A visit to France draws a local writer to a little French restaurant in Tierra Verde

Writer Tyler Gillespie's study trip to Strasbourg, France, through USF St. Petersburg, led him to learn of a little French restaurant right back here in our own neighborhood. He wrote about his adventure in an article in Creative Loafing. It's about David Weiss and Jean Sebastien, who opened Cordon Bleu about a year ago. It's run the traditional French way: They're open in the morning, then close from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. They reopen at 5 for dinner. If you like dining out, this might be for you.

But for a timely rescue, this unique mural of Tierra Verde history might have been lost

 On New Year's Day in 1962, Guy Lombardo's Port O' Call Resort opened in Tierra Verde, and for a few years big-name stars performed in the nightclub. At any given time you might have seen Mel Torme, Liberace, or Frank Sinatra. Almost two decades later artist Carolyn Jackson Gruber was commissioned to paint a magnificent mural depicting not only the Lombardo era but all of the history of the island community. For years, the mural hung in the lobby of the Tierra Verde Resort and Marina, which is what Port O' Call became. Fast-forward to 2007, when the resort was being torn down and the painting was nearly lost. Debbie Wolfe has the remarkable story of its rescue, plus word on where you can view this amazing piece in person, in The Gabber.

Tierra Verde watercolor artist Gene Rizzo paints, teaches, and helps with civic events

Artist Gene Rizzo shows casino night tickets. Click to enlarge.

On Saturday, we caught up with well known Tierra Verde watercolor artist Gene Rizzo making an appearance at Bronze Lady Home Furnishing’s Tropical Art Extravaganza in Madeira Beach. Gene’s breathtaking paintings of Florida coastal scenes adorn walls all over the area, and it’s no wonder he attracted quite a crowd at the event, where he demonstrated his painting technique. In the photo above, you can see a couple of Gene’s awesome paintings on the wall behind him.

In the photos, Gene’s holding a couple of playing card  and there’s a good reason for that, we learned. The artist teaches classes all around the Tampa Bay area, including at the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks Beach. So, he’s known up there. When the art center decided to have a casino night fundraiser, they asked Gene to be the emcee for the occasion. Click on the picture at right to get all the details.

Gene gives watercolor lessons at his home studio in Tierra Verde. He’s a kind and generous teacher who inspires his students to immerse  themselves in the work and produce the very best they are capable of doing. You’re welcome to make arrangements to stop by to see him work or to take watercolor lessons. Gene's cell phone number is (727) 692-4176. Gene’s paintings are available at the Bronze Lady and other local stores.

We'll do another post later about Gene Rizzo and his amazing work but for now, this is just a quick glimpse at this talented and delightful Tierra Verde resident.