There’s hip, and then there’s Hip Expressions near Crescent Lake, a belly dance studio founded by St. Pete local, Johanna “Zenobia” Krynytzky. With bright blonde hair and a flowing wardrobe, Johanna is many things: a dancer, teacher, cancer survivor, and entrepreneur. She is also a common sight around the ‘Burg as she works to share her unique form of expression. Johanna’s parents and grandparents moved to the United States during World War II, and she says her love for dancing comes, in part, from her heritage as a first-generation Ukrainian-American. “Growing up, Ukrainia ..read more

It started in 1962, when she first arrived in St. Petersburg. And soon she became a familiar sight to thousands. With her bird-pecked straw bonnet, cautious eyes, three-wheeled bike, and flocks of gulls and sparrows clamoring for sustenance in her wake, Esther Wright was known to all as “The Bird Lady.”   For her love of the local fauna, Wright was featured in a number of national television programs, including Charles Kuralt’s CBS News feature On the Road, and the children’s program, Kid’s World. But few knew she was also an accomplished artist. Wright’s batik Krishna ..read more

Do you know this bird? A cormorant you say? Not so fast! Avoid a case of mistaken identity, and take a closer look… Thanks to favorable year-round temperatures and plentiful resources, our area supports a wide variety of bird species. All kinds of birds – particularly those that swim, fully submerged, to feed in both salt and fresh water – are just plain fun to watch. Sometimes they appear suddenly from under the water and disappear just as fast, continuing their mad chase after the small fish they eat. The casual observer may know these birds as cormorants, but that is only part of the answer ..read more

After a 46-year hiatus, Gary deBroekert started playing the tuba again. It all started in middle school in Eugene, Oregon, where he grew up. The music teacher recruited him as he could easily handle the weight of the tuba and had the wind that was required to blow the notes. Turns out, he says, “I loved the tuba and was able to perform well with it.” Gary continued playing through high school and at the University of Oregon, earning his BA in music and then a master’s in music, majoring on the tuba.  To avoid being drafted, Gary then enlisted in the Army and ended up in Washington, DC as ..read more

E. Wilson “Bud” Purdy assumed his position as St. Petersburg’s chief of police in October 1958 and served until January 1963. During those years he reformed and expanded the department, modernized its administration, and provided leadership through the beginnings of the Civil Rights era in the city. When Purdy assumed control there were 123 officers; when he left, the department had expanded to around 500. Purdy came well prepared for his job. He was a graduate of Michigan State University where he enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Program and earned a Bachelor of Science in Police Admi ..read more

For over 10 years those in the know have been grooving to beat of homegrown singers and songwriters, enjoying programs, podcasts, and more on RadioStPete.com Sunshine 96.7 FM (on the radio) and on your computer, phone, tablet, Siri, and Alexa.  This March, Radio St. Pete moved its studio to the bustling co-working and art space that is Thrive DTSP, at 136 4th Street N., across from Williams Park. The sleek co-workspace has an urban vibe, an espresso machine, and the glass studio. It’s a big step for the station, expanding their local sports, news, and entertainment/arts cov ..read more

Squirrel Girl. Squirrel Guru. Squirrel Whisperer. Jill Horstmann, founder of the St. Pete-based animal rescue Squirrelly AF, goes by many nicknames. But to Porter, the blind opossum cuddled in his carrier under the table where we sit at the local kava bar she manages, she is simply Mom.  Over the last six years, Horstmann has built up her nonprofit – going from that animal-loving friend you call when you discover abandoned squirrel babies to a full-scale rescue, rehabilitation, and release operation that serves squirrels, opossums, ducks, and the occasional raccoon. Her forte is special-n ..read more

The Cressy House was built in 1922 and designed by St. Pete’s first professional architect, Edgar Ferdon When Sandra and Michael Taradash moved to St. Petersburg from Palos Verdes Estates, California they knew they wanted to live in the Old Northeast. They began touring homes, and after viewing the “Cressy House,” they made an offer within 24 hours. They had found their new home.   The Cressy House, situated at 625 20th Avenue NE, was built in 1922 by Hennessy and Taylor and designed by architect Edgar Ferdon. Ferdon was the city’s first professional architect and is credited with de ..read more

Daddy Warbleson on Beach Boulevard. Ten years ago, the Warbleson family – Daddy, Mama, and six youngsters – arrived in St. Petersburg. At the time of their arrival, they were quite the celebrities. Mayor Rick Kriseman celebrated them and the Tampa Bay Times featured them in an article on Christmas Day, 2014. The story goes that the youngest Warbleson, Buddy, got lost somewhere along Beach Drive and the family fanned out to find him. Mama Warbleson looked at the Vinoy, and Daddy at the Birchwood. Betty, Bethany, Brian, Beatrice, and Benny took up positions at North Straub Park, South ..read more

Photos courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts Spring is springing in the ‘Burg which means it’s time for the annual Art in Bloom event at the Museum of Fine Arts! As part of our local landscape, this exhibit presents a living four-day floral art installation pairing some of the Bay area’s finest floral artists with works of art throughout the museum.  What makes this event so special is its unique combination of art and nature and the way it creates an immersive experience for museum visitors. The pieces add a multi-sensory encounter for those who attend. Intermingled with the ..read more