St. Pete Life Magazine May/June 2020 by St. Pete Life

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CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2020 l Volume 3 No. 6

14 28

34 56 48

50 10 - Project GOAT: Ready for Super Bowl LV

46 - People to Watch: Masha Osoianu

14 - MFA: Where The Bees Are

48 - A Time for Casual Fashion

28 - City Leaders Get Back to Business

50 - St. Pete Strong Stories

34 - I Miss Us, St. Pete Photo Essay

56 - The Healing Power of Pets and Music

38 - Creative Pinellas: Supporting Local Arts

59 - People to Watch: Mother Kombucha

St. Pete Life is a bi-monthly print and digital magazine distributed by mail to 20,000 of St. Petersburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most discriminating readers. To subscribe, go to stpetelifemag.com/subscribe. StPeteLifeMag.com / 260 1st Avenue S. Suite 200-151 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Adver tising: 813.447.9900 bdrake@stpetelifemag.com / Editorial: editor@stpetelifemag.com Facebook.com/StPeteLifeMag

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May/June 2020

AN EMERGENCY IS STILL AN EMERGENCY. EVEN DURING THIS EMERGENCY. Don’t hesitate when it comes to getting emergency treatment. Even during a pandemic, you still need to be treated immediately if you have an emergency. Debating whether or not to risk going to an emergency room during a heart attack, stroke or other health emergency—waiting even a few extra minutes—could be harmful. That’s why in all BayCare hospital emergency rooms, patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are screened and treated in a separate area. This helps keep emergency room patients and our team members safe. So if it’s an emergency, don’t wait. For more information: BayCareEmergencyCare.org

20-1123950-0520

WELCOME TO SPL It’s been several months since our world was turned upside down by the coronavirus and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Here in St. Pete, as elsewhere, our lives have been profoundly impacted. Through the physical, emotional and ﬁnancial challenges, there is one thing we have proven -- the saying “We Are All in This Together” could never be truer. It is clear that St. Pete residents, organizations, and businesses have shown remarkable kindness and compassion from the start. From volunteering for drive-through food distribution to transforming your workplace to meet local needs, to donating money and products and providing for furloughed employees, we have shown that we are St. Pete Strong. This issue is dedicated to you, St. Pete. While it would take volumes to acknowledge each and every one who performed an act of kindness in recent months, we are presenting a showcase of locals who in some way stepped up to the plate to help others. From making masks to delivering food to frontline workers, we oﬀer you our St. Pete Strong stories, including a beautiful photo essay by photographer Sandra Dohnert entitled “I Miss Us, St. Pete.”

Our St. Pete Strong issue would not be complete without a look at two city leaders: Mayor Rick Kriseman and St. Petersburg Chamber president Chris Steinocher. Our story follows the timeline of how both jumped into action from the start, with a focus on supporting the backbone of the city – our small businesses. With the strong support of city and chamber team members and many partner . Pe te Stro organizations and an advisory board of experts, their eﬀorts to support small businesses has been nothing short of amazing.

We also wanted to offer some diversion from the pandemic, so check out our interesting features. We love the story of businessman Rob Canton and his Project GOAT, which aims to raise money for trafficked individuals. And our story on the pet and music therapy programs at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is sure to bring a smile to your face. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, St. Pete. It’s good to be back. Want SPL delivered directly to your home or office? There is an easy way to subscribe by simply going to www.stpetelifemag/subscribe. You don’t need a PayPal account.

bdrake�stpetelifemag.com Publisher

StPeteLifeMag.com

May/June 2020

Dorian Photography

Valerie Bogle

Beth Ann Drake

Marcia Biggs

editor@stpetelifemag.com Editor

PUBLISHER/CEO Beth Ann Drake EDITOR Marcia Biggs ART DIRECTOR Alicia Brown ADVERTISING Michelle Boudreau Vice President of Marketing Ed Barry Ad Director Betsy Phillips Senior Account Executive Debbie Radsick Account Executive CONTRIBUTORS Megan Simons Women’s Fashion Cindy Stovall Arts Writer Will Howard The Wine Cellar Brad Husted/Phoenix Marketing Kayla Gleason Contributors CO-FOUNDER/BUSINESS MANAGER Ralph Zuckerman On the Cover: Mayor Rick Kriseman and St. Pete Chamber president Chris Steinocher have been a dynamic duo during the COVID-19 crisis. Photo by: Steven Le Thee Photo Ninja

Denise Antonewitz Home Team & Taralon Homes Present Custom Built Homes Taking Luxury Living To A New Level For Sale

801 34th Ave North St. Petersburg, FL 33704 Allendale Terrace For Sale $906,413 4 Bedrooms •3 Bathrooms 2672 Square Feet • 2 Car Garage Gorgeous single-story luxury home to be completed this summer!

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Scott Kirchner 813.476.3001 •scottkirchner@taralonhomes.com Mike Bartoletta 813.997.3456 • mikebartoletta@taralonhomes.com

820 35th Ave North St. Petersburg, FL 33704

Allendale Terrace Sold $947,051 3 Bedrooms • 3 1/2 Bathrooms 2703 Square Feet • 2 Car Garage

Denise Antonewitz Home Team and Taralon Homes are both practicing safe measures and following local and CDC guidelines to assure you have a safe and successful real estate experience. We will get through this together!

Top 1% of Realtors® In Pinellas County

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SPL LIVING

Zen Minded Real Estate Meet Jenn Davida, Realtor and Certiﬁed Yoga Trainer PHOTO/JOE SALE

Pre-pandemic, we planned to introduce you to Jenn and her strategies that have brought success to her clients. Before the “Safe-at-Home” order, the focus was relationship building, staging strategies, and marketing plans. Considering everything our world, country and community has gone through, she instead felt compelled to share an untraditional business tool. Something that has benefited her in all areas of life, including real estate, with the ability to handle anything in a Zen-like manner – her meditation practice. For over a decade, Jenn’s regimen has resulted in reduced anxiety, sharper focus, and overall calm. As a 500-hour certified yoga trainer, meditation combined with yoga has been part of her personal and professional journey. In her words, “It has helped my career flourish because it increases my patience, my compassion, builds inner strength, and fosters resilience.”

StPeteLifeMag.com

May/June 2020

Meditation, a daily ritual for many highly successful people such as Oprah Winfrey, Rupert Murdoch, Will Smith, Lebron James, Deepak Chopra, Ellen Degeneres and Tiger Woods, to name a few, has gained attention over the last decade finding itself in the spotlight due to its beneficial aspects with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It has been shown to lower stress and can help us better connect with others. According to Jenn, “It is a wonderful tool to navigate through unprecedented times such as now.” It does not have to be a lengthy meditation; five to fifteen minutes a day can do wonders. You can do it anywhere, sitting, or lying down. You can choose to listen to a guided mediation or sit in silence. You can repeat affirmations or just concentrate on your breath, or sounds of nature. There is an abundance of ways on “how” to mediate available at your fingertips through sources like YouTube, phone apps (Insight Timer, Calm, Head space) and

SPL LIVING

The goal of meditation is to take 12:48 5/7/19 PM 12:48 PM time for yourself, breathe, release tension which has built up in your body and quiet the mind. In silencing the mind, you can achieve a heightened sense of awareness which in turn helps to see things as they are, and not as we “think” they are. Small steps are the beginning of all great changes.

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For Jenn, meditation and yoga relate to personal well-being as well as business. “In real estate, as is true in life, sometimes you receive news that knocks you oﬀ guard and changes everything you had planned. We may not have a choice in the matter at hand, but we have a choice in how we react and handle the situation. For me, I aim to calmly take in all the information, do the research, ask questions, follow guidelines with integrity and pivot quickly for success. I want the same for you.”

PHOTO/JOE SALE

of course, our local studios that hopefully will open in a relatively short time.

uture Future Future iewsviews views waitawait await ou...you... you... Jenn Davida helped us buy our condo at

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ONE. She was extremely knowledgeable about the area, neighborhood and each condominium showing. She is professional and stays involved through the entire process. She went above and beyond my expectations and continues to follow up after we closed! I would highly recommend her!

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PHOTO/TONY TOWNSEND

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ADVERTORIAL May/June 2020

StPeteLifeMag.com

ARTS & CULTURE

Project GOAT A retired executive takes on the challenge of his life PHOTOS /MARCIA BIGGS

Rob Canton guards over his herd of painted and decorated goats as they await their debut at the Tampa Super Bowl. BY MARCIA BIGGS On a bright Sunday morning, Macy Higgins pulls up to the Grady Goat Farm in Thonotosassa with a painted goat in the bed of her pickup. The goat’s not real, mind you, but is a larger-than-life model that’s aiming to get in the barn with the other 45 or so painted goats—a “herd” soon to grow to 55. You can say she is looking for her tribe … and she has found it. Inside the big barn are rows upon rows of goats in waiting. But nary a bleat echoes forth. These goats, all painted and adorned in anticipation of what appears to be a barnstorming costume party, silently await their destiny. Next February, they will be auctioned off during Super Bowl LV (55) in Tampa. Some 55 artists, mostly from across Tampa Bay, volunteered to paint these beauties, in support of Project GOAT and the fight against human trafficking. This hideous

StPeteLifeMag.com

May/June 2020

practice is the illegal transporting of people for purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation. The pop art goat of emerging artist Macy Higgins is dreamy and colorful in shades of pink and blue, covered in stars and cacti, floating citrus and clouds where female figures recline, they have daisies for faces. Every image has a meaning. “I wanted my goat to focus on the young victims and survivors of sex trafficking,” she says. “She (the goat is female) is an oasis, a refuge. The clouds represent peace and dreams for the future, the daisies are innocence. The citrus means new life and freshness.” Higgins even added an udder in paper maché to make sure the goat was female.

ARTS & CULTURE The GOAT Project Begins After 30 years in the corporate world (PricewaterhouseCoopers and Tampa Bay Lightning primarily), Rob Canton and his wife Debbie were ready for greener pastures. They moved out to Thonotosassa and started a goat farm. But they wanted to do something more than raise goats, they wanted to help the less fortunate, in particular disadvantaged children. The Cantons created the Grady Goat Foundation named after a young blind and deaf goat on the farm, and with Debbie by his side, started raising funds for various charities. They purchased a van to transport their critters to places like the Ronald McDonald House where kids got to be with kids. Rob had heard about goat yoga and he and Debbie decided to give it a try. Despite the location, they now get people from across the state who come to the farm to do cats, cows and down-dogs with goats every every weekend. Social distancing is practiced so classes fill quickly. Around November of 2018, Rob got the idea for a goat-focused public art project for charity, but Project GOAT itself, which stands for Global Offensive Against Trafficking, wasn’t formalized until March of 2019. “I read a blog post by Bill Gates about how goats are empowering women in the poorest parts of India,” he said. “India is known as a top location in the world for human trafficking, mainly labor but sex trafficking, as well. Goats

there give these otherwise destitute women and their families a means to make a living through goat products like meat, cheese and milk, and also careers as caretakers for the 150 million goats living in that country. I had an epiphany. I wanted to combine our love for goats and the arts to spread awareness about this terrible crime taking place across the globe.” Canton had seen the attention given to painted dolphins, manatees, pigs and elephants in other cities, so why not goats, he thought. He started making calls and he and Debbie raised $100,000 in funding through Grady Goat Foundation’s charity goat yoga classes to get the project oﬀ the ground. He commissioned artist Scott Joseph Moore of Moore Art Expressions in St. Petersburg to design and cast the 80-pound sculptures on bases. Once word got out in his circle of friends and business associates, the calls started coming in. Rob invited both prominent and emerging artists across Tampa Bay to paint goats. He was blown away by the response. Goats of a Different Color The goats are as varied as the 55 artists who painted them. Some are hauntingly surreal with messages of human bondage; others are colorful and gay. There are biker goats, pirate goats, a New York Yankees goat and even a Jimmy Buﬀet goat. Top artists include nationally renowned St. Pete muralists BASK and Bekky Beukes,

Renowned architect and St. Pete resident Yann Weymouth contributed a goat.

Sponsor a Goat

Canton has already gained signiﬁcant support from organizations and individuals like Candy DeBartolo (wife of former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.), Epicurean Hotel, Reeves Import Motor Cars, Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding Centers, Sun Toyota Collision Center and Yann & Susana Weymouth. Sponsoring a goat (which ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 each) allows you to display that goat in your place of business or other location throughout 2020, and your sponsorship dollars are also credited towards the ﬁnal auction price. Information on Project GOAT, sponsorships, and other details may be found at www.peacelovegoats.org. PHOTOS /MARCIA BIGGS

Left, artist Macy Higgins drops oﬀ her goat at the farm. Right, artist Dee Perconti’s goat represents traﬃcked children and Rapha House.

May/June 2020

StPeteLifeMag.com

ARTS & CULTURE metal artist Frank Strunk III, and even architect Yann Weymouth. Yes, that Yann Weymouth who designed the Dali Museum and the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. Project GOAT is particularly meaningful to St. Pete multimedia artist Dee Perconti. She is on the board of Rapha International, a nonprofit committed to ending the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. The organization, based in Joplin, MO, rescues and rehabilitates children in Cambodia, Thailand and Haiti by building and operating safe houses and providing schooling, counseling and skills training for children who have lost their childhood. When Rob Canton heard of her mission, he contacted Perconti about painting a goat for exploited children. She jumped at the chance. “My goat’s name is Rapha, which means ‘healing’ and is filled with meaning,” she said. “I wanted to show how young these children are and to put faces to this horrific crime.” The base is covered in photos of actual trafficked children. South African artist Bekky Beukes is in demand around the world for her murals and paintings of ethereal female figures. Now living in Tampa Bay, Beukes said she felt privileged to be invited to paint for Canton’s cause and her own – female empowerment. She dived into researching her subject through news articles. Her goat focuses on the missing and murdered indigenous women in North America. “I was impacted by the sorrow of those left behind,” she relates. “It’s not only the Native American women that suffer, the fathers, brothers and sons shared accounts of their torment and madness … the pain of this injustice belongs to us all.”

Artist Bekky Beukes painted a goat with Native American symbols.

StPeteLifeMag.com

May/June 2020

Her goat is covered in traditional symbols representing Native American culture. “Every symbol has a meaning and these symbols expose the heart of this nation. I believe education can be a very unifying force, it allows us to witness ourselves in others, despite our differences.” Goats on the Go The last weekend in February, the painted goats made their official debut at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in downtown Tampa. They will be making three or four appearances in Tampa and St. Pete during the year leading up to Super Bowl LV in February 2021, says Canton, including during St. Pete’s Shine Mural Festival in October. If things work out as planned, Canton’s going to take the goats on the road, so to speak. The 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles might be just the ticket to share the Project GOAT message again—this time with 56 goats. “Why the Super Bowl?” Rob asks. “It’s an event that creates demand for human trafficking. This happens at other major events like the Daytona 500, Kentucky Derby, Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas and so many others, but the Super Bowl is the biggest and just so happens to be coming to Tampa Bay in less than a year.” Says Dee Perconti of Rapha International: “This just gives me hope. Because sometimes things seem insurmountable, but it’s true that one person can start a fire.” To keep up with the latest news on Project GOAT, check out peacelovegoats.org

SPL HEALTH

Keeping Your Immunity Strong

Keeping Your Immunity

Dr. Elvira Wright, sheds light on immunity and practical ways for us to keep our immunity strong during this time.

Dr. Elvira Wright, sheds light on immunity and prac to keep our immunity strong during this time.

Before Covid-19 there was Sars, Mers & H1N1. To many people it appears these are all from the same family & the best way to combat them is to hae a strong immune system. What’s your take on this & is a strong immune system the answer to most health crises? Human coronaviruses were discovered in the late 1960’s. They probably existed before, but we just did not have enough advanced labs to test for it.

Before Covid-19 there was Sars, Mers & H1N1. T it appears these are all from the same family & t Limited Time Pre-Sale combat them is toOffer! hae a strong immune system take on this & is a strong immune system the an Recharge and Renew Package health crises? Human coronaviruses were discove 1960’s. They probably existed before, but we just d enough advanced labs to test for it.

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pans of or dress sizes,parasites, works in bacteria WeReduce live in a2-8 “soup” microbes, stretch marks, love handles, cellulite, fungi every day. Our immune system spot is perfectly e reduction, improve all of these invaders andimmune protectsystem. us. Unfortunately choices constantly challenge it to the point that it 6 Rejuvenation anymore and we get sick. LED Bed

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What the best way to boost and one’s immune sys Boostisimmune system, collagen elastin reduce inﬂthat ammation, Weproduction, have to remember 80% ofimprove our immune sy wound healing, diminish appearance the gut. Poor digestion is a huge contributor to low existing scars, increase inﬂammatory foodhelp richtomacro andNitric micronutrient is productionresponse. which is antioxidant, vital to Oxide build immune element for blood pressure regulation.

Eat from the “rainbow” – all colors of vegetables, fruits, and berries since every color represents diﬀerent phytonutrient content and vitamins. Try to eat organic (at least buy organic what is on “dirty dozen” list). Avoid processed foods and corn syrup (hiding as fructose or glucose – main reason of fatty liver disease).

Eat from the “rainbow” – all colors of vegetables, f 18 Total Body Vibration since every color represents different phytonutrien vitamins. Try toTreatments eat organic (at least buy organic w dozen” list). processed foodsfrom and corn syrup Helps toAvoid drain lymphatic system fructose or glucose – main reason of fatty liver dise toxins, burn adipose tissues, improve circulation and flexibility, build muscles. Daily sleep is essential for a long and healthy life, a amount of hours may differ from person to person Relaxing Sessions in Zero Gravitymen gett average). Studies show that on average, Message Chair with LED Facial hours of sleep (even for one night) can lead to drop

Daily sleep is essential for a long and healthy life, although the amount of hours may diﬀer from person to person (6-9 hours on average). Studies show that on average, men getting less than 5 hours of sleep (even for one night) can lead to drops in testosterone. Women usually need more hours than men to feel recharged. Most important is that growth hormones, stem cell production, DNA repair and restoration, detox and healing happen between 10pm until 4 am due to the Circadian Cycle every cell lives by. What other processes exist out there to build & maintain a strong immune system? Exercise produces Glutathione – a master Antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress which is one of the reasons we’re aging and our immune systems are getting weaker. Foods that boost glutathione production are asparagus, peppers, avocados, squash, spinach, melon, cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts etc. Vitamin D is crucial not only for bones, but also for immune systems. Scientiﬁc research extensively shows that LED light therapy boosts immune system as well. ADVERTORIAL

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Vitamin D is crucial bones, Usual cost of the program: $2400. Until July 1st we are offering deepbut also for Scientiﬁc research discount. This package only cost $1350. We offer ﬁnancing options. shows that LED ligh 2745 State Road 580, Ste 101, Clearwater, Floridaimmune 33761 system as 727-250-5590 || www.WrightAesthetics.com

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SPL LIFE

Un-BEE-lievable Honeybees on the MFA rooftop create a sweet buzz PHOTO/ALLISON LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY AND NOBLE NECTAR APIARIES

BY MARCIA BIGGS

While the world quarantines at home, the rooftop of the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts never stops buzzing. Nondescript white hive boxes attract over 100,000 honeybees frantically going about their daily deeds of gathering nectar from urban gardens and parks around downtown St. Pete. Upon returning, they deposit the sweet liquid and cap each cell with wax. Some bees attend to the queen bee, others guard the larvae or perform cleanup duties. It’s the never-ending cycle of the secret life of bees. Installing honeybee hives on the museum rooftop seemed like a natural thing to do, says Julie Wilson, the director of marketing and communications. She credits executive director Kristen Shepherd

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May/June 2020

with bringing the idea with her from Los Angeles when she took over her post three and a half years ago. “It was a goal that she had when she arrived. We have such an abundance of ﬂowering plants here, and Pinellas County is known to have more urban beekeepers than anywhere else in the country, so it just seemed like the right thing to do,” said Wilson. While visitors won’t be able to get up close with the hives, a few hives can be viewed from the catwalk inside the museum. “Our intention is really to help the community around downtown in terms of pollination - we are surrounded by parks and yard gardens - and we wanted to help people understand that they should not be afraid

SPL LIFE of bees. They help our ecosystem and they help everyone.” As both a virtual educational outing and a fun diversion during the time of Covid-19, the museum asked beekeepers Matt and Allison Davis of Noble Nectar Apiaries to present a 40-minute “show and tell” atop the roof. Fully regaled in spacesuit-like jumpsuits, gloves and net headgear, the couple introduced the Facebook Live audience to the museum’s bee colonies, explaining in detail the process of honey-making, the importance of bees in our urban setting, and various often astounding bee fun facts. The video (recorded on Allison’s mobile phone) was such a hit with homebound viewers that within 3 weeks it had captured over 5,300 views. Questions from the viewers: Isn’t it hot on the roof? How can the bees survive? Actually, full sun on the roof is not a problem. The bees can actually control the temperature in the hive year-round and 98 to 100 degrees is optimal. How many bees are there? Right now, we have 12 colonies on the roof of the museum. The average colony can be 10,000 to 60,000 bees.

How does honey differ? Honey differs depending on the flowers and geographic location of the hive. You can get completely different honey from yards 10 miles apart. Most of the honey you purchase in grocery stores is not raw, they can be blends with high fructose corn syrup. Be sure to purchase from local beekeepers to make sure you are getting real raw honey. How long will honey last? Honey does not go bad. Some found in Egyptian tombs is still edible. If it crystalizes just warm it up by setting in a warm window or water. Want some MFA honey? Last year, the first batch of honey from the museum hives was harvested, bottled and sold via the museum store. The next batch will most likely be ready in July or August, Wilson said. Watch the museum’s social media to keep updated or order in advance through the museum’s store web site at mfastpete.org/mfa-store/ (the honey is raw and unfiltered). To see the rooftop video, go to the Facebook page @noblenectarapiaries and look under the Videos link.

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SPL NEWS

Are You Prepared for Summer? Due to drought conditions, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD), which includes St. Pete, has declared a water shortage and the need for water conservation measures through July 1 (unless extended or modified). Through the city’s Sensible Sprinkling Program, residents can receive a free sprinkler system evaluation, sprinkler layout drawing, rain sensor installation (if one isn’t currently used), automatic shutoff hose nozzle and water conservation tips. To learn about current water restrictions, including lawn watering and the Sensible Sprinkling Program, go to stpete.org/water Tampa Bay Water, SWFMD and Pinellas County are partnering on a water conservation program, too. Tampa Bay Water Wise offers rebates to residents and commercial property owners who take proactive steps to reduce water use and demand on the region’s water supply. Residents and business owners in St. Petersburg may qualify for rebates and can check their rebate eligibility at TampaBayWaterWise.org. Residential property owners can qualify for rebates ranging from $100 for toilet replacements up to $250 for smart irrigation controllers. June 1 officially marks the start of Florida’s storm season – are you ready? First, be sure you are signed up to receive emergency notifications from Pinellas County Emergency Management. Sign up for Alert Pinellas, which will send out urgent messages on a variety of situations, such as severe weather, boil water notices, gas leaks, flooding events and evacuations. This includes texts or phone calls and emails (you select which), sent directly to you. To sign up, go to pinellascounty. org/alertpinellas. To find Surviving the Storm information including county evacuation zones and maps, preparedness checklists, shelters for special needs and pets, and where to find recovery assistance, go to pinellascounty. org/emergency St. Pete has its own alert system, Alert St. Pete. Sign up for notifications during emergency situations affecting city residents and businesses, including mandatory evacuations, hurricane information, flooding events and National Weather Service bulletins. Did you know there is an Evacuation Assistance Program for those with special

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May/June 2020

needs? To sign up for the alert, and find storm preparation tips, evacuation zones, and much more, go to stpete.org/emergency/ hurricane_center/ Skip the fertilizer Due to years of excess use, Pinellas County waters have received too much nitrogen and phosphorous, which can cause harmful algal blooms and kill marine life. A summer fertilizer ban is in effect during the summer rainy season June 1 - September 30. Residents should skip the fertilizer during this time. To learn more about Florida-Friendly landscaping, go to befloridian.org or visit PinellasCounty.org/Fertilizer. The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department is providing indoor conservation kits to water customers. Each kit includes a low-flow showerhead, toilet leak detection dye tabs, and faucet aerators for the kitchen and bathroom. To receive a free kit, St. Petersburg water customers should bring a utility bill to the Water Resources Department at 1650 Third Ave. N., Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

SPL NEWS

Grand Prix Back on Track If you missed the excitement of the postponed Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March, put away your hankies. The race has been rescheduled to come roaring back to the streets of downtown October 23-25 with the final race of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series on Sunday, Oct. 25. This will be the first time the St. Pete event will serve as the exciting series finale, as the race traditionally has kicked off the IndyCar season. “The City of St. Petersburg stands ready to welcome back the fans, drivers, teams, and sponsors in October,” said Mayor Rick Kriseman. “I want to thank our partners at Green Savoree Racing Promotions for believing in this race and giving the residents of the Sunshine City something to look forward to. I am confident that the race will

occur in a manner that puts public health at the forefront.” Previously purchased tickets will be valid on the corresponding days of the postponed event. Ticket purchasers on ﬁle will receive instructions via email. Additional event information and customer FAQs will be posted at gpstpete.com. Additionally, the MBA 5K Run on race track, originally set for Friday, March 13, is rescheduled to Friday, Oct. 23. Previously purchased registrations will be valid and honored on the new date. Additional information can be found at gpstpete5k. com. The rescheduled October event will be subject to the ongoing guidance and mandates of national, state and local authorities regarding public gatherings.

The sorely neglected State Theatre at 687 Central Avenue is being re-born as the Floridian Social Club, with a multimillion dollar renovation that promises to transform it into the city’s premiere concert and social venue. New owner Kevin Chadwick is in the midst of renovating and restoring the landmark 1924 bank building into a state-of-the-art auditorium for concerts and performing arts, with a luxe cocktail lounge. There’s no opening date for the venue but Chadwick is hoping for this summer. Look for the new digital marquee recently installed on the storefront.

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DINING OUT

Wine Therapy When times get tough, wine can sooth the soul BY WILL HOWARD On March 20, 2020, the hospitality industry and thus the experience of discovering a great bottle of wine at a restaurant changed in Florida. For the last few months, I’ve been gathering a list of wines that I’ve been itching to share with people. In one way or another, these wines have helped me personally or our industry as a whole cope with the pandemic, isolation, and maintaining some sense of normalcy. I want to start with a bottle that I had tried just before the shutdown and haven’t had the opportunity to share with anyone yet, Walter Scott Chardonnay. About a week before the shutdown a fellow wine professional was having a going away party. There was a small group of wine lovers pulling out all the stops and bringing in their best bottles that don’t often come out of the cellar. The lineup included: 2000 Rabaja Barbaresco Reserva, 2013 Soliste Pinot Noir, 2011 Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay, Domaine Marquis d’Angerville 1er Cru Volnay, and 2007 Vallet Fréres Grand Cru BatardMontrachet. This is a very geeky round of wines, so when a bottle of Walter Scott Chardonnay was thrown in the mix it was no surprise that I had no idea what I was drinking. The wine ﬁt right in with the other great chardonnays on the table. I found myself still thinking about this wine weeks later. Unfortunately, they have not broken into the Florida market just yet. Kudos After weeks of take-out orders only and rarely getting to talk about wine with guests, the shutdown was taking its toll on my spirit. And then Belle Glos and Duckhorn Vineyards stepped up to support the restaurant industry in a big way. When I called these wineries with an idea to pair their wines with meal kits being prepared for takeout by Rococo Steak, they just wanted to know how they could help. They both donated wine, gifts, wine openers, and were oﬀering discounts on pricing. I can’t say enough great things about these wineries, not only because the wine is delicious, but because the people behind the wines were there for us when we needed them. Belle Glos is made by Joe Wagner, son of the famous Napa Valley winemaker Chuck Wagner. Pinot noir is Joe Wagner’s grape of

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choice and at Belle Glos he makes three outstanding single vineyard pinot noirs: Las Alturas, Dairyman, and Clark & Telephone. I find these pinot noirs to be comforting and uplifting like a sunny day in St. Petersburg or Mom’s cooking. Each vineyard is located in a distinct region for California pinot noir including Santa Lucia Highlands, Russian River Valley, and Santa Maria Valley. Duckhorn Vineyards creates the most consistently excellent cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley, but in addition to their Napa cabernet, they have vineyards throughout California and now in Washington, as well. The quality is incredible regardless of whether we’re talking about Canvasback cabernet sauvignon from Red Mountain, Goldeneye pinot noir from Anderson Valley, or Duckhorn Vineyards cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley. Each of the Duckhorn family of wines have their own identity, but share the common goal of expressing the best quality wine possible no matter what it takes. You won’t be disappointed in these: 2018 Walter Scott Chardonnay, La Combe Verte, Willamette Valley - An illuminating style of chardonnay, showcasing density and precision. The palate spotlights evolving layers of textures which follow the aromatic notes of lemon blossoms, with the finish offering a subtle mineral and saline character. 2018 Belle Glos Pinot Noir, Las Alturas, Santa Lucia Highlands - Deep garnet in color with an aromatic medley of black cherry, marionberry, ripe plum and a hint of anise. Dark fruit on the palate with flavors of wild berries, caramelized oak and cacao nibs complemented by subtle notes of vanilla, cedar and a hint of lavender and forest floor. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Lush, energetic and intense, this gorgeous cabernet begins with aromas of blackberry, huckleberry and chocolate, as well as hints of mint, cardamom, clove and graham cracker. On the palate it displays lovely brightness, with firm, resolved tannins framing flavors of boysenberry and black currant. Will Howard is Sommelier at Rococo Steak in St. Petersburg.

SPL HEALTH McNulty Counseling and Wellness 111 2nd Ave NE, Suite 1007 St. Petersburg, Fl 33701 727-344-9867 • mcnultycounseling.com physical health. “It’s important to understand that no matter what you’re going through, change is always possible, even though it may not seem like it. Our goal is to treat the core of the issue and not just the symptoms. It’s our McNulty Mission to break the stigma about receiving mental health counseling by providing clients with the best psychotherapy and creating long-term, and most importantly, sustainable change to empower the people in our St. Petersburg community.”

Counseling Practice Spotlight Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg on the 10th floor of the Plaza Towers, you’ll find McNulty Counseling and Wellness, a family owned counseling and wellness center. Travis McNulty, the founder, has certainly found a niche with his team of expert licensed clinicians who are committed to inspiring hope and empowering change in individuals, couples, and families. A native to St. Petersburg and a graduate of FSU, Travis always envisioned his own private counseling practice and eventually enlisted his mother, Carolyn McNulty, also an esteemed counselor in the St. Petersburg community. “I’m passionate about helping people and I wanted to create a practice that offers the most effective and efficient counseling modalities that are based on decades of research. I’ve assembled our team so that no matter what your issue is, we have a therapist on staff who specializes in helping you with that problem.” McNulty said. “Our counselors operate from a holistic perspective to mental health. This means we’ll take a deep look into your family, friends, romantic relationship(s), work/life balance, sleep, diet, exercise, and much more to identify which areas are out of balance. We’ll also help you identify your triggers causing negative feedback cycles so that you’ll leave our office feeling like you’ve got someone who truly understands what you’re going through and a plan to get your life back to where it should be.” The therapists at McNulty Counseling and Wellness understand that life can be overwhelming and challenging and can often leave us feeling emotionally drained and physically exhausted. Eventually, anxiety and stress begin to impact not only family life and job performance but also friendships and

MCW counselors actively give back to our community. During Covid-19, they’ve oﬀered ﬁrst responders and health care providers free sessions, fed the homeless at St. Vincent De Paul, and partnered with the Homeless Empowerment Project. The clinicians at MCW specialize in anxiety, depression, divorce/separation, grief/trauma, parenting and co-parenting issues, gender identity, LGBTQ+, life transitions, and more. They have been featured on ABC Action news, Bloom, News Channel 8, NBC News, The Insider, and Bustle. You can catch them every Friday at 1pm on NBC’s Bloom for tips on managing mental health and living life to the fullest. For a full list of services please visit their website or give them a call.

Feeling Overwhelmed and Anxious? Having difﬁculty navigating through life? Feeling stuck?

We’re here to help!

Our Family owned Counseling and Wellness Center has a team of expert licensed clinicians who are committed to inspiring hope and empowering change in individuals, couples and families. Our therapists offer the most effective, research based, therapy modalities including Traditional Face to Face Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Teletherapy, Therapy in Motion (walk & talk), Art therapy, Mindfulness, and Holistic Therapy. Specializing In: Anxiety, Depression, Divorce/Separation, Grief/Trauma, Womenʼs Issues, Parenting and Co-Parenting, Gender Identity, LGBTQ+, and Life Transition.

727-344-9867 • www.mcnultycounseling.com 111 2nd Ave NE Suite 1007 • St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

May/June 2020

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DINING OUT Boneﬁsh Grill 5062 4th Street N. 2408 Tyrone Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL boneﬁshgrill.com

PHOTOS/BONEFISH GRILL

BY MARCIA BIGGS It seems just the mention of Bonefish Grill elicits nods of approval from anyone who has had the opportunity to dine there. Synonymous with fresh seafood, top-notch service and a laid-back atmosphere, Bonefish seems an appropriate choice no matter what the occasion. I have been to a number of Bonefish Grills and find the bar to be my comfort zone as a single diner. The St. Petersburg location on 4th Street North (there is also one on Tyrone Blvd.) always seems to be welcoming and a great place to stop after work. You can’t beat the happy hour menu which features a selection of $5 martinis and cocktails (Raspberry Vodka Collins, how I love thee) and $6 bar bites like wagyu beef or crispy cod sliders. But I digress on happy hours. The Bonefish story is a local success story that began in St. Petersburg 20 years ago when founders Tim Curci and Chris

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Parker opened the first restaurant just a few blocks north of the current Fourth Street location. It soon became part of the Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands empire (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s) and today there are 197 Bonefish Grill locations across the U.S., with 15 in the Tampa-St. Pete-Sarasota area. Bonefish Grill was recognized as one of the favorite restaurants in the nation by TripAdvisor for 2019, based on millions of reviews and opinions. What’s the key to Bonefish’s success? Certainly the emphasis on fresh everything, a moderately priced menu and magical sauces that accompany most dishes. Seafood, steaks and chicken are cooked over a wood-burning grill, which is key to tenderness and flavor, and served with a sauce such as mango salsa, lemon

DINING OUT butter, or chimichurri. In recent visits for dinner, it was easy to see why Bonefish has maintained its reputation as a rocksteady staple on the Tampa Bay dining scene. We relied on our well-versed server to guide us through the menu and help us make decisions. A decent selection of respected wines and handcrafted cocktails was our first conundrum which was easily put to rest. For entrees, our waiter suggested a succulent mahi mahi served with diced mango chutney, perfectly light and delightful. While the crispy Bang Bang Shrimp in signature spicy sauce is a must, we were in a crab cake frame of mind. One can always judge a seafood restaurant by its crab cakes, so when they arrived plump and flaky with hardly any filler and delicately golden brown, one bite was all it took to acknowledge that Bonefish continues to maintain its dominance as a seafood establishment par excellence.

From starters and salads, to tacos and bowls, and classics like shrimp and scallops, ﬁlet mignon and chicken marsala, there is something for every taste. For non-seafood eaters, our server recommended Lily’s Chicken which was an explosion of goat cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts and lemon basil on a tender chicken breast. Although a starter, the Ahi Tuna Sashimi was a meal in itself, delicately cooked to a rare pink with a tantalizing sauce. Don’t pass up the house specialty sides, like crispy brussels sprouts with bits of ham, or Applewood bacon mac and cheese. It’s nice that each menu item includes a calorie count, although I would reckon most diners come here to kick back, loosen their belts and forget their waistlines for a while. It’s hard not to oblige.

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ST. PETE STRONG You all make us proud to live in St. Pete. You all make us St. Pete Strong. It’s been a wild ride the last couple months in St. Pete and around the world. While fear, sorrow, impatience and even anger have gripped our city as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the best come out in most. Random acts of kindness. Compassion for the struggling. Comforting words and actions, and a willingness to spend your own savings to help your neighbors, your employees and people you don’t even know. We are an amazing community, St. Pete, and at no other time in history has this been so evident.

Donna and Edward Alex / Patriot Produce

It would be impossible to tell the stories of every individual, every business, every non-proﬁt, who contributed to the kindness train. From our medical personnel to our ﬁrst responders, our school teachers to our bus drivers, we salute each and every one of you. In this issue, we offer up just a few stories and a lot of kudos, for our local heroes who exemplify the compassion and strength of St. Pete. -Marcia Biggs, Editor

The Alexes have been supplying wholesale produce to hotels and restaurants for nearly 30 years. “We are a small business, just my husband, Edward, and three drivers,” says Donna. “When this hit and all the restaurants closed I did not want to lay off anyone.” One day as she was dropping off some fresh produce, a neighbor suggested that other neighbors might like the drop-offs, as well. After all, most folks were homebound and cooking every meal. Donna took the idea and ran with it. As word got around on social media, the calls started coming. After only two weeks, Patriot Produce had 20 recurring customers. Within a month, they had 200 home delivery clients. Customers choose from a veggie box ($25), fruit box ($25) or a combo box ($35). The variety varies depending on what’s available, says Donna. But all boxes are hand-picked and packed and full of color – everything from corn, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and lettuce to pineapple, mangoes, bananas, lemons and limes. The demand keeps the Alexes and their drivers busy. Edward will call in orders to their supplier, then they get up at 2am Monday through Saturday and head to Tampa Hillsborough Market where they purchase the wholesale produce which comes from local, national and international farmers. They divvy up the orders and the drivers, wearing masks and gloves, deliver to homes. For now, they deliver mainly near their Snell Isle home and around downtown St. Pete. Donna says she foresees demand continuing for home-delivered produce, even when the economic climate returns to normal. “It’s the way of the future now,” she says. To place an order with Patriot Produce, call (727) 224-4834.

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May/June 2020

ST. PETE STRONG Tony Mangiaﬁco / Gratzzi Italian Grille

Wendy Ohlendorf / Mask Maker PHOTO/LARRY BUSBY

Chef/owner Tony Mangiafico set his sights on helping unemployed hospitality workers from around St. Petersburg by providing free, carry-out lunches Monday through Friday for 8 weeks from his downtown restaurant. And we are not talking a sub and chips. How does Mojo Roasted Pork and Spanish Risotto sound? Or Penne Vodka, Meatballs and Pasta, or Veal Marsala? A team of dedicated volunteers manned the kitchen and front desk, preparing, bagging and delivering to frontline workers. Mangiafico funded much of the operation, but private and corporate donors also came through with gift cards and cash. When he finally threw in the napkin so he could open to the public on May 8, Tony had provided over 8,500 full meals to his fellow hospitality workers, plus other meals to frontline workers at St. Anthony Hospital , Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, and the city’s fire and rescue and police departments. Hats off to Chef Tony who was a top winner in the Evolve & Co. Local Heroes Contest.

When Wendy Ohlendorf (center) closed the door on her last night as owner of Vintage Small Bites and Wine Bar in Gulfport on March 16, she had to wonder what was next. The pandemic was just starting to rear its ugly head in the United States. An experienced seamstress and fashion designer, Ohlendorf had bins of leftover fabric and lots of time. An entrepreneur at heart, she sat down at her sewing machine and began making protective cloth face masks. It was just the beginning. Two months later, after working around the clock almost every day, Ohlendorf has sewn nearly 700 masks that have been picked up, delivered and shipped across Tampa Bay, Florida, and the United States. At ﬁrst she donated masks to ﬁrst responders and medical personnel and anyone with a compromised immune system. She sent a shipment to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, where she used to live. She has a large following of friends across the country on social media who ordered masks, and spread the word to their families and friends. She set up an ordering portal on the Gulfport Community Arts website. The orders poured in.

Locals have donated some fabric (she only accepts large pieces, no used clothing) and elastic banding, and she hired several helpers to cut fabric. Lately, she says ordering elastic can take up to a month to be delivered, the demand is so great. In mid-May, a slight lull allowed her to get some sleep, but she remains ever ready to fulﬁll orders should a second wave of COVID-19 strike. “Everyone needs to have a good face mask,” she insists.

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May/June 2020

“People all over the country were ordering masks for their entire families and all their friends.” Wendy Ohlendorf

“People all over the country were ordering masks for their entire families and all their friends,” she said. “It was nonstop, one day I had 200 orders come in. I would sew all day, make trips to the post ofﬁce and drop off masks in people’s mailboxes late at night.”

StPeteLifeMag.com

ST. PETE STRONG Nate Najar & Daniela Soledade / Friday Night Bossa Nova

A regular on the fundraiser/ house party/bar and restaurant scene, homegrown acoustic jazz guitarist Nate Najar in recent years has been drawing in steady audiences to cool-cat jazz nights at the Palladium Side Door, appearing in festivals, and performing at venues across the state and country. With a repertoire heavy into Latin music, it seemed like kismet when he met Brazilian songstress Daniela Soledade in November of 2018. They have been performing mostly bossa nova tunes together ever since. On March 20, just about the time bars and entertainment venues were shutting down due to COVID-19, Najar decided to hold a bossa nova concert on his downtown St. Pete balcony and stream it live. “That was the same night I had to cancel my bossa nova concert at the Palladium,” he recalls. “We thought why don’t we do something the same night for the audience that couldn’t go?” Najar set up a camera, some lights and announced on social media that the show would go on – on his balcony and on Facebook Live. With dusk settling over the St. Pete skyline, nervous residents went online to enjoy an evening of calming Latin jazz – and the plan was set in motion. Every Friday at 7:30 pm the duo performs

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There were a few technical glitches at the beginning, but Najar seems to have mastered the live broadcasts. It’s a calming, casual hour of happy hour music with a lovely downtown backdrop, although occasionally they perform with a few backup musicians at Studio@620. Najar does not ask for donations like most other musicians who are livestreaming these days. He feels he is giving back to the community that has supported him over the years. “There’s not a lot of opportunity to see live music now,” he says. “I want to spread some love, it’s good for our soul.” He says he and Daniela will continue to do live balcony concerts on Friday evenings until venues open up and they have weekend gigs. The concerts can be viewed on the Facebook pages for Nate Najar and Daniela Soledad, as well as on YouTube.

“I want to spread some love, it’s good for our soul.” Nate Najar

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live and free for the residents of St. Pete. The livestreams, titled “Love & Bossa Nova,” have drawn a steady audience, serving as a serene hour of relaxing vibes to kick off the weekend.

May/June 2020

ST. PETE STRONG

“Employees have donated their time on weekends and after regular working hours to manufacture over 2,000 face shields.” Emmanuel Cerf

Leigh and Mike Harting / 3 Daughters Brewing

Emmanuel Cerf/Polypack Inc. Face Shields

At ﬁrst they distributed to frontline workers in hospitals across Tampa Bay, assisted living facilities, ﬁre and police departments, and postal workers. Two partners helped raise $40,000 just for ingredients. They kept some employees on just to help with the production and distribution. “Drive-through” free distribution days for the local community were announced on social media. The response was steady.

When they posted on social media that they were distributing free hand sanitizer the next day to anybody stopping by, the response was overwhelming. “We got thousands of emails and comments and phone calls within a matter of hours,” she said. “We realized we needed to do this on a bigger scale and with a distribution process that would be responsible and safe.” They called off the giveaway and made the decision to go all-out and commit to producing as much hand sanitizer as possible.

Leigh was ﬁelding calls from across the country, large corporations and companies seeking hand sanitizer. “We were getting calls from Southwest Airlines, Walmart and UPS in Atlanta saying they would purchase as much as we could make,” says Leigh. “But we decided, sorry, this is about helping our community.”

As of mid-May, 3 Daughters has produced some 4,000 gallons of hand sanitizer in 10,000 containers of all sizes. “Sourcing plastic bottles has been a challenge. We were buying them in any size and shape we could ﬁnd,” said Leigh. “At one point we accepted 2,000 urine specimen cups from Johns Hopkins.”

Then in early May came the big shocker. Leigh was contacted by the “Kelly and Ryan” morning show on Fox about appearing in a segment honoring moms on a Mother’s Day show. With three daughters and a commitment to making hand sanitizer, they called her a local hero and presented her with a $5,000 award which she plans to distribute to the community.

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Go, team Polypack! May/June 2020

Emmanuel Cerf likes to solve problems, come up with solutions. His family owns Polypack, Inc., an industrial company that is a global leader in the packaging industry. Plastics is the name of the game at Polypack (as in shrink wrap), so when a shortage of face shields was announced, he jumped into action. “After hearing about the lack of personal protective equipment for ﬁrst responders, the Polypack team decided to design a face shield that could be manufactured with our available equipment and stocked materials,” he said in an email. “Polypack employees have donated their time on weekends and after regular working hours to manufacture over 2,000 face shields, all of which have been donated free of charge to ﬁrst responders in our community, nursing home workers in south Florida and even as far away as medical ICU professionals in New York.”

The owners of one of St. Pete’s favorite breweries knew they could contribute to the community shortly after the seriousness of the coronavirus became apparent in mid-March. “We realized we had a chemist and a lab and alcohol, so we quickly made a batch of hand sanitizer in 4-ounce bottles,” says Leigh Harting, who with husband Mike Harting, owns and manages the brewery operation with 57 employees.

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ST. PETE STRONG Bill Edwards /Meals on Wheels for Kids

“If we can’t put on shows, we should use it to help people.” Bill Edwards The lobby of Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater never looked quite like this on a Saturday morning. Tables piled high with packaged food, groceries and fresh produce, with masked and gloved volunteers bagging and boxing it all up in assembly line fashion. That Monday, three Pinellas County school buses pulled up and the meal boxes were loaded in. As the buses wound through St. Pete neighborhoods, the food was delivered to pre-assigned homes for children and families in need of nutritious food. This will be the scene every weekend throughout summer at Mahaffey Theater, as they join a number of other locations in Pinellas County to become a weekly meal packaging and distribution site for Meals on Wheels for Kids. The new campaign was developed through nonproﬁt Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger in response to COVID-19 school closures. Families with children and without transportation are the targeted recipients; they receive a week’s worth of food items. The program serves about 550 children or 25,000 meals per week. St. Pete businessman Bill Edwards, who manages the city-owned Mahaffey Theater, is known for his generosity when it comes to helping St. Petersburg kids. In April, The Edwards Family Foundation presented a contribution of $100,000 to help Meals on

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“We are proud to partner with the Network to End Hunger on COVID response in our community,” said Edwards via a press release. “If we can’t put on shows, we should use it to help people. No child should feel uncertain as to when their next meal may come. Meals On Wheels for Kids is doing an outstanding job combating that issue, but they cannot do so without the help of others.” “Bill wanted all of his community organizations to be involved, and we happily agreed to both provide manpower and our venue to stretch his ﬁnancial gift even farther,” said Amy Miller, who helms the Mahaffey staging site as president of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. Meal packing events take place each week at the following sites: TuesdaysClearview UMC (4515 38th Ave. N., St. Petersburg); Saturdays-Catherine Hickman Theater (5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport); Daystar Life Center (1055 28th St. S., St. Petersburg) and Duke Energy Center for the Arts/ Mahaffey Theater (400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg). Volunteers should visit networktoendhunger.org/volunteer to complete an application form.

Thank You St. Pete.

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Wheels for Kids pay for food.

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ST. PETE STRONG

St. Pete YMCA Steps Up reaching out to seniors who are even more isolated during this time. They oﬀer members virtual exercise classes, dance lessons, educational and ﬁtness resources for families and weekly newsletters.

By pivoting programming, collaborating with community partners, and transforming facilities, the Y is meeting essential needs. In addition to providing childcare for families, the Y is tutoring youth through a YMCA Reads! program and securing collaborative partnerships to provide food and address food insecurity.

To learn more about the work that the Y is doing in our community, or to make a gift to help support these eﬀorts - and more importantly, assist with community recovery - please visit www.stpeteymca.org.

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Beyond service to families, the Y is hosting blood drives and

The Y is grateful for support from Florida Blue, the United Way of the Suncoast, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Pinellas County and Lealman Exchange, Bank of America, Pinellas Community Foundation, Publix Charities, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund, TD Bank, the Francis and Gertrude Levett Foundation, and YMCA members and donors who have answered the call to help.

As the COVID-19 health crisis began to affect our community, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg quickly identified the need for safe, affordable childcare solutions. As the nation’s largest schoolage childcare provider, the Y transitioned facilities and staff to meet this urgent community need. Since March 23, the Y has provided weekly care for more than 200 children of workers from essential industries. Moving forward, the YMCA will continue to be a critical provider of childcare solutions for economic recovery.

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Mayor Rick Kriseman and Chamber president Chris Steinocher combine vision, straightforward planning, and a mutual respect as they work together on getting the city back to business as usual. Here’s a run-down of how it all came together.

BY MARCIA BIGGS It was March 12, the kickoﬀ of the highly anticipated Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the start of the IndyCar 2020 season with race fans and sponsors from across the country ﬂying in, teams setting up in the paddocks and press from around the world arriving. Downtown and all the way to the beaches, hotels, restaurants and businesses were anticipating the increase in visitors -- the city’s economic impact has been estimated to be near $40 million for the week surrounding the race.

But March 13, the race came to a screeching halt. That’s when the word “coronavirus” reared its ugly head with a sense of urgency never before seen. It wasn’t just the race that closed down. By the following Monday, it was clear that just about everything was shutting down. It was time for the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce to jump into action to act as a communication lifeline for the many .P ete Stro small city businesses.

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Working closely with Mayor Rick Kriseman’s office, Chamber president and CEO Chris Steinocher and his team launched a plan that would help local business owners through the crisis. He started issuing text alerts to chamber members, updating them on news and information coming from the mayor’s office. “The grand prix was the start of a new world order. Luckily we were prepared,” said Steinocher two months later. “We had a lot of entities aligned -- the Grow Smarter program was in place, the Greenhouse and EDC, the chamber board, the mayor’s team, we all came together.” Immediately, the chamber team got on the phone and called the chamber’s 1,200-plus members. “We wanted each of our businesses to know that they would be safe, we can help them get through this, relief efforts were coming.” Steinocher was invited by St. Pete Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton to co-host a series of streaming videos aimed at supporting the local business community. “Coronavirus Impact Insights” continues to stream weeknights,

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Making St. Pete Strong

ST. PETE STRONG 20 minute segments featuring different business and community leaders from around St. Pete discussing their survival challenges. (Check out stpetecatalyst.com to watch episodes.) At the same time, Mayor Kriseman established short weekly livestream “COVID-19 Updates” on the city’s Facebook page. The updates are continuing. Beginning with the current count of reported sicknesses and deaths, the mayor goes on to briefly address topics of concern to city residents and businesses such as executive orders, safety concerns, and how the city is working to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

As oﬀers of help started pouring in, a volunteer Business Resiliency Team (BRT) was established. Now in place, these “navigators” are business experts willing to consult for up to 90 days with small businesses free of charge on everything from crisis management and taxes, to setting up virtual meetings online. The BRT program is a partnership between Grow Smarter St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Greenhouse, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation and is primarily funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. “We soon realized the need to not only help our members, but all businesses in St. Pete,” Steinocher said. “We wanted to reach out to as many people as possible, be equitable, but we knew not everyone was online.” The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg was instrumental, he says, in helping to disseminate news and information to South St. Pete businesses. “For example, we printed ﬂyers on the business navigators and distributed them to businesses trying to reach as many people as possible.”

Fighting Chance Fund Mayor Kriseman knew the backbone of the city depended on small businesses. He established The Fighting Chance Fund on April 3 to provide emergency grants of $500 to $5,000 to support locally owned and independently operated small businesses and their employees. The fund is expected to provide support to about 1,000 restaurant, bar, retail, and service-based businesses and their more than 3,000 eligible employees. “We knew we had to do something for our business community and particularly small businesses,” said Mayor Kriseman. “The Fighting Chance Fund could happen quickly. We still had $6.8 million in state funding from Hurricane Irma, so we decided to move that into this fund. We expanded Phase 2 to include more businesses. We are hoping to include another phase that will be expanded to include even more businesses.”

Part of the Restart plan is a call for adhering to The St. Pete Way.

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Indeed, the online world quickly became the norm for connecting and disseminating information. The chamber started hosting virtual meetings, webinars and online town halls with myriad speakers who could oﬀer expert insight on navigating the crisis on everything from funding sources and medical facts to legal and ﬁnancial advice.

Restarting the St. Pete Way In late April, as Gov. DeSantis announced Phase 1 of a reopening plan for the state, Mayor Kriseman uncovered his Restart St. Pete initiative. He convened a city team and 17 advisors (including Steinocher) of the city’s top business, civic, medical, arts and academic leaders to help establish guidelines aimed at encouraging all residents, organizations and businesses to slowly and safely return to life.

In addition, federal, state and county loans and grant programs for small businesses were announced. Calls and emails poured in – what about unemployment claims, rent and utility payment relief, safety concerns. Confusion was mounting. It was not long before Steinocher realized the need for a continually updated COVID-19 Resource Guide on the chamber website.

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ST. PETE STRONG On the Chamber Facebook page, focus is given to businesses that reopen and commit to the St. Pete Way guidelines for keeping customers and employees safe such as practicing the 6-foot rule of social distancing, wearing masks, and following sanitizing guidelines. Business “Reopen Alerts” are posted nearly daily, with photos of local business owners holding posters proclaiming: “Open. the St. Pete Way” “In St. Pete we want to build a culture of being healthy, but also a culture of compassion,” said Mayor Kriseman. “Everybody is stressed and feeling pressure, so let’s all be a little more patient and aware and practice compassion. This is the St. Pete Way, the way we are as a community. It’s why companies choose to relocate here. They see our quality of life and the values of this community.” One tenant of the St. Pete Way is to support local makers and producers. “Remember there are a lot of artists in St. Pete selling masks,” adds Mayor Kriseman. “Let’s show oﬀ what an artistic city we are and wear one.” Both city leaders express gratitude for the support they have shared since March 13.

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“There are not many communities across the country that have the type of relationship that we have between the chamber and the mayor,” said Steinocher. “We are aligned on the same goals -safety is No. 1 and the St. Pete Way.”

“Restart St. Pete is all about the St. Pete Way,” explains Mayor Kriseman. “While we do get orders from state and county, we are St. Petersburg and we may do things diﬀerently … we look out for each other, we voluntarily want to do what’s best, we don’t need mandates. The St. Pete Way is washing your hands after you’ve been in a public place, it’s practicing social distance, but not socially distance. The St. Pete Way is keeping 6 feet apart and wearing a face mask that shows your respect for others.”

ST. PETE STRONG

Kudos Shout-outs to some of the many ‘Burgers who have stepped up to the plate during the Time of COVID-19. This list is far from complete. But you know who you are. Be proud. Localshops1 founder and president Ester Venouziou is known for pouring her heart and soul into supporting entrepreneurs. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, she launched an online marketplace, buylocaltampabay. com, to connect residents with goods from local makers and small businesses. LocalShops1 maintains the website, but does not take any cuts or listing fees. All locally-owned businesses can list and sell on the marketplace for free. Her new initiative, dubbed the “MillionDollar Mission,” aims to generate $1 million in sales. Merch ranges from coﬀee, honey and specialty foods, to hand sanitizers and artist-designed handmade face masks, paintings, jewelry, soy candles, soaps, and skin care products. Shop or join by going to buylocaltampabay.com

Facebook livestream classes. Namaste. Nardo’s Natural, locally based organic skin care and cosmetics company, donated over 1,000 units of hand sanitizer to health care workers.

Friends of Strays Safer At Home Fund provides assistance for those who are unable to care for their pets due to loss of income. Qualifying applicants receive vouchers to use at Operation SNIP & SPOT: Spay & Neuter, and Pet Food Warehouse. SPCA pet food bank taking food donations Pet Pal Animal Shelter.

Cheers to St. Pete Distillery and Kozuba & Sons, distilleries that came to the rescue by converting operations to hand sanitizers. St. Pete Distillery distributed some 100,000 bottles to the community including weekly giveaways with Feeding Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field. At Kozuba, where vodka, whiskey and liqueurs are usually on the bottling line, the full operation has been shifted to sanitizers, said team member Steve Riordan. “At first we were donating to first responders and essential workers – police, fire department, Ronald MacDonald House, CASA, the St. Pete Free Clinic,” he said. “Some donors stepped forward, too, like Jeff Fishman who paid for a shipment for Habitat for Humanity.” They are making the sanitizer according to World Health Organization guidelines, which requires 80 percent alcohol content, he added.

Sewing for St. Pete volunteers produced more than 10,000 masks for local health care workers. PARC’s Discovery Learning Center provided nearly 2,000 meals a week to children AND started a Positive Parenting Support Group, a virtual support group for parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities and/or behavioral challenges.

St. Pete-based Power Design purchased and distributed shipments of hand sanitizer from Kozuba & Sons for distribution to employees on construction sites around the country. SURGE Café at Power Design provided meals for three local Ronald McDonald Houses and St. Pete Police Department.

Jenny Miller and Katelyn Grady, the caring founders of Body Electric Yoga Company and Body Electric Athletic Company, and their instructors gave back to the community by oﬀering many free

Grassroots Kava and Pup Active hosted a Pet Food Pantry where donations of food and litter could be dropped oﬀ and picked up by

May/June 2020

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ST. PETE STRONG needy pet owners. St. Petersburg College’s Health Education Center (HEC) donated more than 26,000 medical supplies including gloves, gowns, goggles, masks, surgical caps, and disinfectant wipes to local hospitals. Various faculty members also are going the extra mile to replenish the supply of needed medical supplies by creating 3D printed face shields and masks.

support from a variety of guests from city leaders to business owners. Bill DeYoung’s diverse Catalyst Sessions interviews on Facebook Live present fun interactive conversations with a variety of locals involved in interesting things. Never a dull moment at Catalyst. Alsace Walentine, owner of independent bookstore Tombolo Books, took to the streets by bike and by car for those in need of a read by delivering and picking up books and even jigsaw puzzles with curbside “no touch” service. The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund

Brian Zucker of St. Pete Rising rose to the occasion by establishing St. Pete Meals. The online fundraiser purchased and delivered food from local restaurants to healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19. Meals were delivered to hospitals, urgent care facilities, physician offices, first responders, senior living facilities, Bay Pines VA Hospital, and more. As of late May, more than 7,100 meals had been purchased and delivered. Stephen Schrutt and a team from the Hunger and Thirst Group pitched in with food and delivery (he also established a fund for his employees). Kristina and Paul Taylor and local musician Jim Garrett helped raise over $8,500 dollars with a charity concert for St. Pete Meals. The folks at St. Pete Catalyst have been providing short livestream support video segments nearly five nights a week since mid-March geared to small business owners and great livestream entertainment for the home-bound. Coronavirus Impact Insight Reports with Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton and Chamber CEO Chris Steinocher feature advice and

teamed up to donate $1 million in support to nonproﬁt organizations in Tampa Bay, including to $250,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay. They also established a COVID-19 Relief Grant program. Lot 4 of Tropicana Field was used as a Feeding Tampa Bay drive-thru mobile pantry each Saturday in April, providing food for thousands of residents in need. The Rays and concessions partner, Levy, donated a total of 26 pallets of food and beverages worth $200,000 from Tropicana Field, Charlotte Sports Park and Al Lang Stadium, to Metropolitan Ministries and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund also donated $100,000 to the St. Pete Fighting Chance Fund for small businesses and their employees.

Evolve & Co. founder/owner Lisa Williams and 10 clients held a Local Heroes Contest to honor people in the community who showed outstanding support and kindness during the COVID-19 crisis. Finalists included: Tony Mangiaﬁco | Gratzzi Italian Grille Anthony Close & Brian Zucker | St. Pete Rising Melanie Martin | Cox Media Group Tampa Carlton Miller, Dennis Rowan, & Sara Holloway | REACH Team at Centerstone Stephen Schrutt | Hunger + Thirst Group

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ST. PETE STRONG

Swah-rey Bakery owner Leslie Ann and staﬀ hand-delivered thousands of minicupcakes to health care and essential workers as part of her “Minis for Medics” campaign. She delivers boxes of pastries to hospitals, ﬁrst responders, and other essential workers thanks to generous donors. In early May, more than $5,000 had been donated for the sweet deliveries.

“We always look for ways to serve people, and this is another example of doing so during a diﬃcult time,” said Martin Tadlock, regional chancellor of USF St. Petersburg. “Plus, as an older citizen myself, there is value in building stronger connections across generations, as college students have a lot to learn from their older neighbors and our older neighbors have a lot to learn from today’s college students.” Seniors in St. Petersburg living on their own can sign up to be a part of the program and receive companion calls from a USF St. Petersburg student through the Seniors In Service Tele-Pals Program. In the online application, please designate “Referred by USF St. Petersburg” in order to be paired with a USFSP student. Apply here: www.usfsp.edu/career-center/ st-pete-friends/ .

Beans & Barlour owner Story Stuart went the extra mile by hosting a free toilet paper drive-through in front of her shop on March 21. Now that’s what we call a helping hand. St. Petersburg Foodies are providing updated listings of restaurants open for dine it , takeout and delivery in St. Petersburg at stpetersburgfoodies.com

Students at the University of South Florida–St. Petersburg are helping seniors who are feeling isolated during these “safer at home” times through St. Pete Friends. The program oﬀers an opportunity for community members and students to connect via phone, video chat or even traditional letters to talk about their current experiences with social distancing or to just chat.

Milkey Family Foundation donated $100,000 to the Pinellas Community Foundation to support St. Petersburg’s Fighting Chance Fund. The Milkey’s donated $1 million to the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center which will open soon on the St. Pete Pier.

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I Miss Us St. Pete

SPL

PHOTO ESSAY FROM A DISTANCE BY SANDRA DOHNERT

Several weeks into the “safer at home” mandate, Sandra Dohnert felt compelled. Everything around her was changing. Shops, restaurants and bars were shutting down. Museums and galleries, playgrounds, shops and libraries, too. Concerts and performing arts canceled. As a photographer there was only one thing she could do. Grab her camera and shoot. Dohnert wanted to document her city -- show her neighbors as they were handling “safer at home.” Would they come out on the porch, peek through the window, or invite her into their snug little worlds for a moment to capture their pandemic day? The answer was a resounding YES.

In “I Miss Us, St. Pete,” Dohnert’s photo essay shows us how people around St. Petersburg coped with conﬁnement. It hasn’t been easy; it’s often been a struggle emotionally, physically and ﬁnancially. But one thing that is evident in these images: We are in this together. Note, that these photos were mostly taken at residences or studios, so you won’t see face masks. The photographer also notes that she practiced social distancing while shooting her subjects. This is a selection of her images.

Frank Strunk III / Sculptor

Kanika Tomalin / St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor with Kai and Nia Tomalin

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Chris Giuﬀre and Family

“COVID-19 has brought unprecedented disruption to all our lives, creating many challenges that test our resilience and threatens the most vulnerable among us. But, it has also brought many unexpected blessings and opportunities. One for which I am most grateful is the focused time I’ve been able to spend with my children.” - Dr. Kanika Tomalin

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ST. PETE STRONG

Eddie Rosicky / Lounge Cat

“My Muse, The Healer. Coronavirus the Inspirus.” - Eddie Rosicky

Alsace Walentine / Tombolo Books

Jennifer Petrini Lovelady / Art Ambassador

Derreck Donnely / Muralist

Katelyne Grady / The Body Electric Yoga

May/June 2020

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ST. PETE STRONG

Marina Williams / Art Pool Vintage

“Working throught the wait. Keeping a dream alive and navigating through and uncharted new challenge and staying positive for myself, my family and my community.” - Marina Williams Jon Reno La Budde / Reno Beach Surf Shop

Celine Duvoisin / Valhalla Bakery

“The quarantine has given me more time to share my passions with the kids.” - Tai Swank

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Tai Swank / Ronin Vintage

May/June 2020

ST. PETE STRONG

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Chad Mize / Artist

Amy Miller - Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts

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ARTS & CULTURE

Creative Pinellas

Working to help the arts community rebound

Online visitors can tour the Virtual Glass in the Gallery exhibit at creativepinellas.org. BY CINDY STOVALL It’s difficult to escape the impact of COVID-19 in what seems like every area of our daily lives. Here in St. Pete, where the arts rule, that impact has been particularly unforgiving. Though our community certainly considers theater, visual arts, literature and music among the essentials of daily living, for the purposes of public health, the reality has meant performance and event cancellations, lost commissions, salary and revenue shortfalls estimated to be over $5 million throughout Pinellas County to date. But, with hardship comes the opportunity to find the proverbial silver lining – and to develop new ways to survive. To no one’s surprise, there is simply no stopping the innovation of creative minds and there are no limits to our desires to lift each other up. One of a number of organizations rising to the moment is Creative Pinellas, which has developed multiple forums aimed at assisting large numbers of affected artists, arts businesses and arts nonprofits. The Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund was established in March, early in the fight, when it was clear that the arts would suffer significant, possibly crippling losses. A partnership formed

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between Creative Pinellas, The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete and, managing the fund itself, Pinellas Community Fund. “We knew we needed to step in and offer meaningful support,” said Barbara St. Clair, executive director of Creative Pinellas. “Of course, the partnership with John Collins and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the Pinellas Community Fund and FHSP just made everything come together more quickly and put us in a position to really act on our idea.” Fundraising began and donations poured in from all directions from every-day people to local arts patrons and large community businesses. Applications were distributed and shared on every conceivable mail and social media platform. Proceeds in this first round approached $100,000 and were raised to benefit individual artists as well as arts businesses and organizations. Hundreds applied for awards ranging from $500 to $1,500 each. Reaction, as you might expect, was a mixture of gratitude and

ARTS & CULTURE relief: “I was able to cover the rent on my studio this month.” “This helps offset the losses from 3 cancelled arts shows.” “I’m so grateful to our amazing arts organizations, joining forces to help.” The partners understood that the need still far exceeded the funds raised in the first round. So the second round of the relief fund has already been procured, and applications are being accepted as this issue goes to press. If you are an artist in need, please visit pinellascf.org/pinellasartsrelief to check availability of funding. Donations are also still being accepted. Virtual and Online Arts So many of us have enjoyed virtual arts offerings on Facebook Live, YouTube, and our new best friends, Zoom and Twitch TV. I, for one, have greatly enjoyed many of these offerings - marveling at the collective resolve of the crazy talented artists in our midst and their journalist cheerleaders. Many fundraising efforts are attached to these independent programs with varying degrees of return. Creative Pinellas decided to go that concept one better when it devised Arts In, a hugely innovative program launched recently on creativepinellas.org. AI, an arts content platform, houses a large archive of video and audio arts content available for public viewing anytime. Even better, Creative Pinellas is able to offer a scaled stipend for content submitted based on duration and previous piece distribution. “It’s a way to collect and offer great content, keep

artists creating AND offer them a revenue source,” says Leigh Davis, arts and culture outreach manager.” This is the kind of thinking that will help see us through this craziness, and I do so love “win, win” solutions. Visit creativepinellas.org/artsincall or for questions, email artsin@ creativepinellas.org, Fun-raising “We Are Family,” a multi-hour, multi-talent performance festival, premiered in May on the Creative Pinellas Facebook page to a large and engaged online audience. The talent extravaganza raisied over $5,500 for the aforementioned Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund through ticket sales. We got to enjoy poetry from a poet laureate, Broadway quality vocals, readings and even a little bossa nova. Singer and ACT (Arts Conservatory for Teens) CEO Alex Harris hosted the opening hour, fundraising and interviewing many community artists and arts executives. Around the time COVID-19 began lowering the boom, the Gallery at Creative Pinellas was enjoying a time of great growth, with regular exhibitions, expanded gallery hours and signature programing like Emerging Artists, Coffee with the Curator and frequent student shows, classes and events. When the gallery closed to the public, a beautiful glass exhibition, “Glass in the Gallery,” featuring the works of great craftsmen like Duncan McClellan, was in full swing. Without losing a step, a special online version of Coffee with the

Artist Mark Mitchell is interviewed for the opening of the Creative Pinellas Emerging Artists Exhibition.

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ARTS & CULTURE Curator was broadcast live and featured “Glass in the Gallery” curator Mary Childs of Duncan McClellan Gallery. She played moderator, along with manager of curatorial programming, Danny Olda. They had conversations with several of the exhibition artists, including McClellan, in a public forum that also took audience questions – just as it would have in the gallery.

many of the podcast guests that have appeared on Beauty & The ‘Burg over the past six years. Just recently, the 2020 artists selected for the Emerging Artists Grants program appeared together in special live programming that showcased their work. The curated exhibit of their work can now be viewed online at creativepinellas.org

This was an early and eﬀective adaptation to a pretty big set of challenges. But it only sparked the momentum that has resulted in some very comprehensive and innovative programming. “We are always in keeping the goal of revenue generation for the arts and artists in mind,” says Olda. Of course, the entertainment value to all of us with a bit of extra time on our hands and a longing to see the work of our favorite creatives, is a pretty big plus.

Community arts organizations like Creative Pinellas have ﬁlled a void that we could not have hoped to anticipate. No doubt, this tireless team will come up with even more innovative concepts to keep us engaged, to keep us working and to keep us strong. I, for one, just wanted to say thank you.

On a personal note, Creative Pinellas stepped in to produce my own pandemic production of Beauty & The ‘Burg LIVE! Around the World in May – another online variety show featuring performances from

Cindy Stovall’s Beauty & the ‘Burg podcast covering the arts in St. Petersburg airs on Wednesdays at 6 pm at heliumradio.com. Archives of previous shows are available.

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SPL HEALTH

Health Matters

Take charge of your eye health

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BY DR. DANE KUPLICKI, OD I’m often asked what can be done on a routine basis to prevent and maintain prolonged eye health. It’s a great question and an even better topic to discuss amidst the current pandemic landscape we’ve found ourselves in. Fortunately, the following points are easy to implement into your daily lifestyle.

bodies’ internal biological clocks. However, blue-violet light can be harmful to the eyes, speciﬁcally the retina. It is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a deterioration of the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision.

UV Protection Yes, ultraviolet (UV) eye protection matters. UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the thin skin of your eyelids but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. UV exposure contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts, cancerous growths on the eye, and macular degeneration. To protect your eyes, look for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from harmful solar radiation. Don’t forget UV protection for your children and teenagers! They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

Eyelid Care One of the most common conditions I see in the exam room is blepharitis. While it can take many forms, it is essentially inﬂammation of the eyelids caused by bacteria and/or excessive oil production. The warm and moist base of your eyelashes is a favorable environment for such bacteria. This issue leads to red, irritated, and itchy lids and lashes. In many cases, good hygiene can help control blepharitis. This includes frequently washing the scalp and face, using warm compresses to soak the eyelids and scrubbing the eyelids with a gentle cleanser (I like baby shampoo) every other day. When a bacterial infection is causing or accompanies blepharitis, antibiotics and other medications may be prescribed.

Blue Light Chronic exposure to shorter-wavelength visible light (blue and violet light) may also be harmful to the retina. Many digital devices emit this shorter-wavelength visible light. As we all are aware, digital device usage is becoming more and more prevalent in our daily lives. A recent study found that Americans spend almost 2 ½ hours on their tablets and smartphones every day (I beg to differ that this amount is far greater than that). In addition, most offices and stores use fluorescent light bulbs, and LED lights are becoming increasingly popular. Lenses that absorb harmful blue light, but allow beneficial blue light through, are a great addition to your optical toolkit. Blue light is natural, and a critical part of the visible light spectrum. The sun emits an abundance of blue light, as do artificial light sources, such as LEDs, computers and smartphones. Some types of blue light can be beneficial, helping us regulate our

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May/June 2020

Last but not least, see your local eye care professional for a comprehensive, annual eye examination with dilation. These visits are not just about glasses and contacts; they allow your doctor to examine the complete health of your eyes. Eating for Eyesight It goes without saying, but we are what we eat. Research suggests that there are many choices to optimize eye health, some may even help slow the progression of age-related eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, age-related cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and dry eye. For optimal eye health, eat smart and quit smoking or don’t start smoking. Make plant-based foods the center of your meals. Fresh fruits and vegetable in an array of colors are known to

SPL HEALTH guard the body from damaging eﬀects of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can destroy cells and play a role in many diseases. The good news is, they are abundant in plant-based foods.

degeneration and cataracts. Flaxseed, sunﬂower seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and almonds are excellent options. Look for seeds and nuts that are unsalted.

So what foods contain these “eye healthy” vitamins and micronutrients? I like the phrase “eat the rainbow” when it comes to fruits and veggies. Foods such as carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, pumpkin, corn and cantaloupe are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and berries are high in vitamin C, which may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Dark leafy greens: THE most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! Kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, and bok choy, to name a few, are full of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. Legumes: Kidney beans, black-eyed peas and lentils are good sources of bioﬂavonoids and zinc — and can help protect the retina and lower the risk for developing macular degeneration and cataracts Nuts and seeds: These superfoods contain omega-3 fatty acids and have many eye health beneﬁts, including helping to prevent or control dry eye syndrome as well as reduce the risk of macular

A note on omega-3 supplements: the Western diet has an ever-increasing ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids; this has bolstered a huge supplement industry pushing more omega-3 fatty acids. Lowering your ratio of omega-6 to 3 fatty acids and eating foods with naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, and less omega-6s, can help create a better balance between the two in your diet. I’m not implying that you need to become a vegetarian or vegan. High quality animal-based foods also supply us great sources of much needed nutrients. Fish from cold waters (ex: salmon, lake trout, mackerel, sardines) once or twice per week, are a great addition. These foods help to provide omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, and B-12. Eggs (but not egg substitutes) are also an easy-to-absorb source of lutein, which is associated with better health of the lens and retina. Dr. Dane Kuplicki is an optometrist at VIP Eye Care & Optical Boutique.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Virtual Reality Imagine Museum is open with safety measures in place. Masks are required and hours are limited (Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm). Call in advance with your date and time (admission is limited). Special guided tours for groups of six can be booked in advance. Go to imaginemuseum. com.

The arts have gone virtual, oﬀering a variety of education and entertainment for the home-bound. Here’s a look at what’s happening: The sad news is that the wildly popular American Stage in the Park will not go on this year. Instead, “Powerful Stories, Virtually Told” aims to entertain us with Summer Shorts, a series of short live performance videos with a “pay what you can” suggested donation. Look for: • Shakespeare Lite Festival on Sundays at 2 pm throughout June virtually presents four favorite Shakespeare plays, each told in under one hour. • New Shorts in July features a lineup of 10-minute plays from today’s hottest playwrights. • The Living Room Plays will celebrate favorite scenes and characters from American Stage’s 43-year production history this August. Summer Camps Virtual Academy for adults and kids will starts June 8. Go to americanstage.org

An impressive exhibit of more than 100 surrealist-inspired works by Hillsborough County high school students can be seen online in “At Home With the Dali.” Check the museum’s Facebook page @thedalimuseum every week for a new video. Every Tuesday, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art offers a new “James Museum from Home,” a new curated theme related to the collection, including art, film, books, music and children’s activities. Find it on their Facebook page at @jamesmuseum. The Museum of Fine Arts offers lots of diversion for adults and children through “MFA From Home.” Go to mfastpete.org/mfafrom-home for storytime videos, videos that explore the collection, a virtual book club, and more.

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SPL FASHION

SPL

People To Watch

Masha Osoianu Fashion Designer BY MARCIA BIGGS Newcomer Masha Osoianu is a welcome addition to the St. Pete fashion community. Elegant and classic may be an understatement when it comes to describing her eye-catching custom-designed apparel. Each piece is handmade, sexy yet simple, featuring her signature hand-knit technique that drapes and accentuates the back, the shoulders, or the neck. The shimmery knit pieces are made of silky viscose yarns she obtains from Turkey or Bulgaria. While most of her orders are for bridalwear or special occasion, she oďŹ&#x20AC;ers a selection of ďŹ&#x201A;owing

Hand-crochet wedding gown with detachable silk skirt

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May/June 2020

SPL FASHION tunics and hand-painted silk jackets with knit sleeves and trim, every piece is made-to-order and she says they flatter all shapes, especially curvy figures. “I consider my pieces timeless, not influenced by a trend,” she explains. Her one-of-a-kind bridal gowns are perfect for a destination or beach wedding, she adds. “The fabric is lightweight, easy to pack and doesn’t wrinkle. It’s classic and elegant but still casual enough for the beach.” No newcomer to fashion, Masha grew up in Moldova where she was influenced by her mother, a well-known fashion designer. “ As long as I remember, I was either at a fitting, backstage of a fashion show, sitting next to a sewer learning the craft, or playing with fabric swatches,” she relates. By her teens, she had

learned to make patterns, construct garments, sew and knit. A year and a half ago, Masha moved to St. Petersburg from Austin, Texas, to be closer to her husband’s family. (“We fell in love with St. Petersburg,” she said.) Previously, she lived in Seattle for 18 years, where she studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Seattle and established her reputation as a custom-apparel designer. To see her designs and contact the designer, go to www.mashaodesign.com or call (206) 226-7674. Photos: Mari Sabra Photography Hair and Makeup: Ashlee Whaley (thehivesalon_stpete) Model: Jacqueline Amick Fashion Designer Masha Osoianu

Left, fully hand-knit halter dress with silk bow. Right, armor dress with hand-knit turban.

May/June 2020

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SPL FASHION

Endless Possibilities Current times call for a return to casualwear BY MEGAN SIMONS What is casual? In so many ways, the coronavirus crisis has transformed our lives and our needs have shifted in many diverse ways. I can say that my values, my emphasis on what is imperative and essential, my appreciation for things that were so obvious prior to the new reality, changed too. Human relations are not the same, we’re closer with families and more careful with strangers. As much as I love a good movie, I’d rather build a vegetable garden, or a colorful kite with my young grandson, than sit in a front of any screen. Our way of dressing reflects on all the changes. Casual gained new, broader meaning. But the simple description of casual hides many possibilities. Is your casual smart casual? Business casual? Sportswear casual? Over-washed jeans and old grey T-shirt casual, or maybe bright, neon or colorful floral summer dress casual? Let us find the Golden Meaning for our casual attire. In Western culture, casual means relaxed, comfortable, suitable for everyday use, made from fabrics that are easy to take care of, denims, cottons, jerseys. You can hold onto your taffeta and brocade for greater occasions of the future, but please save your overused shorts and stretched grey T-shirt for your housework or gardening -- the world really

All fashions by Dolcezza/Available at Pippa Pelure StPeteLifeMag.com May/June 2020

does not want to see it. Casual never means indolent or dull -- it is fun, exciting, stylish, and trendy. In your casual attire you are still sending the message of who you are. A great way to keep basic casual style current and unique is the beloved t-shirt decorated with striking silver stripes along the sleeves and fun front graphics. You can wear it with matching grey jeans with the same side stripes and crystals enhancing the look. There is no need to sacrifice comfort for style, I love to create an edgy and ontrend outfit by styling adorable sweatpants featuring an eyecatching figurine embroidery with a lovely top complemented by a matching theme. Amazing tops will amp up the impact of any outfit. They can also be conversation pieces as they are wearable art. Dolcezza is the innovative brand using a unique printing process where prints are created from original works of art around the world. Each collection brings the character and individuality of the artist to garments that are unparalleled, like no others. Slip-and-go dresses fit the image of casual clothing. Effortless styles that will hug your body in a soft manner, that will offer a casual chic on the streets and at home. Front, full-

SPL FASHION length zipper, or slimming side black panels may be just enough for exceptional details, combined with a truly exclusive print.

look good, you feel good -- and it can quite literally change your day.

Today, women have more options than ever select a wardrobe in simplistic laid-back fashion. Dressing casually, and applying casual wear to more and more settings, is as easy as it seems. When you

Megan Simons is the owner of Pippa Pelure, a ﬁne fashion boutique in downtown St. Petersburg. Contact her at pippapelure@tampabay.rr.com

A Well-Dressed Man is Never Out of Style

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ON ST. PETE SMALL BUSINESS Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” — Wayne Huizenga Even in the best of times, small businesses are risk-takers. They get up each morning to work hard, help their neighbors, and create a better city. St. Petersburg is a community built on small businesses. Now, more than ever, they need our support. Small businesses account for approximately 50% of employment in the United States. In light of recent impacts on the economy, many of these entrepreneurs are getting hit the hardest. The latest renaissance of St. Petersburg has relied on independent business owners

to help revitalize our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. They have added a warmth and spirit, from funky to upscale, and made our streets walkable. Small businesses bring innovation to our region and complement the diverse array of arts, medical, banking, and corporate businesses based here. They are our backbone, and now we need to help them stand. We encourage you to shop local and dine out often. In this showcase, and throughout this issue, we look at the local businesses that are part of the fabric of St. Petersburg.

We’d like to thank a long-standing St. Pete local business, Grand Kitchen + Bath, for sponsoring this small business showcase in this issue of St. Pete Life. All offers and claims are the responsibility of the individual advertisers.

ART OF ACUPUNCTURE In modern times, ancient answers like Acupuncture and Herbal medicine are helping more than ever. Reduce stress, increase immunity, and prevent serious disease before it starts. Let us show you how.

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MISSION FITNESS What’s Your Mission? Mission Fitness is a premier private fitness studio located just blocks from the Edge District near Downtown St. Pete. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you are a “seasoned veteran”, we provide the motivation & experience to help you to set & achieve your goals. With a wide range of expertise & over 50 years of combined experience, we are well-equipped, certified, and educated to do so!

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290 9th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 www.missionfitnesstsp.com

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LOCALSHOPS1 #MillionDollarMission: 50,000 locals spending $20 (or more!) will pump $1 million into our local economy. Shop today and help us get there!

Explore our new online Marketplace featuring locally owned businesses that may list and sell on our marketplace for free! BuyLocalTampaBay.com *Merchants pay no listing fees or sales percentages.

LocalShops1.com Million Dollar Mission is a coalition including LocalShops1, I Love the Burg, City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, That’s So Tampa, St. Petersburg Greenhouse, St. Pete Store and Visitor Center, Grow Smarter St. Petersburg, Deuces Live, EDGE District, The Grand Central District, St. Pete Downtown Neighborhood Association, Lakewood Estates Civic Association, St. Pete Innovation District and WannaGo St Pete. Organizations interested in joining our coalition should email ester@localshops1.com. There is no financial cost involved.

Love LOCAL

GULFCOAST LEGAL SERVICES You often hear “you have a right to an attorney…” messages in movies and TV, but that is typically true only in criminal cases. If you have a family law, housing, immigration, or consumer issue, you are on your own. So what do you do if you cannot afford an attorney for these civil legal cases? Enter legal aid. Headquartered in downtown St. Pete, Gulfcoast Legal Services (GLS) provides exceptionally high quality civil legal aid. Our expert legal team addresses clients’ needs with urgency, empathy, and professionalism. We respond quickly and effectively to community and client needs, such as those caused by the current COVID-19 crisis.

727.821.0726 501 1st Avenue North, Suite 420 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Learn More or Donate Today: www.gulfcoastlegal.org

Free legal assistance is available to those who qualify for the following matters:

Housing (discrimination, eviction, foreclosure, landlord-tenant issues) Family Advocacy for Victims of Domestic Violence (injunctions for protection, child support, custody orders, etc.) Financial Stability (benefit issues, credit disputes, collections, tax controversies, financial exploitation, fraud, life-planning documents, etc.) and Immigration Advocacy (T-visas, U-visas, VAWA petitions, etc.)

GLS professionals work not only to ensure individual vulnerable clients have access to justice but also to address systemic issues through broader impact work and policy advocacy - in ways that only those with knowledge of the legal system can.

Changing LIVES

THE MERCHANT A Funky, Urban General Store Locally owned and operated by Jennifer and Kevin Schultz and located in the eclectic Central Arts District in downtown St. Pete. Look for our new Pier kiosk this summer as well!

We fuse the modernity of a well-lived urban lifestyle with the charm and nostalgia of an old fashioned general store. Our ever-changing assortment of gifts and wares promotes the creative community of artists, craftsmen, and makers in St. Pete.

Supporting local and that includes your business! We want to give corporations the opportunity to get their brand recognized by their target audiences.

COMING SOON — The Crislip Cafe — Our new cafe featuring an extensive coffee bar, with locally-made pastries and desserts—plus wine and local craft beer! Later this year, an expanded menu including cheese & charcuterie.. charcuterie 727.954.0117

@themerchantstpete

645 Central Ave, Suite 8 St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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Great FINDS

TOMBOLO BOOKS Tombolo Books operated as a pop-up Indie book store in the Tampa Bay region for several years but is excited to now be in their own location in the Grand Central District!

Now open for shopping by appointment!

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Tombolo Books features all genres, from biography/memoir and science to gardening, cooking, poetry, and fiction

Expansive children’s section with a cozy reading nook for parents and children to enjoy during their visit 727.755.9456

@TomboloBooks

2153 1st Ave S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712

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Well READ

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BLIND & SHUTTER GALLERY We are a locally owned business that has proudly served the Tampa Bay area for more than 15 years. We carry the full line of Hunter Douglas window fashions, including the exclusive Alustra Collection!

Guaranteed personalized service Complimentary in-home consultations Professional measurements and estimates Expert installations Professional design advice

727.823.2929 bsgstpete.com

Perfect SHADE

SELECT VALET Best in class parking management and solutions provider for Saint Petersburg!

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PETE’S HAIR DESIGN We offer: Barber Services for all Styles, Cuts, and Shaves Full-service Hair Salon Men, Women & Kids! COVID-19 Florida Regulation Compliant Make an appointment today! 727.347.9994 6620 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

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SPL HEALTH

Lullabies and Labradors Both music and animals have long been recognized as valuable in treating the sick of all ages, from autism to Alzheimer’s Disease. At Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, these alternative therapies bring a sense of well-being to young patients and staff alike. PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS

Ann Marie Varga and her lab Gunner stop by to visit Finley Samuels. Pets are known to have a calming or uplifting eﬀect on the ill. BY MARCIA BIGGS ST. PETERSBURG - For Ann Marie Varga and her chocolate lab Gunner, Wednesday means a trip to the hospital.

the staﬀ, says Leah Frohnerath, director and co-chair of the pet therapy program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

But no worries, neither has a medical issue. Wednesday is Gunner’s day to visit the kids at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. It’s a day of hugs and scratches and happy faces … and maybe a few treats. Gunner and Varga are part of the hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy Team. They are one of some 25 pet therapy teams who visit Johns Hopkins to try to bring a ray of sunshine into the rooms of sick children.

Dog teams visit seven days a week, she says, visiting up to 60 patients a day depending on the number of dogs. The pups come in all sizes and breeds from big huggable labs like Gunner to dachsunds. “All the dogs are trained, tested and registered with certiﬁed agencies to be able to handle this kind of work,” says Frohnerath. “They all have to have the demeanor to be gentle, social and emotionally supportive.” The handlers, too, are counseled on how to interact with sick patients, to avoid talking about their illness and focus on the animal or uplifting thoughts.

Many of the kids they visit have life-threatening illnesses – often cancer – but the appearance of a dog can change the atmosphere and provide a positive focus for patients, their families and even

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May/June 2020

Pet therapy is not new in a hospital setting. It’s been an accepted

SPL HEALTH form of therapy for the elderly and ill for years. “For two decades I’ve been involved with pet therapy,” says Frohnerath. “It’s known to improve emotional well-being and a lot more. Stroking a dog can be calming not just for children, but the staff appreciates it just as much as the patients.” Labor of love Being the owner of a pet therapy dog is a labor of love. Varga and 6-year-old Gunner went through several months of training to obtain the Canine Good Citizen Certification, then continued with a six-month training for the Animal-Assisted Therapy qualification. The duo now puts in hundreds of hours annually with visits to Johns Hopkins, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and a few side visits here and there. Gunner has become something of a celebrity, with his own

Instagram page and a “baseball card” Varga passes out with his head shot and name on one side and a listing that includes his Birthday (April 27), Favorite Snack (peanut butter) and Talents (high fives). “This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” says Varga as she begins her rounds. She is a volunteer, not paid for her time or training costs. “This was my dream for him to work with kids, he is such a sweetheart. He loves it as much as the kids do.” As they walk to the elevator Gunner is a hit with visitors and staff who come running to pet him. Escorts stand ready with bottles of hand sanitizer, a strict rule for use both before and after a petting session. On this day, Gunner’s first visit is with 11-year-old Finley Samuels PHOTOS/JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Pet Volunteers Needed Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has a need for escorts to assist the dog handlers during pet therapy visits. To learn more about the pet therapy program and how to become an escort go to www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Get-Involved/Volunteer

Halloween brings a special parade of dogs in costume.

May/June 2020

StPeteLifeMag.com

SPL HEALTH of Lakeland, who is with his mom Loretta Samuels. Finley’s face brightens when he sees Gunner and he invites him up on the bed for a few minutes. Finley has been here a while, he’s gone through 29 rounds of chemo since August. But there’s nothing like a dog to brighten up his day.

generally assisting the parent with gentle humming or singing, which is soothing to both parents and babies.” Today she has guitar in tow and is visiting Aiden Tomas and his parents Karina and Julio Tomas. Tiny Aiden was born prematurely at 26 weeks and has spent his entire life of 4 months in the neonatal intensive care unit. He’s a favorite with Erin who notices small changes from week to week during her visits.

The sound of music If you hear singing coming from a hospital room, it’s no surprise. Johns Hopkins’ music therapy program brings the sound of music to patients and caregivers every day. Music therapist Erin Siebert covers the entire hospital, sometimes with her guitar, sometimes not, to visit up to a half dozen patients each day. The bulk of her time is in the neonatal intensive care unit which has 97 out of the hospital’s 256 beds. “The advantages of music therapy include pain management, decreasing agitation, increasing family bonding, a lot of babies may be older than 3 months and at that point there is a great need for developing their cognitive abilities,” explains Siebert. “It even works with premature infants although it’s completely diﬀerent. I’m

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Perhaps one day soon Karina Tomas will be singing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” to Aiden in their own home. It will be a familiar tune, thanks to Erin Siebert and the magic of music therapy.

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It’s quiet and dim in the room, with the big machines attached to the baby whirring and blinking numbers and graphs. Siebert steps up to the crib and starts strumming gently on her guitar. In a hushed voice she starts singing “Itsy bitsy spider climbs up the water spout …” Aiden, with eyes closed, seems serene. His mother insists he hears her and the music is calming. She notices a diﬀerence when Erin comes to sing, she says.

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May/June 2020

FURNITURE+LIGHTING+ACCENTS

SPL LIVING

SPL

People To Watch

Tonya Donati & Josh Rumschlag Mother Kumbucha, Co-Founders

BY KAYLA GLEASON Fermentation can be intimidating, if not downright scary for those inexperienced in the process, but one St. Petersburg company has gotten the formula down pat and has become a pioneer in the industry. Since opening in 2014, Mother Kombucha has been brewing up a wide array of tasty fermented teas. Tonya Donati founded the business with her husband (and creative director) Vic Donati and Event Coordinator Josh Rumschlag after experimenting with homebrewing in her garage. “My background is in healthcare,” she said. “I was an occupational therapist and have always been interested in helping people improve their lives and health. I’m a strong proponent of whole-body wellness. I would always find myself recommending meditation, yoga and healthy diets to my patients.” After leaving her role in the medical field to spend time with her two young children, Donati still wanted to explore new ways to engage people with health and wellness and promote awareness of what we put inside our bodies. Rumschlag, on the other hand, had been homebrewing and honing his fermentation skills for years before helping start the living tea company. He even studied traditional Chinese herbology, giving him the extensive knowledge necessary to develop new flavors that are not only unique but good for you. With their combined backgrounds, the founders knew they were onto something groundbreaking.

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May/June 2020

“We wanted to make something with less sugar, something we would want to serve to our kids and, at the time, Florida did not have a regional kombucha brand and we thought it needed one,” Donati said. Thus, Mother Kombucha was born. Initially selling their product at local farmers markets, the brand soon began partnering with nearby Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Kava Bar before going on to developing relationships with over 350 bars and restaurants in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Even upscale eateries like Paul’s Landing at the Renaissance Vinoy feature Mother Kombucha in some of their most popular drinks. Blueberry Fizz, anyone? Despite all of this, the company still sticks to their roots, frequenting local farmers markets, including the widely loved Saturday Morning Market held every weekend next to Al Lang Stadium between October and May. Even for those who aren’t interested in hitting the town for a drink or are just looking to stock their own fridge with a healthy, soda alternative, Mother Kombucha is sold in Publix across the state of Florida, as well as Whole Foods, Winn Dixie and Earth Origins – partnerships that have signiﬁcantly driven up demand. In fact, the brand outputs so much product that they had to move into a 15,000-square-foot facility in May of 2018, just to make for more room to expand. Donati notes this should be more than enough space to hold them for the next few years. “We have room to about quadruple production in this space, something

SPL LIVING we deﬁnitely need since we’ve grown very consistently and organically over the years,” she said.

you should also taste great.”

Even as they continue to expand, the company wants to remain environmentally conscious. In fact, the warehouse Mother Kombucha operates out of has installed solar panels recently and the company is making a switch to 100 percent recycled case boxes. They are also working towards a B-Corp Certification, which verifies a business’s ethical environmental, social and legal practices. “We really want to fine-tune and monitor what we are doing,” said Donati. “As a culture, the office is very much about recycling and reducing. We generate almost no garbage and 100 percent of our food waste is composted.”

And regardless of whether you are trying to curb your soda cravings, finally get around to that health-focused new year’s resolution or just try something new, Mother Kombucha has flavors for every taste. According to Donati, Hopped Passionfruit, Blue Rose and Turmeric Ginger Lemonade are their most popular. Plus, Whole Foods customers should be on the lookout for Mother Kombucha’s exclusive flavor for the grocery chain: Goji Grape. Which will you try?

But this mindfulness runs even deeper. Every Mother Kombucha flavor starts with green tea that is organic and sourced from a fairtrade, single-origin farm. The products are also vegan and made in small batches. And they make sure what’s healthy for the planet is more than healthy for the consumer, too, by adding adaptogens, B vitamins, amino acids and more to an already gut-friendly drink. Since gaining notoriety over the past decade thanks to social media and a spectrum of celebrity fans, kombucha has been praised for its probiotic properties and laundry list of supposed health benefits. “Kombucha has significantly less sugar than other sweet, fizzy drinks on the market and the adaptogenic herbs we add really help your body manage stress,” said Donati. “Things that are good for © 2020 GOODWILL INDUSTRIES-SUNCOAST, INC. All Rights Reserved

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May/June 2020

ST. PETE STRONG

Healthcare Heroes

Keeping You Safe While at the Hospital

“The teams from the emergency center, respiratory and the ICU/ CVICU have been on the front lines as patients suﬀering with coronavirus began to come to the hospital,” said St. Anthony’s Hospital President Scott Smith. Patient care teams have provided comfort and compassion for these special patients while working with team members throughout the hospital. “Team members have crosstrained to learn new skills. The lab team went through training to learn how to use the new rapid COVID-19 testing equipment,” Smith said. “Our food and nutrition team instituted singleserving containers throughout the cafeteria and started selling hardto-ﬁnd items to help our team members.” In this together Among the heroes of the pandemic have been the St. Anthony’s infection control and the environmental services teams, Smith said. The teams have worked along with the hospital’s patient care teams to provide continuous quality care in the face of COVID-19.

Daniel Malloway, an environmental services team member at St. Anthony’s Hospital, sets up the Tru-D SmartUVC in a patient room.

As infection control manager for St. Anthony’s Hospital, it’s Cassie Molina’s job to closely monitor any infectious diseases that might be increasing in the community. “Our team keeps daily surveillance of all reportable disease, including COVID-19, while also rounding in all units to provide education, guidance and support throughout the hospital,” Molina said. “We keep a watchful eye on the general environment and monitor throughout our campus to make sure we keep our patients and team members safe.” Molina says with COVID-19, there has been a different thought process than with the average annual virus-like the flu. “It’s demanded additional training and support needs for our team members. My team and I are on call more often and have worked late hours to maintain safety,” she said. “We also have to report any new cases that come to the hospital each day to the local health departments so that we all can know where there might be new spikes of the virus.” St. Anthony’s is not alone in providing a safe environment for its patients, team members and physicians. “We have been led by BayCare which was one of the first organizations to require temperature screening at the door, wearing of masks inside all facilities, and went above and beyond to obtain additional hand hygiene stations for all .P entrances,” ete Stro Molina said.

“The infection control program throughout BayCare, and speciﬁcally at St. Anthony’s, has provided the voice of reason and expertise,” Smith said. “Our environmental services team has worked throughout the hospital to keep patient rooms and common areas sanitized. We are so proud of

our front-line healthcare providers and we lift up our support teams that have been doing some great work to keep us moving forward.”

May/June 2020

During this diﬃcult time, so many people working in St. Petersburg have risen to the challenge to be there for residents. Nowhere is that more true than at St. Anthony’s Hospital, located in the heart of downtown.

StPeteLifeMag.com

ST. PETE STRONG Ultraviolet Smart Technology

Molina said that there is one thing that cannot be done enough to prevent the spread of disease: Wash your hands. “Keep your hands clean and away from your nose and mouth,” said Molina, who has been in the ﬁeld of infection control for 18 years and is the president of the local Bay Area Infection Control group (BAPIC). “I will continue to wear or have a mask on me in public for a long while. The mask helps to prevent me from spreading any germs to others and it stops me from touching my face and infecting myself.”

The Tru-D SmartUVC − short for Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfection − is a mobile, automated UV disinfection system that BayCare hospitals use to completely clean patient areas. It works by generating UV light energy that modiﬁes the DNA structure of an infectious cell so that it cannot reproduce, and a cell that cannot reproduce cannot colonize and thus harm patients.

While the infection control team has worked to keep team members informed on the coronavirus pandemic, the environmental services team, led by manager Holly Gregory, has strived to keep the hospital campus as clean as possible. “The team has worked on every shift to ensure that our rooms and common areas are safe for our patients,” said Smith, St. Anthony’s president. “They are using hydrogen peroxide wipes and other cleaning tools to promote sanitary conditions. Another tool being used is an ultraviolet robot that neutralizes pathogens. It’s one deterrent that our team and teams across BayCare are using in the ﬁght against COVID-19.”

There are 31 Tru-D units across the BayCare system. The technology allows the hospitals to confidently clean patient environments, including ICUs, patient rooms, surgery suites and the emergency room – killing pathogens (such as influenza, norovirus, C-diff, Ebola and other bacteria – even COVID-19) that can compromise patient outcomes. Tru-D is an intuitive system designed to complement a hospital’s comprehensive cleaning and disinfection program. “We work to provide compassionate care for our patients at St. Anthony’s and throughout BayCare,” Smith said. “We want our community to know that we are working diligently to ensure their safety when they come to our hospital.”

Hands Across the Bay

Hands Across the Bay Kindness Warriors and Costumers With A Cause conducted a Kindness Warrior Parade, distributing gifts to families in need and meals to hospital staffs.

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StPeteLifeMag.com

May/June 2020

On behalf of Old McMicky’s Farm we say, Thank You.

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St. Pete Life Magazine May/June 2020

Articles inside

I Miss Us St. Pete ...

Kudos

ST. PETE STRONG

Wine Therapy

A Time for Casual Fashion

Creative Pinellas: Supporting Local Arts

The Healing Power of Pets and Music

MFA: Where The Bees Are

People to Watch: Mother Kombucha

City Leaders Get Back to Business

People to Watch: Masha Osoianu

Project GOAT: Ready for Super Bowl LV