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No. 2659 February 20 - February 26, 2020

Gulfport Votes 100% Spreads the Word By Debbie Wolfe

On Tuesday, February 18 at the University of South Florida St.

Petersburg’s Military and Veteran Success Center, students representing all

branches of the military teamed up with Ingrid

Bredenberg, organizer of Gulfport Votes 100%, to create the non-partisan group’s signature green

corded bracelets that are given away free to people who promise to

vote. “We made 400 bracelets in 90 minutes

and they want to do more,” said Bredenberg.

The ultimate goal of the local group is 100 percent participation

by people who are qualified to vote. Photo

by Ingrid Bredenberg.

State of the City Annual Report By Laura Mulrooney During the regular Gulfport City Council meeting, Tuesday, February 18, a representative from every city department was present to give their yearly review for 2019. City Manager Jim O'Reilly touched on what was accomplished this past year, but made a point to make mention of the future of Gulfport. “Our job is to get rid of the trash and take care of the children,” said O'Reilly. Budgeting talks for the upcoming year will begin either late March or the first of April according to O'Reilly.

See City, page 22

Meet Gulfport’s Newest Elected ‘Pawficials’ at Get Rescued On Wednesday, February 19, the Gulfport Historical Society announced the results of the city’s first-ever Pet Mayor election. The people have spoken and, in addition to a new animal leader, the city has also acquired several new furry ambassadors and officials who will all represent the city for one year. “In a field full of wonderful candidogs and catdidates,” read the release posted on the society’s Facebook page, “Coco, the fabulous spokesdog for Gulfport’s Peninsula Inn, lead the pack. Congratulations, Coco!” But chocolate beauty Coco is not the only new fluffy respresentative.

See Pet Mayor, page 15

Coco, Gulfport’s first pet mayor will serve a one year term.

2 Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020

Attention Gulfport TeensAre you 13-19 years of age?

Are you interested in becoming a part ofchanging the way people view teens?

The Gulfport Teen Council is looking for you! Teen members’ involvement includes working with the City Council concerning equipment recommendations; budgetary considerations for city’s parks and recreation programs and provide recommendations, suggestions and assistance with youth events for city-sponsored festivals/programs. Teen Council members also gain valuable community experiences by attending local and state conferences, participating in community services projects and by representing the best of the city’s youth. Applicants must be either Gulfport residents, be involved in a City of Gulfport program established for teenagers, be a student attending Boca Ciega High School or a student volunteer in a city recognized program. Applications may be picked up at the Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. or City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. Positions are open until filled.

A Grand Night For Singing The Women's Ministry of Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church (PAGBCC) invites the community to attend a concert entitled "It's a Grand Night for Singing" on Saturday, February 29 at 4 p.m. at the church, 107 16th Ave. Featuring music by Rogers and Hammerstein, five extraordinary singers, Rhoni Schmitt, Erin Dickerson, Vanessa McCambridge, Brian Feist and Jamie Jones will perforrm a variety of entertaining solos, duets and quartets from some of musical theater's favorite shows including "Oklahoma'" "South Pacific," "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music." They will be accompanied by PAGBCC organist Dale Williams. Williams, a critically acclaimed performing artist, is currently the accompanist for the Tampa Oratorio Singers, and keyboardist with the Florida Orchestra in addition to her church responsibilities. The community has received previous concerts enthusiastically such as "Let Freedom Ring," "Music for Lovers" and Thanksgiving concerts performed under the direction of Williams. Tickets are $10 and may be obtained at the church office or at the door. Proceeds go to church mission projects. For more information on the concert and other church activities, please call the office, 727-360-5508 or visit pagchurch.org.

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Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020 3

4 Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020

Welcome to Gulfport Workshop Are you new to, returning to, or simply curious about Gulfport? If so, please attend an upcoming session this month. Co-hosted by Gulfport Neighbors and Gulfport Public Library, this event will inform you about library services and also provide information on the City of Gulfport services and activities. Many topics of interest including identifying your ward and your council representative. Learn which bus routes serve this area and about the Pinellas Trail. They will also provide an overview of Gulfport Neighbors’ mission and activities. The workshop is in the Friends Room of the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., on Thursday, February 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 727-893-1074.

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Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020 5

Mommy & Me Yoga at Gulfport Library The Gulfport Library's free Mommy & Me yoga class has moved to a new time slot. Join them on Thursday, March 5 at 1 p.m. for some gentle stretching and bonding with baby. This class is taught by registered yoga teacher Ms. Christa and is intended for parents and babies ages 6 weeks to 12 months (or babies not yet walking). Come meet other new parents and babies in the community, stretch, laugh, get some strength back and rejuvenate! Please call 727-893-1074 to reserve your spot or email Cailey at cklasson@mygulfport.us.

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Romantic Comedy Next in LGBTQ Film Series The LGBTQ Resource Center at Gulfport Public Library continues its free monthly LGBTQ Film Series on Thursday, March 12 with a coming of age romantic comedy rated by Rotten Tomatoes and The Advocate as among the best LGBTQ films.

The Film Series is a free gathering to watch a film on the second Thursday of each month. Each film begins at 7 p.m. in the Friends Room at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Licensing restrictions prohibit explicitly naming film titles in general press releases. But feel free to call the library at 727-893-1074 for the film title and other information about the film series. Or find titles and more information at mygulfport.us/lgbtq-resources. About the March 12 film: Simon Spier is a nice normal teenage guy, in a normal loving family, and he’s looking forward to graduation. He also has a secret: he's gay. He has yet to tell his family or friends he is gay and he doesn't actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he has fallen for online. Working through these issues becomes hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. “This film is a funny, heartfelt, and truly touching teen romantic comedy that instantly becomes a modern classic for today's

generation.” (Molly Freeman – Screen Rant) (Rated PG-13) Find out more about the Resource Center and the Library on the web at mygulfport.us/lgbtq-resources or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GulfportLibraryFL. Or contact the LGBTQ Resource Center by email to LGBTQGulfport@gmail.com.

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Consumer Protection Fair at Senior Center Join Stetson Law students, professors and other community professionals in learning about different types of consumer protection issues, getting on the do not call list, obtaining your free credit report, shredding sensitive documentsand more. The fair is on Wednesday, March 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S. A great line up of speakers and vital information will be available. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 727-893-5657.

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6 Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020

Take the Gabber on Vacation...

Send a picture of you and your Gabber on vacation,with a brief description and your name, to

News@theGabber.com.

Wendy Snyder and John Avery proudly display their Gabber while climbing the Great Wall of China in Beijing, September 2019.

Celebrate a Popeye Purim Come celebrate the joyous occasion of Purim with Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation. See the Megillah of Esther dramatized in a very funny and memorable way with a script written in conjunction with Popeye classics. Come enjoy the taste of hamantashin and learn how to use a grogger. Free admission. All are welcome; bring some friends. Dress up as someone from the Bible to enter a drawing to receive a gift. It takes place on Friday March 6 at 7 p.m. Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation is located at 1701 29th Ave N. (at 17th St.) For more information, call 727-345-7777.

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Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020 7

From the Mayor's Desk:Party Politics Widening the Chasm As we approach Florida’s closed primary and multiple state and federal elections later in the year, the political landscape looks increasingly hostile. It is the most divisive time since perhaps the Nixon era, and it seems that civil discourse has all but vanished. I believe that our two-party system shoulders much of the blame for where America finds itself. Allegiance to party has usurped allegiance to country, and indeed allegiance to our own moral compasses. Maps of our political demography show patches of blue and red, splitting us a little too cleanly into enemy camps. The fact is that most of us are neither purely blue or purely red; we are purple people. Most of us have more common ground than we do separation. Furthermore, our national parties are increasingly driven by the more extreme factions while the masses in the moderate middle are left to wonder where their place is on the battlefield. I would encourage all of us to step back from loyalty oaths, mudslinging, cherry-picked statistics and bitter rhetoric. I would ask that we all pay more attention to the character of the candidates than the letter in front of the name. Ethics, courage, inclusiveness, kindness and altruism should be part of every public servant’s track record. This should also be reflected in our candidates’ behavior on the campaign trail. If a candidate lies, cheats and steals to secure the job, then why should we expect any difference in how they perform their duties once in office? We need to recalibrate our standards, and stop making rash choices in a fog of hate. Republicans and Democrats can do better. If the party system continues to make it their mission to divide our nation then that will be their legacy. This isn’t a football game. There is no rah rah for our chosen team because we are all the home team. We are as the voters collectively, honestly, responsibly and thoughtfully tasked with doing what is best for our country, our states, our counties and cities. For all the people who live here. We hold this fragile democracy in our hands, and it is ours to lose if we do not protect the foundations upon which it was built. Let’s all do our part to look beyond the party lines, and take a hard look at the people we choose to elect. After all, it is intended to be government for the people, by the people – not for the party, by the party. Get out there and vote for a better world.

Gulfport MayorSam Henderson

Teddy Bear Picnic for Grades K to 5 Hey kids, if you’re in grades k to 5, then you’re invited to a Teddy Bear Picnic at Gulfport Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. on Saturday, February 22, at 1 p.m. Play games, do some crafting, and enjoy a few picnic snacks. Bring along your favorite teddy bear to enjoy the festivities.

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Remembering Lynching Presentation In honor of Black History Month, there will be a presentation by Dr. Julie Buckner Armstrong, an internationally known expert and author/editor of multiple books on the civil rights movement. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at USFSP. Dr. Armstrong will speak about the Remembrance Project with the Equal Justice Initiative to commemorate local lynchings through a historical marker. The program starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 27 at the Gulfport Library. It is sponsored by the Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library. Everyone is invited to this very special event. For more information, contact 727-893-1074.

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8 Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020

Town Shores Shuffleboard Season Begins The Town Shores Shuffleboard Club held their first tournament of the season on Friday, January 31. The play was singles, with men and women both vying for the title. Despite the inclement weather they had four courts of members contending. After the first game, brackets were determined, creating winners and consolation brackets, the winner winning all games and consolation losing only one. This was quite a feat, as there were a total of five games for each bracket. Former President Blair Libby outshone the 16 contestants for the win. Gerry Espanola won the consolation. Their next tournament will be held Friday, February 28, at 1 p.m.

Town Shores Shuffleboard Club President Cheryl Garron congratulates Blair Libby and Gerry Espanola (right) on their great play.

Gulfport Citywide Yard Sale Saturday, March 14 Gulfport residents, dust off your unused stuff and clear out the clutter and sign up for the permit free biannual City of Gulfport Citywide Yard Sale, scheduled for Saturday, March 14 (rain date, Sunday, March 15). Do not miss this incredible opportunity to have your Gulfport address on the brochure for added visibility for free. The City of Gulfport is now kindly accepting addresses to be added to this year’s City Wide Yard Sale brochure. Deadline to sign up is March 6 in order to make print deadline. The easiest way to register is to go to mygulfport.us/gulfport-city-wide-yard-sale and fill out the web form and hit submit. For those who do not have internet, you can also fill out a form at Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. or the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. So get ready and get your address on the City Wide Yard Sale brochure today! For more information, please call Kristin Ossola at 727-893-1118.

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Hog Heaven Barbecue Dinner Come celebrate Washington's birthday and enjoy a little barbecue. First United Methodist Church's 13th annual Hog Heaven Barbecue Dinner will be on Saturday, February 22. John Verville, the "Ribdog" and Master Kansas City Barbecue Society competitor and judge, is back again this year, cooking some his championship pork for you. In addition to a generous portion of hickory-smoked pulled pork, dinners will include hickory smoked baked beans, potato salad, bread and dessert. All for just $10 per person. Hot dog dinners for children under 12 are also available for $3. Dinners will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Takeouts are available. Everyone is welcome. Right now ther are less than 75 tickets available. You may purchase your tickets at the church office at 2728 53rd St. S. Call 727-321-3620 or 727-488-9031 for further information or reservations.

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Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020 9

ARIES (March 21-April 19). What is the difference between giving someone attention and giving someone close attention? Forget about them; think about you. The difference is your takeaway. Close attention leads to understanding, to learning and to the pride of earning an A. Cursory attention is a C+ at best. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your mind is crafty. It can turn anything into something else. Just try it out. Think of an elephant, and then turn it into a fish. That was so easy, it barely took a second. Now change your mind about a limiting belief. This trick takes longer, but it will be easy once you accept that it will make you better. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). What is charm? You have it so innately that you don't realize what you're doing most of the time. It has to do with making the other person more important than you in the moment. It's giving your whole self over. This will feel like a joy at times, and at other times, it will feel like a sacrifice. Both will serve you well this week. CANCER (June 22-July 22). How a message is delivered will be very important. As you walk around in the world, you'll be aware of the sending of signals, sometimes subtle, sometimes desperate. Signals can be big, micro, meta, manipulative, artistic, mysterious, calculated. Your attention to communication will not be unpaid. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Reasons – they are the solids the brain needs to function, the building blocks that allow for upward towers. Never underestimate the creativity alive in your brain. Reasons will be supplied.

They don't have to be true, make sense or be good ideas. And a hard "no" should be supplied to some of these reasons. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are people in your midst with talents you would like to have. Actually, you do have them. You just don't realize it yet. Recognizing the talent in others is a sign that there's something similar or complementary inside of you. And any time and effort you put into appreciation is the groundwork for what you might do. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Among the most significant triggers in the animal kingdom is the trigger of scent. This is why, in the ancient world, when events of significance were occurring, the government would fill the fountains with incense oils. You'll be making an impression this week. Consider the power of scent. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Some popular things are off-putting to you, and some things that offend others seem fine to you. This is just the concept of "fit" in action. What if you thought that nothing was wrong or right? Everything would just be a, "Yeah, that's for me" or a, "No, that's not for me." The need to judge things is often an overstated one. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

If you did a little too much of this or that, maybe the this or that is an area that you and yours need to put on the board under the category of "Things to work out." We are all in this together after all. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Ideas bounce around in your head, and you want so badly to be able to pursue each one to its natural conclusion. Since that would be impossible, you'll have fun sorting, prioritizing and letting some of the possibilities go. Later, when you look back, you'll see this process as the most productive one. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Determination and resolve will pay off, though it would be nice not to feel like life is an uphill battle. Everything you do shouldn't require massive expenditures of energy. You'll assess your output with the aim of efficiency and doing things that contribute to the best parts of your life. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's said that the best things in life are free. Yet, we pay for things in our lives in different ways. So, it is just as true that nothing is free, as the next moment will cost a breath and our friendships will cost attention, and our love lives will cost expenditures of heart that we will gladly give, giving being most of the joy of life.

10 Gabber February 20 - February 26, 2020

Gulfport’s Get Rescued Returns The 16th Annual Gulfport’s Get Rescued event will bring hundreds of adoptable animals, vendors, activities and a Bark-B-Que to the streets of Gulfport for a full day of fur and fun on Saturday, February 22, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event has grown to become the largest animal rescue event in Florida with rescue groups travelling from throughout the state to participate. The event is free, family friendly,

and of course, pet-friendly. You will have the opportunity to meet with many of these cuddly creatures along the south end Beach Boulevard. The event raises money and awareness, but they hope you want to choose a new fur baby of your own to raise! For those not looking for a new furry or feathered friend, there will still be plenty for to do. There will be independent vendors from all walks of life, selling animal-related products, crafts and artwork. Bring your own critter companion, and join thousands of other visitors

in downtown Gulfport to participate in one of the area’s most beloved traditions. All well-behaved people (and their surely polite pets) are welcome. Convenient complimentary parking will be available all around the area. Visitors and attendees are encouraged to bring donations of unopened dog and cat food, cat litter and pet supplies. The drive-by drop-off location on the day of the event will be conveniently located at the historic Gulfport Casino at 5500 Shore Blvd. Supporters can also make donations online or check facebook.com/GetRescued for donation locations throughout the Tampa Bay Area. All contributions will be distributed to the participating rescues. For more information on Gulfport’s Get Rescued, visit facebook.com/GetRescued or VisitGulfportFlorida.com or contact Suzanne King at 727-322-5217 orl SuzFest@gmail.com.

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Hip Hop Dance Classes for Kids Hip Hop Dance classes for ages 8 to 16 are now at the Gulfport Recreation Center. Classes are on Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. All instructors are level 2 background screened. Please contact Lisa Walker at 727-742-2594 for more information.

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Lunch N’ Learn on St. Pete Beach The St. Pete Beach Community Center is proud to offer their free Lunch N’ Learn Series again this year. Throughout all of 2020 they will be hosting free seminars at the Community Center at 7701 Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete Beach. Spots are limited, so sign up today by calling 727-363-9245. For a list of weekly topics or more information visit spbrec.com.

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