Green Bench Monthly Vol. 7, Issue 9, September 2022

VOL. 7, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2022

Green Bench Monthly

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

RadioStPete Something for Everyone in Local Music, Podcasts and Sports pg. 14

People of St. Pete

Antonio Brown pg. 9

Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue

Saving Pets in Need pg. 10

Parks of St. Pete

Municipal Beaches pg. 16

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

Editor Mary Jane Park

Contributors Tina Stewart Brakebill Suzanne Driscoll Brian Zucker

Photographers

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Brian Brakebill Kristina Holman Musaweron Photography

Cover Photo The “Crabgrass Cowboys”, aka Happy and Patty, appearing on a recent Florida Folk Show broadcast live from Seven C music.

Photo courtesy of RadioStPete

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

IN THIS ISSUE 4

From the Bench

16 Parks of St. Pete: Municipal Beaches

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Remembering Goose Pond: From Prairie Lake to Retail Space

20 Downtown Developments

by St. Pete Rising

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People of St. Pete: Antonio Brown

22 Events: Markets, Improv, & Anime

10 Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue: Saving the Lives of Pets in Need 14 RadioStPete: Something for Everyone in Local Music, Podcasts and Sports

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North Shore. Photo by Brian Brakebill

From the Bench A note from the Publishers

Elle Sica

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This month marks six years of Green Bench Monthly! We are grateful for the opportunity to publish stories about our community and couldn’t do it without the support of our advertisers and readers like you. We believe that independent media is more important than ever, so we sincerely thank you for making our passion a possibility.

We would like to introduce you to our newest family member, Elle Sica! We are so in love. Many thanks to the labor and delivery team at St. Pete General. They took such great care of our new little one – we can’t thank the nurses and staff enough.

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Congratulations to historic preservation advocate Peter Belmont!

Last month, he received a key to the city in recognition of his more than 40 years of service to the St. Pete community. Peter, thank you for keeping St. Pete special!

In this issue: remember Goose Pond (pg. 6), get to know Antonio Brown (pg. 9), explore the local beaches (pg. 16), see what developments are on the horizon for St. Pete (pg. 20), and mark your calendars for upcoming events (pg. 22).

Till next time, Ashley & Tony

All are welcome on this bench.

The history of the green benches is layered. For some, it is a reminder of a painful period of racism and segregation. To others, it is a symbol of welcomeness and hospitality. We carry this name to shine a light on our city’s history and in celebration of those who work tirelessly towards a more inclusive St. Pete. To read more about our story and the history of the green benches visit greenbenchmonthly.com/about.

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Remembering Goose Pond: From Prairie Lake to Retail Space

Murphy, Lionel. Close-up view of entrance to the Central Plaza Mall in St. Petersburg. 1952 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

By Tina Stewart Brakebill On November 18, 1952, an estimated 50,000 people flooded into St. Pete’s newest “shopping center” at 34th Street and Central Avenue.

With 2,500 parking spaces and a variety of stores, Central Plaza was the pinnacle of modern convenience. It also seemed to close the extended debate regarding the wisdom and feasibility of elevating commerce over nature.

Wild Country, 1848-1912 In 1848, a local survey identified a “prairie lake” extending from current-day Fifth Avenue N to Fifth Avenue S between 31st and 34th streets. For decades, this “wild country” went relatively unbothered by the handful of early settlers. By the 1890s, St. Pete had more than 300 people. It also boasted sidewalks, electric street lights, and its first telephone. Goose Pond, as the locals called it, remained usable. The new century ushered in new ambitions, including plans for the marshy confines of Goose Pond. By 1905, a plant nursery had been established at Central and 34th Street. Soon afterward, H. Walter Fuller purchased 160 acres of the “richest muck land” in Goose Pond with hopes of reaping profit. In 1910, the St. Petersburg Times took note, declaring that the once-worthless marshes “are now in all stages of change.” That may have been an overstatement. Some money was being made from the muck, but it was still largely untamed. The vast majority of St. Pete’s nearly 7,000 residents stayed clear of it.

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Tampa Bay to Boca Ciega Bay, 1912-1916 Determined to profit from this mostly undeveloped land, developers proposed extending Central Avenue to connect Tampa Bay to Boca Ciega Bay. On March 12, 1912, the Times published the first advertisements peddling “the best property ever offered” along this proposed “new car line and bay to bay highway,” which was to be “near the logical business Centre of the city.” The promise of a paved Central Avenue Boulevard and a modern trolley line extending straight through Goose Pond seemed so far fetched that it was “considered a joke” by many. It was no joke. The land was cleared, bridges were built, fill was hauled in, and when engineers wanted to go around the “3 to 4 mile wide” Goose Pond, the developers refused to budge. They would pay the money necessary to create the land needed to construct the promised straight path from bay to bay. Three years after those first advertisements, Central Avenue was paved with vitrified brick from Ninth Street to 49th, with plans to pave the remaining blocks to Boca Ciega Bay by the end of the year. The March 24, 1915, Times offered an artist’s rendering of the soon-to-be-completed nearly 8-mile-long brick-paved Central Avenue and adjacent trolley line.

This illustration included the numerous lots available for purchase.

The developers had fulfilled their promise. Now, it was time for West Central development to kick into high gear.

Bird’s eye view looking west along Central Ave. in St. Petersburg.

1920 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

Floods, Fires, Gardens, Gators, and Commerce, 1916-1950 Over the next 35 years, Goose Pond continued to complicate those development plans. Dredging and filling had made Central Avenue possible, but the surrounding Goose Pond area was still muck and intermittent ponds. Central Avenue flooded during the rainy season and caught fire when dry. Nonetheless, developers aggressively marketed the available lots, claiming they contained both “the richest muck land in Florida” and “one high end” suitable for building. The latter claim seemed dubious when summer flooding often stopped Central Avenue traffic with water “deep enough to reach the floorings of automobiles.” What’s more, although natural habitats had been disrupted by construction, some pesky Florida wildlife proved resistant.

Alligators were a semi-regular menace, and Goose Pond was the perfect incubator for hordes of mosquitoes. Homeowners didn’t rush to purchase the available building lots, but several enterprising locals, including a handful of Japanese families, took advantage of the rich land to grow produce and flowers for sale. Other attempts at commerce on the marsh edges proved more short-lived, including the production of corn mash and whiskey during Prohibition and the Goose Pond Tavern, an art loft and tea room, at 35th Street and Central.

Big Plans, 1916-1952 Throughout, big plans rose and fell with regularity. Soon after Central Avenue’s completion, a decades-long “beautification” push began, calling for the city to purchase Goose Pond for a park. Instead, in 1927, the city offered a short-lived proposal for an airport, civic center, and city hall on the site. Ten years later, a developer purchased 23 acres between 31st and 34th streets along Central Avenue, with plans for a full-service shopping center surrounded by sunken gardens, miniature lakes, and a wildlife sanctuary. Like the other big ideas before it, lack of funds meant the project failed to materialize. Produce remained Goose Pond’s chief output for another decade. Prosperity after World War II and the growing popularity of the automobile ultimately brought change. In 1949, the ongoing removal of trolley lines reached the Goose Pond blocks, and the plan for U.S. Highway 19 along 34th Street was revealed. Soon after, the construction of a new shopping center on the Goose Pond site was announced. Unlike earlier plans, however, no gardens or wildlife sanctuaries were included. Instead, it would have abundant parking. Just over a year after breaking ground, Central Plaza opened to great fanfare. As the song says, “They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.” Seventy years later, the wisdom of that choice is still debatable.

Sources available on request and include previous research by Jon Wilson.

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People of St. Pete: Antonio Brown

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

As the owner/operator of Central Station Barbershop & Grooming, founder of the Barbershop Book Club (BSBC), and graduate of the Leadership St. Pete® Class of 2022, Antonio Brown has ambitious plans to continue finding ways to contribute to his community. His path to this point wasn’t always predictable or smooth, but he knows those turns and bumps helped push him toward his true purpose.

From Glory Days to Moral Crisis As a kid, Brown ran for the local Lightning Bolts Track Club and played football at Boca Ciega High School. As a state-ranked running back with decent grades, he might have played college football, but youthful mistakes combined with minimal family guidance put an end to that dream. After his 1999 graduation, he took some local college classes, worked as a telemarketer, and infrequently parented his young son, Jaelyn.

Maturity brought questions about the direction of his life. He pondered the moral dimensions of his telemarketing skills as he convinced people to part with their money. As the son of a single mom, he feared he was failing his son by not being more involved in his life. These reflections led to a choice: Be a better man and father and “the example I never had,” as he put it. Implementing that choice was the next challenge. His answer came in a dream.

A Vision for the Future Centered on a scene from the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, the dream depicted a father and son bonding during a haircut. After Brown awoke, it was with a vision for his future. As a Black man, he understood the vital role that barbershops play in African-American communities. As a barber, he could be his own boss. In addition, he could “create and innovate for the purpose of helping people,” especially BIPOC youth. He entered and completed an 18-month program to become a master barber.

At the same time, he began to do the work to strengthen his relationship

Photo by Brian Brakebill

with his young son. By the early 2000s, Brown had realized his immediate goals. He was working as a barber, saving to start his own business, and becoming a constant presence in his son’s life.

A Vision Realized In 2015, Brown opened Central Station Barbershop & Grooming.

Many of his young clients would “grow up in his chair,” he knew, and he wanted to create a positive atmosphere for them. Aware of the link between reading and grades, he began to offer free haircuts in exchange for reading out loud while in his chair, with the hopes of “creating a lifelong passion for reading.” In 2016, he established the BSBC. Providing free books and haircuts to youngsters from kindergarten through 12th grade, Brown hoped to inspire them with culturally relevant books “about people who look like them.” Since then, he has continued to innovate by cultivating partnerships with supportive organizations and local book providers (especially Cultured Books and Tombolo) to widen the scope of his literacy projects. Learn more about this exciting and expanding future at www.barbershopbookclub.org or visit Brown and his son, soon-to-be master barber Jaelyn Brown, at the place where it all began at 2325 Central Avenue.

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Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue: Saving the Lives Pets in Need

Realtor and founder/operator of Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue, Jaime McKnight Photos by Kristina Holman

By Suzanne Driscoll Jaime McKnight never likes to give up. No matter how old or sick a dog is, she believes it deserves a second chance at a happy, healthy life.

McKnight’s mission is to save dogs that are least likely to be adopted.

She takes in small canines, usually under 10 pounds, that are seniors, have disabilities or severe injuries, or need hospice care. She makes sure they receive all the medical treatment they need and then finds them a good home.

Born and raised in St. Pete, McKnight started her devotion to dogs of all types while cleaning kennels for a veterinarian when she was 15. Later she worked in raising funds for other rescue groups. “I’ve saved the lives of thousands of dogs,” she says.

McKnight has no volunteer helpers and shelters the pooches at her own home. Over the years, she has developed a national following.

She has almost 100,000 followers on her Facebook page and 9,000 on Instagram, and she frequently posts stories and photos of the pets she

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takes in. “People drive and fly here from all over the country just to adopt one of my dogs,” McKnight says.

Donations Keep the Rescues Going There is no corporate funding for the services McKnight provides, and she doesn’t do enough volume to qualify for most rescue grants.

She relies solely on donations to pay for medical care, special diets, and other supplies. “It costs anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 per dog for medical care alone, and I once spent $12,000 to save the life of a Chihuahua who is still with us,” McKnight says. “With rising inflation and housing costs for a lot of people, this has been a challenging year for raising needed funds.”

McKnight saves about 200 dogs a year. She also boards other pets at her home for people who are traveling and need temporary care for their pets.

Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue ambassadors left to right: Brooklyn, Jax, and Hugh.

Only the Best Medical Care

Top-Notch Real Estate Services

Partridge Animal Hospital in St. Pete has provided medical care since Pawlicious started 10 years ago. “My cases are very challenging and usually require ultrasounds, surgery, extensive dental work, EKGs, and so on,” McKnight reports. The hospital lets McKnight run up a tab, and then she pays it down when donations come in. “As soon as I pay off one bill, I usually incur another soon after,” she says.

One dog named Onyx stands out in McKnight’s memory. Nurse Krista at Partridge contacted her about a dog that had been left at the hospital. It had parvovirus that cost $7,500 to treat, along with a 2 1/2week stay in the hospital. Krista adopted Onyx, and “today he runs around the hospital every day and thinks he runs the joint,” McKnight says.

McKnight works just as hard for her real estate clients as she does for her dogs. Many know about her rescue services and appreciate the effort she puts in to find them a buyer or the right home. “I am always accessible and known to work all hours, day and night,” McKnight promises.

Follow Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For questions about donating, surrendering a dog, or adopting one, please contact Jaime McKnight directly at (727) 430-2491 or pawliciouspoochiepetrescue@gmail.com. You can make a donation through Partridge Animal Hospital at (727) 526-8700. To buy or sell a h ome, you can reach McKnight at (727) 430-2491 or jaime.mcknight@ floridamoves.com.

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Van Plating (vanplating.com) in a recent RadioStPete recording session on the Seven C Music soundstage. Photo by Kristina Holman

RadioStPete: Something for Everyone in Local Music, Podcasts and Sports

By Suzanne Driscoll With so many choices for radio channels and streaming, it’s nice to find a station that features St. Pete musicians, sports, events, and personalities.

RadioStPete is both a 24-hour Internet station and a popular FM channel

that offers a unique blend of locally produced and nationally syndicated programming. Whether you enjoy listening to jazz, country, classical, pop, or oldies, you can hear them on RadioStPete along with podcasts on just about any topic.

Founder Joe Bourdow traces his inspiration for RadioStPete back to his college days at the University of Virginia. There he worked at a local radio station in Charlottesville and later spent five years broadcasting from the Shenandoah Valley. When the radio industry was deregulated in the 1980s, big companies could own hundreds of stations, and the focus on local communities diminished. Bourdow moved on to work for Valpak’s national headquarters in Tampa as president. After he retired in 2010, he returned to his first love and founded RadioStPete in 2013.

Sunshine 96.7 FM Features Local Musicians Music lovers rejoiced when RadioStPete received its FM broadcast license in March 2021. They committed to expanding the local musician catalog and format established by the previous licensee, Rick Crandall

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The “Crabgrass Cowboys”, aka Happy and Patty, appearing on a recent Florida Folk Show broadcast live from Seven C music. Photo courtesy of RadioSfPete

and Music Tampa Bay. With a primary focus on the local music scene, the station also offers daily news, weather, and other programming.

According to vice president and music director J. Kolb, it plays the work of more than 800 singers, songwriters, and bands playing in the Tampa Bay area, with a grand total of 2,464 songs.

Popular Programs Keep Listeners Tuned In There is something for everyone on RadioStPete. Are you a jazz lover? You can start your day with “Jazz at Daybreak” with David Basse at 5 a.m. on 96.7FM. If you prefer to ease into the day with classical music, check out “Morning Classics” from the Florida Orchestra, also at 5 a.m. on the RadioStPete.com online channel. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon feature the Florida Folk Show, and every evening you can find a variety of local music, live and recorded.

Sports fans tune into the “Locked on Rays-Lightning-Bucs” podcast every weeknight at 5:30. Or you can enjoy sports talk with Mike Rickord’s “On the Tee” Saturdays at 11 a.m., followed by “St. Pete’s Sports Connection” at 12:05 p.m., live from Ferg’s. You won’t want to miss a live Rowdies Soccer podcast Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

Every day at noon you can listen to news and “Lunchtime Conversations” with local personalities. The station is happy to broadcast public-service announcements of local events and in support of other local, nonprofit organizations. Simply send an email to info@ radiostpete.com with a request.

Memberships Welcome RadioStPete is a locally based, nonprofit, all-volunteer organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and a 10-member local board of directors. If you would like to help keep the station up and running, you can become an official member for as little as $5 a month. One-time donations on the website are also more than welcome. Businesses can join for $50 a month and will receive acknowledgments on the air.

Tune in, download the app, log on or simply ask your smart speaker to “Play RadioStPete” to hear a unique blend of talk, music, and live local coverage of all that makes our city a great place to work and play.

For complete information on programming, podcast archives, and all the ways you can listen to both RadioStPete Online and Sunshine 96.7 FM, visit www.radiostpete.com. Scan the QR code for a current schedule of all programs.

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Spa Beach. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

North Shore. Photo by Brian Brakebill

Parks of St. Pete: Municipal Beaches

By Tina Stewart Brakebill Beginning with City Park (today’s Williams Park) in the late 19th century and expanding to the waterfront in the early 20th, St. Petersburg’s parks have a long history of providing locals and visitors with a wide variety of amenities. Today, St. Pete can boast more than 150 city parks and numerous Pinellas County parks. According to the Trust for Public Land, 77 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Park amenities vary depending on location and size and can include picnic areas, playgrounds, beaches, boat ramps, fishing docks, playing fields, sports courts, fitness equipment, trails, nature preserves, art installations, and historic sites. Dogs and skaters even have their own spaces. Parks & Recreation also offers classes, service projects, camps, and a variety of after-school educational programs. Choose an activity or choose to relax, and there’s a park or recreation center that fits your needs.

Sun, Sand, & Swim If you’re looking for a saltwater swim and a sandy beach, you’ve got four municipal options. Three city parks include a beach and access to Tampa Bay for swimming. In addition, St. Petersburg has a municipal beach on the Gulf Coast. Each option offers different amenities so one of them is sure to be a perfect choice.

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Maximo Beach. Photo by Brian Brakebill

Downtown Beach on the Bay: North Shore Only a block off Beach Drive and adjacent to the North Bay Trail, the beach at North Shore Park is easy to access, and it’s super close to downtown’s numerous food and entertainment offerings. Visitors can catch some rays, play a raucous game of beach volleyball, launch their kayak, or take a cooling dip. With free parking and public restrooms, it’s a great choice for active outdoor lovers.

Spa Beach on the Pier Located at the St. Pete Pier, Spa Beach can be easily reached by foot from anywhere along the downtown waterfront or by kayak from the bay. With calm waters and a nearby playground and splash pad, it’s a great place to bring kids. If you need a break, there are numerous food, drink, and shopping options just steps or a short trolley ride away.

Maximo Beach on the Bays Aa part of the expansive Maximo Park, Maximo Beach can be a great spot to cool off after a disc golf match or a trail walk, but it’s also a destination on its own. If you’re looking for a beach where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Boca Ciega Bay as it meets Tampa Bay, this is the perfect choice.

St. Pete Municipal Beach at Treasure Island. Photos by Brian Brakebill

Gulf Coast Fun in the Sun: St. Pete Municipal Beach at Treasure Island If your definition of beach includes crashing waves and abundant seashells, then head to the St. Petersburg Municipal Beach at Treasure Island. Parks & Recreation describes this area due west of downtown as one of St. Petersburg’s “hidden gems.” Parking is not free, but it’s more reasonable than at many other beach locations. As a municipal property, the space offers public access to the Gulf of Mexico as well as a snack bar, playground, restrooms, and beach volleyball courts.

For more information visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441. St. Petersburg’s recreational water sites are monitored frequently. Before heading to the beach, check the latest testing results at stpete.org/RecWaterQuality

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Halloween on Central is back! Photo by City of St. Petersburg

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.

Nearly two miles of Central Avenue will close to car traffic this fall for Halloween on Central, an event demonstrating what a car-free Central Avenue could look like for locals, businesses, and visitors. Just like last year, the free event will span nearly two miles of Central Avenue, from Dr. MLK Jr. Street (9th Street) to 31st Street, through the EDGE District and Grand Central District of downtown St. Pete. Along the way, attendees can enjoy music, performers, food trucks, costume contests, haunted houses, flash mobs, mummy dancers, and other activities. There will also be trick-ortreating for kids and special Halloween festivities for all.

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Top Buttons is coming soon to 855 Central Ave Suite C

Alexan 1700, a seven-story 267-unit apartment community, has been proposed for 1700 Central Avenue in the the Grand Central District. The block is home to a collection of small residential and commercial buildings occupied by local businesses such as The Burg Bar and Grill, Lolita’s Wine Market, Dirty Laundry, and Avid Brew Company. However, Alexan 1700 still has significant hurdles to overcome before becoming a reality. Namely, the developer will have to close on the property, either honor the existing leases or buy out the tenants, and receive approval from the City.

Last month, a 110-year-old two-story house was uprooted from its original location in downtown St. Pete, placed on a trailer, and moved 0.6 miles to a new spot near Round Lake. The move paved the way for The Nolen, a 23-story 31-unit boutique condominium tower, which subsequently broke ground at 136 4th Avenue Northeast. Construction is expected to take 20 months with completion in mid-2024.

Top Buttons is coming soon to 855 Central Avenue Suite C on the ground floor of Camden Central in downtown St. Pete. The upscale women’s boutique will sell pre-owned designer clothing as well as shoes, belts, purses, and other accessories. Best of all, the profit from selling the donated clothes will go towards helping victimized girls in the community.

Top Buttons hopes to open by the end of the year.

Bad Mother Coffee is now open inside Station House at 260 1st Ave S

Ringside Cafe Reopened at 350 1st Ave N

Bad Mother Coffee recently replaced TeBella Tea Company inside Station House at 260 1st Avenue South in downtown St. Pete. The multiroaster shop is currently serving coffee from Eastlick Coffee, a local coffee roaster with a mission of connecting people to unique, ethically sourced coffees from around the world. Bad Mother is open Monday-Friday from 8-5pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9-3pm.

Ringside Café, which has operated in St. Pete for more than 30 years, recently reopened at 350 1st Avenue North across from Williams Park after the lease at their Jannus Block was not renewed. The longstanding music venue’s new spot has a capacity of about 250 people and plans to carry on the tradition of hosting live music seven days a week. A 1970s-themed nightclub, Good Night John Boy, will open in Ringside’s former space by the end of this year.

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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View from Albert Whitted Park. Photos by City of St. Petersburg

SEPTEMBER 2022

EVENTS Saturday Morning Market When: Saturdays from 9am 1pm (through Sept. 10th) Where: Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave N Cost: Free Admission Over 125 vendors, including family-owned farms, ready-toeat, and artisan foods, handmade crafts, & more! Live music by local bands. Saturday Morning

Market offers food assistance by matching your SNAP purchase on Florida fruits and vegetables.

Saturdaymorningmarket.com

Second Saturday ArtWalk When: Second Saturday (Sept.

10th) from 5pm - 9pm Where: Central Arts District, EDGE Business District, Grand Central District, Warehouse

Arts District, Uptown Arts District, and downtown Waterfront District Cost: Free to attend Walk, drive, or take the trolley - it’s back! The trolley stops at over 40 ArtWalk venues. The Waterfront District galleries can be seen by using the free Downtown Looper, which runs every 15 minutes. Map available online. stpeteartsalliance.org/ artwalk

Blah Blah Blah!

Open Mic When: Second Tuesday (Sept.

13th) from 8pm - 9pm Where: The Studio @620, 620 1st Ave S Cost: $5 Open Mic is a Literary Storytelling and Prose event brought to you by Wordier Than Thou and the Studio @620. Each month starts with a reading from a recently published work by a featured local author, then we open up the mic to give seven minutes each to area storytellers and prose writers. Meet local authors, and listen to interesting stories from locals. Each month there will be a theme.

Thestudioat620.org

Pickleball 101 When: Second Tuesday (Sept.

13th) from 6pm - 7pm Where: Coquina Key Park, 3595 Locust St SE Cost: Free Try out this paddleball sport that

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combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. All ages and levels welcome! healthystpete.com

“Premonitions Promise - The Art of Lance Rodgers” When: Opening Reception - Friday, Sept. 9th from 5pm - 9pm; Exhibit dates Sept. 9th Nov. 5th Where: Woodfield Fine Art, 2323 Central Ave Cost: Free to attend See the latest works of art from this preeminent St. Petersburg artist. woodfieldfineart.com

Anime St. Pete When: Saturday, Sept. 17th from 10am - 5pm & Sunday, Sept. 18th from 10am - 6pm Where: The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N Cost: $28 & up Honoring anime and the cosplay it inspires. Brought to you by the organizers of St. Pete Comic Con. animestpete. floridacomiccons.com

Spaghetti Fundraising Dinner – Optimist Club of St Petersburg, Inc. When: Saturday, Sept. 17th from noon - 4pm Where: Clearview United Methodist Church, 4515 38th Avenue N

St. Petersburg Museum of History is located at 335 2nd Ave NE

Cost: $10/dinner Optimist Club of St Petersburg is celebrating it’s 98th year of service to the kids in the community. All proceeds from will be used to benefit the youth in our community. Dinner includes: spaghetti with (or w/o) meat sauce, salad, bread, drink & dessert. Raffles, Silent Auction and a 50/50 will be held. optimistclubofstpetersburg.org

the stars with shuffleboard, unlimited Florida cuisine & cocktails and live entertainment from the Black Honkeys, all supporting the Museum of History! Costumes are encouraged but not required. conta.cc/3Csu9Sq

Happy Happy Improv Show

When: Last Saturday (Sept. 24th) from 9pm - 11pm 2022 Cocktails Where: Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave N on the Courts Cost: $12 When: Saturday, Sept. 24th Presented by Sunshine City from 7pm - 10pm Improv Theatre and Green Light Where: St Petersburg Cinema the last Saturday of every Shuffleboard Club, month featuring rotating improv 559 Mirror Lake Dr N Cost: Pre-sale tickets are available teams, sketch comedy, music, and more! sunshinecityimprov.com for $100, or two tickets for $175 Enjoy a 50s-themed night under

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

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