SOTHEBY'S HERITAGE
275 years of excellence with the Sotheby's auction house.
*Landscape with Gates (detail) by Vasilyevich Lentulov
Each office is independently owned and operated.
CLEARWATER
MOUNTAIN LAKE
1212 Sunset Drive $3,800,000 Chris Encinias 505.620.8543
66 Mountain Lake West $2,900,000 Gunn-Swainston Group 727.688.8875
DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG
100 1st Avenue North #3002 $1,500,000 Jessica Denig 813.713.1301
208 Driftwood Lane $1,399,999 Pete Mustafaraj & Kim Mustafaraj 727.494.5485
465 Central Avenue #201 $899,000 Cheryl Riley 727.228.0779 2nd AVENUE NORTHEAST, SUITE 102A NEW LOCATION: 120 ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA , 33701
NE E DR IV E
SOUTH STRAUB PARK
HOR
PREMIER SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
B AY S
SUNSHINE LANE NE
2nd AVENUE NE
E NE
ST. PETERSBURG 727.898.6800
2nd STREET NORTH
CALL US FOR YOUR INTRODUCTION TO THE EXTRAORDINARY
PremierSothebysRealty.com
DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG
1st STREET NORTH
320 Magnolia Drive $1,495,000 Pete Mustafaraj & Kim Mustafaraj 727.494.5485
LARGO
CH D R IV
CLEARWATER
BEA
100 1st Avenue North #3103 $1,685,000 Gunn-Swainston Group 727.421.7234
DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG
N
Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. *Landscape with Gates (detail) by Vasilyevich Lentulov used with permission.
GUNN SWAINSTON GROUP The First and the Best in Luxury 100 1st Ave N #3103
$1,685,000
LIVE MODERN
175 1st Street S. #2603
$725,000
Sotheby’s is one of the world’s most recognized, respected, and prestigious brands, and by choosing the Gunn Swainston Group, you are aligning yourself with a brand historically known for achieving financial results others didn’t think were possible - proof that exceptional marketing creates the perception of value. GUNNSWAINSTONGROUP.COM ST. PETERSBURG | 120 2nd Avenue NE | St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 CLEARWATER | 907 S. Fort Harrison, Suite 101 | Clearwater, Florida 33756
Robyn Gunn | 727.421.7234 Diane Swainston | 727.688.8875
CONTENTS
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MAY/JUNE 2019 l Volume 2 No. 6
10-12 Hollywood Comes to Town
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Yes, you are seeing movie production crews popping up around the area lately. The city of St. Pete and Pinellas County are making it easy for Hollywood filmmakers to use local locations, crew and extras.
70 32 16-19 Summer Fashion It’s not too early to dive into the latest swimwear and casual beachwear.
CONNECT WITH SPL
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Find us online StPeteLifeMag.com Facebook.com/StPeteLifeMag Advertising: 813.447.9900 bdrake�stpetelifemag.com
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Editorial: editor@stpetelifemag.com 260 1st Ave. S. Suite 200-151 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
“The quality & level of detail is outstanding. The result is a home that exceeded what I had envisioned. I recommend without hesitation.”
DISCOVER YOUR HOME’S TRUE POTENTIAL Whole House Remodel • Custom Additions • New Home Construction Kitchen & Bath • Luxury Exterior Living
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and - you guessed it - Sunset Beach in Treasure Island.
26 Dining Out - What the Shell Oysters have always been a mainstay on menus in the ‘Burg. We take a look at two Central Avenue hot spots where culinary creativity takes our little shelled friend to new heights.
30 The Wine Cellar
Columnist Will Howard confesses about the women who have changed his life – all winemakers who forged their own paths to some noteworthy wines.
48 Just Brew It
Coffee shops are popping up all over town offering more than a cuppa joe. Delectable pastries make a coffee break worth a special trip. We take a look at the best in the ‘Burg.
54 High Tech Fitness
We talk to Dr. Scott Rubin about the latest in technology to keep healthy and fit, including whole body cryotherapy, infrared saunas and the anti-gravity treadmill.
52 The Skinny on Skin Cancer
Leave frying for the kitchen. Make sunscreen your best friend this summer.
64 Beauty & The ‘Burg
Cindy Stovall dishes on the latest St. Pete arts scene news.
36 Conversations
Meet Jessica Denig, expert Realtor with Sotheby’s.
32 Bringing the Outside In
With a waterfront view, a local couple and home builder took advantage of the environment to create a spectacular coastal oasis.
62 Sheila Cowley
She may not be a household name unless you are involved in the St. Pete arts community. Cindy Stovall introduces us to multi-talented playwright Sheila Cowley.
58 Conversations
Get to know Woodhouse Day Spa owner Ginger Lettelleir.
60 Feast for the Eyes
Old World Masters take center stage with sumptuous landscapes and still lifes from the Grasset Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts.
46 Boys of Summer
Festival season is winding down, so what to do on weekends? The Rowdies and Rays bring soccer and baseball to St. Pete all summer long.
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66 Conversations
We visit with St. Pete native and bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews as she introduces her latest novel, Sunset Beach, set right here around the ‘Burg
78 SPL Scene
The social scene, galas, grand openings and fundraisers around town.
Let’s Let’s clear Let’s clear up up any any confusion. confusion. THERE’S hospital THERE’S only THERE’S only one one BayCare BayCare hospital hospital in in St. St. Pete, Pete, and and it’s it’s called called St. St. Anthony’s. Anthony’s. AsAsthe theonly onlyBayCare BayCarehospital hospitalininSt. St.Petersburg, Petersburg, As the only BayCare hospital in St. Petersburg, we’re health we’rededicated dedicatedtotoimproving improvingthe the healthof of we’re dedicated to improving the health of our community. our community. our community. InIn1997, 1997,asasone oneofofBayCare’s BayCare’sfounding foundinghospitals, hospitals, In 1997, as one of BayCare’s founding hospitals, St.Anthony’s Anthony’sHospital Hospitalhelped helpedus usestablish establish our our St. St. Anthony’s Hospital helped us establish our high standards care. St.Anthony’s Anthony’s mission, high standards ofofcare. St. mission, high standards of care. St. Anthony’s mission, improving thehealth health weserve, serve,along along withour our improving the ofofallall we with improving theof health of all we serve, along with our longhistory history ofcompassionate compassionate care and statelong care and statelong history of compassionate care and stateof-the-artmedical medicalservices, services, makes makes us us one one of of of-the-art of-the-art medical services, makes us one of BayCare’s flagship hospitals. And, even though BayCare’s flagship hospitals. And, even though BayCare’s flagship hospitals. And, even though we’rethe theonly onlyBayCare BayCare hospital St. Petersburg, we’re hospital ininSt. Petersburg, we’re the only BayCare hospital in St. Petersburg, St. Anthony’s has the support of the entire St. Anthony’s has the support of the entire St. Anthony’s hasInIn the support of BayCare network. fact, thelast lastthe twoentire years BayCare network. fact, ininthe two years BayCare network. In fact, in the last two years alone, that support has translated into $50 alone, that support has translated into $50 millionthat improvements, furtherstrengthening strengthening alone, support has further translated into $50 million ininimprovements, St. Anthony’s health care commitment to our million in improvements, strengthening St. Anthony’s health carefurther commitment to our community. Humanity At Work . St. Anthony’s health care commitment to our community. Humanity At Work . TM TM
community. Humanity At Work . TM
OUR NETWORK: OUR NETWORK:
BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group OUR NETWORK: BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient ImagingHomeCare • BayCare •Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging HomeCare • BayCare •Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Medical Care
BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care OUR HOSPITALS: OUR HOSPITALS: Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital OUR HOSPITALS: Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • MortonWomen’s Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital Morton PlantHospital-North North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital••South St. Joseph’s • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital••Winter St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South FloridaHospital Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital HavenWomen’s Women’sHospital Hospital BAYCARE.ORG St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital 18-488299-0818
18-488299-0818 18-488299-0818
BAYCARE.ORG BAYCARE.ORG
WELCOME TO SPL Our calendar year pretty much skips spring and jumps right into the sultry summer temps by early April. Already we are thinking about heading to the beach once the snowbirds have departed after Easter and spring break traffic has let up. So we figured that May/June was not too early to jump into our Summer Sizzle issue. Of course, staying cool and fashionable with a tropical beach attitude is what living here is all about, so our fashion photo team of Ro Martinez and Angela Mann headed to the beach to shoot a spectacular swimwear spread. Our men’s fashion writer, Jose Martinez, offers his two cents on how guys can go from “bar to beach” comfortably, and we present the father-son team behind the new Margaritaville store coming soon to St. Pete Beach. If you’ve run into a film production crew in the last six months, you know that St. Pete is buzzing as the new darling location of the Hollywood film industry. Cindy Cockburn gives us an in-depth look at Hallmark’s love affair with the area and how a new film featuring Harry Connick Jr. and Catherine Heigel just wrapped. This activity confirms that St. Pete rocks as a beautiful and welcoming destination, not just for tourism but for movies, too. Arts writer Cindy Stovall introduces us to multi-talented Sheila Cowley as a true gem on the theater and arts scene in St. Pete. Keep updated on what’s going on around town with her Beauty & The ‘Burg events column, and listen to her new Live B&B Podcast held monthly in the lower level of the Iberian Rooster. Stop by and be part of the audience! We offer more fun summer stories like Kayla Gleason’s look at the growing and delicious variety of coffee and pastry shops in St. Pete. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful selection, and most are run by local entrepreneurs. A local couple brings the outdoors in with the spectacular design of their waterfront home. And we interview St. Pete native and Queen of Summer Beach Reads Mary Kay Andrews, upon the release of her latest sure-to-be bestseller Sunset Beach, set in our own backyard.
bdrake�stpetelifemag.com Publisher
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St. Pete Life Magazine is a bi-monthly print publication distributed by mail to 20,000 of St. Pete’s most discriminating readers as well as at key local outlets.
PUBLISHER/CEO Beth Ann Drake EDITOR Marcia Biggs ART DIRECTOR Alicia Brown ADVERTISING Michelle Boudreau Vice President of Marketing Annette Mensch Account Executive CONTRIBUTORS Jose Martinez Men’s Fashion Megan Simons Women’s Fashion Cindy Stovall Arts Writer Will Howard The Wine Cellar Cindy Cockburn, Kayla Gleason, Jennifer Lee Contributing Writers CO-FOUNDER/BUSINESS MANAGER Ralph Zuckerman
Dorian Photography
Valerie Bogle
Beth Ann Drake
ABOUT US
Marcia Biggs
editor@stpetelifemag.com Editor
Front Cover Fashion by Margaritaville Photo by Barry Lively Creative Director Michelle Boudreau
JESSICA DENIG Luxury is an experience, not a price point.
ONE St. Petersburg Residence 3701 | Sold $2,085,622
2608 Velventos Drive | Sold $579,000
LIVE Inspired
1849 Bayou Grande Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg Offered at $3,350,000 Website: 1849BayouGrandeBlvdNE.com
ONE St. Petersburg Residence 3002 Offered at $1,500,000 Website: ONEStPete3002.com
Jessica Denig proudly lives in and actively serves our local community. With a supportive team behind her, she applies extensive area knowledge and market-specific experience to create a customized plan to sell your home. When a home is marketed by Jessica Denig and Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, it is presented to a highly qualified clientele worldwide through exclusive channels and relationships with a network spanning through 72 countries.
PREMIERSTPETEHOMES.COM ST. PETERSBURG | 120 2nd Avenue NE | St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Jessica Denig | 813.713.1301 jessica.denig@premiersir.com
Stop By To See New Arrivals TAMPA BAY’S SOURCE FOR THE CONTEMPORARY HOME • DESIGN SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE TRADE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS • SEE OUR WEBSITE OR VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR OUR NEW ARRIVALS
ST. PETE / 2533 22nd Ave. N. / 727.327.9400 TAMPA / 4005 West Gandy Blvd. / 813.258.4500 NOW OPEN CLEARWATER / 29870 US HWY 19 / 727.474.5760 • www.Domahomefurnishings.com
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SPL SPOTLIGHT
Hollywood Comes to Town St. Pete is a hot destination for bigtime filmmakers PHOTO/ROD MILLINGTON
The film crew sets up at Fort DeSoto Park Beach in April for four long days of shooting Hallmark’s Love in the Sun. BY CINDY COCKBURN Who hasn’t heard the buzz? Our Sunshine City is suddenly a serious competitor as producers from New York to LA scout our idyllic tropical setting and check out our cool downtown vibe. Many are deciding that it’s pure perfection for some of the most demanding of directors. From Hallmark to Hollywood, St. Pete is on “FILM FIRE.” Our city is being showcased on the big screen to national audiences. The economic impact locally is very positive. Job opportunities for our residents plus an increase in revenue for local businesses when cast and crew are in town are a terrific bonus. Just last week, we were looking for a parking space and then we saw it: a huge bumper
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sticker on a very large van reminding us: “Florida Films = Florida Job.” We have a variety of people to thank for this glam city spotlight, starting with producer Elayne Schmidt who reports: “It’s the pure LOVE we received here. We found an easy-going, friendly community with a “hands on” mayor and his staff helping us accomplish what we needed. We found knockout locations, local talent to fill crew and production jobs and an amazing variety of visual settings for spectacular shoots.”
SPL SPOTLIGHT
St. Pete Clearwater Film Commissioner Tony Armer said he’s been working for five years to pitch major film projects in our area. He is also known as the founder of the Sunscreen Film Festival, now in its 14th year. “My job is to bring productions here and then support them when they do hit town.” Armer promotes 24 cities and their locations all over Pinellas County. “I can make a difference with our local incentive programs here
PHOTO/BARRY LIVELY
It does take a village. Mayor Rick Kriseman advised Schmidt to work with city staff; and both Sophia Sorolis in economic development and Tony Leno of the special events team say “we are happy to help in any way we can to ease the way for the filmmakers to be successful.” Another bonus for our community: she is eager to offer St. Pete film students internships, leading to union membership. They will receive “on the job training” and gain experience for resume building and future job opportunities, she says.
PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS
Schmidt started in the biz with the first season of “Miami Vice” and dozens of film productions with the top stars in the business later, she landed here. Her new company Southern Legacy Film Production, located in downtown St. Pete, showcases the best of Florida’s West Coast to her industry contacts. She teamed up with production manager Melissa West and together they will offer an experienced “family” of local Florida crew members. “The intention is to create a vibrant film community headquarters here in the area,” she explained. “It’s a win-win. St. Pete is so pretty. The mayor is on board and the community is so cooperative.”
Top: Hallmark films Love In The Sun in Safety Harbor. Bottom left: St Pete Clearwater Film Comissioner, Tony Armer, (right) on the red carpet at Sunscreen Film Festival. Bottom right: Mayor Kriseman and his wife Kerry had an unexpected cameo in the first Hallmark film, True Love Blooms, at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Hollywood Loves St. Pete Actress Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy, Knocked Up, 27 Dresses) loves St. Pete and told the world on Instagram she's happy to be here with her family while shooting I Saw a Man With Yellow Eyes. Our historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort was the home away from home for Harry Connick Jr. during the St. Pete shoot. The world heard about his new film on NBC TV’s Today Show, when co-host Hoda interviewed him.
You may remember him in Dolphin Tale, shot in Clearwater. This time he’s raving about working with Castille Landon. She is the writer and director, only 27 years old. “I appreciate her script so much as she is dealing with a sensitive topic of mental illness,” he said. And the writer/director? Castille admits she’s happy to see this all come together after 36 revisions on the script and it took a few years to make this film.
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SPL SPOTLIGHT PHOTO/ROD MILLINGTON
since there’s no statewide incentives.” He’s focused on bringing indie films here budgeted at $2 million or less. “We’ve got great locations, great crews, a great community that invites and wants the productions,” he adds. Hallmark Shines If you tuned into the Hallmark Channel April 6 you saw True Love Blooms, a sweet love story shot on location in St. Pete. Look closely and you’ll see the Mahaffey Theater, Dali Museum, Florida CraftArt and Central Avenue, just to name a few locations. That night, film lovers gathered at the Palladium for the debut and heard Film Commissioner Tony Armer and Mayor Kriseman on stage saying: “Our city welcomes filmmakers. Thank you for booking our rooms, dining in our restaurants and hiring local talent.” Hallmark loved working here so local extras, crew and talent were hired for another film- Love in the Sun. This second film has also been shot around the Tampa Bay area (from Safety Harbor and Treasure Island to St. Pete). It wrapped mid-April and will debut May 25 on the Hallmark Channel.
Castille Landon A recent study revealed that there are 24 male directors for every female director in Hollywood. Actress/producer/ screenwriter Castille Landon grew up in Bradenton and headed to Hollywood as a young teen. Until now, she is best known as the actress performing with Haley Joel Osment (Pay it Forward, The Sixth Sense) in the 2014 romantic-comedy Sex Ed. Her first directorial film, Albion: The Enchanted Stallion included Debra Messing (Will and Grace), Oscar-nominated John Cleese (Monty Python) Liam McIntyre (Spartacus) and Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon A Time). Her second directorial film, Apple of My Eye, she worked with Amy Smart and Burt Reynolds. She describes herself as a collector of “unnecessary degrees” earning degrees both at Harvard and Oxford. We caught up with Castille on the Red Carpet at St. Pete’s Sunscreen Film Festival. It was the third “hard night” of shooting from 7 pm to 7:30 am for the Yellow Eyes film she wrote and is directing. “We’ve had about nine hours of sleep in three days but I’m so happy to be here celebrating film,” she says. “The houses we found for the set are amazing. We don’t have to fake the setting. We found it all here in the Old Northeast.” How was working with actress Katherine Heigl? “We had her for a week … She’s great at what she does. She’s such a professional it’s more than talent.” What was it like working with Harry Connick Jr? “The first scene was a simple improvisation on the beach and they (costar Katherine Heigl) were so cute together. Harry is one of the most amazing humans I’ve ever met. He’s funny, talented, embraced St. Pete and brought his wife and daughters along to stay here for a few weeks of shooting.”
St. Pete’s historic Old Northeast is known for quiet streets and in 2003 was named as a landmark in the National Register of Historic Places. This tiny neighborhood is getting ready for its big screen debut. Two typical family homes side-by-side off 7th Avenue North in the eyes of the locals (near Old Northeast Tavern) was the movie set for two American superstars – Harry Connick Jr. and Katherine Heigl. The movie I Saw a Man with Yellow Eyes will debut a year from now. This production also took a “village” of experts, produced by a variety of savvy film peeps from Bradenton’s Dori Rath to Joe Restaino, Rob Molloy, Don Miggs, Kevin Adler and Kristian Krempel of Pinstripe Productions based in Tampa. St. Pete resident Eugenie Bondurant (you remember her as Tigris in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2) landed a major role in Yellow Eyes. The screenwriter and director Castille Landon revised the script from a male to a female role in order to cast our local superstar. Eugenie plays opposite Harry Connick Jr. and says the experience has been “amazing” to say the least. Harry Connick Jr. plays her next door neighbor with Katherine Heigl and Madison Iseman as the other leads.
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Cast and crew from I Saw a Man With Yellow Eyes at the Sunscreen Film Festival in April (from left): actor Israel Broussard, producer/screenwriter Castille Landon, producer Dori Rath, producer Joe Restaino, St. Pete actress Eugenie Bondurant.
CONVERSATIONS
Casual St. Pete Margaritaville with Hollywood Flair ADVERTORIAL
Phillip Agresta as he appeared in the 2011 Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial.
BY MICHELLE BOUDREAU
Burgers always get excited when one of their own appears on national television or in films. We have a very dedicated fanbase for locals achieving success. Remember when Tatum Channing starred in Magic Mike? Or the several local contestants that appeared on American Idol, The Voice, or America’s Got Talent? We can’t help but cheer them on, and we are proud of them almost as if we knew them personally. On the front cover meet Phillip Agresta, a local St. Pete resident with a business acumen that is no stranger to Hollywood success. You will remember him from the 2011 Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial, New Girl, or The Talk, where he was hired as a Tom Cruise look-alike to portray the 2005 iconic Oprah show where Tom jumped
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up and down on the set sofa. Phillip recently worked on the Tax Collector film to be released in 2019 starring Shia Labouf. He was born into the entertainment industry as his biological father worked with St. Pete’s HSN. Phillip has studied acting locally and in Los Angeles, where he obtained an agent and began booking work quickly. He was a natural! Phillip can often be found in the Natural Comfort Footwear store on Beach Drive, owned by his stepfather, Ken Atchison. He works in the store as a product specialist while pursuing his acting career. Phillip has a great affinity for St. Pete and is happy to assist with helping his family open new retail stores as they grow in numbers. Ken Atchison is a serial retail entrepreneur with the
Ken Atchison Margaritaville Owner
CONVERSATIONS PHOTOS/BARRY LIVELY
license for the “Jimmy Buffet” branded store in St. Petersburg. Having a great affinity for the brand and the tropical lifestyle makes it the perfect fit for his fourth store in St. Pete. He also owns and operates four stores in the Naples area, and three stores in Sarasota. The Margaritaville brand clothing is the perfect fit to St Pete’s casual and beach lifestyle appealing to all ages. All that Floridians love about the Jimmy Buffet brand can be found at the local Margaritaville store. It currently offers men’s clothing, shoes and accessories along with Margaritaville products, and they will be adding the woman’s line soon. Use IMDB or Facebook for more information or to contact Phillip Agresta professionally: PhillipAgresta@gmail.com Visit the Margaritaville store at 6390 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach near the Postcard Inn On The Beach.
Above: Phillip Agresta’s shirt is Cudjoe, color Marc, shorts Mallory Squares Patchwork, Red, shoes, Jimmy, color Goat. Top right: Phillip and Christopher are both in the Lemon Key Collection shirts, Leaf and Palm Spartina, and Biscayne with Banyan Tree print. Bottom right: Christoper Agresta in the Lemon Key Collection Chri long sleeve, color Havana Tile Citrus, pants, Machine Washable and Dry all Linen, color, sand, shoes, Olukai Mea Ola, color Dark Wood
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SPL FASHION
Summer Sizzle Make a statement on the beach and off this summer
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SPL FASHION BY MEGAN SIMONS Is summer wardrobe frustration starting to sink in and make you think – what am I going to wear this season? A few guidelines will help you tackle that hot issue, and make you come out looking and feeling cool, like never before. • It is a common knowledge that all cottons and linens are summer appropriate fabrics. Not everybody knows, however, that the variety of summer friendly textiles is much larger today, with the precise weaves of breathable material selections in both natural and synthetic combinations. • Now, let’s talk about styles. Today’s fashion offers greater than ever range of choices. You see excellent designs with uncovered shoulders, various cut-outs in more or less expected places on a garment, not unusual are higher slits in skirts and dresses, but also in pants, and exaggerated, long straps exposing more skin and creating deeper necklines. All of them are providing you with more panache but also more comfort and aeration, that we desperately
Photography: Angela Mann angelamannphotography.com Stylist: Ro Martinez Rimes modelingatanyage.net Models: Meredith Adams Niki Spiridakos
need in the sunny Florida days. Loose and flowy styles, away from the body, should also become your good friends. • Have you ever used your underwear as a part of your outfit? Why not be fashion forward? Get an emerald green, silk bra and wear it with deep V-neck, or a long strapped, loose fitting, beach dress, that has all the shades of the ocean. Use that long, hot pink, beach cover up over a yellow, bandana style bra, add printed capris pants for a more city sleek look. • Bold colors could suit as another way to cheat the heat. The simple but so comfortable solid color T-shirt or slip-on dress are too plain and boring, bring them up to date with exaggerated and colorful jewelry such as huge hoop earrings in yellow and green, a flamboyant necklace in orange and blue or an array of moving bracelets on both arms. Your next good friend is the lightweight, cross body, animal print leather bag, to keep your hands free from sweating.
Clothing: Mermosa Winery & Boutique mermosa.com Shoes & Purse: Natural Comfort Footwear Hats: Pippa Pelure pippapelure.com
Makeup & Hair: Priscilla Marie The Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group destinyandlight.com
SPL FASHION
Top It Off With a Hat
But your very best friend in the hot summer days should be your hat. Hats are outrageously stylish, not any other single piece or accessory will provide you with so much panache. Why do you think you see celebrities wearing them? A hat is a continuous classic that has never gone out of style. No other single piece, that you can add to your wardrobe will change, determine or express your personal look to that extent. But there is more that a hat will offer you – a substantial help in protection from the harsh UV rays. Every woman should have
a great hat. You can choose your classic straw fedora, the white panama, or wide rim, bright color beach hat. You are the rule maker, use a hat that contrasts with what you wear, or you can use it to match and complement your outfit. It’s important to remember that hats are not just there to match your clothing, they also express your personality. Find the hat that fits who you are as an individual, wear the hat that makes you happy.
SPL FASHION
Summer Sizzle
SPL FASHION
The Livin’ is Easy
Stay cool and dry with summer fabrics and styles BY JOSE MARTINEZ “Summertime and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high,” wrote George Gershwin in his masterpiece. However, for those of us who live in Florida year-round we tend not to celebrate the summer as much. Our approach has been more of “the dog days of summer,” in part due to the humidity and strong loathing for always feeling sticky. With temperatures rising to the 90’s with close to 100% humidity, it can indeed be miserable. Fortunately, there is a strong trend in male fashion to emphasize expression and comfort. With the right fabric, you can remain comfortable and stylish when it’s hot, particularly when you need to transition from work to play, beach to bar, or even riding your bike to work in healthy St. Pete. Summer can be fun and fashionable! The first must-have item for the summer is shorts made of a luxurious double-knit interlock mélange built for comfort and engineered in technical fabrics (poly/ nylon/spandex). This stylish athleisurewear fabric is crafted for flexibility and provides freedom of movement. Double knits also tend to be firmer and more stable than other types of knits, leading to a durable, flexible, and comfortable wear. They’re a natural choice for swanky St. Pete as they can also be used as a dressy shorts that can be worn out on the town. Another summer must-have for the outdoor water enthusiast is bar-to-beach shorts created with the active lifestyle in mind. These pieces typically have mesh pocketing and back zipper pockets, and are ready for a dip at a moment’s notice. Their durable water resistant finish acts as a repellent to whatever is thrown its way. Whether you spill your drink or jump in the water, liquids run right off. The trick is that the fabric is also air-permeable, so you remain cool even when you’re wet. Look cool on the hottest days with Mizzen + Main’s lightweight, breathable shirts.
Another must-have for the summer is
SPL FASHION fashionable and growing in popularity: moisture-wicking, buttondown short-sleeve shirts. These shirts are made for immediate luxury and loose comfort and are often significantly lighter-weight than cotton. And they can be moisture-wicking -- ideal not just for sportspersons but also for everyday wear because they help keep you fresh and dry. The last thing to get right this summer is fit. Be sure to wear your shirts and shorts at the correct length. For shorts, the length depends on your height, so you want to go by where the shorts end. The sweet spot is between 1 and 3 inches above your knees. Generally, the tighter your shirt, the hotter you will feel, as it restricts airflow. Summer is a great time to combine materials and loosen up to allow more air flow and room to breathe. (But don’t be sloppy). If Gershwin wrote Summertime today, knowing what we do now about clothing options to stay cool, maybe he would have said “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the moisture is wicking.” Jose Martinez is owner of Sartorial, Inc., a menswear boutique in downtown St. Petersburg.
From bar to beach, Hasley’s hybrid shorts feature mesh pocketing and back zipper pockets in a durable water resistant fabric.
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DINING OUT 249 Central Ave. St. Petersburg (727) 897-9728 www.oysterbarstpete.com
The Oyster Bar is the perfect place to dive into a platter of chilled oysters or mussels sautéed in garlic, bacon, and white wine. BY JENNIFER LEE
Seafood enthusiasts don’t really need a reason or season to dive into a bed of ice-chilled oysters. Or any type of seafood appetizers or entrée, to be frank. Which is why The Oyster Bar, open seven days a week, has hit a home run amongst St. Pete residents and visitors alike since 1999. The cool and casual spot on Central Avenue offers lunch, brunch, dinner and the perfect bar for true oyster lovers to do what they do best – slurp up a tray of oysters, with a side of saltine crackers, hot sauce and a lemon.
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chilled treats have traveled from all over to delight us. Cape Spear Salts, NB & PEI’s from Canada, Chef Creek Oysters from British Columbia, Olympic Miyagi and Capital Oysters from Washington and XL Plymouth’s from Massachusetts. All shucked perfectly and served with horseradish, a house specialty cocktail sauce (a blend of two hot sauces and gin) and a red wine mignonette that will make your eyes squint a little at first.
The atmosphere is laid back, old-style fisherman meets modern-day flair with classic dark wood bar and furnishings, marine artwork and just the right amount of lamppost lights. Every good seafood joint needs tavern lights! Background music varies from 60’s classic rock during the day to a little jazz for a Friday or Saturday night dinner to top hits for late night. That’s the cool part about The Oyster Bar, it goes with the flow. If you like to people watch, or maybe have your pup in tow, there are outdoor tables in front.
When I browsed the menu, a 1994 classic movie scene popped into my head from “Forrest Gump” (inserting oyster for shrimp): “you can shuck them, fry them, bake them, shoot them, stew them and Po-Boy them.” Yes, it’s true, there is a wonderful selection of local and boutique oysters to choose from to eat raw. But oysters here are served in an assortment of ways such as Ole’ Chipotle (baked oysters, chipotle pepper aioli, parmesan cheese) or Rockefeller (baked oysters, creamed spinach, roasted chorizo, drizzled hollandaise).
Owner Josh Cameron makes sure there is a perfect selection of oysters for The Oyster Bar’s shucking station. These hand-held
What about an entrée of Fried Oysters from Florida’s Apalachicola Bay, served with Cajun buttermilk dipping sauce, house cut fries
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DINING OUT PHOTO/ JENNIFER LEE
Creamy risotto is topped with Georges Bank Sea Scallops and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Hand-crafted cocktails, like the Lillet Spritzer, are a specialty at the bar. and coleslaw, or one of my all-time favorites, Oyster Po-Boy, lightly seasoned breaded oysters, with lettuce, tomato, remoulade dressing on a hoagie roll. Extra napkins and hot sauce, please! The oyster isn’t the only fish in the large sea of menu items. Select from Tuna Tartare, Lump Crab Cake, Florida Lobster Rolls, Grouper Sandwich, Fish and Chips (battered cod), Clam Chowder, PEI Mussels, Shrimp and Crawfish Pasta. Non-seafood offerings range from steaks to chicken and burgers. The Oyster Bar makes for a great happy hour stop or hangout after
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a Rays or Rowdies game (happy hour is 3 to 7pm daily). A new Spring Craft Cocktail menu features five refreshing drinks perfect for hot summer nights such as the Lillet Spritzer (handcrafted with Lillet Blanc, cucumber, lime, mint, and tonic) and the Carpe Diem ( Monkey 47 gin, St. Germain, lemon, cucumber, mint and bitters). A fine selection of local and craft beers is also available. And yes, dessert IS on the menu. I can recommend the Chocolate Caramel Galaxy Cake (chocolate cake, drizzled with caramel sauce, filled with cream cheese mousse and topped with chocolate ganache). It will put you into orbit!
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DINING OUT
Modern Brine at Intermezzo PHOTOS/MODERN BRINE
BY MARCIA BIGGS It seems oysters are trending around the ‘Burg lately. Yes, they have been around on menus at all the seafood mainstays since time began. But lately, new eateries are setting up shop with a spotlight on our little shelled friends. Enter David Morris, entrepreneur, owner, chief shucker and artistic oyster designer behind Modern Brine, the oyster-theme pop-up at Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails in the ever-growing EDGE District. Morris got his chops working with fresh oysters at Sea Salt, learning the intricate details of preparing and serving. “I got to know and like the art of shucking,” he said. “Oysters are much like wine, there is a lot to learn.”
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Thinking he found his calling, he went on to experiment by matching various flavors with oysters and realized “there’s a lot of cool things you can do with oysters.” Jarrett Sabatini, the owner of Intermezzo, figured an oyster bar would be a welcome addition to his drinksonly establishment. He let Morris set up a temporary Raw Omakase Oyster Bar four nights a week, but it was such a hit that two years later Modern Brine is still there. Recently, however, Morris has moved to plated service only (no oyster bar) – and what beauties he presents. Each oyster is a universe unto itself, an adventure in a shell and as beautiful as works of art. Seeking to appeal to both the adventurous and timid, Morris
DINING OUT
Above, oyster with trout roe, grapefruit zest, basil and lemon. Right, salmon ceviche with taro chips. now has a legion of oyster fans who pop in at his pop-up every weekend.
Octopus, and Asian Street Tacos. But it’s the oysters that are the starring attraction.
For a good sampling, order the Omakase Platter, a selection of oysters with various flavor influences based on individual preference, such as the Asian Brulee (soy sauce reduction with sesame-ginger vinaigrette and scallions) and the Sea Urchin Crudo (soy-coconut anise bechamel with soy sauce, lime zest and basil). He has also expanded beyond oysters, with Salmon Ceviche,
Modern Brine inside Intermezzo, 1111 Central Ave., is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 10 pm. In early May, Morris was planning to open a pop-up for lunch in the adjacent Baum Avenue Market. That menu, he said, will feature more diverse offerings such as lobster roll, shrimp wraps, crab cake sandwich and lobster mac and cheese.
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DINING OUT
Strong Women, Strong Wine BY WILL HOWARD The special thing about wine for me is that each bottle is more than a drink, it tells a story. Each label starts with a time (vintage), a place (appellation), and the people (producer). The vintage allows us to recognize the significance of the particular growing season and lets us connect that vintage with special times in our life, from anniversaries, to birth years, and countless other important times to remember. The appellation tells the story of place, giving more and more detail as you move from country, to region, to subregion, to specific vineyard sites. In this issue, I want to focus on the people behind the wines and specifically the women winemakers, enologists, and vintners who are telling their stories through the wine. Helen Turley is a trailblazer for women and wine in California. Turley has been credited for being one of the first in California to produce high quality wine in the Sonoma Coast appellation. The Sonoma Coast appellation was created in 1987. Turley planted cool climate suited Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1991. This would become Marcassin Vineyard, one of the most respected producers of these varietals in the region.
A more recently established winemaker is Angelina Mondavi. Angelina was born into the wine business. She started at the age of 10 helping with her family winery. Since she began making wine in 2007 she has built an impressive resume of significant wineries, including: Pine Ridge Vineyards, Hundred Acre, Cherry Pie, Layer Cake, Fourth Leaf, and Dark Matter. Dark Matter is a Howell Mountain winery and family venture of the four great-granddaughters of Cesare and Rosa Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery (Giovanna, Riana, Alycia, and Angelina). Their 2010 Dark Matter Howell Mountain Zinfandel was one of the greatest Zinfandels I’ve ever tasted. With the guidance of her family (the Mondavi family is as close as you can get to royalty in Napa) and under the tutelage of Jason Woodbridge, Angelina is going to be a force in winemaking and business in wine for years to come.
From the Cellar
A few recommendations from women winemakers:
Turley was also an early proponent of Old World winemaking techniques such as fermenting with natural yeast and prefermentation cold soaks. A cold soak is a winemaking technique that delays fermentation, which won’t happen at cooler temperatures. During this time when fermentation is on hold, the juice is able to extract more color and flavor from the grapes without adding tannin that would otherwise occur from extended skin and stem contact.
Cakebread Cellars Pinot Noir, Two Creeks Vineyards, Anderson Valley Winemaker: Julianne Laks The wine represents the style of quality Anderson Valley Pinot Noir with velvetY texture, vibrant dark berries, floral undertones, and silky fine tannin throughout. Julianne Laks’ last vintage with Cakebread was 2016. In 2017, Stephanie Jacobs took over as Cakebread’s fourth winemaker in over 40 years.
Even if you have not tried one of Helen Turley’s wines, you have most likely drunk a wine that was influenced by her style and technique. Turley has been responsible for creating award-winning wines under wineries such as Peter Michael, Colgin, Bryant, Marcassin, Turley, Martinelli, and others. She has also mentored some of the most successful consulting winemakers in California.
Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon, The Ranch, Napa Valley Winemaker: Diana Snowden Seysses The estate grown grapes for this wine come from historically significant vineyards in Napa’s Vaca Mountains. The winemaker is a third generation Napa winemaker for the Snowden family and is also the enologist at Domaine Dujac. The provenance is strong. This wine is Napa Valley.
Another of my most influential winemakers is Merry Edwards. In her early research, Merry helped to show winemakers the importance of planting an array of Pinot Noir clones. Clones are mutations of a grape. Although they are genetically identical, different Pinot Noir clones can look different, have different yields, or be better suited to different climates or soils. Through her research at the University of California Davis, Merry created clone UCD37 or the “Merry Edwards Selection.” This Pinot Noir clone is now widely planted in the Russian River Valley. We can all thank Merry Edwards for
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showing how wide the spectrum can be for Pinot Noir in California.
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Lagier Meredith Syrah, Mount Veeder Vintner: Carole Meredith This Syrah delivers black pepper, violets, and fresh black fruit character. The vintner brings 22 years of experience as a professor in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. Her passion shows in the wine. Will Howard is Sommelier at Rococo Steak in St. Petersburg. His Wine Cellar recommendations are available at the restaurant.
A W A R D W I N N I N G.
windstarhomes.com
SPL LIVING
Casa Eva
Bringing the Outdoors In PHOTOS/MARK BOROSCH
When Craig and Eva Sas found the perfect waterfront property, they knew they wanted Windstar Homes to create their custom coastal dream home. They walked the lakefront property with David Lesser, co-owner of Windstar Homes, and gave him creative license. The results are jaw dropping. As a design/build company, Windstar Homes makes projects turnkey. Every detail is handled in house, from architectural design to landscaping and interior décor and finishes. With over 23 years in the business, Windstar Homes focuses on custom luxury creations, most of which capitalize on waterfront views.
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Casa Eva is a lakefront home with over 6000 sf of living area and over 9000 sf of total space. The 5 bedroom home sports an infinity edge pool, private guest house and 4 car garage. Whole home automation integrates the latest in technology, and the décor incorporates the finest finishes available.
towards the outdoor living area. The infinity edge pool melts seamlessly into the lake, flanked by tropical beaches and palm trees. All that’s missing is your hammock!
This coastal home is designed to bring the outdoors inside. As you enter the foyer, your view travels through the open air courtyard, to the impeccably decorated living room and out
Top of the line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances are part of a wellappointed kitchen that features a double island design. Doors and windows open to the outdoor living area for entertaining, and a work kitchen ensures that any clutter is hidden from sight.
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SPL LIVING
The Leisure Room opens to the central courtyard and loggia
Loggia and award winning swimming pool with travertine pool deck May/June 2019
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Flanking hidden doors lead to the catering kitchen and media room
The coup de grace, however, is the 900 sf central courtyard in the midst of the home that seamlessly brings the outdoors inside. Four Majool palm trees create a tropical vibe that is completed by a “floating” downlit fire pit. The ultimate in Florida living. Hallways leading to en suite bedrooms serve as art galleries with windows overlooking the outdoor courtyard in the heart of the home. And as you transition from room to room, David
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points out subtle vestibule areas that add an element of privacy and space. Friends since college, David Lesser and Bobby Gross have grown Windstar Homes into one of the premier custom design/ build firms in the southeast, winning over 67 awards in the industry. Theirs is a family owned business that has earned repeat business from their clients year after year.
SPL LIVING
Award winning infinity edge pool
Conservatory with floor to ceiling custom built-ins
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CONVERSATIONS
Meet Jessica Denig A Refreshing Look at Real Estate ADVERTORIAL
BY MICHELLE BOUDREAU As a local Realtor®, Jessica Denig has a contagious enthusiasm for the St. Petersburg real estate market. Her number one priority is her relationships and connecting people, and she has a passion for matching the right home with the right person. In her words: “You don’t have to sell people on St. Pete, it sells itself! People truly enjoy living here, it is cultured, you are close to the water, beaches, museums, and art. St. Pete offers something for every life style, whether the beach, downtown, south on the pink streets, historical homes, or high-rise living.”
to St. Pete and the taxes are a huge draw to the area, adding to the strength of the market.”
Her approach in business is continued relationships with all of her clients, friends, and families moving to the area. She focuses on their needs, and earns their trust in her guidance and expertise within the local market. She enjoys making the fit to their requests and requirements with finding the perfect home. As a local St Pete resident for several years, Jessica’s priority is to cultivate her personal relationships. She also has an affinity for working with first time home buyers as she was a first-time home buyer herself not long ago. When selling a home, she uses her extensive marketing background to benefit her clients. I asked Jessica what was her fastest sale? Her reply, “I recently had multiple offers on a house within twenty-four hours, it was in a very desirable neighborhood where homes do not come up for sale often. It was also a rare gem that was remodeled and priced right. I feel the market is very strong in St. Pete currently and the International Airport is opening new flights to several countries, making it even more desirable. In recent news, tech and financial firms are moving
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global level.”
When I asked her why she chose and what she likes about Sotheby’s? Her reply was, “I like absolutely everything about Sotheby’s! I chose Sotheby’s for the longevity of the brand, and I have matching goals for my clients. I really appreciate the standard of expectation, the reputation, the professionalism I have experienced throughout the company with all agents. I have interacted and visited multiple offices worldwide and the standard is exceptional! Buyers and sellers alike know the Sotheby’s name is synonymous with excellent service on a
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty requires their agents to be highly educated, experienced and well-traveled as they work with affluent local and international guests. They are well-versed in their market, understanding the area’s uniqueness and value. Advice to people considering selling: “Minimize the clutter, do minimal painting or repairs needed to expedite the sale. My check list helps sellers get their home market ready. Essentially you always want to minimize the belongings and distractions in a house, so buyers can picture themselves living there. I am an advocate for staging a home, even if using the home owners’ furnishings, a simple repositioning can make a difference.”
CONVERSATIONS Advice to for people who are preparing to buy: “A good starting point is to talk to a lender. People are not always aware of what they are comfortable with or will qualify for. They may think they are underqualified or overqualified. Getting qualified will give an advantage over a buyer who is not qualified, which could make the difference in securing the home of their dreams.” Jessica photographed at one of her current listings, an exquisite St Pete home, offered at $3,350,000 for more information visit: 1849bayougrandeblvdne.com To Contact Jessica Denig: 813.713.1301 Jessica.denig@PremierSIR.com
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FOOD BITES
Top Chefs Battle Inspired by the electrifying Esquire Network series, Knife Fight, IL Ritorno is putting its own spin on the concept with a Midnight Chef Fight series to help raise money for Tampa Bay charities. The first two chefs duked it out on May 4 to a packed house of raucous epicureans who came to watch Cena’s Executive Chef Michael Buttacavoli and Il Ritorno’s David Benstock.
experience for our guests. But more than that, we wanted to give back to our community and do some good.”
The Task: Each chef must create two dishes in one hour and must include at least one of two secret ingredients they select beforehand. The dishes are judged by other local chefs for creativity, execution, and plating design. All cookoffs will be emceed by Tampa chef and TV personality Jeff Philbin, who’s widely known for his time as a contestant on Fox Network’s MasterChef. “This series has been a dream of ours for a while,” said Benstock. “We love any chance to collaborate and bring chefs in the area together to offer a new
Upcoming: June 8 - Chris Fernandez of Red Mesa Group vs. Haven’s Courtney Orwig July 13 - Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill vs. Chad Johnson of Élevage at the Epicurean Hotel August 10 – Rob Reinsmith of Noble Crust vs. Jason Ruhe of Brick & Mortar Doors will re-open after dinner service that evening at 11 pm, and the battle between chefs begins at midnight. Entrance is $20 at the door, no pre-sales, and includes passed appetizers. There will also be a cash bar available. All proceeds from the door and bar will go to the charity of choice for each fight; proceeds from May 4 will go to the St. Pete Free Clinic. For more information, check out Il Ritorno’s Facebook page; Il Ritorno is at 449 Central Avenue.
COMMERCIAL • CORPORATE • EVENTS WWW.ANGELAMANNPHOTOGRAPHY.COM | AVS777@ME.COM | 727-518-4977
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FOOD BITES Coming Soon
Stay tuned for The Big Catch at Salt Creek, located in the former Fishtales space next to the Harborage Marina. Looking forward to the immensely popular Datz in Tampa to come over the pond and open adjacent to the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art this summer. Anticipation is mounting for a new microbrewery in the former location of Taco Bus at 2324 Central Avenue. Kevin Milkey, a major funder of the new St. Pete Pier’s Tampa Bay Watch Education Center (Milkey Family Foundation) is behind this one. Look for more news of the Grand Central Brewhouse and Restaurant this summer.
What’s the Rub
St. Pete entrepreneur and US Navy veteran Eric Strohl recently launched WannaRub Spice Rub and Seasoning. The versatile rub with a spicy smoked paprika kick can be used on beef, pork, chicken and fish, in sauces or sprinkled on pasta or any side dish. One reviewer on the web site even says it’s great sprinkled
on popcorn. WannaRub comes in two sizes and can be ordered online at www. wannarub.com
Storm’s A-Brewing
The folks at Big Storm Brewing Co. keep cranking out amazing, awardwinning beers, but they won’t stop there. Last year, they introduced Big Storm Creamery featuring 18 flavors of hand-crafted ice cream and Big Storm Coffee. Freshly roasted by roaster Chris Ramsey at their 49th Street facility, Big Storm Coffee Company offers a variety of freshly roasted coffees in 12-ounce bags as well as espresso-based drinks including cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. To celebrate the launch of Big Storm Coffee’s sleek new 16-oz cans of Original Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew coffee, a Shufflin’ Into the Market party was held March 31 at St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Look for the cold brew cans to be available at supermarkets and outlets in the near future, says marketing director Ciara Sibbick.
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SPL EVENTS
AL LANG LIVE
Bring family and friends to enjoy free film classics and live music each Thursday evening in May in beautiful downtown waterfront North Straub Park.
May 24 - Back to the Future (1985) Time travel at its best, starring Michael J. Fox and Lea Thompson
The fun begins with music at 7 pm and movies at dark. Bring a picnic or purchase food and drink (including beer and wine) from local vendors.
May 31 - Batman (1989) starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger On-site bicycle valet parking will be available thanks to Coast Bike Share.
May 17 - Father of the Bride (1991) starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Diane Keaton
This is the 10th season for Movies in the Park, sponsored by Preserve the ‘Burg.
The soulful rock and blues of the Tedeschi Trucks Band on their “Wheels of Soul” Tour wraps up the Al Lang Live Summer Series at Al Lang Stadium on June 30. For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. Presented by Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater.
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ARTS & CULTURE
ARTS & CULTURE
What is Real?
What is Real? The Dali Museum opens two new special exhibits on June 15. Visual Magic will showcase Salvador Dali’s large-scale Masterworks through the lens of Augmented Reality. Goya – Visions and Inventions features paintings and rare, first-edition prints from Spanish master artist Francisco de Goya. Excitement is mounting for the high-tech Augmented Reality technology experience which will come on the heels of another digital endeavor entitled “Dali Lives” which uses artificial intelligence to create realistic, contemporary conversations with the late, legendary artist. Using cutting edge technique, the new “Dalí Lives” experience employs machine learning to create a version of Dalí’s likeness, resulting in an uncanny
Theo Wujcik: Cantos
resurrection of the mustached master. When theThe Dali Museum opens two new special exhibits experience opens, visitors will be able to interacton June 15. Visual Magic will showcase Salvador Dali’s with an engaging lifelike Salvador Dalí on a series of large-scale Masterworks through the lens of Augmented Reality. Goya – Visions and Inventions screens located throughout the Museum. (You can features paintings and rare, first-edition prints from always expect the unexpected at The Dali.) Spanish artist Goya’s life (1746-1828) and worksSpanish master artist Francisco de Goya. deeply influenced Salvador Dali. This exhibit willExcitement is mounting for the high-tech Augmented Reality technology experience feature two suites of first-edition prints, published in Goya’s lifetime, alongside three significant which will come on the heels of another digital paintings representing unique themes of Goya’sendeavor entitled “Dali Lives” which uses artificial works. The works are on loan from the Meadowsintelligence to create realistic, contemporary conversations with the late, legendary artist. Museum, Dallas, TX, where one of the most substantial Goya collections outside of Spain Using cutting edge technique, the new “Dalí Lives” Dali’s masterworks will be experience employs machine learning to create a resides. part the likeness, Visual Magic of of Dalí’s resulting in an uncanny For more information, go to www.thedali.org. version exhibit this fall.
Ten paintings plus the journal and notes by Ybor City’s late legendary alternative artist Theo Wujcik are on display in Theo Wujcik: Cantos at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. Quiet visionary by day and dancing punk rock clubster by night, Wujcik’s talents and persona were synonymous with Tampa’s Ybor City. He spent over four decades as an artist, collaborator, teacher, mentor and influencer, becoming iconic in the city’s art and music scene. The works in Cantos are literal and symbolic interpretations
inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Theo Wujcik: Cantos Wujcik studied lithography in Los Angeles and New Mexico before working as a Master Printer at the University of South Florida’s renowned Graphicstudio. There, he worked with artists and lifelong friends Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, James Rosenquist and Richard Anuszkiewicz. Wujcik also taught at USF from 1970 to 1993. The exhibit runs through June 2.
Ten painting City’s late le Wujcik are o the St. Peter visionary by by night, Wu synonymous over four de teacher, men in the city’s a Cantos are li
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SPL EVENTS
St. Pete Pride It’s always a wild and crazy time when Pride Weekend rolls around in the ‘Burg. Pull out your spandex, sequins, beads and feathers and join the fun at the 17th Annual Pride Parade sponsored by Tech Data on Saturday, June 22. Florida’s largest LGBT celebration starts downtown at 2 pm and the parade kicks off at 7:15 pm.; the route moves along Bayshore from 5th Avenue North to Dali Boulevard, ending with a fireworks finale at 9:45 pm. On Sunday, June 23, Central Avenue in the Grand
Fathers Day Special St. Pete Father’s need pampering too!
Central District will be closed from 11 am to 5 pm with a street festival featuring many vendors with arts, food, community organizations, and more. A fundraising concert featuring Lisa Loeb as the headliner, kicks off festivities on Friday from 6 to 10 pm in North Straub Park (free general admission; $50 for VIP seating). Several related events have also been planned, check out stpetepride.com or go to the Facebook page to keep updated.
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SPL EVENTS EVENTS
St. Pete Pride
The Boys Are Back in Town
It’s always a wild and crazy time when Pride Weekend rolls around in the ‘Burg. Pull out your spandex, sequins, beads and feathers and join the fun at the 17th Annual Pride Parade sponsored by Tech Data on Saturday, June 22. Florida’s largest LGBT celebration starts downtown at 2 pm and the parade kicks off at 7:15 pm.; the route moves along Bayshore from 5th Avenue North to Dali Boulevard, ending with a fireworks finale at 9:45 pm. On Sunday, June 23, Central Avenue in the Grand
Central District will be closed from 11 am to 5 pm with a street festival featuring many vendors with arts, food, community organizations, and more. A fundraising concert featuring Lisa Loeb as the headliner, kicks off festivities on Friday from 6 to 10 pm in North Straub Park (free general admission; $50 for VIP seating).
What’s new this season with the Rays and Rowdies
and forward Sebastian Guenzatti. The 2019 regular season runs through mid-October. To find a schedule and more information, go to www.rowdiessoccer.com
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Fans will see mostly new faces this year -- there are only two players on this year’s opening-day roster who were with the team to start last season ― midfielder Leo Fernandes
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Rays of Sunshine
Whether the Tampa Bay Rays will stay or go from St. Petersburg remains a mystery. The team’s current lease expires in 2027, so until then the ‘Burg remains a baseball town. An important change this year is the transition to a “cash free” system at Tropicana Field. In January, the team announced that the concessions, team stores, box office and all other points of sale will operate cash free in 2019. In an effort to reduce transaction time and promote faster moving lines, the change means that only
PHOTO/ Matt May/TAMPA BAY ROWDIES
Everyone loves a professional soccer game and the big news in the ‘Burg is the acquisition in October of the Rowdies by the Tampa Bay Rays from former owner Bill Edwards. Get out and enjoy an evening under the stars with our hometown soccer team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, at Al Lang Stadium in the heart of downtown St. Pete. As a member of the United Soccer League, the Rowdies are fully sanctioned as a Division II professional league in the United States and Canada. Games are colorful and fun, and make for a great group or family outing or even a date night. The excitement is contagious!
Several related events have also been planned, check out stpetepride.com or go to the Facebook page to keep updated.
SPL EVENTS EVENTS credit cards, Rays gift cards, certain mobile payments (Apple Pay and Samsung Pay) and season ticket holder Rays Cards can be used for purchases. For fans without electronic forms of payment, cash can be exchanged for gift cards in any amount at all retail locations within the stadium and in $10 and $20 increments through roaming gift card vendors. Tropicana Field’s parking operations will also be cash-free, as they were in the 2018 season. Aiming to get fans in the door early, the stadium is upping its game as a dining experience with a few new eateries open up to four hours before game time. As in previous years, you’ll find delicious offerings from Go To Steve’s Beach Drive stand in the Third Base Food Hall, featuring items from Parkshore Grill, 400 Beach, The Annex and The Hangar (Lobster Roll, Blue Cheese Meatballs, BBQ Chicken & Bacon Quesadillas and the Annex Cuban Sandwich.) Also returning is RumFish and the Tradewinds with their famous Firecracker Shrimp; and yummy Sunshine City Nachos by The Avenue on the Budweiser Porch. A new full-service restaurant called the Outfielder Bar & Grill is opening in the location of the former Everglades Brewhouse on the main level. The indoor-outdoor space will open four hours before games and is accessible directly from the parking lot. Check out their Pulled Pork Nachos. The Lead Off Wok in the third base concourse will offer Asianinspired fare such as chicken satay. Southern Fried, a new restaurant on the centerfield street level, will offer hand-battered chicken tenders and bourbon bread pudding with ice cream. Look for Crabby’s Beachside Bites to serve their famous coconut shrimp in the First Base Food Hall. Pacific Counter brings popular Asian inspired food including sushi bowls with chicken, tofu, salmon
and tuna, and organic St. Pete Pride mixed greens from
Brick Street. Fried grouper sandwiches by the Hunger Thirst Group can be purchased on the Budweiser Porch in centerfield. The Rays support local craft beer with suds from Coppertail Brewing Co., Cigar City Brewing, Tampa Bay Brewing Co., 3 Daughters Brewing, Green Bench Brewing Co., St. Pete Brewing Co., Cycle Brewing, Big Storm, and others.
Season Specials
Salute to Service presented by Suncoast Credit Union—Military, teachers and first responders can receive two complimentary tickets to select Monday home games, additional bonus dates and special ticket offers throughout the season. $2 Kids Tickets—For select home games, tickets for kids 14 years and under are $2 with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Senior Special—For select weekday day games, 200 level tickets for fans 60 years and older are only $15. $7.11 Tickets by 7-Eleven—For all Friday home games, fans may purchase tickets for only $7.11. To take advantage of this special price, fans should visit a participating local 7-Eleven store and pick up the Rays Friday night discount coupon. Student Ticket Offers—Students with a valid .edu email address can register to receive ticket discounts and special offers. Tickets start at $5. Pride Night – June 14 Dog Day at the Rays – June 15 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – July 7 First Responders Night – August 17 USF Day – August 18 Visit raysbaseball.com/promotions or raysbaseball.com/specials for up-to-date information.
Pet a Ray
Get a closeup look at the “other” rays – that is, cownose and Southern stingrays – in a touch tank experience on your next visit to a game. The Rays Touch Experience is located in Center Field Street at Gate 1. This 10-minute experience is free to all fans attending home games and closes two hours after the first pitch. Presented by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Florida Aquarium, the Rays Touch Experience is a 35-foot, 10,000-gallon interactive exhibit showing the rays that are native to our Tampa Bay.
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DINING OUT
Just Brew It Local coffee shops go far beyond a simple cuppa joe PHOTOS/KAYLA GLEASON
All over St. Pete, coffee and pastry shops work hard to cater to their neighborhoods and specific clientele. Some roast their own unique blends, others buy from and support local roasters. Some offer foods for those with dietary restrictions, others experiment with alcohol to make caffeinated cocktails. But wherever their specialty lies, these are some of the best spots in town to grab a quick pick-me-up or take a seat and hang out for a while. A vegan galaxy bar and cappuccino at Craft Kafé BY KAYLA GLEASON Valhalla Bakery at Baum Ave. Market 1113 Central Ave. Opened last November, Valhalla Bakery brings a variety of vegan treats to the hopping EDGE District, hoping to break the stigma around the diet. “I think it’s a great fit for us and we want to be a fun place for the community to just come hang out,” said owner Celine Duvoisin. Some of their most popular bakery items include the fresh biscuit sandwiches and Nanaimo bars – a pastry popular in the Pacific Northwest and Canada consisting of a graham cracker-coconut crust and
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vegan dark chocolate. The bakery is hoping to grow into wholesale and begin taking more custom cake orders. “We’re going to see what the community wants from us and do that,” Duvoisin said. www.valhallabakery.com. Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails 1111 Central Ave. Right next door to Valhalla Bakery, Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails, owned by Jarrett Sabatini, has been serving up specialty brews and mixed drinks since 2016. To make their roasts, the shop
works with both Kuma Coffee in Seattle and local brand Made. Espresso drinks, like cappuccinos, are always popular with customers, according to assistant general manager Katie Callihan. Cold brew and iced coffee, especially as temperatures rise, are also common orders. Other popular drinks include the alcohol-infused Caffe Mezzo and Espresso Martini. “The idea is to provide an intermission in the busy day, to encourage people to take five minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and recharge,” said Sabatini. “I wanted to design a place I would want to hang out, somewhere with a lounge sort
DINING OUT
Classic French pastries at Cassis Bakery of vibe, not just a place to get work done.” www.intermezzo.com
Locale Market 179 2nd Ave. N.
Beans and Barlour 538 1st Ave. N.
Locale Market in Sundial in the heart of downtown features a collection of gourmet coffee, food and wine, curated by renowned chefs Michael Mina and Don Pintabona. For those looking for a caffeine fix or just in the mood for a locally roasted cup of joe, the Locale Coffee Bar has everything from 18-hour nitro cold brew to drip coffee and single-origin espresso. The coffee bar has even worked with St. Pete based Made brand coffee to create their own special blend using beans from Guatemala and Brazil.
Last August, after starting a coffee shop on the south side of St. Pete, Story Stuart came up with a concept based on her three loves – dessert, coffee and cocktails – and decided to move downtown and open retro, lounge-like Beans and Barlour. The shop is partnered with a roasting company in Asheville that creates an exclusive coffee blend focused on organic, fair-trade beans. They make some of the most unique and popular drinks in the area, like their crème brulee coffee topped with a layer of caramelized sugar and one aptly named “Campfire Story” which features a hickory smoke-infused glass, chocolate and house-made vanilla syrup and a helping of gooey marshmallow. Beans and Barlour also gives customers the option to spike anything on the menu, making it a perfect late-night hangout. Stuart suggests a classic like the Espresso Martini or the trendy Bold Brew – cold brew mixed with vodka rather than water. Stuart hopes to open a second location and mobile Barlour soon but until then, stop by their 1st Avenue shop. www.beansandbarlour.squarespace.com
Coming into the warmer months, one of the most popular items is the in-house cold brew, according to barista Emma Stone. “It pulls like a Guinness, so it’s really smooth and really strong. Our pastries also all go really fast because they’re buy one, get one after 3 pm,” she said. www.localegourmetmarket.com Craft Kafé 200 Central Ave. and 6653 Central Ave. Craft Kafe, a gluten-free bakery and coffee shop, got its start in 2015 under owner Teddy Skiadiotis and quickly outgrew its one storefront. Now, a second
location in the heart of downtown serves up the same quality brews and pastries with plans to expand into a dinner menu. Craft Kafé’s main coffee supplier is Onyx out of Kansas City, Missouri; however, they also feature many local companies like Bandit and Buddy Brew. From these, they create some of their most popular coffees, including the highly caffeinated Kyoto drip and cold brew drinks. The shop also mills all their own flour, ensuring everything is completely gluten free. “We want to cater to people with dietary restrictions, people who have trouble finding places where they can eat,” said barista Alexx Noumena, who recommends trying the vegan galaxy bars, cinnamon buns and pizza by the slice. www.craftkafe.com Black Crow Coffee Co. 2161 1st Ave. S. and 722 2nd St. N. Black Crow Coffee, opened in 2015 by owner Deana Hawk, features their own brand of coffee roasted in-house using beans from South America and Africa. The shop was opened to provide artists with
DINING OUT
Cappuccino at Black Crow Coffee a space free of censorship and now hosts open mic nights twice a month at both locations. Aside from the atmosphere, regulars keep coming back simply for the great, local coffee, with some of their favorites being the Banana Mocha and Purple Haze – a chocolate, hazelnut latte for all the Nutella-lovers out there. And while the foods aren’t exclusively vegan or gluten-free, Black Crow does have many delicious options for those with dietary restrictions, including the very popular and often hard to find vegan/ gluten-free bagels and donuts. Look for the eclectic, greenery-filled storefronts. www.blackcrowcoffeeco.com Cassis Bakery 170 Beach Drive NE Opened in 2010 by owners Phillipe Beroit and Lisa Wannemacher, Cassis Bakery shares both its name and mission with its next-door neighbor Cassis: to bring classic European flavors — most notably,
Vegan pastries at Valhalla Bakery French – to the St. Pete area. The shop serves locally brewed Kahwa coffee and a variety of teas from TeBella but, to locals, some of the most popular options remain house coffee and cold brew. According to front manager Jūratė Navickas, tourists – many from out of the country – also love trying out the Americano. But Cassis doesn’t stop at coffee, they serve up a diverse bakery menu, too, featuring everything from gelato to fruit-filled tarts to colorful macarons – all made in-house by Pastry Chef Katherine Williams. If you go, Navickas recommends trying some fan favorites like the macaron ice cream, the cassis ice cream (French for black currant) or the peppermint white chocolate mocha. www.cassisstpete.com Kahwa Coffee 204 2nd Ave. S. and 475 2nd Ave. N. Though Kahwa has transformed itself into a multi-store coffee shop, spreading as far as Sarasota and Tampa, the café got its start right here in downtown St. Pete with owners Rafael and Sarah Perrier and has
retained its cozy, neighborly atmosphere. Every cup is made from locally roasted 100 percent Arabica beans, though the feature brew changes from week to week according to barista Molly Beckman, allowing visitors to experience a variety of flavors from around the globe. Cold and nitro brews have been some of the biggest draws. So popular, in fact, Kahwa started selling cans of the drink at Publix and Whole Foods. And nothing pairs better with a Kahwa coffee than a classic, flaky croissant as those fly off the shelfs, Beckman said. Seasonal items, like the strawberry vegan muffin, also sell extremely well. The honey peach matcha latte, for instance, was specially crafted for St. Patrick’s Day but was served long past the holiday due to a local love for the green drink. Find locations at www.kahwacoffee.com Bandit Coffee Co. 2662 Central Ave. Bandit Coffee specializes in drinks made using their own locally roasted brand. While the specific beans change from season to season – right now, they’re using some from Colombia and Ethiopia – crowd favorites remain the same.
DINING OUT
Worth Mentioning (swah-rey), 2105 Central Ave., pronounces itself as St. Pete’s only dessert bar and features a vast and ever-changing array of handmade sweets. Brew D Licious, 667 Central Ave., serves up local favorite No Name Java Coffee and offers a pet-friendly environment with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Top Left: Crème Brulee coffee at Beans and Barlour Top Right: Vegan and gluten-free treats at Craft Kafé Bottom Left: Sweet pastries on display for spring at Locale Market
According to lead barista Madison Binder, cold brew and anything espresso based, like lattes, are extremely popular amongst the locals who come to work and hang out. Topped with fresh, in-season fruits, scones and danishes also sell out quickly and are the perfect partner to a cup of whatever you decide on. The café recently received its beer and wine license and is working on building a full-service kitchen. www.banditcoffee.com Banyan Café and Catering 689 Dr. MLK. Jr. St. N. and 701 Central Ave. Operating out of two locations, Banyan Café focuses on serving a
hearty brunch menu and local coffee from Buddy Brew. Since opening in 2009, it recently switched owners to Hernan Nova and his family, though it still retains its original values – bringing the neighborhood together in a classic, comfortable setting. Some of the most popular items – demonstrated by three different customers ordering the exact same meal minutes apart from one another – include the breakfast sandwich (eggs, white cheddar and a choice of spinach or bacon served on Cuban bread) and the salted caramel iced latte. Specialty coffee drinks can pop up at the locations whenever the inspiration strikes! www.banyancoffee.com
For those in need of a quick tune-up on their two-wheel transportation or those simply looking for a good cup of coffee, The Bikery Coffee & Bicycle Shop, 2222 1st Ave. S., welcomes customers with its unique aesthetic. Near Historic Uptown, Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse, 515 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. and Flatbread and Butter, 497 7th Ave. N., help customers get away from some of the hustle and bustle of downtown while serving up roasts from around the world and vegan/gluten-free fare, respectively. Though it’s a bit of a drive from downtown, Southside Coffee Brew Bar, 3922 6th St. S., brings a similar laidback atmosphere to the Bayou Shores neighborhood. And for those who aren’t looking for chain-store coffee but also don’t have time to get out of their cars, now there’s an option: Pineapple Espresso at 3045 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. They serve up everything from cold brew to drip coffee and a whole menu of health food and you never have to leave your car!
SPL HEALTH
Sun Smarts Enjoy your day in the sun, but don’t forget the sunscreen
In Florida, practically every day could be a beach day. As spring turns into summer, more people will be heading to the beach for the surf and sun. While we enjoy the sunshine, it’s important to be aware of the health risks attributed with getting too much sun. “Everyone enjoys getting outside and enjoying Florida weather, but we know that the sun is a carcinogen. It is unequivocally linked to skin cancer,” said James Connors, MD, a dermatologist with BayCare Medical Group. “If you are getting enough sun that your skin is turning red or brown, that is your body’s way of telling you that it has had too much.” Getting too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. One of the most deadly forms is melanoma with about 180,000 cases diagnosed in 2018, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Some of the risk factors for developing a
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melanoma that are beyond our control, Dr. Connors said, include being fair- or light-skinned; having a large number of moles; having a personal history of melanoma or a history of abnormal moles; and living in a region with a high ultraviolet (UV) index, such as Florida. The American Cancer Society reports that only California has a higher incidence of melanoma than Florida. “Other risk factors are due to the choices we make,” said Dr. Connors, who has been practicing dermatology in St. Petersburg since 2001 after completing his residency at Yale University. “Exposure to ultraviolet light is a major risk factor for most melanomas. Sunlight is the major source of UV radiation. Tanning beds and sun lamps are also sources.” Although he treats patients who suffer with skin cancer in his Suncoast Medical Clinic office on the campus of St. Anthony’s
SPL HEALTH Hospital, Dr. Connors also works to help prevent skin cancer and other skin abnormalities. “While I am a big proponent of using sunscreen, I think a common misconception about it is that it’s the best way to protect yourself from UV damage,” he said. “If you live in Florida and go to the beach in the summer at mid-day, you are going to get fried, even with a good coating of SPF 30. A few years back, a study showed that the average person doesn’t apply the amount of sunscreen that is needed for it to be effective. Combine that with sweating and swimming, and it’s easy to see how people can still get burned.” It is best to minimize sun exposure in the mid-day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to limit the times when the sun’s rays are most
intense, Dr. Connors said. “I also advise my patients to stay in the shade and wear UPF sunshirts or coverups, longer shorts that cover the knees and broad-brimmed hats,” he said. “You should also avoid doing outside activities in the middle of the day. If there is still exposed skin, wear a minimum 30 SPF sunscreen.” On those occasions when clouds hide the sun, Dr. Connors said you still need protection. Like an annual physical, having your skin checked at least once a year is a good idea. “Those in high-risk groups – such as immunocompromised patients, elderly/fair skinned individuals, those with a recent diagnosis of skin cancer or those with any past history of melanoma – should be seen by a provider more frequently,” adds Dr. Connors. Dr. James Connors, MD
Warning Signs
How do you know if you may be developing a melanoma? “Not all melanomas look alike. Some appear as a mole that gets darker, larger or more irregular in its appearance. Others develop as a tan or brown spot that gradually gets larger or darker,” Dr. Connors said. “Advanced melanomas can appear as a red/black non-healing ulcer resembling a spider bite. As a general rule, any new growth or spot that doesn’t go away on its own after several weeks should probably get checked by a trained provider.” While melanoma is the most deadly, many different types
of skin cancer are more common, like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both have the potential to do harm, but are less likely to become deadly when compared to melanoma, Dr. Connors said. Other rarer types of skin cancers also exist. “Most appear as non-healing bumps or ulcers that may crust or bleed. Others appear as slowly enlarging growths under the skin that can look like scars,” Dr. Connors said. “Again, anything that is enlarging or not healing and has not resolved on its own within several weeks should be checked by a physician or other qualified provider.”
When It’s Too Late
In the case of a severe sunburn, take an oral non-steroidal pain reliever such as lowdose aspirin, Dr. Connors said. “Aloe helps too. I recommend real aloe because the mucilage from the plant helps heal the skin,” he said. “Other products that keep the skin hydrated also can help. Avoid petrolatum products because the skin needs to cool down and the petrolatum can prevent that by trapping in heat.”
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SPL HEALTH
High Tech Fitness and Recovery Since 1995, Rubin Chiropractic has been a haven for those benefitting from chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, cold laser treatment, power plate therapy and Pilates. Dr. Scott Rubin has always had a passion for providing services that positively impact the community’s way of life. Now, he has taken the Center to the next level with cutting edge medical technology in an expanded 6000 square foot space designed for state of the art recovery. This Elite Recovery Room offers multiple services, all of which contribute to the reduction of pain and inflammation. CRYO Science Whole Body Cryotherapy: Reaching temperatures of -220 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minute sessions, the Arctic Whole Body Cryotherapy Chamber is the safest on the market, never letting the cryogenic gases come in contact with the user. Benefits are endless, including a metabolism boost (one session can burn around 800 calories), pain relief, and increased training time for athletes due to shorter recovery time. Regular sessions help reduce pain, inflammation and stress while rejuvenating your body, skin and mind. The rapid reduction in skin temperature is also known to have multiple anti-aging benefits. Alter-G Anti -Gravity Treadmill: This space age technology has roots with NASA. Because this treadmill makes you up to 80% lighter than you are, everyone from athletes to seniors can benefit from this therapy. Whether you are recovering from injury, experiencing joint pain, or looking for enhanced mobility to exercise in a safe environment, the Alter-G provides a truly low to no impact workout with full range of motion. This means you can experience natural body movements and gait patterns to condition muscles more thoroughly. Athletes can train harder and faster, preventing
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SPL HEALTH injuries often associated with high impact, weight-bearing workouts. Infrared Sauna: Often paired with Cryotherapy or following chiropractic treatment, the sauna raises body temperature, which releases toxins, increases circulation and purifies the skin. Saunas also have a history of providing relaxation and anti-stress therapy. Compared to traditional saunas, infrared saunas release seven times more toxins. Shorter intervals are suggested at first, gradually building your length of time in the sauna. Just 20 minutes can reduce inflammation and chronic pain. Rapid Reboot Compression Sleeves: Another recovery technology that uses pneumatic compression to ensure rapid recovery for every athlete, at every level, and every sport. Compression boots enhance blood flow to muscles, reduce swelling and lactic acids which means less stiffness, and more mobility. Increased circulation enhances the body’s cellular repair and rids the body of excess fluids and lactic acid. Pilates Studio: Enjoy a newer, extensive Pilates studio with state-of-the-art equipment in the expanded space. Dr. Rubin is a Power Pilates Instructor and incorporates Pilates as an integral part of building better bodies. Pilates builds strength, but also helps negate
chronic pain and/or tension in the muscles. The new space features 5 new Pilates Reformers, 3 Pilates Towers and ample space for class sessions. The Elite Recovery Room is offering introductory rates for a short period. Call or visit for details. Rubin Health Center 1700 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33704
Building Better Bodies Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Massage Therapy Cold Laser Treatment • Graston Technique Active Release Technique • Elite Recovery Room Rehab Gym • Power Plate Therapy Dr. Scott A. Rubin DC, DACBSP
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Certified in Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, Graston Technique, Active Release Techniques (ART), Functional Movement Screenings (FMS), PGA Certified, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), Power Pilates Instructor, Diplomat in Sports Medicine(DACBSP) and currently a treating physician for the United States Olympic Training Centers.
Dr. Lauren Childers DC Certified in Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique and has treated the athletes of the World Championship Ironman three times in Kona, Hawaii as well as numerous Ironman events throughout the country.
Dr. David J. Pizzi DC, DACO, CCSP Certified in Whiplash Injury Biomechanics and Traumatology, Rocktape and FMS (Functional Movement Systems), Active Release Techniques (ART®) and Graston Technique®. Certified Sports Physician (CCSP®)
1700 Dr. MLK St. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 • www.RubinHealthCenter.com • 727-351-8306
Coming April 1st:
Elite Recovery Center with Infrared Sauna, Compression Chairs, Cryotherapy, Alter G Treadmill
We accept most insurance and Medicare
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SPL LIVING
Home Décor Simplified with Design Experts
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Staff members, back row: Yasmeen Dean, Barbara Jones, Stephanie Steeves, J Karl Peters. Front row: Nancy Rodenbach, “Blue” (David’s rescue dog and store mascot), David King (Owner), Connie Delgado (Office Manager), Cody Williams (Marketing). Not shown: Lourdes Keelan BY MICHELLE BOUDREAU
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Quality and exceptional customer service is first and foremost for David King, owner and founder of DoMA Home Furnishings. Known for contemporary flair with comfort, the unique furniture store has locations in St Pete, Tampa, and Clearwater. They have a customized approach as most everything offered may have several options made to order. David hires the best in the business to assist his customers, and every sales person is a personally selected interior designer. His staff collectively has over 150 years of combined design experience.
room layouts, recommendations for design and layout, to fullfledged remodels and project management. They also partner with exceptional local trade, general contractors, flooring specialists, custom closet designers, and window treatment specialists, which allows the client a simplified one stop shopping experience. This is ideal for part-time residents that would like design work completed while they are away at their primary residence.
DoMA staff is extensively trained in decorating commercial and residential properties with a wide range of clientele. Many clients choose to decorate an entire house or business, and some one room or simply adding a piece or two. They gladly welcome all projects, large or small. DoMA offers design programs ranging from a simple in-home consultation, which may include color consult,
1. Select your purchase(s) via website or in-store and the design sales staff will assist with variations offered on your specific selections.
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To work with the design staff:
2. The design sales staff will assist you by making selections online or in store and offer guidance fulfilling your desires.
SPL LIVING PHOTOS/BARRY LIVELY
3. You can hire a design sales staff member to come to your location and personally assist you in a specific design with any size project. 4. If you have hired your own interior designer, no problem. They can register online to work directly with DoMA Home Furnishings. DoMA also offers “To the Trade” programs if you have your own designer as well as a real-estate referral programs for agents. You can visit one of the three locations: St Pete: 2533 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Tampa: 4005 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa FL 33611 Clearwater: 29870 US19 N, Clearwater, FL 33761 Or online at: DoMAHomeFurnishings.com Be sure to visit the website for current promotions and sales including the Spring Seating Sale 4/19-5/19, if it’s a seat, it’s on sale! Ask about the great pricing on floor models as DoMA makes room for new designs! Memorial Day Sale starting 5/23-6/10. The VIP program offered on the website will give you insider invitations to events and sales.
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CONVERSATIONS
Relax. Refresh. Renew. ADVERTORIAL
BY MICHELLE BOUDREAU Life at times can get busy, stressful, or overwhelming. We’re all trying to juggle and balance our wonderful crazy lives. With our loved ones, work life, children, travel schedules, and playtime, everything seems to zap our energy and time. That is why, in our busy world, it is so important to take time out and focus on wellness and self-care. It contributes to both our inner and outer beauty. How does Ginger Lettelleir, a busy business owner, wife, mom, and grandmother find balance? She created her own oasis of wellness and restoration with The Woodhouse Day Spa. They believe that health, wellness and beauty are intricately linked and the goal is to enhance your well-being and enliven your spirit. When meeting Ginger nearly a year ago at the grand opening of St Pete’s Woodhouse Day Spa, her beauty stood out. She
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was poised, and her skin had a healthy glow. I knew she was a successful entrepreneur and business owner. What I didn’t know is that she was also a grandmother! Ginger is an inspirational woman and what today’s grandmother looks like. I wanted to know how she does it? How does she look so fantastic, fashionable, and poised, with not a line on her face? She shares her priorities, wellness and beauty secrets with all of us. Ginger feels it is most important to balance her life with wholeheartedly giving 100% in whatever she puts her mind to. As her business is a high priority, she feels it is imperative to spend quality time with family, friends, or even time alone to balance all. She shares, “I personally start every day with meditation and
CONVERSATIONS prayer, it helps start the day off right for me, it is also important to fit in exercise where ever I can. A priority for me is spending time with my two grandsons, Lucas and Oliver. They are pure joy and love. As busy as I get I will always fit them in to my schedule. “The other day I was scheduled to attend a business event, Lucas also had an event at the same time, my decision was to attend Lucas’ event.” When asked her advice on running a business? “First and foremost I could not do it all without my partner, my husband Mark Lettelleir. His business savvy, participation and emotional support are crucial to my success. I feel to be successful it takes surrounding yourself with a great team. I diligently
hire, matching customer expectations for their experience and service goals with my staff. I love my team at The Woodhouse, I am grateful to work daily with wonderful people. I couldn’t do it all without them!” Asked about her favorite treatments, it was hard for her to choose. She shares, “The Vichy shower room is really unique and wonderful. You do not have to get up to shower off treatments. The multi-showerhead allows you to stay comfortable and relaxed on the table while rinsing. The warm spiced mud wrap and lavender and seaweed scrub are done in the Vichy shower room. The Woodhouse Escape is quite popular, a 2-hour service which includes dry brushing the body, scalp massage, body massage and foot reflexology. It’s amazing! The Hydrafacial is also one of my favorites, it is very results-oriented for the skin. I feel it is so important to cleanse my face every night. No matter how tired I am, it is a must. I use Skinceuticals from The Woodhouse daily, the gentle cream cleanser, equaling toner, H.A. Intensifier serum, and Triple Lipid Restore moisturizer.” There is a plethora of unique services offered at The Woodhouse. For details visit: stpete.woodhousespas.com Located in Downtown St. Pete in the new James Museum building is a gem, an oasis, a get away that you can take advantage of daily, weekly, or monthly, The Woodhouse Day Spa! You walk in and say “ahhhhhh” as your shoulders sink down. You breathe in the calming aroma and you’re ready to let go, and relax after just a few breaths. While taking in the surrounding beauty…enjoy. PHOTOS/BARRY LIVELY
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ARTS & CULTURE
A Feast for the Eyes MFA shares a family’s collection of masterpieces BY CINDY STOVALL Without a doubt, the Museum of Fine Arts has had a very busy year – and it’s still only Spring! Multiple new exhibits have kept galleries on both floors of the museum hopping, and no one can deny the huge splash made by the spectacular dual Schlumberger jewelry exhibits. Capped by a particularly successful Art in Bloom (fresh floral interpretations of the collections), the first quarter of 2019 has definitely been one for the books. It would seem that maintaining an increasingly elevated standard of excellence might present a challenge to your average “smaller” destination fine art museum, but Kristen Shepherd and the team at MFA have embraced that challenge and, quite frankly, kicked its butt. Banquet Still Life/ Floris van Dijck (Dutch)
Ushered in with great fanfare in late March, “A Feast For the Eyes” is predominantly 17th century European masterpieces of the Baroque era. It represents roughly two-thirds of the personal collection of 92-year-old Juan Manuel Grasset, a Spanish-born engineer, and his family. “The title of the exhibit came about fairly naturally,” says curator Dr. Stanton Thomas. “As we examined the beauty of these still lifes and landscapes, the phrase ‘a feast for the eyes’ immediately came to mind, and it stuck.” The title certainly fits. Colorful and beautifully preserved centuries-old still lifes depict succulent fruits of all varieties, vividly blooming flowers and even a collection of hungry insects and other creatures so real you feel that you could almost reach across time to touch them. Of course, that might be frowned upon in the gallery, so just the visual enjoyment of these masterpieces will have to do.
Wooded River Landscape with Fish Market and Fishing Boats/Jan Breughel the Elder (Flemish)
The landscapes are equally impressive. Viewing the lovingly captured scenes of 17th century life in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe is like being transported back in time - perhaps to a fishing village in the shadow of windmills. Or to watch skaters on a frozen lake. You might be a passenger in an East India Company trade vessel on the high seas, or even rowing a gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice. A number of European countries, Spain, Germany, and Italy for example, are represented well in the collection by stunning works – but there are undeniably a prominent number of pieces by Dutch and Flemish masters. Their beauty was an early inspiration to and love of the Grasset patriarch - their balance appealed to his engineering sensibility. Of particular note is a work by Jan Brueghel, A Wooded River Landscape w/ Fish Market and Fishing Boats.
The Grand Canal, Venice/Giovanni Antonio Canal (Italian)
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ARTS & CULTURE Grasset’s formative years included an early introduction to culture and beauty that informed his future passion of great works of art and his desire to acquire them. However, in the Franco era, most available art in Spain was limited to images of religious figures or royalty, and money could not be legally spent outside of the country.
her radar. “When I found out that Kristen Shepherd had become executive director, I called her about the possibilities of bringing the collection to St. Petersburg,” she said. The two have become great friends. “The successful showing of art is very much about developing relationships,” says Shepherd, whose collaborations with colleagues at Sotheby’s and the Virginia Fine Art Museum, for example, have been responsible for many of MFA’s recent exhibitions.
It was finally, at the age of 40, that Grasset Sr. discovered the availability of art that explored the world of color and natural beauty he coveted. He found a way to buy his first piece (Still Life of Fish and a Lobster on a Platter) in 1969 and has continued collecting for 50 years. Grasset Sr. is considered one of the most knowledgeable collectors in Europe.
When Grasset Sr. was brought in, by wheelchair, to view “A Feast For the Eyes” for the first time, his daughter shared: “I could tell. My father doesn’t talk a lot anymore, but I could see it in his eyes – we were bringing him into the room, and his eyes lit up.”
Unbelievably, this trove of a collection has only been seen once, for one exhibition in one city - San Diego - until now. Overall management of the collection has been passed by Grasset Sr. to his daughter, Cristina Grasset, who serves as the Director of Spain Education Programs. In her search to find the perfect place to exhibit the family’s art collection, she made children’s education a priority and had previously seen MFA in her travels. It was on
“Brilliant,” said the collector. A Feast For the Eyes is on view through July 28; go to www. mfastpete.org Listen to a conversation featuring Christina Grasset, Kristen Shepherd and Dr. Stanton Thomas on The Beauty & The ‘Burg Podcast, Episode 169 at www.heliumradio.com
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ARTS & CULTURE
Word, Thought & Deed The many lives of St. Pete playwright Sheila Cowley BY CINDY STOVALL There’s a phrase that we’ve all heard a million times – “Still waters run deep.” We always seem surprised when someone whose demeanor is somewhat quiet and unassuming reveals an extraordinary ability to communicate with the world. Of course, in theater, we’re almost talking unicorn here as it relates to shying away from praise and accolades. Enter playwright Sheila Cowley.
the point, it was a borderline Herculean effort to find more than ONE picture of her for this piece. I became fascinated with Sheila’s story and wanted to know how all this creativity came to be. I was surprised at the almost coincidental way in which she came to tell some of the most fascinating and diverse stories for the stage I have ever seen.
As a writer, I have such admiration for artists who are able to weave brilliant dialogue dealing with wildly diverse subjects, all while crafting deep and interesting characters AND incorporating other art forms. It’s no small feat, but the thing about great artists is that they make it look easy.
“I didn’t start writing until the late ‘90s,” she begins. “I was creating stories and doing the post production for a series called Sound Stage at WMNF.” During high school, Sheila met, and briefly dated, the man that would later become her husband and most important collaborator, Matt Cowley.
In the five years she has lived in St. Pete, Sheila has written and staged several well received plays that have been presented on stages here, in many American cities, and abroad. She produces the podcast “Arts In” for Creative Pinellas, produces audio tours of our city’s murals for the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, as well as visitor tours for the Dali and James Museums. She is called upon to collaborate with artists of all genres on an endless myriad of public events. To any keen observer of the St. Pete theater and arts scene, it almost seems as though Sheila Cowley has some involvement in every offering of any consequence. Yet, if you are lucky enough to meet the person behind all these efforts, any pre-conceived notion you may have will evaporate when you are met with a slight, soft-spoken, simply attired and bespectacled woman who deflects any praise for herself and sincerely, gratefully heaps it entirely on those with whom she works. To say Sheila Cowley has become one of the most highly sought after and best loved contributors to St. Pete’s artistic landscape would be an understatement. To say that she would blush, then scoff at this assertion would be an even bigger one. To drive home
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Sowing Seeds
and continued to work in editing.
Going their separate ways for college, Sheila stayed in town and studied history at USF – not exactly the trajectory for a playwright. But Sheila says that history holds some of the world’s greatest dramas which, of course, lends itself to great storytelling. She threw herself into her studies
It wasn’t until Matt returned to Tampa after receiving an engineering degree and touring the world as a drummer with the rock group No Walls, that the trajectory of both their lives and careers began to merge. Matt formed a musical improv group with friends called Off Ramp. He knew he could use Sheila’s help with this new venture, and he got in touch. Sheila began to edit many hours of Off Ramp’s improv material into cohesive, hilarious sets that went on to syndication. That time cemented the lifelong partnership between Sheila and Matt and, in 2003, they married. It was during these improv days, Sheila says, that the rhythm of human interaction embedded in her imagination and plays began to form. “I could hear the dialogue in my head,” Sheila recounts.
ARTS & CULTURE PHOTO/TOM KRAMER
“All those hours listening to the banter of the troupe, the back and forth, gave me ideas for writing stories and, ultimately, plays.” A Little Help From Her Friends In 2009, Sheila wrote the first of her eight full-length plays to date. “Stay” is the story of a needy ophthalmologist who fakes blindness in a desperate effort to hold onto his wife. Sheila enlisted the help of actors Eugenie Bondurant and Chris Rutherford who played the leads in that first production. It was the beginning of many such projects that have evolved into life-long friendships and ongoing collaborations. While Sheila was writing, Matt was using his engineering chops to develop software and sound design for the stage. It was all coming together. When Bob Devin Jones of Studio @620 fame came looking for talent to launch a film noir series, he sought out the combined skills of Sheila and Matt Cowley. They haven’t stopped creating together since. Of particular note, and proving that history indeed tells great stories, this past year saw Sheila’s play “Flying,” a post WWII historical drama telling the largely unknown story of the heroism of America’s women test pilots, being produced and staged on both sides of the Bay - Sheila writing the words, Matt creating sound design, long-time friend and local fave, Becca McCoy in the lead role. Collaboration is at the center of the Cowley universe. Sheila is a huge believer in the melding of artistic genres when creating a piece for the stage, for a special event, or even for a creative salon at her home. You will often find Sheila orchestrating the seamlessly integrated work of visual artists like Mark Aeling and Ana Maria Vasquez alongside dancers like Helen French and Paula Kramer - alongside actors like the aforementioned Eugenie Bondurant and Mimi Rice - alongside fine musicians, other writers and poets. “I believe in bringing many types of art together when I think of presenting a piece. It’s an approach that makes me happy.” Her ekphrastic style certainly fits well within the artistic environment of St. Pete. Recently, in addition to her multiple projects, Sheila has taken
on the role of ambassador for the Dramatists Guild of America, a NYC-based advocacy organization representing playwrights and composers. She’ll be advocating for artists in the West Florida region - working to advance the visibility and help protect the rights of playwrights and composers right here in our area and beyond. “I’ve been proud to be a member of the Guild for some time and look forward to this new role,” she says. Works in Progress There are always several plays in development at any one time for Sheila. For example, “The Burlesque Astronomy Play” recently had a reading at American Stage. I was lucky enough to see it and it’s exciting to see where it goes. If (or should I say when), it is fully developed, this play promises to be visually stunning as well as funny and compelling. “Madness,” a comedy about gender fluidity, stereotypes and transformation, is currently atop the list of projects being reworked with a dramaturg for full production. (It was workshopped at Studio@620 this past fall.) Watch for more of Sheila’s signature multi-art collaboration here. It is truly a gift to watch the evolution of great playwriting right here in our own ‘Burg back yard.
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ARTS & CULTURE Summer is just about here, school is winding down and the snowbirds are mostly gone. It used to be a slow season in the ‘Burg, but no more. There is a flurry of arty activity to be found on any given day even as we move through May and into June. For your consideration, check out these events and “Beauty Mark” your calendars. Also, please don’t forget to catch my arts and culture podcast, Beauty & The ‘Burg, on the Helium Radio Network at www.heliumradio.com You can also come be an audience member on the third Wednesday of each month for my new adventure, Beauty & The ‘Burg LIVE! (See details below.) BY CINDY STOVALL
On Stage freeFall Theatre Company announced its new season celebrating of its 10th anniversary. Hard to believe a decade has passed since the first production of Wild Party graced the freeFall stage, but no doubt, a future of innovative and thoughtprovoking theater will continue for decades to come. Of course, we are still enjoying the current season, and Jonathan Tolin’s Buyer & Cellar is up from May 11 through June 9. Cellar is not a misspelling, as this one-man show (with many imagined characters), is literally set in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu home basement! An absurd and witty frolic through the fantasies and ruminations of an underemployed LA actor. www.freefalltheatre.com May and June find the St. Petersburg Opera Company working triple time to bring us great works by Puccini. First, May 17-21, a duo of one act plays, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi provide the true essence of comedy and tragedy in the form of conflicted nuns and Italian families feuding over a cousin’s will. Then, June 21–30, Puccini’s masterpiece, Madama Butterfly graces the stage in all its classic glory. Don’t forget your Kleenex. www.stpeteopera.org
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American Stage continues to live LIFE. OUT. LOUD. with the opening of Eugene O’Neill’s classic, Long Day’s Journey into Night – part of the American Legacy Series. Considered one of the all-time great American plays, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning masterwork brings into stark reality the fact that even the closest family ties and love cannot always protect you. Runs May 29 –June 30. www.americanstage.org If you’re interested in supporting smaller community theater productions (which I always am), perhaps you’ll check out Gulfport Community Players’ production of Next Fall. Same sex relationships are complicated enough, but mix in religion, family and a health crisis, and you’ve got the makings of some pretty intense and thoughtful theater. Runs June 6–16. www.gulfportcommunityplayers.org
Museum Happenings The James Museum recently opened a very moving and intimate collection of early 20th century photographs depicting Western Native Americans. The Cultural Connections of Edward S. Curtis chronicles the story of the Minnesota photographer’s artistic and personal relationship with the original Americans in this stunning collection owned by Robb & Susan Hough. (You can listen to an extended interview with the Houghs, curator Emily Kapes, and Curtis expert, photographer Christopher Cardozo on my Beauty & The ‘Burg Podcast.) www. thejamesmuseum.org
ARTS & CULTURE There is still time to see Imagine Museum’s Shifting Sands – Glass Coast exhibit. It’s a demonstration of how the Studio Glass Movement established an ongoing presence in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. From cast glass to mixed media works, this beautiful collection features Bay area artisans and their contributions to establishing our area as “The Glass Coast.” Runs through June 2. www.imaginemuseum.com Don’t forget that most museums in town offer reduced admissions after 5pm on Thursdays and stay open late. It’s a great way to get your museum on and save a little money, too. Check out the website of your favorite museum for details.
Gallery & Alternative Join me on the third Wednesday of each month for the Beauty & The ‘Burg Podcast Goes LIVE! at SubCentral, a funky little NYC cabaretstyle space below ground at the Iberian Rooster, 475 Central Ave. From 6-7pm, we go live on the air - and here’s where you come in - with a live studio audience! Come see your favorite artists, performers, writers, etc., in an intimate venue where YOU become part of the show with audience Q&A. May 15 features the crazy talented Becca McCoy, and June 19 will feature premier artist Steven Kenny. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Hope to see you there… More avant garde programs at SubCentral: A shoutout to author and woman of many talents, Lisa Kirchner. She (very ably and audaciously) hosts True Stories each 2nd Wednesday of the month. Tell your own story on stage based on the pre-selected theme. Each show has a featured guest and, once you get over the nerves of telling your first story, you’ll be hooked! Check it out from 7-9pm. www.lisalkirchner.com Theatrical journalists Lillian Dunlap and Jaye Sheldon took their wildly popular “Your Real Stories” (staging real life stories at various venues for the past 6 years) and gave it a permanent home last year at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District. The walls of the gallery are filled with photos depicting our lives and on the 4th Tuesday of each month, you can see one of these images come to life on stage in “Off the Wall”. All I can say is that these two know how to tell stories – stories that mean something to all of us. www.yourrealstories.org Until text time … Cindy Stovall’s Beauty & the ‘Burg podcast covering the arts in St. Petersburg airs on Wednesdays at 6 pm at heliumradio.com. Archives of previous shows are available.
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CONVERSATIONS
Sunset Beach BY MARCIA BIGGS Mary Kay Andrews enters the room on the kiss of a new morning breeze. At least that’s how she might describe it. As the undisputable “Queen of the Beach Reads,” the St. Pete native is back in her hometown, preparing for the launch of the latest of her 26 books, which is set right here in Pinellas County. Sunset Beach (St. Martin’s Press), released this May, takes place in and around, you guessed it, Sunset Beach in Treasure Island. Although she left St. Pete for Georgia nearly 40 years ago, the former newspaper journalist visits the area regularly since she still has family here. St. Pete, says the author, played a large part in her upbringing. “I still call this home,” says the New York Times bestselling author, who now has two grown children and two grandchildren. “I grew up in South St. Pete, attended Lakewood High and married my high school sweetheart. I have many fond memories here, especially of the beaches. I loved Pass-A-Grille, spent a lot of fun times there with my high school friends.” Andrews typically sets her novels in beach locations and often a mystery is at the heart of each one. “I started as a mystery writer, so most of my books have a mystery,” she says. “I call them beach reads with a twist. I actually wrote several earlier books set in St. Pete … Lickety Split and Crash Course were both set here, and Ladies’ Night was set in Anna Maria.” One look at her book covers and there is no doubt that they scream “beach read.” Florida readers may recognize many locations. The
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setting for Beach Town, about the filming of a Hollywood movie that turns a tiny coastal island in North Florida upside down, sounds remarkably like Cedar Key (it’s called Cypress Key in the book). A couple of her more recent bestsellers are The Weekenders (a mystery set in Belle Isle, North Carolina) and The High Tide Club (a tale of romance thwarted, friendships renewed, justice delivered and true love found). Her books have sold more than 3 million copies and they have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese. On this visit, Andrews was making final preparations for her Sunset Beach launch party at Mastry’s Bar & Grille on Central Avenue downtown. Why there? “Mastry’s is featured in the book,” Andrews relays. “It’s over 80 years old, the oldest bar in St. Pete … several scenes are set there. Munches (restaurant) is in the book, too. In high school we would meet there a lot. One scene is at the Chattaway.” Her promotional plans call for similar launch parties in Savannah and Atlanta, along with a slew of guest appearances on TV morning talk shows and newspaper and magazine interviews. She writes one meaty novel each year, she says, and thanks to her national publisher, holds launch parties at numerous cities and a national book tour. To those who dream of chucking their day jobs and writing steamy beach novels, Mary Kay Andrews is the epitome of a success story. “In 1991, I gave up newspapers for a book contract, it was a leap of
CONVERSATIONS
faith,” she admits. She cranks out the plots from her beach home in tiny Tybee Island on coastal Georgia. Each annual tome is timed to be released in early summer, prime time for beach reading. She also spends a lot of time doing research, traveling to locations that are featured in each novel, making sure her facts and settings are accurate. For Beach Town, for example, she spent time with a real location manager (the main character). Her inspiration for plots often reaches back to her past, to stories she learns about in the news, or people and places she knows - like the story behind Sunset Beach. The narrow residential strip of beach, most commonly known as the home of the popular beach bar Caddy’s, is home to the lead character, Drue. The plot is inspired by a cold case that has long fascinated Andrews-- the disappearance of 22-year-old newlywed
Mary Shotwell Little in 1965. This case continues to haunt Atlanta police, more than 50 years later. Over the years true crime books have been written, countless newspaper and magazine pieces and cold case blogs have explored Mary’s fate, along with a number of podcasts, but few clues have emerged. This got Andrews thinking: “What if I created a fictional counterpoint to Mary Shotwell Little and moved her story to the beaches of Florida in the mid-1970s, the era when I was a teenager on those same beaches?” “I like a big meaty beach book,” says the author. “My goal is always to leave you with a sunburn because you lost track of time.” To find all of the author’s books, go to MaryKayAndrews.com Sunset Beach will be available at all major bookstores, through amazon.com and through the web site.
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SPL NEWS
USFSP News A new 375-bed LEED gold certified residence hall will be coming to the USFSP campus in 2020, including the campus’ first fullservice dining facility. A ground-breaking took place April 25 at the location at on 3rd Street S., between 5th and 6th Avenues S. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2020, and will increase the number of students living on campus by nearly 70 percent.
Laboratory, which houses biology, chemistry and physics labs, received the highest certification of LEED platinum.
The Beck Group, the Dallas-based architect for the project, is seeking LEED gold certification for the facility from the U.S. Green Building Council to align with USF St. Petersburg’s emphasis on sustainability. If certified, it would be the fourth USFSP building to earn gold certification, while the Warehouse
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Demand for student housing has been steadily increasing in recent years, said Jacob Diaz, Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at USFSP. The new residence hall will help offset that, and will give the university the opportunity to expand curriculum
targeted to residential students. “This facility will not only offer easy access to campus resources and activities, it will also provide our students with leadership and learning opportunities,” said Diaz. “I’m really excited for what it will mean for student life on campus.”
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SPL NEWS
St. Pete Adopts Sustainability Plan St. Petersburg is gaining national attention as a coastal city with a real plan for combating the ravages of climate change by planning for the future. In April, City Council unanimously reviewed and adopted a comprehensive Integrated Sustainability Action Plan, which is a roadmap to programs and strategies that advance sustainability and resiliency. The ISAP establishes priorities and identifies areas for improvement, and targets a goal of 100% clean energy in city operations and buildings. Many of the sustainability actions described throughout this ISAP contribute to the well-being of the community’s infrastructure, natural resources, economy, and people. Protection of natural resources such as tree canopy, green space, mangrove shorelines, wetlands and the bay, lakes and waterways is an important part of the plan.
of my city team, and the commitment of our residents,” said Mayor Rick Kriseman at the press conference. “In just a few short years we have gone from falling way behind to leading the way. American cities can now look to us as a shining example of how local government can contribute meaningful solutions to a global crisis.” Some planning has already begun, such as the installation of solar panels on the new City Police Headquarters. Community members are encouraged to review the plan, as execution of the plan priorities will soon be underway. To learn more about St. Pete’s ISAP and how it will be used, visit stpete.org/ISAP
Did You Know? St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in climate policy by Apolitical, a global network for government. Apolitical draws from hundreds of nominations from experts and leading organizations to celebrate politicians, civil servants, academics and rising stars who affect awareness of climate change and sustainable policy change.
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SPL NEWS
New Police Headquarters Opens PHOTOS/KYLE FLEMING
Filled with pomp and circumstance, the grand opening celebration of the new St. Petersburg Police Headquarters at 1301 1st Avenue N., took place March 22. As hundreds watched, the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team made a perfect landing on 1st Avenue North to deliver the flags that will be flown over the new building. Mayor Rick Kriseman, Chief of Police Anthony Holloway, and St. Petersburg City Council members cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility. “This is more than just a new building. It is an illustration of so many of the things we value, including government partnerships, community, sustainability, resiliency, and public art,” said Mayor Rick Kriseman. Visitors were also able to get a sneak preview of the inside during the event. The $78.5 million project, mostly funded by Penny for Pinellas,
includes a 168,000-square-foot building, a four-story parking garage, and a state-of-the-art Emergency Communications Center. The building can withstand a Category 5 hurricane and will house the City’s Emergency Operations Center in times of crisis. The eye-catching sculptures “Gladiolus” at the entrance and “Shielded” hanging inside the lobby were designed and created by local sculptor Mark Aeling. A third piece, “Community DNA,” by Catherine Woods, will be added on the 13th Street side later this summer. The building’s green features include a water cooling plant for high efficiency air conditioning, sensorcontrolled LED lighting, automated water controls, and 1,450 photovoltaic (solar energy) panels on the parking garage roof. The panels generate enough power to run the systems for the garage and one third of the building space.
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SPL NEWS
Welcome to the EDGE PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS
Have you noticed the new public art on various street corners around the Trop? Spearheaded by the EDGE Business District Association as part of the district’s improvement plan, 10 sculptures made of glass and steel are now welcome gateway additions to the area near Tropicana Field. A ceremony unveiling the markers was held March 28 as part of the 2019 Glass Art Society national conference. Two of the sculptures create powerful and iconic identifiers on the bookends of the District at ML King Jr. Blvd and 16th Street on Central Avenue. Look for twisting towers of hand sculpted green jade glass and steel, accented by stainless steel and LED lighting. Eight smaller sculptures can be found along 1st Avenues North and South. The EDGE District Gateway Marker public art project included a national search resulting in submissions from renown artists across the country. Artist James Brenner with his winning design “On EDGE” was presented with the $249,000 award. The district board sought to create iconic gateway markers that would identify the EDGE District, pay homage to its industrial heritage yet vision for the future as a glass arts city.
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St. Pete Life Client Appreciation Party/Bacchus PHOTOS/KYLE FLEMING
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Art, Fashion & Spirits PHOTOS/ DWAYNE JENKINS Bella Unica Art & Events in collaboration with fashion boutique Pippa Pelure, and Kozuba and Sons Distillery, presented its second annual fashion and art event on March 24. A percentage of the proceeds went to support two charities: Rapha House and The Kind Mouse.
Caya Costa Living At It’s Finest! Just Listed
Gated Community 1044 Marco Dr NE, St Pete FL 33702 Being offered at $700,000
Norman Rockwell would have loved this neighborhood. This custom home on Marco Drive has colonial charm, a huge lot, detached garage & a bonus pool cabana area w/bath. The traditional feel flows nicely with formal living, formal dining, a butler’s pantry, and gorgeous galley style kitchen with two refrigerator zones, and two dishwasher zones. Plenty of space for a long family style table and french doors to look out over your beautiful back yard & pool area. Enjoy 2 fireplaces great for that perfect ambiance during the holidays. Upstairs there are 5 bedrooms, 3 baths + a bonus room! So if you’re looking for that neighborhood close to everything that feels like a small town, this is it. Enjoy having a boat without living on the water because you have your own private BOAT STORAGE & BOAT RAMP right on property grounds. Tennis anyone? Access to tennis courts and added security of a private gated entrance with a 24 hour guard. Homeowners Association works to make this neighborhood a friendly place to live by organizing many wonderful events throughout the year. This is where you want to be!
Top 1% of Realtors® In Pinellas County
727.204.3138 Contact us for your private showing. May/June 2019
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American Stage’s annual fundraiser and opening night for “Mamma Mia” was held April 12 at Demens Landing. PHOTO/BETH REYNOLDS
PHOTO/KARA GOLDBERG
Gala Under the Stars
PHOTOS/LISA PRESNAIL
For the Summer Season…
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Los Vinos de Dali – Dali Museum
Pippa Pelure Class & Sass One Stop Shopping Latest casual to evening fashions & jewelry by American European designers.
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Your Summertime Fashion Is Here May/June 2019
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CASA Farm to Table(aux) PHOTOS/PENNY HAWK PHOTOGRAPHY
Casa St. Pete’s annual Farm to Table(aux) fundraiser was held March 21 at the Renaissance Vinoy. Above, Gaelynn Thurman, CASA Board Chair, Lariana Forsythe, CEO, Patty Robinson, CASA Board Treasurer, and Nick McDevitt, Farm to Table(aux) Event Co-Chair.
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Easter Bonnet Drop at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
MD Skin Effects Ribbon Cutting
Gigi’s Chapeau Club delivered some 300 hats for the children patients at JHACH on April 18. Clubs reps included, from left, Vivian Garriga, Sylvia Stanley, Linda Rodriquez and Victoria Sanschagrin. The 300 hats included Easter bonnets, baseball caps, baby caps, boy’s caps and knitted preemie caps.
Paintings & Sculptures by World-Renowned artist WYLAND
Luis Sottil Galeria de Arte’ Calendar of Events
727.201.8285 • 400 Beach Drive NE www.WylandFlorida.com
Showtimes: 4-8pm MAY: 9th-12th Luis Sottil 17th-18th Edson Campos & Kathleen Brodeur
JUNE: 7th-8th Edson Campos & Kathleen Brodeur
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Featuring the largest selection of original artwork in St. Petersburg, FL 400 Beach Drive NE Suite #150 727.220.1567
Come Meet Rodel Gonzales May 24-26 • 4pm-8pm May/June 2019
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Flowers After Hours/Art in Bloom The annual Art in Bloom, floral interpretations of works in the Museum of Fine Arts collection, was held March 28-April 1 with a Japanese theme this year. Designs are created by professional florists, local artists, and members of The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society. This year’s committee chairs were Nata Cibran and Montserrat Cerf.
RB Fine Art Original Paintings Prints
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Contact Artist directly for studio visit! 971-340-5808 Private Studio located in Historic Old NE
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Heels to Heal
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