SPORTS & REC

Pickleball might be having a moment but don’t forget about tennis. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a huge increase in tennis participation nationwide, and even with a return to normalcy, the surge has continued. According to the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), 23.6 million Americans played tennis in 2022, up from 17.7 million in 2020, an increase of 33 percent.

There are so many outdoor public places to play in our county such as Roselli Park, Azalea, Walter Fuller, North Shore, Northwest, Childs Park, and other sports complexes. stpeteparksrec.org/athleticscourts

You don’t need to be a member of a tennis club to benefit from lessons from a professional instructor. For example, Sunshine City Tennis is a new coaching business founded by local Brian Hartz A former journalist who’s played competitive tennis most of his life, Hartz obtained his associate instructor certification in 2019 from Professional Tennis Registry, one of the sport’s major credentialing organizations. Hartz rents a public tennis court at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center in St. Pete.

Hartz also helps David Archer, director of tennis at Shipwatch Yacht and Tennis Club, develop a new kids’ tennis program there. The program is open to the public; sessions are available for ages 3 to high school students. The Sprouts (3- and 4-year-olds) program meets from 4-4:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays while the Orange Ball (ages 5, 6 and 7) group meets from 4:30-5:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Green Ball (ages 8-12) group meets from 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Archer also offers a high school prep program for older kids. Those sessions take place from 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Historic Sunken

GARDENS is the perfect spot to capture beautiful photos of The Florida Orchestra musicians. In June, The Florida Orchestra has named Ignacio Barrón Viela as its new president and CEO. Tickets are on sale now for the 2023-24 season. floridaorchestra.org

Featured in these photos are Music Director Michael Francis, Assistant Principal Second Violin Natalie Yu, Associate Principal Viola Chi Lee, Associate Principal Bass Paul Nemeth, Associate Principal Trombone Ross Holcombe, and Principal Second Violin Sarah Shellman.

By Andi Tafelski

By Brian Hartz

Archer was the director of junior development at Countryside Country Club in Clearwater from 2013 to 2015 and has also worked at tennis clubs in California, Texas, and Utah. His teaching methodology inspired him to write the book, “8 Weeks to a Lifetime of Tennis,” available on Amazon. FYI: davidslcman@gmail.com or 530-864-4255.

For a private lesson, hitting session, or group clinic with Hartz, brian@sunshinecitytennis.com or 727-481-6375.

FYI: sunshinecitytennis.com

Mon.-Sun. 10am-5pm; Tues. 10-8pm

150 Central Ave., downtown St. Petersburg 727-892-4200 info@thejamesmuseum.org thejamesmuseum.org

When the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art opened in April 2018, it became one of the most accoladed additions to St. Pete’s thriving arts community. Celebrating five years is a major milestone, with more to come. To date, 200,000+ visitors have enjoyed this world-class museum.

The James Museum provides experiences that inspire human connection and transformation through art depicting the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world. Currently on special exhibit is Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art, sure to be a family favorite.

From extraordinary sculptures that seem poised to buck and ride to blockbuster artist exhibits (Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, Clyde Butcher, Edward S. Curtis), The James Museum’s collections are robust. More than 400 premiere works of art including sculpture, paintings and jewelry are on display in the museum’s 26,000 square feet of gallery space with a strong emphasis on recent works by living Native American artists from the Southwest. The collection includes early 20th century works by Western art pioneers who have influenced more recent generations of artists. Additionally, visitors will find a gallery featuring depictions of wildlife from around the world. Interpretations by Native American, Euro-American, Chinese American, and other artists bring a variety of perspectives and visual storytelling to the galleries.

Just this year, new Executive Director Robin Nicholson picked up the reigns from Executive Director Laura Hine to create the next chapter, assisted by curator Emily Kapes, Education Director Julie Matus, Development Director Debbie Sokolov, Marketing Director Stephanie Adamo, and PR Director Ryan Kasley.

Nicholson attributes their success to the visitors, members, donors and community partners. “We could not have made it without them. These five years have offered a platform for the future. My goal is to position the museum for long term growth and sustainability: build our resources (financial and human); expand our collections and our unique role in interpreting the complex narratives of the West in the American imagination; and act as a laboratory for experimentation as museums across the country ask the fundamental question ‘what is a museum for?’”

HISTORY The museum officially opened to the public on April 28, 2018, and kicked off its first special exhibition, Society of Animal Artists: Art and the Animal, that July. In September 2019, long time Executive Director, Laura Hine, who stepped down in May, took the helm and implemented a growth strategy that brought the museum to new heights. Despite getting off to a strong start, in March of 2020 the museum closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pivoted to reaching would-be visitors at home with a new digital-first approach. When they reopened later that summer, staff redoubled their efforts to draw people back in with a full slate of youth and family activities and robust programming.

BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBITS A key to the growth strategy was the inclusion of blockbuster special exhibitions with big-name recognition. In October 2021, The James opened with art superstar Andy Warhol’s lesser-known works chronicling his fascination with the American West. The show supplied a heavy dose of Americana-tinged nostalgia that drew huge crowds to see Warhol’s signature pop-art motifs. Following the Warhol show, The James created a special dual exhibition, Ansel Adams: The Masterworks and Clyde Butcher: America the Beautiful, which paired the two landscape photography legends next to each other in a side-by-side exhibition. Butcher’s strong following in Florida helped set an attendance record for a special exhibition.

Museum Events

Films, classes, concerts, and live bands. Check the website for details/prices/registration. Some events members-only or adult only. thejamesmuseum.org/events

8/4 @ 10:30am James Playdate: Wildlife Adventure

8/10 @ 11am Coffee with the Curator

8/12 @ 10:30am Family Day: Art That Pops

8/15 @ 5:30pm Wine & Design: Colorful Pet Portraits

8/17 @ 11am Book Tale: Cat Club by Craig Pittman

8/19 @ 11am-3pm Menagerie at the Museum: Animals • Art • Adventure: This family-friendly indoor event features real owls, hawks, kestrels, eagles, snakes, alligators, lemurs, skunks, miniature horses and more from Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Friends of Boyd Hill, Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, SPCA Tampa Bay and SPPD Mounted Unit.

8/22 @ 5:30-7:30pm Live Music: Hot Tonic

UPCOMING EXHIBITS

The James is organizing a groundbreaking special exhibition called From Far East To West: The Chinese American Frontier which tells the stories of Chinese immigrants who crossed the Pacific to California in the mid 1880’s through paintings and artifacts. Contemporary Chinese American artists will present historical interpretations that speak to culture, identity, and resilience 10/13- 1/28/2024. The James will welcome Survival of the Fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with The Big Four, featuring masterworks from the Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the National Museum of Wildlife Art 2/17-5/26/2024.

Every Tuesday, the museum is open late until 8pm and admission is only $10. One Tuesday a month guests can enjoy live music.

8/26 @ 2pm Author Talk: Jack E. Davis, Ph.D., Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird.”

EDUCATION & EVENTS

The museum engages the community through programs and educational opportunities, for all ages, that bring their history to life and amplify voices that are not often at the forefront of mainstream Western art. You can even book a private tour with a docent. Sign up for an event and plan to spend the day. Enjoy a coffee and light snack in The Canyon Café and browse the eclectic gift shop for jewelry, books, art, apparel, and Western items. Hosting film, music, author talks, book clubs, drawing and youth programs, it’s a community playground that educates and illuminates the expansiveness of Western arts and culture. Hours are extended till 8pm for the popular $10 Tuesday with live entertainment once a month. The James even has a 129-seat auditorium where you can watch a film or hear an author talk.

The James Museum will debut Art in Mind, a special program developed with USF, for people with dementia-related diseases like Alzheimer’s later this year. It’s part of The Arts Coast’s growing trend of using art for therapy and healing, as we see museums hosting pet therapy and yoga as well as parties and fundraisers in their gorgeous event spaces.

JOIN THE JAMES Become a member, support their fun fundraisers, or make a donation which gives back to the community projects. For example, The Art for All fund provides free educational opportunities for adults and children receiving food assistance, including providing bus transportation for Tier 1 schools to visit the museum.

9/9 @ 10:30 Family Day ages 3-10; reservations required. Story time, kid-friendly tour and artmaking workshop.

9/19 @ 4pm Live Music Passarine

9/19 @ 4pm Just for Teachers, free with school ID. Come for an evening of perks including free admission, light refreshments, a cash bar, giveaways, and live music by Passarine. Meet Museum educators and docents and explore our K-12 school tour options.

By Nanette Wiser

GROOVY GUESTHOUSES Mello on the Beach is a mod new beachfront Gulf retreat on Anna Maria Island on Manatee Beach with elevent one-, two- and three-bedroom vacation rental units, each vibrantly decorated to reflect the colors of the sun, sea, and sunset. With a fun and funky retro vibe, the pet-friendly units offer a fully equipped kitchenette, a terrazzo dining table that doubles as storage, movable ottomans, and a sleeper sofa in the living area. Units also feature full dressers with an in-drawer safe, hidden washer and dryer, exposed shelves and hanging rods, and a cooler for beach and pool days. There’s a pool area with cool places to lounge and an outdoor shower; communal BBQ grills and fire pit; a lawn with private beach access and room for games and hanging out; and Mello bike rentals. This reimagined resort was originally the Aquarius Beach Resort, opened in 1975 as a Key West style Caribbean paradise; it’s luscious new vibe and décor is hip, friendly, and still paradise with sugar white sands and laid-back Anna Maria to explore. Book StayMello.com and visit annamariaislandchamber.org for events and restos/shops.

SUMMER SAVINGS Take a quick vacay at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek with rates starting at just $169 and bonus discounts. For a limited time and for select dates, enjoy 15% off through the end of September and get 20% off for a five-night stay, 25% off on a seven or more-night stay. Florida residents, active or retired military personnel can enjoy 20% off the room rate.

TOUJOURS TAMPA

Our sister city celebrated its 136th anniversary July 15, so why not explore what’s new in museums and attractions such as MOSI, the Henry B. Plant Museum, Florida Aquarium, Riverwalk, Sparkman’s Wharf, Straz Center, Armature Works and Ybor City? We love Oxford Exchange for books and brunch and The Dan at the Floridian Palace Hotel, a modern fusion of Gulf Coast cuisine and old school speakeasy. Toast over oysters with their signature cocktail (champagne, cognac, bitters and topped with cotton candy) and check out Wednesday’s Ladies’ Night, Thursday’s Havana Nights, and Bossa Nova Saturday. Stay at The Hotel Tampa Riverwalk or Epicurean and be sure to visit Yuengling’s new Tampa taproom and restaurant space or the new Lona, SoFla Chef Richard Sandoval’s new Mexican resto with 200 tequilas in the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Take the family to an animal encounter (Indian Rhino Feeding) at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Glazer Children’s Museum, or the waterparks at Adventure Island or Legoland Florida. Check out Skipper’s Smokehouse for eclectic music and an Old Florida feel.

From 8/18-10/2 Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining promotion includes the resort’s deep blu Seafood Grille and if you dine, you can stay overnight and save 20% on your room. Just five miles from Walt Disney World® Resort (there is a complimentary shuttle), the resort is a massive playground, with five pools, two lazy rivers, eight hot tubs, 18-hole putt-putt, jogging trails, fitness center, nearby championship golf, a picturesque 10-acre lake and pampering spa. Whether staying in a deluxe guest room, family bunk bed option, or an expansive suite, all accommodations feature a 55-inch flat-screen LG LED 4K Ultra TV, high-speed internet, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and more. Guests can fuel their fun at five different dining outlets, with something to please any taste – from seafood, sushi and sophisticated cuisine to casual poolside fare and in-room delivery.