Category: COMMUNITY

By Kendra Reese Community & Culture Beat Reporter

Pepê Costa’s journey from his childhood in Rio de Janeiro, where he spent his days in the sun-soaked sand, to his current role as a decorated beach volleyball coach, has been defined by his passion for the sport.

Having coached in 49 countries, including professional and Olympic teams, he has now settled in St. Petersburg. Here, he is determined to use his expertise to guide the local beach volleyball community to its full potential.

“People here are fanatics about beach volleyball,” said Costa, who landed in St. Petersburg as the technical director for Optimum Beach Volleyball, one of the area’s premiere clubs. “There is a tournament every weekend; they never stop.”

In the active St. Petersburg area, a driven community of beach volleyball players grows and thrives. The city is known for its bustling, active and healthy community of outdoor sports lovers. Amongst this fiercely competitive community are beach volleyball players, who sleep, breathe and certainly eat sand.

As parks like Northshore and Gulfport provide a haven for beach volleyball players, organizations like the USF St. Petersburg Volleyball Club and Optimum Beach Volleyball Club gather competitive talent. At the helm of this movement is The Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association (SSOVA), which hosts competitive tournaments allowing for the growth of community and culture.

This hobby has generated camaraderie among a diverse group of people who enjoy getting outside and competing in a sport. It has even attracted talented and seasoned figures, like Costa, who holds national and world championship titles in many countries, including Brazil, Australia, Paraguay, Japan and Qatar.

“St. Petersburg provides me with the life I’ve always been used to. I feel at home here, where we play beach volleyball 24/7,” said Costa, referring to his childhood in Brazil.

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s USFSP Volleyball Club gives students a chance to compete, improve and make lasting friendships. The club’s president, Abby Carter, orchestrates the day-to-day activities of the club.

“The culture of the volleyball team is something that’s super special,” Carter said. “We are like a big family.”

The group focuses on building friendships, skills and teamwork. The team hosts weekly practices and participates in multiple tournaments throughout the season.

“I find that a lot of the volleyball team hangs out as friends outside of practice and tournaments, which is really cool,” Carter said. “I can speak for myself and say that most of my really close friends are on the volleyball team, both boys and girls that I’ve met in college, it’s just really cool to see that continuing with other players on the team as well.”

SSOVA owner and director Isabelle Thayer-Persaud has devoted her life to the beach volleyball community. From meeting her husband to watching her firstborn toddle around the beach, she has built a life around the sport.

“The most amazing opportunities I’ve had in life have been because of volleyball,” Persaud said. 

Something that holds many people back from joining a new activity is the cliques, or close-knit friend groups that may be hard to infiltrate. For beach volleyball in St. Pete, there seems to be an open policy regarding newcomers.

“I feel like beach volleyball is so inclusive; it can be a little cliquey at times, but honestly, I think this area is the least cliquey of them all. I guess the hardest part is finding a court that’s open, these days, we’re growing so much that we need more courts,” Persaud said.

Unlike other areas that attract beach volleyball players, the locals describe the St. Pete community as inclusive, welcoming and friendly. In such a competitive sport, it can be hard to find areas that are willing to welcome newcomers with open arms; a problem that is not apparent in St. Pete.

Groups like SSOVA are dedicated to bringing forth positive change through the insistence of green practices. This company strives to leave the beaches cleaner than they found them and even bans players from returning if they are found to leave trash on the beach after tournaments.

The unique community built upon not only talent but friendship, diversity and good old-fashioned competition makes St. Petersburg stand out as a hub where individuals not only excel in their own abilities but foster lifelong connections.

These friendships are what make this beach volleyball community special. From the pickup games at Northshore Park to the competitive tournaments hosted by SSOVA, players in St. Pete value sportsmanship, connection and fun above all else.

For 12 years the Ringling Museum has united the Sarasota community with their fondness for the arts.

By Darialy Alvarez Community & Culture Beat Reporter

On the first Thursday of every month, the Ringling Museum courtyard transforms into an evening celebrating music, community and artistry. The Ringling Underground event has become a social hub for Sarasota locals, enhancing the sense of community through the arts.

The event begins at 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month during the school year. The evening is taken over by three bands; a local, a regional and a state one. The genres range from rock to folk, to alternative and more. The concert series is three hours long, and there are pauses between sets.

The Ringling Underground has been going for over 12 years, and it was first started to give college students a way to come together and celebrate music in a city where the majority of the population was retirees. Years later, the attendees of the events of all ages, cultural backgrounds and races gather together to celebrate music.

Steven High, the Executive Director of the Ringling Museum, shared the importance of the arts within a community and how the Underground program can unite people in an incredible way.

“It is absolutely critical to make the work that we do be accessible to everyone in the community, programs like Underground are a great way to introduce the museum to the whole young group of emerging artists and young professionals,” High said.

Throughout the evening, there is more than just music. There are drinks, food, exhibitions, performance pieces, games and more. There is always an art gallery open to the public. It is a great way to make connections, especially for those interested in getting involved in the arts or simply trying to find a new passion.

The entrance for residents is only $15. Students of certain universities and museum members get in free with proof of ID.

“So for us, it’s an absolutely important program that…it is a bridge between the younger population here in town, the college age and older population with the museum,” High said.

Briana Lutzi, also known as Briana! the lead singer of Lemon Royale, had her second performance at the Ringling Underground in February. This opportunity has allowed her to perform her own music and share who she is with her community. She mentioned how important it is for a community to come together.

“There is so much value that music brings. It’s such a healing thing, and I think Sarasota, especially, is a place that is just full of vibrant, vibrant artists and musicians, and it’s a hub,” she said. “Like, it’s truly a hub for local talent, and having the community support is what keeps me going.”

This program is an opportunity for people within the community but for local artists trying to make a name for themselves.

“Having people that I know I’m touching with my songs and my music; it just means the world to me,” Lutzi said.

Just like her, there are many artists who use the event as a way to find connections with other people within their field.

Sherlyn Garcia, a Sarasota resident and inspiring artist, attended the event after hearing some friends talk about it. As someone pursuing music, she said she loves that these bands can come together and share their art for the evening.

“I loved the vibes throughout the night, the diversity, and the musical talent that took over the stage,” Garcia said.

The vibrant ambiance left Garcia wanting more.

“I am looking forward to the next event, I am planning to bring some of my friends,” she said. “Who knows, maybe one day, I will have the opportunity to share my music on that stage.”

“I wanted to see Ringling Underground get bigger and bigger and bigger every year,” Lutzi said.

To know more information about upcoming events and how to buy tickets visit the Ringling website. Tickets are subject to availability. Attendees can also purchase tickets at the door, as long as the event is not sold out.

A world champion and her devoted group of all-female contenders find sanctuary to sharpen their skills in Tarpon Springs.

By Sophia Makris Community & Culture Beat Reporter

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Bobbi Douthitt, the world’s 18^th seated pro women’s pinball player, is the leader of a women’s league, Belles & Chimes, right here in Tampa Bay. Hosted by the Replay Amusement Museum in Tarpon Springs, she and other local pinball fanatics have crafted a space where girls can come to socialize, compete in tournaments and discover the inner workings of the game.

According to the Belles & Chimes official website, the club was originally founded in Oakland, California, in 2013 and named after vintage pinball mechanisms that use bells and chimes that ring and whistle to signal a high score, multiball or skill shot. Since then, it has expanded to become an international network of chapters prioritizing the inclusion and empowerment of women in pinball.

But for Douthitt, the love of pinball started way before 2013.

“I’ve been playing ever since I was a kid,” she said. “[The game] kind of grew with me and machines started popping up in bars as I got older. I just kept with it and now, it’s what I do.”

On the road to being a world champion, Douthitt competed in state and national competitions and even helped form a Belles & Chimes chapter in Ocala. Moving up in the ranks, she now constantly defends her title on the International Flipper Pinball Association’s (IFPA) scoreboard and frequents worldwide competitions. The key to her training: just keep practicing. When the opportunity arose to form a Tampa Bay chapter, she took it.

“There is always more room to improve our inclusivity,” she said. “I want to make space where women can be represented and feel comfortable to learn in the spirit of friendly competition.”

Despite technically being a player-versus-player game, the Belles & Chimes pinball league has an uplifting and enthusiastic team energy.

Ailsa Riddell, an employee of the Replay Museum and proud Belle, said that the spirit of teamwork was inspired by Douthitt’s determination to foster solidarity in the pinball community for all identities and skill levels. When asked why and how she got into the sport of pinball she simply replied, “It’s all Bobbi.”

“Most of the girls here owe our whole pinball career to Bobbi,” Riddell said. “She’s really encouraged us to try and get better and took us under her wing.”

Rachel Ristow, a Belle from a Wisconsin chapter, said on their official website “…It’s women empowering women – supporting each other, teaching each other, and competing with each other as a means of both individual and collective growth.”

The tight-knit, for-women by-women community’s mission is simple: provide a social and fun space to indulge the passion of pinball.

Airi Macaluso, a Tampa Bay Belle, expressed how playing with men can be intimidating, especially because the game and culture are male-dominated. Many women feel outnumbered when confronted in a tournament where they are the only female opponent.

“Competing against men can be super stressful and I don’t need more of that in my life. When I come here, I just have fun, no pressure or stress attached,” Macaluso said.

“When I first went to a competition, I absolutely hated it. I told myself I would never do it again. But Bobbi told me to just try the women’s league, and I’ve been back every month since,” she said.

On the second Monday of every month, the Belles meet at the Replay Amusement Museum in Tarpon Springs for a potluck.

“We come here to eat, play, hang out, build friendships, and most of all, get better at pinball,” said Jenna Silverman, another member of the Tampa Bay chapter. “It really is a safe space; femmes and thems, we’re all welcome.”

Based on ratings and experience, competitors are paired with similar skill-level players and assigned a random machine. By selecting two players on the machine, each contender gets three balls to try and win the match, switching off when their respective ball goes down the drain.

One game at a time, for a total of 10 games for each player, the opponents with the most one-on-one wins move through to the finals, where the top eight compete for the four-spot podium and themed prizes. One-on-one wins move through to the finals, where the top eight compete for the four-spot podium and themed prizes.

But the sport was not always fun and games. There was once a time in history when pinball was demonized and illegal, called the American Pinball Prohibition.

When coin-operated pinball machines were first released in 1931, they did not have the flippers that make them the games of skill and strategy they are today. Instead, the path of the ball was random, and people often made bets on which hole the ball would fall in. This association with gambling led many cities across America to ban the game until the 1970s when the ruling was largely overturned.

Since then, dedicated players and fans, like Douthitt, have cultivated a rigor for the game and nurtured its presence back into the world (read more on the IFPA website), teaching and advocating about the complexities that make pinball such a compelling and hard-to-master sport.

With pinball machines dating back to the ‘50s, the Replay arcade is a playable exhibit of games past and present, a video game time capsule that shows how the sport of pinball developed through Prohibition and beyond. In addition to Belles & Chimes, Replay hosts a non-gendered club, the Last Friday Pinball League, also spearheaded by Douthitt, as well as a youth league for aspiring pinball all-stars.

“Number one is learning, two is community, and three is pinball, and once you have those priorities in order, it creates a really dynamic environment where we all thrive,” Macaluso said.

Although Douthitt has a world-renowned talent, she remains humble, raising the local leagues to success. While most Belles started with little to no pinball experience, many of them like Silverman and Macaluso now qualify for state competitions alongside Douthitt. Through Belles & Chimes, these women delve into the game of pinball, exploring it through friendship and a common passion.

By Alexa McClure Community & Culture Beat Reporter

Electric scooters and bikes have become increasingly popular over the last few years in St. Petersburg. Because of this, rules surrounding their use downtown in Vinoy Park have been put in place. However, whether or not those rules are followed is up in the air.

While certain areas of downtown are restricted for electric scooters, there are also other areas with speed limits imposed. While this is done for safety reasons, many people do not follow them, and the rule enforcement is almost non-existent.

However, there is no doubt that these rules are important to follow.

In September 2023, a woman died in downtown St. Petersburg after being struck by an electric scooter on the sidewalk. Events such as this one beg the question of whether more laws should be put in place surrounding these vehicles, and if there should be stricter laws about who is allowed to use them.

One of the most popular places to go for electric scooters and bike users in downtown St. Petersburg is Vinoy Park. With its large sidewalk and beautiful views of Tampa Bay, it’s no wonder people enjoy riding there.

One of those riders is Alan Griswold, a 27-year-old contractor from St. Petersburg. Griswold spends time in Vinoy Park almost every day.

“I don’t ride a scooter anymore, but I rollerblade often. There’s definitely a lot of people who zip through the park, you have to be pretty aware of your surroundings,” he said.

Griswold has enjoyed spending time at the park over the last many years, as he can walk there from his house and relax while he’s not working. Rules concerning the use of electric scooters and bikes, as well as regular bikes or rollerblades, do exist, he said.

“I know they have a 10 mph speed limit on the majority of the trail, and that changes to five mph when you go out towards the end of the pier, but the enforcement is pretty much non-existent to be honest,” he said. “There’s no one really enforcing anything, it’s pretty much just the honors system.”

Some locals who frequent Vinoy Park think there needs to be more done to make sure people adhere to these speed limits.

Tony Witlin is a 73-year-old retired lawyer from Philadelphia. He has lived in St. Petersburg for over 15 years and has been at Vinoy Park almost every day of those 15 years to go on a walk and feed the squirrels in the park.

Witlin has watched the park change a lot during his time in St. Petersburg. One of the big changes he’s seen has been the introduction of electric vehicles to the park.

“Part of what’s wrong here is that this area is totally uncontrolled,” he said. “In the older days there used to be a policeman that would ride around on a bike here, and that made all the difference in the world.”

Witlin said a big part of the issue is that people are not as considerate of one another as they should be. A lot of people in this park are only thinking about their personal experiences.

“This should have a seven mph speed limit, you should have to have your hands on the steering wheel,” Witlin said. “Some people could care less if there’s anybody else here.”

People who listen to music and cruise through the park at high speeds can be hazardous to others.

“And now we have these headphones. People will ride around on electric bikes and scooters with their headphones on listening to music, so they can’t even hear what’s going on around them. It is dangerous,” Witlin said.

Witlin worries most about people who don’t have good mobility or aren’t in good health.

“There are plenty of older people and children who are in this park,” he said. “They are very vulnerable if anything goes wrong because of these vehicles.”

Not everyone feels the lack of enforcement in downtown St. Petersburg is an area of concern.

“I don’t think there needs to be more patrol to enforce the speed rules. . . sometimes I go faster than maybe I should, but I’m smart about it,” Griswold said. I know not everybody is and some can be a little reckless with their speed, but when the path is wide open and there’s nobody around, you should be able to go a little faster.”

Griswold said there’s never going to be a way to monitor the use of these vehicles completely and that we need to educate people to be safe and thoughtful of them as accidents do occur sometimes.

“I’ve had some close calls with people biking and what not, trying to pass people and stuff,” he said. “I have wiped out once because someone’s dog ran out in front of me and I tried to stop and swerve to get away from hitting them. I ended up on the ground.”

Although the use of e-bikes and scooters has changed the dynamic of downtown St. Petersburg, they have also added a valued sense of community, said 24-year-old Leia Von.

“I’ve only lived in St. Petersburg for about a year. I didn’t know anybody when I moved here,” she said. “I actually ended up meeting friends through online groups for people with e-bikes, scooters, and one-wheels.”

These groups will sometimes do organized meet-ups, and ride together as a big group through the downtown area.

“It’s a great way to meet people, and really get involved with the community which is super important,” Von said.

Most people probably agree that people could be a little more vigilant and considerate when riding through the downtown area.

It’s most important that it’s safe for everyone, and there’s always more that can be done to make sure it stays that way, but Griswold still encourages anyone interested in riding to give it a go.

“Definitely go for it. It’s a great time, it’s a beautiful trail,” he said. “If you’re going to be going fast, just be aware of your surroundings, be conscious of other people using the trail, just stay aware if you’re riding around on anything with wheels.”

By Makaila Mekdeci Community & Culture Beat Reporter

YBOR CITY, Fla. — In Ybor City, the vibrant Cuban culture is best experienced through its hearty cuisine.

Home to the highly regarded and over-a-century-old Columbia Restaurant and famous La Segunda bakery, and the birthplace of the famous Tampa Cuban sandwich, the culinary story of the city is one of the richest in all of Florida.

The Tampa Cuban sandwich is more than a delicious meal – it’s a symbol of Ybor City’s history. At its core, the sandwich embodies affordability, flavor and practicality.

For the cigar workers in Ybor City a century ago, it served as an ideal lunch – a satisfying, filling, and easily portable meal that kept them going during long workdays. The sandwich, previously coined as the “mixto,” was designed to give them a taste of home and sustenance in a single, affordable package.

“The Cuban sandwich represents the migration of people from Cuba as well as the melting pot of people who lived and worked among each other when they came to Tampa’s Ybor City to make a new life,” said Jeff Houck, Columbia Restaurant’s vice president of marketing.

With culinary pioneers like Columbia Restaurant and La Segunda Bakery, this culturally profound yet simple meal has evolved into an integral part of West Tampa’s cuisine.

“You can definitely find some great Cuban sandwiches,” said Ahjalia Garcia, whose family has lived in Ybor City for nearly a decade. “Almost anywhere in West Tampa is going to be the best bet. They are definitely significant to the city.”

The formation of the “original” Tampa Cuban, of course, starts with delicious pressed Cuban bread – soft on the inside with a crisp and flaky exterior. Inside this mustard-slabbed bread is a combination of salty ham, tender sliced roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese and tart pickles. Typically cut on the diagonal and perhaps too large to finish at one time for many, this sandwich has found its home on an increasing number of menus in the area.

At Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, it is one of the most popular dishes.

Named the best sandwich in Florida by Food and Wine, it is crafted the traditional Tampa way and served often with a side of crisp plantain chips and a pickle spear. Houck was also able to offer great insight as to what makes the sandwich at Columbia Restaurant stand out from others of its kind.

“The sandwich continues to receive accolades for many reasons, not the least of which because many of the ingredients are prepared in-house,” Houck said, “Including the mojo-marinated roast pork and the Spanish-style baked ham. Importing Genoa salami with black peppercorns also is a nod to excellent ingredients.”

That said, the (debatably) most important part of a Cuban sandwich is its irresistible casing.

Authentic Cuban bread, characterized by its soft interior and crusty exterior, is a vital element of the sandwich’s success. The making of this bread, known for its distinct flavor and texture, is an art form in itself. La Segunda Bakery, in particular, offers handcrafted loaves that have become an integral part of Tampa’s culinary heritage.

La Segunda, rooted in early 1900s traditions, meticulously crafts their authentic Cuban bread, upholding the rare practice of placing a palmetto leaf atop each loaf. This time-honored tradition, which demands skilled labor, sets La Segunda apart as one of the few bakeries that preserves this unique process.

With dedication like this and over a century of experience, it is no wonder this once-small family business has developed with such success and continues to produce the most authentic Cuban bread in America.

“Many would say that the enjoyment of the Cuban sandwich starts with the bread,” Houck said. “For 108 years, we’ve used Cuban bread baked six blocks away at La Segunda Central Bakery, owned by the same family for four generations. Crusty on the exterior and tender in the middle, it is the finest Cuban bread in the world.”

For those not inclined to make the journey to one of these esteemed establishments, La Segunda even sells its giant fan-favorite Cuban loaves in most Publix grocery stores. Here, people can purchase and use the bread for anything they want- whether it be their take on a Cuban sandwich, some yummy garlic bread or even just as a snack straight from its plastic wrapper with a slab of butter.

“My family always buys La Segunda bread when we go to the grocery store,” said Thomas Korbos, a Tampa native. “It’s the perfect bread for any sandwich and it even tastes great just by itself. I really never get sick of eating it.”

Beyond the clear reasons behind the popularity of these traditional locations, discovering a delicious Cuban in the West Tampa/Ybor City area is rather effortless. That is because the sandwich has surpassed its origins to become a cultural symbol of the city. It now represents more than a mere food item; it’s a unifying force, connecting residents to their city’s diverse history and shared heritage.

The Cuban sandwich has also taken center stage at local food festivals, drawing crowds eager to sample different renditions and interpretations of this beloved dish. Its prevalence on menus across the city, from food trucks to five-star restaurants, signifies its enduring popularity and the city’s pride in its culinary legacy.

As the sandwich became a source of community pride, friendly debates emerged over who makes the best version. Despite clear historical evidence, some in Miami can’t resist claiming ownership of the delicious handheld.

That said, both Tampa and Miami boast their unique takes on the Cuban. While many Miami food enthusiasts express repulsion at the idea of adding salami, an Italian ingredient, Tampa sees it as yet another symbol of cultural entanglement. The Cuban sandwich is not just a tasty meal; it represents cultures from around the world coming together as one.

Though Miami’s take is still good, it is hard to build a case for it as the original. That is because people of many ethnicities – Cuban, Italian, Jewish and others- came to the city of Ybor to work in the cigar factories. From there, they became friends, and family even, and were able to create this meal out of love and respect for their entanglement.

“As people moved through Key West and finally to Tampa, the sandwich remained as the ‘mixto’ on menus for decades,” Houck said. “It evolved in Tampa in the early 1900s into the form that people know and love today.”

For this reason, the Tampa Cuban sandwich stands as a culinary ambassador, narrating the story of Tampa’s past, its diverse heritage, and the enduring spirit of its residents. It continues to thrive as a symbol of community and a celebration of the vibrant flavors that make Tampa a historical emblem and a unique culinary destination.

“You can’t really understand how much Tampa’s food life has grown, especially in recent years,” Houck said. “Without understanding how important food was to the foundation of the city.”

That’s why people travel far and wide to Tampa to try the delicious Cuban cuisine that is found throughout the city.

“A Cuban is to Tampa what a Philly Cheesesteak is to Philadelphia, or what a deep-dish pizza is to Chicago,” Korbos said. “It’s part of the culture, it’s who we are. If you come here, it is something you just can’t leave without trying.”