The Gabber: July 21, 2022 by thegabber

Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2770

July 21, 2022 - July 27, 2022

Not Your Mother’s Senior Center By Abby Baker

ABBY BAKER

Last week, the Gulfport Senior Center hosted a parasailing trip as part of its new Adventure Club.

Who has more stories than a bus full of seniors? A boatload of seniors. On July 13, eight senior citizens signed up for the Adventure Club with the Gulfport Senior Center. They loaded onto a bus, blinked through

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the general sunscreen haze, and headed to Suncoast Watersports on St. Pete Beach for a parasailing trip over the Gulf of Mexico. “It looked like so much fun and I’d never done it before,” said 73-year-

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old Mel Donovan. “I like to stay active – mostly to keep up my image for my granddaughter.” Parasailing is the first of many adventures, says Senior Center superParasailing continued on page 8

publisher’s note Adventure Awaits! By Cathy Salustri

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

Features & Events Abby Baker

abby@thegabber.com

News & Politics Monroe Roark

monroe@thegabber.com

Operations

Patrick Graney

patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

Mike Sunnucks, Crime Amanda Hagood, Books 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

“I’m kind of comfortable with getting older because it’s better than the other option, which is being dead.” – George Clooney I’ll turn 50 this December. I’ve never minded aging, because I’ve lost people I love far too early in their lives, so Clooney’s quote hits, but I’m conflicted about this birthday. On one hand, I’ve made it this far without getting hit by a bus or choked by an angry reader, so I have that going for me, which is nice. On the other hand, AARP is already sending me The Girlfriend and, the other day, someone not yet alive when George W. Bush defeated John Kerry called me “ma’am”, so it’s a mixed bag. There is one thing that isn’t a mixed bag about turning 50: I can join the Adventure Club. Former Mayor Mike Yakes used to wax poetic about the Gulfport Senior Center and call Gulfport a “community for a lifetime,” but it didn’t mean much to me; I would never join a senior center. I remember the Clearwater center from my youth; its members sold doilies at an annual craft sale. I’m not really a doily kind of gal, so no, thank you. Something happened, though, because as much as I cringe at belonging to anything with “senior” in its name, I’m excited about joining the Gulfport Senior Center. Rachel Cataldo, the Center’s force majeure, told me people age differently in today’s world. It seems today’s senior centers are cows of a different color. To wit, the Center’s Adventure Club. They went parasailing last week, and they have an indoor skydiving trip and (already sold-out) helicopter ride planned. We sent Abby Baker on their parasailing trip last week. She came back and announced she wanted them to all be her grandparents (OK, that didn’t make me feel younger, but I appreciate the sentiment) because they were so much fun. This is definitely not my (grand)father’s senior center. Plus, the new Center will look – again, Abby’s words – like a ski lodge. I’d prefer an island resort, but either way it looks less like a place people go to crochet doilies (although I do knit a mean dog sweater) and more like a place for your kayaking meetup. It’s like a return to college for Gen X. I do wish they’d drop the “senior” from the name, though. After all, I’m not old. In my mind, I’m 25, and age is a state of mind, right?

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.

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

voices An Evening in San Francisco Gosh, I agree about the wacky San Fran school board and their wild overreach. Like removing the school names of historical persons who failed a modern day racial justice test. I mean, Abe Lincoln wasn’t all bad, right? I’ll bet that made for some hilarity at Fox. Whooeee, those libtards! Why didn’t the board just stick to educating kids? They clearly didn’t read the room. Really stupid. But not cruel, right? They wished for a more just world. Just...dumb. Meanwhile, north on US 19 is Tallahassee, Florida. There you’ll find a governor and legislature eager to marginalize LGBTQ children at a formative time in their development, to inflict maximum pain on kids so as to earn maximum points with the most hateful and fearful among us. Why the obsession over (other peoples’) sex, over bathrooms and genitalia. Who actually gives a damn what other people do with theirs? Voyeurs and creepers, that’s who. They’re also inserting themselves into the classroom to ensure that Florida students learn as little as possible about that minor historical footnote, slavery. Women’s bodies? Totally their turf, too (again, the reproductive thing). You can’t trust people to make their own decisions except for how many guns a teenager can possess and how lethal the bullets and how fast they shoot. That’s a personal responsibility thing until the kid murders some people and then it’s a mental health thing, cause they’re all about that mental health. In short, they seek to remake this state in their own image, more violent, bigoted and ignorant. So thanks for reporting on an uber-liberal fail in California. Now can we talk about what sort of state Florida wants to be? –Jonathan Micocci, Gulfport

South St. Pete Strip Mall May Become Housing Complex Our city needs affordable and workforce housing, a fact few will contest.

REMEMBER: Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Stoneweg, an affordable housing developer, seeks a zoning change from the City of St. Petersburg that will allow increased height of its proposed buildings. But what responsibility does a developer have to the residents of the community? A great one when it removes the only grocery store in an ever-expanding food desert and offers weak and wimpy provisions for another store in its place. With the purchase of 110,500 square foot retail space formerly known as Coquina Key Plaza at 4360 6th Street South, Stoneweg removed a Save a Lot grocery store and increased nutrition insecurity in south St. Pete. Its flimsy offer of 20,000 square feet of retail space is inadequate. “20,000 square feet is not enough,” said Bahama Shores Neighborhood Association president, Walter Borden. “We will ask the Community Planning and Preservation Commission to reject Stoneweg’s agreement and seek 60,000 square feet of retail to make it more attractive for a grocer and other kinds of retail like a pharmacy or a hardware store.” According to Borden, Winn Dixie was interested in the space but required 45,000 square feet with adequate parking to operate. “They shut down the only grocery store for miles and their offer for its replacement is inadequate. This Stoneweg plan will dramatically increase the population and simultaneously eliminate most of the retail space that would service those residents. This leaves us all in a food desert,” Borden concluded. February 2022 marked five years since the Walmart at Tangerine Plaza closed leaving a large swath of the city in a USDA-designated area of low income/low access or “food desert.” These areas have tripled over the past seven years. Nutrition insecurity exacerbates heart disease and diabetes that are best managed when food is abundant, affordable, and fresh. The effects are seen in increasing medical debt and reduced productivity in a part of our city that has chronically been underrepresented and underfunded. Our elected representatives have perfected virtue signaling by giving us a Food Policy Council

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

and a proclamation claiming food as a human right. Each action has good optics attached to it. Neither action puts food in the stomachs of those who need it. It is time to require developers, workforce and luxury alike, to consider residents’ needs when requesting zoning changes for the pleasure of doing business in our burgeoning city. –Wendy Wesley, St. Pete

Keep Up The Good Work I found your excellent newspaper completely by accident and have been reading it over a few months. We are visiting Madeira Beach in September and have found your articles on Gulfport especially helpful, as we have visited the local market previously but do not know the rest of the area, but we feel we can now do it justice. –Brian & Heather Jervis, New Waltham, UK

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

news If You Build It... (Well, It’ll Take a While, And Here’s Why) Gulfport’s Building and Rebuilding, Adding to City Staff’s Workload By Monroe Roark

CITY OF GULFPORT/THE GABBER

The scope of construction projects in Gulfport has changed in recent years, and city officials work to oversee it all.

Even a short drive of a few blocks around Gulfport will make it obvious that a great deal of work is going on, and construction is as busy as it has ever been. The number of permits issued by the City’s building department has not changed significantly over the past five years, but the valuation of those permits has jumped by about $15 million, according to an annual report released by the City. What does that mean? The cost of the permit is based on “the valuation of the job,” Community Development director Fred Metcalf told The Gabber recently. So while the number of permits may be about the same, there are fewer simple jobs like window replacements and more that include new buildings or substantial remodeling of existing ones. “The complexity of review for those is higher, so even though the number of permits may be in the same

ballpark, our number of contacts has gone up,” said Metcalf. A contact is any time his office communicates with an applicant via phone, email, or in person. “People are asking more questions, and it is taking more time,” he added. “The reviews are significantly more complicated.” The reason something as seemingly simple as replacing a window or changing out an air conditioning system requires a City permit is because the State of Florida building code requires it. Building official Clark Streicher oversees one residential inspector as well as two permit technicians who work the counter at the main office. A contractor handles commercial inspections, which frees up Streicher to concentrate on plan review. Gulfport also has an agreement with Pinellas County to get help when needed, Metcalf said, but County officials are also swamped much of the time with

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

their own applicants. In addition to the process of handling applications, building department staff also deal with complaints from residents on a regular basis. Some of them are the applicants themselves who run into problems, and others are neighbors who assume a nearby project on their street is being built improperly. A large percentage of the housing stock in Gulfport was built before 1960, Metcalf pointed out. That history lends itself to the socalled character and charm that often attracts people to the city, and some residents bristle at the idea of a neighbor building something larger or more modern next door, although it may be perfectly legal to do so. “If you are used to slab-ongrade houses, when you put up a

Permit Delay continued on page 7

Just a Little Bit Better...

Gulfport Elementary and Other South Pinellas Schools Continue to Improve By Monroe Roark

CATHY SALUSTRI

Gulfport Elementary is a little bit better every year, and this year, the Pinellas County School Board announced, it’s brought its grade from a “D” to a “C”. Recent statistics released by the Florida Department of Education show that schools across Pinellas County continue to improve their performance over three years ago. The district received a B grade for the seventh straight year, according to officials, who credited “the Gulfport Elementary finished the 2021-22 School year with a “C” grade, up from a dedication of all stakeholders to “D” grade the year before. continue high-quality instruction schools demonstrating the need tary has risen from C to B. Rising even in the midst of a global panfor more focused intervention,” acfrom D to C during that span are demic.” cording to a statement released by Gulfport Elementary, Lealman AvIn addition to the overall district the district. enue Elementary, and Azalea Midgrade, Pinellas County Schools re“I am incredibly proud of the dle. ported that all 15 schools in the progress of our schools, teachers Four schools south of Central so-called “Transformation Zone” and administrators. We are well have maintained a C grade over earned a grade of C or higher for on our way to becoming an A disthree years: Campthe 2021-2022 actrict,” said district superintendent ademic year. These “I am incredibly proud bell Park ElementaKevin Hendrick. “It is through the ry, Fairmount Park are schools that of the progress of our commitment and collaboration of Elementary, Maxihave been identiour students, families, staff and fied as in need of schools, teachers and mo Elementary, and administrators.” community that we will continJohn Hopkins Midadditional support, ue to accelerate our progress. We dle. Bay Point Elemostly in the southwill continue to work tirelessly on mentary went from B to C during ern half of the county. Of these, 11 behalf of every student to provide that time period. are south of Park Boulevard and them world-class programming, “The work in the Transformaeight are south of Central Avenue. instruction and extra-curricular tion Zone moving forward will be In three years, Lakewood Eleexperiences that every student a continued focus on long-term mentary’s grade has transitioned deserves.” progress and supporting any new from F to B, while Melrose Elemen-

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Permit Delay continued from page 5 two-story building that is taking full advantage of all the setbacks, it is going to be a larger structure,” said Metcalf. “People are paying a lot of money and want to build that kind of stuff. You can’t really blame them and I certainly can’t stop them.” A key area in which problems can arise quickly is when a new building project is begun in a flood zone. That carries with it an entirely new set of rules from Washington, D.C. “We do get homeowners who do not understand the ramifications of living in a flood zone,” said Metcalf. “Not just the fact that it may flood, but the restrictions on how much you can improve your property. Sometimes people get stuck in that and we’re the bad guys because they didn’t pick up the phone and call us and find out what they can do.” Occasionally someone will snatch up a piece of property in a cash sale without gathering all of the necessary information and just start a demolition. According to federal guidelines, a property owner who alters 50% or more of a structure in a flood zone triggers a requirement of bringing the entire site into compliance with FEMA regulations. This has often caused the City to stop a project in midstream. “Because the City of Gulfport

participates in the national flood The office typically takes 15-20 insurance program, we are required business days to issue a residento enforce federal regulations for tial permit if everything is in order. construction in a flood zone,” said Inspections can often be done the Streicher. “Part of day after a request “If you are used to that is a substanis received at the oftial improvement slab-on-grade hous- fice. or whatever evMany times a probes, when you put up erybody terms the lem can be solved, a two-story building even before it arisFEMA 50% rule. A lot of homeowners that is taking full ad- es, by contacting the don’t understand vantage of all the set- City to make certain FEMA, and we also backs, it is going to a property owner is have contractors doing everything as who come in from be a larger structure,” he or she should. said Metcalf. “Peooutside of flood “It would definitely zones and don’t ple are paying a lot save a lot of heartunderstand flood of money and want ache on their part, zone construction.” for sure,” said Streto build that kind of icher. “It’s not necInstead of havstuff. You can’t real- essarily a regular ing to go back to the drawing board ly blame them and I occurrence [to stop at a later time, it is certainly can’t stop a project] but it does best to start with happen.” them.” a proper underIn addition to standing of the permit application monitoring existing projects, the process. Often it is held up simply building department must accombecause of an incomplete applicamodate ever-changing State regution, as Streicher pointed out, and lations, which seem to come on an that slows everything down. Once annual basis. that is all in order, a plan review “The State is constantly adding might lead to a request from City something new that we have to staff for additional information. do. And it’s on us to make sure “We have no control over how it gets done,” said Metcalf. “It’s a long it takes people to reply to us,” complicated process and we do Streicher said, noting that in a rethe best we can to get through cent application, he sent a plan reit. There’s more work, more to do, view to the applicant in December and it takes a little bit longer to and received a reply just last month. do it.”

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visor Rachel Cataldo, who started the club. “I’m a firm believer that just because you’re growing older, that doesn’t mean you have to sit down and be boring,” Cataldo said. “It’s a bucket list club, and we’re going to do some bucket list things that are available locally.” The Gulfport Senior Center serves not only Gulfport, but any person 50 or older who wants to join; it’s $50 a year for anyone to join, but free for Gulfport residents. Members gain full access to the gym, clubs, and activities such as parasailing. The Senior Center, which will have a full renovation in the coming years, can be as relaxed or active as its members want it to be. Cataldo says the Center has 3,000 active members. When she started in 2013, it was a much quieter place. Her nine-year reign as supervisor has seen growth and change. Walk in on any given day and there could be a group playing chair volleyball with a beach ball, an impromptu farmer’s market, or a quiet table of domino players. As for the adrenaline junkies at Wednesday’s parasailing group, they’re not facing senior citizenship waving a white flag. In fact, Wednesday was Susanne Abrahams’ first big outing since retiring the week before. “I can’t just not do anything,”

ABBY BAKER

Parasailing continued from cover

Next up, indoor skydiving.

Abrahams said from her spot on the bus. On arrival to the St. Pete Beach water sports company Captain Jacob Bobo welcomed his boat of eight (nine, counting our reporter) people. He made the kind of jokes boat captains make (“This is my first time driving a boat, hope the YouTube video was correct!”) and made sure every passenger was strapped in and dipped in the water. Adventure Club member Patricia Maria lost her water shoe on a dip, and another lost her favorite ball cap. Despite the chaos, club members were all smiles, on the boat and on the way home, despite the summer heat. What’s next? The Adventure Club has a helicopter ride and indoor

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skydiving up next. It’s a few of the many ideas Cataldo has on her office white board, with more ready to launch. “I think independence and dignity (a mission statement of the center) means you should continue living your life to the fullest,” she said. “I’m almost 50 and I’m not going to stop doing things.” In fact, when Cataldo’s husband turned 50, she gifted him with a membership to the Gulfport Senior Center. “It should be an exciting age,” Cataldo said with a laugh. A future helicopter trip is sold out, but the Adventure Club has indoor skydiving planned for Nov. 17. Interested? Call the Gulfport Senior Center for details at 727-8935657.

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

Shut It Down

Gulfport Looks to Curtail Abuse of Non-Chartered Employees Gulfport employees are taking an increasing amount of abuse from a select few citizens, and city officials are getting ready to do something about it. “We’re getting into some real serious issues about our ability to protect our employees from attacks,” said City Manager Jim O’Reilly at the July 7 City Council meeting. “Email, verbally, physically, being accosted in public, plus the volume of emails coming in with vitriol language that attacks our employees.” O’Reilly also noted the “weaponization” of access to city government facilities and the public records law. One unnamed City employee told The Gabber he has received 3,000 emails from a single person in a five-year period. “We need to have a conversation and I need to put on the record to you that it’s my responsibility to protect your employees,” O’Reilly told the council. All of the councilmembers voiced their agreement. “It’s time that our employees and staff be insulated from it,” said Mayor Sam Henderson. “People are being verbally attacked in public while doing their jobs. It’s affecting the ability of the people to do their jobs and work for the city.” O’Reilly cited one particular incident in which a city employee was accosted at Williams Pier and had to step in front of a state representative to keep the citizen from escalat-

CATHY SALUSTRI

By Monroe Roark

The City of Gulfport may pass an ordinance that prevents the public from accessing places of business at city facilities, citing incidences of people coming into those spaces and harassing employees.

ing the situation. “These are the people you depend on to provide high-level services, but it also impacts the other residents,” he said. “These are the people you hire to run the city and maintain a healthy society in the community.” As Vice Mayor Christine Brown put it, “our employees just want to go to work.” “And they don’t need to go to work in a toxic environment,” added councilmember Paul Ray. No specific action was taken at the meeting, but City Attorney Andrew Salzman told Council he has done some research regarding what the City could possibly do to protect employees in the workspace. An ordinance that was passed elsewhere

in Florida, in Punta Gorda, and has been supported in the appellate courts. It addresses what specific areas can be classified as public forums. For example, a public meeting in the council chambers is always open to the public and citizens can make their own video and audio recordings of the proceedings, but other areas of the building, such as the offices where utility bills are paid, could be designated off-limits for such activity because they are essentially business areas. This could prevent citizens from coming in and berating employees who are simply trying to work. Council will address the issue at a future meeting.

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

Biz New: New Kava Spot, A Legal Airbnb + TradeWinds Here’s What’s New in Gulfport, St. Pete, and The Gulf Beaches By Abby Baker

Two Gulfport business owners bought a Beach Boulevard home in an attempt to preserve the oldtown feel of downtown. Gulfport Realty owner Stacey Purcell and Mike Fagan, owner of the Beach Bazaar, are the new owners of the home at 3031 Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. But neither of them will live in it. Purcell says she hopes to rent out the property on Airbnb, but she’ll also use it as a public community gathering place during holidays like she did during the Fourth of July this year. The property is zoned as a legal Airbnb, and will be styled “as old Florida as possible.” “We scraped together every dime to do this,” Purcell said. “It’s all part of the small house movement; we don’t want Gulfport to lose its charm.” When the home went on the market, Fagan and Purcell bought it for $550,000. That’s $100,000 less than the asking price for the 1946 duplex, which has a two car garage and a garage apartment. They hope to start renting it next month. “We’ll never rent it out on holidays,” Purcell said. “Everybody will be welcome anytime there’s a parade. It all goes back to that oldtown feel.” More TradeWinds TradeWinds Island Resorts, a multi-resort company on St. Pete Beach, hopes to expand by 850,000 square feet over the next 12 years. If the expansion is approved by the City of St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds may add retail space, a 20,000-squarefoot ballroom, beach access, three swimming pools, and a bowling alley. But not before many public meetings held in the name of community input. Many St. Pete Beach residents are concerned with the sheer size of the structure, as well as the crowds and traffic it may bring.

TRADEWINDS RESORTS

Home Sweet Home

A rendering of what TradeWinds Resorts may look like in 12 years.

“This is a process, and we want to take community concerns into consideration,” said Joe Smith, Chief Executive Officer of 1754 Properties, which owns TradeWinds. ”We have plans to improve the infrastructure, that includes widening the sidewalk to make it more pedestrian-friendly and add a 30-foot beach access for the public.” Smith added that TradeWinds has considered funding improvements to the City’s stormwater system to reduce flooding issues, a consistent issue in the area. “I’d like to add that what we’re proposing requires no changes to the local code,” Smith said. TradeWinds will wholly fund the public improvements as well as the expansion.

Kava Down Looking for another place to sip? Teaki Tavern Kava, Tea & Juices, 530 49th St. S., St. Petersburg, is opening on August 19. It’s the creation of Adrienne Martinez, who bought the property in November 2021. Martinez says she hopes to re-create a community that she once found at Steep Station in St. Pete. “When I moved here, I didn’t know anybody, so I started going to the kava bars,” Martinez said. “It was like one big party at someone’s house. I met my family in the kava community.” After August 29, Teaki Tavern Kava, Tea & Juices, will be open daily from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

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Renaissance Dad

COVID in a Camper: More Cracker Barrel, Less Coachella Back at the beginning of the pandemic, in the name of not having to share restrooms with the public, we upgraded from our Instagram-worthy Volkswagen Eurovan camper to a full size RV, complete with bathroom and AC. We sacrificed the “Vanlife” lifestyle for a more conventional (read: comfortable) road trip; more Cracker Barrel, less Coachella. We hoped the RV would help diminish our chances of catching COVID. But what if we did get COVID – a thousand miles from home – with four people and two pets in a 24 foot RV? How would we bear up? It wasn’t until the third summer of COVID – last month – that we found out. One night, nestled in a wooded valley in the Catskills, I woke with a fever. A rapid test confirmed a real case of clammy-cough-achy-fatigued COVID. (Full background: I have a serious vascular condition, called VEDS, that has made avoiding COVID important, so I’m fully vaxxed, boosted, and practice reasonable levels of avoidance in public without being insufferable.) Fevers have always produced mild hallucinations for me, and this time was no different; fitting given the fact that we’d spent that day exploring the town of Woodstock. I can’t pinpoint where I caught COVID, but suspect number one was the lady coughing her lungs out near – of all places – the polio exhibit at the FDR Library. Or it may have been one of the many Gilded Age houses that

JON KILE

By Jon Kile

What would it be like if the Kile family caught COVID-19 while camping 2,000 miles from home?

we’d toured in the Hudson Valley (once a reliable place to avoid the Spanish Flu). To prepare for what I knew would be – at best – a challenging week, I drew upon the wisdom of several books I’ve been reading on the Stoics. We think of being “stoic” as approaching things without emotion, but the ancient Stoic – capital

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S – philosophy is eager to take joy in life’s pleasures, while preparing ourselves so that we don’t wilt when we’re confronted with life’s challenges. I took my COVID episode as a chance to put this Zenlight philosophy to work. Instead of lamenting my situation, wallowing in negative thoughts and ruminating on the injustice of having our trip interrupted, I accepted it and moved on. I was grateful I wasn’t more sick. Quarantining in an RV was a challenge. As a gesture, I put on a mask, and Monica moved a few feet away to our daughter’s bed (which is also the dinette). But, to use a buzzword from 2021, this attempt at distancing was “performative.” “Oh, God,” Monica said the next morning, “We were kissing last night.” “Wait,” our son said in disgust, “you guys were making out?” He then gave us the pre-teen TEDtalk about how making out is only

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

for people who are dating, not for married people. We responded by singing him the “Birds and the Bees and the Flowers and the Trees” song. Forging ahead, I publicly declared my optimism, took some Tylenol and proceeded with packing up our campsite. The Zen quickly fled my body as I wrestled with the stubborn high-end camp chairs that have tested my patience since we invested in them five years ago. These “most comfortable” chairs are supposed to withstand a 300-pound human, yet they never opened or closed properly for my 175-pound frame. I destroyed that chair like Pete Townshend smashed his guitar at Woodstock. “Very stoic,” Monica said, as I returned from depositing the mangled metal and canvas in the Dumpster, whistling “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” But I digress. Within two days, Monica and our son also tested positive. Only our daughter and our pets were spared the scourge. The good news: we got relatively minor cases. Monica lost her sense of smell which isn’t such a bad thing when you eat and sleep near a cat litter box. With two weeks left in our road trip, and complete uncertainty as to when we’d be able to resume our daily romps, we decided to start the long journey home. I approached the 25 hours of driving with the Stoicism I lacked when battling the camp chair. After seeing people on social media get stranded indefinitely in overseas hotels waiting for a negative test, I’ve concluded that the RV isn’t the worst place to have COVID. With a full pantry (and a full kitchen and bathroom) we were able to eat, sleep, and travel 1,300 miles home without having to risk exposing anyone. Three days later we were back in St. Pete – planning to resume our trip in August. I could moan about all the additional gas we’re going to have to burn because COVID interrupted our plans, but that wouldn’t be very stoic. By the way, does anyone have an extra camping chair?

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If you missed Gulfport’s annual Body Beautiful Art Walk on July 1, don’t worry, there was plenty of flash photography. As per usual First Friday Art Walk, artists showed their stuff on Beach Boulevard. On this Friday, artists were asked to showcase body-inspired artwork and scantily clad models walked downtown in celebration of the human form. Do you have Gabber-worthy photos? They don’t have to be from an event. Send your everyday shots to abby@thegabber.com You might just see them in print.

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

arts A Coliseum of ‘Cool’ Art

A Tradition of Juried Art and Demonstrations, With Air Conditioning By Abby Baker

ERIC FOLSOM

Hair chignon titled “Rain Shower” by Eric Folsom.

Some things are here to stay. For the 33rd year, the PAVA Cool Art Show returns to the St. Petersburg Coliseum for the weekend of July 23-24. The St. Pete show showcases 60 Florida artists working in paint, wood, ceramics, metal, and photography. It’s got something for everyone, and as long-term PAVA contributing artist John Shelvin puts it, it’s the coolest place to be in the summer. “It’s just a great juried show,” Shelvin said. “St. Pete is such a growing area, and so many people come from up north because they want to see some Florida. At least we’re inside, where the air conditioning is blowing.” Shelvin, a Gulfport artist, is known for his “tropical funk” paintings with bold colors and splashy graphics. He’s worked as an artist since 1979, and was inspired from his time at a gallery in Key West during the ‘80s. For most of his art career, Shelvin worked as a traveling artist working with an advertising company. Nowadays, he’s painting and selling from his Gulfport home.

“It’s happy art,” Shelvin said. “Art should be fun.” This year, along with exhibits from artists, PAVA has children’s activities, including (but not limited to) a scribble wall and hands-on paper-cut art activities. Anyone can watch the live demonstrations from artists Lorraine Potocki and Debra Thomas Weible. Both of these local creators are instructors at the

Gulfport MIND BODY SPIRIT EXPO

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

Dunedin Fine Art Center and will demonstrate their painting skills on both days. Fans of functional art may know Gulfport metal artist Eric Folsom. He’s the creator of several metal sculptures around Gulfport and St. Petersburg, including St. Pete Fairgrounds. He also has work at Florida Craft Art. Folsom will bring his lightweight metallic unisex jewelry, delicate metal mobiles, and bowls to PAVA. “When I design a piece of jewelry, I make it for anybody,” Folsom said. “Of course I think of women, especially with the earrings, but it’s unisex. I wear it all the time.” Folsom says he’s bringing new designs to the show, a show he’s attended for close to 20 years. It’s an artistic tradition he doesn’t plan to quit anytime soon. “This show always pushes my limits, and I try to bring things people haven’t seen before,” Folsom said. “It’s a great quality show and it always draws a good crowd.” PAVA Cool Art Show July 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, July 24; 10 a.m.4 p.m. The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

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freeFall Announces What’s Up Next

Here’s the St. Pete Theatre Company’s 2022-23 Lineup It’s that time again: freeFall has announced its 2022-23 season. “In addition to our season of shows, we have the return of gameNight, freeFall Sings, movie screenings, concerts, cabarets, and more,” Matthew McGee, freeFall’s community outreach director, said in a press release. The season includes two debuts, a romantic comedy, a holiday production, and other shows.

FREEFALL THEATRE

By Abby Baker

The Lineup Rose and Walsh Neil Simon’s final play about Long Islander and struggling author Rose has a longterm and tragic romance with Walsh, a famed writer. Played by Broadway veterans Stephanie Dunnam and Patrick Ryan Sullivan. July 29- Aug. 28.

freeFall’s 2022-23 season includes ‘The Night Before’, an original work by Matthew McGee.

All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg The world premiere of Tony Award-winner Rupert Holmes’ latest. Holmes tells the

Gulfport Seeks Its Next Gecko Queen Gulfport residents 21 years and older who enjoy the spotlight and have a positive message to share with the community are invited to submit a video application, photos or a letter highlighting their love for Gulfport and their desire to be the next Gecko Queen.

Deadline: July 31st Email: jonziegler82@yahoo.com or info@visitgulfportflorida.com

life story of Supreme Court Justice RBG. Oct. 5- 23. The Night Before freeFall’s hit holiday production follows a group of friends, a cynical cat, and a snowy day (yes, snow) in Florida. Written by Matthew McGee with original music and arrangements by Michael Raabe. Nov. 25-Dec. 24. Blues in the Night Originally directed by Sheldon Epps with musical direction by Chapman Roberts, and orchestrations and additional vocal arrangements by Sy Johnson. This version is directed by Wren T. Brown. This Tony-nominated musical sets the stage for Chicago blue’s singers in the late ’40s. It’s a soulful musical to remember. Jan. 27 -Feb. 26. Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Classic Sherlock Holmes meets The Hound of the Baskervilles. Holmes and Watson team up to solve this murder in a creepy, crawly, murderously fun mystery. Mar. 24 -April 23. OZ The much-anticipated world-premiere musical by freeFall’s artistic director Eric Davis (with music and lyrics by Michael Raabe offers a look into Frank Baum and the iconic “Land of Oz.” June 2- July 9.

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

‘Bingham’s Ledge’ Standout for Gulfport Community Players Our Theater Critic on the Summer One Acts By Brian Shea

GULFPORT COMMUNITY PLAYERS

Theater-goers who attend the Summer One Acts get to vote on which play, actors, and directors will win a Cathy Award.

Nine plays comprise the Gulfport Community Players’ 20th Annual Summer One Acts, each from a different playwright. Each runs between 10 and 15 minutes. Audience members get ballots to vote for which play, actors, and directors will win a Cathy Award on Aug. 27. For me, the winner is clear: “Bingham’s Ledge”, written by W.L. Newkirk. “Bingham’s Ledge” was the gold standard of the night. It’s a quirky, moving, and surprisingly funny play about two strangers, a man and a woman. They arrive at the cliff’s edge, preparing to jump. Newkirk achieved what many others did not in the evening: A compelling story and character arcs that the audience audibly engaged with and connected to from beginning to end. There was a deep communal connection with this play. Two characters start alone and lonely, feeling there is nothing more in this life for them. By the end of the story, they stand together holding hands, looking out over the abyss. I sat there and thought, “please let them realize they found someone to live

for.” All this happens in 10 minutes. As the evening of plays continued, I kept thinking back on “Bingham’s Ledge,” wanting more of this story. The other eight uneven plays left me confused, and made me think the stories these playwrights want to tell must be longer to be effective. Here’s a short rundown of what to expect: “The Football Game” by Jenell Lawlis emulates a “Saturday Night Live” skit. Four older women wearing sports jerseys sit around a TV watching a football game, acting like sexist men. “Hostile Takeover” by Steven Miller is another skit with no discernible plot. A family gathers at their dinner table, but this family meeting is a corporate board meeting with bylaws, motions, and discussion of quarterly profits. “The Meadow” by Ryan Kaminski is a mystery thriller with too much exposition and plot holes that left this short play a tad confusing. “Imaginary Friends” by Enid Cokinus. A man returns to his childhood home to attend his father’s funeral. His imaginary friend from his youth

appears. Like most of the plays included in this evening’s stories, this play needs more time for the playwright to develop the relationships and the story. “Nice & Kind” by Stephen Taft. A young man is sitting reading a book on a park bench when an older woman and her imaginary dog arrive, wanting to share the bench. “Inherit The Dumb” by Carl Williams. A public-school teacher is called to a meeting with school officials to debate teaching Creationism alongside Evolution. “The Paperboy” by Connie Schindewolf. This play has a “Twilight Zone” kind of feeling. An older widow is alarmed when she finds a strange man sitting at her breakfast table. “Will’s Dramaturg” by Rich Rubin. Shakespeare meets his career advisor at a pub. He repeatedly tells Shakespeare to remember his demographics. It may serve the Gulfport Community Players better to find for future Summer One Act evenings four or five longer plays with more time to develop plot, characters, relationships, and story.

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food The Backfin Blues

25 Years of Memories, Gulfport, and Crab Cakes The little bungalow at 2913 Beach Blvd. S. in Gulfport is no longer serving crab cakes, wine, or anything else. On the weekends, Backfin Blue Café is now quiet, instead of bustling with guests and wait-listed seafood lovers checking the time. After a quarter of a century, Backfin Blue Café owner Harold Russell is selling the Beach Boulevard property to Casa Florida, a Miami hotel group that purchases historical buildings and revitalizes them. They’ve yet to close the deal, but it’s under contract and expected to happen within a month. “With the combination of supply prices rising and labor, the success of the last 25 years works against us,” Russell told The Gabber. “We couldn’t provide what people expected” The blue-and-red cottage will become part of Casa Florida’s vision of connecting the restaurant to Gulfport’s only hotel, the Historic Peninsula Inn. Casa Florida bought the inn this June for nearly $3 million. Owner Gaston Gonzalez plans to add a cocktail bar, a level of upscale flavor to the establish-

BACKFIN BLUE

By Abby Baker

The cottage-style seafood spot was known for its crab cakes and corn chowder.

ment, and paint it – perhaps pink. The inn will connect to Backfin Blue Café, but it’s unclear what the restaurant will become. Russell will keep the name “Backfin Blue Café” and the phone number of the restaurant. No matter what happens to the building, nothing can change the memories of the café for the peo-

ple who loved it. That includes Gulfportian Jeanette Perkins. Perkins grew up around the crab-centric culture in Maryland and moved to Florida in the ‘80s. Backfin Blue Café was a nostalgic surprise for her in downtown Gulfport. “We celebrated our two March birthdays there every year, although we dined there other times when we got a craving for crab cakes,” Perkins said. Gulfport Merchants Chamber President Barbara Banno and her wife Morgan Banno had their wedding rehearsal dinner at Backfin Blue in 2019. Former Gulfport Councilmember Dawn Fisher owned the property before it was ever a locally renowned seafood joint. “I had no idea what it would become,” Fisher said of the restaurant’s success. Russell may have learned how to create an award-winning restaurant, but he says now he’ll have to learn how “not to work.” “It’s bittersweet. I’m 66, so it’s due, but I could have gone a little longer,” Russell said.

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

Pre-restaurant, the cottage now known as Backfin Blue Café was a rental property. According to records from the Gulfport History Museum, the earliest known date of ownership of the building was in 1926. New Yorker John Ormston bought it and used it as a rental property. His first tenant was a Gulfport artist John Storms. Decades passed, and a face many current Gulfportians recognize, Dawn Fisher, bought the building in 1995. Fisher paid $69,000 for the property, which was then a duplex. Fisher stored furniture, including a grand piano her sister would play. Often, Fisher’s friends would sit on the porch and in the front room with a drink in hand. “When I came to Gulfport it was a seedy little place waiting to bloom,” Fisher said. “I had some extra money, so I bought the place. Then I renovated it into a restaurant.” In 1995, Harold Russell asked to buy it. He’d previously worked as a kitchen manager at Hurricane’s on St. Pete Beach and was ready to take a crack at ownership. “When I said I was going to buy the house and make it a restaurant, people laughed at me,” Russell said. “I didn’t have much money at that point. But it worked.” He signed the lease in 1996 and eventually bought the property from Fisher in the early 2000s.

BACKFIN BLUE

Before the Blue

“Harold’s a hardworking guy,” Fisher said. “When you meet him, you know that right away. So I decided to lease it to him.”

window, a paved courtyard, and restricted hours to only weekends. Backfin Blue Café was the first place that Gulfportians Jonathan Micocci and Christine Crosby ate after they purchased a home in the city, 1997. “We drove into Gulfport for the first time looking for a new home and by a fluke, met a motivated seller within an hour,” By lunch time, we were celebrating our move at Backfin, over crab chowder,” Micocci said. “We have had warm feelings for the place ever since and will miss it.” To Barbara Banno, Backfin Blue Café represents home. “Backfin was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first came to Gulfport,” Banno said. “It has the essence of a community

staple in this town.” In 2019, Banno and her wife Morgan chose it as the location of their wedding rehearsal dinner for this reason. Morgan’s father fell in love with the crab cakes, and the couple has some corn chowder and crab stored in their freezer for when he comes to visit. “That place is a piece of history,” Banno said. “Harold, his family, and his food will be missed.” Maybe not missed for long. Russell told The Gabber he’d like to do pop-up crab cake sales during large-scale Gulfport events. He has yet to work out the details, but he wants to stay connected with the community that supported him. “As hard as it was at times,” Russell said. “We had this magic moment in time for a split second.”

A Restaurant Remembered “When Harold opened his restaurant he got a lot of press, and people started coming to Gulfport to eat,” Fisher said. “It changed some things.” On April 11, 1997, the St. Petersburg Times published a review of Backfin Blue. “Even with the porch added on, this little frame house can’t hold everybody who’d get a kick out of being there,” the Tampa newspaper wrote. In 25 years, not much changed for Backfin. The small town restaurant was known for its Maryland-rivaling crab cakes, legs, and seafood. In later years, Russell added a gelato

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things to do

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Gulfport One Acts, Local Jams + A Garden Sale Friday, July 22

THE SALTY NUN

Memory Tours Those living with dementia and their caregivers are welcome to the free Morean Memory Tours. These private tours allow dementia patients to enjoy art in a centralized way. While the museum is closed, attendees will be given a 30-minute tour of the galleries and then participate in a 30-minute art project that relates to what was just discussed on the tour. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 9 a.m. moreanartscenter.org Southern Harvest is playing in Gulfport, and everyone is invited. This country-meets-rock group is always a good time. Come out for music, drinks, and dancing. Gulfport American Legion, 6440 5th Ave. S., Gulfport. 6:30 p.m. 727-347-6085.

Play Family Feud with drag queens and drinks at The Salty Nun.

Find links for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events. Through July 24 Theater Buffs Watch nine never-before-seen plays back-to-back at the Summer One Acts. Each year, writers from near (Gulfport) and far (not Gulfport) submit original 15-minute plays in the hopes of making it to the stage. This year, enjoy nine quick witted comedies, political pieces, and others. Refreshments available in the lobby. Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. Through July 24: Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. $21.50 online; $25, door. gulfportcommunityplayers.org

class that will explain why this is vital and the different ways to have a routine. Finally, you’ll plan out your routine with an expert. Ticket price includes essential oils. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 6:30 p.m. $20. mygulfport. us/recreation

Burger-ish Debut Tommy & Mimi are bringing their acoustic act to St. Pete Beach to play an electric live mix of music from the Drifters, to Elvis, to Warren Zevon, and everything in between. Join them for toe-tapping fun, good eats, and cold drinks. Fun fact: This is their first time hitting Burger-ish. Burger-ish Bar & Grill, 4755 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 7 p.m. 727-954-0001.

Things To Do continued on page 22

A to Z Vendor Market

Thursday, July 21 Rise and Shine Have you always wanted to be the kind of person who has a morning routine? It’s not impossible. The Herbal Cabinet will host a “How to” morning routine

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

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Things To Do continued from page 21 Saturday, July 23 Trash to Treasure One man’s aging garden gnome is another man’s great new lawn ornament. The St. Petersburg Garden Club is hosting its annual Trash to Treasure Sale and selling everything your garden needs for discounted prices! Come shop pots, plants, tools, soil, and everything in between. St. Petersburg Garden Club, 500 Sunset Dr. S., St. Petersburg. 9 .m.-2 .m. 727-381-8920. National Moth Month Moth Hike Boyd Hill Nature Preserve invites adventure-loving hikers to a Moth Night Hike. This is an after-hours hike through the preserve where trail-walkers learn about the lives of moths... just in time for National Moth Week. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg. 8:30 p.m. 727-893-7326. Saturday, July 23-Sunday, July 24 PAVA Time It’s back! PAVA’s 33rd Annual Cool Art Show returns for

two days of art from local creators. The show includes 60 Florida artisans selected to exhibit their paint, wood, ceramics, photography, metal, glass, fiber, digital, mixed media, and jewelry art. In addition to the traditional exhibit, PAVA will host hands-on children’s art activities for kids of all ages. The show will also feature two artists demonstrating their skills and techniques live. The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. pava-artists.org/cool-art-show-2022 Sunday, July 24 Dalí Stories Make story time surreal with a Saturday morning kid-friendly play date among some of Salvador Dalí’s greatest pieces of art. Museum volunteers will read Dalí-approved stories from books in the museum’s library and invite families to follow along. Storytime at the Dalí is hosted on the ground floor of the museum and gallery access is not included with the children’s event. The Dalí Museum, 1 Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $10 – $29. tickets.thedali.org/webstore/shop/ viewItems.aspx?cg=ga&c=tix Jam Band Did someone say rum? Let’s rock the bay with Gulfport band, The Rum Syndicate. They’ll play the classics, new music, and a few rumstyle remixes. Hurricane Eddie’s, 5413 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 12-3 p.m. fb.me/e/1SzbAojKk Tuesday, July 26 For the Sharks Nothing’s is quite as exhilarating as telling a drag queen you have “bingo.” Play Drag Bingo with Georgia Moore. This week, the bingo fun benefits Minorities in Shark Sciences, a women-led science and conservation organization founded by four Black female shark researchers. Call your friendly neighborhood gay bar for reservations. Best of luck, queens. Punky’s Bar and Grill, 3063 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 7 p.m. 727-201-4712.

THE GABBER.COM 22

Movie Night So I was like, totally buggin.’ Watch the iconic 1995 comedy “Clueless.” The movie is free, but

the beers are not. Caddy’s Treasure Island, 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 8 p.m. 727-360-4993. Wednesday, July 27 Relax, Man On the fourth Wednesday of every month, Treasure Island’s Wellness Wednesday class introduces students to alternative healing methods. Learn the benefits of yoga, meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, cupping, and Reiki – as well as others. It’s a chance to discover what wellness looks like for you. Treasure Island Event Venue, 130 126th Ave., E. Treasure Island. 3:15 p.m. $10. 727-360-4711. What a Drag Play Family Feud the St. Pete way – with drag queens at a bar. The glamorous Brianna Summers is hosting the fun, and she’ll have prizes for the winners. Three teams of four each will play to win on a first come, first serve basis. Didn’t sign up fast enough this week? That’s OK, stick around for food, drinks, and a salty good time. The Salty Nun, 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 6:30 p.m. facebook. com/saltynun Thursday, July 28 The League Meet the women and activists who run The League of Women voters right here in Gulfport. Maryellen Gordan will teach “Voting 101” and explain what’s new (and what’s not!) this election. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 1 p.m. mygulfport.us/gpl Read & Feed Book-lovers, come to a Read & Feed event centered around Kristin Harmel’s “The Book Of Lost Names.” This is a World War II story that flashes between the life of a semi-retired Florida librarian and her past life forging documents for fleeing Jewish children during the war. Discuss the book, the horror of its history, and how Eva (the novel’s hero) held up in the face of evil. Indian Shores Library, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. 6 p.m. The discussion is free, but dinner is $10. indian-rocks-beach.com

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

Friendship is Agele

At 19, John D. (high school football star!) bought his first small plane, which leaked in the rain. He still likes to fly gliders and try new things. You could say he’s drawn to the unusual.

), John (cent Now he’s set aside his golf clubs and plays bocce ball alongside a retired nurse, scientist, artist, and other fun-first athletes — new friends who feel like old buddies.

1956

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the gabs Do You Agree with DeSantis’ Beach Smoking Ban Law? Photos by Abby Baker

Cary Altschuler, Lake Worth: “I’m a smoker. I bring a pocket ashtray with me but most people aren’t thinking of that. I’m fine with cities banning cigarettes on the beach, but I’d like to see a smoker’s area nearby.”

Jon Kile, St. Petersburg: “I agree with it, yes. Smokers have proven their unwillingness to discard their cigarette butts and I find they do not have a regard for the noses of people around them.”

Jennifer Altschuler, Lake Worth: “I totally agree that the beaches need to be cleaned. But there should be an offbeach smoker’s section.”

Virgina Parker, Gulfport: “I guess I have mixed emotions. It doesn’t affect anyone who doesn’t smoke and for the people that do enjoy smoking, that ruins the way they enjoy the beach. I think if people would be responsible smokers, then that’s another story.”

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crossword

Solution on page 27

Common Causes

gabber on vacation

Solution on page 27

MARK DILLMAN

sudoku

Mark Dillman traveled with The Gabber (and his wife, Bobbi Flowers) to the top of Mount Howard in eastern Oregon, above Wallowa Lake.

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 | July 21, 2022 - July 27, 2022

worship 17th St. & 29th Ave N St. Petersburg 345-7777 Friday 7PM

Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation

ShalomAdventure.com JewishHeritage.net Rabbi@JewishHeritage.net

Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church 2728 53rd St. S. Gulfport, FL 33707

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

on Treasure Island 10255 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

(Entrance on 28th Ave.)

Where ALL are welcome at the Lord’s table. Come and See... Sunday Mass 9:30am www.goodshepherdocc.net 727-403-7178

St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop AN EPISCOPAL CONGREGATION 330 85th Avenue • St. Pete Beach Reverend Omar Reyes

Paradise Lutheran Church

5124 Gulfport Ave S. 33707

Hours 10 AM to 2PM Wednesday to Saturday

Sunday Service

10am with Holy Communion

727-360-5739

paradiseluth102@gmail.com paradiselutheran.com

Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship

During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30 Program - 11:00 Afﬁliated with

St Vincent’s Episcopal Church

5441 9 th Ave N. • St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Sunday Services 10AM Misa en Español: Domingos 12PM

For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net “You need not think alike to love alike.” - Francis David, 1534

uuunited.org

Special worship rates starting as low as $25/week. Send an email to: advertising@thegabber.com

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

solution

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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

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

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

Abccleanexteriors.com

727-388-3493 2321 49th St S

Mon-Thu 10am-5pm

15 Years in Gulfport 45 Years Experience

Computer Sales

Fax, Copy, Print

Electrical

AC ELECTRIC 727-345-3108

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

24 Hour Service

FREE ESTIMATES

525-0677

Licensed Bonded Insured St. Lic. #EC0002881

SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT! Handy Person

Specializing in AirBnb/VRBO, vacation rentals, and condos. Glenda 863-205-0944 Leslie 863-512-3445 28

Heating & Air Conditioning

Fast Friendly Service

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

727-698-1213

CLEAN UP YARD - CLEAN OUT HOUSES Tree work and yard work, big/small tree removal, hauling, trim/rake, pressure cleaning, handyman. Call Sylvester: 727-4608721 or 727-482-9433.

Gulfport Computer Repair

MAYNARD ELECTRIC

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

SEMI-RETIRED CARPENTER At discount prices! Free estimates. Frame and finish work. Gulfport and Pinellas Park areas. Call the Door Doctor. Gus: 727-644-6194.

CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP Handy helpers. 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. Locally St. Pete /Gulfport: 407-2446045. James: 407-244-6045. HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs. Small jobs welcome. Quality work at reasonable prices. Honest. Reliable. Free estimates. John: 727-410-2201.

“Same rates seven days a week”

NO SERVICE CHARGE EVER! CAC1815513

727

709-7979 www.AirPhillips.com

QUALITY AT WORK

Luke Phillips

3914 6th St S St. Petersburg

Home Improvement

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. 727410-7323.

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. 727-410-7323.

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

Lawn & Landscape

Miscellaneous Service

TREE SERVICE BY PAYLESS

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!

Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding. Also do yard work, mulching, weeding, and yard clean up. Call for estimate: 727-641-9033.

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. Email: ruststainremoval@icloud.com

Moving / Hauling CHARLES JUNK HAULING & DEMOLITION Junk & trash removal. Low, low prices guaranteed. Daily specials. Kitchen, bath, shed, fencing, etc. Demolition. 727-831-0507. SKIP’S MOVING & PICK-UP DELIVERY Mondays and Tuesdays. Have 14 foot box truck, willing to help. I’m the guy who moves everybody in and out of Town Shores. 727-320-3297. Painting

MASTERS PAINTING * WHEN QUALITY COUNTS

Trust Masters Painting. Making happy customers for 42 yrs. Pressure cleaning, waterproofing, honest, reliable. 727-3441674 or 727-510-6804. References, guaranteed. Lic.#C4749.

AFFORDABLE PROMPT • RELIABLE Licensed & Insured

Lee Claxton, I.S.A.

BYRON JOHNSON PAINTING PLUS, INC.

727-220-0226 AnAffordableArborist@gmail.com

Marine Repair

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - GULFPORT MERCHANTS CHAMBER

Gulfport Merchants Chamber is seeking a full-time Director of Operations to foster relationships among the business community, advocate on their behalf, and support economic growth in Gulfport. A job description and application are available at visitgulfportflorida.com/careers. Submit resumes to careers@visitgulfportflorida.com

ISO PART TIME COMMERCIAL CLEANER

Need someone 20 hours a week with experience to clean commercial properties. The schedule is for an early morning person (4 a.m. start, two mornings a week). Start at $15 per hour. Valid and active driver’s license is required.

DELIVERY DRIVER

Per diem delivery driver, company vehicle, deliver prescriptions in St. Petersburg area. Clean driver license required. Email interest to gulfportpharmacy1@gmail.com or call 727-223-1075.

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.

Certified Arborist

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

Help Wanted

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

The Perfect Part-Time Job! Flexible Hours...Tell Us When You Want To Work... Supplement Your Income By Helping A Senior!

Call Us Today At (727) 401-4700! License #: 234757, 299994709

For Sale GRAVE LOTS Royal Palm South, two side by side. Best area, $6,000 value. $2,500 for both. Call Dick: 727-345-4323

TOP OF THE LINE SLEEP NUMBER SPLIT KING

Split King Sleep Number Smart 360 Bed w/ adjustable base. Excellent condition, 4 years old. Local pick up. 313-433-7252. $3,199. General

MUSIC SOOTHES

Over 50 CDs. Everything from Manhattan Transfer to Arsenio Rodriguez to Bach. $50 OBO. Emily: 727-599-4258.

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

General GULFPORT LIONS CLUB Available for parties, weddings, meetings. Great waterfront location with full facilities. Call Jean for info and dates. 727-366-6341. Wanted BUYING VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY HOUSE CALLS AVAILABLE Buying vintage costume jewelry from 1980s back. I make house calls or you may bring to Pinellas Farmers Market on Sunday, Booth 117. Icot Center, Clearwater. Call Kaye anytime at 239-560-2816. Available Monday through Saturday. Kaye's Vintage Jewelry. Yard / Garage Sale

LARGE CHURCH YARD SALE

Come out for some awesome bargains; sports equipment, adult and children’s clothing, shoes, uniforms, household products and a lot more. Location: New Faith Free Methodist Church, 2427 Irving Avenue S., St. Pete. Saturday, July 23, 2022, starting at 8 a.m. AWESOME YARD SALE - 7/24 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 5309 16th Ave S, Gulfport. New books, fashionable clothing, furniture, baby items, collectables. No early birds.

YARD SALE

Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Multi Family Yard Sale at 5225 15th Ave S, Gulfport.

Real Estate For Sale

5213 Newton Ave S Gulfport $450,000

PAY LESS TO SELL YOUR HOME! Only 3-4% Commission!

Jeff Thomsen, Realtor Realean Real Estate

727-222-0099 JeffThomsen.com

I LIVE and SPECIALIZE in Town Shores... Best Priced 2BR/1BA FANTASTIC MARINA & WATER VIEW! GROTON #304 UPDATED - TONS OF STORAGE

$297,500

"I have a CASH BUYER looking in Gulfport. Interested in using property with some short term rental options."

Make an appt now to see this stunning and spacious 1259 SF 2BR/2BA block home with an oversized 1 car garage. This home has sparkling terrazzo floors, an expansive kitchen and a desirable split bedroom plan. Entertaining is a breeze with sliding doors in both the living room and kitchen that go all the way into the walls and open to a peaceful large lanai. NOT IN A FLOOD ZONE! $450,000.

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

Furnished Rentals WATCH DOLPHINS FROM YOUR WINDOW 1 BD/1BA, fully furnished condo in Town Shores. 55+, waterfront 5th floor, laundry same floor. Includes utilities except electric. Pool adjacent to building. Available 9/22, 6 month minimum lease. No pets, no smoking. $1975/month. Board approval & background check required. Calls only: 727589-2538. Real Estate For Rent FOR RENT: 6940 SUNSET Building A, #1A, $1100/month, one bedroom apartment furnished. Can be occupied by July 20. $1100 security. Shown by appointment. No pets. Basic cable, W/S/T included. Annual lease, must be approved by condo board. Call 727-347-8298.

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

theGabber.com

PVC FENCE PANELS CLEANED FROM $11 A PANEL

free quote & DEMO (727) 360-7070 30

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

Real Estate Snapshots

Other Gulfport Home Sales Last Week

Here’s What Sold in Gulfport Last Week

2619 56th St. S. (Waterfront District) This 1963 home has 1,597 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths. It listed for $699,000 and sold for $689,000. 5405 Gulfport Blvd. S. (Tangerine) This 1946 home has 2,286 square feet, five bedrooms, and three-and-a-half baths. It listed and sold for $520,000.

ABBY BAKER

6020 Shore Blvd. S., #511 (Town Shores) This 1,450-square-foot condo, built in 1974, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It listed for $495,000 and sold for $485,000. 5109 Tangerine Ave. S. (Tangerine) This 939-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1980, listed for $429,000 and sold for $400,000. 6150 Gulfport Blvd., $392 (Stetson) This 1973 condo has 1,147 square feet, two bedrooms, and two baths. It listed for $289,000 and sold for $340,000.

2713 Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District) This 1,358-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1924, listed and sold for $740,000.

3018 59th St. S., #411 (Town Shores) This 1,060-square-foot condo, built in 1971, has one bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms. It listed for $178,500 and sold for $180,000.

I’M NOT A MAGICIAN... But I have a Way of Making Houses Disappear!

2902 Beach Blvd S.

www.GulfportRealty.com

Let me show you how easy it is to Buy or Sell your home!

(727) 289-5500

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

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