The Gabber: August 3, 2023

Beach, Please

By Lisa Leveroni

On July 26 at 9 a.m. in Belleair Beach, Kelli Hammer Levy delivered the same alarming news to the 11 mayors of Pinellas County beach cities as she did the night before in St. Pete Beach.

“The Army Corps of Engineers will not be renourishing our beaches this year,” Levy announced.

Irrigation Stain Removal

All 11 Pinellas cities made a push for residents to sign “perpetual property easements” to ensure the Army Corps’ help. If the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) performs the beach renourishment, the federal government will pay 65% of the cost; if the ACOE doesn’t perform the beach renourishment, the fed-

eral government pays nothing. In that case, the state — who already pays 17.5% of the cost, Pinellas county, and barrier island cities will have to fund the entire cost. For the first time this year, the Army Corps required 100% residents’ compliance with these forever easements,

continued on page 10

Pinellas beach renourishment plans have halted, although the beaches continue to erode. The Pass-a-Grille Beach walkways are now underwater at high tide.

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

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SunFlower School

My sweetheart was reading The Gabber Newspaper this morning and the story mentioned that SunFlower School was started by three Eckerd College students. Too bad the paper never mentions their names or says that not all of them were students.

So, just for the record, SunFlower School was started by Christine Farris, Rebecca Simons and Arthur Godin with big assistance from Marie and Jim Breslin. Marie worked at SunFlower for 50 years, starting out trading her work for tuition for her children. Her husband Jim, an attorney, wrote the school’s non-profit paperwork and filed it with the county. There were lots of contributors over the years but these are the folks I remember starting the school. I was married to Christine Farris during that period and worked at Sunflower in exchange for credit at Eckerd College. Later, in the 1990s, my girlfriend also worked at SunFlower.

—Steve

Smith, Gulfport

Gulfport’s Historical Tree

Mr. Matt “I can do what I want,” Carr has set the stage for the removal of Gulfport’s oldest live oak tree. While he apparently has the legal authority to do so, it will not ever make it right to do so. He is taking full advantage of the state law that allows him and every other developer to take down any trees they want.

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

For the past 20 years, our legislative body in Tallahassee  has, along with the power brokers systematically taken every ounce of local control from the people — city councils, towns, county commissioners, and school boards — that they can possibly  extract. Then, in their great collective wisdom, find more ways to insert themselves into deciding what is best for us. Local ordinances and/or voted in constitutional amendments by the people of this state, are subjectively changed by the legislatures at their whim. I encourage each reader to reflect on the amendments — voting rights, legal marijuana, the environment, etc., and see how the will of the people becomes twisted in Tallahassee to suit big business, lobbyist agendas, developers and big money. There are a few legislators who are doing their best to keep the hounds at bay, but without a major change in who gets elected, the doors to Pandora’s box have been opened wide. Wake up and see the results of state government gone wild.

Florida — where essential freedoms and local governance go to die.

—Susan Duval

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.

I would like people to know that Gulfport had a robust tree ordinance at one time. Trees such as this majestic oak would, in all likelihood , have been protected. The environmental benefits of trees to our health and well being cannot be understated. Look around at what is happening with climate change, not only here, but around our entire country. When you “pave paradise and put up a parking lot” the damage has been set in motion.

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 2908B 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

Dear Friends and Neighbors, South Pasadena Mural Project Update

The first three murals will be at Leverock’s Great Seafood, Pasadena Liquors, and Florida Orange Groves Winery. A call for artists is currently open, so those interested in applying as an artist should visit creativepinellas.org. The murals are scheduled to be painted this fall, and the second round of murals should kick off in the winter.

Storm Surge Signs

Signs have been added throughout the City to show the height of potential storm surge for different

hurricane categories. These signs show the importance of evacuating if the order is given. The peak of hurricane season is coming soon, so residents should prepare now by having an evacuation plan in place.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies issued or renewed in the City of South Pasadena receive a 10% premium discount. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this discount results from the City’s qualifying as a Class 8 in the NFIP Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. The City has achieved this rating through activities such as maintaining drainage facilities, regulating stormwater discharge, and distributing this information as part of the Community Outreach Program.

New Fire Station 20 Update

Construction is in full swing on the new Fire Station 20, going in at 1477 Pasadena Ave. Work began on February 14, with the first several months dedicated primarily to elevating the site following flood-proofing standards. With elevation wrapping up and retaining walls nearly complete, utilities have been installed, and the slab for the new station has been poured. The project is on schedule, with weekly updates and photos on the City’s Facebook page.

Dolphin Statute Update

We asked, and you answered! With 89% of the votes, the design for the City’s new dolphin statue has been chosen! Earlier this year, the City “joined the pod” by purchasing a 6-foot dolphin statue as part of Amplify Clearwater’s countywide Dolphin Trail program. The design chosen by the community will be painted on the statue soon. Special thanks to everyone who participated in voting on the City’s Facebook page over the last few weeks!

Sincerely,

Mayor Arthur Penny

Mayor Arthur Penny announces updates occurring in South Pasadena recently.

CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA

A Particularly Floridian Floridian Meet Joey

Vars

By Ethan Perelstein

Joey Vars knows more about Florida than anyone I’ve ever met.

As a young boy, he learned of Florida’s mud, swamp, and jungle while exploring his backyard in Land O’ Lakes.

When his parents ran errands in the city, they took him to the bay at Davis Islands. He learned about giant freighters as they went by.

When he got old enough to go out on his own, Joey learned what was at the end of that road, then that one, then the next.

In school, he learned of Henry Plant and Henry Flagler and their railroads that brought Florida into the modern world.

By the time he finished college at USF St. Pete, Joey had learned about Florida’s history and lived in its culture. He felt proud of the role his home state played in the history of space flight. He worked for the Kennedy Space Center for several years as a journalist, sharing what he knew with the world in detail and volume.

Still Joey had more questions — and Florida had more answers.

USF St. Pete has a master’s degree program in something called Florida Studies, a natural fit for Joey. There he studies the geography, geology, ecology, music, culture, and — especially — the history of Florida.

The Belleview Inn

Joey is the resident Florida historian of the Belleview Inn in Belleair, the first in its 112-year history.

The Belleview is Tampa Bay’s oldest hotel. It was built as a railroad-accessible resort establishing the snowbird lifestyle in Florida. Over the years, the Belleview had many owners and notable guests, including country leaders, industry magnates, celebrities, royalty, and their staff as characters in a century of stories.

After a 2015 demolition to the original hotel, only the main lobby and the rooms above still stand to tell its story — and, of course, Joey.

Belleview Historian Joey Vars on the Belleview grounds.

JOEY VARS

As the hotel’s historian, Joey curates the historical paintings around the original lobby. This includes the History Room, a small museum in the hotel with relics and documents telling the building’s story.

“In the months after I started learning about the building, I realized that all the works that have been done on this building were contradicting each other,” he says. “So as I set out to try and set the record straight and make sense of what it was... That’s where a lot of the scholarly work started to come in.”

Belleview’s Historian

When he’s not giving history tours or telling stories to a guest, Joey spends his time researching from his basement office. He scours newspaper archives, or looks for people who have old stories and photos from the Belleview. Even postcards of the hotel sent from past decades help Joey piece together the life there at the time.

“We were not able to save the original building, so now this is our last chance to really preserve the memory,” Joey says. “By going through and fact-checking everything that has been saved about us.”

He refers to the hotel as “we” or “us” when discussing history more than a century ago. He’s delighted by every detail he uncovers, and even more so to share it with people.

“At this point, I feel like I have a symbiotic relationship with this building... because there is no one left to tell her story,” he says. “I carry that story within me now. I’m the one with the research, I’m the one with the knowledge, and I need to get it out to tell other people so she can live in the minds of everybody that visits here.”

Dress the Part

He’s not required to for work, but Joey dresses the part around the hotel.

He wears a skimmer hat or a flat cap, a tie matching the hotel’s green trim, and a waistcoat adorned with a lighthouse keepers pin and a Plant System flag pin. This homage to the hotel’s past work well with the NASA socks of the moon landing peeking out of his dress shoes.

Joey believes every Floridian should see a rocket launch and own a citrus tree.

“Rocket launches are as quintessentially Floridian as oranges and mickey mouse,” Joey says. “Back in the day everyone used to have a whole citrus grove, but at this point, every Floridian should have a tree that they can claim as their own, it’s the Floridian dream. The Floridian way.”

For Joey, Florida isn’t just something to learn about.

It’s someone to be.

Joey Vars also works as curator-in-residence at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, curator at the Gulfport History Museum, and Florida speaker for OLLI at Eckerd College and Road Scholar. He lives almost in Gulfport, in west St. Pete.

Want to know why

does things the way they do? Send

Cha-Ching!

St. Pete Beach City Clerk Gets Raise

By Lisa Leveroni

St. Pete Beach’s City Clerk will get what the city commission called a well-deserved raise. At the July 25 meeting, the commission discussed a new contract and raise in salary for City Clerk Amber LaRowe. Commissioners agreed that she was an exemplary employee and deserved every penny of her more than 20% raise. In addition to working full time, LaRowe received her B.A. in Public Administration in May from St. Petersburg College. Her pay raise was approved in a 5-0 vote.

Role of the St. Pete Beach City Clerk

According to the City of St. Pete Beach’s website, the city clerk’s office serves “as the liaison between the City Commissioners and our residents, providing citizens with greater access to elected officials. We also serve as the primary administrative support to the Commissioners. The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for receiving and processing public records requests.”

In addition, the clerk serves as the supervisor of any city elections, “attend and record City Commission meetings, and the numerous committees and advisory boards whose members are appointed by the City

Commission; [and] keep a true and accurate record of proceedings.”

The position, mandated in the City’s charter, also includes maintaining that charter, the City’s land development code, and its code of ordinances.

The City’s charter states the role of the clerk as such:

“The city clerk shall keep and have the care and custody of the books, records, papers, legal documents

and journals of proceedings of the city commission and shall carry out such additional duties as may be required by the commission.”

St. Pete Beach has three positions in its charter: a city manager, a clerk, and a city attorney. The commission makes all hiring decisions for these three officers, and these three officers report only to the commission. Every other employee reports to one of these charter officers.

THOUGHT

IF EVERY HEAD OF STATE WERE A WOMAN WOULD THERE BE A. MORE WARS B. THE SAME NUMBER OF WARS C. FEWER WARS

The St. Pete Beach City Clerk will get a raise. The commission voted on July 25 to give Amber LaRowe a more-than-20% raise.

MONROE ROARK

Gulfport Council Notes Actions Taken at the July 18 meeting

By Lisa Leveroni

Emergency Management

City Manager Jim O’Reilly congratulated the city crew for cleaning up an overnight sewer emergency rapidly and efficiently. After speaking about the 58th Street project, and mentioning more than $3.5 million in funding for the sewer system, the city manager made a new proposal about the Gulfport Historical Society.

Councilmember Ian O’Hara Makes Impressive Budget Presentation

City Councilmember Ian O’Hara (Ward IV) made a financial overview presentation. He said that for the second year in a row, Gulfport had more than double-digit property value increases.

While the millage rate remained steady at 4.0258 mils, the increase in property values had, according to O’Hara, increased inflation. He re-

ported a 23% debt along with 28% reserves. He also reported outside funding sources from the federal government of $4 million, and $2.2 million from the state.

Councilman O’Hara reported his commitment to “disciplined conservative fiscal responsibility.”  He promised “to keep it conservative — we’ve got money in the bank,” he said. O’Hara predicts a rosie financial picture for years to come in Gulfport.

Here’s what happened at the July 18 Gulfport City Council meeting.

CATHY SALUSTRI

No Place Like Home Stray Cat Found Three Years and 1,400

By Amanda Hagood

A little kindness goes a long way. But sometimes we don’t realize just how far a good deed can reach. In the case of one stray cat discovered in Pasco County earlier this month, it traveled at least 1,400 miles.

When a customer at a Pasco KFC spotted a pet carrier next to the restaurant’s dumpster on July 8, they decided to take a closer look. Inside, they discovered a white stray cat with striking green eyes – distressed, with slight abrasions on his neck, but still very much alive. They gave Pasco County Animal Services a call.

Fortunately, the stray cat had been microchipped. Upon scanning his chip, PCAS discovered that the feline was called Steve. And that his home, to everyone’s surprise, was in New Hampshire.

Florida Calling

When Janice Bresnahan of Boscawen, NH saw a call come in from Florida, she assumed it was a telemarketer and let it ring. Then she checked the message.

“My face just dropped!” she recalls. “I turned to the friend I was with and said, ‘you have to see this — it says they have Steve!’”

Bresnahan had adopted Steve more than seven years ago. She had initially thought of him as a new brother for her two other pets (a German shepherd and another cat). But Steve immediately gravitated toward her grandson, Gavin, who also loved animals.

Later

“Gavin hung out with him and that was it,” she remembers. “He was his from then on. Steve picked him.”

So when Steve disappeared from their home while the family was out on errands in March 2020, Gavin got to work. He drew posters and hung them in the neighborhood. Even as the weeks went by with no luck, he was sure they would find him.

“I thought Steve had been hit by a car or caught by an animal, but of course I couldn’t tell Gavin that.” Bresnahan confides. “But Gavin always said he was out there. He was right,” she laughs.

No Place Like Home

Gavin’s beloved cat had finally been found. But tragically, Gavin would not get to share in the joy of Steve’s homecoming. Gavin was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in December 2021 and died the following month. He was 10 years old.

Bresnahan wanted Steve back. But with a full-time job and a family to care for, the 1,400-mile journey was a serious hurdle.

That’s where Save Our Strays, Inc. came in. The Pinellas-based nonprofit, which is dedicated to res-

Gavin Decker, Bresnahan’s grandson, was Steve’s best buddy. Gavin died in 2022, but he always believed Steve would return home some day.

SAVE OUR STRAYS, INC

cuing and helping to rehome stray cats and kittens, created an online fundraiser to cover the cost of transporting Steve. Within 12 hours, the fundraiser had reached its goal, and on July 15, an SOS volunteer boarded a flight for New Hampshire with Steve in tow.

“It’s rewarding knowing we’ve helped this cat,” says longtime SOS employee, Fluffy Cazalas, noting that Steve might otherwise have ended up getting euthanized. “Janice had a hole in her heart, and this was something we could do that brought some good into the world.”

I Told You So

Bresnahan still has no idea how Steve got all the way to Florida.

“I think he must have Milo and Otis’ed it,” she says. (Given a 2016 study from Australia’s Central Tablelands Local Land Services that revealed domestic cats may travel up to 1.8 miles in their daily wanderings, perhaps this isn’t so improbable.)

What she does know: It is great to have Steve back. In the short time he has been home, he has enjoyed rediscovering a favorite hidey-hole, playing with his dog-brother, and cuddling with Bresnahan’s grandson Jaydin.

“I can never ever thank all the amazing people who helped us enough,” she says. “It has restored

my faith in humanity. There are angels everywhere.”

“Also,” she reflects, “everybody be sure to microchip your animals! You just never know.”

And what might Gavin say about Steve’s return, if he could? Bresnahan smiles.

“Mimi, I told you so!”

Janice Bresnahan waits in the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport for the return of her cat Steve. Pinellas-based nonprofit Save Our Strays, Inc. raised the funds needed to fly Steve home this month.

SAVE

Beach continued from cover Mayor Cookie Kennedy (Indian Rocks Beach).

which scared many private property beachfront owners.

The Barrier Islands Government Council of Pinellas (the Big C) is a group of mayors who assemble each month to discuss and solve common issues.

“We have a whopper on our hands right now,” said Mayor Jim Rostek of Madeira Beach.

Related: The Big C on beach extinction: “Funding beach renourishment is tricky. For years, Pinellas beaches have relied on a combination of funding. The standard? 65% from the federal government and 17.5% from Florida’s Tourist Development Tax. One-half of 1% of that tax gets set aside annually for beach renourishment projects, amounting to about $5 million or more.”

“We Are All in the Same Boat”

“Ordinarily, John Bishop, Coastal Management Coordinator for Pinellas County, would give us this news,” reported Big C Vice President and

Unfortunately, Bishop was ill and Levy stood in.

“We are all in the same boat,” she said. Sad news for beachfront property owners (and no pun intended).

The purpose of the meeting was to see what the group could do to move forward. Funding ideas flowed. There were Pinellas County Commissioners present as well as residents from as far north as Clearwater and as far south as Pass-a-Grille.

Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton offered an idea to increase Florida’s Tourist Development tax from ½% to 1% set aside for beach renourishment. Commissioners Janet Long and Charlie Justice offered their support along with ideas.

The “Go-It-Alone” Approach

A few of the mayors showed curiosity about “going it alone” with funding these beach renourishment projects.

“It’s sticky,” explained Levy, “be-

cause if a disaster strikes with a storm, you won’t get the federal funds to rebuild the beaches along with the support from the Army Corps.”

The group talked strategy to get support from both Florida senators and more of the entire state of Florida.

“We need a plan to make everyone aware that the beaches are badly in need of renourishment,” said Pass-aGrille Commissioner Christopher Marone.

“The beaches are the economic driver of Pinellas County,” said Mayor Dave Gattis of Belleair Beach.

The Big C came to the end of the meeting with a resolution to keep pushing in a three-tiered approach to the problem.

They focused on continuing with the design work and permits for each area’s beach renourishment; attacking the policy and legislative issues; and pursuing more political angles on a local, state and federal level.

“We’re not going to give up or go away. We’re going to fight for every inch of our beaches,” Kennedy said.

Pinellas Board of County Commissioners, 315 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756 727-464-3377. (Check pinellas.gov to see who your representatives are.)

Janet C. Long, Chair: 727-464-3360; janetclong@ pinellas.gov

Kathleen Peters, Vice Chair: 727-464-3568 kpeters@pinellas.gov

Rep. Linda Chaney, State District 61: 850-717-5061 or 727-471-4672; myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Federal District 13: 202225-5961 or 727-610-3980, myfloridahouse.gov

Rick Scott rickscott.senate.gov

Washington, D.C. 502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-5274

Miami Office 901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Suite 505 Miami, FL 33134 786-501-7141

Marco Rubio rubio.senate.gov

Washington D.C. 284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-3041

Miami Office 7400 SW 87 Avenue Suite 270 Miami, FL 33173 305-596-4224

If you would like to see Army Corps of Engineers perform beach renourishment, please contact your local, state and federal officials. Here’s a starting list to call, write, text, or email:

Corey Market Lives On & Yellow Helmet Ceremony

St. Pete Beach Commission Notes

By Lisa Leveroni

Here’s more news from the July 25 St. Pete Beach Commission meeting (read our coverage of the Commission’s reaction to news about losing funding for beach renourishment, p. 13)

Corey Avenue Sunday Market Continues

Sunday Market on Corey fans can breathe a sigh of relief: The Market will continue.

At the July 25 St. Pete Beach commission meeting, attorney Jane Graham represented the Corey Avenue Business Association (CABA) and gave a presentation. There was talk of the past association between CABA and the Tampa Bay Markets. The City Commission closed the discussion with the commission’s declaration that the last Sunday Market managed by Tampa Bay Markets would be on Aug. 6. The new Florida Penguin Productions managers will take over on Aug. 13.

Mike Zamparelli Gets His Yellow Helmet

The St. Pete Beach City Commission meeting on July 25 opened with the Firefighters’ Yellow Helmet Ceremony. St. Pete Beach Fire Chief Jim Kilpatrick began by introducing firefighter Mike Zamparelli.

Kilpatrick explained “typically, we do these in house, but we’re trying

to do it in a more special way. This is the Yellow Helmet Ceremony that represents a firefighter moving through his first year of probation and becoming a full-fledged firefighter at the end of that year.”

The Yellow Helmet Ceremony symbolizes the help the new

firefighter gets from his fellow firefighters “through testing and training and all the trials and tribulations,” the chief said.

“Typically, nobody touches our safety equipment, but tonight I had everybody touch Mike’s yellow helmet, symbolizing the help that Mike has received in his first year of training.”

“The next time we touch Mike’s helmet is when he retires and we all sign it,” said Kilpatrick. “The final person I want to touch Mike’s helmet tonight is his father, Chief Zamparelli.”

Zamparelli stepped up and explained that he was a retired District Chief of St. Petersburg.

“I was never a paramedic,” he said simply. “My son has surpassed me.” He patted the helmet and passed it to his son.

Left, retired Fire Chief Zamparelli with his son and new St. Pete Beach firefighter, Mike Zamparelli.

LISA LEVERONI

Renourishment Projects Incomplete

St. Pete Beach Renourishment Unfunded

By Lisa Leveroni

The news that St. Pete Beach beaches will not have already-underway renourishment projects completed. Caused concern among both elected officials and residents at the July 25 commission meeting.

Kelli Hammer Levy, Pinellas Director of Public Works, stood in for John Bishop, Ph.D., Director of Pinellas County Coastal Management. She made a long-awaited presentation, delivering alarming news for the beaches.

“The Army Corps of Engineers just contacted us yesterday to say that they will not be completing beach renourishment this year on Treasure Island, Upham Beach, and Pass-aGrille,” reported Levy.

This came as quite a shock to the City Commission. Previously, Bishop assured the St.Pete Beach and Treasure Island Commissions the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) would complete the much-needed renourishment work this fall. (The Gabber, May 18, 2023, Beach Extinction.) The urgency? The extreme erosion of Pass-a-Grille Beach and shifting sands in the Grand Canal, Upham Beach, and the mouth of Blind Pass.

Levy reported the ACOE still insisted on “perpetual easements from 100% of residential properties

abutting or including the beaches throughout Pinellas County.” To date, none of the 11 cities in the Big C (Barrier Islands Governmental Council) have 100% of the easements.

Holdouts on signing these perpetual easements include a group of residents at the Silver Sands Condominiums on St. Pete Beach.

Call Your Congressmen and Senators

Mayor Adrian Petrila ended the discussion.

“Call your state, county and federal representatives,” he said.

“If we don’t have the beaches, the people will not come anyway,” Vice Mayor Mark Grill said, quoting the mayor of Madeira Beach.

Despite the shocking news, the City Commission had to move on to other business.

Public comment came next. It mostly dealt with concerns about the beaches. Those concerns included private beaches versus public. They also discussed noise violations and who has the right to put out chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas.

“None of this matters if there isn’t a beach there to enjoy,” said resident Carrie Crawford.

The St. Pete Beach City Commission received dire news that the St. Pete Beach renourishment project will not continue.

city whys

Who is the Donkey Mural Artist? A Reader Asks Who Painted the Donkey Mural

This week, a reader wants to know who painted the donkey mural in Gulfport.

Question: Who painted this [the donkey mural]? I love it.

Valerie Coton

Answer: As you drive westbound on 22nd Avenue South, you can’t miss this gigantic mural of a donkey in Gulfport and a bee with sunflowers.

Owner of the building Kurt Palmero said Florida artist Alexander Clawson painted the mural. Palmero explained after Gulfport Furniture left in January, he wanted to put a mural on that wall.

Palmero said a friend he talked to suggested Clawson for the job.

“I wanted something that people could laugh at,” Palmero said about the mural’s design. Clawson and Palmero came up with the idea that now resides on the vacant building.

Check out the mural at 4746 22nd Ave. S. in Gulfport.

Owner Kurt Palermo designed the donkey mural in Gulfport with artist Alexander Clawson..

MONROE ROARK

Crowder Bros, Mastry’s, and Kids & Kubs Stay Up-to-Date with Pinellas Businesses

By Lisa Leveroni

Mastry’s Brewing Co. New Menu Items

Mastry’s Brewing Co. features some new brews and bites this summer.

First, they have a new tasty hazy IPA with tropical flavors like orange, pineapple, passionfruit, white grape, mango, and guava. It is cleverly called Skool Daze Hazy IPA. Perfect with that Skool Daze Hazy IPA is a bite from The Kitchen at Mastry’s Brewing Co.

A new summer special is Aestas Shrimp Salad. These chunks of shrimp get tossed with crunchy cabbage, citrus, pineapple salsa, and fresh cilantro. Mastry’s serves it with pickled onions, orange peel hot sauce, and crisp tostones.

Watch for more live entertainment on Mastry’s outdoor stage almost every day of the week.

Crowder

Since 1955, Crowder Bros Hardware has been a trusted hardware store. Now, Crowder Bros on St. Pete Beach is also becoming an Ace Hardware affiliate store.

This means that the St. Pete Beach Crowder Bros can take advantage of the national advertising Ace runs. The ad program includes television and online advertising as well as direct mail with circulars.

“We will carry all the brands Ace is known for plus all our regular building supplies at Crowder Bros on St. Pete Beach,” says Manager Walker Cornwell.

The store is currently in the transition phase while they stock all the

new Ace products. They hope to have the transition completed by September.

320 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach.

Kids and Kubs Club

The Kids and Kubs club has been around for 93 years. Begun by a couple of retired former semi-pro ball players back in the day, the Kids and Kubs is a group of softball players aged 74+ — both men and women. Hence, they call themselves “The World Renowned Three Quarter Century Softball Club.”

When Greg Evans first moved to St. Petersburg, he took his friend to a game.

“We saw an 80 year old boy play a game against his 99 year old dad,” he said.

The Kids and Kubs paused their batting practice sessions for the moment because of the extreme heat, but they hope to be practicing again by Aug. 15.

The season starts on Oct. 31, so be sure to join the club for batting practice and pick-up games this month. The games take place in downtown St. Petersburg at various fields near old Straub Park.

For more information, call the Kids and Kubs Club office at 727-8937108.

Mastry’s has a summer menu on tap.

CAMERON HEALY

7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach

Bros Hardware Becomes Ace Affiliate

according to gulfport

G. Gordon McFly, Elvis, and Memories

Random Quotes from Gulfportians

By Chris Shablak

I want a picture with that damn gecko.

—Chris Cella, visiting friends and family

“This one is for the lovers.” —Toko Irie, musician from Grenada, right before he played Elvis on the steel drums

“Maybe the magic comes from the beach sand?  It seems very inclusive.” —Thomas Poole at the volleyball courts

“I will miss open mic night in the courtyard, Pia’s eggplant parm and pickleball in the Rec Center with all my Gulfport friends.” —Audre Torgerson, talking about her move back to Seattle, WA

“Listen, instead of speaking.” —Jennifer Holeman’s key piece of advice

Artists Speak Out Florida CraftArt’s New Exhibit ‘REBELS’

By Amanda Hagood

Creatively questioning. Daringly defying. Joyfully jarring. These are the varied notes struck by Florida CraftArt’s new exhibit, REBELS. Showcasing the work of 27 Florida artists, the show reminds us that there’s more than one way (ahem, Twitter) to disagree. And that bold new thoughts can emerge when we do.

“Artists like to think outside the box,” explains Florida CraftArt Gallery Manager Michele Stone. “This show explores what that looks and feels like through the fine craft medium.”

REBELS: No Cage Will Hold Me!

Joyce Curvin’s exquisitely crafted, painted papier mâché bird (“No Cage Will Hold Me!”) greets visitors at the entrance to the gallery, crowing a message of slightly goofy defiance between the wire bars of its enclosure.

Why does this caged bird sing? The reasons are cleverly papered into the cage’s lining: among others, “Creative thinking,” “empathy,” and “I read banned books.”

It is no wonder that Curvin took Best In Show for this piece. Gulfport artist Brenda McMahon, who judged the show, praised its powerful juxtaposition, tackling serious issues such as censorship with a disarmingly silly figure.

“Whatever their medium,” she said. “Artists find their way in.”

Some works in the collection directly confront social justice.

Donna Slawsky’s “Say Their Names” uses a recycled cabinet door to frame a haunting mosaic of three chained figures with hundreds of handwritten names. Each name belonging to a BIPOC person killed in an encounter with police.

Shelly Steck Reale’s “Superheroes of A Certain Age” takes the power back from ageism by juxtaposing ceramic figures like “Mood Swing”

and “Hot Flash” against clever comic book style covers. Listen up: She’s gonna roar!

Other pieces frame rebellion as testing the limits of medium.

Dave Flach’s series of comically busted ceramic boxes emerged, said Stone, from his struggle with trying to create hollow cubes from clay.

Mikhail Gubin’s intricate wooden puzzle sculptures create surprising forms — woodpeckers, skulls, silent film stars — out of seemingly disconnected fragments.

Pretty Things, Challenging Statements

“This show made me feel like I had a voice,” said Gulfport artist Elizabeth Neily.

The three pieces she submitted (“Seeing Red,” “Eve’s Punishment,” and “Woke”) used deep crimson yarns to weave bold statements about contemporary misogyny, racism, and the rolling back of rights.

She recalls hours of pounding out coat hangers — incorporated into two of her pieces to evoke the return of dangerous illegal abortions after the overturn of Roe — with a hammer and anvil, venting deep-seated

frustrations with today’s political climate as she did.

Neily’s “Woke” envisions this now-contentious word in the form of a wall hanging. It showcases the curving letters in bright rainbow yarns and delicate decorative stitches in a kind of graffiti sampler. It received an honorable mention.

“In my world,” she said. “I sometimes feel like I just watch the news and make pretty things. This was a way to make pretty things that also make a statement.”

Art Speaks

In a climate where public discourse often feels as hollow as it does contentious, the opportunity to see how artists work through tough questions and thorny issues in substantive, enlightening ways is downright refreshing.

McMahon said that is the real power of this exhibit.

“We live in a culture of disconnect,” she reflects. “But these pieces drop us out of the head and into the heart.”

You might just leave this exhibit feeling a bit empowered.

Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

It’s hard to resist a show that begins with a full-sized sculpture of an eighteenth-century dress – sculpted entirely from found materials.

FLORIDA CRAFTART

Art, Music, and Fundraising Artists For Impact Gives Back to St. Pete

By Cameron Healy

What started as a small event for New York artists to connect turned into an official nonprofit organization expanding across the country — including a chapter in St. Pete.

In 2017, co-founders Dasha Boswell and Ris Igrec created Artists For Impact after realizing young artists lack spaces and opportunities.

Their mission statement says the organization is “simultaneously providing a platform for artists and giving back to the communities around us.”

Director of the St. Pete chapter, Willow Hart, described Artists For Impact as “a community organization whose goal is to uplift artists and support our community through the power of art.”

Hart learned about the organization while working at an art studio in Mamaroneck, NY. Boswell and Igrec booked the venue to host their first event. They raised a total of $2,473 for Fútbol For Kids.

“I was like, ‘Wow, this is a really cool thing for high schoolers to be doing’,” Hart explained. “They had an art and music event to raise money for a local nonprofit.”

Let’s Keep It Going

After a successful first event, Artists For Impact continued hosting events for artists. People freely expressed creativity while raising funds for other nonprofits.

By July 2019, Artists for Impact became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with chapters in New York, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. Not too long after, COVID-19 brought a halt to the organization’s plans.

Eckerd College Chapter

In 2020, Boswell and Igrec opened board applications, and Hart quickly jumped on the opportunity.

“I applied and one of my goals as a board member was to start an Eckerd College chapter,” Hart said. “I was president for the first year that it existed at Eckerd.”

Hart said Eckerd’s chapter hosts two events each school year. According to the chapter’s website, “they held two artisan fairs raising $2485.33” for nonprofits such as the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Community Action Stops Abuse.

The Beginning of St. Pete’s AFI

After graduating in May 2022, Hart didn’t want their AFI career to end.

“I spent the past the 10 months talking to people, networking, and

building up the St. Pete chapter committee,” they said.

St. Pete’s Artists For Impact chapter held its first event in June 2023 at Coastal Creative.

“We had a Pride month fundraiser which was actually our first-ever fundraiser reserved for AFI,” Hart said. “Every other fundraiser we’ve done previously has been for a different nonprofit. We wanted to have a fundraiser so we could have a budget going forward.”

The fundraiser displayed Tampa Bay artists’ pieces, live music performances, spoken word poetry, and community resources sharing information.

“Artists get to sell their art, trade with other artists, network, and learn about different community organizations,” they said.

Hart said this Pride event raised $1,400.

What’s Next?

Artists For Impact hopes to host another event this fall at Studio@620.

“We are in the very beginning stages of organizing our next event,” Hart said. “But, we will definitely have an event coming up this fall.”

Find updates on the organization’s events on Facebook and Instagram.

The St. Pete Chapter’s Committee at the Pride Month fundraiser.

ARTISTS FOR IMPACT

Yes, Chef!

Create Your Own Sushi at Rollbotto

By Morgan Banno

Sushi is one of my go-to lunches. It’s easy, it’s tasty, and it’s stocked with vitamins and healthy fats. This centuries-old Japanese staple first made its way to the States after the world wars. We throw credit to Los Angeles, where the first American sushi restaurant debuted in the early ‘70s. Sushi menus are often intricate, with detailed ingredients specific for each roll. But at Rollbotto Sushi in downtown St. Pete, you can create your own sushi rolls, made to order.

Endless Combinations

American sushi is known for non-traditional ingredients instead of traditional Japanese presentation. And nothing is traditional about Rollbotto. They offer pre-designed rolls for those who don’t want to think but simply want to eat. Try the Bot Kahuna roll ($7.25) with tempura shrimp, pineapple, cucumber and toasted coconut. One of the most ubiquitous American sushi rolls is the California roll — an inverted “makizushi” roll — with cucumber, crab meat (or imitation crab meat),

and avocado, with white rice. Rollbotto jazzes up this classic with sesame seeds for extra crunch.

If raw fish is your jam, I recommend the Yellow Submarine roll (tuna, yellowtail, cucumber, green onions, tempura chips, Sriracha chili sauce, chili oil, and sesame seeds; $7.99). Veg-heads, fear not: Rollbotto has rolls for you too. The Tokyo Tuber (sweet potato fries, avocado, carrots, sesame seeds, and creamy mayo; $4.99) was one of the first rolls I ever ate at Rollbotto and remains one of my faves.

Create-Your-Own Sushi

Rollbotto is awesome because you can design your own 10-piece sushi rolls with a myriad of customizations. My wife designed her personal spinoff of the Volcano roll with krabstick and avocado, piled high with spicy lava mix (a baked seafood fusion with spicy mayo and teriyaki sauce). Add smelt roe to any roll ($1 extra) and really make your sushi pop. I’m self-admittedly high maintenance when it comes to sushi because seaweed makes me gag

(something about a high school dare to eat sheets of it by itself). Thankfully, soy paper is a common substitute for nori and for a $1 upcharge (per roll). I created a couple of simple veggie rolls in soy paper ($9 after extra items) with sweet tofu, avocado, toasted coconut, and other yummies. My rolls were fresh, flavorful, and made exactly as ordered.

In addition to sushi, Rollbotto also has a small selection of sides items (spring rolls, salads, edamame, or miso soup). We sprang for the spring rolls ($3.29) but I’d skip those next time. If you find yourself with room for dessert, try the mochi ice cream ($1.39 each or three for $3.89). It’s available in strawberry, vanilla, mango, or green tea. But honestly, after the sushi, there’s little room for anything else.

The next time you crave sushi (and it’s not Publix $5 sushi Wednesday) and want a easy fix, create your own rolls at Rollbotto.

Rollbotto Sushi, 221 First Street N., St. Petersburg. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.- 12 a.m., Sun 12 p.m.- 9 p.m. rollbottosushi.com; 727-487-2681.

Design your own sushi with your favorite fixings at Rollbotto Sushi.

MORGAN BANNO

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MD

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

ON-SITE BLOOD DRAWS • GENERAL SICK VISITS

CARDIOLOGY SERVICES • FLU SHOTS • PT/INR

B-12 SHOTS • SPORTS PHYSICALS• WELL WOMAN EXAMS

GEL JOINT INJECTIONS • PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA)

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WOUND CARE • PHYSICAL THERAPY

NON-SURGICAL FRACTURE MANAGEMENT, ETC.

the gabs

What is the Worst Thing About Florida?

Photos by Cameron Healy

Brian Kostar, Largo: “There’s so much anger here when we live in a tropical paradise.”

Joan Blair, Philly, PA: “The commercial development.”

Joe Hall, Tampa: “The politics.”

Kayla Heintz, St. Pete: “The heat and the politics.”

Solution

Everything is Everything

gabber on vacation ADRIANNA

you taken The Gabber Newspaper somewhere? We

want to

things to do

Art Shows, Stand-Up Comedy, and Vintage Markets

All Month

Photo Contest! Eckerd College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute hosts a photo contest for those 50 years and older. The theme is “stay curious.” Submit your most captivating photos capturing the experience of learning, curiosity, and exploration. This can include a memory with friends or a breathtaking moment in nature. Awards given to the most outstanding photographs. Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727864-7600, olli.eckerd.edu

Thursday, Aug. 3

Wine & Yoga Wind down with wine and yoga. Join yoga instructor Kayla for Thursday night yoga outside. Bring a mat, water, and an open mind. Enjoy $6 wines or waved corkage fees after a successful yoga session. Donations encouraged.  Wine House, 2913 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 6:30 p.m. $6-10. 727-256-0228

Thursday Night Trivia Test your trivial knowledge Thursday nights. Team up with your friends to answer fun questions from host Shriner with Events Done Right. All are welcome to play to win first, second, and third place prizes. This includes a chance to win a free brew of your choice. Drink, eat, and play some trivia!  Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. 7 p.m. 727-202-8045, mastrysbrewingco.com

Friday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 6

Vintage Marché Visit one of Tampa Bay’s largest vintage markets this weekend. Vintage Marché opens for one full weekend each month displaying curated vintage items from all over the country. Want to beat the crowd? Get tickets for their first Friday dibs night — online or pay at the door. Vintage Marché, 2906 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. Fri., 4-8 p.m. $5-10., Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.,

9 a.m.-5 p.m. 727-289-1828, vintagemarche727.com

Friday, Aug. 4

Jack Ellis Exhibit Immerse yourself in the art of Tampa Bay artist Jack Ellis. Ellis passed in October 2022, but his art lives on. Stop by the opening reception of his solo exhibition. See his original work on display and for sale. Celebrate the life and art of a special local artist. The Werk Gallery, 2210 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 12-5 p.m. 727289-8685, thewerk.gallery

Sunset Market Enjoy a Friday night sunset market in St. Pete. Shop from vendors selling art, crafts, treats, and other locally made goodies. Check out work from Tampa Bay glass artists, then stick around for live art demonstrations too. Head into the Imagine Museum for some more glass art. Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 5-10 p.m. 727-300-1700, imaginemuseum.com

Gecko Art Show What is Gulfport without a gecko-themed event?

Check out the 8th annual Gecko Art Show during First Friday ArtWalk. Enjoy intricate paintings, captivating photos, and carefully crafted sculp-

tures from 11 local artists. There will be free food and a cash bar. Buy your Gecko Ball tickets here, too. Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 6-8 p.m. 727893-1070, visitgulfportflorida.com

Saturday, Aug. 5

Vintage Market Curated Heat hosts a new vintage market. Spend the first Saturday of the month secondhand shopping some awesome vintage pieces. Check out local vendors and makers selling vintage clothing, jewelry, shoes, decor, and other items. Grab some drinks as you walk around. Park & Rec DTSP, 100 4th St. S., St. Petersburg. 1-6 p.m. 727-2459100.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Bloody Mary Garnish Bar Every first Sunday of the month, create your own bloody mary. This bloody mary garnish bar has more than 50 garnish options. Purchase a shot of vodka, pay a $2 tip, and you’re on your way to making your new favorite drink. Toppings include bacon, cheese, fruit, olives, and others. Shadracks, 114 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 727-360-8279.

Here’s your list of things to do August 3-9. Check out gecko-inspired art at the annual Gecko Art Show Aug. 4.

JANET FOLSOM

Free Vegan Options Dog-Friendly

Sunday Brunch Indulge in delicious Sunday brunch favorites from a Gulfport Tuesday Market fave. This formal, buffet-style brunch offers appetizers, entrees, and desserts. For the main course, you have a choice between a teriyaki grilled/ smoked chicken pineapple bowl or a maple-glazed grilled fresh catch of the day. Eat and chat with friends over a lovely Sunday brunch. Reserve your spot to the party. Email to RSVP: dawesdistributionllc@ gmail.com Barbara’s Kitchen Jams, 12508 Starkey Road, Largo. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $50. barbaraskitchenjams.com

Al Downing Birthday Concert Celebrate the birthday — and legacy — of jazz icon Al Downing featuring the Al Downing AllStars Band. Enjoy a Sunday evening of authentic jazz. Meet special guests and members of the Downing family as they join in on the memorable concert. Save your spot for the show online. The Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 2 p.m. $10-40. 727822-3590, mypalladium.org

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Laughing My Glass Off Have an unforgettable night at Laughing Glass: Stand-Up Comedy Night. Laugh along with host Stavi Garcia, and featured performers the hilarious Sean Harper and Bob Holden. Experience stand-up comedy from local comedians while surrounded by mesmerizing glass artistry. Buy your tickets ahead of time.  Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 5-8 p.m. $10. 727-300-1700, eventbrite.com

Beach Beer Run It’s the second Tuesday of the month — do you know what this means? It’s time for the monthly beach beer run! Everyone is welcome. This is for walkers, runners, joggers, and skippers. After the not-quite-3-mile run, stick around for a cold beer. Socialize with your fellow beer runners over food and brews. Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. 6:30 p.m. 727-800-5043, stpeterunningco.com

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Widowing Tribe You’re not alone, and the spouse loss support group is here to help. This group provides widowed people a chance to speak their minds while also socializing with others in the same boat. The group works to empower each other, encourage positive changes, and build resilience. Gulfport Senior Center, Room 107, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 12:30 p.m. 727-893-1231, mygulfport.us

Crochet Workshop  Crochet is in! Have you been wanting to learn? Well, here’s your chance. Learn how to crochet with Alaina from Arachne’s Market. Make your own kerchief in this beginner-friendly workshop. All materials included; secure your spot online. Masks encouraged. Daydream Shop & Maker Space, 2935 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 6 p.m. $35. lets-daydream.com

Arts, Plants, and Live Music

Lida’s Jungle Hosts a Summer Market

By Cameron Healy

On July 30, the Lida’s Jungle summer market had live music, local vendors, food trucks, and plenty of plants for sale.

“We are so excited to highlight some of our favorite local makers! We’ll have music, ice cold refreshments, delicious eats courtesy of Latin Lunch Box, fun raffles and more,” Lida’s website said.

Hand-Crafted Pieces

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., white vendor tents covered the plant nursery’s parking lot. Many of the vendors sold hand-crafted items such as candles, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, and soap.

Bergamot & Sunshine Owner Jessica Kinzer set up a booth at the market selling her funky glassware, shirts, keychains, and claw clips. Kinzer said she uses a Cricut vinyl printer on cups and mugs. She decorates the glassware with bright colors and shapes of leaves and flowers.

Live Music

While bouncing from one vendor to another, live music from All Day

Breakfast blessed visitors’ ears. All Day Breakfast is a local band who performed at Lida’s Jungle’s store opening at this new location back in March.

The group performed covers of songs as well as some original songs.

Ceramics Finds

Alterra Handmade had a booth with owner Andrea Espinoza. Espinoza crafts functional ceramic art. At the Alterra Handmade booth, customers could purchase one of her air plant pots, mugs, and decorated fortune cookies.

No, there are no fortunes in the

cookies. But, Espinoza said they are hollow so if you want to sneak a little fortune in one, it is possible.

Kayla Harbeitner, a St. Pete ceramicist, brought her best glazed pots, mugs, and pumpkins to the market.

Harbeitner founded Atelier St. Pete, a pottery studio and gallery. She said she’s crafted pottery for 16 years.

Squeaky Clean Soap

Now, this booth had the prettiest soap ever. Pure With Love is a locally based, organic soap company founded by Jasmine Elhaddad. Elhaddad sold vibrant, shimmery, and fruity soap at the summer market.

Elhaddad told  The Gabber Newspaper she chooses the soap’s scent based on whatever mood she is in. She tends to make fruity scented bars — she had a Fruit Loops cereal version of soap. Don’t try looking for a peach scent — Elhaddad is not a fan of peach.

Lida’s Jungle

The nursery had all doors open and plenty of plants ready to go home with you. Keep an eye out for the next market at this place!

Lida’s Jungle, 3101 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-906-5422

Mike Whitman, Agent “We work with over 50 companies to get you the best rates!”

Jasmine Elhaddad with her soap collection.

CAMERON HEALY

ShalomAdventure.com

Good

Unitarian

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

Electrical

AC

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

727-345-3108

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

DAVE’S TILE & BATHROOM REMODELS & FLOORING INSTALLATIONS Specializing in bathroom remodels, marble tile, flooring, etc. 36 years mechanical experience, competitive rates. Call anytime, day or night: 727-798-2075.

THE TRASH QUEEN: OVERWHELMED WITH THE MESS?

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.

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Caregivers

HANDS N HEART IN HOME CARE LLC

If you or your loved one is looking for care, I can provide the best compassionate care you need, in the home of your comfort. Meal prep, feeding, bed/bath/shower, meds reminder, light housekeeping, short errands, etc. Call 727-481-4722 or 727-6232410. www.handsandheart.com

HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF ST. PETE BEACH

Handy

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

CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP XERISCAPING/ PLANTS/MULCH

Gulfport Computer Repair Mon-Thu 10am-5pm 15 Years in Gulfport 45 Years Experience Computer Sales Fax, Copy, Print Fast Friendly Service 727-388-3493 2321 49th St S MAYNARD ELECTRIC 24 Hour Service SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT! FREE ESTIMATES 525-0677 • Room Additions • Fuses to Breakers • Circuits Added • Ceiling Fans • Lightning Protection • Mobile Homes • Phone Wiring • Security Lighting & More Licensed Bonded Insured St. Lic. #EC0002881 Home Improvement Computer Service

JS COMPUTER REPAIR Mobile computer repair – $40 per visit/hour – 727-643-0697; jscomputerrepair.com

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: 407-244-6045.

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.

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

James

Owner/Operator for over 25 years

“We make your trees feel beautiful”

Trees Cleaned • Bobcat Services Stump Grinding • Hazardous Limb Removal Storm and Roof Protection • Insured 727-322-1849 or 727-215-8601

LIC#0700008985

YARD CLEAN UP 727-641-9033

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

Fox Tree Service

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

APPLE PAINTING EXPERTS, LLC

25+ years experience in interior and exterior painting, plus murals, cabinetry, floor-

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

anxiety, depression, self-esteemthere is hope for a better tomorrow

Gulfport Counseling Center Mark Sieg, QS,LCSW, CAP 727-251-2319

marksieg@gulfportcounselingcenter.com

LANDSCAPERS NEEDED!

Tampa Bay Times TOP 10 Workplace seeks Landscapers for St. Petersburg condo. Operate mowers, trimmers, blowers, and maintain equipment. Florida driver’s license needed. Physical ability required. Benefits for full/part-time employees. Email resume to sstroh@resourcepropertymgmt.com. Background check and drug screen mandatory.

Card of Thanks

POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, you who solves all problems, who lights all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with you, in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After 3 days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted, without mentioning the favor, only your initials should appear at the bottom. TTD

Cycles / Scooters

OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED *1920-1999*

All vintage motorcycles wanted, all makes and models 1920-1999. Any condition, running or not! Cash paid $$$ we come to you! Call 845-389-3239 or email cyclesndmore10@gmail.com. Parts lots / dirt bikes / three wheelers / ATV's welcome too!

For Sale

FORD FOCUS SE 2004 One owner, everything works, good, reliable transportation. Cruise, alloys, cold A/C, new shocks & struts. 157k maintained miles. $2,450. 727-748-9117

ITEMS FOR SALE 28.5 cubic ft. french door refrigerator. Freezer works good; ice & water do not. $200. 12 foot fiberglass boat, $200. Call 727-347-0135.

General GULFPORT FAMILY RESTAURANT

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

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

Musical Instruments

BALDWIN BABY GRAND PIANO FOR SALE

4’-8” Baldwin Baby Grand - Gloss EbonyModel C142 - Serial 57351 (mid 1990’s). Performance reconditioned in 2018. $3000. Call 727-420-4214.

Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church

THRIFT SHOP

17th Ave & Pass-a-Grille Way

FALL OPENING

Sat., Sept. 2 @ 9 a.m. Regular Hours: Tues., Thurs., Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 Donations Welcome September thru May 15, 2024

Managers PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & LEASING SERVICES

Property owners! The Blue Waters Team from Berkshire Hathaway 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!

BEAUTIFUL TOMLINSON PARK FRONTAGE

62-year-young female seeking someone to share remodeled home. $1,700 per month includes ALL utilities, internet and streaming. Close to Senior Center and Stetson. 1st and last month rent. Small/ medium dog ok. Long term renters. Call 727-656-9777 anytime.

Furnished Rentals

TREASURE ISLAND WATERFRONT CONDO FOR RENT

Beautiful furnished condo for rent. 3 months minimum. Walk to beach. 1 bedroom, living room w/sleeper sofa, new appliances, pool, hot tub, outdoor grills, fishing dock. Next door to public golf course, tennis, playground. No pets or smoking. 813-453-6290.

GULFPORT RENTAL Stroll to Gulfport Marina. Furnished 2 room apartment. Private entrance, parking, includes utilities, A/C, Wi-Fi. No smoking, no pets. Security deposit, 55+, references. $1,100/month. 6 months or long term. Call 727-455-7296.

TOWN SHORES CONDO FOR SALE

“Beautiful 270 degree water views, spacious end unit, 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths, 1425 sq ft. Recently renovated. $550,000 OBO 540570-1137.”

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED LINE ADS ONLINE!

Deadline for classified ads is 3 p.m. Friday for the following week’s issue.

theGabber.com

Property

Yard / Garage Sale

Real Estate Sales Find More Home Sales at thegabber.com. Here’s what homes sold in South Pinellas July 21-27.

Gulfport Real Estate

2211 Premier Dr. S. (Pasadena Golf & Yacht Club)

This two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1957, has 1,409 square feet. It listed for $574,400 and sold for $563,000.

2105 52nd St. S. (Tangerine)

This 1966 home has two bedrooms, one bath, and 864 square feet. It listed for $450,000 and sold for $425,000.

2642 45th St. S. (Marina)

This three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1950, has 1,230 square feet. It listed and sold for $429,900.

6012 Tangerine Ave. S. (Stetson)

This 1959 home has two bedrooms, one bath, and 1,008 square feet. It listed and sold for $410,000.

1302 60th St. S. (Stetson)

This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1977, has 945 square feet. It listed for $350,000 but sold for $349,000.

1814 53rd St. S. (Tangerine)

5218 18th Ave. S. (Tangerine)

This four-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1984, has 1,568 square feet. It listed for $549,990 and sold for $543,000.

This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1954, has 888 square feet. It listed for $275,000 and sold for $300,000.

5925 Shore Blvd. S., #505 (Town Shores)

This one-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1972, has 1,060square feet. It listed and sold for $269,900.

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