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First I must apologize for being out of the loop for awhile now–between some health problems of my own and of my computer things just couldn’t be helped.  But I now have a new computer and while I still have the same old body it does feel much better–Oh and the main picture above is the

Cooper Rocket

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2nd I’d like to say hi to some great people I met today and whom I hope are checking out my blog—all three I met at Bahama Breeze in Alt. Springs   https://www.bahamabreeze.com/locations/fl/altamonte-springs/altamonte-springs/3002  

First two young gentlemen who are employed there  and we had a neat discussion of hippies and all.  Hi to you both—hope you enjoy my efforts

 

and then there was the lovely lady  I met at the bar with her grand hair and kind ways.  I am so sorry on the loss of you mom–hugs and kisses.   I hope you can find some of this blog to smile about.

 

 

Thank you all three for making my life a bit brighter and for the smiles and kind words.

 

 

 

 

 

St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2015 census estimate, the population was 257,083,^[3]making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the largest in the state that is not a county seat (the city of Clearwater is the seat of Pinellas County).

Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

• 

  Vintage Japanese Silk Embroidery of Birds in Tree Framed

  $109.80

   

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/538362041/vintage-japanese-silk-embroidery-of?ref=shop_home_active_2′

   

   

   

 

 

The west coast of Florida is known for its fun and sun—for its beach towns and about midway down you come to the end of I-4 in Tampa the city with pro-sports team, tall buildings, a historic Spanish district (Ybor CIty) and much more…and then you cross the bay on graceful bridges that allow you to almost fly over bays and boat and get to the coast—but beside the beach towns, the surfers and the retirees spending their later years in the warm sunshine of Florida,  you’ll find another city here–St. Petersburg—which has a lot more than just sun and sand.  In fact a pamphlet from the town advises that there are many “unique” art districts here…”where the arts, boutiques, bodegas, and breweries make for great neighbors.”

 

 

 

 

Central Arts

https://www.discoverdowntown.com/default.aspx?redirect=/contentManaged/welcomeToDowntown/03CentralArts/centralarts.aspx

Central Ave. from 3rd to 7th Streets (and surrounding streets)

All manner of art (fine craft and even wearable)

 

 

For Instance Florida CraftArts

https://floridacraftart.org/

With everything from galleries to work shops for adults, children and families

 

 

Or check out the glass at

Chihuly Collection 

at

Morean Arts Center

Chihuly Collection

 

 

 

 

There’s even a tour of the area if you want to know more

Walking Mural Tours in the Central Arts District

Walking Mural Tours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about cost of living in St. Petersburg, FL? The median income in St. Petersburg, FL is $45,748 and the median home value is $145,100, which should give you a pretty good idea of its affordability. St. Petersburg , FL is also the perfect place to break in your new shoes, due to its WalkScore ® of 40.4618.

https://livability.com/fl/st-petersburg

 

 

 

• 

  Vintage Bowl and Plate Cranberry on Clear Trimmed with Gold

  $9.99

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/567777041/vintage-bowl-and-plate-cranberry-on?ref=shop_home_active_4

   

 

 

 

‘

 

 

 

Then there’s

Deuces Live

22nd Street between 1st Ave S and 18th Ave S.

https://www.deuceslive.org/

 

This area has been in the process of rebirth and now features locally owned restaurants and galleries  to enjoy.     This area was the “main street” for the City’s African American community.

 

 

 

There’s the historic

Manhattan Casino

https://www.bookthemanhattan.com/

642 22nd Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712

 

The building which was built in the 1920’s was a dance hall and a place for visiting Black musicians to stay while performing in the area.   It is still an entertainment venue for the revitalized area.

 

 

 

 

and learn more about the area at

Dr, Carter G. Woodson Museum

2240 9th Ave S,
St. Petersburg,
FL 33712

http://www.woodsonmuseum.org/

 

The museum presents the historic voice of the African American segment of the St. Petersburg Florida community in the perspective of local, regional, and national history, culture and community.

 

 

 

and there is

The African American Heritage Trail

http://www.stpete.org/parks_and_recreation/african_american_heritage_trail.php

 

with its views and memories of the area and the people who lived here and their culture and society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Locals love the major leagues and Tropicana Field is awesome. Home to the Tampa Bay Rays, you can bet your bottom dollar that if there’s a game going on everyone will be there eating hot dogs, drinking beer and petting and feeding the more than 30 cownose rays in The Rays Tank.

https://www.movoto.com/guide/saint-petersburg-fl/30-things-you-need-to-know-about-st-petersburg-before-moving-there/

 

 

 

 

• 

  Mini- Inlaid Metal over Pottery Tea Pot with Wooden stand

  $26.69

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/611935845/minature-inlaid-metal-over-potterytea?ref=shop_home_active_60

   

   

 

 

This district is

in what is St. Pete’s Main Street district

 

The Edge

Central Ave Between 9th and 15th Street

http://www.edgedistrict.org/index.html

 

Here you’ll find  restaurants, shops and breweries, art galleries, as well as specialty and antique stores.

 

 

 

 

And of course

Grand Central

16th to 31st Street N.

between 1st Aves N and South

Welcome to The Grand Central District. We’re in this together!

This area claims:

OVER THREE HUNDRED LOCAL BUSINESSES,
BOUTIQUES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Here you’ll find a collection of galleries, antique & specialty shops, and much more.

 

 

Since I’m old fashion and love those things with covers and pages that you read this is one shop I favor—Florida’s largest new and used bookstore

Haslam’s 

http://www.haslams.com/

2025 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713
(727) 822-8616

Open Monday – Saturday 10 am to 6:30 pm
Open Sunday – 12 pm to 5 pm

 

Coming Autographings & Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

The St. Petersburg area economy is rooted in financial services, which stimulates growth in other industries by providing abundant financial resources.  Pinellas County is also a significant manufacturing center for computer, office equipment, medical, and electronics components.  Over half the companies in Florida’s High Tech Corridor are based in Pinellas County.

The proximity of St. Petersburg to Florida’s largest estuary, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico has also positioned it to become the largest marine science community in the Southeast.  Both the Florida Institute for Oceanographic Research and the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science reside here.

http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/tampa-st-petersburg-clearwater-fl.php

 

 

 

• 

  Beautiful Vintage Pendant 3 x 1 1/2 inches with a 13 inch long woven gold-tone Metal chain

  $40.55

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/612184003/beautiful-vintage-pendant-3-x-1-12?ref=shop_home_active_77

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse Arts

1st Ave. N to 10th Ave. S and 16th to 31st Street

https://www.stpete.org/economic_development/redevelopment/warehouse_arts_district.php

 

Here you’ll find all manner of mediums:  glass, clay, wood and in a large scale.  There are galleries and studios here that demonstrate their activities and wares to you the prospective client.

 

 

 

 

 

And more:

For a guide to St. Petersburg galleries:  https://stpeteartsalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Studio-Gallery-Guide-2-pages-4.4.17.pdf

 

 

 

Antique Malls info:  https://www.antiquemalls.com/fl/tampa-st-petersburg

 

 

 

List of Street Art:  https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/list/ultimate-list-of-street-art-st-pete

 

 

St. Pete Art Festival  https://www.everfest.com/e/st-petersburg-fine-art-festival-saint-petersburg-fl

 

 

Festival and events in St. Pete & Clearwater area:  https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/things-to-do/events-festivals

 

 

Downloadable Art App with info on all manner of art and culture:  www.stpeteartsalliance.org

 

 

 

 

Founded in 1876, St. Petersburg is part of the Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan statistical area.

Access to higher learning is available in St. Petersburg at Eckerd College, a private liberal arts school and at campuses of University of South Florida, a public university, and St. Petersburg College, a local community college.

St. Petersburg weather can be characterized as a year round tropical climate. July and August are the hottest months of the year with average daily temperatures reaching 90 degrees. January is the coolest month, with average daily temperatures of 69 degrees.

https://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/st-petersburg

 

 

 

• 

  Laurel Burch Zippered Baguette Handbag With Metallic Thread Tapestry Cats Design

  $30.65

• https://www.etsy.com/listing/607209197/laurel-burch-zippered-baguette-handbag?ref=shop_home_active_91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and no this isn’t a dinosaur—-But he is one of my Cuties of the day (taken in Sanford recently

 

 

 

 

My other cutie is shown below and he was with his  mom at Cody’s (at their outside seating on 4th Ave in Mt. Dora)  

It took awhile but he finally decided to give us a smile…..

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know what the Florida State Official Song is?  You might be surprised just click below for a musical answer:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/songs-about-fl/

 

 

 

• 

  Walt Disney World TENCENNIAL PARTY

  $47.48

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/228965883/walt-disney-world-tencennial-inauugural?ref=shop_home_active_2

   

   

• 

• First in my wandering this session we head back to Sanford (Check the First picture at the beginning of this particular effort)–this is The Breezeway ( https://www.breezewayrestaurantandbar.com/ )—one of my favs about town  which is a great place for a drinak and/or a meal—with live music.

• The picture above shows another feature of downtown Sanford—the weekly (Sat) Farmer’s Market    https://www.sanfordfl.gov/about-sanford/sanford-farmers-market carries everything from fresh food to all manner of prepared items and even home crafted jewelry and other items.  Oh and they have live music too.

 

 

 

and finally below something I glimpsed as I walked along the main street—this great car was a point of interest with many passersby, but not part of a special event…just something you might see out and about in the town that started out as a citrus site and a river boat port on the St. Johns River.  Its a great town with lots of lovely people and I enjoy walking along the byways and swinging on one of the many swings along the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For humans the normal pulse is 70 heartbeats per minute. Elephants have a slower pulse of 27 and for a canary it is 1000!

 

 

 

 

• 
• Fenton Ware Handled Carnival Type Glass Beer Mug With Liberty Bell 1775-1975

  $90.15

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/566185407/fenton-ware-handled-carnival-type-glass?ref=shop_home_active_4

   

 

 

For lunch we stopped at the Sullivan  (new since last October)

Sullivans Public House

, an Irish Pub also on Main street

 

 

We had bangers and mash—-yes that’s

Sausage and mash potatoes in Ameri-speak and it was delicious

 

 

 

the place is beautifully laid out and have live music on the weekends too—-a great fun place to go.

 

 

 

 

 

Try the Bailey’s Cheese Cake—I don’t like cheese cake and I loved it.

 

 

 

Oh and they have a supply (see below) that would make the Green wearers proud.  The pretty bar tender, who was also our waitress—we came in early and the crowd was just starting to file in when we left—was friendly and informative and we even met the cook who like me use to live in Chi town.  It made for an interesting adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monarch caterpillars shed their skin four times before they become a chrysalis, growing over 2700 times their original size.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/550525708/spaulding-gold-medal-accurate-wooden?ref=shop_home_active_10

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was Jeannie Taylors Folk Art  https://www.jtfolkart.com/  with our emphasis this week at The Gallery on First St

https://www.galleryonfirst.com/   

 

Both are in the same building in downtown Sanford—-While the middle of the shop has a show room and check out purchases area in the front and a gallery directly behind in the back where they hold various shows—–the perimeter of the shop—-on both sides of the two show rooms—-holds individual rooms where individual artist display their own art from paintings to sculptures, whatever their talent encompass.  in these rooms and you can view and/or purchase art from.  On some days, like this particular Saturday,  some of the artists are in their areas, painting,  talking to visitors or just hanging out.

 

 

On this particular day I was able to meet with two of the artists first

Stewart Jones

www.stewartjonesart.com

stewartjonesart@gmail.com

(pictured  in the last picture above)

 

Stewart does water colors and his gallery is the first on the left side as you enter the shop.  We had a great time watching him work and looking at his paintings of all manner of subjects including architecture, beaches, flora, landscapes, nautical, still life and wildlife.

 

 

 

 

Going to the back on the same side we ended up at

Amy Lizzi’s Gallery

407-715-8765

outtathebarndesigns@yahoo.com

www.outtathebarndesigns.com

“I am an abstract artist based in Sanford, Florida. I love to paint the world as I see it.”  Amy Lizzi

Though she wasn’t in that day I was captivated by her art and thought I’d include it here as well.

Jeannie (who is a dear who always has a smile for everyone and whose dog Louie is THE BEST—we saw him this time as well) says she’s the newest addition to the private gallery so guess this is my welcome to her.

 

 

 

 

Finally midway down the right side we met

Charles N. Ramos

a water color artists

407-716-7966

charlesnramos@yahoo.com

 

Charles was meeting and greeting visitors and agreed to talk to me about his art.   His painting are watercolor scenes of moody bogs and tropical beaches, and his fluid scenes of rural landscapes are brought to life by a scattered flocks of birds in flight or a meandering path into a forest.   He does sell original as well as a limited number of prints of his art.  He does many smaller size painting like those pictured below or smaller and we discussed how this is often difficult due to putting detail in such a small space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small amount of stress helps you to remember things better but a large amount may hinder your memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now to Mount Dora—seems like they are loosing another train hook up—the newest is ceasing in late April

 

I had heard that it was because of tract maintenance costs:  Which is confirmed by Channel 9:  “The final day for Mount Dora’s passenger service is April 22. Excursion trains between Tavares and Eustis will still run because the tracks are newer, CFR said. “

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/end-of-the-line-historic-train-in-and-out-of-mount-dora-is-shutting-down/926628655

 

 

 

and the Daily Commercial reported:

“Bagaus said the railroad will continue transporting people to and from Eustis, derailing rumors that it was ceasing all operations.

“We are not going out of business, but the loss of Mount Dora is huge,” Bagaus said. “We’re estimating that 50-60 percent of our traffic is from the Tavares-Mount Dora route.”

https://www.dailycommercial.com/news/20190301/tavares-to-mount-dora-train-service-to-end-in-late-april

 

 

 

The train should still be running next weekend 3/16 and 17 for pick up and drop offs for the   https://www.thefloridatrain.com/golden-train.php

22nd annual Mount Dora Spring Festival

22nd Annual Mount Dora Spring Festival

Experience the charm of historic Mount Dora, FL while perusing the collections and craftsmanship of more than 250 exhibitors at the 22nd annual Spring Festival in the historic walking district  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The average person spends 6 months of their lifetime waiting on a red light to turn green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

one more Mt. Dora pictured below—my favorite coffee shop

on 5th street

Serendipity

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34461-d15674140-Reviews-Serendipity-Mount_Dora_Lake_County_Florida.html

 

 

 

 

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