In a transitional move to merge high art with pop culture, St. Petersburg’s Imagine Museum hosts a new an anime exhibit that promises to dazzle lifelong fans and curious newcomers alike.
Anime, a Japanese art form known for its unique visuals and captivating storytelling, has become a global cultural phenomenon. This exhibit will spotlight iconic works from celebrated anime titles and creators, offering visitors an in-depth look at the evolution and significance of the medium.
From hand-drawn cells of early classics to cutting-edge digital designs, the exhibit will display the artistic innovation that defines anime. The exhibit will feature a collection of iconic works and spotlight local artists, offering visitors an immersive journey into the rich history and influence of anime.
“The Graphic World exhibit was inspired by the global impact and cultural significance of comics, manga and anime,” artist Trish Duggan said. “Graphic Worlds honors trailblazers like Richard F. Outcault, creator of the modern comic strip, and Osamu Tezuka, the father of modern manga. The exhibit also features works from acclaimed DC Comics illustrator and writer, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, celebrated for their contributions to Harley Quinn and Black Panther.”
In addition to original artwork and curated displays, visitors can expect an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional displays. Interactive installations, film screenings and live workshops allow visitors of all ages to interact with the art.
“A standout piece is an original inked Johnny Bravo strip, signed by Kirk Tingblad from Cartoon Network Studios, demonstrating the synergy between comics and animation,” Duggan said. “These works reflect the evolution of visual storytelling and the pioneers who paved the way for today’s artists.”
From long-time anime enthusiasts to newcomers, the exhibit aims to bridge cultural connections and inspire creativity, according to Imagine Museum’s marketing and communications manager, Francesca Brown.
“We hope younger audiences leave with a newfound appreciation for comics, manga and anime as legitimate art forms,” Brown said. “We hope this will inspire the next generation of artists and storytellers to engage in the visual arts and express themselves through a medium that goes beyond words.”
According to Brown, one of the most iconic works in the exhibition is Spidey vs. Venom, a blown and hot-sculpted glass piece by American glass artist Charlyn Reynolds. The composition of the piece consists of two busts—Spiderman and Venom—facing off.
“This display is truly special to me,” art enthusiast Denise Herrera said. “It brings back the nostalgia of Saturday mornings spent watching Spiderman cartoons as a kid with my brothers. It is a timeless classic that captures those cherished memories. Venom’s mouth is open, bearing his menacing teeth and tongue in the face of a valiant Spiderman—a nod to the classic hero vs. villain hyperbole.”
This piece holds significance for fans of the comic book world and glass artistry, blending compelling visual storytelling of cinema and pop culture with the compositional and technical finesse of fine art.
The Graphic Worlds: Exploring Comic and Anime Art exhibit will be open to the public until January 5, 2025. To witness the intersection of art, culture and anime through the museum’s displays, visit their website for more details.
As unhoused individuals struggle with the loss of their livelihoods, nonprofits and activists push for housing reform, despite facing significant pushbacks.
As the enactment date for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ House Bill 1365 approached, law enforcement and homeless organizations prepared for incoming risks.
The bill bans public sleeping and camping, with another section set to be enacted in January 2025, allowing complaints to local governments if issues are not resolved within five business days.
With the assistance of the Homeless Leadership Alliance, Pinellas Continuum of Care erected a task force to confront challenges brought on by HB 1365.
However, preparations were delayed due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as Florida focused on repairing damage caused by heavy rains, floods and winds.
“The anti-camping legislation really kind of went under the radar because we were so focused on the storms that arose,” said Nicholas Carey from the HLA board of directors, “but the reality is it just has the likelihood of impacting even more people now that might be struggling with being unhoused for the first time in their lives.”
Carey said task force meetings aimed to address harmful policies and maximize limited resources for unhoused populations.
Gulfport City Council member April Thanos joined the CoC’s task force in April to tackle the shortage of shelter space and funding. She said the state’s $10 million allocation for these expenses is nothing short of a “drop in the bucket” compared to the actual costs local governments face.
Further compounding this problem was Gulfport’s enactment of a time-strict version of HB 1365, operational between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
According to Thanos, the enactment of this local ordinance stemmed from a misunderstanding of the city’s compliance with the house bill, now resulting in two different, but similar, laws.
For Gulfport, Thanos pointed out how it’s not like St. Petersburg, where the city engages in housing projects, offering rooms and apartments to unhoused people. Instead, Gulfport must rely on the help of nonprofit thrift stores and shelters like Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul.
Shelters like Pinellas Hope, operated by the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, faced evacuation orders during both hurricanes. Pinellas Hope Director Joe Pondolfino said that most of the residents took refuge in Largo High School and Palm Harbor University High School.
Upon returning, Pondolfino found all 159 of their tents destroyed. In addition, more than 50 trees were tumbled by high winds and three vehicles were found to be completely flooded in the parking lot.
Due to Hurricane’s Helene and Milton, as many as 50 trees were dislodged from the ground in front of the Pinellas Hope shelter. Some had fallen on top of rooftops, while others were uprooted on the stone paths and concrete sidewalks. Residents will have to contend with little to no shade for the summer. (Photo by Joe Pondolfino)
To account for these damages, CCDSP established a disaster relief fund. A move welcomed by Pondolfino as the shelter had run out of deficit and had been looking to the community to help keep the shelter afloat, especially with the ongoing anti-public sleeping and camping ban.
“[HB 1365] raises awareness of the need for more services,” Pondolfino said. “[Pinellas Hope] has become a focus point of the homeless in our area and the services needed to get them helped.”
Pondolfino said that he doesn’t know how far law enforcement will go in carrying out this law, but he wants to focus on providing services to those who need them.
On the other hand, Thanos has been raising awareness among homeowners about FEMA benefits, warning that repairing without a permit could lead to higher costs and cause the city to lose flood insurance eligibility and discounts.
Furthermore, FEMA’s 50% rule, a regulation by the National Flood Insurance Program, covers improvements made on a structure if the costs were to exceed 50% of the property’s market value, not including the land. This would require the homeowner to issue a permit and bring the property into compliance with the Florida Building Code and the community’s floodplain management regulations.
Even then, some people may not end up qualifying for FEMA’s housing assistance or may find trouble in finding a place that accepts FEMA vouchers. Thanos said that people may feel financially stressed, as they may still be paying a mortgage for a house they cannot physically live in on top of having to rent a place to stay.
Winds destroyed Pinellas Hope shelter’s ‘tent city.’ There were as many as 159 tents that were lost, each costing about $80, amounting to over $12k of damage. This does not account for the wooden platforms, 50 of which were destroyed, and all other expenses caused by Hurricane Helene and Milton. (Photo by Joe Pondolfino)
Thanos said she had been trying to convince city council to add accessory dwelling units, arguing that it may help with the housing crisis and could provide a place for people whose houses were flooded, but it was all to no avail, as “there hasn’t been much inclination [from city council] to want to deal with even the easiest solutions.”
“They haven’t been willing to even discuss it,” Thanos said. “I’ve had several people come and talk to us about the benefits of it, but they are not interested.”
Thanos isn’t the only person attempting to offer solutions to the unhoused community. Carey had been in the running for District 3 St. Petersburg’s City Council on a progressive platform, promising rent control, tenant protections and accessible housing.
Carey had taken part in protests pressuring city hall to enact rent control around February and August of 2022. He said that the problems concerning the housing crisis stem from real estate letting the market decide the price of what should be a tenable basic need.
“The reality is that people will pay whatever it takes to keep themselves safe,” Carey said. “And so that just continues to drive prices upward.”
Furthermore, Carey highlighted that the housing crisis problem had grown worse around the pandemic, as folks coming in from higher paying areas of the country move to Florida, further increasing house prices.
In response to this, Carey has been championing the concept of social housing, which would allow the government to directly own housing, and allow homeowners to pay only 30% of their income. On top of that, Carey highlighted that developers need to be held accountable and pay their fair share of impact fees instead of leaving most of it up to taxpayers.
Forward Pinellas, a countywide organization overseeing transportation, land use and redevelopment, is working on various projects across the city. Its executive director, Whit Blanton, expressed support for the Housing Action Plan, which aims to build 10,000 housing units in Pinellas County over the next decade.
“The more housing supply we build, the more affordable housing will become in time,” Blanton said. “As newer homes get built […] older ones will be freed up, and older housing is affordable housing, generally.”
According to Blanton and other housing advocates, the fight for housing rights and homeless services remains an uphill battle, with a long road still ahead.
In the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Jannus Live has become more than just a concert venue; for many community members, it’s a cultural icon and a key player in the city’s economic and cultural revival. With its open-air stage and wide-ranging performances, Jannus Live attracts thousands of visitors, helping reshape downtown into a vibrant entertainment spot.
Jannus Live stands out as a symbol of St. Petersburg’s dynamic nightlife, bringing together a diverse audience for live music experiences.
Known for hosting a mix of artists from hip-hop sensations like Lil Uzi Vert to rock legends like Green Day, the venue has built a reputation for offering something for everyone.
The venue’s cultural significance goes beyond its music lineup. Jannus Live has become a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
For concertgoers like Tapan Harkhani, the venue holds a special place in their social lives.
“Back in high school, we saw Lil Uzi Vert here when he was just getting big,” Harkhani said. “To think now he’s way too big to perform here makes that concert even more special.”
The venue’s ability to create lasting memories makes it a cornerstone of the city’s nightlife.
“I have so many good memories here with my buddies and have seen some of my favorite artists perform,”Harkhani said.
Another angle of Ken Carson performing at Jannus live on July 10, 2024. (Photo by Tapan Harkhani)
These personal connections, multiplied by thousands of attendees each year, highlight how Jannus Live strengthens St. Petersburg’s cultural identity while boosting its reputation as a must-visit place for live entertainment.
For longtime St. Petersburg resident Timothy See, who has lived in the city for 40 years, Jannus Live represents a impactful force in downtown’s evolution. He said he remembers a time when the area was almost lifeless in the evenings.
“Downtown for many years was dead past 5 or 6 p.m.,” See said. “There were spots like Club Detroit, which is now Goodnight John Boy, and the Maas Brothers store, but nothing too notable.”
Jannus Live, formerly known as Jannus Landing, has been around since the 1980s and originally catered to niche rock and punk bands
While it was a spot for music lovers, it didn’t play a significant role in the broader downtown scene. However, as the 2000s approached and downtown St. Pete began its revitalization, Jannus Live remained a consistent place for live music.
“The renovation back in 2010 was huge,” See said. “It gave the venue a new life. It became more polished and professional while still keeping that intimate open-air vibe that people love.”
According to See, the venue has always stood out because of its atmosphere. The outdoor setting is a rarity among venues in the area, giving it a unique charm, he said. While other venues, like the Duke Energy Center for the Arts- Mahaffey Theater, cater to a more traditional or upscale crowd, Jannus Live welcomes people to come as they are and enjoy the music.
That same energy has extended beyond the venue itself, shaping the surrounding area as well.
“Without a doubt, it’s been a game-changer,” See said. “When people come to a show, they usually grab dinner at a restaurant nearby or hit up a bar afterward. That kind of traffic has pushed these businesses to open up, and the whole area has grown because of that. Jannus definitely helped put downtown St. Pete on the map for nightlife.”
Its intimate atmosphere, diverse performances and lasting cultural impact make the venue a beloved gathering place for music lovers and a driving force behind the area’s revitalization, he said.
Along with boosting local businesses, Jannus Live continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s vibrant identity and ensuring its place as a hub for community entertainment.
Over the past two decades, steady development has transformed St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District from a hidden gem into a bustling city. Its boom in population and change in infrastructure has left locals cautiously looking toward the future of the city.
St. Petersburg resident, Donna Smith, moved to the city in 2003 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“It was kind of smaller then,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a tiny town. It had all the bells and whistles of a city, but … it was nothing like it is now.”
As the city experiences the current boom in population, Smith said she’s noticed the city change firsthand through “more traffic, more people and less ease of movement.”
According to Smith, the city isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago. Beach trips and visits downtown take strategic planning because parking has increasingly become an issue.
Another resident, Don Plese, has lived in St. Petersburg for eight years and in the surrounding area for decades more. He said he worries that the city won’t be able to handle these changes.
“It’s kind of scary right now downtown,” Plese said. “You see those 46-story condominiums going up and another one right next to it, and you know those people are going to live here and they’re going to drive here. They’re going to use utilities, and I think the growth should be slow and well planned.”
Monica Kile, former executive director of the organization now known as Preserve the ‘Burg, spent years in St. Petersburg working to preserve historic buildings throughout the city.
“If you want to have these businesses downtown you need to preserve some of these older buildings so that they have an affordable place to rent,” Kile said. “[Older buildings] have a certain look and feel that you can’t get with a new building. When you lose those, there’s no getting back that unique historic feel of the city.”
Plese said his focus is on whether the city can handle its current growth and how that growth might impact the residents, but Smith said she believes the city is doing a fine job thus far.
Regarding the busy streets and limited parking, Smith references the SunRunner, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.
“The SunRunner was a good way to try to alleviate parking problems at the beaches and downtown,” Smith said. “You can just jump on and ride down from any stop all the way across town.”
Smith said she is optimistic about the changes facing St. Petersburg and appreciates the amenities that come with a growing city, while Plese explains that his views might stem from his older perspective, claiming he no longer has the busy life that younger residents may value.
“We’ve got a beautiful city,” Plese said. “I think it’s kind of a hidden gem. It’s beautiful and I hate to see it be diminished, however, if I was [younger] and I was looking at more opportunity for jobs and businesses and nightlife going on, I might have a different opinion.”
With talks of repairing Tropicana Field after hurricane damage and the construction of a new stadium by 2029, some residents may worry about where their tax dollars are going.
According to Smith, the Tampa Bay Rays have been looking for a reason to leave the city for years. She said the team leaving the city could affect the revenues since “the city gives a lot of money to keep the Rays here already.”
In the last year, the county commission voted to invest $312.5 million in financing the new stadium to keep the Rays in town.
Kile explained she is still in full support of the development of a new ballpark, despite the emphasis she puts on preservation. However, she said she is worried about the impact that losing a Major League Baseball team may have on the city.
“I think it would be a turning for the worst,” Kile said. “There have been paradigm shifts in our city’s history, and I think the hurricane and subsequent loss of the Rays could be one of those negative shifts.”
Smith also said that she would not be surprised if the difficulties that come with a busier city led to others moving elsewhere.
“I do think its driving people out, ultimately, who don’t want to live elbow to elbow,” Smith said, adding that she and some of her friends have talked about leaving Florida due to the lack of space.
While residents closer to the heart of the city may be feeling the effects of a growing population, Pinellas County has not necessarily undergone the population boom that many are fearful of. The population of the county has increased by only 4.9% between 2010 in 2022.
“The increase in population in Pinellas County has been marginal in the last 20 years,” Kile said. “The location of that population has shifted, and that’s why people think there is an increase. I’m not overly concerned about population growth in St. Pete, and I think if people understood those numbers a bit better, they might not be either.”
Kile advises that those concerned about developments being made in the city should speak out.
“The voices of residents matter when some of these issues are going through the city council,” she said. “Citizens can send an email, go to the hearing [and] speak up because they really do listen.”
Pinellas County schools recently increased their budget for mental health services, but many students feel the expanded resources are not sufficient to address the pressures of modern adolescence.
“I think they try, but they really don’t know how to reach out,” a junior from Gibbs High School, who prefers to remain anonymous, said. “It feels like they just tell us to reach out and let us know, but how can I tell you if I don’t feel comfortable?”
Suicide attempts were also found to be more prevalent among underclassmen compared to their upperclassmen peers.
“Because of my busy schedule, I feel burnt out and drained,” said the junior from Gibbs High School. “I have a lot of self-doubt, and my teachers make it harder because they can be disorganized, which makes me feel insecure and stupid.”
The pressures extend beyond daily schoolwork, with looming concerns about college applications, financial stability and future plans.
“A lot of my friends are in the National Honor Society, and we are stressed about money and where we’re going,” the junior said. “Can I even get into the college I want at this point?”
For some students, the stress is intensified by the uncertainty in how they will afford higher education.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to go to college,” said Karla Jimenez, a sophomore from Pinellas Park High School. “I might have to start working soon to save up.”
The county currently offers access to the 988 hotline and other similar suicide prevention communication methods, including foundations that can assist with at-risk students.
Each high school in the region is also equipped with social workers, guidance counselors and other various specialists to assist the students.
The district has significantly increased the budget for the local schools by adjusting the local taxes and implementing a plan that prioritizes student success and caring relationships.
India Stallings, a counselor at Hollins High School, said it may take time before the budget increases lead to tangible changes.
“Regarding the impact of recent budget increases, we have not observed any tangible effect thus far,” Stallings said. “Based on our understanding, it is most likely that any significant impact would not be evident until the 2025-2026 school year.”
Some students have expressed understanding that the support they do receive is reflective of the efforts of their school staff.
“I think the school does the best that they can in balancing the stress,” said Abigail Aldas, a junior at Gibbs High School. “We have good counselors, and they do the best they can.”
As Pinellas County commits to the improvement of mental health services, future students can benefit from these efforts and receive better support in managing the challenges they face.
The 2024 presidential election between U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris has left more than just political tensions in its wake. As the results pave the way for Trump to return to office in late January 2025, the contentious outcome has fractured friendships, strained family ties and created tense workplaces. Americans now face the challenge of navigating an increasingly deep political divide after Trump’s return to power.
For 22-year-old Haley Dickey, a server at Streamsong Golf Resort in Central Florida, the fallout of the contentious election has made her workplace an uncomfortable battleground. The tension stems not from her job performance, but from her political beliefs, she said.
“I’ve been judged for my decision to vote for President Trump,” Dickey said. “It feels like people see me as a vote and not as a person. It’s made going to work a lot harder.”
Dickey said that she has faced subtle but noticeable pushback from some colleagues.
“It’s exhausting,” she said. “I try to focus on doing my job, but it’s hard when you feel like you’re walking on eggshells.”
Dickey’s experience mirrors a broader national trend. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in August revealed that a third of adults report a strain in family relationships due to the current political climate.
Susan MacManus, a professor emeritus of political science and political analyst for ABC Action News, sees a growing connection between misinformation and the erosion of interpersonal trust, she said.
“When deciding on who to vote for, it’s really a matter of your education, income, personal circumstances and your party affiliation,” MacManus said.
MacManus emphasizes that political identity has become more deeply ingrained in personal identity.
“It’s a trend we’ve been seeing for some time,” MacManus said. “People don’t want to communicate with those who differ from them, and that’s creating social and familial rifts.”
Navigating the outcome of this election, MacManus highlighted an outlier— a factor that influenced many voters’ decisions.
“People generally voted most based on the economy,” MacManus said. “When looking through exit polls, it can be seen [that] there were many more working-class voters as well.”
Across the country, these divisions are playing out in households, on social media and in the workplace. Families have become estranged, friends have parted ways and some work environments, like Dickey’s, have been stirred by the election results.
“Co-workers I used to joke with are distant now,” Dickey said. “It’s like everything’s been colored by the election, even if we’re not talking about it outright.”
Similarly, Dickey’s co-worker, 32-year-old Steven Quinones, has faced an opposite polarization at work. Waking up to the outcome of the election, Quinones thought it best to break ties with friends of opposing viewpoints, he said.
“I chose to end my outside relationship with three friends from work,” Quinones said. “It wasn’t about Republican versus Democrat, but the man they voted for.”
Quinones, of Puerto Rican descent, said he was worried for his family members who came to America seeking a stable future, along with the women in his life who could be affected by abortion laws under a new administration.
“Those co-workers were close friends, but I had to do what I thought was best,” Quinones said. “There is just too big of a difference in our values.”
Although this riff in relationships has brought discourse at Streamsong Golf Resort, co-workers Dickey and Quinones have remained respectful amongst the opposition.
“I could never be rude to those I have cut off or let differing mindsets get in the way of our job,” Quinones said.
MacManus said she believes there is hope for healing, but it will require concerted effort from individuals and institutions alike.
“We need to get back to basics: civil discourse, empathy and understanding,” she said.
Still, MacManus warns that reversing the polarization will not be quick or easy.
“These divides didn’t form overnight, and they won’t be fixed overnight either,” she said. “But we can’t give up, relationships and communities depend on it.”
For her part, Dickey is trying to find ways to navigate her own divided workplace.
“I’ve started focusing on what I have in common with my co-workers,” she said. “We all want the same things—happiness, stability and respect. That’s what I’m trying to remember.”
The road to healing may be uncertain, but for many Americans like Dickey and Quinones, the effort to rebuild relationships in the shadow of political division is worth it.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human, and the world keeps spinning no matter what,” Dickey said.
As the nation reflects on the election aftermath, the question looms: Can Americans find a way to coexist despite their differences? For experts like MacManus, the answer lies in rediscovering shared humanity.
“It starts with listening,” she said. “Only by hearing each other’s stories can we begin to rebuild those relationships.”
Situated in Pinellas Park lies Unlimited Video Games Superstore and Arcade, a locally owned video game business and part retro arcade. The moment customers step through the door they’re greeted with the sights and sounds of video games, most of which have long been off other stores’ shelves.
The store’s owners pride themselves on reconnecting people with games played in their youth or perhaps even letting them discover something new.
The advancement of technology means that older pieces of hardware tend to get left behind, such is the case with video games and their consoles. In the future, it may become difficult for people to play classic titles legally, if large video game companies do not provide proper access for a legal way to play them.
A collection of games on display at Unlimited Video Games Superstore and Arcade contains games from the Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, ColecoVision, Intellivision and Atari series of consoles. (Photo by Samuel Talero/NNB)
Unlimited Video Games not only attempts to preserve these older game titles but also preserve the hardware they’re played on to provide the proper experience people had on the original releases of those video games, their consoles and classic arcade cabinets.
“They don’t make them anymore, they don’t come back,” said Gregg Lonkey, one of the owners of Unlimited Video Games. “It’s something that can be prevented in a lot of cases or at least delayed. It’s just like anything, old cars, old records [and] old buildings.”
The business sells games, consoles and gaming peripherals that range from the days of the classic Atari to today’s modern PlayStation 5. Their arcade also houses lots of classic titles that all run on their original arcade software, their sounds overlapping with one another as they draw players in to play a few rounds.
A section of Unlimited Video Games arcade, featuring Daytona USA, Metal Slug X and House of the Dead. (Photo by Samuel Talero/NNB)
Gregory Bush, a front sales associate at Unlimited Video Games, described the things on display as “a mystical treasure trove of pretty much anything you can think of if you’re interested in video games.”
While other large-scale retailers are also capable of putting older titles on display, Unlimited Video Games places a lot of emphasis on preservation.
Before consoles and games go out on display, they perform tests to make sure that the item in question isn’t damaged and if it is then it undergoes repairs before it hits the shelf. This ensures that customers can buy a console or game that is in working condition.
A display of video game consoles on display at Unlimited Video Games Superstore and Arcade contains various different video game consoles from Nintendo and Sony’s history, as well as a Sega CD. (Photo by Samuel Talero/NNB)
“It’s hard to do game stores right and not just have them be a spreadsheet simulator,” Lonkey said. “If your store is just a spreadsheet simulator, it loses its heart, and when it loses its heart people buy their games on Amazon.”
However, this method of business is not without its risks. There is always the risk of consoles or games being beyond the ability to repair. The older video game consoles also may require parts that are no longer being produced, and the business wishes to avoid replacing all of the older parts with newer modern parts.
Richard Casimer Dombrowski III, the front house manager of Unlimited Video Games, described how everything that is taken in cannot be tested immediately and that it was ultimately a gamble on whether or not it could be repaired.
The store’s focus on retro titles ultimately gives a newer audience a window to see what games were like in the past. Many modern titles in today’s market focus a lot on making the consumer spend as much money as possible on it, something unheard of in older games unless you were an arcade cabinet.
A store display at Unlimited Video Games contains games for the Nintendo Gameboy and Gameboy Advance, both in and out of their original packaging. (Photo by Samuel Talero/NNB)
“It’s different way of companies making games back in the day, in comparison to now,” Dombrowski said. “Back in the day, they really had to show themselves off. The competitiveness of being this game that people will talk about and want to show off.”
In addition to preserving older physical media, the store opens the door for people who played these games when they were younger. Unlimited Video Games provides everything a person would need to experience games the same way as they were introduced back when they were released.
“Sometimes [people] play a game and recall that Sunday morning of them opening that game and playing it all day and having to keep it on in order to keep playing cause there was no save,” Dombrowski said. “It’s history. History in the sense of memories.”
As soccer becomes an integral part of St. Petersburg’s athletic culture, the sport is gaining momentum through youth programs, amateur leagues and the support of professional teams like the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Participation across the city is growing, and soccer is carving out its place alongside more established sports in the Tampa Bay area.
The city’s soccer scene is bolstered by increasing registration numbers for local leagues. Shane Burroughs, general manager of the St. Petersburg FC Aztecs, a semi-professional soccer team in the United Premier Soccer League, shared his perspective on the growing enthusiasm.
“I think you can see that participation in the game in our area has increased, especially on the adult recreational side of things,” Burroughs said. “That is positive because that should allude to those adult recreational players introducing the game to their kids at a young age. Unfortunately, it looks like young female participation has dropped over the last few years, but that can be attributed to the rise and popularity of flag football and lacrosse.”
Burroughs highlighted the post-COVID era as a turning point for city athletics.
“I think one of the driving factors, and this doesn’t relate to just soccer but to sports in general, was coming out of the COVID era and wanting to get kids back outside and into group activities,” he said.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. Burroughs pointed out one of the most significant hurdles has been access to quality field space.
“There are numerous challenges, with one of the most prevalent being access to field space,” he said. “If you are not a club, it is extremely difficult to find available and quality grass fields. St. Petersburg also does not have any turf fields open to the public. While grass is preferred, turf allows for constant programming and mitigates weather issues, allowing for higher usage.”
The growing interest in soccer has brought both opportunities and obstacles to the forefront of St. Petersburg’s athletic community, Burroughs said.
“The St. Petersburg area brings a sense of family and a culture where fans are fully supportive of the development of the game,” Burroughs said. “They’re not only interested in how well the team is doing but also in how individual players are progressing in their amateur and semi-professional careers.”
Bruno De Jesus, a local soccer coach and father of Rowdies player Mateus De Jesus, echoed similar sentiments about the community’s passion for soccer.
“I feel like God gave me skills to do something bigger than me,” Bruno De Jesus said. “I love the game—I’ve been playing since I was in the womb—and I’ve been coaching for that reason.”
Bruno De Jesus, who has coached for over 20 years, highlighted his efforts in making soccer accessible.
“I’ve been able to give back to the community with coaching as I’ve raised sponsorships to allow for minimal cost or no cost for people to play,” he said. “It’s nice to give people the opportunity to play, and now, I get to see those I’ve coached in college and the pros, like Mateus, weekly on ESPN+.”
Even though De Jesus lives in Palmetto, he said he recognizes the potential in St. Petersburg’s soccer community.
“We don’t know much about the St. Pete soccer atmosphere because we live in Palmetto,” he said, “but I did play against St. Pete FC’s U11 team, and they were a high-level squad with good coaching.”
His son, Mateus De Jesus, reflected on how the community shaped his journey playing for the Rowdies.
“Playing for St. Pete helped me take steps from playing with kids my age to playing with college kids,” Mateus De Jesus said. “It helped me realize how I need to play with people that are older than me, and I brought what I learned there to playing with the Rowdies.”
The strong sense of community and support for the sport in St. Petersburg has played a vital role in fostering talent and enthusiasm for soccer, according to Mateus De Jesus.
“The community has been so supportive of me, whether it was when I was playing for St. Pete or for the Rowdies,” Mateus De Jesus said. “They have always been there cheering for whichever team I’m on, and having that support makes the teams play better. The support is super important for development.”
With a supportive community and increasing opportunities for youth athletics, the city’s soccer scene is poised to expand even further, bringing the game to a broader audience and inspiring the next generation of players.
After Hurricane season came to an end in late November, Pinellas County has worked to rebuild its coastal reputation through campaigns and safety measures, reassuring discouraged tourists that many beaches are now safe.
The fall hurricanes caused significant damage to Pinellas County beaches, including erosion, debris and contamination. To bring back tourists and help local businesses flourish, the city aimed to rebuild confidence by sharing safety updates and promoting the area through targeted campaigns.
To rebuild visitor confidence, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the county’s tourism agency, launched a locally targeted campaign, Still Shining, a project that updated visitors on available beaches and businesses along the coast.
VSPC, in partnership with the City of Clearwater, helped organize storm recovery events at Clearwater Beach, including beach cleanups. They also promoted recovery efforts at Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach and participated in a post-hurricane tourism webinar.
A volunteer wearing a Visit St. Pete-Clearwater Still Shining pin helps during The Big Cleanup at Clearwater Beach in early November, an event organized after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. (Photo courtesy of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater)
Jason Latimer, director of public relations at Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, emphasized the importance of encouraging visitors to return once repair and restoration efforts were underway.
While media coverage highlighted significant damage, much of it was already addressed, and most beaches are now open and safe for visitors, according to Latimer.
“We knew it was important to let folks know that they may have seen images on the news, but it didn’t really represent the entirety of the destination,” Latimer said. “Certainly, we’re working with local businesses and municipalities … to have folks come back and enjoy the beautiful award-winning beaches.”
Latimer explained that the tourism agency organized media efforts to encourage tourists to return. These efforts included appearances on Tampa Bay’s NewsRadio WFLA, The Ryan Gorman Show, as well as billboard advertisements.
Still Shining also attracted beachgoers with a collection of exclusive discounts on dining, hotels, attractions and spas. The discounts not only provided value but also reinforced the message that the beaches were safe and ready for enjoyment, despite ongoing recovery efforts.
Christian Wells, an environmental anthropologist with a doctorate in anthropology, explained that tourists shouldn’t be overly concerned about their safety at the beach. He emphasized that the county would not have reopened the beaches if they believed the hurricane’s effects were still a threat.
“The very first thing they would do is provide an assessment to see if there is contamination,” Wells said. “The local government would have to rely on environmental consultants to find the beaches safe for any visitors.”
In addition to restoring sand and infrastructure, the county’s experts would have carefully looked for contaminants such as sewage water, biological or chemical fungus and red tide, Wells added.
He stressed that the county would not intentionally “increase the risk for illness” to attract visitors back to the beaches.
Florida’s Healthy Beaches Program conducted weekly water samplings at Pinellas County beaches to test for enterococci, a bacterium that indicates the presence of E. coli, viruses and other harmful microorganisms. If the department found poor water quality, a warning would be posted, and a public service announcement would be issued.
Local visitors and tourists can view the state of their nearby beaches online if concerned with any health risks, including water contamination and other environmental factors.
Despite the county’s efforts to restore its beaches, some businesses feel tourists are still discouraged. Small business owner Diane Butterfield, who runs Kilwins Ice Cream – Chocolate – Fudge, a franchise in Madeira Beach, expressed her ongoing struggle.
After reopening following Hurricane Milton, her business struggled with low customer volume, reaching only 10% of normal operations.
“The challenges we’ve faced obviously are financial… making payroll, making rent {and] making inventory payments,” Butterfield said, emphasizing the financial strain of operating with fewer customers.
Over time, however, business gradually improved, with customer volume rising to around 25% of its usual levels. While the recovery had been slow, Butterfield remained hopeful, she said.
“There is clearly an effort to support businesses who have reopened,” Butterfield said. “We greatly appreciate and depend upon the support of residents and the few tourists who are here.”
While challenges remained for small businesses like Kilwins, the steady progress in Pinellas County offered the possibility of making a full recovery. The county’s work to restore its beaches has made the area safer and more inviting, providing a foundation for the revival of local businesses and tourism.
In the eyes of the community, The Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg has been a key part of the city’s cultural fabric. Known for its repurposed industrial spaces, the district has provided artists with places to work and opportunities to thrive. However, as property values rise and redevelopment changes the area, local artists are facing new challenges that could impact their ability to continue working in the district.
Artists and organizations are responding with efforts to maintain the district’s creative focus while adapting to ongoing changes. From securing affordable studio spaces to increasing public awareness, these efforts reflect broader discussions about how to preserve the cultural identity of growing cities.
One artist navigating these challenges is Juan Alonso-Rodriguez, who moved to St. Petersburg in 2022. With decades of experience in the art world, Alonso-Rodriguez provides a firsthand perspective on how the changing district is affecting its artists.
Surrounded by minimalist contemporary works in his studio, Alonso-Rodriguez reflected on his journey as an artist. His clean, geometric designs and use of bold colors convey a simplicity that belies the thought and emotion behind each piece, he said.
Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Alonso-Rodriguez began his career in San Francisco, California, before spending 40 years in Seattle, Washington, where his work gained recognition in galleries and public spaces.
“In Seattle, I was able to grow because there were opportunities to show my work and support systems like public funding for the arts,” he said. “It made a big difference for my career and the art community overall.”
When Alonso-Rodriguez moved to St. Petersburg in 2022, he was drawn to the Warehouse Arts District for its reputation as a creative hub, he said.
While he said he appreciates the district’s collaborative spirit, he noted that the lack of large-scale galleries and rising costs can make it challenging for artists to thrive in the area.
Like many artists in the district, Alonso-Rodriguez faces increasing expenses. His studio lease includes a 3% annual rent increase—a manageable amount for him, but a potential barrier for others.
“I’m lucky because I have galleries in other cities that sell my work,” Alonso-Rodriguez said. “But for artists just starting out, it’s tough to afford the cost of working here.”
He also observed differences in public funding for the arts between Florida and Washington. Programs like Seattle’s Percent for Art initiative, which allocates a portion of public construction budgets to art, provided critical support for the local art scene.
“Public funding helps artists and enhances the city as a whole,” Alonso-Rodriguez said. “It encourages developers to include art in their projects, which benefits everyone.”
Despite these challenges, Alonso-Rodriguez said he values work spaces like the ones provided by ArtsXchange, a project led by the Warehouse Arts District Association that offers affordable studios and collaborative opportunities.
“Spaces like this help artists stay in the area,” he said. “They’re essential for keeping the district creative, even as the city grows.”
He also stressed the importance of community involvement, encouraging artists to advocate for policies that support the arts.
“Engaging with city officials and educating the public about the benefits of art can make a big difference,” he said. “Art isn’t just something extra, it’s an important part of the city’s identity and economy.”
The Duncan McClellan Gallery is a local glass gallery that features rotating exhibitions from national and international artists. Irene McClellan is the manager of the gallery and the wife of the creator, Duncan McClellan.
Blown glass art pieces are displayed at the Duncan McClellan Gallery. (Photo by Madelyn Siner/NNB)
“St. Petersburg is an arts destination,” Irene McClellan said. “We have people come in from all over the world for the arts. We represent artists from all over the world and we have their artwork here, but the rents are going up through the roof.”
Susan Antoinette, a local abstract and mixed media artist, has been with ArtsXchange since their grand opening in 2017 and in the Warehouse Arts District since 2015.
“We had purposely moved to St. Pete for its art community,” Antoinette said. “It was really exciting to be a part of a grassroots organization for artists. I really wanted to find a community of other artists to be able to collaborate with and to be inspired by, and St. Pete definitely offers me that.”
WADA offers Antoniette an affordable space to create her art through ArtsXchange, she said. She has also been on the project’s membership committee, events committee and education committee, and she later joined the board as chair for WADA.
“I feel very fortunate to have a studio at the ArtsXchange,” Antoniette said.
WADA’s mission is to offer affordable and sustainable studio space for artists and support the local art community. According to Antoniette, there are no other art spaces nearby that are “even comparable by price.”
However, as the city of St. Petersburg continues to grow, rent prices in the Warehouse Arts District have risen, making the space less accessible to local artists.
“The city of St. Pete has been coining St. Pete as the city of arts and culture, but the money has not showed up,” Antoniette said. “It’s not getting back to the artists. There are a lot of great wonderful things in St. Pete that could continue if we had the support from the government.”
