A Tale of Two Trail Sisters

Plus, a fabulous new Italian bistro, where to sponsor an animal, and alligators in the bathtub!

Nov 10, 2023

*Entrees at Vela Italian Tavern. Photo by Stephen Buel*

Happy Friday. Today we bring you the story behind the Tampa chapter of the women’s running group Trail Sisters. And lots of news today, including a wrap-up of what the legislature did during the just-concluded special session, plus restaurants, a list, and more.

CURRENTS

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TOP NEWS

Deputies ‘intentionally’ hit by car recovering from surgery, sheriff says. News Channel 8

Little banned library: Hillsborough County removed a rainbow book box. Tampa Bay Times $

Forecast: Near record highs this weekend. ABC Action News

Abortion rights are winning in red states. Florida may be the exception. Politico

Riverview man sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing 13-year-old daughter. Tampa Bay Times $

Florida justices seem skeptical of the state’s arguments against a recreational cannabis amendment. WMNF

New legislation would let Gov. DeSantis remove local officials who take down Confederate monuments. Florida Politics

Florida Education officials are now going after college sociology courses. Creative Loafing

DeSantis says Florida has barred a Palestinian student group, but Rodrigues says that's not the case. WUSF

Rowdies introduce new head coach. ABC Action News

BRIEFS

Idalia Assistance: The Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Emergency Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will open two temporary town hall sites and one Mobile Disaster Recovery Center next week to offer assistance to individuals, families, and businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The three new locations are:

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center, Desoto Park Trail Roundabout, 2617 Corinne St., Tampa, open 1-5 p.m. Nov. 13 and 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Nov. 14-20
Town Hall Site, Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, Community, Rooms A & B, 7606 Paula Dr., Suite 120, Tampa, open 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14

Town Hall Site, Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave. NE., Ruskin, open from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 17

Hillsborough County residential property owners and renters whose homes sustained damage and losses from Hurricane Idalia can apply for FEMA assistance online until Nov. 29. To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones, or call 800- 621-3362.

Bathtub Alligators: Officers Ames and Osborn responded to an anonymous report of an individual housing juvenile alligators in their home in Osceola County in late October, according to a FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report. After arriving at the residence, five juvenile alligators were found in the individual’s bathtub. The violations were addressed accordingly, and the juvenile alligators were relocated to a nearby lake.

Aviation Appointment: Governor Ron DeSantis has reappointed Robert Watkins of Tampa to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. Watkins is the president of Robert Watkins and Company, P.A. He is a member of the Merrymakers Club of Tampa, Inc. and the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Watkins earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Got news? Send it here.

TODAY’S SPONSOR

The Navigator is sponsored by Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool at 7311 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa. We are a nationally accredited preschool established in 1959.

Free Childcare and a paycheck. We are currently seeking a qualified toddler teacher or teaching assistant. The ideal candidate must be creative, energetic, dependable, nurturing, patient, have a passion about the growth and development of the children, and be a team player. Requirements: pass a level 2 background screening, high school diploma or higher, completed or willing to start and complete the DCF 45 training hours, get CPR/First aid certified.

Interested in sponsoring the Navigator? We should talk.

REPORTER

*Lucie Krausova, Geena Silva, and Renata Martini Poetzl of Trail Sisters. Photo courtesy of Poetzl.*

‘I Didn’t Know Any Trails or Trail Runners’

By Judith M. Gallman

Renata Martini Poetzl moved to Tampa in June from Menomonee Falls, Wisc., where she had spent a lot of time running trails for very long distances. One such run was the Tuscobia Winter Ultra, an 80-mile run, bike, or ski event in the middle of winter. She did the run and finished ninth among women runners.

While training for the race, the married mother of two enjoyed great support from her Badger State running buddies, many of whom she met through the running group Trail Sisters.

But when Poetzl got to Tampa she discovered there was no such group. The full-time bookkeeper and Brazilian native wanted to find like-minded women who enjoy the challenge of sometimes getting lost together on unpaved paths — even in the Florida heat.

“I didn’t know any trails or any trail runners, but I wanted to run trails,” Poetzl said, adding she knew how deeply she was going to miss the great Trail Sisters community she left behind in Wisconsin.

So she posted a message on She RUNS This Town, a free online running club and community with local chapters but for women road runners. She asked for tips on where to run. And she asked whether anyone would be interested in establishing a Trail Sister group to build a local female trail running group.

Trail Sisters is a free, online female trail-running community and empowerment program for women. It builds bonds and community with regularly scheduled no-drop runs, suited for all abilities.

Geena Silvia of Land O’ Lakes saw Poetzl’s inquiry and responded, suggesting the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Lutz and a few other locations for Poetzl, her new-found trail running friend, to check out.

“So few people I know are into trail running,” Silvia “It’s hard to do all these exploratory runs by yourself.”

Some women are not comfortable running alone on neighborhood streets and sidewalks no matter the time of day or night. Going into unknown trail territory, where there may be no cell phone service and navigational skills are required, taps into a skill and confidence some haven’t developed. A buddy system makes sense for such women, because there’s safety in numbers.

Silvia is senior manager of global digital platforms for IRONMAN, the triathlon racing series organization. She also is a triathlete, an avid trail runner, a certified running coach, founder of A Runner’s Mindset, a wife, and a dedicated cat mom. All that translates into very active involvement in the local athletic scene.

Surprised at the area’s lack of a well-established trail running-community (other than the Trail and Ultra Society of Hernando County, or TUSH, and more recently RunFluent/Fulwise), Silvia had previously considered initiating a Trail Sister chapter herself. That was especially true after a coworker, Casey Taker, started a Northeast Florida chapter near St. Augustine. Silvia shelved the idea following her father’s death, but Poetzl’s enthusiasm renewed her interest.

Training for her first 50K, Sivlia invited Poetzl and this reporter on an August trail run through tall, dewy-wet grass at the Starkey Big Loop, where a wild boar thrillingly crossed the threesome’s path. Within a few short weeks, the duo had the blessing and support of Trail Sister founder Gina Lucrezi of Buena Vista, Colo., as co-leaders of a new chapter.

“It just worked out,” Silvia said.

The first official Tampa chapter run was Oct. 22 at the Upper Tampa Bay Trail Lutz Lake Fern Trailhead, a loop through the Brooker Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve with 15 participants. The big turnout thrilled Poetzl and Silvia.

“I was very surprised, especially because I don’t know anybody here,” Poetzl. “The fact that we were able to get that many women out was amazing.”
But less than three weeks later, the Tampa chapter had 90 members, which speaks to the need that it obviously fills.

Trail Sisters is easy to join: Find your chapter, send a request to join, sign a waiver, and then you’re welcome to use the forum to establish trail-running meetups and friendships or see upcoming scheduled runs. Tampa members are already getting together for unofficial morning and evening runs, spreading the Trail Sister notion of girl power and female empowerment. Official runs are increasing on the Trail Sisters calendar.

“They’re crushing it, by the way,” Lucrezi said of Poetzl and Silvia. “They’re doing a great job. What they’ve done is phenomenal. It’s a great case study to share when people ask me about what they should do when they start a chapter.”

Lucrezi grew up in Bangor, Pa., and was a shorter-distance runner, a standout miler in high school and at college at DeSales University, where she completed her collegiate career as a 10-time NCAA Division 3 All American.

“Running has always been near and dear to me since I was a little kid,” Lucrezi said, admitting she also had a deep passion for field hockey but “happened to be a better runner.”

She majored in television and film and freelanced for a while, then went back to school and earned a master’s degree in sports management with a focus on marketing. She had a successful career, often picking up contract work for outdoor brands such as New Balance, Salomon, and Vasque.

All the while, though, she said she noticed a severe lack of female representation in the trailing running and hiking communities, including the apparel industry. She advocated for greater equity all around and thought the outdoors industry was missing out on a very lucrative market. Lucrezi gave up all that to be a professional trail runner about a decade ago, but soon grew disheartened.

“There was really not a lot of money I could get from that,” she said. She also lamented a lack of intention and encouragement to engage women in outdoors sports, something she said she experienced firsthand, on and off the trail.

“As a woman, athlete, and outdoor industry professional, I couldn’t stand by and allow the current culture to continue down a path that does not include adequate female representation,” Lucrezi wrote in her Trail Sisters founder’s message.

So she took a chance and bet on herself. She started Trail Sisters in 2016 as “a passion project” from her kitchen table. It was an online journal, specifically a forum where those who identify as female could have a place to share their voices and perspectives while promoting trail running and hiking among women. Its mission was to increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running, hiking, and the outdoors through inspiration, education, and empowerment.

In the beginning, seven of Lucrezi’s friends contributed articles, and they all shared their work via social media. Things snowballed from there.

Today, Trail Sisters has 130 to 135 chapters from the East Coast to the West Coast and Canada, with Tampa among its newest and fastest-growing chapters. Trail Sisters, meanwhile, has morphed into an entity that employs Lucrezi and her husband, Justin Keller, as well as one contract employee.

Lucrezi said women turn to their trail sisters for advice on running uphill and best bets for gear. Some join to enhance camaraderie and kinship in their outdoor adventures.

Trail Sisters offers women a paid Team Membership program with some additional perks. Those membership fees go toward other Trail Sisters endeavors, including races, coaching, grants, a speakers series, retreats, programs, and other events. Whatever they are, such offerings, Lucrezi said, are geared to work for both first-timers or veteran trail enthusiasts. Trail Sisters also has a home-based apparel printing business, allowing its members to rep the brand at reasonable prices.

In 2019, Trail Sisters adopted a set of women-centric race standards that it asks race directors across the country to adopt to promote women’s equity on the trail-running circuit. In a nutshell, the standards request equal podiums and awards for all participants, women’s-specific apparel and swag, menstrual products at aid stations, more women at the starting line, and a pregnancy and postpartum policy.

Lucrezi was quick to say that Trail Sisters — and the relationships she has forged through it — has enabled her to succeed in other areas. For example, Lucrezi is the mayor pro tem for her little mountain town, despite, she pointed out, having no background or experience in law or politics.

Silvia and Poetzl also appreciate the empowering sisterhood aspect of Trail Sister as well.

“For sure,” Silvia said. “That this is just something for women in sports, that is a huge thing. When we have community, we feel more empowered to do things.”

Poetzl agrees. “Absolutely. We all support each other, and when you can see other women doing amazing things, you think, ‘Why not me? I can do that!’ If we motivate and support each other, we can all do great things.”

Lucrezi couldn’t be happier with the way it has all turned out.

“The power of what women can do when they work together is amazing,” Lucrezi agreed. “The strength of women is pretty incredible. We do move mountains.”

This article has been updated due to an error. Poetzl finished the Tuscobia Winter Ultra as the ninth woman runner, not third as reported, which is still awesome.

BITES

*The cocktails were refreshing and large without being too boozy. Photo by Stephen Buel*

Vela Italian Mediterranean Tavern: Cru Cellars, the onetime Westshore Marina District wine bar, gets a little makeover to become Vela Italian Mediterranean Tavern. And this next chapter is terrific, from its lively and exciting cocktail program and well-curated wines (representing California and the Mediterranean) down to the shareables, salads, entrees, sides, and pizzas.

There’s a vague sailing vibe throughout, with knotted ropes draped from the industrial ceiling, and sails stenciled on the glass of the wine cellar. The overall decor is white and tan with a splash of aquamarine as an accent. A mix of booths, tiny tables, a few hightops, blue and white plates, and a cool stenciled floor exude an elevated, yet casual vibe.

Cocktail-wise, we tried the Monte Carlo, a tall tumbler of jalapeño-infused Corazon Tequila, mint, lime, and cucumber that had just enough kick and balance. We also “built” our own gin and tonic, choosing the gin (from Citadelle, Larios, Malfy, Xoriguer, Engine, or Faire), Fever Tree Tonic (Mediterranean, Elderflower, or Lemon), and up to three garnishes (juniper berries, mint leaves, lemon or lime wheel, rosemary, and thyme). The result was a refreshingly crisp, cool drink — and a fun experience. Both paired nicely with our baked olive medley of succulent pitted ripe and green olives.

Dinner-wise, we ordered a chicken kabob (accompanied by grilled pita, hummus, a Greek salad, spicy tzatzki, and feta) and spaghetti, which featured shrimp in a white wine-citrus sauce with Fresno chile. Both chicken and shrimp were charred to perfection. We saw lots of lasagna (available on weekends) pass by, and a neighboring party sang its praises. Another thing that really stood out is the perfection of the portion sizes. We ate every bite and left with a desire to come back for more. Closed Sun., open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Tue.-Thu., and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 5232 Bridge St., Westshore Marina District, Tampa, 813-515-5817.

New Restaurant Openings

There is no shortage of new restaurants coming to the Tampa Bay Area. Here’s a list of places. Some are now open; others are coming. Call ahead before visiting.

Blind Tiger, 1823 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa: new digs for the coffee roastery in the old dive bar Boneyard space

Kinjo, 226 S. Boulevard, Tampa: high-end Japanese-Italian fare (aka Wafu-Italian or “Itameshi-style” cuisine) from the owners of Noble Rice and Koya. Creative Loafing

Wu Restaurant, 4410 N Florida Ave., Seminole Heights: outdoor-only Asian/Latin fusion with boba teas, bao buns, sandwiches, and more. Creative Loafing

THE LIST

Each week, we’ll bring you a new one. Got any ideas? Reach out.

Cypress, a barn owl, and her feather friends are vailable for “adoption” at Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. Photo courtesy Seaside Seabird Sanctuary.

You Need an Owl, or Maybe a Yellow-Footed Wallaby

By Judith M. Gallman

Philanthropic-minded, animal-loving Tampa residents have probably seen the TV ads about “adopting” or “sponsoring” an African elephant from the World Wildlife Fund or received a mailer on the National Wildlife Federation’s Adopt a Wildlife Acre Program to protect American bison, gray wolf, grizzly bear, and bighorn sheep. Some charitable types have perhaps even selected a heifer, pig, duck, chicken, cattle, goat, sheep, water buffalo, honey bee hive, or a mating pair of cattle from Heifer International to assist a family’s sustainability. But you can be a benefactor for many interesting animals right here in the Tampa Bay Area — or maybe a bit beyond.

Alligator Discovery Center Share the Care adoption program — Two adoption packages allow parties to select from 100 residents, including African spurred thigh tortoises Yoshi, Littlefoot, and Rudolph.

Florida Aquarium Symbolic Animal Adoption — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum supporters can have a connection with one of 12 animals, including a seahorse, giant Pacific octopus, green sea turtle, South African black-footed penguin, and North American river otter.

Golden Spirit Alpacas — Bitsie, Blueberry, Casmie, Cloud, Faith, Katniss, Maudie Waters, Smokey, and Whisper are waiting for you.

Owl’s Nest Sanctuary, Otterly’s Adorable River Otter Adoption Program, Otterly's Adorable Bobcat and Kitten Adoption Service — “Adopt” a plush otter or bobcat to help otter pups and bobcat kittens respectively or contribute to another sanctuary animal’s cause.

Save the Manatee Adopt-a-Manatee — There are 30 living manatees (and a handful to remember) that an Associate, Friend, Sponsor, Guardian, Steward, or Educator can adopt.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Adopt-A-Bird Program — Adopt Bacardi the Nanday conure, Cypress the barn owl, Pallas the red-tailed hawk, or another member of their sanctuary flock for one month, six months, or a year.

Zoo Tampa Share the Care — A Friend, Protector, or Guardian can choose from any of the 1,000 zoo residents, from the African painted dog to yellow-footed wallaby, and many in between.

Did we leave some cuddly, crawly, or feathery creatures from other animal-aiding organizations? Send any updates to Editor@BANavigator.com.

GET INVOLVED

Civic meetings of note during the coming week.

Tuesday: Join the Tampa Police Department in determining how to make Tampa safer at a Town Hall Tuesdays meeting at Centuro Asturiano. Chief Lee Bercaw will be there to consider how to avoid a recurrence of the Oct. 29 Ybor City shooting tragedy. Town Hall Tuesdays are an expansion of the department's current community-oriented policing efforts that was launched in August. Town Halls serve as an open forum and opportunity for the public and TPD to come together and work towards collaborative efforts in preventing and reducing crime. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.

Friday: The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization meets in special session to consider approval of a completed study on merging Hillsborough TPO, Pasco MPO, and Forward Pinellas into a single, regional MPO. The report was requested by the Florida Legislature and must be fowarded before 2023 ends. 10 a.m., Plan Hillsborough, County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 18th Floor, Plan Hillsborough Room.