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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

The Lealman Voice is all about keeping our community connected and informed. Each issue highlights local programs, events, and the people making a difference right here in Lealman. If you have neighborhood updates, upcoming activities, or success stories to share, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep the Lealman community strong, engaged, and moving forward.

#lealmanstrong 

Honey, Arts, and Community Fun Return to Lealman

Lealman residents and visitors are invited to celebrate creativity, music, and community at the 4th Annual Lealman Honey & Arts Festival on Saturday, February 7, from 12–6 p.m. at the newly revamped Raymond H. Neri Park.

This free, family-friendly event brings together live artists, food trucks, local vendors, and hands-on activities, all in one of Lealman’s most beloved community spaces. The revitalized Ray Neri Park provides the perfect backdrop to gather with neighbors, explore new amenities, and enjoy a full afternoon of fun.

Attendees can enjoy live music from Pink Streets and Pirate Flag, the nation’s top Kenny Chesney tribute band, setting the tone with upbeat, crowd-pleasing performances. From art and music to food and family-friendly entertainment, the festival offers something for all ages.

When: Saturday, February 7 | 12–6 p.m.
Where: Raymond H. Neri Park, Lealman
Cost: Free admission 🐝🎶

What's Happening @ LEX

View more events on the LEX Community Calendar!

Brooker Creek Preserve offers walking paths, nature center

Via Bay News 9

Brooker Creek Preserve: To many, it’s a place where humans are invited to observe Wild Florida.

And if you are lucky, you’ll see nature observing you. 

“The preserve is close to 9,000 acres,”  said James Stevenson.  “And here is where you can find real Florida. The plants, the animals.”

James Stevenson has been here 13 years, telling the story of this north Pinellas County spot.

Stevenson is a botanist, so definitely apocalypse survival leader material. He can talk about air plants, lichen, uplands, and swampy spaces.

In the swamp, he points out that trees will have a wide base to help them balance in saturated soil. “That’s a condition called 'butt swell,'" he said. 

Yes, butt swell.

Now, there’s even more to learn at their education center, much of it through touch.

“They get to pick up snakeskin, who wouldn’t like that- and then they learn that snakes aren’t slimy," Stevenson said.

Their most popular exhibit: a super-sized gopher tortoise burrow, five times bigger and perfect for littles to explore. And grown-ups too, if you don’t mind crawling in public. (Just do it — and you’ll see a snake and a little rodent living there too.)

“During a forest fire, there are about 400 species that will go into a gopher bureau (and) they all play nice,” said Stevenson.

Back in the preserve, a family discovers a full-grown three-striped turtle crossing the nature trail. Crouched and backed away, they watch.

“We’re here to observe, in quiet, in calm. Everything is very unhurried. This is where we can see wild Florida at its very best and at its quietest.”

February Farmers Market Returns to Lealman Park

Lealman residents and neighbors are invited to kick off February with fresh food, local shopping, and community connection at the Lealman Farmers Market on Sunday, February 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lealman Park.

The market will feature fresh produce, local vendors, and small businesses offering everything from handmade goods to delicious treats. It’s a great opportunity to support local entrepreneurs while stocking up on healthy options for the week ahead.

In recognition of National Heart Month, community members can also connect with the American Heart Association, which will be on-site sharing resources, information, and tips for building heart-healthy habits.

Whether you’re shopping for groceries, browsing local vendors, or simply enjoying time with neighbors, the February Farmers Market offers something for everyone. Bring your reusable bags, invite a friend, and make a morning of it.

When: Sunday, February 1 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Lealman Park
Why: Fresh food, local vendors, and heart-healthy living 💙

This event is not affiliated with the Lealman Exchange Community Center. 

St. Pete launches $6 million career training, support program

Via St. Pete Catalyst

St. Petersburg is launching a holistic, collaborative and innovation-focused workforce development program designed to prepare underserved residents for high-wage careers in target industries.

Mayor Ken Welch’s administration selected St. Petersburg College to administer the initiative, dubbed St. Pete Works: Employment & Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE). City council members unanimously approved a three-year, $6 million contract with the nearly century-old college Jan. 8.

The EDGE initiative represents a reboot of the original St. Pete Works program, which abruptly ended in June 2025 after 5 years. A significantly enhanced version prioritizes connecting South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) residents with careers in the marine and life sciences, financial services, specialized manufacturing, data analytics and the creative art and design industries.

“Developing and maintaining a qualified and robust workforce is a top priority for my administration, and I thank the city council for supporting a program that will benefit hundreds of St. Pete residents,” Welch said in a prepared statement.

“This program was intentionally designed to connect participants with the right resources, education, and support so they can fully focus on further developing their skills and completing their training. When we invest in our workforce, the whole community thrives.”

The overarching goal is to increase family-sustaining employment among underserved residents through accelerated training in high-demand industries. A request for proposals issued in August 2025 resulted in five applicants.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) emerged from a competitive process. Belinthia Berry, dean of workforce development, noted the school’s previous success with the initial St. Pete Works program.

SPC recruited 2,737 residents, with 1,307 attending employability training. Another 570 participated in career training, and the college placed 556 people in jobs. “So, we exceeded our metrics,” Berry said.

The city’s contribution to the previous program was less than $1 million over five years, and officials are now providing $2 million annually. “So, it wouldn’t be apples to apples, what we’re expecting,” said Economic Development Manager Andrea Falvey.

Craft Drop-In: Make Valentines for Seniors at the Lealman Exchange

The Lealman Exchange is spreading the love this January with a Valentine-making craft drop-in for the community. Neighbors of all ages are invited to stop by, get creative, and help make handmade Valentines for local seniors.

This family-friendly activity is open to kids and adults, making it a great way to share creativity, kindness, and connection across generations. Supplies will be available—just bring your imagination and a little time to craft something heartfelt.

Two sessions are offered to make it easy to participate, whether you prefer a morning or evening visit.

When: Wednesday, January 21 | 10-11 a.m. & 6-7 p.m.  

Where: Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th Street North

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