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Welcome Back to Lealman Voice!

As we step into the new year, it’s inspiring to reflect on the incredible spirit of our Lealman community. The recent launch of the Lealman Farmers Market has been a wonderful success, bringing neighbors together, improving access to fresh food, and creating a space for connection and growth.

We encourage everyone to stay involved by sharing your news, events, and stories or by seeking out local happenings. Every voice in Lealman matters, and together, we can continue to strengthen our neighborhood and celebrate the vibrant community we share. Here’s to a happy and healthy year ahead!

#lealmanstrong 

MEET THE TENANTS: YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg: Community Health

Lealman Exchange is home to a variety of tenant organizations who serve our community and beyond.  Today, we are chatting with Kieran Gabel, Director of Community Health for YMCA Greater St. Petersburg.

Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: I oversee 9 evidence-based chronic disease prevention and reclaiming health programs at the YMCA and in south Pinellas County.  Some of those include the National Diabetes Prevention Program, the YMCA's Blood Pressure Monitoring program and our LIVESTRONG at the Y cancer survivor exercise program.

The programs I oversee that occur at the Lealman Exchange are the YMCA Total Parkinson's and Mindful Movement exercise classes for Parkinson's and our Senior exercise program called Silver Sneakers in the basketball gym.

Tuesdays 9 Am - Silver Sneakers - Senior exercise

Tuesdays 10 am Total Parkinson's Exercise

Thursdays 9 am - Silver Sneakers - Senior exercise

Thursdays 10 am Total Parkinson's Exercise

Thursdays 10 Am - Parkinson’s Care Supporter group

Thursdays 11 am - Mindful Movement (Adaptive Yoga) for Parkinson's

Tell us who you serve and how: We serve community members who would benefit from health programs to help prevent disease or manage a chronic condition.

What drives your mission? Our Mission Statement: to put Judeo Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of you'd like to share? I'm so proud that in the last five and a half years we've been able to provide an effective exercise program and social support for people living with Parkinson's and their families in the Lealman area. The Lealman gym facility is a perfect large space in a central location to work with sometimes over 40 participants at a time. It allows our staff to assist participants with fall prevention and large movements while moving around the gym.  

What programs or opportunities are available through your organization to our Lealman neighbors?  I would love to see more Lealman community members participate in our senior exercise classes at 9 Am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.    

To learn more about the YMCA at Lealman Exchange, visit https://www.stpeteymca.org/locations/resource-centers/ymca-at-lealman-exchange/ and follow them on Facebook / Instagram @stpeteymca. 

Santa, local firefighters deliver Christmas joy to Pinellas County families in need

VIA WFLA

This Christmas Eve, Santa recruited several firefighters and employees from the Lealman Fire District to help him spread holiday cheer to many local families.

Around 150 families, which includes more than 3,000 children, were given presents as Santa was escorted through the community on a fire truck.

“Puts a tear in your eye when you see these kids and they see what’s going on,” Lealman Fire District Division Chief Jim Millican said.

The first stop on their list was visiting the family of Gia Balch, 10, who was affected by a fire only a few days ago.

“It’s been hard to lose everything and then a week before Christmas is crazy, but we’ve had so much help, so much help so much support,” Gia’s parent Carly Rush said.

Gia was gifted a tablet, a bow and several other presents to help replace what she may have lost in the fire.

Pray and have faith,” Gia’s Parent James Balch said. “It’s been truly a lot of blessings from all of this.”

If you are interested in helping out with this holiday event in the years to come, click here to find out how to contact the Lealman Fire District.

UFC-branded facility to open in Pinellas Park

Via St. Pete Catalyst

An expansive UFC GYM, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) first major brand extension, will soon open in Pinellas Park with unique equipment and programming.

The 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will open in February at 6421 66^th St. N. Profession fighter Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner will serve as one of the gym’s trainers.

Osivette Brito, the local franchisee, stressed that “UFC GYM is not just another gym.” In addition to typical free weights, the facility will feature an indoor turf area, an Octagon mixed martial arts (MMA) ring and innovative recovery treatments.

“What sets us apart is the wide variety of offerings that define our brand, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing and performance training,” Brito said. “These unique classes and programming create a comprehensive fitness experience that truly differentiates us within the community.”

Brito has lived in Pinellas County since 2012 and is “genuinely invested in the St. Petersburg area and its vibrant market.” He also operates a UFC GYM in Largo.

Brito planned to open an independent gym when he discovered UFC-branded franchising opportunities. A self-described “huge fan” of the league, he called partnering with the UFC a “no-brainer.”

“Having those three iconic letters on my gym is incredibly meaningful for me,” Brito added.

Billed as a “luxury fitness center,” the UFC GYM will feature MMA-inspired conditioning classes, a weight room with Olympic lift platforms and functional and strength-training equipment. Recovery treatments include percussion massages that use rapid, repetitive vibrations to stimulate muscle tissue.

The gym will offer Normatec full body compressions – air-filled sleeves that apply pressure and improve circulation – hydromassages and redlight therapy, a treatment that uses near-infrared light to stimulate cellular processes. Members can also receive cryotherapy, which utilizes extremely cold temperatures to destroy or freeze abnormal tissue.

“Cryotherapy is excellent for reducing inflammation and speeding up recovery, while red light therapy promotes healing and overall wellness,” Brito said. 

Other offerings include UFC-inspired workouts and boxing and kickboxing classes. Brito said amateur fighters will train at the gym.

He also expressed excitement for Turner serving as one of the gym’s trainers. The Tarantula has a 14-8 professional record and is the world’s 12^th-ranked MMA lightweight.

“He’s helping to expand our MMA program,” Brito said of Turner. “We’re excited about the opportunity to develop local talent and, hopefully, build future UFC stars right here in our community.”

Full Article

Vacancies announced on Lealman CRA Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for two appointments to the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). These appointments are for three-year terms, beginning on date of appointment and expiring on Dec. 31 in the third year.  

The Lealman CRA Advisory Committee was established to advise the Pinellas County Community Redevelopment Agency on the creation and administration of the Lealman CRA redevelopment plan and any amendments thereto, and on issues and policies impacting the Lealman CRA.

The committee has nine members, who are appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Applicants must be residents, business owners and/or property owners or other stakeholders from within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. A boundary map of the area can be found at pinellas.gov/lealman-cra-boundary-area-map. The bylaws of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee are available at: pinellas.gov/by-laws-of-the-lealman-community-redevelopment-area-advisory-committee. The committee meets monthly or every other month on the fourth Wednesday of the month depending on CRA Activity which may vary from time to time. However, meeting dates may be canceled or adjusted as needed.

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. The application can be found at www.pinellas.gov/boards.

Please note: All materials submitted to Pinellas County government are subject to the public records law of the state of Florida.

Park Fee Increase

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, parking fees at Pinellas County’s beach parks (Fort De Soto, Sand Key, and Fred Howard) and boat ramps will increase to $6 per vehicle. This is the first adjustment in over 14 years and creates a simple, flat rate across these locations. The boat ramp passenger vehicle fee has also been updated to ensure consistency and fairness. The fee remains lower than many neighboring beach access areas that charge by the hour. Annual and six-month pass rates will remain unchanged, making them a great value for frequent visitors. Thank you for supporting our parks and preserves!

There is a growing need for residents and consumers to properly recycle computers, electronics, and outdated technology. The Lealman Exchange is proud to serve as a community drop-off location in partnership with eSmart Recycling.

Pinellas Schools - Inspiring Teachers video, Kailen Erickson from Lealman Avenue Elementary teaches her students that they can do complex things and be successful.

Arctic blast possible for much of Florida next weekend

If you needed a reminder from Mother Nature that it's still winter across the Tampa Bay region, it's about to come in two waves.

Starting Friday, temperatures will be in the 60s, with only Sunday and Monday forecasted to have temps in the 70s. Lows at night, starting Thursday night, will dip into the mid-40s.

But that's just the first shot of cold air for the region; the next big cold air blast is possible next weekend.

ABC Action News Meteorologist Greg Dee has been tracking the developing weather pattern and gave this analysis.

"As far as the weekend of Jan 12, Disney Marathon Weekend in Orlando, the GFS & the EURO both agree that cold air will come down into the Great Lakes down to the Ohio River Valley that weekend. The question & big difference between them is how far south does it go?

First, the GFS: This model brings through a low pressure out of the Gulf across Florida the Thu/Fri before (around Jan 10). It’s not tropical. Tropical systems are not possible this time of year. The water is too cold. It’s just a low pressure that forms in the Gulf. It’ll bring rain. The storm is out of the picture by Saturday & although the GFS has a cool down behind it, it’s definitely not as intense or as far south as the EURO. The GFS has temperatures to 32ºF as far south as Gainesville on the morning of Sunday, Jan 12, with upper 30s down to about DeSoto County. Cold, but not record-setting or that threatening for central Florida.

The EURO, on the other hand, brings the cold air MUCH farther south. It has lows in the 10s & 20s all across the southeast all the way down to the Gulf Coast in the Florida Panhandle. The EURO brings temperatures of 32ºF or lower all the way down to Charlotte counties & even interior counties south of Lake Okeechobee. This means 20s for much of central Florida on the morning of Jan 12 & maybe even the morning of Jan 13.

Obviously a much bigger concern as you would talking about frosts & freezes for much of Florida. A frost or freeze in north Florida in Jan is not unusual. But once you get down to the I-4 corridor & points south, frosts & freezes here only occur every 2-4 years on average. The EURO has highs only in the 40s across central Florida on Sunday, Jan 12, making for a VERY cold Disney Full Marathon that day.

Meet merged Pinellas, Hillsborough workforce agency’s first CEO

Via St. Pete Catalyst

A recently consolidated workforce agency’s inaugural chief executive officer hopes to bolster apprenticeship programs and reach disconnected youth throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties in 2025.

Keidrian Kunkel will not officially take the helm at CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas until Jan. 9. However, she is ready to hit the ground running after an arduous – and oft-contentious – nationwide search for the organization’s first leader. CareerSource’s workforce development consortium named Kunkel the new CEO at a Dec. 9 meeting.

She believes Tampa Bay’s new CareerSource, which serves an area with roughly 2.5 million people, can become a national model for post-merger success.

“You’re not running this well-oiled machine that’s already running seamlessly,” Kunkel said. “This is a very unique challenge, and I think it’s a unique challenge that many workforce boards around the country will probably face over the next several years.”

Kunkel frequently credited the organization’s leadership teams on both sides of the bay. She hopes those “good bones” will help her achieve some lofty goals, starting with expanding apprenticeship programs beyond construction-related fields.

Kunkel believes the region’s booming healthcare industry provides an opportunity to increase on-the-job training efforts. She also called that “truly a magic wand scenario” in 2025 due to the time needed to overcome barriers.

“But I have seen it done before,” Kunkel added. “Sometimes you have to do it in small bites.”

She said CareerSource already has good, but costly, ideas. The organization must raise $5 million to adequately serve Tampa Bay’s opportunity youth – those aged 18 to 24 that remain disconnected from employment and education.

Expediting that fundraising process is critical as Kunkel said looming CareerSource mergers and the potential loss of federal funding could strain limited resources. She noted the local agency has already completed “wonderful” studies to identify “different pockets in our communities that are in dire need.”

Researchers found that Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties are home to 27,000 opportunity youth. More people are now leaving rather than entering the U.S. workforce as Baby Boomers retire, underscoring the need to reach disconnected young adults.

“They are truly the hardest to serve, and we want to ensure we’re giving them every opportunity to be successful,” Kunkel said. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

She elaborated that establishing and strengthening relationships with school districts could help “capture” youth before they graduate or “make the hard decision to drop out.” Kunkel also plans to work in lockstep with local community colleges.

She will spend her first 30 to 60 days as CEO outlining and coordinating agency policies, primarily those related to daily job center services. Kunkel stressed the importance of identifying commonalities and streamlining processes to eliminate confusion and increase efficiency.

She also wants to meet job seekers in the community and eliminate potential transportation barriers. Kunkel believes she and her leadership team can “present some meaningful and impactful local policy revisions to the board for approval relatively quickly.”

The area is still reeling from an unprecedented hurricane season. Kunkel said CareerSource will work with hospitality and tourism industry leaders along the coast to discern “pain points.”

While the agency will help reconnect displaced workers with similar jobs, Kunkel said others may seek new skills or career pathways. She pledged that CareerSource will use “all the tools and resources we have” to help storm victims find “meaningful, self-sufficient employment.”

A $600,000 grant from FloridaCommerce will aid those efforts. In addition to funding temporary job opportunities, the money will support career development services and restoration efforts.

A consolidated CareerSource faced some initial growing pains as stakeholders in Pinellas and Hillsborough rushed to name an interim, at the minimum, CEO before a state-mandated July 1 deadline. Board Chairperson Barclay Harless said Kunkel’s “leadership and passion” separated her from other candidates during a nationwide search.

“I believe she has the right skills to lead our organization into a new era of innovation and growth,” Harless said in a prepared statement. “I expect CareerSource to become a leader on both sides of the bay for businesses, job seekers and as an economic convener for our dynamic region.”

Kunkel most recently served as senior operations director for Eckerd Connects, overseeing workforce development regions in Louisiana, Maryland and North Carolina. CareerSource said the role required “transformational leadership” to achieve performance goals.

The merged agency’s first CEO now eagerly anticipates a new challenge. Kunkel noted both boards were already “operating on a very high level” and reiterated her intent to hit the ground running by “taking what we already have and building some innovative strategies and initiatives.”

“I think workforce board mergers are something that will become more popular as time goes on,” Kunkel said. “And so, it really poises us to be a leader in the state and around the country.”

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