spot to decompress with friends to celebrate making it to Friday.

On the sixth day of the week, we’re

Above: “Shiso Vain”, Saigon Blonde

Above: “If You Like Pina Coladas”, Trophy Fish

“Boozy Dole Whip Float”, Beans and Barlour

heading down to the islands at Trophy Fish.

Though I’m not a big fan of getting caught in the rain, the “If You Like Piña Coladas” is one of my favorite drinks in town. A whole pineapple filled with Appleton Reserve Rum, tangerine, vanilla sea salt coconut cream, caramelized pineapple, and garam masala topped with the cutest umbrellas slightly too small to protect you from the aforementioned rain, but adorable nonetheless.

As we limp into Sunday, I think a pickme-up is in order and what better place to provide it than Thirsty First. Is it brunch? Is it a cocktail? When you order the “Roaring 20’s” you get the best of both worlds with a black pepper and smoked bacon infused Hangar 1 Vodka Bloody Mary topped with a buttermilk fried chicken slider, cheese stuffed tater-tot wrapped in bacon, steak tip slider, pickled veggies, beer battered onion ring, pickled egg, and celery. You’ll be ready to start your week all over again! (Note: that this drink is only available at brunch Saturday and Sunday!)

“Swizzle Me This”, Room 901

If you want more, then check out Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at baybeswhobrunch@gmail. com. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!

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“Roaring 20s”, Thirsty First

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Clara Rose Ice Cream Truck. Photos by Vandi Carmella.

Raising Locals: Get the Scoop on the Best Ice Cream in St. Pete

By Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett I scream, you scream…

We get it. Everyone is screaming because the days are long and the temperatures are high. One of the best ways to beat the heat with your family is, of course, with a scoop (or three) of delicious ice cream. The only question is: where should you go to get the best cold treat? Since July happens to be National Ice Cream Month, you can celebrate the “holiday” guilt-free at any of these local favorites.

Clara Rose Ice Cream Truck Did you know that you can find the world’s most adorable ice cream truck right here in St. Pete? Well, it’s not official, but the Clara Rose Ice Cream Truck is definitely on the list. Delicious scoops, friendly owners, and the best photo op this side of the Bay keep us always looking for where Clara Rose will be popping up next. Various markets and locations.

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Beans & Barlour This downtown dessert and coffee lounge is just what our sugarloving adult dreams are made of — boozy ice cream, edible chocolate dishes, and a plethora of other imaginative concoctions that come with or without alcohol. Bring the kids for a special occasion or just a super fun day out. 538 1st Avenue N.

IceBurg Easily one of the most Instagrammable shops in St. Pete, IceBurg offers up creative and fanciful creations like the Cotton Candy Cone, Unicorn Cone, and Ice Dragons while keeping it cool with other options like Thai rolled ice cream and frozen yogurt with all the toppings. Don’t forget your appetite… and camera. 449 Central Avenue

Sweet Stack Shack, 1041 Central Avenue

Old Farmer’s Creamery You can’t miss the big red barn on 4th Street, otherwise known as Old Farmer’s Creamery. Step inside for generous portions of some of the best homemade ice cream around. Just make sure to hit the ATM first though, this place is cash only. 2531 4th Street N.

Plant+Love Ice Cream Hand-crafted and vegan, Plant+Love Ice Cream creates incredible organic coconut milk-based scoops in flavors like Salted Caramel Pecan Praline and P.B. Fudge Ripple as well as the classics. Check back often, this EDGE District creamery rotates flavors regularly so you can try them all. 953 Central Avenue

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream Want to include a little science in your next ice cream outing?

Then head to Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream with the kids for one educational and tasty field trip. The ice cream here (vegan and keto options included) is made from scratch then frozen with liquid nitrogen right in front of you. 2216 66th Street N.

Sweet Stack Shack It doesn’t get much better than creating your own custom ice cream sandwich at Sweet Stack Shack where fresh baked cookies and brownies are stuffed with the ice cream of your choice then piled with toppings. Did we mention the awesome bubble machine outside that will keep your kids entertained for hours? 1041 Central Avenue If this list doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, here are a few other local spots to try: Nans Plant Based Ice Cream, Dairy Inn, Locale Market, Paciugo Gelato & Caffe, Sweet Divas Chocolates, Sweet Charlie’s, Southern Bay Bakery, and URBAN Creamery.

Vandi and Denielle are the moms behind Sunshine City Kids, an online resource for all things kid-friendly in St. Petersburg. Follow the Sunshine City Kids at www.sunshinecitykids.com.

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Left: Leah Veal, former teacher and founder of Bee’s Learning, with students. Right: Bee’s Learning mobile RV Photos courtesy of Bee’s Learning.

Bee’s Learning: The Tutoring Service That Gives Back

By Vandi Carmella Books of all shapes and sizes fill the shelves at Bee’s Learning, Inc., a local non-profit literacy program dedicated to bringing affordable educational assistance and promising futures to children around St. Petersburg. The organization, founded by former Fairmount Park Elementary School teacher Leah Veal in October 2017, operates with the help of a team of certified educators-turned-tutors both inside the facility located on 1st Avenue N. and via a mobile RV used directly in underserved communities.

Veal says, “We want to offer families an affordable, engaging program that will not only engage children and get them excited about reading, but will teach specific reading strategies to build proficient, independent readers.”

Multiple opportunities for learning — including individual tutoring, homeschooling supplementation, and group classes — are offered for a monthly fee for children in grades Pre-K to 9 inside the newly opened brick-and-mortar classroom. Programs include Kindergarten Rocks, a social development and differentiated learning class for children ages 4 to 6, and Beyond the Standards, intermediate tutoring in reading and math for students in grades 2 through 5.

Complete with custom curriculum designed by Veal and her team, these paid services along with grants and other fundraising means support Bee’s Learning’s mobile literacy program, We Love Books.

Children in grades K through 5 can receive free help in vocabulary development, listening comprehension, and other strategies from

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qualified teachers through this free reading proficiency program that takes place inside the mobile RV classroom.

Students qualify for the We Love Books program by qualifying for free or reduced lunch or attending a school receiving a grade of C or lower in the last three academic school years. According to Veal, “Reading opens doors for children and every child deserves access to quality literacy opportunities.”

The RV, purchased and renovated through Veal’s own funding, currently makes stops at Childs Park, Campbell Park, and Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Centers in St. Petersburg as well as the Gulfport Public Library.

New this summer at Bee’s Learning is Books with Little Bees Mother’s Morning Out, a drop-off literacy program for children ages 3 to 5. Parents are invited to drop off their preschooler either every Wednesday or every Saturday from 10:00am until 12:00pm for a fun and educational morning. Cost is $145 per month and includes one Mother’s Morning Out class each week with one flex class available each month.

If you are interested in helping to support Bee’s Learning and their work in the community, the organization hosts fundraising events at local venues throughout Pinellas County. To see the upcoming events or for more information on services offered at Bee’s Learning, visit beeslearning.org.

Kellie Rhianne (Leading Player) and Daniel Maldonado (Pippin).

Photo Courtesy of Thee Photo Ninja

Cast of Fun Home.

Photo by Joey Clay Photography

Theater: Youth-Friendly, Adult Approved

By Erin Cody The summer is upon us. Many of us have kids and teens to entertain, and a love for both the arts and air conditioning. The theater is the place to be! There are a number of stage productions coming up this summer that you can enjoy with the young people in your lives - really! Some are aimed at adults, but reasonably youth-appropriate; others are meant for kids, but are miles from that dreaded purple dinosaur.

Something For Everyone Pippin is a real crowd-pleaser. Come for the classic story of Pippin, son of Charlemagne, on a quest to find his place in the world; stay for the memorable music and unique, Fosse-inspired choreography.

Freefall Theater will be putting on the production 7/12 - 8/11. Tickets are $47 for adults and $25 for folks under 18. This one is not intended for small children; we’d rate it PG-13.

Fun Home, a personal favorite, will be at American Stage Theater from 7/17 - 8/18. The show, based on Alison Bechdel’s bestselling memoir, won the Tony Award for best musical in 2015. This coming-of-age story dances with queerness, adolescence and parental relationships in a refreshingly new fashion. It’s a must-see for anyone 14 and up, due to some mature content. Tickets range from $44 - $54 for adults, and are $20 for students.

Want theater for kids by kids? Hit the St. Petersburg Little Theater for Once Upon a Mattress, through 7/19, and Legally Blonde, The Musical, 7/22 - 8/2. All performers are between 7 and 14 years of age, but the shows they are putting on are the real deal. Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, and Legally Blonde, is a delightful musical adaptation of the 2001 Reese Witherspoon blockbuster film. Children are sure to love it, and I’d venture to say grown-ups will have just as much fun. Tickets are $10, but space is limited, so be sure to grab them early!

Part of Your World If you’re willing to hop over the bridge for a show, be sure to check out the New Tampa Players’ production of The Little Mermaid, running from 7/26 through 8/4. You’ve seen the movie - now take in the story and the songs live on stage. What kid or kid-at-heart wouldn’t love that? Tickets are $25 for adults and $21 for kiddos.

There’s nothing like the experience of live theater. Give the young folks in your life the opportunity to turn off their phones and be entirely present for a couple of hours as a story unfolds before their eyes. They will surely enjoy it, and just may develop a lifelong love of the arts. Put down those video games and get thee to a theater! The footlights eagerly await your arrival.

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Mirror Lake Condominiums. Exterior photo by Tony Sica

Step Inside St. Pete

By Connor Storch Every corner of our city has a story. Step Inside St. Pete is inspired by the impressive architecture & interior design within our beautiful, blooming city of St. Petersburg, Florida. Whether you live in Uptown, Downtown or any district in between, we love every style of St. Pete.

Each month, we’ll show you our city up close and like never before.

For the first edition of Step Inside St. Pete, we’re stepping into Mark Naugle’s space at Mirror Lake Condominiums. Mark makes a living as a contractor for Terrazzo Flooring. You can walk on his work inside the Tampa International Airport and the new Publix on First Avenue South. Now, he’s letting us all step inside his mid-century modern St. Pete condo, his home away from home.

More Than Mid-Century

Mark Naugle in his Mirror Lake condo.

Interior photos by Kristina Holman.

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Most of Mark’s furniture consists of pieces from the mid-60s, but they take on new life in his cool, modern space. His appreciation for the prior decades comes from his parents, who were sophisticated orchid growers and minimalists. Mark’s favorite item in his home is a large orchid painting by a family friend, originally hung in his childhood home in Brandon, Florida. It is displayed perfectly on Mark’s white, soaring walls -- reminiscent of an art gallery.

Just like Mark’s décor, the building itself is a modern interpretation of days past. His condominium was once a classroom in the St. Pete High School of the early 1920s. The pilasters in the front of his home

are all from the original school structure, so he’s wrapped them both in a graphic teal wallpaper to accentuate them. Each room is finished with smart light fixtures that allow for adjustments to the color temperature to accommodate different moods. By fusing history, retro furniture, minimalism and technology into one space, Mark’s finished result is timeless.

Living the Local Life Having a spot in Mirror Lake means you can walk to Il Ritorno for dinner, swing by the Emerald for cocktails and then call it a night or keep the party going at Mark’s place. With friends visiting from Tampa and Safety Harbor, Mark adds, “We’ve shut down The Bends a few times, and then come back here for a late night.”

Mark’s home is filled with art that reflects his passion for the local community with treasures from Wax & Hive, Print Farm, and Nightshift Candle Co., to name a few. The featured art up near his huge, paper-thin television was made by his daughter, Simona Naugle. While some modern, minimal spaces could be described as lifeless or cold, Mark’s version is warm, inviting and thoughtful. By showing less, Mark and his guests are able to enjoy more of the details. The plants, orchid motifs and vintage ceramics have room to breathe and shine. Quality over quantity!

Stepping into someone’s home is a step into their truest self. Mark’s open, spacious energy of his home reflected his demeanor when giving us the tour as well. He’s mature yet youthful, old-school yet hip, just like his place. Thanks to Absolutely Beautiful Flowers on Central Ave., we were able to leave behind a bouquet as grateful guests. Thank you, Mark, for letting us all inside to see your take on a minimal, mid-century, modern-day man cave. See you around town soon!

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656 Central Ave Then: Bragg’s Chicken Mart.

Photos courtesy of the Bragg family.

656 Central Ave Now: Brass Bowl.

The Bragg Family: St. Petersburg Then and Now

By Andy Bragg Everybody knows about the downtown apartment towers and the younger demographics, but how has St. Petersburg life changed in the eyes of long-term residents?

C.W. and Hazel Bragg (no relation to the writer) raised four sons and seven daughters north of downtown in the late 1930s through the ‘60’s.

C.W. owned Bragg’s Chicken Market in Central Avenue’s 600 Block in the ‘50s.

Their sprawling house on 35th Avenue N, in the Five Points neighborhood, was demolished for new construction in October. And the sign on the façade of the long-defunct market was finally painted over early this year when a new restaurant opened at 656 Central Ave. Wesley and Larry Bragg and their sister, Joan, and her husband, Ed Parsley, shared memories of St. Pete.

Back in The Day

C.W. moved to St. Petersburg from his native Georgia in 1938. He managed Margaret Ann (Winn-Dixie predecessor) grocery stores before and after operating his own market for three years. He golfed at the Sunset (now Vinoy) Club and bet the greyhounds at Derby Lane. Hazel and their kids faithfully attended the old First Baptist Church across from Williams Park downtown.

Suburban Five Points expanded rapidly in the ‘50s post-war boom.

The Bragg homestead was expanded from two to five bedrooms to accommodate the fast-growing family. “We came out way better than

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buying another house,” C.W. said in a newspaper report.

The market’s largest customer was Webb’s City. Doc Webb’s iconic forerunner to shopping centers nearby on Second Avenue S would purchase as many crates of Ruskin tomatoes as the Bragg boys could pick. Wesley and Larry worked at the market before and after junior high school at nearby Mirror Lake, and then at Northeast High School.

Larry frequented Central Avenue movie houses including the State Theatre, fished at Coffee Pot Bayou and attended the Festival of States parade each spring. Wesley remembers drag races in the Tyrone area, the opening of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and chassis-scraping rides over Thrill Hill, the small but steep bridge above Salt Creek on Third Street S. Ed grew up on North Shore Drive, the son of a real estate developer.

As a youngster, he brought lemonade to World War iI troops based at the Vinoy Hotel as they trained in the park. An airplane enthusiast who raced model planes on wires, he identified combat aircraft from then MacDill Field flying overhead. Later, he bought the arcade at 689 Central Avenue and managed 50 downtown storefronts, including the Crislip Arcade.

In many ways, St. Petersburg was an idyllic place to live in the ‘50s. Fishermen in the area were rarely skunked, and doors seldom were locked. But the city also was still racially segregated, including the schools, beaches, lunch counters and even the iconic green benches along Central Avenue.

The Braggs’ former house in Five Points was demolished for new construction.

The Current Scene Today’s 600 Block in the Central Arts District is described as the “coolest block in St. Petersburg” by the state’s tourism website. The boutiques, restaurants, murals and sidewalks shaded by live oaks attract a crowd, including many from the large new nearby apartment complexes.

The block’s low-rise, 1920’s era buildings have been well-preserved in their original dimensions. The Brass Bowl restaurant occupies Bragg’s Chicken Market’s former space. Several newly re-opened shops on the block’s south side feature the original hexagonal brick floors. Ed Parsley’s former building, the Green Richman Arcade, is an example of adaptive reuse of an old building with shared-space open offices.

The Crislip Arcade with its open corridor of small shops was saved from demolition a decade ago by Preserve the ‘Burg, the city and investors.

The Beaux-Arts State Theatre is being extensively remodeled as a venue and lounge. The retouched old Sealtest Ice Cream sign above the new Central Melt sandwich shop draws many nostalgic older customers.

The St. Petersburg City Council recently approved a storefront conservation plan limiting larger storefronts to preserve sense of place on Central Avenue. The plan will continue to be reviewed as developers request more flexibility. “Conditions are excellent for business in the 600 Block area, but overregulation could stifle continued improvements,” says Jon Reno La Budde, a commercial Realtor representing 72 listings in the area.

Bragg siblings on the lot of their former home are, from left: Harriett, Larry, Mary Beth, Darlene, Wesley, Steve and Debbie

Five Points, west of the El Cap restaurant on Fourth Street N, is still dominated by 1950s frame houses, although they are now frequently being replaced with large new models due to rising real estate values with the proximity to Downtown. The Bragg lot is expected to be the site of two new homes.

Wesley Bragg followed in C.W.’s footsteps with a career in grocery market management, primarily with Kash n’ Karry. He lives in northern St. Petersburg. Larry, a career Army man (“It beat picking tomatoes,” he says) and Vietnam War veteran, lives a couple of blocks away from where they grew up. Joan and Ed Parsley live in the Snell Isle home they built 52 years. Their two sons (among C.W. and Hazel’s 40 grandchildren and 74 great-grandchildren) are builders who have continued the three generations of Parsleys active in St. Petersburg real estate since 1927.

Joan, a nurse educated at St. Petersburg College, says, “I love St. Petersburg, although it has changed so much it sometimes seems foreign to me.”

Of course, some things have changed more than others. Just the façade of the downtown First Baptist Church is preserved. 2020 will be the 95th and last year of greyhound racing at Derby Lane. Five Points continues to evolve. But the old buildings of the 500 Block thrive. And Thrill Hill is still the town’s biggest speed bump.

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Walker at Ruby’s Elixir. Photo courtesy of Ruby’s Elixir.

Palladium Theater. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Hot Songs, Summer in the City

By Erin Cody St. Pete is a great place for live music, but this time of year our enjoyment can be tempered by the sweltering summer heat. Here, you will find a list of live music venues you can escape to in the summertime. Your love of music should be a pleasant experience, after all! You’ll have no need to suffer through the heat at these awesome venues that offer some or all indoor spaces.

Elixir of Life Ruby’s Elixir is a top choice for local folks on the prowl for good tunes, and with good reason. Ruby’s has live music every day of the week, and is St. Pete’s longest running music venue. Acts range from jazz to rock, blues to funk, and there is never a cover charge. Grab a seat, a drink or two, and enjoy! Just keep in mind that this place can get pretty smoky.

If you’re looking for a bit more formality, check out the Palladium.

Their summer lineup will feature plenty of top-notch jazz, as well as some blues, soul, and even a tribute to Woodstock on August 23rd.

Tickets start as low as $15-$20, and you are guaranteed a seat.

Hideaway Cafe is another crowd favorite. You can really make a night of it here with dinner, drinks, and awesome, mostly-blues performers. Wednesdays and Saturdays are particularly good evenings to check ‘em out. Don’t miss Someday Honey whenever they play there for a beautiful blend of blues, country and soul in four-part harmony.

Many Hideaway shows are free; check their website for details.

Get on Your Feet!

You’ve surely heard of Jannus Live. Their big, raucous shows can often be overheard from the street while traversing downtown.

They host all sorts of acts that get you moving, with a diverse crowd and plenty of energy. WMNF will be celebrating their 50th anniversary there with a tribute to Led Zeppelin on July 27th.

Jannus shows range from about $35 per person to absolutely free.

Just keep in mind that a good portion of the venue is outdoors and there is standing-room only.

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Smokin’ 19 is one to keep in mind if you’re in the mood for downhome tunes and some epic BBQ. This unpretentious spot features plenty of indoor space, free games of pool, and no cover charge.

Check out Southern rock band, The Bearded Boys, on July 20th, and live music every Friday.

Be A Star!

Last, but certainly not least, is one of my personal favorites SubCentral at The Iberian Rooster. This underground spot hosts an eclectic array of events and boasts incredibly delicious craft cocktails.

Want to feel like a star? Hit one of their monthly live band karaoke nights, or settle in for some solid entertainment on the third Saturday of every month for “Art & Soul,” where hip hop, poetry, and bands come together for a beautiful evening. Events abound and range in price; check out their calendar for details.

Don’t let the summer blues take hold! Battle ‘em with live music at these fantastic local venues. Explore types of music you’ve not heard before. Who knows? You may find a new favorite, all while supporting St. Pete’s local businesses. Enjoy!

Shoppers gather at the Sunrise Sale Hospitality Tent outside the MFA to take photos, eat cake and plan their shopping. Photos by Brian Brakebill.

Set Your Alarms for the Annual Sunrise Sale!

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Forty-six years ago, the merchants of Beach Drive launched the very first Sunrise Sale in hopes that offering great deals would entice shoppers to brave the July heat. They were not disappointed. Great bargains beat back the summer doldrums, and both merchants and customers emerged as winners. So whether you’re a 46-year alum or a first-timer, don’t forget to set your alarm for the Downtown Business Association’s (DBA) annual event. The fun begins at 6:43 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, and lasts all day.

Get There Early!

The deals may last all day, but early birds get the best deals, a chance to win prizes, and maybe even some cake!

Deals, Deals, and More Deals!

You’ll want to get to your favorite shops early for the best deals and selection, so before you go check out the participating-merchant map online at www.facebook.com/DBAStPete/ and at the Sunrise Sale Hospitality Tent on the lawn at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. It will come in handy as you plot the best way to navigate your shopping route because the Sunrise Sale is no longer confined to Beach Drive. More than 40 businesses throughout downtown, the Edge District, and north on Fourth Street have joined the fun.

Look for the yellow and orange balloons, and you’ll find a Sunrise Sale participant. And remember, the earlier you arrive, the better the deals. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spend and save!

Let Them Eat Cake … in Their Pajamas Great deals aren’t the only reason to set your alarm. If you think your pajama game is on point, then be sure to stop by the hospitality tent before 9 a.m., and register for the Pajama Party contest. This year, the DBA Annual Sunrise Sale will award a prize for the “most

local” pajama ensemble and a prize for the “most unique.” Each of the two triumphant contestants will score a basket overflowing with gifts from participating merchants. Plus, at 6:43 a.m., the tent will be the site of the ceremonial “cutting of the cake.” This free treat, courtesy of Sweet Divas, has become a favorite addition to the Sunrise Sale tradition, but it won’t last all day!

Giving Back Great deals aren’t the only reason the Sunrise Sale is special.

Every year, it spotlights a deserving charity. This year’s beneficiary is the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Since 1970, the Free Clinic has been “Changing Lives With Help and Hope” by providing food, shelter, and health care to those in need. Among other worthy efforts, it offers programs that help the homeless get off the street and the uninsured obtain access to primary health care. It also provides the most basic of needs: food. As the No. 1 emergencyfood distributor in Pinellas County, the clinic feeds more than 50,000 people every month, including the one child out of every four going hungry in Pinellas County. If you can, please help by sharing a bit of your Sunrise Sale savings dollars. Clearly marked bags will be available at each participating store for cash donations.

Non-perishable food donations will be accepted at the Hospitality Tent until noon.

Cake, prizes, deals, and donations!

It’s a date. We’ll see you at 6:43 a.m. on July 18.

Want to Know More?

Visit the DBA at www.facebook.com/DBAStPete/ for up-to-date Sunrise Sale information and find out more about the St. Petersburg Free Clinic at www.stpetersburgfreeclinic.org.

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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.

Back in October, The EDGE Hotel, an 11-story, 135-key boutique hotel, was proposed for the heart of Downtown St. Pete’s trendy EDGE District. After months of planning, many of the project’s details have started to come into focus. In June, it was revealed that the hotel will be a Marriott Tribute Portfolio, independently and uniquely branded featuring interiors that match the surrounding neighborhood as opposed to having a cookie-cutter style design. The hotel will include ground-level retail, a restaurant and bar, a sidewalk cafe, a rooftop pool for guests and a 1,300 square foot sky lounge, which will be open to the public. Last month, St. Pete City Council unanimously approved the project for consistency with the Intown West Redevelopment Plan. The $51 million hotel is expected to break ground later this year and open sometime in late 2020.

In 2016, a New York developer proposed a 50-story condo and hotel tower at 400 Central Avenue in Downtown St. Pete. Last month, due to the future tower’s proximity to the flight paths from Albert Whitted Airport, the developer reduced the height of the building. The revised proposal now shows two buildings — a condo tower of around 40 stories on the east side next to a 20-story Marriott-flagged hotel. The new design also includes around 25,000 square feet of office space, where the original proposal had none. The entire length of Central Avenue will be activated with 23,000 square feet of retail space. The developer hopes to submit plans to the city by the end of the year.

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning is coming soon to Downtown St. Pete. Chabad recently purchased a plot of land at 533 4th Street North with plans to construct a new two-story facility, which will host events for every age group. Events include Hebrew school and Bar/ Bat Mitzvah training, adult education classes, a summer camp for kids age 5-12 and much more. The goal is to have the new facility fully complete sometime in 2021.

Social Roost is coming soon to 150 1st Avenue North on the ground

Revised rendering of 400 Central Ave

floor of ONE St. Petersburg. The new downtown St. Pete restaurant and bar will be a poultry lover’s paradise, featuring chicken in every way, including fried, grilled, blackened, roasted, and more.

Blush Tea and Coffee opened last month at 2392 9th Street North in the MLK Business District. The new shop serves around 90 teas from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company and TeBella Tea Company, coffee from Zeal Coffee Roasters and Eastlick Coffee Company, and pastries from the incredible bakers at Mana Bakery. Blush also offers tea sodas and teainfused oatmeal.

Start planning your cheat day! Datz is now open at 180 Central Avenue on the ground-level of the The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. This is the second location for Datz, whose other location in South Tampa has been one of the Bay’s most popular restaurants since they opened in 2009. The eatery specializes in American comfort food such as the Cheesy Todd, a ground brisket and short rib burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickle on two bacon-jalapeno mac and cheese buns.

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

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EVENTS 10th Annual Extreme Mud Wars When: Saturday, July 13th Where: Lake Vista Park, 1401 62nd Ave. S. Cost: Spectators are Free The City of St. Pete Parks and Recreation Department and TASCO (Teen, Arts, Sports, and Cultural Opportunities) are once again partnering with Tampa Bay Club Sport to bring back America II Extreme Mud Wars (EMW). In years past, more than 600 people have competed against each other in series of events that are just as enjoyable to watch as they are to participate in. For more info, visit www.extrememudwars.com.

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Extreme Mud Wars 2018. Photo by Brian Brakebill.

Super Sex-Ed Trivia Night!

When: Wednesday, July 17th from 6pm - 8pm Where: The Vortex Bar and Game Room, 2329 28th St N Cost: Free The League of Women Voters Cocktails & Conversation event is getting sexy for the month of July.

Get ready for a playful evening of sex-positive trivia & games at Vortex, an awesome, femaleowned booze joint! As always, this event is FREE! Parking abounds, a food truck or two will be on hand, as well as plenty of drink specials.

Games created & hosted by Erin Cody. For more info, visit the League’s Facebook page www. facebook.com/LWVSPA/

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13th Annual Rays on Grouper & Craft the Runway Beer Food Truck When: Sunday, July 21st Festival from 6:30pm - 9:30pm Where: Hiton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 1st St S Cost: $125 & up From fly balls to fashionistas, running the bases to walking the runway, from dugouts to dreams, don’t miss RAYS ON THE RUNWAY 2019! Doors open at 6:30 pm for cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, and a meet-and-greet with the players. A fashion show follows featuring the Tampa Bay Rays players, their ladies, and children who have had a dreamcome-true. For more info, visit www.childrensdreamfund.org.

When: Friday, July 26th from 6pm - 11pm Where: Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore De. SE Cost: Free Admission Join Gulf to Bay and Visit St. Pete/ Clearwater for food, fun, craft beer and live music at the St. Pete Grouper & Craft Beer Fest Food Truck Festival! All trucks will be serving up specialty grouper and seafood inspired dishes, along with offering their normal cuisine.

For more info, visit Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association on Facebook www.facebook.com/ gulftobayfta/.

JLSP Back-to-School Care Fair When: Saturday July 27th from 8am - noon Where: Community Health Centers of Pinellas (Johnnie Ruth Clarke Center), 1344 22nd St S Cost: Free The 23rd annual Care Fair hosted by The Junior League of St. Petersburg. The League has partnered with medical providers including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to offer school physicals, medical screenings, immunizations, referrals as well as backpacks stuffed with school supplies. All services & supplies are provided at no cost to the participants during this event.

For more info visit jlstpete. org/back-to-school-care-fair or contact carefair@jlstpete.org.

Rollin Oats 25th Anniversary When: Saturday, July 27th from 10am - 2pm Where: Rollin’ Oats Market &

Cafe, 2842 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N Cost: Free Rollin’ Oats Market & Cafe is celebrating their 25th anniversary this July with a backyard BBQ with the community with food, entertainment, giveaways and more. For more info, visit rollinoats.com.

Hopped-Up On Democracy When: Thursday, August 8th from 7pm - 9pm Where: Flying Boat Brewing Co., 1776 11th Ave N Cost: Free Hey, smarty pants! Do you like democracy? Do you like local beer? How about trivia and games? Then come on down to Hopped-Up On Democracy, a FREE, non-partisan, democracythemed game night! Produced by Engage St. Pete; games created & hosted by Erin Cody.

For more info, visit the League’s Facebook page www.facebook. com/LWVSPA/

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

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