St. Pete Life May/June 2023

A remodeling project involves a lot of moving parts, a lot of products and more importantly, requires a lot of handson care. At King Contracting, Inc., our Design-Build Process helps you see how all these components come together to result in a beautiful remodel of your home, whether it’s a single-family house, condo or townhouse.

From kitchen remodels to high-end whole house remodels to sophisticated custom designed homes, we have worked together with our clients to design, remodel and build beautiful homes in the Greater St. Petersburg Area for over a decade. Because over 75% of our clients live in a FEMA Flood Plain, we have gained the professional expertise to guide you thru the process to ensure that you are compliant, all while offering you a design with your personal touch that accentuates your existing home!

To deliver award-winning remodeling and custom Design-Build projects to our discriminating client base, King Contracting puts a lot of emphasis on continued education of its employees. We have Universal Design Certified Professionals, Certified Remodeling Project Managers and a Certified Remodeler on-staff to help assemble your thoughts onto paper and in turn, deliver a high-end finished product to you that your family will enjoy for years to come!

Doug King, CR, UDCP, MBA, CGC, NARI National Past President 2020/2021

In this Health and Wellness issue, we take a look at the many opportunities available to anyone who wishes to get out and get active. We are fortunate to have the support of the St. Pete Parks and Recreation Department, who years ago implemented Healthy St. Pete, a dedicated program aimed at inspiring people of all levels to take an interest in their personal fitness. This initiative expanded more recently with the Get Fit! St. Pete program, which offers a diverse array of fitness programs for beginners from pickleball and kayaking to yoga and trail runs. Best of all, they take you to our city parks so you can discover all they have to offer. Check out our listing of city-run fitness activities and find something you’ll enjoy.

Many St. Pete residents are runners, as evidenced by the multitude of organized runs and races held nearly every weekend in the area. We talk to some local race organizers and visit a couple running clubs that offer 5k runs most evenings. These clubs not only encourage newbies and walkers, but they are a great way to socialize and meet people. Even if you just want to walk your dog, you might want to try a running club to get your mojo working.

In this issue, we also offer up our annual St. Petersburg Top Docs special advertising feature. Be sure to check it out if you need to find a top-notch specialist for whatever ails you.

Do you love coffee? Is so, you’re in luck. The ‘Burg is overflowing with coffee shops. Read our guide to downtown’s Top 10 Coffee Shops and pick someplace new on your java journey. And don’t miss a look at a stunning waterfront oasis we discovered in Siesta Key with its indoor/ outdoor sunken living room adjoining a backyard patio and pool. It’s built just for the Florida lifestyle — and who doesn’t love that?

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Beth Ann Drake Publisher

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“I hurt my back playing golf. I went to the chiropractor. I went to the pain institute. I went to the spine institute. Nothing helped. The pain was debilitating, I went six or seven months without playing.”

Chronic pain makes everyday life incredibly difficult. It prevents you from participating in activities you once loved and simple daily tasks like grocery shopping become nearly impossible.

This was the case with John R. of South Pasadena.

John would go on to explain that on a scale of one to ten his pain was well over a nine every single day. Regardless of your age, back pain, whether caused by a sports injury, longstanding arthritis or even specific conditions like scoliosis, can severely impact the quality of your life. In short, it stops you from doing the things you love with the people you love and that’s not a great way to live.

On top of that, general practitioners, specialists and surgeons are all too eager to prescribe medications whose side effects are often detrimental to your recovery or recommend invasive surgeries that often have less than desirable outcomes.

Fortunately for the people of the St. Petersburg, Dr. Rebecca Gibbons and her team at Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine have pioneered nonpharmaceutical, non-surgical innovative medical solutions that actually treat your pain!

“My patients are also people who would normally require surgery but would either have a difficult time going under the knife or have simply decided that they would rather explore other options. There is more to healthcare

“Her Treatments Got Me Back on the Golf Course.”

than prescription pills, elimination diets and scalpels,” shares Dr. Gibbons. “By offering several integrative therapies we are able to combat your pain from several angles ensuring the best possible outcome.”

John easily attested to this claim, “I highly recommend her to anybody. I am very thankful that I met Dr. Gibbons and she was able to help me because I can play golf again!”

Each new patient that comes to AAIM receives a comprehensive consultation and then is prescribed a very personalized treatment program that is tailored to their specific needs and goals. “While every treatment I perform is based on a framework cultivated from years of education and experience, no two cases are the same and so every person under my care is treated that way,” tells Dr. Gibbons.

One of the modern medical solutions Dr. Gibbons offers is O3 Regenerative Therapy™ which uses prolozone, a technique that involves injecting a solution of natural anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins and ozone into degenerated or injured joints, and into areas of pain. It’s with these injections that John found himself back on the green.

“Unlike other solutions to chronic pain, O3 Regenerative Therapy™ corrects the pathology of the problem, allowing the body to heal itself naturally. This is a wonderful alternative to more traditional methods and incredibly safe and highly successful.”

Dr. Gibbons and the team at AAIM are using O3 Regenerative Therapy™ to treat a myriad of chronic pain issues including neck pain, arthritis, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, chronic injuries and so much more!

To schedule a consultation and evaluation call (727) 272-3587 or to learn more visit WWW.ACHIEVEACUIM.COM Ready to schedule? Call (727) 272-3587 for a comprehensive consultation today.

Top 10 Coff Shops

BY SAM BAKER

In 2023, no establishment has taken on more responsibility than the coffee shop. If your morning needs some caffeine-induced productivity, or if you need a cool, casual spot to meet a new client, you’re probably going to a coffee shop. Luckily for us, there is no shortage of unique and fun coffee shops here in the ‘Burg. Each of them has their own beautiful reasons to stop in and enjoy their specialty brew. With so many options, you could easily go weeks without visiting the same place twice. If you’re looking for insight into some of the best local spots in town, we’ve got you covered.

Who are we? We are just a young couple of St. Pete residents who love getting out and exploring our sunny city. We have no special certification or background as coffee connoisseurs. My wife (Bella) and I (Sam) both primarily work from home and we have had the opportunity to visit many of the coffee shops St. Pete has to offer.

We’ve compiled this list of our top 10 favorite spots to relax or work with a cup of coffee. Our rankings were based on an overall rating of their atmosphere, menu, and seating availability.

10. Kahwa Coffee

A top 10 list of coffee shops in St. Pete would not be valued if Kahwa Coffee didn’t make it. Kahwa is a St. Pete coffee cornerstone. Started in 2009 by local couple Sarah and Raphael Perrier, Kahwa is the largest independent coffee roaster in the state of Florida. You can’t miss the Kahwa name, because they wholesale everywhere, so even if you haven’t visited one of their 14 locations the odds are high that you’ve had their coffee before.

With so many shops to choose from, if you like consistency with your daily cup but want to switch up your environment, the options are virtually endless while still sipping local. My personal favorite Kahwa is the St. Pete South location. 204 2nd Avenue S., St. Petersburg

9. Neighborhood Joe

If you want a classic coffee shop with decent coffee and a lowkey community vibe, check out Neighborhood Joe. Tucked away on Dr. MLK Street N., it’s the kind of place where you’ll get to know the name of the wonderful people who work there and they’ll learn yours. Just overall a unique shop, and you can even buy one of their handcrafted coffee mugs and receive free drip coffee FOR LIFE!

Need a spot to work or just enjoy a cuppa joe? St. Pete’s got a coffee shop for everyone.

Paradeco

Seating is always available, and if you wrap up your work a little earlier and want to unwind with some board games, their selection is rather vast. Vegan and gluten free diets will have plenty to enjoy on their menu. I cannot recommend their GF blueberry muffins enough. 2609 MLK Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg

8. Bad Mother Coffee

Many remote workers may be familiar with the Station House, an inviting co-work space downtown. Most of Station House’s amenities are available through paid memberships. The first floor, however, is home to Bad Mother Coffee which is open to the public.

Plenty of seating options are available and we have yet to go and not be able find a space to sit. This is also a perfect space if you need to make a few phone calls because it is a co-working space and doesn’t have the vibe of a library like some other worker friendly coffee shops.

The menu is limited but you can’t go wrong with anything you order here. True beans here are on a rotation featuring a different roster periodically. The line is never too long and the baristas are also like lightning so you won’t be waiting too long before you’re enjoying your brew.

260 1st Avenue S., St. Petersburg

7. Grassroots Kava and Coffee House

Once you visit Grassroots, you’ll find yourself coming back on the regular. It is constantly filled with tons of people who have figured out that same thing. It’s a two-story, artsy kava and coffee bar. You can work either downstairs or upstairs. The downstairs is a little more collaborative, while the upstairs is quieter and better for decluttering your email inbox. Finding a seat can be tough if you come later in the morning, so plan to come early to secure your spot.

Grassroots offers their own blend of beans that is roasted locally in Tampa Bay. Their menu doesn’t stop at coffee. They are also

known for their kava, kratom, kava cocktails and teas. 957 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg

6. Craft Kafe Downtown

Craft Kafe makes the list for their amazing menu, location and amount of seating. Located on a bustling corner at Central and 2nd Street S., Craft Kafe’s interior is not very large but they make up for it with a very large outdoor shaded seating space. They do have two locations in St Pete with their second being on Central and 66th Street N.

Gluten-free baked goods are their specialty — all of their items are gluten free. This is one of the few shops on the list, too, where you can get a full breakfast and lunch. My personal recommendation would be to try out the Chicken Avocado Cream Sandwich. 200 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg

5. Black Crow (Old Northeast)

A staple in the community, Black Crow provides a comfy and eclectic space to sit and spend your most productive hours of the day. Although I do love both of their locations, the original Old Northeast location makes the list because the downtown location does not have wi-fi available for the public.

Black Crow roasts and sells all their own beans out of their Grand Central location. They offer some of the more unique brews here for every kind of morning you are having, whether it needs a decaf roast or my favorite Jet Fuel. They are very mindful to always have food items that cater to different dietary preferences. You also haven’t lived until you’ve had one of their Crowssants.

The environment when you walk in is always welcoming. It doesn’t look like your typical workspace but it feels homey when you settle into your spot. You can also use Black Crow as your

Continued on next page

way to stay plugged into the community. Local event flyers are posted around, so you’re always in the know.

722 2nd Street N., St. Petersburg

The perfect spot for both locals and tourists. If you’re over closer to the beach, Grove Surf + Coffee is a super unique shop to visit. If you like the beachy relaxed vibe, you’re going to like Grove. Grove doubles as a coffee shop and surf shop, selling Bandit roasted coffee and some of your favorite surf apparel brands. There aren’t many spots in St. Pete where you can shop for beachwear while you wait for your latte.

All of Grove’s coffee syrups are made in-house so you can’t get their unique coffee flavorings anywhere else. They keep seasonal drink specials on a solid monthly rotation so if you like variety they will always have something new for you. They have plenty of baked goods to go around, too. Pricing is fair with a standard 16-ounce coffee coming in at $3.75.

Guest wi-fi is strong so you can definitely get some work done. Seating can be limited because of Grove’s popularity so if you plan on working, try and come in earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. 7370 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach

Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails is a must visit in downtown St. Pete. This is a spot you could spend all day in. They have very comfortable seating and strong wi-fi. The coffee menu is extensive, and if you’re feeling up for a midday cocktail, they’ve

got you covered. Food is limited, but the quiche and baked goods they do have are “chef’s kiss”.

Later in the afternoon, Intermezzo transitions out of the coffee shop and into the cocktail bar. While the vibes stay the same, they do typically open up their outdoor seating and turn off the wi-fi. Intermezzo is on the move, however they won’t be moving too far. Sometime this summer they will be moving about 100 yards up Central Avenue to the location that used to hold The Independent Brewery. 1111 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg

Pete’s Bagels (also known as Pete’s General) is the perfect spot to add to the remote worker’s rotation. Located near the Grand Central District on 1st Avenue S., it’s just close enough to downtown to be near your favorite spots, yet being off of Central Avenue, it’s not too crowded. I would say that it’s most popular days are on the weekend, so you don’t have to worry about fighting for a seat on weekdays.

If a huge variety of coffee options aren’t important to you then Pete’s menu is perfect. They have quality “MADE” hot drip coffee, cold brew and three different lattes. Their bagels are worth the visit, as well. I highly recommend the Spicy Pete. 2361 1st Ave S. St. Pete

Paradeco tops the list for so many reasons. You’ll be blown away by the decor when you first walk in. It’s straight out of some trendy influencer’s Instagram (in a good way!). Everything aesthetically inside is very well done. If you’re a fan of pastels and modern design, you’ll really enjoy doing your work here.

4. Grove Surf + Coffee

3. Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails

2. Pete’s Bagels

1. Paradeco

Their coffee is roasted in-house. Sometimes you’ll even be lucky enough to be there when they are roasting, and if you like their roast you can pick up your own bag on your way out. The menu options are vast, with a ton of choices for all diets. If you’re someone who craves a fancy picturesque latte, you’ll be able to get your fix here.

There is a decent amount of seating for all different group sizes, but you will need to plan to come in early to have your

pick. Paradeco really created an artsy yet comfortable place for the community to enjoy and is frequented by many. 111 2nd Avenue NE, #101, St. Petersburg

Now this list doesn’t feature all of the amazing coffee shops that St. Pete residents frequent. One of our favorite things about this city is that it’s full of so many different people with different vibes. You can find whatever style of coffee shop or work space, if you just get out of the

PHOTO/ Brenda McMahon Ceramics

Tampa Bay Melitta No.1 Producer of Coffee Filters

A local facility supplies all of North America

BY MARCIA BIGGS

Coffee brewing is big business. Countless coffee shops and restaurants, hotels and convention centers, serve millions if not billions of cups of joe every year. Most Americans who consume coffee have some kind of brewing apparatus at home, from a single-cup Keurig to a traditional drip coffee maker. I have been making coffee at home nearly every day of my entire adult life (I can’t even do the math on that one), but have I ever taken a moment to reflect on the importance of the lowly filter?

Not until now.

I was recently invited to tour the 90,000-square-foot North American production facility for Melitta filters. Who knew that one of the top 10 coffee producers in the world has a headquarters tucked away in an industrial park in central Clearwater? All the Melitta filters sold in North America are produced here. It’s a 24-7 operation, producing nearly 1 billion filters every year — that’s 1,900 filters a minute, Vice President of Operations Jeff Bridges tells me as he hands me over to Director of Paper Operations Ken Donovan for a personal tour.

In an environment so clean you could eat off the floor, Donovan shows me the quality control station, where filters from each batch are tested with jets of very hot water. He shows me the high-tech high-speed mechanized stations that shoot out filters into shiny red and green boxes. Each has a paper roll that feeds into a machine where it magically gets cut and pressed into cone shapes, then separates into stacks and slides into boxes moving steadily along an adjacent conveyor belt. This all happens in a matter of seconds.

From here, they continue on to a boxing station where they are prepared for distribution across the country.

Most people have seen the Melitta name at least on shelves of supermarkets or on a coffeemaker. What they may not know is that Melitta has a profound importance in the history of coffee

brewing. A woman named Melitta Bentz actually invented the first coffee filter 150 years ago in her native Dresden, Germany. In 1908 she pierced the bottom of a brass mug and then placed a sheet of blotting paper from her son’s exercise book inside. As she carefully let the coffee run through the brass mug, she realized that this simple idea would get rid of the annoying coffee grounds and bitter taste and make drinking coffee much more enjoyable.

Her family established a small paper coffee filter factory in Dresden, which remains the world Melitta headquarters today. Bentz family members are still at the helm of what is now an internationally active group of companies — and an extensive product portfolio for the preparation of coffee and tea. In the lobby of the Clearwater Melitta facility there is an homage kind of family tree with the history of the company throughout the last 150 years. Who knew?

Massive two-story high rolls of brown paper are stored in one corner of the production room. They are constantly being used and replaced, used and replaced. The enormity of the paper consumption hits me, so I must ask. The paper rolls come mainly from the plant in Germany, Bridges tells me. But Melitta is proud of their sustainability efforts, he adds. On a global level, the company

The Melitta story

has a commitment to use recycled paper and pulp, conserve water consumption and achieve climate neutrality for all emission and energy use.

“We have a sustainability division in our company that sets goals and guidelines. Our coffee production plant in Cherry Hill, NJ, produces 20% of our electricity using solar panels. All the filter boxes use recycled paperboard. All waste paper is packed and sold to manufacturers for recycling into other products. And we plant more trees than we consume. Melitta has an initiative, The Million Tree Challenge, where the company will match every tree donation made through their website.”

Other fun filter facts:

• Paper filters are 100% biodegradable.

• About 75 percent of consumers prefer the brown natural filters, with 25% opting for the white version. Contrary to popular belief, the white filters are chlorine and bleach free and certified compostable (they are “oxygen cleansed”).

• Bamboo filters are made with 40% bamboo, a renewable resource that naturally regenerates much quicker than trees (it’s actually a grass).

The day after the tour as I begin my morning ritual of making a pot of coffee, I inspect my simple brown filter which began its journey from paper in Germany. Then I read the package of my ground coffee, which said it came from Guatemala. My milk came from dairy cows in Central Florida and water from Tampa Bay. I realize my coffee cup holds a small miracle sourced from around the globe.

All hail, coffee!

We Are Nuts for Beans

our most popular beverage, with 66% of Americans over age 18 indulging in at least one cup per day (bottled water comes in at 60%).

Americans drink an estimated 491 million cups of coffee every day, according to a Fall 2022 report by the National Coffee Association. The report noted that 33% of coffee drinkers buy coffee away from home at least four times a week, while 56% of coffee drinkers buy coffee away from home one to three times a week.

Traditional drip coffee makers are still the most popular preparation method, with 40% still using the drip method, 24% using the single cup brewer, 14% using cold brew method, and 11% using an espresso machine.

And this is not such a bad thing.

Decades of independent scientific evidence show that drinking coffee is associated with decreased risk of death from any cause. Leading health organizations like the American Institute for Cancer Research, The American Cancer Society, and the World Health Organization have highlighted the strong evidence of coffee’s association of reduced risk of certain cancers. Drinking coffee is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

When it comes to your health you have often heard the term “you only get one…”. One life, one body, one heart, one brain. We tend to predicate many decisions for our health based on this notion. Even more so our decisions are directed by the advice of trusted educators around us like our team of medical providers. The issue with standardized medicine today is we are too often left struggling to advocate for our own health and frequently fall victim to the standard medical model which tends to result in protocols involving medications and surgery.

Though these modalities do play an important role in medical care when necessary, like all things there is an appropriate place and time. What if there were another avenue? Another non-invasive route for therapy that delayed or diminished the need for pharmacologic or surgical intervention? What if we started taking care of our health proactively instead of reactively? What if our entire health care system was run backwards? This is the paradigm that Physician Associate Bryn Renda and the team of providers at Axis Stem Cell Institute have built the framework of their practice upon. “We harness the body’s innate ability to heal itself, and we have the resources to tap into that potential to begin repairing the body from the inside out” Renda explains. Axis Stem Cell Institute specializes in regenerative medicine using modalities like stem cell, amplified Platelet Rich Plasma, ozone, and peptides among many other therapies to biohack the body in order to regenerate tissue, decrease inflammation and fight disease.

Among many cutting edge therapies, Axis Stem Cell is one of the leading clinics in the country completing stem cell injections into the spinal canal for concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. The brain and spinal cord are the epicenter of functionality and life, where allopathic interventions for treatment are currently limited.

Multiple Sclerosis affects nearly 2.5 million people worldwide and is characterized by the autoimmune mediated degradation of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers. Commonly visualized plaques and lesions are seen on MRI of the brain and spinal cord. This causes symptoms such as vision loss, drop foot, gait disturbance, limb weakness, spasms, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. With most neurodegenerative conditions like MS patients are left with very few options for treatment and often live with some form of the disease for the rest of their lifespan. Many of these conditions are also progressive and tend to produce worsening of symptoms over time.

The science behind this procedure lies in the use of mesenchymal stem cells along with added growth factors to repair damaged nervous tissue in the central and peripheral nervous system. The cells are administered in office via simple injection into the spinal canal where the CSF has the opportunity to carry the stem cells through the blood brain barrier into circulation around the brain and spinal cord. “We have figured out a way to safely tap into the nervous system and begin repairing tissue like we have never been able to do before, Its pretty incredible. ” says Renda. “I had a female patient with Multiple Sclerosis that presented to me with several brain lesions on MRI. We completed two spinal canal infusions with stem cells and after 8 months the patient’s neurologist called me to ask what we had done. He told me that on her newly obtained MRI her previously visualized lesions had decreased in size and number.” While this may not be the exact picture for every patient who walks through the door it is a beneficial, noninvasive , low risk option for therapy.

Traumatic brain injuries, most specifically concussions, have been a very controversial topic in the news and in the realm of contact sports. The issue was brought to widespread attention by a collection of studies performed in the early 2000’s that produced indisputable evidence regarding the damage sustained from chronic blows to the head in football players of all ages. This was shown to negatively impact long-term health, cognitive function and lifespan , even after only one grade 3 concussion. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive degenerative disease that is directly correlated as a result of this repetitive trauma and is often associated with early onset dementia, memory problems, mood changes and suicide. Damage to the brain occurs from the whiplashlike mechanism that occurs when the cerebrum impacts the inside of the skull after taking a blow to the head. Stem cells, when introduced into the spinal canal have the ability to assist in repair and modulation of the damaged regions of the brain. They also work to modulate cytokines to down-regulate the inflammatory process that results from injury. This cools down the brain and allows for a more efficient healing process to occur.

As leading providers and researchers in regenerative medicine Axis stem cell prides themselves on being a center for excellence for high performance and professional athletes including NFL, MLB , USA Soccer and Olympic tennis, among other demographics. A list of conditions and procedures offered can be found on the website at axisstemcell.com . A consult can also be scheduled with an expert by calling or texting 425-410-4468

“You Only Get One…One life, one body, one heart, one brain.”

Experts In Regenerative Medicine

Joint Pain & Arthritis

Neurological Disease

Autoimmune Disease

Sexual Dysfunction

Low Back and Neck Pain

Sports Injuries

Concussion

Multiple Sclerosis

Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Therapy

Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy

Umbilical Cord Tissue (Whartonʼs)

Platelet Rich Plasma

Vitamin IV Therapy

Gut Health Analysis

Exosomes • Peptides • Ozone

Non-Surgical Options for Treatment

Here at Axis Stem Cell Institute, our expertise lies in regenerative medicine where we specialize in personalized wellness for individuals affected by chronic pain, illness and injury. Our main goal is to promote whole-body wellness and enhance the bodyʼs innate ability to heal itself. We can achieve this by focusing on cell regeneration, gut health and inflammation control to treat systemic conditions at the core.

Successful Shoulder Stem Cell Procedure. I am a very exercise crazy senior and was having increased shoulder pain during simple movements like putting on a coat. Not to mention pull-ups and weights become very comfortable and difficult. Now the pain is almost totally gone and I am slowly working my way back to where I was before. I also had a change in diet, as Axis directed. I am feeling great and hope to have more strength and endurance over time. Highly recommend Axis. - Alan Burk

Getting Around the ‘Burg

The sad news: We bid a fond farewell to our trusty blue Coast Bikes which launched the city’s bike share program in 2016. The happy news: Biking in the urban core has steadily increased in popularity, but riders are choosing to go electric rather than use pedal power. Look for the a new crop of sporty Lime e-bikes on the streets of St. Pete this spring. A new three-year agreement with Lime was recently approved by City Council to replenish the city’s existing bike share program with 300 e-bikes.

Over the past seven years, the city purchased 300 pedal bikes, which are now toward the end of their useful life. When e-bikes were added in February 2021, about two thirds of all trips were taken on e-bikes, which only made up a quarter of the fleet. More than 250,000 rides have been taken on the Coast Bikes.

The e-bikes are considerably heavier

than pedal bikes at 70 pounds and require pedaling to activate electrification. They have a swappable battery that allows for travel up to 25 miles on a single charge and the assisted speed maxes out at 15 mph, which is the same pace as electric scooters. They are more expensive, too. Cost is $1 to unlock and start the bike and 39 cents a minute (yep, that’s nearly $25 for one hour); a ride pass can also be purchased for bulk minutes of ride time.

The city is expanding the service area west along Central Avenue and south to the Skyway Marina District. Like scooters, e-bikes are motorized and are not allowed on sidewalks. They must be parked in designated corrals. Riders can study all the details at stpete.org/visitors/getting_around.php

Public parking added at Trop

Circling around the block time and again searching for a parking space in the Edge and Grand Central districts may be drawing to a close. In early April, City Council and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a proposal that will provide some 2,000 new parking spaces in several lots at Tropicana Field. The agreement allows the city to enforce public parking at Lots 4 through 8 during non-game days, and includes the ability for the city to enforce parking regulations.

The added spaces come at a critical time in the Edge and Grand Central districts, as the increase in businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues continues to draw more and more people to the area, especially on weekends. The Rays will set hourly and daily rates and retain parking revenue; the city will receive all money from parking citations and fines or fees.

Ferry Season Coming to a Close

Time is running out if you’ve been thinking about jumping aboard the Cross Bay Ferry for a cruise to downtown Tampa and back. The last day of operation will be May 28 and seats are filling fast for most weekends. After six seasons in service, the high-speed ferry has gained a steady following for adventurers, family outings and date nights, not to mention the tourism draw. Cost is $12 each way adults, with seniors, military, college and youth $8 each way. Advance tickets highly recommended; go to thecrossbayferry.com; no sailings on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The attractive blue downtown-to-beach SunRunner buses will be free for a while longer. The 6-month free-fare period was initially promoted to end April 30, but now the fares have been suspended until November 2023. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) reports the first three months of SunRunner service exceeded 260,000 passengers, with each month showing a growth in ridership.

“What a great job this company did on my bathroom counters. The granite is beautiful. From start to finish the service was excellent. The installers Dan and Ralph did a wonderful professional job. Kristin was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them!”

Fun Fact!

Paddle Sports Facility Coming

Fans of pickleball and other paddle sports will be happy to learn a new sports facility featuring 16 pickleball courts (including nine indoors), paddle and table tennis, a fullservice restaurant and bar, pro shop, gym equipment and outdoor play space is being planned just north of the EDGE District.

A report by St. Pete Rising states that St. Pete Athletic will be a 1.6-acre athletic campus privately owned by “an experienced team of local entrepreneurs, investors, and pickleball players.” According to the web site stpeteathletic. com, that team includes entrepreneur Reuben Pressman, pickleball pro Travis Rettenmier, and Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails owner Jarrett Sabatini. The club will host events, tournaments for recreational to professional, and classes for all ages. More than 36.5 million people played pickleball from August 2021 to August 2022, according to a report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals. No opening date has been announced.

In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington who, as dads often do, decided to create some summertime fun for their kids. The original plan was to play

badminton with the kids, but they did not have enough equipment. Within days, Joan Pritchard had come up with the name “pickle ball”—a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters in the “pickle boat” of crew races.

Photo/Wikimedia

Vinoy Now Marriott Autograph Collection

Don’t call it Renaissance any more. In early April, the venerable landmark pink hotel on downtown St. Pete’s waterfront officially became the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, joining Marriot Bonvoy’s exclusive Autograph Collection Hotels. At the same time, the hotel announced the completion of the initial phase of a comprehensive renovation that included the hotel’s Veranda, a refined Grand Lobby and guest rooms, historic ballrooms and meeting space, and a new spa and wellness area.

The renovation was led by world-renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group with Hart Howerton as architect of record. As a new Autograph Collection property, every detail was carefully considered by a respected historic preservation expert, who advised throughout the design process. For the Vinoy, that meant blending Old Florida grandeur with modern luxury. The newer wing of the 354-room resort did not receive the extensive redesign.

“Every property within Autograph Collection Hotels has a truly unique story, and The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection is one of those ‘Exactly Like Nothing Else’ experiences,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Autograph Collection Hotels, and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International, in a press release. “The Vinoy has made its mark over the last 100 years, claiming an iconic status in Florida. With this comprehensive redesign rooted in its historic heritage, we look forward to celebrating a new, exciting chapter for the resort.”

The Autograph Collection goal is to create an intimate connection to the destination for each guest. For example, upon check-in, guests are presented with historic postcards that depict different historic scenes of The Vinoy and invited to tour the resort with a docent to visit a newly designed history gallery featuring hotel artifacts discovered during past renovations.

The freshly updated full service Vinoy Spa welcomes guests with a hair salon, manicure and pedicure stations and four treatment rooms using product lines focusing on marineinfused and plant-based ingredients for massages, facials, full-body therapies, and nail and hair services.

SPL SPL

Walk into Pink Soleil and your eyes will thank you. Here you enter a world of brilliant pinks and blues, floral and tropical prints from frilly sundresses and summer shifts to swimwear and long caftans just perfect for lounging with friends and cocktails poolside. It’s bright and airy with a “Palm Beach” vibe, and no wonder. A majority of the shop is Lilly Pulitzer, long recognized as a Florida lifestyle brand popular with the tennis and golf set.

“My vision was to bring a true Florida-style boutique to St. Pete,” says new proprietor Kelly Homman, who is dressed, quite appropriately, in a casual pink print caftan. “I felt there was a void here for the classic Florida-style, so I created a business plan about a year ago that included thoughtfully curated collections.”

Homman’s love of fashion started early with a degree in fashion merchandising; she landed a job as a fashion buyer for a major retailer. Taking a break for family time, she taught dance at the YMCA in St. Petersburg, but her heart led her back to fashion and she worked for Kate Spade New York. When she learned that a retail space in the highly desirable 400 block of Beach Drive NE was coming open (formerly Wyland Galleries), it set the wheels in motion for her dream of owning a fashion boutique to become a reality.

With support from husband Jeff Homman, she secured the prized location. When she reached out to the corporate headquarters of Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. to inquire about licensing rights, she was thrilled when they approved Pink Soleil as the only boutique in Pinellas County to carry the brand. Homman figures about 70 percent of the shop is Lilly Pulitzer merchandise, with the remaining carefully curated to complement the look and feel of the brand.

Homman knows St. Pete well — she and Jeff raised their two grown daughters, Meghan and Rose, here. So when she opened her doors in early March, they were all by her side. She calls the boutique a family affair, with Meghan and Rose providing marketing support and inspiration.

Pink Soleil embodies a resort-chic lifestyle through clothing, accessories, home decor and gifts. A walk through seems to instantly raise the spirits. There are summery prints of flowers, shorebirds, seashells, and corals, and beachy accessories from jewelry and tote bags to sandals, candles and toss pillows.

“I really want it to be a welcoming and bright experience when people walk in,” said Homman. “I wanted to brighten up St. Pete.”

“My expectations of a professional real estate agent are probably higher than most. I strongly recommend Caryn Rightmyer, especially if you are looking for the ultimate professional who will be your partner through the entire process. She provided sound guidance through each step and she backs it up with data and experience that gives a seller confidence.”

Seller, 1999 Tanglewood Dr NE

“What a professional, pleasant home sale experience we had with the Caryn Rightmyer Group. Caryn was attentive, communicative and there for us at every turn. She went out of her way to solve issues and keep us in the communication loop. We would, without hesitation, recommend Caryn. What an honor and pleasure to be represented by this real estate pro!” --S. Coppins, Seller, 7221 18th St NE

Healthy Meatless Meals Made Easy

Regardless of your motivation, opting for meatless meals regularly provides plenty of benefits that extend from your health to your wallet and the environment. Try these Baked Vegetarian Taquitos with a pantry staple like Success Brown Rice for a quick and easy dinner. Ready in just 10 minutes, the fluffy, nutty, non-GMO rice is free of MSG and preservatives, lending itself perfectly to satisfying and hearty meals like these. Or for a twist on a classic dish, Tri-Color Quinoa can be layered with traditional flavors in this Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna.” Packed with protein and all nine essential amino acids, the quinoa is a good source of fiber.

To find more meatless meal inspiration, visit SuccessRice.com

Baked Vegetarian Taquitos

Prep time: 15 minutes •Cook time: 20 minutes

1 bag Success Brown Rice

1 cup shredded collard greens, packed

1/4 cup frozen corn

1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

2/3 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning

8 flour tortillas (6 inches each)

• Servings: 4

1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sour cream, for dipping

Salsa, for dipping

Guacamole, for dipping

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Prepare rice according to package directions; add collard greens and corn to water during last 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 F. Drain rice and vegetables; transfer to saucepan. Stir in black beans, pumpkin puree and taco seasoning.

Spoon 1/3 cup rice mixture into center of one tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Monterey Jack cheese. Roll up tightly. Place seam side down on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas, filling and cheese. Brush taquitos with olive oil; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 10-15 minutes, or until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted. Serve taquitos with sour cream, salsa and guacamole. Garnish with cilantro.

Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”

Prep time: 10 min • Cook time: 30 min • Servings: 6

2 bags Success Tri-Color Quinoa

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

4 cups baby spinach leaves

3 cups tomato sauce

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese,divided

Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 F.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; saute 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and keep warm.

In medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

Place 1 cup sauce in bottom of 2-quart baking dish. Spread half of quinoa evenly over sauce. Top with half of ricotta mixture. Top with 1 cup sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Longtime Mediterranean favorite Baba at 2701 Central Ave. has converted its former bakery space into Barbouni, a walkup tinned fish and raw bar. Yep, you read that right. Patrons can select from dozens of tiny cans ranging from sardines and smoked salmon to mussels, anchovies, and mackerel. Grab a stool and wash it all down with an ouzo as you watch fresh oysters being shucked behind the bar. You’ll think you’re on a Greek isle. Hours are limited to weekends, but may expand soon.

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First it was tiny homes, now it’s tiny restaurants. On the heels on the 12-seat Bin 6 South restaurant and wine bar comes Calida Kitchen and Wine, an intimate eatery and wine bar in the Crescent Heights neighborhood at 2909 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. The European bistro concept is the brainchild of owner and world traveler Dayna Bennett along with partner and chef Ian Florence.

With only three tables and a small bar, the curated menu is globally influenced and presentation is first-class. Starters include a Cheese and Charcuterie Board and Baked Chevre. Entrees include Asian inspired Chow Noodles with fresh ginger and garlic, Baked Polenta with mushroom ragu and Flank Steak with root vegetables. Calida is currently open Thursday through Saturday for dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m. and reservations are a must. Go to calidastpete.com

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Grazing has gone wild (for humans, not four-legged animals) as more people love the convenience of nibbling on charcuterie and cheese boards for entertaining or a night out. Graze Craze, a franchise in cities across the country, recently opened in downtown St. Pete offering charcuterie boards and grazing boxes to order or to go. Grazing Boards come in three sizes while Grazing Boxes come in two sizes – the Lone Grazer for one person and the

Sartorial Inc.

A well dressed man is NEVER out of style!

Sartorial Inc. is a premium and luxury menswear shop with refined home goods. We are the perfect shop for anyone looking to rediscover themselves with a slightly more refined view.

Pippa Pelure

Picnic Box, perfect for date night or a sunset on the beach. Order in advance online or just pop into the store to grab and go. Head to 2220 Central Avenue or go to grazecraze.com/downtown-st-petersburg-fl to see a menu and order.

Sesh, a new brewery and restaurant, has opened in the former location of the Melting Pot at 2221 Fourth Street N. Owner Matt Powers is also the CEO of Mad Beach Brewing Company, a craft brewery and restaurant in John’s Pass. The menu is a mish-mash of everything from burgers and sandwiches to ribs and rice bowls. With their own brewing operation, expect a changing menu of diverse ales, ciders and seltzers. A decent wine list and craft cocktails offer a little something for everyone. Go to seshstpete.com to check out the menu and the hours.

Noodle fans will want to check out The Glass Noodle, a new pan-Asian restaurant at 681 Central Avenue. The casual eatery offers an extensive menu of dishes from all over Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Korea and Cambodia. In addition to noodle dishes, find pho, spring rolls, dumplings, rice dishes, and a fine selection of soups. Beer, wine and sake cocktails are available.

Bonu Taverna Italiana at 601 Central Ave. has debuted a full brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays. “Brunch Me Bonu” runs from 11:30 am to 3 pm with a changing menu offering Italian and Mediterranean specialties including shareable plates of antipasti, salads, pastas, and a selection of breakfast “pinsas,” light Romanstyle pizzas. Groups can take advantage of the new Aperol bottle service which provides a bottle of Aperol and a bottle of Prosecco to pair it with (very European!).

Award

Light new dining options including a French-style lobby café and a Veranda menu with sharable plates are part of the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club’s new renovations. In the lobby, look for the sprawling marble counter with glass cases highlighting beautiful pastries and coffee drinks and you have found Lottie, a French patisserie with both inside and outside bistro seating.

Pastries and sweets are made in-house daily, including a signature pistachio cake, macarons, gelato, and over 20 flavors of truffles. The menu also features renditions of classic French lunch fare such as seared tuna niçoise salad, quiche Lorraine and a jambon fromage sandwich on a flaky croissant with brie, prosciutto and fig jam. Lottie exclusively serves La Colombe coffee. Worth a special trip is the Lottie Latte, a rich blend of cinnamon-infused espresso, orange essence, and oat milk. The Vinoy’s reimagined Veranda overlooking the marina and Tampa Bay, has introduced a delightful menu of creative takes

New Arrivals

on classic craft cocktails, plus Mediterranean inspired shareable plates, light entrees and desserts. Take a seat at the one of the comfortable seating arrangements or the elegant marble bar, which has moved here from the lobby. Standout selections include the Bianca Flatbread, topped with artichokes, zucchini, feta, parmigiano and mozzarella; fresh seafood including oysters, tuna carpaccio, and red snapper crudo or a Cheese & Charcuterie Board. Wines by the class and a decent selection of beers are complemented by signature Veranda Spritz cocktails.

Opening this summer, Parasol, a Latin American-inspired, fullservice outdoor restaurant with panoramic views of the Tampa Bay waterfront, will also overlook the resort’s new pool deck. It will feature fresh seafood and tropical craft cocktails. A fine dining restaurant in the former Marchand’s space off the grand lobby with a romantic, raised garden terrace will complete the final phase of renovations at a future date.

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Pair Organic Wine and Food for Ultimate in Healthful Dining

BY WILL HOWARD

When it comes to dining, pairing the right food with the right wine can elevate any meal into a culinary experience. However, with the growing attention to health and wellness, many people are looking for organic and biodynamic options, even when it comes to their wine choices.

An organic or biodynamic wine will not necessarily offer the consumer any tangible health benefits. This is still alcohol and should be enjoyed responsibly and in moderation. What these wines will offer is being better for the environment, enriching to the ecosystem where the wine is grown, and being free from any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

When pairing wine with food I have a few basic guidelines:

Always drink what you like.

If you don’t like the wine, then nothing that follows will matter. However, always keep an open mind as well. Not all syrah, for example, is the same.

Match the weight of the wine with the weight of the food. In this case, weight is speaking to texture. If the texture of the food is heavy and velvety, then find a wine with an equal texture

Think of the wine as if it were an ingredient in the food. The wine should complement the food by creating balance in the dish. In order for this to happen the wine should always have at least as much acidity and at least as much sugar as the food that it is being paired with.

Pairing Suggestions

When it comes to selecting organic or biodynamic wines with healthy food pairings, I have some suggestions.

Quinoa Salad with heirloom tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, chèvre, and vinaigrette, paired with Champagne Pierre Paillard, Les Mottelettes, Blanc de Blancs, Bouzy, Grand Cru.

Why pair these: This champagne is known for its bright acidity, crisp minerality, and complex flavor profile, which includes notes of citrus, green apple, and brioche. The acidity and minerality of this champagne make it an excellent pairing for this quinoa salad. The acidity in the champagne can help cut through the richness of the chèvre cheese, while staying in balance with the acid of the vinaigrette and heirloom tomatoes. The minerality can complement the earthy flavors of the quinoa and umami of the tomatoes.

Organic grass-fed beef with mushroom risotto, paired with Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, Bordeaux

This winery is all-in on organic and biodynamic practices. In 2009 and 2010, Robert Parker awarded Chateau Pontet-Canet back to back 100 point scores on their wines, beating their 1st Growth Grand Cru neighbors, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.

Why pair these: Grass-fed beef is a healthy and sustainable protein that pairs well with the wine’s full-bodied, tannic structure. Mushroom risotto provides a rich, earthy counterpoint to the wine’s dark fruit flavors, while also providing a healthy dose of whole grains and vegetables.

By choosing organic wine, you can enjoy a glass of wine without the worry of harmful chemicals. Cheers to your health and your happiness!

Will Howard is Sommelier and Wine Director at Rococo Steak in St. Petersburg, FL

American Stage brings a powerful season to a close with “Disgraced,” May 31 through June 25. This Pulitzer Prize winning play by Ayad Akhtar tells the story of a successful PakistaniAmerican lawyer who is rapidly moving up the corporate ladder while distancing himself from his cultural roots. Tickets and more information at americanstage.org

The creative folks at freeFall Theatre are finally presenting “OZ,” which was originally scheduled for the 2019/20 season. The musical by freeFall’s artistic director Eric Davis and music director Michael Raabe explores the genius of L. Frank Baum and his complicated relationship with his most famous creation, the Land of Oz. The show runs June 2-July 9. If you’re really a fan, be sure to grab some tickets for “freeFall Sings” at 7 pm June 23 when Michael Raabe puts on “We’re Off to Sing the Wizard,” a cabaret concert that plays homage to all things OZ. Go to freefalltheatre.com

David Mamet’s “The Revenge of the Space Panda” takes over the tiny stage at The Off-Central May 11-21. Directed by Katie Calahan, this sci-fi fantasy/comedy is virtually out of this world. Wednesday, May 17, is pay-what-you-can night, but you’ll still need advance tickets at studiograndcentral.com.

Action, adventure, and romance in an exotic land! St. Pete Opera has it all in L’Italiana in Algeri, Rossini’s story about Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, who has grown tired of his wife and wants to marry her off to his Italian slave Lindoro. But Lindoro has only one thing on his mind: escaping servitude and returning to Italy to be with his fiancée, Isabella. Performances are June 2-6 at the Palladium; go to stpeteopera.org

Gallery/Museum News

The Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo will host the 2023 Emerging Artist Exhibition featuring work by 10 original new artists, all grant recipients from Creative Pinellas. The Gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5 pm; admission is free. Artworks will also be available to view and purchase online in a virtual gallery at creativepinellas.org. Continuing through July 16 on select Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm, artists talks will be held. The schedule can be found at creativepinellas.org/event/2023-emergingartist-exhibition-artist-talks/

The Imagine Museum has announced discounted admission of $10 per person every second Saturday from 5 to 9 pm. A new St. Pete Artisan Sunday Market held every other Sunday in the museum parking lot is seeking vendors; apply at events@imaginemuseum.com

The Morean Arts Center’s annual Fresh Squeezed exhibit features six up-and-coming artists through June 22. Artists are from across the state. Mark your calendar for the annual Members Show with the theme “Psychedelic” set for July 8-24. Over at the Chihuly Collection, Tampa-based painter Karen Tucker Kuykendall and Tucsonbased glass sculptor Steve Hagan share Chihuly’s affection for vibrant tropical color and pure joy in “Sunkissed” through June 4. Meet the artists at Cocktails at the Chihuly from 6 to 8 pm May 19; tickets $55. For more information, go to moreanartscenter.org

Listen Here

If you haven’t experienced the joy of just listening to interesting conversations (you turn off the tube to do this), you might find it’s a great way to unwind and learn about cool people and things happening around the ‘Burg. Streaming a podcast can be done while you’re driving, sitting in a waiting room (with earbuds, of course) or when you can’t fall asleep at night (our favorite).

One local podcast we enjoy is Arts Alive!, with smooth-talking host Bill DeYoung. Every Friday, DeYoung, editor and arts writer for St. Pete Catalyst, invites listeners to an informal, 30-minute studio interview with Tampa Bay artists, musicians, and other creative types. Recent guests have included veteran actors Bonnie Agan and Jim Sorensen from Studio@620’s Radio Theatre Project, dancer/choreographers Helen Hansen French and Alexander Jones, and glass artist/Imagine Museum founder Trish Duggan. Go to stpetecatalyst.com/podcast to find past episodes.

Art Buzz

Get your home java in an art can and donate to the St. Petersburg Arts Endowment at the same time by purchasing the latest Kahwa Coffee Art Wrapped Coffee Canister. The can is designed by Glenyse Thompson, the second artist in the seasonal series that began with can art by Chad Mize.

Glenyse creates contemporary art for collectors, art lovers, interior designers and commercial applications. The project is a collaboration between the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and Kahwa Coffee with net proceeds to benefit the arts endowment at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Cans are filled with Kahwa signature blend Sirocco - whole or ground beans – and cost $25. Customers can bring an empty can back to any café and refill it with any coffee for $10. Stop by a local Kahwa Coffee to purchase.

Waterfront Oasis

A Siesta Key home melds indoor/outdoor living into one perfect sanctuary.

BY NICK STEELE

Award winning interior designer Jenifer DuFresne, the founder of Inside Eye Design, finds inspiration in many places, but nature is a major influence in her work. Even when she is creating minimalist interiors, you will find her work layered with organic elements from sustainable materials to designs that incorporate and highlight the natural world.

That reverence for the natural world may be easily traced back to her early days in the industry.

“I’m from Montana and my career started when I began working for one of those companies that handcraft log homes,” she explains. “I did a lot of work with builders and had a client who said, ‘Hey, help me build a house and put it on the tour of homes.’ So I did and that won an award.”

She also met her husband, who’s from Florida, in Montana. “We were on a job site together and one year into that relationship, I decided to uproot and move to Florida.” He had grown up in St. Pete and Sarasota area from a young age, so they settled locally and DuFresne found herself at an interesting crossroads.

“I had to reinvent my career and my whole take on design because log homes are not prominent down here,” she offers.

She quickly found her success with a variety of clients because she realized that her ultimate job is not just to create beautiful, designforward interiors, but to help each of her clients tell their own unique story through the work they would do together. This spirit of collaboration and thoughtful approach to each project is a hallmark of the work DuFresne and her team have built their reputation on.

“One of my biggest assets is learning how to listen and solicit information from my clients. Your vision deserves to be uncovered and embraced,” she shares. “A lot of people don’t know what they like, so it’s my job to pull out of them what they do. Then I take that and make it into a cohesive design.”

Her overarching design approach involves not only interiors but the consideration of architectural elements, whether she is working on a new construction or a renovation project.

“I am usually involved early on enough to work with the architect,”

she explains. “I create my own renderings, so that I can articulate different things to the clients that maybe they can’t really visualize. Most blueprints and architecturals are just CAD drawings, versus an actual 3D rendering. I work with my own software program so I can give my clients that vision. I will work with the architect and the client on space planning and the layout of the home, interior and exterior finishes, what kind of siding they want, what sort of windows, the colors, moldings, cabinetry and then ultimately the individual interior design of the home.”

Creating an ‘Oasis’

One of her most distinctive recent projects was a new build in Siesta Key called “The Oasis.” The 7-bedroom vacation-rental property had to have all the elements of a great contemporary coastal style home with an inviting appeal for visitors.

“The owner of this property is a rental management company. They are one of the only companies that buy the land and then design and build the house. This is not a VRBO type of situation. They have an understanding of how a home should be built and marketed,” she explains.

The oasis-effect is artfully achieved with a zero-entry pool, slide and waterfall feature that give the home the distinction of having a resort-worthy outdoor living environment rather than the standard pool area conceived as an afterthought.

“Pools are a huge conversation and one of the first things that usually comes up in a first meet-and-greet with the client. What clients are looking for and what we try to create is a place where

Continued on next page

“Your vision deserves to be uncovered and embraced”

you can put your feet in the water and relax and some sort of amenity, as in either a slide or a water feature or a waterfall or, you know, some sort of sound like a rain curtain or bubblers,” DuFresne explains. “The sound of water hitting water is so relaxing. They also want a space to lounge, for eating and gathering around an outdoor kitchen. And if there are children involved, they may want a beach entrance or a sand pit to the side with a volleyball court or a slide.”

But the design team also wanted to forgo the standard faux materials typically used in a project like this to create a more authentic outdoor environment.

“What we wanted in this one was to use natural materials, so we worked with the landscape company and they handpicked all these natural rocks. They’re all cemented together and, on the back side, it’s very segmented to support the slide, but it’s natural rock, fern and plants. We wanted it all to be real.”

DuFresne says that in creating an engaging space for visitors that capitalized on the elements that Florida is known for meant marrying together the interior and exterior environments in a way that felt organic. “It’s this idea of creating that feeling of when you’re inside, you’re out and when you’re outside, you’re in. That’s very Florida.”

She says that the considerations of creating a vacation-rental home is a different mindset than when they design a private residence.

“My main goal was to create a place where people get together and actually talk. Put their phone down and communicate, spaces where

they can entertain, watch sports, have a cocktail or a coffee,” she says. “And I always love creating a different kind of entertainment space where the kids could have a little bit more fun.”

There’s ample opportunity for fun of all sorts as the house features many such gathering places from the spacious sunken living room and ample club room upstairs, to big balconies and the thoughtfully appointed outdoor kitchen and multiple dining areas.

Current home trends

As far as trends, DuFresne says it’s less about what everyone else is doing and more about her client’s preferences, but she has been seeing a few shifts in materials.

“Right now, brass is the thing to do. You’re seeing golden brass everywhere. You don’t see brushed nickel anymore,” she asserts. “Concrete floors or the larger format porcelain floors are huge and waterfall countertops are big.

“Wallpaper is coming back and that’s a big thing that I’ve had fun playing with because it’s fun to be able to bring in a pop of color and texture to a wall. But I always hesitate to follow trends. I like using a little bit of this and a little bit of that, working it in a way that it’s still fresh, original and timeless. I try to be timeless as much as possible, which gives it such an impossible word because you know, everything was at one time a trend in a design. Customizing is the key. How can you make it different? If you do try trends, do them in a way that’s individual so it is uniquely your own.”

For more information on Jenifer DuFresne, visit inside-eye.com

The Best of St. Pete 2023 Is Coming! Our annual recognition of local favorites is coming in the July/August issue of St. Pete Life. We want YOU to VOTE now!

Luxury Penthouse With Amazing Views and Deeded Slip

This single-level penthouse unit in Tierra Verde’s Grand Isle complex has astounding views over the Pass-a-Grille Channel. You’ll love the gigantic balcony, stunning black Viking refrigerator, and open kitchen.

3 beds, 3.5 baths, heated pool, and garage. $1,595,000

Extreme Luxury with Room for Your Car Collection

With 5155 sqft of interior living space in an outstanding floor plan, this Monte Cristo home has the potential for ultimate luxury. Great design and a master suite unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

4 beds, 4.5 baths, 3424 sqft garage, 14,401 sqft lot. $2,995,000

Penthouse on the Gulf Coast’s Premiere Boating Water

The perfect blend of luxury living and practicality, this stunning waterfront townhome is located in a small, exclusive community of only 14 owners and offers a breathtaking view of the Grand Canal.

3 beds, 3 baths, boat slip with 20,000 lb lift, garage.

Super Cute Tierra Verde Pool Home on Large Lot

With a bright, open and cheery interior, incredible outdoor living spaces, and one of the nicest pools you’ve ever seen, this Monte Cristo home is the perfect headquarters for your island lifestyle.

High ceilings, move-in ready, 3/2 on large corner lot. $1,600,000 $1,195,000

We’ve been enjoying almost 30 years of helping people buy and sell the finest St. Petersburg properties by providing exceptional marketing, international reach, and local expertise, and now we are honored to have been chosen to be the exclusive representatives to the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents for the entire Tampa Bay Area. Call us to learn what this can mean for your success.

Angela Mathias, Andrew Salamone, Ron Salamone, Libby Salamone

Homeowner’s Vision Becomes A Work Of Art

BY DOUG KING

The out-of-state homeowner that just purchased a waterfront home in the Broadwater community of St. Petersburg was introduced to me by way of referrals from Realtors, both the seller and buyer agents, which is pretty special. And to add icing on the cake, many of his new neighbors are former clients of mine as well.

When I first met the owner, I knew right away that this remodeling project was going to be a lot of fun because I sensed it was going to be very unique and very different from the average project. And there’s nothing more I like than a good challenge. The owner, a retired chemical engineer, took the correct path with his questioning of me that included design ideas, the “what if’s” (there were a bunch of these) and the “what do you think about this” type of questions. I do understand that clients are “interviewing” me when I first meet with them, but this felt more like an interrogation. He wasted no time in getting right to the point, he wanted to know if I could survive his crazy ideas. Well, I could not resist yet another challenge so I was hooked. We entered into a Design Agreement, I wrote down his “eclectic” ideas and got to work to see what we could do.

Here’s an overview of his requests:

• The guest bath needed to offer his guests a place to relax and feel like they are at a spa.

• Open up the view to the pool and waterfront upon entering through the front door.

• He wanted large format, 2’ x 4’ flooring throughout the main living areas

• He needed a place to put all his magic paraphernalia, which included hundreds of books.

• His master bath was claustrophobic and not only needed rearranging, but more importantly, the remodel needed to make a statement.

• The lanai needed a make-over.

The guest bath was actually designed around real ship portals that were made into mirrors. We used multiple colors of penny round tiles on the walls and floor. The different colors of grout absolutely could not bleed into each other and the penny tiles had to be perfectly straight and level, no off-sets were allowed. The floating vanity and toilet allowed for a more spacious feel and offered more viewing of the penny tiles. The exhaust fan not only moved moisture from the bathroom, it provided a night light with music via blue tooth! Solace for his guests.

We relocated the kitchen over 20’ into what used to be a den with a fireplace. The old fireplace flue was utilized for the range exhaust vent chase. And the “round” theme didn’t stop in the guest bath, the kitchen backsplash consisted of

a mix of round stone and metal materials in various sizes. The back splash was the “catch basin” as if the tiles were poured down from the ceiling and flowed over the hood and down into the backsplash. The raised glass bar top edge replicates the leading edge of a wave as it washes up onto a beach. (We had several interesting conversations about the adhesive strength properties needed to secure the support pins onto the quartz countertop). We custom-fit oval inlays around rectangular kitchen windows to give them a nautical appearance.

The ever-clever owner provided us with a diorama for his master bath tile design based on a concept I had seen, where tile ran down a wall and over the floor. He took it two steps further; it came out of the ceiling, down the wall, across the shower floor and curb and out into the bath floor. They are made of glass so the porcelain wall tiles had to be coped to match to the curves of the glass rocks. This presented a big challenge for the tile installer.

To quote the owner, “Hard to believe it started like a grade-school diorama and became a one-of-a-kind bathroom!”

Well, that was the understatement of the year, I think for him and me too. This project made more than a statement; it wrote a chapter in both of our lives!

Doug King is founder and president of King Contracting and former national president of National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Let

Southern Roots Realty is a local boutique real estate firm with five generations of real estate experience in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. Our firm specializes in unique, mid century, and historic homes and estates that fit any lifestyle, and help clients put down their roots in our hometown.

Visit our website, www.southernrootsrealty.com and learn about our history to learn about how St. Petersburg is special to us!

Judson Kidd

Licensed Sales Associate in Florida & Georgia

Judson Kidd started his career working for SunTrust Bank in Treasury Management and parlayed his project experience into a career renovating and selling homes in 2001. Judson acquired his real estate sales license in 2003, and he affiliated with Coldwell Banker soon thereafter, earning such accolades as 2003 “Rookie of the Year”, Listing Agent of the Year 2004-2006, and highest Gross Commission Income 2003-2007. Such continued sales success landed Judson in the Coldwell Banker / NRT Management Training Program in 2009. After graduation, Judson took on a new role as Director of Market Intelligence for the National Real Estate Trust. After over a decade with the Coldwell Banker/NRT, Judson became the CEO/Managing Director for Keller Williams Midtown. After time in management, Judson wanted to get back to his roots and returned to residential real estate sales after meeting Natalie DeVicente in 2014. Since joining Southern Roots Realty, Judson has resumed his impressive sales record by selling homes all over the Bay Area, from Sarasota to Tampa. Whether you are looking for a small downtown condo or a waterfront estate, Judson Kidd and Southern Roots Realty can assist in your most discerning real estate needs.

Direct: 941-704-4249 judson@southernrootsrealty.com

Get Fit, St Pete

City programs encourage a healthy lifestyle with a dose of fun for all fitness levels

BY MARCIA BIGGS

Take a stroll along Beach Drive or Central Avenue most evenings and weekends and you can’t help notice walkers and runners and bicyclers are everywhere. At the Pier most evenings near dusk they zip along, enjoying the cool breezes. At parks across the city, people are practicing yoga, playing pickleball and soccer, and running on trails.

St. Pete clearly is a city made for an outdoor lifestyle. The upside for residents and businesses: Studies have shown that regular activity enhances quality of life and improves selfesteem, feelings of satisfaction and mental health.

In 2015, the City of St. Pete’s Parks and Recreation Department

Get Out....Get Fit!

5,342 acres of park land in 184 public parks

50 miles of fitness trails

decided to kick things up a notch. To complement an already fine parks system, the city introduced the Healthy St. Pete initiative. The goal: To build a culture of health in the city by offering residents a diverse array of outdoor activities and educational classes.

Embedded in Healthy St. Pete is Get Fit! St. Pete, a program that offers free workouts for adults in parks throughout the city. Most are geared for beginners with offerings that include pickleball, yoga, tai chi, and neighborhood walks the fourth Saturday of every month. Get Fit! leaders are community ambassadors who support the city’s mission of getting residents active and interactive with each other. For example, trainers

77%

76 tennis courts

of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park

4 golf courses

11 parks offer exercise equipment

6 dog parks

3 nature preserves

7 waterfront green space

from The Body Electric Yoga Company lead the monthly yoga classes at Crescent Lake Park; staff from St. Pete Running Company guide the Fun Run at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

“Get Fit classes are for any skill or knowledge level,” explains Justin Daye, Health Program Specialist for the program. “It’s also a great way to get out and visit the different parks throughout the city.”

Healthier Together

Neighborhood leaders and workplaces can become fitness ambassadors in the Get Fit! program by joining the Healthier Together initiative which offers the Healthier Together Certification Program. The certification is an assessment program that allows organizations to qualify for gold, silver, or bronze level recognition based on their total assessment score.

“The program launched in 2020 as a way for city health stakeholders, businesses and neighborhood organizations to

Here’s a rundown of city-sponsored outdoor fitness classes; most are geared to beginners.

Pickleball 101 — Learn the popular paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Paddles and balls are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Class size is limited, 16 participants max. Pre-registration required.

2nd Tuesday, 6-7 pm, Bartlett Park, 2000 7th St. S.

4th Tuesday, 6-7 PM, Childs Park, 4301 13th Ave S.

Kayaking Adventure — Enjoy a great workout on the water. Class size is limited, 20 participants max., must be age 16 or older (10 solo kayaks / 5 tandem kayaks). Pre-registration is required.

4th Tuesday, 6-7 pm, Coffee Pot Park, 1st St. NE and 31st Ave. NE.

iStroll — This class is perfect for all parents with newborns and young children that want to make exercise a habit and meet new friends. No strollers required.

1st Friday, 9-10 am, Fossil Park, 6635 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. St. N, meet near the recreation center.

Fit Lot Training — A one-hour group circuit-style training class at the AARP-sponsored Fit Lot using newly installed exercise equipment. This class is good for beginners and anyone hoping to learn a bit more about exercise.

2nd Friday, 9-10 am, Booker Creek Park, 2300 13th Ave. N.

Water Aerobics —This class is good for anyone looking to build strength and improve heart health while putting less stress on

better serve their communities and employees,” said Meagan Young, Health Program Supervisor in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “The program promotes wellness, encourages the adoption of healthy behaviors and establishes a support network.”

Participants take an online assessment of research-based best practices in their environment, and receive recognition from bronze, to silver, gold and platinum certifications as they work to achieve these levels. “It’s a little bit of a challenge to try to work up the ladder to the next level,” says Young. “ But we share resources on how to achieve the goals. It’s a really fun group of people who are motivated to create change and learn more and network. Most are passionate and excited and want to learn more.”

Each quarter a Healthy Together workshop is held with a health partner to increase awareness and understanding, adds Young. “Workshops also encourage networking, and are a great way for people to share their knowledge and ideas with others.”

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your joints and muscles. No lap swimming involved.

3rd Friday, 9-10 am, McLin Pool, 602 14th St. S.

Yoga in the Park — Enjoy a practice appropriate for all levels in a beautiful outdoor location.

1st Saturday, 9-10 am, Crescent Lake Park, 1320 5th St. N.

Trail Fun Run —Explore this hidden gem of the city while running, walking or jogging on a nature trail.

2nd Saturday, 9-10 am, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S.

Fit Families — Family fun and fitness using a variety of different class styles. All fitness levels are welcome for this active family class. 3rd Saturday, 9-10 am, Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Ave. N., meet near the recreation center

Cardio Sport — This team-based fitness / training experience is designed to replicate the excitement and energy of a sports game, mixed with a concert vibe.

4th Saturday, 9-10 am, Childs Park, 4301 13th Ave. S., meet near the recreation center

Participants for all Get Fit classes are required to register in a Get Fit membership plan which is free.

Go to healthystpetefl.com/get-fit/ for more information.

Running for All

In 2017, the St. Pete Run Fest was created under the Healthy St. Pete umbrella. “The city wanted a community inspired wellness event suitable for anyone … walkers, runners, kids and seniors,” said St. Pete Run Fest organizer Ryan Jordan.

Today, the hugely popular family fest is eagerly awaited by many. Participation has doubled since 2017, says Jordan, with some 6,000 attending at least one event last year. This year’s St. Pete Run Fest, set for November 10-12, will feature a half marathon (13 miles) through the heart of downtown neighborhoods and along the waterfront, 10K and 5K races and a Youth Run (or walk) for elementary aged children. “For some people, this is the only run they do all year,” says Jordan. “They get motivated and train for it. For others, it’s one of many runs

HEALTH BRIEFS

Boyd Hill Fitness Program

The benefits of walking in nature go beyond stretching your muscles and improving your mood. Outdoor time can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and stress hormone levels. Head to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve for early morning guided walks on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 am ($3 fee), and guided hikes every Saturday including bird walks, silent hikes, family hikes, adult night hikes, native plant hikes and more.

Stretch and breath with a yoga class every Tuesday and Friday at 9:30 am ($7/class or $50/month).

where they share camaraderie and just have a great time.”

The Run Fest is also a great way to showcase the city, adds Jordan, who is also the lead organizer for the city’s July 4th St. Pete Pier Run. “People come from all over area because they love to run in St. Pete. We try to pick a course that visitors might always not see. Our course this year showcases Old Southeast, Central Avenue, Warehouse Arts District, the EDGE and waterfront park. And we expect 3,000 lodging bed nights, so it has a good impact on the economy here.”

To learn more about Healthy St. Pete and the Get Fit! St. Pete programs, go to healthystpetefl.com . To find out more about the St. Pete Run Fest, go to stpeterunfest.org

monthly event that bring parents together for community building and to enjoy nature at one of St. Pete’s gems. This fun, free hike invites new parents to bring their little ones on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m.

A guided Healthy St. Pete Trail Fun Run through the park happens the second Saturday of every month from 9 to 10 am. Learn more: boydhillpreserve.com

Cancer: Fighting Back LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a free 12-week program for cancer survivors and family members and is open to the community. This research-based program offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person.

survivors and their families by providing a supportive community where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond.

The program is offered twice weekly at Bardmoor YMCA and Jim & Heather Gills YMCA. To enroll, www.stpeteymca.org/ programs/livestrong-at-the-y/ or call (727) 235-6472

New parents are invited to join a guided outdoor adventure with their little ones. Hiking with Baby is the preserve’s new

Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem. In addition to the physical benefits, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA focuses on the emotional well-being of

Meet your neighbors and promote a healthy heart by joining a monthly onehour Neighborhood Walk the fourth Saturday of every month at 9 am in 11 neighborhoods around St. Pete. Each group is led by a community volunteer; to see a complete list of walk locations and contacts, go to healthystpetefl.com

WHY WE RUN

Behind the race is a reason. From it’s inception, the Skyway 10k has raised more than $2.6 million for the Armed Forces Families Foundation, contributing 100% of it’s profits to the mission of funding infrastructure projects that support military families throughout the nation. To date, the AFFF overall has contributed more than $4.2 million into infrastructure projects for communities across the United States.

Photo/Skyway 10K

Run Together, Right Now

BY MARCIA BIGGS

You don’t need to look far in St. Pete to find people who are motivated to move.

Every morning at the crack of dawn, countless people blink the sleep from their eyes, lace up a pair of running shoes and head out into the fresh morning air. Later in the day, others swap work clothes for running clothes and set out on an evening jaunt. On most weekends, an organized run of one kind or another can usually be found in the Tampa Bay area, from 5k fun runs to trail runs, marathons and triathlons.

Indeed, St. Pete is a runners city from the scenic waterfront trail parks to the urban Pinellas Trail and everywhere in between. Every Monday and Thursday evening several dozen runners typically gather at St. Pete Running Company for a 5k run on the Pinellas Trail just behind the store. More than just exercise for the body, these free community runs are a time for camaraderie and a chance to run off some stress or detach from a computer.

The runs are part of a mission that owners Cody and Janna Angell established when they opened the walking and running apparel store nine years ago.

“We made a 10-year commitment to the city of St. Pete where we are going to do whatever we can to make St. Pete a healthier, more active, more vibrant town,” said Cody. He joined the city’s Healthy Together program, part of the Healthy St. Pete initiative that partners with community “ambassadors” to spread the Word of Fitness. “We believe that running and walking is a real simple solution to a lot of the complicated problems in the world.”

Angell and his staff not only host the bi-weekly runs for all levels of running and walking, they also volunteer to lead monthly trail fun runs at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and help train youngsters to run, swim and bike for the annual St. Anthony’s Meek & Mighty mini-triathlon.

With an abundance of trails and parks, St. Petersburg encourages outdoor activities, says Angell, and he sees the sport of running on the rise. “More people have taken up walking and running since the pandemic,” he surmises. “People were not able to get to the gym, so we saw a lot of people buying their first pair of running shoes. They had time to invest in their health and we find that a lot of them have stuck with it.”

St. Pete Running Company encourages newbies to lace up and join the weekly runs. “It’s important that we be inclusive and non-intimidating to encourage beginners,” says Angell.

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Above, members of Running for Brews St. Pete enjoy a Wednesday night club run along The Pier. Below, owners Cody and Janna Angell offer organized runs twice weekly from St. Pete Running Company.

Social Runs

Across the city at St. Pete Brewing Company, more than 30 runners have converged on a Wednesday to begin their happy hour with a 5k run/walk. The Running for Brews St. Pete club “celebrates love for fitness and craft brews,” according to the web site. “Real Runners. Real Drinkers. Real Friends.”

This social running group meets at various bars around downtown four nights a week and Saturday mornings at Kahwa Coffee. The congenial organizer tonight is Peter Krause, who signs up participants on the waiver and serves as the official greeter and photo-taker. Krause moved to St. Pete in 2016 and eventually found his running groove — and a big posse of friends — with the Running for Brews group.

“We have all kinds of runners,” he says. “A lot live downtown, but there are a lot who work downtown and live somewhere else. Some are die-hard athletes and some just want to come walk their dog and push their babies in strollers. They might just walk a mile.

But more than anything this is a social club for people who like to get outside and maybe enjoy a few beers after. Remember, most of the bars offer non-alcoholic beer, so drinking alcohol is not a requirement.”

On this evening in late March, the weather is balmy and delightful as the group sets out on the assigned 5k route which heads east on First Avenue North to the end of The Pier, jogs north along the Vinoy Basin, then returns across North Straub Park and finishes back at the bar. Routes vary according to which bar is the starting point, says Krause, this summer the starting locations are The Ale and the Witch (Monday), Hops 2.0 (Tuesday) St. Pete Brewing Company (Wednesday), Right Around the Corner Arcade Brewery (Thursday); all runs start at 7 pm.

Back at St. Pete Brewing Company, the talk is about upcoming races and who is going where. Numerous dog walkers are returning, with lots of nose sniffing and head scratching ensuing. A quick brew is a refreshing welcome back, but the crowd breaks up shortly to head home. It is, after all, a work night.

Running for Brews St. Pete group gathers at St. Pete Brewing on Wednesday evenings for a 5k run and social time./Photo Marcia Biggs

A Saturday morning Coffee Run is a relatively new addition to the schedule, says run organizer Jules Cozine, starting at 8:30 am from Kahwa Coffee on Second Street. “We know that not everyone can join the 7 pm runs,” she said. “We’ve been getting a steady turnout on Saturday mornings now. Most people stay after for coffee, too, so it’s a nice social run.”

Organized Runs

With the St. Petersburg population growth and more runners taking to the streets, the number of organized runs also continues to grow. Nearly any weekend one can find a 5k or 10k somewhere in the Tampa Bay area. Some, mostly marathons and triathlons, are designed to be competitive. Others are “fun runs” geared to attract a broader base of participants including families. Most serve as charitable fundraisers and they can be held just about anywhere.

There are runs in parks on dirt and paved trails, runs along city streets, over the Skyway Bridge and on the beach. A recent 5k fun run for United Way Suncoast took over a runway at Tampa International Airport (don’t worry, it was closed to air traffic). There are cancer walks and hero walks, police and firefighter walks, and pet walks.

A number of popular runs locally include the Skyway 10K over the Skyway Bridge, the Fort De Soto Trilogy Triathlon, the annual St. Pete Grand Prix 5k on the downtown waterfront race course, a Pinellas Trail Challenge ultramarathon that runs along 46-miles of the Pinellas Trail, the St. Pete Run Fest (half marathon, 5k and 10k), St. Pete Pier Run on July 4, the Fort De Soto Distance Classic (15k, 10k, 5k), and the St. Pete Beach Half Marathon.

The grandaddy of them all is the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, which marked its 40th year this April. The fourth largest Olympic distance triathlon in the nation, St. Anthony’s features an Olympic Triathlon (10k run, 40k bike and 1.5k swim), a Sprint Triathlon (5k run, 20k bike, 750 meter swim) and a children’s mini-triathlon. Athletes from all 50 states and more than a dozen nations have participated, many returning year after year.

One of those returning athletes is Eric Diner, a St. Petersburg physician for BayCare Medical Group, who participates annually in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon. He figures he runs in 5 to 10 organized races each year, and a few triathlons. His family including wife Beth, and three kids often join him. Why does he run? “For at least half

the year the weather in St. Pete is perfect for running,” he says.

“The beach is a fantastic place to run and blow off steam with the beautiful view, and downtown St. Pete has become an equally beautiful place to run.”

Over The Skyway

The Skyway 10K debuted in 2017 as a fundraiser for the 501 (c)(3) non-profit Armed Forces Families Foundation. When word got out to the running community that this run would take place on the iconic Skyway Bridge between St. Petersburg and Bradenton, registration of 7,500 sold out in five days, said race founder and organizer Niki Austin.

The sixth annual race was held this March, again a sell-out with 8,000 participants. It’s become a favorite for area runners and walkers, with hundreds of runners and volunteers from various branches of the military. But getting the race course over the bridge approved six years ago was an act of sheer determination.

“It took us about a year in meetings with all the governing agencies to get the green flag,” said Austin. “A lot of previous organizers have tried and failed to get approval to shut the bridge down. We had to work with three counties, FDOT, the city of St. Pete police and fire rescue, the fishing pier … it had to go all the way up to the governor.

“Fortunately, due to the fact that 100 percent of registration fees were going to military families across the Southeast, everyone got on board.” The Skyway 10k has since raised $2.6 million for Armed Forces Families Foundation, mainly funding infrastructure projects. ***

Around St. Pete, runners seem to embody the can-do spirit, serving as an example to others that with a modicum of motivation and a pair of running shoes, it’s possible to take those first steps to a healthy lifestyle.

Find St. Petersburg Running Company on Facebook and at stpetersburgrunningco.com. Find Running for Brews St. Pete on Facebook and at runningforbrews.com.

Transformative Journey

BY BRIA BURTON

In January 2022, Chris and Jenn Reinke of Seminole visited the St. Pete Running Company booth at the St. Pete Beach Classic, a weekend of races held annually. As the couple watched people push themselves to walk and run the races, they were inspired. It was one of many circumstances that helped them make the decision to start walking. Jenn had been dealing with a debilitating medical condition, and they both wanted to shed some weight. Most of all, they wanted to get healthy.

After a major surgery that involved complications, Jenn made a goal to gain strength and get healthy. Chris joined in on the goal and they both agreed to take it slow. They decided on their 2022 motto: ‘22 on the Move.

They started by walking on the Pinellas Trail.

“With Chris’s support and encouragement, I just put one foot in front of the other; one more step, then one more, and so on,” says Jenn.

Once the couple started walking, they wanted to keep going. Their journey was not easy, but they persisted throughout the year to do what they set out to do: walk, walk, and walk some more. It wasn’t fast and it wasn’t far, especially not at first, but they made consistency a priority.

Eventually, Chris added running while Jenn enjoyed being a walker. Early on in their walking journey, they decided to sign up for a one-mile race as another way to stay motivated. Together, they walked and completed that mile. Fresh off the thrill of the accomplishment, Jenn suffered a setback in her health, but she was able to recover and get back to walking once more. At his first 5K, things didn’t go as Chris had hoped.

“My time was much slower than my training. I was so disappointed that I signed up for another race a few weeks later and got back to training. My second go around was slightly better but still off of my training pace.”

They added in some other types of exercise, like weight lifting

A couple’s extraordinary weight loss began with a seemingly simple decision to start walking.

and yoga, and discovered more races that they wanted to sign up for with some great medals waiting at the finish line. “The bling is a great motivator,” says Jenn. “And PRs (personal records) are pretty cool, too. It’s about moving forward and continuing to be mindful of my body.”

Believing and Achieving

Now both Chris and Jenn have completed several races and enjoyed the many health benefits of staying fit. Chris completed the 2023 St. Pete Beach Classic Half Marathon (13 miles) in his goal time of under two hours, the same race where Jenn and Chris had gotten inspired in 2022.

“Cheering Chris on during the St. Pete Beach Classic Half Marathon was kind of a full circle moment for us,” says Jenn.

When measuring success, Chris and Jenn focused on their motto, which encouraged them to keep moving forward. Success led to more success and before they knew it, they cut their combined weight in half. Chris shed 130 pounds. Jenn shed 190 pounds and was able to get off of eight medications.

“Everything is so much easier now,” says Chris. “Doing things around the house, running errands, enjoying going places and

experiencing life. These all used to take so much effort and wear us out, and now we don’t even think twice about it. I can’t tell you how many things we cancelled or missed out on because we physically weren’t up for it. We’re doing more than ever before and everything is so much more enjoyable because we physically are able to do whatever we want.”

Advice from Chris and Jenn

Sometimes it’s that first step that’s the hardest. Chris and Jenn didn’t let how hard it was to keep them from pushing on toward their goal. They offer this advice for anyone who wants to get healthier:

Jenn: “First and foremost, listen to your body. Take control of what you can. Surround yourself with positive supporters and like-minded people. You are your best cheerleader but having a great group of people around you that encourage you on your journey is super cool. Most importantly give yourself credit and grace.”

Chris: “Just get out there. Just take the step, every little bit you do just helps. Give yourself the credit for things, even the little things. If you went 10 steps yesterday and 12 today, give yourself credit.”

Mindful Movement Leader Promotes Healing Benefits of Yoga

BY ERNEST HOOPER

Clayton Sizemore looks out from a bench at the Sanderlin Center courtyard as a canopy of oak trees shade one of his Mindful Movement classes. With soothing music playing, instructor Alex Duran leads a group on this Saturday morning through a series of yoga exercises. They turn, they stretch and they shift as relative quiet envelopes the moment. Only the occasional chirping of birds interrupts the calm.

It’s serene, but the scene actually makes Sizemore gush with enthusiasm.

“It’s a practice that can take you to another level,” says Sizemore. “It’s all about keeping your heart strong, your body flexible and your mind clear. Our health is our wealth.

“My thing is exposing people of color to what this practice is all about.”

In the six years since he’s brought Mindful Movement to south St. Petersburg, the practice has grown significantly. Yet Sizemore longs to lead more people to the 360-degree approach to life that he discovered after years in the national broadcasting business. It’s billed as a program about beginning and advanced yoga postures, meditation and breathing techniques. But it’s also about positive affirmations and physical and mental strength.

The goal? Understanding and harnessing long-term selfimprovement.

After 36 years as a broadcast manager working for ABC, NBC and CNN in New York, Sizemore discovered Urban Yoga Foundation, a practice embracing the Ashtanga tradition of yoga founded by Ghylian Bell in 1994. He started attending classes with six friends, all male.

“After three or four months, our minds started getting clearer, our bodies started getting stronger,” said Sizemore, a youthful-looking 63.

At the same time, he began to realize his broadcasting career was

winding down. He said he wanted to fire his boss before his boss fired him. The real impetus came when he flew to India and took up residence at the Yoga Vita Ashram. A self-described “fat TV executive,” he lost 80 pounds and returned with a vow to adopt the practice and make it a lifestyle.

But how did he end up here? Sizemore first visited St. Petersburg in the 1990s to take a management class at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Back then, downtown St. Petersburg did not leave a positive impression.

“They rolled up the sidewalks at 5 p.m., but every year I came back there, I realized this was a city on the move,” he said.

He finally decided to relocate here with an eye towards expanding the Urban Yoga Foundation lifestyle that had so profoundly changed his life. Sizemore said bringing the practice of yoga to people of color can prove to be challenging, especially in the South. Some confused its spiritual aspects with religion. Some African-Americans get intimidated when they don’t see people who look like them in yoga gatherings.

So he rebranded the effort as Mindful Movement and it started to flourish.

Now, Mindful Movement has grown to become just that: a movement. Sizemore and his team of eight teachers conduct five community classes a week throughout St. Petersburg. The sessions are free and they simply ask for donations.

Regina Fields, one of the instructors, said the classes, which typically run 45 to 50 minutes, continue to blossom into connectivity.

“It’s been nice to watch that class grow,” Fields said of the weekly Monday evening session at the Enoch Davis Center. “We check on each other. If someone doesn’t show up one week and they come back the next week, we ask, ‘Are you okay?’ We’ve definitely created a community.”

Fields, 33, fully embraced teaching yoga two years ago, forgoing a program management job in corporate America. Asked if she missed her 9-to-5 life, she laughed, noting that the stress of work often led to her crying in virtual meetings and turning the camera off.

“Society doesn’t teach us to slow down,” said Fields, a St. Petersburg native. “It’s hard to make time for yourself.”

Making time to slow down, to think, to be mindful all comprise part of the practice Sizemore looks to install, not just with adults but with children. Mindful Movement conducts sessions in 12 St. Petersburg schools and two more in Tampa. He encourages students to control their emotions.

“When you self-regulate yourself, that’s your super power,” Sizemore said in explaining his message to students. “When you use your super power to calm yourself, you become mindful.

“I tell them when you think before you act, you’ll always make a better decision.”

Sizemore wants to take the practice into more Title 1 schools, but budgeting remains a challenge for schools. He’s hoping to find other funding sources to reach more students because he firmly believes Mindful Movement can elevate education, improve behavior and reduce acts of violence. As he progresses, he’ll continue to spread the word about the practice, advocating for the health and wealth of all involved, including himself.

“I always say I want to die young as late in life as I possibly can,” Sizemore says with a smile.

Ernest Hooper is the vice president of communications for United Way Suncoast. His public affairs program, That’s All I’m Saying, airs on WEDU-PBS.

Mindful Movement yoga classes are offered for free at the following locations. No registration required:

• 9 am Saturday at the Carter G. Woodson Museum, 2240 9th Avenue. S.

• 11 am Saturday at the James Sanderlin Community Center, 2335 22nd Avenue S.

• 6 pm Monday at Enoch Davis Center, 111 18th Avenue S.

• 5 pm Wednesday at Mt. Zion Church, 955 20th Street S.

• 6 pm Thursday at Willis S. John Center, 6635 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N.

For more information, go to mindfulmovementflorida.org

What is Rotary?

The Rotary club of St. Petersburg turned 100 years old on January 2, 2020. The club was one of the first 200 clubs chartered by Rotary International (today there are over 35,000 clubs worldwide). It was founded by former St. Petersburg Times editor, William Straub and other community leaders.

Do you like to have fun?

Rotary is fun, alot of fun! The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. Serving others is fun!

If you are looking for ways to engage with business men and women committed to serving our community and our world we invite you to become one of the 1.2 million Rotarians around the world by joining the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, the largest and oldest service club in our community. We invite you to visit us at The St. Petersburg Yacht Club for our weekly Friday meetings at noon. It would be our pleasure to have you as a guest.

If you would like more information, please call Sherri Crouse, our membership chair, 304-416-2097

Salty Sands 5 and 10k 2023 Ft Desoto Park

The Truth About Tooth Whitening: Proceed With Dental Advice

There’s nothing that screams confidence more than a bright, white smile. Numerous studies link smiling to career success, life span, and happiness to name just a few. With that information in mind, everyone seems to want a whiter smile! Let’s talk about the do’s and don’ts of teeth whitening.

First, let’s explore teeth whitening products being offered over the counter. While the American Dental Association (ADA) has given their seal of approval to some over-the-counter whitening products, their official policy is that they should not be used until after a dental exam and with the approval of the dentist. This position is not for financial gain, it is for patient health and safety. Teeth whitening should be discussed with your dentist and accomplished after a thorough examination.

The color of our teeth can be affected and influenced by many factors, and stains or tooth discoloration can be intrinsic (inside the tooth) or extrinsic (on the surface of the tooth). Different products or whitening agents are used to treat the different types of discoloration. These whitening agents penetrate the enamel (tooth dentin) and can penetrate to the pulp, which is the nerve in the center of the tooth.

Lasting Impressions: Japanese Prints from the Read-Simms Collection was organized by the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina

Lasting Impressions: Japanese Prints from the Read-Simms Collection was organized by the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina

HOKUSAI, South Wind, Clear Dawn Fuji) from the series Thirty-six Views of Fuji, c. 1831–33, Color woodblock print. Image courtesy of Gibbes Museum of Art

Image courtesy of Gibbes Museum of Art

When you buy over-the-counter whitening strips, they are not made to fit your teeth, and they can burn your gums. Whitening toothpaste tends to be abrasive and remove enamel, making teeth appear darker in the long run because the yellow dentin is visible through the thinner, translucent enamel. This in turn leads to more frequent use of whitening products, with increased sensitivity, etc.

All whitening agents have the potential to cause sensitivity. The concentration and formulation of the whitening agent and where it is applied can affect the degree of sensitivity. They are meant to whiten natural teeth; they do not whiten fillings or crowns.

What makes teeth whitening with your dentist different?

When you discuss teeth whitening with your dentist as part of a comprehensive exam, they can evaluate whether your stains are intrinsic or extrinsic, and they can evaluate the restorations on your teeth to make sure they will not leak the whitening material to the inside of the tooth. Your dentist can show you any restorations that would appear darker once the natural tooth is whitened.

The whitening products used by dentists have ingredients that can protect the pulp from damage. The custom take-home trays that your dentist makes will safely keep the bleaching agent on your enamel, not your gums or roots. When quicker results are desired, your dentist can provide an in-office service and protect the soft tissues before applying it. Sometimes, all you need to brighten up your smile is a cleaning with the dental hygienist, who can polish away many surface stains.

Provided by Dr. Rosemarie Marquez, DMD, St. Pete Oral Health Center, stpeteoralhealthcenter.com

KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI, South Wind, Clear Dawn (Red Fuji) from the series Thirty-six Views of Fuji, c. 1831–33, Color woodblock print.

Kusakabe Kimbei, Umbrella Maker (detail), c. 1880, Albumen print, Gift of Ludmila and Bruce Dandrew from The Ludmila Dandrew and Chitranee Drapkin Collection

Kusakabe Kimbei, Umbrella Maker (detail), c. 1880, Albumen print, of Ludmila and Bruce Dandrew from The Ludmila Dandrew and Chitranee Drapkin Collection

St. Pete Straza: A Place for People

Car-Free St. Pete, a community organization that encourages transportation alternatives like walking and biking, is studying a project that would align downtown St. Pete with the worldwide movement to reclaim streets for non-vehicular traffic. The St. Pete Straza project proposes a three-plus mile loop that combines the elements of a street, plaza, and park.

The plan would transform automobile dominated streets in downtown into a more comfortable environment for people to walk, stroll, play, and create community, according to the web site carfreestpete.com. This would be accomplished by transforming existing streets to prioritize pedestrian activity by removing curbs, expanding sidewalks, adding landscaping, and slowing cars to speeds that are compatible with pedestrian activities.

The name “Straza,” coined by urban planner with Urban Arts Inc. and Car-Free St. Pete committee member Michael Huston, is derived from combining the terms “street” and “plaza”. Thus, as the name implies, the Straza has elements of both.

Many communities around the country and the world are prioritizing their streets to create pedestrian safe spaces that encourages active mobility as well as economic activity. These include downtown West Palm Beach’s “Shared Street” plan, and the city of Portland, Oregon, and their six-mile Green Loop.

The Straza would provide a place to walk your dog, take a stroll with friends, and enjoy an urban environment free of the noise, pollution and danger caused by moving traffic. It would promote healthy living by encouraging folks to walk more and drive less and it would support local businesses with an increase in pedestrian activity.

The plan is preliminary and routes are under study, but the intent would be to connect major destinations like the Dali Museum, the waterfront, and Tropicana Field. Several branches would potentially extend into existing neighborhoods and districts.

Car Free St. Pete is seeking feedback on the St. Pete Straza project. More information can be found at carfreestpete.com, and video on YouTube.

St. Pete Accolades

High five, please. Forbes recently named St. Petersburg as one of The Best Places to Travel in the U.S. We were one of 20 destinations to make the cut, along with cities like San Francisco, Vail and Savannah. Are we surprised? Not really. After all, we know the ‘Burg is the best. The article praised our vibrant arts scene, walkability, the new St. Pete Pier, and trendy hotels like the Vinoy Resort.

Historic Walking Tours

A series of downtown walking tours with historian Monica Kile has been announced by I Love the Burg. The 2-hour tours reveal history hiding in plain sight, like the first fire station –now a popular restaurant and night spot, and a funeral home from the city’s era as “God’s Waiting Room” that has been resurrected as a trendy steakhouse. Along the way you’ll hear stories of Civil Rights heroes, real estate hustlers, and the characters that shaped St. Pete, making it the most dynamic city in Florida. Walks cover two miles and cost is $25. To find the schedule, go to ilovetheburg.com

Evening of Word Play

Do you consider yourself a wordsmith? Join a crossword puzzle gala evening of fun, games and giving on June 8 at 6:30 pm at Banquet Masters, 13355 49th Street N, Clearwater, when the Voices of Hope for Aphasia holds a Word Play Fundraising Dinner. Sponsors include The Off-Central, WUSF Public Media, Rays and Rowdies Foundation, and many others. Aphasia, which affects more than 23,000 in the Bay area alone, is a language disorder, often following stroke or traumatic injury, that impacts a person’s ability to speak, write, and understand verbal and written language. Programs at VOH are offered free both to people affected by aphasia and their families. Tickets $95; tables available for teams. Go to vohaphasia.org for more information and tickets.

A Straza shows emphasis on pedestrian mobility and access to businesses throughout an urban corridor. /Rendering by Urban Arts Inc.

St. Pete Pride a Month-long Celebration in June

Florida’s largest gay pride celebration, St. Pete Pride, is back for a full month of events and festivities. Last year, an estimated 300,000 people attended during the month of June, creating an overall economic impact of more than $64 million for city businesses. The main event, St. Pete Pride Weekend, featuring a Friday night concert at North Straub and Vinoy Park, a grand parade and street festival, will be June 23-25.

Here’s a rundown:

June 2 - Pride Kickoff Party 7 to 11 pm in the Grand Central District

June 10 - LGBTQ+ Youth & Family Day will take place 10 am to 2 pm at North Straub Park

June 10 - Pride Night at Tampa Bay Rays will be at 4:10 pm. (Tickets $32 through raysbaseball.com/

pride and promo code PRIDE3)

June 17 - Shades of Pride will celebrate Juneteenth from 6 to 11 pm at The Factory

June 23 - Friday Night Concert at Jannus Live at 8 pm

June 24 - Pride Parade & Festival takes place, kicking off with a Trans March at 5 pm, followed by the main parade at 6 pm. Concerts run from 2 to 10 pm at Vinoy Park

June 25 - Grand Central Street Carnival takes over the Grand Central District from noon to 5 pm

ArtOUT, an international juried art show, will be held June 1-30 onsite at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, the Gulfport Public Library and online.

Not all details were finalized by print deadline. For more updated information, go to www.stpetepride.org

Help Pets Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Pet parents often show love for their pets with food. However, that extra “love” can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing other medical conditions.

More than 50% of pets are overweight, but 90% of pet parents with an overweight pet don’t realize it, according to research from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-led nutrition. To help transform the lives of pets, Drs. Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson, stars of Nat Geo Wild’s “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” are encouraging pet parents to take a proactive approach to maintaining their pet’s weight.

“As veterinarians, we want every pet to live a long and healthy life,” Hodges said. “That’s why pet parents should actively monitor their pet’s weight and address it in real time with the guidance of their veterinarian. We are proud to be a part of Hill’s ‘End Pet Obesity’ campaign to help pet parents learn about the impact of even a few extra pounds and equip them with the tools and resources they need to help their pets achieve and maintain a healthy weight.”

Consider these simple steps to get started:

Take the L.O.V.E. Test

To help assess a pet’s weight, use the L.O.V.E. Test, which includes four simple actions:

• Locate the pet’s ribs

• Observe from above

• View from the side

• Evaluate feeding behavior

“Sometimes, under all their beautiful fur, it’s hard to realize our pets have gained weight, and even just a few extra pounds can have an impact on their energy and overall wellness,” Ferguson said. “Taking the L.O.V.E test is an easy way to evaluate a pet’s body condition to determine if it’s time to take action.”

Schedule a Visit with a Veterinarian

Pet parents who have concerns about their pet’s weight should seek their veterinarian’s guidance. Conversation starters include:

Is my pet at an ideal weight?

How can I help my pet reach an ideal weight?

How can food help manage my pet’s weight?

Switch to the Right Food

“Obesity is one of the greatest health risks for pets, and what a pet eats is one of the most important decisions a pet parent can make,” Ferguson said. “Whether your pet is a new addition to the family or has just eaten a little too much, now is a great time for pet parents to reset nutritional habits and make sure their pet is at a healthy weight – starting with the food they feed.”

Pet parents should work with their veterinarian to choose the right food to support their pet’s weight loss journey. Weight management products can help pets achieve an ideal weight, including Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight, which has shown to lead to weight loss within 10 weeks in 70% of pets fed this nutritional food. For obese pets, veterinarians may recommend a therapeutic food.

“We have been studying the impact of nutrition on how pets’ bodies function for over a decade,” said Dr. Karen Shenoy, chief veterinary officer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition U.S. “We learned lean pets have a different biology than overweight pets. This guided our development of formulas that both help support a pet’s metabolism for a healthy body weight and taste great. With the guidance of a veterinarian, it can be as simple as feeding the right kind of ‘love’ to lose the weight.”

To learn more and access free tools and resources for pet weight management, visit endpetobesity.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

In Florida, allergy sufferers must contend with a nearly year-round calendar of sneezing and runny noses. Oak and pine season is from December through May, and again from October through November. Grass pollen season extends from April to October. Ragweed is a major offender, especially from August through October.

The bad news: allergy season is getting longer. In fact, allergy days have increased by 20 days, according to a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences.

Being aware of air quality indexes and limiting time outdoors can lessen exposure to airborne pollutants, but indoor air quality is also a concern. In a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of indoor pollutants can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor air.

People spend nearly two-thirds of their lives at home, according to Carrier, which developed its Healthy Homes Program to help homeowners create indoor environments that optimize health and wellness. Consider these ways you can combat pollutants where it matters most: your home’s indoor air quality.

Reduce Indoor Pollutants

Your home has multiple sources of indoor air pollutants. While avoiding these pollutants altogether is often the best solution, it’s not always possible. However, there are a few ways you can reduce exposure in your home: ban indoor smoking; turn on exhaust fans when cooking; minimize or remove “soft” pollutant gathering surfaces such as decorative pillows, stuffed animals and decorative throws; and regularly clean all heating and air conditioner filters as required or according to manufacturer specifications.

While air purifiers don’t treat allergies, they can help filter out allergens that can cause allergy symptoms. Homeowners might consider purifiers that are highly effective at capturing particulate. For example, the Carrier Infinity air purifier is a whole-home heating and cooling system. It not only captures 95% of particles in micron size range 1.0-3.0, but also inactivates 99% of select airborne germs and viruses that flow through the HVAC system and become trapped in the filter. The purifier has also demonstrated effectiveness against the murine coronavirus – similar to the human novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 – based on third-party testing, as well as the type of viruses that cause the

Consider Indoor Air Quality When Battling Allergies at Home

common cold, streptococcus pyogenes and influenza.

Room air purifiers are portable and highly efficient solutions for smaller spaces such as nurseries, bedrooms, home gyms and added rooms. One example is the Carrier Smart Room Air Purifier with a built-in indoor air quality monitor that includes three levels of filtration, including an activated carbon filter to capture odors. The attached, color-coded air quality monitor measures and displays pollutant levels so homeowners can be informed and aware of the quality of their indoor air, giving them the ability to maintain nextlevel comfort while breathing cleaner air.

Control Humidity

Many people know high humidity can cause discomfort in hot temperatures, but there are other potentially negative impacts. According to the CDC, dust mites thrive in 70-80% humidity and temperatures between 75-85 F. Additionally, high humidity can provide an environment conducive to mold growth, which is why maintaining relative indoor humidity between 40-60% is recommended to keep dust mites and mold at bay.

To help control humidity, run the air conditioner when it’s hot and humid and consider using whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers that allow for specific settings for moisture control.

Creating your ideal home environment is more than just controlling the temperature. Your home’s air should be filtered and pollutants limited to minimize allergy triggers and promote good indoor air quality.

To learn more about options for home air quality control, visit carrier.com/residential

Celebrate the Mother in Your Life

Mother’s Day is always exciting and important for me, even if I see my mom quite frequently and I do not have children myself. I love to celebrate with my mother, buy her flowers and make her feel more special than on any other day.

But as long as we have mothers, or are mothers ourselves, any time is great for a brunch together, sweet words, and a beautiful outfit. Here are a few suggestions for a spending a special day with your mother.

Obviously, we want to dress to impress, wear something new and chic, be fashionable and feel the best we can. A floral dress will fit perfectly into that occasion and description.

Pictured here is an example of how to successfully wear a colorful dress. Start with a romantic butterfly dress, with feminine, ruffled sleeves as the absolute focus of the outfit. It will look amazing with a soft blush or nude handbag, and shiny, glamorous gold accessories. What you see first is the woman, dressed to perfection, then you notice tasteful, sophisticated details added to complete the attire. If more casual is your desire, no problem. Certainly casual can be chic, charming and very trendy. A boldly printed dress with abstract Picasso style faces will pair beautifully with a lightly washed denim jacket, that I prefer gently embellished for a unique statement. A bucket style handbag emphasizes a less formal style, but for a little special fun and glam you can add mirrored silver shoes.

If you are more of a top and bottom type of person, or just feel like wearing pants instead of a dress, go for the perfect middle, right between plain and fancy. An attractive, classy blouse paired with pants in the color of your choice is a choice you won’t regret. White pants can look elegant and summer-like.

Now, when you choose what to wear for the occasion, enjoy brunch with mom or your children not only once a year, but as often as you can.

Megan Simons is owner of Pippa Pelure fashion boutique in downtown St. Petersburg. Reach her at pippapelure@tampabay.rr.com

A Conversation With…

Mark Anderson, Owner, St. Pete Salt Works Float Center

Flotation therapy is nothing new — it was first introduced in the 1950s as a way to calm the brain with a complete lack of external stimuli. Today, float therapy is recognized as a form of physical and mental health therapy. Studies have found that floating in a tub of dense Epsom salt can relieve chronic pain in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, tension headaches and muscle tension, lower depression and anxiety, reduce high blood pressure, aid in recovery after sports injuries and relieve insomnia.

St. Pete residents Mark Anderson and wife Amy are owners of St. Pete Salt Works Float Center. As entrepreneurs, they reached out to The Greenhouse, the city’s support program for emerging businesses, to learn the ropes of starting a business in St. Pete. “I’ve gained a ton of understanding, utilized many of their resources, and still am now,” says Mark.

He was interviewed by The Greenhouse’s Alexis Garcia for this story.

What inspired you to start your business?

Amy grew up surrounded by her family business, Brydebell Electric. We wanted to create something special for our community. Mental health and alternative options for self-regulation, sports recovery, pain management, anxiety, burnout, and creativity are all on the rise and we need other ways to help people along the way. My passion and understanding for both educating and guiding our community on their float journey are really what we do here.

WHAT IS FLOATING?

The relaxation of floating on top of still salt water has been around for thousands of years. Floating takes place in a salt water tub with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt in just 200 gallons of water. Meaning that the water is so dense with salt, that anyone can trust the water to hold

What makes your business innovative?

Flotation therapy is a unique environment for exploring the creative thought process and gaining the ability to hyper-focus on ideas and concepts so you can work toward developing them into actionable items. When you push those innovative concepts forward without distractions, it’s amazing what happens. It is in its simplicity that innovation can be seen.

The womb-like state that’s created during floatation has been around since the 1950s and was created by Dr. John Lilly while working at the National Institute for Mental Health. Flotation therapy can also be found at brain research institutes. They have been performing clinical studies for some time now. When I think of innovation, I look at how the Navy Seals use sensory deprivation combined with an audio/visual component for super-learning new languages before they go on missions. That’s what I am moving forward with creating here.

What advice would you give to other business owners who want to become more innovative?

Creativity and the need for innovative ideas are so important in this fast-paced and connected world. I would recommend utilizing all available resources, learning from others, and using the knowledge you’ve gained from others.

St. Pete Salt Works is located at 517 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 641-4427, stpetesaltworks.com More information on The Greenhouse can be found at stpetegreenhouse.com

them up in perfect alignment under zero gravity conditions. The water is heated to 93.5 degrees – average skin temperature. The ideal environment is for one to turn off the lights, though the lights can stay on as well. The idea is to be relieved of as much external stimuli and stress as possible.

In this issue we support the doctors of St. Petersburg. These medical professionals strive to heal members of our community on a daily basis.

“Whereever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”

-Hippocrates

Special Advertising Section

The heart and vascular experts at Bayfront Health Medical Group Cardiovascular focus on preventing, diagnosing and treating disorders of the heart and circulatory system that can lead to heart attack, stroke and other serious conditions. Here, care is a collaborative effort, where board-certified doctors, surgeons, nurses and clinicians provide personalized and compassionate care and support. Our expert team of specialists, combined with advanced technology and access to state-of-the-art facilities, make us leaders in cardiovascular care for Florida’s Gulf Coast. Our specialists are experts in cardiovascular disease, cardiac electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, as well as vascular and cardiothoracic surgery.

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Bayfront Health Medical Group Cardiovascular 601 7th St. South, Ste 205, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | (727) 893-6234

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Bayfront Health Medical Group Colorectal Surgery offers expertise and experience in the treatment of colon and rectal conditions, with a focus on colon, rectal and pelvic tumors, pelvic floor disorders, as well as inflammatory bowel disease and digestive disorders. Our surgeons are highly trained in the latest surgical options, and most procedures are performed using minimally invasive and/or robotic surgical techniques.

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The Bayfront Health Digestive Health Institute offers an expansive scope of services to care for patients facing conditions affecting the digestive tract and gastrointestinal organs. Led by world-renowned physicians, our highly skilled clinical team utilizes advanced technologies and procedures to ensure effective care options and successful outcomes.

Our care extends from general digestive disorders to complex gastrointestinal diseases and encompasses lifestyle modification, medication and surgical

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Meet Our Team: Randhir Jesudoss, MD; Nayana George, MD; Benjamin Tharian, MD

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (727) 553-7273 or schedule online at BayfrontHealth.com/MedicalGroup

Bayfront Health Digestive Health Institute

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The specialists at Bayfront Health Medical Group ENT and Allergy, Head and Neck Surgery are trained to medically or surgically manage all aspects of your treatment — whether your condition is minor or complex. Advanced technology and treatment options include robotic procedures for thyroid surgery, transoral robotic surgery for mouth and throat cancers, and balloon sinuplasty and endoscopic techniques to treat nasal conditions.

Our ENT services include treatment for hearing and ear issues, including infections, chronic hearing problems and balance disorders; Nasal and sinus conditions, including allergies and chronic sinusitis;

Head and neck conditions, including cancer, infectious disease, thyroid disease and nerve conditions that affect hearing, balance, taste and speech; Throat and voice conditions, including swallowing-related and esophageal disorders; Facial reconstructive and plastic surgery to address concerns caused by trauma, surgery, congenital malformations and aging. We also specialize in minimally invasive surgery to provide upper airway stimulation treatment to combat obstructive sleep apnea.

Meet Our Team: Samantha O’Neal, APRN; Julia Pfaff, DO; Chief Medical Officer - Trina Espinola, MD; Paige Lindberg, MD; Stephanie Massey, PA-C

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (727) 553-7100 or schedule online at BayfrontHealth.com/MedicalGroup

Bayfront Health Medical Group ENT and Allergy, Head and Neck Surgery

625 6th St. South, Suite 385, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | (727) 553-7100

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Bayfront Health Medical Group Family Medicine provides you and your family with quality care for a lifetime of health. We’re here for you throughout every age and every stage – from newborn and pediatric care through adulthood, we promise to provide expert, comprehensive care for all aspects of acute and chronic illness. As your health partner throughout life’s journey, we work to help keep you on track with routine checkups, vaccinations, health-screening tests, and school/sports physicals. As a teaching

center located within Bayfront Health St. Petersburg hospital, we ensure our patients always have access to the latest advancements in medicine. Our medical team is dedicated to teaching the next generation of physicians.

Meet Our Team: Jonathan Mitchell, Ph.D; Kristin Starr Sochet, MD; Holly Baab, MD; Lorna Fountain, MD; Shacara Wilson, MD; Carley Befeler, MD

We offer convenient hours, with same-day, next-day and virtual appointment options. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (727) 893-6116 or schedule online at BayfrontHealth.com/MedicalGroup

Bayfront Health Medical Group Family Medicine 700 6th St. South, 3rd Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | (727) 893-6116

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Dr. Michael D. Mirmanesh, M.D., is an award – winning plastic surgeon and pioneer in the combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments in order to obtain natural, long lasting results with minimal downtime. “Dr. Michael” is one of the few plastic surgeons in the world with advanced training and research in laser and light therapy. He has served as the Key Opinion Leader for Lumenis ™, the world’s largest laser company, since 2020. In addition to his busy surgical practice, Dr. Michael serves as medical director for The Garden Medical Spa, a multi-location boutique medical spa with locations in Pinellas Park and throughout the eastern United States. Dr. Michael performs over 1,000 surgeries a year, his most common being face lift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy – tuck, and liposuction. He is a proud Pinellas County resident and his latest before and afters can be found on Instagram : @drmichaelplasticsurgery The

(727) 610-5335

6650 78th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

thegardenmedspa.com

thegardenplasticsurgery.com

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For over 30 years, Dr. Rosemarie Márquez has been passionate about improving the oral health of her community. “I think all dentists love creating beautiful smiles, myself included, but the most rewarding thing is making an impact on someone’s health. It’s especially nice to get to know and help those within my own St. Pete community where I’ve lived for over 20 years.” –Dr. Márquez.

Everyday there is growing evidence that oral bacteria can be found in the plaque clogging our arteries, causing strokes and heart attacks; in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontal (gum) disease has a bidirectional connection with diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as many cancers.

Knowing that there is a solid link between oral health and systemic health, the focus of her practice is to help patients understand this connection and to encourage them to prioritize their oral health. She and her team are committed to improving the health of their patients through collaboration with the medical community. Each treatment is tailored to the patient’s individual needs in an environment that eases the anxieties of a dentist appointment. Highly trained staff and a welcoming office encourage a relaxed visit.

Dr. Márquez offers free early detection screenings for oral cancer every year in April. Dr. Márquez also gives back to the community through several charities. She donates dental services to the Dental Lifeline Network and raises funds and awareness for the Oral Cancer Foundation and Oral Cancer Cause.

Memberships Include: American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, West Coast District Dental Association, Pinellas County Dental Association, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society, American Academy of Oral Systemic Health.

Rosemarie Marquez, DMD

St. Pete Oral Health Center

(727) 345-1774

6700 Crosswinds Dr. N Suite 100C

St. Petersburg, FL 33710

stpeteoralhealthcenter.com

PHOTO BY VALERIE BOGLE/ FLOURISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Sherberg, DMD founded Bayway Dental with the goal of being a “One-Stop Shop”. He dedicated his career to mastering most procedures across all specialties in dentistry. Thousands of patients have discovered their smiles with Full Smile Makeovers and Immediate Teeth (All-on-4 Dental Implants) since the founding of Bayway Dental 10 years ago in St. Petersburg.

Q: What does it mean to be a One-Stop Shop?

A: Specialization in medicine is a wonderful thing, however, needing five different dentists to solve all your dental issues can be overwhelming. I typically perform most, if not all, treatments in my office. I work with each patient to come up with a customized plan based on their goals and budget. When necessary I refer to carefully vetted specialists.

Q: You’re accepting new memberships into your Dental Concierge Plan. What is that exactly?

A: Members get more access and time with me. My philosophy has always considered dental health as part of my patients’ overall health and wellness. I coordinate care with their medical doctors as they consider their dental treatment options.

Q: What is your typical patient like?

A: Most have dental problems that would typically require multiple specialists to treat. Our patients want an advocate. They want someone to say, “Here’s what’s wrong, here are your options, let’s figure out what works best for you and let’s rock this!”

5008 34th

baywaydental.com

Dr. Sherberg and his puppy, Mare

VIP Eye Care & Optical Boutique has been serving patients in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay for 16 years offering an award winning optical experience.

Optometry has been Dr. Henri’s passion for 31 years and she feels fortunate that Dr. Lambert and Dr. Vourvopoulos, who joined the practices in 2021, share her passion.

The addition of both doctors has enabled our Opticals to expand our services offered at both locations in St. Petersburg. In addition to routine eye exams and contact lens fittings we also

(727) 894-0500

2201 4th St. N. Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

co-manage ocular diseases, treat dry eye, and offer specialty contact lens fittings including scleral contacts and myopia management with Orthokeratology. Progressive Myopia is on the rise due to all the electronics in our daily life. With increased myopia the eye becomes more susceptible to myopic degeneration, glaucoma and retinal detachments.

We are honored to have all the support and loyalty of our patients and clients over the years and we look forward to providing you with the exceptional Optical experience you deserve. Vision is priceless.

(727) 295-0500

2201 4th St. N. Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 vip4myeyes.com

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The team of professionals at Back 2 Normal Physical Therapy are making waves in the world of whole-body healing. With a focus on personalized, patient-centered care, Back 2 Normal empowers individuals to achieve optimal health with a holistic approach to improving all areas of life. Lisa Chase, Founder/CEO, PT, CFMM, OMPT, Astym Certified, Physical Therapist, Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialist is an internationally recognized physical therapist, educator, lecturer and published author, with 30+ years of experience, specializing in rehabilitation, performance, and wellness.

Back 2 Normal also boasts two Doctors of Physical Therapy, Kirsten Snelleburg, LMT, MPT, DPT, Physical Therapist, Vestibular & Visceral Specialist, and Danielle Kelley, DPT, OCS, Physical Therapist. Kirsten has vast clinical experience in Manual Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Vestibular Dysfunction, and Temporomandibular Dysfunction, and is a full-time faculty member at St. Petersburg College, where

she instructs physical therapist assistants. Danielle is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with expertise in treating orthopedic and sports medicine conditions. In addition to advanced physical therapy techniques, Back 2 Normal incorporates integrative modalities such as Neubie, Pilates, Laser, Astym, Bemer, Biomat, Functional Medicine Testing & Nutrition, and more to provide a well-rounded approach to recovery, performance, and lasting health.

Pictured Left to Right

Kirsten Snellenburg, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Charlene Greene, Certified Pilates Instructor

Ilene Gershberg, Certified Pilates Instructor

Lisa Chase, Physical Therapist, CEO & Founder of Back 2 Normal

Buster Brown, CFO (Chief Fun Officer)

Jillian Warwick, Functional Nutritional Therapist

Heather Cercone Politano, Physical Therapist Assistant

Danielle Kelley, Doctor of Physical Therapy

PHOTO BY MOORMAN PHOTOGRAPHICS

Dr. Barbara Pacholec, M.D. provides compassionate and empathetic care to patients through her clinic, Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine. The clinic is conveniently located in downtown St Petersburg in the Morgan Stanley building at 150 2nd Ave N. Dr. Pacholec’s warm and nurturing nature helps patients feel comfortable, valued, and encouraged as they journey towards optimal health and well-being.

The services offered at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss include:

• Weight Loss Therapy using pharmaceuticals including Phentermine and Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic)

• Hormone Therapy using bio-identical hormone replacements for both men and women

• IV Nutrition for immunity, wellness, beauty and recovery

• Peptide Therapy including treatments for athletes, anti-aging and sexual health

• Functional Medicine with individualized treatment plans and testing to optimize health and facilitate anti-aging

• Aesthetic services including neurotoxins (i.e. Botox), skin tightening, body contouring, facials and chemical peels

Patient success is the Number One priority at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss! Dr. Pacholec and her team strive to help patients achieve their weight loss, anti-aging and aesthetic goals and maintain those results in the long-term! Call 727-502-2000 to set up your next appointment or visit DrPacholec.com for more information.

Refer to this feature for $50 off your first visit!

Pacholec Center for Weight Loss - St Pete

(727) 502-2000

150 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Scan here to visit our website.

PHOTO BY MOORMAN PHOTOGRAPHICS

Skip the Diet

For active Floridians, healthy eating needs to be a lifestyle

BY ALAN SCHMADTKE

Dr. Katherine Wojnowich spends time each day coaching her patients about the value of a healthy eating plan. Or, rather, a healthier way of shopping for, preparing and eating fresh food.

For her, there’s one four-letter word to avoid.

“I hesitate to use that word, diet,” says Dr. Wojnowich, a boardcertified physician in sports medicine and family medicine and director of the Bayfront Health Medical Group Sports Medicine. “Because it’s really a way of eating.”

This is the time of year Dr. Wojnowich and other sports-enthusiast physicians get busy. Tampa Bay has started its long cycle of hot weather, a runway for myriad outdoor activities and competitions across the region. And while gulf breezes, hypnotic waves, fine sand, and beach music connote a carefree way of life, people who are busy working, raising kids, and trying to find spare time can use help from a consistent and healthy eating plan.

A recently released study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers linked healthy eating to a reduced risk of premature death. They found that people who followed and stuck to one of four eating patterns were less likely to die from cancer, heart disease, or respiratory disease.

Those results, after following 75,230 women and 44,085 men from 1984 to 2020, were consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (FDA) update every five years. The guidelines currently recommend that people follow one of four eating patterns to decrease the risks of chronic disease and a premature death.

Today’s medical concerns are:

Obesity: About 74 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, headed by people ages 40 to 59.

Cardiovascular disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, and about 18.2 million adults have coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease.

Diabetes: More than 10 percent of Americans have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and almost 35 percent of adults have prediabetes.

Cancer: Breast cancer (for women) and colorectal cancer (for men) are the most common types of cancer.

Bone Health and Muscle Strength: 17 percent of women have osteoporosis.

These are harsh statistics connected to a hard reality: healthy eating takes time and effort. Our culture makes unhealthy eating so easy with pre-packaged meals and a plethora of snacks and sodas. To go from a poor diet to a smart one, in Dr. Wojnowich’s experience, is when someone can incorporate healthier habits into their current routines.

And to start, the aim is to add rather than subtract: how can someone mix in a few fruits and vegetables rather than take away anything from the ongoing meal plan? What is the routine, and how well does it work (or not work)? What barriers are there (varied work schedules, kids, early morning starts)?

Dr. Wojnowich isn’t a registered dietician, but as a wife, mother, lifelong athlete, and advocate for all things healthy, food is a practical interest. Her two biggest tips are to rely on weekly meal prep and fall in love with soups. Meal prep helps stretch proteins such as chicken and fish and pre-made salads over two or three days.

Vegetable prep means cutting up your favorite options into the right sizes for side dishes and then saving them until it’s time to cook. And one subconscious (but effective) tactic for replacing bagged snacks with carrot and celery sticks is to pre-cut a multitude of the crunchy veggies and have them on hand in plain sight in the fridge at all times. Just don’t go overboard with ranch and blue cheese dressing.

As for soup, “Make a soup whenever you can,” Dr. Wojnowich says. “It’s a great way to get your vegetables.

It’s easy to make a broth and then toss in sheet-pan roasted vegetables.”

Sometimes, there’s a learning curve. When you find a vegetable that’s new to you, you’re less apt to try it if you don’t know how to prepare it. Regardless, fresh is usually best, even if the word “diet” comes attached. “The two that most physicians recommend are the Mediterranean diet or the anti-inflammatory diet,” Dr. Wojnowich acknowledges.

Foods of a Mediterranean diet include green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, fresh fruit and whole grains. It also includes moderate amounts of fish, meat and cheese and a reliance on olive oil, a monounsaturated fat that has protective heart benefits. Low priority foods include eggs and sweets.

Anti-inflammatory diets are similar, favoring green leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish, nuts, peppers, green tea and good chocolate. They point people away from red meat, processed meats (bacon, lunch meats, cured meats, sausages and hot dogs), eggs, chips, crackers, cookies, fried food, sodas and other sweets.

“It’s a way of eating and living,” Dr. Wojnowich says. “Don’t count things and feel you have to adhere to a strict list of things to eat and not eat.”

In both cases, the goal is to not make it easy for a chronic disease to take hold.

For local athletes, healthy eating includes smart refueling snacks and beverages and not wrapped up protein bars and cans of energy drinks.

“I always prefer whole foods to protein bars because a lot of them have a lot of added sugar and sodium,” she says. “Instead of a granola bar, I am always going to recommend a handful of nuts, a handful of trail mix. Roasted unsalted cashews and almonds, dried unsweetened cranberries – you can make the trail mix yourself.”

Her other go to is hummus with apple slices.

For energy drinks, the central issue is sugar, not caffeine. Too many energy drinks have too much sugar, some hidden, some not.

The exceptions are sports drinks designed to replace electrolytes after lengthy workouts or long periods of sweating. Dr. Wojnowich recommends not drinking them unless you’ve been outside for at least an hour.

As with healthy meals, getting the proper snacks and drinks takes a bit of foresight and planning. And it must be important. “It has to be able to fit into your life,” Dr. Wojnowich says. “How can you work it in?

Dr. Katherine Wojnowich is a physician with the Bayfront Health Medical Group Sports Medicine practice. She also is the Program Director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Bayfront Health and serves on the Medical Staff of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Eckerd College and Special Olympics.

Luxury Open Air Event Facility Awaits You and Your Guests

The Barn at Crescent Lake Uniquely offers the perfect open air outdoor event facility in a beautiful and elegant surrounding for Weddings, Corporate and Private events. Located on an idyllic 20 acre private lake, we offer plenty of open air space for social distancing. Our newly rebuilt air conditioned venue has wall to wall sliders that open up for even more health and safety, while providing amazing waterfront views with an elegant chandelier atmosphere. The best of both worlds!

The Barn at Crescent Lake Uniquely offers the perfect open air outdoor event facility in a beautiful and elegant surrounding for Weddings, Corporate and Private events. Located on an idyllic 20 acre private lake, we offer plenty of open air space for social distancing. Our newly rebuilt air conditioned venue has wall to wall sliders that open up for even more health and safety, while providing amazing waterfront views with an elegant chandelier atmosphere. The best of both worlds!

The Barn at Crescent Lake was the PERFECT venue for our wedding! The views are breath taking, especially at sunset! The lake was the perfect backdrop for our ceremony! The entire staff was amazing! Our guests raved about the venue, food and wait staff.

-Victoria

The Barn at Crescent Lake was the PERFECT venue for our wedding! The views are breath taking, especially at sunset! The lake was the perfect backdrop for our ceremony! The entire staff was amazing! Our guests raved about the venue, food and wait staff.

-Victoria

We offer Educational Farm Tours to groups and individual families, Kids Birthday Parties, Beautiful Barn Weddings, Corporate, Private and Charity Events. For more information visit www.oldmcmickys.com • 813-920-1948 9612 Crescent Dr. Odessa, FL 33556 • We can’t wait to see you on the farm!

see

• 813-920-1948

on the

Plug-In S60 a Path Toward All Electric for Volvo

S60 RECHARGE AWD (BLACK EDITION)

Wheelbase: 113.1 inches

Length: 188.1 inches

Height: 56.6 inches

Width: 75.4 inches

Suspension: double wishbone front, multilink rear

Steering: electric power

Weight: 4,452 pounds

Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons

Electricity+gas: 74 MPGe

Gas only: 31 mpg combined

Base price: $57,950

Price as tested: $63,690

Web site: www.volvo.com

BY NITISH S. RELE

By 2025, Volvo aims to sell 1.2 million cars globally. And come 2030, the once-Swedish carmaker plans to go fully electric. Toward that goal, the 2023 S60 is a promising start, one must say. A powerful rear electric motor and an 18.8 lithium-ion battery can take the sedan 41 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in. On a 120-volt household outlet, charge time is eight hours while 240-volt will take just five hours.

Under the hood of the midsize luxury sedan, a hot-seller for Volvo, is a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged power train blasting off a massive 455 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 523 pounds-feet of torque @ 3000 rpm. The 8-speed auto gearbox in the all-wheeldrive vehicle is sprightly in any untoward situation. And the startstop feature (auto engine stop when the vehicle halts) ensures substantial savings in fuel and weight.

You get the look, the sinister look, if you choose the Black Edition! Up front, high-gloss black accents deck up the grille, Volvo emblem, and badging, as well as wheels, window trim and mirror caps. Same goes for the rear Volvo wordmark, model name, trunk lid and darkened tail pipes. The extravagant cabin conveys an upmarket aura with a 12.3-inch digital driver display decked in shimmer graphite aluminum inlays.

There is ample freedom for 6-footers in the 60/40 rear seat. Volvo Sensus infotainment (new for 2023 are Google Assistant and Google Maps), with a distinct vertical 9-inch display touch

screen, is essentially made up of four tiles: navigation, media, phone and user-defined. Activate one and watch it expand while keeping the other tiles visible for future use. The surface and detail of the crystal gear shifter has been meticulously treated. Standard treats include charcoal Nappa leather seats, two-zone auto a/c, heated power front seats, air purifier, head-up display, and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Renowned for safety, Volvo continues the tradition with dual front and side airbags, driver knee airbag, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, three-point seatbelts for all, side impact protection system, dynamic stability and traction control, blind spot monitor and cross traffic alert, lane departure warning/assist, adaptive cruise control, 360 surround-view camera, collision avoid mitigation/detection, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Sure, it is a hybrid but don’t for a minute believe that your jaunt to the neighborhood store or on the highway will be sluggish. Resting on 19-inch diamond-cut wheels, the S60 can take off 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 113 mph. Apart from a remarkably quick burst of speed and razor-sharp handling/balance, the ride features high-tech luxury items. And who can beat Volvo in safety?

Nitish S. Rele, editor/publisher of Motoring Tampa Bay and Khaas Baat, can be reached at motoringtampabay@gmail.com

St. Petersburg

Seafood

400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse

Locally sourced coastal cuisine on the downtown waterfront. From seafood to steaks, salads and appetizers, a favorite for Sunday brunch and outdoor dining. 400 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-2400; 400beachseafood.com $$$

Trophy Fish - Drink Like a Fish is the moniker here, so be prepared for a casual nautical atmosphere, lively crowd and fresh local fish and seafood that changes daily. Dinner only; opens at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. 2060 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 258-7883; trophyfishstpete.com $$

Teak - With a spectacular view of the downtown skyline, Teak, at the tip of the St. Pete Pier, offers elevated casual dining for lunch and dinner. Florida-inspired cuisine runs the gamut from Cubans and paella to pan roasted grouper with citrus risotto and ginger guava BBQ short ribs. 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 513-8325; teakstpete.com $$$

DINING GUIDE

tacos to entrees like Cedar Plank Salmon and Banana Leaf Snapper. 610 2nd Ave NE, (727) 857-8118; 8790 Bay Pines Blvd; St. Petersburg; docfords.com $$$

Sea Salt - Upscale, urban and known for its raw bar and impeccably fresh seafood, this is the place to impress while enjoying a sunset over the downtown skyline. Located at Sundial, the airy and sophisticated eatery specializes in seasonal and organic ingredients, an extensive wine collection and craft cocktails. 183 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 873-7964; seasaltstpete. com $$$$

Island Grille & Raw Bar – Expansive waterfront dining focusing on fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, chicken, sandwiches and raw bar. Island Grille attracts a fun crowd of families, boaters and local sun-seekers who gravitate here for the food, tropical drinks and massive outdoor patio. 210 Madonna Blvd, Tierra Verde; (727) 767-0020; islandrawbar.com $$$

RumFish Grill – The under-the-sea atmosphere is as memorable as the sustainably sourced seafood. Enjoy Florida snapper ceviche before moving on to your main course of Floribbean blackened grouper. No matter what you order, you’ll be mesmerized by the 33,500-gallon aquarium in the main dining room, which is home to local rescued marine life. 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 329-1428; rumfishgrill.com $$$

The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant –

The landmark Hurricane on Passe-a-Grille Beach has weathered a few storms, but still stands as a seafood mecca for tourists, groups and families. The fresh grouper sandwich and view from the rooftop bar are legendary. 809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach (727) 360-9558; thehurricane.com $$

American/Fine

Parkshore Grill - Top-notch Beach Drive dining from fresh seafood to steaks, pasta and salads. Lunch, dinner and brunch served Saturdays and Sunday until 3 pm. Chef Tyson Grant is committed to serving local and sustainable meats and seafood and locally grown organic produce. 300 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-9463; parkshoregrill.com $$$

Rococo Steak - Fine dining in a sophisticated steakhouse with Executive Chef Jordan Buendia offering a chic twist on classic fare. Outstanding wine selection and service 655 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 822-0999; rococosteak.com $$$$

Brick & Mortar - Rustic-chic dining in an intimate atmosphere, local foodies gravitate here for healthy American fare that changes seasonally. Dinner only. 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 822-6540 $$$

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse - Upscale steakhouse overlooking the Sundial courtyard in the heart of downtown, Ruth’s Chris is a respected chain with a dedicated following who come for dependable steaks, chops and seafood specialties. 131 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 821-4139; ruthschris.com $$$

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille - Shorts and flip-flops are welcome at this popular waterfront eatery on the St. Pete Pier and a new location in the Jungle Terrace district on Boca Ciega Bay. Seafood with a Caribbean flair includes crab cakes and fish

MadFish – Look for the refurbished train dining car on Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach and you’ve found MadFish, known for fresh seafood including oysters, mussels, Chilean Sea Bass, group, salmon and lobster tail. The casual diner is open for dinner only.

5200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 360-9200; madfishonline.com $$$

Urban Stillhouse - Bourbon lovers will be in heaven and everyone else will be in awe at this rustic yet sophisticated distillery in the Warehouse Arts District featuring Chef Kenny Tufo’s renowned American modern cuisine. Dinner only Thursday through Saturday, brunch Sunday 11 to 4; reservations a must. . 2232 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 440-8040; theurbanstillhouse.com $$$$

The Library - Tucked away in Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital with a distinguished English library setting, The Library is just the ticket for a quiet lunch or dinner or even a romantic night out. The creative menu is overflowing with healthy options such as Osso Bucco Risotto and Squid Ink Pasta with Blackened Shrimp. 600 5th St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 369-9969; thelibrarystpete.com $$$

Birch & Vine - Located in Beach Drive’s Birchwood Hotel, this fine dining spot is helmed by Executive Chef Lee Aquino, known for his unique and globally inspired dishes featuring seasonal, organic and locally sourced foods. 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-1080; thebirchwood.com/birchandvine $$$

Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria - Charming winecentric dining with a top-notch curated menu of seafood, pasta and meats in a lively block of Central Avenue downtown. 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 827-7896; sauvignonstpete.com $$$

Grace - Upscale yet laid-back, this intimate dining spot offers modern American and Mediterranean cuisine, wine, and cocktails in the heart of Passe-A-Grille. Stop in for happy hour from 4 to 6 pm or treat yourself to a curated dining menu that runs the gamut from seafood and salads to pasta and steak. 120 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach (727) 317-4770; gracestpete.com $$$

shrimp and nachos. Dinner entrees include a seared ribeye, grilled salmon, meatloaf, and wild mushroom ravioli. The comfortable bar is one of the best in town for happy hour drink specials from 3 to 6 pm. 540 1st Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 823-7767; thehangarstpete.com $$

The Dewey at Berkeley Beach Club

- Sophisticated yet casual dining in Pass-AGrille with a curated menu of reimagined beach cuisine, outstanding wine and craft cocktails. Downstairs is the main dining area; but for the ultimate sunset views head to the rooftop bar for an expansive oyster menu and selection of appetizers. 109 8th Avenue, St. Pete Beach (727) 228-1000; berkeleybeachclub.com $$$$

Castile Restaurant - Hotel Zamora’s elegant restaurant stylishly prepares a curated menu of New American cuisine including tapas, Spanish and Mediterranean specialties, steak and seafood. Select from indoor or outdoor seating with a view of the intracoastal; lunch and dinner.

3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 456-8660 $$$

The Maritana - The Don Cesar’s longstanding Maritana was renovated a few years ago, offering a sophisticated and intimate fine-dining experience featuring modern Coastal cuisine sustainably sourced, and an extensive wine list. The perfect spot for late-night dessert and aperitif. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, dinner only (844) 338-1501, doncesar.com/ dining/maritana $$$$

American/Casual

Ford’s Garage - Pull into this garage to find a fun 1920’s service station (don’t miss a stop in the restrooms) with a great selection of prime burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, mac n cheese dishes, and craft beers. Indoor or outdoor dining. 200 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 295-3673; fordsgarageusa.com $$

Stillwaters - Casual tavern and late-night hotspot on Beach Drive offers a variety of classic American fare from steak and shrimp to burgers and chicken; known for a selection of sausages made in-house. 224 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 350-1019; stillwaterstavern.com $$

The Hangar - Watch the runway action at Albert Whitted Airport in the heart of downtown at The Hangar, located on the second floor of the airport terminal. An extensive breakfast menu features traditional egg, waffle and pancake dishes and an omelette station. Main menu offers a diverse array of sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads, and sharable items including cheese fondue, wings, mussels,

Oaks on 4th - The chic new eatery on 4th Street N. gets rave reviews for its sophisticated ambiance, curated menu of steaks and seafood, and signature craft cocktails. Open for lunch (Tuesday through Friday) and dinner, with an exquisite brunch menu and top-notch service, choose indoor or outdoor seating and relax. You’re in for a treat. 4351 4th Street N., St. Petersburg (727) 502-0060; oakson4th.com

Social Roost - Aptly named for its inviting casual ambiance, the Roost specializes in globally inspired chicken dishes and craft cocktails. Everything is fresh and made from scratch, from chicken samosas to the Peruvian Chicken and Chicken Tangine. 150 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 202-6113; eatatsocialroost.com $$$

Datz - Hearty and even sinful comfort foods from loaded burgers and fried chicken to pancakes and nachos. Leave your diet at home for the Nashville Chicken Doughnut. Lively and casual indoor and outdoor dining and drinking. 180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 202-1182; datztampa.com/stpete $$

Isabelle’s at the Historic Peninsula InnNamed after the inn’s friendly resident ghost, charming Isabelle’s embodies classic Old Florida/Southern ambiance and cuisine. Specialties include Shrimp & Grits and Salmon Florentine. Ask for a seat on the covered verandah or in the lushly landscaped patio. Sunday Brunch is 10 am to 3 pm. 2937 Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL (727) 346-9800; isabellesgulfport.com $$

Asian/Fusion

Hawkers - Asian street food kicked up a notch with craft cocktails and a young vibe at a popular Grand Central hotspot. Small plates and bowls are perfect for sharing.

1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 521-7235; eathawkers.com $$

Good Fortune - Trendy dining and highoctane night spot with top-notch AsianFusion cuisine and cocktails, Good Fortune replaces the former Ichicoro Ane below the Station House. Small sharable plates and bowls, an extensive sushi bar and a late night menu that brings out the bao combine for an adventurous evening out. 260 1st Avenue S. St. Petersburg (727) 287-3881; goodfortunestpete.com $$

La V - Healthy Vietnamese fusion café featuring a variety of entrees, salads, noodle bowls and stir frys. Some of the best pho in town, and a broad menu of boba tea. Wines and dessert make this a great place for lunch or dinner. 441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 820-3500; lavfusion.com $$

The Lemon Grass - Immense Asian tapas menu with sushi, rolls, Thai dishes, fried rice, noodles and much more. Popular for carryout via online ordering.

310 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 894-1111; lemongrasstapas.com $-$$

Ethnic/Global

Lingr - Highly imaginative Nordic and Asian-inspired menu is reflective of Chef Jeffrey Jew’s heritage. The new eatery is making waves for fresh sustainable seafood with a contemporary flair. Dinner only. 400 6th Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 471-6120; lingrrestaurant.com $$$

Cassis - Combining traditional French and American influences for brunch, lunch and dinner, this European-style café is a favorite people-watching spot at sidewalk tables along Beach Drive. Carry-out French pastries and gourmet coffee and tea from the bakery. 170 Beach Dr., St. Petersburg (727) 827-2927, cassisstpete.com $$$

Left Bank Bistro - Charming setting in the Crescent Lake community, Left Bank offers accessible French-style fare indoors or outdoors. A great late-night stop for dessert and coffee; the intimate bar presents jazz on Thursday evenings; brunch on weekends. 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 256-1691$$$

Buya Ramen - Locals favorite for authentic Japanese tapas. Ramen bowls come with meat or soy-based broths, with crispy duck, braised short rib, pork belly or grilled chicken. Seaweed salad, bao buns and vegetable gyoza are starters. 911 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 202-7010; buyarestaurants.com $$

Alesia - Fresh French and Vietnamese cuisine in a contemporary setting near the beaches. Salads, spring rolls and banh mi, pho bowls, curry and noodle dishes all lovingly made with fresh ingredients.

7204 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 345-9701; alesiarestaurant.com $$

Baba - It’s hard to find more authentic Mediterranean cuisine than at this indooroutdoor casual dining spot in the heart of Kenwood. Be sure to visit the bakery for some goodies to take home. 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-3406; eatatbaba.com $$

Bin 6 South - This tiny wine cellar/ restaurant brings intimate dining to a new level with only one 6-top table and bar seating for a total of 12. Fine dining with a chef-driven global menu and sommelier service. Reservations a must; not for the shy. 330 6th Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 498-6735; bin6south.com $$$

Grand Hacienda - Festive atmosphere and a massive menu of authentic Mexican fare that includes vegetarian and glutenfree. Family friendly, there’s something for everyone including breakfast dishes and a Margarita happy hour Monday through Thursday. 399 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 256-9770; grandhaciendarestaurant.com $$

Ceviche - Since moving to modern new digs on Beach Drive, the Spanish tapasinspired menu maintains its authentic dishes and creative touches heavily leaning toward seafood and a Spanish-driven wine selection. 10 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 209-2299; ceviche.com $$$

Red Mesa Cantina - Longtime fave for fans of fresh Mexican cuisine in a hip urban setting, come here to sit in the courtyard with a margarita or sangria and indulge in tacos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos and bowls. 128 3rd St. S., St. Petersburg (855) 265-0812; redmesacantina.com $$

Renzo’s - Argentinian steakhouse with extensive menu of Latin American charcuterie and tapas, grilled meats, prime seafood and traditional pasta dishes, wines and desserts. Casual and group friendly, indoor and outdoor dining. 104 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 851-9983 $$$

Red Mesa - Not to be confused with the Cantina, the original Red Mesa offers fresh Mexican fare with influences of South and Central America, the Caribbean and beyond. Entrees include Filet Mignon Chimichurri and Ginger Crusted Salmon. 4912 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727) 527-8728 $$$

Fado - Authentic Portuguese cuisine and wines heavily leaning toward seafood, meats and sausages in a modern setting. Love octopus? This is the place for you. 435 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 346-5389; fadofl.com $$$

The Pearl - Moving recently to Gulfport from its longtime location on Treasure Island, the Mediterranean/Moroccan fine dining restaurant with chef/owner Karim Chiadmi at the helm offers a wide variety from steaks and seafood, pastas, veal and lamb. Dinner only from Tuesday through Saturday. 5802 28th Avenue S., Gulfport (727) 360-9151; thepearlfinedining.com $$$

Allelo - Sophisticated MediterraneanAegean theme restaurant specializes in seafood, pastas, and sharable appetizer plates and charcuterie boards. An extensive wine list and curated cocktails offer a perfect sip at the elegant marble bar inside or on the patio facing the downtown waterfront. 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg; (727) 851-9582; allelostpete.com $$$$

Italian

BellaBrava - Authentic Italian cuisine with urban flair, the New World trattoria is lively and fun with beloved pasta dishes, woodstone oven pizza and great people watching from the sidewalk patio. 204 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 895-5515; bellabrava.com $$$

Gratzzi Ristorante - Classic Italian cuisine in a warm, friendly environment. Choose from steak and seafood to traditional Italian favorites like Pork Ossobuco and Veal Saltimbocca. Known for their Cavatelli Bada Bing, pasta prepared tableside in a wheel of parmesan cheese. Dinner only.

211 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 623-9037; gratzzigrille.com $$$

Beau & Mo’s Italian Eating HouseAlthough considered a Chicago-style

steakhouse, this family run dining spot has consistently won accolades for traditional Italian specialties like Linguini and Clams and Chicken Marsala. Classy yet casual, a lively atmosphere perfect for groups and families. Dinner only. 2924 5th Ave.N., St. Petersburg (727) 771-3690 $$$

Il Ritorno - When owner/executive chef David Benstock beat TV chef Bobby Flay in a May 2021 episode, seats at this intimate downtown eatery were hard to come by. It’s still a good idea to make a reservation to discover Benstock’s fresh, modern Italian cuisine that simply brims with love and creativity. Dinner only. 449 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 897-5900; ilritornodowntown.com $$$$

in this trendy Central Avenue café. Grab a seat at the bar, outside patio or a table in the airy dining room. Specialties range from pizza “pinsas” and charcuterie to pasta, salads and soups. A weekend brunch brings out even more divine specialties.. 601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 623-4505; bonutaverna.online $$$

Healthy/Fusion

Craft Kafe - Popular downtown coffeeshop and café specializes in glutenfree artisan pastries, quiches, pizza, salads and soups. Sit on the patio and watch the world go by. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 256-8587; craftkafe.com $$

Cider Press Vegan Gastropub - A longtime locals favorite, Cider Press presents a pub menu of vegan “imposters” from monstrous Beyond Beef burgers to Bang Bang “Shrimp,” Buffalo “Chicken” Mac & Cheese, and “Fish” and Chips. A sleek, modern interior, and a chic bar make this a place even meat eaters will love. 3118 3rd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 914-7222; ciderpresspub.com $$

Taverna Costale - Coastal Italian dining from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani recently opened in the heart of downtown offers the perfect blend of a rustic Italian eatery, an energetic local tavern, and an upscale modern restaurant. Extensive wine list, craft cocktails and an indoor/ outdoor bar. Dinner only. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-3863; tavernacoastale.com $$$

Pia’s Trattoria and Pia’s Veranda – The Trattoria’s romantic indoor/outdoor dining rooms, excellent service and classic menu, make it one of the top Italian restaurants in the region. Favorites include a classic Beef Carpaccio from grass-fed cattle, Linguini Alla Vongole and Penne Quatro Formaggio al Forno. Across the street, a more casual sister location offers shady outdoor seating and live music daily. Both locations open at 4 pm. 3054/3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport (727) 327-2190; piastrattoria.com $$$

Bonu Taverna Italiana - Since opening in 2022, Bonu has developed a devout following who come to enjoy the fresh Italian cuisine and friendly service found

Good Intentions - Creative vegan/ vegetarian eatery combines healthful entrees and appetizers with a solid wine list and craft cocktails. Come in for coffee and dessert to knock your socks off; brunch on Saturday and Sunday. 1900 1st Avenue S. St. Petersburg; (727) 280-6068; goodintentionsfl.com $$

Wild Child - Named the Best New Restaurant of 2022 by the Tampa Bay Times, this coral pink neighborhood bistro meets all the requirements with creative cuisine, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and tiki craft cocktails all meticulously prepared and served. Tuna tostadas, jerk octopus, Peruvian seafood chowder are menu highlights. Indoor/outdoor seating; dinner only but open 11 am Sunday for brunch. 2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-7425; wildchildstpete.com $$$

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5th Anniversary Jamboree At The James

Tom and Mary James bid a fond farewell to departing museum executive director Laura Hine, while welcoming new director Robin Nicholson at the annual James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art fundraiser held April 15.

Children’s Dream Fund Dreammaker Luncheon

The Children’s Dream Fund honored the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Lightening Foundation as 2023 Dreammaker of the Year at the annual Dreammaker Luncheon held March 1 at Armature Works in Tampa.

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Sunset On The Serengeti – St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation

A colorful Sunset on the Serengeti gala fundraiser complete with Kuumba Dancers and Drummers entertained attendees on April 22 at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg.

Habitat For Humanity 2023 Disco Ball

A lively crowd of boogiers filled the Vinoy Resort ballroom on March 31 to dance the night away at the annual Disco Ball Gala to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. The event raised a record $852,000 thanks to 500 sponsors, donors, and supporters.

Home With Strobel Design Build

Home With Strobel Design Build

Explore a New Custom Home With Strobel Design Build

Design & Build your New Custom Home with Tampa Bay's premier builders. Strobel Design Build has been a member of this community for over 40 years and has completed countless projects. Quality craftsmanship and honest client relationships set Strobel Design Build apart from the rest. From kitchens and bathrooms, to major additions, remodels, and new custom homes, Strobel Design Build has done it before. Strobel also specializes in FEMA projects, Universal Design, and Historic Homes. Trust the experts at Strobel Design Build to collaborate with you to accomplish the project of your dreams.

Build your New Custom Home with Tampa Bay's builders. Strobel Design Build has been a member of community for over 40 years and has completed countless Quality craftsmanship and honest client relationships

Strobel Design Build apart from the rest. From kitchens and bathrooms, to major additions, remodels, and new custom Strobel Design Build has done it before. Strobel also specializes in FEMA projects, Universal Design, and Historic Trust the experts at Strobel Design Build to collaborate to accomplish the project of your dreams.

Design & Build your New Custom Home with Tampa Bay's premier builders. Strobel Design Build has been a member of this community for over 40 years and has completed countless projects. Quality craftsmanship and honest client relationships set Strobel Design Build apart from the rest. From kitchens and bathrooms, to major additions, remodels, and new custom homes, Strobel Design Build has done it before. Strobel also specializes in FEMA projects, Universal Design, and Historic . Trust the experts at Strobel Design Build to collaborate

Our Expert Design and Construction Team Exceeds Our Clients’ Expectations by Providing Luxury Home Building Solutions.

Our Expert Design and Construction Team

Exceeds Our Clients’ Expectations by Providing Luxury Home Building Solutions.

Expert Design and Construction Team

Our Design Build Process

Design Build Process

Our Design Build Process

team will collaborate with you to customize a plan your project that accomplishes your goals and realizes your personal style. From start to finish, you will experi ence a turnkey, white glove service from the Strobel sign Build team.

The beginning of your journey will include a complimentary initial consultation at your property with one of our award-winning design consultants. The Strobel team will collaborate with you to customize a plan for your project that accomplishes your goals and realizes your personal style. From start to finish, you will experience a turnkey, white glove service from the Strobel Design Build team.

The beginning of your journey will include a complimentary initial consultation at your property with one of our award-winning design consultants. The Strobel team will collaborate with you to customize a plan for your project that accomplishes your goals and realizes your personal style. From start to finish, you will experience a turnkey, white glove service from the Strobel Design Build team.

Contact Strobel Design Build at www. StrobelDesignBuild.com/contact-us and submit an inquiry. You will receive correspondence from the Strobel team within 24 hours. We look forward to working with you.

Contact Strobel Design Build at www. StrobelDesignBuild.com/contact-us and submit an inquiry. You will receive correspondence from the Strobel team within 24 hours. We look forward to working with you.

Contact Strobel Design Build at www. StrobelDesignBuild.com/contact-us and submit an inquiry. You will receive correspondence from the Strobel team within 24 hours. We look forward to working with you.

Mark Zdrojewski Strobel Design Build President

Mark Zdrojewski Strobel Design Build President

Mark Zdrojewski Strobel Design Build President