The Gabber: June 23, 2022

Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2766

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Overcoming Doubts: ‘Defund’ the Police?

By Mike Sunnucks

CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

St. Pete CALL members focus on nonviolent incidents involving mental health situations and that frees up rank-and-file officers to handle calls about violent crimes and property offenses.

Megan McGee and Tianna Audet are on the front lines of a new way of policing and how law enforcement agencies respond to behavioral and mental health calls.

They are leading that effort on the streets of St. Petersburg.

McGee is special projects manag-

HOME LOANS FAST/EXPERIENCED/LOCAL LOW OR NO FEES

CALL OR TEXT TODAY! 727-777-6305 DAVE TUCKER

er and Audet is program manager for the Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) initiative for the St. Petersburg Police Department.

CALL has teams of specialists and social workers who respond to some mental and behavioral calls, rather than having police officers

as the primary responders.

McGee said the program is making a difference by allowing police officers to focus on other calls (especially for violent crimes) and for residents in need of assistance.

“I think we are really giving the cit-

Police continued on page 12

DINE-IN

PAY LESS TO SELL YOUR HOME! Only 3-4% Commission!

Jeff Thomsen, Realtor Realean Real Estate

727-222-0099 JeffThomsen.com

•

CARRY-OUT •

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE! FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1992 30 YEARS OF FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD 7490 GULF BLVD • ST PETE BEACH • 727-367-3309 • PJSOYSTERBAR.COM

2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 727-321-6965 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com

Advertising Director Barry Loper

barry@thegabber.com

Creative Director Joey Neill

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MD

Features & Events

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT ON-SITE BLOOD DRAWS • GENERAL SICK VISITS FLU SHOTS • PT/INR • B-12 SHOTS SPORTS PHYSICALS• WELL WOMAN EXAMS GEL JOINT INJECTIONS • PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA) WELLNESS SCREENINGS • ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS WOUND CARE • PHYSICAL THERAPY NON-SURGICAL FRACTURE MANAGEMENT, ETC.

joey@thegabber.com

Abby Baker

abby@thegabber.com

News & Politics Monroe Roark

monroe@thegabber.com

Operations

Patrick Graney

patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

Mike Sunnucks, Crime Amanda Hagood, Books Nano Riley, Environment Jon Kile, Columnist Resie Waechter, Outdoors & Fitness Serving Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenneth City, Tyrone, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park Owners Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.

thegabber.com @gabbernews @gabbernews @gabberlife The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers, advertisers, or employees of the Gabber. The Gabber is not liable for any errors in advertising beyond the cost of the first printing of any advertisement. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced or copied without permission of the publisher.

2

NOW ACCEPTING

And Many Other Insurances!

DRLABRADOR.COM • BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS

LABRADOR PRIMARY CARE CENTER Now TWO convenient locations:

2191 9th Ave N #220, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 | 727-327-9667 6775 Crosswinds Dr N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 | 727-381-8006 BILINGUAL STAFF • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

voices Gay, Openly Republican Mayor Issues Treasure Island’s First Pride Proclamation This article appeared at thegabber. com last week; read it in print p. 6 Did you know most of us do not care what other people’s sexual preferences are. Can you not qualify this mayor some other way? – Joyce Drew, no city given

Is This What We Have Become?

Oh boohoo. Someone vandalized a Tr**p flag. If I had to look at the symbol of a tyrant who “inspired” others to defecate on my Capital, attack and kill police officers, while raising a quarter of a billion dollars in a legal fund lie/ scam, I probably would have been enraged enough to do it myself.

Yes, destroying other people’s property is wrong, but how many would be sympathetic if I put the Nazi flag on my home? The time to support this treasonous dirtbag is long over. Get behind your country, not a felonious thug who abused his position of authority to further his own self-interests.

BTW, you might want to actually pay attention to the J6 televised hearings and see why “your leader” needs to go to jail. –Mark Diorio, St Petersburg

REMEMBER: Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

homes, sidewalks that are impassable, using parking lots as campgrounds, beaches as dog parks, and basically having zero pride in one’s property should be a thing of the past. I’m sorry if this is too blunt, but I’m tired of living in the ghetto part of Gulfport. –Lorelei Cox, Gulfport, via Facebook

Don’t Love Last Week’s Cover After looking at the front page of the latest Gabber (June 16) portraying a protesting man wearing a “Let’s Go Brandon” T-shirt and hat with “FU 46”, and carrying a sign in each hand (one promoting Ron Desantis, and one with hand-scrawled pleas to fire three people), I decided I don’t even care what this man’s arguments are.

Profanity, however disguised, has spoken for him already. –Jan Lawlis, South Pasadena I’ve been here for 22 years and I read The Gabber every week and I’m perfectly happy with an article about Kenneth City but I’m not happy about the cover photo. I’m fine about “DeSantis” and “Save Our Town” but do we have to have a man that says “Let’s Go Brandon” on the cover? Because

Overheard: Complaint-Driven Code Enforcement 1,000% agree. If it’s in the municipal code, it should be enforced.

If the code is outdated, modify it.

It’s clearly evident that code enforcement isn’t meeting expectations of the community. If expectations aren’t met in my line of work, you’re removed and replaced. It’s time to clean up Gulfport. It’s a cute little place. Well, parts are and parts aren’t. The several-year-long blue-tarped

that’s kind of hateful and think [The Gabber} is usually positive in their approach to things. So, I would appreciate a more positive cover. Thank you very much and most of what you do I do like, just not this one. Thank you. –Elizabeth Wood, Gulfport, via voicemail I‘m a Gulfport resident. I’m looking at the cover of your new Gabber and I find it very offensive.

Do you realize the man has a hat on and his shirt that says, “Let’s Go Brandon.” Do you realize what that means? And you’ve got it on the cover of The Gabber? Wow. Big, big mistake. –Anonymous phone call I am a Kenneth City resident. This picture does not represent all citizens of KC. Most of us have respect for our country and would never disrespect it like this. These people are un-American. They are traitors and definitely don’t represent most of us here in Kenneth City. This is a sickening picture!

–Joanne Lee, Kenneth City, via Facebook Why is this your cover photo? – Leslee Janel Cramer, via Facebook

Voices continued on page 11

un dries

• Kitchen & Serveware • Gourmet Foods • Gifts, Cards, Books • Stella’s Gear & Souvenirs 2908-A Beach Boulevard (in the heart of the Village) 727-303-0976

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

3

Friendship is Agele

At 19, John D. (high school football star!) bought his first small plane, which leaked in the rain. He still likes to fly gliders and try new things. You could say he’s drawn to the unusual.

), John (cent Now he’s set aside his golf clubs and plays bocce ball alongside a retired nurse, scientist, artist, and other fun-first athletes — new friends who feel like old buddies.

1956

Explore More Please call 727-202-3474 today for a virtual tour or to plan an in-person private consultation. Learn about our many amenities and supportive expert team. Meet residents who are thriving in a positive environment that brings out the best in everyone.

“It’s easy to make new friends here. Knock on any door and an interesting person will answer.”

John ,

Watermark Resident

To learn more, hover phone camera over the QR Code or visit whatisageless.com/BCB

1255 Pasadena Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33707 INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE Skilled Nursing at The Springs, Operated by Summit Care Inc. FLORIDA ASSISTED LIVING LICENSE #0083

4

22-BCB-8466

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

news Gulfport Creates Watershed Management Plan

ARPA Money Funds Plan – Along With Water & Sewer Repairs

By Monroe Roark

ABBY BAKER

The City of Gulfport’s using coronavirus recovery funds to repair aging infrastructure and create a watershed management plan.

Thanks to COVID-19 recovery funds, Gulfport will get a watershed management plan and also long-overdue repairs to its sewer and water lines.

In the wake of Council review and approval of two major projects at the City Council’s June 7 regular meeting, Gulfport’s now used more than half its coronavirus recovery funds.

The City voted to spend some of the money to create a watershed management plan. Council authorized a $292,345 appropriation for an agreement with Advanced Engineering and Design related to the development of that watershed management plan. Officials said this will provide an assessment of the stormwater system’s capabilities in light of the city’s vulnerability to coastal flooding, and it also supports compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, which deals with point source water pollution (contaminants from specific things), and House Bill 53. HB 35 mandates long-term infrastructure planning for stormwater and wastewater.

A representative of Advanced Engineering and Design gave an overview of the process for developing a WMP. This includes mapping and detailing of the city’s stormwater asset invento-

ry, assessing system performance through various rainfall events, and evaluating stormwater resiliency under certain coastal flooding conditions and sea level rise projections. The proposed schedule from project development to the creation of the final report is slightly more than two years.

In an unrelated agenda item, the council approved a $600,000 investment in water and sewer infrastructure through pipe repair. The vote was to transfer the funds for the project, with officials hoping to have a contract ready for Council approval next month.

Noting that defective pipe joints and broken pipes in the sanitary sewer system allow infiltration that increases overall wastewater flows substantially during rainstorms or heavy rain, officials said an evaluation has been completed that identifies which areas require attention.

This action is for “priority 2” repairs. According to a Gulfport city staff document, “priority 1” repairs have been completed and the identified “priority 2” repairs will cost a total of $3,740,118. This initial $600,000 is to get the work started.

Gulfport has been awarded $6,181,536 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The two appropriations approved by the council June

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

7 bring the total of appropriated funds to $3,691,528.

According to a staff report, the City of Gulfport has spent: $800,000 – Water meters $600,000 – Water and sewer infrastructure $418,506 – Pickle ball/tennis courts at Chase Park $300,000 – Lost revenue and future inflation offset $300,000 – Premium pay for essential employees $300,000 – Utility capital improvements (manholes) $292,345 – Creating a watershed management plan $247,425 – Gulfport Rebound Program $200,000 – Private water line and private lateral replacement assistance program $77,000 – Lift station improvements $60,000 – Public wifi project $38,252 – R3 (individual utility assistance program) $33,000 – Gulfport Gateway Grant (small business utility assistance program) $25,000 – Accounting and consulting With these projects funded, the City has $2,490,008 remaining in available ARPA funds

SAFE INDOOR & OUTDOOR DINING AND BEER GARDEN 3007 BEACH BLVD • GULFPORT (727) 954-4109 • GULFPORT-BREWING.COM

5

Treasure Island Has Pride

The City’s First Openly Gay Mayor Issues First Pride Proclamation

By Abby Baker

CITY OF TREASURE ISLAND

Fourth-generation Treasure Islander and current mayor Tyler Payne is the first openly gay mayor to serve in the city.

Despite Treasure Island having openly gay mayor Tyler Payne on council, the small beach city has never issued an official Pride proclamation.

Until this June, when Payne announced the city’s declaration of

Pride month and hung the rainbow flag outside City Hall, 120 108th Ave., Treasure Island.

Payne was elected in March 2020 for a three year term. He was previously a city commissioner, elected in 2018.

“I’ve come out within the last few years; I started dating my fiance two years ago,” Payne told The Gabber.

“This is all new to me.”

Treasure Island will host no official Pride celebrations in 2022, but considering St. Petersburg is hosting a month-long lineup of LGBTQ+ celebration, Payne urges residents travel off island.

“We encourage our residents to celebrate with St. Pete Pride Fest,” Payne said.

The Treasure Island mayor says he hopes his City will walk in the St. Pete Pride parade next year.

Payne’s family has been in Treasure Island since 1970. He holds the title as the city’s first “out and proud” mayor and is a registered Republican.

“It’s no secret that I was very involved with the Republican party, and we have a long way to go with the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and the hateful conversations that has brought on,” Payne said. “However, there is a lot of progress in conservative circles.”

Payne adds that the mayor’s position is non-partisan.

“So while I’m a registered Republican, I’m not necessarily a “Republican mayor.”

Watch the historic meeting at mytreasureisland.org.

MORE THAN ANTIQUES… HOME DÉCOR • UNIQUE GIFTS • LAMPS QUALITY WALL ART…PRINTS & STAINED GLASS. USABLE VINTAGE…ICE BUCKETS • GLASSWARE

Gulfport Antiques & Collectibles 5812 28 TH Ave. S. • CALL DE ANN

727-224-5126

6

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Talking Trash

Gulfport’s Trash Lady Travels to Canada - With Her Picker

By Abby Baker

DAWN FISHER

“Every place I’ve been needs it badly,” Fisher said.

On June 16, Gulfport resident Dawn Fisher was in St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland. She’d already cleaned three Canadian parking lots by that afternoon.

Is this normal behavior for Fisher?

“Well, we’re not normal,” said Cathy Kaiser, Fisher’s partner for 24 years. “I have to force her to do the touristy things.”

The snowbirds often spend their summers traveling and then hunker down for the winter in Gulfport.

Everywhere they’ve gone (Paris, Alaska, and Spain, among other places), Fisher brings her stick and removes litter.

“I guess I’m a little OCD,” Fisher said. “I’ve been picking up litter forever. In Colorado I’d have my grandson picking up litter on the highway with me. He’s 36 now, and

I still like things clean and neat.”

On this year’s trip, the couple is traveling through Canada and then back down the Pacific Northwest in their 2017 Dodge Durango. They’ve stopped in Airbnbs and hotels, and Kaiser stashed away camping sup-

plies for when things get remote.

With gas prices at an all-time high, Fisher and Kaiser assumed the roads would see less travelers.

They were correct.

When the Durango pulled into Rocky Harbour, a remote Canadian town with a population of 937 in 2021, the couple didn’t go unnoticed.

A Rocky Harbour resident noticed Fisher picking up trash from a ditch, and struck up a conversation. That conversation led Fisher to the town’s city council, where she met local council members and Rocky Harbour town clerk, Debbie Reid.

“Everybody must know Dawn in Gulfport,” Reid said. “What a lovely lady. She does a lot for the community.”

Fisher met a local sixth-grade class from Gros Morne Academy on a beach she was cleaning. The students were also picking up debris, and met Fisher by coincidence.

On June 18, Fisher turned 89 in Canada. She celebrated by attending a group cleanup event at Lake Quidi Vidi in St. John’s.

“I meet all kinds of people and see all kinds of places,” Fisher said, but “Gulfport is the greatest city.

We’ll be back.”

The travelers hope to return in September or October with more stories – and more miles on their Durango.

Leonard Family Insurance Agency Home • Condo • Auto • Flood • Commercial

We shop many companies to guarantee you the best price.

Call Khrista Leonard today!

Khrista@leonardfamilyinsurance.com 6160 Central Ave, Suite 101 • St. Pete, 33707

727-329-8995 • FAX 727-498-8602

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

7

THE STORAGE HOUSE 727-327-9598

TheStorageHouse.com 1219 49th Street South • Gulfport Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8~5 / Sat 8~2

NEED MORE SPACE? We’re The Moving Place!

24-Hour Access • First-Floor Convenience • Climate & Non-Climate Controlled units available

We are a small family owned business and will not increase your rates every 6 months like a corporate facility.

CALL TODAY FOR OUR BEST RATES!

We sell boxes, locks, and moving supplies.

Deals for Dads & Grads!

FATHER’S D AY..

MAKE IT .

SPECIAL

6195 Park Blvd • Pinellas Park

727-547-1402

Free Gift With Purchase

Must present Gabber coupon. Not valid withother offers. Expires 6/30/22

8

$10 Off

A Purchase of $100 or More

Must present Gabber coupon. Not valid withother offers. Expires 6/30/22

Letters From Your Neighbor Is This True?

It has come to my attention that our city is rot with delinquency. Why? What is the structural dilemma behind this problem? Has this been an ongoing issue and for how long? Can it be resolved? What has been the financial loss? Has there been any?

Why has this not been resolved or dealt with? Can it be? Has this administration been ineffective or just unaware? These are some of my questions.

As of 2021, Gulfport Municipal Marina delinquencies total $160,597, of which $146,681 is more than 120 days past due. Code enforcement delinquencies total $235,633, of which $229,576 are more than 120 days past due. Utilities delinquencies are $940, 631, of which $149,004 are more than 120 days past due. Magistrates fees or fines are neither accounted for nor reported, as it felt they cannot be collected. There is no process for unpaid or past due utilities. Grand total of write-offs for marina and utilities are $176,082. Total Marina write-offs are $45,554 between the dates of 20182021. The grand total for the three agings are $1,345,053, of which $527, 271 are more than six months past due.

One example: As of Dec. 21, 2021, one individual owed $17,876.76, with no payments made since 2014. Another individual owes $1,167.20, a company owes $2,503.23, and another company owes $3,761.49. In the case of the last company, the City’s received no payments since 2018.

According to the City records, it wrote off $130,528 between the dates of 2018-2021. Samples of this include a business owing $2,250, a landlord owing $1,720, and another person owing $4,637.

The list goes on: A corporation owes $4,279; a real estate investment firm owes $1,037; one person owes $5,312, and another owes $6,032.

There is no record of any code enforcement write-offs for unpaid code fines. Each balance is supposed to have a lien filed against the property, regardless of the amount.

By doing this, the past due bill will

reportedly be paid, if and when the property sells.

Here are a couple of terms: allowance for bad debt, accounts receivable (AR), certified annual financial report (CAFR), and here’s a seven-step process for accounts receivable: 1. Set up account.

2. Billing, which would include a referral, a final notice and reminder 3. Payment 4. Reconciliation 5. Collections – within the collections process it must be progressive, and there has to be a final action on the past-due balance 6. Total dealings with write-offs 7. Recovery The City has no specific criteria for writeoffs other than the account must receive a final bill. There is no process for unpaid and past due utilities. The City does have some accounts on payment plans, and those balances are put into a separate category, they are not accounted for; the person agrees to a payment plan with the city, or vice versa, and then the City bills them monthly, based upon the plan, so the total balance is not reflected on the aforementioned lists.

I want to criticize the administration for their dereliction of duty to collect delinquent accounts. I would like to see the City answer all the questions from my first paragraph.

Sincerely, Your neighbor, Ian O’Hara

Ian O’Hara writes Letters From Your Neighbor, a regular opinion column about things happening in Gulfport and beyond. Email him at ian@thegabber.com.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Paula Knows Death

St. Petersburg Death Doula Wants To Normalize Dying

By Abby Baker

ABBY BAKER

Paula Adams is a St. Petersburg-based death doula who travels to help people come to terms with death.

For Paula Adams, death isn’t daunting; it’s just... life.

Adams is a certified death doula in St. Petersburg. She helps those about to die – and their loved ones – with the concept of dying.

“I’m the person that allows the families to breathe,” Adams says. “You get to have the last moments with these people, and often, the loved ones who need someone there.”

But she wasn’t always so acquainted with death – until 2010, when Adams visited Estonia, a Baltic country in Northern Europe. She sought out travel opportunities and was hired to complete a mural for one of the coun-

try’s community centers.

In Estonia, many residents are trained as doulas for both birth and death. Through her work, she met many people, men, women, even children, who serve the community. Traditionally, only women were doulas, but that’s not always the case.

“When a child’s cat dies in Estonia, there’s no ‘he’s over the rainbow bridge now’,” Adams says. “There’s a scientific explanation of what happens to a body during dying and death, and they explain that to children.”

Adams was struck by the blatant nature of life in the country. Back in

the United States, she became certified as a death doula and began traveling for her work, both within the country and to nursing homes and hospitals in the county.

Her partner, an ex-musician, became very ill in the last few years. She currently takes care of him.

“The idea of death doulas in America has picked up immensely because our medical system has a huge gap,” Adams says. “The medical system is completely overloaded, and not guiding people to death, but really managing it until it happens.”

She believes no one should die alone, and when she was hired for a live-in doula position in Watertown, Tennessee, she saw that belief through.

The Tennessee couple, Maddy and Meaty, were preparing for Meaty, a retired butcher, to die after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“I provided emotional care for them both, but I continued to stay with Maddy even after her husband died,” Adams said.

Adams hopes to host a series of “Death Talks” in Gulfport, either at SumitrA Espresso Lounge or the Gulfport Senior Center. She hopes that education, openness, and discussion of death will make the issue less taboo and allow for people to get the help they need.

“We need to understand, death isn’t something you’re going to get out of, we all will die,” Adams says. “We celebrate for life, why not plan, and celebrate, death?”

Find Adams at deathdoulapaula. godaddysites.com

30% OFF Your Next Purchase

Call now for your free consultation!

727-821-0976

Showroom by appointment only • 800 Pasadena Ave S

Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Motorization •

©2020 Budget Blinds, LLC. All rights reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

9

Lobbying at Work

Charlie Crist Asks for $1.5 Million for Gulfport Senior Center A major financial boost for Gulfport’s new senior center has been recommended and could come from Washington.

A project list recently submitted by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist to the House Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, requested $1.5 million for the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center. It was one of 15 projects Crist submitted for various initiatives across Pinellas County.

Crist’s office pointed out that the Center would potentially serve more than 90,000 seniors in the South Pinellas community, and that the current Center was constructed in 1983 but has not undergone a significant renovation since then.

“The Center will serve as a gathering place for Pinellas seniors to be socially engaged, physically challenged, and cognitively stimulated; as well serve as a clearinghouse to provide community resources and social services that will help members of the senior community maintain their independence and quality of life,” according to a statement by Crist’s office, posted on his website.

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each representative may request funding for up to 15 projects for FY 2023, although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.

LAURA MULROONEY

By Monroe Roark

Charlie Crist, no stranger to Gulfport, pictured here with Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson during the COVID pandemic.

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Crist has certified that he and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he’s requested.

Crist also requested $2,501,700 to fund enhancements at Eckerd College’s Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory. The funds would be used for the addition of three new marine science faculty, support of faculty/student research, faculty development, the installation of a new fiber optic network to the laboratory, the purchase of new laboratory and marine equipment, and the minor renovation of research laboratory space.

A $1,217,000 request was sub-

K.F.M., KFMM.D. MD • 727-300-0933 info@kfmmd.com KAREN KARENMONROE, MONROE M.D. 401 33rd St N., #F #F • St. Petersburg 33713 karenformarijuana.com “...we will help you through the entire process.”

No fee if you do not qualify.

10

mitted to reconstruct and elevate Treasure Island’s master pump station to enhance its resiliency and improve operations. The pump station is more than 40 years old and its outdated equipment and electrical components, coupled with its low-lying location, make it vulnerable to failure both in the near-term due to severe storm and/or wind events, but also in the longer-term due to its susceptibility to sea level rise, according to officials.

Other funding requests include: • $5 million for curriculum and programs at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum in St. Petersburg • $2.5 million to install solar systems at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority as well as infrastructure to charge its all-electric buses • $901,000 to renovate three community centers in south St. Petersburg • $750,000 to replace existing police dispatch and record management systems used by St. Petersburg and other municipalities • $3.4 million for the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus to monitor and determine the origin of emerging chemical threats to Tampa Bay

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Voices continued from page 3 Why would you post this as the cover photo [on Facebook]? –Ester Venouziou, Gulfport, via Facebook Publisher’s Note: Every week, we change our Facebook cover photo to reflect what’s on the cover of our print paper. In light of the ensuing discussion online, moving forward we will label the photo as the cover photo to avoid the perception that our cover photo reflects the opinion of anyone associated with The Gabber Newspaper.

Kenneth City: A Town in Chaos Wow! Good job getting the story out about the drama in Kenneth City. Hoping cool heads prevail. – Jonathan Micocci, Gulfport Gulfport has its problems in some areas but nothing like this. I don’t know of one employee that has ever left their job with the city because councilmembers purportedly interfered in their jobs. –Margarete Tober, Gulfport, via Facebook Seriously? You are not the Washington Post. Stop pretending you are. –Monique Dee, via Facebook How is no one stepping in to help.

–Maureen Dolan, via Facebook

The time has come to

CRIMINALIZE MALE MASTURBATION

Miami Hotelier Buys Peninsula Inn Looking forward to the new look and change. Hopefully they won’t price themselves out of the market. –Bonnie Bray, Gulfport, via Facebook That speaks volumes, but don’t gentrify Gulfport and destroy it’s beautiful weirdness. –Tom Wassell, via Facebook I don’t know... Miami hotelier... cocktail bar... Not sure that is the direction I want to see Gulfport going, but I am willing to approach it with an open mind. I envision $12 cocktails with names I never heard that only appeal to tourists. I hope I am wrong. –Michael Curri, via Facebook Exciting! –Leslie Gilchrist, via Facebook Looking forward to the new adventure. –Karen Taylor, via Facebook Oh no. Please not Pepto-Bismol pink. Please no cotton candy pink.

Yes. Yellow. –Frankie Culbertson, via Facebook Pink. Um. OK I guess. –Margo Rose, via Facebook Awesomeness! –Olive Davis, via Facebook

Correction In our June 16 issue, The Gabber incorrectly reported St. Pete

Beach Mayor Al Johnson’s Open Office would take place on June 20. The event is on June 27. The mayor meets twice monthly on the Mondays, before commission meetings, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. “I didn’t want anyone to show up and think I stood them up!” the mayor told us. The Gabber apologizes for the error.

The Gabber welcomes and encourages letters and commentary. One letter per person, per month. All letters must be signed with your real name and city, and should be as brief as possible (ideally <250 words). We may edit letters for content, clarity and length. We will not print letters that incite violence, include personal attacks on private citizens, or that are intentionally misleading or inaccurate.

Letters sent to the Gabber for print will also appear online and on the Gabber’s social media pages. Commentary posted to the Gabber’s website and social media pages may also be used in print.

Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@thegabber. com or mail them to 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.

The US fertility rate is only 1.6, far below the 2.1 needed to replace ourselves.

We can no longer afford to waste the potential in American sperm. www.everyspermissacred.org theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

11

CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

Police continued from cover izens what they need,” she said.

The program was born in the summer of 2020, after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer sparked racial justice protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, and civil unrest in some U.S. cities. The rallies and strife also propelled calls for police reforms and finding new ways to respond to calls for service and engage communities and households in need.

The St. Petersburg Police Department issued a request for proposals in October 2020 for the effort and selected Gulf Coast JFCS, a Clearwater-based behavioral health firm. In February 2021, McGee said the city launched an $850,000 pilot project for the idea of having social workers and mental health crisis specialists respond to calls, rather than uniformed officers.

The initial phases had CALL staffers embedded in an SPPD unit that assists homeless people. A significant number of unsheltered and transient persons deal with mental health challenges. St. Petersburg and Pinellas County had more than 7,300 individuals dealing with homelessness in 2020, according to an analysis of population counts by the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County. During the 2019-2020 school year, 4,255

Navigators wear street clothes rather than uniforms and show up in private vehicles rather than squad cars.

public school students dealt with homelessness, according to Pinellas County Public Schools.

Audet said a number of requests for service that CALL receives entail disputes involving students, such as truancy and arguments with parents.

“We get a lot of calls for disorderly juveniles, [such as] ‘My child won’t go to school’. We’re able to go and relieve officers [of those calls] and provide them services.”

In April 2021, the CALL program began operating on a seven-daya-week schedule.

Audet said her group has 13 navigators who work in teams. The CALL effort has 17 total staffers.

The navigators are currently on duty from 8 a.m. to midnight.

“They are boots on the ground, so to speak,” McGee said. The pair would like to see that expanded to more 24/7 coverage.

Last August, the St. Petersburg City Council voted to extend Gulf Coast’s CALL contract through September 2023. The program has an annual budget of $1.27 million.

‘Defund’ the Police? Not Quite, Says St. Pete The effort has had to overcome perceptions from the public and from within law enforcement on whether mental health staffers and social workers should be responding to 911 calls.

“I think initially officers were very hesitant and skeptical of our mission. ‘Someone is going to get hurt.’ That was the big thing,” said Audet, who spearheaded behavioral health efforts with the Largo Police before joining SPPD. “Social workers have been going into

12

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

homes for years.” communities and households with McGee and Audet both said CALL negative views of law enforcemembers focus on nonviolent inment, has received a $50,000 cidents involving mental health grant from the Tampa Bay Lightsituations and that frees up rankning and $20,000 from the Tampa and-file officers to handle calls Bay Rays. about violent crimes and property “We’ve applied for quite a bit of offenses. grant funding,” AuThat dynamic CALL responds to 95% det said. has helped build McGee wants to of the calls without internal confidence expand the scope police officers. in the work. of the program to They also said there have been help the department send officers no injuries or violent incidents into the most pressing public safety volving CALL. And they have seen needs. more referrals from SPPD officers “We want to do more than just for CALL services. mental health.

Non-criminal, On average, the SPPD effort renon-violent incidents that are ofsponds to 208 “live calls” on a ten not police matters such as monthly basis along with 118 folfamily situations,” she said. “It’s low-up calls and between 60 and really unnecessary to have contact 80 referrals from officers. with the criminal justice system on The program has responded to things that involve family dynammore than 5,800 calls and has reics or truancy.” ceived more than 1,000 referrals The SPPD program was launched from officers. as there were calls from some progressives to reduce or divert police Alternatives to 911 Calls funding to community developand Squad Cars ment and mental health efforts.

Audet said navigators can help provide those in need with assistance and referrals for behavioral and mental health and addiction services. Families and individuals are also given contact information so they can avoid having to call 911 in the future “It diverts calls from 911,” McGee said, which can help ease the strain on dispatchers.

CALL responds to 95% of the calls without police officers.

Audet said that can be advantageous in certain situations where communities, families, or individuals may not trust uniformed officers and patrol cars.

“Instead of calling 911, they can call us directly,” said Audet, who said navigators wear street clothes rather than uniforms and show up in private vehicles rather than squad cars.

Navigators do not have arrest powers and can exit a toxic situation and call in officers as needed, Audet said.

The CALL effort, which also helps to build trust between police and

It also comes as cities, across the country, deal with some spikes in violent crime and a surge in overdose deaths related to fentanyl.

Audet said she’s not aware of other police departments where social workers or crisis response teams are responding to calls on their own – and that the St. Petersburg model is drawing attention.

“I don’t know of any other agencies in the country that are doing solo responses,” she said. “A lot of people are just really interested in why we chose this model.”

A Little Good News Let us share your good news!

Photos printed as space allows.

Free – email goodnews@thegabber.com.

New Baby • Engaged • Save The Date Student of the Month • Dean's List Graduation

We are excited to announce that Dr. Austin Mason O.D. has now joined his father Dr. John H. Mason P.A. providing the personalized family eye care you have trusted us with since 1984.

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME CONTACT LENS SPECIALIST • CHILDREN & ADULT VISION CARE • QUALITY FASHION EYEWEAR• TREATMENT OF EYE DISEASE • EMERGENCY CARE & LASIK CONSULTATION • GLAUCOMA & CATARACT TESTING MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED INCLUDING MEDICARE, EYEMED, SUPERIOR, UNITED HEALTH CARE, SPECTERA, VSP, AND BCBS

DR. AUSTIN MASON O.D.

5712 5TH AVE. N. • MEDICAL PLAZA BUILDING

344-0800 • MASONEYECLINIC.COM

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

13

Marissa Makes History

Gulfport Historical Society Appoints First Black Board Member Since its formation in the early ‘80s, the Gulfport Historical Society has yet to appoint a Black member to sit on one of its boards.

That is until last month, when Marissa Stewart-Dix, joined eight other board members of the Gulfport Historical Society. GHS runs the Gulfport History Museum and the soonto-reopen Gulfport Arts Center.

She’s President of the Gulfport Kiwanis Club, creator of Gulfport’s first official Juneteenth celebration, a social worker with Gulfport Elementary, and a West Virginia transplant.

“Being from West Virginia, a mainly white state, I’m pretty sure this is not the first time I’ve been a first; it’s natural for me,” Stewart-Dix said.

“I’m used to being in spaces where I’m the only person who looks like me.”

The GAC [2726 54th St. S.] is across Chase Park from the Gulfport History Museum (5301 28th Ave. S.) and will offer arts classes, programming and events. Stewart-Dix is hoping to steer the center toward programming for Gulfport’s younger generation.

“My default is to look through the lens of the community for children,” Stewart-Dix said.

As a board member Dix looks forward to possibly providing scholarship opportunities from the GAC, summer art camps, and long-term staple programing for kids.

“Gulfport Elementary is a Title 1 school, and I see a lot of families who don’t live in Gulfport, but they

MARISSA STEWART-DIX

By Abby Baker

Marissa Stewart-Dix, pictured here with her husband Derrick, is President of the Gulfport Kiwanis Club, a social worker at Gulfport Elementary, and on the board of the Gulfport Historical Society.

come here to have fun, they have “I thought to myself: I’ll move here their birthday parwhen I retire,” Stew“I’m used to being art-Dix said. ties on the beach… I would hope families in spaces where I’m It wasn’t long after from areas like Childs her visit before she the only person who made a permanent Park will take advanlooks like me.” tage of our programcross-country trip. ing,” she added.

Stewart-Dix has a Stewart-Dix moved to Gulfport in bachelors in psychology from the Uni2017, after visiting GeckoFest. versity of West Virginia and worked in Charleston, West Virginia as a social worker for a 55-plus housing complex. She may be a busy woman with a bundle of titles, but the Gulfport resident makes a point to enjoy her Florida home as much as she can.

“I spend a lot of time on the beach, especially in the summertime,” Stewart-Dix said. “I’m a certified spin instructor and I like to hang out with my dog a ridiculous amount.” Dix sits on GHS’s steering committee to re-open the Arts Center (tentatively this fall). GHS is currently raising funds to prepare for a proper reopening.

PVC FENCE PANELS CLEANED FROM $11 A PANEL

free quote & DEMO (727) 360-7070 14

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Closes, Vegan Food + Susan Mango

Here’s What’s New, Closed, and Changing in South Pinellas

By Abby Baker

ABBY BAKER

Since 2020, Golden Dinosaurs in Gulfport has served food out of take-out containers.

The Vegans are “Here” If you’ve eaten at Gulfport restaurant Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Delicatessen in the last two years, you’ve eaten out of takeout containers whether you sat on their patio or took your food to go.

But on June 6, Golden Dinosaurs resumed serving customers at their tables. The indoor portion of the restaurant is not open (as it was pre-pandemic), but “for here” food can be eaten in the outdoor dining area.

“It was a pandemic solution,” said GDVD staff member Charlie Music.

The restaurant at 2930 Beach Blvd. S. offers a walk-up window and patio area. Since 2020, customers have picked their bagged food up from the walk up window, regardless of if it was to-go or not.

But now, staff will bring diners their food. Although it’s not quite back to a full-service restaurant, it’s

no longer a “take-out only” eatery.

“We stopped in an effort to ... provide customers a more pleasant eating experience,” Music said.

Golden Dinosaurs is completely vegan, and sells play-on-meat substitutes such as their renowned “Chick-Fil-Nay” sandwich.

Gulfport’s First Taste of Susan Mango This Saturday, Beach Boulevard will getting a taste of the islands.

Susan Mango is a clothing boutique in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and as of Saturday June 18, Gulfport.

Susan Connett moved to Florida from the islands this May; she still owns her original shop in St. Croix.

“It’s a very island-style women’s boutique,” Connett said. “Bright colors, breezy dresses, made for the heat.”

Gulfport’s version of Susan Mango [2901 Beach Blvd.] will offer clothing from the Susan Mango clothing line and footwear, as well as Caribbean brands HIHO and West Indies Wear.

It’s her goal to duplicate her Virgin Islands shop in Florida.

The Austin-native spent the last 10 years in the islands. After a decade of island life, she was ready to come back to the states – but still stay by the sea.

“Before this, I was not familiar with Florida,” Connett said. “St. Pete fit a certain sized city that I was looking for.”

As so many seem to do, she happened upon Gulfport by chance.

“I discovered Gulfport just by driving by, after that, I had my heart set on it,” Connett said.

Mon-Sat; 10 a.m.-7p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bye Hitchcock’s Hitchcock’s Green Market in St. Petersburg is closed as of June 19.

The store manager says that Hitchcock’s owners hold an 18 year lease.

“I can’t really say why we’re closing,” he told The Gabber pre-closure.

MEDICARE IS CONFUSING…LET ME HELP! My assistance is 100% complimentary!

Independent Sales Representative Florida License W566896

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Medicare Advantage Plans • Part D Prescription Drug Plans

Lisa Pence

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

727-560-3674

lpence@jrstoner.com • thestonerorganization.com

15

a different kind of doctor A local doctor provides truly compassionate care and proven solutions for chronic pain and complicated conditions.

Do you ever wonder what it is that makes some doctors so incredibly compassionate while others have a bedside manner better suited for the DMV?

In the case of Dr. Rebecca Gibbons, RN, DOM, AP of AAIM Achieve Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine it is a case of true empathy. “I worked in hospitals as an RN for over 15 years and saw how patients suffered from pain and other chronic conditions. Some people were able to find relief with medications, injections or surgeries but many times we would see them come back within days, weeks or months. I saw their lives were not only filled with discomfort but their days were filled with doctors appointments, hospital stays, ER visits, prescription refills and physical therapy. That is no way to live. Not only does it take a toll on the person but it also takes a toll on their family members as well.”

Dr. Gibbons also had a personal experience with pain. “I had suffered from severe back pain and did not feel comfortable taking medications because of the way they made me feel. A friend recommended I see an acupuncturist. After a series of treatments I was able to get relief from the pain. I was able to sleep again and the anxiety that I was feeling had also subsided.”

After her incredible experience with the healing arts she made the life changing decision to become an Acupuncture Physician, “Acupuncture quite literally changed my life and I want to share that with as many people as I can,” she proclaims.

"As an RN, I saw so many people who had been given a disheartening prognosis, prescribed medications and told ‘this is just something your are going to have to learn to live with. But now as an Acupuncture Physician, I am able to integrate both eastern and western medicine to treat those who have chronic pain, neuropathy and other chronic conditions.”

Understanding that Eastern Medicine excels where Western Medicine fails, Dr. Gibbons set forth to develop treatment protocols for all variations of Peripheral Neuropathy (including diabetic and chemotherapy-induced) and back pain and now has an 80% success rate in treating this once difficult to manage condition.

Dr. Rebecca Gibbons has a long history of treating complicated, difficult to understand conditions.

She understands how tragic it can be if left untreated.

Dr. Gibbons and her staff specialize in treating chronic pain, complicated neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases and infertility that may leave other professionals scratching their heads.

For more information about Dr. Gibbons and what she treats, visit WWW.ACHIEVEACUIM.COM Ready to schedule? Call (727) 272-3587 for a consultation today.

701 49th St. N St. Petersburg 16

727-272-3587

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

arts The New Theater on the Block

Ghostlight Young Company to Hold its First Production:“Urinetown”

By Abby Baker

RACHEL FENNELL

Ghostlight Young Company is a new local theater company in St. Petersburg founded by Rachel Fennell. Pictured: A 2018 production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in Massachusetts.

Rachel Fennel grew up roaming the halls of her local theater company in Massachusetts, The Burlington Players.

This year, after a long career in educational and technical theater, Fennel opened her own theater in St. Petersburg: Ghostlight Young Company.

The theater’s first show, “Urinetown,” will cast young adults (rising eighth grade and up) and adults for a September musical.

It’s a punchy, satirical comic-booklike musical number set in a dystopian city so environmentally devastated that private toilets are no longer feasible. In short, rich folks in the local politicians pocket cause the plumbing rates to skyrocket. The play is based on a book by Greg Kotis with music by both Kotis and Mark Hollmann.

“When I was handing out flyers, people were like ‘does this really say “Urinetown,” as in urine?” Fennel said.

“It’s a great allegory for America.”

Auditions will unfold at The Pruitt

Arts Education Center in the Warehouse Arts District. Ghostlight, for the moment, is a traveling company.

They’ll hold rehearsal at multiple venues in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District.

Fennel hopes to host the final production at Gulfport’s Catherine Hickman Theater in September.

Aside from being a budding theater company, Ghostlight is different because of its educational aspect.

“I want to teach kids the basics of theater,” Fennel said. “It’s the three-dimensional parts of it that a lot of people never learn. We’re going to infuse learning into every part of the rehearsal process.”

The theater company will focus on teaching actors the proper way to sing without harming young vocal cords, the history of theater, and the details of show business.

“The ages of characters run from teenagers to adults,” Fennel said.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

“I’ve found in my experience, when you mix teens with adults, there’s so much learning that goes on.”

Stacie Steinke, the musical director for “Urinetown” met Fennel while starring as Mary Ann in the Gulfport Community Players production of “Gilligan’s Island the Musical” at the Catherine Hickman Theater.

Fennel was on the technical team for the play and the two women bonded over of their love for local theater. “’Urinetown’ is a kind of sarcastic tongue-in-cheek look at musicals and all the different tropes that come with them,” Steinke said.

You’ve got your boy-meets-girl moment, duets, a sad solo dissecting big government.

“That’s all I’ll say for now,” Steinke said with a laugh.

“Urinetown” auditions: The Pruitt Arts Education Center, 515 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. June 26-27; 6:30 p.m.

17

What is a Book?

Artists at Florida CraftArt Blur the Lines with Book-Themed Exhibit

By Abby Baker

working on her MFA at the University of Miami.

“A lot of my work was inspired by a tough moment in my life,” Di Staola said.”I used pieces from what I call the cutting room floor… these are materials that I’ve found.”

St. Petersburg artist Shelly Steck Reale has a more political message in her work. Reale’s sculpture, “Banned,” depicts a young Black woman reading “And I Still Rise” by Maya Angelou. It’s a protest to the banning of books, and what that means for people in America.

“When we ban books, what are we really doing?” Reale said.

“We’re removing information.”

Their work will be shown alongside other creators, mainly from Florida, but also Tennessee and Georgia.

“What’s important is that in a digital age, analog books still have a place,” Bartosek said. “I think people will be intrigued and inspired.”

Beyond Words: Celebrating Books as Art Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Through July 20: Mon.– Sat., 10 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.

727-821-7391; “Banned” by Shelly Steck Reale. floridacraftart.org Y STE SHELL

ALE CK RE

In the time of banned books in schools, [Polk County considered banning 16 books from school libraries this year] Florida CraftArt is showcasing the diversity of the book form.

Beyond Words: Celebrating Books as Art is an exhibition at Florida CraftArt (501 Central Ave., St.Petersburg) showing through July 30.

The exhibit features 36 artists and media including paint, fabric, and sculpture.

The artists all worked with the subject of literature in art. Some of the work isn’t your typical “readable” piece of work, but it tells a story all the same.

“This is a way for artists to tell a story; sometimes it’s just the shape of a piece of fabric,” said Beyond Words curator Cindy Bartosek.

Bartosek is a West Palm Beach book artist, but will not exhibit in this Florida CraftArt show.

Clearwater painter and printmaker Christine Di Staola will. Di Staola combined deconstructed physical books (including a 1970 “Campbell’s Soup” cookbook that she used in “Fish Dinner”) with ceramic tiles to create her submitted three pieces.

She’s primarily a painter, but learned the art of working with books while

Spring Cleaning: Accomplished!

Easy, Convenient, Affordable

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022!

RENT-TO-OWN OPTIONS No Credit Check 36 Months The Leader in Aluminum Storage Buildings Since 1953

18

Call us today for an estimate 727.381.3232

5702 GULFPORT BLVD S, SUITE 6

3569 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg wallywatt.com | Lic#C9875

INFINITYMASSAGETHERAPY.COM

(727) 560-3485

LMT MA #93920 & LMT MA #93705

CELEBRATE WITH A REJUVENATING MASSAGE.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTER

PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Kitty Spice Who doesn’t love some spice in their life? No one, that’s who – especially when it’s this 7-monthold tortie kitty, Sriracha. She’s independent, playful, and observant.

She’s also not averse to snuggles, which is never a bad thing.

Sister Hazel Unlike the Gainesville band, you can find this Hazel right here in St. Pete. Calicos aren’t for everyone, but they do have a fan base (much like the band), so if you’re for calicos, Hazel is for you. This striking 8-month-old young lady (almost all callies are girls) already exhibits the typical calico personality. Come meet her – when love takes hold, you’ll be glad you did!

PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTER

pets

Thoroughly Cuddly Millie This sweet, gentle 55-pound catahoula mix has proper leash manners – because she doesn’t want to be too far away from her person. Are you her person? Come meet this sweet girl and find out.

All pets spayed, vaccinated, micro-chipped and dewormed. Pet Pal Animal Shelter, 405 22nd Ave. S., St. Pete. 727-3287738; petpalanimalshelter.com.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

19

the gabs What would you like to see at Gulfport’s Juneteenth next year?

Photos by Abby Baker

Tonya Lewis, St. Petersburg: “I’d like to see it a little bigger, more vendors, and in a cooler place.”

Shawnda Thompson, St. Petersburg: “I think Clymer Park would be a better location.”

Joan Wells, St. Petersburg: “I really believe they stepped up and did something beautiful.”

Malayah Williams, St. Petersburg: “I would like the City to do more promotion, set this event up at the beach and maybe have fireworks and a big, fun, celebration.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS – AND SAVINGS ADD UP Find out about the Competitive Rates and Special Benefits available through our agency for all your insurance needs! Ready to learn more?

Contact our agency now!

Call today for your FREE, no obligation quote.

HOME • FLOOD AUTO • BUSINESS COMMERCIAL

20

727-344-4500 6524 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Submit your events online at thegabber.com

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

crossword

Solution on page 27

Merry Marvelous

gabber on vacation

Solution on page 27

BACH FAMILY

sudoku

The Bach family traveled to Whitefish, Montana for a family wedding then spent a week in Glacier National Park hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the cool weather. They took The Gabber with them so a little bit of Gulfport could go to Montana. (The Gabber needs a sweater for a trip like that!)

Have you taken the Gabber somewhere? We want to see your pictures! Please send a high-resolution photo and a brief description to news@thegabber.com.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

21

GULFPORT

North End Taphouse

2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S. Friday, June 24 James Galione, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 25 Bud Good, 3 p.m.; Noisemakers, 7 pm.

Sunday, June 26 David Massey, 3 p.m.

Bandingo, 8 p.m.

Monday, June 27 Florida Folk Show, 5:30 p.m.

ST. PETE BEACH

Chill Restaurant and Bar 357 Corey Ave. Thursday, June 23 Gale Trippsmith and Ban-Joey, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 24 Motel Funk, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 25 Magic, 6:30 p.m.

TREASURE ISLAND Ka’Tiki Beach Bar and Grille

8803 W. Gulf Blvd.

Thursday, June 23 Doug South Band, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 24 Kamenar, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 25 Shoeless Soul, 1 p.m.; Almost There, 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 26 Big Bang Theory, 1 p.m.; Cornfused, 6 p.m.

MADEIRA BEACH

Lucky Lizard Taphouse

14953 Gulf Blvd.

Thursday, June 23 DJ Bingo of Tampa, 7 p.m.

Monday, June 27 Ladies Eighties Night, 6 p.m.

22

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

things to do

Free

Vegan Options

Dog-Friendly

Virtual

Rainbow Events, Saturday Markets + Beach Potluck

CITY OF ST. PETE

The St. Pete Pride Parade will bring LGBTQ+ fun and spirit to downtown St. Petersburg.

Find links for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events.

Thursday, June 24 Meet Miss Sherry Madeira Beach yoga guru Sherry Duquet is taking a break from the beach to give a story time and book signing centered around her best-selling book, “Violet the Hugging Octopus.” Children (and adults!) can learn how to self soothe and practice the art of self care. The story time event is part of the Library’s “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading program. St. Pete Beach Public Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. 3 p.m. 727363-9238.

Final Friday on the Boardwalk Support local beach businesses at Final Friday on John’s Pass Boardwalk. There’s live music, vendors, and Johns Pass restaurants will serve food and chilled drinks until late. John’s Pass, 190 Boardwalk Place East, Madeira Beach. 6-9 p.m.

727- 290-1463.

Rainbow Rides Golf cart-drivers and bike riders are invited to participate in Gulfport’s Pride Ride Bike and Golf Cart Parade. Deck your vehicle in Pride flourishes and rainbow lights for a 1.8 mile parade though Gulfport, starting at the Gulfport Rec Center.

Wave, shout, and celebrate your way to unsuspecting (or maybe suspecting) people in Gulfport. The route ends at the Gulfport Casino. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 8 p.m. facebook. com/events/712985796572494 All Aboard! Lopez Hall is hosting the Regal Railways Toy Train Show, featuring vendors selling and showing their tiniest toy trains. There will be a running layout wrapping around the tracks for the kids, and Girl Scouts will sell lunch – which they promise will be more than Tagalongs and Samoas. Lopez Hall, 7177 58th St. N., Pinellas Park.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. $5. regalrailways.com Saturday, June 26 Saturday Shopping You’ve shopped at the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, IndieFaire, and every Gulfport market and fest in between, but have you been to Gulfport’s Fourth Saturday Fresh Market? Shop a street of local sellers offering art, clothing, food, and drink in downtown Gulfport. Beach Boulevard South, Gulfport. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. mygulfport.us/events Block Party It’s the last Saturday Gulfport Boulevard Block Party, and

Things To Do continued on page 24

Friday, June 25 Shalom, It’s Pride Congregation B’nai Israel of St.Petersburg invites everyone to its 7th annual Pride Shabbat, a day before the St. Pete Pride Parade. B’nai Israel will host a prayer service attended by guest speaker Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Bet Haverim, Atlanta.

Rabbi Lesser’s temple was founded by LGBTQ Jews. Celebrate the service with a signature cocktail reception. Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th St. N., St. Peter. 6 p.m. 727-381-4901.

CITY OF GULFPORT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Sanitation, Recycling, and Yard Waste Changes for the 4th of July Holiday:

No Garbage or Recycling Pick-up Services on Monday, July 4, 2022 Monday’s pickup will be on ������������Tuesday, July 5, 2022 Tuesday’s pickup will be on ���� Wednesday, July 6, 2022 No Wednesday yard waste pickup this week�

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

23

Things To Do continued from page 23 everyone’s invited. Shop all four bustling locations, Sail Market(ing), The Boulevard Shoppe, Beach House 5317, and Thai Orchids & Leis. Throughout the day, jam to live music while you browse this (mostly) undiscovered collection of indie shops in Gulfport.

5300 block of Gulfport Boulevard South, on the north side. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. visitgulfportflorida.com The Pride Parade You’ve Been Waiting For It’s time for St. Pete to get its parade on. The St. Pete Pride Parade boasts the title of Florida’s largest Pride Parade and includes a downtown street party with thousands of marchers. Electro-pop trio SHAED will host the mainstage as it welcomes mainly LGBTQ+ performers. At nightfall, the City will set off fireworks visible from most spots downtown. Party on – safely. Downtown St. Pete. 4-8 p.m. stpetepride.org A Salty Celebration Looking for a party after St. Pete Pride? The Salty Nun is hosting an afterparty featur-

Saturday

ing live music from The Cheaters.

Wear your best colors and show up for cold beer and live music. The Salty Nun, 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 3-6 p.m. facebook.com/ events/453282199941666 Sunday, June 26 The Dogs of St. Pete need a chance to dress up for Pride, and here it is.

Sustainable fashion designer Tailor Sallee is throwing a Pride carnival-themed Pet Fashion Show. Using Sallee’s upcycled designs, people and pups will walk the runway in their best rainbow smocks and slippers.

At 12 p.m., dog-lovers can browse a Tailor Salle pop-up shop outside Dog Bar. The fashion shows start at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Dog Bar, 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 12-5 p.m. dogbarstpete.com Pour It You don’t have to be a fine artist to enjoy pour painting. Create a colorful, abstract piece of art by pouring paint onto a fresh canvas.

In this Centre-hosted class, learn the techniques of pouring, canvas

prep, and how to use silicone in this art form. The Centre SPB, 7525 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. 2-5 p.m. $60. thecentrespb.com Tuesday, June 28 Line Dancing 101 It’s line dancing time, y’all. Head to the grassy area outside Gulfport’s Scout Hall to partake in a rootin’ tootin’ beginners line dancing class hosted by the Gulfport Senior Center. You don’t have to have dance moves, but you should wear shoes with good soles. Scout Hall, 5315 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. myactivecenter.com/#centers/ USA.FL.Gulfport.Gulfport-Senior-Center/activities/8632 Thursday, June 30 Toastmasters Picnic Everyone is invited to join Gulfport Toastmasters at their annual beach potluck picnic.

There will be food, drink, and the celebration of new officers for the 20222023 year. Gulfport Beach, 5598 Shore Blvd S., Gulfport. 6-8 p.m. facebook.com/GulfportToastmasters

June 25th 2022 11am-3pm

Live Music in our Courtyards with Rob Irie and Jenna Denae!

Free Parking, over 15 local pop-up artists/makers, and good vibes!

Shopping Local has never felt this good. Questions? Call 727-946-6168

24

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

worship Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church

17th St. & 29th Ave N St. Petersburg 345-7777 Friday 7PM

Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation

ShalomAdventure.com JewishHeritage.net Rabbi@JewishHeritage.net

Paradise Lutheran Church

on Treasure Island 10255 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

2728 53rd St. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 (Entrance on 28th Ave.)

Where ALL are welcome at the Lord’s table.

Come and See...

Sunday Mass 9:30am www.goodshepherdocc.net 727-403-7178

Sunday Service

10am with Holy Communion

727-360-5739

paradiseluth102@gmail.com paradiselutheran.com

Unitarian Universalist

St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop AN EPISCOPAL CONGREGATION 330 85th Avenue • St. Pete Beach Reverend Omar Reyes

Sundays 10:00am Holy Eucharist Wednesdays 11:00am Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing “St. Alban's is an inviting faith community striving to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.”

727-360-8406 • www.StAlbanStPeteBeach.org

United Fellowship

5124 Gulfport Ave S. 33707

Hours 10 AM to 2PM Wednesday to Saturday

During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30 Program - 11:00 For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

Affiliated with

St Vincent’s Episcopal Church

5441 9 th Ave N. • St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Sunday Services 10AM Misa en Español: Domingos 12PM

“You need not think alike to love alike.”

- Francis David, 1534

uuunited.org

GULF BEACHES LAW, P. A. Karen S. Keaton, Esquire ESTATE PLANNING

ELDER LAW

PROBATE

CORPORATE

www.Gulf B eachesLaw.com

Special worship rates starting as low as $25/week.

Send an email to: advertising@thegabber.com

Your Trusted Local Attorney!

Karen S. Keaton, Esquire

Estate Planning including Trusts, Wills, Health Care Directives, and Powers of Attorney, Trust & Probate Estate Administration, Elder Law including Medicaid & Special Needs Trusts, Corporate & Business Planning

We are available for phone consultations!

2816 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 • (727) 822-2200

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

25

obituaries

DECAIR FAMILY

26

BARRY FAMILY

Tom DeCair, 77, of St. Pete Beach, died June 12, 2022 following a brief illness. Tom was a retired 14-year part time helper at the St. Pete Beach Public Library. He settled in St. Pete Beach after a career mostly in politics and government, including four years in the West Wing of the Nixon White House, during and after Watergate, and another four years as Special Assistant to Attorney General William French Smith – and the longest-tenured spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice.

A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, he attended Kalamazoo College and Hope College, graduating in January 1972. There he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior and received a plethora of other academic honors, as well as some for graduate fellowships. He declined those offers to accept a position in the White House Press Office, writing press releases and wrangling the press corps, culminating in his being named Assistant Press Secretary to President Gerald Ford. At the Justice Department, Tom was the first non-lawyer accorded the John Marshall Award for Outstanding Service to the Law. He was also cited by Life Magazine for having uttered one of

the truly tasteless political quotes of 1981.

He is survived by daughter Sara DeCair (Chris Sobota) and granddaughter Taylor DeCair Sobota, both of Washington, D.C., who served as his end-of-life caregivers. No services are planned, but contributions may be made in his name to the new St. Pete Beach Library Innovation Fund: spblibrary. com/678/Innovation-Fund

Edmund “Ed” William Barry, Jr., 86 years old, born in Winthrop, Massachusetts at Winthrop Community Hospital on February 3, 1936 (the feast day of St. Blaise) passed away at St. Petersburg General Hospital in St. Petersburg on Saturday evening, June 11, 2022. Ed attended Roxbury Memorial High School for Boys, enrolling in a cooperative printing course in his senior year, landing a printing apprenticeship at Foley Composition Plant, Inc. in September of 1952. He also worked part-time as a compositor for The Boston Globe. Ed Barry honorably served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy at the US Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL from April 1956 to February 1957. After working with children in the US Naval Hospital,

Ed dedicated his professional life to educating children.

In 1959, Edmund earned an associate degree in general education at Boston University Junior College, a BS in history/social studies from Boston University in 1961, an Master of Education in guidance at Salem State College in 1967, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in school administration from Northeastern University in 1971. Starting as a teacher and guidance counselor at Briscoe and Memorial Jr. High School in Beverly, he moved up to assistant principal. Ultimately, Ed landed his dream job as superintendent-director of the North Shore Regional Vocational school district in Middleton, Massachusetts, culminating in the dedication of the Edmund W. Barry, Jr. field in his honor.

Edmund was predeceased by his mother, Eleanor F. Douglass, his father Edmund W. Barry, Sr., mother-in-law Linda J. (DiCicco) Kelly and father-in-law John C. Kelly in addition to a brother, James F. Barry a sister, Marie C. Miner and a nephew, Richard J. Barry, Jr. Ed is also survived by two snoodles, Miley and Mac-adoo.

Tennis was a huge part of his life, and Ed and Joan were passionate about playing together. Ed and Joan retired to Gulfport in 2000 and thrived in the community, attending movies, opera, theater, and the symphony. As a couple, they enjoyed participating in and volunteering for many local groups and charities, including the local senior center. Ed and Joan resided in Gulfport from 1997 until moving to St. Petersburg.

Services will be held in Winthrop, Massachusetts hosted by the Caggiano Funeral Home; please check online for time and dates. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in his name, Edmund W. Barry, Jr., to the hospital: HCA Florida St. Petersburg, 6500 38th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

solution

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR NEXT THURSDAY’S ISSUE IS FRIDAY BY 5 p.m.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

27

CLASSIFIEDS

Accounting

If you have questions about advertising, please email us at advertising@thegabber.com or call 727-321-6965! Deadline: Friday 3 p.m.

Gulfport Computer Repair

HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs. Small jobs welcome. Quality work at reasonable prices. Honest. Reliable. Free estimates. John: 727-410-2201.

CLEAR NUMBERS BOOKKEEPING

Fast Friendly Service

SEMI-RETIRED CARPENTER At discount prices! Free estimates. Frame and finish work. Gulfport and Pinellas Park areas. Call the Door Doctor. Gus: 727-644-6194.

Virtual bookkeeping for small businesses and nonprofits. Monthly packages customized to your needs or one time cleanups. Payroll available. QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor.

10+ years experience.

2321 49th St S

Heating & Air Conditioning

727-388-3493

Mon-Thu 10am-5pm

15 Years in Gulfport 45 Years Experience

HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF ST. PETE BEACH

Serving the greater St. Petersburg area.

Family owned and local business. Providing in-home personal aid companion care, after surgery care, 24-hour care, dementia care, postpartum support, childcare, to name a few. 727-914-7472. hwcg.com/StPete-Beach AHCA #299995153 Cleaning / Housekeeping

Fax, Copy, Print

Electrical

Call/text to 727-248-0714 or email to nspence@clearnumbers.biz

Caregivers

Computer Sales

AC ELECTRIC 727-345-3108

ST PETE DUCT CLEANING & SANITIZING

Kill COVID, mold, & viruses in A/C system or home. Hospital safe, purifies air.

Office: 727-341-1217. Cell: 727-251-5151. www.stpeteductcleaning.com

Over 30 years. Experience. Residential & Commercial. New or Remodel Work, Service Upgrades, Lightning Arrestors, Fans and Lighting Installed. State License #ER0007653.

727-687-7999 CourtesyElectricFL@gmail.com

5030 78th Ave. N. Suite 12, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR LICENSED AND INSURED EC-13008313

MAYNARD ELECTRIC Window Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Soft Washing, and more!

Licensed and Insured

727-698-1213 Abccleanexteriors.com

Computer Service

COMPUTER SERVICES 727-343-2838

In-Home services: Internet security, training, virus & spyware removal, maintenance and repair, data recovery. (PC & Mac) JS COMPUTER REPAIR Mobile computer repair – $40 per visit/hour – 727-643-0697; jscomputerrepair.com

28

• Room Additions • Lightning Protection • Fuses to Breakers • Mobile Homes • Circuits Added • Phone Wiring • Ceiling Fans • Security Lighting & More 24 Hour Service

FREE ESTIMATES

525-0677

Licensed Bonded Insured St. Lic. #EC0002881

SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT! Handy Person CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP Handy helper. Skilled labor, anything around the house from A-Z. Weeding, rock gardens cleaned, mulch, sod, and plants installed.

Small trees planted and removed. Pressure washing. Free estimates. 30 years experience. Start the New Year off right. St. Pete / Gulfport area. James: 407-244-6045.

“Same rates seven days a week”

NO SERVICE CHARGE EVER! CAC1815513

727

709-7979 www.AirPhillips.com

QUALITY AT WORK

Luke Phillips

3914 6th St S St. Petersburg

Home Improvement

LED SOLAR LIGHTING FOR HOME MPROVEMENT

Come see our new solar LED lights that will enhance your yard, garden, pool, and dock!

We have a wide range of lights that do not require wiring. We are located at 3215 Tyrone Blvd N. in St. Petersburg or give us a call at 727-509-7830.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Lawn & Landscape

Painting

TREE SERVICE BY PAYLESS

MASTERS PAINTING * WHEN QUALITY COUNTS

Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding. Also do yard work, mulching, weeding, and yard clean up. Call for estimate: 727-641-9033.

IRRIGATION STAIN REMOVAL

Remove ugly rust-colored irrigation stains from vinyl fencing and most surfaces around your house or business, including signage. Free estimate and demonstration. Call/text 727-360-7070.

Email: ruststainremoval@icloud.com

Trust Masters Painting. Making Happy Customers for 42 yrs. Pressure Cleaning, Waterproofing, Honest, Reliable. 727-344-1674 or 727-510-6804. References, Guaranteed.

Lic.#C4749.

BYRON JOHNSON PAINTING PLUS, INC.

Time to refresh the interior/exterior of your house or business? High quality, professional painting. Free estimates. Lic.#9894.

Insured. 727-365-1088.

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

30 years experience. Painting expert plus wallpaper hanging and removing. Lic. #C9579. Call Arney 727-900-3459.

SEASONS BEST PAINTING & CONTRACTING, LLC Interior/Exterior Painting And Power Washing Services. Over 25 Years of Experience. 727-506-3677. Licensed/Insured. LIC #C-11623 Plumbing

AFFORDABLE PROMPT • RELIABLE Licensed & Insured

Lee Claxton, I.S.A.

PROFLO PLUMBING 727-902-7077

#CFC1430429 State-certified, residential/ commercial service. Senior and military discount. $25 off service with ad. Locally owned and operated.

Certified Arborist

Planting • Trimming Tree & Stump Removal Cabling/Bracing • Pruning/Shaping

727-220-0226 AnAffordableArborist@gmail.com

Miscellaneous Service THE TRASH QUEEN Overwhelmed with the mess? Clean up/clean out, inside and out.

Recycling, organizing, and yard work. Free estimate from Kathy, Trashologist, licensed/ insured, with truck/trailer. Call/text 845-8663867. Responsible, reasonable, and ready!

Moving / Hauling CHARLES JUNK HAULING & DEMOLITION Junk & trash removal. Low, low prices guaranteed. Daily specials. Kitchen, bath, shed, fencing, etc. Demolition. 727-831-0507.

Help Wanted

LADIES FASHION ACCESSORY SHOP LOOKING FOR HELP

Bobbles & Bags in John’s Pass needs part-time help in the evenings, 4-9 p.m.

Great pay, great atmosphere. Call 727430-0276.

WEEKEND GRILL COOK AND SERVERS NEEDED Popular BBQ Morning Market Vendor seeking reliable and experienced grill cook and servers for St. Petersburg Saturday and Sunday Morning Markets.

Pay negotiable. Must have transportation and a valid drivers license. If interested, call Brady at 727-688-6221.

General GULFPORT LIONS CLUB Available for parties, weddings, meetings. Great waterfront location with full facilities. Call Jean for info and dates. 727-366-6341.

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

WE MIGHT HAVE YOUR PHOTO

We found a bunch of physical photos from our Take the Gabber on Vacation feature. We don’t want to trash your photos, so call 727321-6965 and give Patrick your name. He’ll check for your photo and get it back to you.

Card of Thanks

POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, you who solves all problems, who lights all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with you, in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After 3 days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted, without mentioning the favor, only your initials should appear at the bottom. 4AA For Sale

CONTEMPORARY LIVING ROOM SET

In great condition, dark grey contemporary couch & loveseat with embellished chrome accentuated studs. Four cushions and three (coffee/end) tables for $600. Also priced individually. Accepting all reasonable offers. Please text me at 727-421-0599 if interested. Location: St. Pete Beach.

POWER WHEELCHAIR FOR SALE 2019

Quantum 26 Edge Series Power Wheelchair. Barely used, recline, tilt, elevating seat, lip-up footrest. $4500. Contact Gene at 727-545-1996.

Legal Notice FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Caroline Sondermann, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name Sleep Health Coach, located in Pinellas County, Florida, intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State.

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that sole owner, Lynn Dean, is desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name “VELVET ECHOS,” located in Pinellas County, Florida, with the intention to register said name with the Florida Department of State.

LEGAL NOTICE - FICTITIOUS NAME Notice is given that JAMBO VENTURES LLC desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of “WASHBUCKLERS” located in PINELLAS County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations.

29

Real Estate For Sale

Furnished Rentals

I LIVE and SPECIALIZE in Town Shores...

Open House

Place your classified line ads online!

$315,000

Deadline for classified ads is 3 p.m. Friday for the following week’s issue.

2BD/1BA WATERFRONT UPPER UNIT ON SHORE BLVD. Fully furnished. Large balcony with magnificent views. Two parking spaces, cable, utilities included. Laundry on-site. Small non-shedding dog welcome. $2600/month. Available: 8/1/22 1/3/23. 60 day minimum. Contact JenM@ hjmholdings.com; Text 619-458-0022.

6/25 • 11AM-2PM • GROTON #304 FANTASTIC MARINA & WATER VIEW! UPDATED 2BR/1BA - TONS OF STORAGE

1BD/1BA WATERFRONT LOWER UNIT ON SHORE BLVD. Cozy, fully furnished. Private patio with water view. 1 parking space, cable, utilities included. Laundry. Small non-shedding dog welcome. $2100/month.

Available: 9/15/22- 1/3/23. 60 day minimum. Contact JenM@hjmholdings.com; Text 619-458-0022.

$399,900

2BD/2BA HOUSE WITH SMALL OFFICE Two parking spaces. Hardwood/tile floors, W/D, nice patio. Quiet neighborhood, 2 blocks to Art District, 5 blocks to beach, near Stetson Law. Good for small family or roommates. Unfurnished. $3300/month.

Contact JenM@hjmholdings.com; Text 619458-0022.

Room For Rent ROOM FOR RENT Private entrance, private bath, quiet neighborhood. Half a block to bus line. Walk to beach and downtown Gulfport. Furnished or unfurnished. $1200/ month includes water, cable, & electricity.

Sorry, no fur babies. Contact donnainfl@ gmail.com with questions.

Real Estate For Rent ANNUAL RENTAL AT TOWN SHORES Unfurnished, one bedroom, first floor condo in 55+ community. Small dog acceptable. $1600/month. Call Kathy: 727-343-7949.

Real Estate For Sale CONDO 890SQFT FSBO GULFPORT SHORES 2900 45th St. S. #11. Refurbished throughout. Breathtaking views on Boca Ciega Bay, see Zillow ad for pictures/specifics. Navigate to FSBO. Built 1962. Pay closing/2022 taxes. Open House Sat./Sun., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointments: 727-322-2650.

6/26 11AM-2PM DIPLOMAT #805 SPECTACULAR OPEN WATER VIEW! RARE 2BR/2BA SPLIT FLOOR PLAN MOTIVATED SELLER!

theGabber.com

Coffee is for Closers!

Motivated, local salesperson wanted.

Real Estate Wanted

SLR MOBILE HOME RESALES

We specialize in sales in Mobile Homes on Lease Land (Mobile Home Parks). Thinking of selling? Exposure is everything - our experience and marketing tools will sell your home. Will list your mobile home today. Call Thomas Morrow 727-859-6500.

Submit your events online at thegabber.com 30

Send a resume and letter of interest to barry@thegabber.com theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Real Estate Snapshots

Other Gulfport Home Sales Last Week

Here’s What Sold in Gulfport Last Week

4806 Coronado Way S. (Marina) This 1946 home has 1,170 square feet, two bedrooms, and two baths. It listed for $625,000 and sold for $690,000.

2829 57th. S. (Waterfront District) This 1,507-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1973, listed for $649,900 and sold for $670,000.

ABBY BAKER

6120 9th Ave. S. (Stetson) This 1,628-square-foot home, built in 1950, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It listed for $514,000 and sold for $500,000.

2902 53rd St. S. (Waterfront District) This 941-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1951, listed and sold for $475,000.

4817 Trade Winds Dr. S. (Marina) This 1,532-square-foot, two-bedroom, twobath home, built in 1955, listed for $725,000 and sold for $770,000.

CUTE CUTE CUTE

2709 48th St. S. (Marina) This 1950 home has 1,170 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths. It listed for $450,000 and sold for $449,000.

5121 15th Ave. S. (Tangerine) This 1961 home has 990 square feet, two bedrooms, and one bath. It listed for $365,000 and sold for $370,000.

Just Listed

STILL AVAILABLE

YOU WON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES

OPEN WATERVIEW

2619 56th St. S.

3-2-2 Art District

4716 29th Ave. S.

3-2-Carport Marina District 1407 York St S. 3-2 C-Block • Corner Lot UPDATED

$399,000

6020 Shore Blvd. S. #904 2-2 Open Floor Plan High End Updates

$425,000

4612 Yarmouth Ave. S. 2-1 C-Block Home Over the Top Renovation Screen Porch & Lagoon

$425,000 COMING SOON Art District 2-1-1 Corner Lot $399,000

5419 Delette Ave. S.

3-2-2 Detached Art District

SOLD THIS WEEK: 2902 53rd St S • 3031 Beach Blvd.

2902 Beach Blvd S.

www.GulfportRealty.com

(727) 289-5500

#1 Listing Agency in Gulfport! theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

31

32

theGabber.com | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022