The Gabber: October 19, 2023

Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2835

October 19, 2023- October 25, 2023

Farewell, Fabulous Mermaid There will never be another Denise Keegan-O’Hara. Born and raised on Long Island, Denise found Gulfport relatively late in her life — she moved here around 2010, and embraced a community that embraced her right back.

Nine days after receiving a cancer-free diagnosis, Denise died, leaving a Denise-shaped hole in the hearts of many Gulfportians. We’ve asked some of the people closest to Denise to share their memories of her with us. They remember her passion, her quick wit, and a host of other things, but one thing everyone remembers: Denise Keegan-O’Hara had a heart of gold. (Note: We couldn’t fit all the memories here; please read this article at thegabber. com for more) We start first with her husband, Ian O’Hara.

Ian O’Hara: Bananas and Pears Ian met Denise because of bananas and pears.

He would head to the old Farm Store — currently Annex Coffee, but at one time a produce stand — to get bananas and pears for his kids. The

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“She wanted to be fabulous, [and] she was fabulous,” Eagle Finegan says.

produce stand had both those items inside, but things like watermelon and tomatoes outside.

“I walk into the store, I see her bright blue eyes, and I am panic stricken,” he remembers. He couldn’t go inside; instead, he took to buying tomatoes and watermelon.

“I finally said to Ryan (the owner), ‘When doesn’t she work?’,” he laughs. “It was about eight months of tomatoes and watermelons, and my kids were just about done with that nonsense.”

Ultimately, Denise approached Ian at his table at Boca Bay (now DrunkDenise continued on page 9

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

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Assistant Editor Cameron Healy cameron@thegabber.com

News & Politics Patrick Heinzen cityhall@thegabber.com

Operations Patrick Graney patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

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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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voices SPCA Partnership Kudos to Mike Sunnucks for explaining the For All Dogs program.

Many folks not directly involved with local animal welfare groups were not aware that SPCA Tampa Bay has taken this direction.

As a lifelong friend of animals, it hurts to think of not caring for the helpless victims of commercial dog breeding. That said, in my opinion, the program will actually enable the hugely profitable dog breeding business to continue creating even more such victims. As the saying goes, no matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it is still a pig.

To their credit, SPCA-Tampa Bay invites public comment via a survey.

—Barb Smith, St. Petersburg Thank you for your excellent article of SPCA doing a pilot with Puppy Mills! Hearing CEO Martha Boden has resigned — hope she takes all her supporters with her!! The only way to shut down puppy mills is to stop buying from them, we don’t need to be collaborating with the greedy sneaky unethical mills in any way — certainly not our shelters! Kudos for bringing this to the public! Thanks. —Elaine Scott Editor’s Note: On Oct. 6, Martha Boden resigned from the her position on the board of the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations. She did this at the agency’s request. At press time, she remained at the helm of SPCA Tampa Bay. Lake Seminole I thoroughly enjoyed the article on Dam that Lake Seminole in the recent The Gabber Newspaper. In the 1970s I worked for the Pinellas County Planning Department and met Mr. Ralph Reed, who volunteered to organize the History Museum in the basement of the old courthouse in Downtown Clearwater.

Mr. Reed, as I remember, was a retired reporter for the Evening In-

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dependent or St. Petersburg Times and had quite a bit of knowledge of the history of Pinellas. At any rate, I remember reading some articles in old newspaper copies about a lake in Largo called Lake Lulu. The article stated that this lake was located on the south side of East Bay Drive near the new Largo Library is and where the current Largo Central Park Nature Preserve is located.

Mr. Reed told me that he had even interviewed a lady who had ridden in a sailboat across Lake Lulu as a young girl. If one looks at a map of the area is it clear that this whole area is low and contains a lot of small lakes and ponds, which according to the article is evidence of the old lake which was drained similar to the one mentioned in James [Schnur’s] article.

My question is this; is this the same lake as you describe, or is this a separate lake, and if so how

did it not make it to your article? I really enjoy your articles and look forward to reading about the history of Pinellas. —Mike Siebel Read the author’s response online.

An earlier version of City Council’s Oct. 3 meeting, an article states Diana Vo provided her name at a public meeting; we’ve updated the article to reflect her name was found in public records.

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

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news Goody-Goody Old Days

Gulfport Before the Online Food Delivery Services

By James Schnur

PHOTO FROM THE BOCA CIEGA TREASURE CHEST YEARBOOK

A gathering at Gulfport’s Goody-Goody 65 years ago, in 1958.

When classes first began at Boca Ciega High School 70 years ago, students at the campus forged new traditions. During the fall of 1953, the original Pirates experienced immediate rivalries with St. Petersburg High’s well-established Green Devils. Some of the old social gathering places seemed less welcoming.

Soon, a Goody-Goody alternative opened across from Bogie.

the restaurant’s closure in November 2005. The location north of downtown Tampa later became a parking lot.

Richard Gonzmart bought the rights to the “Goody Goody” name in 2014. His Columbia Restaurant Group opened a restaurant with a retro vibe in Hyde Park in 2015. The similarly-named Gulfport GoodyGoody served as a Bogie gathering spot for nearly 20 years.

A Tampa Tradition Good Gathering Places Long-time area foodies have memories of Goody Goody, an iconic Tampa eatery. For more than 70 years, servers at Tampa’s unhyphenated Goody Goody on North Florida Avenue satisfied diners with burgers doused with a secret tomato-based sauce and their famous butterscotch and chocolate pies.

Once a popular hangout for high schoolers in Hillsborough, this restaurant fed generations of loyal followers right as Americans embraced car culture. Many lamented

Prior to nationwide fast food franchises and online food delivery services, local diners and drive-ins filled many bellies. At a time when “social media” happened on rotary dial telephones and “instant messaging” frequently involved notes secretly passed in class, students often planned before and after-school gatherings at these restaurants.

A small grocery and meat store known as Charlie Market opened at 5801 9th Ave. S. in 1950. Crews be-

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

gan to drain the swampy site that became Boca Ciega High two years later. By 1954, the market closed and the building became GoodyGoody Sundries.

On school days, students who lived nearby often met there to enjoy sodas, shakes, fries, and a variety of sandwiches. Never a true drive-in, Goody-Goody had a few parking spaces along its Ninth Avenue South entrance. Less than 1,100 square feet in size, Goody-Goody could barely accommodate two dozen indoor customers at a time.

Despite the small size of the building, business picked up by the end of the 1950s. In addition to the cramped space, a few Boca Ciega graduates who visited GoodyGoody during the 1950s and 1960s remember something else about the diner that differs from most eating establishments where students congregate today.

Decades before the legislature passed the Florida Clean Indoor Air

Goody continued on page 6

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Act in 1985, clouds of smoke often greeted those who entered GoodyGoody. Many Gulfport students also smoked outside of the diner on their way to and from school.

Richard “Dick” Jones, Bogie’s principal from its opening until 1968, sometimes watched the smoke clouds across 58th Street. However, nobody seems to remember him or any his deans crossing the street to hand out detention slips.

Good Alternatives

PHOTO FROM THE DIXIE HOLLINS LEGEND YEARBOOK

Goody continued from page 5

Bogie students also gathered at other venues. Chick’s Drive-In at 4901 Central Ave., now the site of a Family Dollar store, became a go-to destination for burgers, fries, and extra-heavy malts until it closed in the mid-1960s. Bogie’s beach students flocked to the Pelican Diner in St. Pete Beach and the Cajun Diner in Madeira Beach. Both of these diners opened in 1952.

Sandy Holloway, a 1960 BCHS graduate who lived in Madeira Beach, remembers Goody-Goody as small and smoke-filled. She preferred the food and service at Snyder’s Crossroads Drive-In, a popular spot on the southwest corner of 34th Street and Fifth Avenue North.

Bogie students at Crossroads realized they were near “enemy” territory. St. Pete High is a little

The Biff Burger on 66th Street attracted students from Boca Ciega and Dixie Hollins during the 1960s.

more than a half-mile east of that location, now the site of a gas station.

Grub for Green Devils In 1946, Dean and Hazel Triplett bought two lots immediately south of St. Pete High and opened Triplett’s Drive-In. Perfectly located on the other side of Fifth Avenue North, Triplett’s became the go-to destination for Green Devils until the early 1980s.

Larger than Goody-Goody, Triplett’s regularly posted want ads for “curb boys” and “sandwich girls” during the 1950s. One job require-

ment that mirrored similar job postings for Crossroads and definitely would violate labor laws today was that those working there had to be under the age of 35. Middle-aged carhops need not apply!

Lunch on the Run Fewer today remember the Corner Shoppe, a second St. Pete High hangout on Fifth Avenue. Sitting across 25th Street, slightly east of campus, this soda fountain and burger joint also attracted throngs of students during the 1950s. One future historian even ruined his perfect attendance record while grab-

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PHOTO FROM THE DIXIE HOLLINS LEGEND YEARBOOK

team members sprinted out the other door.

One day, the 1956 SPHS grad saw Principal Fred Geneva approaching the Shoppe during his stealth lunch break. He ran toward the other exit, only to be met by Mr. Mac. A oneday off-campus suspension for him and the other track members was the only blemish on the future director of Heritage Village’s otherwise burger-fueled perfect attendance at St. Pete High.

Hollins Hang-Outs The opening of Dixie Hollins High School in 1959 led to new gathering places for students in Kenneth City, western St. Pete, and Pinellas Park.

From 1964 to 1973, students congregated at the Circle R Drive-In on 66th Street if they liked hamburgers, shakes, and fries.

Those who preferred barbecue drove to Park Boulevard for a visit to Porky’s Pit Barbeque. The popular 1981 Porky’s movie about students at a fictional Angel Beach

Two Hollins High students enjoy curbside service at the Circle-R on 66th Street in 1966.

bing lunch there.

When Kendrick Ford entered SPHS in 1953, many of his junior high classmates also chose to attend St. Pete High rather than Boca Ciega.

The open-campus policy during his sophomore year meant he could grab lunch offsite. He preferred the

Gulfport gathers

Corner Shoppe’s food over Triplett’s.

The rules changed during Ford’s junior year. He continued to sneak over to the Corner Shoppe for lunch, always keeping an eye on the door for “Mr. Mac” Douglas, assistant principal and dean of boys. If Ford saw Mr. Mac, he and other track

Goody continued on page 8

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Goody continued from page 7

Fast Food Nation National franchises began to appear in lower Pinellas by the early 1960s. Although some of these restaurants attracted students from a particular school, they also catered to a more general clientele with their standardized menus.

One of the first McDonald’s in Pinellas opened near Pasadena Shopping Center in the early 1960s, where the Dunkin’ is today. Sixty years ago, more than a few families had debates about whether they would eat at the Morrison’s Cafeteria in the shopping plaza or get burgers for 15¢ apiece at McDonald’s.

PHOTO FROM THE BOCA CIEGA TREASURE CHEST YEARBOOK

High School may have been based, in part, on student antics at Boca Ciega High School during its early years, but the Pinellas Park Porky’s remained a solid Hollins hang-out.

A Full Plate of Options By the early 1960s, Bogie students gathered at Sandy’s, similar to McDonald’s at the time, a bit west of where the Pinellas Trail overpass currently crosses Central Avenue. A Frisch’s Big Boy with drive-ins and carhops opened in the mid-1960s at Pasadena Avenue and Majestic Way. Biff Burger, a few blocks north of Circle R, offered Hollins students another alternative.

Mom and Pop places like GoodyGoody could not match the prices or restaurant amenities found at McDonald’s or Sandy’s. However, Gulfportians continued to visit the small

Entering Goody-Goody in 1957. The Bogie campus is visible in the rear of the image.

store for their fix of burgers, hoagies, sodas, and breakfast meals.

New owners Kathy and John Kiley redecorated Goody-Goody at the beginning of the 1970s, adding seafood, take-out service, and “amusement machines.” In then-Gulfport Gabber ads from the time, the Kileys pledged they had “just about everything the large franchise operations have and we strive to out-do them in quality, quantity, price and atmosphere.”

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Good-Byes Goody-Goody ultimately lost the battle, as did Triplett’s and many other school-focused luncheonettes. Many fast food franchises also bit the dust, including Sandy’s and Biff Burger, both at its 66th Street location and, more recently, the last one on 49th Street North.

In February 1972, the owners of Goody-Goody advertised their recently-closed restaurant in the paper as a potential business opportunity. For nearly 50 years, preschools and nursery schools have operated in the former Goody-Goody. After Triplett’s closed in 1982, Harry’s Red Hots occupied the spot for a couple of years. Today, the location is a kava bar and coffee house.

Although these dining spots have disappeared, those who flocked to these places have fond memories.

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

en Taco), and told him, “I remember you from the produce stand.”

“Yeah, pretty embarrassing,” he said. “And she said, ‘buy me a drink’ and I bought her a glass of wine.”

After that, though, she played hard to get. He offered to walk her home.

“Can I walk you home?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “I don’t want you to know where I live.”

When he introduced her to his kids, they both said, “Oh, my god, you’re that tomato bitch.”

When he decided to run for office — he is Gulfport’s Ward IV representative — she was “delighted.”

“For her, it made everything full circle. She was looking to touch people in a larger way. I think this kind of formalized this for her,” he said. “We had a lot of plans for 2024.”

“She was my advocate. She was loyal, I never had loyalty. I mean that in reference to marriage and women and that kind of thing. She was fiercely loyal,” he said. “And you were definitely aware if she didn’t like you.”

Even Ian wasn’t safe.

“Every night, from 8:15 to 8:45, we’d settle down and it was ‘Roast Ian.’ At the Celebration of Life they’re doing a ‘What Would Denise Say?’ — and it wasn’t always kind,” he says, but adds, she was “a marshmallow inside; she would give you the shirt off her back.

“You could see that with her friends.

[They’re] completing a couple of projects she was unable to complete — Art in the Yard, for example, Eagle and Cheryl are putting it together in Eagle’s yard, instead of here.”

Lorenzo, her dog, is lost without Denise.

“He’s still looking for her. He sniffs at her bedside, the spot where she sits on the couch,” he says. Denise and her then-boyfriend Jed adopted Lorenzo at Get Rescued.

“He was Denise and Jed’s dog, then he was Denise and Ian’s dog, now he’s Ian’s dog,” Ian says. “He’s my puppy. He’s such a good dog.”

What does Ian want people to remember about Denise Keegan?

“Her kindness, her love of the city, the fact that she never took credit

EAGLE FINEGAN

Denise continued from cover

Gulfport artist Denise Keegan O’Hara was known for her style, her art, and her giving spirit.

for anything,” he says. “Whenever anybody needed something, she was there. Without even [being] asked, she was there.”

One example? Denise organized a benefit for Jackie Kreuter, to help her sell Funkytown Boutique items. She didn’t tell Jackie — until after the fact.

“Don’t you think it’s going to piss her off?” Ian asked.

“Of course it’s going to piss her off, but she’ll be happy in the end,” Denise replied.

Captain Noreen Smith: The Backseat Driver “I met [Denise] back in 2013 when her dog, Lorenzo would run over to my house for some love. Our relationship progressed over the years.

On Mondays, I would go over to her house, drink wine, and help in creating new art. I always had to

fix something around the house or do this and that for an art project.

Sometimes we just got caught up on the latest Gulfport gossip.

“Denise didn’t drive or have a car, because she was terribly frightened and was a backseat driver which always pissed me off, but... I would take her to wherever she needed to go.

“When Denise went over to the East Coast to visit her daughter, Eagle Finegan and I were designated as ‘Ian’s house husbands’ (we still have that distinguished title now). On her return, Denise made Eagle and I drive to Orlando to pick her up after the train ride. We, of course, complied. Denise ... sat in the far back seat of the van and was actually pretty calm coming home, which was shocking.

“We rode around town in her trike, laughed, argued (she always won), danced, and organized fundraisers with the help of other close friends.

Denise continued on page 10

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thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

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Denise continued from page 9

Debbie Amis: A Kiwi Cake and a Mermaid “I met Denise shortly after we opened Little Tommies. She soon had us saving caps and corks for the Mermaid that currently hangs at The Tiki. She told me it was her first one.

There have been many photos taken with it and of it and many conversations about the artist, Denise. It has inspired many and brought many oooos and ahhhhs through the years.

I can’t imagine it not hanging there.

She tried taking it back one day when she was mad at us for employing someone that she felt was doing one of her friends wrong. I wouldn’t give it back. That was Denise, always standing up for her friends and wanting to help with whatever she could.

“I don’t know that I can explain the

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“She will always live in my heart and I will cherish the memories we shared over the years. Denise was a true friend, good wife, and gave freely, always.”

“She was loyal. I never had loyalty,” Denise’s husband, Ian, recalls.

sweetness of one of our last times together, but I’ll try. She and Ian were at The Tiki, talking about Tommy’s Hideaway’s kiwi cake and how delicious it was. The next week, she stopped by and asked if I’d like to share a piece with her. I said yes, of course. She said, ‘I’d like that very much.’ It was so sweet, so sincere. It really hit me, what she was going through. She picked it up, brought it back and got the table ready for us. We shared it and talked. So special... a kiwi cake and a mermaid.”

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“Denise was complicated, very giving, very talented, [and] a pain in the ass. Very honest — you knew exactly where you stood, and just one of the most giving humans I’ve ever met.

“She always gave back to the community, big and small. And you always knew she was there. She knew everyone, whether they liked her or not; she probably introduced me to more people in this town than one could meet on their own. She was ‘Gulfport weird’.”

“She was gifted what she called the Mermaid Dress from Jackie’s Funkytown, and she bugged the shit out of me, ‘gotta take the photos, gotta take the photos’. We set the time and date, and in her fashion, she showed up late... and we did this photo shoot when the building behind O’Maddy’s was vacant and half-built.

“She was like, ‘In there?’. I said, ‘Yes, trust me’.

“She had practiced her poses, and I wanted things a little more natural.

The banter back and forth was hysterical. It was just her, in this dress she thought she was fabulous, in her tiara, and ‘I’m going to be fabulous and you’re going to catch it’. We did it in about an hour, and it was hysterical.

“Denise had a knack of reading people. Sometimes it might have been a little more honest than you wanted to hear, but it was normally on target. She was fearless and a badass and a pain in the ass.

“The whole mermaid dress said who she was. It was out there, it was fun, she wanted to be fabulous; she was fabulous, and she went for it.”

Denise had a giving side — with a touch of humor.

“When Jackie Kreuter was dying, there was this character from Whoville with a wig, and she built this costume around the wig.”

Denise took a bus to Palms of Pasadena.

“Jackie opened her eyes and said, ‘I know I’m not dead.’ Who would walk into a hospital bed wearing what she wore? It was silly, but happy.

“I don’t drink that much and she popped over to my cottage with a bottle of wine, and I didn’t have a wine opener. For years, she gave me crap: ‘What house doesn’t have a wine opener? I’m not coming over’; ‘Well, open it before you come over.

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“No, Denise, I still don’t have a wine opener.”

Monika Taylor: Boggle and Activism “Our Denise was always a party girl, but [it was] not unusual to see her working six days a week. In the past she sold vacuums, was a math tutor, an exotic dancer, and, of course, restaurant work of all kinds.

She was a well-known artist, famous for her use of recycled items (“Tossed and Found”); she could make art out of just about anything!

She had her start with painting portraits and abstract pictures, I believe.

“Denise was an activist who cared about equal rights. We lied on the pavement at Gulfport police station for nine minutes during the George Floyd march. She had a huge passion for helping people. She would donate to any event going on: her time, her art, food, or famous rum cake, maybe some sangria for everybody.

“If there wasn’t already something organized for someone, she would get a fundraiser started! Like her Ukrainian immigrant benefit (upstairs at the big blue building) when a family came to Gulfport with nothing. [We] would gladly be helping before we knew what hit us! She joined in all holiday events.

“She was always on hand to help anyone else with costumes or decorations. When one of her many friends happened to be sick, she was the first one there with food or company daily. She was highly intelligent, and so fun to play board games with... except Boggle, when she beat me every single time!

She was amazingly supportive and spent tons of her time during Ian’s two runs for City Council. We drew purple top hats on Gulfport sidewalks with purple chalk on voting day!

“She was my constant friend for 10 years. The person I could drop in and hang out with any time. She somehow inspired a creative side in me, just through suggestions and

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

her passion for art and crafts.”

Monika describes Denise as tough but loving.

“She was tough and ‘no nonsense’; at the same time, as kind and generous. She always knew who she was and what she wanted and how she wanted it done.”

And when she was ill?

“She barely complained to me while she was so sick. Her strength and dignity and relentless energy will always be an inspiration to me.”

Celebrate Denise Keegan O’Hara’s Life Denise’s closest family and friends invite those who loved Denise to her Celebration of Life.

The Tiki Bar and Grill, 5519 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Nov. 15: 5-8 p.m.

727-498-8826; the-tiki-bar-andgrill.business.site Photos used with permission; in exchange, The Gabber Newspaper made a donation to help defray Denise’s medical-related expenses.

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Shopping Spree

A Rundown of New Purchases Made by City Council

By Patrick Heinzen

MONROE ROARK

With the new fiscal year, Gulfport Council gets a spending spree of sorts.

The City of Gulfport has a new budget burning a hole in its pocket.

Well, not really. With the start of the new fiscal year, Gulfport City Council approved a new operating budget that started Oct. 1. At the Oct. 3 meeting, council approved 10 resolutions

allowing City Manager Jim O’Reilly to buy supplies for the city, or enter into contracts with companies to provide services to the city. Each of these focuses on a specifically different good or service, but all work towards the betterment of Gulfport.

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Council Approved These Specific Expenses: • Resolution 2023-75 allows O’Reilly to purchase at least $20,000 of materials for the Gulfport Public Library. These materials include books, databases, and resource management products to add to the library’s collection.

• Resolution 2023-80 details the purchase of a 35’ x 80’ shade structure. This will get added to the existing shade to cover the entire Gulfport Beach Playground. The $84,830 price tag covers the creation, permitting, and installation of the shade.

• Resolution 2023-82 covers the purchase of 1,875 square feet of Surf-Turf from Project Innovations Inc. This turf will cover the concrete base currently in place at the beach fitness area. This turf is specifically designed for shock absorbency, and will cost $34,650.

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

• Resolution 2023-84 allows for the purchase of holiday displays and lighting. From Nov. 20, 2023 to Jan. 15, 2024, the City will decorate areas around Gulfport with various holiday displays. For a total of $40,402.25, the City will cover the installation and removal of LED lighting in Clymer Park. This cost also goes towards a 7.5 foot tall ornament tree on Gulfport Boulevard and ribbons along Beach and Shore Boulevards in the Waterfront Redevelopment District. The biggest purchase is a 17-foot tall, LED-lit tree on the sidewalk near the Historic Gulfport Casino.

$145,000 of the City’s $150,000 building budget.

• Resolution 2023-79 allows the city manager to pay for trash truck repair. Rush Truck Center repairs Gulfport’s sanitation vehicles. Rush Truck Center is the sole source provider for Peterbilt trucks, which make up most of the City’s fleet. These repairs are not to exceed $50,000.

• Resolution 2023-81 pays for street sweeping. USA Services of Florida, Inc. provides street sweeping for the City. Gulfport has used their services since 2014. The City’s

National Pollution Discharge Elimination system permit mandates street sweeping. This costs $6,000 monthly.

• Resolution 2023-83 focuses on the ongoing contract with Retro Production Company, who provide dance services inside the Gulfport Casino. Retro Production Company has organized these dances since 2002. Dances include Wednesday Swing Nights and Second Friday Soul “Disco” Dances.

The City splits the ticket sales with Retro. The total amount of ticket revenue estimated for the upcoming year is $120,000.

Repairs and Services • Resolution 2023-76 concerns the City’s public records request software. It allows O’Reilly to sign an agreement with Granicus Media Manager to use their “Records Request” software. This includes hosting services for the council meetings, closed captioning, and online agendas. This software also provides a singular database of public records requests so the City Clerk’s office can easily find and respond to requests. The costs of these services increase by anywhere from 3% to 10% annually, so the estimated total cost of $74,288 is based on previous rates.

• Resolution 2023-77 covers internet security services. MY TSC LLC, a company formed by former CompuCom employees, has a partnership with the City of Gulfport.

On June 30, 2023, CompuCom Systems Inc. decided to no longer provide service to small businesses.

This left an opening in the City’s IT department. This pays for one 40hour a week employee, a 24/7 call center and emergency services, system monitoring, and virus protection.

• Resolution 2023-78 allows the City to work with Pinellas County for building inspections. It also allows the City to partner with SAFEbuilt/M.T. Causley for both building inspections and plans review.

The total cost of this will take up

Kids Art Painting Contest SAVE THE DATE! • Dec. 9

For more information visit thegabber.com/windows

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

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Gecko Business

How One Gecko Queen Organized a Cash Mob Gulfport’s local businesses are a key part of the spirit of the city. A quick drive down Beach Boulevard demonstrates this to residents and tourists every day. While many of these businesses are cornerstones, many still need support and focus from the community. That is what the 2023 Gecko Queen Robert Daunch set out to do.

On the days leading up to Oct. 3, Daunch used Facebook to organize a “cash mob” at Jax In And Out Neighborhood Cafe.

The goal of a cash mob is to bring in a lot of money for a local business in a small amount of time, by promoting the business online and gathering as many people as possible to spend money in whatever way they can.

Daunch moved to Gulfport four years ago. He told The Gabber Newspaper he immediately found himself drawn to community activism. Prior to Gulfport, he lived in an artistic neighborhood in Cleveland, where he said people constantly promoted community activism and events such as cash mobs. When he moved to Gulfport, he began to fill this role.

“I love being at the Welcome Center and passing on bits of Gulfport history to newcomers, as I continue to learn,” said Daunch.

Cash Mob at Jax Daunch described the importance of supporting local business, especially in a small city like Gulfport. This was his inspiration for his first cash mob.

“I picked Jax because she’s awesome to the community and deserves it,” said Daunch, then re-

ST. JEAN CREATIVE/GULFPORT MERCHANTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

By Patrick Heinzen

Robert Daunch and his wife at the 2023 Gecko Ball.

ferred to the free food pantry run

by Jax Taylor, the owner of Jax In And Out Neighborhood Cafe. “She has freezers full of food for anybody that needs it.”

“Everybody was in a happy and great mood,” Taylor said of the cash mob. “However it worked, it was very intense, which is cool with me!”

Taylor stressed she gets most

Janice James Gallery Night Sat., Nov 4th - 5-7PM



Largest collection of legacy originals & prints 1155 Pasadena Ave S Suite K • 727-344-2202 • FrameStationandGallery.com

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of her business from Gulfport and South Pasadena, and said she caters to locals, and rarely advertises outside of the area.

“He [Daunch] is really putting up a star that says if you don’t shop local, you won’t have local,” said Taylor.

Daunch said he hopes to continue this cash mob campaign into the future, with his next event at the Lion’s Club pancake breakfast on Nov. 3.

“My only agenda is Gulfport,” said Daunch. “I want everyone to love it as much as me. I sold my Harley to buy a golf cart.”

Jax In And Out Neighborhood Cafe, 4928 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 727-252-9943

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

according to gulfport Oral Hygiene, Song Lyrics, and Theater Random Quotes from Gulfportians

By Chris Shablak

Now I’ll have to figure out what box my jeans are in —Laura Parks, on our cooling weather

“If you are out there hooking up, you better floss everyday.” —Rachael Demirjian’s oral hygiene advice “I didn’t use the cocaine to get high. I just liked the way it smelled.” ­­­­­—Steve Parks, sharing one of his favorite song lyrics

“Love it now, but can’t wait for the next show.” —Donnette Romero, talking about the plays at the Gulfport Community Players “How do you go to work in the morning and come back at night, and have nothing to say?” —Kathy Parks, a snowbird from Middletown, OH

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thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

Independent, Assisted and Skilled Nursing

4600 54th Avenue South, St Petersburg

727-346-8673

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

/gulfportseniorcenter

Annual registration required. Free, residents; $50, non-residents. All programs subject to change without notice. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by, join our weekly newsletter, or like us on Facebook for a full calendar of events.

Fitness Center now open! To provide physical distancing, the hourly capacity is limited. You must call to pre-register.

Supplemental food assistance for qualifying Gulfport Seniors in need is available at the Senior Center. Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Proper verification required prior to use of the pantry.

GEMS (Gulfport Extended Mobility Service) provides affordable Door-to-Door transportation service, rides to medical appointments, shopping, and much more for Gulfport residents, 55 years of age or older or disabled. 727-893-2242.

Medical Equipment Lending Program provides gently used wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other medical equipment to seniors who need it. Supplies limited.

SPECIAL EVENTS Medicare & Health Insurance Assistance Frustrated trying to navigate the insurance world? We have you covered! Make your appointment today.

Memory Screenings Worried about your memory? St. Anthony’s Memory Disorder Clinic offers free & confidential memory screenings.

Gulfcoast Legal Assistance Do you need assistance, with lifetime planning docs, Medicaid/Medicare issues, Social Security issues, food stamp issues, family law issues, consumer/debt collection Issues, or housing/contract Issues? Call to make an appointment with a legal representative.

By appointment only.

TEDTalks "Get What You Want” TED Talks are thought provoking “ideas worth shar-

ing.” Come out for this monthly viewing & discussion of an inspirational TED Talk.

MUST Pre-Register. Rm 107. Oct. 19, 1 p.m.

In the Kitchen with Chef Jack: Chicken Avocado Soup Improve your culinary skills with step-by-step instruction from Chef Jack.

MUST Pre-register. D Hall. Oct. 19, 4 p.m.

Ballroom Dance Instruction Learn Latin, Swing, Fox Trot, & more. No partner nec.

Leather-soled shoes strongly recommended. MUST Pre-register. D Hall. Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

Fall Floral Arrangement Learn to master the art of floral design. D Hall. Oct. 24, 2 p.m.

Flu Vaccinations Empath Health has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging for Pasco and Pinellas to offer Flu vaccination to seniors 60+. There will not be a cost to the seniors who qualify. Call for more info.

Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 Armchair Adventures: Falklands, S. Georgia Island, & Antarctica Explore the world from the comfort of your chair. This month we travel to the bottom of the world. D Hall.

Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m.

Movie Matinee Take a break from the hustle & bustle and enjoy a movie on the big screen.

Call for movie title. Theater. Oct. 27, 1 p.m.

Doc Talk Creeky Cracky Bones & Pumpkin Painting Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways you can treat the pain & inflammation. Come learn about these options and then paint a pumpkin to take home. Happy Halloween! MUST Pre-register.

D Hall, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.

Flow Art Therapy with Flowers Learn different forms of flow art to create your own masterpiece in this 4-week series. MUST Pre-register & Bring Supplies. Rm 106.

Wednesdays, 2 p.m.

Care Planning for the Future What type of health care would you want if you became too sick to tell the doctor yourself? Plan ahead to make sure you get the medical care you want. MUST Pre-register. Nov. 2, 11 a.m.

Align Foot & Ankle: Lunch and Learn Your feet are often neglected but not with Dr Barnett! He will discuss innovative options to get you back on your feet – And feed you lunch! Must Pre-Register. Nov. 2, 3 p.m.

Veterans Coffee Connection Veterans of all service eras are invited to gather for coffee, support, friendship & to learn about available community resources. Nov. 3, 10 a.m.

Gulfport ROCKS! Join the party and create some fun rock art. All supplies provided.

MUST Pre-register. Sponsored by Moore Medicare Options. Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m.

GEMS GETAWAYS Call 727-893-2242 for this month’s day trips.

MONDAYS Spanish Conversation 8:30 a.m., Room 107 Chair Exercise/Yoga 9:30 a.m., Theater Lobby Semester of Spanish Beginners 10 a.m., Room 107 Stretch & Strength 10 a.m., Casino Wisdom Healing Qigong 11 a.m., Theater Lobby Mahjong 12 p.m., Room 107 Dominos 1 p.m., Theater Lobby Strength Training & Aerobics 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall Chair Volleyball 3 p.m., Dining Hall

Gulfport Casino Ballroom 727-893-1070 • 5500 Shore Blvd. S. Sock Hop with The IMPACS Oct. 20, 7 p.m. Advance tickets available at Casino & Beach Bazaar. $15 / $25 for two. Tickets purchased dayof: $20 Contra Dance with Tampa Friends of Old Time Dance Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m., Contra lesson; 4 p.m., dancing with band & caller. $10 admission Ballroom Dancing with USA Dance Oct. 23, 7 p.m. DJ and dance hosts, plus a lesson. USA Dance members: $10, non-members: $13 Halloween Costume Ball with Swing Time Oct. 25; 7 p.m., swing lesson; 8 p.m., dancing to the ultimate Halloween Swing/Dance music mix! Costume contest, loads of chocolate, treats and surprises. $12 Admission

Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest Event Oct. 26, 9 a.m. Fun, prizes, giveaways, free snacks, live entertainment. Free Admission Country Western WCS with Carol & Danielle Oct. 27, 7 p.m., lesson, 8 p.m. dancing. $15 admission/$25 couples Casino Weekly Dances Ballroom Lessons: Tues., 12 p.m. $15 ($25 couple) Argentine Tango: Tues., 6:30 p.m., $10 Swing: Weds., 7 p.m. $10 Latin Night: Thurs., 7 p.m. $10

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thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

Catherine Hickman Theater 727-893-1070 • 5501 27th Ave. S. The Impacs Band Live: 1960’s Rock & Roll at the Casino 7-10pm, Friday, October 20, 2023. Tickets $20 at the door.

Gulfport Public Library 5501 28th Ave. S. • 727-893-1074 • /gulfportlibraryfl Mygulfport.us/gpl • Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

All programs free and subject to change.

Macabre Monday Movie Join us every Monday in October at 1 p.m. for a terrifying film! From oldies-but-goldies to brand spooking new; they'll be sure to put shivers up your spine! Call 727-893-1074 for movie titles.

Keep Calm & Carry Yarn Join us for a weekly knitting and crochet group! Bring your current project, start something new, learn a new skill, and meet other crafters!

Don't know how to knit or crochet? That's ok, we can help you get started. Call 727893-1074 for additional information. Mondays, 10:15 a.m.

Baby Time For children two and younger and their caregivers. Sing songs, read books, enjoy lap bounce rhymes, and meet other caregivers with infants and young toddlers. Older siblings also welcome.

Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m.

Teen Space Spend time with friends and meet new ones. Play games, make art, watch movies, or just hang out. Activities vary – and what we do is up to you! Ages 12-18 only. Tuesdays, 4 p.m.

Storytime Join us for stories, rhymes, music. Thursdays, 10:15 & 11 a.m.

Lego Club It's time to build! Join us for some Lego creativity and see what construction challenges we have for you this week. Recommended for Grades K-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Oct. 21, 2 p.m.

STEAM Club: STEAM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

Join us as we explore these concepts through stories and hands-on activities.

Recommended for Grades K-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For additional information call 727-893-1074. Oct. 25, 4 p.m.

Storytime Spooktacular Join us for a special spooktacular Storytime! We will have stories, songs, and movement with a Halloween theme! Wear a costume and trickor-treat around the Library after Storytime!

Oct. 26, 10:15 & 11 a.m.

COF Presents: The History of Halloween How did Halloween originate? Learn about the twists and turns of this date from pagan origins to church repression. If you

have questions on the paranormal, local lore and legends, feel free to bring those too! Oct. 26, 1 p.m.

Trivia Night Hosted by Gulfport Librarian Alex, a prepared list of questions will be shared with players, who will compete to answer the most questions correctly. Team play is an option with enough attendees.

Oct. 26, 6 p.m.

Sew Easy: Leaf Potholders Use fall-colored fabric to create unique leaf-shaped potholders! Registration required, you may sign-up starting Oct. 20 by calling 727-8931074 or emailing library.programs@mygulfport.us. Oct. 27, 1 p.m.

Baby Time Boofest Dress up your baby and make an adorable ghost using their footprint. This program is intended for children two and under and their caregivers.

We will sing songs, read books, enjoy lap bounce rhymes, and meet other caregivers with infants and young toddlers. Older siblings are also welcome. Oct. 31, 10:15 a.m.

Recreation Center 5730 Shore Blvd S. • 727-893-1068 • mygulfport.us/recreation/rec Annual registration: $3; $25, nonresidents Pickleball Mon., 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Intermediate & Advanced Players Tues., 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Beginners Tues., 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., All Levels of Play Thurs., 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., All Levels of Play Adult Basketball Wed. & Fri., 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Thurs., 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Table Tennis Tues. & Thurs. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Game Room Mon., Wed., & Fri., 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

PROGRAMS School Year Child Care Program Registrations continue for the 2023-2024 School Year Child Care Program for children who are in Kindergarten thru age 14. Bus transportation is available from Pasadena Fundamental, Gulfport Montessori and Douglas Jamerson Elementary. Program hours are until 5:30 p.m. with extended hours available until 6 p.m. for an extra charge.

Please contact the Recreation Center for more details.

Teen Night Registrations continue for the 2023-2024 Teen Night Program for teens in middle and high school, students 17 and younger. Recreation, social activities, field

trips, cooking projects, guest speakers and service projects. Teens can use the gymnasium, game room and outdoor area. Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 6-9 p.m. Rec Center membership required: $3; $25 nonresidents.

Tot Time Program Registrations continue for the 2023-2024 Tot Time Program. The Tot Time Program is a pre-school, handson program for children ages 3-5 aiming to make learning fun for children and help prepare them for Kindergarten. Two, three, and five-day monthly options are available.

Program hours are from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration hours are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Proof of residency is required for Gulfport residents.

Danskinetics Tues., 10 - 11 a.m.; $6/class or $20/month. (Starts in November) Carol: 845-654-0609.

F.I.T Tennis Fri., 6p.m.; Free for true beginners age 21 and up. Lessons are at Chase Park, 28th Ave & 53rd St. S. Mo: 727-5151454.

Hatha Yoga Wed., 6:15 p.m. $12/class or $40/month. Denise: 727-251-8868.

Youth Hip Hop Fri., 6:30 p.m., ages 7-11; 7:30 p.m. ages 12 and up. $40/month starts 8/18. Call Lisa at 727-742-2594.

Zumba Thurs., 6 p.m., $6/class, $20/ month. Magda: 727-214-7868.

CLASSES Call instructor for more information.

Want to teach a class? Call Jami: 727893-1079.

Ballet/Tap Tues., 5:45 p.m. ages 5-7; 6:45 p.m. ages 8-16. $40/month starts 8/22.

Call Lisa: 727-742-2594.

Intermediate Tap Tues., 7:45 p.m. $20/ month starts 8/22. Call Lisa: 727-742-2594.

Cardio Tennis Tues. & Thurs, 6 p.m.; Adult lessons are at Chase Park, 28th Ave. & 53rd St. S. $15/class. Mo: 727-515-1454.

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

17

arts May the Farce Be With You

The World Premiere of Natalie Symons’ Latest In her playwright’s note for Nightsweat, now receiving its world premiere at freeFall, Natalie Symons says she wrote the first draft “unfiltered and freely, without stopping to consider what the theater gods would say about the finished product.” Though that draft has likely gone through many changes since then, the play still retains an anything-goes energy, powered by a comedy dream team of a cast.

Matthew McGee, a theater god in his own right, suggested the premise: “‘After a Hollywood Housewife’s recent scandal ignites a flurry of backlash on social media, she and her entourage flee to the countryside to hide from the haters. But things go horribly, comically wrong.’”

And boy, do they.

The Berkshires AirBnB where our heroines hole up is either hosting a murder mystery weekend or harboring an actual serial killer — or both.

The daffy resident of the home, Mrs. Bates (Jan Neuberger), has an ominously silent nephew (Joe Ditmyer) who might actually be that killer.

(Could the red stains on his coveralls be a tip-off?) The original diamond necklace from Titanic is involved somehow, too, which is problematic because “titanic” is one of the many words that trigger the easily triggered Maude (Heather Baird), assistant to cancelled B-movie queen Britney Cox (Kristin Carbone).

Symons throws out the laugh lines like darts — some topical, some groan-worthy, some redundant, some genuinely funny — figuring, it seems, that if one doesn’t stick, the next one may hit the target.

And the targets are plentiful.

Cancel culture and reality TV: Cox, who’s white, has become a pariah for having dared to play Ursula, the purple trans lesbian octopus, in a Buffalo, NY production of The Little Mermaid.

(Too bad, because she’d been making a comeback in the Real Housewives-esque series So You Thought

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THEE PHOTO NINJA

By David Warner

Nightsweat at freeFall has an “anything-goes energy, powered by a comedy dream team,” The Gabber Newspaper’s theater reviewer says.

They Were Dead.)

Political uber-correctness: Maude is afflicted with “virtu-itis,” which means she’s all too quick to point out what words can and cannot be said.

Slasher movie tropes: There’s much debate about whether or not to hide in the shed or escape to the basement. And the one Black character (Hillary Scales-Lewis, as Britney’s “security detail”) is knowingly wary of being the first victim.

Florida politics (even though the play’s set in Massachusetts): There’s a rumor that dismembered body parts are being dropped into a certain governor’s swimming pool, and at one point a character pops out from behind a door and warns, “Don’t Say Gay!” And theater itself: “Do people still see plays?” asks Mrs. Bates sweetly.

Directed by Eric Davis (who also designed the willfully tacky set and character-driven costumes), the comedy is a playground for actors, who chew up the scenery with gusto. Carbone captures the total self-regard of Britney, and Baird hits the right timorous — but self-righteous — notes as Maude.

As makeup artist Tawny Fitzsimmons, Sara DelBeato is a comic tsunami, stoked at getting a weekend away from “Dick and the three-headed monster” (her husband and triplets) and ready to par-tay.

Neuberger is equal parts wacky and furtive, keeping us guessing as to what exactly she’s up to. Ditmeyer pulls off the difficult double play of seeming both menacing and sympathetic. And Scales-Lewis’s dead-on deadpan nails Dale’s common-sense asides every time.

The plot gets more and more outlandish and hard to follow as it goes along. (Did I mention the evil twin?)

But that seems part of the point. It’s billed as a farce, after all, so, as Symons winkingly acknowledges in her stage directions, there are “lots of doors.”

All those exits and entrances and non-stop wisecrackery can get exhausting after a while. But if some of the jokes are a little tired — like the sure-to-be-dated-soon references to Ozempic and Ellen — there are some that are flat-out inspired, like Tawny’s hilarious description of her husband’s beard, or the Berkshire Strangler’s preference for killing only the “pre-elderly.”

It’s clear that the actors are having a blast. If you’re willing to go along for the ride, you will, too.

Nightsweat, freeFall Theatre Company, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Through Nov. 5: Wed.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun, 2 p.m. (no shows Oct. 19 & 27). $45-$55; $25, youth. 727-4985205, freefalltheatre.com.

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

Feel the Power of Love

‘Indecent’ at American Stage Runs Through Oct. 29

By David Warner

CHAZ D PHOTOGRAPHY

Indecent at American Stage offers a paean to the enduring power of theater. It premiered on Broadway in 2017. It runs through Oct. 29 in St. Petersburg. See the play Wednesday through Sunday. American Stage offers two matinees: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Read to the end for all show times and ticket prices.

In 2017, a production at American Stage made my husband and I turn to each other in wonder, agog at what a perfect piece of theater we’d just witnessed. That was The Royale, a boxing drama directed with breathtaking precision by Lisa Powers Tricomi. It’s still regarded by many as the best show the company has ever done.

Six years later, there’s competition for that legendary status. On Oct. 6, the theater opened its 2023-24 season with Paula Vogel’s Indecent, the first directed for the company by its new(ish) producing artistic director, Helen R. Murray. Afterwards, I overheard a gentleman in the elevator say, “That’s the best thing I’ve ever seen here.”

I’m inclined to agree.

for directorial virtuosity, a challenge that Murray meets with elan.

The subject is the controversy that surrounded God of Vengeance, a play written in Yiddish in 1906 by Sholom Asch. The story of a Jewish brothel owner’s daughter who falls in love with a prostitute, it was

a hit in Europe and enjoyed a successful run in Greenwich Village.

But when an English translation of the play reached Broadway in 1923, its cast and crew were arrested for obscenity. It wasn’t the prostitution that most bothered the authorities (including the rabbi who called the

Love continued on page 20

Indecent’s History of Censorship and Homophobia Indecent is a true story of censorship and homophobia and a paean to the power of theater. It’s both achingly relevant and a showcase

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

19

Love continued from page 19

of Asch as he despairs at the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe; the determination of Lemml to keep the play alive in its original form, rainy lesbian kiss and all, even during Nazi occupation; and Asch’s life in Connecticut in the 1950s, when he was “invited” to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

CHAZ D PHOTOGRAPHY

Indecent premiered on Broadway in 2017. It runs through Oct. 29 in St. Petersburg.

cops on the show). It was the lesbianism — even though the producers erased a key scene of the two women kissing in the rain.

That scene is a key marker in Indecent. We see it performed in many incarnations, beginning with the writers’ salon in Poland where Asch introduces it to his mentors. They are outraged by the content, but one man, Lemml — a tailor invited to attend the reading by his uncle — finds it profoundly moving and eventually becomes Asch’s stage manager.

Lemml (in a heart-rending performance by Michael Raver) acts as the narrator of Indecent. As the lights rise on Jonathan Dahm Robinson’s spartan but highly versatile set (gorgeously lit by David Arterberry), he tells us we’re going to hear about “the play that changed my life.” The bodies splayed out around him on the stage rise into the light, shake off the dust (or is that ash?), and the action begins.

Raver is the only actor in the seven-member cast who plays one role.

The rest — Cynthia Beckert, Emma Friedman, Cody Taylor, Eric Olson, Josephine Phoenix, and Mykail Cooley — play multiple roles in multiple accents. Complicating matters a bit:

20

When we hear the actors speaking English, they’re actually conversing in Yiddish.

But not to worry. The actors are supremely skilled at establishing the distinctions among their characters (with help from canny costume designs by Debra Kim Sivigny). The captions projected above the stage at the start of each scene keep track not just of language but of year and location.

Vogel, a Pulitzer Prize-winner for How I Learned to Drive, doesn’t only cover the triumphs and trials of Vengeance in the 1920s. She also follows the agonizing journey

No Absence of Joy Even though the play deals in serious subjects, there is no absence of joy. An onstage Klezmer trio — Samuel Perlman on violin, Melody Allegra Berger on accordion, and Julia Williams on accordion — weaves in and out of the action, in costume and in character, and the actors sing and dance. And because of their deep connection with the material, they earn the kind of deeply felt emotion from the audience — laughter as well as tears — that can only come from our connection with the lives onstage.

This is an expertly staged piece of theater, one with every detail thought through. Even the set changes are elegantly choreographed. If this is the quality of work we can expect from Murray and American Stage in the future, I’d say St. Pete’s oldest professional theater company is in good hands.

See Indecent American Stage, 163 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg. Through Oct. 29: Wed.Thurs., 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; and Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. $53-$55. 727-8237529, americanstage.org.

HALLOWEEN P HALLOWEEN PET ET C COSTUME OSTUME C CONTEST! ONTEST! Saturday, O Saturday, October ctober 21, 21, 2023 2023 • 4pm 4pm - 7pm 7pm 3115 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 $10 DONATION FOR “GULFPORT GET RESCUED” • All Domestic Animals Welcome!

• Trick or Treats for Pets • Prizes Awarded for “Most Likes” on FB • Donations accepted for Gulfport’s Get Rescued • Pet/Owner Look-A-Like Contest thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

food Who Has the Best Healthy Bowls?

Top Tastes in St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach Eating healthy while dining out is no small feat. Butter is the preferred cooking fat for almost every protein, salad dressings often contain loads of hidden sugars, and “smoothie” is not always synonymous with “healthy meal alternative.” Restaurants solely dedicated to serving a healthy menu are pretty difficult to find. Sure, many restaurants offer salads as a healthy dining option, and perhaps a bowl if you’re lucky.

For this week’s Top Tastes, I sampled three different restaurants in search of the best healthy bowls: Naked Farmer (downtown St. Pete), Fresh Factory, and Playa Bowls (both St. Pete Beach). Here’s my rundown: Most Options, But Not So Healthy: Playa Bowls ($12+) Playa Bowls definitely had the largest menu of the three eateries we sampled. They offer a long list of ingredient options for their smoothies and blended bowls ($11-13 each) with options for banana, oatmeal, pitaya, kale, coconut, açaí and chia pudding as bases.

I enjoyed all the add-on options for the bowls — from protein powders and bee pollen to matcha and goji berries. I also loved the juice selection and cold coffee concoctions.

But their food is not exactly healthy.

Sure, a pressed juice can be great if it doesn’t have loads of agave or artificial sweeteners in it. And while Playa Bowls makes their own granola, it has 27 grams of added sugar — definitely not healthy — but tasty in moderation.

4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Good Healthy Bowls: Naked Farmer ($14+) For a healthy food option or lunch on-the-go, Naked Farmer is great.

They offer seasonal menus that include loads of fresh produce and a decent number of protein options for all preferences.

MORGAN BANNO

By Morgan Banno

Salads and charcuterie at Fresh Factory.

The drawbacks: Their online menu doesn’t always reflect what is available at the brick-and-mortar (so don’t get excited until you arrive in person) and expect simple flavors. This self-proclaimed “farmto-table” restaurant (if 500 miles is considered such) uses mainly olive oil, lemon and sea salt in the majority of their food preparation, so it’s not super exciting. This place wins best intention (I disagree with how they label themselves but I appreciate their sustainable food efforts) and for best potato salad.

Don’t pass up the potato salad... if they have it.

200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Best Healthy Bowls: Fresh Factory ($12-14) Fresh Factory feels random in St. Pete Beach, but their food is relatively healthy and tasty. Like many Gulf Beaches eateries, they offer smoothies, açaí bowls, salads, snacks, and uniquely, charcuterie. I snacked on a one-person charcuterie board ($12) that had cheese, meat, grapes, pickled veggies, crackers and pesto. It was lovely!

Fair warning — if you want char-

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

cuterie for two, four, or 10 people, you must pre-order. The quinoa salad bowl ($13) came with grilled chicken and lots of other yummies but was too salty (and its components too mismatched) for my liking.

I’d like to see more ingredient variety for their bowls and smoothies to set them apart from their competition but Fresh Factory deserves snaps for add-ons like collagen, MCT oil, and vegan protein powder. And they definitely win points for originality with the charcuterie. Highly recommend!

7350 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Follow along as I sample everything from salads and sushi, to Cubans and coffee in St. Pete, Gulfport, and the Gulf Beaches. This is a collection of food comparisons from a small sampling of area restaurants. By no means have I dined at every establishment that serves every category of food in this competition. If you disagree with my rankings, that’s totally fine, but please be civil about it. And lastly, you won’t see me writing about Stella’s or the Salty Nun. It’s not that they don’t deserve the love, but my wife owns Stella’s and is part owner of Salty Nun, so in the interest of fairness (and marital harmony), those eateries don’t get to play.

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the gabs What is Your Favorite Restaurant for Healthy Eats?

Photos by Patrick Heinzen

Eric McCoy, St. Petersburg: “SOHO Juice Co.”

Brenda McMahon, Gulfport: “La V.”

Sydney Lawson, St. Petersburg: “CAVA.”

Alexis Vargas, St. Petersburg: “SOHO Juice Co.”

22

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

crossword

Solution on page 26

Wildean Credo

gabber on vacation

Solution on page 26

MARRA PIAZZA BRASS

sudoku

Tyler and Marra Brass decided to take The Gabber Newspaper to Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica.

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

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

23

things to do

Free

Vegan Options

Dog-Friendly

Freakenstein, Pet Costumes, and Haunted Walking Tour

Freakenstein The comedy troupe Dirty John’s is back with another “uncensored” performance. Enjoy this year’s show of Freakenstein.

Dirty John’s is a comedy experience that doesn’t hold back. Watch the most shocking but funniest comedy show this Halloween. Attendees must be 18 years or older. The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 8 p.m. $15. 727-895-6620, thestudioat620.org.

POSTER VIA STUDIO @ 620

Thursday, Oct. 19Saturday, Oct. 21

Thursday, Oct. 19 Movies in the Park Watch the ‘80s classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in downtown St. Pete. Enjoy live music as you find the perfect spot in the park. The movie begins at dusk.

Grab snacks and drinks from St. Pete food trucks and vendors. North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. 5:30-9 p.m. 727-8247802, ptb.wildapricot.org.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six Tombolo Books presents a book club for lovers of the Bay Area’s favorite thriller writer, Lisa Unger! Meet with other fans and hear the author discuss her newest title. Tickets required, and include refreshments and a copy of the book. Coastal Creative, 2201 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 6 p.m.

727-755-9456, tombolobooks.com.

Underground History St. Pete’s African American Heritage Association and the Center for Health Equity host a screening and panel discussion of Underground History.

This new documentary film project explores connections between St. Pete’s diverse cultural history and emerges community efforts to acknowledge that past in charting the future. Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 6 p.m. 727-865-4650, meetatthecenter.org.

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Enjoy an “uncensored” comedy show from Dirty John’s Freakenstein October 19-21.

Friday, Oct. 20 & Tuesday, Oct. 24 Gulfport Haunted Walking Tour Discover the shady side of our sunny little village as you visit Gulfport’s most haunted sites on this delightfully spooky walking tour. The Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport. 8 p.m. $25. 727-201-8687, gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.

Friday, Oct. 20 Gulfport Beach Bazaar Pumpkin Contest Bring your gourd of choice, your carving tools, stencils, and paints, and get ready to compete! Prizes will be given for spookiest, best painted, most creative, and kids’ category pumpkins. Snacks will be served! Gulfport Beach Bazaar, 3115 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 5:30-8 p.m.

727-381-8548, facebook.com/ GulfportBeachBazaar.

It Came From Florida From the iconic Creature from the Black Lagoon to the under-appreciated Sharkansas: Women’s Prison Massacre, spend Friday night learning about Florida’s B-movie classics. Florida historian Cathy Salustri will take you on a not-soscary-and-sometimes-funny trip

down Florida’s B-movie memory lane. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S. 7 p.m.; 6:30 p.m., doors. BYOB; popcorn available. 727-201-8687, gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.

Beach Concert This October Concert Series features the Horny Toads. Set up your blankets and chairs with your friends and family.

Check out the food, beer, wine, and other drinks available to purchase.

Then, sit back and enjoy some live music. Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach. 7-9 p.m. 727363-9246, spbrec.com.

Halloween Swamp Hike Take the family on a Halloween swamp night hike. Tour guides walk you through trails telling kid-friendly stories of the spirits and phantoms living at the park. Register ahead of time. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg. 7:30 p.m. 727-893-7326, anc.apm.activecommunities.com.

Saturday, Oct. 21 Book Signing Chat with Tampa Bay author Carol J. Perry as she signs copies of her recent release from her mystery series. Perry wrote

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

Witch City Mysteries set in Salem, Massachusetts, and The Haunted Haven Series based in Florida — including Gulfport. Gulf Beaches Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Madeira Beach. 12 p.m. 727-391-2828, gulfbeacheslibrary.org.

Ghost Stories Multimedia show capturing the spooky spirit and tale-telling tendencies of the fall season. Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m. 727821-7391, floridacraftart.org.

Gulfport Beach Bazaar Halloween Pet Costume Contest All domestic animals are welcome to compete in this furrr-ightening competition.

Owners, too – there’s a pet/owner look-alike contest! Cost to enter is a $10 donation to benefit Gulfport Get Rescued. Gulfport Beach Bazaar, 3115 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 4-7 p.m. 727-381-8548, facebook.com/ GulfportBeachBazaar.

Skating Across Borders Join Stoefs Studio and Boards for Bros for Skating Across Borders. Test your luck with raffles and giveaways.

Enjoy live music, live painting, and a huge vendor market. Don’t forget the skate competition. Register for the mini ramp jam day off or online. Green Bench Brewing Company, 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 4-11 p.m. 727-800-9836, stoefsstudio.com.

St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Come celebrate culture, crafts, foods, and performing arts from around the world at this longstanding St. Pete celebration. Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $12-14. 727-289-3744, spiffs. org.

Sunday, Oct. 22 SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival St. Petersburg’s internationally renowned mural festival will feature 14 new murals in and around downtown St. Pete and multiple Bright Spot community mural projects. Use the 2023 mural map (released in October) to find new installations. St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, 100 Second Ave. N., Suite 150, St. Petersburg. Until 22. 727-754-6404, stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-2023.

New Horizons Concert Band Spend your Sunday evening with some outdoor, live music. Sit back and listen to sensational music from The New Horizons Concert Band. Grab a lawn chair or a blanket to enjoy the show with your friends and family. Clymer Park, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 3 p.m. 727-8931000.

Monday, Oct. 23 Radio Theatre Project Live classic radio plays performed by an ensem-

ble of professional theater artists.

Thrills abound! The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 7 p.m. $15-20. 727-895-6620, thestudioat620.org.

Tuesday, Oct, 24 Fall Floral Arrangement Master the art of floral design at this fall floral arrangement class with Larry Lucas.

Learn which flowers to choose, tips on using colors, and flower placements for a beautiful bouquet. Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 2 p.m. 727-893-5657, mygulfport.us.

Paint Night Paint and sip as you create a cute “Ghostly Trick or Treat” masterpiece. Sign up with your friends for this outdoor painting session. No need for art experience, you will be guided through the process. All art materials are provided. Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. 6 p.m. $39. 727-202-8045, eventbrite.com.

MEDICARE IS CONFUSING…LET ME HELP! My assistance is 100% complimentary!

Independent Sales Representative Florida License W566896

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Medicare Advantage Plans • Part D Prescription Drug Plans

Lisa Pence

727-560-3674

lpence@jrstoner.com • thestonerorganization.com

Oh My Gourdness, It's Almost Halloween!

Gulfport Beach Bazaar is calling all ghouls and boos to come celebrate at the Spooktacular 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest on

Friday, October 20 from 5:30pm - 8pm

Time to Get Lei’d Dress in your best island attire for the Gulfport Gets Lei’d Island Party. Enjoy live music of Trop Rock Junkies, food, drinks, and 50/50 raffles. Dance to raise money for local charities with the Lion’s Club. Gulfport Lion’s Club, 4630 Tifton Dr. S., Gulfport.

6-10 p.m. $15. eventbrite.com.

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

BYOP: Bring your own pumpkin to carve and tools or paint & stencil. Be prepared to go big or gourd home, there are prizes on the line for the:

Spookiest • Best Painted/Stenciled Most Creative • Kid’s Category The gourd-geous pumpkins will be on display and judged by the public during Gulfport Merchant Chamber’s Third Saturday night Indie Faire, on Saturday, October 21, 5 pm - 9 pm.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, October 22 Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

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solution

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

Early Diner Special

• Salad and choice of 5 dishes • $15, 4-5:30 only • Separate check cash only Continental-Mediterranean Fine Dining • Upscale Yet Casual

THE STORAGE HOUSE 727-327-9598

TheStorageHouse.com 1219 49th Street South • Gulfport Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8~5 / Sat 8~2

NEED MORE SPACE? We’re The Moving Place!

24-Hour Access • First-Floor Convenience • Climate & Non-Climate Controlled units available

We are a small family owned business and will not increase your rates every 6 months like a corporate facility.

CALL TODAY FOR OUR BEST RATES!

Extraordinary Offerings of Camel, Antelope, Elk, Buffalo, Ostrich & Venison • Beer & Wine only

We sell boxes, locks, and moving supplies.

thepearlfinedining.com Reservations: 727-360-9151 Hours 4-9 Closed Sun & Mon 5802 28th Ave South, Gulfport OUTDOOR SEATING NOW AVAILABLE! 26

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

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

Unitarian Universalist AN EPISCOPAL CONGREGATION 330 85th Avenue • St. Pete Beach Reverend Omar Reyes

Beth-El Shalom

Sundays 10:00am Holy Eucharist Wednesdays 11:00am Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing

ShalomAdventure.com JewishHeritage.net Rabbi@JewishHeritage.net

“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.”

Messianic Congregation

United Fellowship

727-360-8406 • www.StAlbanStPeteBeach.org

Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church 2728 53rd St. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 (Entrance on 28th Ave.)

St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop 5124 Gulfport Ave S. 33707

Hours 10 AM to 2PM Wednesday to Saturday

Where ALL are welcome at the Lord’s table.

Come and See...

Sunday Mass 9:30am www.goodshepherdocc.net 727-403-7178

Sunday Services 10AM Misa en Español: Domingos 12PM

Paradise Lutheran Church

obituaries

on Treasure Island

Affiliated with

St Vincent’s Episcopal Church

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

10255 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

Sunday Service

10am with Holy Communion

727-360-5739

paradiseluth102@gmail.com paradiselutheran.com

Remember your loved ones forever with us.

Stories live on.

Tell theirs.

Special worship rates starting as low as $30/week.

Send an email to: advertising@thegabber.com

Georgette Djurdja Konstantinovic Our beloved sister and grandmother Georgette Djurdja Konstantinovic passed away October 1, 2023. Funeral was held Saturday, October 14 at 11 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1500 58th St. S., Gulfport. — Goldie

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

• Free obituaries available; prices range from $10-$300 • Obituary Legacy Share youron loved one’included s story.

obituaries@thegabber.com | 727-321-6965

In partnership with In partnership with

27

CLASSIFIEDS

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

JS COMPUTER REPAIR

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

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

Providing in-home health care services to the greater St Petersburg Area. Personal, companion, complex care, post-surgery, respite care, and more. Family and veteran owned local business. Accepting private pay, VA, and Long-term health insurance.

Licensed, insured, and bonded; all employees are W2. Free consultation: 727914-7472. Hwcg.com/St-Pete-Beach.com.

AHCA #2999995153.

HANDS N HEART IN HOME CARE LLC

Assistance with personal care, medication reminders, meal planning, light housekeeping, short errands, feeding, bed, bathe/ shower. To the comfort of your home. Compassionate care to meet all your needs.

Contact HandsAndHeart4you@yahoo. com, 727-481-4722 or 727-623-2410.

DO YOU NEED HELP IN YOUR HOME?

Alice’s Companion Care Services can help with transportation to appointments, meal prep, laundry, groceries, light housekeeping, socializing, or respite care. Reviews on Google. Less expensive than an agency, and one reliable caregiver. Free Meet & Greet. 727-900-5648. Serving the Beaches.

Cleaning / Housekeeping HOUSEKEEPING BY TARA Reliable, efficient, excellent references. Call or text Tara at 727-641-0975.

Computer Service

COMPUTER SERVICES 727-343-2838

In-Home services: Internet security, training, virus & spyware removal, maintenance and repair, data recovery. (PC & Mac)

28

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.

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

CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP XERISCAPING/ PLANTS/MULCH

Skilled labor, anything around the house from A-Z. Weeding, rock gardens cleaned, lawn maintanence, leaves removed, mulch, sod, and plants installed. Small trees planted and removed. Pressure washing. Electrical consults available.

Free estimates. 30 years experience. Locally St. Pete /Gulfport: 407-244-6045.

James: 407-244-6045.

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTER OR REFINISHING OF FURNITURE Great deals on all painting jobs, very clean work. Cabinets, furniture, interior or exterior paint jobs.

Now offering pressure washing! Free estimates; call 727-320-6420.

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.

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.

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.

Lawn & Landscape NEW OFFICE 5217 Gulfport Blvd

HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs. Small jobs welcome. Quality work at reasonable prices. Honest. Reliable.

Free estimates. John: 727-410-2201.

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

Home Improvement

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.

Landscape L andscape Installs Installs (residential and commercial)

sod, s od, llighting, ighting, llarge arge ttree r ee and palm a nd p alm iinstalls, nstalls, and yard a nd y ard ccleanups. leanups.

Contact: Junglegirlslandscaping@gmail.com Phone: 727-947-2423

YARD CLEAN UP 727-641-9033

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

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

James Fox Tree Service Owner/Operator for over 25 years “We make your trees feel beautiful”

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.

Professional Services Trees Cleaned • Bobcat Services Stump Grinding • Hazardous Limb Removal Storm and Roof Protection • Insured

727-322-1849 or 727-215-8601

LIC#0700008985

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

Trauma. Anxiety.

Depression.

Self- Esteem.

There is hope for a better tomorrow.

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

marksieg@gulfportcounselingcenter.com gulfportcounselingcenter.com

Miscellaneous Service

Help Wanted

Moving / Hauling

HB HAULING SERVICES

Hauling Services Available. We do everything from junk removal, demo, debris removal, estate clean out, and so much more.

12ft. dump trailer. Mention The Gabber and get a discount. Call or text Kenny Baschuk at 727-793-5816 for free estimates.

Painting SEASONS BEST PAINTING & CONTRACTING, LLC Interior/exterior painting and power washing services. Over 25 years of experience. 727-506-3677. Licensed/insured. Lic. #C-11623

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

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

PINNIX PAINTING, INC. In business locally since 1980. Interior, exterior, commercial, residential. Free Estimates. Lic. #C4334.

Call 727-504-1508.

Your next new, or preowned vehicle awaits you at Maher Chevrolet New and Preowned SuperCenter, 2901 34th Street North St. Pete. 33713. Contact Sales Coach Rich Richie, 702-577-6777 for a fabulous, fun car buying experience!

For Sale BOAT AUCTION Auction for a storage boat 19 ft aquasport. No engine and needs work.

The auction will be held at 312 17th Ave S. on 10/22/2023 at 5:30 p.m.

BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM 1994 One owner since new, 36k original miles, cold A/C, all power, cruise, runs excellent. $1,950.

727-758-9117

General

THE SOVEREIGN The Sovereign is the America First wake-up and smell the coffee newspaper for the sovereign people. A sample issue is only $5. The Sovereign, PO Box 357399, Gainesville, FL 32635

Legal Notices

JUNK REMOVAL FULL SERVICE

Big or Small, We Haul it All. Eviction/hoarder/property cleanouts. Shed/fence removal, carpet removal, garage/storage clean outs. Too much stuff, let us help! Fully Licensed and Insured. Free estimates. Lamys Hauling and Removal Service. 727-5016464. Lamyshaulingandremoval.com.

THE BEST TREAT IS IN SAINT PETE!

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

NOTARY SERVICES - $10

The Gabber now provides Notary Services.

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

Automotive

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

LADIES FASHION ACCESSORY STORE LOOKING FOR HELP

Bobbles & Bags in John’s Pass needs parttime help weekends & nights, 4-9p.m. Great pay, great atmosphere. Call 727-430-0276.

ASSISTANT NEEDED

Help with: organizing, packing, paperwork, computer work (Apple), cleaning, gardening/weeding, painting furniture (not rooms), food preparation (mostly cutting vegetables., One/two days per week, possibly more, for 3-4 months. Near 66th St. & Ulmerton Rd. Call 727-822-8825 after noon.

Support hyperlocal journalism!

Donations Welcome Venmo @gabbernews

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE To whom it may concern: Victoria Averill FNP LLC, DBA “Thrive Victoriously” located in Pinellas County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes, Jeremy S. Clark, LLC will register the fictitious name Clark Hartpence Law with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations Tallahassee, Florida. Business location 10812 Gandy Blvd. St. Petersburg, Florida 33702, Pinellas County.

Wanted BUYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY Will pay cash for large amounts of vintage costume jewelry. Call or text Carrie: 305-798-3350. I can meet you or come to your home.

Yard / Garage Sale

GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE

Annual plant sale at the Garden Club of St. Pete (500 Sunset Dr. S., by Park St.). October 28, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Hardy plants, orchids, pots, yard art, and gifts.

GARAGE SALE 6332 7th Ave. S.; Saturday, March 21. Starts 8 a.m. Furniture, toys, assorted items.

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Property 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!

Commercial Properties For Rent NEWLY RENOVATED COMMERCIAL SPACE 49TH STREET S. 464 ft sq newly remodeled commercial space ideal for an office, salon or shop. Private bathroom & beautiful terrazzo flooring available Nov 1! Has 2 parking spots; $950 / month + utilities.

727-265-2496

Real Estate For Sale

Vacation Rentals

BEACHWAY MOBILE HOME PARK

WINTER RENTALS IN GULFPORT 1 BR/1BA furnished, all utilities & Wi-Fi included. 1 mo. minimum, $2,500/mo plus cleaning & tax. W/D on property. Newly updated, pets considered. Duplex; 2 units available. Call 813-508-2951.

Gulfport’s only resident owned mobile home park. 2 bed/1.5 bath, carport, on-site laundry, nicely updated. Only $240/month HOA; includes water, gas, lawn, pool, & clubhouse. $159,000. Call 727-320-6062.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED LINE ADS ONLINE! Deadline for classified ads is 3 p.m. Friday for the following week’s issue.

Furnished Rentals WINTER VACATION RENTAL AVAILABLE Two Bedroom/One Bath. Completely furnished. Central heat & air. Close to beaches and shopping. 727-434-0424.

Real Estate For Rent

GULFPORT DUPLEX APARTMENT UNIT 1 BED/1 BATH

theGabber.com

Located just 12 short blocks to downtown Gulfport - Beach Blvd. Water, electricity, and trash removal all included. Washer/ dryer inside the apartment. Private front porch, plus side patio and off-street parking. No smoking, no pets. $1,585 plus security deposit. Text only: 860-908-8248.

RENOVATED APARTMENT RENTALS! HALF OFF FIRST MONTH

Near downtown St. Pete just minutes from the beach. This home is upgraded and renovated - come see it! Text or call our office: 205-537-0207. You can reach our leasing agent at 727-608-3593.

GULFPORT ONE BEDROOM FOR RENT Large bedroom, small adjacent room, private bathroom. Separate HVAC; WiFi and all utilities included. W/D, garage storage.

Shared kitchen, eating, & sitting area. No pets, non-smoker, furnished or unfurnished. Short walk to downtown. $1,300/ month. Year lease preferred. 757-8228020.

CHARMING 3 BEDROOM BEACH HOME FOR RENT Charming house in Arts District; two bedrooms, one bath, plus Sunroom. Can be office or bedroom. Central air, freshly painted interior, new tile, working fireplace, utilities included, huge yard, laundry onsite. $3,000/month; 1 year lease. Call/text: 813-922-5633.

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thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

Gulfport Real Estate Sales

Find More Home Sales at thegabber.com.

5619 18th Ave. S. (Tangerine) This three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1952, has 1,513 square feet. It listed and sold for $475,000.

Here’s what homes sold in Gulfport Oct. 6-12 5505 16th Ave. S. (Tangerine) This 1950 home has four bedrooms, three baths, and 1,816 square feet. It listed and sold for $400,000.

6060 Shore Blvd. S., #506 (Town Shores) This two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1981, has 1,255 square feet. It listed for $425,000 and sold for $385,000.

CAMERON HEALY

1829 58th St. S. (Tangerine) This three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home, built in 1955, has 1,456 square feet. It listed for $385,000 and sold for $350,000.

4933 Newton Ave. S. (Tangerine) This two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1925, has 1,487 square feet. It listed for $379,000 and sold for $340,000.

5214 14th Ave. S. (Tangerine) This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1957, has 672 square feet. It listed for $313,000 and sold for $303,000.

5110 Preston Ave. S. (Tangerine) This 2023 home has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and 1,592 square feet. It listed for $557,000 and sold for $540,000.

6100 Gulfport Blvd. S., #307 (Pasadena Golf & Yacht Club) This two-bedroom, one-bath condo, built in 1973, has 1,069 square feet. It listed for $300,000 and sold for $305,000.

NO TRICKS - JUST TREATS Breeze of a Deal

A Real Witch Hunt but We Found the Perfect home

Smooth Sailing

SOLD SOLD Seller

4520 26th Ave S

Buy

7734 OZ Court

thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023

SOLD Buyer

4735 Coronado Way S

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5301 28th Ave S, Gulfport • info@gulfporthistoricalsociety.org

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thegabber.com | October 19, 2023 - October 25, 2023