Green Bench Monthly - Vol 4, Issue 12, December 2019

VOL. 4, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2019

St. Pete’s Community Magazine

Celebrating Local Legacies pg. 26

Look forward to these

Raising Locals

Museum Exhibits pg. 6

Kids Helping Kids pg. 14

Read Yourself Sane

Holiday Survival Guide pg. 20

CONTENTS

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Publishers Ashley & Tony Sica

Advertising Sales Eileen Brock

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

Contributors Angelica, Tina Stewart Brakebill, Nicole Brand, Vandi Carmella, Erin Cody, Rui Farias, Denielle Kennett, Brian Zucker

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

Cover Photo View of the bandshell at Williams Park.

19--. Color postcard. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

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

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6 4 From the Bench

18 Miles4Migrants

5 From the Archives

20 Read Yourself Sane

6 Museum Exhibits to Look Forward To

23 People of St. Pete

8 ICONS in Transformation

24 Step Inside St. Pete

10 RadioStPete

26 Celebrating Local Legacies

12 St. Pete Dance

29 Downtown Developments

14 Raising Locals: Kids Helping Kids

30 Events

16 Baybes Who Brunch: Tacos

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Photos courtesy of Claudio and Camilla Sica

“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

From the Bench A note from the Publishers

It’s the most sentimental time of the year! For us, it’s not about a particular holiday or tradition. In the midst of the chaos, it’s that the holidays afford us time to catch up with family and friends, dig through old photo albums, take recipe notes, and listen to stories... Stories about patience, love, perseverance and hope. The ones that make you laugh and cry. Stories you’ll tell your kids some day. We’re proud of the legacy our families have created so it seemed fitting that we Celebrate Local Legacies on our cover this month (pg. 26).

Before we get too teary-eyed, we urge you to fill up your calendar with art exhibits to look forward to (pg. 6), tune-in to the local airwaves (pg. 10), dance like nobody’s watching (pg. 12), get inspired by future generations (pg. 14, 18), read yourself sane (pg.

20), and get caught up on all the latest developments (pg. 29). From our family to yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a bright new year. Cheers, St. Pete!

Till next time, Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

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From the Museum’s Archives: White Christmas With St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director, Rui Farias The opening of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas in 1955 at the Florida Theatre is probably the closest downtown St. Pete has had to a white Christmas! Opened in 1926, the spectacular Florida Theatre was fashioned in the Mediterranean style with its interior decorated as a Spanish courtyard. Beautiful tapestries, oil paintings of Spanish galleons, Spanish suits of armor and coats of arms filled the theatre. Located on 5th Street between Central and 1st Avenue South, the Florida Theatre could seat 2,300 people and featured a rooftop garden and modern air conditioning! Elvis Presley performed three shows at the Florida Theatre

in 1956 and St. Pete’s youth stood in line for hours to be the first to see the debut of the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night in 1964. The Florida Theatre was sold in 1967 and was demolished in 1968 to make way for a bank and parking lot. The beloved theatre did not go peacefully. At first the wrecking ball bounced off the building and crashed to the street before demolition was completed.

Find more historical photos like this one on the St. Petersburg Museum of History website: spmoh.com.

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Perri Neri, Slay, 2019.

On display at the Morean Arts Center from Jan 11th - Feb. 28th.

Brassaï (Gyula Halász) Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower), c.1930-32, photo © Philippe Migeat - Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI /Dist. RMN-GP © Estate Brassaï RMN-Grand Palais. On display at the Dali Museum through April 9th.

Museum Exhibits To Look Forward To

By Erin Cody It’s time for another rundown of the awesome exhibitions coming to some of our amazing museums in the next few months!

From an insider’s look into the avant-garde scene in Paris betweeen the wars to a virtual reality tour of the attic where Anne Frank hid from Nazi capture, there are a plethora of fascinating options to explore in the coming months.

Victor, photo by Joyce Hata.

On display at the Morean Arts Center Jan. 11th - Feb. 28th.

Dali Museum Through April 9, 2020, the Dali is presenting Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads, 1929. That’s right - it’s open NOW! The exhibition looks at this year of incredible creation in the City of Light, during which Salvador Dali and Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel premiered their brainchild, Un chien Andalou. The works of Jean Arp, André Breton, Alexander Calder, Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Francis Picabia, Man Ray, Yves Tanguy, and, of course, Dali and Buñuel, are explored through the framework of their interconnected artistic community.

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Photo courtesy of the Anne Frank House.

On display at the Florida Holocaust Museum Jan. 25th, 2020 - Jan. 24th 2021.

Morean Arts Center In January, the Morean will be displaying Perri Neri: Past Tense; Present. Through large-scale paintings, the Tampa artist says she is “finding ways of thinking about what it means to exist without progress. It starts with a moment, a laugh, a scream, an election… and using the whole of art history as the proverbial cliff, I jump, trying to make relevant my present state of being, before the final thud.” Neri’s exhibit will run from January 11 to February 28, 2020.

For the same duration, group exhibition I am… will also be up at the Morean. Curated by D. Dominick Lombardi, he says the photography project is, “about identity and how we judge by outward appearances. Certain professionals, or hobbyists with extreme passions, are presented. Gallery visitors are invited to guess their occupations or hobbies.”

Helen Hardin, Messenger from the Sun, 1980 Etching.

On display at the James Museum Dec. 21st - March 1st.

Florida Holocaust Museum The story of Anne Frank is told as it has never been before in the upcoming exhibition Anne Frank: Let Me Be Myself. Running from January 25, 2020 to January 24, 2021, the modern take on Anne’s account of her time in hiding will be told through stunning and disturbing virtual reality. Her experience will be a lens through which we explore issues facing today’s youth, and the alarming events taking place in the present day.

James Museum From December 21, 2019 through March 1, 2020, downtown’s beautiful James Museum will be showing Spirit Lines: Helen Hardin Etchings. The Santa Clara Pueblo artist has created a beautiful array of vibrant copper plate etchings.

Then Blake Little: Photographs from the Gay Rodeo will be bucking up to the James between March 28 and June 20, 2020. The exhibition of black-and-white photos from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s portrays the gay rodeo circuit and the lives of its participants.

Blake Little, Brian Cornell and Alberto Rulloda, Hayward, California, 1989.

Photo courtesy of Blake Little.

On display at James Museum March 28th - June 20th.

Please be sure to take advantage of all the culture our fabulous city has to offer. It’s the perfect time of year to be out and about, after all! Each museum has one day per week that it is open a bit later and features discounted pricing. Check their websites for details. Happy explorations!

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Internationally Renowned Art Exhibit Hosted by St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Snell Isle welcomes all to ICONS in Transformation, a traveling modern art exhibition by the internationally acclaimed Russian-Swedish abstract expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska. The exhibit showcases Pawlowska’s work featuring Russian icons as a source of inspiration for contemporary art. It has toured cathedrals, museums and galleries in Europe, and throughout the United States.

Art With a Purpose The current ICONS in Transformation exhibit includes nearly 150 pieces of Pawlowska’s contemporary works as well as a dozen traditional icons created at the workshop of Vasilevsky Monastery in Suzdal, Russia. Most works are available for purchase, and proceeds benefit St. Thomas’ mission and community outreach efforts.

Body of Work Over her career, Pawlowska has worked with a wide range of genres, both figurative and abstract. She’s worked with wood, fabric, paper, steel, copper, plywood and Plexiglas, as well as found objects.

Her work has earned favorable reviews for its originality and evocative qualities, ranging from startling “in your face” dramatic expression to ethereal contemplative beauty. “[Pawlowska] makes paintings in a vein of contemplative abstraction; her images are intuitive and enigmatic.” - Sir Roy Strong, former director of the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London “She makes art in which femininity, religion, dramatic expression and esthetica beautifully come to harmony.” - Berndt Arell, director at the National Museum of Stockholm

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About the Artist Ludmila Pawlowska was born in 1964 in exile, in Kazakhstan, a former Soviet Republic. Although she did not have a religious upbringing, she chose to be baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church when she was 18, an illegal act at the time. After the fall of the Soviet Union, she moved to Sweden, where she and her husband, Jan Lech, run the Scandinavian Art Center. She continues to develop her abstract expressionism style of painting and sculpture, characterized by using many layers of paint to produce highly textured artworks.

The ICONS in Transformation exhibit features works Pawlowska created over a decade after the sudden death of her mother. She found comfort recalling the icons she had seen in Russian monasteries and worked through her grief through her own artwork. For more about Pawlowska, visit www.ludmilapawlowska.se.

About St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church Founded in 1952, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. The church, at 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, is open to all members of the community. For more info, visit www.stthomasstpete.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ comeseestthomas.

ICONS in Transformation will be on display at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church through February 9: Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fridays; noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Additional visits are available by appointment. Suggested donation: $10 per person; free to children and students.

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RadioStPete volunteers left to right: Bob Bauer, Todd Leiser, P.W. Fenton, “Spike”, Joe Bourdow, Steve Ericson, Stephanie Ginn, Martin “mOw” Reinhart, and Mark Ginn. Photos by Kelly Nash Photography

RadioStPete: Local Radio the Way It’s Supposed to Be

by Tina Stewart Brakebill RadioStPete (“local internet radio for St. Pete and the world”) launched in July 2013 with a mission “to promote all the good things happening here; to put a voice to the people making these things happen and reach a growing audience.” Since then, station founder (and program director) Joe Bourdow and an ever-expanding roster of talented people have made good on those goals by offering, what Joe describes as, “consistently inconsistent” programming.

“Consistently Inconsistent”: What’s that mean?

Glad you asked! RadioStPete programs consistent thematic blocks so listeners know what kind of show they’re going to hear at certain times of the day; however, those scheduled program blocks vary widely throughout each day. RadioStPete isn’t just a talk radio station or a Top 40 music station or an all-news station. It’s all of those things and so much more! Listeners can count on a wide variety of music, news, and talk, along with stellar live coverage of local events. It’s a delightfully inconsistent lineup designed to inform and entertain.

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What’s Your Favorite Song?

RadioStPete probably plays it. Soothe your overnights from midnight to 8 a.m. with “The Classical Station,” starting your day with Joe Goetz and “Classical Sunrise” from The Florida Orchestra at 5 a.m. Wake up for the inspirational sounds of Sunday’s Sacred Choral Music. Throughout the week, liven up your day by turning up today’s new releases, pop hits, and ‘tis the season tunes. If you’re looking for something on the mellow side, check out Friday night’s folk and acoustic music offerings including “WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour” with folk singer Michael Johnathon, followed by “Acoustic Café,” or the locally produced “Song Divers.” Tune in every Saturday night for classic vinyl spins and P.J. Noce’s “Stories Untold.” If jazz is your thing, then “Sunday Night Jazz” with Frank Rivera (live from Dunedin!) will thrill you. But that’s not all! Check out www. radiostpete.com/regular-schedule for the complete lineup.

Talk and More RadioStPete plays the songs you like to hear, but the station is so much more than music. RadioStPete also broadcasts a wide variety of

locally produced podcasts and interviews on subjects ranging from Florida politics to your favorite sports and movies. It also offers coverage of live events including Tiger Bay Club luncheons and local sports.

RadioStPete provides more local events coverage and information than any other audio source. The station also partners with St. Pete Catalyst.

This collaboration extends the reach of the many outstanding Catalyst interviews and discussions with local leaders. But it’s not just local coverage, RadioStPete also broadcasts high-quality nationally syndicated public radio programs not otherwise available locally, including one- to two-hour blocks of World News (from Voice of America) and Garrison Keillor’s “Writer’s Almanac.” Don’t worry if you missed something: Listeners can browse past talk programming and features in the archive at TampaBayPodcasts.com.

Commercials: NO THANKS! Since its inception, RadioStPete has operated as a nonprofit, all-volunteer outfit. This approach means that instead of running commercials, listeners hear promotions for local events, festivals, and

concerts as well as public-service announcements for the region’s many nonprofit groups. If you’d like RadioStPete to promote your event or organization, or if you have questions about the station, send email to info@radiostpete.com

Sounds Great! How can I Listen?

If you’re working (or playing) on your laptop or your desktop computer, simply go to www.radiostpete.com. While you’re listening, meet the diverse cast of hosts or browse the site for information about what time your new favorite program block airs or what special feature is scheduled next. If you’re on the move, then you can listen to RadioStPete on your phone or tablet. Download the free “RadioStPete Tampa Bay” app in the Apple or Android app stores. In your car listen on “Tunein” or via “Siri” on Apple CarPlay. RadioStPete is also featured on many popular Internet Radio Directories worldwide. Plus, if you’re comfy on your couch or pool lounger then just ask “Alexa” or “Siri” or “hey Google” to “play RadioStPete” on your enabled speaker. It’s fun. It’s easy. It’s 24/7.

It’s “local internet radio for St. Pete and the world!”

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Waltz Your Way Into The New Year With St. Pete Dance

by Erin Cody If you want to take singing lessons, you search for a seasoned professional vocalist; if you want acting lessons, your first choice would be an award-winning actor who has appeared in high-caliber productions. If you want to take dance lessons, you go to Michael Raisch, owner of St. Pete Dance. With worldwide experience as a champion dancer, coach, and competition judge, you won’t find anyone more accomplished to teach you to dance your way into the new year.

He Loves The ‘Burg!

But don’t let his considerable dance experience intimidate you!

Michael loves St. Pete just as much as you do, which is precisely why he decided to settle here after so many years of travelling. “St. Petersburg is the best big little city,” states Michael. “The city itself is beautiful, with a strong sense of community and so many different things to do around the area. Culture, arts and fun, but not so big as to get lost in the shuffle.”

Michael is thrilled to have found a home in his beautiful local studio. “I’m so proud of what my students have accomplished, their

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St. Pete Dance is located at 3138 3rd Ave N. Photos on this page by Kristina Holman.

constant improvement and the camaraderie within the studio,” he smiles. Even if you have two left feet, Michael has the patience, talent, and love of teaching to get you moving to the beat. The private lessons offered at St. Pete Dance provide the personalized attention needed to learn just what is right for each individual client. “Everyone just needs to be shown one step at a time.”

The Hardest Part is Walking Through the Door “Dancing is just like anything new you want to try,” he says.

“Sometimes the hardest part is just starting and walking through the door. Most students are surprised just how easy and fun it is to learn to dance. We pride ourselves in making sure that everyone feels comfortable in the lessons, tailoring them to their specific level and rate of learning.”

Just let those nerves melt away and hit the dance floor! If only I could convince my husband to dance...

I asked Michael how he handles situations in which one half of a couple is psyched, while the other is more wary. “We make sure that the couple has fun and feels a sense of accomplishment right away. We breeze past any initial reservations by providing a wonderful experience at lessons and practicing at our dance parties.”

“The benefits of learning how to dance are endless” Photo by Emily Canfield.

Innumerable Benefits If that’s not enough to make you want to slip on your dancing shoes, consider all the perks of dancing. “The benefits of learning how to dance are endless,” Michael ensures. “It’s more than just learning to become a good dancer; the benefits carry over to everyday life. Exercise, better posture, confidence, a sense of achievement, and meeting new people, just to name a few. Romance is added back into relationships; a common interest is shared between partners that they take with them anywhere they go.” Sounds like all your new year’s resolutions in one fantastic package, no?

If you’re ready to go for it, grab a partner, or just fly solo, and sign up for the studio’s introductory special of two lessons for just $39.

“We teach mainly with private lessons to work on your individual needs,” explains Michael. “Then there are group classes to learn figures and practice parties to try out what you’ve learned in a fun, safe environment.”

Ring in the new year with some snazzy new moves! St. Pete Dance is located at 3138 3rd Ave N. Check out their website at www.stpetedance.com, give ‘em a call at (727) 280-6962, or email StPeteDance@gmail.com.

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Caroline Gallagher raising money for childhood cancer research by selling lemonade. Photos courtesy of C&C Lemonade Factory

Raising Locals: Kids Helping Kids

By Vandi Carmella and Denielle Kennett

C&C Lemonade Factory Looks Forward to Another Year of Giving Back The old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” One St. Petersburg family is taking the adage a step further by not only making lemonade but also selling it to raise money to help fund pediatric cancer research.

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Caroline and Charlotte Gallagher, ages 5 and 3, are the sisters behind C&C Lemonade Factory, a St. Pete-based non-profit organization advocating for children fighting the disease. The idea began in 2017 when Caroline told her parents, Danielle and Charles, she wanted to raise money “to give to [her] friends still in the hospital.”

The cause is personal for Caroline — she was diagnosed with leukemia at only 18-months-old. Her two-year-old cousin Julia was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma just six months later. Both girls were treated locally at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Sadly, Julia lost her battle, but Caroline is in remission after two-and-a-half years of treatment.

“It’s hard because we are in remission, but many of our friends are not. They are not able to live normal lives yet,” says Danielle.

So, at Caroline’s request, the Gallaghers set up a lemonade stand in their front yard to raise money to “buy toys for friends” and for “the doctors in the hospital.”

Three years later, the lemonade stand has raised nearly $20,000 with the majority of the money going to All Children’s Hospital and a portion to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a non-profit that

The Gallagher family presenting a $1,000 check made to The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research.

works toward better treatments and ultimately cures for all kids with cancer.

The popularity of the Gallaghers’ lemonade stand has grown exponentially with each passing year. In the first year, Caroline raised $50. The family put in a little more effort the following year by advertising with a Facebook event and reaching out to family and friends, bringing in $800. In 2019, they went all in and raised $13,000, including in-person and online donations from 13 states, England, Ireland, and Canada.

“Community support has been overwhelming,” says Danielle.

And with that, they aim to help even more.

C&C Lemonade Factory became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in November 2019. The family hopes to host monthly fundraising events in 2020 with the new status and is always looking for other ways to give back.

In addition to selling lemonade, they’ve already partnered with the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Go Gold for Childhood Cancer campaign and other local charities. Caroline even debuted her brand new lemonade stand at the annual Lemon Drop cocktail party and silent auction hosted by Northwestern Mutual Greater Tampa Bay last month. But this is just the beginning for the Gallaghers’ plans.

“When your child is off treatment, you can take a step back and see how you can help,” adds Danielle. “We’ve had to find our ‘normal’ again, and this is it.”

For updates on the organization and upcoming events, follow the C&C Lemonade Factory Facebook page (facebook.com/ CandCLemonade). Donations can be made at anytime directly to their website at cclemonade.com.

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Chile Verde; Mexican Style Barbacoa, Carnitas, and Pastor Tacos

Baybes Who Brunch: Inhale Tacos, Exhale Negativity Photos and Story by Angelica, Baybes Who Brunch

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Casita Taqueria; Barbacoa, Special Fried Pork, and Camarones Tacos

There’s nothing hostile about the taco-ver this month. Just dropping a trio of my go-to taco spots to get you through the holidays. I am a firm believer that tacos can never be relegated to just Tuesday. That’s just madness! Tacos almost deserve their own food group. Especially, when dealing with the stress of holiday shopping or your crazy Great Aunt Suzy in town!

First in the lineup, we’ve got a hidden gem of a spot, located smack dab on 22nd Ave in an unobtrusive gas station guarded by Clydesdales. When you step inside Chile Verde, you’re faced with the aroma of simmering meats in quite a variety. I opted for the Barbacoa (barbecued beef), Carnitas (simmered pork), and Al Pastor (marinated pork) Mexican style tacos that come with cilantro, onions, and salsa verde. If you’re looking for authentic, this is the spot for you! I’ve got my eye on the tamales and quesadilla for next time.

Agave Restaurant; Pastor Tacos

Agave Restaurant; Passion Fruit Margarita

Batting second is my neighborhood fav with a location walking distance from my house, Casita Taqueria (with locations on Central Ave, 66th Street, and 4th Street). Y’all this is dangerous! There was a summer I almost turned into a taco from going so much. Here, I have my tried and true choices like the Barbacoa with chipotle onions, tomato braised beef, pico de gallo, queso fresco, and cilantro or the Fried Camarones with lettuce, pico, chipotle mayo, and cilantro with a side of Don’t Call Me Honey Habanero Hot Sauce. I’m also a straight sucker for their alwayschanging rotation of weekly special tacos, soups of the day, or delicious flautas. This is a must hit during happy hour with select $2 tacos and $3 margs and sangria.

Rounding out with a beach spot that is also perfect for margarita mayhem! Agave’s menu is almost as epic in its scope, as their tequila choices. SO many choices, it’s best to bring friends and order multiple

items to share. I was so obsessed with the Chile en Nogada, a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with beef and pork, pecans, carrots, apples, and raisins topped with a cream sauce and pomegranate seeds that it wasn’t until recently I discovered their taco options. My picks are the Barbacoa (Of course! Are you noticing a theme?) and the Pastor with a hint of pineapple. You absolutely cannot leave without trying a margarita. I won’t judge you for ordering a pitcher with a straw. I go for a Patron Passion Fruit Marg on the rocks with a salt rim!

If you can’t wait until the new year to see what I’m eating, 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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Drawing by 3-year-old Sofi given as a thank-you to Miles4Migrants for uniting her family. Border Patrol originally made her choose which family member could cross the border with her. M4M provided free flights for this family of five to reach relatives within the U.S. once CBP/ICE released them.

Photos courtesy of Miles4Migrants

Add Meaning to Your Frequent-Flyer Miles

By Nicole Brand Every day, 37,000 people leave their homes to flee conflict and persecution. For hundreds of reasons beyond their control, they leave everything familiar, navigate mountains of paperwork, learn new social and cultural norms and sometimes even a new language. Sometimes family members become separated in the process and have no financial means to ever reunite. After overcoming so many obstacles to find safety, this burden can feel like one more overwhelming hurdle.

Miles4Migrants (M4M) assists refugees who have been separated

from their families. The organization does this by providing refugees with free airfare to reach a safe home in a new location, after receiving legal approval to travel. It reunites families with fathers who have fled the homeland to forge a safe life in a new country, escaping recruitment by a terrorist organization. It reunites children with parents who have established themselves in a new country after being jailed and even tortured for political or religious beliefs. In some cases, gang violence and threats force them to flee.

How Do They Help?

Miles4Migrants partners with more than 25 nonprofit charities in the United States and worldwide. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Catholic Charities USA and Immigrant Families Together vet families who need flights to verify financial need, and assure that they have all paperwork and legal permission to relocate to the new location. Sometimes these families even receive legal assistance from the referring NGO – obtaining legal documents to travel, to help with bond if detained by U.S. Border Patrol, or to help find children if they were separated. Once M4M receives a request for a ticket from the NGO, the organization pairs a donor’s pledge of miles with a specific family or family member. This process circumnavigates the additional financial hardship for someone fleeing a seemingly inescapable scenario.

If you want to donate miles, you can do so on M4M’s website (www. miles4migrants.org/donate). There is no “pooling” of miles, so every

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4-year-old and his dad reunited thanks to M4M

donor’s pledge supports an individual case. Different scenarios require different quantities of miles and different airline carriers. For example, a flight for someone fleeing Afghanistan to Belgium will take 20,000 miles, but an adult and three children will require 80,000. However, a ticket within the United States usually requires only 12,500 miles, so this is where Miles4Migrants sets its minimum donation. M4M will book the flight once it has a case “match.” Donors can choose to be directly involved; M4M can provide flight information so they can make airline reservations themselves.

A New Purpose Although overseas assistance was the bulk of Miles4Migrants’ work for several years, as the U.S./Mexico border crisis has escalated, the need to help families detained and separated at the border has increased.

M4M receives multiple requests for free tickets every day, and several recent cases made national news: the 3-year-old girl asked by a border patrol agent to choose which parent should cross the border with her; the mother not allowed to cross the border with her child, who ended up alone for months undergoing cancer treatment in the United States; the mentally challenged man separated from his family at the border with no understanding of how to contact them until a nonprofit happened upon him in a shelter.

In each of these cases, M4M provided free flights to reunite families.

These are just a few of the hundreds of successful family reunifications Miles4Migrants facilitated.

Donors Can Be Involved in the Process U.S. border cases make up about two-thirds of the free flights that M4M provides. As of September, M4M provided more than 750 tickets in 2019 alone, and has supplied a total of more than 1,400 since its founding in 2016. If a donor holds a special place in their heart for international refugees and wants the pledge used only for those types of cases or if a donor wants miles used only for U.S. border families, Miles4Migrants will honor the request.

To pledge airline miles to help reunite families, visit Miles4Migrants. org/donate. If your company, church, or community group would like to set up a miles-raising campaign to help, email annette@miles4migrants for additional information.

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Photo by Suad Kamardeen

Read Yourself Sane: A Holiday Survival Guide

By Erin Cody As the holiday season ramps up, so do our stress levels. Though intended to be joyous, the glut of festivities can really fray the nerves.

Local shop Wilson’s Book World has a few recommendations for books that may help you keep yourself together amid the merry holiday chaos.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris is one that I, personally, enjoy every year. This quick read is punchy and hilarious, highlighting the absurdity of the season through a series of creative essays.

History can repeat itself

For the fans of historical fiction, Wilson’s employees recommend Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translation by Burton Raffel. Few things can relieve a challenging moment as well as an engaging work of fiction. The book follows a classic quest formula: a brave knight receives a challenge, makes a gallant journey to meet it, and triumphantly returns home. Find your inspiration to take on the season valiantly!

For a contemplative and inspirational book of fiction, pick up Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The novel follows a man’s ascent to heaven, where he comes across five people who had been deeply important in his life.

Silent Night by Stanley Weintraub will please those who enjoy historical non-fiction, according to the folks at Wilson’s. Weintraub, a military historian, details the incredible true story of the 1914 Christmas Truce that took place during World War I. On Christmas Day, German and British soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate together, singing carols, and even playing soccer. That makes a peaceful dinner with your cantankerous Uncle Jerry seem possible, does it not?

If contemporary literature is your preference, they recommend The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. This life-affirming, Nielsen Gold Book Award-winning novel chronicles a young shepard’s journey of self-discovery and oneness with the universe, as he travels in search of treasure.

On a Lighter Note

Just breathe

John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas is their pick for the humor/ fiction genre. We should be able to laugh at the inherent silliness of the season, right? This book takes a comedic look at the festive frenzy that has become our year-end tradition.

One book that helps me traverse the season is the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh’s, Peace is Every Step. Slowing down and staying present can cause your anxiety to melt away with each breath you take. Just the act of reading this short book is a practice of meditation and self-love. For a beautiful, readerly meditation on the season, I recommend picking up Winter: Five Windows of the Season, a poetic work on non-fiction by The New Yorker columnist Adam Gopnik. It is important to keep in mind that there is more to this time of year than holiday festivities.

If you wish to go straight to the heart of the matter and “Marie Kondo” the most wonderful time of the year, be sure to read Ho Ho NO! Tips for an Organized and Stress-Free Holiday Season. Time management expert Lisa Crilley Mallis uses her proven methods to guide readers toward a focus on organization, ensuring that your holidays can be truly enjoyed.

Thank you so much to Wilson’s Book World for their superb suggestions! I hope you will stop by their shop at 535 16th St N. to peruse these fantastic reads, and proactively steady yourself for a truly wonderful season. I wish you holiday greetings and gay happy meetings all throughout this most wonderful time of the year!

Channel your inner hero

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PEOPLE OF ST. PETE:

Andrew Walker

by Tina Stewart Brakebill St. Pete is celebrated for its fabulous weather, beautiful vistas, world-class food scene, and thriving cultural atmosphere but its people make the city special. In appreciation, each month Green Bench Monthly shines a light on one of the many who make St. Pete unique.

Photo by Brian Brakebill

This month our light shines on the Director of Health and Wellness for the National Senior Games Association, Andrew Walker. As an expert in producing and disseminating health and wellness resources designed to promote active aging, Andrew devotes his professional life to challenging negative assumptions about aging while promoting the positive possibilities of an active lifestyle. It’s a role he’s been preparing for his entire life!

Florida Roots Born in St. Pete, Andrew graduated from Northeast High School in 1977 and headed to University of Florida as a nationally ranked hurdler. Despite lettering in all four years of college, Andrew realized that competitive track wasn’t his future path. Instead, as he explained, had always felt “driven towards wellness.” His 8th grade science project was entitled “Benefits of Exercise” and his family provided a foundation that stressed education and a healthy lifestyle.

His grandfather, Andrew Polk, was Dean of Men at the historic Bethune-Cookman College (now University) before eventually relocating to St. Pete where (among other positions) he served as Gibbs High School principal. Andrew’s mother, Anna Maria Polk Walker (named by the illustrious Mary

McLeod Bethune) graduated from BethuneCookman, earned her M.S. at Michigan State, and taught Home Economics for 31 years at Gibbs. Andrew’s drive towards wellness manifested as a BS in Health Education and Exercise Science from UF and a master’s degree in Public Health Education and Promotion from USF.

Coming Home to St. Pete Over the years, Andrew’s drive towards wellness has taken him from Florida to Georgia and then back to Florida as his career led him in a variety of directions, including the implementation and development of health and wellness programs in academic, municipal, and corporate settings. Then three years ago, the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) offered him the opportunity to develop a new Health & Wellness program from the ground up. Plus it meant he’d be back in St. Pete! Since then, he has led the NSGA’s efforts to implement policies and strategies designed to spread information and raise awareness of “how the Senior Games challenge notions of ageism” and how to translate the lessons learned to the general population. For example, NSGA research shows that highly active older adults who compete in The Games experience falls at a much lower rate than their age peers and

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that if they do experience a fall, they recover in significantly higher percentages. In many ways he’s come full circle, from his 8th grade science project on the “Benefits of Exercise” to today! For more information visit www. nsga.com.

Practice What You Teach As a person moving towards his own senior years, Andrew practices what he teaches. He may not run hurdles anymore but he does walk for exercise along with doing Pilates (as does his 95-year-old father!) and practicing (and teaching) Tai Chi. He also understands the value of individual and community emotional health and wellbeing, which is why he’s also committed to the social justice work practiced by the St. Augustine Episcopal Church in south St. Pete. Social justice efforts recognize that the journey to healthy awareness and understanding begins with truth and reconciliation. Towards that goal, Andrew is involved with the local Community Remembrance Project (in collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative) in their efforts to publicly acknowledge and commemorate local St. Pete lynching victims.

Learn more about the Equal Justice Initiative by visiting their website at www. eji.org/community-remembrance-project.

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This Mediterranean Revival has been lovingly restored by Dr. John and Anna Broshears. Photos by Kristina Holman

Step Inside St. Pete: Historic Old Northeast

By Connor Storch Here we go! Let’s Step Inside St. Pete to spotlight a new space within our sunshine city. This December, we’re hopping over to Historic Old Northeast into the Broshears’ home. It’s a Friday morning, so Dr. John Broshears is busy at St. Petersburg General Hospital and his wife Anna, a retired Cytologist, is working on a new painting. We’ve brought local Black Crow coffee and tea as a thanks for letting all of St. Pete inside.

Preserve the Story Approaching the house from the beautiful brick street, common to the Historic Old Northeast, you’ll notice a flag hanging over the front door. This is the Preserve the Burg 2019 Preservation Award recently presented to the Broshears. Their thoughtfully restored home is called

a Mediterranean Revival, which was a popular style in the 20’s. Since their purchase, the two have enhanced the property with awnings, crown moldings, reimagined ceilings, and a private patio, adding their personal touches to highlight the historical integrity of the home. The pristine exterior is all thanks to their friends at Tommy Todd Landscape & Design.

Anna describes their design aesthetic as eclectic, since they enjoy bold colors and antique furniture. From the lamps to the grand piano, all the way to the repurposed kitchen pantry door [which was once the door to Room 416 in the iconic Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater], there seems to be history and splendor in every corner. Their favorite vintage shops include the Bungaleaux on Central Ave. and Schiller’s Salvage in Tampa. Fittingly, the couple’s go-to tv shows are old classics like Law & Order and Midsomer Murders. Jokingly, Anna quips, “I love old stuff … which my husband John (who is 6 years older than she) says bodes well for him!”

Putting the Art in Party Aside from her sharp sense of humor, it’s Anna’s creativity and passion that makes a splash in this space. Her paintings, along with her mother’s art and her children’s work, cover the walls with meaningful masterpieces. You can’t walk by her own large piece called “Dance Moves” without noticing its simplicity yet depth.

Anna and John bring their charm to neighborhood events. Their home was featured on the 21st Annual Candlelight Tour and they’ve hosted one of the neighborhood porch parties; plus, every Halloween at their home is a big hit on the block.

This winter their children Ryan, Chris, Edge and Emma are all

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Anna’s paintings, along with her mother’s art and her children’s work, cover the walls with meaningful masterpieces. You can’t walk by her own large piece called “Dance Moves” without noticing its simplicity yet depth.

visiting before Edge goes back overseas to serve in the Navy. Some will sleep on the murphy bed in the Secret Room which can only be found through a door disguised as library shelves.

Come the new year, Anna and John will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. They’re undecided whether to toast on their sailboat en route to Key West or down the street at Three Birds Tavern.

Whichever place they choose, we know it will be filled with joy. Art sure does imitate life!

Step Inside St. Pete is a column inspired by the exterior & interior design within our beautiful, blooming city. Whether you live in Uptown, Downtown or any district in between, Green Bench Monthly loves meeting every side of St. Pete. We enjoy knocking on all types of doors and seeing our city up close and like never before.

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Young women pose for a photograph at Saint Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens Saint Petersburg, Florida. 1964. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

Celebrating Local Legacies

By Tina Stewart Brakebill A business doesn’t have to last for 50-plus years to make an impression on a community, but reaching that milestone certainly qualifies for celebration! Plus, from their opening days to the present day, these longtime entities have helped define and shape St. Petersburg.

A Town is Born, 1892-1900 Incorporated in 1892, at 300 people, St. Petersburg was the largest community on the Pinellas Peninsula, prompting the West Hillsborough Times to move its operation from Clear Water Harbor and begin publishing as the St. Petersburg Times (today’s Tampa Bay Times). Proudly boasting of the town’s sidewalks, electric street lights, and telephones, the Times also reported when the town set speed limits for trains and horses, regulated saloons and banned hogs from running

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Top: Morean Arts Center. Bottom: Mirror Lake Carnegie Library.

Photos by City of St. Petersburg

wild in the streets. By 1900, nearly 1,600 people had settled in what had become the most urbane town on the peninsula. Only vestiges remained of the sparsely settled frontier village, and the new century promised even more change. As the longest-running entity on the Legacy list, the Times still reports on those changes.

A Town Becomes a Sunshine City, 1900-1920 Popular wisdom pointed to port-centered industrialization as the surest route to 20th century prosperity, but some city boosters imagined a different path. Banking on tourism as an economic engine, the Board of Trade (today’s Chamber of Commerce), with support from the Times, pushed for preservation of “the natural and recreational amenities of the city including the waterfront park system” rather than an expanded industrial port. Controversial at the time, this path ultimately proved to be successful. Designated a public park in 1910, the waterfront and nearby Sunken Gardens, another spot of natural beauty founded during this period, were (and remain) wildly popular. The addition of La Plaza Theatre, the Mirror Lake Carnegie Library, and what is now the Morean Arts Center assured that the city’s “recreational amenities” would expand beyond nature.

Left: Williams Park Bandshell designed by Harvard Jolly Architecture. Right: The Chattaway. Photos by City of St. Petersburg

The Sunshine City Booms and Builds, 1920-1930 By 1920, 14,000 people called St. Petersburg home. Few could have imagined the new roads ahead as the city entered a decade of rapid expansion. The boom of the 1920s was characterized by the rapid growth of population, tourism, construction and land speculation. As surveyors and engineers, George F. Young Engineering played an important part in this process as the city limits expanded from 11 square miles to 53. Afterall, full-timers needed places to live, and both tourists and residents wanted places to go. New neighborhoods were established during this time, including Allendale, Euclid, Snell Island, Granada Terrace, and (due to codified segregation) 22d Street S. The city also gained the Coliseum, the Manhattan Casino, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Million Dollar Pier before the land boom collapsed in 1928.

And then Booms and Builds Again, 1930-1960 That slowdown didn’t last long. Even before the Great Depression was over, things in St. Petersburg had picked back up. By 1960, the population had grown to 180,000, and tourism thrived. As building resumed, Harvard Jolly Architecture proved vital to helping shape the look of St. Pete, including the award-winning Williams Park bandshell and the inverted pyramid of the Municipal Pier. The steady stream of new home owners and renters wanting to update, remodel or newly furnish their spaces depended on newly established small local businesses such as Rayco Upholstery, Beyersdorf Wallpaper, Johnson Upholstery, Furniture Workshop and Herbach Rattan Furniture. Then, and now, these local businesses can help turn a house or apartment into a home.

And Chooses the Road!

In 1908, only 22 cars struggled to navigate the few existing roads, while trolley tracks continued to expand. By the time Gandy Bridge

connected Tampa and St. Pete in 1924, cars had emerged as the clear winner. In response, the city spent millions of dollars building and paving roads; even the Million Dollar Pier was open to automobiles.

As the number of cars increased, so did the need for service. In 1947, Bob Lee’s and Dodwin-Singer launched to meet that need. A year later, Goodyear Rubber opened as a source for replacement parts. Seventy years later, they’re still doing the job! By the 1950s, St. Pete’s devotion to driving prompted the removal of the trolley tracks as more bridges and the interstate opened the city to the rest of Florida.

Let’s Take a Drive New and improved roads within offered new destinations. During the Great Depression, families could cruise down Central Avenue to buy a book at Haslam’s and take a quick break at Coney Island for a nickel hot dog before heading downtown to see their attorney at the law office of Fisher & Sauls. As the local economy shifted into the post-war boom, choices expanded. Hungry patrons could get breakfast at Munch’s, take “high tea” at the Chattaway and grab a burger at Biff Burger or El Cap. At the end of a long work day, Mastry’s and The Emerald offered perfect Central Avenue spots for a beer, some conversation and maybe some music. Lucky for us, all of these enterprises are still going strong.

It’s a Family Affair Weathering Florida’s frequent boom and bust cycles is challenging, especially for small local places. Some of the places mentioned above, like La Plaza Theatre and the Manhattan Casino, didn’t make it. But over the last half-century, those that did endure have become icons. For many of these Legacy icons, family proved to be the secret to success.

For example, Roger’s Cleaners, the oldest service business on the list, has been family-owned since 1916, and the newest Legacy entity, the Weekly Challenger, is currently edited by Lyn Johnson, daughter of the newspaper’s 1967 co-founder Cleveland Johnson. Celebrate St. Pete families and our community’s legacy by remembering these businesses the next time you need something! To see the complete Legacy list, visit www.stpete.org/history_and_preservation/legacy_businesses.php DECEMBER 2019 /

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7-story mixed-use development to replace the old police station at 1301 1st Ave North.

Bodega is moving a few doors down to 1180 Central Ave.

Alsace Walentine, Owner of Tombolo Books opening soon at 2153 1st Ave South.

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 Collective, a new mixed-use project is coming soon to 1246 Central Avenue in the EDGE District. The development will be built on a 1.5-acre site currently home to the 4-story Furnish Me Vintage building and a surface parking lot. Plans call for a Marriott Moxy hotel, a food hall by team behind The Hall on Franklin in Tampa, coworking space by Station House, and ground-level retail. Construction should wrap up in 2022.

Last month, the City announced the redevelopment of a prime Central Avenue block in downtown’s booming EDGE District. Located on two acres at 1301 1st Avenue North, the site of the former St Pete Police HQ will soon become a 7-story mixed-use development containing over 100,000 square feet of Class A office space, 22,000 square feet of retail, 30 workforce rental units, 60 market-rate condominium units, and over 600 parking spaces, of which about 400 will be public.

Demolition of the old police station is scheduled to begin summer 2020.

The team behind Tampa’s Armature Works has signed an agreement to open a 25,000 square foot food hall in Downtown St Pete’s Sundial shopping center. Most of the businesses on the property’s west side will be replaced except for Tommy Bahama and Sea Salt. Closing their doors after the holidays will be Locale Market, FarmTable Cucina, Wellness Center at Sundial, and D-Gallerie. Jackie Z will be relocating to the east side of the shopping plaza. Buildout is expected to begin in early 2020 and is slated to be completed late 2020.

Tombolo Books is coming soon to 2153 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District. Tombolo will be a 1,500 square foot independent bookstore situated in the beautifully lush Calusa Commons, next door to Black Crow Coffee and Squeeze Juice Works. The shop will carry around 6,000-7,000 books at a time, focusing on independent publishers, local nonfiction, popular bestseller books, and much more. Tombolo Books plans to open this December, just in time for the holiday shopping rush.

EDGE Animal Hospital is coming soon to 913 1st Avenue North in Downtown St Pete. Some may remember when this building almost became a Dunkin’ Donuts with a drive thru in 2018. Now the building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art veterinary facility that’ll include five exam rooms, in addition to space dedicated to radiology, dentistry, and surgery. The EDGE Animal Hospital hopes to open sometime in the second quarter of 2020.

Bodega, the beloved cuban restaurant located in the EDGE District, will be moving into a new building at 1180 Central Avenue (currently Mis en Chic), about 65 feet away from their current location.

The expanded space will allow for a bigger kitchen and indoor seating for customers. Bodega hopes to open in their new space in May 2020.

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

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Photo by City of St. Petersburg.

EVENTS Night Market St. Pete

When: Thursday, Dec. 19th from 6 pm – 10 pm Where: St Pete Side Lot, 2133 2nd Ave South Cost: Free Admission Right in time for some last minute holiday shopping. 50 local craft vendors, DJ, food and bar! Kid and pet friendly! facebook.com/stpetesidelot

Songs Around a Christmas Tree When: Thursday, Dec. 19th from 7pm - 10pm Where: Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, 1111 Central Ave Cost: Free admission The immensely talented J.T. Brown sings holiday tunes for a night of Christmas crooning! This event is part of Miracle at Mezzo -- a beloved holiday-themed popup bar Intermezzo.co

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Holiday Movies in the Park When: Saturday, Dec. 21st from 7pm – 9pm Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr NE Cost: Free Admission Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to settle in for The Santa Clause! It’s sure to be a fun evening for the entire family. stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents

Healthy St. Pete Fun Fitness Boot Camp When: Every third Saturday, (Dec. 21st) from 9am - 10am Where: Lassing Park, 2042 Beach Dr SE (corner of 18th Ave) Cost: FREE Challenge yourself by improving your energy, balance, coordination, confidence and more through cardo, core, upper and lower body workouts.

The class is tailored for the individuals attending. All levels welcome. healthystpetefl.com

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4pm - midnight Where: Downtown St. Pete Cost: Adults $12; Kids $5 First Night St. Pete is When: through Dec. 23rd from ringing in its 27th Anniversary 6pm - 9pm Celebration of the Arts! This Where: Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE year’s schedule includes eight Cost: Free Event hours of music, interactive Celebrate the holidays with a exhibits, puppetry, aerial arts, visit to Santa! Cameras welcome. fire jugglers, street performers, stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents scavenger hunts and much more. Fireworks at 8:00pm and Midnight. Buttons available for First Night St. Pete purchase through Dec. 26th at When: Tuesday, Dec. 31st from firstnightstpete.com.

Meet Santa in the Park

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

here pinellascounty.org/forms/ census2020Partner.htm. Apply to work with the Census Bureau here: census.gov/jobs

6th Annual Christmas In The Park Pier Ranger Help provide food, warm Outreach Program clothes, hygiene items, and referrals to those in need.

Volunteers and donations needed. Hosted by Hannah’s Homeless. If you’d like to help or donate for this event email info@hannahshomeless.org.

Help make St. Pete count

The 2020 Census is coming. Getting an accurate count in St. Pete is critical for our community. Harbordale, Coquina Key, Pine Acres, Lealman, Edgemoor, Rio Vista, and Gandy area. Census data determines everything from seats in U.S. Congress to billions of dollars in federal funding for local programs. Volunteer with the Pinellas County Complete Count Committee

Be a Ranger at the new St. Petersburg Pier opening next year. Volunteer Pier Rangers must complete 3 hours of training and have access to a smart phone with mobile internet capabilities. Rangers will be expected to walk, stand, and interact with the public during their shifts, often outdoors and in summer heat. Rangers are strictly volunteers (no compensation.)

If you have questions or would like to register, contact City of St. Petersburg Neighborhood Specialist, Robert.barto@stpete.org.

For more events, or to submit event info, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/ events. To submit volunteer opportunities email hello@ greenbenchmonthly.com

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

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