St Pete Life Magazine January February 2020

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CONTENTS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 l Volume 3 No. 4

16 8 46 40 26 8 - St. Pete Tradition: Saturday Morning Market

46 - New Beginnings: Spring Fashion

12 - Real Estate: Historic Elegance in Tampa Bay

52 - Discover St. Pete: Walking and Biking Tours

16 - Dining Out: Romantic Restaurants

60 - Travel: Westgate River Ranch / St. Augustine

26 - Start Your Engines: St. Pete Grand Prix

66 - Neighborhoods: Historic Roser Park

36 - Hearts in the Arts: Mark Aeling and Carrie Jadus

70 - Artist Profile: Duncan McClellan

St. Pete Life is a bi-monthly print magazine distributed by mail to 20,000 of St. Petersburg’s most discriminating readers as well as at key local outlets.

StPeteLifeMag.com / 260 1st Avenue S. Suite 200-151 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Adver tising: 813.447.9900 bdrake@stpetelifemag.com / Editorial: editor@stpetelifemag.com Facebook.com/StPeteLifeMag

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WELCOME TO SPL The beginning of a new year, the start of another decade. As we venture into 2020, we look forward to new beginnings and possibilities here in our beautiful and thriving Sunshine City. The future looks bright for the ‘Burg and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Our New Year’s resolution here at SPL is to deliver you, our readers and advertisers, stories on the positive people, events, places and businesses that make St. Pete special.

One of those special places is our Saturday Morning Market.

If you have never visited, you are missing out! Be sure to read Kayla Gleason’s story about this St. Pete tradition now entering its 18th season, and plan to go before the market ends in late May. Another St. Pete tradition is heading our way – the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is set for March 13-15. We love when this IndyCar race and companion races come roaring into town, with all the excitement and international attention. We give you a look at the coming races and a track map to plan your weekend.

February is the time when our thoughts turn to Valentine’s Day and romance. Be sure to read Cindy Stovall’s Hearts in the Arts story about St. Pete arts couple Mark Aeling and Carrie Jadus.

Their love story is one that melts the heart – and gives hope. We also offer a look at heart health with an interview with BayCare cardiologist Dr. Brian Moss. Let fashion be a part of the new you in 2020, too. Soft, sexy and romantic fashions are on the horizon for Spring, and fashion writer Megan Simons show us how to do it.

Have you made your New Year’s resolution? We suggest you get to know the history of our super city through one of the regular historic walking or biking tours offered by Preserve the ‘Burg.

This is the time of year to really enjoy these fascinating tours.

See Jonathan Kile’s story to get inspired. We also present an in-depth look at the historic Roser Park neighborhood and talk to longtime city arts leader Duncan McClellan, both gems in the community.

bdrake�stpetelifemag.com Publisher

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Dorian Photography

Valerie Bogle

Beth Ann Drake

Marcia Biggs

editor@stpetelifemag.com Editor

PUBLISHER/CEO Beth Ann Drake EDITOR Marcia Biggs ART DIRECTOR Alicia Brown ADVERTISING Michelle Boudreau Vice President of Marketing Ed Barry Ad Director Debbie Radsick Account Executive CONTRIBUTORS Megan Simons Women’s Fashion Cindy Stovall Arts Writer Will Howard The Wine Cellar Kayla Gleason & Jonathan Kile Feature Writers CO-FOUNDER/BUSINESS MANAGER Ralph Zuckerman

On the Cover: Photo by Tony Townsend Photography Listing offered at $8,000,000 ..

Engel & Volkers Carlina Sarabia 813-361-4387 Carlina.Sarabia@evusa.com

See story, Page 12 and 13

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Saturday Morning Market

Friendly downtown market has a special St. Pete vibe PHOTOS/KAYLA GLEASON

BY KAYLA GLEASON Waking up early on your day off doesn’t sound appealing, yet thousands of St. Pete residents are eager to do so on Saturdays.

Why? With a mission to be “the heart of St. Petersburg,” the Saturday Morning Market brings not only fresh, locally grown produce downtown but also features live music, work by area artists and an international array of ready-to-eat cuisine.

A much-beloved mainstay in St. Pete, the Saturday Morning Market is now well into its 18th season. The market, which first opened in 2002, takes place every Saturday from October to May. “The only time we take off is when the Grand Prix comes because the track literally runs right though this area,” said market supervisor Jami Pressman.

What began as a small gathering of only half a dozen vendors has grown to hosting nearly 200 local businesses, farms and entertainers. In fact, vendors have to be rotated in and out because the Al Lang Field parking lot, where the market is held, can only accommodate 120 booths.

“We originally started in a much smaller space, then moved to Central Avenue when we outgrew it. Then, we quickly outgrew that spot and eventually landed here,” Pressman said.

Saturday Morning Market

101 1st Street SE, St. Petersburg, FL Saturdays October through May 9 am to 2 pm, saturdaymorningmarket.com.

The Market moves to Williams Park (1st Ave. N. & 3rd St.) on March 7, due to the Grand Prix. The Market is closed on March 14, then returns to Rowdies parking lot on March 21.

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But not just anyone peddling wares can come and set up shop, the committee is extremely selective in who they approve. “We’ve turned down over 1,400 applications since starting,” said Mark Johnson, one of the market directors and member of the managing steering committee, along with Gail Eggeman and Carol Ringed. “It has allowed us to get bigger and better with time as the quality of our vendors has increased greatly.”

And Johnson’s words are backed by the fact that the market has won numerous awards, including the Downtown

SPL LIVING Neighborhood Association’s Sunshine Award for Best Event, the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce’s award for Best Hotspot and Hangout and Creative Loafing’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Local Farmer’s Market.

“As with most farmer’s markets, the intent was to bring in highquality, fresh produce, which is hard to do in Florida because the state is dominated by large-scale agricultural businesses,” said Johnson. “But we have a bit of a different way of getting there. We wanted to create what I called a combination of a farmer’s market, a festival and a town square.”

To achieve that, Johnson says they followed a three-part formula: upbeat live music, three times the average seating space and a wide selection of ready-to-eat food – so far, 14 different cuisines are being represented. “People know to come hungry. They get something to eat, they hang out. It’s a place you come to run into friends as much as you do to shop,” Johnson said. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘it’s my happy place’.”

The market has even become such a hit, it’s not uncommon for visitors and vendors to drive over an hour to attend. Worden Farms, a regular produce provider at the event, hails all the way from Punta Gorda, 100 miles away.

The other major farm involved, Little Pond Farm, drives in from Bushnell, about an hour north.

“We’ve been coming here for six years,” said co-owner of Little Pond Farm Ellen Trimarco. “This is the best market for us – over 10,000 people come through every Saturday. Right now, the sunflowers, tomatoes and peppers are by far the most popular.”

The Dancing Goat, another returning farm, was one of the first to get involved. “We started with just milk and eggs and now have a variety of cheeses from cottage cheese all the way to feta,” owner Pam Lunn said. “It is

a completely non-profit farm and we sell our goods here to support our philanthropic endeavors, including fostering animals and donating to the National Humane Society.”

Even if you aren’t interested in fruits and veggies or fresh-cut flowers, the market has plenty of other interesting booths. Juan Santos, a local artist, was one of the founding vendors and has a variety of colorful St. Pete-themed watercolors on display and for sale. “To me, this is like my living website. I get to meet and talk to my customers. Even if they don’t buy anything, I just like to share my creations,” he said. “And the vendors, we’re like family now.

I’m from Venezuela and it reminds me of how my family would all get together at my grandmother’s every weekend to just eat and hang out.”

Ruben Robles, who was running the St. Pete Ferments stand – which offers everything from kimchi to kombucha – shared a similar sentiment. “I love all the different characters I get to meet.

You make friends with all the other vendors, so it’s really a chance to catch up with each other as much as it is to sell products.”

But the strong sense of community doesn’t stop with the vendors. Even first-time attendees can feel the friendliness and connectedness the market prides itself on. “This is our first time here. It’s great; we’re loving the food, the people. We’ll for sure come back,” said Ashley Craft.

Visitor Alyssa Sola agreed, stating: “I like that there’s organic options and so much to do. It’s definitely something I’ll keep coming back to.”

The welcoming environment is so appealing that even those with hectic schedules find time to stop by. “ I’m in school so it’s hard to find time to come out. Now that finals are over, we’re kind of out

Pam Lunn, owner of The Dancing Goat farm, sells goat milk products at the Saturday Morning Market.

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SPL LIVING INDIE FLEA

celebrating,” said local college student Christina Borg, who came out with her dog, Bash. “I love all the dogs and seeing all the diverse local businesses – that’s really something special about St. Pete. It’s interesting seeing all the unique things people have to offer.”

And that “thing” doesn’t have to be a physical product at all. A wide variety of performers come to the market every weekend to provide music,

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laughs and, sometimes, balloon animals. Some repeat performers include a magician, a chalk artist and an accordionist who plays his renditions of popular songs.

So, whether you’re looking for a new hangout, somewhere to taste international foods or just a place to pick up your weekly groceries, the Saturday Morning Market offers all that and much more.

For those looking for a smaller local market focused more on homegoods, jewelry and other handmade creations, check out the St. Pete Indie Flea. The market is held at 1133 Baum Ave. N. on the first Saturday of the month from noon to 4 pm.

Some of the market’s highlights include vintage or reworked clothing, upcycled jewelry and woodwork and macramé pieces by local artists.

Indie Flea is also dog friendly and situated between Green Bench Brewing and Intermezzo – perfect to grab a drink or bite to eat. More information can be found at theindieflea.com.

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Beautiful Tampa Bay is at your doorstep in this magnificent 4.5acre estate in St. Petersburg.

Enter through the iron gates to one of the most coveted, oneof-a-kind estates in Pinellas County. Safely tucked away with gorgeous views of Tampa Bay with 700 feet of shoreline, the character and detail of this legacy family home offers Old World opulence beyond compare, expansive spaces adorned with the most immaculate, detailed craftsmanship, unique features, and modern upgrades to mix classic finishes to today’s conveniences.

The grounds are a magical retreat offering serenity and security with gated access including a walled perimeter, lush landscaping, a spring-fed fountain and koi pond. Awake to stunning sunrises and tree canopies which provide a picturesque setting.

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This impressive estate features 6 bedrooms, each with en-suite baths, a library, massive dining room, casual dining room, sitting parlor, multiple office spaces, staff quarters, a detached guest house, 6 fireplaces, including one in the elegant master suite which offers ample seating space and custom walk in closet.

The outdoor space offers some of the best resort-style living complete with a double lane lap pool, pool house with outdoor terraces, inside entertaining with pool table, large outdoor kitchen, a bocce ball court, putting green, a custom woodfired brick pizza oven and outdoor fireplace for cozy evenings.

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Home History

In 1920, when the population of St. Petersburg stood at just 14,000 people, Charles Richard Hall built Kenwood, St. Petersburg Country Club and 5030 Sunrise Dr. S. was his home. While Perry Snell was developing Snell Isle for the upper middle class, Charles R. Hall was developing Kenwood and Lakewood Estates for the middle class, around 1910-1920.

This house was built in 1920 and the crash came around 1928, with the depression. He finished the house but couldn’t finish the Clubhouse at the Country Club, so at some point the house became the Bayou Bonita Clubhouse for the Country Club.

Following the depression, Rutland from Rutland Bank bought

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the house. He later divorced and gave the house to his daughter, Betty Rutland, who lived in it for 50 years.

After two more owners, the house and its unique layout, with an atypical design for Florida - a big country house- with great scale from room to room with high ceilings all throughout, still conserves its original floors, powder room, baseboards, mahogany paneling, cabinetry, butlers pantry, stairs, railings and plaster molding.

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Your Future New Year Awaits You...

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If you need a heart procedure, making an appointment with BayCare is standard procedure.

In fact, BayCare hospitals are selected most often for people in Tampa Bay who need treatment for advanced heart disease. We perform the full spectrum of heart services from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), to ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib). But we offer more than experience and expertise. As one might expect, we utilize advanced technology like state-of-the-art imaging and noninvasive diagnostic tests. And we always provide the high level of personal care that BayCare is renowned for. Learn more about the different types of cardiac conditions we treat at BayCareHeart.org or call (855) 233-0888 if you or a loved one needs a referral to a BayCare heart specialist.

In Tampa Bay, BayCare hospitals are selected most often for people needing cardiac care.

Based on an aggregated number of adults who needed to be admitted to hospitals due to cardiovascular problems as reported by the state of Florida that lived in the four county area of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk from April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019.

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DINING OUT

Sweet Dreams

Fine dining or coffee and pastry – romance is easy to find

BY MARCIA BIGGS With Valentine’s Day on the calendar, thoughts turn to (what else?) … food! What’s your idea of a romantic restaurant? Give me white tablecloths, a candle and a view of the beach or dining al fresco and I am pretty much yours. Service comes in close to the top, too. There’s nothing like bad service to ruin an evening out.

In my mind, ambiance trumps cuisine, however the overall experience would be decidedly less romantic over a steaming deep dish pizza. So, yes, one should take the meal itself into consideration.

Fortunately for us romantics, the ‘Burg is filled with opportunities to feed both the stomach and the soul. And you don’t have to spend last week’s paycheck to woo the one you

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love. Sure, the high-end restaurants will impress, but more intimate cafes can offer bang for the buck, too. The right tete-atete over a charcuterie board and glass of bubbly can lead eyes to lock and a heart to swoon.

If you’re in need of some recommendations for this Valentine’s Day (or anniversary or birthday), we offer a mix of options, from the usual suspects (tried and true St. Pete favorites) to a sampling of more casual spots.

You can’t go wrong with an outdoor table at Parkshore Grill or 400 Beach, both considered prime destinations for top-notch dining, service and the place to see and be seen. Across the

DINING OUT street stands the grand Vinoy Renaissance, where Marchand’s offers an elegant setting and fine dining to impress.

Heading south on Beach Drive, Annata Wine Bar is a hidden gem, the perfect place to sip and sup with a partner. The outdoor tables are charming, but inside is intimate, too, with a small but outstanding menu. Charcuterie boards are for sharing with a glass of wine. Nearby Birch and Vine at the Birchwood can’t be overlooked for its classic ambiance and options of fine or casual dining.

The outdoor tables at Cassis are perfect for a late-night coffee and French pastry. The Cassis Bakery next to the restaurant tempts the palate with a selection of sweetness from gelato to fruit-filled tarts to colorful macarons – all made in-house by Pastry Chef Katherine Williams.

Don’t forget the historic ambiance of Ceviche, on the corner of Beach Drive and Central Avenue. On the first floor of the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel, Ceviche’s porch is the perfect spot to share authentic Spanish tapas and wine and watch the world go by.

Away from Beach Drive, Sea Salt on the second level of Sundial

is muy romantico at night when downtown high-rises twinkle in the distance. Jazzy, snazzy, with excellent seafood, wine and service to match, take your love here for that special evening.

Find chic sophistication, a classic yet adventurous menu and professional service at Rococo Steak. Wine director Will Howard (our SPL wine columnist, by the way) is ever at the ready to select just the perfect vino for your meal. Ask for a tour of the glass-enclosed wine room to really impress your date. (Rococo has been recognized with Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence.”)

If Italian cuisine says amore, the small yet highly-acclaimed Il Ritorno on Central Avenue will melt any heart. Contemporary Italian fare by chef/owner David Benstock features handmade pastas, breads and sauces. Get the white tablecloth treatment and tableside preparation at Gratzzi Italian Grille in the heart of downtown.

Oh, la, la, we can’t forget Left Bank Bistro, where an intimate French dining experience awaits in a chic renovated bungalow in the Crescent Lake neighborhood. Say “I do” to casual elegance and a curated menu of traditional French cuisine.

PHOTOS/MARCIA BIGGS

Left, dining al fresco at 400 Beach with a view of the waterfront is always a lovely experience. Right, Executive Chef Jordan Buendia presents Rococo Steak’s Flourless Chocolate Torte, perfect for sharing with the one you love.

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DINING OUT

BY WILL HOWARD It’s a new year and there are sure to be some new trends in wine throughout 2020. These are my thoughts for what we will be discovering in our glass this year: More U.S. wines outside of Napa, more variety of grapes and styles, and new changes with European wine imports.

California wildfires have had a huge impact on wineries in Napa and Sonoma over the last 5 years. Many producers put on a strong face and didn’t acknowledge the full scope of the damage, but it’s evident in the 2017 vintage. The wines available will still be great, but there will be less available.

Fire damage created much lower production for wineries in Napa, but the silver lining is the opportunity to discover new favorites.

There are incredible wines coming out of Paso Robles from wineries such as Daou, Linne Calodo, Tablas Creek, Broken Earth, Villa Creek, and others. In Washington and Oregon some of my favorites are Patricia Green Cellars, Cristom, St. Innocent, DeLille, Quilceda Creek, and Andrew Will.

This year I also expect to see wine lists and retail shops highlighting more unusual grape varietals and wine styles. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc aren’t going anywhere but don’t be surprised to see more interesting reds (Grenache, Syrah, or Frappato) and whites (Falanghina, Vermentino, or Marsanne/Roussanne) in addition to the classics.

Downtown St. Petersburg is seeing a lot of new wine bars this year (Cellar Masters, Sauvignon, Book + Bottle, Must Wine Loft, Copa) and I hope for each to find their niche with some flair.

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likely that the increased cost will eventually trickle down to the consumer. However, I don’t expect this to mean we will see the popularity of EU wines decrease this year. The EU is spending 3.7 million euro in 2020 to promote the wines of Germany and Bordeaux. Some large EU wineries are also helping importers by absorbing much of the tariff, at least for now. We may even see a small spike in popularity of EU wines as wine lovers feel an impending spike in pricing on the horizon.

Recommendations: Patricia Green Cellars, Freedom Hill Vineyard, Pommard Clone Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR – Patty Green was one of the great winemakers of Oregon and her vision lives on through the wines of Patricia Green Cellars. This wine displays dark berries, savory herbs, soft tannin, and great complexity despite youthful vines.

Linne Calodo, Sticks & Stones, Grenache Blend, Paso Robles, CA – Linne Calodo shows what Paso Robles wines can and should be.

This wine displays the beauty of Grenache in the region. The vines are nurtured organically. The wine starts with intense, dark, ripe fruit on the nose and has strong tannin with a texture that keeps you coming back for more.

Von Winning, Riesling Sekt, Extra Brut, Pfalz, Germany – This bottle is a very interesting sparkling wine (Sekt) by one of Germany’s best dry wine producers. The vineyards are farmed organically. The wine is clean and crisp with notes of citrus and complex minerality.

The elephant in the room is how European wine imports will be impacted by the 25% increased tariff on European Union (EU) wine that was implemented in October 2019. The increased tariff is applied to all imported EU wine, except for Italian and Portuguese wines.

Guiberteau, Saumur Rouge, Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, France – This is the Cabernet Franc that I compare most Cabernet Franc against. The wine is harder to find, but that’s just because it’s so delicious. Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeast fermentation.

This is the entry tier wine for Guiberteau, but a good place to start getting into Cab Franc.

The tariff will surely hurt smaller European producers and it seems

Will Howard is Sommelier at Rococo Steak in St. Petersburg.

StPeteLifeMag.com

January/February 2020

FOOD BITES

FOOD BITES

Epicurean Cruise

This fall, local restaurateur and chef David Benstock is teaming up with Eric Asimov, chief wine critic of The New York Times, and Arthur Schwartz, award-winning cookbook author, food editor, and restaurant critic, to host on an immersive food and wine cruise dubbed Epicurean Delights of Southern Italy & Sicily. Departing from Rome on October 18, 2020, and ending in Valletta, Malta, on October 25, guests will cruise on the new Ponant ship Le Jacques Cartier. Aside from the non-stop noshing and sipping, guests will be able to take side trips to the temples of the ancient Greeks and other iconic Roman sites including Pompeii.

Fares start at $5,600, not including airfare. For more information, stop by and see Benstock at his St. Pete digs, Il Ritorno, or go to us.ponant.com/ destinations/the-mediterranean

Eat in Tropez

We love the internationally inspired menu and cool vibe at new Tropez restaurant, 437 Central Ave. The chic atmosphere features comfy sofas

Epicurean Golden Spoons Cruise

and chairs and a sophisticated craft cocktail bar. The menu is creative with appetizers like French Onion Soup Dumplings and Ecuadorian Ceviche.

Shared Plates include Char Grilled Argentinian Prawns, Mini Cuban Fritas and Korean BBQ Short Ribs; Bigger Plates include Chicken Tikka Masala, Bouillabaisse, and Butternut Squash & Swiss Chard Ravioli. Hours vary (no lunch on Mondays) with Saturday and Sunday brunch starting at 11am. eatintropez.com

fall,magazine local restaurateur and chef FloridaThis Trend has announced David Spoon Benstock is teaming up with Eric their Golden Awards for 2020.

Asimov, wine critic of The New The coveted listchief of top restaurants from Times, and Arthur Schwartz, aroundYork the state include the following in award-winning cookbook author, St. Petersburg: food editor, and restaurant critic, to on an Annatahost - Wine Barimmersive food and wine cruise dubbed Epicurean Delights of Baum Ave Market Contemporary Southern Italy & Sicily. Departing from Rome on October 18, 2020, and Il Ritorno - Contemporary Italian ending in Valletta, Malta, on October Marchand’s Bar & Grill Contemporary 25, guests will cruise on the new Ponant (Goldenship Spoon Hall of Fame) Le Jacques Cartier. Aside from the Parkshore Grill -noshing American non-stop and sipping, guests will be able to take side trips to the temples of the ancient Greeks and other iconic Roman sites including Pompeii.

Fares start at $5,600, not including airfare. For more information, stop by and see Benstock at his St. Pete digs, Il Ritorno, or go to us.ponant.com/ destinations/the-mediterranean

Eat in Tropez

We love the internationally inspired Baum Avenue Market, with its pop-up menu and cool vibe at new Tropez food vendors, received a Florida Trend restaurant, 437 Central Ave. The chic Golden Spoon Award. atmosphere features comfy sofas

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STRICKLAND GROUP CONTINUES T O S E L L S T. P E T E R S B U R G S T. P E T E R S B U R G B Y S A L E S V O L U M E ! F R O M O U R FA M I LY T O Y O U R S , W E W I S H YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU AGAIN. F R O M G U L F T O B AY W E ’ V E G O T Y O U C O V E R E D !

The Strickland Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate would like to thank our loyal clients for their continued trust and support. Because of you, we have been able to help so many with their real estate needs, and continue to drive home values up in our beloved city. From our first-time home buyers/sellers to our luxury homes buyers/sellers, the Strickland Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate remains committed to providing the same excellent service and “do whatever it takes” approach while assisting our clients through any real estate transaction. We are here for you!

R E C E N T LY S O L D

101 9th St E | $3,400,000 6216 Bahama Shores Dr S | $2,750,000 7826 9th Ave S | $2,295,000 Tierra Verde | Waterfront Estate Bonnie Strickland 727.432.6982 Yacht Club Estates | Waterfront Views Bonnie Strickland 727.432.6982 Bonnie Strickland 727.432.6982 Lauren Krawczyk 904.537.6318 Keri Thigpen 727.420.4952 Jim DiMartino 416 19th Ave NE 727.480.5567 $799,000 $1,415,000 1901 Brightwaters Blvd NE 132 Bay Point Dr NE $3,700,000* 1308 50th Ave NE $764,900* $1,390,000* 1721 Brightwaters Blvd NE 1375 Monterey Blvd NE $3,150,000 10116 Gulf Blvd, #305 $707,000* $1,299,000 3285 Maple Street NE 750 Placido Way NE $2,450,000** 1927 Massachusetts Ave NE $649,000 $1,285,000 555 5th Ave NE, #1043 1814 1st Street N $2,400,000* C U RNER #904 E N T S$2,395,000 ALES & PEN D IBrightwaters N G P R OBlvd P ENE R T I$1,225,000 ES 1148 Seville Lane NE $625,000 400 Beach Drive 1100 1346 Eden Isle Blvd NE $590,000 $1,190,000* 1365 Brightwaters Blvd NE 2049 Kansas Ave NE $2,375,000** 555 5th Ave N #622 $2,375,000 835 18th Ave NE $1,200,0004260 13th5238 $3,295,000 Lane 62nd NE Ave S $589,000* $1,150,000 800 Placido Way NE 2042 Hawaii Blvd NE $2,179,000** SOLD - Represented seller SOLD - Represented seller 4901 Dover St NE $549,000* $1,185,000 1320 Monterey Blvd NE $2,499,000 365 Bayview Dr NE 1260 Brightwaters Blvd NE $2,100,000 N #218 $525,000 Bayou Grande $1,995,000** Blvd NE $1,999,999132 Giralda 815 Live $575,000 218 7th Ave 555 5th Ave5835 NE, #1022 Blvd NEOak Ter NE $1,025,000 1060 Cordova Blvd NE $1,395,000 5124 Huntington St NE $449,900* SOLDDr - Represented seller and buyer - Represented $995,000 1261 Gasparilla NE 1325 Snell SOLD Isle Blvd NE #307 buyer $1,889,000** 134 Ricardo Way NE $1,295,000 5029 Dartmouth Ave N $439,900 401 Coffee 1936 Pot Riviera NEAve NE StGilman NE $1,850,000* Carolina 530 Place $979,000** $1,975,0003175 Walnut $549,500 2528 3rd Ave N $419,000* $825,000* 858 30th Ave N $765,000 417 Lido Way NE - Represented $1,450,000 135 24th Ave N - Represented seller SOLD seller and buyer SOLD

OUR SALES SPEAK VOLUMES

1505 Beach Drive NE SOLD - Represented buyer

$1,375,000

136 Ricardo Way NE $1,295,000 SOLD - Represented buyer and seller

110 Commonwealth Ct N $476,375 SOLD - Represented seller and buyer

267 Rafael Blvd NE

$649,900

4649 Helena Street NE

$535,000

145 2nd Ave S #515 SOLD - Represented seller

5053 Dartmouth Ave N Representing the buyer

$439,900

$399,000

Picutred Right To Left: Tom DeGroot, Lauren Kraczyk, Keri Thigpen, Alicia Warburton, Crissy McWilliams, Bonnie Strickland, Jim DiMartino, Nikki Pagano, Laura Klement, Christine Carvin, Doug Waechter and John Lee.

STRICKLAND BONNIEBONNIE STRICKLAND ExecutiveExecutive Director Director of Sales of Sales O:727.698.5708 I M:727.432.6982 o.727.698.5708 I m. 727.432.6982 Bonnie.Strickland@elliman.com Bonnie.Strickland@elliman.com Beach I St. Petersburg 100 Beach100 Drive NE, Drive SuiteNE, 102Suite I St.102 Petersburg

S TRIC KLAND GROUP AT D O U G L A S E L L I M A N R E A L E S TAT E

e el ll liim an.com/florida man.com/florida

1111 LINCOLN RD, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300. © 2019 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, 1111 IS L I NBELIEVED C O L N R D, M TO I A M BE I B ECORRECT, A C H , F L 3 31IT 3 9 .IS3 0REPRESENTED 5 . 6 9 5 . 6 3 0 0 . © 2 019 D O U G L ATO S EERRORS, L L I M A N R EOMISSIONS, A L E S TAT E . A L LCHANGES M AT E R I A L OR P R E WITHDRAWAL S E N T E D H E R E I N IWITHOUT S I N T E N D E DNOTICE. F O R I N F OALL R M ATPROPERTY I O N P U R P O S EINFORMATION, S O N LY. W H I L E , TINCLUDING, H I S I N F O R M AT I O N I S THIS INFORMATION SUBJECT B E LTO I E V ESQUARE D T O B E C FOOTAGE, O R R E C T, I T I SROOM R E P R E COUNT, S E N T E D S NUMBER U B J E C T T O EOF R R OBEDROOMS R S , O M I S S I O NAND S , C HTHE A N G E SCHOOL S O R W I T H DDISTRICT R A W A L W I TIN H O PROPERTY U T N O T I C E . A LLISTINGS L P R O P E R TSHOULD Y I N F O R M AT I O NVERIFIED , I N C L U D I NBY G , BYOUR U T N O TOWN L I M I TATTORNEY, E D T O S Q U A R EARCHITECT F O O TA G E , R O OOR M C O U N T, BUT NOT LIMITED BE E Q U A L H O U S I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y. S O L D P R O P E R T N U M B E R O F B E D R O O M S A N D T H E S C H O O L D I S T R I C T I N P R O P E R T Y L I S T I N G S S H O U L D B E V E R I F I E D B Y Y O U R O W N AT T O R N E Y, A R C H I T E C T O R Z O N I N G E X P E R T. ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. * REPRESENTED THE BUYER ** REPRESENTED THE BUYER AND SELLER. SOLD PROPERTY AMOUNTS REFLECT LAST LISTED PRICE. Y A M O U N T S R E F L E C T L A S T L I S T E D P R I C E . S O U R C E : B R O K E R M E T R I C S ® R E S I D E N T I A L T O T A L S A L E S V O L U M E F R O M 1 / 1 / 2 0 1 8 -1 2 / 31 / 2 0 1 8 .

SPL LIVING

St. Pete Pier RENDERINGS/ CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

The new pier construction is buzzing in hopes of a spring opening.

St. Petersburg is growing and changing by the day it seems, from new restaurants to apartment and condo buildings popping up on what seems like every block. One spectacular evolution included in this mix centers on our city’s waterfront, where people have come for over a century to fish, stroll and enjoy scenic views of Tampa Bay. Set to open this Spring, the newly revitalized St. Pete Pier will move the 26-acre parcel beyond the definition of a pier by creating an entertainment district along St. Pete’s bustling waterfront community. The new Pier District will offer an urban beach area, children’s play area, dining spots, a pop-up marketplace featuring local vendors, ecotourism opportunities and much more.

Here’s a sampling of what to expect at the new Pier District, which encompasses both the Pier and the Pier Approach: Run, Play, Splash The Kids Play Area, designed by one of North America’s premier

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playground designers, will be located near the Splash Pad and Spa Beach so kids can be kids. With a natural all-wood design, the Play Area incorporates a variety of kidfriendly, age-specific zones of activity.

At the heart of the St. Pete Pier is a Splash Pad. During the day, the Splash Pad offers a place for families to cool down on hot summer days. By night, it features big and small vertical water jets accompanied by lights.

Discover Nature The new Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center will educate and inform school kids and visitors of all ages about the Tampa Bay Estuary, a crucial piece of our city and its waters.

Beach and Boating An expanded Spa Beach will offer water-related activities, from kayak rentals to a sandy expanse to kick back and relax. A large shade structure will offer a respite from the sun’s rays.

SPL LIVING Enjoy the View The Tilted Lawn, named fittingly for its slanted, state-of-the-art design, lies just off Spa Beach at the start of the over-water pier.

This portion of the Pier was thoughtfully designed to provide a relaxing green space for visitors to sit and enjoy the views of St. Pete’s waterfront and skyline.

Walk on the Wild Side The Coastal Thicket offers an atmosphere for nature lovers and explorers to walk amongst native flora and vegetation. As visitors make their way toward the Pier Head, they can learn more about St. Pete’s natural ecosystem and enjoy a shaded stroll en route.

Pier Art The infrastructure for the Pier District’s signature artwork, Janet Echelman’s monumental aerial installation, is currently being installed. Dubbed “Bending Arc,” the massive flowing, net sculpture on the approach to the Pier will be 76 feet high and 428 feet long, presenting a brightly colored floating cloud by day, and will be illuminated at night.

cream and other to-go food items.

• Spa Beach Bistro: Relax in the shade at the Bistro located at Spa Beach Park. Enjoy a cold beverage, quick serve meal, or a “grab and go” snack.

Watch for a continuing frenzy of activity at the Pier from now until its opening in Spring. And stay tuned for a new website and marketing campaign launching in early 2020, where you can find updated information on Pier activities, experiences and dining options as well as schedules of opening events.

For Pier updates, including road closures and aerial videos of construction, go to www.newstpetepier.com.

Dining Out • Doc Ford’s Rum Bar + Grille: Dubbed a “vacation on a plate” by the New York Times, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is a Florida-themed restaurant that takes its name from the novels of best-selling author Randy Wayne White.

• Teak, Pier Teaki and Driftwood Café: Chuck Prather, owner of the popular Birchwood Hotel/Birch & Vine/Canopy on Beach Drive is working on a trio of spots for dining, drinking, coffee, ice

Bending Arc by Janet Echelman

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23

Skyway at Dawn

By Kathleen M. Finnerty

SPL SPOTLIGHT

Taking It To The Streets 16th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg PHOTOS/FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG

BY MARCIA BIGGS World-class IndyCar racing will be roaring through the streets of downtown St. Petersburg March 13-15 in the 16th Annual Firestone Grand Prix. While preparations are fully underway, there will be one dramatic difference this year – hometown driver and twotime St. Pete winner Sebastien Bourdais will not be racing. Recent motorsports news reports say he has left Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan and will be driving in IMSA sports car races in 2020.

The St. Pete race is the 2020 season opener, the 10th year in a row for the spring break racing tradition, for the NTT IndyCar series, which always lends a sense of anticipation and excitement to the event. Last year’s winner, Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden will be back and has his sights on the Winner’s Circle once again. Odds are he just might do it, too. Three drivers have won back-to-back St. Pete races: Helio Castroneves (2006-07), Juan Pablo Montoya (201516) and Sebastien Bourdais (2017-18).

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The race is often called “the IndyCar version of Monaco,” with its spectacular waterfront track winding through downtown, past yachts and the eye-catching Dali Museum. The race annually attracts legions of hardcore IndyCar fans from across the country, including a global audience thanks to the magic of TV broadcasting.

Nearly 500 sports writers and photographers converge here, posting stories and images on web sites, social media, and to newspapers around the world.

The collaboration of the City of St. Petersburg with race producer Green Savoree Racing Promotions to build and tear down the track

SPL SPOTLIGHT and all its components, has evolved into a well-oiled machine. Most streets downtown, with the exception of Bayshore, will remain open until the four days of race weekend.

“Just say ‘Grand Prix’ and most everyone around the Tampa and St. Pete area knows what that means. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a highly coveted annual tradition thanks to our partners at Firestone, City of St. Petersburg, and the NTT IndyCar Series especially working with our team to make it a world-class event,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “We’ll have even more racing featured in 2020, and visiting St. Pete doesn’t disappoint with its great restaurants and shops also open throughout the Grand Prix weekend.”

The weekend will feature three days of practice, qualifying and championship racing with seven different racing series: the NTT IndyCar Series, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, Indy Pro 2000 presented by Cooper Tires, Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship,

SRO’s Pirelli GT4 America and TC America, and a new addition with the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup making its St. Pete debut in 2020.

The headlining NTT IndyCar Series race will take to the streets on Sunday for a 100-lap/198-mile shoot-out on a 1.8-mile course with 14 turns. Festivities will include a Speed Zone with interactive games and exhibits, a Fan Village, beer gardens (including one floating trackside in Tampa Bay), driver autograph sessions and other events to be announced.

The great news is that the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will remain as a cornerstone event on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule through at least 2024. St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a four-year extension to the existing agreement with Green Savoree to hold the event on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg.

For updated information and to purchase tickets for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, go to gpstpete.com.

Call for Volunteers

Get Down On It

St. Petersburg utilizes a team of around 650 dedicated volunteers to help make the race happen each year. Volunteers should be available the entire race weekend and must be 18 or older. If you have a friendly and can-do attitude, learn how to volunteer for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at gpstpete. com/contact/volunteer.

Kick off race weekend by running or walking part of the Firestone Grand Prix track on Friday, March 13, at the 8th Annual Modern Business Associates 5K Run. Race time is 6 pm; proceeds benefit the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg and American Stage. For more information, go to gpstpete5k.com

January/February 2020

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SPL SPOTLIGHT 2020

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Getting To The Race What you need to know

Park Downtown: City parking garages are a $10-all-day event rate on Friday and a $15-all-day event rate on Saturday and Sunday.

Motorcycle parking is available for $5, Saturday and Sunday along the west side of 1st Street South between 1st Avenue South and Central Avenue.

Park and Ride Shuttle from the Trop: From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. there is a free shuttle service from Tropicana Field to the race course. Park in Lots 1 and 2 at Tropicana Field, the cost will be $10 by credit card only. The shuttle picks passengers up on 16th Street S. and drops off passengers at Second Street S. and Fifth Avenue S. The shuttle operates all three race days from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Take the St. Petersburg Trolley: The Looper Downtown Trolley and Central Avenue Shuttle (St. Pete’s trolley system) offers rides

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throughout Grand Prix weekend for 50 cents per person. The Looper provides a circular route, at no cost, between the city’s parking facilities, hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Ferry: Coming from Tampa? Take the Cross Bay Ferry directly to St. Pete’s downtown waterfront. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended as these trips will likely sell-out. Go to www.thecrossbayferry.com to tickets and information.

For updated information on parking, street closures and other transportation issues, go to the City’s website at stpete.org/grandprix All information in this article is subject to change.

SPL SPOTLIGHT 2020

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Park Downtown: City parking garages are a $10-all on Friday and a $15-all-day event rate on Saturday a Motorcycle parking is available for $5, Saturday and the west side of 1st Street South between 1st Avenu Central Avenue.

Park and Ride Shuttle from the Trop: From 7 a.m. t is a free shuttle service from Tropicana Field to the r in Lots 1 and 2 at Tropicana Field, the cost will be $1 only. The shuttle picks passengers up on 16th Street off passengers at Second Street S. and Fifth Avenue operates all three race days from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Take the St. Petersburg Trolley: The Looper Downt and Central Avenue Shuttle (St. Pete’s trolley system

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SPL EVENTS

St. Petersburg Jazz Fest The 2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival presents five nights local and national performers from hot Latin sounds to funk and jazz classics February 26-March 1 at the Palladium. Here’s a look: Wednesday, Feb. 26 O Som Do Jazz Brazilian group O Som Do Jazz opens the festival with samba, Bossa Nova, balanço & Baião with Rio de Janeiro singer Andrea Moraes Manson, Latin GRAMMY nominated multi-instrumentalist Jose Valentino Ruiz and special guest Rafael Pereira, percussionist. The group has performed at Miami International Jazz Fest and Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The concert will be at the Side Door.

Thursday, Feb. 27 The Conglomerate Jazz-funk fusion group The Conglomerate from Orlando will get the Side Door smoking. Get ready for a soulful evening

of originals and standards. Their debut album, Merger, was released in September and rose to No. 4 spot in the iTunes Jazz Charts in its first week.

The musicians are Keith Phelps (keys/ synths), Ed Anderson (Rhodes/synth), James Adkins (drums), Steady Joseph (percussion), Daven-Roy Llewellyn (bass), Daniel Kelley Howard (guitar) and Keith A. Phelps (organ/synth). This concert will be at the Side Door.

Friday, Feb. 28 Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen International jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas joins pianist Tal Cohen for a unique evening of eclectic music. Thomas blends Caribbean roots with harmonic and improv jazz. He has performed at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, Moscow International House of Music, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Perm International Jazz Festival (Russia), Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, and Pittsburgh

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Leon Foster Thomas

SPL EVENTS Jazz Live International Festival. Israeli-born jazz pianist Tal Cohen dishes up original jazz compositions with Israeli influences. Cohen has performed at the Melbourne, Australia, Jazz Festival and the Detroit Jazz Festival. This concert will be at the Side Door.

compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. She has performed at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and Billboard Live, and has been a featured soloist with the Boston Pops and NY Philharmonic.

The Helios Jazz Orchestra is a 17-piece jazz Big Band directed by David Manson. The group has performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ybor Jazz Fest and is ensemblein-residence at St. Petersburg College. This concert will be in Hough Hall.

Sunday, March 1 Jason Charos and The Booker Little Project In an all-to-short life of 23 years, Booker Little established himself as one of the greatest jazz trumpet players of the second half of the 20th century. He possessed blazing technique, unsurpassed melodic gifts, deep harmonic understanding, and a fearless approach to improvisation and composition. The Jason Charos Group tackles works by Booker Little led by Jason Charos (trumpet), David Mason (alto saxophone), Jered Byford (trombone), Leo Folsom (piano), Jesse Katz (bass) and Marcello Carelli (drums).

Saturday, Feb. 29 Alexis Cole with Helios Jazz Orchestra Alexis Cole’s smooth voice has been

ST. PETERSBURG JAZZ FESTIVAL WHEN: February 26-March 1; all shows are at 7:30 pm WHERE: The Palladium, 253 5th Avenue N. St. Petersburg 727-822-3590 ADMISSION: All shows are $25 general admission/$35 reserved seating through Palladium box office or online at mypalladium.org Special Festival Subscription Offer – All five shows for one price: general admission $100/reserved seating $125 (available only through the box office prior to Feb. 26).

For advance tickets, go to mypalladium.org

Sarasota Jazz Fest The Sarasota Jazz Festival celebrates its 40th year March 8-14 with a starstudded lineup featuring headliners The Manhattan Transfer. Other jazz stars include Dick Hyman, Clairdee, Houston Person, Charles McPherson, Russell Malone, Terel Stafford, and festival band La Lucha with Alejandro Arenas, Mark Feinman, and John O’Leary. Four themed stages will present Latin, classic, and contemporary jazz and blues.

The festival changes locations this year, with mainstage concerts presented in the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 North Tamiami Trail. Several other concerts will be staged at several venues,

traditional venues at Philippi Estate Park, Burns Court Cinema, and night clubs in downtown Sarasota.

each within a short walking distance of the Auditorium. In addition, long-established festival events will be held in their

The festival brings a mix of free and ticketed events that feature internationally acclaimed performers, local and regional musicians, young musicians aiming to be the stars of tomorrow, a pub crawl by trolley, and a jazz film with miniconcert. The festival opens Sunday, March 8, from noon to 4 pm with Jazz in the Park, a free concert at Philippi Estate Park. For an updated schedule of events and tickets, go to sarasotajazzfestival.org or call (941) 366-1552.

Palladium Jazz Awards The historic Palladium, where live jazz is a staple at the Side Door, has announced the first Palladium Jazz Awards. A concert January 12 will honor longtime favorites Kitty Daniels and Majid Shabazz, and St. Pete photographer Herb Snitzer, famous for his images of jazz performers from the 1950s and ‘60s. The main event in Hough Hall will be followed by a jam session organized by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association at the Side

Door. Confirmed artists for the Hough Hall concert include: James Suggs, LaRue Nickelson, Valerie Gillespie, David Pate, Belinda Womack, John Lamb, Fred Johnson, and Jack Wilkins, sax. La Lucha, featuring John O’Leary, Alejandro Arenas and Mark Feinman, will anchor the mainstage show, backing all the guest artists. Tickets are $36, $26, $20 for students; go to mypalladium.org for more information.

Herb Snitzer

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STYLISH BURGER

Patricia Rossignol Patricia Rossignol walks into the room with an air of importance and a scintillating scent of … could it be gardenia, layered with ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom and a note of caramel? Very likely it is Signature, one of three Rossignol 1634 fragrances that carry her family name.

A fashionista, Francophile, art philanthropist and now fragrance founder and entrepreneur, Rossignol has taken the reigns mid-life of a new business and is diving in head-first as founder of Rossignol 1634. Long part of St. Pete society circles, she’s been a tour de force hosting top-notch fundraisers like Wine Weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts. (As chair of the 2018 Wine Weekend, her Louis XV-theme masked dinner ball was fit for French royalty featuring guest vintner Maison Louis Latour for Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines.)

In January, she’s assisting with a 1920s Cabaret at the Dali Museum as part of the “Midnight in Paris” Surrealism exhibit, a major exhibit organized by the museum and the Centre Pompidou in Paris – and sponsored in part

by Patricia Rossignol.

Married to noted French chemist and pharmaceutical magnate Jean-Francois Rossignol, Patricia is proud of her heritage in the Rossignol family. With a legacy dating to 1634 in Burgundy, France, the family has deep roots in crafting fine wines, performance skis, trains and life-saving drugs. Patricia is the first female in 10 generations to start her own business, traveling constantly (I barely caught up with her for this interview in the Dali café), jet-setting between Paris and the south of France, Milan and New York. Yet she takes her hectic schedule in stride, popping in at fashion shows, parties and lunches, being sure to spritz a few people along the way with small bottles she pulls from her handbag.

In the gift shop at the Dali Museum, a large display touts her fragrances and trademarked “Lady in Red” logo. She was delighted in late 2018 when Executive Director Hank Hine invited her to hold a launch party at the museum and sell the product in the gift shop.

Plans also called for a debut at Jackie Z in December, a high-end fashion boutique at Sundial.

Rossignol seemed destined for the fashion world. “I’ve always loved fashion,” she said. Born in New Jersey to a banker father and stayat-home mother, her grandmother was an excellent seamstress and her mother loved fashion, she said, making dress patterns from

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newspaper and taking trips to New York City to purchase fabric. She made dresses for Patricia inspired by Paris fashion shows.

Fast forward and Rossignol’s background in the fashion industry is extensive, the majority of her career as account executive for Levi Strauss & Co, where she became an expert in merchandising and branding and attending the runway shows in New York, Paris and Milan.

What inspired her to delve into the world of fragrance?

“I started thinking about it three years ago,” she said. “I found a French company headquartered in New York so spent two years traveling back and forth to work on the development … the Rossignol family goes back to 1634 so I wanted it to be a heritage brand, yet moving it to the modern. I wanted to create a luxury line of niche fragrances that would be classic and modern for both women and men. I love art and Art Deco, so the packaging needed to reflect that with the Lady in Red.” She and her team at world-renowned Mane Fragrance tested 200 renditions of fragrance to get to a final three – Signature, Pour le Jour (For Day), and Pour le Nuit (For Night). She calls them unisex, centered on spicy oriental, and each has its own distinct layering of scents from exotic and floral to deep sensual notes. She traveled to Paris to shoot a promotional video and photographs. (The photo with this story was taken at Le Bristol in Paris.)

On May 1, 2019, she held her launch party at the Dali.

While she spends a lot of time in Paris and France (she has a home in Brittany), Rossignol loves living in St. Pete. Ever the businesswoman, she is thinking about expanding into lotions and accessories, but is not ready to divulge details.

What has she learned from the past few years of developing signature fragrances?

“I learned that most fragrances are not quality,” she said. “Ours are complex and very high quality. Each one evokes memories of something good in your life.”

To learn more or order Rossignol 1634 fragrances ($150/1.7 oz.), check out the Dali Museum gift shop, Jackie Z at Sundial, Oxford Exchange in Tampa or go to www.rossignol1634.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

Hearts in the Arts Carrie Jadus & Mark Aeling

BY CINDY STOVALL Can you think of a better tradition than one that involves love? I can’t. And so, for the third year, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’m thrilled to be continuing the “Hearts in the Arts” series. In print and podcast, “Hearts in the Arts” tells the love stories of our favorite St. Pete couples in the creative community.

Carrie Jadus and Mark Aeling are responsible, individually, for some of the most recognizable public art in the Tampa Bay area. Aeling created the sculpture gracing our newly opened St. Petersburg Police Department Headquarters and the bronze dolphins in the Sundial plaza, to name just two. Jadus has created many of the images for the city and Preserve the ‘Burg, well-known murals around downtown and artwork for the Tampa Bay Rays. Together, they preside over one of the most successful and enduring arts studio complexes in St. Pete – Soft Water Studios in the Warehouse Arts District.

First Impressions “We first met at a Women in the Arts event in 2010,” says Carrie Jadus, fine artist, muralist and owner of Carrie Jadus Fine Art & Portraiture at Soft Water. “It was a brief, incidental meeting and I remember thinking he seemed almost aloof.

There was really no more to it, and we were both in relationships at the time.”

In true “he said, she said” fashion, Mark Aeling, master sculptor and owner of MGA Sculpture Studio, shares his recollection of that first meeting and answers the “aloof” charge. “ I remember thinking how beautiful her work was,” he says.

“I was impressed by how accomplished and independent she seemed. I believe I was almost intimidated. So, when she spoke to me, I may have avoided eye contact and didn’t say much.” They both smile. “ I had no idea,” she says. “Life went on.”

PHOTO/CARRIE JADUS

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Fast forward to 2012 and an event at Craftsman House gallery. “By that time, I was single again and raising two sons,” recalls Jadus. “It was a difficult transition, but we all found a way to move ahead.”

ARTS & CULTURE (Interesting side note: Jadus, born in Tampa and a PCCA grad, has an advanced degree in electrical engineering and once had an entirely different professional life. But, in the end, her love of art and creating would simply not be denied. Of course, Tesla still managed to find his way into her artistic world and exists on one of the area’s most popular murals.)

“Mark had come to the Craftsman House event and I said hello, we chatted a bit and when I asked about his family, I was surprised to find out that Mark was recently single, too.”

Serendipity.

Mark picks up the story: “I thought her beauty was striking.” (If you know Carrie, you know this is no understatement). “And then, there it was. We had a “moment.” You know, when there is eye contact that lasts a bit too long. My heart was beating a mile a minute.” He texted her the following day.

Aeling continues: “I arranged to meet her at an arts event that evening …. I honestly didn’t expect her to be free on such short notice. But I had to give it a shot.”

“I had plans,” Jadus interjects. “But he either had to cancel or maybe I got stood up. I really don’t remember, but somehow, it didn’t matter. I met Mark that evening and it was our beginning.

I was attracted to Mark’s enthusiasm for his work, and his appreciation of mine. That was important to me.”

Then, more serendipity.

“We had only been dating a short time,” Jadus recalls, “when I got a commission from Weedon Island for a huge painting that my studio, then on MLK in St. Pete, could not accommodate.”

Aeling was already at his current location with MGA, a large-scale sculpture studio that he founded in 1996 in St. Louis. (He is originally from

Colorado.) “There was this huge space next door,” he says, “and I wanted to see it used by artists.” Knowing about Jadus’s inability to work on a 9-foot painting in her current space, Aeling invited her to come check out the available space next to his studio. “It was huge - over 4,000 square feet,” said Jadus. “There was no way I could afford that. And it was so early in the relationship. It was hard not to consider all that could go wrong with that scenario.”

Together, they came up with a potential plan to break up the space into studios that could be rented to multiple tenants. They budgeted each step in the renovation and carefully worked out the floorplan. Jadus took the leap. “We both knew what was on the line,” Jadus says. “But somehow we had a feeling it could work.”

The result was what is now the wildly successful Soft Water Studios and gallery. But that was only the beginning …

Warehouse Arts District The two artists were merely renters, and now there was too much to lose not to come up with an even bigger plan, one that would ensure a way to resist the inevitable gentrification of the neighborhood that might force them out. Not being able to afford the building and property, and with several big developers sniffing around, it was time to get creative and create an entire community for artists and the arts.

“Earlier in the year, I enlisted the help of Rob Kapusta,” says Aeling.

“He is nothing short of a financial and city planning genius. The fact is, I had no idea what I was doing, and I knew he could help.” Aeling had also been trying for two years to convince Duncan McClellan to cross the bay.

He showed him around, and helped facilitate his purchase of the multiacre tomato farm that is the current site of the Duncan McClellan Gallery and DMG School Project.

Aeling creates large-scale public art at his MGA Studios in the Warehouse Arts District.

He is president of the Warehouse Arts District Association. /Photo Carrie Jadus

Mark Aeling was inspired to recreate Carrie’s lips in this sculpture made entirely of colored pencils. /Photo Art Life

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ARTS & CULTURE Kapusta, McClennan and former Mayor Rick Baker met to talk about plans for the area. By the end of the meeting, the concept for the Warehouse Arts District Association was born. Mark was at the very first public meeting and has been involved ever since.

The Association, with the help of founding members like artist Rob Bocik and social media entrepreneur Tracy Kennard, set about gaining 501(c3) status, embarking on a large-scale fundraising campaign and the setup of the current trolley system.

Hard-won grants and donations ultimately gave the Association the ability to beat out developers and buy Soft Water, MGA and all of the surrounding property and buildings.

The Growing Arts Scene Today, just a few years later, the first big vision of WADA, proposed

by Aeling and Bocik in 2014, has been realized. The ArtsXchange, a fully renovated warehouse on the property next to MGA & Soft Water, is home to multiple local artists of all genres. They are protected from gentrification by the ownership and not-for-profit status of the Association. Many surrounding businesses and artists

have become members, collaborating in projects and events.

Aeling continues to be the president of WADA’s board with Kapusta as a valued advisor. The structure has evolved to include an executive director needed to manage the very busy daily operations and the continuing need for fundraising. Attorney and long-time arts patron Diane Bailey Morton is at the helm. “We will always have artists on the board, though,” says Aeling. “That will insure that their interests are always a part of the conversation.”

“We knew that we, as artists, wanted to control what we all had built,” adds Jadus, “not give that control to a millionaire developer.”

It is a model that will hopefully be duplicated in other neighborhoods so that artists and entrepreneurs can grow and flourish without looking over their shoulders, without worrying about being priced out of the very movement responsible for St. Pete’s renaissance.

Big plans continue and there is much more to come that will expand the types of art offerings in the area. For instance, the former Dazzio

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ARTS & CULTURE arts studio will now be home to Seven C Music, a premier guitar specialty shop. The building on the corner of the property, formerly the site of a lawnmower repair business, will be the future home of a 250-seat theater for live performances.

The Warehouse Arts District/Deuces Live Joint Action Plan promises an exciting new partnership within the neighborhood. There is much more, so stay tuned. But back to Carrie and Mark.

For an artistic expression of Carrie and Mark’s love story, you need look no further than a series of multi-media sculptures that Mark created with very special inspiration ... Carrie’s lips. Now that’s romantic. They married in the Spring of 2017.

Successful business, check. Unlimited potential for growth, check. Helping other artists realize success and security, check.

So, I asked, how do you define success in the future of your lives together?

“I feel like the next decade will be the best of our lives,” beams Aeling. Jadus adds, “It’s like we’re on the crest of a wave, poised for the ride ahead.” Aeling adds, “ It’s the harmony of existence.”

Aeling’s sculpture “Gladiolus” was installed earlier this year in front of the new St. Petersburg Police Headquarters. /Photo Kyle Fleming

A TRUE

love story

NEVER ENDS

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ARTS & CULTURE

A very happy new year to all the wonderful readers of St. Pete Life! My sincere hope is that 2020 holds all the beauty and happiness our hearts can hold. Make it your resolution to find an art experience you have never seen before. That will give you a head start on the happiness part.

BY CINDY STOVALL

On Stage freeFall Theatre Company continues their 10th anniversary season with George Brant’s Marie and Rosetta. It is based on the true story of pioneer gospel artist, influencer of superstars (like Elvis and Hendrix) and proclaimed “Godmother of Rock-n-Roll” Sister Rosetta Tharpe. In this production, the audience gets an intimate look at the first rehearsal with Tharpe’s protege Marie Knight, just before they embarked on an industry changing world tour. January 18 - February 16. www.freefalltheatre.com.

American Stage, quite appropriately, gives us a uniquely American story of survival and grit with Dominique Morriseau’s Skeleton Crew - a moving portrayal of the extreme challenges faced by factory workers in Detroit’s last auto manufacturing plant circa 2008.

Impending bankruptcies, foreclosures and other hardships threaten the lives of these brave and tenacious blue-collar workers who battle the white-collar class for survival. A New York Times critic’s pick, this must-see runs January 22 - February 23. www.americanstage.org St. Petersburg Opera presents Verdi’s classic Rigoletto at the Palladium. Trickery and tragedy, revenge and redemption go handin-hand as the licentious Duke of Mantua conspires to seduce Gilda, the secret daughter of Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester.

With some of the most powerful, stirring music ever composed – including the immortal aria “La donna è mobile” – Rigoletto is the quintessential Verdi opera, a masterful and gripping balancing act between the storm-tossed forces of darkness and the unwavering light of love. (Sung in Italian with projected English subtitles.)

January 24-28. www.stpeteopera.org

Museum Happenings The Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum is a jewel in the Deuces of South St. Pete. Rich in neighborhood history and new exhibits every other month, the Woodson also boasts a lovely garden and frequent community conscious events. Your museum experience in the ‘Burg is simply not complete without a visit here. Did you know that the Woodson holds a variety of Jazz events in the Legacy Garden throughout the year? The museum also organizes historical tours of the local area that highlight the current and previous institutions, events and persons of note in the area.

Check the website for times and dates. www.woodsonmuseum.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

UPCOMING SHOWS! Live jazz at the Woodson Museum Update on The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts: Rodolfo “Rudy” Ciccarello, owner of the collection and financier for most of the project, decided to add an additional floor, expanding the collection, but delaying opening until the Spring of 2020. Construction appears to be entering the final phase and it promises to be a truly welcome addition to St. Pete’s formidable museum landscape. Best of all (for those of us locals weary from the search for parking), will be the 300 space garage! Heaven. The website is also under construction, which seems somehow appropriate.

Festivals

J A N U A RY 8

JANUARY 22

IRA GLASS

J A N U A RY 2 5

JANUARY 28

F E B R U A RY 5

F E B R U A RY 1 3

F E B R U A RY 2 8

MARCH 1

The MLK Music & Culture Festival joins the 34th annual MLK Dream Big weekend for their very first event in beautiful downtown St. Pete’s Albert Whitted Park. This FREE waterfront festival will have vendors of all kinds (including artisans) and live entertainment right in the heart of the thriving downtown area. January 18 11am-7pm www. mlkdreambig.com The 7th Annual St. Petersburg Fine Arts Festival showcases original artwork by more than 100 artisans from throughout Florida and across the United States. Together these artisans will create an outdoor gallery of stunning, original and handmade art from works in painting, photography, sculpture, metalwork, digital art, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodworking, mixed-media, fiber art, metalwork and much more. If you do not find exactly what you want, commission a unique, original piece of art made expressly for you. February 22-23. 11am7pm www.paragonartevents.com Art Festival Beth-El, an annual favorite, features a large selection of creative works like painting, photography, mixed media, glass, sculpture, metal, wood, ceramics, etc.

All works from fine arts to jewelry and crafts are for sale at every price point. The show is given by experienced docents with information and insight into the artists and their work.

February 25-27 www.artfestivalbethel.com Until text time …

Cindy Stovall’s Beauty & the ‘Burg podcast covering the arts in St. Petersburg airs on Wednesdays at 6 pm at heliumradio.com. Archives of previous shows are available.

MEMBERS GET THE BEST SEATS! JOIN NOW! (727) 300-2000 • THEMAHAFFEY.COM 400 FIRST STREET S • ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701

January/February 2020

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ARTS & CULTURE

Dali Museum

Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads, 1929

BY MARCIA BIGGS A major exhibition examining the crisis of Surrealism in Paris in 1929 offers a fascinating peek inside the dynamic artistic movement as it struggled to gain an identity. Including several new Dali works on loan to the museum, this thought-provoking exhibit examines the works, friendships and clashes of an avant-garde group of some 20 artists seeking cultural and political meaning at a tumultuous time in history.

“In 1929 Paris, Surrealism was coming to a crossroads,” executive director Hank Hines said during the media preview.

“There was much discussion … what purpose should it serve? That tension is evident in these works. We see the personalities of 20 artists who discussed this world and chose directions, It shows their aspirations, their desires. It’s a very serious show.”

Organized by The Dalí Museum and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the show includes some 65 works in a variety of media drawn largely from the collection of the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris.

Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads, 1929, presents a diverse palate of work from painters Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, to sculptors Hans Arp and Alexander Calder, to filmmakers Germaine Dulac and Luis Buñuel. Man Ray, perhaps the first paparazzo, made photo portraits of these and

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other Surrealists, turning them into international celebrities.

Dimly lit throughout, visitors are encouraged to wander as though one is walking the streets of Paris at night.

This is one of the more serious and sophisticated exhibits put on by the Dali in recent years, with some adult content not appropriate for children.

In one gallery, a display of propaganda, poetry and journals on Surrealism is accompanied by stark photography such as images taken at a slaughterhouse, and experimental film clips, all offering thought for discussion.

The invention of Surrealism is credited with French poet André Breton and several other poets in Paris in 1924. The three were soon joined by other writers and artists who wished to put imagination at the basis of their work. Experimenting with psychological theories about dreams and the unconscious, a creative period began in Paris, drawing in followers who contributed works from paintings, collages and sculpture to cinema and photography.

Dali’s eccentric personality helped the movement gain an international audience.

Despite the freedom of expression that Surrealism encouraged, the diverging views of the artists created dissent. They broke into camps which argued about the meaning of art and the direction of Surrealism. Dali is only in his late 20s at this point, but is already

ARTS & CULTURE

The Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris” (2011) will be screened Jan. 23./Sony Pictures Classics As usual, the Dali has come up with mindtickling and fun events associated with the new exhibit.

Jan. 12, 2 p.m. Midnight in Paris: Discussion with curators Didier Ottinger, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Modern Art Centre Pompidou joins Dr. William Jeffett, Chief Curator of Special Exhibits at the Dalí to delve into this pivotal period for the Surrealist movement in Paris.

Invisible Sleeping Woman, Horses, Lion by Salvador Dali (1930) courtesy Centre Pompidou, Paris recognized for his controversial art and bizarre personality. (Ultimately, Breton’s Surrealists expelled Dali for his fascist sympathies.)

Be sure to sit in the mini-theater and absorb the locally produced 35-minute film Breton and the Muse that takes place at St. Pete’s popular French restaurant Cassis. It’s a conversation between Salvador Dalí’s wife and muse, Gala Dalí, and the founder of Surrealism, André Breton, debating

the nature and needs of art and artists, freedom and control. The original screenplay was written by local talent Roxanne Fay, and stars Fay, alongside Ned Averill-Snell and Alan Mohney Jr.

Jan. 23, 5 p.m. Midnight in Paris Under the Stars: Bring a blanket and sit under the stars in the Museum’s Avant-Garden to enjoy a special screening of Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” (2011, 94 min., PG-13).

Cash bar.

Midnight in Paris serves to reveal the provocative conversations, dreams and friendships among a deeply experimental and influential group of artists who called Paris their creative home. It’s worthy of time – and conversation.

PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS

Jan. 30, 6 p.m. Surrealist Literary Game Night: Keep St. Pete Lit sponsors an evening of collaborative games using art, poetry and literature to explore the unconscious as a source of inspiration. Tickets: $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Cash bar.

Feb. 27, 6 p.m. Surrealist Film Night at The Dalí : Join Curator of Education Peter Tush for a double feature of Surrealism’s first films. Germaine Dulac’s The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928, 44 min.) and Salvador Dalí’s and Luis Buñuel’s The Andalusian Dog (1929, 20 min.) will be shown after a brief introduction. Q&A will follow the presentation.

Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Les Années Folles: 1920s Cabaret: Immerse yourself in the Parisian nightlife of 1929, with costumes, cocktails, cabaret and more. Tickets: $65 members, $75 non-members.

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ARTS & CULTURE

2020

Art of the Stage Museum of Fine Arts

Jazz Festival St. Petersburg

Five evenings of great jazz in St. Petersburg!

Feb. 26-March 1

Presented by EMIT

Wednesday Feb. 26 7:30pm O Som Do Jazz with Jose Valentino and Rafael Pereira Palladium Theater Side Door

Thursday Feb. 27 7:30pm The Conglomerate Palladium Theater Side Door

Friday Feb. 28 7:30pm Leon Foster Thomas Quartet with Tal Cohen

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Saturday Feb. 29 7:30pm Alexis Cole with the Helios Jazz Orchestra The Palladium Theater

Sunday March 1 7:30pm Jason Charos & the Booker Little Project Palladium Theater Side Door

All concerts are at the Palladium Theatre located at 253 Fifth Ave. North in St Pete.

For tickets see www.mypalladium.org

For more information visit:

www.StPeteJazzFest.com The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is sponsored by

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More than 100 scene, costume, stage and program designs created by noted artists from the 19th Century to the present comprise Art of the Stage: Picasso to Hockney running January 25-May 10 at The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.

The exhibition is culled from the McNay Art Museum’s prestigious Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts in San Antonio, Texas, and includes works by Henri Mattise, Natalia Goncharova, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Robert Indiana, and Lesley Dill. From the sumptuous productions of the Ballets Russes, to the riotous spectacle of avant-garde theatre, to Robert Indiana’s Pop vision for an American opera, Art of the Stage seductively reflects the grand history of Western art from the vantage point of the stage.

To bring the art of the stage to life, the MFA is collaborating with dozens of local and national arts organizations to present live performances on a theater built inside the exhibition space as well as performance spaces throughout the museum. Live classical music, opera, dance, theater and poetry will continue on select days throughout the run of the exhibition. Lectures with noted authorities on stage and costume design will also appear during the run.

At a special opening event January 26 from 12:30 to 4 pm, the Florida Orchestra will take over the museum, presenting miniperformances inspired by Art of the Stage.

Artists and organizations performing at the MFA include Detroitbased Sphinx Virtuosi Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, Pinellas County Center for the Arts, opera singer Ashley Thunder, latin and jazz trio La Lucha, international dancer Helen Hansen French, playwright and performance artist Andrea Assaf, pianist and New York Philharmonic Teaching Artist Robert Fleitz, and New York violinist Giancarlo Latta.

For a complete schedule of events, check out www.mfastpete.com

MUSE 2020 Honorees Announced

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA) is presenting the 7th Annual MUSE Awards at 7 pm February 28 at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. The annual benefit for the arts recognizes those who continue to inspire and guide St. Petersburg to its standing as an international arts destination. The theme of the

ARTS & CULTURE evening will complement the new MFA exhibit, The Art of the Stage, Picasso to Hockney, with musings and live performance art from turn-of-the-century to the future. Guests will be allowed to view the exhibit, and will enjoy gourmet bites, crafts cocktails and decadent dessert bars. Theatrical garb and masks are encouraged.

The following awardees have been announced:

Live. Love. Largo.

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Visual Arts Award – D. Yael Kelley Performance Arts Award – Suzzane Pomerantzeff Patron of the Arts Award – Hal Freedman and Willi Rudowsky Literary Arts Award – Your Real Stories by Lillian Dunlap and Jaye Sheldon Ambassador Award – Duncan McClellan Tickets $125 before Jan. 30; $150 after. For tickets, go to stpeteartsalliance.org/arts-alliance-events/

Tombolo Books Sets Up Shop

The ‘Burg’s favorite pop-up bookstore, Tombolo Books, has found a permanent home in a 1,550-square-foot shop at 2153 1st Avenue S. in the Grand Central District. Co-owners Alsace Walentine and Candice Anderson has spent the last several years traveling to events and festivals as a specialty pop-up book vendor.

“The time is right for a specialty bookstore like ours in St. Petersburg,” Walentine said. “In talking to the customers at our pop-ups, we’ve seen there’s significant demand for a place that brings all types of people together, with the common bond being a love for reading.”

Tombolo will carry new books for all ages, including emerging and marginalized voices, books in translation, books from independent presses, as well as beloved classics and currently popular titles. They will also offer a selection of greeting cards and journals, author readings, book clubs, and other special events, tombolobooks.com

Localtopia Returns

Keep St. Petersburg Local brings back an expanded Localtopia, Community Celebration of All Things Local on February 22 at Williams Park downtown.

Showcasing over 200 independent businesses, vendors and community organizations, the popular event will feature live music and performers on two stages, along with a variety of food trucks and local breweries on hand. Look for handcrafted arts and crafts , natural and organic health and wellness products, a plant fair, clothing and accessories, home decor, jewelry, personal care products and much more.

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm, with a rain date of Feb. 29. For more information, go to localtopia.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org/ Admission is free, with donations appreciated.

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SPL SPL FASHION FASHION

Holiday Sparkle

New Beginnings

Don’t hide behind a little black dress – it’s time to shine

Let Fashion Lead the Way in BY2020 MEGAN SIMONS

BY MEGAN SIMONS It’s the new holiday season, invitations are starting to arrive, friends and family are ready for exciting events, We just entered a new decade, what and just one question remains the does this mean to the world of fashion? same – what to wear? Shall we start How has fashion transitioned in the with what NOT to wear? Don’t even past, what does it have to offer in the think about being boringly dull this future? Whatever the current styles season of parties, galas, get-togethers are, one fact remains consistent and celebrations. Shine! Shine like fashion speaks volumes; expresses never before. Even the trendiest colors the perception of time and context, of the season without shimmers, reflects social and cultural belonging. glitters or sparkles will not be enough Fashion defines us. Fashion is an instant for this year’s festivities. language.

Pippa Pelure – Women/Men’s Attire and Jewelry Natural Comfort Footwear - Shoes and Handbags Photography - ShawnSmith Photographix Models - Kyle Damkoehler, Kelly Gruber, Raimonda Popaj, Blake Zat Stylist - Megan Simons

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Let me start with the cherished but How the next decade will make its typical - black. The black dress could mark in fashion history is to be seen, be your versatile, chic and trendy but for now Spring is approaching and best friend for many occasions. But it’s time to think about what to wear plain black can easily turn against this season, filled with happenings and you and your intentions to look your events. Fashion trends in Spring will best. In the dim evening environment, not disappoint you. Many styles are for example, it could be like a black destined to be your favorites, primarily hole - quite invisible. Says editorbecause they promise to reinvigorate in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, “I your wardrobe with twist or flair - and never wear black head to toe.” Her they are not difficult to pull off. staple multicolor, crystal necklaces, worn with literally everything, are my Statement sleeves are a very significant latest obsession -- an easy way to add part of current trends. Victorianindividual style to any attire. inspired, oversized sleeves or off the shoulder, sensual trends keep coming I have some fresh and easy tricks to back. Remember the 80’s with puffy style up the boring LBD and make you and feminine sleeves that make our the life of the party. We all know about waist tiny? Well, they’re back. The same the one incredible statement necklace, emphasis is on off-the-shoulder style. and lots of metallic accessories, but Show off your shoulders in a casual look have you thought about a shiny and top with soft color and bohemian print, very trendy bomber jacket? Can you paired with stylish cropped jeans. imagine, over your form-fitting black dress, a richly decorated, majestically If there’s one type of dress you’ll want stylish and very sheer long duster, to secure this Spring season, I propose a adorned with dripping glitter, flowing tasteful wrap dress in a blue and green distinctively behind you when you leopard print, instead of the natural walk? That’s the look that is not going color choice. Animal print is the trend to be ignored. that keeps on trending, and there is no better time than the present to rock a For the 2019 Fall/Winter season, dress like that. The reason wrap dresses sequins are not only trendy, they are work well on all shapes and sizes is an absolute must, and not only for the because of their ability to highlight the evening and parties. Starting in the waist. The combo of blue and green is morning you can wear your favorite subtle, even though the pattern offers a pair of crystal embellished jeans, bolder, trendy look. bejeweled shoes, or shirts with chic

SPL FASHION We can’t forget about Valentine’s Day, the most popular date day of the year! Whether it be a tentative first coffee date with a new love interest, or a special night out with your long-term partner, all the fashions presented here will offer an unforgettable look. If your choice, however, is the one red dress, for your date, keep it sleek and chic, but timeless and versatile, and full of Valentine’s elegance.

A trendy touch for this look lies in sophisticated accessories in white. Pearls with crystals and vintage medallions, chic shoes with bold button, sparkly earrings, white leather cuff bracelet, all of it says you know your style.

For those who crave glamour and maximum Valentine’s fun, a cocktail dress that will turn heads with a daring sequence pattern in champagne gold, that matches the bubbly in your glass, may be the selection. If there’s a time to wear an extraordinary V-neck mini dress, it would be Valentine’s Day. As Vivienne Westwood said: “Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” I’m sure you’ll do it well, my friend.

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

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SPL LIVING

Selected For Ruth Eckerd Hall Expansion

The elegant floating marble staircase takes Dress Circle Patrons past the custom stained glass Donor Wall as they ascend to the second level.

BY SHAWN TANNEY RICHARDS

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Suzan Decker Ross, ASID and owner of award-winning Decker Ross Interiors, was selected by Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO Susan Crockett and the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors, to create the spectacular design for the venue’s recent interior expansion and renovation.

The Dress Circle Lounge for Circle of Stars members has doubled in size, giving it a new makeover and is located adjacent to the new Grand Lobby. A second bar has been added downstairs. Members will have access to twice as many amenities as they previously enjoyed in the much larger space.

Theatre patrons will enjoy a new 6,000 square foot Grand Lobby with stunning floor to ceiling windows, expanded food and beverage service and The Holt Family Stage at the Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton Cabaret Theatre which is a new-pre show performance venue for students in the Ruth Eckerd Hall education programs. The lobby also includes new décor, carpeting, sound dampening light pendants and a video wall for displaying the performance in the auditorium and messages about upcoming events.

Suzan Decker Ross, along with Senior Designer Marci Tempesta of Decker Ross Interiors, worked closely with the REH Team to re-envision the overall design concept, color palette, flooring and surface finishes, and added new upscale furnishings and artistic custom pieces featuring the work of local artisans.

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Decker Ross wanted a bold creative impact statement and brought in artist Stephen Palladino to paint murals from his Paparazzi Paintings in the Grand Lobby. “His unique mural has already

SPL LIVING become a favorite spot for group photos and selfies,” Suzan commented, “and Stephen was wonderful to work with,” she added.

Decker Ross and Tempesta chose a timeless design aesthetic and colors that were sophisticated and elegant. They knew the Dress Circle needed a colorful statement piece to recognize the many donors whose generosity keep this cultural venue alive and thriving in our community. Suzan envisioned an Art Deco-inspired twostory suspended stained glass wall and collaborated with Kathleen Bromley and Kara Ramdas of KATGLASS Studio to make it a reality.

Suzan Decker Ross, Marci Tempesta, and Susan Crockett each created a unique stained glass piece for inclusion in the Donor Wall under the guidance of Bromley and Ramdas.

Decker Ross Interiors was pleased to play such an integral part in the artistic vision and décor of the massive renovation and expansion of this regional cultural gem.

Decker Ross Interiors is located at 1445 Court Street in Clearwater. www.DeckerRoss.com

While the massive custom glass panels were made, Waylon Smith, of All Metals Custom, was busy fabricating the metal framework that would hold the glass panels in place. Each individual piece had to fit exactly in the proper location, which required painstaking planning and coordination amongst the designers and artisans involved.

Artistic touches can be found throughout the beautifully expanded space. “Be sure to look out for the gorgeous mosaic musical instruments in the shadow boxes behind the Grand Lobby bar,” Decker Ross mentioned. A few of these colorful, upcycled bedazzled stringed instruments, made by Holly Apperson of GinHol Mosaics, can also be found accessorizing the walls of the Dress Circle.

Interior Designer Suzan Decker Ross in front of a mural by artist Stephen Palladino from his series of Paparazzi Paintings.

The new Grand Lobby features Ruth Eckerd Hall students performing on the Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton Cabaret Theatre – Holt Family Stage.

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SPL HEALTH

Show Your Heart Some Love

Heart Health

Be an active participant in your health to reduce your risk of heart disease

February is the month when affairs of the heart are even more important. Feb. 10 is World Marriage Day. Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, a special date to show the one you love how much you care. Your pet can get into the act on Feb. 20, which is National Love Your Pet Day.

Since I ‘practice what I preach,’ I feel my patients and colleagues are motivated by my actions. It is rewarding to see my patients and colleagues improve both their physical and mental well-being by improving their lifestyle.”

But the entire month of February is American Heart Month, a time to take stock in your heart health. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov), about 610,000 people in the United States die of heart disease each year, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women.

Dr. Moss is a native of St. Petersburg and says he is proud to call St. Petersburg home. After 17 years of studying and training in Louisiana, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois and the Washington, D.C. area, he decided to return to St. Petersburg to be closer to family. In other words, he followed his heart home.

What can you do to prevent heart disease so that your heart only beats a little faster when you’re with your sweetheart? We spoke with Brian Moss, DO, a cardiologist at Bay Area Heart Center in St. Petersburg since 2008, who knows how important it is to take care of your heart. He advises his patients and co-workers to move more and eat better to lower the risk of heart disease.

For Heart Month, we asked Dr. Moss about the most common heart disease, why knowing your numbers is key to good heart health and what you can do to lower your risk.

“I am a very avid exerciser and enjoy endurance training and playing tennis. My passion for health and wellness really played a part into being attracted to cardiology,” said Dr. Moss, who also serves as director of the echocardiography department at St. Anthony’s Hospital. “I love the complexity and the challenges of the field, along with all of its new technology and innovations.

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There are so many common heart diseases and conditions. What is the most common heart disease in the United States?

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and often presents with chest pain or discomfort and can result in a heart attack. Often when we talk about heart disease, we are referring to coronary artery disease. Another common condition is atrial fibrillation. This may present as palpitations and irregular heartbeat. If left untreated, it could result in a stroke.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heart disease and seeking

SPL HEALTH early treatment may help prevent the complications of heart disease such as heart attack and stroke.

Knowledge is power. These numbers are directly related to your risk of a heart attack or stroke. By working with your doctor, you have the power to modify and lower your risk of heart disease. Often the risk factors for heart disease are similar to risk factors for other diseases such as cancer. It is common for people who develop heart disease to suffer from other conditions such as depression and erectile dysfunction.

Why is it so important for everyone to know their numbers – whether it is blood pressure, A1c, cholesterol and weight?

Knowing your numbers prior to the development of heart disease is called primary prevention. They are critical because the numbers represent markers for heart disease and are easily obtained. The numbers can be improved well before the signs and symptoms of heart disease show up.

Abnormal numbers put you at risk of heart disease.

Having a team approach with you and your doctor and being an active participant in your health will reduce your risk of heart disease.

Often this requires lifestyle modification and sometimes medicine to improve your numbers. This means you can have the power and control to change your numbers, and therefore your risk, by making lifestyle changes – whether it’s losing weight or lowering your blood pressure. The numbers are a good indicator to show you that you are on the right track.

How do those numbers factor into heart disease? If you suffer from heart disease, does that mean you might have other health concerns as well?

What are some of the other diseases that can stem from or can work toward causing heart disease?

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, inactivity, tobacco and alcohol abuse account for greater than 75% of causes of most heart disease.

How important is it for your patients to be their own health advocates? Is there anything that you tell your patients to watch for as they go through this phase of their health journey with you?

Patients need to ask questions of their healthcare providers and know their numbers. Knowing your medications and why you are taking them is very important. Try to understand your health.

Always consult with your doctor on limitations and need for medicines, which may need to supplement the physical activity and diet.

This article was provided by BayCare Health System.

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SPL LIVING

Discover St. Pete

Learn about city history on a Preserve the ‘Burg tour PHOTO/PRESERVE THE BURG

HIT THE STREETS A Preserve the ‘Burg walking tour gathers in a park in the historic Kenwood neighborhood.

BY JONATHAN KILE “I never knew that.”

Those words are often repeated when locals join a Preserve the ‘Burg (PTB) walking or bicycle tour. And if you think you’ve “been there, done that,” think again. Preserve the ‘Burg offers three distinct walking tours and each volunteer guide puts their own twist on the Sunshine City.

The most popular tour is the Original Downtown Tour, featuring many of the city’s recognizable gems, like the First Block with the Detroit Hotel, the open-air U.S. Post Office, Fourth Avenue North with its century-old homes and apartments, Mirror Lake Library and the Pennsylvania Hotel. There’s also the Downtown Waterfront Tour which dips into the Historic Old Northeast with stops at the Vinoy and Birchwood, as well as a moment remembering the grand Soreno Hotel which was demolished in 1992 for a shopping complex that was never built. And if you think

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Walking tours are free to Preserve the ‘Burg members and just $10 for non-members and guests. Bicycle tours are $15 for members and $25 for non-members and guests (includes bike rental if you need it). Visit Preserve the ‘Burg’s website for the latest schedule of tours at preservetheburg.org/walkingtours.

St. Pete’s history is limited to downtown, you haven’t experienced the Westward Ho to Historic Kenwood tour showcasing one of the highest concentrations of Craftsman-style homes in the state.

“It isn’t just stately buildings and big hotels that make a place historic,” says PTB Board President and tour guide Emily Elwyn.

“Kenwood isn’t Kenwood without its unique proliferation of a celebrated architectural style that was uniquely suited to Florida.

And downtown would be less unique to visitors without its mix of old homes and apartments alongside offices and condos. Each time we lose a piece of our history, we lose what sets us apart from other communities.”

Preserve the ‘Burg’s tours connect the city’s early leaders to today.

The city’s First Block on Central has served to attract people to downtown for nearly a century. “You don’t bring someone to St. Pete without taking them down Central, from the Detroit Hotel

SPL LIVING

But even if you have managed to catch each of these tours through the city’s history, you’ll still learn a thing or two on a second run. That’s because each guide has their own perspective and area of interest in what makes our city special.

PTB Guiding Lights One of the organization’s original tour guides is retired attorney Peter Belmont. He’s been with the organization since day one, and has been on the front lines for many of the battles to save the things we treasure in our city. Peter has also shepherded

many satisfied home and business owners through the preservation process so they can take advantage of the benefits that go with it.

PHOTOS/MARCIA BIGGS

and past the charming storefronts from the Snell Arcade to the Edge District,” says Elwyn. “As residents, it’s easy to forget how special Central is until you realize that many downtowns have lost this part of their past.”

Peter brings first-hand experience, having seen the Soreno Hotel imploded for a scene in “Lethal Weapon 3.” Alas, the shopping complex developers went bankrupt and the scene didn’t even make the film until a clip in the closing credits.

Emily Elwyn has a master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Georgia and cut her teeth working for the Atlanta Preservation Center. Emily can tell you what makes one building worthy of preservation, while another might not. She’s got a deep knowledge of architecture and will tell you how the right windows can make or break a good renovation.

Emily also brings a special love for St.

Top, Ken Grimes shares the history of the Vinoy Renaissance hotel on a bicycle tour of Old Northeast. Above, PTB tour guide Emily Elwyn describes how Mirror Lake played a central part in the development of the city.

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SPL LIVING PHOTO/PRESERVE THE ‘BURG

Pete’s often overlooked MidCentury Modern elements like the Williams Park bandshell and she’ll enlighten you to the redeeming qualities of the monolithic St. Pete Judicial Center.

had to be saved and turned it into a garage apartment. Ken will tell you why moving a home is a great way to save it, but that it’s far better to save it in place.

Preserve the ‘Burg’s Executive Director Monica Kile has been leading tours for over a dozen years. With a background in heritage tourism, she’ll tell you how the city’s history fits in context to the greater social changes in Florida and the country. She peppers her tours with interesting trivia so you can impress your friends on their next visit.

Ken Grimes came to preservation when he bought a dilapidated home for $1, moved it 5 blocks and returned it to its former glory. He swore he wouldn’t move another house, until he spotted a charming bungalow with rusticated block that just

Periodically, guides will pedal their guests through the city’s past, partnering with Coast Bike Share so you don’t even need to bring your own wheels. These tours have included The Deuces tour of 22nd Street including stops at the Manhattan Casino and the Royal Theater, where Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong once played to packed houses.

Preserve the ‘Burg offers special tours of specific neighborhoods and also frequently partners with Keep St. Pete Lit for literary walking tours featuring work from local writers. And for larger groups that just can’t get enough, they’ll board your bus for a two-hour in-depth trip through the city’s history.

Step out in Comfort and Romantic Style this Valentine’s Day!

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SPL EVENTS Dress up in your vintage fashion, and enjoy craft beers and cocktails, and an opportunity to join the tastemakers and trendsetters of St. Petersburg. The ride starts at 4 pm, the after-party runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Live music by Junco Royals, photo booth, and free secure bike valet parking by Tampa Bike Valet. Event takes place rain or shine.

Raptor Fest at Boyd Hill The annual Raptor Fest at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve brings raptor fans from across the region together for a day of celebrating birds of prey. This year, Raptor Fest will be Saturday, February 1, from 10 am to 4 pm.

The family fun day shows trained raptors in flight, with presentations and displays featuring live birds of prey, bird walks, activities for children, and more. Parking is limited at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S. in St. Petersburg; additional parking is available at Lakewood High School, 1400 54th Ave. S., with FREE shuttle service to/from the event. More information at www.raptorfest.org or (727) 893-7326.

Ride On Annual St. Pete Tweed Ride Saturday Jan. 18 4 - 8 pm St Petersburg Shuffleboard Club 559 Mirror Lake Drive N. Tickets: $25 members; $30 non-members; kids 16 and younger free (includes food, drinks by donation) www.stpetetweedride.com An annual throwback to the decade the beloved St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club was founded, the Tweed Ride is a one-of-akind fundraising event where participants don their finest tweeds to take tea and scones before cycling around downtown.

The ride finishes back at the club, where party-goers can eat, drink, and party like it’s 1924!

Mahaffey Upcoming The Duke Center for Performing Arts – Mahaffey Theater is starting the new year off with a full schedule of entertainment for all ages. For more information, and to purchase tickets, go to www.themahaffey.com or call (727) 300-2000.

The Doo Wop Project Thursday, January 16 at 7:30pm The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from harmonies on the street to the biggest hits on the radio today. Hear the influence on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and the Four

Seasons and enjoy reimagined, doowopified versions of modern musicians from Michael Jackson to Maroon 5.

The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids January 22 at 7:30pm Belinda Davids has captivated audiences all over the world in The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston. Houston’s musical legacy is brought to life in this critically acclaimed tribute show.

Ira Glass Saturday, January 25 at 8pm Ira Glass has created one of the most listened to radio programs in the United States. This American Life is heard every week by more than 2.2 million listeners across more than 500 public radio stations, with another 2.5 million people downloading each podcast.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!

Tuesday, January 28 at 7:30pm “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Along with “O” the Owl, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday, Mom and Dad Tiger and many more, Daniel Tiger will take live audiences on an interactive musical adventure to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30pm Jeannie Austin brings her wealth of experience to the stage as she pays tribute to her inspiration, Carole King. Joined by a backing band, the show faithfully recreates the glorious sound of King’s concerts.

ABBA Mania Thursday, February 13 at 7:30pm ABBA’s timeless melodies and catchy hooks live on with ABBA Mania. Hear your favorite tracks from the Swedish ‘Supergroup’ the way they were intended; LIVE! For 20 years the show has been selling out venues around the world.

Celtic Woman Sunday, March 1 at 7pm Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, while continuing its remarkable legacy of introducing some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians to the world stage.

A one-of-a-kind live act, Celtic Woman combines the country’s finest musical talents with epic stage production to present a uniquely inspiring live experience.

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STYLISH BURGER

Max Glazer

The Shave Cave, Founder & Owner

BY MARCIA BIGGS One could say Max Glazer has earned the title on his business card – Grooming Guru. As founder and owner of The Shave Cave, Glazer’s casual style belies his serious business side. He opened the original Shave Cave in 2014 in Sundial, where he could offer St. Pete men a personal barber shop experience with expert barbers and his own product line.

He recently moved just a block away, expanding his space and creating his own vintage-style shop which he designed and mostly constructed himself (he has background in construction management and architectural design). Glazer sees The Shave Cave as a place his regular customers can hang out even when they’re not getting a cut or shave, a comfy sort of man cave.

He had been mulling the idea for some time, since moving to St. Pete from New York in 2010. He and his brother sold men’s grooming products online and that’s when the idea formed. He would develop his own line and open a barber shop, developing products according to the likes and dislikes of customers.

“The shop grew out of my own line of products,” he said. “I have always had a love for vintage barbershops. I feel it’s a lost art, they kind of disappeared, so I wanted to bring it back. There was nothing like it in downtown St. Pete.”

Gutting the new shop’s 1200-squarefoot interior, he built one side to be a comfortable lounge with soft leather chairs (OK it’s a waiting room, too) with flatscreen TVs, a coffee station, a few arcade machines, and a soon-toopen speakeasy-style bar where craft beer and wine will be served. Historic photos of St. Pete line the walls. In the front of the shop, rows of brass 1950s post office boxes line the wall.

These are actually membership boxes where Shave Cave club members can

Jasmine

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keep their personal shave accessories, Glazer says.

Five comfortable barber stations are fitted with inviting mustard yellow leather chairs. He is proud of his staff of eight barbers (male and female) all highly skilled in classic and modern techniques. If you visit on the right day, you might even get to scratch Jasmine, Glazer’s laid-back English bulldog.

“We are for the busy guy,” he says (as the phone is steadily ringing). Most of his business is haircuts, he admits, but beards are gaining in popularity and those who wish to look their best will make regular appointments for a trim.

Old-fashioned shaves offer pampering along with style - hot towels and a straight-razor shave. But getting back to those beards, of which Glazer sports. In St. Pete, there are a lot of beards.

“A beard is a guy’s identity,” Glazer says. “It can sculpt and define a face.

But men need to groom their beards, it’s really important.” He shows off his line of products – beard oils and balms and conditioners, shave cream and aftershaves. They come in four scents which he developed: sandalwood lavender, tobacco vanilla, his signature citrus, and unscented.

So is there a favorite St. Pete style for men? “There are so many hairstyles now, but I see the trend here is more old-school styles, like a pompadour or really tight fades,” he says.

What’s his best grooming advice for men? “The most important thing a man living here in St. Pete can do is sun protection,” he says. “Using SPF on the face is very important.”

The Shave Cave is located at 215 1st Street N., St. Petersburg (727) 914-7700 theshavecave.com

SPL HEALTH

SPL HEALTH

Don’t Say Goodbye To Your Hair Hair loss is an unpleasant phenomenon. The good news is that it is often reversible. Certified Trichologist Elvira Wright from the Wright Aesthetics Clinic answers questions on how to prevent hair loss.

What is Trichology?

The word “Trichology” comes from the Greek word “Trikhos” which means ‘hair’. A Trichologist is a hair and a scalp specialist who is able to assess the causes of hair or scalp problems.

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Want your confidence back?

Hair loss is an unpleasant phenomenon. The goo Want to look younger? that it is often reversible. Certified Trichologist El fromedge the Wright Aesthetics Clinic answers questi Want to get your back? prevent hair loss.

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Life is too short to have hair.

The word “Trichology” comes from the Greek wo which means ‘hair’.

A Trichologist a hair and a s Millions of people -ismen specialist who and is able to assess the causes of hair women - struggle problems.

with hair loss. If you

What is the main reason of hair loss?

There are multiple reasons, including genetics, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalance, radical dietary changes, and hairdressing habits, to name a few.

What is the main reason of hair loss? desire a non-surgical, There are multiple reasons, including genetics, a natural regrowth diseases, hormonal imbalance, radical dietary ch strategy that isa safe hairdressing habits, to name few. and

Is it true that hair responds to stress in a person’s life after a few months?

Yes, that’s how the hair growth cycle works. If you notice active fallout, then maybe 3-6 months ago in your life was either severe stress, or head trauma, or some severe illness/ surgery.

Is it true that hair responds stress Aesthetics.

Wetooffer a in a person few months? day restoration Yes, that’s how90 the hairhair growth cycle works. If yo protocol that3-6 was testedago in you active fallout, then maybe months either severe stress, or head trauma, or some sev in 17 clinics around US. surgery.

And what is the worst thing for hair health: sun, sea water, chlorinated water?

Chlorinated water has the worst effect. Chlorine dries and bleaches the hair, making it brittle, but also displaces iodine from the body. Iodine is necessary for normal function of the thyroid gland which also is responsible for hair health.

Chlorinated water has the worst effect. Chlorine bleaches the hair, making it brittle, but also displ protocol includes from the body.Our Iodine is necessary for normal fun thyroid gland which also is responsible two office visits - in the for hair he

Is it possible not to treat, but to prevent hair loss?

A balanced diet, optimal hormonal panels, vitamins and a proper selection of hair care products all play important roles in the prevention of hair loss. Normally we lose 100-150 hairs per day. But if one notices a significant loss and thinning of hair be sure to visit your doctor and check your thyroid gland, the level iron (ferritin), vitamin D and B12 levels.

Elvira Wright is a certified trichologist, pharmacist and member of the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners and Fellowship in AntiAging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine.

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Supporting

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SPL TRAVEL

Westgate River Ranch Resort Teepee camping turns to glamping in Old Florida retreat PHOTO/WESTGATE RIVER RANCH RESORT

BY MARCIA BIGGS Back when I was a kid, the prospect of sleeping bags and campfires and horseback riding along an old dirt trail was exciting. Who cared about the mud between your toes or the mosquito bites back then?

But as I got older, the comforts of a soft mattress and hot showers became more important. Camping faded into my past, like Barbie dolls and games of Twister.

Today, I might not be willing to pitch a tent and roll out a sleeping bag, but there is an alternative universe of camping for people like me. It’s called “glamping.” And it’s here in Florida at Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo, just two hours from Tampa Bay. Nestled amid the rolling ranchland, farms and lakes of Central Florida along the Kissimmee River is the largest resort ranch east of

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the Mississippi. Westgate River Ranch Resort, encompassing nearly 1,700 acres, is hugged by 400,000 acres of protected state and federal conservation habitat.

About an hour south of Orlando, this family vacation destination is part of the Westgate corporate timeshare empire with an assortment of cabins, lodge rooms, vacation homes, an RV park and several campgrounds that feature glamping. For the uninitiated, the word is derived from “glamor camping,” which generally means no sleeping on the ground, no outhouses, and in best case scenarios, air-conditioning, a cook and cleaning service, and your own personal campfire builder.

At Westgate River Ranch, I hit the jackpot at the Luxe Teepee

SPL TRAVEL village. My stress level starting going down as soon as I turned off Highway 60 to be greeted by a herd of longhorn Watusi cattle grazing contentedly across from the registration lodge.

night rodeo. Oh, and you get your own golf cart to zip around the property. And you have your own Teepee Village concierge. Yes, a concierge.

This area, I later learned from property manager and rodeo announcer Ray Duncan, served as a stopping point along the trail for the cracker cowboys during their cattle drives across the state. They would meet each other here at certain times of the year and bring together the small herds of wild cattle that they had caught into one large herd. If you are lucky enough to spend time with Duncan on a visit, you are in for a treat. Born into an old Florida ranching family, Duncan is an encyclopedia of facts, myths and legends on Florida cowboys and the history of the area.

Eden, our amiable concierge, was checking in all day to answer questions, light the nightly campfire and fetch bubble bath (this really happened, thank you, Eden). Every morning, she would deliver a picnic basket filled with fresh pastries and fruit and a carafe of fresh coffee.

I settled into one of 10 Luxe Teepees in a village area set apart from the rest of the bustling resort. My “tent” was a 650-square-foot teepee with a king size bed, complete with a double-sided stone hearth fireplace and a living room complete with leather furniture.

There was a clawfoot bathtub and bidet, and a private patio deck.

Luxe Teepee guests get full access to all resort activities including horseback riding, airboat and swamp buggy rides, archery and skeet shooting, zip-lining and hayrides, and seats at the Saturday

I could have lounged around the teepee village all day sipping coffee and lazing in a hammock, but ranch activities beckoned. For its up-close encounter with Old Florida, I enjoyed the tractor-pulled hayride, complete with a singing cowboy, which travels into the adjoining 7,000-acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

But the Saturday night rodeo made my ranch experience complete.

This city slicker got her first taste of bull-riding and the excitement of a real live rodeo – and loved it. A few line dances later at the River Ranch Saloon and it was time for sweet dreams in my lovely waiting teepee.

If this is camping, I am back in the game!

PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS

IF YOU GO Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch FL The Luxe Teepee is the one of many accommodations available at the resort. Select from lodge rooms to one and two bedroom cabins to “rail cars” to glamping in safari style cabin tents and the teepees. Prices change by the week and season, but generally range from $200 for a lodge room to $500 a night midweek for the teepees ($800 a night in season).

The resort is primarily a family destination, so be prepared. The Luxe Teepees are your best bet for a quiet area. The rodeo takes place every Saturday night year-round and is open to the public.

For more information, go to westgateriverranch.com or call (863) 692-1321.

Top photo, property manager Ray Duncan oversees the ranch and is chock full of history about the cracker cowboys who once roamed the area. Above, horseback riding and the Saturday night rodeo are just a few of the resort activities.

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TRAVEL

Romantic St. Augustine PHOTOS/COURTESY FLORIDAHISTORICCOAST.COM

BY MARCIA BIGGS St. Augustine, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways on a romantic weekend getaway.

An easy 3-hour jaunt from Tampa Bay, I have grown to love the unique charm and history of St. Augustine more with each visit. St. Augustine is all about the history – it recently celebrated 500 years. That’s why it’s worth the splurge to stay at one of more than two dozen historic bed and breakfast inns located in the Historic District.

The esteemed St. Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast is considered the “Nation’s Oldest Inn” built in 1791 as a Spanish residence. With its tropical courtyard, guests are invited to sip a sangria and nosh on social hour appetizers and nightly desserts made fresh daily. Rooms and suites are charming and romantic.

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Our corner room with a fireplace and whirlpool tub offered a private balcony where we could kick back and listen to the soothing clip-clop of the carriages on the street below.

Modern but equally romantic is the Casa de Suenos on Cordova Street, which is close to just about everything.

The Mediterranean-style Casa presents breakfast buffets and social hours in

a bright, airy dining room, perfect for socializing with interesting guests from around the world.

The best part about staying in the Historic District is it allows you to park your car and forget it. St. Augustine is a walker’s delight. For a good introduction, start your visit with an Old Town Trolley Tour.

Then head out and enjoy!

Stroll the brick-lined streets and pop into the many shops and boutiques and art galleries. In St. Augustine’s early days, St. George Street was the main street, and today the thoroughfare is still considered the heart of the city. However, no trip to the Nation’s Oldest City would be complete without time spent traversing some of the roads less traveled. St. George is just one of many enchanting streets that make up the city’s historic downtown district.

TRAVEL mix with jazz clubs, outdoor cafes and European bistros.

St. Augustine harbors a strong cultural scene with a diversity of talented artists.

The First Friday Art Walk has gained “must-do” status for both residents and visitors. What could be more romantic than strolling the city’s historic streets, perusing more than 20 galleries. You’ll find everything from fine art paintings to handmade jewelry, ceramics, glass, photography and sculpture. Galleries are spread out among five distinct districts. Parking is free at the San Sebastian Winery on King Street where you can hop aboard free Artwalk trolleys from 6 to 9 p.m.

One thing that makes St. Augustine so attractive to me is the amazing dining scene. A diverse array of excellent restaurants makes it difficult to select where to go. Highly recommended for a romantic evening is the award-winning Michael’s Tasting Room with its extensive wine selection and innovative dishes in a casually elegant atmosphere. Michael’s Tasting Room has received numerous honors and national recognitions. Wine Spectator awarded the wine list its Award of Excellence for the 10th year in a row.

Chef Michael has also been recognized as Best Chef of St. Augustine by several the city’s publications.

CLASSICALLY ROMANTIC Above: Patio dining at Old City House.

The St. Augustine Music Festival Below: Tapas at Michael’s Tasting Room features two weekends of live classical music performances during the last two weeks in June every year. Worldclass musicians from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra join internationally known guest artists to perform in the acoustically splendid St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica. Concerts are free with donations accepted. This year, the festival is set for June 18-20 and June 25-27 with concerts beginning at 7:30 pm. For more information, go to staugustinemusicfestival.org For information on St. Augustine, contact St. Augustine Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, 29 Old Mission Ave., 800-653-2489 floridashistoriccoast.com Aviles Street

Other recommended restaurants perfect for couples (intimate, not loud) include Old City House, Collage, and Catch 27. All offer fine dining and wines, and a unique “St. Augustine experience.” One of my favorite lunch spots is the Café Alcazar (not open for dinner), located in the lower level of the beautiful Lightner Museum.

Café Alcazar sits in what was once the indoor pool of the Alcazar Hotel built in 1889 by Henry Flagler. Combine a visit to the magnificent art galleries here with lunch at the Café.

There are plenty of great drinking holes in this college town, but in recent years the level of sophistication has kicked up a notch. Martini and craft cocktail bars

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CONVERSATIONS

Bob Carter

The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, President

BY BOB CARTER Editor’s Note: Bob Carter was installed as the 100th President of the Rotary Club of Downtown St. Petersburg in June. The public service club celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2020. We invited him to write this article.

The Rotary Club of Downtown St. Petersburg is celebrating its 100th year of service to our community. The history of the club is a legend in our city dating back to its first president William L. Straub.

Straub frequently suffered from bouts of severe bronchitis. As a young adult he decided to move to a warmer climate, choosing Tampa. But in the early 1900s it didn’t have paved roads, so he moved across the bay to St. Petersburg where there were great beaches, good fishing and a fledgling newspaper where he soon became editor and owner.

Straub and his friend Perry Snell, a developer, began acquiring waterfront property creating parks to enhance the city’s open spaces. He had also heard of a new worldwide service organization called Rotary International. A feasibility study recommended a chapter for St. Petersburg. Our club was sponsored by the Tampa club in 1920. There were 25 members. William L. Straub was our first president.

Among the many notable members of the club over the years was Al Lang, like Bill Straub, he too suffered from

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T. Bullitt McCoun IV Principal • St. Petersburg Native

CONVERSATIONS bronchitis. Eventually he moved to St. Petersburg for the great weather. He became active in the city and became the mayor from 1916-1920. George Gandy was another visionary and charter member of the 1920 Rotary Club.

Tired of taking the long trip through Oldsmar he conceived of an idea to build a bridge linking St. Petersburg and Tampa. Most people thought Gandy was nuts and would certainly fail. One doubter said “Sure, it would be a fine thing, but it will never be built during our lifetime.”

But Gandy persisted.

The Downtown Rotary Club has led the way in community contributions for the last 10 decades and is embarking on a bold new plan to provide nourishment for children whose families are struggling to provide the basic necessities of life for their families. In recognition of our Centennial year, the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg will donate $100,000 to the St. Petersburg Free

Clinic Pack-A-Sack Program.

Since 1970, The St. Petersburg Free Clinic has been changing lives by providing food, shelter and health care to our neighbors in need.

Rotary International shares these concerns, and works globally to do the same. Each Pack-A-Sack contains 12 items to ensure kids have nourishing food to sustain them over the weekend when school is out. Your support as a sponsor will have a lasting impact on the community, especially children, served by the Free Clinic.

Inspired by the leadership of the past, the club will hold a Centennial Gala to help celebrate the history while moving toward the future on January 25 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. We hope to continue this theme of community contributions as a signature event for years to come. Great charities need community support more than ever. Please lend a hand and help children in need.

DID YOU KNOW The St. Petersburg area has numerous Rotary club groups which meet in various locations. While service to others is the club’s mission, meetings offer a great opportunity for business networking and support and socializing. Drop in at any meeting to learn more.

Rotary Club of Downtown St. Petersburg Meets at the St. Pete Yacht Club for lunch at noon Fridays.

Sunset Rotary of St. Petersburg Geared to the young, and young at heart, meets for cocktails and sunset at 6 pm the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

Sunrise Rotary of St. Petersburg Are you an early bird? This group meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:45 am at the St. Pete Yacht Club for breakfast and fellowship.

St. Petersburg West Rotary This morning bunch meets at 7:45 am every Wednesday at the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club.

Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches Business and civic leaders and concerned coastal citizens meet at 11:40 am for a buffet lunch and meeting every Tuesday at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island.

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NEIGHBORHOODS

Historic Roser Park Tucked into a hilly enclave, this downtown neighborhood is a historic gem PHOTO S/KAI WARREN

BY MARCIA BIGGS What just might be St. Pete’s best kept secret is really as old as, well, the hills that are a part of it. In Historic Roser Park, a jumble of historic homes both large and small are set into hillsides and on hilltops. Once the site of Tocobaga Indian mounds now long buried beneath the streets, this 270-acre district just south of downtown St. Petersburg is home to a fiercely loyal community, a mix of creatives and professionals, artists and entrepreneurs, young and old, single and married, straight and gay, yet all linked together by a love of historic charm and old-fashioned neighborliness.

The Historic Roser Park neighborhood lies hidden in the shadow of Bayfront Medical Center’s mass of hospital buildings and parking garages. The steeply descending brick street of Roser Park Drive leads into a surprising landscape of majestic oaks and towering palms, and along the winding Booker Creek which is dotted with benches and blooming bougainvillea. The

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neighborhood is home to a wide variety of architectural styles and types, including Frame Vernacular, Bungalow, Prairie, Foursquare, Craftsman, Mediterranean Revival, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical, and Tudor Revival. But as lots and older homes get sold, more new homes are being built. Like downtown St Petersburg, the Historic Roser Park neighborhood is experiencing a renaissance.

The Roser Park Vision

Roser Park was the vision of wealthy Ohio developer Charles M. Roser. He began work on his idyllic “suburb” in 1911, purchasing a 10-acre citrus grove south of the city and eventually adding more land along Booker Creek. Brick was a rare and expensive material in those days, but Roser insisted upon its abundant use.

The subdivision soon expanded to 80 unique and beautiful homes.

The first residential subdivision to be established outside of the downtown St. Petersburg business district, Roser Park was an

NEIGHBORHOODS early “streetcar suburb” conveniently located along the downtown trolley line.

more younger couples moving in and more young children.”

To this day, the neighborhood Roser created is a veritable living museum of post-Victorian architectural style with close to 150 residences. Thanks to many years of determination and hard work by members of its neighborhood association, Historic Roser Park became the city’s first Local Historic District in 1987. In 1998, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in community planning and development, architecture, and landscape architecture.

The association works closely with the City of St. Petersburg to document and manage the Roser Park “vision” using a Neighborhood Plan.

Like many older urban neighborhoods, Roser Park fell into decline. It was in the early 1970s that people began purchasing the vacated rundown historic homes at rock bottom prices. Ron Motyka was one of them. “History is my passion,” confesses the schoolteacher and resident historian.

He moved into a large stately historic home in need of some TLC and jumped in head first, delving into archives and records, determined to restore not only his home but some the neighborhood’s former glory.

He worked diligently with the city to obtain the historic district designation, and later the national one. With funding from a St. Petersburg neighborhoods grant, he set about establishing an Outdoor Museum.

Downtown Nearby

Deb Camfferman has been with the Historic Roser Park Neighborhood Association since moving here two decades ago. She chaired the volunteer committee that put on the 2018 Tour of Homes on March 31, welcoming some 275 visitors. She loves the neighborhood for its proximity to downtown and the close-knit community. “I can ride my bike to downtown in a matter of minutes,” she says.

It’s the kind of neighborhood where potluck Porch Parties are a regular thing and a missing dog results in an all-out emergency alert. “Everyone here is very friendly, very social. We all watch out for our neighbors,” explains Camfferman, whose coral pink 1926 Mediterranean Revival home perched above Booker Creek is something of a landmark.

Adam Gyson, the current president of the neighborhood association, lives with his wife, Sarah, and young daughter in a 1925 Dutch Colonial home. Coming from a condo lifestyle in downtown, they embraced the idea of living in a historic city neighborhood, with the restaurants and museums of downtown close by. “When we first moved in seven years ago we were one of only a few younger homeowners,” says Gyson. “Now I’m seeing

The display route initially wound along Booker Creek but has since been expanded to most of the other streets in the neighborhood. The 28 plaques, mounted on 3 foot tall wrought-iron poles, describe the history and development of Roser Park, and some show early 20th-century photos of the neighborhood, half of which has disappeared in place of urban development. The district retains many of its original design features, including rusticated block retaining walls, brick streets, original hexagon sidewalk pavers and granite curbstones. Roser Park’s neighborhood association continues to work to restore other original and period features, such as vintage street lighting and signage.

It seems fitting that the grand centenarian oak spreading its arms over Booker Creek is called Charles (named after the founder).

And yes, there actually is a park in Roser Park. The city has preserved 8-acres along the creek where a walking path offers a splendid reprieve and an almost idyllic sense that you are, indeed, walking through history.

To see a 6-minute “Living Local” online video produced by the City of St. Petersburg profiling Historic Roser Park, go to stpete.org/neighborhoods/neighborhood_profiles.php

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DINING OUT Callaloo 642 22nd St. South, St. Petersburg Callaloo 727-256-1806 • www.callaloostpete.com 642 22nd St. South, St. Petersburg 727-256-1806 • www.callaloostpete.com Southern fare with craft cocktails and live music. Traditional comfort food with a taste Southern fare with craft cocktails and live of the islands. music. Traditional comfort food with a taste $$ of the islands. _______________________________ $$ _______________________________ Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca 2362 Central Ave. St. Petersburg Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca 727-440-7764 • www.sophiascucina.com 2362 Central Ave. St. Petersburg 727-440-7764 • www.sophiascucina.com Classic Italian with a modern twist including antipasti dishes, flatbreads and charcuterie Classic boards.Italian with a modern twist including antipasti dishes, flatbreads and charcuterie $$ boards. _______________________________ $$ _______________________________ Hawkers 1235 Central Ave. St. Petersburg Hawkers 727-521-7235 • www.eathawkers.com 1235 Central Ave. St. Petersburg 727-521-7235 • www.eathawkers.com Scratch-Asian street food inspired by traditional family recipes. Small plates, Scratch-Asian street food inspired by noodles and salads. traditional family recipes. Small plates, $$ noodles and salads. $$

Birch & Vine at the Birchwood 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg Birch & Vine at the Birchwood 727-828-9940 • www.thebirchwood.com 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-828-9940 • www.thebirchwood.com Globally inspired dishes featuring a seasonal menu and cocktails. Farm to table fresh fare Globally dishes featuring a seasonal in a casualinspired atmosphere. menu and cocktails. Farm to table fresh fare $$$ in a casual atmosphere. $$$

DINING OUT Dining Key $Dining (UnderKey $15) $$ ($16 - $15) $30) $ (Under $$$ up) $$ ($31 ($16 and - $30) $$$ ($31 and up)

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SPOTLIGHT

Duncan McClellan

MADE IN ST PETE

Artist, teacher, mentor, philanthropist, all describe St. Pete’s visionary glass artist PHOTO/SHERI KENDRICK

BY CINDY STOVALL A prolific artist and community advocate, Duncan McClellan’s three-decade body of work has become synonymous with excellence and beauty, coveted by collectors around the world.

The Duncan McClellan Gallery, operating and ever expanding since 2009, has become the must-see destination of all who come to explore the Warehouse Arts District.

Among the myriad of talented artists and eclectic galleries that call the district home, Duncan McClellan was a driving and pioneering force in its creation and subsequent success. Now, Duncan has turned his attention to mentoring emerging artists, showing children, through art, the importance of all academics, and collaborating with other top tier glass artists to bring our community a perpetual, constantly changing, feast for the eyes.

And it’s all happening right here in St. Petersburg.

“I grew up in Tampa,” McClellan recounts. “But when I started to think about creating a space to support my work and the other ideas I wanted to explore, I found the governance and general atmosphere at that time somewhat uninviting. After meeting Chuck Boux in New York, he told me he was opening a gallery in

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St. Pete. As I spent more time here, I found that I was crossing the bridge up to four times a day!”

“That’s when I knew that St. Pete was where I belonged. I loved the people here, the city layout and the overall vibe. Soon after, at an event for one of the many charities we support, I was speaking with an attendee about how interested I was in moving here. I didn’t realize at the time that it was St. Pete City Councilman Herb Polson. The next day, I received a call from the Mayor’s office, inviting me to a Rays game to talk about the possibility of coming to St. Pete. I have to tell you, it was really impressive.”

McClellan credits artists Mark Aeling and Catherine Woods as being instrumental in helping him find the building that would become Duncan McClellan Gallery. Aeling is the owner of nearby MGA Sculpture Studio at the SoftWater Studio complex, alongside his wife, Carrie Jadus of Carrie Jadus Fine Art & Portraiture. He has been a consistent and longtime leader in the growth of the Warehouse Arts District – a future story to be sure.

Building an Arts Campus The building McClellan purchased was formerly a tomato packing

SPOTLIGHT plant, long abandoned and site of various and sundry “illegal activities.” In the short time since taking possession of the property in 2009, a total transformation has taken place. Visitors enter the expansive 8,000-square-foot campus directly into gallery space that houses not only McClellan’s work, but the art glass of masters of the craft from around the world.

There are several rooms filled with breathtaking pieces that make it difficult not to whisper “WOW”. I say, don’t resist the temptation. The colors, the lighting that plays perfectly off each piece, and the sheer quality of the work appeals to all who come in. How much you know about art, glass making, or design is irrelevant. The appreciation and effect on the senses is universal and lasting.

The studio opens out to a very inviting and comfortable patio space where patrons can lounge, listen to music, take glass etching classes, or just be part of the crowd enjoying the wildly popular Second Saturday ArtWalks. The venue is even available for private events. Sounds amazing, I know, but there’s more!

Beyond the patio is a path that winds through an immense outdoor space lined with art glass, sculpture, Florida flora and fauna, and some of the most beautiful orchids you can find

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PHOTOS/DUNCAN MCCLELLAN GALLERIES

outside of a nursery. During his three days off a month, McClellan is delving into horticulture, another passion, as he works to perfect a means to help orchids literally grow ON trees. I could tell you more, but it’s top secret…

Did I mention that McClellan and his beautiful wife, Irene, live on the premises? “It’s either a gallery, a home, an educational complex, or a three-ring circus. We’re still trying to decide,” he jokes.

Several years after acquiring the original building, McClellan purchased the property next door and, along with right hand man Jacob Stout, designed and built one of the first hotshops in St. Petersburg. The magic happens here as a team of artisans, led by Stout, work in precisely timed tandem to oversee each phase of the glass blowing process. McClellan compares them to a “surgical team working in concert.”

“Timing is critical to glass blowing as any cooling can make it impossible to move to the next phase,” he explains. Interest in the workings of the hotshop grew so much, that McClellan and his team have developed a mobile hotshop that travels to schools and events in our community to demonstrate how art glass is made.

SPOTLIGHT DMG School Project That leads us into the next phase of McClellan’s vision to expand the gallery’s mission well beyond the creating, showing, and selling of art glass. The DMG School Project was conceived and developed to share the art of glass making with school age children as well as to mentor and support emerging glass artists.

The mobile hotshop is deployed to schools in underserved neighborhoods where the students not only learn about glass blowing, but how many other subjects like chemistry and algebra are applied. “They learn that many subjects are relevant, not only to glass blowing or art, but to most realworld endeavors,” he says. “Our only rule is that every student in the school participates.”

Needless to say, the program is wildly popular with up to 400 students attending at any one visit.

The Residency Program is another active concept in the DMG School Project. Emerging artists that are not yet established, or perhaps new graduates, apply and are selected to train with Duncan and his team for over a month. It covers not only the technical process and design of art glass, but other vital elements in the business of art, like marketing, managing, and successfully showing.

They receive this invaluable mentoring tuition free as well as a stipend to cover living expenses during their time here. Upon completion of the program, these protégés are given a show.

“Hopefully, they either make enough revenue to reinvest in themselves moving forward, or leave with a body of work that

helps them break into the field successfully,” explains McClellan.

“It’s one of the most vitally important and, frankly, expensive things that we do here at DMG.” So how are these programs subsidized? “We do not have fundraisers,” McClellan is very clear on this point. “We depend on grants and all revenue from event rentals goes to pay for these programs. We are also very fortunate to have incredibly generous patrons who, upon learning about what we’re doing, want very much to help.”

Duncan epitomizes the spirit of collaboration and a great desire to showcase his contemporaries. “We have grown to become one of the largest glass galleries on the East coast. That is due in large part to our artists.” McClellan, clearly taught to share in his formative years, is thrilled with the advent of more glass art in St. Pete. The Morean’s Chihuly Collection has been a stunning success adding another hotshop in the ‘Burg, and the newly opened Imagine Museum is causing more great glass buzz. “St. Pete is clearly a true destination for glass art and we’re so happy to be a part of it,” he says.

Duncan says that the DMG motto is “More than a gallery.” It’s easy to see why that qualifies as a candidate for understatement of the year. Thank you, Duncan McClellan, for helping to plant the seeds that have made the entire arts community of St. Petersburg bloom.

Cindy Stovall covers the arts in St. Petersburg for St. Pete Life.

Visit The Gallery Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Etching classes are held every third Saturday on the patio from 10 am – 2 pm at a cost of $35. It’s a great opportunity to get your friends together and enjoy the lovely space that is the Duncan McClellan Gallery. For more information, go to dmglass.com or call 855.436.4527. The gallery is located at 2342 Emerson Ave. South, St. Petersburg

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Workshops will be held: January 29 6-8 p.m.

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SPL SCENE Downtown Business Association Holiday Party

2nd Annual St. Pete Chamber Shuffle Night

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SPL SCENE Wine, Women & Shoes The 7th Annual Wine Women & Shoes presented by Nu Image Medical benefitting the Children’s Cancer Center took place on November 7th at Armature Works. This year’s event raised a record breaking $350,285 to make an immediate impact on the lives of the children and families battling childhood cancer!

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