The Gabber: November 26, 2020

ONLINE EVERY DAY THEGABBER.COM

No. 2684

November 26 - December 2, 2020

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Clockwise from top left, Brian Liggins, Rob Burkhart, John Riesebeck, Barbara Banno, Christine Brown, Marissa Stewart-Dix, Emily Burns, Father Bill Yanson, Charlie Williams and Phillip Bailey.

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or the Gabber’s cover shot this week, an homage to Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom From Want,” we gathered a group of Gulfportians who truly exemplify what it means to be a part of the community. From councilmembers and police officers, to teachers, activists and business owners, Gecko Queens and Mullet Kings, our community is diverse in passion and purpose. In the spirit of the holiday – and this issue – our tablemembers take turns telling us what they’re grateful for this year.

Gratitude continued on page 10

Check out reader-submitted gratitude Haiku. p. 17

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Creative Director Joey Neill

Advertising Director Chris Madalena

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Reporters & Photographers Laura Mulrooney,

News and Politics laura@thegabber.com

Jeff Donnelly, Theater Jennifer Ring, Food and Culture Lynn Taylor, Arts June Johns, Photographer Nano Riley, Environment

Social Media & Operations Leah Petrakis

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Finding gratitude this year might seem incongruous with the pandemic, with the world quite literally being on fire, and with – well, we don’t need a third. It would be easy to write this year off completely.

When better than now, though, for the words of the Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh: “The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”

I held that idea in my mind as we talked about how to approach Thanksgiving at the paper. If 2020 were a TV series, we’d all have whiplash from the plot twists, but bad things happening doesn’t mean we can’t find joy. That’s why we put our community on the cover – it’s one worth celebrating.

The cover shot, many of you may recognize, is a tribute to Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom From Want.” We wanted to represent the different people who love Gulfport, and on our cover you see Trump supporters and Biden supporters; social workers and fishermen, kids and restaurant owners. This is what Gulfport looks like from the inside out. Mayor Sam Henderson said it best years ago (and I’m paraphrasing): We may not all like each other, but we’d come together to help each other in a crisis.

There’s no question we know this firsthand at the Gabber. This paper would not exist without your support. I – we – are far more grateful than we can convey in one issue of the paper. We are stronger with you. We are, all of us, in our wide and myriad diversity, stronger together.

We wish you all a happy and safe holiday, celebrating what we have, because what we have right now is enough.

– Cathy P.S. A special thanks to Pia’s Trattoria for their gracious use of their outdoor dining area and assistance with edible props.

Correction: In our cover story last issue [“Tropical Storm Eta Packs a Punch” November 19, 2020], the Gabber stated that Megan Wood had surrendered her vessel to the city. This is incorrect; it was Monica Sarah Taggart who surrendered her boat to the city.

We also misquoted Mayor Sam Henderson, stating that the storm surge and damage were the worst “since Hurricane Debby hit the town in 2000.” Henderson said that the storm surge from Eta “reached as far inland as it has in two decades.

[2012 Tropical Storm] Debby was the last time it approached this level.”

The Gabber apologizes for these errors and any confusion they caused.

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

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

A Community of Gratitude HARMONIOUS and NOTABLE thanks to Howard Rothstein, President of the Gulfport Harmonica Club. Howard, a virtuoso harmonica player, has continued the Club's practices despite the virus and physical closing of the Gulfport Senior Center where the Club met weekly. Thanks to Howard, players of all skills now meet weekly at Pavilion 6 on the Gulfport waterfront by the Gulfport Rec Center – Tuesdays from 10 to noon in the open, breezy air.

Howard is a wonderful teacher and human being. All he asks in return is Practice, Practice, Practice. -Mary Stein Thanks, everyone, for supporting local makers and small businesses. This year they need you more than ever! Much love from LocalShops1 (localshops1.com and buylocaltampabay.com) -Ester Venouziou/ Local Shops1 Thank you to the 51st St Gang. Without you life would be really $?#! -Audrey Jessen A big shout out and THANK YOU to Fit For Life Gym in St. Pete Beach. Friendly, immaculately clean, fun classes, inexpensive! Keep it up FFL! -Joan Leak THANK YOU to the Gulfport Votes 100% Core Team, Gecko Queens, Gulfport Merchants Chamber, Gulfport City Council & Staff, The Gabber, Tortuga Trio...and all Gulfportians who helped produce events; spread the word; distribute flyers; tied commitment bracelets; sang, danced and did yoga poses for our video...and VOTED. Special thanks to our partners and sponsors: LGBTQ Resource Center; Gulfport Historical Society; League of Women Voters St. Pete Area, Moon Landing Yoga Sangha. 82% of registered Gulfport voters voted! Let’s keep moving the dial in the 2021 municipal elections. We can do it! -Onward! Captain Vote & Tanya Turnout Thank you to Gulfport. It’s a great community and we will miss everyone! -John and Teresa Francis Foster is grateful for “Uncle Rick” McKay sharing his home. Wag. Wag. Thank you for all the good times and all the yummy treats and belly rubs. -Lydia Davidson Lattes to photography; grateful adventures with Lois. -Eric Espinoza

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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news Gulfport Talks Events in Pandemic, Mayor has COVID

By Laura Mulrooney

On Tuesday, November 17 Gulfport canceling it; it’s too important.”

City Council returned to city hall for “Since the 1930s we haven’t had one night only. For the remainder of a pandemic,” Vice Mayor Michael the calendar year, council will hold Fridovich shot back. “I don’t think meetings at the Catherine Hickman people will lose their interest Theater. Council in Christmas, also decided to “It’s time for the city and Santa Claus and resume Zoom else if the residents to take back everything call-ins for public we do something the streets.” – Vice Mayor on a virtual basis comment.

This means Michael Fridovich. for one year.” public comments “I think are no longer allowed via email; we can make Santa Claus out and participants must call in. about on that evening when the lights “We were only allowed to have come,” O’Reilly said. these meetings virtually as long as “The usual number of people we the governor’s order stood,” Mayor have tightly packed together, I’m Sam Henderson explained. “The order not comfortable inviting people to was not renewed.” that because of the contagion of this COVID cases continue to soar in thing,” Henderson said. “When we do Florida and across the country. Mayor something, then people feel like it’s Henderson virtually attended the safe, because we’ve said ‘Yeah, come meeting from his home as both he on out.’” and first lady Laura Henderson have Council agreed that Santa will contracted COVID-19; their daughter make an appearance when the lights tested negative. come on Monday, December 7. The city will put out further guidance on Virtual Tree Lighting this alternative celebration once they finalize the details.

For almost 100 years, Gulfport has held the annual holiday tree lighting New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the first Monday of the month in December. City Manager Jim O’Reilly After postponing the July 4th announced that the celebration will fireworks display, the city is facing a now be virtual. loss of $5,000 to cancel the fireworks “I don’t agree,” Councilmember completely, or an additional charge Christine Brown responded of $3,750 to postpone the fireworks immediately. display past December 31, 2020.

“We don’t have the number of The city included $25,000 for the small children available to put them 2020 fireworks display in the 2020 in that environment at the greeting Community Development Waterfront of the visitor from the north,” O’Reilly Redevelopment District’s annual said. “If council would like to provide operating budget. additional direction, I would place the Council decided to go ahead with the one caveat that it probably wouldn’t fireworks display, with the caveat that be child-friendly and close to each if there is a sharp increase of COVID-19 other. If you would like to light the tree numbers and it becomes apparent that and maintain social distancing, we it will not be a good idea, the city will can see what we can do to facilitate cancel. that.”

The city will not advertise the “This has been going since the ‘30s fireworks display outside of Gulfport, and I do not approve of canceling the and the streets will stay open. tree lighting,” Brown responded. “We “I support giving this a shot,” said cannot take this holiday away from Henderson. “It’s a nice option for people our children and I will not vote for to get outside in cooler weather.”

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“We don’t want to hype this; keep this for the locals,” Councilmember Paul Ray said. “I think it’s a great thing and a way to start out on a positive note for 2021.”

Gulfport will not be the only show in town: Treasure Island and Clearwater also plan firework displays.

BCYC Lease Discussion Postponed Due to a large turnout for the Boca Ciega Yacht Club lease discussion and the lack of space at City Hall, council decided to postpone the discussion until Tuesday, December 1. During public comment, Rear Commodore Jennifer Buckley agreed postponing the discussion was the best decision due to space constraints.

Sanitary Sewer and Lift Upgrades City Manager Jim O’Reilly reported that there were no sewer spills into the bay or into the storm drain system from Tropical Storm Eta. “We manually controlled the flow and we also had vac trucks on site as our protocol now calls for,” O’Reilly said.

“Our lift stations performed admirably.”

Council also approved Lift Station No. 2 Force Main Extension and Lift Station Improvements Project for just under $3,000,000, to expand the capacity of the lift station.

According to O’Reilly, the improvements will help with sewer handling, especially during heavy rains.

The improvements will decrease any bottleneck situation close to water to prevent overflow into Boca Ciega Bay. According to Public Works Director Tom Nicholls, the project will take close to a year to complete. Most of the construction will happen underground, and the city has further plans in place to keep disruption to a minimum.

Refocus on Events: A Discussion The city manager discussed changing the way the city approves special events hosted in the city.

Organizations that apply for special

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Overhead at the November 17 Gulfport City Council Meeting

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“Our police department has basically become a dog catcher.”

– Councilmember Paul Ray during council comments in response to complaints of aggressive and unleashed pets in Gulfport.

“I don’t know why I say ‘healthy.’ How do healthy and Thanksgiving go together?” – Ray, after wishing the City of Gulfport a “happy and healthy Thanksgiving.”

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“Please wear your mask. It’s not politics, its science.” – Vice Mayor Michael Fridovich “Continue to be careful. We’re likely to be dealing with this virus for a while. I think we’re suffering what they’re calling ‘pandemic fatigue.’ Don’t let yourself slip up.”

– Mayor Sam Henderson

event permits in Gulfport city limits would have to benefit Gulfport businesses or Gulfport-based organizations.

“There’s a higher bar for folks not from here,” O’Reilly said.

“We were trying to put people on the streets to benefit the businesses, but we’ve pushed that boundary to some extent and some of these events were having a negative impact on residents,” Henderson said. “I think it’s time we reduce the frequency and the impact that this has on the residents that often just want to enjoy the City of Gulfport when it’s not doing anything more special than being Gulfport.”

“Going this direction would help local organizations that may not have scheduled an event because the calendar was already full,” Councilmember Christine Brown said.

“It’s time for the city and the residents to take back the streets,” Vice Mayor Michael Fridovich said.

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Was Florida the Site of the First Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving was in Massachusetts, right? We’ve all learned the story in school. You might have played a Pilgrim in a tall paper hat, or Squanto, the legendary friendly Wampanoag in an improbable war bonnet of brightly dyed turkey feathers.

But some historians have been rethinking our holiday, noting the Spanish celebrated in Florida a halfcentury before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. In 1565 about 800 newly arrived colonists from Spain gathered around a rough altar for a Catholic mass of Thanksgiving for their safe voyage to La Florida, and invited the indigenous Timucuans to join them in a communal meal.

Why don’t they teach this in school? It’s a question that compelled Michael Gannon, the late University of Florida professor, to take up the cause and promote awareness of the St. Augustine feast.

According to Gannon, the colony was established in 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Spanish Captain General of the Indies Fleet and Adelantado of Florida, when he landed at the village of Seloy on September 8, 1565. He renamed the area St. Augustine.

Gannon based his history on two written narratives of the events, according to the Florida Historical Society. One eyewitness account is from the diary of the chaplain, Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Nano Riley

Grajales, and a second by the voyage’s physician, Dr. Gonzalo Solís de Merás, Menendez’s brother-inlaw.

“It was the first community act of religion and Thanksgiving in the first permanent settlement in the land,” wrote Gannon in his book, “The Cross in the Sand,” about the St. Augustine colony. Floridians have taken up the tale and it’s become quite a popular idea for many Florida

history buffs.

Not so fast, says Thomas Hallock, professor of literature at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg.

“That’s silly,” said Hallock when asked about the story. “The first official Thanksgiving began in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln established the holiday.”

It’s not that Hallock disputes Gannon’s story, he just prefers to recognize Lincoln’s declaration as the official traditional holiday feast. And indeed, autumn harvest feasts were a European tradition long before Lincoln set a date. In his book, “The Biography of an American Holiday,” Professor James W. Baker points out the Calvinist Puritans celebrated religious holidays with feasts prior to Plymouth.

But Gannon wanted to promote awareness of Florida’s early pre-U.S. history, where Spain’s foothold on the continent existed long before the British came ashore.

The story gained traction as historians look toward more accurate accounts of history, rather than blind acceptance of a monoculutral view. It’s even spawned a popular children’s book.

Robyn Goia’s book, “America’s

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Real First Thanksgiving: St. Augustine, Florida, September 8, 1565,” offers a kids’ version with a menu the Spanish colonists likely ate: hard biscuits and cocido, (a garbanzo stew made with pork, garlic, saffron, cabbage and onion), and lots of red wine.

The Timucuans contributed their local fare of alligator, gopher tortoise, venison, small game, and of course the traditional vegetables of corn, squash and beans. Fish and shellfish also featured prominently in their diet.

There’s more: The Texas Society Daughters of the American Colonists claim the first Thanksgiving was observed by Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado and his men in 1541 in Palo Duro canyon – 79 years before the Pilgrims.

So, take your pick; there are several “Thanksgivings” to choose from. For Hallock, the abundance of options means he’s sticking with Lincoln.

“If I were a betting man, I’d say you could search records of the New World in the archives in Seville, and probably find evidence of such a feast in Puerto Rico,” he said.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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At Our Table, There’s a Seat for Everyone

Gratitude continued from cover

By Gabber staff; photos by Chip Weiner

Brian Liggins We asked Brian Liggins – former Gecko Queen, our publisher’s neighbor, and perhaps the bubbliest activist we’ve ever met – to appear on our cover because he embodies the way we hope to see all activists: pursuing what matters not with hate and violence, but with love and peace.

Brain says, “I am grateful for everyone who came together this year for equal rights for everyone. From Black Lives Matter, to transgender, to Native Americans, to anyone who has been done wrong. Everyone from young, old, moms teaching their kids, dads teaching their kids. All of us getting together, all different colors and showing the world that enough is enough. We all want to live happy lives. All we want is peace and love in this world and this year it’s really been shown.”

Rob Burkhart In a year rife with cries to defund police and protests demanding social justice, Gulfport Police Officer Rob Burkhart stands as tribute to police officers who protect and serve all in their community equally. Rob epitomizes Norman Rockwell’s iconic police officer, especially in this new era of holding officers accountable to the standards of who we want to be, not who we are.

Michigan – America’s colonial origin story represents not thanks, but grief. He doesn’t focus on that, however, but on this community, and the people who make him glad to be part of it.

Phillip says, “This year I’m grateful for quite a few things.

But, most of all, I am grateful for my family, my friends, the people that I love that support me. And, I am grateful for my health this year. Taking a new path, a new road, and I’m looking forward to a healthy future with all the people that I love.”

Charlie Williams The Man. The Mullet King. The legend. You’ve likely walked on a pier named for his kin, but that’s not why CW’s on our cover. Men like Charlie fed their families on what the water could provide, and if, as we dredged and filled and cleared and built, mullet fishing proved difficult, well, these men pivoted and kept on keepin’ on. No one knows better than Charlie that saltwater never lets you down. The Gulfport Historical Society crowned him Gulfport’s firstever Mullet King seven years ago, and no one deserved the honor more.

Charlie says, “I’m grateful for my family’s health this year.”

Rob says, “I’m thankful for all the blessings and peace that I do have in my life. I’m thankful for the community and the ability for us all to come together today and celebrate our diversity.”

Father Bill Yanson Our community has no shortage of faiths, or of places of worship and people who fill them. Father Bill offers an ecumenical take: You don’t need a church to find God. What’s more, he goes beyond “only God can judge” and espouses acceptance and love over doctrine and judgment.

While he’s worked with the synodal catholic community, he finds most of his calling outside a church, including offering free lunches for anyone who needs them every Saturday morning.

Phillip Bailey Phillip Bailey is Brian Liggins’ partner of 15 years. You may have noticed we chose to focus this week not on the holiday Thanksgiving, but on gratitude. For native Americans like Phillip – he’s Odawa, part of the Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Northern

Fr. Bill says, “As someone who works and spends a lot of time in Gulfport, I am particularly grateful for the harmony that Gulfportians have gone through the last nine months with. It’s one thing in a pandemic, it’s another thing it being an election year, and it’s another thing to have a contested election year in a pandemic. I am sad for those who have perished and will perish due to the pandemic. But as I said, here in Gulfport, I am really grateful for the harmony with which the whole community has seemed to have pulled together, not only for this community, but for other communities that have had trouble.”

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Emily Burns The youngest member oat our table, Emily Burns, inherits a legacy of strong women. Her great-grandma, Elsie Haveness, owned and ran the Gabber when founder George Brann sold it in 1979, and she ran it with her husband Ted until 1992.

Those close to the family tell us Elsie did the heavy lifting, and we can see some of that spirit in her greatgranddaughter. Her mom’s raising Emily to be a strong, independent woman, although we’re not sure she needs much help.

John Riesebeck If Gulfport had a Cajun Navy, John would be an admiral.

Granted, we’ve never seen him use a jon boat to pull a stranded child off a flooded roof, but we have seen him close his restaurant, Smokin J’s BBQ, so he could drive a rented truck filled with water and post-hurricane supplies to the panhandle. Also, if we ever did have a Cat 5 hit, John’s the one we vote “Most Likely to Take a Jon Boat And Save Stranded Kids.”

John says, “I’m grateful for being in a community that’s so supportive of our business and having my family with me as well.”

Barbara Banno As the head of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, Barbara’s the face of all their decisions. That’s not always easy, but she stays with this wholly volunteer role because she believes in the power of the small business and she believes in Gulfport.

For those of us who remember a time when small businesses across Gulfport struggled to keep their doors open, her leadership and ability to negotiate across different groups allow our economy to reach new heights.

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Barbara says, “I am grateful for my health, the health of my wife, Morgan, and our family during these times. I am grateful for all the people that I have in my life and all the love that surrounds me.”

Christine Brown Gulfport Councilmember Christine Brown brings tradition to our table.

She embodies old-school Gulfport – her husband descended from some of the area’s first European settlers – and no one can dispute her commitment to the city: before Gulfport paid its firefighters, she trained as a firefighter and answered the fire bell when it rang; she served on countless boards, including the Gulfport Historical Society for several decades, and no one loves math more than this Boca Ciega High math teacher who just happens to celebrate her birthday on March 14.

Christine says, “I am so grateful to the wonderful neighbors and residents and friends and all the people of the City of Gulfport for how beautifully they have made it through every single, solitary, horrible thing that has happened in 2020. They are together, they are gracious, they are welcoming, they are loving and giving and we take care of each other in Gulfport. That’s the great part about Gulfport.”

Marissa Stewart-Dix Marissa is a social worker at Gulfport Elementary and president of Gulfport Kiwanis (she also helped get the club chartered), whose mission is to improve the world “one child at a time.”

Her unyielding commitment to children proves her strength. It takes a strong human to fight the wrongs facing so many children in our community, and anyone who can handle the heartbreak she sees daily has a spine of steel and a special kind of magic indeed.

Marissa says, “I am grateful that I and my family made it through 2020 financially, spiritually, physically and emotionally.”

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ENROY FOUNDATION WANTS TO THANK Suzy King for her work on the Art Walk in years past, Susan Blankenship for her work with the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market in years past, and the current owners of the Gabber Newspaper

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Get Ready to Deck Your Halls Are you ready to get in the holiday spirit and brighten up Gulfport for the holiday season? It’s time for the City of Gulfport’s Holiday Decorations Contest. Santa and his elves will judge on Wednesday, December 16.

No one knows what time the big red sleigh will come through, but please be ready by 6 p.m. Deadline to enter the contest is noon on December 16. There are two theme categories: general and commercial. The general theme is for single home only, and the commercial theme is for single business and professional locations, including home occupations. Stop by the Gulfport Recreation Center or City Hall to pick up an application. Call 727-893-1068 for more.

Be a Helper with CERT They always say, “Look for the helpers.” Now, you can be one, as a member of Gulfport’s Community Emergency Response Team. CERT trains citizens to help the community during a disaster, as well as assist the city for things like traffic control during planned events. CERT meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday of the month. Call James Wright at 727-8931022 for more.

Virtual Learning on the Beach St. Pete Beach Parks and Recreation offers a Virtual Learning Assistance Program at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. The program allows for smaller groups of kids, with a dedicated staff member monitoring their engagement with the PCS online curriculum. This is not a tutoring program, but oversight for children working with MyPCS online curriculum. Looking for more fun for the kids? St. Pete Beach’s licensed after school program has games, sports, homework time, swimming and more. Transportation provided from Azalea Elementary and Gulf Beaches Elementary. Go to spbrec.com or call 727-363-9245.

Santa” to give toys to needy children in Gulfport. Operation Santa is successful in part due to the contributions from residents. This year they want help in the form of monetary donations, new unwrapped toys, and gift cards.

It’s been a particularly challenging year for some families and your thoughtfulness will make their holiday. Call 727-893-1097 and leave a message.

Curbside Reading at the Library Don’t feel safe going back into public places? The Gulfport Public Library has you covered at the curb! You can pick up requested materials — books, reemployment forms, tax forms, your copy of the Gabber, what have you — at the curb. You can either reserve books online, via email, or by calling the library, Pick up materials Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more details at mygulfport.us/gpl.

You Might Qualify for a Free Smoke Detector The City of Gulfport provides free smoke detectors for elderly and lowincome households within Gulfport City limits. If you need one, please call 727-893-1059 for more information.

Senior Center Pantry Needs Donations Got extra food? If you do, the Gulfport Senior Center Pantry needs it. They’re looking for non-perishables like tuna,

peanut butter, dry cereal, pasta sauce, soups and canned meats. Any Gulfport resident 50 and older can use the pantry. The Senior Center keeps the pantry open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. If you have food to donate, drop it off anytime. If you could use food, bring your photo ID, a utility bill, or bank statement (to prove residence) and your SSI proof of income. Wondering if you can use the pantry? Call Rachel at 727-893-1231.

Got Garden?

The Pink Flamingo Home Tour is thinking outside the box for its 2021 tour or, more accurately, thinking outside the house.

If you know of a garden, alley or nifty or neato outdoor feature you think the world deserves to see – or if you have one yourself – send the info along to the Pink Flamingo Home Tour organizers so they can investigate and, hopefully, add it to the 2021 tour. Email ‘em at pinkflamingo@visitgulfportflorida.com.

St. Bart’s Thrift Shop is Open Fans of St. Bart’s Thrift Store rejoice! The store reopened its doors on Tuesday, September 22 with safety measures in place. Throughout the pandemic, volunteers have collected donations, so they have plenty to offer. The shop is ready to welcome back their regular customers with masks and social distancing. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The shop is at 3747 34th St. S. Proceeds benefit the church food pantry.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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The Change of Seasons

JUNE JOHNS

By June Johns

Local artist and Gulfport Food Forest pioneer Crea Egan prepares her sculpture, “Everchanging Earth Spirit Mother,” for winter. This creation, which has resided in Gulfport for three years, currently sits near Thai Orchids and Leis on Gulfport Boulevard. Egan says she likes to change her sculpture’s look to match the seasons.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

St. Pete Beach Public Library The Little Free Pantry located just outside the St. Pete Beach Library, 7470 Gulf Blvd., has been more popular than anticipated and they would appreciate any donations. Also for the kids: Try their new Take & Make Kits on the themes of art, engineering, coding or upcycling. Activities are geared toward grades 3 to 5 and offer a fun, hands-on way to learn at home. Visit spblibrary. com for more, or to browse the catalog.

Need a COVID Test?

Community Health Centers of Pinellas and the Florida Department of Health offer COVID-19 testing at locations throughout the county. Visit covid19. pinellascounty.org/testing for sites and hours.

Have a Blast at Gulfport’s Teen Night Register now for Gulfport’s Teen Night Program for teens and middle school kids to age 17. Teens enjoy recreational and social activities, as well as monthly field trips, cooking projects,

service projects and overnight lockins. The teens get to use the Gulfport Recreation Center’s gymnasium, game room and outdoor area on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Annual registration costs $3 for residents/$25 non-residents.

For more, call John at 727-893-1079.

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The Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center may be closed, but prerecorded classes are still in session.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

15

Animal Adoptions See a Big Spike in 2020 With more than a month to go, many have already written off 2020 as a “cursed year.” Every personal misfortune, lost bet and stubbed toe, just added evidence that this cycle around the sun must be inherently rotten. But while 2020 has definitely broken some records, not all were bad. It’s also been one of the best years in memory for pet adoptions nationwide. Thanks to COVID shut-downs, people flocked in record numbers to their local animal shelters for a new furry friend to keep them company.

Brett Tyler, 51, is one such adopter.

A painter by trade, his gruff, upstate New York voice belies a soft spot for animals. After moving down to Florida from Saratoga Springs four years ago, and more recently to Safety Harbor, his Pomeranian Casey passed away in July. By October, he and his girlfriend were ready to adopt two new kittens: A tuxedo named Stanley, after the Lightning’s recent Stanley Cup win, and a tortoiseshell, Stella, named after a grandmother.

“I just think it’s better to get two, you know? They keep each other company, they have fun, and they’re entertaining!” Tyler said. “We sit here and watch and they wrestle around and they run around – they’re over here, they’re over there, they’re in their kitty condo… they’re fun to watch.”

Tyler adopted the pair at Save Our Strays animal shelter in Safety Harbor, which, by the end of October, had adopted out 93 more cats than they did by the same time in 2019.

Friends of Strays in St. Pete also saw a spike, with 148 pet adoptions

BRETT TYLER

By Ryan McGahan

in the month of July alone, compared to just 100 during the same month of 2019. For most of the summer, through to September, animals that arrived were usually adopted after just one or two days, according to Communications Manager Holly Clare.

“It was like the ‘Hunger Games,’” she said, “with people trying to get

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these dogs out the fastest.”

The rush began in March, when Friends of Strays announced that they would have to close down for over a month due to COVID-19.

In 72 hours, people swarmed and adopted 53 animals, leaving the shelter totally empty during its six weeks of closure.

While dogs may be man’s best friend, cats won the year in adoptions. At the Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Pete, people adopted 227 cats between March and November, compared to just 160 in the same period of 2019, a 42% increase. Dogs, meanwhile, had a 9% decrease in adoptions compared to the same period of last year.

“I love dogs too, but cats are less maintenance,” said Tyler. “Cats and dogs, they lower your anxiety, you know? You come home, they jump up on your lap, you pet ‘em – they just bring comfort and relaxation to you.”

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Haiku: Gratitude Edition

By Shelly Wilson

A few months ago, we put a call out for submissions for the Gabber’s first ever haiku contest. What’s a haiku?

Without getting into a literature lesson, haiku is a Japanese poetry form that traditionally has a 5/7/5 syllable format.

Japanese haiku often focuses on elements in nature, but we asked readers for an additional theme: Gratitude.

Submissions ranged from funny and clever to the downright esoteric. Some included titles and drawings,

and a few strayed from the syllable convention, but that’s OK! We delighted in your creativity. Our readers, it turns out, are prolific poets – we received quite a few entries. So, rather than choosing an overall winner, the Gabber editorial team decided to pick our favorites and we’ve reprinted them here.

Thank you to all who participated and shared their poetry with us!

All sizes and shapes No worry the bags and sags Joy in spirit forms – Michele Rastovich

On Thanksgiving Day I’m grateful for a plate full Of love, health, Gulfport.

– Susan Masztak

Thanks for picking up On clean grass, a happy pup, Sweet tea in a cup.

– James Dickson

Time is but a flash Be thankful for the moment Sprinkle gratitude – Nancy Hoffman

In safe solitude there’s finally time to make sweet potato pie.

– Jude Bagatti

Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Gulf waters glisten Sunlight beams through my window Gratitude is mine – Sharon White I open my eyes The day unfolds before me Gratefulness blooming – Thomas Alvi an old library book stained with many lives passed hand by hand to mine – Aletta Dreller Scribe obliged by choice Seeded grace sprouts penned passion Poet coaxed by chance – Delano Britt I can see your eyes Bright behind that mask of yours Happy we’re alive!

– Gillian Dean Friends dear, near and far, Connecting more than ever.

Reassuring love.

– Meg Keller

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

never lost to us roses nod, four o’clocks fold, etching her image.

– Lee Noto with my sparkling wine I gratefully share the night with the fireflies – Mel Goldberg Migrating black birds Sprinkling skies like ground pepper Seasoning our lives.

– Ann Bregman Rascoe The rain coming down Cleansing water from above Grateful for the sound – Karen Thompson Swimming at Sunset Skin embraced by silken water A thousand hued sky gloriously flows above The greatest show on earth – Berkeley Grimball More turkey jerky, Having lots of stuffing pie, My tummy hurts me.

– John Clynick

17

Now More Than Ever, Local Food Bank Fills in the Gaps Normally at this time last year, we’ve set our holiday travel plans and booked restaurants for work parties while telling ourselves we’ll get back on our diets in January. Things are different now. Many are staying home this season, not going to parties, and for a growing number of families across Tampa Bay and the U.S., overeating is hardly a concern.

“We’re up 114% since COVID,” says Gina Wilkins, founder and CEO of The Kind Mouse, a St. Petersburg nonprofit on a mission to feed local children who suffer from chronic hunger and food insecurity, and to assist families in transition.

According to Feeding America, more than 50 million people nationally – including 17 million children – are expected to experience food insecurity in 2020 due to the effects of COVID-19, and that includes 16.9% of the population in Pinellas County. As always, local food banks are stepping in to ensure all families have food on the table, and those operations have ramped up considerably since March. These organizations are vital, as is the demand for support from volunteers who help manage the workload.

Operating out of a 1600-square-foot space off 16th Street North, Wilkins and her team have to be pretty clever and agile to manage sort, pack and distribute the steady stream of donations.

“We’re averaging a ton and a half of food going out the door a week,” she says.

The Kind Mouse leans heavily on its volunteers of all ages, and typically has a small army of regular helpers, including its multi-tiered youth program which, according to its mission, strives “to develop the next generation of community leaders and activists.”

Like any organization, though, that support system can wane at different times of the year. Lots of folks want to help during the holidays, but “believe it or not, a lot of times January and February are slim,” Wilkins says, adding, “and then, over summer.”

While her young “Mice Interns” and “Mice in Training” as they’re called, turn out all year round, Wilkins says it can be a challenge to fill the adult jobs during the vacation months.

Working with a group like the Kind Mouse does not mean

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Founder and CEO of the Kind Mouse Gina Wilkins (kneeling, second from left) is joined by volunteers at the Kind Mouse Yard Sale at Elks Lodge #1224, pre-pandemic.

one thing and one thing only; volunteers work in a variety of needed positions.

“They can help us with the food drives, packing the food and sorting,” Wilkins says, noting that the Holiday Business Food Drive and the Holiday Hotel Drive kick off on November 30 and December 7, respectively.

Maybe packing and sorting isn’t your thing?

“They can even help us with the office work,” Wilkins says.

“We also need people to drive the van: to drive and deliver food. That’s a big thing; that’s always hard to find.”

While food banks like the Kind Mouse and St. Petersburg Free Clinic offer volunteer opportunities year round, cash and food contributions are important as well.

“Besides the 1500 kids we feed on a regular basis weekly,” Wilkins says of one of the Kind Mouse’s current campaigns, “we’re trying to take on another 450 families to send holiday meals.”

Learn how to lend a hand at thekindmouse.org.

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Sail Marketing owner Sarah Laracuente, sporting one of her “Kindness Matters� t-shirts.

so we can help spread the word that kindness does matter,� she said, “and that we do want to help our local homeless community to be able to get off the streets.�

On St. Pete Beach, one small shop is trying to make a big difference in the fight against homelessness. Sail Marketing on Corey Avenue, a combined marketing firm and boutique store, is donating a share of all of their store’s profits to St. Vincent de Paul CARES, a Pinellas-based nonprofit known for their homeless shelter on 5th Avenue North. “It’s been an organization that’s really been close to my heart... my father actually received help from them back in the early 2000s,� said Sarah Laracuente, owner of Sail Marketing. “So knowing what they’ve done for our community for so long, and the work that they do... I want to do what I can to help.�

Ten percent of the profits from every item purchased from Sail go directly to SVdP. The shop donates 20% from items in their new line of clothing, emblazoned with the slogan “Kindness Matters.� One hundred percent of the profits from the sale of their “Kindness Matters� facemasks go to SvDP, making it a popular item around St. Pete Beach – even Mayor Al Johnson wears one.

Laracuente approached SvDP with the idea earlier this summer. “I wanted to give them a place to kind of spread the word on what they’re doing for all of Tampa Bay for the homeless community and to raise awareness there as well,� she said. “We thought it was awesome,� SVdP Communications Manager Mary Burns said, noting that the timing was especially good. In April their caseload doubled as the COVID-19 outbreak put many people out of work, and out of their homes.

In the last year alone, SVdP helped more than 1,500 people find stable living, and served over 130,000 meals to those in need, largely due to donations and partnerships with local businesses like Sail Marketing, which has donated hundreds of dollars since launching the initiative in September. “It’s been very humbling,� said Burns, “just to see the support of our community.�

Laracuente continues to help where she can, selling her items and collecting donations at the Corey Avenue Market every Sunday morning, and on her website, sailmarket.net. “It would be amazing to continue to grow that support

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things to do

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Find links for signing up for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events.

On the Record What started as a way to support mom and pop record shops – Record Store Day – has morphed into a day filled with special vinyl releases.

Make a shopping appointment to check out what Daddy Kool Records has in store. Daddy Kool Records, 2430 Terminal Dr. S., St. Petersburg. 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. 727-8225665. fb.com/daddykoolrecords SD Gobble Like You Mean It The Deuces Live, Grand Central, the Edge and the Skyway Marina District want you to spend your dollars with them. We don’t need to tell you how much it means to a local business when you spend money with them, because you’re a savvy shopper who loves local, right?

Through Nov. 29. stpetemainstreets. com.

Saturday, November 28 Let’s Get Small! Trust us, this is *not* the year you want to head to the mall to shop. Sure, you could go Amazon and drown in cardboard, but why not book it to Gulfport and put your money into thoughtful gifts from local artists and makers at the Shop Small Holiday Market. Lover of all things local Ester Venouziou asked the Gulfport Chamber if they’d partner with her to bring a shop small event to Third Saturday, and the Chamber threw its metaphorical arms open wide and said “Bring it!” – and she did. LocalShops1 will have artists, small businesses, and makers from Tampa Bay socially distanced in Gulfport. Start and finish your holiday shopping while shopping local – making time for coffee, lunch, and dinner downtown.

Downtown Gulfport. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. fb.com/ visitgulfportfl MR SD DF V Sunday, November 29 West Side on the Move Surprise, surprise – St. Pete’s west side is, some would say, the best part of the ‘Burg.

Not so sure about that? Head to Sunset Park for a food truck pop-up

20

PXFUEL

Friday, November 27

with Maggie on the Move. Feast on Filipino food (vegan or meat-laden) and spread out on the grass as you watch the sun set on Boca Ciega Bay. Sunset Park, 7400 Central Ave., St. Pete. 3-7 p.m. DF V Beach Yoga Fun fact: The full beaver moon refers to the November full moon, which shines tonight. Head to the beach for a yoga session. Why the beaver moon? To honor beavers everywhere, who are making final preparation for their winter dens.

Although you won’t find any beavers on Treasure Island – in Florida, beavers don’t venture too far south of the panhandle. Northernmost tip of Treasure Island. GPS address: 12700 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 4:30 p.m.

Donations accepted; bring your own mat.

Tuesday, December 1 Give as Good as You Get Giving Tuesday returns, and this year, local charities need donations to offset… well, 2020. Consider these South Pinellas nonprofits: Gulfport Community Players, Gulfport Historical Society, Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation, Gulfport’s LGBTQ Resource Center at the Library, Friends of St. Pete Beach Public Library, Sea Turtle Trackers, Treasure

Island Historical Society, South Pasadena Community Band, Preserve the ‘Burg, St. Petersburg Free Clinic, St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, St. Petersburg Historical Society, Dr. Carter Woodson African American Museum, Friends of Strays, Suncoast Animal League, Academy Prep Center, Friends of Johnson Branch Library… that’s to get you started. Find the charity of your choosing at givingtuesday.org or guidestar.org. V Got Pot? People love gifts you made the most, but skip the macaroni art this year and make your own pottery.

If you love what you make so much you want to keep it, well, we’ll never tell. Plus, it’s always fun to learn a new skill. The Hive, 559 49th St. S., St. Pete. 6:30 p.m. $40 for two week sessions. fb.com/thehivestpete. 727290-6515.

Thursday, December 3 Cat Improv This improv workshop allows cats and humans to work together to explore the wonderful world of “Yes, and…” acting. Of course it’s improv; after all, cats are notoriously bad at memorizing lines.

Class size limited to 10 humans. No word on how many cats they’ll allow.

Sunshine Kitty Catfe, 1669 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 6:30 p.m. $25. fb.com/sunshinekittycatfe. SD MR

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Kids Art Gets a Special Spotlight

SUNFLOWER PRIVATE SCHOOL

SUNFLOWER PRIVATE SCHOOL

Gulfport’s SunFlower Private School, at 5313 27th Ave. S., had a unique solution to a social distancing challenge this year.

“Because of COVID, we couldn’t host our traditional allschool open house or art show,” Director Marie Breslin told the Gabber. “Teachers had to be very creative about safely showcasing the children’s art.”

SUNFLOWER PRIVATE SCHOOL

By Shelly Wilson

One solution? Art by appointment only.

“Some families made appointments and came into the classroom with just their own family,” she said. “Others will be driving up at different times to see art displays in our windows.”

It may not be ideal, but it beats just hanging these works of art on the refrigerator.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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worship Sunday Sermon Drive-In Paradise Lutheran Church on Treasure Island invites you to join us 10am every Sunday at our Drive-In services.

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gabber on vacation

Gulfport residents Melinda and Bob O’Dell grabbed their Gabber and headed out of the state for a change of scenery at Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas.

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

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

23

arts Changing the World, One Sunflower at a Time

THE HAPPY MURAL PROJECT

LYNN TAYLOR

By Lynn Taylor

Braden Everly and wife Alyssa Marie, left, with Tony and Dee Wells at the mural in The Deuces neighborhood.

THE HAPPY MURAL PROJECT

“Happy people inspire others. Inspired people change the world,” say Braden Everly and wife Alyssa Marie.

The couple are on their own mission to change the world, one sunflower at a time. The founders of The Happy Mural Project recently completed their latest mural, the Hands of Change community paint-by-number mural that adorns two walls of the St. Petersburg City Theatre at 4025 31st St. S. in St. Petersburg. The project was sponsored by the theater, Shine On St. Pete, the St. Pete Arts Alliance and the Pinellas Community Foundation.

More than 150 volunteer artists signed up for a block of time to help paint the mural that features multiple sets of Black and white hands clasped together holding a sunflower. One wall includes a line from John Lennon’s “Imagine” in the foreground against a backdrop

24

of sunflowers: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

The murals sprouting up around St. Pete are hard to miss: giant sunflowers against a brilliant turquoise sky adorn both businesses and residences. The Hands of Change mural is their sixth – numbers seven, eight and nine are planned before the end of the year.

When they moved to the area from Colorado, the Everlys opened an art gallery in downtown St. Pete to feature Alyssa’s paintings. They decided to close the gallery on January 1 and create a virtual gallery for her work. One day, as they were driving to an art festival in Sarasota, they started brainstorming about what they could create that would spread happiness.

What is happiness? they asked. How does one define happiness?

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

THE HAPPY MURAL PROJECT

Alexis Arrington was “just driving by” the mural and stopped to pitch in.

THE HAPPY MURAL PROJECT

Happy Mural Project founder Alyssa Marie at work.

“Then we thought of sunflowers,” says Braden. “There’s nothing but happiness when you see sunflowers.”

They emailed businesses about their idea and their first sunflower mural featured on the wall outside Lolita’s Catering & Events, 2735 5th Ave. N. “Spreading happiness makes us feel incredible,” says Braden.

“We believe that negativity can be amplified in the world, especially right now on social media. We’ve received wonderful comments on social media. The messages make us realize it’s a lot bigger than us.”

It’s hard to be unhappy when looking at one of Braden and Alyssa’s murals, or reading the messages on their Happy Mural Project Facebook page: “You matter,” posted one. “You are doing great and you are making a difference in the world.”

And always amid lots of sunflowers.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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What We’re Reading; Life Changers

By Lynn Taylor

What We’re Reading is a column about readers and the books they love, in their own words. This month, three readers volunteered to share which book had the most impact on their life – and why.

Patricia Grayson Book: “Gone With the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell

Tracy Lee Bird Book: “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss “This book had an impact on me because I was six when this book came out. It made me an early and vocal environmentalist and has informed my relationships with animals and the Earth since that day.

I believe it teaches values that should be passed down to every child as we face down our current environmental struggles.”

“When I read this book, it stayed with me all my life. I read it at twelve, then at fourteen. Indomitable, passionate and tough, Scarlett was always my hero. Her blind foolishness made her even more sympathetic, and the sad ending of the novel is hard to bear. A life lesson. She loved Tara and her father more than anyone in the world. She sacrificed her life for the land.”

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26

Carina Krehl Books: “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer and “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle “‘The Untethered Soul’ is a text that opened my mind and marked my conscious awakening. Michael Singer is a deeply spiritual individual who I’ve had the great privilege of meeting and getting to know a bit. He owns a plot of land in Alachua County, Florida — creating his world renowned Temple of the Universe. There, he gives talks much like the lessons he covers in this book. He begins the book by pointing out how there are two voices in our heads: the one who talks, and the one who listens. It’s the truth that getting extremely intimate with the voice that listens, connects us better to our Selves. “‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle is how I continued digging deep into my conscious awakening. His writing is very informational, and he draws on references from world cultures, science and personal history. He explains that we all possess a pain body: an energy of pain that we carry with us and can even take us over.

This is why phenomena like road rage or gossip are so prevalent in our society. He confronts the Collective Ego, and individual ego, and offers tangible solutions to forming a level of introspection that heals.”

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Art Bits: Holiday Shopping Edition

By Lynn Taylor

St. Pete Arts Alliance The St. Pete Arts Alliance hosts their first virtual silent auction this year with the Curate St. Pete Arts Fair.

Online bidding begins December 6, culminating with a live auction and virtual celebration on December 13.

The Arts Fair spotlights artists and their work, providing them with an online presence for direct sales, which get split between the artists and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.

Yet another way to support local studios and galleries is the SPAAcreated Curate St. Pete Gallery Tours.

These video tours provide access to businesses that don’t have the resources to establish and maintain a virtual arts business. The video tours highlight 28 artists and gallerists inside their creative businesses, with more expected.

For more information, to donate auction items or contribute, email john@stpeteartsalliance.org.

CUSTOM HOUSE DECOR

BRENDA MCMAHON GALLERY

It’s been a long, slow slog of a year.

It’s almost hard to believe that the holidays have arrived, but they are here – and with them, holiday shopping.

While holiday events may be scaled back or even canceled, the gift of art, no matter how small, is welcome – by the recipient and by artists. People are coming up with novel ways to help our local artists this holiday season.

Creative Clay Virtual Holiday The Creative Giving Virtual Holiday Shoppe and Silent Auction, hosted by Creative Clay, kicks off a week of holiday shopping November 23 to 30. Creative Clay member artists offer coffee gift packages, holiday cards and ornaments.

Shoppers can choose to “buy now” or bid against others for Creative Clay art hand-selected by the Art Oracles, local artists well known for their involvement in St. Pete’s art scene. Each Art Oracle will share why a particular work is a favorite and meaningful to them.

The auction also includes donations from area businesses, and proceeds benefit Creative Clay’s programs to create equality through art.

Visit creativeclay.org.

Gulfport Art Shopping Opportunities Abound There is no shortage of ways to shop for art in Gulfport and support artists this season.

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

First up is the First Friday Art Walk on December 4, an outdoor art fest featuring artists from across Pinellas, giving art demonstrations and selling their work.

ArtJones, the popular open studio tour, is slated for December 5 and 6, featuring seven stops and 12 resident artists in their Gulfport studios.

Art Works Here, a program established by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber to support artists and their work, now features 20 artists with a variety of studio and gallery locations and hours by appointment. Find out more at visitgulfportflorida.com.

In addition, galleries provide unique gift-giving ideas. The Brenda McMahon Gallery represents 13 regional artists and offers one-ofa-kind gift ideas such as an Art Wall of affordable art gifts by different artists, Artful Addresses to put your own “art mark on the outside of your home,” commissioned work by featured artists, A Taste of Art Gourmet Workshops for the gift of art experience, and a virtual gallery where shoppers can search for unique gifts from the comfort of their home.

Other Gulfport stops featuring gifts by local artists include Custom House Décor, Gulfport Beach Bazaar, Beach House, Zaiya and Stella’s Sundries.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

crossword

Solution on page 35

Hockey Humor

obituaries

Solution on page 35

AKEY FAMILY

sudoku

Akey, Joseph Aaron, born on 7/19/1989 and passed away from us on 11/14/2020. He was a native of St Petersburg. He was very loved and will be missed by many. He is survived by his parents Debi Akey and Tony Robles; his siblings Joel, Tesla, Jose and Shanna; his grandma Marie; his uncles Tim, Jeff, Michael and Rodney; his aunts Eileen and Robin. And Jack. And many more cousins, friends and family. I know he would want you to know he loves you. The celebration of life will be announced.

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

29

food Farming Gratitude The first time the Gabber asked me to write a piece about gratitude, I was in pain and having trouble breathing due to the exceptionally annoying rare lung disease. So I made a sarcastic comment about how this Thanksgiving, all I want to do is order pizza and drink so much I forget what year it is. I even came up with a tentative headline for this article: “This Thanksgiving, I’m Grateful for Pizza and Alcohol.”

As it turns out, it’s just not possible to feel truly grateful for anything when you can’t breathe and you have a migraine at the same time. Something about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – until your basic needs are met, your higher calling goes unanswered.

Maybe my editor realized that I just wasn’t myself that day, or maybe she wouldn’t take no for an answer, but a month later, she gave me a second chance to pitch a story for this issue. This time, my answer was different.

Back in October, I’d finally found a small amount of relief from my migraines and breathing troubles in the form of a biofeedback therapist. Ginnie taught me how to cope with my pain so I could increase the dose on my headache-inducing breathing medication. I had to make some lifestyle changes. The best change was learning how to slow down and relax. Now, instead of having another cup of coffee in the afternoon, I practice progressive muscle relaxation and take a nap. I’ve also changed my diet.

My biofeedback therapist recommended I try Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet. I said goodbye to a lot of junk funk and said hello to a lot of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish and beans. One month later, I’m having less painful migraines and I’m breathing better, so I couldn’t be more grateful for these changes.

Now that I’ve embraced the fact that potatoes aren’t the kind of vegetable I need to eat more of, however, I’ve got a challenge with Thanksgiving. I have to come up with some healthier menu items.

I decided to query Gabber staff and local produce markets to find out what vegetables they enjoy most on Thanksgiving. Here’s what I learned.

Produce Market Veggie Favorites As I try to incorporate more vegetables into my diet, I’m grateful that there’s no shortage of fresh local produce in Tampa Bay. With Little Pond Farm, Brick Street Farms and the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, the area is brimming with produce possibilities.

We know a lot of you are digging those Little Pond veggie boxes, so we asked Little Pond Farm’s Cole Turner about his favorite Thanksgiving veggies.

“We love soup for Thanksgiving – particularly butternut squash soup, and collard green soup,” he wrote. “Another special local dish we like to make for Thanksgiving is roselle

30

JEN RING

By Jen Ring

Pumpkin Crostini

hibiscus cranberry sauce. Roselle hibiscus is an edible flower calyx that is ready for harvest in Florida at Thanksgiving time. It is often called the ‘Florida cranberry.’”

You can find a recipe for roselle hibiscus cranberry sauce at southernexposure.com.

St. Pete’s Brick Street Farms has the best lettuce in the area, and I’m kind of in love with their website.

Marketing and Brand Manager Illene Sofranko is always posting delicious produce-forward recipes to brickstreetfarms.com/fresh-feed. I’m particularly fond of the prosciutto salad wraps – a small pile of lettuce, pears and blue cheese wrapped in a slice of prosciutto – as a healthy snack or holiday appetizer.

For your Thanksgiving veggie, Sofranko recommends roasted sweet potatoes with arugula pesto or with quinoa and red leaf lettuce.

Pro tip: the arugula pesto tastes great on pumpkin crostini. Just spread some ricotta cheese onto your bread toasts, pile on some cubed roasted pumpkin or butternut squash, and drizzle with arugula pesto for a delicious plantbased Thanksgiving appetizer.

Gulfport newcomer Funky Flamingo Produce, Deli and More just started participating in Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market. Co-owner Anita McLaughlin told us that sweet potatoes are her favorite Thanksgiving veg.

“Usually I just slice them, so they’re like rings, and I bake them in a little bit of olive oil,” McLaughlin told the Gabber.

“And then when they’re done, I put butter, brown sugar and cinnamon on them.”

Want to try it? Funky Flamingo just got some huge sweet potatoes from Mississippi.

Gabber Staff Veggie Favorites Gabber Publisher Cathy Salustri Loper didn’t appreciate cranberries until later in life.

“My entire family professes a deep, abiding love for jellied sauce in a can, but in my twenties I discovered how

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

LITTLE POND FARM

divine cranberries taste when you boil them until they pop, then stir in Florida orange juice, Tupelo honey and slivered almonds,” she wrote. “I make a batch every year, and although my mother, father and husband cling to the gelatinous garbage loved by mid-century Yankees, it’s OK – more for me!”

For Gabber Editor Shelly Wilson, the veggies are even more important than the turkey.

“For me, Thanksgiving dinner is all about the veggies,” she wrote. “I love Brussels sprouts, cranberry salsa and green beans with garlic and tomatoes, but the star of our family dinner is often my Georgian grandmother’s squash casserole. Unfortunately, the full recipe is a closely guarded secret, but I can tell you that it’s definitely sliced yellow squash, cooked to a squishy goodness and baked with what I assume is a grocery aisle of butter – it’s the Southern way!”

Gabber Arts Writer Lynn Taylor is also a fan of roasted Brussels sprouts.

“Brussels sprouts were never one of my favorite vegetables, but, after roasting them, they are now,” she wrote. Taylor drizzles hers with three tablespoons of good olive oil and sprinkles them with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper before roasting the seasoned sprouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees. When done, she recommends squeezing some lemon juice over top or adding diced, cooked bacon for extra flavor.

Operations Manager Leah Petrakis makes a root vegetable gratin of about a pound and a half each of sliced turnips,

Roselle hibsicus, aka “Florida’s cranberry.”

JEN RING

Brick Street Farms Prosciutto Salad Wraps

rutabaga and potatoes in a cream sauce.

“It’s adapted from an old Bon Appetit recipe,” she wrote.

“I gently heat a couple of cups of cream and a cup of broth, throw in some thyme sprigs and a couple of peeled garlic cloves and bay leaf and let it simmer for a couple of minutes, then steep for a few minutes more off the heat to infuse the cream. I throw out the thyme springs and bay leaf, and add salt and pepper. I salt the vegetables, layer about a third into a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish, sprinkle on some gruyere and parm, then repeat with two more layers. I pour the cream over the whole dish, top with bread crumbs browned with butter in a pan, cover with foil and bake for about 50 minutes in a 400-degree oven, until vegetables are tender. Uncover and let cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until the top is browned and the cream is bubbling.”

Creative Director Joey Neill wrote that his favorite Thanksgiving veggies are green bean casserole, pecan pie and flaky biscuits.

“I guess the first one is the only veggie-related item,” he joked, “but I make terrible choices, so there you go.”

Cheers to good choices and bad choices and everything in between this Thanksgiving. However you choose to celebrate, we hope it’s safe and delicious.

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

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Classes / Tutoring SEA SCOUTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS The coed high school Sea Scouts are accepting applications from teens who want to learn to sail or experienced teens who want to get into racing. This group has been actively engaged out on the bay without incident since June. They observe the rules of engagement set down by Sea-Base, wear masks, life jackets, and work in teams of two on each 17 ft boat, spaced out. Call Tony Angel 727-459-7900 or Joel Heyne 727599-3350 Caregivers

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CALL TODAY 727-381-7498 www.omnipresentcaregivers.com Care@OmniPresentCaregivers.com Collectibles THANKSGIVING TOY TRAIN & TOY SHOW/ SALE Saturday November 28, 2020 9-2 $5.00 Adults Children free. 7177 58th Street N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781. Model Layouts, Vendors, and Girl Scouts will be selling Lunch.

Moving / Hauling CHARLES JUNK HAULING & DEMOLITION Junk & Trash Removal. Low, Low Prices

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If you have questions about advertising, please email us at advertising@thegabber.com or call 727-321-6965! Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

Guaranteed, Daily Specials. Kitchen, Bath, Shed, Fencing, etc. Demolition. 727-8310507.

commercial. New or remodel work, service upgrades, lightning arrestors. Fans and lighting installed. State License #ER0007653.

Computer Services

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Mon-Thu 10am-5pm

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Used printer. Works great. Some toner included. Needs new waste tray. $150 OBO. Call 727-321-6965.

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

Pets MURPHY’S DOG WALKING SERVICE Professional, Reliable & Insured Dog walking Service. Great Rates- $15 - 1/2 Hr. $25 -1 Hr. We also do drop in’s. dog or cat -$15 Contact Steve at 508-310-3435 or email: Murphysdogwalking727@gmail.com Web site: https://www.Murphysdogwalking. com

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HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs • small jobs welcome • Quality work at reasonable prices • Honest • Reliable • Free estimates • John, 727-410-2201 CARPENTER DEPENDABLE! Have Tools Will Travel Trustworthy. Doors, Decks/ Eaves/Rotted Wood, Etc. 30 Year Gabber Advertiser. Free Estimates, Lic. C-5754.

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SEMI-RETIRED CARPENTER At Discount Prices! Free Estimates. Frame and Finish Work. Gulfport and Pinellas Park Areas. Call the Door Doctor. Gus, 727-644-6194.

TABB TATTOOS AND PIERCING located at 5020 22nd ave. S. In Gulfport. Also looking for professional artist CDL-A DRIVERS: CDL-A Drivers: It’s LOCAL SUGAR CANE Season! $1500 SignOn Bonus! Make Big $$$ + Bonuses & Get Home Nightly. $1000 Referral Bonus.

Great Health Benefits. 6 mos. Exp. in last 3 yrs. Req. Call Oakley Today! 855-9422798 Home & Condo Maintenance

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

Home Improvement

FIRST FENCE OF TAMPA BAY First Fence of Tampa Bay is a locally owned and operated fence installation company in Saint Petersburg, Florida. We’re known for our exceptional vinyl and wood fence installations.

Give us a call today, you’ll be glad you did.

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Lawn / Landscape

Painting

TREE PRUNING & DEBRIS CLEANUP Serving South St. Petersburg • Free Estimates • 727-308-8650

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Discounts for Seniors, Veterans and First Responders. MASTERGUARD PAINTING LLC. Call Steve at 727-424-4303 Pets / Animals MURPHY’S DOG WALKING SERVICE Professional, Reliable & Insured Dog walking Service. Great Rates- $15 - 1/2 Hr. $25 -1 Hr. We also do drop in’s. dog or cat -$15 Contact Steve at 508-310-3435 or email: Murphysdogwalking727@gmail.com Web site: https://www.Murphysdogwalking.com

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ProFlo Plumbing 727-902-7077

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Lee Claxton, I.S.A. Certified Arborist

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

2002 MERCURY VILLAGER SPORT MINIVAN V6 White, leather, new: brakes, battery, tires, fuel injector, tune-up, wires, radiator hoses, cold air, very nice shape, a classic, $3,200, 727-278-7623, 727-5043947, 727-384-1213.

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Miscellaneous Services

FINE WOOD REFINISHING AND RESTORING. Low Rates. Experienced Service.

Veteran owned. 727-655-0084 THE TRASH QUEEN Overwhelmed with the mess? Clean up/clean out, inside and out, recycling and organizing, and we do mulching and weeding! Free estimate from Kathy, Trashologist, licensed/ insured, with truck/trailer. Call/text 845866-3867. Responsible, reasonable, and ready!

Real Estate For Rent

TOWNSHORES EMBASSY 1BD/1.5 BA Unfurnished. Wide open water view. Covered carport. Non-smoker. Annual $1500/ month, plus deposit. Call 727-343-2579

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

33

Real Estate For Sale

YOU CAN BUY CHEAPER THAN RENT?

We can even get you closing costs.1st time home buyers, down size, up size, water front. No matter how big or small we sell them all. Contact Jamie Campbell Turning Leaf Realty 727-543-0833 Turn over a new leaf!

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C ity O f G ulfpOr t M eetinGs City Clerk’s Office • December 2020

BEFORE

AFTER

Rust Stain Removal

December 1, 2020

City Council – 6:00 pm (In-person and Zoom)

December 2, 2020

Planning and Zoning Board – No Meeting

December 8, 2020

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee – No Meeting

December 9, 2020

Board of Adjustment – 6:30 pm (In-person Meeting)

December 15, 2020

City Council – 6:00 pm (In-person and Zoom)

We remove irrigation stains from painted surfaces and PVC fences.

Free estimate!

GULFPORT-OWNED BUSINESS.

CALL: 727-360-7070 EMAIL: ruststainremoval@ icloud.com

34

Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting – To immediately follow the Council Meeting (In-person and Zoom)

December 25, 2020

City Hall Closed – Christmas Day

All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27 th Avenue South. Meetings may occasionally be added, cancelled or rescheduled after this list is published; please check the city’s website mygulfport.us for updated information and login information for Meetings.

theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

solutions

DEADLINES HAVE CHANGED! 5 p.m. Friday for next Thursday’s issue.

Marie Drew

Licensed Broker

727-440-1000 theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020

35

Get local help for your Medicare questions.

As a local licensed sales agent for UnitedHealthcare, I can answer your questions about Medicare and help you find a plan that fits your needs and your budget. When you choose an AARP® Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare® you can take advantage of benefits and features that may include:

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1-844-825-5660, TTY 711 • 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week • AARPMedicarePlans.com Attend an upcoming Medicare plan meeting. Find one-on-one help at a UnitedHealthcare Walk-In Location. Take advantage of our flexible hours. Stop by any time during the times listed — whenever it’s convenient. Licensed sales agents are available to answer your questions in person.

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Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-844-825-5660, TTY 711. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll.

AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, producers or brokers. You will pay $35 or less for a 1-month supply of insulin until you reach the catastrophic stage of your benefit. You will pay 5% of the cost of your insulin or less during the catastrophic stage. Renew Active includes a standard fitness membership. The information provided through Renew Active is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine. © 2020 UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Y0066_200812_122835_M

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theGabber.com | November 26 - December 2, 2020