11 minute read
People Helping People
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Habitat for Humanity’s Havana Nights
On Friday, April 23, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties hosted a tropical-themed evening at Paul’s Landing, the acclaimed indoor/outdoor restaurant at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort. The “Havana Nights” party sponsored by Crown Automotive featured live music, Cuban-inspired cuisine, a mojito bar and hand-rolled cigars. Homeowners Michelle Baur and Allison Feeley-Roache gave testimonials, and longtime Habitat volunteers Dan and Carolyn Stowers were presented with the Silver Nail Legacy Award in recognition of their many years of service. During the live auction, Steve & Nancy Westphal (owners of 400 Beach, Parkshore Grille, The Hangar) kicked off the “Bids from the Heart” with a $50,000 challenge donation. In all, thanks to supporters and sponsors, the event raised over $430,000 to support affordable homeownership opportunities for deserving families. All photos by Barry Lively.
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1 - (Left) An aerial view of the Havana Nights event at Paul’s Landing, overlooking the Vinoy Marina. 2 - (Left) The festive entry to the party. 3 - Nancy and Steve Westphal, who kicked off the night with a $50,000 challenge donation. 4 - Dan and Carolyn Stowers, center, receive the Silver Nail Legacy Award from Board Chair Alfredo Anthony (left) and Mike Sutton, President & CEO of Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco. 5 - Auctioneer Joe Girvan of Alpert Enterprises. 6 - Crown Automotive sponsored the event.
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Creative Clay’s First Friday Art Market
The First Friday Art Market at Creative Clay (1846 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg) is a bright, colorful and friendly event that allows CC artists to sell their wares. In partnership with live musicians and food truck vendors, the market is run by student artists in the Transition program, a partnership with Pinellas County Schools to provide vocational arts training for 18–22 year olds with learning, developmental and/or emotional disabilities. The market also gives the public a chance to take a peek into the daily activities of Creative Clay, where individuals of all ages and abilities are mentored, taught and empowered to become working artists who actively create, market and sell their work.
Corey, long-time artist, has taken his love of video games off the digital screen and brought them to the studio in many forms. He says, “It feels great to sell my work!” He is inspired by music he loves: hip-hop, heavy metal and funk. Jonah is a paid intern at Creative Clay. As an artist he loves using rulers, hole punches and sharpies to create geometric designs. As a supporter of the students, his advice is simple and heartfelt: “Try your best.” Good advice.
Abstract Art for Autism
Abstract Art for Autism and Other Special Abilities is more than Special! Caroline Duvoe created this program for Neuro-diverse (Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic), as well as medically, developmentally and physically challenged children and adults to provide artists with diverse abilities an opportunity to create. Free workshops in various forms of art creation, including Abstract Expressionist painting, allow the students to produce art, socialize with friends, learn art history and manage art shows. Restaurants, shops and medical offices in the Gulfport community proudly display the work of these talented artists, and paintings are also on display and available for purchase at the Gulfport Art Center at 2726 54th St. S. in Gulfport. Check abstractartforautism.org for news about upcoming art openings.
Jackson, a painter and wood sculptor, has a passion for orcas and with Caroline’s support has begun painting more whales. David prefers drawing in pencil. He has an eye for famous musicians and loves detail. Dahlia loves to paint with bright colors and is proud to sell work and participate in shows.
First Ladies in African American History
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On May 1, the Dr. G. Carter Woodson African American Museum in St. Petersburg hosted its annual First Ladies in African American History luncheon at the St. Pete/Clearwater Marriott. The event, which honors Black women who are the first in their fields, this year recognized Michèle Alexandre, dean of the Stetson University College of Law; LaTasha Barnes, CFO of Bayfront Health St. Petersburg; St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Deborah FiggsSanders; Kimberly Jackson, executive director of the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions; FL State Rep. Michele Rayner; and Lakewood High School Principal Erin Savage. The Winnie Foster Lifetime Achievement Award, presented annually to a non-Black ally, was given to Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida. Dr. Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College, and Dr. Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the museum, presided over the ceremonies, and St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin (like Williams a former First Lady) read a proclamation. Also on the program: a presentation of scholarships to the Woodson Warrior Scholars. Artist Jane Bunker has raised over $200,000 for the scholarships through sales of her paintings and outreach to donors, helping talented African American students in Pinellas County pay for college. All photos by Nicole White.
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1 - First Ladies past, present and future. 2 - Jane Bunker and 16 of the 30 Woodson Warrior scholars. 3 - Kimberly Jackson, Dr. Terri Lipsey Scott and LaTasha Barnes. 4 - Woodson Warrior and first-rate sax man Jordan Bolds. 5 - Actress Erica Sutherlin performed.
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Skip Cline Fishing Tournament for Morton Plant Mease
Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation’s Skip Cline Society hosted its 11th Annual Seawall Rodeo & Inshore Fishing Tournament at Carlouel Yacht Club Friday and Saturday, April 23-24, supporting pediatric programs at the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. The weekend’s events included a cocktail party and captains’ meeting for the anglers on Friday evening with live music and a silent auction. Saturday’s family-friendly festivities included a seawall rodeo on the docks and lunch at Carlouel while the Inshore Tournament took place on the water. Kids were treated to a day of activities, fishing and a surprise guest appearance from Phinley, the Clearwater Threshers mascot. The Inshore Tournament participants took home prizes for the top catches of snook, redfish and trout, with the overall Slam winner totaling out a catch of 90.75 inches. Thanks to the continued generosity of sponsors and the community, Skip Cline Society has granted more than $350,000 since 2009.
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1 - Sittin’ on the dock of the bay during the Seawall Rodeo. 2 - An Inshore Tournament participant shows off a catch. 3 - Little fisherman Carter Juhl gets a hand from his mom, Christin. 4 - Gathering ’round at the Friday night Captains’ Party. 5 - Guests at the Captains’ Party included (l to r) Billy Henry, Charlie Hart, Tessa Goss, Merideth Henry and Peter Dimmitt. 6 - Captain’s Party guests Kelsey and Nichole King, Mike Sovie and Allison Penney.
A New Home for the Children’s Dream Fund
After 12 years as guests of the owners of a high-rise office building in downtown St Petersburg, the wish-granters at the Children’s Dream Fund got to fulfill a wish of their own: a new home. On April 27, a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the organization’s move to a house at 1600 23rd Ave. N. near St. Pete’s Woodlawn neighborhood. A dream recipient and the day’s Dream Ambassador, Ryder Karppe, helped Mayor Rick Kriseman cut the ribbon, along with Dream Fund Executive Director Cynthia Lake Farrell, Board Chair David Allen, District 3 City Council Chair Ed Montanari, and President and CEO of the St. Pete Area Chamber of Commerce, Chris Steinocher. Farrell praised new landlord Rhett Stevens of Stevens & Stevens Business Records Management for going to “great lengths to provide a special home” for the Dream Fund, which has been making dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses living on the West Coast of Florida since 1981.
Mayor Kriseman and St. Petersburg City Council Chair Ed Montari with Ryan and his brother, Caden.
Ryder Karppe cuts the ribbon with Cynthia Lake Farrell, as (L to R) Chris Steinocher, Mayor Rick Kriseman and David Allen look on. Ryder Karppe, equipped with the important ribboncutting scissors.
The Valspar “Back to Bright” Mural
As part of its “Back to Bright” campaign using the power of color and art to promote a brighter future, Valspar sponsored a mural by Tampa Bay artist Zulu Painter for a large wall at the North Greenwood Recreation Center in Clearwater. The mural was revealed and dedicated on Friday, April 23, prior to the Valspar Championship tournament at Innisbrook.
Gifts of Play
The generosity of donors has yielded spaces for recreation and community in Belleair Bluffs.
David Berolzheimer, whose posthumous gift to the City of Belleair Bluffs will help complete a park area he often visited.
Back in the mid-’70s Pat Arbutine, co-owner of longtime Belleair Bluffs business Belleair Coins and Silver Queen, realized that residents needed something that was missing: a place for recreation. In 1977, Arbutine wrote a letter to the Belleair Bee pointing out the lack of recreational opportunities in the city. As a result, a group of determined citizens, business owners and professional associations came together as Community Center Inc. The group raised over $135,000, and by the mid1980s the city was able to acquire land on Sunset Boulevard as a site for a park and a community center. By 1993, however, it was determined that the project could proceed no further. A delay was declared, and the funds were set aside. Then in 1996 the project was jumpstarted again when resident Dorothy Howard left the city $200,000 to go toward building the community center. On November 3, 2001, Mayor Chris Arbutine, Pat Arbutine’s son, cut the ribbon for the new center. This purchase allowed for a playground to be installed using a $50,000 Florida Recreation Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant for improvements and replacements to the playground next to City Hall. Now, thanks to a very generous donation from the late David Berolzheimer, the updated park and playground area can be completed. Mr. Berolzheimer owned the Bluffs Plaza at 100 Indian Rocks for many years and was a frequent visitor to city hall and the park.
City Administrator Debra Sullivan announced the $100,000 donation at the November 9, 2020 City Commission meeting. The money is to be used for playground and park improvements. The City was able to obtain another FRDAP grant in 2020 in the amount of $50,000. Added to the generous donation from Mr. Berolzheimer, that brings the total amount allocated to the park to $150,000. Berolzheimer’s donation was given in his name by his longtime companion Bonnie Starr. Sullivan said the gift, added to the grant money, would pay for “a total renovation of our outside area. I mentioned the possibility of an adult exercise and a gazebo at that time in addition to completely replacing the outdated children’s play area.” Starr, who presented the $100,000 gift at the Commission meeting, described herself as “the messenger” for the gift, and said that she and Sullivan had discussed what to spend the money on. “I told her, it could be anything you might need, would like to have and don’t have. I want to help you in that journey of creating something special for the community to enjoy,” Starr said. “We can do something really beautiful if we add these funds to the grant money.” The gift is “totally in your hands. Do whatever you like. It’s unrestricted.” The area is now in the planning stages and proposed new site plan and equipment will be presented to the City Commission in the next few months. A portion of this story was excerpted from the book Belleair Bluffs from the Beginning, by Wayne Ayers with Vice Mayor Taylour Shimkus and Debra Sullivan.
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