Green Bench Monthly - Vol 4, Issue 9, September 2019

VOL. 4, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2019

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

Celebrating Art and Inclusivity at Creative Clay pg. 22 The Future of

St. Pete’s Past pg. 6

Baybes Who Brunch

Embrace the Pastabilities pg. 16

Grassroots Success

Campaign Finance Reform pg. 26

CONTENTS

9 Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

Advertising Sales Eileen Brock

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

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

Photographers

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Brian Brakebill, Kristina Holman, Brooke DeMartino, Kelly Nash

Cover Photo “Sunshine Skyway” large format acrylic painting on canvas by Chris C. studio artist at Creative Clay

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

4 From the Bench 5 From the Archives 6 The Future of St. Pete’s Past 9 Mangroves 10 Getting To Know Our Neighborhoods 13 People of St. Pete 14 Modern Tan Spa 16 FOOD: Embrace the Pastabilities 18 Raising Locals: Big Dates

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20 Step Inside St. Pete: Euclid-St. Paul 21 Tampa Bay Furnishings 22 Celebrating Art and Inclusivity 24 Painting with a Twist 26 St. Pete’s Campaign Finance Reform: A Grassroots Success Story 28 Movers and Makers: Market Series 29 Downtown Developments 30 Events

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Vine Cutting for Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association (CHNA) and Surfrider Foundation Dig In—where 38 ocean-friendly gardens were installed throughout Crescent Heights. From Right to left: Jennifer Wright President of CHNA, Arnold Rutkis of Wilcox Nursery, Thomas Paterek former CHNA President and volunteer for Surfrider Foundation, Mayor Rick Kriseman, and District 4 council representative Darden Rice.

From the Bench A note from the Publishers

It’s our anniversary! Can you believe it?! This is our 37th issue since we first hit mailboxes in September of 2016. A lot has changed in three years (like our page count!) but our mission has always remained the same: To publish engaging content that educates, inspires, and connects our community.

Over the years we have learned a lot about St. Pete’s history, businesses, and the people who work, live, and play here. We’re proud of how far the city has come, but we recognize we still have a long way to go to become the city “where the sun shines on all”.

Part of pursuing that future must include conservation and restoration of native Florida plant life. Last month, Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association and Surfrider Foundation, with the help of a city grant, installed 38 Ocean-Friendly gardens on nearly every corner in Crescent Heights (see “vine cutting” photo above). These gardens help absorb stormwater runoff that typically ends up in our waterways; requires zero pesticides / herbicides; acts as natural pollinators to support bees; and sip up high amounts of carbon.

Look for more on that and how you can start a project like this in your neighborhood in our next issue.

This month, we’re talking about mangroves. They are vital to our ecosystem and removing them hurts us all in the long run (pg.9). We’ve also got plenty more for you this issue, so we hope you enjoy!

None of this would be possible without the support from readers like you and our advertisers. Thank YOU for joining us on this journey.

Till next time, Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

hello@greenbenchmonthly.com

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From the Museum’s Archives: Hotel Rolyat With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias Florida has a history of seeing it’s magnificent hotels from a previous era finding new life as institutions of higher learning.

St.Augustine’s Flagler College was once Henry Flagler’s jewel - Hotel Ponce de Leon, and his rival Henry Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel now houses the University of Tampa. “Handsome Jack” Taylor and his wife Evelyn DuPont arrived in St .Petersburg at the close of 1921 and began purchasing land on the southwest side of the city. Taylor’s goal was to create a subdivision that rivaled the finest in Florida, naming it Pasadena-on-the-Gulf. Mediterranean mansions, golf courses and of course his spectacular Hotel Rolyat (Taylor spelled backwards) quickly took shape. Taylor, described as a Great Gatsby figure and huckster,

created a wealthy, high-class image for himself and his development.

When the Hotel Rolyat opened on January 1, 1926, its guests were a who’s who of starlets, tycoons and pro athletes such as Babe Ruth and Walter Hagen. But built with unimaginable flair and excess, the Hotel Roylat was one of the first casulties of the bust of 1926. In the late fall of 1926, Handsome Jack and Evelyn left in the middle of the night, leaving a trail of debt and unpaid employees behind. Handsome Jack’s beloved Hotel Rolyat was eventually purchased by Stetson College and opened as Stetson College of Law in 1954. 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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East Perspective (St. Petersburg Museum of History Gallery Addition). Renderings by ARC3 arcitecture.

Get Excited for the Future of St. Pete’s Past at the St. Petersburg Museum of History!

By Tina Stewart Brakebill We all know that St. Pete is in the process of building a new and improved Pier but did you know that we’re also getting a new and improved history museum? That’s right—when the pier opens for business in 2020, the St. Petersburg Museum of History will be showing off a new look that will feature expanded services and changing exhibits designed to entertain and inform both tourists and townies. Despite the chaos that currently surrounds the museum, the future of St. Pete’s history has never looked brighter!

Rising From Muddy Waters Nearly one hundred years ago, the newly founded St. Petersburg Historical Society was gifted a hurricane-flooded aquarium building located on the Municipal Pier approach and the St. Petersburg Museum of History was born. It was Pinellas County’s first history museum and Florida’s third oldest. From that muddy beginning, the museum’s collections steadily expanded. In 1954, a new building was constructed to accommodate this growth. Over the decades, the museum has added a second floor and an additional gallery to keep pace with its needs. 65 years later, it was clear that the time had come for some big changes. The opportunity to meet that challenge arrived with the St. Pete Pier Project.

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Making Lemonade Out of a Muddy Mess of Lemons (Again) Despite the Pier construction disruption, the St. Petersburg Museum of History (SPMOH) remains open for business (with discounted admission rates). Admittedly, it’s surrounded by a bit of a mess; the loud equipment, closed roads, and muddy grounds can be a bit off-putting, but they’re still sharing St. Pete history from their prime waterfront location. Luckily for our city, instead of just enduring the mess until the Pier is completed, the SPMOH decided to grab the bull (or in this case, the two-headed calf) by the horns and charge forward with a bold plan. This plan will ensure that, with continued support from the city and YOU, the St. Petersburg Museum of History will emerge from the mess better than ever!

Growing to Better to Serve the Community By the time all three phases of work are complete, the museum will be 8000 square feet larger and the existing building will have been extensively renovated. The ground floor of the new addition

The terrace will feature 3500 square feet for meetings and special events

will welcome visitors to the St. Pete Pier with a brand-new Pinellas County Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Plans for interactive kiosks and activities as well as a retail wonderland of everything Florida will provide entertainment and information to the millions that visit downtown St. Pete every year. The newly expanded building will also house two separate venues for community use. The new ground floor conference room will be a shared resource between the museum and local non-profit and civic organizations. Plus, if you make your way to the rooftop, you’ll find 3500 square feet of terrace space perfect for both meetings and special events.

But What About the History?

Don’t worry! The museum hasn’t forgot its primary mission! Head to the second floor of the expansion to experience the new 4000 squarefoot main gallery where the museum’s newly designed “Exploring Florida” exhibit will be featured. This exhibit will showcase Florida’s unique on Pinellas County and St. Petersburg. Planned with both education and FUN in mind, the exhibit will wend its way through the region’s history using a wide variety of shifting artifacts and changing digital story boards to entertain visitors while they learn. The existing building also will be updated so that it can serve as a premier venue for hosting major traveling exhibits, including the upcoming Treasures of Lincoln Castle and Cathedral, direct from Lincolnshire, England. For those of you familiar with museum, be assured the revamped building will still showcase the world’s “largest collection of baseballs” as well as the city’s “oldest resident” mummy and the much-loved two-headed calf (among other Florida “oddities”).

This is YOUR History!

Bottom line, the SPMOH has been the steward of St. Pete’s history for nearly 100 years. From the birth of commercial aviation and the rise of “America’s pastime” to the evolution of the city’s Pier and beyond, the SPMOH has been telling St. Pete’s story. Now they need your help. The City of St. Petersburg has committed significant funds to the project and the museum is applying for several state and county grants, but donations are necessary to insure a successful outcome.

This autumn, the SPMOH will host an event as an official kick-off for their development campaign but you don’t have to wait till then. Visit the museum. Become a member. Choose the museum for your next donation. Tell a friend. Get the word out.

St. Pete History IS cool!

Visit www.spmoh.com/membershipsupport/donate/

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Photo by Joe Whalen

Now More Than Ever, St. Pete’s Mangroves Need to be Protected

By Andy Bragg Mangroves are abundant in the Tampa Bay area, forming Weedon Island tunnels and lining intertidal waterways. It is easy to lose sight of their environmental importance and need to be protected.

They are the only trees that thrive in saltwater. In the United States, these tropical plants exist almost exclusively along southern Florida coastlines. There are more than 555,000 acres of mangroves in Florida, including an estimated 15,611 acres in Tampa Bay. Mangroves are vital to marine life and benefit local communities and the overall environment. Destruction of mangroves by coastal development is a major concern. Worldwide, mangroves have been diminished about 35 percent, to 85,000 square miles. The Tampa Bay region has lost 50 percent of its historic coverage since the 1940s.

Pinellas County has protected mangroves since the 1970s. In 2003, it adopted a code balancing protection with recognition of the importance of waterfront views. The regulation generally prohibits mangrove removal and restricts trimming to areas not set aside for preservation and to a minimum height of 6 feet. Additional requirements including permits and the use of registered professional trimmers may be triggered by factors such as height of trees or depth of mangrove fringe along the shore.

The county Water and Navigation department provides mangrove trimming guidelines and code enforcement. It cites several mangrove benefits: • Controlling shoreline erosion • Maintaining water quality as a natural filter • Starting the marine food web • Creating critical habitat and nursery areas for marine life and birds • Supporting recreational and commercial fishing • Creating a healthy natural environment for residents and visitors

communities. Raulerson adds that mangroves are carbon sequestration agents, reducing carbon monoxide in the atmosphere.

County Environmental Program Manager Dave Walker said trimming affects the mangroves’ environment in a variety of ways.

Lower heights can reduce storm-impact protection or the total amount and diversity of habitat, and pruning of the leafy canopy can expose fragile habitats to new conditions. As a result, he says, “Residents are encouraged to incorporate natural or untrimmed mangroves in their trimming configurations.”

The St. Petersburg city government also plays a role in reviewing mangrove protection. The Development Review Commission recently denied a request by Placido Bayou homeowners to build docks in a designated mangrove preservation area. The seven homeowners have appealed this decision and will now be heard by city council on October 10th at 5pm at the Sunshine Center. Email council@stpete.org to voice your opinion.

The health of the bay will receive renewed focus when the new St. Pete Pier opens this spring. The Tampa Bay Watch’s 3,000-squarefoot Discovery Center there will include interactive exhibits and an education center.

See pinellascounty.org/environment/watershed/mangroves.htm for county regulations and guidelines.

The U.S. Congress created the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) in 1991 to build partnerships to restore and protect Tampa Bay. Ecologist Gary Raulerson, based at TBEP’s Innovation District office, researched mangroves for his Ph.D. dissertation. He views mangroves as playing a major role -- alongside salt marshes, seagrass, oyster beds and other pillars of the ecosystem -- in supporting the health of the bay. Red mangroves, with dense stilt-like roots in the water, have a significant dampening effect on storm surges’ impact on coastal

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Left to right 2019 CONA Officers: David Roman (Treasurer), La ‘Auna Lewis (Audit Chair), Kate M. Thorpe-Eddleman (Secretary), Travis Jarman (Codes Chair), Jennifer Jorn (President), Tom Lally (Multi-Modal Transportation Chair), Elaine Hartin (Public Safety Chair), Judy Landon (First Vice President), and Vicki Shuman (Nominating Chair). Photo by Brian Brakebill

Getting To Know Our Neighborhoods: CONA Cares

by Tina Stewart Brakebill We love our neighborhoods in St. Pete! This appreciation is easy to understand. Distinctive neighborhoods can provide a sense of family, community, and connection that may be hard to find in a large city. From pink streets to brick avenues, charming bungalows to shiny high rises, and everything in-between, St. Pete has a neighborhood that will make you feel at home. From time to time, we will celebrate the vibrancy of these diverse mini-communities by featuring one of

the many Neighborhood Associations (NA) devoted to enhancing the quality of life within their neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

Connections We’re beginning our neighborhood tour at the macro-level by focusing our attention on two organizations that exemplify a sense of cooperative connection between individual neighborhoods and the wider community: the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) and CareFest®.

CONA First incorporated in 1957, CONA is a not-for-profit corporation that represents over 40 neighborhood and civic associations throughout the city. Essentially, CONA unites existing neighborhood organizations and fosters the formation of new organizations with the primary goal of meeting the needs of our diverse community.

CONA strives to provide education and guidance while also offering resources for sharing information and tools. As part of their ongoing effort to expand the pool of skilled and motivated neighborhood and community leaders CONA also offers an annual leadership development and training program. One important CONA function is to provide a forum for bringing neighborhood issues to public

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Residents participating in CareFest. Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

attention by working cooperatively with the local government, the Chamber of Commerce, and other area organizations on issues that impact the quality of life for St. Pete residents.

CareFest CONA’s involvement with CareFest® is a great example of the cooperative relationship between the City’s Community Services Department, the NAs, and the community at large. CareFest® is an annual national event that St. Pete has enthusiastically embraced.

As a city-wide day of service, it offers opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors while building camaraderie, fostering goodwill and compassion, and giving back to the community. This year’s CareFest® main event will be Saturday, September 28th, with the kick-off and after-celebrations taking place at Lake Vista Park. But it’s not just a oneday event. CareFest® will also be hosting projects throughout the city between September 21st and October 5th. CONA and many of St. Pete’s Neighborhood Associations also eagerly embrace this opportunity to volunteer their time to sponsor a community CareFest® project. For example, the Historic Kenwood NA had adopted a landscaping and exterior painting project as its CareFest® contribution. Opportunities for volunteering still exist; for more information about how to get involved with a CareFest® project in St. Pete visit www.carefestusa. com/projects/pinellas-county/st.-petersburg/.

Community Connections Current CONA president Jennifer Joern’s enthusiasm about the positive potential of Neighborhood Associations is contagious. As noted anthropologist Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, organized citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” So if you’re looking to play a role in helping to shape your world, get involved with your local Neighborhood Association and its umbrella organization, CONA. CONA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that plays a vital role in strengthening and advocating for neighborhoods throughout the City of St. Petersburg via their many initiatives and activities with an ultimate goal of helping to build a safe, harmonious city in order to meet the current and future needs of our diverse community. For additional information, please visit them at www.stpetecona.org or www.facebook.com/CONA.StPete

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What’s Kidzonomics®?

Kidzonomics® is a small business with a big mission: “Cultivate the minds of our youth with financial literacy tools and concepts that will enhance their financial acumen.” During her years in the financial industry, Qualles-De Freece witnessed “people perpetuating their situation” because they didn’t have the understanding or skill to manage their own finances. Her time in the classroom had demonstrated that if a child could be taught to appreciate and understand an important concept, it stuck with them into adulthood.

So she combined her knowledge of finance and teaching to launch a program designed to help kids gain the critical-thinking skills they need to make smart money decisions. As Qualles-De Freece explains, as soon as children put their hands out, they are old enough to learn financial skills.

“Planting the Seeds for Financial Freedom”

People of St. Pete: Sheena Qualles De Freece

by Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Pete is celebrated for its fabulous weather, beautiful vistas, world-class food scene, and thriving cultural atmosphere, but the people of St. Pete truly make this city something special. In appreciation, each month Green Bench Monthly shines a light on one of the many people who make St. Pete unique. This month’s spotlight illuminates the founder and CEO of Kidzonomics® LLC, Sheena Qualles-De Freece.

Simply put, Qualles-De Freece aims to teach youngsters about money so that they can grow into financially savvy adults. That does not mean there is a one-size-fits-all approach. Her workshops are ageappropriate, hands-on, fun-filled interactive sessions. Participants may create a savings bank out of a water container, observe the power of exponential growth, or map out a household budget. They might learn how to use an automated teller machine, compare prices at the grocery store, or calculate how many hours they (or their parents) have to work to earn the money to buy new sneakers. Qualles-De Freece calls one of her most exciting projects “sweet-potato economics.”

Through gardening, youngsters are “Planting the Seeds for Financial Freedom.” In an extended workshop, Kidzonomics® introduces children to a wide variety of subjects, including ways to combat food insecurity by growing fruits and vegetables, how to be good stewards of the Earth, and how market fluctuations and extreme weather can affect the prices of fresh food. In all her workshops, students with a greater understanding of how money works.

The Future of Kidzonomics® Qualles-De Freece believes that teaching kids financial literacy, especially in marginalized communities, is the beginning of eradicating poverty. She plans to expand her workshops, implement a financial story hour, and finish creating a series of financial literacy eBooks. Find out more about Qualles-De Freece and Kidzonomics® at www.facebook.com/Kidzonomics. Contact her at (201) 207-3507 or info@kidzonomics.com

Retiring to Paradise After decades of vacationing in the area, Qualles-De Freece and her husband decided in 2015 to relocate from New Jersey to our Sunshine City “paradise.” Having recently retired, she was ready to leave behind the snow and maybe slow down a bit. After earning dual degrees in economics and political science from Rutgers University, she spent more than two decades working in managerial positions at a variety of financial institutions, primarily in debt collection and commercial-asset recovery. Then in 1998, a service project as a Scholar Ready mentor ignited her love for teaching. She left her financial career, earned a graduate degree in education, and spent the next 13-plus years teaching middle-school reading, history, and language arts. After two successful careers, she had definitely earned a respite, but it turns out that Qualles-De Freece is not the retiring type. She viewed her new stage in life as giving her the freedom to pursue her passions. Kidzonomics® comes from that mind-set.

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Chloe, Manager of Modern Tan Spa located at 3051 4th St N. Photos by Brooke DeMartino.

Time To Give the Tanning Spa a Second Look!

By Erin Cody Modern Tan Spa is true to its title. This new spot to get your bronze on not only offers state of the art tanning, but also an array of wellness services. The tanning salon has grown up and the result is a luxury experience that leaves you looking and feeling fantastic. Even if you’ve never considered setting foot in a tanning salon, you’ll want to check this place out.

Tanning + Wellness Owner Shay Ahern has made it her business to exceed expectations. “It is really important to us that you don’t just look your best, but you feel your best,” says Ahern. “By also providing wellness options like the red lamp therapy, hydromassage, and therasauna, we are able to cater to more people and showcase the benefits of simply making time to take care of yourself.”

But a tanning is patently unhealthy, right? Not with the newest, top of the line beds! “By going above and beyond the safety guidelines, indoor tanning is not only very safe, but also offers several benefits. Clients have told us that our beds have done more than just give them a superficial tan; it has also helped with depression, fibromyalgia and other ailments,” Ahern states proudly.

Spray it on me If you want some color without the tanning bed, spray tanning is for you. No, you won’t come out looking like an orange monster - quite the opposite! Ahern ensures, “We offer both the Mystic Kyss Booth, a private experience, and Evolv (Heated!) Custom Airbrush, done by a professional artist. Spray tanning can be a little intimidating. However it is super easy, quick, and with the new

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Modern Tan Spa’s high tech tanning beds go above and beyond today’s safety guidelines. Some even find the beds have helped with depression, fibromyalgia and other ailments.

technology, quite natural looking. We also offer an organic option in both the booth and the manual airbrush.” Clearly health, safety and comfort are top concerns.

So what are these wellness services? Ahern talked about two of her favorites. “Red Light therapy helps regenerate and heal many different ailments, but mostly it is used for treatment of your skin.

There is no UV light involved, just low level red light - chemical free and non-invasive. It helps improve all-over health and appearance.

That includes acne, scars, wrinkles, cellulite, pain and psoriasis.”

“We are most excited about our Wellness Cocoon,” she continues. “It’s a private, dry pod that provides mental and physical benefits. With the use of infrared heat, salt air, and whole body vibration you are able to detox, burn calories, lose weight, alleviate pain, relax and rejuvenate!”

Ultimate Comfort Modern Tan Spa is a local, female-owned business that is blasting preconceptions out of the water. They provide state-of-theart services and a spa experience without breaking the bank. Stop by and learn how you can improve your overall well-being by looking and feeling your absolute best. “We hope to provide an oasis for our clients, a place where you experience ultimate comfort and leave feeling the best & the most beautiful YOU!” The spa is open seven days a week and happily accepts walk-ins. To learn more about their services and book your first appointment, visit Moderntanspa.com or call 727-550-0555.

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Pia’s Trattoria: Gnocchi Gorgonzola with Mushrooms

Il Ritorno: Braised Lamb Spaghetti

Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana: Penne dal Mare

FOOD: Embrace the Pastabilities

By Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch September is always such an interesting month. I’m either ringing in my birthday all month long (read: lately lamenting over turning another year older) or dodging nervous Floridians prepping for the Irma apocalypse or whatever other hurricane du jour may or may not be placing our little mecca in its sights. As such, I thought what better way to issue in September than with THE comfort food itself: pasta!

Our pasta journey begins in the cutest little outdoor dining nook in Gulfport at Pia’s Trattoria. Surround yourself with foliage and candelabra for the perfect date night spot to sip on bubbly prosecco and enjoy a heaping

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dish of Gnocchi Gorgonzola. I love to add mushrooms and drizzle the dish with their sun dried tomato pesto. If you don’t lick the plate clean, you might just have enough for leftovers the next day.

The next spot is my early-in-the-week you survived Monday treat. Il Ritorno has a Tuesday deal that is almost too good to be true. On Tuesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm, their pasta dishes are 50% off. Their Braised Lamb Spaghetti with charred brussels, calabrese chili, and toasted garlic is a modern spin on a classic that I adore. Stay up to date on their Instagram, as their menu changes seasonally!

If you’re rounding out your summer with

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a strict workout plan, then run don’t walk to the next spot on the list! Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana is a mix and match dream. They are very accommodating when it comes to choosing the right pasta for your favorite sauce. Better yet though, they offer gluten free pasta and zucchini noodles. My current fav is their Penne dal Mare with a blue crab, roasted pepper, spicy cream sauce. Head down on a Thursday with your favorite bottle of wine for no corkage fee.

You can’t have a pasta list without mentioning at least one brainchild from the geniuses that brought us Mazzaro’s. They debuted their newest edition, Alto Mare to

Alto Mare: Lobster Bucatini

Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca: Carbonara

Beach Drive at the beginning of this year and it is the next stop on our pasta journey. I still think about this fra diavolo sauce on their Lobster Bucatini. It is spicy, addictive, and will have you slurping from the bowl!

Delay your pasta coma because we have one last must-eat before the month is through. Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca (from Kelly and Alex Rodriguez of Lolita’s) may have one of the best Carbonaras I have ever had. Pancetta, peas, pecorino romano, egg yolk, and bucatini create a marriage of pasta excellence that pairs perfectly with their refreshing Rosa Spritzer cocktail.

If you can’t wait until October or you have a bone to pick because you gained 5 pasta pounds, then check more content out on Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at baybeswhobrunch@ gmail.com. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!

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Get Your Glam on at Sip and Dry. Photos by Vandi Carmella

Raising Locals:

Big Dates with the Little Ones

By Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett 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.

It’s all too easy to get into a rut with your little ones — especially this time of year — when it seems the only time you spend together is rushing from one activity to the next. Planning a kid date a couple of times a month is a great way to get in some quality time together while making new memories in fun ways. And since we parents tend to cater to their needs over our own (with good reason), sometimes it’s nice when all parties involved can enjoy the outing.

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Let Your Inner Artist Loose Saturdays @ the Morean

We always enjoy watching our kids gleam with happiness at the park or playground, but here are some alternative Sunshine City parent-child date ideas that both you and your kid will love.

Get Your Glam On Who says dates with your little ones can’t be glamorous? If your inner beauty queen (or king!) wants to take your mini-me for a mini-makeover, there are lots of fun places to do so in St. Pete.

Prepare to be blown away at Sip and Dry. This brand new blow dry bar is the perfect spot to refresh your look with a wash and blowout.

There’s even special pricing for a mom/kid combo.

BAE Beauty Bar is another option for blowouts and braids with your sidekick. This beauty sanctuary also features makeup application to complete your transformation.

For some mani-pedi action, Pure Natural Nail Lounge offers spa sessions in their downtown St. Petersburg salon with treatments that have been designed especially for kids, including Princess Pedicures and Young ‘Man’icures.

Let Your Inner Artist Loose St. Pete is home to incredible art experiences for all ages. From world-class museums to wonderful little studios, finding somewhere to get creative with your little Picasso is a breeze.

Expand your knowledge by joining in on a Little Surrealists Tour at

Mini & Me Yoga at The Studieaux

The Dali Museum on Saturday mornings and stay after for arts and crafts at DillyDally with Dali.

Many museums including the James Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and Imagine Museum offer monthly Family Days complete with kid-friendly tours and artmaking.

Want to get hands-on? Studios like makeme, Practically Pikasso, Morean Arts Center, and AR Workshop all host a variety of parent-child or family classes.

Sweat It Out We all know how important exercise is for all ages, so whynot add in some QT to your fitness routine by incorporating these creative ways to get moving?

Mini & Me Yoga at The Studieaux is not your typical yoga session with a toddler. Here, chaos is encouraged (and often appreciated).

Grab your little yogi and Namaste in the studio every third Saturday.

Free for every climber age six and up, Pathfinder Outdoor Education’s Open Tree Climb happens every first Saturday. Take a brief ground class with your tiny treehugger before climbing into the canopy of a gorgeous oak together.

For a recurring date night, why not train for a future race with your junior athlete? St. Pete Run Fest and Getaway: St Pete are just two of the upcoming kid-friendly races taking place later this year.

Play like a kid again at The Vortex Bar and Game Room

Play Like a Kid Again Kids love games, and St. Pete is home to some really cool places to play them. Whether you’re into old-school classics or newer games, there’s a little something for every player around the ‘Burg.

Check out the newly Pinball Arcade Museum with your little gamer for all-you-can-play vintage pinball and video games. As a bonus, kids under 10 play at a discounted rate and proceeds help support the owner’s nonprofit animal rescue.

Family-friendly and fun, Right Around the Corner Arcade Brewery offers a nice selection of craft beer and wine for the parents and lots of arcade and video games for the kids (or kid in all of us).

The Vortex Bar and Game Room is another kid-friendly daytime spot with a big collection of new and old games plus an entire wall of board games to play together.

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Photos by Kristina Holman

Step Inside St. Pete: Euclid St. Paul

By Connor Storch For the September home of Step Inside St. Pete, we’re visiting Shelley and Dave Manes’ bungalow, near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street N within the Euclid-St. Paul community. Dave is a freelance graphic designer with experience at Disney, and Shelley is a print concierge for Designers’ Press, Inc., now known as Sandy Alexander. It’s an early morning, so we’ve brought hot coffee and goodies from the nearby Black Crow Coffee to share!

to always buy a map of the country they’re visiting and bring it back with them to hang on the walls. Their favorite store here for décor?

They recommend a trip over to Tampa to visit the Potting Shed for green gifts you’ll love.

Nestled in the Neighborhood

Including the countless squirrels, jays, cardinals, titmice, woodpeckers, and one particularly curious crow who seems to have a The Green House connection with Dave, it’s the neighbors who make living in EuclidShelley and Dave are celebrating 30 years happily in this home. St. Paul so amazing for the Maneses. They’re regulars at neighborhood Back in 1989 when they bought the house, it had a deck in the back bike crawls and have hosted a few porch parties over the years, but yard that felt more like a stage for their it’s the annual Haunted Hike that they surrounding neighbors. Shelley, with “Our ‘Arbitrarium’ is an arbitrary mix can’t get enough of. The hilarious spoof the green thumb, was looking into show, which has been going strong for 15 of an arboretum and terrarium.” landscaping for privacy. Several years years, is produced entirely by locals and Dave and Shelley Manes on their made-up later, while the two love birds were sitting presented for all to enjoy this year on word to describe their favorite room. at the Vinoy’s beautiful verandah, Dave October 19. had an idea to replace the deck with a Shelley and Dave are happy to see the room that they would use all the time. He sketched the “Arbitrarium” community naturally replenish itself with young and new families on a napkin, and today, it is their favorite room. They hired Don that keep each year fresh and exciting. Just like the charm of EuclidStrobel to design and build it, bringing in tiles inspired by the Vinoy, St. Paul, the Maneses’ house feels warm and welcoming. Maybe it’s high ceilings, and wrought-iron rails on the steps. the fresh vegetable garden in the back yard or their green-eyed tabby, Throughout every single room, each nook includes a nod to birds, Little Sister, that adds this warmth. Maybe it’s the couple themselves. from the books to the upholstery and even the clock. Their master bath She frequently invites friends over to try her latest recipe, and he might as well be called a bird bath, because it looks and feels like one! is the first to lend his bike for the next pub crawl. We can’t thank If it doesn’t resemble a bird, then it’s otherwise a meaningful heirloom the Maneses enough for their St. Pete hospitality, and we wish them or souvenirs from their travels. One signature touch from Shelley is continued happiness in their forever home.

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From left to right: owners Shawn & Sondra, Showroom Manager Laura, Interior Designer Lydia and Artist and Interior Designer Rodney

Photo by Kristina Holman.

Keeping it Fun and Functional at TBF

By Nicole Brand Shawn and Sondra of Tampa Bay Furnishings (TBF) have been a part of the St. Pete artist community for over 20 years and they’ve always had a passion to tinker. As a woodworker and a metal worker, Shawn has a true appreciation for the maker lifestyle. Sondra’s mother, Lydia, brings 15 years of design experience to the group to round out the maker duo. The team at Tampa Bay Furnishings brings a myriad of resources to the table...including the table. Unlike big box stores, they do an immense amount of personalization for each project to tailor the room, office foyer, or entire house to the individuals they work with.

They’re a team committed to creating delightful spaces. Earlier this year, they worked with a St. Pete digital marketing firm that needed a special combo of TLC for their space. The crew was a small bunch that aimed to quickly grow out of their office space, but they still needed an affordably designed workspace that fit the creativity of the group and provided practical brainstorming spaces for them. Tampa Bay furnishings helped them transform an old daycare into a dream workspace complete with puzzle themed pillows, a dart board for a decompression station and a chalkboard wall for brainstorming. That’s the magic they offer. Since nothing gets past Lydia and she does her homework, she’s able to accurately pinpoint the style of the individual and the group...even if the client has difficulty articulating it!

In one of their resident projects, they even helped shape a new family. The clients were both previously divorced and needed help making space for each other in their new home. Tampa Bay Furnishings helped them find and design a style that complemented the couple. They listened and worked to understand what the needs of the couple really were. Who cared more about the living room? Who had strong feelings for or against certain colors and textures? In the end, the new home was a space that beautifully meshed them together, complete with a custom handmade wine rack built from repurposed

materials as a housewarming gift from Shawn.

Because the Tampa Bay Furnishings team has a robust rolodex of other local specialists they work with, they were able to collaborate on specialized pieces that their maker skills may not cover. This collaborative work highlights a key theme of the team: they believe in good quality, authenticity and truly connecting.

Another fun element the company provides is the option to think, plan, and create online. They know their clients’ time is valuable and so their online application is a popular element they bring to the table.

In fact, they’ve helped quite a few second-home-snowbirds reimagine their space before they arrive in Florida. Clients can just upload the room specs and any photos or thoughts they have on the project and after an interview, the team gets to work with their software to provide a visual representation for the client to accomplish their goals.

The business does more than transform spaces, however. In their spare time, they also work to transform lives. Sondra is a volunteer for Ready for Life, an organization that helps youth in foster care as they prepare to age out of the system. Sondra spends time as a mentor for foster kids ages 15-25 that are working on this transition. Shawn is the Pinellas county chairman of Real Men Wear Pink campaign, a division of the American Cancer Society that works to raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer through leveraging local community leaders. Last year, Tampa Bay Furnishings held an auction of donated local artists’ work and gave 100% of the proceeds to the cause.

Interested in reimagining your space or decorating a new one? Give Tampa Bay Furnishings a call at 727-821-4100 or visit TampaBayFurnishings.com.

Want to become a mentor with Ready for Life? Visit readyforlife@ pinellas.org Want to contribute to Real Men Wear Pink? You can donate at …https://bit.ly/2ZviFGI. SEPTEMBER 2019 /

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Left: Artist Stacey with her painting, “Bigfoot”. Top right: Artist Shawn holding one of his original paintings.

Bottom right: Artist Carla L. with her needlepoint art. Photos by Marilyn Malara.

Celebrating Art and Inclusivity at Creative Clay

By Marilyn Malara Creative Clay, headquartered in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, has served adults with disabilities through art for nearly 25 years.

By opening its doors as a space for creative expression in the community, artists with disabilities are able to apply an array of mediums to share their unique, yet universal experiences. Their art then plays a central role in building bridges among the enabled and disabled among us.

The Community Arts Program: Empowering Folk Artists Serving adults 22 and older Monday through Friday, Creative Clay’s core program, the Community Arts Program, offers instruction from teaching artists. Here, artists receive professional assistance in honing their skills, learning new techniques and creating a collection of works.

Member artists have the opportunity to then exhibit completed pieces in Creative Clay’s Good Folk Gallery, located on premises. Sold pieces earn a 50 percent commission, instilling in artists a sense of accomplishment and well-being.

An Artful Partnership Capitalizing on its vision of arts access for all, Creative Clay has partnered with Pinellas County Schools to provide vocational arts training for 18 to 22-year-olds with learning, developmental and/or

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emotional disabilities. The Transition program focuses on easing the progression from school environments to post-secondary education, independent living and employment.

Lessons in art fundamentals, sales, marketing, customer relations, and the overall business of being an artist are taught. Students visit local galleries and museums to learn about art history and contemporary artwork, enhancing the classroom studio experience. Student artists also have the option to apply for internships to work in the Creative Clay Good Folk Gallery, Creative Thrift, and Community Arts Studio.

Instruction is at the core of each program, and artists of all ages attend Creative Clay’s programs because of an expressed desire to study art and learn how to market themselves. Structure meets congeniality to create an atmosphere that allows for artists’ and students’ creativity to emerge organically. Each member artist is free to choose how, and on what, they work.

“Everyone is equal here,” said Kerry Kriseman, Creative Clay’s public relations specialist. “The more often we can share the ability of our artists over their disabilities, (the better).” Kriseman says much of Creative Clay’s motivation is to celebrate the artistic talents of its members and enable them to share with the surrounding community.

The local nonprofit also serves children ages 6 through 12 through Art Around the World Summer Camp and teens and young adults ages 13 through 22 with Summer Studio.

Artist J.J. standing next to his popular “sharpie art,” to his right

An Art Gallery for All

Visitors from the area, as well as vacationers, art collectors and tour groups are welcome to browse artwork at the Good Folk Gallery located at Creative Clay.

From depictions of exotic birds to beautifully abstract Sharpie art, the Good Folk Gallery exhibits much of what artists from its programs have to offer. All works all for sale.

The carefully curated space is updated regularly to showcase the vast collection of member artwork available. From small keychains and pottery to large-scale drawings and paintings, the Good Folk Gallery offers something for every budget.

Also located within Creative Clay’s headquarters is an eclectic secondhand shop. Creative Thrift, offer wares for endless artistic endeavours. From used paints and frames to books and beads, Creative Thrift is a treasure trove for the environmentally savvy artist or enthusiast. Shoppers pay what they wish, and all proceeds benefit Creative Clay’s programs. Creative Thrift also accepts donations of gently used art supplies, books and frames from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Make sure to check out the space on your next art haul or thrift adventure!

Meet the Artists Behind the Masterpieces

Just steps beyond the Good Folk Gallery lies a collection of studios and workspaces where member artists work throughout the week. A stroll through their main studio during class hours invites a wave of warm smiles and creativity in action.

“Come and see us,” Kriseman said, insisting that experiencing the workspace in person is the best way to understand and support Creative Clay’s mission. “Once you meet the artists, then you can understand our story and see it in action.”

Other ways to connect with Creative Clay artists are through such events as “Spring For the Arts” every spring and the organization’s “Creative Clay Festival” in the fall. Some Creative Clay artists can also be found selling at Second Saturday ArtWalk every month, as well as in gallery exhibits.

If your workplace or business is in need of a colorful facelift, consider reaching out to Creative Clay for a curated collection to brighten your space through Art in Offices.

Visit Creative Clay at 1846 First Ave. S between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For information, call (727) 825-0515 or email admin@creativeclay. org. The website is creativeclay.org. Follow Creative Clay, Creative Thrift and Creative Clay Fest on Facebook; follow on Instagram at @ creativeclaystpete and on Twitter @creativeclay.

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Painting With a Twist is located at 2527 Central Ave. Photos by Kristina Holman

Corks + Canvas = Painting With a Twist

By Nicole Brand Nearly 15 years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit Leslie Gay’s home in New Orleans and she found herself seeking refuge temporarily in St. Pete. In a state of confusion and fear, she found St. Pete to be an incredibly friendly and helpful city. Everyone went out of their way to help her find resources and a place to live. A few years later, the retiree with an entrepreneurial mind came back for good and became a small business owner in the Grand Central District. She got her business idea from a little company in Louisiana called Corks and Canvas.

Within a state of devastated homes and hearts, this little company started hosting guided painting projects where the class would all learn to paint a specific piece with a local artist and sip a little wine together. It was a simple yet fun concept that served to brighten spirits a little. Corks and Canvas became Painting with a Twist and Leslie brought their first franchise to sunny St. Pete 10 years ago in August.

There are now over 300 studios across the country.

What Is It? Join resident artists as they guide you through the creation of your own homemade painting of a lovely tree scene or maybe a fun family of owls. The resident artist creates or chooses the painting ahead of time. It might seem stressful to some, but the pieces chosen to paint are meant to be fun and easy to complete in the 2 hours allotted and to keep the focus on painting, any difficult stenciling is done ahead of time.

Painting With A Twist resident artists are a fun bunch, keeping you entertained while they walk you through the process. One

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leads the class while another walks around to address any questions.

Sometimes you’ll paint on canvas, but they’ve incorporated several other fun mediums into the rotation including wine glasses and wood.

If you want to bring in a bottle of wine to sip while you work, they’ll provide the party cups, ice, and corkscrews. If not, no problem! There are a few rules to follow, however.

My personal favorite?

“No paint brushes in your cup of wine!”

Who Is It For?

At the recent Painting With A Twist Conference for franchise owners, Leslie and her husband Marvin were awarded the Trailblazers Award for recognition for being the first franchisees in the nation.

Painting together is a great way to bond; all kinds of groups come through the door at Painting With A Twist. Date nights are a big hit, but it’s also a fun activity for friends and great for birthday parties and bachelorette parties. The vibe is light and easygoing. It’s less rowdy than the bar scene and it’s safe to be a little creative while sipping a

drink. Since most of Leslie’s participants are women, so she put a lot of thought into location. The space has ample, well-lit parking so there are no issues getting home after the 9pm wrap up.

Leslie’s location also has two spaces that can be rented out for special occasions. The upstairs rooms are popular for kids’ birthday parties and can accommodate up to 20 people. Their main room downstairs holds up to 32 and has hosted all kinds of groups, including corporate team building functions. One team-building exercise allows each employee to paint a piece of a larger mural that is then to be installed back at the office. There have been plenty of unconventional nights. too; at least 3 proposals have been successfully pulled off onsite.

Painting With A Twist also carries out a social mission. Leslie felt so welcomed in her time of need in St. Pete, so giving back to the community is important to her. From the beginning they’ve held monthly Painting with a Purpose nights where they partner with a nonprofit and split the proceeds with the chosen organization. To date, they’ve helped produce over $100,000 in cash donations for organizations like Ronald McDonald House, CASA, Suncoast Basset Rescue, The American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.

In August, Painting With A Twist celebrated their 10 year anniversary! They had a painting party to celebrate the occasion and gave away prizes to all who attended. The big prize being a party for 10 people. Sign up online for a preselected painting that fits your vibe at www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/stpetersburg or text PARTY to 727-327-4488 to book a room for your own soiree. Painting With a Twist is located at 2527 Central Ave.

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City Hall. Photos by City of St. Petersburg.

St. Pete’s Campaign Finance Reform: A Grassroots Success Story

By Erin Cody The City of St. Petersburg is officially not for sale. On January 1, 2018, a city ordinance went into effect which protects the integrity of our elections by banning superPACs and limiting foreign investment in our local elections. We were the first city in the nation to pass a law of this kind. Many proponents of Campaign Finance Reform hope this will eventually get all the way to the United States Supreme Court, creating the possibility of reform on a national scale.

How did this happen in St. Pete?

To learn more about this locally-based, national story, I went to two women who were at the forefront: Karen Lieberman, a lead organizer of

the Coalition for Campaign Finance Reform, and Julie Kessel, former President of the League of Women Voters of St. Pete.

“St. Pete was chosen for strategic reasons,” asserts Julie Kessel. “First we thought the new city council was likely to be open to the opportunity.

Second, assuming it passed, and was legally challenged, the 11th circuit court had not yet entertained a Julie Kessel challenge of this kind. Third, St. Pete has a very strong grassroots advocacy community and could lead this campaign.”

Next came the creation of the Campaign Finance Reform dream team. Local organizations, American Promise and the Lief Nissen Foundation, joined forces with the national Free Speech for the People and Move To Amend. Together, they developed a strategy in coordination with the League of Women Voters and Awake Pinellas. Then they got to work on multiple fronts.

A Grassroots Success Story The St. Petersburg City Council passed a resolution in 2014, stating, “Money is not speech and corporations are not people.” Now it was time to start pushing for an ordinance to make it official. Let the open forums begin!

“A resolution has no teeth; an ordinance is akin to a law,” says Karen Lieberman. “We chose to bring the issue to open forums because that way

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the council members would be our captive audience. They would have no choice but to listen. We brought in many issues that were all related to/affected by money in politics.

City Council member Amy Foster told me that the education she received at the forums – issue by issue - was what convinced her to vote in our favor.”

Is it Constitutional?

Karen Lieberman

Of course, not everyone was a fan of the proposed ordinance. Some said that it was unconstitutional, would never hold up in court, and would ultimately be a major financial burden on the city. “Opponents say that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is settled law and that this is in violation of that finding. It is not. This ordinance is based on a legal precedent, upheld by the US Supreme Court, that says foreign actors should not be able to fund campaigns, and it limits, but does not deny the rights of corporations to contribute to campaigns so that ultra-wealthy donors, including corporations, do not have undue influence,” states Kessel.

“The right thing to do shouldn’t be trumped by the possibility of a lawsuit,” City Council Member Charlie Gerdes opines. There have been several inquiries as to what exactly the ordinance means and how it is being implemented. In response, the city published an implementation document and, as of yet, there has not been a legal challenge.

Is there still a chance that St. Pete’s action on Campaign Finance Reform will make it to the highest court in the land? Indeed. If a legal challenge does occur, it would go to the 11th circuit court of appeals.

If the decision were upheld there, and then appealed, it would then be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Spread the Good Word!

“The ordinance is already spreading,” smiles Lieberman. “It is moving through several state and local legislatures, albeit slowly. The most recent one I am aware of is Seattle. I have spoken at several national conferences in order to move it along nationally.”

What can we learn from the successful push for Campaign Finance Reform in St. Pete? Lieberman and Kessel have many suggestions. Create a strong, unified coalition; relate your issue to the issues of different groups; have an ally in the government; be patient, persistent, and prepared to change course as needed; and, most importantly, do not become discouraged. In the wise words of Julie Kessel, “Change takes time and the collective efforts of many.”

To learn more, hop over to Youtube and check out the short documentary, “Journey to Victory in St. Petersburg,” and please remember to vote in the general election for Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 on the City Council on November 5, 2019!

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Blossom and Shine. Photo by The Dashing Ginger

Easing the Ups and Downs

Fox & Crow Paper Co. Photo by Christina Jones Photography

MOVERS AND MAKERS

Markets: A Piece of the Puzzle

By Tara Britton In the last two issues, Market Mafia has shared tips and tricks for vendor success from fellow makers and local market organizers. This month we wrap up keys to success for selling at in-person markets, festivals and community events.

Multiple Revenue Streams Vendor success varies from person to person and can include: inperson sales, online sales, wholesale opportunities, connections made, or commission work secured. All of these positive outcomes can occur during an in-person event or as a result of having participated in one.

That’s what makes vending at markets one important piece of the puzzle for the financial success of a small business owner.

“Income stream diversity is important,” stresses Evan Neidich, owner of Fox & Crow Paper Co. Market events could be an element in a small business owner’s revenue stream that’s worth adding to your repertoire. Consider the benefits.

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Having diverse revenue streams helps offset the natural ebb and flow of income that can occur. Weather and holidays, for example, can drastically affect vendor earnings. While the downside of participating in market events means extensive preparation and hard work day-of, the upside includes immediate cash in hand for sales as well as the possibility of making in person connections that could lead to collaborations, future online sales and commission projects.

“I couldn’t survive on just my online sales. The markets are my bread and butter,” said Julie Dye, owner of Blossom and Shine.

On the flip side, if you’re only selling at in-person events you might be missing out on income that could sustain you and create a sense of stability during inevitable fluctuations. One such income opportunity may be wholesale accounts.

Know Your Capacity, Know Your Worth Don’t spread yourself too thin. For example, more isn’t always better; consider the number of online outlets at which you’re selling your goods and if you can realistically keep up with demand.

Track your return on investment as best you can. Consider cost of materials, time required to make products, event costs like “tent rent”, time spent working an event or creating online products. Then compare your investment to revenue generated.

Analyze your pricing; don’t arbitrarily pluck a number out of the sky.

“In the beginning, you’re afraid to overcharge,” said Dye, “but if you’re pricing too low, people won’t see your goods as valuable and you’re detracting from the people pricing appropriately.” Reevaluate your pricing at least annually.

Consider if markets are a piece of the revenue puzzle that may be missing and beneficial for your company’s income stream. Find a full list of upcoming makers’ markets to attend or apply to become a vendor at these markets. This information is available on our website marketmafia.com. Shop the makers mentioned in this article by visiting their websites. We hope you’ll celebrate the return of market season this October and #HitTheMarket with us!

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.

The EDGE District’s first dedicated wine bar is opening soon at 1005 1st Avenue North. Equal parts wine bar and retail store, CellarMasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop will offer a large and ever-changing selection of both natural wines and celebrated producers for onsite consumption or to take home. A fine wine room will be available to guests in search of more curated and cult-worthy wines, as well, all at competitive retail prices. Also, a limited and reasonably-priced food menu will be available, allowing patrons to pair their wine selections with carefully sourced cheeses, charcuterie, and ingredient-driven small plates. CellarMasters is expected to open by late fall.

Better Than Sex, a dessert restaurant, is coming soon to the EDGE District of Downtown St Pete! Founded in Key West in 2008, Better Than Sex is the unequivocal queen of confections, where all of the menu items have sexual innuendos. The dessert lounge specializes in cake slices, such as a red velvet cheesecake with cream cheese frosting and a double chocolate cookie dough bottom. Also popular are their wines poured into chocolate-rimmed wine glasses. A location has not been revealed yet, but the goal is to be open by Valentine’s Day 2020.

Rocket Fizz is coming soon to 668 Central Avenue (formerly Daddy Kool Records) in Downtown St Pete. Reminiscent of old fashioned candy shops, Rocket Fizz will offer a gigantic selection of candy and soda that’ll send you back in time to when you were a kid. Indulge in classics such as Charleston Chew, Abba-Zaba, Pop Rocks, Pixy Stix, and candy cigarettes.

Or try one of the 500 varieties of craft soda! The shop will also sells hundreds of retro and gag gifts, concert and movie posters, and tin signs too. Buildout is currently underway in St. Pete with an expected opening by the end of October.

A 12-story condo tower has been proposed less than a block from bustling Beach Drive. The project, called The Perry, will contain 22 residences ranging from 1,700 to 2,700 square feet. Amenities at the building include a rooftop terrace, fitness center, bicycle storage, and a private garage. The Perry joins a growing list of projects in the immediate

An elevation of The Perry, a 12-story condo tower

area including the controversial Blue Lotus, the Galaxy Hotel, and the Bliss condominium tower. Construction is expected to begin in early 2020.

Pricing is not available yet.

Book + Bottle is coming soon to 17 6th Street North (formerly Holmes Shoe Repair) in Downtown St Pete. Located just behind Wig Villa, Book + Bottle will be a combination bookstore and wine bar. Whether you’re looking for a place to read, spruce up your book collection, work remotely, try new types of wine, chat with friends, or just relax, Book + Bottle will be the place for you! The goal is to have the doors open by December.

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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Photo by Bronson Cheeks.

EVENTS Banned Books Are a Drag Show When: Thursday, September 19th from 7pm - 9pm Where: St. Pete Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr N Cost: GA $20 in advance; $25 at the door Fundraiser for literary arts nonprofit Wordier Than Thou.

Featuring performances by Matthew McGee, Stephanie Stuart, Vanna T. Scarlett and other drag performers, as well as fun bookish games, including Banned Books Bingo. Funds raised at the event will benefit the new Florida Writers Project as well as the Tampa Bay Writers Conference and other programming. wordierthanthou.com

Flavors of Asia Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival When: Friday, September 20th

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from 6pm - 11pm Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr Cost: Free Admission Gourmet food trucks featuring savory AND sweet dishes. Adult beverages available for purchase.

Live performance by Tampa Taiko. Pet friendly. Picnic chairs and blankets welcome! Fun for the whole family! www.facebook.com/gulftobayfta/

2nd Annual Good With Me Day Festival 2019 When: Saturday, September 21 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Where: Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave N Cost: Free Admission Good With Me Day is celebrated annually on the United Nations International Day of Peace in the city of St. Petersburg by an official mayoral proclamation.

Continuous hands-on activities, both athletic and non-athletic will be going on throughout the entire day. goodwithme.com

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Arts Center, Morean Art Center for Clay, The St. Pete Store, and When: Saturday, September 21st The Chihuly Collection. Park in 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (opening / downtown garages and ride the closing times may vary) St. Petersburg Trolley Downtown Where: Throughout St. Petersburg Looper or Central Ave. Trolley Cost: Free routes to most locations.

Participating museums: Dr. stpetetrolley.com Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, Florida How To Compost Holocaust Museum, Imagine With Free City Bins Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, When: Sunday, September 29th The Dali Museum, The James from 10am - 11am Museum of Western & wildlife Where: Wild Roots, 1949 Ave S Art. Participating venues: Florida CraftArt Gallery, Morean Cost: Free

Free Museum Day

Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

The city of St. Pete has an awesome composting initiative that provides residents with a FREE composting bin. If you’re not sure where to start, or would like a more in depth understanding of the process, come on out to Wild Roots for this FREE class! We will go over everything you need to know about small scale composting for your backyard garden! To sign up for a Free composting bin, visit www.stpete.org/sanitation/ composting.php to get on the list.

Preserve the ‘Burg: October Movies in the Park When: Every Thursday in October (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st), Music starts at 7, movies at dusk Where: North Straub Park, 350 Bayshore Dr. NE Cost: Free Admission Pack your own picnic or buy food and drinks from a variety of local vendors. Blankets and low-profile chairs are recommended. Secure on-site bicycle valet is available

thanks to Coast Bike Share.

Arrive early to enjoy the music.

Pay-what-you-can donations are accepted to support Preserve the ‘Burg’s mission to protect and celebrate the things that make St. Pete special. Movie lineup will be announced on September 12th. preservetheburg.com

Come Out St. Pete Parade & Festival When: Saturday, October 5th from 11am - 5pm Where: Grand Central District Cost: Free Admission This year’s festivities will include a parade from 11 am to noon followed by the Come Out St. Pete Festival — on Central Avenue between 22nd and 31st Streets — where local small businesses, artists and makers will be selling their goods and services. comeoutstpete.org For more events or to submit your own event information, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/ events.

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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