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St. Petersburg

Pasco considered for new cross-county bus routes

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Pasco County commuters may soon have easier access into neighboring counties, as two new bus routes are being explored along the Interstate 75 and Interstate 275 corridors.

Bus stops along State Road 56 and State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel would allow riders to catch buses traveling to Tampa and Saint Petersburg.

The bus rapid transit project would help travelers move around, while reducing congestion on the highway.

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) has been working on the idea in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) of Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The regional transit authority began a study in 2019 to evaluate the 41-mile bus route.

If implemented, those in Pasco could travel south into Tampa, stopping near the University of South Florida and in downtown Tampa. Bus riders would have the option to continue riding southwest, ending up in downtown St. Petersburg.

The highway also may be widened to accommodate a designated lane for buses as well.

The initiative has transitioned into the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study, with the support of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Trying to find a way to improve transit and ease congestion has been an issue for decades.

Providing more public bus services across Tampa Bay could help reduce the estimated 50% increase in motorists expected over the next two decades, according to TBARTA.

Other cities across the nation —  including Los Angeles, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Las Vegas — already have bus rapid transit.

Routes can be selected based on where there is a high volume of businesses, attractions and daily needs.

Kurt Scheible is the director of Pasco County Public Transportation and sits on TBARTA’s Transit Management Committee.

He pushed for two bus stops when one was originally being considered for Pasco. This resulted in both State Road 56 and State Road 54 being selected, near their intersections with Interstate 75.

“(State Road) 56 is not really a good starting point for Pasco County, (State Road) 54 is,” Scheible said. “(State Road) 54 is where the customers are actually going to be. That’s where the people are and that’s where they’re going to go.”

Currently, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority offers bus rides from Wesley Chapel into Tampa.

While the exact locations of the proposed stops haven’t been pinpointed yet, they will be two new alternatives to the HART bus service.

With the support of FDOT, the project could cost up to $455 million.

Studies are scheduled for completion in 2021, but a construction timetable hasn’t been determined yet.

Published January 29, 2020

Explore the ways of The West

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The West isn’t nearly as far away as you think.

Spend a few hours in St. Petersburg, at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art and you’ll feel like you’ve landed in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and other western lands.

‘An Honest Day’s Work,’ by Fred Fellows, depicts a man who makes his living in the American West, where the work ethic still exists. (Courtesy of the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art)

You’ll see paintings, life-size sculptures, sketches, jewelry, photographs and etchings depicting Native Americans, cowboys – and cowgirls. You’ll see vast, sultry landscapes, stampeding horses, and life as it was, and still is, in the West.

You’ll see wildlife art, too, in a museum building that is artistic itself, with mesa-like sandstone walls inside and out evoking the western landscapes. No one would guess that the building was once a plain-Jane parking garage.

Featuring 350 artworks and 100 pieces of jewelry, the permanent collection is one of the largest of its kind on exhibit in the country – in and beyond the American West.

Museum cofounders and sole supporters, Tom and Mary James, fell in love with Western art and began collecting 50 years ago. The art in the museum is just a sampling of their 3,000 pieces.

An exterior view of the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg.

For years, some of their art was exhibited at Raymond James Financial headquarters in St. Petersburg, where Tom James, a St. Petersburg native, served as CEO for 40 years and is now chairman emeritus.

Now, the art is available for all to see in the 84,000-square-foot museum that opened in April, 2018, thanks to the James’s’ $75-million initial investment.

On the first floor, guests are greeted by larger-than-life sculptures. “Honeymoon at Crow Fair” features a newlywed Crow couple riding a horse in front of a two-story waterfall, the groom clutching a parasol. John Coleman, one of the museum’s stars, created it and other sculptures on the second floor.

Nearby, a Native American warrior sculpture by Dave McGary wears a bear headdress and a bear claw necklace, and wields a feathered shield.

A staircase leads to a second floor of more art of western peoples, landscapes, frontier life and a world of natural beauty. Visitors are lured up the stairs by a bronze sculpture called “The Wild’’ of frontiersmen Kit Carson and John Fremont riding a canoe through roiling waves.

This museum favorite, a neo-surrealistic painting by Paul Pletka, is called ‘Red Talkers.’ It depicts Cheyenne men taking part in their Bull Society Dance.

Vast galleries feature paintings by the famous Taos Society of Artists — Ernest Blumenschein and others — who painted in the New Mexico town from 1915 to 1927.

There is priceless art by Charles Russell and Frederic Remington; Native American pottery, paintings and sculptures; contemporary Western paintings, and so much more.

Wooden benches allow visitors to sit quietly to contemplate the artworks and dream of another time, another place.

A museum favorite, a neo-surrealistic painting by Paul Pletka called “Red Talkers,” depicts Cheyenne men taking part in their Bull Society Dance. Some are painted with red and white stripes, their hands way larger than normal. One man clutches an American flag, while another’s stomach transforms into a swarm of bees swirling around a honeycomb.

This Butterfly Squash Blossom necklace, by Navajo designer Ernest Benally, is among 100 pieces of jewelry on display at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg.

A glass, octagonal room called The Jewel Box features Mary James’ Native American concho belts, rings, necklaces and bracelets. Some of the pieces are old, but most were created by living artists.

Another gallery is filled with wildlife paintings and sculptures of animals from around the world.

There’s a gallery for temporary exhibits, too.

A current exhibit showcases copper plate etchings by Santa Clara Pueblo artist Helen Hardin, which will be featured through March 1; and, a coming attraction features Blake Little’s photos of the gay rodeo circuit from 1988 to 1992, which will be on display from March 28 to June 20.

The museum also has a gift shop selling books, jewelry and other items. The Canyon Cafe, dazzling with an 1880s bar from San Francisco, offers a menu featuring a Bill Cody’s club wrap, a Hatch Chile cheeseburger and Red Rock donut bread pudding, among other Western-themed items.

Admission includes free, 45-minute tours. The “Highlights of the Collection” tour is offered Tuesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The “Silver & Bold: The Art of Native American Jewelry” tour is Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. To reserve a slot, get free tickets at the admission desk or gift shop on the day of your visit.

Group tours also are available, and a large events space can be rented for weddings, holiday parties, board meetings, conferences and other gatherings.

The museum also offers programs and events, such as live music, cooking classes, art talks, a book club, movies, kids’ playdates, sketch groups, art workshops — all described on the museum’s website.

A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, Joseph Henry Sharp specialized in portraits of Indians and larger paintings of Indian life.

Museum memberships offer all sorts of special rewards, too.

The biggest reward of all, though, is being able to see some of the best of The West, slightly more than an arrow shot away from Tampa Bay.

Tips for the Trip
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is at 150 Central Ave., in downtown St. Petersburg.

Parking is on Levels 3 and 4 of the South Core Parking Garage at 101 First Ave., S. The first hour is free and the charge is $1 an hour after that.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, when the hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is $10 on Tuesdays. Other days, it is $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors over 65, military and students; and, $10 for those ages 7 to 18. Admission is free for children age 6 and younger.

Tickets can be purchased online at TheJamesMuseum.org.

To contact the museum, call (727) 892-4200, or email .

By Karen Haymon Long

Published January 15, 2020

Arts center offers program for low-income families

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The Morean Arts Center (MAC) has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Association of Children’s Museums, to encourage people of all backgrounds to build a lifelong affinity to the arts and culture.

The program will enable low-income families to visit the Chihuly Collection, presented by MAC, for a minimal admission rate of $3 per person when they present an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, or a Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefit card.

The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center showcases Dale Chihuly’s colorful glass creations. (Mary Rathman)

And, all children younger than age 5 are free.

Admission includes the Morean Glass Studio, and non-ticketed exhibitions at the Morean Arts Center and Morean Center for Clay, all for one minimal fee.

Partnering with the Juvenile Welfare Board on this initiative, MAC wants to ensure that families who can benefit from the program know about it and have ways to actively engage.

The Morean also offers two free weekly programs for families — ‘Saturdays at the Morean’ and ‘Sundays at the Morean’ — as well as non-ticketed exhibitions year-round.

Museums for All provides access to museums and encourages families of all backgrounds to visit regularly.

By offering this resource and teaming up with the Juvenile Welfare Board, MAC hopes to inspire creativity and a love for the arts, for all.

The Morean Arts Center is at 719 Central Ave, in St. Petersburg. For information and events, visit MoreansArtsCenter.org.

Published October 09, 2019

110-foot observation tower in Dade City gains approval

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The Pasco County Commission has cleared the way for a 110-foot observation tower to be erected on a property off St. Joe Road in Dade City.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a conditional use request, submitted by Terry D. and Mary McKnight.

The application received a recommendation for approval by the Pasco County Commission, on a 3-2 vote, and a recommendation for denial by the county planning staff.

The staff said the proposed tower is not in keeping with the character of the area, but a majority of planning commissioner said it could be approved, along with a lengthy list of conditions.

The County Commission agreed with the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Some area property owners objected to the tower. They claimed it is not a compatible use and could pose an invasion of privacy.

Terry McKnight, of 36210 St. Joe Road, told county commissioners that just five of the 19 neighbors receiving notice of the request had objected to his proposal.

“Nobody, that is not on our land, would be able to see all of the tower,” McKnight said.

Plus, he added, “relatively few people would be able to see the tower, at all.”

Those who would be able to see it — at most would be able to see about 50 feet of it, he said.

“But, they’ll be seeing it at some distance,” he said, and would be seeing the cabin, which is about 7 feet by 7 feet.

McKnight also showed commissioners some photographs taken by a drone at the exact spot where the observation platform would be.

Those photos essentially showed treetops, a lake and the sky.

“As you can see, the homes won’t even be visible from the tower, if it were to be erected,” McKnight said.

But, Stephen Futch, whose family owns property next to the McKnights, submitted a letter outlining 11 points of opposition.

“My great-grandfather was a county commissioner when this courthouse was built. So we have a long legacy in Dade City. That goes back 109 years ago,” Futch said, noting his mother used to live on the property, which is now part of an estate.

“Would you want to have a 110-foot tower next to your property?” he asked commissioners.

Another nearby resident, Doug Stentz, of 36125 Lynan Farms Drive, across the lake from the proposed tower, said he’s worried that the request could set a precedent.

“We don’t want a lot of towers around our lake,” Stentz said.

Two others spoke in support of the McKnights’ request.

Charles Waller, of 38038 Americana Ave., in Dade City, said he has an ownership interest in some nearby property, and he and his partners have no objections to the observation tower.

He noted that the McKnights’ property already has some unique features.

“This property has an iron fence along the front of it. That fence that came from a public housing project, over in Tampa.

“The bricks in the columns came from Sunken Gardens in St. Pete.

“There’s a beautiful fireplace out back that came from the stone in the Old City Hall here in Dade City,” Waller said.

He also noted that McKnight “has a vital interest in the Boy Scouts. He thinks that this will be an educational situation for them, and I certainly agree.

“These fire towers, which have been such an important part of our life here in Florida, are being decommissioned at a steady rate, and to have this one preserved here, I think is going to be an asset for us.

“It’s not going to harm any person. It will be a good thing for the community,” Waller said.

A room with a view
Margaret Woods, of 36332 St. Joe Road, said, “I’m the third property east of the McKnights.”

She noted that out of those notified about the McKnights’ request, just five objected.

“The rest of us have not objected,” Woods said. “Most of the neighbors that I talked to thought it was kind of a cool idea. We were excited about it from the very beginning.

“When you’re in the national forest and you see a fire tower in the forest, is it a blight upon the scenery in the forest? No, it isn’t.

“Certainly from the drone pictures you can see, there’s no privacy issue. Nobody is going to have anybody looking through their windows because of the tree canopy.

“I don’t see it as posing a danger for anyone. I don’t see it posing a privacy issue for anyone.

“And, I really don’t see that it ruins the view,” Woods said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley made a motion to approve the request.

“I don’t find that it’s going to be an eyesore,” Oakley said. “You’re going to be looking across a beautiful area of Pasco County, which is right here in East Pasco, which is pretty remarkable in itself, with our hills and trees.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said “My first thought on this was, ‘It’s very odd.’”

But, she added, “I’d probably want to stop by and climb it.”

“If you didn’t have the canopy and you could look down on everybody’s yards, that would be a little creepy, but I think you’ve got a good canopy. And, quite frankly, anybody could fly a drone these days and see much more than they should.

“I think the conditions are good conditions,” Starkey said.

Published October 17, 2018

Some call it St. Petersburg’s ‘oldest living museum’

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Birds chirp, as breezes stir through the trees.

Butterflies flutter about and people relax on shaded benches.

This sign, in the Sunken Gardens parking lot, invites passersby to visit the gardens and explore the beauty that awaits. (B.C. Manion)

There is beauty around every bend and there’s no clue, in this tranquil place, that busy Fourth Street North is less than a block away.

There’s plenty to take in at this botanical garden, which dates back more than a century.

Described by some as St. Petersburg’s “oldest living museum,” it boasts some of the region’s oldest tropical plants. It has cascading waterfalls, meandering paths, demonstration gardens, and more than 50,000 topical plants and flowers.

It provides a picturesque backdrop for weddings. It hosts a variety of horticultural and children’s programs. And, it is a frequent destination for school field trips.

You can get a nice close look at some parrots at Sunken Gardens

There’s a bench there, made of fossilized limestone rock, known as the Sunken Gardens Growing Stone. A nearby sign proclaims: “Legend has it that, ‘He who sits upon the ancient stone shall be granted tranquility, inner harmony and the talent to make things grow.’”

All kinds of people spend part of their day here at Sunken Gardens.

Moms push strollers, or walk along, clinging to a small child’s hand.

Friends chat as they make their way through.

If you want to see some gorgeous hibiscus blooms, a stop at Sunken Gardens will satisfy that desire.

Couples share the experience.

And, there are families and nature lovers, too.

Those who want to learn the identity of various plants and flowers can check out the informative signs, and if you have a camera or a smartphone, you’ll find plenty of photo ops, too.

Sunken Gardens got its start in 1903, when George Turner Sr., a plumber and avid gardener, purchased the site, which included a shallow lake that was 10 feet below sea level, according to published historic accounts. He drained the lake to form his private, sunken garden. He also planted papayas and citrus, along with exotic plants on the rich soil on his property.

Don’t just look around and look down at Sunken Gardens. Look up, too. It’ll help you appreciate the many splendors of nature’s grand designs.

By the 1920s, Turner had opened a nursery and began selling fruits, vegetables, roses and other plants. Visitors paid a nickel to stroll through the gardens.

In the fall of 1935, he fenced his garden and began charging a quarter for admission.

Over time, Sunken Gardens became a popular tourist attraction, luring more and more visitors. At one point, it was rated among Florida’s top 10 commercial attractions.

After Turner died in 1961, his sons Ralph and George Jr., took over Sunken Gardens. The attraction eventually was sold to the City of St. Petersburg.

Sunken Gardens has numerous special events during the year. To find out more, visit StPete.org/attractions/sunken_gardens.

Sunken Gardens
Where: 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg
When: Open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4:30 p.m.
Sunken Gardens is open on most holidays, except it is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Cost: $10/Adults, $8/Seniors (62+), $4/Children (age 2-11). Parking is free.
Children’s Programs: Children’s classes are held on Saturdays beginning at 10:30 am. Location within Sunken Gardens is announced prior to the class date.
Info: (727) 551-3102

Revised August 9, 2018

Find your inner artist, and enter contest

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The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is accepting proposals to help in the creation of a museum mascot based on the horse found in William R. Leigh’s painting called “Tidbits.”

The art can be a painting or a graphic image, which should include the whole horse, in the likeness of the horse named Tidbits.

‘Tidbits’ by William R. Leigh, 1946
(Courtesy of The James Museum)

Entry size should not exceed 18 inches by 18 inches. Acrylic, oil, pastel and oil pastel on paper or board will be accepted. Vector or raster graphic images also will be accepted.

The submission may be a 3/4 look (as in the painting shown); straight-on, as Tidbits looks at the audience; or, a profile that includes a side view with all four legs.

Tidbits should be realistic, life-like and fun. When visitors see the painting in the gallery, they should recognize Tidbits as the museum mascot.

Tidbits has distinct features: four white socks, a white nose, a painted tail, warm eyes with a tint of blue, and an underbelly that is white with brown spots like an Appaloosa.

Tidbits does not talk, and probably needs a blanket and a halter.

The horse’s image will be used in advertising for educational programs, on a sticker, as a soft plush puppet, a stuffed animal and, eventually, will be put in motion on the museum website.

Artists and students from the Tampa Bay area can submit a proposal by mailing or dropping off entries with a $10 entry fee to Marsha Quinn, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The entry fee must be in the form of a check made payable to the James Museum.

The deadline for entries is Aug. 30.

The winner will be announced Sept. 15 and will receive $500.

For questions, contact Marsha Quinn at or (727) 892-4200, ext. 1016.

For more information, visit TampaArts.org.

Published July 4, 2018

Light rail is top Tampa Bay choice for transit

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A light rail system running beside Interstate 275 is the top choice for transit in a study that identifies potential projects in the Tampa Bay region, according to rankings from the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan.

The route would link Wesley Chapel to Tampa and St. Petersburg, with a stop at the University of South Florida.

The second choice would follow the same route but rely on “rubber tires” in a dedicated lane, most likely buses or self-driving vehicles.

The results are part of an ongoing study, which has included workshops, meetings and social media responses.

The study focused on the urban areas of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Light rail, alongside Interstate 275 or the CSX rail line, is a popular option for a transit project, according to a regional study. (File)

The approximately $1.5 million cost is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, with support from local governments and agencies, including the three county governments and their transit agencies.

The study considered rail and rubber tire modes of transportation including express bus, bus rapid transit, light rail/modern streetcar, and commuter rail. A total of 15 projects were ranked based on technical merit, and public opinion.

The study’s findings were presented by HART on Sept. 29 at a meeting attended by the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area (TMA) Leadership Group. The group includes members from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Previously, the study identified five potential transit corridors. They are Wesley Chapel to USF, Tampa, and St. Petersburg; downtown Tampa to USF; Westshore to Brandon; south Tampa to downtown Tampa; and Clearwater and Gateway to St. Petersburg.

No funding sources have been identified. The study is scheduled to conclude in September 2018 with a recommendation for a specific project that can attract funding and is “forward thinking.”

Other projects with top rankings in order are:

  • Light rail along the CSX rail line between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Rubber tire in a dedicated lane along the rail line, also between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Commuter rail along I-275 linking Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa and St. Petersburg – tied for fifth
  • Commuter rail along CSX linking downtown Tampa and USF – tied for fifth

Commuter trains generally operate with heavier train cars at higher speeds, more passengers and fewer stops than light rail.

Light rail is closer to a modernized street car with quicker starts and stops, and fewer passengers than commuter trains.

The study also provided a county by county breakdown on preferred choices for transit based on public opinion.

Light rail along I-275 for Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa, Gateway and St. Petersburg ranked first in Hillsborough and Pinellas.

In Pasco, the same route with some type of bus or self-driving vehicle placed first. Light rail ranked in third place.

For information, visit Tbregionaltransit.com.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

St. Petersburg gem offers a paradise for palm lovers

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Tom St. Peter, a volunteer at the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum in downtown St. Petersburg, has always been attracted to plants and trees.

“My family always had a huge garden. I used to help my dad with a secondary small landscaping business, back in the small town I grew up in.

Phil Stager, a volunteer at the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum in St. Petersburg, enjoys sharing his knowledge about palms and cycads with tour groups at the arboretum. He tailors the tours to suit the interest of the people taking the tour.
(B.C. Manion)

“When I was in the corporate world, my lunch breaks used to consist of running around to the local nurseries, picking up plants of my own,” St. Peter said.

The palm arboretum, at 901 North Shore Drive N.E., in St. Petersburg, is a special place, he said.

“The best way I can describe it is, it’s like my cathedral. There’s an aura about it,” he said.

“This is like a little hidden gem,” agreed Phil Stager, another volunteer.

The 2-acre park was once a city-owned miniature golf course. But, that was closed because of increasing maintenance costs.

The arboretum began in 1976, after Elva Rouse, a concerned resident, suggested the area would be ideal for a palm arboretum. The St. Petersburg City Council adopted the proposal, and Gizella Kopsick, a long-time palm admirer, contributed a gift of stock — which established the unique park.

The Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, at 901 North Shore Drive, N.E., offers a pleasant way to spend a few hours, strolling along brick pathways and checking out hundreds of cycads and palms.

It began with 60 palms, representing 10 species. Now, there are more than 500 palms and cycads, representing about 200 species from all over the world.

Citizen volunteers and city workers deserve the credit for collaborating to make the arboretum the special place that it is, St. Peter said.

Stager said he’s not aware of another place like it in the western hemisphere.

Stager, who frequently leads free tours, is a font of knowledge about cycads and palms, and he rattles off facts as he shows off the collection.

“Palms are native to every continent, except the Antarctic,” Stager said. “Cycads are native to every continent, except Europe and the Antarctic.”

The park features about 100 species of palms and about 100 species of cycads.

Stager shares information he’s gleaned about the various species, while making his way around the park.

“Cycads are the oldest seed-bearing plants on the planet. They go back approximately 300 million years and have survived three major extinctions on the planet,” Stager said.

These lush, healthy leaves are shooting up from a cycad. The leaves on palms and cycads vary. Take a tour at the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum in St. Petersburg, and you can learn about them.

Palms, on the other hand, “are about 60 to 65 million years old in the evolutionary scheme of things,” he added.

There’s an easy way to tell the difference between a palm and a cycad at the arboretum.

The cycads are labeled with bright green signs; the palms are labeled with gray signs.

The arboretum has every palm species that’s native to Florida, said Stager, who enjoys sharing his knowledge. He said he tailors the free tours he gives to match the interests of the groups he’s leading.

“If it’s for a Girl Scout troop, it’ll be one thing. If it is for a couple of dedicated plant nuts, it’ll be something else,” Stager said.

Not everyone who visits the arboretum is there for a tour.

Moms push baby strollers through. Some take exercise classes there. Others simply relax on one of the park’s benches.

The venue has been used as a backdrop for photo shoots.

And, Stager added: “There are two Segway groups downtown. They come through here with great regularity.”

When Stager moved to Florida, he said he recognized two types of palms: Coconut palms and all others.

But, then he planted a few palms at his house and wanted to find out more about them. So, he joined the International Palm Society, which has local chapters.

It was a good move, according to Stager.

“That’s the best way to learn about palms,” he said.

Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Where: 901 North Shore Drive, N.E., St. Petersburg, Florida
When: Open daily, sunrise to sunset for self-guided tours
Cost: Free admission
Details: The arboretum, which began with 60 palms, representing 10 species, now has more than 500 palms and cycads, representing more than 200 species.
For free tour information and times, call (727) 893-7441.

Care for palms

  • Use a proper palm fertilizer. Phil Stager, a volunteer at the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, recommends an 8-0-12, plus 4 magnesium and minors.
  • Do not prune too much or too often. Stager offers this maxim: “Don’t trim them up too tight.” And, he adds, “If it’s brown, take it down. If it’s green leave it alone. I can teach that to a 5-year-old.”

Published April 19, 2017

Nudist tourism needs more exposure

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Pasco County is the nudist capital of Florida.

The state of Florida is the nudist capital of North America.

But, the clothing-optional lifestyle is an often overlooked tourism market that contributes $7.4 billion to the state’s economy annually, according to a report from the American Association of Nudist Recreation.

Monique Liliensiek, center, filmed a German documentary, ‘World of Nudism,’ at Lake Como Resort in 2014.
(File)

The association wants to put the spotlight on missed economic opportunities across the state, and in Pasco.

How about nudist days at Pasco’s beach parks? Should there be nudist beaches at Sand Island and Anclote Island, or at an undeveloped lake at SunWest Park?

Starkey Wilderness might yield opportunities for nude recreation activities, too.

Those were some of the ideas included in the AANR report, which was compiled by John Heather, a consultant for the organization and an instructor of international tourism & hospitality management at Saint Leo University.

Heather was guest speaker at the Feb. 14 general meeting of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Pasco could be a role model on how to build on the existing economic base of nudist recreation, Heather said.

“We don’t have the beaches of Clearwater or the vibrant culture of downtown St. Petersburg,” Heather said. “But, we are so fortunate to be on major (highway) arteries. A lot of these resorts are in rural areas. They are something to make your place unique.”

Pasco’s history with the nudist lifestyle began decades ago, with resorts, social clubs and residential communities. Lake Como Resort, for instance, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016.

Other locations for vacations and permanent residency are Caliente Resort & Spa and Lake Paradise Resort. The Oasis is a gated, upscale subdivision described as a hybrid nudist community.

Nudist communities and resorts are spread across the state.

According to the AANR report there are:

  • 34 nudist resorts, including eight in Pasco County
  • 30 naturist social clubs
  • 5,100 nudist resort rooms available
  • 2 million nudist room nights sold in 2016
  • 22 million visitor nights
  • Visitors on average stay 10 nights, with a high percentage staying a month or more
  • $4.3 billion a year in direct spending by nudist visitors.

While the nudist population in Pasco is sometimes pegged at about 10,000, Heather said it’s difficult to pin down exact numbers.

Some visitors are “snowbirds” who stay during the winter; others are international visitors who might stay 10 days; some are day-trippers from nearby counties; and others are permanent residents, he said.

Pasco clearly is a star in the nudist firmament.

In 2014, a German documentary, “World of Nudism,” was filmed at Lake Como. A TLC reality television show, “Buy Naked,” features local real estate agent, Jackie Youngblood, as she finds and sells homes in Pasco for her nudist clients.

A Bare Dare 5K is an annual event at Caliente and is probably the largest naked runners’ race in North America.

Pasco County’s website has an online link, “Naked People Vacation Here,” at VisitPasco.net.

“They recognize that it is very important to our tourism tax here,” said Heather.

But, much more could be done to promote nudist tourism, he added.

Six new hotels are under construction or newly opened in Pasco, but Heather said they often focus on the business traveler. More resorts and tourist hotels are needed, he said.

Statewide, cruise lines are adding more clothing-optional vacations.

Currently, the only officially sanctioned nudist beach is in Miami, on the northern end of Haulover Beach.

But, nudists are quietly accepted at a few other locations including Playlinda, at the federally owned Cape Canaveral National Seashore.

The AANR report highlighted Haulover’s economic benefits to Miami.

About $988,000 in parking fees from nude beach visitors were collected at the north parking lot in 2015-2016.

The annual expenditures from nudist tourism is pegged at about $1 billion.

“The nude beach is packed with people,” Heather said.

Still, there is acknowledgement that nude beaches would be a challenge. “It could be a political back and forth,” Heather said.

But, the payoff could be significant, he said.

Pasco County set a record last year by earning nearly $1 million from tourist tax revenues.

Overall, tourism has grown in Florida from about $87 billion in 2011 to about $109 billion in 2016.

“Your return on investment is just too great,” he said.

Published February 22, 2017

 

Academy at the Lakes hires new softball coach

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The Academy at the Lakes athletics department moved swiftly to hire a new varsity softball coach — one who happens to have decades of Division I collegiate coaching experience.

Diane Stephenson was named the new head varsity coach on July 27, just one week after legendary coach Jerry English announced his retirement.

Diane Stephenson
Diane Stephenson

Stephenson, who operates the Positive Force Fastpitch Academy in St. Petersburg, served as the head softball coach at Indiana University from 1987 to 2002. She was also an assistant softball coach at both the University of Iowa (2008-2010) and Purdue University (2010-2013). Most recently, Stephenson was the head softball coach at Division II Saint Joseph’s College (2014-2015) in Renssalaer, Indiana.

“She performed…at the highest level for many years, and her enthusiasm for coaching, and her passion for leading student-athletes to reach their full potential, is contagious,” Academy at the Lakes athletic director Tom Haslam said, in a release. “There’s no doubt that coach Stephenson will be the person who will take our softball program to another level.”

Starting this school year, Academy will compete in the 3A division of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). The school was awarded as the state’s top 2A private school athletic program in 2015.

Upon hearing about the coaching vacancy, Stephenson reached out to the school, and met with Haslam and the independent school’s headmaster Mark Heller.

The coaching veteran came away impressed by the pair’s enthusiasm, as well as the school’s academic and athletic achievements.

“The things that Tom and Mark have accomplished in their athletic department is incredible,” Stephenson said. “The idea of working with so many students that aspire to go on and be college educated is great.”

Over the past five seasons under coach English, the varsity softball program combined for a 64-25 record, winning four district championships and one regional title.

“I think the former coach…laid a lot of really great groundwork, so it’s really a matter of just continuing what he had going on there,” Stephenson said.

Academy finished 11-6 last season, and expects to return 10 underclassman players, including rising sophomore Alexis Kilfoyl, who’s already committed to play softball at the University of Alabama.

As a freshman in 2016, Kilfoyl proved to be one of the top hitters (.562 avg., three home runs and 20 RBIs) and pitchers (1.36 ERA, 163 strikeouts in 103 innings) in Tampa.

“It sounds like we have a pretty good nucleus of kids to play softball,” Stephenson said. “Hopefully we can get the kids who played last year to get one more person each to come and play this year; I wouldn’t mind having a roster of 15 or 18 players.”

While having a bevy of skilled players is important, Stephenson said one of the main keys to the program’s success is ensuring the roster is chock full of teammates that are respectable and helpful to one another.

“The most valuable thing for all the girls that play softball is to learn to be a good teammate,” she said. “Teammates are really hard to find — be a good teammate and work on being the best you can be; work on having a great self-esteem and a positive influence on everyone around you.”

Moreover, Stephenson said she’ll use positive reinforcement to instill the game’s fundamentals to her players.

“I’m going to just do what I’ve always done: be a good teacher and work on fundamental skills,” she said. “There’s no secrets to softball — you just have to be the best thrower, be the best catcher and be the best fielder. I think the most important thing at every level is having a solid skillset and being able to count on it, so that it’s routine, and you’re relaxed when you play in a game.”

In addition to her softball coaching acumen, Stephenson comes to her new role equipped with hundreds of college recruiting contacts. Her Rolodex contains the names of about 80 percent of Division I head softball coaches, which may help more softball players receive college looks.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for the kids not only in my program, but the other kids that I see playing, because I’m in constant contact with my former peers and colleagues,” Stephenson explained. “It’s one of the things that we do, we reach out and say, ‘Hey, I got a kid that might be worth looking at.’ It just comes with some kind of credibility since I’ve been at that level for 30 years.”

Stephenson still plans to operate the Fastpitch Academy in St. Petersburg, within the guidelines of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Published August 3, 2016