By Marlene Shaw
A friend who shares my deep belief in the power of community recently sent me an interesting video. In it, anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite and Jane Fonda talked about something both simple and profound: people with positive beliefs about aging live, on average, 7.5 years longer. In other words, attitude matters.
They challenged the familiar language we so casually accept – “senior moments,” for example (as if younger people never forget anything!) – and the tendency to equate aging with disease or decline. Instead, they offered a more expansive and hopeful view of later years.
One of their most compelling points was that strong community is the single most important factor in healthy aging. And one of the best ways to build community and purpose, they said, is through the arts. The arts they highlighted weren’t limited to painting or sculpture, for example. Singing, dance, theater, flower arranging – any form of creativity counts. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, people who participate in creative activities experience better overall health, visit the doctor less often, are less likely to fall, and benefit from both mental engagement and physical activity. Just as importantly, new and deeper relationships form. Science backs this up as well with dozens of studies.
Aging, they said, is not decline – it’s growth. It’s a process of self-knowledge. Through community and creative expression, stress decreases. We become kinder to ourselves, less judgmental, braver, and far less concerned with what others think.
Honestly, I believe this applies to every age and every chapter of life. While the benefits are especially powerful in later years, all of us need strong community connections. Art and creativity enrich us all. How fortunate we are to live in a community that offers so many opportunities to do just that.
On another note, a reminder that we have a significant election coming up on March 10, including the selection of councilmembers and several referendum questions. If you’re not registered to vote, or haven’t recently verified your voter registration, now is the time. Please note that Vote by Mail requests expired after the last election – you’ll need to renew your request if you wish to vote that way. More information is available at www.votepinellas.gov.
I encourage you to learn as much as you can about the candidates and the referendum questions. Your vote matters. Your choices help shape our shared future. Staying informed, engaged, and involved has never been more important.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions, thoughts, or concerns. I remain deeply committed to our community – and to each of you.
What’s Happening
- Feb. 1: The First Annual For The Love of Gulfport Community Day presented by Gulfport Pride and WonderWorks, inTrolley Market Square on Tangerine Greenway & 49th St. S, 11am-4pm. Community-Art & Crafts-Music-Food-Vendors-Kids Activities. Learn more at www.facebook.com/gulfportpride
- Feb. 5: Opening Art Reception & Exhibit featuring the Gulfport Plein Air Painters, 6-8pm, at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.
- Feb. 6: The Armore Valentine’s Art Show at the DRV Gallery, 5401 Gulfport Blvd. 5:30-8:30pm. www.drvgallery.com
- Feb. 6: Oil Paintings by Fen, an artist’s reception at the Brenda McMahon Gallery, 6-9pm, 2901 Beach Blvd. S. Robert Sutherland, the musical guest, will also be performing. Contact: Brenda McMahon Gallery (Facebook) and www.brendamcmahongallery.com
- Feb. 6-8: A Literary Festival-Where Our Stories Come to Life, a celebration of diverse stories and authors from the LGBTQ community presented by ReadOUT. At the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. For times and a schedule of the event: www.outartsculture.org ALSO, on Feb 7: readOUT VIP Party, at The Wine House, Beach Blvd. S, 8pm. Access is included with a readout VIP ticket. VIP tickets are limited.
- Feb. 8: Beyond the Beach Cleanup, with organizers Gulfport Grassroots and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, 9-11am. Meet at Beach Pavilion #4. Supply bags, pickers, pails, gloves, water, and more are provided. www.facebook.com/events/1666123201428582
- Feb. 12: An Intimate Evening of Music with Ben Cosgrove, presented by WonderWorks and Ben Cosgrove, at WonderWorks, 5314 Gulfport Blvd S. Described by the Boston Globe as a “sonic plein-air painter…using his piano as a paintbrush.” 7-9pm. Tickets: $20, at www.form.jotform.com
- Feb. 13: Songs of Gulfport-An Evening of Original Music Celebrating Our City by the Bay. Presented by Gulfport Arts & Heritage and sponsored by the North End Taphouse & Kitchen, with special performances by many local artists-at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. Doors open at 7pm. Performance at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.gulfporthistoricalsociety.org
- Feb. 14: Songs of James Taylor, a special Valentine Tribute presented by the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation. 7pm at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. VIP tickets: $50 that includes a drink, hors d’oeuvres, meet and greet, and photo op. General audience: $30. www.Eventbrite.com
- Feb. 14-15: The 11th Annual Gulfport Fine Arts Festival presented by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber from 10am-5pm in Clymer Park (Gulfport Blvd. S & Beach Blvd. S). More than 50 professional artists will be featured. Artists, selected by three distinguished jurors, will showcase original works. The festival will include a children’s activity tent sponsored by the Kiwanis International. Additional highlights include live artist demonstrations and food offerings from three local restaurants. – ALSO, again this year, the festival will host a Butterfly Sponsorship and Release Event in partnership with the Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation. Attendees may sponsor a butterfly for $10 in honor or memory of a loved one, cause or moment. The Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation will be onsite both days with an observation tent from 10am-5pm. On, Sunday afternoon, there will be a public butterfly release. Memorial plaques created in conjunction with the sponsorship will be permanently placed in the garden during a dedicated ceremony later this spring. The festival is free and is located within walking distance of restaurants, galleries and waterfront businesses. More information, including butterfly sponsorship details, is available at www.drvgallery.com/sponsor-butterfly
- Feb. 15: The Gulfport Swamp Opera Mardi Gras (Cajun-based), presented by Enroy Foundation as one of their seasonal backyard concert events. Contact enroy@yahoo.com for details.
- Feb. 16: Gulfport’s Arbor Day Celebration, Presentation and Free Tree Giveaway, 3120 Miriam St. S, 3:45pm
- Feb. 19: Gulfport Poetry Open Mic Night at the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S from 6-7pm.
- Feb. 28: The 22nd Get Rescued Animal Rescue Festival, 10am-5pm, 3000 Beach Blvd. S. Adoption event, pet friendly shopping, raffle fun-raiser, Weiner Dog Derby, responsible pet care education, and more! Contact: 727.322.5217 or suzfest@gmail.com
- Mar 1 (Rescheduled to Mar 1 due to weather): The First Annual for the Love of Gulfport Community Day presented by Gulfport Pride and WonderWorks, in Trolley Market Square on Tangerine Greenway & 49th St S, 11am-4pm. Community-Art & Crafts-Music-Food-Vendors-Kids Activities. Learn more at www.facebook.com/gulfportpride
- Mar 1: Enroy Foundation Backyard Concert Series presents Max Hatt & Edda Glass (Bossa Nova & Cool Jazz). FMI: enroy@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/Enroy/FoundationInc/
- Mar 6: Brenda McMahon Gallery hosts art openings and artist meet & greets twice a month during First Friday & Third Saturday Night Markets, 6-9pm, at 2901 Beach Blvd S. March will feature Women’s History – Leading the Change. She is opening the conversation – What does change look like when women are leading the way? Special musical guest is jazz saxophonist Zeta the Babe. FMI: brendamcmahongallery.com
- Mar 6: DRV Gallery art opening reception featuring the exhibition entitled MONOPRINTS with Chine Colle’ featuring Suzanne Benton, a versatile printmaker, painter, sculptor, mask maker, and performance artist. 5:30-8:30pm at 5401 Gulfport Blvd S. The evening will also feature live music with Jim Gilmour & Friends from 6-8pm and a wine and beer selection from Stella’s Divine Wine & Gourmet. The exhibition will be on display Saturdays March 7th & 14th 11AM-4PM. FMI: drvgallery.com
- Mar 7: Gulfport’s 21st Annual Pink flamingo Tour of Homes, 11am-5pm. Celebrating Ward 4, Gulfport’s Garden District. FMI: visit.gulfportflorida.com
Gulfport Markets & Traditions – produce, crafts, art, local eats, and entertainment
- Tuesday Fresh Market – Every Tues., 9am–2pm
- Gulfport Night Markets – First Fri. & Third Sat., 5-9pm
- Growers & Makers Market has started up again. It is held on the first Sun. of each month from 11am to 3pm on Thirteenth Ave. S at 1301 49th St. S
Coming Up –
- March 14: Soul Food Festival presented by Fusion, 49th at Trolley Market Square
- April 13-18: The Seventh Annual Gulfport Plein Air Festival
Live Music, Open Mics & Jams
Gulfport’s got rhythm! Here’s where to catch weekly open mic nights. See Gulfport Matters on Facebook for other music throughout the week:
- Mon. – North End Taphouse, 5:30-7:30pm
- Tues. – North End Taphouse, 7-10pm
- Thurs. – Gulfport Brewery, 6-9pm
- 1st & 7th – Blueberry Patch Open Mic
- 11th – Blueberry Patch Open Jam
*Follow Gulfport Matters on Facebook and stay connected!