St. Pete Life March/April 2024

We are pleased to share our new Mission & Vision Statements along with our Core Values!

Although we have always operated at the highest level of integrity and workmanship, we are always tweaking our systems to provide more efficient, fair priced remodeling projects to the homeowners in the greater St. Petersburg community.

The Mission and Vision Statements are not just words, they will serve as the bedrock for everything we do from our very first conversation with you until we present you with your completed project!

We hope the dedication to improving our internal processes and the commitment we have made to continually educate our entire staff will prove that we truly want to be the best DesignBuild company in the Tampa Bay area!

We look forward to your phone calls and showroom visit so that we can learn more about your project and show you how our Conflict-Free Remodeling Process will remove all the industry confusion and eliminate misleading information that will guide you all the way to the finished product!

MISSION

To build a company with the highest level of integrity and customer service where the best people want to work and where the most discriminating clients request our services. Give back to our community through volunteerism and charitable activities.

VISION

Obtain Operational Excellence with a ConflictFree Remodeling Process that will increase value to our clients.

CORE VALUES

Accountability – Every day, hold yourself accountable for the tasks that you did that day.

Family – Do good for your loved ones, for they are the most important part of your life.

Integrity – Always do what is right, never cut corners and be honest in everything that you do.

Respect – Be respectful of your fellow workers, our clients, and other members of our industry.

Teamwork - Be part of a cohesive unit that delivers high value to our client base.

Multiple Award Winning Contractor!

• Certified Remodeler (CR)

• Certified Remodeling Project Managers (CRPM)

• Certified Lead Carpenters (CLC)

• Universal Design Certified Professionals (UDCP)

Please visit our new showroom!

3931 Central Ave., St Pete, FL 33713

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday and after hours by appointment only

(727) 914-6949 Call or stop by today!

Doug King, CR, UDCP, MBA, CGC, NARI National Past President 2020/2021

Enjoy Beautiful Views From the Heart of Snell Isle

Water Club Condominium, Unit 708 • SNELL ISLE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

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Luxury living, gorgeous Tampa Bay views, and deluxe resortstyle amenities abound in this fabulous two-bedroom/two-bath condo in the posh Water Club condominium located in the heart of Snell Isle, one of St. Pete’s most coveted neighborhoods. Bask in spectacular views of Tampa Bay and Snell Harbor from almost every room and your large private balcony. You will love the open concept living room, dining room, and deluxe kitchen floor plan. Wake up every morning to spectacular sunrises over Tampa Bay from your impressive primary suite, which features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to the balcony, two walk-in closets, and a sumptuous ensuite bath with dual vanities, a private water closet, a large garden tub, quartz countertops, and a sizeable glass enclosed shower. This sumptuous residence features a private elevator landing, an open and split floorplan, a den, 9’4” ceilings, rich porcelain tile floors, an interior laundry room, hurricane-rated windows, two

premier parking spots, and private climate-controlled storage. The Water Club offers residents first-class resort-style amenities that include a gated & secured building access, a state-of-theart fitness center, an elegant clubhouse with a catering kitchen, bar, entertaining facilities, & boardroom, a waterside resortstyle heated pool & spa, a waterside outdoor lounge area, and expansive dock & fishing pier with harbor access. Located just five minutes from all the action that downtown St. Pete has to offer: nightlife, shopping, museums, waterside parks, fabulous restaurants, the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, concerts, festivals, sporting events, and so much more.

Exclusively Offered by Rebecca Malowany, Broker-Associate with Smith & Associates Real Estate, Inc.

Direct: 727.593.4699 / www.MalowanyGroup.com

Despite the uncertainties of a presidential election, high interest rates and a lack of affordable housing, St. Petersburg’s desirability as a place to live and work suggests a continued influx of newcomers. Everyone has seen the new condo and apartment buildings going up around downtown, and they are filling despite price tags close to a million dollars.

Tampa Bay was named the 10th hottest market in the nation for 2024, Zillow recently announced. In late 2023, median home prices in St. Petersburg reached $431,000—an 11.9% increase from the previous year. What is it that makes people and businesses want to move here?

Look out the window. Take a stroll around your neighborhood. Visit one of the diverse restaurants – from small family-run ethnic storefronts to elaborate fine dining establishments. Our parks and trails encourage a healthy lifestyle, spectacular beaches are minutes away and flourishing arts and LGBTQ communities all add to the attraction. What’s not to like?

This issue highlights the wide range of homes to be found in The ‘Burg, from single family to condos and apartments. There is something for everyone, if you can afford it. Check out our story

A Sense of Place to find a rundown of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor entertainment area with the latest in technology, be sure to read Backyard Bliss to learn about outdoor audio, fans, motorized screens and lighting . Thinking about remodeling? Doug King gives professional tips on how to get the most bang for your buck.

Anyone who loves the local arts scene, should know The Studio @620. Its founder and director Bob Devin Jones is a St. Pete legend and is retiring after two decades. Cindy Stovall pays tribute to the indomitable “Yes” man inside. We also take a look at the new Foodie Labs in the Warehouse Arts District, a concept that offers food industry entrepreneurs a place to work and a mentor.

There’s a lot more to be found in this issue. Happy reading!

Beth

Flourish

Luxury Waterfront Estate

Designed by Architect Carl Abbott

1761 Oceanview Drive

Tierra Verde

Renowned architect Carl Abbott designed this intriguing waterfront residence situated on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on Tierra Verde with the philosophy of “Bringing the outside in.” Conceived as a beach house by the sea, the privacy of this home blends a seamless fusion of modern design and breathtaking natural surroundings. The splendor of unobstructed water views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows redefines the concept of indoor-outdoor living. With elegant white Oak hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas, every room is a canvas for the ever-changing panorama of the Gulf of Mexico, creating an immersive connection with nature.

The open living room, complete with a cozy fireplace, flows to the dining room and kitchen which includes Miele appliances, a built-in coffee machine, Sub-Zero refrigerator and top of the line Franke sink. A floating staircase leads to a loft space as well as the primary suite with mesmerizing panoramic views of the beautiful Gulf! A hot tub on the rooftop is a perfect setting to delight in the spectacular 360 degree visual masterpiece.

Hidden by tropical trees and designed for privacy, this outdoor setting is a tropical oasis that features a lap pool, large deck, and landscaped gardens which connect to a separate guest suite with a private gym. Winding paths through the mangroves lead to a sandy beach and secluded dock.

Oceanview Drive is located in the Westshore subdivision of Tierra Verde. This three bedroom, three bathroom, 3,935 square foot home is 10-15 minutes from St Pete Beach, downtown St Petersburg and the I75 corridor. Fort De Soto Beach and an array of restaurants are just minutes away.

For more information, please call Liz Heinkel with Smith and Associates Real Estate at 727.239.5623.

Quiet

YOUR DREAM HOME AWAITS

Prime Waterfront Lot for Sale on Grand Canal, Tierra Verde

Galeon Drive Tierra Verde, Fl 33715

Lot

Immerse yourself in the ultimate waterfront living experience with this extraordinary deep-water lot for sale on Grand Canal in Tierra Verde. This rare gem presents an unparalleled opportunity to construct your dream home on a meticulously positioned piece of paradise. Boasting an expansive 74.8 feet of waterfront on a 66 x 171 lot, this property offers an exclusive and protected haven for boat enthusiasts. Nestled on the Grand Canal, this exceptional lot provides effortless access to the Gulf of Mexico within 5 minutes, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Tampa Bay – creating a haven for boaters seeking one of the best locations on Grand Canal. Beyond its superb water access, the prime

location places you conveniently close to World Famous beaches and the renowned Ft Desoto Park approximately 5 minutes away. Additionally, this lot is strategically located approximately 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport & St Pete-Clearwater International airport, 10 minutes from I-275. The proximity to I-275 ensures easy access to downtown St Petersburg-15 minutes, downtown Tampa-40 minutes and a quick 50-minute drive to Sarasota International Airport ensuring seamless travel connections for the jet-setting lifestyle. Explore the myriad of restaurants, world-famous beaches, and downtown St Petersburg, further enhancing the overall lifestyle offered by this captivating property. Seize the opportunity to own a piece of waterfront serenity in Tierra Verde – where each day unfolds like a vacation in paradise. Offered at: $3,500,000

Where Dreams Find a Home

2300 Pass A Grille Way • St. Pete Beach, FL 37706

3 bed | 4 baths | 2,989 sq ft

Experience the charm of the Spanish-influenced ‘Tarifa’ Residence, just moments from Pass-a-Grille/St Pete Beach and the renowned Don Cesar. This exceptional property boasts arched entryways, a private heated pool, and an elevator for added convenience. Inside, discover a Chef’s kitchen with top-notch appliances, including a Thermador gas cooktop and Subzero refrigerator. The open layout seamlessly connects the dining area, adorned with tray ceilings and French doors, to the stunning great room featuring a dualsided gas fireplace. Upstairs, oak flooring leads to the magnificent

primary suite with a bonus den and a balcony offering scenic views. The primary bath features Saltillo tile and a luxurious soaking tub. Additional bedrooms offer private balconies and ensuite baths. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the rooftop overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal waterway. With proximity to the beach and Intracoastal, plus a luxurious pool oasis, this residence epitomizes coastal living. Embrace the leisurely lifestyle with nearby amenities including pickleball, tennis courts, and historic downtown Pass-a-Grille. Offered at $3,000,000.

126 Cordova Blvd NE • St. Petersburg, FL 33704

3 bed | 4 baths | 3,123 sq ft

Discover unparalleled luxury in this single-story modern masterpiece located in the esteemed Snell Isle Brightwaters enclave of St. Petersburg. Each detail within this residence exudes opulence, from the illuminated great room to the serene outdoor oasis boasting a mesmerizing pool. The heart of the home lies in the chef’s kitchen, featuring a sprawling 13-foot quartz waterfall island and state-ofthe-art Thermador appliances. Step outside to find an infinity-edge spa and an outdoor kitchen complete with a dual gas fireplace, perfect for entertaining or relaxation. The luxurious master suite opens seamlessly to the pool area and showcases a lavish shower,

soaking tub, and custom closets. Two additional en suite bedrooms offer designer baths for added comfort and style. The office features bespoke wood/bronze & glass barn-style doors, while the powder bath is a testament to craftsmanship with its vanity crafted from a tree on the property. Additional amenities include a Sonos stereo system, all-house generator, hurricane impact windows, and solar panels, ensuring both luxury and efficiency. This residence is a true blend of modern design and functionality, offering an upscale living experience in the heart of Snell Isle. Don’t miss your chance— schedule a viewing today! Offered at $3,400,000.

A mission to help food industry startups brings a new concept to The ‘Burg.

BY MARCIA BIGGS

When Kristin Zelinsky decided to open a culinary hub for entrepreneurs and startups in downtown St. Petersburg, she was the perfect person to do it.

As a longtime Tampa Bay caterer and founder of Pro Kitchen Hub in Tampa, the St. Pete resident knew the financial hardship and risks inherent in opening a startup food business. She saw talented young chefs open then close restaurants due to financial failure and marketing inexperience. She saw the demand for home delivery and carry-out explode during the pandemic as more people worked from home. She also knew she had the

knowledge and expertise to help local entrepreneurs on the path to their dreams.

“I was a caterer for 25 years, and one of the largest obstacles to starting a food business is the high cost of setting up a commercial kitchen,” said Zelinski. Along with business partner Jim Pachance, they came up with a concept: Offer local startups a fully equipped kitchen, storage and sales hub from which they can operate in a carry-out or delivery capacity only. The membershipbased business would cover all costs and provide professional advice and assistance along the way.

Foodie Labs co-owners Kristin Zelinsky and Jim Pachance stand in front of a wall mural by local artist Chad Mize.

“We came up with the model for Foodie Labs just before Covid hit, but that proved to us our concept would work,” Zelinski explained. “We saw more people were moving to food pickup and delivery, and that remains strong. This is a way for us to focus on getting good small businesses up and running at a lower cost.”

Foodie Labs charges a monthly rate with a 12-month contract that includes kitchen space (shared or a permanent “ghost” kitchen), utilities and equipment. A major incentive, says Zelinski, is the lack of start-up expenses for a new operation.

“For startups, any space in St. Pete will need to be retrofit, you need to buy equipment, wait for permits, put deposits on utilities. We eliminate the need for all that. This is a support system; we are mentors who can help with anything.”

The culinary hub they imagined would serve as a center for caterers or small restaurant startups, food trucks needing a home base to prepare and cook, and home bakers and cooks specializing in anything from specialty breads and bagels to home-made marinades and jams. An attached event space and demonstration kitchen would be an inviting addition.

Zelinski secured a lease on a property at the ArtsXchange campus in the Warehouse Arts District. Last November, after a year and a half of planning, gutting, renovations and equipment installation (not to mention permitting delays), Foodie Labs was a reality. A 5,000-square-foot kitchen facility is adjoined by a 1,000-square-foot event space that features a demonstration kitchen. Garage-style roll-up doors at the front and rear of the event space look out onto the Pinellas Trail in back and the ArtsXchange campus in the front.

The “labs” gleam with six new industrial kitchens appointed with flattop griddles, chargrill fryers, sinks, a convection oven and access to refrigeration units. Elsewhere are countertops, sinks and cooking/baking equipment for shared use.

Continued on next page

How to Order from Foodie Labs

Go to thefoodielabs.com and select from Vendors for ordering carryout or delivery; select Caterers to see businesses available to cater. Note that kitchens have different hours and days of operations and certain menu items may not be available.

Here’s a look at the current lineup:

Bagel Babe – Hand rolled, boiled and baked selection of New York style bagels in nine varieties and a full menu of bagel sandwiches.

A Good Human – Focus on plant-based ingredients, natural, preservative-free, non-GMO ingredients, with gluten-free options.

Cybel – Freshly made French-Moroccan bistro-style cooking by Chef Touf.

Shaner’s Surf & Turf – Meats and seafoods artfully prepared and accompanied by signature sides.

Toasty Bros – Gourmet sandwiches

Peanut Butter Rush – Varieties of peanut butter pie layered with your choice of crushed Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, strawberry preserves and graham cracker, packed into a 4-ounce jars.

Meet the Bagel Babe

When Jessie Vallorosi moved to St. Pete from New Jersey in 2021 to join her sister, she figured she would continue her work as a certified athletic trainer. But bagels got in the way.

“My ambition was to start my own business,” says the 27-yearold, “but after I moved to Florida I kept hearing people say the bagels here just aren’t the same as the ones up north. So I made it my prerogative to try and make some bagels. I was working full-time as an athletic trainer but decided to experiment with making bagels in my home kitchen.”

At the same time, her parents joined Jessica and her sister, Jamie, by moving to St. Pete. They soon became the bagel tasters and testers, as Jessie continued her quest for the perfect New York style bagel. Finally, in May 2023 she decided to open an online store selling bagels as a cottage kitchen upstart. The idea didn’t float.

Customers order via a QR code or online at thefoodielabs.menu, then come to a pickup window. Several tables are on site for a quick nosh; delivery is also available.

On the last Friday evening in January, Foodie Labs swung open their doors at the ArtsXchange and welcomed the community to their first Culinary Night Market. Tucked into the event space were 15 vendors offering up smiles and samples from freshly made breads, desserts, jams, marinades, spices, meats and other specialties. A vendor sold fresh fruits and vegetables, as a guitar player strummed and sang. In front, a growing crowd of locals gathered around tables, chatting and showing off their goodies.

Zelinski was glowing like a rock star during her opening night performance.

“When I started the food hub business in 2015, Tampa was where the food scene was,” she said. “St. Pete wasn’t ready for this. Now it absolutely is.”

Culinary Night Markets are open to the public from 5-9pm the last Friday of each month and during Second Saturday ArtWalks. Foodie Labs is located at 515 22nd Street S., St. Petersburg.

“I quickly learned it’s hard to sell bagels online,” she admitted. “You need a storefront presence so people can see, smell and taste the bagels.”

That’s when she heard about Foodie Labs, which was gaining buzz as a new facility catering to startups. She signed up for her own dedicated “ghost” kitchen, and the Bagel Babe was born.

Today, the family of bagel-lovers is up to their elbows in dough. Jessie figures she rolls, boils and bakes 150 to 200 bagels six days a week. At her side, dad Nick mans the grill making bagel sandwiches to go, and mom Jennifer does packaging and delivery. Sis Jamie pitched in with marketing by creating the Bagel Babe branding (think Barbie sporting a bagel inner tube), working social media and pinch hitting when necessary.

Since opening in November, business is booming, says Jessie. She sells wholesale to several local establishments, does catering and ships three days a week. “It’s amazing to see the progress — we started from nothing. I grew up on bagels and no one in my family knew anything about making them, so I’m really proud of how far we’ve gotten.

“Being with Foodie Labs has been a great stepping stone for our business. Kristin’s expertise in business and catering is a great resource, knowing that she can help us get our own brick and mortar in the future.”

Cape Cod luxury in Snell Isle

NEWLISTING

399 Belleair Dr NE, St Petersburg 33704 • Snell Isle Neighborhood Offered at $2,900,000.00

5 beds • 4 full baths • 1 1/2 bath • 4121 Sq Ft • Pool • Guest House Over Garage

A must-see Cape Cod inspired home in Snell Isle built in 2018. This large home is located on a corner lot on one of Snell Isle’s most beautiful streets, Belleair Dr NE. A rare find with its huge wrap around front porch and a studio apartment above the garage with a full bath. This home has a gorgeous, landscaped yard and has quite a presence from the street. Upon entering you will notice the high ceilings and open feeling. There are a total of 4 bedrooms plus an office in the main house. The breathtaking kitchen overlooks the family room and has a massive size island perfect for entertaining. Enjoy top of the line GE Monogram Appliances including 48” 6 burner/griddle gas range top, professional vent hood, direct air convection built in electric oven, built in Speed Cook oven, 42” built in side-by-side refrigerator, and dishwasher. The perfect kitchen for the chef in you! The family room is very spacious and overlooks the pool. The outdoor area is

perfect for dining alfresco pool side. Upstairs is the primary suite offering pure opulence and luxury. There are 3 other bedrooms, one has an ensuite bath and the other two connect via the jack and jill bath. No need to lug the laundry upstairs because there is a nice size laundry room upstairs making this chore not so unpleasant! Need a special get away spot for guests, in-laws, nanny or your college student? The garage studio apartment is a special bonus to this property. Located above the garage it is very spacious and has a full bath ensuite. This really is a special property with tons of room to spread out and this is a great entertaining home! Snell Isle is minutes to the vibrant downtown St Pete offering so much culture, amazing food, shopping and waterfront parks. You are only minutes to I-275 making this area the best spot for commuting to Tampa. There is a reason why this neighborhood is one of the best in St Pete. Come and see it for yourself!

A Conversation With ... Chelsea Gallo Resident Conductor, The Florida Orchestra

Florida Orchestra (TFO) fans may have noticed a new face at the baton this season. With a jaw-dropping resume at only 33 years of age, new resident conductor Chelsea Gallo is a welcome addition to the Tampa Bay cultural scene.

In her first season with TFO, the California native is conducting a diverse array of concerts from classical Masterworks and chamber concerts to the popular Raymond James Pops concerts and upbeat themes like The Music of James Taylor, Neil Diamond and Paul Simon Starring Michael Cavanaugh and The Music of the Beatles.

In addition to conducting with TFO, Gallo performs as guest conductor for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and is a cover conductor with the New York Philharmonic.

Past positions include assistant conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic, conducting fellow with the Dallas Opera and conducting staff for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As a guest conductor, Gallo has conducted the symphonies of North Carolina, Sarasota, Missouri, Bridgeport, Jackson, Lancaster, Youngstown, Toledo, and the Hartford Opera, among others. She holds a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Michigan where she was awarded the Helen Wu Graduate Fellowship in conducting.

We sat down with Gallo at Mahaffey Theater as she took a break during a recent concert practice.

Tell us about your early years, how you came to study music and conducting?

I started music lessons at age 4 — piano and violin — but I loved sports. I was a softball pitcher in high school and really thought I was going into sports, but tore my ACL so I had to pivot really quick. I applied and was accepted into undergrad with a music scholarship, but I never thought I would become a conductor. I loved playing violin and being in an orchestra. But I was encouraged by a conductor to study conducting in Vienna. I was so naïve, I knew nothing about conducting, but I worked hard and I got in.

***

Devoted to expanding the reach of classical music, Gallo has collaborated with a variety of organizations, businesses and companies. Some of these entities include the Walt Disney Company, New York Yankees, NASA and the Lincoln Motor Company, among others.

With an affection for science and music, Gallo has collaborated on projects aimed toward uniting both worlds. She has worked with organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Lockheed Martin, the National Institute of Aerospace and the European Space Agency.

How did a recording of your music end up in space?

While I was working on my master’s degree in Vienna, I founded a group called Cosmos Chamber Orchestra and it was comprised of musicians from a lot of different countries. We got an invitation to perform at the 25th anniversary of the

Photos from The Florida Orchestra

Hubble telescope. It was a collaboration with NASA. We then got an invitation to perform at the United Nations. After that we recorded music that went on the Orion ETF-1 mission in 2014.

***

Gallo resides in St. Petersburg, but her guest conducting gigs and commuter marriage keep her constantly on the go. (She wed conductor and University of Wisconsin School of Music music director Oriol Sans last year.) Still, she has come to embrace her new hometown, her colleagues and local audiences.

What do you like about living and working in St. Pete?

I feel extremely lucky, it’s an absolute gift. There is a real sense of community with these musicians and I feel we can grow together. Our music director (Michael Francis) is just exceptional

at nurturing that growth. I truly think he is one of the greatest conductors in the country and we are lucky to have him.

Do you think Tampa Bay is supportive of the orchestra? Our orchestra has an exceptional level of attendance and popularity. I go to other top-tier orchestras around the country and most are only selling maybe 45 percent of the house. Here every time I look out, I see what looks like 75 percent. And the audience is so diverse, all ages, I really like that because we have something for everyone.

Find a schedule of Florida Orchestra upcoming concerts at floridaorchestra.org.

BY MARCIA BIGGS

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art lives up to its name in a new exhibit that brings four international masters of wildlife painting together in one powerful show. Survival of the Fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with the Big Four was organized by the prestigious National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, and includes works by the Rijksmuseum Twenthe in the Netherlands.

The Big Four refers to the four artists represented: German Richard Friese (1854–1918), Swede Bruno Liljefors (1860–1939), German Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865–1926), and German-American Carl Rungius (1869–1959).

Working during the late 1800s and early 1900s, these artists presented a vision of wildlife rarely seen outside of zoos, in their natural habitat. Up until this time, most wildlife artists never

ventured further than zoos to study and paint their subjects, often placing them in imaginary backgrounds. The Big Four began painting images of animals set in the places they lived, traveling to far-off destinations such the Canadian Rockies, the Arctic and Tanzania, Africa, to gather sketches before returning to home studios to paint.

“Highlighting the best wildlife art is a core part of what The James Museum offers our guests,” said Emily Kapes, Curator of Art at The James Museum. “Survival of the Fittest is the perfect introduction to the Big Four artists who revolutionized art depicting nature and wildlife.”

Similar to the impressive Wildlife Gallery at the James, this exhibit is equally stunning in its lifelike portrayals and large dimension paintings. But those works are all by modern-day artists, points

Elephants, c. 1917 by German artist

Wilhelm Kuhnert (JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art)

out Kapes. “Remember, the paintings in this exhibit were done over a century ago.”

Indeed, the 45 masterworks are mostly large and presented with dim lighting that is finely tuned to allow the viewer to see minute details in the shaded forests and mountain boulders and frothy seas. Some of the paintings offer a dreamy impressionist feel, as the artist experiments with backgrounds. But the main characters — the wildlife — are remarkably lifelike, seabirds soaring or polar bears roaming or tigers hunting prey or some other activity.

Preservation of the species – and its native habitat – are top of mind in this exhibit and it is meaningful. Descriptions with each painting note the animal’s native countries, its success or failure as a species, and where it stands today. The show speaks to survival and pressing concerns about climate change, endangered species, and habitat loss.

In many cases, the descriptions are an ominous warning.

For example, a herd of African savanna elephants run from a natural grassfire in Wilhelm Kuhnert’s Elephants (1917). We learn from the description that unrelenting hunting for ivory tusks have nearly decimated the population which is now deemed Endangered. In Richard Friese’s Tiger With Blackbuck (1889) we learn that there were an estimated 100,000 wild tigers at the time of the painting. But recent estimates suggest there are fewer than 3,900 tigers living in the world today.

A visit to Survival of the Fittest is more than a chance to see original works by four of the world’s renowned wildlife painters. It’s a journey to far-off reaches of the world that provides thought-provoking questions on the future of humanity’s relationship to the animals whom we share the planet with.

Survival of the Fittest runs through May 29. A Closer Look at Survival of the Fittest with curator Dr. Adam Duncan Harris will be held March 16. For more information and tickets. visit thejamesmuseum.org/survival.

African Lions, c. 1911 by German artist Wilhelm Kuhnert (JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art)

A Tampa Bay Masterpiece Goes up for Sale

Nestled in Tierra Verde’s Monte Cristo neighborhood, this waterfront marvel boasts 143 feet of prime waterfront, offering an extravagant lifestyle. Unobstructed views of historic Pass-a-Grille create an unmatched living experience of elegance and sophistication.

Upon entry, guests are welcomed by contemporary opulence and timeless design. French-patterned marble floors, crown moldings, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls blur indoor-outdoor boundaries, enhancing each room’s allure. The grand veranda, with its outdoor kitchen and Gulf views, is perfect for entertaining, while the great room exudes warmth with a cast stone fireplace and bespoke ceiling accents.

The gourmet kitchen features top-tier Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, complemented by breathtaking views from the casual dining area. Three luxurious bedrooms on the main floor offer comfort and privacy, along with a serene study retreat.

The second story is a sanctuary for the owners, featuring a serene bedroom, sitting room with fireplace and kitchenette, and expansive custom walk-in closets. Complete with a dock, slip, and boat lift, this home provides direct access to Pass-a-Grille, Shell Key, and the Open Gulf.

This home is being offered by the Salamone Group at Compass for $7,250,000. Contact Andrew Salamone for more information at 727-456-8008 or andy@stpete.pro

Angela Mathias, Andrew Salamone, Ron Salamone, Libby Salamone

The Boater’s Dream Property

The Most Astounding Views in Downtown St. Petersburg

Beautiful, Light, and Bright

The Best of Both Worlds

True Luxury and Gorgeous Wide Open Spaces

Water Views and Marina Access

112 feel of seawall, wide canal views, and the capacity to host a very large vessel combined with luxurious appointments make this the one.

The perfect downtown Beach Drive location, walk to everything, and live the life you’ve been waiting for in this 16th-floor condominium.

This cheery and elegant corner unit in Pt. Brittany offers water views and tremendous amenities, all in an outstanding location.

With prime boating water right behind the unit and the beach right across the street, this is the beach life everyone wants.

This home feels like a mansion, but so livable, with water views in one of Tierra Verde’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

This one-of-a-kind Tierra Verde pool home has gorgeous water views and direct access to Port32 Marina.

5,657 sqft, 5 bd, 5.5 ba, dock, slip, lift with quick Gulf access. 2 waterside bedrooms plus an office, great amenities.

Excellent floor plan, private, and move-in ready.

Perfectly-appointed, modern, and move-in ready.

5155 sqft, 4 beds, 4.5 baths, room for car collection.

2 master suites, plus extra bedroom and office.

Arts Briefs

The new Nature Pix exhibit at The Gallery at Creative Pinellas is an innovative exhibition created and curated by the talented computational artist and designer Mikhail Mansion. Mansion’s avant-garde approach employs a harmonious blend of code and custom-designed electronics to amplify nature’s voice. His works has been exhibited at de Young Museum, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Ringling Museum, Miraikan –National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Biomuseo, LEXUS INTERSECTTOKYO, Pyongyang Winter Olympics, among others. Each artwork uses live sensor data from nearby nature to harness technology, forging a dialogue between the organic and the digital realms. The Gallery, 12211 Walsingham Rd. in Largo, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Go to creativepinellas.org for more information.

Visit the colorful Fairgrounds St. Pete, take a peek at the new Wild Space Gallery at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, enjoy live jazz by The Young Lions and a performance by the St. Pete Academy Prep Choir, indulge in gourmet appetizers and bid in a silent auction, all while supporting the environment at an Art & Music FUNraiser on Thursday, March 21, 6 to 8:30 pm at The Factory St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S. The fundraiser is organized by the Suncoast Sierra Club; tickets are $100 and include one free drink. Go to tinyurl. com/SuncoastSierraFundraiser for more information and tickets.

Embracing Outdoor Art Exhibit

One of the country’s most celebrated traveling outdoor art exhibits —

Embracing Our Differences  — has been installed in St. Petersburg’s Poynter Park from March 2-31. The international juried art show consisting of 50 billboardsized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote, got its start in Sarasota in 2004 through the nonprofit organization

the Warehouse Arts District Association, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and many dedicated individuals who have helped us make this happen.”

Embracing Our Differences, with the mission to use the power of art and prose to promote inclusion, kindness and respect.

“Exhibiting in St. Pete has been on our wish list for the last few years and to see it come to fruition is a dream come

Artists from around the world contribute to the show annually. Werthimer says that this year’s response to the call for artwork and inspirational quotations was strong with 16,604 entries pouring in from 125 countries and 44 states. Students from 584 schools around the world submitted artwork or quotations to the juried exhibit.

While the exhibit is open to the public and free, guided tours are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in March for $15. To RSVP, go to embracingourdifferences.org/guided-tours Poynter Park is on Bayboro Harbor at 3rd Street and 9th Ave. S. along the southern portion of the USF St. Pete campus.

Learn more about the exhibit at embracingourdifferences.org.

JOHN BARKETT, MAI/ BROKER

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Premier Waterfront Living in Ponderosa Shores

Boater Dream!

1357 52nd Avenue NE, St Petersburg Offered at $1,250,000

Located in the beautiful boating community of Ponderosa Shores, this flawlessly designed and meticulously renovated waterfront home is perfect for enjoying an active waterfront lifestyle of boating, jet skiing, fishing and kayaking. Surrounded by tropical landscaping and with an 81’ seawall, this outdoor oasis was created for entertaining! Host family and friends on the covered lanai and spacious deck, and enjoy Florida living at its best! The oversized dock with Azek composite decking features two lifts: a 10,000 lb boat lift and a 4,500 lb, double jet ski lift as well as deep glow underwater lights. Situated in protected water just minutes from the Bay, the location is perfect for paddle boarding to Weedon Isle, jet skiing, or kayaking through the Placido Bayou mangrove preserve, all the while mesmerized by the beauty of the nature around you. After a pleasant day of fishing and boating, grill up your catch of the day and relax in the refreshing 8 person hot tub while savoring balmy tropical breezes!

Designed and updated with a casual coastal elegance, this turnkey 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,789 square foot home has an open concept floor plan that enhances entertaining and enjoying an indoor/outdoor Florida lifestyle. The custom designed

kitchen features a skylight that bathes the room in natural light as well as an expansive bar made from special order Brazilian marble countertops, stainless steel appliances including a wine refrigerator, and soft close wood cabinets. The tranquil Primary Suite overlooks the sparkling water and features a walk-in closet and spa-like, beautifully appointed ensuite bath. Guests will love the privacy and comfort of their accommodations overlooking the sunlit waterway with sightings of dolphins and manatees.

Additional amenities in this light-filled home include hand scraped hardwood floors, custom carpentry throughout, new Trane heat pump HVAC with UV light and HEPA filtration system, incredible storage space, wide paver 3-car driveway, oversized two-car garage with paddle board and customized fishing rod storage, and Generac 22kw whole-house generator, added in 2022. Located just ten minutes from vibrant downtown St. Petersburg where you can enjoy fine dining, nightlife, waterfront parks and professional sports games.

For more information, contact the Caryn Rightmyer Group with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty at 727.409.9696

2042

Repeat

1153

Flawlessly

Guided tours of St. Pete’s world-class SHINE mural art are now available on the Star Trolley in a partnership with the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and Bayboro Brewing. Kicking off in January as a monthly tour, the demand for SHINE Mural Trolley Tours was so overwhelming that now the tours have expanded to twice monthly on the second and last Sunday of the month.

Passengers will board a white, 30 passenger, open-air Star Trolley® to explore numerous murals by renowned local, national, and international artists.

Tours run 2.5-hours, ending with a complimentary beer at Bayboro Brewing craft brewery. Price is $45 per person (taxes, fees not included). Trip departs from Bayboro Brewing Co. 2390 5th Avenue S., free parking available.

For more information and to reserve your seat, visit www.Star-Trolley.com

* * *

Visit home studios and purchase art during the annual Historic Kenwood Artist Studio Tour on March 16-17 from 10 am to 5 pm. The self-guided tour sponsored by the Artist Enclave is free and affords a great opportunity to stroll the charming streets of this friendly community. Some 30 artists will be exhibiting at 19 different locations. Works range from ceramics, painting and sculpture, to jewelry, photography and mixed media. Maps available online, and at Woodfield Fine Art Gallery and Craftsman House. Go to kenwoodartistenclave.org/artiststudio-tour/

On Stage

American Stage in the Park is back for its annual outdoor production at Demens Landing on the downtown waterfront. The musical classic “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” is this year’s offering April 3-May 5. Performances Wednesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm; Pets in the Park Night is April 21; Pride Plus Night is April 14. Tickets $35 and $45; go to americanstage.org

Over at freeFall Theatre “Nollywood Dreams” by Jocelyn Bioh

takes over the stage April 12-May 12. It’s the nineties in Lagos, Nigeria, and the “Nollywood” film industry is exploding. This romantic comedy follows the story of Ayamma, a young woman who works with her sister at their parent’s travel agency, who dreams of leaving her job and becoming a star. Tickets $45 adults, $25 youth 18 and under. Go to freefalltheatre.com

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) St. Petersburg will host Art in Bloom, an annual Spring tradition which presents floral interpretations of works in the MFA Collection. Designs are created by professional florists, talented hobbyists, and members of The Stuart Society. This year’s floral interpretations will be displayed in the museum’s galleries and gardens April 4-7, and is included with the cost of museum admission.

Special events include “Flowers After Hour” with the theme “Let’s Flamingle,” an Old Key West Cocktail Party in the Marly Room, from 6 to 8:30 pm on

Thursday, April 4. Guests are invited to dress in laid-back Florida resort attire and view the galleries while enjoying Floribbeanstyle hors d’oeuvres and an open bar while listening to cool Caribbean tunes. Tickets $150.

A “Palm Beach Retreat” Luncheon with special guest floral designer Canaan Marshall will be held Friday, April 5, starting at 10:30 am at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Known for his gorgeous tablescapes, over-the-top mantels and breathtaking bridal bouquets, Marshall’s work has appeared in Southern Living, Modern Luxury, Flower Magazine, Traditional Home, and others. Tickets $150 per person.

Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday, April 7, will be Conversations with the Designers from 2-4 pm, included with museum admission.

For tickets and more information go to mfastpete.org/event/art-inbloom-4-4-24/

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art has announced Art in Mind, an innovative initiative developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. The program is aimed at providing an accessible arts experience for adults with dementia. The program is offered for free to those who most benefit. To learn more about the program, visit thejamesmuseum.org/artinmind/

Elevate Your Style With Ease

Well

BY CINDY STOVALL

Bob Devin Jones, sporting his dapper trademark chapeau and scarf, is reflective as he sits at his desk in the office above the gallery that is The Studio @620. All around are the artifacts of 20 years spent building one of the most consequential multi-use arts spaces in St. Petersburg – the experiment cultivated lovingly with friend and co-founder, the late Dave Ellis in 2004. Multiple awards fill the cupboard. Posters and artwork cover the walls. Books are, well, everywhere. A key to the city rests on the shelf.

Some big dreams have been born and realized at 620 1st Avenue South over the last two decades — recognizing it as a fertile ground for original ideas to germinate and for stars to emerge.

The actor, director, playwright, poet, and leader, affectionately known as “Bobby” to those close to him, discusses the decision to step away from the Artistic Directorship @620, future plans, and some favorite memories and moments of pride during his very prolific tenure at the Studio.

The Decision Process

After conducting more than a few interviews over the years, you learn that Bob Devin Jones delights in elucidating a point with song lyrics and metaphors – to great effect. He quotes Boyz ll Men. “We’ve come to the end of the road, and I can’t let go,” he sings. “But the fact is, I can let go. It’s like my mother’s cornbread recipe. At some point, you know when you can’t improve the recipe any further.”

“Twenty years seemed like a nice round number, and when Erica (Sutherlin) expressed interest in being considered for the directorship @620 when/if I was ready to retire, I knew it was a gift. There was no doubt, no list, no other choice in my mind.

She was it, and that made the decision to step aside easier for me. Of course, the board of trustees was responsible for making the ultimate decision, but as they got to know her, they came to the same conclusion, and I am jubilant.”

Studio 620 board chair Amber Brinkley is navigating the transition with optimism. “I think the next chapter of the studio is bright,” she says. “Bob and the Studio have already done so much to contribute to the renaissance of St. Pete. We want to build on that. With the buying of our building, we are permanently grounded downtown. It’s an opportunity to introduce ourselves to new residents coming to our area and to re-introduce ourselves to our longtime supporters.”

Health considerations have also factored into Devin Jones’ decision to retire. Fans and friends were alarmed at the height of the pandemic, when he suffered serious illness due to Covid19, resulting in an ICU stay. “During recovery I noticed what I thought were lingering symptoms,” he admits, “my gait had changed, my voice, my handwriting. The doctor said these were not Covid related. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”

Since diagnosis, Devin Jones has set a course to improve his health and battle symptom progression. “I have a trainer, made diet changes, a medication regime, and the support of my husband (Jamie Howell). Through this and through all these years at the Studio he has been, as Bette would say, the wind beneath my wings.”

A Rich Legacy – A Community Voice

Without doubt or debate, Bob Devin Jones and The Studio @620 have been foundational in building St. Petersburg’s current status

as an arts mecca. When the answer is always “Yes,” as it is with Devin Jones, a wide variety of artists and offerings find their voice @620.

Emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and community have always been a priority at the Studio. When asked about sources of particular pride, Devin Jones speaks of mainstays like Midtown Through Our Eyes – Journeys in Journalism, an annual exhibit featuring work by Title 1 school students – an ongoing program for18 years.

Radio Theatre Project, monthly staged radio shows begun by Mimi Rice 17 years ago, and continued by actor, Bonnie Agan, are a community favorite. The Studio was one of the first galleries in Tampa Bay to exhibit work by The Florida Highwaymen in 2005 and continues the tradition, including the recent La Florida ReFound exhibit which opened February 17.

Many of Devin Jones’ own plays and works have been produced over the years – “C” a water narrative, and Uncle Bends: A HomeCooked Negro Narrative, being two of his favorites.

Numerous talents got their start at The Studio@620. A few examples:

As an emerging visual artist, Jake Troyli had his first gallery show at @620 in 2013. Since then, Troyli’s work has gained international

Continued on next page

The monthly Poetry Open Mic Night hosted by Keep St. Pete Lit has been a favorite for the spoken-word community.

An exhibit in 2016 paid a tribute to Bob Devin Jones who was known for always saying “Yes” to new and creative ideas for the gallery. PHOTO BY CHAD MIZE.

recognition, and commissions are wait-listed. He earned residencies in France and the Northeast, and is represented by a blue-chip gallery in Chicago.

Playwright Alesha Harris presented original works @620 early in the Studio’s existence. Harris has achieved a high level of success nationwide. Her play, Is God Is, won 3 Obie Awards and the American Playwriting Foundation’s Relentless Award.

Professional dancer Alexander Jones is now director and founder of Project Alchemy, the successful Tampa Bay-based dance academy. His first show, as a student, was @620. Even St. Pete’s beloved freeFall Theatre got its unofficial start by presenting its very first production of The Wild Party at the Studio in 2008.

“What we have learned over the years, is that the creative ecology in St. Petersburg is rich,” says Devin Jones. “We’ve said yes to them, and they have said yes to us.”

Passing the Baton

On July 1, Erica Sutherlin steps into the artistic directorship of The Studio @620. She brings her experience as a PCCA instructor of nine years, a dancer, performer, film director, and theater administrator to her new role. “My goal is to reflect the communities as a whole, and to grow,” says Sutherlin. “We’ll continue to develop signature, professionally produced events reflecting all genres, and to help develop artists in residence. That’s how we can support arts education in the community –by creating a bridge between new artists or arts graduates and

flourishing professional practice. Bob is family to me and I want to honor his legacy while pursuing my own vision.”

Dedicated staff like marketing director Coralette Damme (aka The Crafty Hag), and maker of magic, studio manager Marcus Wehby will continue in their roles.

Happily, Devin Jones plans to keep roots planted here in St. Petersburg, as he has since 1997, with partner Jamie Howell. “Of course, we will be spending more time at our beautiful lake house in Syracuse,” he explains, “and we are planning more world travel and visiting friends around the country.”

At home, he plans to remain a fixture in the arts scene, possibly serving as a Studio board member. He will also continue his Indigo Jones column in The Artisan Magazine and, in an exciting bit of foreshadowing, Devin Jones shared that he is working with St. Petersburg Press on his memoir. “I’d also be open to directing more productions,” he says. “My acting days are done, but I love to direct.”

When asked if there were any regrets, Bob Devin Jones sighed and said, “regrets, I’ve had a few — but then again, too few to mention.”

He always did know how to end an interview.

Thank you, Bob, for two delicious decades.

To find out what’s happening at The Studio, go to thestudioat620.org

Left, live audiences can sit in on entertaining recreations of live radio broadcasts during Radio Theatre Project LIVE monthly productions. Right, Mayor Ken Welch was on hand for the opening of “Through Our Eyes,” an annual exhibit featuring art from local students.

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS

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#1 agent KW St Pete Realty

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with Roberto Macedo DDS MS PhD, Smile Designer &

Smile Rejuvenation is the art of customizing someone’s smile in harmony with the features surrounding the smile. More detailed than simply placing veneers, crowns or bonding cosmetics on the teeth, smile rejuvenation encompasses a comprehensive design of the smile to be framed perfectly by the face, eyes, lips, the gums, to provide natural, life-like smiles. This procedure can give a more youthful look and take years off in just a few appointments. This can dramatically change how a person looks and feels about themselves as well as how others see them. In conjunction with veneers, crowns, and bridges the design process takes into consideration many factors and should be completed by a trained Smile Designer.

The Smile Rejuvenation process starts with an initial consultation where Dr. Macedo examines your case and tailors a solution to strategically focus on your features. If veneers or crowns are the option you both agree too, a protocol to establish the perfect smile is started with photos, scans, digital impressions. The teeth are prepped to establish where the veneers or crowns will be placed on each tooth with custom temporaries that are fabricated to mimic the design of that one-of-a-kind smile that is unique to each

person. Final veneers or crowns will be fabricated and cemented on to your teeth for that new look. In some cases, teeth whitening is recommended to enhance a natural looking whiteness to the new restorations. Every case is different and no two cases are alike and so each case requires an examination to determine the best course of treatment for the natural smile rejuvenation results.

Since veneers and crowns are uniquely shaped for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer, crown and a natural tooth if done by a Smile Designer. One benefit of veneers and crowns, due to their high-tech materials, is their ability to resist stains caused by coffee and tea. If you have dark or discolored teeth, veneers or crowns will give you a beautiful bright white smile. Veneers or crowns may be recommended to fix spacing or gaps, and overlapping teeth. This will accurately restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth. The entire process can be done in just a few appointments.

“No one should have to suppress a smile because they do not like their teeth.” Dr. Roberto Macedo

Lisa Farmer

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE ADVISOR

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

Lisa, a global real estate advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in St. Petersburg, leverages her diverse background in education and insurance sales to excel in real estate. Driven by a passion for aiding others, she prioritizes educating clients to facilitate informed decisions.

A Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Lisa resides in Snell Isle, guiding clients to seamlessly merge extraordinary homes with exceptional lifestyles in St. Petersburg.

“

Lisa was very friendly and helpful in the sale of our home in Pinellas County. She kept us updated and responded to our questions and suggestions concerning our listing. She gave us her professional advice and listened to our concerns. Always insisted on being there for every viewing and made us feel she was acting in our interest. We have recommended her to some of our friends without hesitation. Prompt, friendly and got results!

– John S.

5 Brilliant Outdoor Tech Trends for the Florida Lifestyle Backyard Bliss

If there is one thing that we know how to do right here in St. Pete, it’s entertaining outdoors. Technology is the amenity that will make your home the envy of neighbors and friends while allowing you to enjoy your outdoor spaces more. We asked the experts at Integral Home Technology to give us the insider’s perspective as to what is going to heat up (or cool down) outdoor spaces in Central Florida in 2024 and beyond.

Trending this year:

Extend Usable Living Space with Motorized Screens

Did you know that you can extend your living space outdoors with the simple addition of motorized screens or shades? These barriers act like soft walls, keeping the elements—UV rays, wind, weather, extreme temperatures, and bugs—from encroaching on your living space.

“For homes in this area, we love the flexibility of Progressive Screens with MagnaTrack,” says Spencer Heckman, project manager at Integral Home Technology. “The self-tensioning design uses dual magnets that interlock into the track housing for a constant secure hold.”

Where fixed track systems are rigid and can easily become damaged, MagnaTrack allows the screen to expand while under wind pressure, separating the magnets. When pressure subsides, the magnetic pull will tension the screen. These screens are perfect for patios, garages, windows, lanais, gazebos, picture windows, eating areas, carports, entryways, and even outdoor kitchens.

Cool Off With Powerful, Rugged Fans

You’ve made the investment in an enclosed outdoor living space with motorized screens, so now it’s time to get the air circulating in your new space. “One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is putting indoor fans outdoors, when not every fan is made for outdoor conditions,” says Melanie Niemerg, CEO of Integral Home Technology. “We are seeing more homeowners opt for rugged outdoor fans that powerfully circulate air and look great in the process.” Integral recommends fans from Haiku, which are hand-built with aircraft-grade aluminum airfoils and stainless steel components. They offer maximum protection from harsh climates and elements, while high-tech security features

Photos provided by Integral Home Technology

SPL HOMES

safeguard against overspinning or misalignment in heavy wind. These fans can also integrate with a smart home automation systems for simple operation.

Bring Beauty and Safety to Your Landscape with Lighting

Landscape lighting is one of the most often requested smart home technologies because it does so many great things for your home. Pathway lighting shows the way in the dark. Landscape lighting adds beauty to your home and accents features like fountains, sculptures, or trees. Lighting can also keep intruders away, and can even be automated to turn on and off at a certain time of day, whether you’re home or not.

“Coastal Source, a company founded here in Florida and designed with our particular climate in mind, makes outdoor lighting that stands up to irrigation, fertilizer, insecticides, acid rain, weed whackers, bugs, and salt spray,” says Heckman. “Homeowners are also choosing different colors for outdoor lightning that aligns with their aesthetic.”

It’s important to work with a smart home consultant from the beginning stages of your landscape lighting design to make sure you have the right mix of downlights, uplights, hardscape, and recessed lighting. They can also tie lights into the home control system for ease of operation from anywhere within the home or remote location.

Outdoor Speakers Deliver Atmosphere

Whatever the desired vibe is for your outdoor oasis, audio brings your soundscape to life while blending in visually to the background. Whether you want to listen to talk radio on the boat dock, play background music for a backyard soiree, or enjoy serene music in the garden, outdoor speakers, when installed by a professional, make a huge difference.

“In Central Florida, outdoor speaker systems are one of our most popular smart home features, and they can be designed and installed in a relatively short period of time,” says Heckman. “The right smart home technology integrator can be in and out of your backyard quickly. The key is to achieve high fidelity over long distances without disturbing the neighbors. This finesse requires the expertise of an AV integrator.”

Bigger, Brighter Outdoor TV

Many homeowners are taking their outdoor audio a step further and adding video. Unfortunately, outdoor TV has gotten a bad rep in the past because harsh sunlight can tend to wash out the onscreen video.

Continued on next page

PHOTO / JON CANCELINO PHOTOGRAPHY

“Outdoor TVs, however, are designed to combat onscreen glare and outdoor conditions, offering up to three times higher brightness and a sharper picture than typical indoor TVs,” says Heckman. “This provides a dramatically better viewing experience on bright and sunny afternoons.”

Engineered for safe, permanent outdoor installation, TVs like those from Integral partner SunBriteTV take on rain, dust, insects, salt air, humidity, and extreme temperatures and keep on performing year after year.

Hire a Pro

While every homeowner has the option of going the DIY route and purchasing wireless, waterproof speakers and rudimentary landscape lighting, working with a professional is the only option for a permanent solution that will withstand the test of time and keep delivering entertainment for the long haul.

“Be thoughtful in your approach to outdoor entertainment and budget just like you would other important areas of the home,” says Niemerg. She also recommends hiring a technology integrator that is certified by the Home Technology Association (HTA). This certification is the gold standard for smart home integrators. The HTA is an independent, third-party association that puts integrators through their paces to pass rigorous certification criteria, giving the homeowner total peace of mind that any smart home project will be executed to the highest standards of professionalism.

“We are also an HTA Design Partner, which means we have specific rules of engagement we follow when working alongside designers, builders, and architects in order to create the best experience—and outcome—for everyone.”

Contact Integral Home Technology at info@integralfl.com or 727-559-1265.

RE/MAX Metro is excited to support Jane McCroary, a distinguished figure in the St. Petersburg business community, in this special “Women in Business” issue of St. Pete Life Magazine. Jane’s career, marked by high-level roles in sales, marketing, and customer service, reflects an exceptional blend of global expertise and leadership.

Let It Shine

Remodeling right can add value - and pleasure - to your home

BY DOUG KING

There is an inherent re-sale value you will gain from remodeling your house, but not all remodeling projects are about the re-sale value. For many, especially in the post-pandemic era, and for the majority of baby-boomers, the remodeling needs are ownerspecific because they plan to remain in their home for as long as possible. But knowing where, and when, to spend your hardearned dollars on a remodeling project is important.

If you just purchased a home and/or plan to stay in your home at least another 3 years, the best remodeling Return on Investment, (ROI) will be in your kitchen and main bathroom. And do it now so that you may enjoy your newly renovated areas for many years before you decide to sell. In addition, you’ll avoid the ever-present escalation of material and labor costs. And if you don’t sell? Well, you were able to enjoy an enhanced lifestyle all those years due to the remodel and the value of your property should be in step with your neighborhood values.

Adding a bedroom and/or a bathroom is also a very good investment, especially if going from a two- or three-bed/one-bath to a two-bed/two-bath or to a three-bed/two-bath. Outdoor items such as pools, kitchens and adding shaded space, like a lanai, also add a decent ROI value. Enlarging indoor living areas such as family rooms, dens or living rooms is not a very good investment, unless you absolutely need the space.

Let’s not forget the maintenance items that uphold your home’s value like windows, doors, roofing, painting, HVAC equipment and water heaters. Maintaining these items and not allowing them to exceed their lifecycle is key to a higher sale price.

Be sure to have your home inspected by a licensed home inspection company. Why wait to discover issues after you have an executed sales contract? Most initial offers fall apart because unknown issues were discovered that scare the buyer away.

More than likely, major issues uncovered will require repairs to be paid for by the seller OR a price reduction will be expected.

At the very least, have a 4-point inspection done. It is impossible for a buyer to insure the property if there are issues found with the roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.

When selling your home, it is important to understand that the potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves and their furniture, living and fitting in your home. Make it easy for them by keeping everything organized, all areas should be clean and remove all the clutter. Obviously, It is difficult to live in your home and not create “clutter” so be sure to work with your real estate agent to schedule showings so that you have time to freshen up your home. If you plan to move out before the house is sold, it is highly advantageous to have your house staged. A real estate agent is best suited to guide you through the entire home selling process, including staging.

It never hurts to have some fresh baked cookies on-hand or put some water on low heat with cinnamon sticks. Those aromas tingle the senses and make one feel right at home!

Doug King is founder and president of King Contracting and former national president of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

7 On-Trend Kitchen Upgrades

esigners from coast to coast are cooking up fresh ideas for kitchen upgrades. This year’s hottest trends bring numerous fresh aesthetic approaches while functionality also plays a leading role in top design ideas. If you are planning a kitchen upgrade, take inspiration from these on-trend elements spotted by the design experts at Wellborn Cabinet:

Unique Tile

In recent years, backsplash tile has taken a more prominent role in kitchen design and has continued to grow in popularity to the point where tile is now a full-stop focal point. From eye-catching colors and patterns to texture that brings new dimension, kitchen tile can make a big statement. In fact, bold tile is not just limited to the backsplash. Patterned tile is an on-trend option for adding character to your flooring and dressing up commonly underdesigned spaces like the window jamb with a practical material, like tile, that is easy to clean and maintain.

Multiple Appliances

Function is front and center in residential kitchen design this year, and homeowners’ growing demands to go big on appliances is

proof. From double ovens to extra dishwashers, homeowners are committing to more useful features. There are even some kitchens that boast two refrigerators, which may be a nod to the way grocery shopping habits shifted during the pandemic, with fewer, but larger, trips to the store.

Walk-Through Pantries

Whether you are capitalizing on the mystique of a “hidden” room or attracted to the idea of a more seamless aesthetic, a walkthrough pantry can be a stunning and functional solution. With a walk-through pantry, you can add extra space to an existing pantry to create a better flow to your floor plan. Available in a variety of widths and heights, Wellborn Cabinet’s Walk-Through Pantry blends naturally into the rest of your cabinetry to create visual continuity. Integrated magnetic door catches add stability and keep doorways securely closed.

Wood Finishes

After years of painted cabinets and woodwork dominating kitchen design, wood grain finishes are making a comeback. The look is cozy and inviting, and with a wide span of stain options, it is equally possible to take the look ultra-modern or veer toward

Marble countertops, multiple cabinet storage areas and natural paint tones can make any kitchen a welcoming room in the house.

a more traditional style. Outside of cabinetry, there is plenty of room to incorporate the warmth of wood, such as butcher-block counters or exposed beams.

Green, Blue and Earth Tones

Jewel-inspired hues had their moment, but this season’s color scheme is more about subtle shades that meld with neutrals for lighter, brighter spaces that feel airier and more spacious. Greens, in particular, pair well with an array of wood finishes, whether cabinetry, countertops or furnishings. Integrating greens, blues and other nature-inspired colors allows you to bring earthy serenity to a bustling and busy room, and this motif lends itself well to a design that creates a cohesive connection with adjacent outdoor living space.

Clever Storage Solutions

The kitchen is a busy place prone to clutter, and this season you will find multiple examples of practical solutions showing up in showcase

kitchens. The features that can make your kitchen chores easier and neater come in all shapes and sizes. For example, discreet knife blocks tucked into drawers, drawer dividers for maximum customization and sliders that make it easy to empty the trash and recycling bins.

Marble Countertops

Marble is not necessarily a new trend, but this year’s attention is on slabs of marble with eye-catching veins that make counters really pop. For a fresh take on marble, forgo the typical white, gray or black styles in favor of color. Standout gold veining or even full slabs with stunning greens, blues and reds can make a statement. If budget is an issue, or you are worried about too much of a good thing, consider using a bold slab on a smaller space, like the island, rather than outfitting the entire kitchen.

Find more on-trend ideas to upgrade your kitchen at Wellborn.com.

This walk-through pantry integrates magnetic door

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The Evolution of Big Man’s Moving Company

We used a well-known moving company for a local move. Upon investigation of our furniture, we found nicks and scratches all over our belongings. How could such an expensive service come with so much negligence? We realized a careful and diligent boutique moving company would be a huge opportunity in the marketplace… hence, the vision for Big Man’s Moving Company was born!

From Humble Beginnings

In late 2016, we got married and collectively decided to pursue our dream of owning a family business, and used our wedding gifts to partially fund our first 26’ truck.

Brooke had nicknamed Josh “Big Man” way before they started the moving company. At 6’8, his tall stature was the inspiration behind the name. When deciding on a name for

and Brooke Anderson, owners of Big Man’s Moving Company

the business, it seemed to be an obvious choice – and now Brooke refers to her husband as the company “mascot”.

To Award-Winning Services

Our professional team has successfully completed over 10,000 local, state-wide, and out-of-state moves. The company has evolved from 1 truck and working out of our home to 8 trucks, 30 employees, and an office just off of US-19. Despite the growth, our biggest accomplishment is being voted the #1 Moving Company in Tampa Bay by readers of the Tampa Bay Times for 3 consecutive years and by Creative Loafing in 2023.

For more information about our full services, guarantees, insurance, and free estimates, visit us online at www.bigmansmoving.com or call (727) 772-3458.

Josh

SPL EVENTS

St. Pete Jazz Festival returns April 1-6 with a packed schedule of concerts and free workshops. Here’s a look:

April 2 - Alexis Cole performs with the Helios Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 pm., Palladium Side Door

April 3 - Mauricio Rodriguez & The MJR Latin Project perform a mix of new Cuban contemporary music and Latin jazz classics, 7:30 pm, Palladium Side Door

April 4 - The Markus Gottschlich Trio, featuring Austrian-born pianist, composer and Steinway Artist (and executive director of the Warehouse Arts District Association), making his festival debut, 7:30 pm, Music Center at St. Petersburg College

April 5 - O Som Do Jazz with special guests Rafael Pereira and Jose Valentino Ruiz, 7:30 pm, outdoor concert in the Warehouse Arts District

April 6 - Hot Club SRQ, Gypsy Jazz trio out of Sarasota, 7:30 pm, Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement

Free workshops:

April 1 - Jazz Vocalist Workshop with Alexis Cole.12:30 pm

April 4 - Brazilian Percussion Workshop with Rafael Pereira,12:30 pm

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is sponsored in part by EMIT, and organized by festival director David Manson. For more information and to find tickets, go to stpetejazzfest.com

The St. Petersburg Museum of History continues the popular monthly Happy Hour with the Historian series. Each Happy Hour installment features a beer and wine cash bar, plus an opportunity to meet the author/speaker and purchase their book.

Remaining topics include:

Mar 14 – Tiffany Faykus performs as Sarah Williams Armistead: A One Woman Performance

April 11 – Dr. Lu Vickers on Cypress Gardens: America’s Tropical Wonderland

May 9 – Dr. Tim Spofford on Education for All: 70 Years After Brown v Board

June 13 – Dr. David Head on Britain’s Loyal Colonies Lost: The Revolution in Florida

July 11 – Jeff Berardelli on Hurricanes: 100 Years of Close Calls

Aug 8 – Peter A. Clark/Rui Farias/Leah Biery on Turning Liquid into Land: The Consequences of Building our Waterfront

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SPL EVENTS

Sept 12 – Dr. John W. Arthur on The History of Beer

Oct 10 – Dr. Brandy Stark on The Ghosts of St. Petersburg!

Nov 14 – Dr. Gary Mormino on The Ten Foods That Define Florida Dec 12 – Chris Kahl on A Musical Journey Through Florida’s Past

Admission is $10; seating is limited. Doors open at 6 pm and the program begins at 6:30pm. Registration for each installation of Happy Hour with the Historian at www.historystpete.org.

The ever-popular Mainsail Art Festival takes over Vinoy Park on April 20-21. Mainsail is one of the premier arts festivals of the year in the ‘Burg, featuring some 250 fine arts and crafts exhibitors from across the country in a juried competition. Browse and buy high-quality ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, sculpture, paintings and more. A children’s craft area, student art show, live musical entertainment, and a food court all beckon from 9 am to 6 pm Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday. Check out mainsailart.org for updated information.

Tampa Bay Blues Fest is back April 12-14 at Vinoy Park on the downtown St. Pete waterfront. Artists include Grace Potter, Beth Hart, Tab Benoit, Blood Brothers (Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia), Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, Altered Five Blues Band, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Coco Montoya, Bernard Allison, Ally Venable, Cash Box Kings, Anson

Funderburgh & The Rockets, Southern Avenue, King Solomon Hicks and Bywater. Kickoff party on Thursday, April 11, 7 pm at the Palladium featuring Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. General admission $70 plus tax and fees, VIP tickets available. Parking garages ($10) recommended, with free shuttle pickup at 1st Avenue S. and 1st Avenue N. on 1st Street NE. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to tampabaybluesfest.com.

St. Petersburg’s annual Arbor Day celebration, the Green Thumb Festival, returns on April 27-28 at Walter Fuller Park. More than 120 garden, plant and flower vendors and exhibitors will offer everything under the sun from flowers, herbs and trees to gardening tools and yard art. Look for free pine seedlings; plant, soil and water diagnostics; children’s crafts; education programs; a flower show by Garden Club of St. Petersburg; butterfly tent; a children’s plant fair; environmental resources tent; exhibits by local groups and organizations and more. Hours are 9 am to 4 pm both days, Walter Fuller Park is at 7891 26th Ave. N in St. Petersburg. Go to stspeteparksrec.org/greenthumb for more information or call (727) 893-7441.

Historic Roser Park Tour of Homes Returns March 30

One of St. Petersburg’s most distinctive neighborhoods, Historic Roser Park is so well-hidden in its hilly enclave along Booker Creek just south of Bayfront Medical Center that even longtime city residents are sometimes surprised to discover it. Fortunately, homeowners throw open their doors every few years for house and garden tours, giving visitors a chance to experience life in this locally and nationally registered historic district.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to stroll along the neighborhood’s award-winning Outdoor Museum, a series of plaques detailing the history of the area from Tocobaga Indian days through to its development in 1911 by Charles Roser (reputedly the progenitor of Nabisco’s Fig Newton recipe).

The 2024 tour takes place Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with stops at five homes with varying architectural styles. Two of the homes have never been shown before, including one in the middle of a major restoration. The Ronald McDonald House (west St. Pete) will be the first stop. Three of the homes will offer a wine tasting, with different wines offered in each.

Paddy Fest St. Pete is returning with two full days of Irish food, drinks, music, and family fun March 16-17 at Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N. The free festival runs from noon to 9pm each day. Live entertainment includes the Dunedin Pipe Band, The Gilleoghan Irish Step Dancers, and local favorites Drunken Shrubbery, Chad McDonald and Sean Patrick Walsh. A Kids’ Zone will feature bounce houses, giant slides, lawn games, a 90-foot obstacle course, face painting and more.

Both days will feature Celtic Games with the Foundation of Scottish Athletes with sporting competitions such as the Braemar, the weight over bar, the sheaf toss, and famed caber toss.

Tour begins at intersection of 7th Street and 8th Avenue South. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at historicroserpark.org before March 23, or for $20 up to 2 p.m. on the day of the tour, when tickets will be sold at 702 8th Ave.S (the start of the walking tour). The wine tasting option is available for an additional $10. Free parking is available at the west Bayfront garage (726 7th Ave S, St. Petersburg). All of the homes on this tour are within a few blocks of the garage so walking is easy.

Amateurs are encouraged to join in the fun. A large Irish food tent and Irish Village will feature dozens of local vendors.

Admission is free, go to paddyfeststpete.com for a complete schedule of events and more information.

Downtown St. Petersburg will once again be abuzz with four days of film screenings, parties, panel discussions and workshops with film industry professionals when the Sunscreen Film Festival returns for its 19th year April 25-28. Full-length and short features, including documentaries, foreign, horror, comedy, environmental and children’s programming, will be screened at Sundial AMC 12. The festival culminates with an annual gala awards banquet. A complete schedule of events was unavailable at publication time. Sunscreen Film Festival is sponsored by the St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission. For more information, schedules, and tickets, please visit sunscreenfilmfestival.com

PHOTO/SUNCREEN FILM FESTIVAL

New Life for a Grand Dame

Gulfport’s historic Peninsula Inn reopens after extensive renovations including a new cocktail bar.

BY VERONICA BREZINA

The doors to the Peninsula Inn in the heart of Gulfport have reopened following a significant renovation, bringing new amenities to the 118-year-old hotel.

Built in 1905, the iconic yellow hotel at 2937 Beach Boulevard S., now named the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails, functioned as a hospital during World War II. In 2022, the boutique hotel sold for just under $3 million to Florida House Realty Investments LLC. The group also purchased an adjacent property which is home to The Wine House, known for their barbecue, charcuterie and, of course, a diverse selection of wine.

Upon purchasing the historic 16-room Inn, the ownership group immediately started working with an in-house contractor for the year-and-ahalf-long renovation process removing the old carpets, reupholstering the vintage furniture, and building a new cocktail bar.

“The owners were anticipating the renovation to take a few months, completing projects floor by floor, but instead, they wanted to do everything at once and get it right and retain its integrity,” said property manager Kayla Burch, who previously worked at the New York-based Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn, America’s oldest operating Inn.

PHOTOS

Inspired by the cocktails the new lobby bar serves, the owners have redesigned and renamed all 16 rooms after the alcoholic concoctions.

“None of our rooms are cookie-cutter. They all differ in size, layout, and color palette — not one is alike,” shared Burch, sharing she’s partial to the Mojito Room which boasts cool mint hues and vibrant accents. “There’s beautiful wallpaper that reflects where the drink originated. Every room has a built-in bar and artwork detailing the drink and how to make it.”

Hotel guest can enjoy a free complimentary drink from the bar, which is open to the public from 3 to 9 pm Thursday through Sunday. The nightly room rates start around $200.

The owners plan to open a new restaurant concept in the former Isabelle’s space and may add a coffee bar in the hotel.

Veronica Brezina is a writer for St. Pete Rising, an online urban development publication covering retail, restaurants, and real estate news in St. Petersburg, FL. Find it at stpeterising.com

Gold Room

Manhattan Room

Pina Colada Room

Lobby Bar

11th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser

May 11, 2024 * 7pm

The James Museum

150 Central Ave, St. Pete

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Growing Bright Minds All in a Day’s Work for Carla Bristol

You can point to an array of vegetables grown at the St. Pete Youth Farm, but its most important by-product may be a more valuable intangible.

“If you’ve ever visited the farm on a workday or cultural celebration, you will immediately feel a sense of community, a diverse community filled with age diversity, economic diversity, race, culture and more,” said Carla Bristol, its indefatigable director. “Yes, we grow food at St. Pete Youth Farm, but we do so much more.”

The farm arose on a cityowned lot on 12th Street S. in 2019 in the wake of another failed grocery store effort in South St. Petersburg. The resulting food desert left residents with few options to access healthy fruits and vegetables, so the idea of a community farm to address food and nutrition insecurity seemed ideal.

The City, the Pinellas Education Foundation, and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete partnered to make the farm a reality.

In the four-plus years since the farm started, Bristol said 100 percent of the yield has gone to the community at no charge. Thousands of seeds and more than 500-plus mini-gardens (over 2,000 plants) have gone out to residents. The farm also has taught workshops on how to grow your own food, eat healthy and how to compost. It’s all helped build a resilient, accessible food system.

The ideal has not only extended to community building, but it’s created an infusion of positivity for the teens who come out four days a week to work on the farm. Bristol has infused workforce development effort with media training, allowing the teens to serve as ambassadors. They also guide younger volunteers, and get lessons in financial literacy.

And because of a surprising discovery, Bristol added a much needed element — mental health care.

“In 2019, one in three teens working at the farm had already been Baker- Acted,” explained Bristol in a reference to Florida’s

mental health crisis act. “We took immediate action and have offered mental health for our teens (once a week) over the past four years. The number now is one in 15 or none. In September, we launched similar support for the community on Mondays at 6 p.m.”

People have noticed the farm’s success. Earlier this year, LocalShops1 donated $10,000 to help create a community compost center. WEDU-PBS recently featured Bristol and the farm in its Greater St. Petersburg docuseries, and now the 2024 Leadership St. Petersburg Class of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce is looking to create a transformative project on the site.

“We were humbled to learn that we were selected because we understand how this project will immediately impact the farm now and for years to come,” Bristol said. “We anticipate a better visitor and community experience when people visit the farm thanks to the Leadership St. Pete project. Our teens and community deserve the best and our teens already feel special understanding how these spaces will be transformed.”

If the work of this Leadership St. Petersburg Class replicates the efforts of some of its predecessors, it’ll no doubt be transformational. I still marvel at the work the class helped lead at The Woodson African-American Museum of Florida. Terri Lipsey Scott, the museum’s executive director and a Leadership St. Petersburg member, convinced the Class of 2008 to recreate the museum’s backyard into a place where it could hold outdoor events. The leaders responded by raising $40,000 towards the effort.

Now it’s a garden – replete with brick pavers, plants and a lush lawn – that hosts annual events such as the recent Tampa Bay Collard Greens Festival.

One of the pavers in the garden bears the name of a sparkplug of a woman, Phyllis Eig. She was part of that class and a

recognizable face on the St. Petersburg social scene for many years. When I was a columnist at the Tampa Bay Times, she called and told me I was going to write about New Orleans’ efforts to recover from Hurricane Katrina – it’s a long story – but as always, her heart was in the right place. I listened, I learned and eventually I grew to love Phyllis’ candor and cajoling.

She passed away in 2020, but that paver and that project will always be part of her legacy. With Bristol and the St. Pete Youth Farm as a partner, I’m convinced their efforts will leave a lasting impact on a community that already has people and organizations pulling together to address nutritional challenges.

“The St. Pete Youth Farm offers so much to the South St. Pete community,” said Mustafa Lakadawala, head of Leadership St. Pete’s marketing committee. “As the St. Pete Youth Farm continues to leave its legacy making a positive impact in South St. Pete, we want our legacy to be our contribution to the betterment of the farm and its community members.”

Sometimes, it takes a multitude of elements to grow a garden and make greatness rise from simple soil.

Ernest Hooper is the Senior Vice President for Communications at United Way Suncoast and a former editor and columnist for the Tampa Bay Times.

Top of Its Class – St. Petersburg High School

Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, based in Tallahassee, has announced that St. Petersburg High School/Central High School has been recognized with top honors in 2023 for Restoration, Rehabilitation & Adaptive Use.

Built in 1926, the two-story school was designed by William B. Ittner in the Mediterranean Revival style which emphasized two interior courtyards with breezeways to cool the interior spaces, red clay barrel tile roof and corner turret towers. It was built of brick, hollow tile and poured concrete with a stucco exterior finish with an impressive front entrance marked by archways and detailed embellishments.

The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was billed as the state’s first million-dollar high school.

But the ravages of time, weather and various additions had significantly changed the appearance of the grand dame. In 2015, the Pinellas County

PHOTO MARCIA BIGGS

Shortly after it opened in 1926, Central High School was nicknamed the Million Dollar School.

Photo courtesy St. Petersburg Museum of History

School Board approved a multi-year, 40-plus-milliondollar effort to bring the school back to its former glory. Because of its status as an historic landmark, any changes to the school were required to meet strict guidelines to preserve its architectural style while continuing to accommodate growing enrollment and to meet students’ modern educational needs in the 21st century.

The extensive project was conducted in 2019-21 by Rowe Architects of Tampa and Creative Contractors, Inc. of Clearwater. It included restoring the original character-defining features, such as the detailed hand-painting of the school’s front entryway and the glazed terracotta tile, refurbishing original chandeliers and skylights, restoration of the auditorium and administration offices, modernizing the mechanical, electrical, HVAC and fire systems, and repainting the entire building, along with the construction of a new cafeteria and concession area.

Pinellas County Schools celebrated the reopening of its updated and expanded St. Petersburg High School with a ribbon cutting on December 13, 2021. Attending the ceremony were Mayor Rick Kriseman as well as two state representatives, city council members, the Pinellas County School Board and many other dignitaries. The high school student population currently stands at just over 2,000.

Right, the Mediterranean Revival design features two interior courtyards with second story breezeways. Below, the entrance archways were completely restored during recent renovation, as well as the auditorium.

PHOTO MARCIA BIGGS

Photos courtesy Florida Trust for Historic Preservation/Rowe Architects

The Arts Come Alive at USF St. Peterburg Campus

BY MATTHEW CIMITILE

The city of St. Petersburg has long enjoyed a reputation as a center for creativity and is home to a wide variety of worldclass museums, galleries and performing arts centers. Now the University of South Florida is adding to the movement by expanding arts programming on its St. Petersburg campus.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, several courses focused on the arts industry and architecture were offered for the first time on campus. The arts industry course highlighted the role the arts play as an economic engine, connecting students with the local arts community by partnering with the Dali Museum and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. The graduate architecture class brought together practitioners from St. Petersburg and its sister city of Aberdeen, Scotland to collaborate with students in developing urban design solutions.

“Offering these new courses was the low-hanging fruit we wanted to get done in the first year of consolidation as we build up partnerships and opportunities among campuses and with the City of St. Petersburg,” Chris Garvin, dean of USF’s College of The Arts, said at the time. “Our strategy is to spread offerings across all the campuses and give students the best of both worlds, providing as much of the arts curriculum and allowing flexibility.”

What these new courses signified was the start of a sustained increase in arts programming and opportunities at USF’s St. Petersburg campus.

An International Exhibition In A New Gallery

Around the same time the new art courses were being offered, Harbor Hall, the home of the USF St. Petersburg graphic arts program, was undergoing a transformation. Previously the home of the original Dali Museum, the building underwent a massive interior redesign. The renovations were made possible by a generous $1 million gift from the estate of Josephine Hall, a longtime supporter of the campus.

When the newly renovated doors opened, it featured greater gallery and studio spaces and an aesthetically modern environment for students to showcase their work. Renovations included the incorporation of magnetic display panels in classroom studios and the main corridor to provide a durable, reconfigurable area for two-dimensional art, new monitors with Apple TV connectivity that enhanced teaching methods and sustainable LED fixtures to create better white light for display and production of graphic art.

Harbor Hall now contains five studio spaces along with a public gallery.

“One of the big things our community was asking for was a gallery space so the campus could participate in activities such as art walks,” said Jennifer Yucus, USF St. Petersburg associate professor of Graphic Design. “Seniors now have a facility to exhibit their final projects, visitors can come in and see what students are working on and we can host the work of nationally-known artists.”

The first wave of renowned artists to display their work in the new gallery arrived on October 6, 2023. The USF College of The Art’s Contemporary Art Museum (USFCAM) presented SUPERFLEX: This Is the Tip Of The Iceberg, an exhibition by internationally renowned Danish artist collective SUPERFLEX. Founded in 1993 by Jakob Fenger, Bjørnstjerne Christiansen, and Rasmus Rosengren Nielsen, SUPERFLEX is known for blurring the lines of art, science and activism to offer creative perspectives on challenging global problems and have had installations displayed in prominent public and private collections in Europe, North America and Australia.

The SUPERFLEX: This Is The Tip Of The Iceberg exhibition explored a world where human life depends on coexistence with other species. It featured the viewer responsive animation Vertical Migration, first exhibited in a 500-foot-high projection on the United Nations (U.N.) Secretariat Building in New York City during the 76th U.N. General Assembly. Highlighting the role of biodiversity in the health of oceans, the installation invites an intimate encounter with a siphonophore (a relative of the jellyfish) whose complex organisms function collectively.  The exhibition, which closed November 22, was part of USFCAM’s GENERATOR, which seeks to be an incubator of new ideas and a place for expanded artistic experimentation.

“GENERATOR will offer a new cultural dimension to St. Petersburg’s prominence as an arts destination, offering free public access to an inclusive space for creative exploration, research and dialogue,” said Sarah Howard, the curator of social practice at USFCAM.

When the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library (NPML) underwent a renovation to modernize its space for 21st century learning, it also created a rejuvenated area to host art. The gallery in the library now hosts diverse exhibitions ranging from curated art by the USF Graphic Arts classes to a collaboration with the Dali Museum and works by recognized national artists.

SHINE Murals Inspire Creativity

For nine years, the SHINE Mural Festival has added creativity, vibrancy and color to the city’s landscape. The festival brings together a collection of artists to paint diverse murals on buildings and streets to showcase the power of art in revitalizing public spaces and creating dialogue. For the third time, USF St Petersburg was one of the festival’s sites in 2023.

Jay Giroux, a visiting faculty member in USF’s Graphic Arts Program, and 10 Graphic Design students painted a street mural at the intersection of 2nd Street and 6th Avenue South outside of the University Student Center. Titled “Fluid Structures,” the mural melds geometric figures with an imaginative marine ecosystem setting to evoke the allure of the oceans. The project was sponsored by David and Rebecca Ramsey.

“The mural is a modernist motif. Simple and easy on the eyes, with big shapes,” Giroux explained. “One benefit of street murals is that it calms traffic. It not only creates beautiful art but helps reduce pedestrian accidents.”

The previous year, Miami-based artist Reginald O’Neal used the west wall of the Piano Man building to depict both the Mundari tribe of South Sudan and historian John Henrik Clark. Clark was a pioneer in the creation of Africana Studies, establishing one of the first and most influential Africana departments in the country at Hunter College in New York City.

And in 2020, Harbor Hall became the site of the first mural on campus, with a colorful depiction of coastal wetlands and mangroves in an urban environment created by USF alums Kenny Coil and Marc Berenguer.

“St. Petersburg is an art mecca, with so many great museums, galleries and artists that create such a vibrant culture,” said Christian Hardigree, regional chancellor of USF St. Petersburg. “It is only natural for our campus to not only provide a stellar arts education to students, but foster events and programming that contribute to the growing art scene in our city.”

This article is published with permission by the USF-St. Petersburg Communications Dept. It originally appeared in the 2024 issue of Innovations Magazine.

Early Detection Important as Cancer Rates Increase for Younger Adults

BY TIFFINI THEISEN

In the United States, colorectal cancer claims the lives of more than 50,000 people every year. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that doctors across the country will diagnose over 106,000 new cases of colon cancer and over 46,000 new cases of rectal cancer.

What can you do to avoid being one of these cases?

“The biggest thing is just making sure you get something done for screening,” such as a colonoscopy or a non-invasive stool test like Cologuard, says Dr. J. Ryan Williams, colon and rectal surgeon with Bayfront Health Medical Group Colorectal Surgery.

However, a colonoscopy will catch any problems earlier than a stool test will, Williams says.

In the past, the recommended age for a first colonoscopy was typically 50 years old. However, due to an increase in colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, many medical organizations have lowered the recommended age for screening to 45 or even earlier if you have symptoms or a family history of the disease.

The good news is, cancers of the colon and rectum can be preventable through not only healthy lifestyle choices, but early detection and screening.

“Look at it like maintenance on your car,” Dr. Williams says. “You wouldn’t buy a car and expect that it will run great for 20 years if you never get an oil change or a tune-up.”

Reduce your risk

There are a few key lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. These include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and being mindful of what you put into your body.

“The best thing we can do for taking care of our gut is our diet,” Dr. Williams says. ”Moderate your alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and reduce your consumption of processed foods found in the center aisles of the grocery store. Cut down on red meat like hamburgers or steak, and especially smoked and processed meats like sausages. Look into a Mediterranean diet.”

Experts widely agree, recommending lots of fiber in the form of

fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and avoiding refined carbohydrates like white bread, to help prevent cancers of all kinds.

Obesity is a risk factor in several cancers. Work with your doctor to shed excess pounds in a slow and steady way —no extreme or crash diets, suggests Dr. Jennifer Ayscue, chief of colorectal surgery for the west region at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

When it comes to exercise, find a movement you enjoy like walking, swimming, gardening, or cleaning the house. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or six days a week. Regular physical activity can regulate your hormones, boost your immune system, and reduce inflammation.

All of these benefits can ward off cancer, but to fight colon cancer in particular, exercise also helps improve digestion. “That means your stool – and any carcinogens it may be transporting – spends less time sitting in your bowel, where cancerous polyps can form,” Ayscue says.

Avoiding smoking and heavy drinking helps reduce your risk of colorectal cancer because the effects of these substances can harm the gastrointestinal system along with other parts of your body. Alcohol, for instance, can increase inflammation of the intestines and cause harmful changes to gut microbiota. The American Cancer Society suggests no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.

Symptoms to watch for

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and iron deficiency anemia. Blood in the stool, in particular, is commonly ignored — but it should never be, Dr. Williams says. Any color of blood in the stool is a warning sign, he says. For instance, bright red blood can be a sign of rectal cancer.

“We see a lot of people come in with advanced cancer but they just thought it was hemorrhoids,” Dr. Williams notes. “The biggest thing I tell everybody is, if you have blood in your stool, you have to get a colonoscopy, especially if you’re 30 or older.”

The most significant changes in bowel habits are those that last longer than a week, such as stools being smaller, looser, more constipated, a different color, or any other difference, Dr.

Williams says. “When it comes to colon cancer, once you start seeing symptoms, that’s usually a concern that it may be more advanced.”

Genetics and other risk factors

Genetics do play a role in colorectal cancer. Blacks face a statistically higher risk, as does anyone with a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps. Next, any inflammatory intestinal conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, will put you at higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Finally, people aged 50 and above are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, although the rates in older adults have been dropping since about the mid-1980s thanks to screening and healthier lifestyles. In people younger than 55, rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s, according to the American Cancer Society. This is why the recommended age for one’s first colonoscopy has dropped to 45.

Screening and early detection

The National Cancer Institute says a colonoscopy — which allows for the detection and removal of precancerous polyps before they can develop into cancer — can reduce the risk of death from colon cancer by more than 60 percent. Considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, a colonoscopy allows doctors to examine the inside of the large intestine and rectum While you are under anesthesia, a long tube with a camera and

light investigates your colon and rectum so the doctor can see their linings.

No matter how fit you are, how much you work out or how healthy you eat, the importance of early screening for colorectal cancer can’t be overemphasized. “I’ve seen many patients who have phenomenal lifestyles and phenomenal diets and they still get cancer because of their genes,” Dr. Williams says. “All of a sudden at age 55, they have blood in their stool and, sure enough, they have cancer. It’s just genetics. That’s why screening is so vital.”

FOOD BRIEFS

Downtown St. Pete entrepreneurs Jose and Natalie Martinez (Sartorial and Style St. Pete) are stepping into the local restaurant scene with a new café that promises “Food For Your Soul.” Located in the Warehouse Arts District in the Deuces, Eat, Art, Love is an intimate café focused on weekend brunch, as well as helping emerging artists get noticed by providing exhibit space.

Chef Mario Brugnoli brings his flair for creative yet soulwarming cuisine to the 25-seat restaurant with a short menu that touches on Southern/Creole with dishes like a confit duck leg with grits, fried chicken sandwich and classic egg dishes. An inviting wine list is a welcome addition, particularly for Wine Nights on Thursdays from 4-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-9 pm.

Brunch is served from 9 am to 3 pm Friday through Sunday. Find Eat, Art, Love at 589 22nd Street. S., St. Petersburg.

* * *

Cassis recently converted the bakery into The Market at Cassis, adding freshly made pizzas and carry-out specialties to the amazing selection of baked goods and pastries. The Market is located at 170 Beach Drive NE.

Sauvignon Wine Locker

& American Trattoria has finally opened for lunch. The locals favorite for fine dining and a knock-out

Sunday brunch is offering lunch 11 am to 3 pm Tuesday-Friday. Lunch features a number of favorites from the dinner menu, along with handhelds like Angus Burger to BBQ Lamb Ribs, Spanish Style Shrimp, salads and pasta. Head to 241 Central Avenue.

Bonu Taverna at Central Avenue and 6th Street N. has expanded next door. Look for the words Senza Fine over the door. The adults-only room is a sophisticated addition for diners that includes couches and a lounge area, and a mesmerizing mural of “Bonu Lisa” overlooking the space by St. Pete artist Johnny Vitale of The Vitale Bros. fame.

Webb’s City Cellar, the specialty bar at Green Bench Brewing Co., has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Awards. The nomination comes in the “Outstanding Bar” category, where Webb’s City Cellar is up against an impressive list of standouts from New York, D.C., San Francisco, Charleston, and New Orleans. Located at 1133 Baum Ave. N, Webb’s was designed as a second tasting room and cellar for unique craft beer selections such as sours and wild ales. The name is an homage to Webb’s City Drug Store, the World’s Most Unusual Drug Store, which opened in downtown St. Pete in the mid 1920’s.

The spot formerly occupied by The Mill at 200 Central Ave. will become The Huntsman, a first-of-its-kind fine dining restaurant in St. Pete that specializes in “field to stream to table” fare. A collaboration between coowners and restaurateurs

Daniel Renninger, Skylar Stafford and Ben Williamson, The Huntsman will feature game entrees such as elk, wild boar, bison and antelope along with freshly harvested seafood. Renninger told the Tampa Bay Times that they plan to source free-range game from Broken Arrow Ranch in Texas. The menu will be seasonal and include vegan dishes. An opening date has not been announced but is expected sometime later this year

The St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center have partnered to create St. Pete’s first historical boat tour – Liquid to Land: St. Pete’s Waterfront History. Learn the history of Coffee Pot Bayou and Snell Isle to Coquina Key and how growth impacted the Tampa Bay shoreline and culture over time as a result.

The tours are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month, departing from a slip at the St. Pete Marina on The Pier aboard the the eco-vessel Discovery. The history dialogue and photos for the tour are curated by the Museum of History, while the vessel, crew, and ecological stories are provided by the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.

Cost is $45. To register for upcoming tours, visit either historystpete.org or tbwdiscoverycenter.org or call 727-894-1052, ext. 200.

The Florida Holocaust Museum has announced the Museum has been chosen as the permanent home of Elie Wiesel’s entire collection, including his Nobel prize. Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor, acclaimed writer and teacher who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace. A professor at Eckerd College St. Petersburg for nearly 30 years, he passed away in 1986 at the age of 87.

The entire contents of his personal office and library, unfinished manuscripts, letters from world leaders and other luminaries, and a variety of artworks, photographs, recordings – will be part of the collection.

“This treasure trove of artifacts is a game-changer for the Museum, St. Petersburg, and our entire region,” said Michael Igel, Board Chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum. “Like the man himself, the Wiesel Collection will be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for action. Elie Wiesel was a master at explaining to all of us why the lessons of the Holocaust matter. Now, through innovative programming and exhibitions, the

museum will use his voice to ensure that his legacy will always remain relevant.”

The Wiesel Collection will be a cornerstone of the permanent exhibition of the Florida Holocaust Museum, which is in the process of renovation and expansion. It will join a recently acquired boat used In the seaborne rescue that saved Denmark’s Jewish population, as well as a cattle car used to transport Jews to concentration camps.

* * *

Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum, recently received the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Community Hero Award. Igel received recognition during a game and $50,000 on behalf of the museum. The donation will help fund events and new programming designed to engage “learners of all ages.”

* * *

New Ordinance Restricts ‘Van Lifers’ on Residential Streets

The “van life” lifestyle has become a disturbing trend in neighborhoods like Old Northeast bordering St. Petersburg’s waterfront in the past year. The practice of vacationing or living in RVs or passenger vans along city streets is getting worse, residents say, and now city leaders have taken action to help by passing an ordinance that restricts 24-hour parking of vans and van-like vehicles.

Camping and parking RVs overnight in city parking lots is not allowed, so these vehicles opt to turn streets into quasi campgrounds.

“Residents began complaining to the HONNA (Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association) board about the situation,” says HONNA President Nick Bell. “There are sanitary and safety issues with these vehicles, so we worked with the city parking department and our city council member, Lisset Hanewicz, to address the situation.”

After several months of meetings and discussions, the city council approved a measure that now classifies these types of vehicles as domestic equipment. As such, they will be limited to 4-hour parking on residential streets Monday through Thursday. “This allows owners of these vehicles to enjoy all the benefits of our neighborhood parks but prevents them from setting up residence for days and weeks on end,” Bell said.

News You Can Use to GetAround

Planning a trip to St. Pete Beach with visiting family or friends? Get ready for bridge backups and parking hassles, it’s Spring Break! The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) reminds St. Pete residents that the SunRunner rapid transit buses are at your service providing direct transportation from downtown to the St. Pete beaches. The buses travel every 15 minutes along 1st Avenue N. and 1st Avenue S. stopping at designated SunRunner stations. An added bonus: Groups of four will only have to pay one $5 fare for the entire day.

“People can really see the benefits of the SunRunner by its convenience and ease by allowing passengers to avoid the headache of finding a parking spot and paying an arm and a leg to park,” said Brad Miller, executive director of PSTA. “You and your entire family will never pay more than $5 a day to get to and from the beach, downtown St. Petersburg, and everywhere in between.”

A one-way fare on the SunRunner is $2.25 and if riders choose to use the same form of payment, they will never pay more than $5 a day on any and every PSTA fixed-route service. For a map of stations and more information, visit psta.net/sunrunner *

A convenient express PSTA bus travels from Pinellas County to Tampa International Airport. PSTA’s 300X route is the newest, easiest way to use PSTA for travel to the airport, running eight trips a day, Monday through Friday, from the PSTA bus layby center. Local residents can take a discounted Uber or Lyft ride to the layby and connect to the airport. Travelers can use the Park & Ride at Ulmerton and Starkey Road (free parking). Fares are $2.25 each way ($1.10 for students, youth age 9-18 and seniors 65 and over); must use Flamingo Fares card or app, enabled credit or debit card, digital wallet on smartphone. Cash is accepted. To learn more, go to psta.net/riding-psta/300x-airport-express/

A Sense of Place

Looking for a new place to call home? Or maybe you have friends or family wishing to make the ‘Burg home. Here’s a look at the diverse array of residential neighborhoods outside of the downtown core that have a strong identity. All of these places share certain traits – their own unique character and a strong sense of community.

BY MARCIA BIGGS

Historic Old Northeast

Beautifully maintained 20th century homes built on a grid of narrow brick streets with granite curbing and hexblock sidewalks, all shaded by a mature tree canopy, are hallmarks of the Old Northeast. The highly desirable neighborhood located along the North Shore area in the shadow of the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club stretches from 30th Avenue N. to 5th Avenue N. bounded by 4th Street N. and Coffee Pot Bayou.

A designated landmark in the National Register of Historic Places, the neighborhood of single family homes, apartments and accessory dwellings is an easy walk to the waterfront and Beach Drive. Pride is taken in highly manicured yards and

flowering gardens. It has an active homeowners association, HONNA, which puts on annual events and gatherings throughout the year such as home tours and porch parties.

Nearby: North Shore Park and Recreation Center, the Palladium Theater, the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, Beach Drive, Vinoy Park, Straub Park

Historic Roser Park

Tucked away on the southern edge of downtown, between 4th Street S. and Dr. MLK/Ninth Streets between 7th and 11th Avenues S., Historic Roser Park is an eclectic collection of small bungalows and cottages, and stately historic Mediterranean

Historic Roser Park

and Spanish style mansions. Many residents work at the nearby medical centers and value the historic character and friendly camaraderie of the community.

Roser Park’s unique topography is characterized by steep to gently sloping hills, winding along Booker Creek, with lush vegetation and narrow brick streets. St. Petersburg’s first historic district was developed by Charles Martin Roser in the 1910s, with hexagon block sidewalks, ornamental street lights and two small bridges crossing Booker Creek. A walking trail along the creek is lined with royal palms and 28 markers featuring the homes and their historical significance.

Nearby: Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Campbell Park Rec Center, Bayboro Harbor, University of South Florida St. Pete campus

Jungle Prada/Jungle Terrace

Head west from downtown to find tropical Jungle Prada along Boca Ciega Bay, bordered by Admiral Farragut Academy near 9th Avenue N. to the south and 22nd Avenue N. to the north. While St. Petersburg is mostly a grid with numbered streets, the Jungle Prada area features winding brick streets and antique street signs with names like Elbow Lane, Jungle Avenue, Follow Thru Road, Par Avenue, Garden Avenue, Stimie Avenue, and Bogie Avenue. Some lot sizes are among the largest in the city.

An abundance of beautiful hardwood trees promotes the appeal of a tropical jungle and the area is just minutes away from sugar-sand beaches of Treasure Island and Madeira Beach. Families flock to this gracious community, which is home to Admiral Farragut Academy (former Jungle Prada Hotel), built in 1925.

Nearby: Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Ft. DeSoto Park, Eckerd College, Bay Vista Park, Lake Vista Park, Maximo Park

Old Southeast/Driftwood

The Old Southeast, just south of downtown and the USF campus, covers the area east of 4th Street S. south to 24th Ave. S and extends to the water’s edge of Tampa Bay. It is home to a large group of area artists, longtime residents and a growing number of young families taking advantage of some of the still affordable real estate.

Like many of the neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area, The Old Southeast has been experiencing growth and revitalization over the past few years but it also boasts some of the most historic and long loved features. For instance, Lassing Park, donated to the city in 1924 by Judge Robert B. Lassing, runs along Beach Drive SE with 14.2 acres of greenspace and a beach along the bay. It hosts many activities, like Fun Fitness Boot Camps, Ultimate Frisbee, yoga and kiteboarding events. Like Historic Kenwood, The Old Southeast has been officially designated an “Artist Enclave” by City Council.

The Jungle is known for its resident peacocks that can be seen wandering though yards and streets. The adjoining Jungle Terrace neighborhood to the north of 22nd Ave. N. centers around Walter Fuller Park, an oasis of green, and Tyrone Square Mall, an oasis for shopping.

Nearby: Admiral Farragut Academy, Boca Ciega Bay, Pinellas Trail, Tyrone Square Mall, St. Petersburg College Gibbs campus, Azalea Park and Recreation Center, Jungle Prada de Narvaez Park and Abercrombie Park

Greater Pinellas Point

Located at the southernmost tip of Pinellas County on Tampa Bay, this large neighborhood of more than 19,000 residents is renowned for its Pink Streets and Bird Cage homes. When the area was developed in the 1940s, pink concrete was poured to form wide, winding pink streets such as Serpentine Drive and 14th Street S. Bird Cage homes built by architect Glenn Johnson feature a large amount of screened area. Pinellas Point has lush landscaping and lots of vegetation.

Bordering on the south, the Driftwood neighborhood off Big Bayou is one of the area’s most historic gems with a small grouping of remarkable homes nestled in canopies of mature trees. The community was established and designed in the 1930’s by local artist Mark Dixon Dodd and architect Archie Parish. It’s a favorite walking route for all residents. Tropical Shores (population 315) is another wonderful neighborhood between OSE and Driftwood that jetties out into the bay and has some of the most spectacular water views in the area.

Nearby: The Dali Museum, Albert Whitted Airport, Old Southeast Market, Bartlett Park Tennis Complex, Salt Creek Marina, University of South Florida St. Pete campus. Old Southeast lays claim to one of downtown’s coolest historic and favorite burger joints – The Chattaway, established in 1922.

—Cindy Stovall

Historic Kenwood & North Kenwood

Centrally located less than one mile west of downtown along the Central Avenue corridor between I-275 and 34th Street, Historic Kenwood has seen a renaissance in the last decade, attracting a diverse mix of artists, LGBTQ, and professional couples of all ages. Hexagon block sidewalks, canopies of oaks and flowering trees line the numerous brick streets. Within walking distance are a wide variety of locally-owned and operated drinking and dining establishments in the Grand Central District.

Because of Historic Kenwood’s high concentration of artists of all types, the City Council sought to promote the arts and artists by declaring the neighborhood an “Artist Enclave.” This status enables artists of the neighborhood to teach classes and sell

artwork from their homes. Kenwood’s claim to fame is one of the highest concentrations of Craftsmen-style bungalow homes in the state of Florida, some dating to the early 1900s. In recent years, the more modest homes found in North Kenwood are attracting young families who are priced out of Old Kenwood.

Nearby:  Tropicana Field, Suncoast Hospice Community Service Center, Jim and Heather Gills YMCA

Crescent Lake/Crescent Heights Nature lovers flock to the neighborhoods surrounding Crescent Lake between 4th Street N. and Dr. MLK Jr Blvd., 22nd and 12th Avenues N. A 52-acre park with a 20-acre lake attracts residents who like the outdoors and the many species of birds and ducks that flock to the lake. A path that surrounds the lake attracts many walkers. The historic neighborhood with diverse architecture and many styles of homes is just minutes north of downtown and within walking distance of shopping and dining along 4th Street N. Look for the bright blue water tower and you’ve found it. To the north, Crescent Heights extends from 22nd to 30th Avenues N. with large and small homes, some dating back to the 1920’s.

Nearby: Sunken Gardens, 4th Street N. corridor, Trader Joe’s, downtown St. Petersburg

Broadwater and Lake Maggiore

The waterfront community of Broadwater in south St. Pete is a favorite for boaters and nature lovers who live on one of the canal homes that lead out into Boco Ciega Bay. From families to retirees, the neighborhood is a welcoming one of unpretentious homes on wide shady streets. Ocean breezes, pretty sunsets and the opportunity to see dolphins and manatee in your backyard bring many to Broadwater. Some homes are historic, while others are more modern.

Just east of the interstate, the residences bordering Lake Maggiore from 26th Avenue. S to 54 Avenue S. encompass Lake Maggiore Shores and Lakewood Estates. With the lake, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Lake Maggiore and Dell Holmes parks all nearby, families who love the outdoors flock to this welcoming

area with its strong sense of community and middle-class homes. The St. Petersburg Country Club is here, too, a favorite for area golfers.

Nearby: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach, Fort DeSoto Park, Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg County Club

Allendale/Allendale Terrace

Allendale residents pride themselves on their small closeknit community  bordered to the south by 34th Avenue N., to the north by 42nd Avenue N., 7th Street N. to the east, and 12th Street N. and Haines Road to the west and southwest.  The neighborhood is just minutes from I-275, the 4th Street N. corridor, and downtown St. Petersburg.

Known for its giant oak trees, brick streets and large estate homes, Allendale Terrace is considered by many to be the finest area of St. Petersburg that is not located on the water. It also includes the area between 34th Avenue N. and 38th Avenue N., from 9th Street (MLK) to Haines Road. Many homes are historic, built between 1922 and 1954. Cade Allen (hence the name Allendale) and his sons built a total of 40 houses in Allendale, many with a distinct appearance built with hollow clay tile and stone veneers that were later added. Some of the homes used local coquina rock.

Snell Isle

One of St. Petersburg’s most desirable waterfront communities, Snell Isle borders Coffee Pot Bayou via the historic Snell Isle Bridge and is on the U.S. Register of National Historic Places. Snell Isle is completely residential, with several apartment communities, two schools, and two churches. Many original homes from the 1920s still exist today, with charming European and Spanish architecture. More than 80 percent of homes on Snell Isle enjoy waterfront views, some of the Bay and others on interconnected waterways. Residents here enjoy a boating lifestyle, while being only minutes away from the vibrant culture and restaurants of downtown St. Petersburg.

Nearby: Downtown St. Pete, Vinoy Resort & Golf Club

Alfa Romeo Guila Offers a Peek into the Italian Soul

GIULIA (VELOCE)

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Length: 182.8 inches

Width: 73.2 inches

Height: 56.5 inches

Weight: 3,522 pounds

Fuel capacity: 15.3 gallons

City: 23 mpg

Highway: 33 mpg

Base price: $44,520

Price as tested: $55,140 www.alfaromeo.com

BY NITISH S. RELE

The Germans, whether it is Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, have had a stronghold on the small luxury sport sedan market. Add the Japanese (Lexus) and Korean (Genesis) brands to the mix and the race becomes fierce. But amid the rivalry, potential car buyers often neglect one of the most thrilling rides with an Italian flair — the Alfa Romeo Giulia. And that is at their own peril!

The 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged Giulia cranks out 280 horsepower @ 5200 rpm and 306 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm, plentiful to cruise the highway or merge into peak-hour traffic. Zero to 60 is achieved in a mere 5.1 seconds with top speed of 149 mph in the rear-wheel-drive sedan. Coupled to an 8-speed auto gearbox, the Quadrifoglio-tuned double-wishbone front and an Alfa-link design rear suspension effectively eliminate sharp bumps on the road and reduce body roll.

Providing a positive on-center response is the variable electric assist steering. Braking is handled skillfully by commanding 13-inch front and 12.5-inch rear Brembo vented rotors. The optional 19inch sport aluminum wheels come shod with 225/40 up front and 255/35 at the rear. Toggle the “dna” button for dynamic, natural, advanced efficiency and race modes.

Our hats off to Alfa Romeo for the off-beat front styling – a massive V-Scudetto dark grille and large functional air intakes, skirted by triple adaptive matrix LED headlights. Glossy black LED tail lamps and Veloce-exclusive finned diffuser and dual dark exhaust tips grab attention. The red leather sports seats are fabulous. Further enhancing the lush cabin is a robust flat-bottomed Formula 1-inspired tilt steering wheel with rock-solid grasp.

Also worth a mention is the 12.3inch digital instrument cluster with binocular hood to lend classiness. The 14-way power heated driver and 12-way frontpassenger leather seats are not just plush but also comfy. Other perks include dual auto a/c, aluminum paddle shifters, heated rear seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 40/20/40 rear seat, and the 8.8-inch infotainment touch display, as well as a dual-pane sunroof.

Dual front and side airbags, front knee airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes with stability/traction control, blind spot and cross-path detection, forward-collision and lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rearview camera and front/rear park and hill start assist, limited slip differential, tire pressure monitor and daytime running lights are standard. We recommend the $700 Active Assist Plus package for lane keep, intelligent speed, highway and active blind spot assists, vehicle alarm, and driver attention alert.

With its distinct Italian looks, allure and touch, the Giulia touts a solid, nimble, luxury-packed and exciting ride. Plus, the splendid car brags vim and vigor that is absent in European contenders.

Nitish S. Rele, editor/publisher of Motoring Tampa Bay and Khaas Baat, can be reached at motoringtampabay@gmail.com

EasterTreats

Easter Cake Pops

1 box cake mix

1 can frosting

1 bunny chocolate mold

1 cakesicle mold and ice pop sticks

1 bag white chocolate chips or melting chips

Cake pop sticks

1 bag orange melting chips

2 tablespoons canola or coconut oil, divided

1 bag green melting chips

Pastel sprinkles

1 piece hard foam (optional)

Edible markers

Bake cake according to package instructions and let cool completely.

Crumble cake and mix with 1/2 can frosting until dough forms. Add more frosting, if needed. Using small cookie scoop, form dough into balls and set aside. Place dough in bunny molds then pop out and set aside with balls. Place dough in cakesicle mold, insert ice pop stick in each slot and freeze 5-10 minutes.

Melt handful of white melting chips. Stick tip of each cake pop stick in chocolate then insert into every cake ball and bunny until each has one stick. Set aside to dry.

Remove cakesicles from freezer and pop out of molds. In bowl, melt orange melts then mix in 1 tablespoon oil and transfer to cup. Dip cakesicles and scrape off excess using rim of cup. Place on parchment paper to dry.

In bowl, melt green melts then place in zip-top or piping bag. Cut tip off bag, pipe carrot leaves onto piece of parchment paper and let dry.

Melt remaining white melts and mix in remaining oil. Transfer to cup and dip ball-shaped cake pops and bunnies then tap stick on edge of cup to remove excess.

Over separate bowl, sprinkle ball-shaped pops with pastel sprinkles. To keep ball shape, let dry by sticking in piece of hard foam. Bunnies can dry face side up on parchment paper. After bunnies are dry, use edible markers to make face and color in ears.

When carrots and leaves are dry, remelt orange melts and place in piping or zip-top bag. Cut off tip and drizzle orange over carrots. Add small line of orange on each ice pop stick and place leaves on each stick. Let dry.

Recipe courtesy of Cookin’ Savvy

Carrot Cake

2 ¼ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup vegetable oil

1 ¼ cups sugar

3 eggs

1 ½ cups carrots, shredded

1 cup crushed pineapple with juice

2/3 cup walnuts

Frosting:

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese

¾ cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 ½ cups powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 F.

In large bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and baking powder.

In mixing bowl, cream together oil and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Gradually add in carrots and crushed pineapple.

Add dry mixture to wet ingredients and beat until smooth. Fold in walnuts.

Pour batter into two lightly greased 8-inch round cake pans and bake 2530 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely. Remove cakes from pans and slice off tops to level cakes.

To make frosting: In mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually add in powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

Spread two large spoonfuls frosting over top of one cake and stack second cake on top. Frost entire cake with remaining frosting.

Visit Culinary.net to find more Easter inspiration and recipes from Cookin’ Savvy.

DeviledEggChicks

12 large eggs, hard boiled and peeled

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, or add to taste

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp salt, or to taste

1 small carrot, peeled and sliced into rings

6 black olives

Plastic straw

Peel 12 hard-boiled eggs. With a sharp knife, slice off a very thin layer from the base of the egg – this will give it a flat surface to stand on a platter. Cut off a generous top third of the egg. Squeeze around the egg base gently to loosen the yolk and it should pop right out. Keep the lids paired with their bases.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine 12 cooked yolks and mash well with a fork. Add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 tsp dijon (or add to taste), 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/8 tsp salt, or season to taste. Mash everything together until smooth. Transfer mixture to ziploc or pastry bag and pipe generously into egg bases. Place top 1/3 back over the base and press down slightly to adhere.

For the eyes, poke through an olive with a plastic straw several times then gently squeeze down the straw and the little circles of olives will pop right out. For the beaks, thinly slice a few rings of carrot and cut each ring into sixths. Insert 2 olive spots for eyes and 2 carrot wedges the beak. Set chicks on a platter and garnish with fresh parsley or dill to give them that “free range” feel.

Recipe and photo from Natasha’s Kitchen at natashaskitchen.com

Annual Pet Walk Brings Families, Pets Together

BY ERIC KEATON

Pet Tales

For 83 years, SPCA Tampa Bay, a For-All Shelter, has supported a healthy community and animal wellbeing. The organization’s annual Pet Walk has brought together families and their canine (and sometimes a goat or two) companions to celebrate and spread what the SPCA calls “humanimality,” the almost indescribable joy that animals bring to our lives.

This year’s Pet Walk is right around the corner, set for Saturday, April 6, at North Straub Park along St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront and at Largo’s Central Park. To help support our shelter the community can form a team with friends and family or join an existing team to help make a difference in the lives of Pinellas County’s homeless pets and wildlife in SPCA Tampa Bay’s care.

The community’s support at Pet Walk helps SPCA Tampa Bay continue to offer a variety of services to Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area. Just a few examples:

Adoptions program: SPCA Tampa Bay cares for more than 8,500 animals admitted to the shelter each year, striving to help them find their forever homes. Adoption counselors focus heavily on matchmaking, which helps families experience a successful pet adoption and pets gain a home where they will thrive.

Wildlife program: The animals we care for go beyond cats, dogs and rabbits. We also care for wildlife at our animal shelter in Largo. Our team, in collaboration with local partners, provides medical attention and rehabilitation services for possums, blue jays, squirrels, rabbits and more animals native to Florida.

Pebbles Food Bank: SPCA Tampa Bay’s Pebbles Food Bank provides free dog and cat food to families facing unexpected financial hardships, which can help keep families together. SPCA Tampa Bay understands that financial issues often lead a family to make the difficult decision to surrender a pet.

Pet Walk is more than just a walk — it’s a community party with a variety of activities for families and canine companions, including a fun-filled walk along the water, pet costume contest, doggie waterpark and a vendor village featuring local businesses.

Start your team today at PetWalk.org. The sign-up fee is free. Participants who raise $50 or more receive a customized Pet Walk T-Shirt and participants who raise $100 or more win prizes.

Pet Walk is happening at two locations again this year:  North Straub Park in St. Petersburg and a new location at Largo Central Park in Largo.

Register and set up your Pet Walk page TODAY. Link your Pet Walk page to a Facebook fundraiser to raise even more. All participants who raise $50 or more will receive an official 2024 Pet Walk t-shirt and goodie bag.

Participants raising $100 or more can select from amazing prizes.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 727-499-0367 or email petwalk@ spcatampabay.org.

Wine Scents: Enjoy the taste and smell of these bouquets

BY PAM COYLE

Scent is the biggest sense tied to memory. It elicits feelings, especially around springtime. There’s nothing better than going to the local market or shop and adorning our homes with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. The scent in the air is palpable. These fresh and welcoming aromas can be very comforting. Certain scents are not only apparent in the spring air, but in our favorite wines as well.

A study found having certain flower arrangements present in the room can change the way we perceive wine. A crisp sauvignon blanc can easily stand alongside lilies or jasmine. Rich flavors found in some wines such as cabernet sauvignon or petit Verdot perfectly complement the softness of some flowers like tulips or dahlias.

In flowers, there are white blossom scents, like elderflower, gardenia or orange blossoms. Some flowers produce a more yellow or honeyed tone, such as honeysuckle or jasmine. There are pink and purple flowers, such as peonies, roses, lavender and violet, as well. When picking out these aromas in wine, it’s so much more than meets the eye — or in this case, the nose. Nearly 90 percent of what we taste is what we smell. In order to find the connection between flowers and wine, you must first begin to understand what you can allow yourself to smell.

Primary characteristics come from the grapes themselves and become more apparent in the fermentation process. Imagine

apples, lemons, cherries and berries. Most straight-forward, simple wines may only showcase these fruit aromas. More complex and aromatic varietals lend themselves to more herbaceous or floral aromas. The combination of acids, sugars, yeasts and alcohol is what gives wine its “bouquet.”

White varietals tend to be more aromatic. Some of the first that come to mind are Riesling, Moscato, gewürztraminer and pinot gris. One varietal that stands out in this category as well is chenin blanc. It can be made in a broad range of styles and grow almost anywhere. In the cooler climate of the Loire Valley, higher acidity and concentration is present. With Domaine Guiberteau Brézé Saumur Blanc 2020, honeysuckle and chamomile underlay finesse, complexity and structure.

Another and arguably one of the most aromatic whites is Torrontés. Originating in Argentina, this grape tends to give off some sweeter notes yet is still almost always made in a dry style. Much like its other aromatic friends, it showcases these characteristics when grown in a cooler climate and higher altitude. Try Kaiken Terroir Series Torrontés 2022. The color mimics chrysanthemums while the nose accents an array of white flowers, orange blossom and jasmine and continues with a keen yet refreshing palate.

Many vineyards cultivate wildflowers to grow within the vines. In many regions, roses are planted at the edge of the vines and used

Luxury Open Air Event Facility Awaits You and Your Guests

in a beautiful and elegant

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The Barn at Crescent Lake Uniquely offers the perfect open air outdoor event facility

surrounding

SPL Women in Business Issue Launch Party / Drew Marc Gallery

SPL SCENE

65th Annual Queen of Hearts Ball

The 65th annual Queen of Hearts Ball was held to honor women’s volunteerism in Pinellas County and to raise funds for two local charities, Wheelchairs 4 Kids and Inspire Equine Assisted Center.

10th Anniversary MUSE Awards / St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

Photos by Xina Scuderi

The 10th Anniversary MUSE Awards was held January 26 at Albert Whitted Airport, with a presentation of awards to local cultural arts leaders. This year’s honorees were Beth Morean, The Dali Museum, La Lucha, Stacia Schrader, Tombolo Books and the Vitale Bros.

SPL SCENE

Woodson Warriors Scholarship Fundraiser / Woodson Museum

On February 4, a sold-out event at the Coliseum welcomed guest speaker Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. The annual fundraiser was organized by The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, and raised proceeds to help send local high school students to college.

NARI Tampa Bay CotY Gala

The 2024 NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Tampa Bay held their Annual CotY (Contractor of the Year) Diamond Gala on February 3 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The event was attended by the highest quality remodelers throughout Tampa Bay.

MAKING

SPL SCENE

Night to Shine / Tim Tebow Foundation

The Tim Tebow Foundation’s annual Night to Shine for people with special abilities in Pinellas County was hosted this year by St. Petersburg’s Central Christian Church. The gala prom night happens in 58 countries around the world with limos and a red carpet, formal attire, karaoke and dancing and every attendee being crowned King or Queen. Each guest (250) was accompanied by a “buddy” at the gala which was held February 9 at the Coliseum.

20th Anniversary Studio Honors / Studio @620

A weekend of celebrating 20 years of Studio @620 and notable individuals in the local arts was held February 9-10. This year’s honorees were Eugenie Bondurant and Paul Wilborn, Sheila and Matt Cowley, Mozell Davis, Roxanne Fay, Renee Flowers, Jason Harvin, Hank and Laura Hine, Virginia Johnson, Barbara St. Clair and Jim Sorenson. Tribute was also paid to retiring executive director Bob Devin Jones.

St. Petersburg

Seafood

400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse

Locally sourced coastal cuisine on the downtown waterfront. From seafood to steaks, salads and appetizers, a favorite for Sunday brunch and outdoor dining.

400 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-2400; 400beachseafood.com $$$ Closed for renovations

Trophy Fish - Drink Like a Fish is the moniker here, so be prepared for a casual nautical atmosphere, lively crowd and fresh local fish and seafood that changes daily. Dinner only; opens at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. 2060 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 258-7883; trophyfishstpete.com $$

Teak - With a spectacular view of the downtown skyline, Teak, at the tip of the St. Pete Pier, offers elevated casual dining for lunch and dinner. Florida-inspired cuisine runs the gamut from Cubans and paella to pan roasted grouper with citrus risotto and ginger guava BBQ short ribs. 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 513-8325; teakstpete.com $$$

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille - Shorts and flip-flops are welcome at this popular waterfront eatery on the St. Pete Pier and a new location in the Jungle Terrace district on Boca Ciega Bay. Seafood with a Caribbean flair includes crab cakes and fish tacos to entrees like Cedar Plank Salmon and Banana Leaf Snapper. 610 2nd Ave NE, (727) 857-8118; 8790 Bay Pines Blvd; St. Petersburg; docfords.com $$$

Sea Salt - Upscale, urban and known for its raw bar and impeccably fresh seafood, this is the place to impress while enjoying a sunset over the downtown skyline. Located at Sundial, the airy and sophisticated eatery specializes in seasonal and organic ingredients, an extensive wine collection and craft cocktails. 183 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 873-7964; seasaltstpete. com $$$$

DINING GUIDE

Island Grille & Raw Bar – Expansive waterfront dining focusing on fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, chicken, sandwiches and raw bar. Island Grille attracts a fun crowd of families, boaters and local sun-seekers who gravitate here for the food, tropical drinks and massive outdoor patio. 210 Madonna Blvd, Tierra Verde; (727) 767-0020; islandrawbar.com $$$

RumFish Grill – The ultimate under-the-sea dining experience awaits at RumFish Grill on St. Pete Beach. Indulge in a Gulf coast inspired menu with selections such as Blackened Mahi Mahi with Gulf shrimp, mm, mm. Afterwards, enjoy warm coastal breezes on the deck with live music and an extensive selection of rum cocktails. 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 329-1428; rumfishgrill.com $$$

The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant –The landmark Hurricane on Passe-a-Grille Beach has weathered a few storms, but still stands as a seafood mecca for tourists, groups and families. The fresh grouper sandwich and view from the rooftop bar are legendary. 809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach (727) 360-9558; thehurricane.com $$

American/Fine

Parkshore Grill - Top-notch Beach Drive dining from fresh seafood to steaks, pasta and salads. Lunch, dinner and brunch served Saturdays and Sunday until 3 pm. Chef Tyson Grant is committed to serving local and sustainable meats and seafood and locally grown organic produce. 300 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-9463; parkshoregrill.com $$$

Rococo Steak - Fine dining in a sophisticated steakhouse with Executive Chef Jordan Buendia offering a chic twist on classic fare. Outstanding wine selection and service 655 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 822-0999; rococosteak.com $$$$

Sonata at The Mahaffey - The dramatic new restaurant at The Mahaffey Theater is a place to impress, with diners treated to a beautiful waterfront view, stunning artwork, and a curated menu of coastal cuisine rooted in Southern tradition with

creative flair. House specialties include Pork Osso Bucco Bourguignon, Baked Oysters Bienville and Crab Stuffed Lobster Tail. Chop house favorites include Wagyu Tenderloin and a Tomahawk Ribeye for Two. Dinner hours only, with lunch and brunch expected to be added later this year. 400 First St. N, St. Petersburg (727) 892-5857 $$$$

Brick & Mortar - Rustic-chic dining in an intimate atmosphere, local foodies gravitate here for healthy American fare that changes seasonally. Dinner only. 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 822-6540 $$$

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse - Upscale steakhouse overlooking the Sundial courtyard in the heart of downtown, Ruth’s Chris is a respected chain with a dedicated following who come for dependable steaks, chops and seafood specialties. 131 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 821-4139; ruthschris.com $$$

Urban Stillhouse - Bourbon lovers will be in heaven and everyone else will be in awe at this rustic yet sophisticated distillery in the Warehouse Arts District featuring Chef Kenny Tufo’s renowned American modern cuisine. Dinner only Thursday through Saturday, brunch Sunday 11 to 4; reservations a must. . 2232 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 440-8040; theurbanstillhouse.com $$$$

The Library - Tucked away in Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital with a distinguished English library setting, The Library is just the ticket for a quiet lunch or dinner or even a romantic night out. The

creative menu is overflowing with healthy options such as Osso Bucco Risotto and Squid Ink Pasta with Blackened Shrimp. 600 5th St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 369-9969; thelibrarystpete.com $$$

Birch & Vine - Located in Beach Drive’s Birchwood Hotel, this fine dining spot is helmed by Executive Chef Lee Aquino, known for his unique and globally inspired dishes featuring seasonal, organic and locally sourced foods. 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 896-1080; thebirchwood.com/birchandvine $$$

Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria - Charming winecentric dining with a top-notch curated menu of seafood, pasta and meats in a lively block of Central Avenue downtown. 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 827-7896; sauvignonstpete.com $$$

The Dewey at Berkeley Beach Club - Sophisticated yet casual dining in Pass-AGrille with a curated menu of reimagined beach cuisine, outstanding wine and craft cocktails. Downstairs is the main dining area; but for the ultimate sunset views head to the rooftop bar for an expansive oyster menu and selection of appetizers. 109 8th Avenue, St. Pete Beach (727) 228-1000; berkeleybeachclub.com $$$$

Castile Restaurant - Hotel Zamora’s elegant restaurant stylishly prepares a curated menu of New American cuisine including tapas, Spanish and Mediterranean specialties, steak and seafood. Select from indoor or outdoor seating with a view of the intracoastal; lunch and dinner. 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 456-8660 $$$

Grace - Upscale yet laid-back, this intimate dining spot offers modern American and Mediterranean cuisine, wine, and cocktails

in the heart of Passe-A-Grille. Stop in for happy hour from 4 to 6 pm or treat yourself to a curated dining menu that runs the gamut from seafood and salads to pasta and steak. 120 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach (727) 317-4770; gracestpete.com $$$

The Maritana - The Don Cesar’s longstanding Maritana was renovated a few years ago, offering a sophisticated and intimate fine-dining experience featuring modern Coastal cuisine sustainably sourced, and an extensive wine list. The perfect spot for late-night dessert and aperitif. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, dinner only (844) 338-1501, doncesar.com/ dining/maritana $$$$

Beau & Mo’s Chicago Style Steakhouse

- Although considered a Chicago-style steakhouse, this family run dining spot has consistently won accolades for traditional Italian specialties like Linguini and Clams and Chicken Marsala. Classy yet casual, a lively atmosphere perfect for groups and families. Dinner only. 2924 5th Ave.N., St. Petersburg (727) 771-3690 $$$

American/Casual

Ford’s Garage - Pull into this garage to find a fun 1920’s service station (don’t miss a stop in the restrooms) with a great selection of prime burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, mac n cheese dishes, and craft beers. Indoor or outdoor dining. 200 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727) 295-3673; fordsgarageusa.com $$

Stillwaters - Casual tavern and late-night hotspot on Beach Drive offers a variety of classic American fare from steak and shrimp to burgers and chicken; known for a selection of sausages made in-house. 224 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 350-1019; stillwaterstavern.com $$

The Hangar - Watch the runway action at Albert Whitted Airport in the heart of downtown at The Hangar, located on the second floor of the airport terminal. An extensive breakfast menu features traditional egg, waffle and pancake dishes and an omelette station. Main menu offers a diverse array of sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads, and sharable items including cheese fondue, wings, mussels, shrimp and nachos. Dinner entrees include a seared ribeye, grilled salmon, meatloaf, and wild mushroom ravioli. The

comfortable bar is one of the best in town for happy hour drink specials from 3 to 6 pm. 540 1st Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 823-7767; thehangarstpete.com $$

Social Roost - Aptly named for its inviting casual ambiance, the Roost specializes in globally inspired chicken dishes and craft cocktails. Everything is fresh and made from scratch, from chicken samosas to the Peruvian Chicken and Chicken Tangine. 150 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 202-6113; eatatsocialroost.com $$$

Datz - Hearty and even sinful comfort foods from loaded burgers and fried chicken to pancakes and nachos. Leave your diet at home for the Nashville Chicken Doughnut. Lively and casual indoor and outdoor dining and drinking. 180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 202-1182; datztampa.com/stpete $$

Asian/Fusion

Hawkers - Asian street food kicked up a notch with craft cocktails and a young vibe at a popular Grand Central hotspot. Small plates and bowls are perfect for sharing. 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 521-7235; eathawkers.com $$

Good Fortune - Trendy dining and highoctane night spot with top-notch AsianFusion cuisine and cocktails, Good Fortune replaces the former Ichicoro Ane below the Station House. Small sharable plates and bowls, an extensive sushi bar and a late night menu that brings out the bao combine for an adventurous evening out. 260 1st Avenue S. St. Petersburg (727) 287-3881; goodfortunestpete.com $$

Buya Ramen - Locals favorite for authentic Japanese tapas. Ramen bowls come with meat or soy-based broths, with crispy duck, braised short rib, pork belly or grilled

chicken. Seaweed salad, bao buns and vegetable gyoza are starters. 911 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 202-7010; buyarestaurants.com $$

Alesia - Fresh French and Vietnamese cuisine in a contemporary setting near the beaches. Salads, spring rolls and banh mi, pho bowls, curry and noodle dishes all lovingly made with fresh ingredients. 7204 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 345-9701; alesiarestaurant.com $$

La V - Healthy Vietnamese fusion café featuring a variety of entrees, salads, noodle bowls and stir frys. Some of the best pho in town, and a broad menu of boba tea. Wines and dessert make this a great place for lunch or dinner. 441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 820-3500; lavfusion.com $$

The Lemon Grass - Immense Asian tapas menu with sushi, rolls, Thai dishes, fried rice, noodles and much more. Popular for carryout via online ordering.

310 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 894-1111; lemongrasstapas.com $-$$

Ethnic/Global

Cassis - Combining traditional French and American influences for brunch, lunch and dinner, this European-style café is a favorite people-watching spot at sidewalk tables along Beach Drive. Carry-out French pastries and gourmet coffee and tea from the bakery. 170 Beach Dr., St. Petersburg (727) 827-2927, cassisstpete.com $$$

Lingr - Highly imaginative Nordic and Asian-inspired menu is reflective of Chef Jeffrey Jew’s heritage. The new eatery is making waves for fresh sustainable seafood with a contemporary flair. Dinner only.

400 6th Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 471-6120; lingrrestaurant.com $$$

Left Bank Bistro - Charming setting in the Crescent Lake community, Left Bank offers accessible French-style fare indoors or outdoors. A great late-night stop for dessert and coffee; the intimate bar presents jazz on Thursday evenings; brunch on weekends. 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 256-1691$$$

Baba - It’s hard to find more authentic Mediterranean cuisine than at this indooroutdoor casual dining spot in the heart of Kenwood. Be sure to visit the bakery for some goodies to take home. 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-3406; eatatbaba.com $$

Bin 6 South - This tiny wine cellar/ restaurant brings intimate dining to a new level with only one 6-top table and bar seating for a total of 12. Fine dining with a chef-driven global menu and sommelier service. Reservations a must; not for the shy. 330 6th Street S., St. Petersburg (727) 498-6735; bin6south.com $$$

Grand Hacienda - Festive atmosphere and a massive menu of authentic Mexican fare that includes vegetarian and glutenfree. Family friendly, there’s something for everyone including breakfast dishes and a Margarita happy hour Monday through Thursday. 399 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 256-9770; grandhaciendarestaurant.com $$

Ceviche - Since moving to modern new digs on Beach Drive, the Spanish tapasinspired menu maintains its authentic dishes and creative touches heavily leaning toward seafood and a Spanish-driven wine

selection. 10 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 209-2299; ceviche.com $$$

Red Mesa Cantina - Longtime fave for fans of fresh Mexican cuisine in a hip urban setting, come here to sit in the courtyard with a margarita or sangria and indulge in tacos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos and bowls. 128 3rd St. S., St. Petersburg (855) 265-0812; redmesacantina.com $$

Renzo’s - Argentinian steakhouse with extensive menu of Latin American charcuterie and tapas, grilled meats, prime seafood and traditional pasta dishes, wines and desserts. Casual and group friendly, indoor and outdoor dining. 104 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 851-9983 $$$

Red Mesa - Not to be confused with the Cantina, the original Red Mesa offers fresh Mexican fare with influences of South and Central America, the Caribbean and beyond. Entrees include Filet Mignon Chimichurri and Ginger Crusted Salmon. 4912 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727) 527-8728 $$$

Fado - Authentic Portuguese cuisine and wines heavily leaning toward seafood, meats and sausages in a modern setting. Love octopus? This is the place for you. 435 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 346-5389; fadofl.com $$$

The Pearl - Moving recently to Gulfport from its longtime location on Treasure Island, the Mediterranean/Moroccan fine dining restaurant with chef/owner Karim Chiadmi at the helm offers a wide variety from steaks and seafood, pastas, veal and lamb. Dinner only from Tuesday through Saturday. 5802 28th Avenue S., Gulfport (727) 360-9151; thepearlfinedining.com $$$

Allelo - Sophisticated MediterraneanAegean theme restaurant specializes in seafood, pastas, and sharable appetizer plates and charcuterie boards. An extensive wine list and curated cocktails offer a perfect sip at the elegant marble

bar inside or on the patio facing the downtown waterfront. 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg; (727) 851-9582; allelostpete.com $$$$

Fortu - A Pan-Asian steakhouse in the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel offers elevated dining influenced by Japan, China, Korea and Vietnam, curated cocktail and saki menus, and an elegant atmosphere. Dinner only. 95 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg; forturestaurants.com $$$$

Concrete Jungle - Mexican food goes trendy in this tropical oasis that’s bright, airy and boisterous. Have a seat in the lush tropical dining room to order shared plates, flatbreads, burgers and salads and a shot from the specialty tequila and mezcal menu. 475 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 475-5440 $$

Italian

BellaBrava - Authentic Italian cuisine with urban flair, the New World trattoria is lively and fun with beloved pasta dishes, woodstone oven pizza and great people watching from the sidewalk patio. 204 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727) 895-5515; bellabrava.com $$$

Gratzzi Ristorante - Classic Italian cuisine in a warm, friendly environment. Choose from steak and seafood to traditional Italian favorites like Pork Ossobuco and Veal Saltimbocca. Known for their Cavatelli Bada Bing, pasta prepared tableside in a wheel of parmesan cheese. Dinner only. 211 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg (727) 623-9037; gratzzigrille.com $$$

Il Ritorno - When owner/executive chef David Benstock beat TV chef Bobby Flay in a May 2021 episode, seats at this intimate downtown eatery were hard to come by. It’s still a good idea to make a reservation to discover Benstock’s fresh, modern Italian cuisine that simply brims with love and creativity. Dinner only. 449 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 897-5900; ilritornodowntown.com $$$$

Taverna Costale - Coastal Italian dining from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani recently opened in the heart of downtown offers the perfect blend of a rustic Italian eatery, an energetic local tavern, and an upscale modern restaurant. Extensive wine list, craft cocktails and an indoor/ outdoor bar. Dinner only. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-3863; tavernacoastale.com $$$

Pia’s Trattoria and Pia’s Veranda – The Trattoria’s romantic indoor/outdoor dining rooms, excellent service and classic menu, make it one of the top Italian restaurants in the region. Favorites include a classic Beef Carpaccio from grass-fed cattle, Linguini Alla Vongole and Penne Quatro Formaggio al Forno. Across the street, a more casual sister location offers shady outdoor seating and live music daily. Both locations open at 4 pm. 3054/3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport (727) 327-2190; piastrattoria.com $$$

Bonu Taverna Italiana - Since opening in 2022, Bonu has developed a devout following who come to enjoy the fresh Italian cuisine and friendly service found in this trendy Central Avenue café. Grab a seat at the bar, outside patio or a table in the airy dining room. Specialties range from pizza “pinsas” and charcuterie to pasta, salads and soups. A weekend brunch brings out even more divine specialties.. 601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 623-4505; bonutaverna.online $$$

Healthy/Fusion

Craft Kafe - Popular downtown coffeeshop and café specializes in glutenfree artisan pastries, quiches, pizza, salads and soups. Sit on the patio and watch the world go by. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 256-8587; craftkafe.com $$

Cider Press Vegan Gastropub - A longtime locals favorite, Cider Press

presents a pub menu of vegan “imposters” from monstrous Beyond Beef burgers to Bang Bang “Shrimp,” Buffalo “Chicken” Mac & Cheese, and “Fish” and Chips. A sleek, modern interior, and a chic bar make this a place even meat eaters will love. 3118 3rd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727) 914-7222; ciderpresspub.com $$

Good Intentions - Creative vegan/ vegetarian eatery combines healthful entrees and appetizers with a solid wine list and craft cocktails. Come in for coffee and dessert to knock your socks off; brunch on Saturday and Sunday. 1900 1st Avenue S. St. Petersburg; (727) 280-6068; goodintentionsfl.com $$

Wild Child - Named the Best New Restaurant of 2022 by the Tampa Bay Times, this coral pink neighborhood bistro meets all the requirements with creative cuisine, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and tiki craft cocktails all meticulously prepared and served. Tuna tostadas, jerk octopus, Peruvian seafood chowder are menu highlights. Indoor/outdoor seating; dinner only but open 11 am Sunday for brunch. 2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727) 954-7425; wildchildstpete.com $$$

St. Petersburg

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Bayfront Health is now Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

A new name, for a new century of care. Three years ago, we welcomed Bayfront Health into the Orlando Health family of hospitals. Since that time, we’ve been making steady investments in Bayfront Health and the St. Petersburg community to improve the quality of care and your patient experience, with expanded services and access to more top specialists. And we are proud to add our name. Stay tuned for even more good news to come.