The Gabber: July 6, 2023

History Matters

By James Schnur

Articles in the March 16 and March 23 issues of The Gabber Newspaper profiled “sundown towns” in lower Pinellas County. This article describes a Black community that disappeared a century ago, when Pass-a-Grille also became a “sundown town.”

William Bradley moved to Passa-Grille around 1900. At that time, the sparsely settled island had a few wooden homes, plenty of undeveloped land, flocks of free-roaming chickens, millions of sand fleas, and countless mosquitoes. Bradley married, started a family, built a rooming house for visitors from the mainland, and became an expert at crabbing and fishing.

Bradley and his neighbors lived near present-day Pass-a-Grille Way and 20th Avenue. Decades before dredges sculpted Mud Key into Vina del Mar, those who settled in that area fished along Boca Ciega Bay and its many keys. They welcomed large weekend gatherings of people who visited from St. Petersburg, and worked in the growing number of hotels and restaurants that opened south of 13th Avenue.

Leaving a Growing Community

A few of Bradley’s neighbors returned to the mainland after William D. “Bill” McAdoo opened the first bridge that connected the island with the mainland in February 1919. This narrow, wooden toll bridge

spanned from Villa Grande Avenue to 87th Avenue, near Blind Pass. More of Bradley’s neighbors departed after an October 1921 hurricane ravaged the coastline.

Bradley sold his home and business in 1923. He moved his family

continued on page 7

Pass-a-Grille’s Casino, shown here in 1924, became the backdrop for some Klan gatherings by the mid-1920s.

PINELLAS MEMORY

2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707

727-321-6965

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com

Advertising Director

Barry Loper barry@thegabber.com

Creative Director

Joey Neill joey@thegabber.com

Assistant Editor Cameron Healy cameron@thegabber.com

News & Politics

Monroe Roark monroe@thegabber.com

Food & Dining

Morgan Banno

Operations

Patrick Graney patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

Mike Sunnucks, Crime

Amanda Hagood, Books & Environment

Jon Kile, Columnist

Lisa Leveroni, Beaches

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.

St. Pete Beach City Manager

I would like to offer my opinion of Mr. Rey and his performance during his four-plus years at St. Pete Beach. Mr. Rey arrived in early 2019 taking the helm of a city that in the midst of badly needed major infrastructure improvements. Using his decades of experience as a city manager, he successfully managed these projects to completion and now has SPB in the position of maintaining facilities, not improving/modifying them. This was all done without raising the property tax millage rate. I expect that, with most of the major work completed, a reduction of that millage is in the near future.

As mayor, I worked closely with him and observed his open style of management where he encouraged cooperation between departments and direct communication between employees to the benefit of the City. He recognized talented, hard-working employees and identified advancement opportunities to retain them. The feedback I received when talking with employees was overwhelmingly positive.  They were taking ownership of their responsibilities and not being micromanaged.

Mr. Rey also advanced the City through the use of services and technology.

route termination could be forced by SPB as the system operates only on state roads. Visitors now can come to SPB via public transit and traverse our island using our free micro transit service.

In summary, I would like to say that Mr. Rey has effectively managed what he inherited and advanced the City’s operations to the envy of our neighboring municipalities — he should get applauded, not vilified based on the negative opinions of a few. –Al Johnson, former mayor, St. Pete Beach

WinWay

Reading about WinWay is so frustrating. The company “AllState” has been building here in Gulfport for a few years.  After completing the last six homes it led to building nine homes in St. Petersburg. During COVID-19, the building of new homes never slowed down. Although building codes have tightened, they are necessary. Now the biggest problem is getting all the materials needed. Patience is the name of the game! —Jerri Tate, 12year resident, Gulfport Editor’s note: According to Mike Taylor with Gulfport Community Development, “Allstate has done limited work in the City but not since 2021.”

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.

The addition of the FreeBee micro transit service has been incredibly successful and appreciated by residents and visitors alike. It has had a very positive effect on our traffic and parking resources. Parking has been digitally overhauled using cashless systems, license plate readers for our enforcement personnel, and even an app-based monitoring system for identifying available parking locations. He successfully negotiated changes to the SunRunner bus rapid transit design to make it more compatible with the City. In reality, none of these changes in bus size, number of stops and

The Gabber Newspaper encourages letters (one per person, per month). Include your real name and city, and please keep it short – <250 words. We may edit letters for content, clarity, and length. We don’t print letters that incite violence, include attacks on private citizens, or that intentionally mislead people. Letters may appear online and/or in print. Comments on The Gabber’s website and social media may get printed. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of The Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@thegabber.com or 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.

Council Corner: South Pasadena My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It

By Arthur Penny

My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Like and Follow the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ CityofSouthPasadenaFL. You can find updates on the new Fire Station 20, the dolphin statue, the mural project, and more here. Please let your neighbors know.

City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

Dolphin Statue Design Selection

South Pasadena recently joined Amplify Clearwater’s Dolphin Trail and a 6-foot dolphin statue was installed at City Hall. Design options were solicited from artists experienced with the statues and two renders where shared online for the community to choose from. Votes were accepted until July 3rd. Check out the winning design on the City’s Facebook page!

Pasadena Avenue Murals

Murals are coming to Pasadena Avenue! The City contracted with Creative Pinellas to launch the South Pasadena Mural Project and the initiative is in full swing. Community meetings were held in June to provide information and receive feedback from the public on what you would like to see in the community. If you did not attend either of the meetings, an online survey can be found at www.creativepinellas. org/opportunity/south-pasadena-mural-project/

Potential business participants are being vetted, and Leverock’s Great Seafood, Florida Orange Groves Winery, and Pasadena Liquors have tentatively agreed to participate in the project. The artist selection pro-

cess will occur throughout the summer, with the painting of the first round of murals expected to occur in the fall.

Fire Department Activities

The Public Safety Department received several complaints regarding the pedestrian crosswalk signal at Pasadena Avenue South and Majestic Way. Local businesses noticed that some walkers were only making it approximately 75% across Pasadena Avenue South before the traffic signal would turn green for automobile traffic. With help from Public Works Director Shawn Shimko, fifteen (15) seconds were added to the crosswalk timer. Local businesses in the area report that this was a huge success and has solved the issue.

New Fire Station 20 Update

Work continues rapidly at 1477 Pasadena Avenue South, our new Fire Station 20 site. Biltmore Constructions Senior Superintendent has reported that, while minor adjustments to the daily schedule have been necessary, we remain on schedule for final project completion in May of 2024.

New Businesses:

• Green Dragon - 1271 Pasadena Ave S

• Rejuvenate with Joy - 728 Pasadena Ave S

• WN Body Sculpting - 933 Oleander Way S

• Moonstone Myo + Medicupping –933 Oleander Way S

Sincerely,

Mayor Arthur Penny

Mayor Arthur Penny announces updates occurring in South Pasadena recently.

CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA

Ban the Banning Ban

Florida’s Ban on Banning Fertilizer

By Lenny Guckenheimer

Why do people visit and move to Florida? What about you? Why do you live here? Do we live here because of the access to waters such as our Boca Ciega Bay, Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the many lakes, rivers, springs, and wetlands? After all, we love to swim, fish, kayak, boat, or walk along the beaches.

Or did we move here because of all the nice, thick green lawns? That’s a silly question, right? Well, the Florida legislature and Governor DeSantis would rather have green lawns than clean and healthy waters. And they also want to help fertilizer industry profits grow lush and green. To accomplish that, DeSantis recently signed a moratorium on fertilizer bans.

Many counties and cities have enacted summertime fertilizer bans to help keep their waters clear. During the summer rainy season, fertilizer runs off into waterways. The nutrients then pollute the waters by feeding red tide and algae which

deplete oxygen, block sunlight, and can cause fish kills. We know all too well how red tide causes fish kills and the terrible stench that comes. The new law will prevent a county or city from enacting a new fertilizer ban or changing a current ban. The state-enacted moratorium on local fertilizer bans is only the most recent gutting of local water quality controls.

What is a lot clearer than Tampa Bay water is that the Florida state government is beholden to shortterm profit-making and completely unconcerned about consequences. However, anyone who uses or lives near Florida waters will feel the effects as nutrients feed algae blooms and cause fish kills.

We, the people of Florida, need an override on state government to stop the legislature and governor from their destructive ways. We need a constitutional amendment that guarantees that clean and healthy waters are a fundamental

human right. Furthermore, we need the right to take action against state government if it fails to protect our waters and health. We need the Clean and Healthy Waters amendment in our Florida Constitution. Despite this recent setback, there is good news. We can put the Clean and Healthy Waters amendment in our Florida Constitution. But, to do that, we first need the proposed amendment placed on the 2024 ballot. And for that to happen, we need at least 900,000 petitions signed by November 2023.

To find out more about this amendment, please visit floridarighttocleanwater.org. You can download the petition and mail it to your Supervisor of Elections. Please act soon!

Lenny Guckenheimer became a volunteer for floridarighttocleanwaters.org after seeing the state pass laws that blocked efforts to keep Florida waters clean. Lenny’s lived on the Gulf Coast for more than 20 years.

Tampa Bay water is in danger — from fertilizer. Local governments can no longer pass a fertilizer ban, as the state has banned such a ban.

ADOBE STOCK

New Four-Way Stop at Tangerine and 52nd Move Intended to Cut Down on Speeding

By Monroe Roark

Gulfport officials installed stop signs at a key intersection in an attempt to curb speeding and improve safety.

Motorists in all directions now face a four-way stop at Tangerine Avenue South and 52nd Street. In that location, Tangerine Avenue, is actually a pair of two-lane roads separated by green space going east-west from 49th to 54th Streets South, ending at Tomlinson Park.

The northern part of Tangerine Avenue had no stop sign at all along that stretch and had become “a dragway,” as City Councilmember Ian O’Hara (Ward IV) put it.

“The south side is a two-way street but it is narrow, so it is very hard to go fast,” said O’Hara. “[The new stop signs] really push the speed of the traffic down a few notches; the initial issue was extreme speed.”

O’Hara announced the arrival of the stop signs at the June 20 council meeting. The councilmember initiated a traffic study that confirmed the need for the stop signs, according to Gulfport public works director Tom Nicholls. Neighborhood complaints about speeding played a role, he added.

“There’s not a lot of volume on that road but a lot of speeding,” said Nicholls. “Because there is a school crossing at that location, we felt it was necessary to put that four-way stop in.”

City staff monitored traffic over a 72-hour period, using high-tech counters to gather data that showed traffic counts as well as speed. Nicholls said the traffic volume was not excessive, but the speeds were higher than the City wanted to see.

“They [speeding drivers] were sporadic in timing so enforcement would have been difficult,” said Nicholls. “Usually, it is in the peak a.m. or p.m. hours, but we didn’t see that here.”

Gulfport leaders do not need county or state approval to install

stop signs. No state highways run inside City limits. Even with county roads, the City has regulatory jurisdiction inside its own borders, Nicholls said.

There are no concrete plans right now for additional stop signs in Gulfport. Nicholls said his department is taking a look at a different option for the area around the 6000 block of 11th Avenue South.

“We had done a small project between 63rd and 64th where we striped the roadway, and that’s what I’m looking at between 63rd and 58th,” he said. “What that does is give the perception of a more narrow roadway, which tends to slow folks down. We are looking at some edge line striping as well as some double yellow lines down the middle.”

Back at Tangerine and 52nd, motorists will see another new wrinkle beginning in August. Crossing guards will be on hand to help stu-

dents navigate the intersection. In past years they have been in place on 52nd Street at two other locations — at Gulfport Boulevard and at 15th Avenue South.

There are new four-way stop signs on Tangerine Avenue South in Gulfport.

BARRY LOPER

Failure to Launch Corey Landing

By Lisa Leveroni

Dead in the Water

In 2021, Ram Realty Advisors, a South Florida-based real estate firm, went under agreement to purchase the property at the east end of Corey Avenue.

Leverock’s Restaurant moved to South Pasadena to make way for this land and water development. All this, for the beautification, development, and practical land use of what should be a showcase for the people of St. Pete Beach.

Fast forward to 2023 and not only has the project failed to advance, but the developer withdrew its purchase offer from property owner Fortress Investment Group of Irving, Texas.

It may seem moot to review Ram Realty Advisors’ submitted plans for a mixed-use property with all the

trimmings, but it’s not. Boat docks for residents and visitors, green space, a swimming pool, a 243-unit seven-story apartment building with parking garage, restaurants, and shops may still play into the property plan.

The Future of Corey Landing

During the June 27 commission meeting, St. Pete Beach commissioners discussed the future of the Corey Landing project.

City Manager Alex Rey was asked why the purchase fell through between Ram and Fortress.

“The Ram attorney said that the owner will not comment on the reason,” Rey said. He speculated that one reason might be that the pro-

jected cost went from $90 million to $100 million.

Rey explained that the permit fees had all been paid and Fortress owns these permits.

“They’re looking for a company to step into Ram’s shoes,” Rey said.

Ram Realty Advisors reportedly lost at least $1 million by canceling the purchase agreement.

City Attorney Andrew Dickman indicated that if “exactly the same plan was used, the same permits which were already paid for could also be used by the new property owners.”

Vice Mayor Mark Grill asked, “if the permits go with the property owner, what about the Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?”

Corey continued on page 10

The Corey Landing project includes plans for a mixed-use property.

CITY OF ST. PETE BEACH

History continued from cover to St. Petersburg. Soon thereafter, crews carved roadways and built new homes at this once-remote fishing spot near where a bridge currently connects Pass-a-Grille and Vina del Mar.

Bradley did not sell his Pass-a-Grille assets to reap a handsome profit during the vibrant Florida land boom. The first known Black person to settle along Pass-a-Grille, he and his family became the last Black residents to leave the growing island community a century ago, when ambitious developers and hateful Jim Crow practices forced his removal and turned Passa-Grille into a “sundown town.”

An Early Beachfront

Florida has more miles of coastline than all other states except Alaska. Despite this distinction, until recent years, Black beachgoers endured fear of immediate arrest or violent reprisals if they attempted to enjoy the surf and sand. Indeed, legal restrictions and racial intolerance created coastal “sundown towns” throughout the Sunshine State.

Although real estate boosters have promoted St. Petersburg’s waterfront since the earliest days of settlement, Spa Beach and other Sunshine City locations remained off-limits to Black bathers until the civil rights era. Similar restrictions prohibited Black people from visiting beaches at Gulfport, Clearwater, and the rest of coastal Pinellas during the early- and mid-20th century.

For more than 15 years, however, a then-remote section of the island

three-fifths of a mile north of Passa-Grille’s business district became a safe enclave for Black beachgoers. The Bradleys, Gunners, and other families in this area maintained a small bathing beach for Black visitors who came to their secluded area of the island.

Bradley operated a concession stand, provided refreshments, and even rented bathing suits to visitors. He also raised hogs on an adjacent key and transported cargo for whiteowned businesses before automobiles arrived on the island.

At a time when police in St. Petersburg often threatened to arrest Black bathers who set foot in Tampa Bay, this section of Pass-a-Grille offered a coastal refuge found almost nowhere else in Florida.

Bradley’s beach concession welcomed mainland visitors to Pass-aGrille years before many other fabled beach destinations opened during the Jim Crow era. Long before American Beach offered a haven on Amelia

Island in northeastern Florida, Black beachgoers swam and fished along a portion of Pass-a-Grille.

A Known and Respected Neighbor

Although William Bradley lived on the other side of thick mangroves and sea grape trees that separated him from Pass-a-Grille’s business district, white residents relied on his services and ingenuity during the community’s early years. George Lizotte, the island’s first hotel operator, called Bradley “the colorful magnate of transportation on the island.”

Bradley brought a mule and wobbly wagon to the island on a simple barge sometime before 1910. Soon, he used this early form of transportation to carry supplies, remove refuse, and provide firewood for cooking. The boarding house Bradley built offered shelter for Black workers employed at nearby white hotels before McAdoo’s bridge opened.

History continued on page 8

White sunbathers relax along the beach near the Pass-a-Grille Casino during the 1920s.

USF

History continued from page 7

Despite his involvement in Pass-aGrille’s early development, the only notable mention of the man known as “Old Bradley” in early narratives involved an unfortunate incident. During the 1910s, St. Petersburg resident Elmer “Ermee” Ermatinger hired a Gulfport barge to bring his REO Runabout to Pass-a-Grille. The first automobile ever driven on the island, this two-cylinder vehicle generated a lot of smoke and noise as Ermatinger drove it on the firm sand during low tide.

One day, as Bradley hauled supplies along the beach, Ermatinger’s loud Runabout scared his mule. As the frightened animal tried to escape, the wagon flipped and knocked Bradley to the ground.

An Inconvenient Education

Pass-a-Grille’s first school opened in 1912. Unfortunately, Bradley’s children and other Black youth living on the beach could not enroll at this whites-only facility. These elementary age pupils had to take a boat to Gulfport. They transferred to a streetcar to reach Davis Elementary, a school in the Gas Plant district that opened in 1914.

These children usually lived with Black families in St. Petersburg during weekdays. This allowed them to avoid a long commute between Pass-aGrille and their school. Bradley and

other Black parents on the island worried about their children’s safety in St. Petersburg, especially after the November 1914 lynching of John Evans in that city and increased Ku Klux Klan activity throughout Florida.

During the 1910s, Pass-a-Grille offered a somewhat safe coastal haven in a state increasingly consumed by racial hate.

Born on the island in December 1912, Julius Bradley entered the world at a time when his father was a respected member of the beach community. Julius and his siblings attended Davis Elementary before the end of the decade. By the time Julius entered Gibbs High School, things had profoundly changed in his “hometown.”

White Sands

Pass-a-Grille incorporated as a municipality in June 1911. John J. Duffy, the first mayor, came to the area from West Virginia. Similar to the popular-

ity of many Florida beaches during spring break today, Pass-a-Grille became a popular destination for partygoers by the late 1910s.

The 18th Amendment and the federal Volstead Act criminalized the consumption of alcohol. Soon thereafter, an intoxicating number of drinking parties took place in remote areas along Pass-a-Grille during the 1920s. In March 1922, Duffy declared war on drunkenness in his city. He told a Tampa Tribune reporter that “young (white) girls and women from St. Petersburg” were the main offenders.

Duffy pledged to arrest, fine, and have the names of these offending day trippers published in local newspapers. Instead, he and other city leaders targeted the island’s shrinking Black community. For example, officers raided the Pass-a-Grille home of a Black woman in August 1922. They arrested her for the unlawful possession of “intoxicating liquors.”

Meanwhile, drinking parties and

Pass-a-Grille: Sundown Town at one time. In this image, Sylvia Hilton, a white woman who spent the spring of 1911 at Pass-a-Grille, captured this image of Black people along a nearby beach.

PINELLAS MEMORY

gambling gatherings of white beachgoers continued, largely unabated.

William and Mary Bradley moved their children to St. Petersburg in 1923. They lived in a small home at 720 17th St. S., now part of the John Hopkins Middle School campus. William traded his crab traps for various jobs as a laborer.

Julius came of age when Black people were expected to remain in their segregated St. Petersburg neighborhood after sundown. He graduated from Gibbs High School. He later taught there, as well as at Union Academy in Tarpon Springs and 16th Street Junior High. This school once sat on the land now occupied by John Hopkins Middle School.

After the Bradleys moved, Klan

AMAZING FOOD & CRAFT BEER

gatherings occurred more frequently at Pass-a-Grille. More than 200 new Klan members were initiated along the beach during the early summer of 1924. Newspaper reports from the time claimed that a January 9, 1925 Klan ceremony at Pass-a-Grille “drew several thousand persons from St. Petersburg.” A month later, the Klan held a “naturalization ceremony” near the Pass-a-Grille Casino.

Black workers in Pass-a-Grille businesses had to commute from the mainland for decades after the Bradleys left in 1923. During the mid1930s, a Black couple named Tom and Idella briefly lived in a small wooden cottage near Eighth Avenue. Hostile conditions soon compelled these domestic workers to leave.

Although they portray only a brief snapshot in time, federal census records illustrate the disappearance of Pass-a-Grille’s self-sustaining Black community. In 1910 and 1920, census enumerators recorded the names of Black families who lived in their own homes. During the 1930 and 1940 census campaigns, only a handful of Black people employed as live-in “servants” at private residences appeared in the records. Many of these individuals also had family in St. Petersburg that provided them with a permanent residence. By 1950, only white servants lived on the island.

An Important Legacy

Despite their departure from the island a century ago, Black residents of Pass-a-Grille contributed to our area’s history. During World War II, Julius Bradley became a Montford Point Marine, the earliest Black people to desegregate the U.S. Marine Corps. Julius Bradley passed away at Bay Pines in 1991 without any recognition of his service as a Marine. The Weekly Challenger commemorated the March 27, 2021 family gathering where he posthumously received a Congressional Gold Medal.

Few records remain of Pass-aGrille’s once thriving Black settlement. Shining light on the years before the island became a “sundown town” preserves the legacy of a community worth remembering.

The McAdoo Bridge connected the mainland at Villa Grande Avenue to the island in 1919, allowing automobiles to travel to Pass-a-Grille.

“Good question,” replied Dickman. “We are looking into it.” He indicated that he thought Ram would try to “assign” the CUP to the new developer.

“As long as there is not a substantial change in the CUP, it may not need to come before the commission, but I will have to check on that,” Dickman added.

Who Will Buy Corey Landing?

Mayor Adrian Petrila asked if there was city interest in purchasing the

property. Grill said some folks in District 2 believe there was definitely interest.

“How do we buy it though? Do we float a bond? 99 years of green space? How would this work?” Grill asked out loud.

“And what about the environmental clean-up,” said Commissioner Ward Friszolowski.

It turns out that Corey Landing is designated by FDEP as a Brownfield, which requires some funds to abate

the contaminated property. Petrila asked the city manager to:

1) Get a price for Corey Landing from the sellers.

2) Look into land preservation grants for the Brownfield clean-up.

3) Report back to the Commission as soon as possible.

This is an ongoing story; keep checking our website for updates.

A South Florida-based real estate firm went under agreement to purchase the property at the east end of Corey Avenue.

CITY OF ST. PETE BEACH

Corey Landing requires funds to abate the contaminated property.

CITY OF ST. PETE BEACH

Gulfport Council Approves Contracts Community Development System Upgraded

By Monroe Roark

Gulfport City Council approved several contracts for various departments and general housekeeping-type actions at its June 20 meeting.

Council unanimously approved an agreement with BS&A for a community development software solution. This will replace the system the City uses. Officials said the new option will be much more cost-effective. City staff previously attempted to continue using Energov, the system in place for some time, but that will no longer be affordable.

“We have been working with Energov for a while. It will soon be cost-prohibitive to use Energov,” said Gulfport’s IT Director, David Mather. “What we have right now is housed internally on our network, and if we moved to the cloud with Energov it would be very expensive.”

Mather and Community Development Director Fred Metcalf both said the newer system will be easier for community staff to use. A turnaround time of nine months or so is expected to get the new system online for the city.

According to City staff documents, the cost for BS&A implementation as well as the first year of operation is $60,410. The City will pay $9,830 the second year, with a 3% increase for

CATHY SALUSTRI

the third year. These costs are from piggybacking on an existing contract with another city in Florida.

The new system “is a web-based, feature-rich solution that ‘future proofs’ Community Development against legislation mandating online transactional requirements,” according to City officials. “Among other features, it is capable of building plan acceptance, online permitting requests, and a fully functioning online citizen portal.”

A web-based solution takes the maintenance off City IT staff and also ensures future updates and enhancements are automatic, officials said.

“I think it’s great that we’re moving into the modern era,” said Vice Mayor Paul Ray (Ward III) just before the vote.

“Anything that will make it faster for permits and such is good,” added Councilmember April Thanos (Ward I).

Another major system improvement will benefit the City’s human resources staff and, essentially, all City employees by improving time and attendance management. Council unanimously approved the use of Andrew’s Technology UKG web-based time and attendance system through SHI International.

Officials said hardware and implementation will cost $60,895. Starting in the second year, ongoing costs will run $22,295.

“It’s a game-changer,” said Mather about this new system, noting that in the past the City still used punch cards and other antiquated processes.

Council approved second readings of a pair of ordinances related to pension fund activities and contributions: one for the Police Officers’ Trust Fund, and another for the Firefighters’ Retirement Pension Fund.

Whitman, Agent “We

Gulfport City Council approved various contracts at its June 20 meeting.

Countless Birds, Insects, and Plants Eckerd College Designates New Wildlife Habitats

By Amanda Hagood

When an Eckerd College student approached Grounds Manager Darla Ostenson about collaborating on a project to improve wildlife habitats for snakes on campus, she had a strong reaction.

She recalls: “I thought, snake habitat?! And then I thought: Yes! Somebody pinch me!”

For Ostenson, a landscape manager with a degree in conservation biology, this was a indeed a dream project. And further evidence that she’d landed in a place where animals, plants, and people could come together in ways that were not only sustainable, but educational.

New Wildlife Habitats

This spring, another eco-friendly landscaping project came to fruition: Eckerd designated nine areas across its campus as wildlife habitat, certified by the National Wildlife Federation.

Certification requires applicants to demonstrate that their habitat supplies food, water, cover, and breeding grounds for animals such as birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. It also calls for sustainable practices, such as using native plants or organic methods of pest management, for the habitat. The Nation-

al Wildlife Federation states that 22,513 “wildlife gardens” have been created through its certification process, which is open to all kinds of sites from Eckerd’s 188-acre campus to backyard gardens.

According to Ostenson, the process was simple. After surveying prospective habitats and gaining approval from Eckerd’s Environmental Affairs Committee, she was able to input the information directly to the National Wildlife Federation’s website. Eckerd’s student government and Office of Sustainability

covered the certification fees, which defrays the cost of a stylish sign you can place in your habitat.

Winged Visitors

Eckerd’s newly certified habitats span a range of types, from meadow-like native flower gardens, to ponds fringed with aquatic plants, to pine groves. Some high-profile visitors have recently put one of the new habitats on the map: a pair of nesting great horned owls.

A student walking home from

In spring 2023, a pair of Great Horned owls nested in a pine tree on Eckerd College’s campus, helping to inspire the idea of habitat certification for this and other areas of campus.

EVAN BURNETT

class in early January discovered the birds — known locally as Link and Zelda — in a pine tree on one of the academic quads. Over the next few months, Eckerdians closely observed the sights and sounds of the pair tending to their two fluffy white owlets.

Dr. Beth Forys, Professor of Environmental Studies at Eckerd, remarks that Eckerd’s decision to discontinue the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, which have recently caused the deaths of great horned owls elsewhere in Pinellas County, is a factor in the birds’ nesting success. She also praised the

way in which faculty, students, and staff have enjoyed the owls’ presence: from a respectful distance.

What Does This Plant Do?

But not all the new wildlife habitats are so charismatic.

“Aesthetics are subjective,” notes Ostenson, and when our eyes are trained for showy blooms, carefully manicured foliage, and clean lines, not everyone sees the beauty in a mixed-up meadow of native plants. This has become an issue particularly in one area, designed as a pollinator garden, which

is part of admissions tours.

Here Ostenson finds it useful to reframe visitors’ questions: rather than asking why this area doesn’t look like a typical “garden”, she encourages them to ask why these plants are useful, what purpose they serve. She believes the Certified Wildlife Habitat signs from the National Wildlife Federation will help to make this point.

“I think it is a great way to communicate to guests and prospective students about Eckerd’s environmental mission.”

Bloom Where You’re Planted

As for the current Eckerd community, she says, there seems to be a strong desire for this kind of engagement with the campus-as-ecosystem. At least one student she has worked with has shifted her major in order to go into community agriculture work, and Eckerd will be bringing a new alum on staff this summer to serve as a native plant specialist. Ostenson herself recently received Eckerd’s annual Staff Member of the Year award in recognition of the positive changes she has made — quite literally — to the campus.

“It’s so amazing to be in a place where people want me to be doing the work I want to do!” she enthuses. Countless birds, insects, and plants would surely agree.

Visitors don’t always appreciate the beauty of native plants, such as the purple Passion flower. But Eckerd’s Grounds Manager Darla Ostenson hopes the Certified Wildlife Habitat designation will draw attention to the important ecological role these plants play.

AMANDA HAGOOD

...not everyone sees the beauty in a mixed-up meadow of native plants.

New Logo, New Look

Treasure Island Unveiled A New City Logo

By Mike Sunnucks

Treasure Island has a new look.

The beach town has unveiled a new logo and branding materials. The logo features a pirate ship that links to the city’s name as well as a palm tree emblematic of Treasure Island’s tropical Florida location. Many people associate the date palm tree on the logo, although not native to Florida, with the Sunshine State.

The new logo is not a replacement for the current City seal, Treasure Island officials stressed.

“We’ve incorporated the pirate theme that everyone knows and loves while modernizing the look and feel and showcasing our beautiful coastline and sunsets.

I am confident this new logo will carry us into the future, and I hope everyone feels proud when they see it representing their city,” said Mayor Tyler Payne in a statement.

Inspire Placemaking Collective, an Orlando-based architecture, planning and design firm. created new logo and branding materials for the south Pinellas County city.

The City paid $49,990 to Inspire Placemaking for the logo and

branding work, according to the City.

The new branding also includes a tag line “Paradise Found.”

“We are so thankful to everyone in the community who provided their input and feedback through the process,” Payne said. “I think we arrived at something that truly represents the unique identity of our city.”

The new materials will be used on social media and in marketing and promotional materials

“Getting a logo for the city as well as a tagline is a great way to further our community identity and will allow for continuity and consistency throughout the city for our residents and visitors,” City Manager Amy Davis said.

Lisa Pence

An Orlando firm has designed a new logo and branding materials for the city of Treasure Island.

according to gulfport

Crazy Kids, Knee Replacements, and the Peninsula Inn Random Quotes from Gulfportians

By Chris Shablak

“But a bad boy like me found the moonshine.”

-Azul Doe talking about growing up in Saudi Arabia

“We love the Peninsula Inn but they need to get their act together” -Barbie Broomell

“They do it quickly because they don’t want you to lose too much blood.”

-Helen Otten talking about how a total knee replacement only takes a 45 minute surgery

“It represents the generations of life and how precarious it is.”

-Mark Amis talking about his new sculpture at The Tiki

“All the crazy stuff I did when I was young. I’d kill my kids if they did that today.”

-Donna Galpin at the pickle ball court

business beat

Gulfport Chiro, Jazzy Cat, and Prima Cantina Stay Up-to-Date with Pinellas Businesses

By The Gabber Staff The Centre

The Centre at St. Pete Beach is a wellness center containing a variety of different businesses all under one roof.

Employee Brandon told The Gabber Newspaper that The Centre is currently in a “transition phase.”

The Centre has a medical marijuana doctor to help patrons obtain their medical marijuana cards and understand the cannabis and CBD product world. A botanical bar will be opening in July, serving hemp drinks, sodas, and teas. Eventually, the bar will offer certain edibles, kava, and kratom.

“We just have the cafe now (without the Cuban sandwiches) serving coffees, teas, smoothies, muffins, and bagels,” explains Brandon.

7525 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, 727-258-2001, thecentrespb. com

Caddy’s Paper Straws

After receiving complaints from eco-conscious patrons, Caddy’s Waterfront Restaurant made the switch over to paper straws.

“People were picking up disposable straws on the beach and they were really bothered by it,” explained one of Caddy’s patrons.

Caddy’s Manager Jennifer said, “we just switched to paper straws so our customers would be happy.”

9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL. 727-360-4993. caddys. com

Prima Cantina & Tacos

Many east coasters don’t realize the origins of Prima Cantina & Tacos on St. Pete Beach.

The concept originated in California, specifically in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades. It was imported here by owners Fernando and Joel with the same super-fresh, flavorful Mexican-inspired recipes.

Prima Cantina & Tacos opened in April and quickly became one of the favorite Mexican fusion restaurants on the Gulf beaches inPinellas County.

Enjoy lunch and dinner, both indoors and on their outdoor patio.

4945 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL, near Dolphin Village. 727-289-2635, primacantina.com

Gulfport Chiropractic

After saving the backs of Gulfportians for 23 years, Dr. Stuart Pollack is officially retiring in August.

“I just felt like it was time to pass the reins on to somebody else,” Pollack told The Gabber Newspaper. “His name is Dr. Aaron Day. I think he’s going to be a great addition to Gulfport. He’s really dedicated and he’s a great doctor.”

Pollack will spend July showing Day the ropes around Gulfport Chiropractic, starting with familiarizing him with

Pollack’s regular patients.

“It has been a pleasure, my honor, serving the community for 23 years. It’s a little bittersweet, but I have great memories and I’ve made great friends,” Pollack said.

5301 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport. 727321-9520, gulfportchiro.com

Jazzy Cat or Tacos My Love

If you haven’t noticed, Tacos My Love on 49th Street South became the Jazzy Cat Cafe and Lounge.

The business posted the new Jazzy Cat logo on Facebook April 30. Then officially opened under the new name May 4.

The only thing that changed happened to be the name. So if you loved Tacos My Love, don’t worry, the restaurant continues to serve tacos.

Enjoy open mic nights, dance parties, and specialty drinks.

400 49th St. S., St. Petersburg. 727498-6646

Jazzy Cat Cafe and Lounge, previously known as Tacos My Love, opened May 4.

CAMERON HEALY

The Fascinating World of Coral Reefs

Coral Crunch Offers Underwater Thrills

By Amanda Hagood

Jim Jeansonne’s new middle grades adventure novel, Coral Crunch (2023, self published through Kindle Direct) has it all. There’s science, suspense, derring do, and young romance (she doesn’t just like him, she like likes him). But perhaps its most engaging quality is its setting: Nearly all of this riveting plot unfolds underwater .

This makes sense, if you know the author. Jeansonne’s book is informed by 23 years of managing environmental disasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

“That was a lot of fun,” says the retired marine biologist, recalling overflights to determine how and where oil was leaking.

On a Yellow Submarine

This background translates to the plot, which centers on an expedition to assess the potential for old wrecks in the U.S. Virgin Islands to damage coral reefs. (They can either slam into them during storms or slowly leak oil.) Conducting the voyage is the Lyons family, a troupe of aquanauts who live aboard a nifty yellow underwater habitat (the Sea Lyons’ Den — prepare for a lot of Lyon-related puns) and travel the ocean floor with the aid of high-tech Hydro-Gill scuba gear.

Their discoveries — inspired by a similar NOAA research project — might offer enough thrills to hook many young readers. But then the Lyons cross paths with daring young free diver Jeanbeau Labourde. And then  they all become unwittingly entangled with the machinations of local drug-runners, the plot really takes off. Get ready for sneaky spying, devious traps, heart-pounding escapes, and the small but satisfying triumph of an underdog kid brother.

Inspiring Future Scientists

Jeansonne’s goal in writing Coral Crunch was to inspire young readers.

“I wanted to excite them the way that I got excited reading Jacques Cousteau when I was young,” he says, recalling his early fascination with the famous explorer’s Starfish House experiment.

Much about this book is likely to inspire. Addie Lyons is a bright, confident young woman getting her first hands-on taste of an exhilarating career. Jeanbeau Labourde is

a brave, talented diver who enjoys sharing island culture with others. While some characters — in particular the thuggish, clumsy antagonist — seem a bit stiff, the two protagonists are well developed and likely to appeal to their target audience. And science-minded readers of all ages will enjoy the text’s detailed attention to the biology of coral reefs and the technical processes that make working and living underwater possible.

If you’re looking for a cool summer read, why not dive in?

Pass-A-Grille resident Jim Jeansonne is retired from a long career in marine biology. Now he’s bringing the ocean world to life in his new middle grades adventure novel, Coral Crunch (2023).

JIM JEANSONNE

Prima Cantina’s

Baja-Mexican Cuisine

St. Pete Beach’s Newest Baja-Inspired Eatery

By Morgan Banno

Say hola to St. Pete Beach’s newest Baja-inspired eatery, Prima Cantina & Tacos! Prima Cantina opened its east coast location in St. Pete Beach early this spring and has quickly become a local fave.

The original location is in Santa Monica, California but unlike other Mexican restaurants on the Florida beaches, Prima Cantina’s concept blends Mexican flavors with Californian coastal cuisine into a Baja-Mexican fusion that is both different and delicious.

A hearty selection of draft beer ($6) is available but the cocktail program at Prima Cantina is expansive and boasts a long list of tequilas, mezcals, wine, hand-crafted margaritas and table-side sangrias.

With cold beers, my wife and I started our meal with the best complimentary house salsa and chips I’ve eaten. Ever. Before we even ate anything else, I’d already decided I’d be back just for the salsa.

What’s Unique at Prima Cantina?

Prima Cantina offers a salsa flight for only $4 where you can sample any three of their six homemade salsas. For a self-proclaimed salsa connoisseur, this was pure bliss to see on a menu. I tried the salsa verde (made with tomatillos and garlic), El Jeffe (a spicy blend of habaneros, garlic and mayo), and the Salsa Ajo (with roasted arbol chilies). While I had hoped for a more exciting presentation instead of a cluster of cups (or some additional chips, at the least), they were all tasty nonetheless.

Kick off your meal with appetizers like fresh Shrimp Ceviche ($13) or Stuffed Jalapeños ($10). I ordered the Street Corn Esquites ($7) which was like deconstructed Mexican street corn and it was damn delicious. But save room for your entrée!

Dig tacos? Prima Cantina offers 11 different proteins, including classics

like carnitas ($15) and carne asada ($16), as well as pescado ($16), lobster ($22), and bay scallop ($19). Don’t eat meat? Try the mushroom barbacoa ($15) or meatless beef ($17). If you’re on a health kick, be sure to check out the many salads and bowls ($10-$13), too.

Baja-Mexican cuisine is more than ubiquitous tacos and burritos. It puts seafood at the forefront and incorporates fresh ingredients like chilies and citrus. Dishes like Mahi Mahi a la Veracruzana ($26) showcase mahi sautéed with aromatics and olives, served with cilantro pesto. The Sea of Cortez ($24) is the epitome of Prima’s Baja flavors with clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels and fish in a spicy, tomato seafood broth.

My wife opted for the Enchiladas

de Pollo ($20) with homemade corn tortillas, topped with warm salsa verde. Outstanding! My chicken fajitas ($21) came presented on a sizzling plate of onions, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes with rice, beans, and fresh guacamole. Delicious! Both portions were so big, we took home leftovers.

The restaurant is huge, with ample inside seating as well as a shaded, wrap-around deck. And there’s plenty of parking (a commodity hard to find on the beaches). Enjoy the fresh fusion but don’t skip the salsas or homemade corn tortillas!

Prima Cantina, 4945 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Open daily 12-9 p.m., with happy hour Tue-Fri 4-6 p.m. 727-289-2635, primacantina.com

Prima Cantina’s Baja-Mexican cuisines include pollo enchiladas, which are top notch.

MORGAN BANNO

Cool Off With A Vegan Scoop of Plant Love

Gulfport’s Newest Ice Cream Shop

By Morgan Banno

The Gulfport food scene expanded this month with the recent debut of vegan ice cream shop, Plant Love Ice Cream. It’s the city’s newest creamery that serves 100% homemade vegan ice cream.

This new shop is right in the heart of Gulfport, taking the space of the former bakery. All of the ice cream is made in house, almost daily, from organic coconut milk. And it tastes just as good, if not better, than the real stuff.

There are 12 flavors available daily, with six of them rotating. They range from classics like chocolate and pistachio to fun blends like Snickers and Golden Mylk (laced with CBD, courtesy of SumitrA Espresso Lounge across the street).

I always like to sample as much as possible when visiting a new restaurant, so I opted for an ice cream flight ($9.95) of five, golf ball-sized

scoops served in a small paper boat with a biodegradable spoon.

I sampled the Toasted Coconut, Pistachio, Snickers, Cookie Butter, and Espresso flavors. And while all were delicious, my absolute favorite was the Cookie Butter. If you’re familiar with Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter (a thick spread that mimics peanut butter but is made with European cookies with a hint of gingerbread), this ice cream tastes just like it, complete with cookies pieces scattered throughout each bite. Highly recommend!

Yes, the consistency is different than “real” ice cream. I found it creamier and smoother, similar to gelato. But it is just as refreshing on a hot Gulfport day.

Plant Love Ice Cream 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Unit 105, Gulfport. 727-7395854, Tues.-Sat., 12-9 p.m., Sun., 12-8 p.m.

the gabs

What Is Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?

Photos by Cameron Healy

Allison Clark, St. Pete: “Snickers or cookie dough.”

Janessa Benavides, St. Pete: “It’s a tie between cookies & cream and butter pecan.”

Paige Gianinetti, St. Pete: “Strawberry cheesecake or caramel swirl.”

Veata Blair-Kraybill, St. Pete: “Chocolate moose tracks.”

Sandra Jennings took The Gabber Newspaper to the Gulfport Beach Bazaar and Let It Be Ice Cream.

things to do

Body Beautiful, Book sale, and Sunday Pool Party

Thursday, July 6

DRV Gallery Body Beautiful  Award-winning photographer Colin Ward debuts a Body Beautiful  collection as part of the July Gulfport ArtWalk. Ward’s work “figure in the landscape” focuses on humans in natural settings. Stop by this exhibit’s opening reception. If you can’t make it, no worries. The exhibit runs until July 14. DRV Gallery, 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport. 6-8 p.m. 727-382-7004, drvgallery.com

Friday, July 7

Brenda McMahon Body Beautiful Explore the featured exhibition of the figure paintings by Cheri Cruden for Body Beautiful. Cruden creates eye-catching paintings of female bodies existing. Stop by for the opening reception during the annual Body Beautiful ArtWalk. Brenda McMahon Gallery, 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 6-9 p.m. 727-454-0453, brendamcmahongallery.com

Dive-In Movie Have you ever been to a dive-in movie? Here’s your chance to try it out! Dip your toes in or float around a pool while watching  Minions: the Rise of Gru. Pay for you spot at the pool office before the show. Want a snack for the movie? Sodas, chips, and ice cream for sale at event. St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach. 8 p.m. $5. 727-363-9245, stpetebeach.org

Saturday, July 8

Spiritual Workshop Learn how to understand the subtle language of nature. This plant spirit communication workshop explains the science and philosophy behind the spiritual world. Engage in a guided meditation with a herbal tea plant of your choosing. Bring a notebook, yoga mat or towel to sit on, a mug for tea, and an open mind.

Location emailed prior to event. Gulfport. 10 a.m. $30. healthyhappyhippie.us

The Market Marie Every second Saturday, spend the day browsing the dozens of handcrafted items from more than 100 vendors. Eat and buy fresh produce and baked goods. Listen to live music from Tampa Bay musicians. Support your local small business makers. 600 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. themarketculture.com

Let Kids Be Kids Connect and talk with other queer families. Sign up to be a part of a safe environment for gender non-conforming kids and trans/queer families. Each month,

enjoy a space for self expression through crafts, dancing, games, and music. Kids must be between 2-11 years old. Location given after registration. Donations encouraged. St. Petersburg. 2-4 p.m. eventbrite.com

R&B and Seafood Fest It is time for the second annual R&B and Seafood Festival. Bring your friends and family full of live music and seafood. Dance and listen to soulful music. Walk around to vendor stands. Taste test every seafood option from the Tampa Bay food trucks. Grand Villa, 3600 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 2-6 p.m. 833-480-7467, saturdayshoppes.com

Experience Gulfport’s Body Beautiful ArtWalk Friday, July 7.

CHERI CRUDEN

Cosmic Art What exists beyond our solar system? Artist Andrew Phillips presents his exhibit, Cosmic Consciousness. Experience his insightful perspective of the cosmic world through sculptural mixed-media work at this opening reception. Enjoy the art as you listen to music from Keith Otten. St. Pete ArtWorks, 2604 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 5-9 p.m. 727-485-8655, stpeteartworks-onlinestore.com

Book Sale Get your read on with Keep St. Pete Lit! Pick up a gently used book for all ages during St. Pete’s second Saturday ArtWalk. Every book purchased goes toward Keep St. Pete Lit’s youth summer programming. Purchase a book to support the kids. The Factory St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 5:30-9 p.m. keepstpetelit.org

Sunday, July 9

Sunday Pool Party  With this Floridian summer heat, a Sunday pool party doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Not only is it a fun time, it is also a fundraiser benefiting the Grand Central District Association. Spend $20 to receive pulled pork BBQ, coleslaw, and merman punches from Casa del Merman. Enjoy music from DJ Bill Kody as you splash around. Casa del Merman at GayStPete House, 4505 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 1-5 p.m. $20. 727-3104130, gaystpetehouse.com

Monday, July 10

Walk in the Park  Do you enjoy walking in nature? Join OLLI’s walk in the park interest group. Explore a different park mostly north of Ulmerton Road weekly. All levels of walkers are welcome to join the fun. Register online and you will receive updates on the weekly walks. St. Petersburg. 9 a.m. 727864-7600, olli.eckerd.edu

Collage Storytelling  Get your creative spark back with this spontaneous expressive writing group. Engage in fun activities such as creating collages and storytelling. Bring a notebook, scrap maga-

zines, and your imagination.  Gulfport Senior Center, Room 106, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 1 p.m. 727893-1231, mygulfport.us

Musical Bingo  Every Monday, test your knowledge on the Billboard top hits with musical bingo. Bring your friends and family to experience the best way to play bingo. Instead of letters and numbers, they are replaced with song titles and artists. Enjoy great music and win fun prizes. Jolly Roger’s Grub & Pub, 32 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 727-4986736, jollyrogerspub.com

Tuesday, July 11

Listening Session Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. hosts a community-wide listening session over dinner. Join in on the conversation on increasing access to legal assistance in communities of color. Learn about the legal challenges post-pandemic such as access to housing stability, educational rights, and public benefits. Register online.  Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 5:30-8 p.m. 727-8654650, meetatthecenter.org

Wednesday, July 12

Clearwater Women’s Luncheon Connect with other women every second Wednesday of the month. Eat lunch with friends and make news ones while you’re there. This women’s luncheon provides a club program, a lunch menu, and a special guest speaker for the afternoon. Banquet Masters, 13355 49th St. N., Clearwater. 11:30 a.m. $20. cwcflorida.org

Weekly Drag Bingo Join Tampa Bay Drag Queen Georgia Moore for weekly drag bingo. Spend $10 for 10 rounds of bingo. All of the proceeds benefits Pet Pal Animal Shelter. Have fun and test your luck to win Pet Pal and Pesky Pelican prizes. Players must be 18 years and older. The Pesky Pelican Brew Pub, 923 72nd St. N., St. Petersburg. 7 p.m. $10. 727-302-9600, peskypelicanbrewpub.com

By Cameron Healy

Let’s be honest with ourselves... everyone loves stickers. We finally updated our Gabber sticker collection for you all to enjoy.

One of our new options include rainbow hands forming a heart with the words “We Say Gay” in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The oth-

er option is a flamingo friend reading our April issue featuring a black skimmer with its fuzzy chick for Florida’s nesting season.

Come get your stickers and slap them on your water bottle, your laptop, or even your car. Send us photos to news@thegabber.com of

where you decided to stick ‘em. Our office is open 9-5 Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. We and the Gulfport Beach Bazaar have limited supply.

You won’t want to miss out on adding these two stickers to your collection.

PATRICK GRANEY

Slap one of these bad boys on your water bottle.

JOEY NEILL

Beth-El

ShalomAdventure.com

Good

“St.

Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship

During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30 Program - 11:00

For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

“You need not think alike to love alike.” - Francis David, 1534 uuunited.org

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Gulfport Computer Repair

CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP XERISCAPING/ PLANTS/MULCH

Skilled labor, anything around the house from A-Z. Weeding, rock gardens cleaned, lawn maintanence, leaves removed, mulch, sod, and plants installed. Small trees planted and removed. Pressure washing. Electrical consults available. Free estimates. 30 years experience. Locally St. Pete /Gulfport: 407-244-6045. James: 407244-6045.

E. T. HARLOW COMPANY

Automotive Service

SUBARU REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Certified Subaru and ASE tech. Most repairs and scheduled maintenance. Affordable prices. Some repair and maintenance on other makes and models also. Located south central St. Petersburg. Call or text Bruce at 727-403-9544 or email bgatsostpete@yahoo.com

OF ST. PETE BEACH

Serving the greater St. Petersburg area. Family owned and local business. Providing in-home personal aid companion care, after surgery care, 24-hour care, dementia care, postpartum support, childcare, to name a few. 727-914-7472. hwcg.com/StPete-Beach AHCA #299995153

Cleaning / Housekeeping

THE CLEANING LADY

Reliable and dependable. Residential only. Weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly. Moving out or moving in cleanouts. Permanent and seasonal residents. Over 25 yrs experience. Feel free to call Angelique: 727-686-7277. References available upon request.

COMPUTER SERVICES

727-343-2838

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; jscomputerrepair.com

Over 30 years experience. Residential & commercial, new or remodel work, service upgrades, lightning arrestors, fans and lighting installed. State license #ER0007653.

Experienced, Professional, Reliable. Specializing in Drywall, Painting, Doors, Cabinetry, Light Electrical & Plumbing, Caulking & Grout. Gulfport / Pasadena / St. Pete Call or Text Everett @ 978-491-7070

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE PATIOS, WALKWAYS, DRIVEWAY EXTENSIONS, & REPAIRS

Custom concrete patios, driveway extensions, custom steps, & all types of concrete repairs. Storage Building slabs. Over 35 years experience. Call Mark for a free estimate: 813-859-2023.

THE TRASH QUEEN 10% SPRING CLEANING DISCOUNT

Handy Person

HANDYMAN SERVICES Electrical: ceiling fans, lighting, switches, outlets, and other devices. Plumbing: faucets, valves, and other fixtures. Door locks and cabinet hardware. Flips to problem solving and rental punch lists. References upon request. David: 727-851-7548.

PROFESSIONAL LOCAL HANDYMAN Bathrooms, kitchens. drywall, painting, custom high-end finishing. Any job undertaken, honest pricing. Insured, reliable. 347-9730814.

SEMI-RETIRED CARPENTER At discount prices! Free estimates. Frame and finish work. Clearwater, Gulfport, and Pinellas Park areas. Call the Door Doctor. Gus: 727644-6194.

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTER OR REFINISHING OF FURNITURE Great deals on all painting jobs, very clean work. Cabinets, furniture, interior or exterior paint jobs. Free estimates; call 727-320-6420.

My team will clean-up/clean-out, inside and out. Organizing, dumping, recycling, odd jobs, yard and maintenance work. Free estimate! We are licensed and insured, with truck and trailer. Call/text 845-866-3867.

AMERICAN BUILDERS GROUP LLC

Residential/Commercial. All phases of remodeling or renovations. Roofs, kitchens, baths, room additions, new construction, doors, windows, stone or concrete work, flooring, and much, much more. Free estimates. CCC 1333727 CGC 059964. 727-4107323.

DARCY ROOFING LLC

Residential/Commercial. All roofing types - T.P.O., tapered systems, shingle, metal, tile, & flat roofs. Great prices, best warranties. Our general contracting division also does kitchens, baths, additions, new construction, and much, much more. Free estimates. CCC 1333727 CGC 059964. 727410-7323.

KEITH THE ROOFER

Quality Through The Roof." Free estimates, 24-hour emergency service available. Residential & Commercial. 20+ years experience. All types of roofs. Lic. # CCC 1334641. Call 727-768-5140.

Lawn

& Landscape

IRRIGATION STAIN REMOVAL

Remove ugly rust-colored irrigation stains from vinyl fencing and most surfaces around your house or business, including signage. Free estimate and demonstration. Call/text 727-360-7070. ruststainremoval@icloud.com

James Fox Tree Service

“We

DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP MEETS THURSDAYS

Pasadena Community Church / Life Enrichment Building / Classroom 3c, 227 70th St. S., St. Petersburg, Fl 33707. Free, no registration, 7 p.m. Call 727-410-1569 for more information. Website: https://dbsatampabay.org

Moving

HB HAULING SERVICES Hauling Services

Available. We do everything from junk removal, demo, debris removal, estate clean out, and so much more. 12ft. dump trailer. Mention The Gabber and get a discount. Call or text Kenny Baschuk at 727-793-5816 for free estimates.

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.

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

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

Positions Wanted GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

Barre Central is a beautiful, unique boutique studio looking to add some classes to our schedule. Looking for enthusiastic, energetic group fitness instructors that love teaching! Evening preferred. Come join our amazing team. Call 727-344-6641 or email barrecentral@yahoo.com.

YARD CLEAN UP 727-641-9033

Leaves, trees, weeds, etc. Call for estimate: 727-641-9033.

30 years experience. Painting expert plus wallpaper hanging and removing. Lic. #C9579. Call Arney: 727-900-3459.

PINNIX PAINTING, INC. In business locally since 1980. Interior, exterior, commercial, residential. Free Estimates. Lic. #C4334. Call 727-504-1508.

PROFLO

727-902-7077

WE'LL

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

DESPERATELY SEEKING ZOOMERS

We need to find where the former owner of Zoomers reopened his shop. We saw you at Siri’s and took down your info, but can’t find it. Please call or text 727-360-7070.

Professional Services

#CFC1430429 State-certified, residential/ commercial service. Senior and military discount. $25 off service with ad. Locally owned and operated. 727-238-5683

RENEW YOUR MARRIAGE VOWS!

Miscellaneous Service

NOTARY SERVICES - $10

The Gabber now provides Notary Services. In office only at 2908-B Beach Blvd S. in Gulfport. Our Notary Public is not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

Anywhere in Gulfport, Pasadena, Madeira, and St. Pete area. At your home, park, garden, or on the beach. Schedule now with Florida’s respected Chaplain, Rich L. Kemp. Half hour ceremony only $77.77. Book at 702-577-6777.

GULFPORT FAMILY RESTAURANT

Why did you close? Our readers are asking. 727-321-6965

MEMORIAL OF BRUCE DUTTON, SMALL ADVENTURES BOOKSHOP

We are celebrating Bruce’s life on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. at Serenity Gardens, 13401 Indian Rocks Rd in Largo. Bruce and his wife, Jan, loved Gulfport and their little bookstore. Bruce passed away on March 20, 2023.

Marine

BOAT SLIPS Located around the corner from Corey Ave. on St Pete Beach. Water and Power available. No live-aboards. This is a simple set up and we have a size limit. Call for details: 949-313-5238.

Yard / Garage Sale

HUGE GARAGE SALE

5509 21st Ave. S., Gulfport. Fri. 07/07 & Sat. 07/08. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Various items, cooking, art, pet things, household items, and more.

Property Managers

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & LEASING SERVICES

Property owners! The Blue Waters Team from Berkshire offers full service management: marketing, tenant screening, leasing, 24/7 maintenance and a dedicated website, rentahomewithus.com. Ashtin Brock and Dan Heroux: 727-422-3686. We maximize your investment potential!

Furnished Rentals

ONE BEDROOM WATERFRONT APARTMENTS

Fully furnished, private patios. Short stroll to beach and Gulfport Art District. 2 month rental: $2200/month. Annual lease: $2000/month. Call 813-928-5609.

3/1 FULLY REMODELED HOME WITH SPACIOUS YARD

1 small pet under 30 pounds OK. Solid credit required. Background check will be conducted. Apply at TurboTenant.com for all details. 5136 13th Ave. S., Gulfport. Michelle: 562-972-3180. Serious Calls Only. $2,250/month, one year lease.

Real Estate Wanted

RENTAL NEEDED

Retired, renter/caretaker, 18+ years. Contact Susan emilianobenjamin1215@gmail. com or call 727-328-1129. Leave message. Am slow. Will call you back. Finder fee if info leads to rental.

Real Estate Sales

Find More Home Sales at thegabber.com. Here’s what homes sold in South Pinellas June 23-29.

Gulfport Real Estate

5951 Bayview Circle S. (Pasadena Golf & Yacht Club)

This five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home, built in 2004, has 4,429 square feet. It listed for $3,274,000 and sold for $3,050,000.

1714 58th St. S. (Tangerine)

This three-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1952, has 1,063 square feet. It listed for $354,000 but sold for $358,000.

2002 55th St. S. (Tangerine)

This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1947, has 864 square feet. It listed for $299,900 and sold for $282,000.

Madeira Beach Real Estate

14223 E. Parsley Dr.

This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home, built in 1951, has 1,617 square feet. It listed for $1,200,000 and sold for $1,125,000.

300 150th Ave., #510

6126 11th Ave. S. (Stetson)

This three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1951, has 1,704 square feet. It listed for $525,000 but sold for $555,000.

This two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 2020, has 1,284 square feet. It listed for $849,000 and sold for $760,000.

245 Medallion Blvd., #A

This 1973 condo has one bedroom, one bath, and 600 square feet. It listed for  $499,000 and sold for $485,000.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF DOCTOR

A local doctor provides truly compassionate care and solutions for chronic pain and complicated conditions.

Do you ever wonder what it is that makes some doctors so incredibly compassionate while others have a bedside manner better suited for the DMV?

In the case of Dr. Rebecca Gibbons, RN, DOM, AP of AAIM | Achieve Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine it is a case of true empathy. “I worked in hospitals as an RN for over 15 years and saw how patients suffered from pain and other chronic conditions. Some people were able to find relief with medications, injections or surgeries but many times we would see them come back within days, weeks or months. I saw their lives were not only filled with discomfort but their days were filled with doctors appointments, hospital stays, ER visits, prescription refills and physical therapy That is no way to live Not only does it take a toll on the person but it also takes a toll on their family members as well.”

Dr. Gibbons also had a personal experience with pain. “I had suffered from severe back pain and did not feel comfortable taking medications because of the way they made me feel. A friend recommended I see an acupuncturist. After a series of treatments I was able to get relief from the pain I was able to sleep again and the anxiety that I was feeling had also subsided ”

After her incredible experience with the healing arts she made the life changing decision to become an Acupuncture Physician, “Acupuncture quite literally changed my life and I want to share that with as many people as I can,” she proclaims.

I know the frustration of feeling hopeless and frustrated. This is why I practice the brand of medicine I do and why I've made it my life's mission to treat the 'untreatable'.

As an RN, I saw so many people who had been given a disheartening prognosis, prescribed medications and told ‘this is just something you're going to have to learn to live with "

" But now as an Acupuncture Physician, I am able to integrate both eastern and western medicine to treat those who have chronic pain, neuropathy and other chronic conditions.”

Understanding that Eastern Medicine excels where Western Medicine fails, Dr. Gibbons set forth to develop treatment protocols for all variations of peripheral neuropathy (including diabetic and chemotherapy-induced) and back pain and now has an 80% success rate in treating this once difficult to manage condition.

Furthermore, Dr Gibbons has surrounded herself with staff that embraces the same approach to patient care. "I have fabulous staff who share the same vision as I do when it comes helping our patients get relief and to help them to be able to live life to its fullest."

Dr. Rebecca Gibbons has a long history of treating complicated, difficult to understand conditions She understands how tragic it can be if left untreated

Dr. Gibbons and her staff specialize in treating chronic pain, complicated neurological conditions and autoimmune diseases.

For more information about Dr. Gibbons and what she treats, visit

to schedule your consultation today.