While the City of St. Petersburg was developing its reputation over the past two decades as a premiere arts destination in the southeast, a budding native-daughter poet was set on filling the literary cultural void. What began as an effort to design and promote reading and writing events blossomed less than a year later into a nonprofit supporting the literary arts through ongoing education and creative events. Keep St. Pete Lit celebrated its seventh anniversary this past August.

Maureen McDole, Keep St. Pete Lit’s founder and executive director, spearheaded the organization’s growth from its inception to the present where it is now regarded as one of Florida’s leading literary arts groups providing low-cost, high-quality writing classes to people of all ages – from elementary school on up to seniors – and all skill levels from beginners to professionals.… Read More

On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment to the US Constitution passed, giving American women the right to vote. Now 100 years later, Linsey Grove, president of the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area (LWVSPA), says the best way for women to celebrate this milestone is to exercise their own right to vote. She also points to the interesting similarities between this year’s election, which is taking place during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and what was happening during the women’s suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

Ratification of the 19th amendment followed two devastating world events: the 1918 flu and World War I, both of which severely reduced the population of young men and created a labor shortage in the US.… Read More

When Jennifer Yeagley assumed the role of CEO at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic at the beginning of March, she had no idea she would be in the trenches fighting the financial fallout from the coronavirus less than a month later.

In the beginning of her tenure as CEO, a busy day at the Free Clinic’s food panty was providing groceries for 200 families and individuals. By the first week of April, 700 families and individuals a day had become the new normal. “[On Good Friday,] we had a line of cars three blocks long the better part of the day,” said Yeagley.… Read More

While strolling around Sundial St. Pete, the downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, it is not unusual to run into interesting people and their pets. Encountering Marianne and Dan Blazowich walking their three carriages of Maltese therapy dogs is an absolute delight.

The dogs as well as their owners are friendly and sociable, so they usually draw a crowd. The dogs are quiet and dignified, wearing bows and costumes appropriate to the season or venue.

There is something magical about these dogs, almost angelic. These Maltese seem to be oozing love and inviting strangers to pat them or pick them up.… Read More