The Gabber: April 21, 2022 by thegabber

Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2757

April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Gopher It By Nano Riley

CATHY SALUSTRI

Gopher tortoises often share their underground burrows with as many as 400 other animals.

If you’re new to Florida, you may think “gopher” refers to that furry little, burrowing rodent. But here, we usually mean our native tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, or gophers.

These long-lived critters inhabit piney flatlands in Florida, areas coveted by developers who see the land as perfect for new subdivisions. Gophers have lived in these undisturbed areas

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for millennia, but now they’re being evicted, and, just like humans seeking affordable housing, they’re facing a tough time relocating.

Tortoises continued on page 6

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Reporters & Contributors Abby Baker, Events Editor & Breaking News Monroe Roark, News + Politics Amanda Hagood, Books Jeff Donnelly, Theater Mike Sunnucks, Police Morgan Banno, Food Nano Riley, Environment Jon Kile, Columnist Resie Waechter, Outdoors & Fitness

Serving Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenneth City, Tyrone, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park Owners Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.

thegabber.com @gabbernews @gabbernews @gabberlife The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers, advertisers, or employees of the Gabber. The Gabber is not liable for any errors in advertising beyond the cost of the first printing of any advertisement. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced or copied without permission of the publisher.

Earth Day is coming. Yesterday we pedaled on the bike path through Clam Bayou alongside the golf course. The debris and litter within the backwaters was quite a shock to us. Over the years we have taken our dinghy or kayak back in the bayou and, using our net, picked up now and then litter. We have never seen it accumulate to this degree in such an inaccessible place. We would like to remind boaters, bicyclists, walkers, and any human: Please don’t litter! As the owl in a television commercial said when we were children sixty years ago, “Give a hoot! Don’t pollute!” Hopefully the city or golf course employees will be able to do the necessary cleanup in this rather removed location. –Rick and Debby Smith, Cincinnati, OH

Speaking Out Thank you for Abby Baker’s story on Florida Humanity’s $10,000 grant for “SpeakOut: Intersections of LGBTQ Identity and Aging, Art, Law, Literature and Faith.” Thanks, too, for highlighting the inaugural event on how changing hearts through dialogue with LGBTQ service members led military leaders to support repeal of “Don’t Ask,

Gulfport MIND BODY SPIRIT EXPO

Don’t Tell.” To give credit where credit is due, however, the Florida Humanities grant is to the Gulfport Library, not the LGBTQ Resource Center. Library director Dave Mather is the project director who shepherded the proposal through to success. The Resource Center deeply appreciates the library’s [support] and the City of Gulfport’s ongoing support. –Susan Gore

The Gabber welcomes and encourages letters and commentary. One letter per person, per month. All letters must be signed with your real name and city, and should be as brief as possible (ideally <250 words). We may edit letters for content, clarity and length. We will not print letters that incite violence, include personal attacks on private citizens, or that are intentionally misleading or inaccurate. Letters sent to the Gabber for print will also appear online and on the Gabber’s social media pages. Commentary posted to the Gabber’s website and social media pages may also be used in print. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@ thegabber.com or mail them to 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.

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news Hot Off the Bed Springs

Annual Fish Broil Returns and Yes, They Cook the Fish on Bed Springs

GULF BEACHES HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Pass-a-Grille fixture Capt. Kenneth B. Merry, Sr. (second from right, holding fish) was the head chef for the Sunshine School fish broil for 25 years.

On April 23, a St. Pete Beach school will take part in a delicious, nutritious, 92-year-old tradition: the Gulf Beaches Elementary School Fish Broil. The first fish broil, held in October 1930, was a fundraiser put on by the Parents’ Club at Pass-a-Grille’s Sunshine School, established in 1926. As the name suggests, the school offered elementary education with a Florida twist: Among other beachy features, students spent at least 45 minutes a day learning swimming, fitness, and first aid with the help of Red Cross-certified instructors (and the nearby Gulf). But the Great Depression cast a shadow over Sunshine, and by 1930, the school could not afford to pay instructors. The Parents’ Club got to work digging a pit, lighting buttonwood coals, and broiling a truly enormous amount of mullet, donated by local fishermen, on an old bedspring. And so began an annual gathering that many locals would come to regard as the social event of the year. The Fish Broil has evolved over

GULF BEACHES HISTORICAL MUSEUM

By Amanda Hagood

Sunshine School pupils show off their handiwork: Handmade posters advertising the October 1962 Fish Broil.

time, moving to Gulf Beaches Elementary (now Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School) after the Sunshine School closed in 1975. The broil, which regularly attracted a thousand participants, expanded to include such elements as a carnival, an auction, and a publicity poster contest for students. This year’s broil features bounce houses and carnival games, vendors, the Kona Ice truck, and a choice of chicken, fish, or hot dog meals. While the event traditionally happens in the fall, COVID-19-related concerns led the planners to postpone this year’s event until spring. While everyone is having fun, they will also be supporting St. Pete Beach’s only public school, explains GBEMS PTA President, Kay Clark. Proceeds support school-wide initiatives as well as providing minigrants for teachers to purchase learning materials for their classrooms. “We all know that teachers often spend their own money on things they need to help their students

learn,” says Clark. “This keeps that cost from coming out of their pockets.” Much has changed since GBEMS Principal Robert Kalach attended the fish broil as a child. St. Pete Beach has grown considerably, and the school, which reopened with its magnet program in 2014, now serves a much broader portion of the Pinellas County. But the fish broil still inspires a strong sense of community, from the students who sell tickets to their families and neighbors, to the parents and staff who volunteer time and organizational skills, to businesses who sponsor the event. And, of course, the brave souls – Kalach included – who climb into the dunk tank. And the old bedsprings for cooking the fish? Still around. Kalach laughs. “The rich tradition continues today!” 2022 GBEMS PTA Annual Fish Broil Carnival Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School, 8600 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach. April 23: 4-7 p.m. $5-$10, plus extra for goodies and games. bit.ly/fishbroil

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

St. Pete Firm May Build Tesla Dealership

Bidding is Open Nationwide, But One Local Company May Get the Honor By Abby Baker

TESLA MOTORS

Suncoast Team Services has started the process to bid on designing and building the St. Pete Tesla dealership.

A St. Pete business may be the one that builds the new Tesla dealership in St. Petersburg. This April, Pinellas County approved Tesla Motors to build a dealership in the 100,000-square-foot warehouse of the previous Kanes Furniture Liquidation Site at 4601 34th St. N. Tesla has yet to set a start date for building, but general contractors are currently

Gulfport gathers

in the process of submitting applications for the bidding process. It’s a competitive race, and the selected contractor will then move forward with renovating the facility into a Tesla dealership. Suncoast Team Services is a commercial general contractor in St. Pete who hopes to make the cut. They’re in the process of getting ap-

proval to bid on the job. Suncoast operations manager Nicole Spence says there will be at least three, but probably more, companies in the running to build for Tesla. “I would expect them to see that we’re a company large enough to complete a project of this size, and that we’ve done other projects like this before,” Spence said. The St. Petersburg-based company, owned by Tom Strickland, developed the Crown Kia dealership in Pinellas Park and Porsche Clearwater (located in Largo). “At this point the only thing we can say that we’re doing is going through the procurement process of becoming a vendor with Tesla,” Spence clarified. If Suncoast wins the bid, that means millions of dollars back into the local economy – even before it opens its doors.

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Tortoises continued from cover

CATHY SALUSTRI

New Relocation Guidelines “In 2007 Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) made it illegal to bury tortoises,” said Elise Bennett at the Center

for Biological Diversity (CBD) in St. Petersburg. “but until then, it allowed the gophers to be buried alive in their burrows.” The current concern is a new tem-

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“It’s not good for gophers,” said “That’s a big concern,” said BenGeorge Heinrich, Executive Director nett, “because that means another of the Florida Turtle Conservation climate they may not be used to and Trust. “They often want to go back, they won’t thrive.” especially if the new location is only And they’re allowing “temporary” a mile or two; there’s the possibility relocation, which means they exof disease – and it’s just disruptive.” pect to move them again. Last year, Heinrich, who tracks the gophers the FWC asked people to offer land at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in South to house tortoise communities due St. Pete, has studied these tortoises to lack of suitable habitat. for more than 30 years, (10 as a park ranger) and is Gopher Tortoises a The current concern is a considered an Keystone Species new temporary execuauthority. “Gophers are tive order that suspends Lest you write gosocial, and live phers off as just parts of Florida’s gopher in communities another critter, untortoise relocation guide- derstand they’re conwith multiple burrows,” he lines. Critics say it favors sidered a “keystone” explained. “The developers and doesn’t species, and the FWC males fight, help the gophers much. says their burrows, and they actuwhich can be 15 feet ally communicate with a language long and six feet deep, provide we can’t hear.” “temporary or permanent refuge” Heinrich said this language, a sort for as many as 350 to 400 species, of clicking sound, can be detected even if the gopher tortoise is home. with special equipment. These tenants include gopher frogs, several species of snakes – inTortoise Habitat in Decline cluding some species of concern, such as the eastern indigo snake, The tortoises have already lost and burrowing owls. more than 80% of their natural habIn April, 2021, the CBD sued the itat to sprawl and agriculture, leavU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ing the remaining fragmented habfailing to designate the tortoise as itat scattered across the species’ endangered, despite admitting they range. One of the main issues with needed the governmental protecthe altered relocation guidelines is tive status. the distance, which increases from “We’ve been trying to get endan50 miles to 100. gered status for gopher tortoises for

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a long time,” said Bennett. “The new temporary order doesn’t consider how much space a tortoise community needs…it’s against expert advice.” Visit the Gophers at Boyd Hill Meanwhile, Heinrich is in the middle of the biennial gopher tortoise census at Boyd Hill, where about 100 trained volunteers comb the park’s 150 acres to assess the community’s health. “We count them every two years,” he said. “They like the upland habitat, and you spot the burrows by a mound of sand with a hole…a large adult can have a nearly 10-inch opening.” But don’t ever stick your hand in a burrow, he cautioned, because you never know what’s inside. Rattlesnakes also use the burrows as homes. There are occasional solitary burrows but they’re rare. “There was a burrow on the St. Pete side of Clam Bayou about 10 years ago, but it’s been gone a while,” said Heinrich. “Some people like to hurt them, but it’s illegal.” Though gopher tortoise communities are sparse in overdeveloped Pinellas County, you can find them at Boyd Hill, Weedon Island, and at Brooker Creek in north county. Off shore, you can find them on Egmont Key.

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Two Schools, One Building

Sunflower School, Creative Play Preschool Vying for Former Gulfport Church Neither Gulfport school wants the other to leave their shared campus, but both hope to be the sole owner of the Gulfport Presbyterian Church (5313 27th. Ave. S.); currently, both schools rent different spaces from the church. Sunflower Private School is a hands-on, project-based kindergarten through fifth grade school run by co-directors Bevin O’Brien and Nicole Riveros. “We would do anything to keep the school running,” Riveros told The Gabber. The other school in the space, Creative Play Preschool, is what owner Kaya Belcher calls a “farm school.” Her students, aged 3-7, play and work in the gardens, gather from fruit trees, feed chickens and rabbits, and learn homesteading early. This April, Gulfport Presbyterian Church announced it would close after 75 years, citing low membership (19 members) and low funds. This means the two schools that rent their space have an opportunity. Both Sunflower and Creative Play owners want to buy the building, but the decision will lie with the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, a Dunedin-based umbrella for Presbyterian churches in the area.

ABBY BAKER

By Abby Baker

Sunflower Private School is a small, hands-on educational organization operating out of Gulfport Presbyterian Church. Now that the church is closing, the school is raising funds to buy the building.

“Sunflower has just as much a right to be here as we do; I want to make sure we are all thriving here,” Belcher said. “If it ends up I’m the one leasing to them, or if they’re leasing to me, so be it. All I know is that my heart is here.” On May 11, the board of the Gulfport Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay will meet to dissolve the church; the property will then belong to Presbytery of Tampa Bay. “I made it clear to Tampa Presby-

tery that both schools are interested in buying it,” said Yvonne Johnson, Gulfport Presbyterian’s Clerk of Sessions. “Ultimately, they will make that choice.” The key difference is how the schools are raising the funds to buy the building. Sunflower Private School is kneedeep in a $750,000 fundraising campaign lead by current parents and Sunflower alumni. According to the co-directors, the school is working with a nonprofit consultant run

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

KYA BELCHER

Creative Clay Preschool says they have the funds to buy the school currently.

by an alumni parent to work out the kinks. They don’t quite have the funds yet – COVID hit hard, Riveros told The Gabber – but are dead-set on raising it before the final decision. “These people are putting time, money, energy into this fundraiser,” Riveros said, sitting in her office covered wall to wall with children’s paintings. “It’s like a family here; you don’t leave family behind.” Sunflower has been around for 51 years total, rotating different area locations before settling on their current campus 42 years ago. Many children are local, but some parents travel as far as Tampa to bring their students to an alternative teaching environment. “I’d like to put an emphasis on how much we love the Gulfport commu-

nity,” O’Brien said. Creative Play’s Belcher knows that as well as anybody, her own children went to Sunflower years ago. She’s run her alternative schooling, food-forest modeled preschool out of the building for six years and lived in Gulfport for 28. She says she has what she thinks it will cost to buy the property at the ready. Belcher says she had funds ready two years ago, when the church first unofficially mentioned that their time may be running out. “We started this process years ago, when the church first thought of dissolving. At that time, Sunflower was not doing well financially … that’s why they approached me,” Belcher said. “At that time, I said yes, but as ownership changed and

the church took longer than expected; things changed.” “We were beginning to have some problems, the idea that the church isn’t doing well has been around for some time,” Johnson noted. The Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office values the property at just over $1.5 million. Belcher has no plans of snuffing Sunflower out if she’s the buyer. She says she needs to expand, her waiting list is astronomical, but she doesn’t need the entire campus. “The truth is, there is room for all of us here,” Belcher said. “I have outgrown my space, yes, but I’d like to work alongside them to convert this entire block into a children-run farm school.” Does Sunflower feel the same about leasing? “They are so kind, we have a good relationship with them [Creative Play] of course we would,” Riveros said. Bill Wildhack, Stated Clerk and Temporary General Presbyter says the church’s board asked them to appoint an administrative commission to handle the details of who buys the church. “It’s up to them,” Wildhack said. “Nothing ever happens as fast as anyone wants it too, especially buyers.” Until May 11 when the church meets and makes a final decision, it’s all speculation.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Beach, Love, and Understanding

TikTok Environmentalist Cleans Pinellas Beaches By Amanda Hagood

VISIT ST. PETE/CLEARWATER

TikTok star and Redington Beach resident Ronald Donaldson @trashcaulin uses his influence to encourage tourists not to trash our beaches – and to have patience with beach businesses.

Record numbers of visitors will hit Pinellas beaches this spring. But if Redington Beach environmentalist Caulin Donaldson – @trashcaulin to his 1.4 million TikTok followers – has anything to do with it, they’ll treat those beaches with extra kindness. Donaldson’s partnered with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater on the “Unwind &

Saturday

Be Kind” campaign, which encourages socially responsible tourism. This includes practicing patience – staying in “vacation chill mode” – as businesses balance high demand and staffing shortages. It also includes keeping beaches clean for human visitors and wildlife, such as sea turtles and birds that will soon begin nesting.

“The tenets of ‘Unwind & Be Kind’ speak to both preserving St. Pete/ Clearwater’s pristine beaches and the safety of our communities and visitors as we see the revival of the travel industry,” wrote Visit St. Pete/ Clearwater President/CEO Steve Hayes in a press release. For Donaldson, who’s collected trash, recycled leftover beach toys, and leveled sandcastles and pits since 2019, this is how beach lovers show they care. “A lot of wildlife are affected by our choices,” he notes. “Why wouldn’t we leave the beach more beautiful?” Donaldson will lead clean-ups at Pass-a-Grille, Indian Rocks, and other beaches this month, including an Earth Day event at Treasure Island on April 22. Keep Pinellas Beautiful will provide gloves, bags, and Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops as a post-clean-up treat (register at unwindbekind.com). Good folks doing their part for a little more beach, love, and understanding in the world.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Beach Access

Madeira Beach Installs Mobility Mat for ADA Access By Resie Waechter

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Like many Floridians, when I think of the beach I think of the freedom of being outside. One of the reasons my mom brought us to the beach frequently as kids is because the beach is free and easily accessible to locals. “Easily accessible” is relative, though. Many Florida beaches are nearly impossible to navigate with a walker or wheelchair. The Forward Foundation, a privately owned foundation run by Michael and Robin Lally, wants to help change that on Tampa Bay beaches. According to its website, “the Forward Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting for human equality and animal rights, and empowering communities in the United States and around the globe. The Forward Foundation works together with businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals in an effort to create a better world and a brighter future for all.” Their dream is for all Tampa Bay beaches to have easy access for everyone, regardless of mobility status. Forward Foundations’ first step in making that dream a reality: donating several thousand dollars to purchase a mobility mat for Madeira Beach. The mobility mat is made of 42 feet of recycled materials, and will be placed at the end of the boardwalk at Archibald Park.

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BILINGUAL STAFF • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

Biz News: Plant Based Mexican, Tesla + Free Sips What’s New with Businesses Near You By Abby Baker

PIXABAY

As of April 3, Pinellas County approved plans for Tesla Motors to being construction on a sales, service and delivery center on 34th Street in St. Petersburg.

70% Vegan Love

Think twists like jackfruit nachos, he adds.

Tacos My Love, an authentic Mexican spot on 400 49th St. S. in St. Pete, will host a soft opening April 28 and a grand opening on May 5. Owner and New York transplant Pedro Rosales says the restaurant will offer a rollout of plant-based options, but not be exclusively vegan. It’s a natural choice, considering Rosales is 70% vegan – with some wiggle room. Tacos My Love will open in the former the Mid-Peninsula Seafood Market, but have a completely different feel. Rosales plans to do private parties and has a liquor license. The heart of the restaurant will be Rosales’ Micheladas, a traditional Mexican cocktail mixed with beer, lime, salt, and spices. “We’re going to have some really fresh, really good Mexican dishes that I’m excited about,” Rosales said.

Hello, Elon! Tesla Comes to Lealman Tesla submitted plans to Pinellas County for a sales and service center in the 100,000-square-foot building of the previous Kanes Furniture Liquidation Site. The County approved the plans on April 6, but the Pinellas County Property Appraiser website does not yet reflect the sale at 4601 34th St. N. in St Pete. The PCPA lists the future Tesla warehouse’s worth at $2,335,000 (as of 2021). The property is part of the Lealman CRA Redevelopment Plan, a 2016 County-approved plan that’s goal, according to Pinellas County, is to provide a “comprehensive framework for long-term development, economic development, and redevelopment revitalization strategies to

address blighted conditions and improve the overall quality of life in the Lealman CRA over 30 years.” This means that allowing Tesla Motors to build could bring higher paying jobs to the area. Neither Tesla or Pinellas County has released a projected start or end date. Free Smoothies! This Earth Day, EVOS Feel Great Food-St. Petersburg will offer free organic milkshakes in support of local organic farmers. “Since 1994 we work passionately to provide a healthier option for our guests and for our planet,” EVOS wrote online. On Earth Day (April 22), the health food restaurant at 2631 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg will honor the deal all day during operating hours, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Right now, the St. Petersburg location is one of four. The small chain also operates out of Tampa and Pinecrest, and claims to be an all-organic operation, including of course, the milkshakes. “We make our food with the good stuff, not cheap ingredients. Our milkshakes? Organic milk and sugar,” EVOS wrote in a press release.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

arts Catching Feelings For Florida

Andrew Furman To Speak About His Florida Gardening Memoir By Amanda Hagood

AMANDA HAGOOD

Andrew Furman’s “Bitten” follows his adventures in learning to love Florida – without a single trip to the beach.

Earth Day is approaching as is Florida summer – that sweltering, sweatsoaked, sun-beaten season where stepping outside, let alone surviving until October, requires no small reserve of personal fortitude. Sure, we all love Florida come April 22, but how many of us can say we’ll stick by our state when the going gets… humid? One such brave soul, author Andrew Furman, can. His memoir “Bitten: My Unexpected Love Affair with Florida” (2014, University Press of Florida) lyrically chronicles his process of becoming Floridian after moving his family to Boca Raton – “a place,” he notes, “scoffed at in equal measure by my friends living in the city and the country.” From this “hopelessly in between”

beginning, Furman launches Florida adventures: A small city park where he embarks on a snook hunt with a mysterious new fishing buddy; the edge of a university campus, where a burrowing owls hold out against encroaching development; and a birding tour around Lake Okeechobee that reveals an array of amazing avians and the deep footprint that Big Sugar’s left on the Everglades. Some of Furman’s most luminous insights, however, blossom a few steps from his own door in the “Florida-friendly” (read: native-plant-featuring, wildlife-attracting, conflict-with-neighbors-producing) garden he and his family have planted. One memorable episode finds Furman rolling his eyes at neigh-

bors suggesting that squirrels have jumped the fence from the Furman bird buffet to steal tomatoes from their fastidiously groomed garden – a place, he notes, where “control, on the whole, seemed to be the yard’s principal motif.” Then Furman’s young, painfully introverted son wants help growing a perfect vegetable garden. Desperate not to disappoint him, but also beset by a host of subtropical garden pests, the author discovers that Florida’s “Zone 10 realities” may involve using the occasional pesticide, or attaching a Twirl-a-Squirrel device to bird feeders. In the end, each family gets a few tomatoes and even the squirrels get a cupful of seeds (sprinkled far from the neighbors’ property). This chapter speaks directly to what makes Bitten a fascinating read for any Floridian, but especially for newcomers: Falling for Florida does feel more like being bitten than smitten. Furman writes a love letter to flowery, ferocious, and fragile beauty – and to the tantalizing possibility that we might learn to live in harmony with it. Pascua Florida Porch Party Furman will speak about his forays into Florida gardening. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. April 22, 7 p.m. 727-201-8687; gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.

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PatrickMortimer.ForeverFloridaRealEstate.com • 727-220-8600 • PatrickSellsFLA@gmail.com theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S. • 727-893-5657 •

/gulfportseniorcenter

Annual registration required. Free, residents; $50, non-residents. All programs subject to change without notice. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by, join our weekly newsletter, or like us on Facebook for a full calendar of events. Fitness Center now open! To provide physical distancing, we’ve limited capacity, so call to register for a spot. Supplemental food assistance for qualifying Gulfport Seniors in need is available at the Senior Center. Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Proper verification required prior to use of the pantry. GEMS (Gulfport Extended Mobility Service) provides affordable Door-to-Door transportation service, rides to medical appointments, shopping, and much more for Gulfport residents, 55 years of age or older or disabled. 727-893-2242. Medical Equipment Lending Program provides gently used wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other medical equipment to seniors who need it. Supplies limited.

SPECIAL EVENTS Monday Mile Walking Club Start your week on the right (or left) foot with a walking group that meets in different locations every week. Mondays, 8 a.m. Call for location. iPhone/iPad Class Learn the basic functions of your Apple iPhone or iPad. April 21, 1 p.m. Preregistration required. Matinee Movie Take a break & enjoy a movie with friends. Call for movie title. April 22, 1 p.m. EPIC Coffee Club Join other LGBTQ+ seniors for a warm cup of coffee. This month we’ll look back at memories, so bring in photos of yourself you’re comfortable sharing. April 27, 8:30 a.m. Happy Birthday to YOU! Celebrate this month’s birthdays with friends, food, and fun – whether it’s your birthday or not. April 27, 3 p.m. Medicare & Health Insurance Assistance Frustrated trying to navigate the insurance world? We have you covered. May 3, by appointment only Tech Talk Series In this three-month series, you’ll learn the basic functions of your computer, how to use Word, Excel, Facebook, and other social media sites, and how to design your own web page. MayAug. Tues., 1 p.m. Registration required.

Summertime Fun: Floral Arrangement Workshop Larry Lucas teaches you how to make a beautiful, summertime floral arrangement. May 3, 2 p.m. BLOOMERS! A new social group of older single lesbians who just wanna have fun! Meet for a cup of coffee and comradery, and to plan social events for the group to get out and have some fun. May 3, 3 p.m. Veterans Coffee Connection Veterans from all service eras gather for coffee, support, friendship, & to learn about community resources. May 6, 10 a.m. Gulfport ROCKS! Spend time with friends and create some fun rock art. All supplies provided. May 6, 12 p.m. Limited space; must pre-register. Summer Art Class Registration open now – call to sign up and learn more. April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month The Gulfport Senior Center Volunteers are real life superheroes – ordinary people with hearts for helping others, giving back to their community, and making an extraordinary impact. The Gulfport Senior Center sends a super thanks to this special league of heroes.

GEMS GETAWAYS Yoder’s Restaurant & Amish Village April 21. $20; $15, GEMS members. Courtside Grille April 28. $8; $6, GEMS members.

MONDAYS Monday Mile Walking Club 8 a.m. Call for location Chair Exercise 9:30 a.m., Theater lobby Stretch & Strength 10:30 a.m., Casino Wisdom Healing Qigong 11 a.m., Theater Lobby Mahjong 12 p.m., Room 107 Dominos 1 p.m., Theater lobby Chair Yoga 1 p.m., Casino Strength Training & Aerobics 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall Chair Volleyball 3 p.m., Dining Hall

TUESDAYS Gulfport Senior Citizens Harmonica Club 9 a.m., Room 107 Line Dancing for Beginners 10 a.m., Neighborhood Center Gulfport Quilters 10 a.m., Room 106 Continuing Level 1 Spanish 10:30 a.m., Zoom Texas Hold ‘Em 11 a.m., Theater lobby Contract Bridge 1:30 p.m., Theater lobby New Horizons Band of Gulfport Jazz Practice 4:30 p.m., Room 107 New Horizons Band of Gulfport Concert Practice 6 p.m., Dining Hall

WEDNESDAYS Gentle Mindful Yoga 9:30 a.m., Neighborhood Center Investment Discussion Group 10 a.m., Room 107 Stretch & Strength 10:30 a.m., Casino Bunco 10:30 a.m., Room 106 Canasta 1 p.m., Theater lobby Bingo 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall Cardio Drumming 4:30 p.m., Dining Hall Intermediate Spanish 6 p.m., Room 106

THURSDAYS Guided Meditation 10 a.m., Room 107 Texas Hold ‘Em 11 a.m., Theater lobby Strength Training & Aerobics 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall Contract Bridge 1:30 p.m., Theater lobby Italian Language Classes 6 & 7 p.m., various rooms

FRIDAYS Wellness Movement 9 a.m., Room 106 Gulfport Writers’ Workshop 9:30 a.m., Room 107 Knitting & Crocheting 10 a.m., Theater lobby Healing Yoga Therapy 11 a.m., Casino Bridge Instruction 12:30 p.m., Room 107 Dominos 1 p.m., Theater lobby Chair Volleyball 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Gulfport Public Library 5501 28th Ave. S. • 727-893-1074 • /gulfportlibraryfl Mygulfport.us/gpl • Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All programs free and subject to change. Science Club Grab & Go Our weekly science club for grades K-5 is now on the go! Pick up a cool take-home experiment or science-based craft kit. Mondays, 4 p.m. Limited supplies; call for availability. Garden Grampa for Grades K-5 Every first Monday of the month, Mr. Albert shares his knowledge of all things gardening and sustainability through storytelling and handson fun in the Reading Garden. May 2, 4 p.m. Murder in the Afternoon Mystery Series Do you love a whodunit? Join us for our weekly mini-series. Visit our Events calendar or call for description of episodes. Weds., except May 18, 12 p.m. SHINE Presentation: Medicare Part C Information and counseling about Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D. May 18, 1 p.m. 727-8931073 for individual appointment.

Babytime For little ones under 2 years old and their caregivers. We will sing, read, enjoy lap bounce rhymes, and learn baby signs. Older siblings also welcome. April 22, 10:15 am. Gulfport Library Book Club Discuss Philip Roth’s “Portnoy’s Complaint”. Borrow a print copy from the library or download the audiobook from Overdrive/Libby. April 21, 2 p.m. 727-893-1073. SpeakOut: The Intersection of LGBTQ Identity and Law, Presented by C. Dixon Osburn Funded by the Florida Humanities Council and sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center. Apr. 21, 7 p.m. SpeakOut: Brian McNaught & Dr. Milton Wendland Implications for LGBTQ Baby Boomers to be aging, often without family or social supports, in a culture that

celebrates youth. May 5, 7 p.m. Funding for the above two SpeakOut programs provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. Grown-up Movie Series This biopic tells the story of Venus and Serena’s father, Richard Williams, who coached them from an early age to aspire to greatness. PG-13. May 7, 1 p.m. Get Growing Toffer Ross, City horticulturist, answers your questions about gardening, trees, and landscaping in Florida. Reading Garden. May 10, 11 a.m.

Gulfport Casino Ballroom 727-893-1070 • 5500 Shore Blvd. S. Mind Body & Spirit Expo Vendors, speakers, psychics, and seminars. All things metaphysical, hosted by Unity of Gulfport. April 23, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. unityofgulfport.org Contra Dance with friends of Old Time Dance. Contra dance with band and caller.

April 24, 3:30-7 p.m.: 3:30 lesson; 4 p.m., dance. $10. tampabaycontra.com Ballroom Dancing with USA Dance Lessons, DJ & dance hosts. April 25, 7 p.m. $10; $7, USA Dance members. 727-576-1206.

Casino Weekly Dances Ballroom Lessons: Tues., 12-3 p.m. $10 Argentine Tango: Tues., 6:30 p.m., $10 Swing: Weds., 7 p.m. $10 Latin Night: Thurs., 7 p.m. $10

Recreation Center 5730 Shore Blvd S. • 727-893-1068 • mygulfport.us/recreation/rec Annual registration: $3 residents, $25 nonresidents Basketball Adult: Wed., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. & Thurs. 6-8:30 p.m. Pickleball All levels: Tues., 6-8:30 p.m. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Beginner: Tues., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Intermediate & Advanced: Mon., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Table Tennis Tues.. & Thurs., 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Game Room Mon., Wed., & Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

PROGRAMS Summer Program Registrations continue for our 2022 Summer Program, open to children who’ve completed kindergarten through age 14. The 10-week program runs from May 31-Aug. 5, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. (for an extra fee). The program has 25 spots for the discounted rate for Gulfport residents in need of assistance; verify eligibility with either a letter from the child’s school verifying the acceptance of free or reduced lunch or a letter acceptance of assistance from financial aid or a related program. Register Mon.-Fri., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Teen Night Registrations Continue! Available for middle and high school students 17

and younger. Recreation, social activities, field trips, cooking projects, guest speakers and service projects. Teens can use the gymnasium, game room and outdoor area. Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 6-9 p.m. Rec Center membership required: $3, residents; $25, nonresidents. VPK Program We are currently accepting VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) Vouchers for the 2022-2023 School Year. VPK is free for all Florida children who turn 4 by Sept. 1. VPK runs from 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., starting Sept. 6. Apply only at elcpinellas.net; after applying, bring the certificate of eligibility to pre-registration, which takes place Mon.-Fri., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

CLASSES

above. Thurs., 10 a.m. $40/month. Lauren: 248-875-7030 F.I.T Tennis Fri., 6 p.m. Free for beginners, ages 21 and up. Chase Park, 5313 27th Ave. S. Mo: 727-515-1454. Hula Hoop Fitness Second & fourth Thursday, 6:30 p.m. $35/month; $10/ class. Maria: mestrada1987@gmail.com. Tennis Tues. Adult lessons. Chase Park, 28th Ave. and 53rd St. S. $15. Mo: 727515-1454. Yoga Moves Fri., 9:30 $12/class; $50/ month. Denise: 727-251-8868 Youth Hip Hop Ages 6-8: Fri., 6:30 p.m.; ages 9-16, Fri., 7:30 p.m. $40/month. Lisa Walker: 727-742-2594 Zumba Thurs., 6 p.m. $20/month; $6/ class. Magda: 727-214-7868

Call instructor for more information. Want to teach a class? Call John: 727893-1079. Ballet and Tap Tues.: Ages 3-6, 5:45 p.m.; ages 7-16, 6:45 p.m. $40/month. Lisa Walker: 727-742-2594. Essential Oil April 21, 6:30 p.m. $10/class. Jennifer: 813-263-3919. Essentrics Aging Backwards Recommended for active adults 60 years and

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Get the city app by visiting MyGulfport.us/cityapp 15

Two Photographers, One Exhibit See America in Black, White, and Gray It’s hard to tell a photographic story without people or color, but the work of Ansel Adams and Clyde Butcher does just that. From April 9-July 31 the The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art will showcase the photographs of two wildlife and landscape photographers in a traveling exhibit: Ansel Adams: The Masterworks & Clyde Butcher: America the Beautiful. The combination of these two photographic forces is strikingly beautiful. Every mountain is an automated computer screensaver after you look at enough landscapes, but Adams and Butcher manage to capture the raw, terrifying beauty of America’s natural monuments. It’s hard to look away, and a reminder that these striking places exist without any regard for the rest of the world. Adams died in 1984, but his work feels like it could take place at any point of time, even in another world. He’s a well-known environmentalist and artist best known for photographing the American West and its natural monuments.

CLYDE BUTCHER

By Abby Baker

Badlands, 2006.

It’s a natural partnership to have Adams’ work exhibited alongside Butcher’s, as some regard Butcher as the Floridian Adams. However, the Florida Hall of Fame Award recipient has a more diverse portfolio in the James. He’s drawn to greenery, and it’s apparent in his photographs of Californian redwoods and Florida Everglades. There’s similarities in the way that both men choose to shoot in black

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and white and seem to have the same knack for capturing subjects that are the pure definition of wild. The sky is important in their work, and the use of clouds, creeping fog, and deathly dark storms sets the stage for whatever is in frame. These men are commonplace names in any intro to photography class, but seeing their work firsthand incites the need to travel, and not in the Airbnb, food-tour type of way. The places both photographers choose to capture in pixels is a reminder of how very small we are and how little time we have. The corners of America that both Butcher and Adams are drawn to would – and could – kill us in a second. The desert plains and snowcapped mountains are like southern swamps in a lot of ways, beautiful and often impacted by human life. Many of us may never get to see these natural wonders, either because they’re not comfortably accessible or because they’ll be gone before our lifetimes are over. There are places to protect that we’ll never understand, and the James exhibit reminds us of that. Ansel Adams: The Masterworks & Clyde Butcher: America the Beautiful The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave St. Petersburg. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $10-20. thejamesmuseum.org

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Art From the Ground Up

Gulfport Arts Center Reopening Hinges on Community Input, Support By Abby Baker

Art for All The board compares the center’s future to something like St. Pete Beach’s Suntan Arts Center. The vision includes a small shop selling local work, classes, and art exhibits. “It’s exciting because this will bring a new opportunity for local artists to show their work and teach classes,” Gulfport Historical Society operations manager Mel Zodda said. “It will be a lesser expense than showing in a gallery.” The center will also have space for kids. “We have a lot of focus on arts in Gulfport, but not a lot of focus for

ists, but they must be committed to the community, she says. Interested applicants should email GHS at info@gulfporthisoricalsociety.org. ABBY BAKER

The small white-and-blue building with the faded mural, sitting between the small and large dog park in Gulfport’s Chase Park, has sat empty since early 2020. Soon, it’ll be Gulfport’s place for clay, art classes, theater, and all things art: The Gulfport Arts Center. The Gulfport Historical Society assumed the lease from Abstract Art for Autism before the pandemic. The City of Gulfport owns the building, just a field across from the Gulfport History Museum. On April 12, the board of the Gulfport Historical Society approved plans to make the concept a reality.

The Gulfport Arts Center will reopen, under the auspices of the Gulfport Historical Society, at a date to be determined.

kids,” Cathy Salustri Loper, President, said. “As an artistic community, there should be something accessible and affordable for them.” The board’s in the process of voting on combined membership rates that include GHS and GAC. One item on the proposed new rates includes allowing Gulfport residents under 18 to pay member rates. To open, the GAC needs a steering committee to get it there. “We’re looking for people in Gulfport who are interested in shaping a community arts center,” Loper said. “They are going to make the board’s vision a reality.” The team doesn’t need to be art-

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What’s Next? The City rents the Gulfport Arts Center building [2726 54th St. S.] to GHS for $1, as they do other charities leasing space. It also places conditions on the rent, most notably that the center must provide free admission, excluding ticketed events. Because of this, 501(c)(3) will make its money from art sales, classes, monthly exhibits, and event ticket sales. Zodda says the building needs a bit of work. The City helped with initial repairs, but there’s need for a fresh coat of paint, a new mural, and a general revamp. “What we’re looking for is funding so we can do those things,” Zodda added. “We’re also in the process of getting estimates.” The GAC seeks donations to get off the ground and, with the help of a strong steering committee, hopes to announce a grand reopening date soon. Full disclosure: The Salustri/Loper family also owns The Gabber Newspaper.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

We are available for phone consultations! 2816 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 • (727) 822-2200

gabberlife Tai Chi and Pigs in the Park

Snapshots of Just Another Day in Gulfport

SHARA GEIGER

CATHY SALUSTRI

By Gabber Staff

Nancy Poucher shows us how it’s done.

Tai Chi Traditions Nancy Poucher isn’t just a local artist; she’s one of Gulfport’s prime tai chi instructors. Here, Poucher practices the Chinese martial art in Clymer Park. “A group meets in the park every week two-three times per week

Oscar oinks around his old stomping grounds.

and it’s a lovely practice!” Photographer Shara Geiger wrote to The Gabber.

humans, David and Jeanne Ochoa, for a visit. He enjoyed lunch from O’Maddy’s – and some of the pennywort – in Veterans Park.

And This Little Piggy... Oscar grew up in Gulfport, but moved out west as a young pig. He was back on vacation with his

See something Gabber-worthy in Gulfport? Send a photo and brief description to abby@thegabber. com.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

the gabs Do you think the City of Gulfport should spray pesticides (to kill fleas and ticks) in Chase Dog Park? Photos by Abby Baker

Jake McNeil, Tampa: “I mean, no. I think it’s the individual pet owner’s responsibility to prevent infestation in their animals. If it’s about fleas and ticks, owners should handle that themselves.”

Bonnie Ventura, Tampa: “No. I give flea medication to my dog; she’s a little chihuahua. I wouldn’t want her running around an area with pesticides.”

Brenda McMahon, Gulfport: “I think pesticides in the dog park is a terrible idea. The dogs live by their noses and they sniff everything. Every time I see a sign that indicates pesticides I cross the street. Public parks are our parks.”

Dave Maggio, St. Petersburg: “Yeah, what’s the worst case scenario? Dogs can get diseases from fleas and ticks, too. There is always going to be a dog that is affected in some way, but I think more dogs are benefiting from it. I think not spraying would do more harm than good.”

A Little Good News Let us share your good news! Photos printed as space allows. Free – email goodnews@thegabber.com.

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

worship

obituaries Unitarian Universalist During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30 Program - 11:00 For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

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Paradise Lutheran Church

10255 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

Sundays 10:00am Holy Eucharist Wednesdays 11:00am Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing “St. Alban's is an inviting faith community striving to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.” 727-360-8406 • www.StAlbanStPeteBeach.org

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Edward Perez The inimitable Edward (“Eduardo”) Joseph Perez of Gulfport, passed away on March 30, 2022, of complications after surgery. He is sorely missed. There will be a celebration of Ed’s life on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from noon until 4 p.m. Please call for location details: 231-510-5861.

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Mary Elizabeth Pickart, 87, of Gulfport, passed away Dec 27, 2021. She was born in Dubuque, IA and graduated from Clarke College with a music degree. She was a parishioner of Holy Name Catholic Church for 45 years, in which she was the church organist and choir director for 25 of those years. She also was a painter and loved to travel with her husband, Glenn (who preceded her in death). She leaves behind four children, nine grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and one sibling. Funeral services will be held April 23 at 11 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church.

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

crossword

Solution on page 27

Overview

gabber on vacation

Solution on page 27

TODD KENNEDY

sudoku

Todd Kennedy and Carol Lustgarten took The Gabber (and 37 others) with them to Eufaula, Alabama and also to Ray Charles plaza in Albany, Georgia. We’re told The Gabber enjoyed the annual tour of homes in the historic district.

Have you taken the Gabber somewhere? We want to see your pictures! Please send a high-resolution photo and a brief description to news@thegabber.com.

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

GULFPORT

North End Taphouse

2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S. Friday, April 22: John Shirley, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 23: Bud Good, 3 p.m.; LC Williams & The Driver, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24: Mitch Rolling, 3 p.m.

ST. PETE BEACH

Chill Restaurant and Bar 357 Corey Ave. Friday, April 22: Motel Funk, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23: Magic, 6:30 p.m.

TREASURE ISLAND Ka ‘Tiki Beach Bar and Grille

8803 W. Gulf Blvd. Friday, April 22: Dead Set, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 23: Taylor Jansen Trio, 1 p.m.; 7 p.m., Stonegrey Sunday, April 24: Sandy Bottom Boys, 1 p.m.; Cornfused, 6 p.m.

MADEIRA BEACH

Lucky Lizard Taphouse 14953 Gulf Blvd. Friday, April 22: Bill Floyd, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 23: Savannah Lee, 2 p.m.; Hannah Liz, 7 p.m.

Submit your events online at thegabber.com 22

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

things to do

Masks Recommended

Social Distancing Observed

Vegan Options

Dog-Friendly

Virtual

Ukraine Fundraisers, Renaissance Art + Phish Find links for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events. Friday, April 22 Phish at the Patch Love Phish? You’re not alone. “Antelope: A Tribute To The Band Phish” is playing at the Blueberry Patch and bringing the improv jam band vibes to Gulfport’s artist retreat. Plus, there will be live painting and veggie burgers. The Blueberry Patch, 4923 20th Ave. S. 8 p.m. $10. blueberrypatch.org International Film Friday Unearth the tale of scientists planning to build the world’s largest telescope on Hawaii’s sacred mountain, Mauna Kea. “Rock Bottom Riser” is Fern Silva’s film about just that, and you can see it for free as part of the Eckerd College’s International Film Series, returning after a pandemic-related absence. Eckerd College (Miller Auditorium) 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 7:30-9 p.m. eckerd.edu/news/events For Female Vets Creative Clay has a new, free program for female veterans and military personnel: The Creative Care Art Therapy Workshops for Women. Classes run every Fri-

day and combine art and emotional therapy to those seeking a sense of well-being. Creative Clay, 1846 1st Ave. S., St. Pete. 3:30 p.m. marcy@ creativeclay.org Saturday, April 23 Mind, Body, Gulfport See the Gulfport Casino Ballroom in an entirely different light for the Mind, Body and Spirit Expo, featuring more than 20 spiritual wellness vendors and more than 50 physics and mediums. Find organic products, food, and clothing, and people living their best spiritual selves. Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. mygulfport.us/ events Ceremonial Dance Enjoy a dance and tribal ceremony at Sacred Lands. It’s all part of Hip Expressions’ biannual Tribal Burn fundraiser. This year, they’ll donate the proceeds to Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid. “In honor of our Ukrainian dance sisters, as well as to Sacred Lands, home of the only ancient mound in St. Petersburg,” Hip Expressions wrote in a release. They invite the audience to come in the ethnic costume representing their heritage. 1700 Park St. N., St. Pete. 6 p.m. 727-859-2464.

Shakespeare Saturday Have you ever taken the time to celebrate famed playwright William Shakespeare’s birthday? He’s been dead since 1616, but the Off Central Players haven’t forgotten. Celebrate his 458th birthday at the Inaugural William Shakespeare’s Birthday Bash. There will be “Shakespeare Shorts” every 45 minutes, outdoor fun, a Morean Arts Center curated gallery, and other Shakespearean delights. Studio Grand Central, 2260 1st Ave. S., St. Pete. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $10-40. studiograndcentral.com/off-central-players Venetian Things Enjoy all things Renaissance related at Coastal Creative’s Venetian Art Show. Local creators will show their best modern European flair for one night. The show transports art lovers to Venice, Italy without leaving downtown St. Pete. Coastal Creative. 2201 1st Ave. S. St. Pete. 7-11 p.m. $10. coast alcreativetv.com All Aboard! Regal Railways presents a Toy Train Collectible Show with model trains, collectibles, and cars for the die-hard hobbyists. For kids and kids-at-heart, the show also has a running train layout. Girl Scouts

Things To Do continued on page 24

PLEASE GET VACCINATED The implanted chips are wonderful!

THE NORTH END TAPHOUSE HAS A DELI-STYLE MENU WITH LOCALLY BREWED BEERS AND MORE.

We have LIVE ENTERTAINMENT every day and OPEN MIC every Tuesday, located in the Village Courtyard. Apr 21 David Massey ............7-10 Apr 22 John Shirley.................. 6-9

Every morning when I wake, the voice of Bill Gates or George Soros comes into my head telling me what to do. Life is so easy now. (PS. I like George better, such a charming Hungarian accent) - Vaxxed and Happy theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Apr 23 Bud Good........................ 3-6

LC Williams & The Driver ...7-10 Apr 24 Mitch Rolling ............... 3-6 Apr 25 Team Trivia............8:30-10 Apr 26 Open Mic .......................7-10

2908 1/2 Beach Blvd S Gulfport, FL

Apr 27 Hot Tonic ......................... 6-9

Things To Do continued from page 23 will sell lunch. Lopez Hall, 7177 58th St. N., Pinellas Park. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $5. 727-244-1341. Saturday, April 23-Sunday, April 24 Crafts on Corey The 18th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Avenue Craft Festival is a farmers market for crafts. Browse blocks of artisans selling handmade arts, gifts, jewelry, soaps, and other handmade, artistic goods as you stroll along Corey. This year, discover a section of the festival dedicated to plants and plantbased goods. This is a free, two-day festival. Corey Avenue, Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. info@ artfestival.com Sunday, April 24 Hopeless Romantics, Bookworms, here’s your moment. Tombolo Books has a Romance Book Club every fourth Sunday of the month, hosted by romance writer and “Cold Brew Corpse” author Tamara Lush. First

up on the list: “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas. It’s the classic “I need a fake boyfriend for a wedding” story, and of course the handsome, yet rude, love interest steps in. Bring a friend, or just your book, for this heart-stamped Sunday book club at St. Pete’s indie bookstore. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Pete. 9 a.m. 727-755-9456.

thicken sauces and soups. Jump into a cooking class that uses the sea moss product to cook veggie patties, curry soup, and dessert. The class includes the prepared meal. Replenish Thyself, 4357 1st Ave. N., St. Pete. 4:15 p.m. $30. 904-2537144.

Kenwood PAWjama Party You finally have a chance to show off those fuzzy slippers and unicorn onesies. The PAWjama Block Party Brunch invites every person, dog, cat, and furry or feathered friend to a block party in St. Pete’s Historic Kenwood. Party in your PJs all day, and bring your best friends to the after-party at Dog Bar. 2400 block of 7th Avenue North, St. Pete. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fundraiser for Ukrainian/Gulfport Family If you’ve been to Gulfport Garage, then you most likely know owner Eric Cudar. Cudar and his fiance Ulyana Fylypovych, with generous help from Gulfportians, brought Fylypovych’s Ukrainian family to the United States, but now they have to start over with almost nothing. That’s why Gulfport artist Denise Keegan decided to host a nighttime fundraiser to help with the family’s new start in Gulfport. Marianne and the Professor and Reef Raff will play live music, plus the night includes raffles and a silent auction. Village Courtyard, 2901 Beach Blvd. S. 5-9 p.m.

Cooking Class St. Pete health spot Replenish Thyself is known for using GLOW with sea moss for food and beauty. Sea Moss is a vegan collagen often used as an egg replacement and as a binding agent or to

Monday, April 25

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Let’s Get Earthy

Let’s Go All-Out for Earth Day By Abby Baker

Around these parts, Earth Day means cleanups – but also book signings, paddles, and full-blown festivals celebrating Mother Earth. We’ve unearthed the best Earth Day events for you. Friday, April 22 Bitten? Gardeners, Florida-enthusiasts, get ready for a Gulfport Historical Porch Party to remember. At April’s event, author Andrew Furman will speak on his book, “Bitten: My Unexpected Love Affair with Florida.” The party is in honor of Pascua Florida, or the Feast of Flowers, which takes place every April. Furman’s book delves into his sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant forays creating a Florida-friendly yard. After the presentation, Furman will talk green gardening, but he does preface that he’s not a professional – he’s simply an enthusiastic transplant who loves Florida landscapes. Want to know more? Read Amanda Hagood’s article on page 13. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S. 7-9 p.m. gulfporthistoricalsociety.org Paddle the Bio The Tampa Bay Estuary Club and the Suncoast Sierra Club invite nature lovers to Gulfport’s Clam Bayou Park to trek the

land and shore. Participants will use the iNaturalist App to identify Florida wildlife. Download the app before you arrive to make things go easier. Feel like paddling? Feel free to bring kayaks or paddle gear and join the group from the water. Gulfport Clam Bayou, Miriam St. S. 9:30 a.m. sierraclub.org/florida The Pink Palace Spend your Earth Day at the Don CeSar at the annual DON and 3DB Earth Day Beach Cleanup 2022. 3 Daughters Brewing and The Don CeSar want to bring as many people as possible to the beach for a group cleanup. Beautification followed by lunch, brews, and beach games! The beach will thank you – with a t-shirt. The Don Cesar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 10 a.m. doncesar.com Rock(s) the Beach The Indian Rocks Beach’s Great American Cleanup happens – conveniently – on Earth Day. Meet other environmentalists at the supplies table on 18th Avenue on IRB. Bring your own picker, gloves, and bucket, but organizers will have extras if needed. 18th Avenue, Indian Rocks Beach. 5:30 p.m. indian-rocks-beach.com

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Saturday, April 23 Treasure the Earth Celebrate Earth Day at the 4th Annual Community Appreciation and Earth Day Celebration on Treasure Island. The Treasure Island Community Center will have a bicycle rodeo (bring a helmet), a petting zoo with pony rides (respect the horse), and drawings for free bikes. Bring the kids, because there’s plenty to do – including an obstacle course. Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave., Treasure Island. 11 a.m.1 p.m. 727-547-4575. Saturday, April 23

April

22-Sunday,

Green Thumb Festival You don’t have to have a green thumb to love St. Petersburg’s annual Green Thumb Festival. This two-day festival celebrates Arbor Day with a flower show, plant vendors, free plant and mulch giveaways, workshops, and more earthy fun. There’s something for everyone, even cactus fanatics. Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. stpeteparksrec. org/greenthumb

peripheral Neuropathy?

Dr. Gibbons, founder of Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine in St. Call now to schedule a consultation. Now $30 (normally $230). Petersburg, is using the science of acupuncture and other integrative techniques that assist in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing Peripheral neuropathy is the pain, discomfort and numbness caused by nerve to treat this debilitating disease. damage of the peripheral nervous system. “Now when I go to bed at night I don’t Jean explained that daily tasks like have those shooting pains. I don’t have opening doors and using the bathroom that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs,”Jean were overwhelmingly painful. “How can enthusiastically describes life after you live for the next 30 years when you receiving Dr. Gibbons treatments. 'I can don’t even want to get out of bed to do wear socks and shoes!” simple things?" Jean and her sister now operate a She was experiencing the burning, successful dog walking business, numbness, tingling and sharp pains that sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day. those suffering with neuropathy often describe. “The way that I would describe it, "It's life altering. As far as I am concerned, is that it's equivalent to walking on glass.” Dr. Gibbons saved my life!" Jean hadn’t worn socks in five years and Dr. Gibbons who has also been an RN for was wearing shoes two sizes too big so over 15 years, integrates both her western that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet. medicine background with effective eastern medicine strategies to be able to Unfortunately Jean's story is all offer a different non-drug, non surgical too familiar. For the over 3 million option to those who have chronic pain and people in the U.S. suffering from complex chronic conditions. She specializes peripheral neuropathy. in chronic cases, specifically those that have been deemed ‘hopeless’ If you’re unfortunate enough to be facing or ‘untreatable’. the same disheartening prognosis, you’re It is time to let your golden years be golden! not sleeping at night because of the our services: burning in your feet. You have difficulty f you’ve missed too many tee times acupuncture walking, shopping or doing any activity for because of pain or you’ve had to miss more than 30 minutes because of the pain. dry needling out on enjoying our beautiful weather and You’re struggling with balance and living in acupuncture beaches because you’re afraid of falling, fear that you might fall. it’s time to contact Dr. Gibbons and her

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

solution

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR NEXT THURSDAY’S ISSUE IS FRIDAY BY 5 p.m.

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

Accounting

CLEAR NUMBERS BOOKKEEPING Virtual bookkeeping for small businesses and nonprofits. Monthly packages customized to your needs or one time cleanups. Payroll available. QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor. 10+ years experience. Call/text to 727-248-0714 or email to nspence@clearnumbers.biz

Caregivers

HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF ST. PETE BEACH

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CAROL’S ERRANDS & MORE

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If you have questions about advertising, please email us at advertising@thegabber.com or call 727-321-6965! Deadline: Friday 3 p.m. Computer Service

Handy Person

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CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP Handy helper. Skilled labor, anything around the house from A-Z. Weeding, rock gardens cleaned, mulch, sod, and plants installed. Small trees planted and removed. Pressure washing. Free estimates. 30 years experience. Start the New Year off right. St. Pete / Gulfport area. James: 407-244-6045

Fast Friendly Service

727-388-3493 2321 49th St S

Mon-Thu 10am-5pm

15 Years in Gulfport 45 Years Experience

Computer Sales

Fax, Copy, Print

In-Home services: Internet security, training, virus & spyware removal, maintenance and repair, data recovery. (PC & Mac) JS COMPUTER REPAIR Mobile computer repair – $40 per visit/hour – 727-643-0697; jmswebservices.com Electrical

Lawn & Landscape

727-687-7999 CourtesyElectricFL@gmail.com

5030 78th Ave. N. Suite 12, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR EC-13008313

MAYNARD ELECTRIC

727-698-1213 Abccleanexteriors.com

Heating & Air Conditioning

COMPUTER SERVICES 727-343-2838

LICENSED AND INSURED

Window Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Soft Washing, and more! Licensed and Insured

HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs. Small jobs welcome. Quality work at reasonable prices. Honest. Reliable. Free estimates. John: 727-410-2201p

• Room Additions • Lightning Protection • Fuses to Breakers • Mobile Homes • Circuits Added • Phone Wiring • Ceiling Fans • Security Lighting & More 24 Hour Service

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IRRIGATION STAIN REMOVAL

Remove ugly rust-colored irrigation stains from PVC fence, siding - stucco - wood, pavers, railings, windows and most other surfaces around your house or business including signage. Cars, too. Free estimate and demonstration. Surprisingly low prices. Call/text 727-360-7070 Email: RustStainRemoval@icloud.com

EXPERT SPRINKLER REPAIR

Rich Moseley, irrigation contractor. 25 years experience. Reasonable rates. Well & pumps. 727-439-0792. Lic.#C8312. BBB Accredited.

Licensed Bonded Insured St. Lic. #EC0002881

SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT!

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

GUTTER CLEANING & HOME CARE SERVICES

Professionally trained in landscaping services: Gutter Cleaning, Palm Trimming, Pressure Washing, Mulching, Weeding, etc. I provide FREE estimates on any of the jobs listed above and offer rates below the market standard. Contact me for more information! Carlos: 813-997-5478

Plumbing

PROFLO PLUMBING 727-902-7077

#CFC1430429 State-certified, residential/ commercial service. Senior and military discount. $25 off service with ad. Locally owned and operated.

Search Services of Florida, Inc.

Lee Claxton, I.S.A. Certified Arborist

Planting • Trimming Tree & Stump Removal Cabling/Bracing • Pruning/Shaping

Miscellaneous Service

AFFORDABLE ESTATE PLANNING

Painting

BYRON JOHNSON PAINTING PLUS, INC.

Time to refresh the interior/exterior of your house or business? High quality, professional painting. Free estimates. Lic.#9894. Insured. 727-365-1088

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

30 years experience. Painting expert plus wallpaper hanging and removing. Lic. #C9579. Call Arney 727-900-3459 SEASONS BEST PAINTING & CONTRACTING, LLC Interior/Exterior Painting And Power Washing Services. Over 25/Years of Experience. 727-506-3677 Licensed/Insured. LIC #C-11623

Health & Fitness

Jeffery Shibley, Esquire. 45 years experience. A complete plan for married couples $500. House calls only. stpetewills.com. Call me at 727-800-2726

Moving / Hauling

Mondays and Tuesdays. Have 14 foot box truck, willing to help. 727-320-3297

GULFPORT LIONS CLUB Available for parties, weddings, meetings. Great waterfront location with full facilities. Call Jean for info and dates. 727-366-6341

Get ready for swimsuit weather! Sign Up for a membership today, and don’t pay your next membership dues until July! Visit us at 6822 Gulfport Blvd. S. in Pasadena. Call 727-345-1213 or email stpetersburgfl6@anytimefitness.com.

AnAffordableArborist@gmail.com

SKIP’S MOVING & PICKUP DELIVERY

General

SOUTH PASADENA ANYTIME FITNESS

727-220-0226

CHARLES JUNK HAULING & DEMOLITION Junk & trash removal. Low, low prices guaranteed. Daily specials. Kitchen, bath, shed, fencing, etc. Demolition. 727-831-0507.

Provides emotional, social, and spiritual holistic care. Non-medical, non-judgemental, education, & demystification according to needs, values, and priorities. Compassionate listener. Educate about the normal & natural state of dying. Legacy projects upon request. Contact Nancy, caretaker relief: 727-564-8499

Professional Services

AFFORDABLE PROMPT • RELIABLE Licensed & Insured

THE TRASH QUEEN Overwhelmed with the mess? Clean up/clean out, inside and out. Recycling, organizing, and yard work. Free estimate from Kathy, Trashologist, licensed/insured, with truck/trailer. Call/text 845-866-3867. Responsible, reasonable, and ready!

END OF LIFE SUPPORT

Help Wanted

PART-TIME HOST/HOSTESS

PJ’s St. Pete Beach is looking for a host or hostess to work part-time in the evening (3-4 hours a night; rarely past 9 p.m.). Apply in person at 7490 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Apply Tues.-Sun., 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fun family atmosphere. $10/hour. Ideal for students, but we welcome all applicants. Positions Wanted

AVAILABLE FOR HIRE Professional cleaning lady & inside painting. Call Sandra 727-709-0513

WILLING AND ABLE HELPER, LIGHT GARDEN WORK

Repotting, weeding, clearing, trimming, watering. I am an able-bodied female who loves being outdoors. I can use your tools and offer my helping hands. Local lady, raised in St. Pete, friendly, happy nature. 727-370-7920

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED LINE ADS ONLINE!

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

• Silver Sneakers • Renew Active • Indoor Cycling • Yoga & More • Massage • Physical Therapy • Personal & Small Group Training

575 75th Ave, St Pete Beach 727-367-0075 www.iamfitforlife.com Legal Notice FICTITIOUS NAME Notice is hereby given that Sharon Bond desires to engage in business under the fictitious name “Scents of Mind®” in St. Petersburg, FL and intends to register said name with Division of Corporations. LEGAL NOTICE - FICTITIOUS NAME Notice is given that FREEDOM ALLIANCE OF FLORIDA, INC. desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of “THE SATANIC TEMPLE FLORIDA” located in PINELLAS County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations. FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Patti E. Thompson, owner, to do business under the fictitious name of “Good Trouble Performing Arts Center” in Pinellas County Florida, intends to register the said name with Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State.

Lost & Found

Real Estate Wanted

FOUND: TEDDY BEAR

NEED A GREAT REALTOR?

Found Saturday, April 16 at intersection of 34th Street and 9th Avenue North. Looked loved and lonely and misses his or her owner. Call to identify and reunite. 727-3216965. Yard / Garage Sale MOVING SALE Friday, April 22 & Saturday, April 23. 2726 Beach Blvd. S. 9-?. Yard furniture and decor, tools, household items, furniture, electronics, firepit and wood, plants, guitar, craft items. Everything goes!

Accommodations Wanted WE NEED A PLACE TO LIVE Retired couple on social security seeking place to live. Please call 727-642-4591. Leave a message and will call back.

LOOKING FOR A FIXER-UPPER TO MAKE MY HOME

I’m looking for a fixer-upper two bedroom/two bath with Waterview in Town Shores. I would like to be on the ground floor if it all possible. Please contact me at 913-645-1375. Ready to start living the dream. Furnished Rentals 2/BD 1/BA WATERFRONT UPPER UNIT ON SHORE BLVD. Available April 4, 2022 through January 3, 2023. Parking, cable, utilities included. Utilities in excess of $100/ month passed on to the tenant. On-site Laundry, 90-day minimum lease. Small, non-shedding dogs welcome. $3,900/ month. Contact JenM@hjmholdings.com 1/BD 1/BA WATERFRONT LOWER UNIT ON SHORE BLVD. Available April 22, 2022 through January 3, 2023. 90 day minimum lease. Parking, cable, utilities up to $100 tenant pays anything over. On-site Laundry, small non-shedding dogs welcome. $2,200/ month. Contact JenM@hjmholdings.com

FOR RENT 2BD/2BA WATERFRONT CONDO AT TOWN SHORES

List your home with me and save BIG with low commission rates! Please consider me for all of your Real Estate needs. Greg Graham, Realtor, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 1545 Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33764. 727-698-9017 Real Estate For Sale

NEW HOME FOR SALE 5310 21ST AVE. S. GULFPORT

4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. 2,098 htd sqft. No flood insurance required! Features: impact windows, stainless steel appliance package, cathedral ceilings, new fenced in yard with sprinkler system. Call David with C.R.R. - 727-244-0989

GULFPORT

6202 7TH AVE. S. • $750,000 - SOLD

CONGRATS TO CAROLE AND CLAUDE!

WELCOME TO GLORIOUS GULFPORT!

727-418-8948

• Open House 4-23-22 11am-2pm Diplomat • Buyer looking for 1250 sf 1st floor any Town Shores Building Call if you are ready to Sell! New on Market!

openhouse Saturday 1-4pm 5213 Newton Avenue South, Gulfport Offered for $575,000

neldasellsfla@gmail.com

Nelda Hamm

3037 Beach Blvd. S. 505 Pasadena Ave. S.

Place your classified line ads online! Deadline for classified ads is 3 p.m. Friday for the following week’s issue.

Furnished, covered parking, cable, gas utility included. 55+ community. No pets. Six month minimum lease, $2200/month. Call Jerry: 727-688-7337 LEASE KENMORE 103 Beautifully furnished one bedroom deluxe. Ceramic Floors, carport, dishes, bedding, cold A/C, gas heat, cable, internet, all Town Shores amenities. Bring toothbrush and clothes. Available June 1. $1,400/month ($1,300 w/PD checks) + electric. Call Dan: 705-327-2499

theGabber.com 30

I LIVE and SPECIALIZE in Town Shores... Call me TODAY and see how I can help you SELL or BUY your home.

You are invited to view this stunning and spacious 1259 SF 2BR/2BA block home with an oversized 1 car garage. As soon as you walk in the door, you will be struck with the sparkling terrazzo floors and be very impressed by the expansive kitchen and desirable split bedroom plan. Entertaining is a breeze in this home that has sliding doors in both the living room and kitchen that go all the way into the walls and open to a peaceful large lanai. The fenced backyard has beautiful mature vegetation. As an added benefit, the home is not in a flood zone.

Call or text Sharon Lardieri, Century 21 Integra at 727-455-3556 or email callsharonfirst@aol.com

Submit your events online at thegabber.com

theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

Real Estate Snapshots

Other Gulfport Home Sales Last Week

Here’s What Sold in Gulfport Last Week

2405 York St. S. (Waterfront District) This 1,566-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 2004, listed for $650,000 but sold for $790,000. 3011 49th St. S. (Waterfront) This 1,552-square-foot, two-bedroom, three-bath home, built in 1951, listed for $500,000 and sold for $510,000.

BARRY LOPER

6060 Shore Blvd. S., #902 (Town Shores) This 1,255-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1981, listed for $499,00 and sold for $479,000. 5325 18th Ave. S. (Tangerine) This 736-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath home listed at $359,000 but sold for $401,000 after three days on the market. The home dates to 1948.

5878 27th Ave. S. (Waterfront District) This 2,495-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-half-bath home, built in 2004, listed and sold for $830,000.

2101 52nd St. S. (Tangerine) This 1,715-square-foot home, built in 1952, has four bedrooms and two baths. It listed for $449,000 and sold for $390,000. 1336 60th St. S. (Stetson) This 768-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1950, listed for $365,000 and sold for $360,000.

Old Florida Charm

1840 51st St S • $299,000

in the Heart of Old Gulfport

5002 28th Ave S • $949,000

5108 Tangerine Ave S • $600,000

2902 53rd Ave S • $499,000 SOLD THIS WEEK 5814 Tangerine Ave (Sellers) • 2607 Miriam St S (Buyers & Sellers) 6025 Shore Blvd #403 (Buyers) • 762 Paris Ave (Buyers)

5419 Delette Ave S

2902 Beach Blvd S.

www.GulfportRealty.com

(727) 289-5500

#1 Listing Agency in Gulfport! theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022

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theGabber.com | April 21, 2022 - April 27, 2022