Green Bench Monthly Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2022

From the Bench

A note from the Publishers

This is just a friendly reminder - if you haven't done so already - to get out and vote! Polls are open 7 am - 7 pm on Election Day (November 8). To find your local polling place visit votepinellas. gov. We recommend voting 'Yes' on referendum No. 1 to approve the amendment of the City’s 99-year Lease for the Dalí Museum. St. Pete Rising (stpeterising.com) published an opinion piece on why this is a good idea, and we agree. Most importantly, "The proposed expansion is expected to drive an additional 70,000 visitors and nearly $180 million in economic impact to St. Petersburg in the first year alone," according to an independent study by Research Data Services, Inc. And it's not expected to cost taxpayers. That's a win-win for us.

Radius Church's annual Thanksgiving Donation drive is happening now. Their goal this year is to feed 750 families! It is an incredible effort that would not be possible without volunteers from the community. To get involved you can donate food, volunteer your time, or give support. Check out their ad on this page for details.

From all of us at Green Bench Monthly, we wish you a joyful and Happy Thanksgiving. We'll see you at the Turkey Trot (p 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.

Early voting. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

The Era of the Electric Road: “Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley”

By Tina Stewart Brakebill

In 1902, local voters said yes to the St. Petersburg & Gulf Electric Railway Company’s request to build an electric railway. Construction commenced immediately. In November, Car No. 1 was placed at the head of the newly laid street railway. “Looking as natural as if it had always been there,” it stood ready to move forward as soon as the remaining track was completed. Forty-five years after that first track was set in place, the City Council authorized the end of the electric rail service. Two years later, Car No. 100 delivered its last passengers, ending the era of the “electric road” and finalizing the city’s shift to the gas age.

The Electric Road Arrives

In 1902, St. Pete was no longer a makeshift fishing village but was home to only 1,600 people. Some early citizens already envisioned a more modern future. For example, the town’s still largely dirt-packed roads were lit by more than 30 street lamps, thanks to Frank Davis’ newly built electric power plant. Always looking ahead, Davis saw electric-powered street lights as only the beginning of a bright future for St. Petersburg. Throughout the nation, others saw the benefits of electricity as well. As cities grew, so did the electric street railways used to solve transportation needs. In the first two decades of the 20th century, electric street car (trolley) lines expanded steadily. At their peak before World War I, 80,000 street cars moved people within and between cities all across the nation. St. Pete was considerably smaller than many of those communities, but Davis foresaw the potential for growth with the help of an electric trolley system. Always a dreamer, he incorporated the St. Petersburg & Gulf Electric Railway in 1902, and in 1904 locals celebrated the completion of his “electric road.” It began with a few short miles. By 1915, with more than 25 miles of track, it was reported to be the third-largest electric line in Florida.

Electric Attractions & Expansions

As envisioned by Davis, electric street lines expanded in communities all across the country as a means of urbanization and growth, not just as solutions to existing transportation needs. Believing they would encourage expansion along their paths, developers and businesses used trolley access as the heart of their advertising strategies. They were proved right. As one news story described, “Street railways were thrust out from the centers like fingers … and the population thickened around those fingers.” In St. Pete,

Central Avenue looking east - Saint Petersburg, Florida. 1910 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

Scene in the jungle showing arrival of trolley car. 1910 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

development was definitely the central purpose for the trolley’s financial backers. The system’s popularity among riders went beyond the pragmatic purpose of transporting people to their homes or jobs more quickly. The ride and the trolley car could be attractions in themselves. For example, the line’s first extension was to present-day Gulfport, where riders could enjoy refreshments on the dock and/or board the Pass-A-Grille Ferry. By 1906, leisure seekers could take the trolley onto St. Pete’s new Electric Pier (and a decade later, the Million Dollar Pier). Later track extensions took visitors through the undeveloped areas that promised riders an exciting trip through “jungle-like country side” and the “real tropics.” For developers, the central purpose of these latter extensions to Coffee Pot Bayou, through Goose Pond to Boca Ciega Bay, and through the Jungle area was not to offer a joy ride. These extensions were meant to help transform those undeveloped areas into developed ones. Between 1907 and 1917, the electric trolley lines more than tripled in length, and St. Pete grew along with them.

“1947 is not 1917”: The End of the Electric Road

In 1919, the city took over municipal ownership of the trolley system, and it continued to grow. By 1920, more than 14,000 people made St. Pete their home as the city continued to expand outward along the electric lines. By 1930, nearly 30 miles of electric track connected points within St. Pete as well as the surrounding communities, but times already showed signs of changing. As gas-powered automobiles became more affordable, they increasingly were seen as the future of transportation. In line with this vision, millions of dollars were spent to pave, construct, and extend roadways and bridges. The Great Depression slowed that spending, and people once again turned to the 5-cent trolley ride. The influx of World War II-era military personnel along with gas and tire rationing also increased the number of trolley riders. At war’s end, however, locals seemed ready to once again embrace the future of gasoline power: A 1946 survey indicated a demand for more buses, not expanded electric lines. During the subsequent debate over the city’s transpiration future, trolleys were disparaged as “antiquated” and “rattle trap noise boxes.” When the City Council voted in October 1947 to phase out the trolley system, most people applauded the “progressive far-sighted men” for realizing the time for the “trolley along with the horse and buggy is gone.” Within a few weeks of the vote, ten new Mack-44 gas-powered buses rolled into town. “The streetcar is a dead duck in St. Petersburg,” the St. Petersburg Times declared. The newspaper’s proclamation was premature, but not by much. By early 1948, only two lines remained, and in May of 1949, Car No. 100 took its last trip, officially ending the era of the electric road. Sources available on request.

Trolley on the way to the Municipal pier - Saint Petersburg, Florida. 1940 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

People of St. Pete: Frank Allston Davis

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.

This month we turn our gaze to the past as we take a closer look at Frank Allston Davis, one of the city’s most ardent and visionary boosters.

Teacher, Salesman, Publisher, and Budding Electric Entrepreneur

Like most early 20th century boosters, Davis was not a native Floridian. Born, raised, and educated in rural Vermont, he began teaching at 17. By age 20, he had discovered a talent for salesmanship, which took him from selling lawn mowers to books. By 1880, he had built a renowned Philadelphia-based publishing company specializing

in medical books and periodicals. His titles included a popular study proclaiming Pinellas County as the “healthiest spot on Earth.” Hoping to ease the pain of his rheumatism, he visited Tarpon Springs in 1890 to see for himself and quickly became a believer. Intent on making it his new home, he invested his own money to bring an electric-light plant to town. The locals, however, resisted this new and, to some, frightening technology. In 1897 Davis brought his lighting plant and vision for the future to St. Pete.

Lights, Trolleys, Steamships, and “The Pleasure City of the South”

The wood-powered 50-watt power station opened in St. Pete in August 1897 to much celebration. All were invited to the “Grand Gala Day on the Gulf” to cheer on the progress and prosperity the electric plant represented. Not content to light the existing streets, Davis envisioned an expanding metropolis fueled by electric-powered roads. Determined, he made deals and raised funds until he made it happen. When the electric trolley debuted in 1904, his diligence did not go unnoticed. “Stockholders may call it the St. Petersburg & Gulf Railway … but to the people here it will always be the F.A. Davis road” made possible because of his “tireless persistence” during “every step of the progress.” In pursuit of further expansion, Davis bought land for development and built the Electric Pier, where people could socialize as well as greet and board his new 500-passenger steamboat. He returned to his sales roots and published a 64-page glossy showcase of St. Pete, designed to lure investors and visitors to the Sunshine City. By 1907, however, outside forces, including the national economic panic, clipped his wings. After relinquishing control of many of his holdings, Davis tried to start again in Pinellas Park but was unable to repeat his earlier successes.

“Unending Zeal Made St. Petersburg a Real City”

By 1915, Davis had returned to Philadelphia, where he died in 1917 at age 66. In St. Petersburg, he was memorialized in a front-page news story that hailed him as the “father of the city” and the first man to have a “vision of the present and future metropolis.” He was remembered for his “almost superhuman efforts” to make “that vision into fact.” Thirty years after his death, local historian Karl Grismer echoed that sentiment when he described Davis as the man that “put St. Petersburg twenty years ahead in its development” by giving it “the things which made possible its future growth and enabled it to spurt ahead of other resort cities.” Nearly 120 years after his electric road was inaugurated, we remember F.A. Davis as a man whose “unending zeal” played a major role in making St. Pete “a real city.”

F.A. Davis, c1890. Courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

Radius Church Gears Up for the Annual Thanksgiving Donation

By Suzanne Driscoll

It will be “all hands on deck” to prepare Radius Church’s Thanksgiving meal donations for those in need throughout St. Pete. “Last year we donated 500 meals, and this year we plan to do 750,” Pastor Blake Clark reports. Food donations of stuffing mix, macaroni and cheese, canned corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes or yams can be dropped off at numerous locations throughout St. Pete. Destinations include Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Black Crow Coffee Co., (where you will receive a free coffee when you donate), 9 Round Fitness, MarineMax, Machine Shop Barber, Little Greek Fresh Grill and Green Bench Brewing Co. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated to purchase turkeys and pies and can be mailed

directly to the church at 165 13th St. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 or made online at RadChurch.com under “Next Steps, Giving.” From 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, volunteers pack up all the dinners that are delivered the next day. Packers and drivers are more than welcome to attend.

“This year has been particularly tough on many people,“ Clark reports. “With rising rent and utility costs, those who have been living just above the bubble are now finding the bubble has burst.”

Helping those in Need Throughout the Year

“We’re not a “Sunday, one-and-done, kind of church,” Clark says. “We are out in the community every day helping the less fortunate.” Another project is a PB & Jelly Deli food truck; for every sandwich sold, one meal is donated. Each Sunday before gathering, the church offers a free breakfast to those in need. Twice a year, the church partners with 25 other nonprofits to offer an “Open Arms” event with showers, haircuts, and food for the homeless, plus resources for housing and veterans services.

Expanding the Current Space

Last year, the church completed an upstairs remodeling project that offers meeting space for the community. “We now have beautiful rooms for our Sunday School classes for kids, and we would love to partner with nonprofit community groups to come in and use the space whenever it is available,” Clark says.

If you are looking for a nondenominational church that models “the visible, tangible, love of Jesus,” Clark hopes you will join them for a church gathering on Sundays or for any of their volunteer projects to serve the needs in our community.

For more information, please visit RadChurch.com, call (727) 2651035 or follow on Facebook or on Twitter @RadiusChurchFL. The PB & Jelly Deli food truck can be booked for private events.

Left: Volunteers at last year’s Thanksgiving Donation. Right: members gather in Radius’ remodeled space. Photos courtesy of Radius Church

Radius Church Pastor, Blake Clark

Tiger Construction & Development: Design. Develop. Deliver.

By Suzanne Driscoll

Tom O’Brien was thrilled when St. Petersburg’s City Council voted in July to expand the area where homeowners can build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). As the founder of Tiger Construction & Development, he knew the decision would be one of the keys to bringing more affordable housing to St. Pete.

Under the new guidelines, lots that are in Neighborhood Traditional (NT) zoning districts (most of St. Pete) and are 4,500 square feet or greater can construct ADUs that are 67% of their main structure. In Neighborhood Suburban (NS) zoning districts, the minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet. In both instances, the maximum square footage of the ADU cannot exceed 800 square feet. If a property is within 1/8 mile of a high-transit road or is adjacent to an alley, and the ADU is 600 square feet or less, no additional parking is required.

From Boston to St. Pete

O’Brien got his start in the construction business 38 years ago in South Boston, where he built new homes that emulated the look and feel of Boston’s historic homes, maintaining visual cohesion in the neighborhoods. O’Brien decided to bring his passion for construction to sunny St. Pete, where today Tiger Construction builds all types of new homes and ADUs, also known as carriage homes. Others refer to them as mother-in-law suites or garage apartments, and they offer the much-needed relief St. Pete renters are looking for, while also being beneficial to homeowners. “They are great for rental income, an elderly parent, an office, a she shed or man cave, or even for family visits, with the price of hotel rooms rising,” he says.

All-Inclusive Designs

“We offer an all-inclusive, turnkey design which starts with a property survey, then to developing architectural plans and the application for the permit. We use real, solid stone, stucco finish over block, and the client’s choice of Sherwin Williams paint, both inside and out.” The process is completed in four months after the permit is received.

Tom O’Brien in kitchen of main residence with beautiful Brazilian stone. Photo by Kristina Holman

Book-matched Italian stone with a 3d epoxy floor.

Photo courtesy of Tiger Construction

Value-Added Construction

Prices start at $230,000 for a 1,000 square-foot, two-car garage carriage home with 500 square feet of living space, up to $362,000 for a 1,600 squarefoot, two-bedroom, three-car garage carriage home with 800 square feet of living space. “The value of your property will go up dramatically as soon as your carriage home receives the occupancy permit,” O’Brien says.

All Tiger carriage homes are constructed with solid block and cedar wood, making them resilient toward anything nature throws their way. Each home also includes hurricane impact windows and doors and foam insulation. Also included are full washer-dryer hookups, Samsung stainless steel appliances, and a garage. All homes come with a 1-2-10 warranty, meaning that all facets of the house are covered for the first year, appliances are covered for two years, and the structure is covered for 10 years. The carriage homes include tile and/or true 5/8 hardwood floors complemented by Italian or Brazilian stone in kitchen and bathrooms. “Additionally, we’re seeing an increase in demand for 3D epoxy flooring – truly a one-of-akind flooring that explodes with color,” O’Brien says. “These floors are also usually matched with the chosen stones, resulting in something of an owner’s signature on the home.

Over 30 Years of Experience

“You’re only as good as the team you have in place, and I’ve had the same people for 11 years,” O’Brien says. “They have a combined experience of over 30 years.”

O’Brien’s mission remains to “provide people with the home of their dreams while keeping the cost as low as we can, never cutting corners or jeopardizing quality. We want people to love the homes we build and for the house to last a lifetime and then some.”

Contact Tom O’Brien at (727) 643-9544 or tigerconstructionstpete@ gmail.com, or visit www.TigerConstructionStPete.com.

One bedroom carriage home with Saltillo Terracotta floor. Photo courtesy of Tiger Construction

Studio carriage home with a two car garage. Photo courtesy of Tiger Construction

Saving Our Seniors: Providing Food and Medical Equipment to Seniors in Need

By Suzanne Driscoll

Five days a week, Kelli Casto rises at 3:30 a.m. to drive to the farmer’s market in Tampa to select fresh food and vegetables for seniors in need throughout Tampa Bay. Then she, one part-time employee and volunteers make three to four stops per day to distribute the food to communities of people 55 and older. This is in addition to a large medical equipment program she runs in which individuals and companies donate items such as wheelchairs, four-wheel walkers, shower grab bars, hospital beds, and lift chairs. These are then sold on a sliding scale to seniors who can’t afford to buy their own.

Casto came to St. Pete to attend school to become an occupational therapy assistant. She got a job here and was soon shocked at the lack of services available for seniors. They needed help with buying food, medicine, and equipment – plus finding an affordable place to live. “There is a fiveyear waiting list for senior housing in the area, and many people are trying to age in place because they have no other choice. I was a therapist for 15

years, and you would not believe the amount of red tape someone has to go through to receive any type of service or financial help. You should see the condition of some people who come to our food truck covered in urine, who do not have the ability to shower or cook for themselves. And they were told they are not medically needy enough to receive services.”

Today Casto works full time as director of Saving Our Seniors, which she started in 2016. She is particularly upset at the amount of expired food that is given out by charities to those in need. “Some of it is months’ past the expiration date,” she said. “We provide fresh produce as well as canned goods, and people can select what they want rather than being handed a bag of food.”

Founder and Executive Director of Saving Our Seniors

Anyone over 55 who has an income of less than $1,500 a month can request medical equipment. If you make over $1,500 per month, you are welcome to shop at their storage space in Pinellas Park by appointment. “One hundred percent of our equipment sales goes back to our mission,” Casto promised.

SOS Express to be Launched

Casto was thrilled to procure a trailer recently to transport all her farmer’s market food and some medical equipment. However, the offer of a truck to pull it fell through, so she hopes to find someone who could donate one.

Volunteers always are needed to help out at the SOS farmer’s markets. Shifts are 1½ hours per day. The organization is funded entirely from private donations, such as those given by the St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce recently. “We feed over 1,000 seniors per week and provide medical equipment to about 30 to 50 people per week,” Cato said. “Since the program began, we have given out over 30,000 pieces of equipment.

“We all have to start speaking out and taking action to help our seniors live out their years with all their medical and daily living needs met.”

To request medical equipment or to make a cash donation, please visit www.SavingOurSeniors.org or call Director Kelli Casto at (727) 5376753. The organization serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Pasco, and Sarasota counties and some parts of Orange County near Orlando.

Saving Our Seniors brings fresh produce and canned goods to seniors in need throughout Tampa Bay. Photos by Kristina Holman

Kelli Casto,

Parks of St. Pete: War Veterans’ Memorial Park

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.

Honoring Veterans

Bordering beautiful Boca Ciega Bay, War Veterans’ Memorial Park is just west of the Veterans Administration Bay Pines Healthcare Center and National Cemetery. Carved out of federal surplus land, the 122-acre park was created to honor veterans of all wars and all services. Dedicated in April 1974, the park’s Memorial Center features plaques with official Armed Forces flags commemorating the five military branches of the United States as well as an impressive 3.5-ton granite sundial centerpiece specifically engineered for the site. Nearby, visitors can examine a surplus 45,000-pound 4-man Korean War era Walker Bulldog Army tank. Manufactured in 1953, the tank was acquired in 1970 specifically for display in the park. In 2015, the Memorial Center also became home to a Battlefield Cross Monument honoring fallen military service members from the Gulf War era. Dedicated on Memorial Day 2015, this monument echoes the battlefield memorials used since Civil War days to mark the spot on which military personnel made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Eagle Seal of Approval”

Before the park’s dedication, there were “worries that a family of bald eagles might not like it.” Despite concerns, the family of eagles remained on site to observe the April 6, 1974, dedication and seemed unbothered by the increased nest scrutiny after the park’s opening. Honoring military veterans is its focal point, but as the eagles demonstrated, the park also offers an expansive setting for flora and fauna. Numerous amenities help human visitors enjoy the many benefits of its waterfront setting as well. Bordering Boca Ciega Bay along both its southern and eastern edges, the park is home to five waterfront shelters with picnic tables and grills, a boat ramp, and a separate canoe/kayak launch spot. There are also several playground areas, and leashed pets are allowed throughout the park. A boardwalk/nature trail offers a clear path for walking or cycling with beautiful views and educational plaques along the way. With plenty of free parking and easy access to all its amenities, War Veterans’ Memorial Park is a great place to enjoy the benefits of its beautiful setting beyond taking a moment to honor those who serve.

For more information about War Veterans’ Memorial Park or any other Pinellas County Park or Preserve, visit www.pinellascounty.org/ park or call (727) 582-2100

War Veterans’ Memorial Park is located at 9600 Bay Pines Blvd

Photos by Brian Brakebill

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.

Cane & Barrel, St. Pete’s newest rooftop bar and lounge, is coming soon to the top of the AC Hotel by Marriott, which is currently under construction at 110 2nd Street North. The bar will be inspired by Cuban heritage and is designed with the flora and fauna of Florida in mind. Cane & Barrel will feature a 1,000-square-foot interior lounge and a 1,900-squarefoot rooftop terrace that will reflect the colorful energy of Havana nights mixed with an old-world charm. The AC Hotel by Marriott St. Petersburg and Cane & Barrel are expected to open in early 2023.

The SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system between Downtown and St. Pete Beach launched last month as the first BRT project in Tampa Bay. The end-to-end ride takes about 35 minutes, twice as fast as the Central Avenue Trolley, from 3rd Street in downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach’s Pinellas County Beach Park. The new bus line features dedicated Bus And Turn (BAT) lanes and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology. Additionally, the buses include free WiFi on board, charging ports at each seat, and indoor bike racks. The bus is free to ride until April 2023, when fare will increase to $2.25. Hours of operation are from 6 am to midnight with buses arriving every 15 minutes until 8 pm and at 30-minute intervals at night.

The Dalí Museum expansion is on the ballot this November. The expansion plans include the construction of a 2,400 square foot semipermanent dome and a 60,000 square foot expansion of the current building. The multi-phased expansion of the museum is expected to drive an additional 70,000 visitors and nearly $180 million dollars in economic impact to St. Petersburg in the first year alone. If the amendment is approved, construction on the semi-permanent dome is expected to open in 2023 and construction on the permanent expansion would begin in 2023 with an opening in 2025.

Cane & Barrel coming soon to 110 2nd St N

SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit

RockShop Fine Gems & Jewelry is expanding to 531 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. This November, the locally owned and operated jewelry store will double in size by moving into a larger space one door down from their current location, promising more beautiful jewelry and the same great service. The new storefront will offer a larger bridal selection, a custom jewelry consultation area, loose stone display, lounge seating, and a fully stocked bar where customers can enjoy a glass of wine during a consultation, an event, or while shopping.

Sky St. Pete, a 20-story 232-unit apartment tower, has received final approval from the City of St. Pete. The 212-foot-tall tower will be constructed on a 0.73-acre site located just northwest of the EDGE District at the corner of 17th Street North and Burlington Avenue. Sky St. Pete will be the third project in St. Pete for DevMar, who’ve also developed Vantage St. Pete and The Metro, which is currently under construction and expected to open in early 2023.

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.

RockShop Fine Gems & Jewelry is expanding to 531 Central Ave

Sky St. Pete will be constructed at the corner of 17th St N and Burlington Ave

NOVEMBER

2022

EVENTS

Lawn Bowling

When: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 9 am sharp (through April 30th)

Where: St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club, 556 4th Ave N

Cost: Free

Looking for fun-loving people (especially Seniors) to join the league. Competitive games begin at 9:30am. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available for everybody. stpetersburglawnbowling.org

St. Pete Brewfest

When: Friday, Nov. 4th & Saturday, Nov. 5th

Where: Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave South

Cost: $20 & up

Featuring an array of local craft breweries, live music, food trucks and beer-themed vendors. dtspbrewfest.com

Bungalowfest: “Renovations & Restorations” Home Tour

When: Saturday, Nov. 5th from 10 am – 4 pm Where: Historic Kenwood Cost: $20 Southwest Florida’s premier architectural home tour returning for its 24th season! This year’s exciting experience explores architectural diversity

and showcases 11 homes spotlighting our urban rebirth and the phenomenon of living large in small spaces. historickenwood.org

Saturday Morning Market back at Al Lang

When: Saturdays, 9am - 2pm Where: Al Lang Stadium, 230 1st St SE Cost: Free Admission

More than 100 vendors will offer fresh & organic produce, meats & seafood, fresh breads, prepared food items, ready-toeat foods and more. Local artists and makers will also have a variety of goods available for sale. SaturdayMorningMarket.com

Opening Reception “Deeper Meaning - The Art of D. Yael Kelley”

When: Friday, Nov. 11th from 5pm - 9pm

Where: Woodfield Fine Art, 2323 Central Ave

Cost: Free to attend

View the latest creations by world-renowned artist D. Yael Kelley. 28 original paintings will be on exhibit and available for sale. Enjoy live music, champagne, wine, beer, and a selection of delectable treats. woodfieldfineart.com

St. Pete Run Fest

When: Friday, Nov. 11thSunday, Nov. 13th

Where: Downtown St. Pete

Cost: Adults $48 & up; Kids $10 & up

The City of St Petersburg’s official running event is back and excited to build on its award-winning track record. Stpeterunfest.org

St. Petersburg Opera Presents Pinocchio

When: Nov. 12th, 13th, 19th, & 20th at 3pm

Where: 2145 1st Ave South

Cost: Adults $15; Kids $5

Fast-moving, colorful, and comical, this one-hour opera in English adapted from Carlo Collodi’s timeless tale includes captivating scenes and songs that highlight the opera’s message about the importance of family, friendship, and telling the truth. stpeteopera.org

Bohemian Night

When: Thursday, November 17th from 6pm - 9pm

Where: The Kenwood Gables

B&B, 2801 7th Ave N

Cost: Free to attend

A new quarterly social and cultural event to celebrate the work of Historic Kenwood artists. The opening exhibit features three projects - by Letisia Cruz, Michael Satino, Luci Westphal - that were awarded the 2022 St. Pete Arts Alliance Grant. kenwoodartistenclave.org

25th Annual Florida CraftArt Festival

When: Saturday, Nov. 19th from 10am - 5pm, Sunday, Nov. 20th from 10am - 4pm

Where: Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave

Cost: Free to attend Artist demonstrations, food trucks, craft beers and music.

Featuring handmade works in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media and wood. Floridacraftart.org

Turkey Trot

When: Thursday, Nov. 24th at 7:45 am

Where: Coffee Pot Bayou

Cost: Adults $40; Kids 4 and over $20

Family-friendly, timed 5K looping around St. Petersburg’s Coffee Pot Bayou on Thanksgiving morning. Hosted by the North Shore Elementary PTA to benefit North Shore Elementary, a Title One School. runsignup.com/ coffeepotturkeytrot

St. Petersburg Opera Guild Silver Bells Luncheon

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7th from 11 am - 2 pm

Where: St. Pete Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave

Cost: $100

German-themed luncheon and silent auction, with special entertainment orchestrated by Maestro Mark Sforzini and performed by members of the St. Petersburg Opera Company. Reservations must be received by Nov. 28th. stpeteoperaguild.org

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

St. Pete Run Fest. Photo by City of St. Petersburg