Paradise News Magazine - February 2023

THE ONLY BAD TIME TO BUY PROPERTY IS LATER -Steve Bolton

Design:

DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS

(Partial listing of Rack & Stack locations)

ST. PETERSBURG

Sundial Shoppes Happy Feet Plus

Florida Jean Co Hollander Hotel

Vinoy Hotel So Chic Consignment

Morean Art Center St Pete Chamber

Florida CraftArt Chihuly Museum

The Hangar Terminal

GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT

Fergs

TYRONE AREA

Cody’s Road House Ancient Healing

GULFPORT

Chamber Habana Café

Seabreeze Inn Library/City Hall

Gulfport Casino Art Village

Sail Market Boulevard Shoppe

ISLA DEL SOL & BAYWAY ISLES

Regions Bank Island Salon

Sterling Cleaners Isla Yacht & CC

Patchingtons

TIERRA VERDE

Billy’s Century 21

TD Bank Mariott

Phila Deli Wong Lee’s

Tony & Nello’s Island Grille

SOUTH PASADENA

Ace Hardware Spiro’s Deli

Winn Dixie Fountains Towers

Regions Bank Regenesis Ortho.

PASS-A-GRILLE

Merry Pier The SeaHorse

Paradise Grille Paradiso Boutique

Gennaro’s The Wharf

SeaCritters Hurley Realty

Suntan Art Center Don CeSar Shaners Land-Sea Mkt

ST. PETE BEACH

Basil Leaf Nikko’s Dog Bar

Smith & Associates Sea Dog Brewery

Resort Realty Vito & Michael’s

Library/City Hall Riptides Lounge

Nori Thai Sushi Paradise Grille

Agave Mexican Synovus Bank

Larry’s Ice Cream Mediterranean Kitchen

Baird Realty Coldwell Banker RE

TBB Chamber Basil Leaf Sushi

ReMax Preferred Gulf to Bay Bait

Dolphin Landings UPS Store

Cafe Soleil 5th/3rd Bank

Dolphin Bch Resort Skidders

COREY AREA DISTRICT

Art Expo Chill Restaurant

SPB Post Office Coastal Cottage

Frog Pond Beach Theatre

TREASURE ISLAND

Bilmar Hotel T.I. Hardware

The Pearl ReMax Metro

TI & MB Chamber Keller Williams Realty

JOHN’S PASS VILLAGE

Kilwin’s Ice Cream Spice & Tea Exchange

Chamber Kiosk Sand Bar Ice Cream Shop

MADEIRA BEACH Century

To

FORTIFIED™

PUBLISHERS MESSAGE

We have been asked recently how we feel about the issue of growth on our barrier islands. Some residents have been displaying signs saying, “No Hotel Expansion.” The Tradewinds already has 800 rooms. Should they be allowed more? How about the luxury Corey Landings apartment complex at the east end of Corey?

Can our island support the growth? Longer term residents remember participating in meetings and workshops about it. The city of St. Pete Beach wrote a new comprehensive plan over a decade ago that included the ability for resorts with enough land to replace their obsolete buildings with more efficient modern buildings. Several properties, including the Tradewinds and the Sirata, have changed hands with rebuilding in mind.

Needed infrastructure work is finally done. Our lifestyles in Paradise depend a lot on the tourism industry. Even if we never step into one of our beachfront resorts, the people who stay there eat and shop in town. They shop at the Corey market and help to support our favorite restaurants and bars. Eventually some decide to move here. That keeps our property values up. The resorts pay a larger share of our taxes every time one sells or improves itself.

There are less than 10 resorts that qualify to expand under the comprehensive plan, and

they cap out at eight floors, so St. Pete Beach will never look like Sand Key

We have learned that in the relatively near future the Army Core of Engineers plans to ”fortify our beaches” with 10-foot-tall sand dunes that will need new walkovers built at any access point. Fortifying against sea level rise is another important part of any resort rebuild, as is building in solar panels and electric car chargers.

The Tradewinds has done a truly amazing job of putting lipstick on their group of aging beachfront motel properties for decades. They have the largest piece of beach property in the area, and they plan to keep any of their construction off Gulf Blvd. and out of our way as we go about our daily routines. If our hotels are not allowed to rebuild in a more modern footprint, we will likely end up with condominiums on the beach in their place, and they will be sold as sometimes homes and will sit empty like the Lido and so many others do. That does not support our favorite restaurants.

Corey Landings, at the east end of Corey Ave., can also be built out of our way, to help protect our downtown from rising seas. Its residents will be a nice boost to the Corey business district, which presently has a number of empty stores and open lots.

As far as traffic is concerned, we have a growing number of electric bikes, ride-sharing alternatives, plus the personal and public use of golf carts. I feel the use of our personal cars is going to decrease nationwide over the next decade.

Paradise NEWS

Volume 29 Number 2 • February 2023

PUBLISHERS

Peter Roos | Marketing & Sales sales@paradisenewsfl.com

Renee Roos | Creative Director info@paradisenewsfl.com

EDITORIAL

Nanette Wiser - Executive Editor wiser86@gmail.com

Steve Traiman - Feature Editor traimancreativecopy@gmail.com

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Janet Nummi

CONTRIBUTING COLUMINISTS

Caron Schwartz - Art News / Hanging Around Sarah Lyons - Astrology

Buddy Baker - Arts & Leisure & Events

Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones - Encouraging Words

Dr. Johnathan Pierce - Pet Health

Michael Moses - The Centre

Susan Koenig - Good Deeds

Pamela Joy Trow - Words of Joy

Remember When - Deb Carson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Janet Nummi • City of St. Pete

SUBMISSIONS - WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paradise News welcomes submissions. 727.363.6888 • info@paradisenewsfl.com

DEADLINES - Advertising • Classified • Editorial 10th of the month, one month prior to print

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DISTRIBUTION - Mailed on “Island Time”

Downtown St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille Tierra Verde, Isla Del Sol, Pinellas Bayway, Harbourside, Pasadena Yacht & C.C., Gulfport (partial), Treasure Island, Yacht Club Estates, Causeway Isles, DISTRIBUTION IN RACKS & STACKS

See table of contents page for partial list of rack & stack locations. To be a distribution site, e-mail: info@paradisenewsfl.com

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ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS

MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS

Corey Area Business Association

Greater Gulfport Chamber of Commerce

2007 “Business of the Year Award” Recipient

Preserve The Burg • Skyway Marina District

St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

Entrepreneurial Academy Spring 2019

Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce

2008 “Small Business of the Year” Award

2013 “Woman-Owned Business of the Year”

Tampa Bay Watch - Corporate Sponsor

Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber

PUBLISHED BY: Paradise News, LLC

P.O. Box 66385, St. Pete Beach, FL 33736 727.363.6888 • info@paradisenewsfl.com www.ParadiseNewsFL.com | Facebook

PHOTO BY JANET NUMMI

by Michael Moses

The Centre@StPeteBeach, 7525 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, has entered its third year of operation as a medicinal marijuana-centric wellness center. Many people have higher levels of anxiety and stress due to the pandemic and the Centre has a variety of solutions. This page in Paradise NEWS last month talked about how snowbirds, who spend at least a month in Florida, can get access to their own medical marijuana cards. This is one of the fastest growing groups of Florida cardholders.

The Centre is offering anxiety and stress reducing classes, services and products in addition to facilitating access to certification for treatment with medical marijuana in Florida. The Centre now has multiple doctors available for client interviews, so we can help you access the medicine you need quickly, even on Saturdays. Call Triverde Health at the Centre 727-322-4588 for info or an appointment or visit www.thecentrespb.com

In addition to offering Yoga and Massage the Centre has added a new med-spa type of service for 2023, involving the use of wave energy for increased male potency, improved female sensitivity and relief from incontinence. Treatments are now being scheduled for the

FemiWave and Gainswave devices. Call Triverde Health at the Centre 727-322-4588 for info.

While there is no requirement that you buy a membership to enjoy activities at The Centre, The Centre is selling

memberships which entitle the member to discounts on its top-quality, organic CBD products for people and pets, classes, treatments, all Centre services, plus food and beverages from the Wellness Café. A new breakfast & lunch café’ is now open, run by Chef John Parker, who needs no introduction in our readership area. When word got out that he was open at the Centre, the Chef’s fans started to show up. The Café is offering breakfast and lunch daily along with “take & bake” options for dinner at home. Chef also plans cooking classes.

Chef John Parker makes a mean Cuban and Philly Cheese sandwich, along with salads, family meals and caterings for small or large groups, at the Centre or wherever. Dubbed The Centre Wellness Café, it combines the amazing Centre Coffee Exchange so you can order at the window on Blind Pass or in the Centre. For questions and to order to-go, the phone number at The Centre Wellness Café is 727-409-3009.

Scan the QR Code with your smart phone to learn more about The Centre of St. Pete Beach.

TIDBITS

Treasure Island Fire Rescue

TIFR wants local chefs to bring the heat to this year’s Chili Cook-Off, Feb. 17, 5-7pm at the Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave. There will be music, prizes, a raffle and more. There will also be beer and wine available for a donation. There will be prizes for top three chili recipes in “The Open Class” and “The Pro Class.” The “Dominique Reiter Award” will be presented by TIFR Chief Trip Barrs for the best-decorated chili station. For $10 patrons can sample and vote on all the entries. Tickets must be pre-purchased at the Treasure Island Fire Department during regular business hours, Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm. Admission is limited to 100 people. Children under 12 years are free.

The Art Guild of Treasure Island is seeking interested volunteers to fill all offices for its Executive Board of Directors: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Interested?

Contact chairperson Chris Sewell before April 1 at theartguild.board@gmail.com 154 106th Ave., Treasure Island. Share your love for Art and Lead the Way!

Join Tampa Baywatch for four opportunities throughout 2023 to Cheers and Beers to 30 Years at different breweries where you will share a pint with TBW staff and executive team, celebrate the accomplishments of the past three decades, and find out what is in store for the next 30 years. The inaugural event is on Feb. 16, their 30th anniversary date, from 5-8pm at 3 Daughters Brewing. No RSVP required; this is a free event. They also sent a big thanks out to their restaurant partners who contributed to a successful pilot year of the Oyster Shell Recycling Program with almost 25 tons of oyster shells! The top contributor, by more than 9 tons of shells, was Paradise NEWS’ June/July issue cover story subject The Island Grille & Raw Bar at 33,768 lbs.

The restaurants and watering holes of Corey Avenue’s 300 block will be recognizing Mardi Gras this year, with a street party on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21 starting at 7pm. The Twisted Tiki, Chill, Elizabeth’s Grapes Wine Café, and Swigwam, (which has for years celebrated its anniversary in a similar fashion on St. Patricks Day), along with sponsors, are hosting Stormbringer. This Mardi Gras event will benefit Metropolitan Ministries.

The Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island hosts Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 24. Just to remind you about a major event we promoted a month or two back, the Bilmar also hosts the

By Peter Roos

Cajun Occasion on Feb 10th, a Low Country Boil Fundraiser for Sonny’s Green Acres, a non-profit related to the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center at Johns Pass.

Under Sonny Flynn, it has expanded its role as an exotic animal rescue. “We are in the building process of Sunny Green Acres an agricultural education center in Clearwater,” said Sonny. “Our mission for this event is to raise funds for the Catch & Release Fishing Pond, Sulcuta Tortoise Habitat and an outdoor pavilion. We will start the night with a Gator Bite Sunset Toast and a New Orleans style jazz band.

Silent Auction, Fun & Games, and Dancing the night away, are just a few of the details. Wear your most outrageous,

be heard.

choose well.

When you’re looking for compassionate care, look to Bayfront Health. We’re a connected network of certified physicians focused on providing high-quality care. Through our innovative, forward-thinking approach, our community of experts guide you on your journey back to good health - giving you more reasons to choose well. BayfrontHealth.com

TIDBITS

outlandish yet stylish Cajun accessory to the boil and you might possibly win a prize! We promise tons of frivolity and fantastic food, and every penny we raise goes to save more exotic and farm animals in Pinellas County.” Get tickets for $100 on Eventbrite.

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute south of downtown is hosting an open house. From touch tanks with live critters to activities and demonstrations for kids, there is something for everyone! Speak with some of Florida’s top researchers, hang with sharks and rays, and learn about manatees, birds, coral, red tide and more! Saturday, February 18th, 10am-4pm, 100 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg.

The St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, Feb. 21-24 is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the current global issues and to engage in thought-provoking discussions with experts from all over the globe. This year’s event will cover diplomacy, global and local issues, security, and more. It will provide a platform for attendees to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and build connections with like-minded individuals.

Opening Keynote at Eckerd College Fox Hall 2/21 at 6pm.

Dr. Isaiah (Ike) Wilson III (Colonel, U.S. Army, retired) has earned a reputation as a versatile and innovative soldier-scholar. A decorated combat veteran with multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and extensive operational experience across the greater Middle East, Dr. Wilson is a nationally and internationally-recognized leading advocate for change in how America understands and deals with matters of security affairs and uses of force, in times of peace and war, at a time when disruptive change continues to outpace organizations and organizational leadership ability to think and act fast and effectively, and closing at

Eckerd College – Beninger Theatre – 2/24 at 6:30pm. Daily sessions Feb. 22-24 at USFSP. Get free tickets and make a donation at www.WorldAffairs Conference.com

If you are thinking of riding the PSTA SunRunner Bus, between the beaches and downtown, just walk on. It is FREE to ride until mid-April. The route terminates at the public park on St. Pete Beach, across from Dolphin Village Shopping Center. There are a number of dining alternatives within a short walk, including Outer Banks Seafood Company, who could have a freshly steamed Low Country Boil for you to eat in the Courtyard on their picnic tables. There is also Chick-Fil-A, Burger-ish, Bueno Italian, Blue Fugu Japanese Steakhouse, Starbucks, and an Indian restaurant opening soon.

One you may not have thought about is the Dolphin Beach Resort, immediately north of the park. Director of Sales and Marketing, Niel Blake, told us he is inviting all of our readers to enjoy either breakfast or dinner at Boca Sands, with free parking long enough to take a walk on the incredible beach there. When Boca Sands is not open, food and drinks are available at Flippers

If you are headed downtown from St. Pete Beach or South Pasadena, there are any number of fun destinations or connections. Downtown is full of interesting restaurants, museums, shops, attractions, boat rides and so much more. The Sunrunner is a great choice for getting to an event at the Trop or a bite at Fergs It is also perfect for Grand Prix weekend.

Paradise NEWS’ home office has enjoyed rooftop solar panels for over 10 years. We deliver bulk copies in a Chevy Volt full of solar power. We were lucky enough to own a home with an unshaded south facing roof 10 years ago, when rebates were available. I felt a little guilty about that. However, Duke has levelled the playing field with their new program Clean Energy Connection.Clean Energy Connection is your way to help support renewable energy and get the savings benefits of solar without rooftop panels or contracts. All for as little as $7 a year! Duke Energy generates solar power at multiple large-scale solar installations across the state on behalf of Clean Energy Connection subscribers. If you contact them, let them know you read about it in Paradise NEWS

The 2023 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival will take place at four venues Feb. 22-25 half ticketed/ half sponsored. They include St. Petersburg College, Palladium Side Door, Museum of Fine Arts & American Stage.

Wednesday, February 22

Presented by CETL & EMIT 12-1:30pm in HS 109 at St. Petersburg College Singer and educator Alexis Cole presents a free vocal jazz workshop for all.

Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 23, 7:30pm Side Door at the Palladium Theater. The 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson. For tickets $25-35 online at www.mypalladium.org

By Peter Roos

Zach Bartholomew TrioA Chick Corea Tribute Fri., Feb. 24 at 7:30pm at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts Join awardwinning pianist Zachary Bartholomew and his trio (Paul Gavin, drums; Mauricio Rodriguez, bass). Tickets, $25 at www.mfastpete. org/events-calendar

Jason Charos SextetCelebrating Wayne Shorter Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30pm at American Stage Presented by EMIT and American Stage. While participating in some of the major changes in jazz music over the last 40 years, Wayne Shorter has received nine Grammy Awards for his recordings.

Jason Charos

Alexis Cole

The Ultimate Seaside Paradise

Waterfront Dining

82 Degrees provides nature imbued interiors and fresh Southern coastal cuisine to launch you into the decadence of an unhurried coastal vacation.

Whether you are dining in for brunch, lunch or a leisurely dinner, 82 Degrees provides a space to enjoy craft cocktails, fine wine, and locally distilled beer with alfresco dining options and live music. With locally sourced ingredients, signature drinks and an unparalleled atmosphere, 82 Degrees is a favorite amongst locals.

7203 Sunset Way

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

727.292.0282

Eatat82.com

SPIRITS

By Nanette Wiser

POUR MORE Chatting with bartenders, I always ask for a smooth alternative to top shelf vodkas like Goose for craft cocktails. I love Eleven and recently discovered Ice Pik Vodka, made in Florida, naturally gluten free and eight times distilled for a clean crisp drinking experience. It’s available at Leukens and Detroit Liquor in downtown St. Pete as well as Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Treasure Island (check out their Ice Pik Vodka Lemonade on tap in blueberry, strawberry, mango, black cherry, raspberry, and peach) and Teak Bar. My favorite is their Blueberry flavored. White Tee Shots 4 oz Ice Pik Vodka, 2 oz of Peach Schnapps, 1 oz of fresh lime juice, splash of club soda. Shake it up and pour out into four shot glasses.

Daybreaker Take a pint glass and fill it with ice. Add 2 oz of Ice Pik Vodka, 1 oz of blackberry liqueur and top off with pineapple and orange juice.

IRISH EYES We’re not waiting till St. Patrick’s Day to warm up with Irish Coffee at all our favorite watering holes. A hot beverage is made with coffee, whiskey, and cream, and it is usually served with a spoonful of sugar or whipped cream to balance out the drink’s bitterness. We like to sip this at Beans & Barlour, Ruth Chris, Flute & Dram, Intermezzo, Finley’s Irish Pub and Chill Restaurant. At home, I like to pizzazz it up with Bailey’s Original Irish Cream in both the traditional and salted caramel, vanilla cinnamon or red velvet cupcake flavors, a perfect late night Valentine delight.

Irish Coffee 2 oz. Bailey’s, 6 oz. hot coffee, 1 oz. Irish whiskey. Combine Baileys, coffee, and Irish Whiskey in a tall Irish Coffee glass. Top with whipped cream.

SPIRITED TOURS Paradise Tours and Transportation Service offers a spirited tour starting at Try Wine in Downtown St. Pete with a curated, self-serve wine tasting experience. Then it’s hop on the comfortable bus and ride down Central Avenue with a stop at Tru by Hilton and a view of the city from the rooftop lounge, then on to Birchwood Canopy Bar and Restaurant for a stunning vista. You can stay for dinner and drinks and dancing or return on the bus to Try Wine. This is a 90-minute tour starting at sunset. 727-417-8036. You can explore the GULP COAST craft breweries and fill out your beer passport that guides you to tasting rooms. www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/eat-drink/ gulp-coast-craft-brewery-passport or meander on the Florida Distillery Trail hosted by the Florida Craft Spirits Association including St. Petersburg Distillery, Tarpon Springs Distillery, Kozuba & Sons Distillery and more.

Indulge your taste buds in one of our three restaurants just steps away from St. Pete Beach!

Do you hear the sound of music in Paradise?

If so, some of that credit goes to Susan Crockett, President & CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall, who has been in the entertainment industry since she was 16. “My first job was making $3.75 per hour as an usher at venue in my hometown. They offered me a management position at 21 which sounds pretty industrious, but it was far more fun than work,” she recalls.

Crockett moved to Pinellas County in 1988 and saw that Ruth Eckerd Hall had an opening for the same job she left behind. “At the time I thought it a lucky coincidence and in hindsight, I realize that was akin to a miracle. Over time, I’ve held nine different positions because every time I got itchy for a new challenge, I found it at the Hall.“

Appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2015, she had been happy creating great performance and guest experiences.“I never aspired to be CEO. It was a surprise to learn I could best serve the organization at that point by facilitating its strategic direction, so I became one of 72 applicants the search firm brought to the Board. I never saw myself as a public advocate or fundraiser, but I

Susan Crockett, President & CEO

Ruth EckERd hall

By STEVE TRAIMAN

Photos Ruth Eckerd Hall

am extremely proud of what we do and sharing that comes easy. These three decades have been an amazing journey.”

PN asked Crockett to share some of her successes and what she anticipates for the future. What were your three biggest successes in your prior business career? In retrospect, I’m most proud of those opportunities that challenged me to be a better leader and allowed me to usher the organization through a transition. I was the director of ticketing and information services during the advent of the internet, so I was our original webmaster, implementing email marketing and online ticketing when the technology was new and not turnkey as it is today. It’s satisfying to have served as a catalyst for the Hall during the global transition in commerce.

About 10 years ago, my co-worker was injured, and I needed to pick up some of his projects, including the planning and execution of a city-sponsored holiday festival. I spent many years managing events, but I quickly learned that isn’t the same as producing one. I had four short weeks so there I was building an elf house in my garage praying the ice slide wouldn’t melt on Cleveland Street. It was one of those times when you lead by not panicking. It ended up being the biggest and most attended festival we’ve hosted. Proof that even when you get thrown in the game unexpectedly, just picking up the ball and running in the right direction can yield surprising results.

I was asked to serve as interim CEO when my predecessor retired. At the time we were in the middle of a major renovation and expansion, as well as a $34M capital campaign. It was daunting but the staff was incredibly encouraging and when our Board Chair announced that I had been chosen as the next CEO, I had this “Sally Field at the Oscars” moment because the team’s enthusiasm told me I had earned their respect in the interim and that was huge.

REH main entrance

What are your prime responsibilities at Ruth Eckerd Hall? I provide strategic direction to an incredible executive team, ensuring that we’re fulfilling our mission, responsibly using our resources, serving our constituents well and being good caretakers of this community asset. My role varies throughout the day – planner, researcher, advocate, dreamer, consultant, servant, fundraiser, recruiter, coach and occasionally, referee.

Why did this venue job appeal to you? It’s a labor of love. This is my second home, and my co-workers are family. I go to work every day with the most talented and dedicated people, some of whom I’ve known for years. I have always been immensely proud of the work we do and the way we do it. To now be Ruth Eckerd Hall’s representative in the community is both humbling and an honor.

What do you think are Pinellas County’s biggest opportunities? I think if we ever get a more robust public transportation system, the local economy will grow exponentially. I will confess that I say that as a native New Yorker and European train hopper. But we’ll have to address the issue of affordable housing to continue to attract and maintain talent.

What do you hope to accomplish or what is your focus on – new Amphitheatre at Coachman Park management, expanded REH and Bilheimer Capitol Theatre bookings, etc.? This new venue is a dream come true with its 4,000 seats under the canopy and room for another 5,000 for festivals. It opens up an entirely new slate of our artists to bring here which means we serve more tastes, more ages, and more constituencies. It builds on the diversity of our programming and audiences.

How will this new Amphitheatre make a difference in the community? In addition to widening the scope of who we serve, we are able to leverage our presentations to highlight our beautiful area for out-of-towners, prospective residents, and throughout the entertainment industry. Our last economic study found that Ruth Eckerd Hall has an annual economic impact of $97 million.

What do you do when you are not at work? Catching up with my husband and daughter as much as possible is a priority. I’m a social introvert which means I love game night with friends and laughing too loud, but I restore my energy alone. I’m passionate about history and I can lose myself for hours in historical fiction, biographies, documentaries, museums, historical sites, vintage shops, and genealogy. The pandemic pushed a lot of my travel plans into 2022. I went to Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Israel this past year and I don’t take that for granted. I’m still unpacking all the memories.

Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com

New Amphitheatre at Coachman Park

Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

FASHION

Gently used clothing and shoes for men and women are both sustainable and trending. Lucky for us, downtown St. Pete’s ARTPool features local art, vintage fashion for men and women, handmade jewelry, vinyl records and indie culture fun. Look no further than here for Valentine’s Day or a special gift for a friend…or yourself.

As a devotee of Netflix’s reimagined Addam’s Family series “Wednesday,”

I giggled when I saw the shop window where owner Marianne Williams displays her art and pop culture stories. From sixties Twiggy style to eighties punk, you’ll find a style that suits your inner pop star. You can shop her Etsy store online, but you’ll miss the cool vibe of running your fingers through the rainbow fabrics. I’ve fallen in love with Crayon and poodle skirts. Since their opening in 2008, this eclectic Grand Central Shop at Central and 20th Street has grown. The beautiful retail showroom, designed by Archie Parrish in 1937, was the original Moon Plumbing Supply Store. Throughout the past 75 years the location has been the home to Saint Petersburg’s original Fred Astaire dance studio, a Polish restaurant, a church, and many other cool mom and pop businesses. They worked hard to create a special space

By Lady Sadie

that stayed true to its original architectural design and refinished historic elements including their unique art deco door handles.

Swing by to experience the must-see shop filled to the brim with amazing jewelry, kitschy handmade indie items as well as a huge stock of vintage clothing, vinyl records, boots, hats, sunglasses and treasures for guys and gals. Their retro home wares include funky vintage decor, crates, and crates of vinyl records and more. All items are unique, hand-picked, professionally cleaned and ready to rock and roll in their new fabulous life.

Their popular crafty fest markets are on hold, but check their Facebook for upcoming events and fundraisers including their annual Trashy Fashion Show. ARTPool Gallery is open noon-5pm and requests that you bring a reusable shopping bag. www.artpoolrules.com

Shop Stylish Shoes on Beach Drive

CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM – 50 Years of Marine Life Rescue

By Nanette Wiser

has helped to make a difference in the local marine ecosystems and the conservation and research efforts of species all over the world. Let’s look back on their history and how CMA became what it is today.

In 1972, a group of volunteers passionate about marine life wanted to help educate the local community. With help from the city of Clearwater, marine biologist Dennis Kellenberger, the local community, and Sunset Sam, Clearwater Marine Science Center set the foundation for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium you know today.

What started with a fish exhibit is now home to hundreds of rescued marine life and unique guest areas. CMA still utilizes the water treatment plant donated in 1978 but has expanded the facility to provide care for more rescued animals in need. CMA’s mission? To preserve our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.

Sunset Sam, the first dolphin to survive a stranding in Florida, became CMA’s first well-known rescued resident bottlenose dolphin in 1984. Since then, with so many rescues and rehabilitation stories to share, CMA had no idea that one incredible dolphin’s rescue story would impact the world 20 years later.

Winter arrived at CMA in December 2005 and became a resident of CMA in 2006 and forever changed CMA’s trajectory. Winter’s story inspired children and wounded soldiers, in essence, inspiring humanity. Her first prosthetic tail consultation occurred the following year, which inspired Winter’s first book Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again, published in 2010.

Hope was rescued on December 11, 2010, and the rest is history. The movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2 brought Winter and Hope’s stories to the big screen and to people around the world. Their stories of resilience continue to inspire people worldwide and educate people on the

importance of ocean and marine life conservation.

CMA is recognized as a remarkable home to a variety of rescued marine animals needing 24/7 care. They contribute to crucial manatee and North Atlantic right whale research, and help conserve our local sea turtle populations through nest monitoring every year.

Not your typical aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to preserving environmental balance and telling inspirational stories of rescue and rehabilitation. There are many monthly events and even a complimentary audio tour sponsored by Baycare, with both an adult and kids version, so guests can learn about the exciting rescue stories of CMA’s resident animals.

You can get up close and personal with their five rescued resident Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, through the 40-foot-wide Window of Wonder. (CMA is also home to two rescued rough-toothed dolphins.)

Whether you’re boating or walking the beach, seeing your first pod of dolphins cavorting in the Gulf is magical. Even more miraculous is the environmental champion in Pinellas County, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

Spend an afternoon on the water on Sea Life Safari or Dolphin Adventure boat tours.

Come celebrate 50 years of rescue, rehab and release of marine life by visiting Clearwater Marine Aquarium on your visit to Clearwater Beach. CMA has helped to make a difference in our local marine ecosystems and the conservation and research efforts of species all over the world.

P.S. To report a stranding or marine animal in distress contact CMA’s 24-hr rescue hotline 727-441-1790 Ext. 1. Since 2010, they have rescued 1600+ sea turtles and released 850+ rescued/rehabilitated animals.

Live Webcams www.cmaquarium.org/webcams

Like CMA on social @cmaquarium. 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 727-441-1790

www.cmaquarium.org

CMA EVENTS See rescued dolphins at the new Ruth and J.O Stone Dolphin Complex, featuring spectacular underwater views, and discover the world of marine life rescue in our working marine animal hospital.

Go Wild at CMA with a special animal event Feb. 18-20 where you can learn about a variety of wild species with rescued animals from partner organizations and educational activities on biodiversity. This special experience will be different each day and will feature rescued animals and educational activities in the R.O. Jacobson Education Center on the second level; included with admission. Check Facebook for upcoming spring dates.

Dino Rescue through April 15 is included with admission. Get close to life-size dinosaurs, some as tall as 35 feet and 65 feet long, which move and roar, as they rehabilitate from various ailments today’s animals face – like habitat loss and entanglement.

Summer Camps Sign up now for CMA camps featuring snorkeling, kayaking, boating, hands-on learning, and special interactions with our resident rescued animals. Book now! www.fal.cn/3v8pC

WORDS OF JOY “Hi-Test At High Tide” honors R.E. Olds, the founder of Oldsmar, and celebrates the fantastical world of the fishing pier at R.E. Olds Park. The mermaid inhabitant travels in her early Oldsmobile helped by the manatee, surrounded by some of the fish that call the waters of Oldsmar home: in order of appearance, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and snook. (BTW, if you’re ever fishing off the pier and catch the mermaid, please release her.)

This is one of many fantastic illustrations from local artist and educator Pamela Joy Trow. Pamela shares many stories about local history in addition to her transformational images of nature, mermaids, and stories of hope in her cards, prints and other merchandise available at www.pamelajoytrow

By Nanette Wiser

PLAY OUTDOORS Fitness is fun and this is the perfect time of year to play outside in Paradise. Plan a walk with friends with Preserve The Burg around downtown to see all the murals, Florida Botanical Gardens or the Pinellas Trail. Go birdwatching and hike at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve or Weedon Island. Water aerobics at local Y and community rec centers (St. Pete Beach) or outdoors yoga improve health and flexibility. Don’t have a boat? You can go sailing with Suncoast Sailing or check out dolphins with Charter Finders from the Cambria Hotel (where the new Tiki Docks resto/bar will be). Play Paradise on local golf courses in Largo and Treasure Island. Or take a guided eco-tour with Walk on Water Pedalboard.

CLIMATE ANXIETY Mother Nature is having a meltdown, literally. From mudslides and floods in California to extreme heat in Florida, we don’t sleep as well worrying about our future. How do we manage these feelings of worry and helplessness? First, don’t let anyone minimize your feelings about this issue and if you need to, take a news fast. Make a list of what you can control in your home and neighborhood, then become an advocate for climate change. Reduce your carbon footprint, live more sustainably, recycle more, buy less and do something every week to support your climate change to-do list. Walk to the store. Pick up garbage on your beach walk. Or work for a political candidate who makes climate a priority. You’re not alone. Join a group such as Tampa Bay Watch who share your feelings and values. It’s a real mental health condition that can take time to address, according to Portland, Oregon based environmental psychologist Thomas Doherty. A great resource? www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator

HANGING AROUND

By Caron Schwartz

Millions of Bands for Men & Women

by Peter Roos

When you think of St. Pete’s Pink Streets, don’t you imagine fairies frolicking on pink cotton candy? I do. To find out, Sweetheart Lenny and I went on an afternoon expedition to Greater Pinellas Point, home of the mythical Pink Streets. We found the area magical, even without dancing sprites.

We have previously told Paradise NEWS readers about Beverly Diny’s love of designing new jewelry, often recycling old gems and precious metals from pieces sitting in jewelry boxes, to create something new and wonderful. Beverly is a trusted and respected diamond expert who has personally travelled to Antwerp to buy diamonds directly.

lashbrookdesigns.com

Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day engagements, June brides and everyone else, Diny’s Jewelers, just north of the clock tower in Treasure Island has the ideal wedding ring selection and specification system for men and women.

You can pick your favorite precious metals, your style, your colors and gems, from up to seven million alternatives, so, your special rings will never look like anyone else’s. Even if you are the kind of person that gets anxious with too many choices, you will appreciate the step-by-step approach that helps identify exactly what you are looking for. If there’s a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or a “just because” celebration in your future, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Diny’s offers attractive financing alternatives as well, including interest free options.

Call Diny’s Jewelers now at 727-513-3469 for a private appointment time, or visit online at www.DinysFlorida.com 130 107th Avenue, Treasure Island, FL 33706

When this area of winding pink streets at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg was developed in the 1920s it was the first subdivision in Pinellas County paved with concrete. Why pink dye was added to the mix is lost to history, but when major repairs were needed in the early ‘90s, the residents insisted on them remaining pink and paid for it too.

We meandered along quiet candy-colored streets lined with magnificent homes shaded by a thick tree canopy. Several streets ended at Pinellas Point Park, with its amazing views of Tampa Bay. There’s archeological significance to this wonder: the Pinellas Point Temple Mound, a Tocobaga Indian mound amazingly left untouched during the neighborhood’s development. Owner Edward C. Wright donated the mound to the City of St. Petersburg in 1958, and it became an official historical and archeological landmark in 1993.

There’s more than the iconic rose-colored enclave to Greater Pinellas Point, which is roughly everything south of 54th Ave. S and bordered on three sides by sparkling Tampa Bay.

We found plenty of parking at Bay Vista Park where we wandered around in the shade enjoying the view. Other beauty spots include Maximo Park, Lake Vista Park and Rec Center, and Forrest Bluff Park.

For sustenance, we ventured slightly north of 54th Ave. S to Mullet’s Fish Camp. At a courtyard picnic table with grouper tacos, an Old Fashioned and a Coppertail IPA, we felt like we had stumbled into an old-timey Florida roadside fish house. Across the street, Southside Coffee, one of my faves, was already closed for the day or we would have strolled over for a shot of caffeine. Also nearby are The Chattaway, Tiki Docks, and Berlins Doener.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Nanette Wiser

February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health. The Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention wants to shine a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Take action! Join an organized heart health walk in Tampa Bay or host a potluck with heart-healthy recipes. Be sure to schedule a comprehensive physical with bloodwork and review everything with your physician. Having either high LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) or low HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)–or both–is one of the best predictors of your risk of heart disease. A blood lipid profile measures both your cholesterol numbers and your triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood that is a risk factor.

It’s important to know the signs of a heart attack, which may manifest differently for women vs. men. Symptoms include neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort; shortness of breath; pain in one or both arms; nausea or vomiting; sweating; lightheadedness or dizziness, unusual fatigue, or heartburn (indigestion).

Heart attacks are preventable, although genetics are a factor. Exercise is essential. Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis, and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.

Turn over a new lifestyle leaf. If you smoke, stop. Limit sugar and alcohol intake. Enjoy heart-healthy foods such as leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens (known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants). Add these to your shopping list: whole grains, berries, avocados, olive oil, walnuts, beans, dark chocolate, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout), lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey, eggs, legumes and tofu.

Mark your calendars now for The American Heart Association’s Tampa Bay Heart Ball 2023. It’s April 15 at Tampa Marriott Water Street. For more information, TampaBay@heart.org or 727-563-8006.

PS: The Cupid’s Undie Run on 2/11 helps raise awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The run helps fund NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). www.paradisenewsfl.com/event/cupids-undie-run-2023

"SHE GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK."

Local clinic has a medical solution for peripheral neuropathy.

“It started out as a normal outing. My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road casually going over our shopping list when the car ahead of me started to slow down anticipating the yellow light. I started to move my foot from the gas to the brake as any normal person would do when they see brake lights in front of them but I couldn’t. I couldn’t feel my foot. The car kept moving forward and I just couldn’t get my foot on the brake. And CRUNCH! I finally came to a stop when I hit the car in front of me.”

This story was shared with us by John, a Tampa Bay area resident who has peripheral neuropathy. While no one was hurt in this accident, John had suffered almost everyday of his life with tingling and burning in his feet until numbness set in and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath his foot.

“Typically, the first stage is pain.” shares Dr. Rebecca Gibbons of AAIM| Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine. “You feel burning, tingling, sharp pains, or you feel like you’re walking on tacks or marbles. This pain eventually subsides and the numbness sets in. Unfortunately the numbness brings with it a whole other host of problems. We see people have to become reliant on their spouse or family, which is really difficult for both."

It is terribly common that peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life. John was now reliant on his wife to drive him around, What is even more common, John's general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing they could do other than prescribe him pills that would ease the pain of his neuropathy.

That’s where Dr. Gibbons and her staff at AAIM come in. “About 75% of our current patients come to us suffering from the same condition as John,” tells Dr. Gibbons. "They’re in constant pain from neuropathy and it prevents them from not only living their lives but more importantly, it prevents them from enjoying it. Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 months of treatment. I like to say we’re in the business of making your golden years golden."

"I can't lie," admits John "I was skeptical at first but I had run out of options. Nothing else was helping but after about four months into treatment, I was confidently able to drive myself to Publix and to my appointments. Dr. Gibbons gave me my life back."

You can learn more about Dr. Gibbons and AAIM by visiting WWW.ACHIEVEACUIM.com.

Now accepting new patients. Call 727-272-3587 to schedule your consultation and evaluation.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS ALL CDC GUIDELINES FOLLOWED, PLUS SOCIAL DISTANCING

REMEMBER WHEN

By Deb Carson

Charles Redington had a vision in 1935, before there were many homes or condos on North Redington Beach. Inspired by Miami Beach as a popular tourist destination, Redington wanted to create a similar hotspot on Pinellas County’s stunning Gulf Beaches. Redington relocated from Indiana and built a house in North Madeira Beach. In 1936, he opened the Tides Hotel and Bath Club on 1,700 feet of beach. It was the first major surfside tourist development in the area since the Don Cesar opened in Pass-A-Grille a decade earlier.

By the time North Redington Beach became incorporated in 1953, the Tides Hotel and Bath Club was THE place to see and be seen. Charles Redington had already dredged Boca Ciega Bay across Gulf Boulevard from the Tides to create fingers for Bath Club Estates, a haven then – and now – for luxury homes.

In its heyday, The Tides attracted well-heeled guests, including celebrities such as Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. In his book Vintage St. Pete: The Golden Age of Tourism – and More, Bill DeYoung says “during their eight-day stay, DiMaggio and Monroe dined often in the Tides’ on-site restaurant, and at the [nearby] Wine Cellar, also a favorite haunt for visiting Yankee players.”

Fading glory and economic woes eventually befell The Tides by the early 1990s, and in 1995, developers bought and razed the property. In its place was built the new Tides Beach Club with 200 luxury condominiums that stands today across 10 glittering beachfront acres. The Bath Club complex was also sold and replaced by a luxury townhome community on the banks of Boca Ciega Bay.

The quaint Bath Club bungalows built directly across Gulf Boulevard from both the original and current Tides beachfront property were sold and became the Park Circle B & B in 1999. In recent years, the bungalows have sold to private owners, many of whom now boast of modern interiors and beachy-toned exteriors that have proudly retained their historic bones and aesthetic.

credIt: FlorIda MeMory Project, Postcard collectIon (FroM 1958)

With season here, we see oodles of new restos, cafes and coffeehouses popping up, menus refreshing and dozens of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Clearwater’s popular Outpost611 Eatery & Taphouse will now offer food for purchase at the John Gegle Grand Lobby bar prior to performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall. And Kahwa will open a new location on Fourth St. in 2023. We say aloha to Dr. BBQ, Munch’s and The Mill (for now). For your Super Bowl party at home, order beer growlers and wings to go from Sea Dog Brewing Co. Treasure Island; 727-954-7805. Order ahead for pick-up Sunday, 2/12. Choose your sauce (Hot Buffalo, Sweet Thai Chili, Sea Dog Blueberry BBQ or Teriyaki) and fly away home. TO GO WINGS: 25 wings for $36 / 50 wings for $70 / 100 wings for $125 Comes with a side of blue cheese or ranch.

Now that El Cap has a new owner, I plan to revisit their classic burger as well. Goose’s house wings in Largo. Look on social to find where Te Invito and Sea Dog Catering Co. (formerly Sea Dog Cantina) food trucks for authentic Mexican. Original Flavor 1889’s Neopolitan-style pizzeria, Paesano’s and Brooklyn Pizza fulfill my Italian pie cravings.

CHEAP EATS When I’m homesick for In-N-Out Burger, I like to drive through Steak & Shake for the classic burger and fries or Tyrone’s Portillo’s for Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, and burgers.

GULF BEACHES Treasure Island’s Sea Dog Brewing Co. will debut new menus this month, including a Sea Pup menu for kids are hosting a Super Bowl party. There’s music Fri.-Sat. 5-8pm and Sun. 2-5pm in the downstairs bar. Breakfast rocks, from bennies to burritos, and the brewpub serves Kahwa coffee. They’ll compete in the Treasure Island Chili Cook Off 2/17. The Crabby’s group has opened Guilty Sea Pub & Sports Bar in Indian Rocks and bought Dunedin’s Bon Appetit. Slyce in Indian Rocks, Madeira and St. Pete Beach has happy hour Mon.-Fri. 11am-6pm and live music Fri. and Sat. The Helm’s new brunch and elegant cocktails al fresco on the beautifully decorated patio covered with sea sails is a bit of heaven.

By Nanette Wiser

BUTTERMILK EATERY On Roosevelt Blvd., check out breakfast at Buttermilk, especially the corned beef skillets skillets (green peppers, onions, and shredded cheddar-jack), Kijafa French Toast stuffed with sweet cream cheese and Michigan cherries, topped with walnuts and powdered sugar and the Florentine Benedict (crispy bacon, spinach, sliced tomatoes, and poached eggs on a grilled English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce.) Serving breakfast and lunch.

GOOD INTENTIONS Wine, beer, craft cocktails and the best new vegan fare in town, from apps to dessert. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll savor the cremini Bolognese, Korean BBQ glazed tempeh (served over coconut jasmine rice, accompanied by a siracha cashew crema, a sesame daikon slaw and topped with toasted cashews) and other creative dishes. Happy hour 3-7pm. Hours are limited; check their social for dinner, weekend afternoon bar or brunch.

THE PEARL When Treasure Island’s fine dining and wine haven moved to Gulfport, we were devastated as it was just a kiss away. Chef Karim is worth the drive. We love the Coquilles St. Jacques sea scallops sautéed in a white wine cream sauce topped with Swiss cheese and the mussels’ sautéed in a white wine, with tomatoes in garlic broth and a lime beurre blanc as well as the Mediterranean Pasta (sun dried tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, feta cheese and black olives, sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and tossed in linguini and lobster pasta in a garlic, Sherry cream sauce). The filet and rack of lamb are superb as are the Moroccan dishes such as Chicken Harissa and Lamb Tagine (slow braised lamb, cooked in Moroccan spices & fresh herbs and served with couscous.

COOKING CORNER

Eat local, cook global. Shopping your local markets and Florida farmers and eating in season is a huge first step to boosting your immunity and promoting longevity. We love Grace O’s “Anti-Aging Dishes from Around The World,” with 250 superfood snacks and healthy meals. The creator of FoodTrients®, she has collected easy-to-make dishes with everyday ingredients, and each recipe has a symbol for its benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, disease prevention, gut health, mind boosters, strength and more. The book is available on Amazon.

The book introduces the benefits of global ingredients from Africa, North America, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Caribbean Islands, China (Yin & Yang food balances), France, Great Britain, Greece, India, Korea, Mexico, Scandinavia, Spain, and the Middle East. I learned about the medicinal properties of hibiscus, lavender and mint from France, hearty warming spices such as horseradish, black pepper

By Nanette Wiser

and nutmeg from Great Britain and the benefits of berbere spice mix and Moroccan ras el hanout

Stews, soups, vegetables, plant-based and non-dairy foods star in this cookbook, from tofu to pickled ginger and exotic fruits and vegetables that you can shop in Oriental and Latin markets or Whole Foods and Fresh Market. She lists 50 foods that can help you live longer (almonds, apples, avocados, beets, black beans, blueberries, chia seeds, cruciferous veggies, cranberries, lentils, garlic, quinoa, mushrooms, salmon, olives, and–yay–red wine). The cookbook demystifies the best oils for every dish and flours from amaranth to chickpea, a great source of protein. The importance of fermented foods as probiotics and how to cook with them changed my culinary game as did the section on how sea salts can help with digestion and bone strength and vascular health.

I decided to make chickpea pasta, mixed with spiralized and sauteed zucchini and the book’s pesto sauce. It was sensational. You can use this sauce as I did, or on grilled chicken or roasted fish. It’s also delicious mixed in with softened, unsalted Kerry Gold butter. This recipe is ketogenic, gluten-free, low-carb and vegan.

¼ cup freshly chopped salted pistachio nuts

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves

½ tsp minced garlic

1 Tb fresh lime zest

¼ tsp Himalayan sea salt

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 Tb olive oil

AFGHANI PISTACHIO PESTO In a small bowl, toss the dry ingredients and mix in the oil. You can flash blend if you like. Serve immediately.

Outer Banks Boil Company

Fresh Seafood Boils Now Steamed to Order

The Outer Banks Boil Company had recently opened their St. Pete Beach location when featured in Paradise NEWS’ cover in November 2021. Served with their homemade cocktail sauce, the Outer Banks Boil Company “Boil” has been dubbed the “Best Pot on the Beach.”

What is a Boil?

Jumbo shrimp, authentic andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and sweet Vidalia onions are layered, seasoned to perfection (with their own special blend) and expertly cooked together. They pride themselves on providing quality, fresh and when available, local ingredients. Their andouille sausage, however, is shipped from Louisiana, for an authentic low country taste. Want to take it up a notch? You can add snow crab legs, scallops, clams, mussels, and lobster tails!

While the Outer Banks Boil Company continues to offer their signature “Pot” to cook yourself, and catering (for just $100 more) for groups of 10-1,000 in Pinellas and Manatee counties, they are now steaming in-house and have picnic tables in the courtyard at their Dolphin Plaza location. The southern terminus of the SunRunner Rapid Bus is at the beachfront park, right across the

street. You can bring the family and eat there or take your freshly steamed seafood, corn, and potatoes home or wherever you want to eat it. Use the QR code to see their menu or call in your order today. stpetebeach.outerbanksboilcompany.com/menu

TRAVEL ADVENTURES

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. There are so many ways to pay homage including supporting black-owned businesses, donating to charities that support anti-racism equity and equality, purchasing and reading books by black authors and about great leaders and everyday heroes who made a difference.

Plan a February visit to museums and galleries that showcase black artists, writers and African American heritage and culture.

The Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum can be found at The Carnegie Library is located at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Construction on the library started in 1907 and the facility officially opened to the public in 1908. It was the first Carnegie Library built on a black land-grant college campus. The library was also the institution’s first brick veneer building. In 1976, Carnegie Library became the founding home of the Black Archives Research Center and Museum. In 1978, Carnegie Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With books signed by W.E.B. DuBois and artifacts used by Harriet Tubman, the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum offers mind-boggling collections.

Meek-Eaton is one of only 10 Black archives in the country, serving as a repository of more than 500,000 archival records and more than 5,000 museum artifacts dedicated to African American history and culture in America and the diaspora from the continent of Africa. 445 Gamble Street, Tallahassee, FL 32307

By Nanette Wiser

Visit Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Central Florida. Zora Neale Hurston, the most prolific Black woman writer of the Harlem Renaissance, described the rural community of Eatonville as “a city of five lakes, three croquet courts, three hundred brown skins, three hundred good swimmers, plenty of guavas, two schools, and no jailhouse.” Established in 1887, the city – where Hurston grew up – claims fame as the nation’s first incorporated black township. The museum named in Hurston’s honor features the work of prominent African American artists, hosts walking tours of Eatonville’s historic sites, and celebrates her legacy each year with an annual arts and humanities festival focusing on African American literature, art, and culture. www.hurstonmuseum.org

344 E Kennedy Blvd. 1st Floor, Eatonville, FL 32751

Closer to home is the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in downtown St. Pete presenting the historic voice of St. Petersburg’s African American community from the perspective of local, regional, and national history, culture, and community. “Touch in the Spirit of Love” is currently on display, the work of Dr. Gary L. Lemons, a professor of African American literature and Biblical studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa campus. The museum has partnered with Pinellas Community Foundation to help raise $27 million for a new museum. www.woodsonmuseum.org

TEE OFF The 2023 Valspar Championship is the ultimate fan-fest March 14-19 at the legendary Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf and Spa Resort. The world’s top-ranked golfers (including Sam Burns who will defend his title) will compete on The PGA TOUR® with four championship rounds of golf. Country music superstar Darius Rucker performs 3/18 at 6:30pm at Valspar LIVE presented by Chick-fil-A; concert access is included with a Saturday ticket or weekly pass. There are many premium ticket options. Get social at ROOFTOP! on the 18th green featuring a DJ and celebrity appearances; Hooters Owl’s Nest (complimentary beer and Hooters wings overlooking the 12th green; or The Snake Pit Hopper (all-inclusive food and a full-service bar) in venues on the 16th and 17th greens. On 3/17 St. Patrick’s Day, wear your best green outfit and sip green beer and swing by the Valspar® BLOCK PARTY and Tampa General Hospital Courtyard. Visit the family-friendly entertainment zone. The popular Publix® Chillounge features an expansive lounge area near the 8th tee.

Bringing the Party to You!

SEA DOG CATERING COMPANY

If you like Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Treasure Island, you’ll love Sea Dog Catering Co. Food Trucks for your next event.

Sea Dog Catering Company pops up in Tampa Bay at events, fundraisers, festivals, restaurants, and tailgate parties. They can even provide a big 25x25 outdoor TV screen. Why not book them for your next game day social, event, party, or special occasion, from weddings to bar mitzvahs?

Says Operations Manager Bert Follero: “With years in the hospitality world, we are pros at helping make your event memorable, from customizing the menu to working with your special needs. In addition to the Mexican menu and margaritas, we can create a specialized event menu with beers and spirits to match.”

The fresh Mexican menu features fabulous tacos, from chile-braised beef short rib with chipotle aioli to birria-style braised beef, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. The Baja burrito or bowl, nachos, street corns and chile lime chips with fresh guacamole are big hits as well as the kids menu and Nutella-filled churros coated with cinnamon sugar.

To quell your thirst, Sea Dog Catering Company serves award-winning Sea Dog and Shipyard beers as well as Ice Pik vodka craft cocktails in addition to other spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

“Everyone loves our margaritas and tacos,” says Bert, who previously ran the former Sea Dog Cantina in Gulfport before evolving Sea Dog Cantina Food Trucks into Sea Dog Catering Company. “Our Mexican menu is our top seller.”

The Sea Dog Catering Company launched in January 2022 with two trucks and a hot dog cart. They are adding to their fleet of food trucks as well as expanding their menu offerings to include dishes from Sea Dog Brewing Co. (lobster rolls, cheesesteaks, and wraps) as well as BBQ, wings and perhaps gourmet pizza in the future.

Taste for yourself. Check out the weekly calendar on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seadogtreasureisland You can enjoy Sea Dog Catering at upcoming events including Tropicana Field, Largo’s Shamrock Run, the Shamrock Marathon in Ft. De Soto, Skyway Bridge 10K and Dunedin Seafood Festival in March and Tampa Bay Blues Festival in April.

Add a little flair to your next event. Contact Bert to reserve your date at 207-745-1300 or bertf@seadogbrewing.com

PET HEALTH

them while we are away and honestly great entertainment for us too. Safe chew toys not only entertain our canine companions but can help keep their teeth clean longer and reduce the number of dentals in a lifetime.

Adventures - Taking them out on frequent walks and to pet friendly parks and hiking trails not only is great exercise but can be great for socialization. Just like with us, the more positive and diverse experiences we have the more well-rounded we become as individuals and the healthier we stay both physically and mentally.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Nowadays pets are more than just companions. They are family members, and most people consider themselves pet parents. We are their caregivers and are responsible for every aspect of their lives from the time we rescue, adopt, or obtain them to the time that they are ready to leave this earth. So, what can we do in the meantime to show that we love them?

Enrichment - Toys are great as long as pets have the motivation to use them. Playing with them and getting them excited about their toys is a great way to keep them active and in a healthy positive state of mind. Puzzle feeders are also a great way to entertain

Health - Regular visits to your veterinarian, especially for positive reinforcement, will greatly improve the overall experience that your pet has while there. The pokes and prods become tolerable over time with additional positive experiences there. It will also reduce your anxiety with veterinary visits, which will reduce the anxiety your pet feels overall because they are more in tune with your emotions and feelings. Regular checkups lead to early detection of issues that could become more severe if unnoticed until it’s more advanced.

Insurance - Life is full of surprises and now may be the time to think about insuring your pet. This isn’t a gift that you would directly give your pet but one that would make a

By Dr. Johnathan Pierce

lifesaving or life improving procedure much more affordable, giving you peace of mind that you’ll be able to provide for your pet in any event. Most insurance offers 90% coverage for accident and illness care, which is significant when life throws a curve ball. You can contact your veterinarian for a list of top providers.

These are just a few ways that we can show love for our pets directly and indirectly. We hope that you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Island Life Animal Hospital

Dr. Danielle Gallo & Dr. Johnathan Pierce 5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107, St. Petersburg 727-289-3776

islandlifeanimalhospital.vet

Creating & Improving Your “Online Presence”

by Peter Roos

In November, Paradise News ran a column about Search Engine Optimization, one of the most important parts of getting your website discovered online.

This month’s column deals with the broad spectrum of online marketing services provided by digital service providers like the Customer Loyalty Agency that that has office locations in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Atlanta.

“Every business owner wants to get their company on the first page of Google responses.  The Customer Loyalty Agency is a full-service digital marketing agency that is exclusively focused on helping local businesses improve their overall ‘online presence’ and get discovered by more potential customers,” said founder Dean Herington.

The marketing industry has shifted dramatically within the last decade.  The internet is the new Yellow Pages and with their help, you can leverage the power of the internet to your competitive advantage.  Their full-service digital marketing agency is ready to give your local business a competitive advantage.  Their proven track record of success with Word Press website design and local search engine optimization continues to produce revenue growth for their client companies in a wide variety of industries,  including home services, restaurants, and dental centers.

They are exclusively focused on improving their clients “online presence and would love to serve your local business!” Their approach to local SEO is uniquely built around what they know works…and what they know does not work, Dean Herington continued, “over the years, we have worked with dozens of local businesses.”

“We help ambitious local businesses generate more revenue by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with potential customers, and growing sales revenue.

“Put simply, we save you time–online and in the office–so you can do the real work.”  They seek to cut through the noise of the digital landscape to attract, convert, and engage with your current and prospective customers through a variety of digital marketing strategies.

If you want to increase your digital marketing in 2023, we suggest you give Dean a call at 941-323-1402 or visit their website at www.customerloyaltyagency.com

DOWNTOWN CONCIERGE

DRINK & DINE Pet-friendly DTSP and The Dog Bar are getting a new pal. Looking forward to Mutts and Martinis, a new Central Ave. dog waterpark and bar where pups and parents can play, dreamed up by the owners of Love My Dog and Love My Dog Grooming and Boutique. Happy hour at The New Hotel Collection Downtown St Pete’s Cordova Inn is fun at The Scott Mon.-Thurs. 5-7pm with lovely $4 beer, $5 margarita, $6 wine and crafted cocktails.

FUN Looking for a Valentine? Sign up now for Tombolo Books’ speed dating with books 1/13 6-8pm. This year they partner with Good Intentions to curate a Valentine’s meet-cute...with your next favorite book! Attendees can expect more fantastic rapid-fire recommendations across all genres from local authors, book club leaders, and booksellers! And while Tombolo provides the reads, Good Intentions serves limited happy-hour food menu and drinks available for purchase that evening. Reserve your spot now.

By Nanette Wiser

The Listening Room started in 2012 as an idea to create house concert tours for artists, by inspiring enough hosts in one region to collaborate and present music in homes, coffeehouses and other venues for a weekend or a week. You can become a member/fan or host and get your tickets. www.ListeningRoomFestival.com

SHOP The Saturday Market downtown and Corey Ave. Sunday Market feature many garden delights from décor to plants, but our favorite is Lida’s Jungle Plant Shop, a family-owned business with a new location at 3101 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N in a beautiful, airy space, a perfect home for their indoor tropical and exotic foliage. Roaming Petals offers many events where you can connect with and learn about flowers at our happy hour bouquet building workshop. You’ll enjoy beautiful flowers, delicious baked treats and champagne!

Will you spend SUPER BOWL Sunday 2/12 at home or at your favorite sports bar? Order your pizza ahead of time from Joey Brooklyn’s Famous Pizza Kitchen or Bavaro’s Pizza; charcuterie from Lolita, Baccus or Brooklyn South and sushi from Pacific Counter or Pin, Wok & Bowl. You can pre-order your wings for Super Bowl from Ferg’s with platters of 10, 20, 50 or 100 Wing Platters bone in or boneless with sauces from garlic parmesan to bourbon glaze. Watch the game at The Crafty Squirrel, Where’s Jubes, Five Bucks Drinkery, Park & Rec DTSP or any of the DTSP Breweries. Check Facebook for deals and steals. Swing by Brewed Awakenings (cubanito cold brew coffee bar) featuring dairy-free and vegan-friendly cold brew concoctions on the corner of 24th St. and Central Ave. Thurs.-Sun 8-4pm.

The Listening Room Festival at The Palladium is a highly anticipated annual event. Enjoy a night of world-class singer-songwriters and the biggest event of the Listening Room Festival with intimate stories and uplifting songs from Ariella, Peter Mulvey, A Tale of Two, and Jeffery Straker. The VIP ticket includes best seats, VIP lounge with snacks, and after-party featuring The Rough & Tumble, downstairs at the Side Door.

TIDBITS Local philanthropic club, The St. Pete Fools, is hosting a blood drive in partnership with OneBlood The group, consisting of businessmen and entrepreneurs, is holding the event to drive blood donations 2/26 from 11am-3pm at their Grand Central District clubhouse, 3263 Fifth Ave. S. Boulevard Burgers & Tap House will be on site serving free burgers to donors. After undergoing major renovations, the first floor of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library at USF St. Pete has a new look and greater study space for students. The upgrades include 12 new study rooms and state-of-the-art technology to enhance opportunities for collaboration and learning. Also, Melting Pot will be opening on 7th and Central.

JAZZ IS LOVE The ultimate Valentine concert is back at The Palladium’s Side Door 2/14 with jazz chanteuse Whitney James performing with Jean Bolduc on drums, John O’Leary on piano, Alejandro Arenas on bass, LaRue Nickelson on guitar. This show normally sells out and is returning for the first time since 2020. Music has been part of Whitney’s life since she was a little girl growing up in the San Francisco Bay. After hearing recordings of Sarah Vaughan, James got hooked on jazz. She has worked with master jazz vocalists Jay Clayton, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Nancy King and opened for jazz legends Nina Simone and Betty Carter and pop giants Earth Wind & Fire and Macy Gray. She has also voiced numerous radio station jingles and commercials airing in Europe and The United States. In 2007, Whitney made the move to the East Coast, splitting her time between New York City and Florida. Her 2010 debut CD –The Nature of Love – featuring trumpet great Ingrid Jensen, received rave reviews from US and international jazz press and

spent 16 weeks on the Jazz Radio Charts. She’s a favorite at The Clearwater Jazz Holiday and The Palladium. She is a founding member and lead singer for The Florida Bjorkestra. www.mypalladium.org

FARM TUNES It’s official! Open Mic Night is back on Thursdays at Keel Farms! Join us Jan. 19th from 5-8pm on the beautiful outdoor dining patio and bring your songs, instruments, and more for an evening full of talent and fun. On the weekends, you can enjoy live music Fri. at 6pm, Sat. at 1pm and 6pm and Sun. at 1pm. Make a reservation for a delicious meal and enjoy festive ales, fruit wines and ciders from Keel + Curley Winery and Keel Farms Agrarian Ales and Ciders. Keel Farms offers tours, tastings, dining, events, yoga, and many farm activities year-round!

BLUES @ SAFETY HARBOR Safety

Harbor Art & Music Center showcases many eclectic events including the third Wednesday of the month, when Ed Derkevics hosts SHAMc Alive, an open mic 7-9pm where singers, songwriters, poets, comedians, dancers, magicians, and storytellers come to entertain with doors open at 6:30pm. www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com

On Feb. 10 at 7:30pm, blues artist Vanessa Collier will perform as part of their concert series. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa “blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards.” Doors open at 7pm. It’s not surprising that

the press has been quick to commend her efforts as well. Blues Blast Magazine affirms, “Vanessa Collier is a fresh face on the American blues scene, and in addition to her soulful vocals, she brings a mighty sax to the table.” Blues Music Magazine proclaims, “Collier is a fresh face who comes to the blues stage carrying her reed instruments, a dual degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, a major label debut, almost two years of touring with Joe Louis Walker, and a mature musical vision… Collier commands center stage with her vocals, soloing, and stage presence.” Midwest Record exclaims, “This bluesy singing sax player knows how to bring the slinking funk to her captivating, award winning sound that has echoes in young Bonnie Raitt/Maria Muldaur vocal sounds… Killer stuff on every level, this sounds like one of the reasons you first became a music fan. Killer stuff and AXS.Com declares that she “might as well go ahead and add another shelf to her trophy case because clearly, she’s going to need it. With a voice that often recalls that of blues-rock stalwart Bonnie Raitt, Collier turns up the heat.”

GOOD DEEDS

A musician by trade, Wagner plays guitar with a band, Dazzler. When he volunteered at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg 23 years ago, he witnessed an “amazing transition” – using music as medicine –of unhappy young hospital patients into carefree kids who forgot about their pain and their fears through the power of music. Two years after that experience, Wagner founded MUSIC, Sweet Music, Inc. (MSM), a non-profit 501 (c)(3) based in South Pasadena.

MSM’s mission is to contract Board Certified Music Therapists (with their special instruments) who can provide

Music Therapy sessions to children and adults with health issues. Currently, MSM works with three therapists, offering 1,300 therapy sessions to hospitalized and outpatient children, young adults, and adults at various Tampa Bay facilities.

Music Therapy helps those with chronic illness or pain, hearing loss, speech delay, ADD, extreme anxiety, Down Syndrome, autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, or people in correctional or rehabilitation settings.

MSM also provides Music Therapy for individuals with special needs in their South Pasadena studio. MSM depends on community support since many of their clients can’t afford their services nor do most insurances reimburse for music therapy.

Healing with sound is backed by science and clinical research. First used in 1945 by the U.S. War Department, music therapy helped military personnel recovering in Army hospitals in addition to occupational therapy and physical reconditioning. Today, music

By Susan Koenig

therapy is widely accepted as legitimate, and a respected, accredited academic field of study.

If you would like to help MSM, consider donating or attending their annual fundraising event 3/11 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. For a donation of $100 per person, this “Tropical Gala” includes a waterfront dinner buffet, music, and dancing, and both a silent and live auction. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Music Therapy in Tampa Bay. Learn more at www.musicsweetmusic.org or contact Ted Wagner at 727-381-9095

Some people can see a problem and then really do something about it. Ted Wagner is just such a person.

When native Floridian Steven Garner and his family decided in 2021 to sell their Tampa Bay home after living there for eight years, their first realtor listed it for $275,000. They were dismayed by the low-ball offers. What to do? “Originally, we chose a family friend as our realtor. His advice was that ‘you don’t need to fix anything; the buyers are going to change it all once they buy it anyway.’ We were on the market with him for three months. After a nightmare of going under contract and falling out of contract twice, we pulled our house off the market. A friend told us that they sold their house for a record price after hiring YörDör to handle everything, based on a recommendation from their agent, Leisa Erickson of Engel & Volkers St. Pete, St. Pete Beach.”

That was exactly the peace of mind Steve was looking for. YörDör oversaw the mostly cosmetic improvements, such as flooring and paint throughout, refinishing the cabinets, hardware changes, and countertops, pressure washing the house including the roof, driveway and pool cage, and freshening the curb appeal. After the renovations, the house was on the market for only TWO DAYS with Leisa Erickson as the agent and sold for $385,000.

“Hiring YörDör to coordinate those small renovations resulted in a BIG windfall for us and it was worry-free. Our home sold for $111,000 more than the original price with the first agent,” says Steve.

“YörDör was easy to work with and the consummate professionals with an impeccable roster of contractors and services to call upon,” says Steve. “I’m sharing the secret sauce of working with YörDör to brainstorm on small improvements with big results.”

Maximize your home’s potential with YörDör, specializing in new construction builds, renovation projects to perfect your home or small remodels to get your home ready for sale. Services include kitchen and bath renovations, home additions, and creation of energy-efficient homes through state-of-the-art hurricane-rated doors, windows, solar-powered and battery backup systems, outdoor kitchens, pools, and home automation.

All dressed up with somewhere to go

Tickets to MUSE 2023 are now on sale. Celebrate Our City of the Arts at the fabulous Morean Center for Clay in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District on Friday, March 3, from 7-10pm. In what has become the most talked about art party of the season you’ll mingle with St. Pete’s artsiest crowd, enjoy gourmet delicacies and cool libations, and honor six outstanding 2023 MUSE award winners. Get tickets or become a sponsor: https://bit.ly/3HhQ4Om

Artful partnerships

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art will host American Stages’ “Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival” on March 3-5pm. These two St. Pete arts leaders are partnering on the Festival, which will include five readings of new plays currently in development along with conversations and forums with working artists. Regina Victor, founder of Rescripted, an artist-led interactive commentary on the state of the arts, is the keynote speaker. More information and tickets: https://bit.ly/3GUGO11

Using art glass master Duncan McClellan’s blown glass vessels as inspiration, area craft artisans crafted innovative new

pieces in their medium. See the results at Florida CraftArt’s exhibit Clearly Collaborative: A Master of Glass Meets Masters of Craft. The show runs now through March 11. Find out more at www.floridacraftart.org

For your next birthday how about celebrating at the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement? Groups of 10 or more enjoy discounted admission to the museum and learn more by exploring the galleries with a knowledgeable docent on a 50-minute tour of the museum’s collection. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3wiql1T

Photo finishes

The Morean Arts Center is featuring three new photography shows: Águeda Sanfiz’s “The Other Pandemic,” Tom Kramer’s “Forever Changed,” and “Wonder in the Wild” featuring photographic works by Curtis Anderson, Jr., and Stefan Jennings Batista. The three shows, on exhibit through March 23, address either mental health issues and/or the loneliness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://bit.ly/3HjXznO

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is moving to a new home in Ybor City. The new 3,000-square-foot space will offer visitors a ground-floor entrance from the historic Seventh Ave. Ybor Citywalk, a gift shop, and space for lectures and Artist Talks. Fundraising for the move is underway. For more info and to contribute: www.fmopa.org

Ocean Blue Galleries is honored to host Tom Everhart in a rare appearance of himself and his iconic works. Pieces from his original collections will be featured, as well as catering, a complimentary bar, and the chance to mingle with the artist. The event will be held at Ocean Blue Galleries in St. Petersburg Feb. 10 from 7-9pm and Feb. 11 from 1-4pm. Everhart, the Master of Creating Snoopy Art, is the only fine artist educated directly by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. www.oceanblue.gallery

Buckman will stay on until founder Trish Duggan hires a new executive director.

The Straz Center has received a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant. The funds will support the Straz Center’s 2023 Amplify Project, an effort to provide broad access to multiple multidisciplinary main-stage performances, free outdoor cultural events, and community conversations.

It’s showtime

Don’t miss “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project at the Catherine Hickman Theater in Gulfport. Evening performances are Feb. 10, 11, and 17 at 8pm; matinees Feb. 11,12,18, and 19 at 2pm. Tickets are $20. A benefit performance, including a talk-back following the show, is being presented Feb. 18 at 7:30pm in partnership with the LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library. Tickets and more information: www.ghostlightyc.org

Imagine Museum’s Jane Buckman is stepping down after serving as executive director since the contemporary glass art museum opened in 2018. Buckman says she plans to spend time creatively as a painter and sculptor. Imagine turns five this month, and

Dunedin’s Syd Entel Galleries hosts international artist Maya Eventov with an artist reception 2/11 5-8pm. Eventov doesn’t just paint with her hands; she paints with her entire being. Her acrylic paintings instantly recognizable are uniquely sculpted, using a palette knife technique. The paint rises from the canvas like a sculpture creating a window to her vision. www.sydentelgalleries.com

“There are no mistakes, just happy accidents”

So said Bob Ross during his long-running Joy of Painting TV show. Learn his technique with Tricia Lynn of the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance. A certified Bob Ross instructor, Lynn is offering classes in the Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet painting technique this spring. Learn more about making “happy little accidents” at https://bit.ly/3IZpWZP

fashion designers. Learn more and buy tickets: https://bit. ly/3kyDzFa

By Caron Schwartz

Music to Clearwater’s ears

freeFall Theatre starts off 2023 with a new play by Mat Smart, which runs through Feb. 26. “The Agitators” tells of the enduring but tempestuous friendship of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Great allies and at times great adversaries during their 45-year friendship. They agitated the nation, they agitated each other, and, in doing so, they helped shape the Constitution and the course of American history. Tickets and information www.freefalltheatre.com

Fine-tune your voice and learn how to act through a song during American Stage’s “Sing, Act, & Dance!: Intro to Musical Theatre for Adults.”

The 10-week fun class runs on Monday nights from Feb. 20-April 4. Learn more and enroll: www.americanstage.org

Something of a Mystery

Painter David Larson Evans, who resides in St. Pete and works from a remote studio in Pasco County, is interested in not only the perfect execution of a painting but what is being said and what is not being said. See his show “Something of a Mystery” at St. Pete ArtWorks through March 5 and attend a reception on Feb. 11 from 5-9pm. https://bit.ly/3ksmjBn

Dream worlds

The Dalí Museum and Neiman Marcus invite you to enter the dream world of Neiman Marcus fashions and surreal works of wearable art created by Fashion Design at The Dalí teen designers. Join them Feb. 9 for complimentary drinks & hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to meet some of Tampa Bay’s up-and-coming

Duncan McLellan Gallery presents the Washington Glass School’s “Dreams and Visions: Artwork for a Distracted World,” an exhibit of glass artwork that grapples with the truths of contemporary reality while employing familiar narrative motifs found in oral traditions, fairy tales, fables, myths and legends. Washington Glass School artists will present talks and demonstrations Feb. 25 and 26. See www.dmglass.com

Attention Banksy wannabes

Creative Pinellas and Pinellas County are joining together to create the 2023 ARTWorks Signal Box Project that encourages artists to submit original artwork to beautify Pinellas County by transforming the traffic signal control boxes from graffiti waiting to happen into public art. You just missed the first call to artists, but another will open in the spring. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3kzMtlA

Attention teenage creatives

Know a creative high school student? Have them apply for a Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (Tampa Bay BCA) Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship. Every year Tampa Bay BCA awards six or more scholarships to Tampa Bay area juniors and seniors with exceptional talent in instrumental and vocal music, theater, dance, and visual and literary arts. Since 2008 Tampa Bay BCA has awarded financial tuition assistance to more than 90 Tampa Bay area students. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3iVc9IY

The Florida Orchestra is expanding its Soundwaves chamber series to the Church of the Ascension in Clearwater starting in February. The series is a unique opportunity to experience TFO’s world-class musicians playing chamber music in an intimate setting, with music ranging from Beethoven and Bruckner to Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Tickets are on sale now at www.floridaorchestra.org

50 shades of Pompeii

After 20 years of restoration, Pompeii has reopened the infamous House of the Vettii, allowing visitors to return to see its erotic frescoes. Along with run-of-the-mill Roman porn, details include a depiction of Priapus, the Greek god of fertility and abundance, weighing his, uh, equipment, on a scale against a hefty bag of coins. The seemingly obscene image would have served as a symbol of the homeowners’ prosperity.

“Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.”

– Marc Chagall

ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT

Trish also taught and designed for the education department of The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Community Arts Ensemble from 1999-2004 prior to it becoming The Straz Center. She has also designed for the education departments of The Palladium, and The Hoffman Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

By Nanette Wiser

You hear about the famous actors and artists who went to school in Tampa Bay, but rarely do we meet the talented individuals who mentored them. With student artist/acting programs at The Patel Conservatory Straz Center, Ruth Eckerd and American Stage, as well as Eugenie Bondurant’s workshops, we often forget one of Pinellas County’s most illustrious high schools, a performing arts petri dish.

We’d like to introduce you to Patricia “Trish” Donnelly, the chair of the Technical Theatre department at the Pinellas Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School and serves at the Costume and Stage Makeup Designer for the program. In her 23 years with PCCA, Trish has coordinated and overseen costuming, hair and makeup needs of student-designed PCCA productions which include The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, and Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Nutcracker, She Loves Me and many more.

Donnelly received her Associate of Arts from Florida State University and went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. At Arrowmount School of Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tenn., she completed advanced classes in Fiber Arts. Ms. Donnelly has also completed classes in Stage, TV, Film and Historic Makeup Design at the London College of Fashion in London, England, as the result of receiving a 2003 Surdna Arts Teacher Fellowship Grant.

In addition to teaching at PCCA, Ms. Donnelly has taught and worked in many of the performing arts and visual art venues in the Tampa Bay area. Currently, she is the instructor for Fashion Design at the Dali, a high school fashion design program at The Dali Museum.

“Teaching at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High and Fashion at Dali, the Dali Museum high school fashion program, has allowed me to be part of the creative spark for students that have a passion for fashion, costume design and technical theater in general. Graduates of the programs often go on to Technical Theater, Theater Design, and Fashion Design programs for their post-secondary education. Our graduates include: Fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff; Metropolitan Opera wig designer Susanna Knowles; Cirque du Soleil General Stage Manager Alana Clapp; Oslo Theater Assistant Costume Shop Manager/costume designer Jordan Jeffers; Disney costume designer Cindy Rockwell; Disney On Ice costume designer Alicia Skelton; tour, production and stage manager Brian Schrader; production designer and art director Alexander Whittenberg and costume designer Macy Smith Connor Totten, a current PCCA Theatre Design Technology senior, has been selected as the youngest designer to participate in St. Pete Fashion week for the last two years,” says Donnelly of her students, now leaders in their fields.

She still works professionally as a costume designer, designing productions at the Studio at 620, American Stage Theatre Company and the Palladium. Her most recent costume design was for A Doll’s House, Part 2 at Tampa Repertory Theatre. She was awarded the 2012 Jeff Norton Outstanding Costume Design for her Rocky Horror Show design for American Stage Theatre.

Arts & Leisure

Venues are listed, alphabetically within category, in the following sequence of categories. Each listing includes address and web link, if available. Most web links are active when you are online at www.paradisenewsfl.com or copy and paste them in your browser.

IN THIS ISSUE:

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

ART – GALLERIES

ARTS – PERFORMING

MUSEUMS

MUSIC OPERA

FILM

ECO

GARDENS

FERRIES

LIBRARIES

MARKETS

SPIRITUAL ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

CLUBS – SERVICE/SOCIAL CLUBS – ATHLETIC

HEALTH

TOASTMASTERS (online)

THRIFT SHOPS

VOLUNTEERING

YOGA

(Events are subject to change. Please visit website or call to confirm.)

ART CENTERS/CLASSES

Beach Art Center

1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach

727-596-4331 beachartcenter.org

Through Feb. 10 – Gallery Show

February

20-March 24 –

Student-Teacher Show

Charlie Parker Pottery

2724 Sixth Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-321-2071

charlieparkerpottery.com

Heart of Pinellas

Decorative Artists

Pinellas Park Art Center, Roe’s Deli, 5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park.

Local chapter of National Society of Decorative Painters. 727-244-4321 hpdafl.com Painters of all levels welcome.

Morean Arts Center

719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-822-7872 moreanartscenter.org

Contemporary art gallery. Art classes year-round.

Through March 23 – Agueda Sanfiz

Through March 23 – Tom Kramer

February

25 – Second Annual Iconic: Portrait Edition

Morean Center for Clay

420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg 727-821-7162 ext 2311 moreanartscenter.org

Largest pottery in the Southeast

Morean Glass Studio

714 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-822-7872

moreanartscenter.org

Daily demonstrations every hour noon to 4pm. Classes available.

Pinellas Park Art Society Park Station Building

5851 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park 727-360-4406 pinellasart.org

Suntan Art Center at Don Vista Arts Center

3300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-367-3818

suntanart.org

Classes, Art Mart every weekend on Pass-a-Grille Beach

Monthly members’ shows

The Hive

559 49th St. S, St Petersburg 727-290-6515

thehivestpete.com

Classes, open studio, pottery, and jewelry sales

Treasure Island Art Guild

treasureislandartguild.org

Painting workshops weekly

Veterans Art Center

6798 Crosswinds Dr. N, St. Petersburg 813-504-3092 vactb.org

Provides opportunities for military and veterans to develop and showcase creative and artistic accomplishments

Zen Glass Studio & Gallery

600 27th St. S, St. Petersburg 727-323-3141 zenglass.com

Offers glassblowing and lampwork classes and workshops.

ART GALLERIES

To see galleries participating in Second Saturday Artwalk in downtown St. Petersburg, go to stpeteartsalliance.org/ experience-arts/artwalk

Art at 400 Studios

400 23rd St. S, St. Petersburg 786-567-1024 facebook.com/Artat400

Art Fusion Galleries

106 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-827-7195 artfusiongalleries.com

ARTicles/Leslie Curran Gallery

1234 Dr. MLK Jr St. N, St. Petersburg 727-898-6061 articlesstpete.com

ARTpool Gallery

2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-324-3878 artpoolrules.com Open Wed.-Sun., noon-5pm

ArtsXchange

515 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg Open Fri.-Sat., 11am-5pm

Atelier de SoSi

2380 Sixth Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-370-4192 atelierdesosi.com

Brenda McMahon Gallery

2901 Beach Blvd. S #104 Gulfport 518-692-7742 brendamcmahongallery.com

Bula Barua

2534 Terminal Drive S, St. Petersburg 727-900-1063 bulagallery.com

Blown glass on canvas

February 5 – Create Abundance 2023 seminar

Chasen Galleries

1830 S Osprey Ave., Sarasota 941-260-5787 chasengalleries.com/sarasota

Chihuly Collection

720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-822-7872 ext 5102 moreanartscenter.org

Advance ticket purchase recommended

Clyde Butcher Galleries clydebutcher.com/galleries

Through April 23 – Daydreaming: Niki Butcher’s Hand-Painted Photography Clearwater Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. EXTENDED Venice Gallery & Studio 237 Warfield Ave. S, Venice 941-486-0811

Big Cypress Gallery 52388 Tamiami Trail, Ochopee 239-695-2428

February

4-5 – Meet Clyde and Niki Butcher

Cobb Gallery Eckerd College, Library Circle, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009

eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Collectors Exchange Gallery 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg 727-898-6061 articlestpete.com

Open Sat. 11am-5pm

Craftsman House 2955 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-323-2787

craftsmanhousegallery.com

Gallery-Café-Pottery Studio

Buddy Baker | Events, Arts & Leisure Coordinator

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

www.paradisenewsfl.com/february-2023-events

Scan QR code for event listings online to go with you. Sign up to receive upcoming event e-news online at www.ParadiseNewsFL.com • Like us on facebook.com/ParadiseNews

RECURRING EVENTS

Tuesdays & 4th Saturday • 9am-3pm, Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S. gulfporttuesdayfreshmarket.com

Fridays • 5-9pm, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Gulfport. A juried event featuring emerging and professional artists. First Friday of every month.

Last Friday • 6-9pm, live music at the John’s Pass Bell Tower, John’s Pass Boardwalk and Shopping Village, 12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach

Saturdays • 9am-2pm, St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, First Ave. SE and First St., Al Lang Stadium parking lot near the marina. Celebrating community, food, and creativity. October through May.

1st Saturday • 8am Beach Cleanup, Archibald Park, 15100 Gulf Blvd. Mad. Beach.

2nd Saturday • 8:30am, Beach Cleanup, TI Waffle House, 11185 Gulf Blvd.

• 5-9pm, St. Pete Artwalk. Artists and gallery owners from 40 studios and galleries in five arts districts show off their latest works. Take the trolley, drive or park and walk. stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk

3rd Saturday • 5-9pm, Indie Faire, Beach Blvd., Gulfport. Outdoor, socially distanced event in Gulfport features local art, handmade crafts, jewelry, and pottery to locally sourced botanicals.

4th Saturday • Gulfport 4th Saturday Fresh Market 9am-2pm • Pinellas Arts

Walk 4-8pm, Pinellas Arts Village Walk, 5600-5800 Park Blvd. (north side), Pinellas Park. Pinellas Park Art Society, Donnelly COVE, Complete Sweet Shoppe, Pompei Factory, Studios @5663, Painting with a Twist, Bottles Pub, and Swartz Gallery.

Sundays • 9am-1pm Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market, Indian Shores Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. Local vendors offer everything from gourmet foods to fine art. (November-April). TheBeachMarkets.com

Library Book Sale every third Sunday.

• 10am-2pm/Summer 9am-1pm, Corey Sunday Market, Corey Ave. (74th Ave), St. Pete Beach. Almost a hundred vendors with an emphasis on local fresh, hydroponic and organic veggies, gourmet take-out treats, locally made crafts and live music. (9-1 June - Sept.)

Every other Sunday • 9am-noon, Organic Farming at Eco-Village, 302 15th St. N, St. Pete. Volunteer in a community garden that provides access to fresh organic produce, opportunities for physical activity, connection with nature.

ONGOING

Through Feb. 26 – Imagine Blackness exhibit

Free, Noon-5pm, Wed. through Sun, Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. A collaborative exploration of Blackness and Black representation through AI-generated images created by artist McArthur Freeman II and sociologist Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman. Inspired by Black speculative fiction and Afro-Futurism, the project offers viewers interactive opportunities to question, inspire, and escape by engaging the viewers’ own imaginations in the co-construction of the future and alternate worlds.

Through Feb. 26 — Blues in The Night

$45-$55/ $25 age 18 and under, 2pm and 7pm, freeFall Theatre Co., 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. This Tony-nominated musical set in a 1948 Chicago hotel that has seen better days interweaves stories of Blues in The Night to evoke the struggle and humor of life, love, and dogged determination to do more than just survive. The drama reveals itself through songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Alberta Hunter, Harold Arlen, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and more. freefalltheatre.com

Through Feb. 28 – St. Petersburg Celebration of the Arts

Various venues. This fifth season of the Celebration has a diverse collection of performances from a spectrum of local artistic talent, from The Florida Orchestra, American Stage, and the One City Chorus to talks on the many expressions of freedom. For a partial list of the dozens of activities planned, visit artsofstpete.com/calendar

Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center

1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-825-0515 creativeclay.org

Creative Pinellas

12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo 727-460-5477

Gallery hours noon-5pm Wed-Sun creativepinellas.org

Through Feb. 26 –

Imagine Blackness exhibit

February

21 – afroQuantum Experiences Artmaker Talk (virtual)

Crossroads Gallery

St. Petersburg College, 2464 Drew St., Clearwater 727-791-2548

Collection of SPC student art spcollege.edu/friends-partners/ community-resources

Custom House Décor

2901 Beach Blvd., Gulfport 727-317-5936 customhousedecor.com

Tuesday Fresh Market

D Gallerie 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Unit CSt. Petersburg 407-921-3608 d-gallerie.com

DRV Fine Art Studios & Gallery 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport 727-382-7004 drvgallery.com

Duncan McClellan Gallery 2342 Emerson Ave. S, St. Petersburg 813-760-6600 dmglass.com

Dunedin Fine Art Center

1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 727-298-3322 dfac.org

Through Feb. 26 – SOONOQO

Through Feb. 26 –

Christopher Skura

Through Feb. 26 –

Intimacy Into Me I See

Ekeko Gallery

290 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St. N, St. Petersburg 727-685-5577 facebook.com/Ekeko-Gallery

Elliott Gallery

Eckerd College, Nielsen Center for Visual Arts, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009 eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Factory St. Pete 2622 Fairfield Ave. S St. Petersburg thefactorystpete.com

Fairgrounds St. Pete 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg Works by more than 60 local and international artists fairgrounds.art

Five Deuces Gallerie

2101 Third Ave. S, St. Petersburg Open by appointment & Artwalk Facebook.com/five22222

Florida CraftArt Gallery

501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-821-7391 floridacraftart.org

Sat. Mural Walk

Through March 11 –

Clearly Collaborative

Gulf Coast Artists Alliance St. Pete ArtWorks, 2604 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-738-8010 gcaa-fl.org

Luis Sottil Studios

400 Beach Drive NE, Suite 150, St. Petersburg 727-220-1567 facebook.com/luissottilstpete

Mirella Cimato Art Gallery

2145 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg (inside St. Petersburg Opera) 727-543-9190

facebook.com/ MirellaCimatoGallery

February

11 –Elaine Anagnos: Women From Around the World

Nielsen Center for Visual Arts

Main Gallery

Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 800-454-9009 eckerd.edu/visualarts/program

Red Cloud Indian Arts

214 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-821-5824

redcloudindianarts.com

Representing authentic Native American arts

March 10-11 – Artie Yellowhorse

Soft Water Gallery 515 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg 727-327-3473

softwatergallery.com

Stirling Art Studios & Gallery

730 Broadway (Second Floor)

Studio 12, Dunedin 800-325-2050

facebook.com/StirlingArtDunedin

New artist exhibits monthly

Syd Entel Galleries

247 Main St., Safety Harbor 727-725-1808

sydentelgalleries.com

February

11 – Maya Eventov reception

The Art Lofts

Florida Craftsmen Galleries (second floor)

10 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-504-8788 theartlofts.com

By appointment only

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery

2323 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-254-6981 woodfieldfineart.com

Through March 4 –

Cousins: Oil & Water

ARTS PERFORMING

Amalie Arena

401 Channelside Dr., Tampa 813-301-2500 amaliearena.com

February

1 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

4 – Carrie Underwood

6 – TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour

16 – Andrea Bocelli

17 – Bert Kreischer

24 – The Judds

March

3 – Blake Shelton

4 – Rauw Alejandro

8 – Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

10 – Greta Van Fleet

American Stage

Raymond James Theatre

163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg 727-823-7529 americanstage.org

Through Feb. 5 –

Crimes of the Heart

March

3-5 – Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival (at James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art)

Asolo Repertory Theatre

5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

800-361-8388 asolorep.org

Masks required inside building

Through March 5 – Silent Sky

Through March 26 – Ken Ludwig’s

The Three Musketeers

February

15-April 13 – Chicken & Biscuits

Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

405 Cleveland St., Clearwater

727-791-7400

rutheckerdhall.com/capitol-theatre

February

1 – Judy Collins

2 – Tom Rush

3 – Kathy Mattea

4 – Dave Mason

5 – Rumours: Fleetwood

Mac Tribute

7, 9 – Keb’ Mo’ NEW DATE

8 – Neko Case

14 – Jim Messina

16 – CAL: Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon

50th Anniversary

17 – Marty Stuart

18 – Paul Thorn

19 – ELO Experience

22 – The Weight Band

23 – Justin Willman

24 – The Man in Black: Johnny Cash Tribute

25 – Rita Rudner & Robert Klein

26 – Al Stewart

27 – The Irish Tenors

28-March 1 – Lyle Lovett

March

2 – Ones: The Beatles #1 Hits

3 – Gino Vannelli NEW DATE

8 – Pablo Cruise

9 – Alan Doyle w/ Chris Trapper

12 – Spyro Gyra

13 – The Righteous Brothers

14 – The Moody Blues’ John Lodge

17 – Martin Sexton

18 – Eric Johnson

19 – Joanne Shaw Taylor

22 – Gordon Lightfoot

31 – Space Oddity: The David Bowie Experience

April

1 – Gaelic Storm & The High Kings

2 – The Monkees Celebrated by Micky Dolenz

7 – Heather Land

15 – CAL: The Beatles’

Sgt. Pepper

21 – Home Free

22 – My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy!

23 – Leonid & Friends

27 – Hoodoo Gurus

May

4 – Cream of Clapton Band

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.”

– Nicholas Sparks

UPCOMING

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

Bininger Theater

Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-867-1166

eckerd.edu/theatre

February

15-18 – Eleemosynary

Catherine Hickman Theater

Feb. 3 – 10th Annual Raptor Fest

Free, 10am-4pm, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. See trained raptors in free flight, learn about Florida’s native raptor species, take photos with live birds of prey, and enjoy activities for children and families. This event supports the preserve’s Birds of Prey program. No Pets Please! Parking at Lake Vista Recreation Center and Lakewood High School. Handicap sticker can park on-site.

Feb. 10 – Cajun Occasion seafood boil fundraiser

$100/$1,500 table/other sponsorships available, 5:30-10:30pm, Bilmar Beach Resort, 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. This event benefits the under-construction Sunny Green Acres rescue for exotic and farm animals. The evening will include a Gator Bite Sunset Toast, seven-piece New Orleans jazz band Hot Tonic, a DJ, silent auction, games, dancing, and fun! For information, sponsorships, and tickets visit sunnygreenacres.org Proceeds will go to building habitats, an outdoor pavilion, education programs and conservation efforts.

Feb. 11 – Reclamando Our Narrative Writing Series (Session 3)

Free, 1:30-4:30pm, hybrid meeting. In-person and virtual workshop series for the Latinx community to claim their stories, heal and connect, and participate in conversations about race equity, unity, and advocacy. Meetings are once a month through May 12. The series is organized by Mi Gente Mi Pueblo. For more information, and to register, visit the Reclamando Our Narrative Writing Series on Facebook www.facebook.com/events/1265133814270883/ ?active_tab=discussion) and scan the QR code.

Feb. 11-12 – Gulfport Fine Arts Festival

Free, 10am-5pm, Gulfport Veterans Park 5350 31st Ave. S. This boutique festival welcomes artists in all media, and those who participate in this annual celebration of fine art say they love the festival for three reasons: the intimate gathering, the caliber of the buyers, and a show in a seaside city that celebrates art and artists in every corner.

Feb. 17 – Arts Legacy REMIX: International Women’s Celebration

Free, 7:30-9pm, Riverwalk Stage, Straz Center, Tampa. Arts Legacy REMIX celebrates the many varied cultures and talented local artists who reside in the Tampa Bay area. This month will focus on women throughout the generations whose unique experiences will be brought to life through diverse artistic mediums.

Feb. 17-19 – ReadOut Literary Festival

Free, registration required for Zoom access, Gulfport Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. This year’s festival will celebrate published and emerging authors from across LGBTQ+ and allied communities. Presentations will be on-site, live streamed or prerecorded. Feb. 17: opening panels; Feb. 18-19: panels, authors readings, workshops. Keynote Sunday 1:30pm by Brian Broome at the Gulfport Casino and live streamed. His debut memoir, Punch Me Up to the Gods, is an NYT Editor’s Pick and the winner of the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction. Details at: readout@lgbtqgulfport.org; register at Eventbrite.

Feb. 18 – Localtopia 2023

Free admission, 10am-5pm, Williams Park, 330 Second Ave. N. Localtopia is St. Pete’s largest “Community Celebration of All Things Local,” showcasing over 300 of the city’s independent businesses and community organizations. It’s been referred to as “the most St. Pete-esque event a resident or visitor can attend.” Because of the expected large crowds, PLEASE leave the pets at home.

Feb. 18 – Madhatter’s Casino Night

$60/$110 a couple after Feb. 7, 7-10:30pm, Holiday Inn & Suites Harbourside. The evening will feature casino games, silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle, hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar from 7-8pm. Cocktail attire and a fun hat are encouraged. Proceeds benefit Gulf Coast Dance Theater, a youth dance company for training future professional dancers. gulfcoastdancetheater.org/mad-hatters-casino-night.html

5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1070 mygulfport.us

Central Park Performing Arts Center

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793 largoarts.com

February

1 – The Edwards Twins

3 – An Evening w/ Jimmy Webb

4 – The Chipper Experience

7 – West Coast Dance Center season preview

9 – The Music of Sting and The Police

10 – The Mersey Beatles

11 – Broadway Our Love

13 – Eagles Tribute

17 – Disco Night featuring Almost Abba & The Shee Gees

March

3 – 9 to 5

9 – Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus

15 – The Irish Comedy Tour

Early Bird Dinner Theater

13355 49th St. N, Clearwater 727-466-5998

earlybirddinnertheater.com/site

Through Feb. 26 –Birthday Club by Phil Olson

Eckerd College International Film Series

All films free to the public, 7pm Miller Auditorium, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-867-1166

www.eckerd.edu/ international-cinema/

Eight O’Clock Theatre

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6793

eightoclocktheatre.com

March

3-12 – 9 to 5

Floridian Social Club

687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-322-4600

www.floridiansocialclub.live

February

2 – An Evening w/ Boxcar Hollow

3 – The Broken Hearts (Tom Petty tribute)

4 – The Black Honkeys

7 – Lucero

9 – Hot Tonic

10 – LoveSong: a Cure tribute

17 – #NOFILTER

18 – The Spazmatics

19 – Kathleen Edwards

23 – Latin Dance Night

24 – Ajeva, The Fritz, Minim, DJ Captain Hogie

25 – Dave Matthews tribute

March

3 – The Black Honkeys

4 – Steeln’ Peaches: An Allman Brothers Revue

Francis Wilson Playhouse

302 Seminole St., Clearwater 727-446-1360

franciswilsonplayhouse.org

February

16-March 5 – Gypsy

freeFall Theatre Company

6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-498-5205 freefalltheatre.com

Through Feb. 26 — The Agitators

February

1 – Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)

9 – game Night!

17 – Belinda Womack and Ericka Womack

March

3 – Varla Jean Merman’s Ready to Blow

Gulfport Casino

5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport 813-840-3715

mygulfport.us/recreation/casino

Weekly dancing/instruction

Gulfport Community Players Back Door Theater

1619 49th St. S, Gulfport gulfportcommunityplayers.org

Jannus Live

200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-565-0550 jannuslive.com

February

3 – Big Gigantic

8 – Strfkr

10 – Borderline

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.”

– Sophocles

11 – Codex Natura

17 – Badfish-Sublime Tribute

March

5 – Ballyhoo

11 – Steel Panther

14 – They Might Be Giants

M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa

(Music Acting Dance Theatre of Tampa)

813-386-6173 madtheatre.com

February

3-19 – Falsettos

Manatee Performing Arts Center

502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton 941-748-5875 manateeperformingartscenter.com

Through Feb. 1 –

A Neil Diamond Tribute

February

1-5 – Go Ask Alice

9-10 – Temps, Tops, Supremes & Gladys: A Motown Revue w/ The Soul Sensations

14 – Peter Fogel’s ‘Till Death

Do Us Part…You First!

17 – Joe DeVito Comedy Night

18 – Tony Sands presents “Rat Pack Together Again”

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union

Amphitheatre

Florida State Fairgrounds

4802 US Hwy. 301 N Tampa 813-740-2446

midflorida.com/amphitheatre

National Theatre Live

Eckerd College, Miller Auditorium

4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Performances in HD

https://www.campusce.net/eckerd/ course/course.aspx?catid=159

February

18 – Jack Absolute Flies Again

March

11 – Much Ado About Nothing

Patel Conservatory

1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, Dance / Theater / Music / Adult Classes 813-222-1002 patelconservatory.org

Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center

4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park 727-369-5746

pinellas-park.com/161/PerformingArts-Center.com

February 18 – Shake Baby Shake

26 – Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra

March 4 – The Brothers Doobie

11 – Red Corvette: Prince Tribute

Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa 813-350-6500

raymondjamesstadium.com

February

4-5– Monster Jam

11 – SuperCross

Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 N McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com

February

1 – TFO: German Romanticism

1 – Clay Walker & BlackHawk

2-3 – Blue Man Group

4 – The Kat & Dave Show

5 – Mutts Gone Nuts

7 – REO Speedwagon

10 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd

11 – Roger Daltrey

13-15 – John Mellencamp

17 – Temptations & Four Tops

18 – Dancing with the Stars Live

19 – Stayin’ Alive: Bee Gees tribute

19 – TFO: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concert #2

21 – Emmylou Harris

22 – The Beach Boys

24-25 – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

26 – Sarah McLachlan

March

2 – Neil Berg’s 114 Years of Broadway

3 – Trixie & Katya Live!

4 – Doo Wop Reunion

5 – The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute

12 – Little River Bands w/ Lords of 52nd St.

15 – TFO: Divine Inspiration

Safety Harbor

Art & Music Center 706 Second St. N, Safety Harbor 727-725-4018

safetyharborartand

musiccenter.com

February

5 – Moors & McCumber

8 – SHAMcircle Drum & Dance

10 – Vanessa Collier

March

10-11 – Will Evans

St. Petersburg City Theatre

4025 31st St. S, St. Petersburg 727-866-1973 spcitytheatre.org

Oldest continuously operating community theater in Fl since 1925

MARKETS

By Susan Schiber

Corey Avenue Market

Meet the Nutty Girl at the Corey Sunday Market

Meet Molly Moore, the founder of NuttyGirl where everything is keto-friendly, vegan and gluten free with no refined sugars. Five years ago, Molly was looking for a healthier lifestyle, made raw walnut chocolate energy balls and having an entrepreneurial spirit sold a box and so began Nutty Girl!

She has an array of gluten free, vegan, protein filled products like her Girlnola, a nutty granola with organic gluten-free oats, nut butters, apple juice-infused cranberries and pure maple syrup. Her newest release is a “Good Carb Cookie” made with green banana flour and available in 5 flavors.

When Molly is not in the kitchen, she dedicates her time to many philanthropic efforts including Helping Girls through Education and Mindful Snacking.

Find Molly the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month at the market on Corey Ave. and Blind Pass Road in the heart of St. Pete Beach.

**The market operates year-round however Molly takes summer off so stock up on her healthy treats October through May ** and then find her online at www.nuttygirl.com Keep an eye on market happenings at: www.tampabaymarkets.com/upcoming-markets-events

See you Sunday 10am-2pm!

ARTS & LEISURE EVENTS

Feb. 21 – afroQuantum Experiences: ArtMaker Talks

Free, 7-8pm, Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. Virtual at Facebook Live - Facebook.com/CreativePinellas. Join Artist Laureate Jake-ann Jones as she talks one-on-one with leading artists, thinkers, critics, and creators about arts and artists in the Black and Brown community and in society as a whole. 727-582-3600

Feb. 25 – Gulfport’s Get Rescued Free, 10am-5pm, 3101 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. This annual event has evolved from one block and a handful of animal rescue groups to a festive event representing rescue groups from throughout the region. Activities will include pet care education, pet services, a pet food and supplies drive, animal rescue groups, free samples, training demos, food, and music. Additionally, animal-related vendors, artists and crafters offer their wares to festivalgoers. All profits benefit participating non-profit rescue groups.

Feb. 25 – Second Annual Iconic: Portrait Edition

$175/$150 members, 7-10pm, The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Witness the portraits of three local icons being created live, as nine talented artists compete head-to-head for a variety of prizes. Watch the creative process from start to finish, then vote for your favorite artist’s portrait in the People’s Choice awards at the end of evening. The event includes cocktails and cuisine from some of St. Pete’s most ICONIC vendors. moreanartscenter.org/iconic/

March 3 – Ninth Annual MUSE Awards

$125 and up, 7-10pm, Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd St. S. Sponsored by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the MUSE Awards celebrate the diversity of the arts and culture in St. Petersburg. Winners will be announced in the categories of Ambassador of the Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Patron of the Arts, and Art and Technology. stpeteartsalliance.org

March 3-4 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert

$52.50 and up, March 3, 7:30pm/March 4, 2pm, Straz Center, Tampa. The Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series returns to The Straz Center with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, the fifth film in the Harry Potter series. Ron Spigelman will conduct The Florida Orchestra in performing the score live while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. strazcenter.org

March 3-5 – Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival

$100 (all access), James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave. A collaboration between the museum and American Stage, the festival will include readings of five new plays currently in development, conversations and forums with working artists and a keynote address from an established playwright. Plays, artists and speakers not available at press time. americanstage.org

March 4 – Gulfport’s Pink Flamingo Home & Garden Tour

$25/$30 at door, check-in begins 10am. The 2023 Home Tour takes you through Gulfport’s Garden District. This popular neighborhood, the northernmost of Gulfport, offers a glimpse into Gulfport living, with homes with architectural styles ranging from bungalows to mid-century Florida ranch homes. The tour also includes some of the Garden District’s thoughtfully – and beautifully –crafted gardens.

March 10 – Listening Room Festival Showcase

$45/$100 (VIP), 7:30-10pm, Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. The evening will feature intimate stories and uplifting songs in a “listening room atmosphere” from Ariella, Peter Mulvey, A Tale of Two, and Jeffery Straker. The VIP after-party will feature The Rough & Tumble. Festival runs March 9-12, with house concerts each day. listeningroomfestival.com

Seminole Hard Rock

Hotel and Casino

5223 Orient Rd., Tampa 813-627-6649 seminolehardrocktampa.com

February 8 – Kevin James

16 – Rod Stewart

21 – Gladys Knight

23 – KC & The Sunshine Band

March

7 – Cheap Trick

Skipper’s Smokehouse

910 Skipper Rd., Tampa 813-971-0666 skipperssmokehouse.com

February

5 – Acoustic Sunday Brunch w/ Wade Williams

10 – Harlem Gospel Travelers

11 – Squirrel Nut Zippers

16 – Jesse Dayton

17 – Ward Davis

18 – Mike & the Moonpies

19 – Vandoliers

24 – The Black Honkeys

March

10 – Church of Cash

Stageworks Theater

1120 E Kennedy Blvd., West Bldg., #151, Tampa 813-374-2416 stageworkstheatre.org

February

10-26 – Smell of the Kill

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org

Through Feb. 5 —

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Through Feb. 5 –Hamlet (Jobsite Theatre)

February

3-19 – MAD Theatre presents Falsettos

5 – A BIPOC

Play-Reading Series

9-11 – Jim Gaffigan

10-12 – Norma

15-April 8 – Shear Madness

16 – Ailey II

16 – Andrea Bocelli (at Amalie Arena)

17 – TFO: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concert #2

18 – Carnevale: Opera Tampa Grand Gala

18 – Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation

21 – Ami Vitale: Wild Hope

21-26 – Chicago

23-26 – The Sound of Music, Youth Edition

24 – An Evening w/ Phil Rosenthal

25 – Nella

26 – Discover Opera: Pagliacci

26 – TFO: Rachmaninofff’s Piano Concerto #3

March

3-4 – TFO: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert

5 – A BIPOC Play-Reading Series

8-26 – Wicked

10-12 – Pagliacci

15-April 9 – Misery by William Goldman

Riverwalk Stage (free performances)

February

10 – Jariah Higgins

17 – Arts Legacy

Remix: International Women Celebration

18 – Frankie Raye

24 – Julie Black & Her Band

Studio Grand Central

2260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-202-7019

studiograndcentral.com

Home to the Off Central Players

February

9-19 – This is Our Youth

Tampa Theatre

711 N Franklin St. Tampa 813-274-8286

tampatheatre.org

One of America’s most elaborate movie palaces

February

3 – Nikki Glaser

17 – Shane Gillis Live

March

3 – Girls Gotta Eat

7-11 – WineFest 2023

12 – Hollywood Awards Night

Tarpon Springs Cultural Center 101 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605

tarponarts.org

February

18 – Shakespeare in the Dark II

Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center

324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

February

4 Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook

25 – Divas 3

March

11 – Bachelors of Broadway

The Mahaffey Theater

400 First St. S, St. Petersburg 727-300-2000 themahaffey.com

February

1 – Rick Springfield

2 – TFO: German Romanticism

4 – TFO: Jeans ‘N Classics presents Abbey Road

5 – Patti Labelle

10 – Pink Martini

16 – Inside Sibelius’ Symphony #5

17 – Mania: The Abba Tribute

18 – Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2

20 – Deep Purple

24-25 – Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #3

March

7-8 – Shen Yun

11 – The Florida Orchestra’s 55th Celebration

15 – One More for the Road (Bob Anderson as Frank Sinatra)

The Palladium

253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-822-3590 mypalladium.org

February

2 – Diego Figueiredo & Ona Kirei

3-7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience

4 – Pinellas All County Orchestra Concert

5 – Tampa Bay Symphony: Innovation & Freedom

9 – Unapologetically American Comedy Tour

11 – TFO: Pictures at an Exhibit Revisited

14 – Whitney James Jazz Valentine

17-18, 24-25 – Dreamland

19 – One City Chorus

21 – The Juilliard String Quartet

26 – Tampa Bay Symphony: Sixth Annual International Composition Competition Finals

March

1 – The Tamburitzans

2 – Nina On My Mind

3 – Absolute Queen

6 – Cowboy Bebop Live

7 – Maxim Galkin

8 – Time for Three: Palladium Chamber Series

10 – Listening Room Festival Showcase

12 – TFO: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice & More

The Studio@620

620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-895-6620 thestudioat620.org

Masks requested while in building

February

3 – Comedy Night

7 – Authors Talk w/ Peter Kageyama & Paul Wilborn

14 – Blah Blah Blah Open Mic

18 – Never Had a Friend by Dr. Micah E. Johnson

USF Yuengling Center

12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa 813-974-3111 yuenglingcenter.com

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941-953-3368 vanwezel.org

Through Feb. 1 – Blue Man Group

February

2 – David Foster & Katherine McPhee

3 – Sarasota Orchestra presents A Romantic Affair

6 – Town Hall: Michael Phelps

7 – Michael Feinstein celebrates Judy Garland

8 – Momix

10 – Scotty McCreery

13-15 – Tootsie

16 – Mandy Patinkin

17 – Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular

21 – The Beach Boys

22 – Rita Rudner & Robert Klein

23 – Ailey II

24 – Sarasota Orchestra: Guided

Tour of Copland and Stravinsky

25 – Sarasota Orchestra: Copland and Stravinsky

27 – Town Hall: Adm. James Stavridis

28 – Sarah McLachlan w/ Vanessa Freebairn-Smith

March

1 – Chicago Symphony w/ Riccardo Muti

3-4 – Sarasota Orchestra: Gershwin, Berlin & Friends

6 – Neil Berg’s 113 Years of Broadway

7 – Pilobolus

8 – Temptations & Four Tops

9 – The Mikado

10 – Kenny Loggins

12 – English Chamber Orchestra

13 – Town Hall: Jose Andres

14 – On Your Feet!

West Coast Players

21905 US 19 N, Clearwater 727-437-2363 wcplayers.com

Through Feb. 5 –Little Shop of Horrors

ARTS & LEISURE

Zubrick Magic Theatre

1211 First Ave N, Suite 101, St. Petersburg Performances

Thur.-Sat. 7pm; Sun. 2pm 866-ZUBRICK (866-982-7425) zubrickmagic.com

Voted “Best Family Magic Show”

MUSEUMS

Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

2240 Ninth Ave. S, St. Petersburg One City Chorus – Mon. 7pm woodsonmuseum.org

February

18 – 2023 Legends Ball

26 – Scotty Wright Quintet Jazz in the Garden

Florida Holocaust Museum

55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg 727-820-0100 flholocaustmuseum.org

Through Aug. 27 –

Lukasz Baksik Matzevot for Everyday Use

Through Aug. 27 – Memories of My Life in a Polish Village: Testimony in Art by Toby Knobel Fluek

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

813-221-2222 fmopa.org

Closed during relocation

Glazer Children’s Museum

110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-443-3851 glazermuseum.org

Created specifically for children 10 and under.

Great Explorations

Children’s Museum

1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-821-8992 greatex.org

First Sun. of month open special hours for special needs families. Families with a SNAP, EBT, or WIC card get in free every Tues. Limited hours.

Gulf Beaches Historical Museum

115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-552-1610

gulfbeachesmuseum.com

Gulfport History Museum

5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport Free admission 727-201-8687 gulfporthistoricalsociety.org

Henry Plant Museum

401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-254-1891 plantmuseum.com

Live classical music performances every third Thur.

Most Sundays – Upstairs/ Downstairs at the Tampa Bay Hotel Through March 5 – Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition

Heritage Museum

100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

History and culture of the Greek community

February

2 – Florida Friendly Landscaping Essentials

March

2 – A Macro Look at Microplastics

Imagine Museum

1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-300-1700

imaginemuseum.com

Contemporary American Studio Glass

Thur. $5 after 5pm

John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota 941-359-5700 ringling.org

Mon. – Free admission all day

Thurs. – Art After 5

Through Jan. 7, 2024 – As long as there is sun, as long as there is light. Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art

Through Feb. 12 – Highlights from the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Collection of Photography

Through March 26 –

June Clark: Harlem Quilt

Through April 2 – The Marvellous Marbling of Matsui Kosei

Through May 28 – Gods and Lovers: Paintings and Sculpture from India

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

– Rumi

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

600 E Klosterman Road., Tarpon Springs

727-712-5762 leeparattner.org

Through Feb. 5 – 48th Annual International Miniature Art Show

Through Feb. 12 – Building

Legacies: Architecture & Design, Joseph Constantino Photography

Through March 12 –

Structure of Prints: The Dorothy Mitchell Collection

February

25-May 21 – The Palladium Series: The Other Side of Dance

Museum of the American Arts And Crafts Movement

355 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-440-4859 museumaacm.org

Sun. Film Series – 12:30/2pm

Daily Arts and Crafts-inspired films

Through Feb. 26 – American Arts & Crafts Color Woodblock Prints

Through Feb. 26 – Arthur Wesley

Dow: His Beloved Ipswich

Museum of Fine Arts

255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-894-4638 mfastpete.org

Thur. $10 after 5pm

Cocktails & Collections third Thur.

Through Feb. 5 – Appropriation

from the Collection

Through March 26 – Rodin and The Age of Impressionism

Through May 21 – Images Private and Public c.1500-1800

Through June 25 – Unexpected Visual Conversations

National Comedy Hall of Fame Museum

2435 U.S. 19, Holiday 727-541-7876 nationalcomedyhalloffame.com

Closed, museum expansion underway

Safford House Museum

23 Parkin Ct., Tarpon Springs

Restored Victorian home builtin 1883 727-942-5605 tarponarts.org

St. Petersburg Museum of History

335 Second Ave. NE

St. Petersburg 727-894-1052 spmoh.com

Watch “Ancient History for Kids” on YouTube!

Happy Hour with the Historian:

March 10 – Craig Pittman

Cat Tales: The Wild Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre, Pinellas Park. 727-579-8226 tbauto.org

Tampa Bay History Center 801 Old Water St., Tampa 813-228-0097 tampabayhistorycenter.org

Walking tours of Tampa neighborhoods

Through Feb. 12 –

Cuban Pathways

Through April 2 –Kitschy Cartography

March

1-31 – Hillsborough County

Women’s Hall of Fame

4-Oct. 15 – Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird

Tampa Museum of Art

120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-259-1720 tampamuseum.org

Thur. 4-8pm –pay-as-you-will admission

Through March 26 – Highlights from the Karam Collection

Through April 16 –

All in Favor: New Works in the Permanent Collection

Through Aug. 27 – Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Perez Collection

Through June 30, 2024 –Purvis Young: Redux

Tarpon Springs Railroad Depot

Historical Museum

160 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs Free admission 727-943-4624 tarponspringsarea historicalsociety.org

The Dalí Museum

One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg 727-823-3767 thedali.org

Thur. and Fri. reduced admission after 5pm

Advanced-purchase timed tickets recommended

Through April 30 –The Shape of Dreams

ECO

By Nanette Wiser

CLEAN WATER Author and environmental attorney

Maya K. van Rossum of Green Amendments for the Generations and the Delaware Riverkeeper toured Florida in January to discuss WHY and HOW green amendments, such as Florida’s proposed right to clean and healthy waters, is SO necessary.

Rossum’s new book–“The Green Amendment, the People’s Fight to Secure a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment”, suggests an inspiring new agenda for environmental advocacy, one that will finally empower people, level the playing field, and provide real hope for communities everywhere. Discover how legislative environmentalism has failed communities across America; the transformational difference environmental constitutionalism can make for environmental protection; the power of environmental constitutionalism for environmental justice, the climate crisis, protecting future generations, and protecting human health and how to take action. The Green Amendment is filled with heartbreaking stories of people who have been negatively impacted by our disregard for the environment. Pollution and ecological disasters have damaged their homes. Toxins have sickened their families. Property and health effects shut down businesses and robbed people of the ability to work, ruining their livelihoods. Sign the petition: www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/petition

HYDRATION STATION Thirsty while you’re hiking or biking? Enjoy the 121 water bottle refilling stations popping up in 85 of Florida’s busiest state parks, from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island State Park. The Withlacoochee State Trail, a 46-mile paved path that weaves through Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, now has five new water bottle refilling stations. Florida State Parks Foundation and Duke Energy Florida partnered on these new stations to curb plastic little and encourage sustainable. The water bottle refilling stations cost about $200,000 to buy and install. State parks used a $175,000 grant from Duke Energy and $25,000 from the Foundation’s specialty license plate sales to purchase and install.

URBAN FARMS Since its grand opening in Oct. 2021, the Eckerd College Community Farm has generated several new on-campus jobs that train students for careers in the burgeoning urban agriculture industry, says EC Farm Faculty Director, Environmental Studies Instructor and Internship Coordinator David Himmelfarb, Ph.D. Any Eckerd student can volunteer for workdays on the farm–learning to seed, weed and harvest as they explore the science behind biodiversity versus monocultures and the importance of native species. Last spring, the farm produced 500 pounds of produce that was served in the campus cafeterias. www.eckerd.edu/green/farm

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

– Buddha

ARTS & LEISURE

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-892-4200

thejamesmuseum.org

Tues. $10 all day

February

4-May 14 – The Stories They Tell: Indigenous Art and the Photography of Edward S. Curtis

March

3-5 – Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival (w/American Stage)

USF Contemporary Art Museum Institute for Research in Art

3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa ira.usf.edu 813-974-3503

Through March 4 – Poor People’s Art: A (Short) Visual History of Poverty in the United States

USF Graphicstudio

3702 Spectrum Blvd., Ste 100, Tampa Free admission 813-974-3503 graphicstudio.usf.edu/GS/ gs_about.html

MUSIC

Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

Mon. Night Jazz Jam, 7-9pm, Hangar Restaurant, 540 First St. SE, St. Petersburg, aldowningjazz.com

New Horizons Band of Gulfport Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport Novice, intermediate musicians 727-345-0285

newhorizonsbandgulfport.org

School of Rock St. Petersburg 2401 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Guitar, drum, singing, keyboard/ piano lessons

727-871-7625 schoolofrock.com

South Pasadena

Community Band

All-volunteer band 727-515-5407 southpasadenaband.com

February

9 – Free concert, South Pasadena City Hall

St. Petersburg College

Gibbs Campus Music Center

6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-341-4360

spcollege.edu/events

Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society

Cove Cay Golf Club

2612 Cove Cay Drive, Clearwater sdjs2022.org

February

11 – Jeff Barnhart & Sweet & Hot Quartet

March

12 – The Midiri Brothers

Tampa Bay Symphony

Performances in various locations 727-827-8087

tampabaysymphony.org

February

5 – “Innovation and Freedom” (Palladium)

26 – Sixth Annual International Composition Competition Finals (Palladium)

TomKats Jazz Orchestra

The Blue Parrot

Mon. 7-9:30pm

85 Corey Circle, St. Pete Beach 727-368 9619

tomkatsjazzorchestra.com

Greg Dunn, Tomkats Music Dir. dunngsje@verizon.net 727-637-4123

tomkatsjazzorchestra.com

OPERA

Metropolitan Opera: HD Live Miller Auditorium, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg Live high-definition broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera 727-864-7600

campusce.net/eckerd/course/ course.aspx?catid=156

March

18 – Lohengrin

Opera Tampa at Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org

February 10-12 – Norma

18 – Carnevale: Opera Tampa Grand Gala

26 – Discover Opera: Pagliacci

27-March 1 – Open

Rehearsals: Pagliacci

March 10-12 – Pagliacci

Sarasota Opera House

61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota 941-328-1300 sarasotaopera.org

February

1 – Heroic Heroines of Opera

18-March 24 – Madama Butterfly

25-March 25 – Don Giovanni

March

11-26 – Ernani

St. Petersburg Opera Company

2145 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-823-2040 stpeteopera.org

Various performance locations

St. Petersburg Opera Guild stpeteoperaguild.org

The Pinellas Opera League

Socialize and be entertained first Wed. October-June

Thur.: Opera at the Dali pinellasoperaleague.com

ECO

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg 727-893-7326 stpeteparksrec.org/ boydhillpreserve

Tram Tours Sat., guided tours, classes. Encompasses Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center, Terry Tomalin Campground, and Pinellas Pioneer Settlement

Brooker Creek Preserve

3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs 727-453-6800 brookercreekpreserve.org

Tram Tours Sat.

8,700 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods.

Fort De Soto Park

3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-552-1862

pinellascounty.org/park

Campgrounds, ferry services to Egmont and Shell Keys.

Seven miles of beach, historic fort, two fishing piers (Bay Pier closed through winter 2023).

Tampa Bay Watch

Discovery Center

700 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, at The St. Pete Pier 727-291-4103

tbwdiscoverycenter.org

Daily boat tours of Tampa Bay ecosystem

Weedon Island Preserve

1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727-453-6500

weedonislandpreserve.org

Guided hikes, birding, and photography tours.

GARDENS

Florida West Coast Orchid Society

Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo 727-420-7230 fwcos.org

Second Thurs, 7:30pm, visitors welcome. Educational classes

February

9 – Member Plant Sale

Garden Club of St. Petersburg 500 Sunset Dr. S, St. Petersburg 727-381-8920

gardenclubstpetersburg.org

Monthly special events

Ikebana International St. Petersburg Chapter 65 500 Sunset Drive, St. Petersburg (Garden Club building)

Ikebana – centuries-old art of Japanese floral arranging. ikebanastpetersburg.com

Monthly demonstrations

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

1534 Mound St., Sarasota 941-366-5731 selby.org

February

12-June 25 – Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature

Pinewood Cultural Park 12520 Ulmerton Road, and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo Includes:

• Heritage Village – Free 21-acre living history museum pinellascounty.org/heritage

• Creative Pinellas –creativepinellas.org

• Florida Botanical Gardens –Free 100-acre park flbg.org

First Sat. – Historic House

Concert Series

Second Sat. – Speaking of History Series

Third Sat. – Gardens open 7am-5pm; Creative Pinellas open noon-5pm; Heritage Village open 10am-4pm

Happy Valentine’s Day

ARTS & LEISURE

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg

Adult and child

horticultural workshops

727-892-5715 sunkengardens.org

FERRIES

Crossbay Ferry

Connecting Downtown Tampa

Aquarium Wharf to Downtown St. Petersburg Vinoy Basin

Wed. through Sun., October through May

727-273-5932

thecrossbayferry.com

Egmont Key Ferry

Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

Pirate Water Taxi

Hop on, hop off, 14 stops along the Hillsborough River and Tampa Riverwalk. 813-223-7999 piratewatertaxi.com

Shell Key Ferry

Fort De Soto Boat Ramp 727-398-6577

hubbardsmarina.com

See website for overnight camping

LIBRARIES

Gulf Beaches Public Library

200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach 727-391-2828 gulfbeacheslibrary.org

Gulfport Public Library

5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1074 mygulfport.us/gpl

St. Pete Beach Public Library

365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-363-9238

Monday/Wednesday 10-8

Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 10-6

Saturday 10-2 Sunday closed

Closed Feb. 20

Topics in American History: 1st Tues.

Mayor’s Open Office: 2nd and 4th Mon

Feature Films: 2/3/, 2/17

Book Club: 3rd Thur

Tech Help: 2nd Mon

Adult Crafternoon: 4th Thur

Donut Happy Hour: 2nd Tues

Concert Series: 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8

Lighthouse of Pinellas: 2/10

Talking Books Library: 2/24

Create a Valentine: 2/9

Valentine’s Day Coloring: 2/14

Children’s Programs

Story Time: Tues

Family Movie Night: 2/13, 2/27

Family Crafternoon: 3rd Tues

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Book Club: 4th Tues

Home School Social: 2nd Thur

Story & STEAM: 3rd Sat spblibrary.com

President Barack Obama

Main Library 3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727-893-7724 splibraries.org

Closed for renovation

MARKETS

TUESDAYS

Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market

9am-3pm, January through April 9am-2pm, May through December Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S, Gulfport, Second Tues. Clothing Swap visitgulfportflorida.com

WEDNESDAYS

Madeira Beach Market

November through May 10am-2pm 15000 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach

FRIDAYS

Treasure Island Friday Market December through April, 9am-2pm Community Center Park (behind Walgreens) 104th Ave. & Park Place, Treasure Island. Free parking, live music. Pet friendly. 727-360-4121 islandneighborschamber.org

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Dunedin Downtown Market

9am-2pm, Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Fri. market November-May; Sat. market year-round. facebook.com/ DunedinDowntownMarket

SATURDAYS

Market in The Bluffs

9am-2pm, second Sat., September through May

2747 Sunset Blvd., Belleair Bluffs Outdoor market facebook.com/marketinthebluffs

St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market

October through May, 9am-2pm

Al Lang Stadium parking lot, 230 First St. SE, 727-455-4921 saturdaymorningmarket.com

SUNDAYS

Corey Avenue Sunday Market

10am-2pm/Summer 9am-1pm

Corey (74th) Ave., St. Pete Beach 727-498-8778 tampabaymarkets.com

Indian Shores Sunday Market

October through April, 9am-1pm

Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-300-6551 facebook.com/ IndianShoresSundayMarket/

SPIRITUAL

Sacred Lands

1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg 727-347-0354

sacredlandspreservation.org

Drum circle first Fri.; Sun. tours, meditations, special events

Soothe Our Souls (S.O.S.)

4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-360-7411 sootheoursouls.org

Provides complimentary sailing for seriously health-challenged people and their support groups

Spiritual Conditioning Program

153 107th Ave., Treasure Island

Pat Jano at 727-324-9222

Small group Bible study

ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center (formerly Alligator Attraction)

John’s Pass Village, 12973 Village Blvd. A-D, Madeira Beach, 727-329-8751 kissagator.com

Explore, learn & kiss a gator

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 727-441-1790

www.cmaquarium.org

Rescue, rehab and release Home of Winter and Hope, stars of Dolphin Tale I & II

Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 813-273-4000 flaquarium.org

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota 941-388-4441 mote.org

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores 727-391-6211

seasideseabirdsanctuary.org

Free. Donations accepted. Tours.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa One mile west of I-275 (exit 48) 813-935-8552 zootampa.org

CLUBS-SERVICE/SOCIAL

Gulfport Lions Club

Second and fourth Tues. 6:30pm Gulfport Lions Clubhouse 4630 Tifton Dr. S, Gulfport 727-709-6694

facebook.com/Gulfport-Lions-Club

Pass-A-Grille Shuffle Board

January through March

Tues./Thurs./Sat., 10am–noon

Pass-A-Grille Park, Ninth & 10th Ave. Member $20/yr., open to public.

Preserve The ‘Burg 727-824-7802

preservetheburg.org

Works to educate, advocate, and celebrate all things related to St. Pete’s history.

Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches

Tues., Noon. VFW, 12901 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach

facebook.com/RotaryGulfBeaches/

Second Saturday Singers

Second Sat. October through April, 9am–noon

Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th St. S, St. Petersburg

Sing songs you love, ages middle school and up bobd@pccumc.org

ARTS & LEISURE

Senior Solos

Second Mon. except July and August, 1pm, Pinellas Park Senior Center, 7625 59th St. N, Pinellas Park. Social group of singles 50+ 727-369-5694 pinellaspark.com

Social Club of St. Petersburg 2500 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. Bocce, cards, and social events. Open to the public on Mon. and for special events. majordl050@aol.com

727-798-6355 socialclubofsp.org

St. Petersburg Audubon Society

727-753-9731 stpeteaudubon.org 101+ Years Conservation

St. Petersburg Chess Club

540 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Open every Fri. for members from 6-11pm; Sun. 2-4pm for group chess lessons and friendly games. Individual lessons available. chessclubjoy.webs.com 727-776-5583

St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club

330 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg November to April, Mon., Wed., and Fri. 9:30am Free lessons available. 727-344-4240/ 416-410-7671 stpetersburglawnbowling.org

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Fri., 7-10pm, Free.

559 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg 727-822-2083 stpeteshuffle.com

Suncoast Bonsai Society

Third Sat. 10am

Seminole Recreation Center 9100 113th St., Room 210A, Seminole

Demos, workshops, evaluations. Bring your own tree. One of oldest bonsai clubs in Florida. 727-209-7974 suncoastbonsaisociety.org

Suncoast Quilting Circle

Works to preserve and promote the art of quilt making. suncoastquiltingcircle.org

Swiss Club

Second Sat. 11:45am, October through May

12425 Sixth St. E, Treasure Island Augie – 727-522-0771 swissclubstpetersburg.com

Tampa Bay Surface Guild

Second Mon., 6:30-8:30pm Good Samaritan Church 6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park Coloring, patterning, structuring and transformation of fabric, fiber, and other materials surfacedesignguild.com

The Contemporaries

Support group of Members of Museum of Fine Arts. Monthly lectures, gatherings and field trips supporting contemporary artists of Tampa Bay. mfastpete.org

The Treasure Island Historical Society

Second Mon., 5pm September through May 250 104th Ave., Treasure Island 727-641-5203 facebook.com/ treasureislandFLhistoricalsociety

Treasure Islettes

Bingo Thursdays 6:30pm, Treasure Island Community Center, 106 154th Ave. Doors open 6pm. Jackpot $200-$250! Free parking, free coffee and tea. Proceeds go to charity and college scholarships. 727-270-3178

treasureislettes.weebly.com

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Flotilla 7-8, St. Pete Beach

Promoting boating safety with a 12week repeating cycle Safe Boating Program, Tues. 7pm Start at any point in cycle.

Warren Webster Building, 1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach

wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=070-07-08

Tampa Bay Women In Tourism

Third Friday, various venues. Fosters relationships, encourages growth within the industry and your business.

tampabaywomenintourism.com

55th Celebration Concert Featuring Itzhak Perlman

Violin legend performs benefit concert with Michael Francis & TFO

Sat, Mar 11

Rachmaninoff Mini Festival

Celebrating 150 years of the master of melody

Piano Concerto No. 2

Feb 17 & 18

Piano Concerto No. 3

Feb 24 - 26

Michael Francis, Music Director

HOUGH FAMILY FOUNDATION MASTERWORKS

Michael Francis conducts | Featuring Joyce Yang

ARTS & LEISURE

Empath Health

Suncoast Hospice

Locations throughout Pinellas County. Training provided. Ages 14+ years. empathhealth.org

Friends of Strays

2911 47th Ave. N, St. Petersburg Nonprofit, no-kill shelter 727-522-6566 friendsofstrays.com/home

Hope Villages of America, Inc. Positions needed at Food Bank, Haven of RCS, Grace House, Thrift Store. Helping families of hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence. 727-443-4031 ext 506 rcspinellas.org/Volunteer/

Marine Exploration Center

Looking for volunteers who are passionate about the marine environment. 727-209-7115 mecstpete.org

Meals on Wheels

13945 Evergreen Ave., Clearwater

Need volunteer drivers to deliver meals. 727-573-9444 neighborly.org

State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of FL, 14250 49th St. N, Suite 4000, Clearwater.

Help abused, abandoned, and neglected children 727-834-3493 guardianadlitem.org

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

100 Second Ave. N, Suite 150 St. Petersburg

Help advocate for the arts, empower artists and drive arts-related economic development. In-person and virtual volunteering opportunities. 727-754-6404 stpeteartsalliance.org

St. Petersburg Free Clinic 863 Third Ave. N, St Petersburg 727-821-1200 ext 114 stpetersburgfreeclinic.org

Tampa Bay Watch 3000 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde 727-867-8166 tampabaywatch.org

YOGA

Beach Yoga Pinellas Various locations 727-222-6476 Beachyogapinellas.com

Salty Souls Yoga

Various locations 727-459-9178 saltysoulsyoga.com

Silver Sneakers Yoga

Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach 727-363-9245 Fri. at 11:15am spbrec.com

Sunken Gardens

1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 727-560-7317 Mon. & Wed. 10:30am

The Centre of St. Pete Beach 7525 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach 727-258-2001 thecentreSPB.com/calendar1

• Wake Up My Body Mon. & Sat. 9-10am Hatha Yoga Wed. 6-7pm Mindful Slow Yoga. wakeupmybody.com

• St. Pete Aerial Yoga AM & PM Aerial Yoga Class options. Beginners welcome. Private sessions and group parties available. Reservations required stpeteaerialyoga.com

• Prism Wellness Yoga

Tues 3:30pm – Hatha Yoga

Thurs 9:30am – Mindful Meditation Reservations required prismwellnessandyoga.com

WordSmitten Writing Workshops

Third Sat., 1-5:30pm, $15/session 800-727-6214 ext 101 wordsmitten.com

CLUBS – ATHLETIC

Clearwater/St. Petersburg Ski Club

Second Tues. 6:30pm, September to May

Mike’s Pizza & Deli Station, 13560 49th St., Clearwater. Pinellas County’s only ski club. 727-743-3108 snowshark.org

Mad Dogs Triathlon Club

Wed. night swims through summer, 6pm, Hurley Park Shelter, Pass-AGrille Beach, 1600 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach. 727-582-1910 stpetemaddogs.org

Tampa Bay Beach Bums

Beach volleyball for players of all levels. Gulfport 727-437-2867 Facebook

St. Pete Road Runners

Member of Road Runners Club of America. Walkers, joggers, noncompetitive & competitive runners. Monthly meetings, guest speakers, coaching, group runs, Grand Prix Series and social events.

HEALTH

Depression Bipolar Support Meets at various locations and times. 727-410-1569 dbsatampabay.org/index.html

Jazzercise Exercise Classes

Mon. & Wed. 5:30pm Treasure Island City Hall, 120 108th Ave., Treasure Island 727-687-6695 www.jazzercise.com

Memory Café – Gulfport

Third Mon. 12:15-2pm Neptune Grille, 5501 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. Support for those suffering from dementia and their loved ones. RSVP 727-327-0167 sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571 catemcarty@gmail.com

Memory Café – St. Petersburg Second Mon. 11am-1pm Carrabba’s St. Pete, 1951 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. RSVP 727-327-0167 sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571 catemcarty@gmail.com

Walking Club & Memory Café

Third Fri. 10-11am group walk Tyrone Square Mall 11:15am-1pm Memory Café at Red Robin, 2468 Tyrone Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, RSVP 727-345-3581

sensol@seniorsmile.com or 813-384-7571

catemcarty@gmail.com

Wednesday Walkers

Second and fourth Wed. 9am, varying locations.

Sponsored by Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport 727-893-1244

THRIFT SHOPS

Attic Shoppe 316 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach facebook.com/albansministry

CASA Thrift Shop 1011 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg Wed. Seniors 55+ save 25%. casa-stpete.org

Creative Thrift Art Store (at Creative Clay) 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg creativeclay.org/creative-thrift

HEP Thrift Store 1212 N Betty Lane, Clearwater Facebook.com/hepthriftstore

Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church Thrift Shop 107 16th Ave. & Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach pagchurch.org/home/thrift-shop/

St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop 5124 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport facebook.com/stvinthrift

Church by the Sea Thrift Store 495 137th Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach churchbythesea.com/thrift-store

VOLUNTEERING

AARP

Various volunteer opportunities aarp.org/giving-back

Daystar Life Center 1055 28th St. S., St. Petersburg Many volunteer opportunities available. 727-825-0442 facebook.com/DaystarLifeCenter

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”

– Natalie Cole

FORSALE:$1,000,000

1398 52nd Ave NE – Waterfront pool home. 3/2 ranch. Corner lot. Mansard screened pool & deck area. New seawall, catwalk, electric lift deck w/power, light and water. Large 2-car garage. Natural gas. Metal roof. Solar panels. Julia Paulsen, 727-463-4853, Randy Ierna, 727-647-0813

FORSALE:$599,000

1515 Pinellas Bayway S, #65 – 2BR/2BA. Water views. Great income property. Daily rentals allowed. Waterfront community. Heated

FORSALE:$650,000

FORSALE:$2,690,000

173 1st St. W – Stunning Coastal Waterfront! Light-filled and remodeled-to-perfection, one-level contemporary home. Solar heated pool, spa. Wide open Boca Ciega Bay water views! Laura Dague (813) 440-9652

FORSALE:$2,450,000

TO$2,900,000

FORSALE:$490,000

1125 PINELLAS BAYWAY S, #102 – Serene waterfront 2BR/condo. Breathtaking wide canal views. Assigned boat slips. Great layout. Bldg elevator. Open kitchen. Updated windows. Spacious balcony overlooking canal. Master bedroom with views, walk-in closet. Pool. Tennis courts. Assigned parking. Nearby parks, beaches, bike trails. Boater’s paradise. Ideal location. 15 mins to downtown St Pete, 35 mins to Airport. Blanka Prusova-White (727) 480-6126

FORSALE:$618,000

FORSALE:$500,000

FORSALE:$699,900

4750 Dolphin Cay Lane S Unit - Gated community. Spacious 2BR/2BA open floor plan, corner unit with 3 verandas. Floor to ceiling windows, hurricane shutters, covered parking. Fitness center, private beach, 3 heated pools, tennis courts, EV charging stations. Nancy LaBare, 607-760-8483

Norris, 727-641-6131

pool, boat slips, dock, clubhouse, rec room. Sherrie Pesce 727-422-8301

455 Pinellas Bayway S Quiet Cove, new construction. 8 waterfront condos. Gorgeous water views. 4BR/3.5BA. 3,126 sq ft. Gated. Deep water 50’ boat slips, 2-car garage. Climate controlled storage. Heated pool & spa. Fitness center, lounge. Blanka Prusova-White, 727-480-6126

115 1st St. E, #105 2 BR/2BA condo. Furnished. Amazing water views. Dolphin watching from balcony. 1-car garage. Bonus room with A/C. Walk out to seawall or pool. Many community amenities. Kim Shuey, 727-488-7627

CLASSIFIED

ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES

David J. Strickler, CPA, PA, djscpa1@aol.com 727.906.9600

BACKGROUND CHECKS

King Background Screening

Since 2006. Tenant & employee background checks. Full credit report, nationwide criminal, and nationwide eviction. $50 See website for full details. www.KingBackgroundScreening.com

Denise Anderson - Owner Call/Text 941.284.4612

KingScreening@gmail.com

BODY SCULPTING

Medically supervised targeted weight loss with EMSCULPT at Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

CAREGIVER

In-home aid, dementia/companion care, meals, laundry, groceries, pets, appointments. St Petersburg / S. Pinellas. References available. Maritza Palmucci 813.230.9392

COMPANION

Call Joyce Vorns with Rachel’s Angels for kind, compassionate care like family. From meals and bathing to shopping and laundry. jvorns@gmail.com 727.768.7547

COMPUTERS & VIRUS REMOVAL

Pinellas Family Computer Service

PC & Mac Technician for your home or business. Stephen Johnson A+ sjohnson@pfcs.biz 727.803.0219

DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY

Home Pick-up & Delivery-Dry Clean, Wash-Dry-Fold, Alterations, Patio Cushion Cleaning, Shoe & Handbag

Repair, Pick-up 2x weekly Sacino’s Cleaners sacinoscleaners.com 727.471.0573

Residential, Commercial Linen & Maid Services

MNC Cleaning Service

Stop in 9-4 at 7863 Blind Pass Rd. or call 727.826.0133

Laundry Wash - Dry - Fold Service

Laundromat 7815 Blind Pass Rd., SPB, call Laura 727.458.1412

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELERS

Quality Construction with a woman’s touch. www.vanselowdesign.com

Master Certified Kitchen & Bath

Remodeler, Green Certified Professional 727.391.2959

Schedule a FREE Consultation TODAY

HEALTH & FITNESS

Ancient Healing Acupuncture & Herbs

Seasonal Allergies, Hip & Back Pain

April Wang 727.384.4826

Certified Chinese MD, (Tyrone Area)

6600 31st Terrace, St. Pete

Worried About Your Memory?

Alzheimer’s Association –

Offers FREE & Confidential

Memory Screenings, CALL to schedule 727.893.5657

HAULING - DELIVERY - MOVING

Hot Momma’s Hauling does pick-ups and delivery, including shell, sand, and pavers. Trailer rentals, junk removed, clean outs. Call Ashlie 727.678.3156

LetMommahelpyou.com

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Gulfport Nutrition - 5012 Gulfport Blvd. S., Cardio Drumming Classes. Call Marlene for Info 305.619.9734

HEARING CARE

Pasadena Hearing Care

Anne S. Carter, Ph.D. 727.329.8852

Don’t let Hearing Loss impact your life.

HELP WANTED

Sacino’s Formalwear is hiring quality tailors, sales associates & management trainees. Join our expert team today! Resume to rons@sacino.com

HOUSEKEEPING & CLEANING

Dependable European Lady15+yrs exp., High Quality, Reasonable Rates, References. 727.564.1473

11/23

Reasonable cleaning. Homes, windows, offices. Experienced and insured. Pinellas county. 727.259.3558

Laddy’s Cleaning Service - on the beaches over a decade 727.430-8826

Laundry Wash Dry Fold Service

Laundromat - 7815 Blind Pass Rd, St. Pete Beach. Some Pickup/Delivery Available. Call Laura 727.458.1412

Cleaning Is Our Passion - Maids, Maintenance & More. Steadfast, Reliable, Best of Beaches service for 25+ years. L/B/I 727.363.1074

Home & Office Cleaning -

Experienced,Efficient

European Cleaning LadyFree Estimates, Great local references 10+ years Irina 727.481.1364

INSURANCE

Academy Insurance - Full LinesFlood -Residential & Investment Property Specialist Call Rose rwainwright@academyins.net

727.343.0419

Bentley DeNight Insurance Services can save $$$ on Flood Insurance and can quote Homeowners, Auto & Business Insurances 727.344.4500

IV THERAPY

Medically supervised IV Infusions at Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

JEWELERS

Diny’s Jewelers - Custom Designs, restoration & repair; appraisals & more! 130 107th Ave., Treasure Island (N of Clock Tower) DinysFlorida.com 727.513.3469

LOCKSMITH SERVICES

COVID SAFE Lock Repair Service during daytime hours, weekdays. Vet owned. Tommy Locksmith 727.755.3975

LUMBERS

Need wood to match your old house? If it isn’t in stock, ask if we can make it for you. Anderson Lumber 666 49th St. S 727.321.3111

MARINE CONSTRUCTION

Island Marine Construction - Docks, Boat Lifts, Service, since 1997. Licensed Marine Contractor, C-8463 727.363.7282

MASSAGE SERVICES

Mobile Therapeutic Massage in the comfort of your home or office.

• Relaxation

Teresa

& Injury Relief

2Reds Massage (MM37417) is growing brand new treatment rooms open for medical massage or complimentary therapies. Great location for St. Pete and south beaches. Call Marsha Jo 2redsmassage.com 727.278.1175

Helios Health – Scott (MA-25432) & Zoe (MA31664) offer massage, personal training and Infrared sauna therapy on West Central Ave. @ 57 St., St. Petersburg 727.322.8883

MEDICAL PRACTICE

Don’t Suffer From Joint Pain

Accepting NEW Patients

• Sports Medicine

• Regenerative Medicine

• IV Vitamin Therapies • Stem Cells

• Non-narcotic Pain Management

• Total Joint Replacement Regenesis Orthopedics 727.826.0329 1615 Pasadena Ave. S., Suite 290, www.regenesisortho.com

Email Info@regenesisortho.com

Primary Care - Senior specialist

Jason Phillippe, MD 727-655-9850 6450 38th Ave N. #300 St. Petersburg, FL 33710 www.MillenniumPhysicians.com

MEMORY CARE

Memory challenges are complex. Lets figure them out together. We take care of Moms and Dads.

Inspired Living at the Ridge www.inspired.living.care

A purpose-built memory-care facility on high ground.

Join us for an upcoming Dementia Live interactive presentation 727.231.5396

PAINTING SERVICES

Residential or Commercial Painting

Flo-Pro Painting 727.337.6888

PAYROLL SERVICE

For 1-50 employees. Competitive. Employee Retention Tax Credit Consultant. Get your application filed! Jack.Welsh@Payrollvault.com

Payroll Vault 727.424.4044

PERSONAL CHEF

Hire a French personal chef and enjoy dinner with your guests!

Text or call 571.435.5606

Custom Meals and Delivery

Andrea Dudley 813.541.8437

PET SERVICES

CBD for Pets - Natures Pet Herbals has a variety of CBD Hemp based products for you and your pets.

The Centre@StPeteBeach carries

Natures Pet Herbals for you pets and top quality CBD products for you!

Stop by 7525 Blind Pass Rd.

PET SITTING & WALKING

Pete’s Perfect Pet Care is a true professional. Get happy text messages from your best friend daily while you are apart. Bonded and Insured. 727.742.2599

Pete@PetesPerfectPetCare.com

PLASTIC SURGERY

Coundouriotis Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Center 727.525.9900

“Reverse the Signs Of Aging Anywhere on your body, Rebuild collagen & reduce wrinkles.”

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Make New Friends at The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay, a Watermark, Waterfront Community convenient to Paradise NEWS readers.

Call 727.202.3474

SCREEN REPAIR

Screen Repair for Pool Cages, Patios and Lanais, call or text for a FREE Estimate.

Rescreen Rescue 727.348.4307

SEAFOOD & BUTCHER SHOP

Shaners Land & Sea Market @ P-A-G 2000 Pass-A-Grille Way, St Pete Beach 8am-7pm, 7 days 727.367.4292

SEO & WEBSITES

Advanced Digital Media Services develops websites with SEO built-in to get your company to the top on Google. them or call 727.509.6930

SLIDING DOOR REPAIR

Stop Struggling w/ Old Sliding Doors. We fix it to open for a fraction of the cost of a new door. We replace windows too. Lic. C1050, YouTube.com/user/SliderRepairs Slider Repairs 727.493.2644

STUFF FOR SALE

Camera – Samsung WB35 Compact Digital 12X Zoom – 16.2 MP Gently Used Take great photos and share them easily 727.644.1270

TERMITES

Cameron Termite & Pest Control Inspections, Treatments and Tenting Camerontermite.com 727.577.0789

TOURS & TRANSPORTATION

Paradise Tours & Transportation

Call us 1st for your transportation needs. We will take you where you want to go! Sightseeing tours and transportation around Tampa Bay. 727.417.8036

BATS - Bay Area Taxi Service BatsTaxi.com 727.367.3702

Free Beach Rides 727.776.7553

TUTORING

Portuguese & French Tutoring

Conversational-Grammar-Literature

Paristropical@gmail.com

727.303.2541

Piano lessons your home or my studio. All ages & styles, affordable, 25 years of experience. 727.688.2782

French lessons by French nativeAll levels. Text or call 571.435.5606

Reading tutor. Certified. Grades 2-8. 1:1 Zoom or in-person. 941.962.5782 www.actuallylearnit.com

WANTED-PIANO

Steinway Grand piano. 727.381.4400

WEIGHT LOSS

Medically supervised, overall or targeted weight loss IV Therapy Too.

Regenesis Life 727.826.0329

WELLNESS

WellCare Coach / Independent Shaklee Distributor. Build Immunity!

Take Meology Assessment! On FB @WatershedVisionsWellness

Jill jkwenner@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

10 Words 10 issues $100

20 Words 10 Issues $200

Single issue or less than 10 $2.50 per word. Email: sales@paradisenewsfl.com Or call 727-363-6888.

FEBRUARY ASTROLOGY

The Full Snow Moon in dramatic Leo on the 5th stirs our emotions but with the aspect of Saturn, we feel held back in expressing them. Responsibilities may feel overwhelming now and we are feeling insecure as well. Working toward the goals and taking it one day at a time should help us along.

Mercury moved forward on Jan. 18th, but it won’t be up to speed until Feb. 7th. This has been a most difficult Retro phase as you have seen in transportation, communication, etc. But, much has been REvealed as well and a great need for REvision is more apparent now than ever. On a personal note, you will finally feel like things are clearing up. Energy planet Mars moved forward on Jan. 12th but its shadow lasts much longer. It is getting better every day and on March 17th it will finally be up to full speed.

The thinking planet Mercury is in practical Capricorn giving us good common sense. On the 10th when it meets up with Pluto hidden things easily come to light. Our minds are investigative and want answers. The next day Mercury visits Aquarius from the 11th on into March. We are inventive and intuitive. Watch out for stubborn mindsets and enjoy your conversations with others. The use of technology is highlighted now.

The Sun visits progressive, independent Aquarius accenting individuality and humanitarianism most of the month. Then, on the 18th it will shine in the sign of Pisces stimulating compassion and tolerance. This energy is spiritual and creative. Boundaries are blurred and escapism is preferred.

by Sarah Lyons - Sirius Systems Astrological Services sarahlyonsastrologer.com | 727.347.4737

“Get Sirius About Your Future”

The New Moon in Pisces occurs on the 20th to begin the lunar cycle this month. Creativity, music, meditation, and intuition are all strong now. New interest in these areas may begin. Volunteering and helping others are also accented. This cycle can bring lasting and innovative transformations. Less than one hour later also on the 20th, love and money planet, Venus visits dynamic Aries and we become outgoing, enthusiastic, and impulsive in those areas. Over-the-top behavior and indulgence are likely now.

AQUARIUS: Your new year has begun and the spotlight is on relationships. You are pulled in many directions. Enjoy fun times and work with children. Finances are enhanced and a new direction follows. New values included.

PISCES: The workplace, duties, and health issues are in the spotlight. Social time is traded for privacy. The homefront gets your energy; money is made and spent. You are favored this month and new directions are open.

ARIES: You are busy at work but the full moon accents fun and romance. Social activities are many both personal and professional. New possibilities come your way and a new theme in private and personal affairs begins.

TAURUS: The full moon brings home and family matters to light. Your career gets busy the next week. Enjoy social life and friends until the last week when a new phase can begin with future plans and goal setting.

GEMINI: Short trips, conversations, and siblings are all the full moon’s focus. You are energized and ready to move forward. Social contacts provide opportunities. The new lunar cycle accents career and position.

CANCER: The full moon focuses on finances and earnings with options for big changes. Career opportunities open up and you are busy behind the scenes. A new cycle stimulates understanding. Travel is enjoyable now.

LEO: The spotlight is on you, Leo; especially in your relationships that benefit from good communication. Travel is highlighted and favorable. Resources enhanced. A new cycle begins with finances; modifications.

VIRGO: Unknown information comes to light. Private time and self-care are favored. Energy goes into career; work. Finance and resource areas begin to grow. Partnerships are enjoyable and go in new directions later.

LIBRA: The spotlight is on social activities, friends, and future planning. Home life is busy; recreation and children are stimulating. Health and work are enhanced with new paths opening and new clarity beginning last week.

SCORPIO: Your career or position is on center stage; as you balance it with family and home demands. Resources and savings are spent; watch speculation. Children; pleasurable activities are enjoyed and begin anew.

SAGITTARIUS: Long-distance travel, higher-level learning, and beliefs are in the spotlight. Energy goes into relationships. Conversations are lively. Home and family time are enjoyed with new beginnings late this month.

CAPRICORN: Resources and financial matters take the spotlight. Your energy is focused on duties and work. Homelife is pleasant; family enjoyed. Conversations, short trips, and daily life is filled with new beginnings later.

ENCOURAGING WORDS

The Art of Being Kind

So many gods, so many creeds, So many paths that wind and wind, While just the art of being kind Is all the sad world needs.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I have been witnessing in my own life how powerful an act of kindness can be and how much fun it can be. I take my garbage cans out to the curb every Sunday night because the trash collectors come early on Monday morning. But for the past few months when I’ve gone to put the cans back, they are not there. Someone has mysteriously and very stealthily moved them back by the side of the house where they are stored. Now I have heard about people in the drive-through line paying for someone else’s coffee at Starbucks, or the fare at a tollbooth, but never have I heard of acts of “trash can” kindness! I suspect it is one of my neighbors, and I must admit it’s really got my attention. What his or her motivation is I don’t know, but I am interpreting it as a generous and selfless act of kindness. There is something very empowering about

extending kindness to others, especially when it can be done anonymously.

This simple act of kindness has me thinking a lot lately about how we as human beings coexist together, not just as neighbors, but as passengers on this ever-shrinking “spaceship earth” as referred to by Buckminster Fuller. Our differences are so vast in so many ways. Between cultural values and traditions, nationalities, religions, politics, and so on, we can feel very isolated at times. Kindness, which I also think of as generosity of spirit, can be the bridge that connects us because it is something to which every human being on the planet can relate. An act of kindness is easily understood and can supersede any language, religious, or cultural gap. In that regard, kindness can be thought of as a universal language we all can speak–with our actions.

The ancient philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 BC–50 AD) said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” It seems some things in the human realm never change, and the normal tendency in tough times may be to withdraw from others

By Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones

because we are so consumed by our own fears, concerns, and problems. However, when we withdraw, that’s when a sense of isolation comes flooding in. And yet if we think about it, a simple act of kindness to another can instantly reconnect them (and us) to life in ways we may never know. Just think about that. Your act could be the bridge that another person needs at that moment to get him or her through the day. And irrespective of how simple you may think it is, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act of kindness creates a ripple effect that reaches out far beyond that of your own. That’s the empowering thing about generosity of spirit–when we receive kindness, we are naturally inspired to extend it to others.

Perhaps Ella Wheeler Wilcox was right–the world needs more kindness, but with whom and where does it begin? Perhaps by being kind you might just be the one to change the world. It could be while standing in line at the grocery store by inviting the person behind you to go ahead of you. It might be by holding a door open for someone. It could be as simple as a welcoming smile... or, if you really want to see your neighbor go a bit batty, try the stealth “trash can kindness” maneuver.

Any way you slice it, a deeper experience of kindness is what we all inherently desire. We are hardwired for kindness because it is in our spiritual DNA to treat one another with reverence--with an authentic generosity of spirit. We just have to be mindful of the spiritual beings we really are and the acts of kindness will follow naturally with grace and ease, not because we should be kind, but because we can. To this end I close with one of my favorite quotes by the Dalai Lama: “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”

I rather like that philosophy. How about you?

An Extremely Special Home in Snell Isle

In sought-after Snell Isle, just minutes from vibrant downtown St. Petersburg, this magnificent luxury home offers sublime living. The tremendously enviable floor plan features an indulgent master suite and very private office on the 1st floor, with resort-like outdoor living and much more.

Exceptional home in every way. Listed at

Super Cute, Updated, and Ready to Move In

One of the most affordable properties on Isla del Sol is also downright fantastic. This turn-key Palma del Mar unit comes with everything – furnishings, decor, appliances – just bring your favorite beverage. The pull-out couch is easy to use, comfortable, and comes with a privacy screen for guests.

Townhome with Boat Slip in Tierra Verde

Kayak among manatees, dolphin, and snowy egrets from this Tierra Verde townhome that comes with its own boat slip. You’ll enjoy amazing views from your private rooftop deck, and the unit comes fully furnished, including bikes, a paddle board, and a kayak to jump start your island life.

These Endless Water Views Will Thrill you Every Day

Absolutely astounding views of Boca Ciega Bay, Tierra Verde, Pass-a-Grille, and the Gulf of Mexico from this coveted 02 unit in Bahia del Mar’s P-Building. When you’re not basking in these views, you’ll be enjoying the gorgeous waterfront pool, hot tub, fishing pier, and so much more.

Mathias, Andrew Salamone, Ron Salamone, Libby Salamone