duPontREGISTRY Tampa Bay November/December 2019

duPont REGISTRYTM

Luxury Living in Tampa Bay

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“I’m an avid golfer—and now I have a course in my front yard.”

Sandra Miller, Country Club Member & Belleview Place Resident Before moving to Belleview Place, Ms. Miller lived in a condominium with over 150 units per building. “I loved the concept of a 25-unit Mid-rise building so close to Belleair Country Club,” she said, adding: “I was driving a half an hour to play golf when I lived in downtown Clearwater. Here, I can walk to everything.” Ms. Miller chose her penthouse for its spacious floor plan. “My baby grand piano fits perfectly—it has its own space. And the acoustics are wonderful,” she explained, “The quality of construction on my unit is outstanding. It’s so quiet and peaceful.” Come experience everything Belleview Place has to offer: tour a Mid-rise model today!

© Belleview Place, LLC 2014

Mid-rise Residences and Carriage Homes from the low $700s

275 Belleview Blvd.

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Belleair, FL 33756

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BelleviewPlace.com

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Museums

A GREAT PLACE TO SHOP!

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CONTENTS THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

DEPARTMENTS

WALK & SHOP St. Pete, Hyde Park, Sarasota, Gulfport.

40 Style: Holiday Dressing

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BY DAVID WARNER

22

MUSEUM QUALITY Museum shops & gallery hops.

BY DAVID WARNER

28 OVER THE TOP For those who spend the very best.

BY DAVID WARNER

33

BERN’S BLACK BOX Package up a Tampa legend.

BY TRACEY SEREBIN

35 MORE HOLIDAY BOXES Wrap it up!

BY DAVID WARNER

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WATCH GUIDE Just in time for the holidays.

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TRAVEL: AMELIA ISLAND The Omni Amelia Island Resort.

BY TRACEY SEREBIN

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DINING: HAVEN Brunch, reimagined.

56

by Tracy Negoshian

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56 Auto: Lexus Yacht & Convertible

by Howard Walker 58 A to Z List Tampa Bay 62 Benefactors: Remembering Hazel Hough

by Paul Wilborn 65 Real Estate: Luxury Living in Tampa Bay and Beyond 81 A&E Guide: Best Bets for November/December

by David Warner 87 Parties/People: Working Women, Emerging Artists and more

BY DAVID WARNER

IN EVERY ISSUE: PUBLISHER’S LETTER PAGE 6 | EDITOR’S LETTER PAGE 8

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TOP: Glass-blowing at the Morean Arts Center Hot Shop.

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Dear Reader, Once again we find ourselves at that magical time of the year when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays and the end of another year — AND the beginning of yet another year. It is a time to be grateful for the many blessings, opportunities and experiences that now will become memories of a year gone by.

Believe it or not, it is almost time to start planning for the new year. Since the next issue of duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay will not arrive until mid-January, you can consider our 2019 Holiday Issue as one that not only celebrates the past but also urges you to get ready for 2020. But before you start making your New Year’s resolutions, take time to get your shopping done early. There are lots of fabulous ideas in the next 100 pages.

Looking for something to do besides shop? Then let’s celebrate.

For the latest in great entertainment opportunities, go to our calendar and check out some special dRTB recommendations.

You can also go to our website, dupontregistrytampabay.com, and catch up on THE most current events. Weekend Top 10 is our Thursday E-blast with the most exciting events of the — you guessed it — weekend.

Speaking of the internet, be sure to check out our Back Page feature, where we introduce you to the newest and youngest member of our media specialist team. “Giving Back With Zack” is really a cool feature. In ball fields and locker rooms across the NFL, 12-year-old Zack Serebin discovers the charitable and philanthropic efforts of leading players through interviews that give us insight and inspiration. Look for him and his microphone not only on the football field but on the ice and near home plate in the future.

As we count our blessings, I urge all of you to do something, somewhere to help those less fortunate. It is the season for giving as well as celebrating, and there are many opportunities for each of us to reach out and lend a hand.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year ……

Thomas L. duPont Publisher/CEO tdupont@dupontregistry.com

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TGH.org

FROM THE EDITOR When I was living in Philadelphia, I wrote a newspaper story in which I compared one Center City block to an Advent calendar — there was a surprise behind every door.

Walking from discovery to discovery is one of the joys of living in a town — whether Philly or Greenwich Village or Walla Walla, Washington — where shops and restaurants and other pleasures are concentrated in human-scale, easily navigable areas. To visitors who see Florida only from their cars, the state might seem an unlikely home to such walkable neighborhoods. But in Tampa Bay we know better. We begin this year’s Holiday Issue by highlighting a few of those walkand-shop blocks — Gulfport, Hyde Park Village, Downtown St.Pete — and the goodies that await there.

Speaking of surprises, I hope the world has ceased to be surprised that, yes, Florida has a thriving arts scene, and that the cultural attractions in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee/Sarasota are manifold. But even longtimers may forget that behind the doors of our many museums and galleries are some of the area’s best-curated selections of gifts; starting on p, 22, we offer some artful examples.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings may no longer top the list of anyone’s favorite things, but a Black Box from Bern’s is another matter. Learn more about this new offering from a revered restaurant on p. 33, followed by more ideas on beautiful boxfuls and a few over-the-top gift ideas for those who have the urge to splurge. As Eartha Kitt used to tell her Santa Baby, “I want a yacht — and really, that’s not a lot.” (Howard Walker provides a suggestion for Santa on p. 56.)

If the holiday season has you thinking about getting the gang together for brunch, turn to p. 48. Want to get away from it all instead? Check out what Amelia Island has to offer on p. 44. And because this is the season of giving, we launch a new series this issue called Benefactors with Paul Wilborn’s remembrance of one of the most generous benefactors of them all, Hazel Hough.

Our A&E Best Bets section will, we hope, help you fill in your date calendar, and our pictures of parties past will remind you of all the fun that packed the last few months’ social calendar. As you turn the page from 2019 to 2020, we promise to keep making dRTB and dupontregistrytampabay. com a welcome presence — or maybe I should say present?

— in your home.

Thanks for reading!

David Warner Editor in Chief dwarner@dupontregistry.com

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More than a Gallery...

Jennifer Angus, Detail from ‘The Grasshopper and the Ant’ and Other Stories, as told by Jennifer Angus, Museum of Fine Arts, 2019, dried insects.

Florida’s largest Glass Art Gallery Classes Demonstrations Rotating Exhibits

OPEN BAR | DANCING DJ & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL EXHIBITION ACCESS CHAMPAGNE TOAST & FIRST NIGHT ST. PETERSBURG FIREWORKS Additional information and tickets at MFAStPete.org or 727-896-2667 Amber Dove on Red Globe Richard Jolley

2342 Emerson Ave.S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712 DMGlass.com I 855.436.4527

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PUBLISHER/CEO Thomas L. duPont EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Warner CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bruce Bicknell DIGITAL MEDIA Eric Kennedy SALES MANAGER/COMMUNITY RELATIONS Molly duPont - Mdupont@dupontregistry.com DIRECTOR OF MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS Rosemary Nye - Rnye@dupontregistry.com DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS Tracey Serebin - Tserebin@dupontregistry.com

one mission

DIRECTOR OF BAY AREA SALES Sharon Castellano - Scastellano@dupontregistry.com

380 Families 5 Florida Locations $2.3 Billion Under Management

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Tracy Negoshian, Tracey Serebin, Daniel Veintimilla, Howard Walker, Paul Wilborn

Protect your personal balance sheet with a Family Office approach to Wealth Management.

Terence M. Igo Chief Exectuive Officer

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Ron Barreto, Marty Binder, Cindy Carr, John D. Chapman, Jill Massicotte

DESIGN Elizabeth B. Kobal, Khoi Nguyen PRESS MANAGEMENT Charlie Walsh PRODUCTION MANAGER Tony Alvis

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Carol Bressler

SALES ASSISTANT Martha Henry CORPORATE ADDRESS 3051 Tech Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 727-897-8337

Discover the Difference.

WEB / SOCIAL MEDIA www. dupontregistrytampabay.com @dupregtampabay

tampabaytrustcompany.com 813.915.6202 Tampa | Largo-Clearwater | Tarpon Springs Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed.

The duPont REGISTRY™ is copyright 2019 by Registry Media, LLC. All rights reserved. duPont REGISTRY™, duPont REGISTRY Luxury Living in Tampa Bay, the Steering Wheel design, dupontregistry.com™, and various titles and headings herein, are trademarks of duPont Publishing, Inc. and may not be reproduced without written consent. Printed in the U.S.A. Published six times per year. Single copies available at your newsstand or call our publishing office for shipping information. Canadian GST not included in cover price. The pictures for sale and the written offer for sale are the responsibility of the individual advertiser. duPont REGISTRY™ and duPont Publishing, Inc. make no representation or warranty for accuracy or content. All photos become the property of duPont Publishing, Inc. when printed unless otherwise agreed to by the Publisher.

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WALK & SHOP T

Central Avenue

here are something like 17 different shopping districts up and down St. Pete’s Central Avenue. OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration — more like three or four. But for our walking/shopping purposes, we’re concentrating on the contiguous EDGE District, 600 and 500 blocks. We’ve covered the EDGE and the 600 Block in past issues (several of their boutiques made our A to Z List), but the former has since become a mini-mecca for men’s clothing and there’s always something new to discover in the blocks just east.

Seasonal tip: Head to the EDGE for their Holiday Magic Sip & Stroll event, featuring music, food, drink, shopping and a window contest on Thurs. Dec 5 from 5-9 p.m.; ticket info at edgedistrict.org. —David Warner

Atlas Body + Home

919 Central Ave., atlasbodyandhome.com It’s no accident that you’re seeing more and more denizens of Downtown St. Pete in shirts from Atlas; proprietors Tony Loeffler and Michael Griffin have an eye for what works in sportswear that takes you “from Beach to Beach Drive.” Case in point: this striking shirt in a print inspired by Darwin botanical drawings. But it’s not all shirts at Atlas; look for expertly crafted leather and canvas totes from Chester Wallace and Legend leather lace-ups from SeaVees.

Tori Richard shirt in 100% cotton lawn, printed in Japan and cut and sewn in Hawaii, $98.

Plain Jane

1104 Central Ave., atlasbodyandhome.com There’s nothing plain about the clothes at Karen Porterfield’s charming boutique, as evidenced by this ridiculously colorful poncho by Johnny Was. She’s no slouch at jewelry, either, with stunning pieces by Chan Luu, plus droll canvas quote bags inscribed with words of wisdom by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and a smart, slightly sardonic selection of greeting cards.

Johnny Was Reversible Garden Poncho, $298..

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dR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Gray Space

1114 Central Ave., grayspacefl.com A-to-Z-listers Gray Space have expanded their inventory since moving to the EDGE District’s Central Arcade, adding sleek women’s athleisurewear to their line of artisanal, environmentally conscious men’s clothing. And you gotta love Gordon and Jamie Hall’s EDGE-y sense of humor, exemplified by their “Oh Hell Yes” t-shirt.

Oh Hell Yes Pocket Tee, $58.50.

Matter of Fact

1029 Central Ave., shopmatteroffact.com Opened this spring next to its sister store Ashe Couture, MoF packs a lot of witty choices and must-have pieces into its homey space (complete with big-screen TV and comfy couch so you can keep tabs on the game). Unique shirt designs and “dogdanas”

by Kenny Flowers come with a great back-story (ask shop owner Matt Baker to explain), and there’s well-made casual wear from labels like Billabong and Vissla. But you might be most taken with the accessories collection, including such necessities for the modern man as beard oil and “Beer Money” clips.

Best Damn Beer Oil by Duke Cannon, $30. Stop by MOF for info on other pictured items.

Graphi-ko Decor

653 Central Ave., graphi-ko.com One of two Graphi-ko outposts on the 600 Block (the other focuses on jewelry and fine art), this one is a riot of color and whimsy, full of exotic metal creatures

by Mexican artisans. Amidst all the birds, fish and flowers, look for the ceramics of Cuban-American artist Ramiro Ramirez, a Tampanian now living in Nebraska whose elaborate hand-worked creations are astonishing in their detail and invention.

Ceramic houseboat by Ramiro Ramirez, $1,450.

Za’Zoo’d

531 Central Ave., zazood.com Beyond the most show-stopping window displays in St. Pete lies the zany world of ZaZoo’d, David Fischer’s irresistible mix of housewares, furnishings, art and tchotchkes, all with a touch of sass. In what other shop can you find a vintage Volkswagen Beetle paired with a miniature VW Bug wine cooler made from scrap metal and designed by an artist from Australia? (Note: Only the wine cooler is for sale.)

VW Beetle Cooler by Aaron Jackson of Think Outside, $799.99.

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WALK & SHOP Hyde Park Village

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he buzz is unmistakeable. After many stops and starts and openings and closings, South Tampa’s Hyde Park Village may finally be living its best life. Change began when Boston-based WS Development bought the 262,000-square-foot open-air retail center for $45 million in 2013, keeping the mainstays like Brooks Brothers and CinéBistro but bringing in fresh energy with restaurants like On Swann and Goody Goody, national brands like Sur La Table and Vineyard Vines, and local shops like Ella Bing Haberdashery and Salt Pines. The tree-shaded fountain in Village Circle is a magnet for shoppers and strollers, who can meander easily along Village and Snow without worrying about a parking meter because there are three free parking garages. With a once-a-month Fresh Market on Sundays, family-friendly holiday festivities like the Enchanted Tree Lighting on Nov. 23 and new restaurants like Meat Market and Forbici Modern Italian making an instant splash, the Village seems to have become the gathering place it was always intended to be. —DW

Downtown Dogs

1631 W. Snow Circle, downtowndogs.com Amongst the bark-worthy inventory at Downtown Dogs, we found the ideal squeaky toys for the luxury-minded canine — the kind who will only play fetch with designer brands (or, in this case, designer knockoffs).

Chewnel Purse Toy, $14; Sniffany & Co Toy, $12; Chewy Vuiton Purse Toy, $15

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dR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE The Ella Bing Haberdashery

1607 W. Snow Circle, ellabing.com From custom-made hats to hand-crafted wooden bowties to just about anything a stylish fellow might need, the merchandise at family-owned and managed Ella Bing is impeccably curated — and even better, a percentage of sales goes to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Wooden bow ties carved by Dave Kraus, father of Ella Bing owner Brent Kraus, $85-$300.

Salt Pines

1503 W. Swann Ave., saltpines.com A lively addition to the Swann Avenue side of the Village, Salt Pines sells sportswear with Tampa Bay in mind, as embodied in its Proper Piracy skull logo and in products like the incredibly soft yet durable Southern Tide shirts whose BRRR° Triple Chill fabric technology is designed to help the wearer keep his cool.

Harbor River Brrr Intercoastal Performance Sport Shirt, $125.

Sur La Table

711 S. Dakota Ave., surlatable.com A trove of kitchen essentials and culinary knowhow, Sur La Table offers the ultimate gift for the foodies in your life: in-store cooking classes in which the store provides all the ingredients and you get the satisfaction of cooking (and tasting) dishes like snowflake macarons and Florentine chicken. Special date night and family fun classes make for particularly good gifting ideas.

Classes range from $59 to $79 a person for group classes; the kitchen can also be reserved for private parties for which the customer can set the menu and pick the instructor.

Forbici Italian Kitchen

1633 W. Snow Ave., eatforbici.com In a space that’s seen multiple tenants, visionary restaurateur Jeff Gigante has found a formula that looks to be a winner: hearty homestyle Italian dishes (including a rectangular Roman-style pizza that’s cut with scissors) in a chic but comfortable atmosphere. Perfect for a cool winter’s night, and hence a tasty choice for a holiday gift certificate.

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WALK & SHOP (& Drive) F

Sarasota

ruitville, University, Bee Ridge may all feel like endless dioramas of American chain sameness, but the Sarasotas at the western end of these long slogs are worth it. Notice I used the plural; there are many walk-and-shop Sarasotas, but ya gotta drive to get to them all. So in this mini-roundup of holiday shopping ideas, we’ve got a few in St. Armands Circle, one in Burns Court that used to be in St. Armands, another near Main Street and two arts destinations that are worth driving to from any distance. —DW

Asolo Rep & The Ringling

5555 N. Tamiami Trail, asolorep.org; 5401 Bayshore Rd., ringling.org.

The largest professional not-for-profit theater company in the U.S. south of Atlanta, Asolo Repertory Theatre stages up to 15 productions a season starring both experienced pros and students from the nationally known FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. The 2019-20 season is a well-rounded mix of old favorites like The Sound of Music; highly topical comedy (The Lifespan of a Fact); a world premiere musical (Knoxville from the team behind Once on This Island); and lots more. A gift subscription would be a dandy surprise for any family of theater buffs. And a note on the walkability front: Whenever you see an Asolo Rep or FSU show you’re within walking distance of the Circus Museum, the Ca’ d’Zan mansion and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Stuff a Ringling family pass into that gift pack with the Asolo subscription and your giftees will get the chance to see, among many other wonders, the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s Zodiac LEGO through 2/2/20.

Asolo Repertory Theatre subscription prices vary, see asolorep.org/season-tickets/subscriptions for info. Ringling Family Membership, $135, ringling.org/general-membership.

Dream Weaver Collection

364 St. Armands Circle, dreamweavercollection.com When I first discovered the “art couture” favored by Dream Weaver owner Joan Morgan, I immediately thought of all the confident, unconventionally glamorous women I know who would love her collection. Turns out the designers whose lines she carries are unconventional and glamorous, too, like Debe Dohrer — a selfdescribed “misfit” with a fabulous mane of silver hair who says her jewelry is “not for the meek” — and the California mother-daughter team behind S. Carter Designs, who claim “a shared aesthetic informed by the wild and exotic.”

Debe Dohrer necklace made with antique brass links and seven drilled African coins that have oxidized with age, $345.

S. Carter necklace made with horn and five embedded rose-cut diamond studs, $995.

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dR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Todd Alan Gallery

506 S. Pineapple Ave., handwovenbands.com Todd Alan may be famous for his braided gold and silver rings, but by the time you read this he will have revealed a creation that may surpass them in renown: his gold, platinum and diamond “Mermaid Crown,” which he’s been working on for six years and was set to unveil on Nov. 9 at the grand opening of his new location in Burns Court. Pics were not available at press time, but in its stead we over you “Seascape,” his solid gold necklace crafted from yellow, white, green and rose gold and hand-cast coral, shells and seahorses on a hand-woven chain.

Seascape necklace, 14kt gold, $16,600.

Tilden Ross Jewelers

410 St. Armands Circle, tildenross.com.

Last year, when I wrote about this long-established family business for a St. Armands holiday shopping story, I learned about the staff’s deep well of expertise and the exclusive lines in their collection. One of those lines is the beautiful 18kt gold jewelry created by Marco Bicego, an award-winning designer who is himself the scion of a family business that’s been making jewelry in the Veneto region of Northern Italy since 1958.

Three 18kt gold necklaces from Marco Bicego’s “Africa” series. Center piece with diamond, $3,130. Bead necklaces each $3,680.

Sarasota Opera House

61 N. Pineapple Ave., sarasotaopera.org.

Talk about a Christmas box! On any given day, the Sarasota Opera House in the heart of downtown is alive with music, dance and more. Sarasota Opera opens its 2020 Winter Opera Festival with La Bohème on Feb. 8. The nationally acclaimed Sarasota Ballet leaps into its 29th season with Symphonic Tales, a program of Balanchine and MacMillan on Nov. 22-23, and John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker on Dec. 20-21. The Perlman Music Program hosts the Juilliard Quartet on Dec. 2, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe opens its run of A Motown Christmas on Dec. 4.

The Sarasota Opera online Events Calendar is a good place to find info about these and other productions. Only tickets to the opera are sold on the site, however; follow hyperlinks to the other arts organizations mentioned.

Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing

45 S. Palm Ave., greinersclothing.com Sarasota gentlemen who wish to dress up for the aforementioned events have a new place to shop: Greiner’s. An institution in Downtown Tampa, where it’s been outfitting dapper Tampanians since 1981, and in Beverly Hills, CA, the store recently opened minutes away from Sarasota’s Main Street. With a well-chosen collection of top brands including Peter Millar (pictured), David Donahue and Masons, as well as a Made-to-Measure service, it seems destined to be a must-stop shop for menswear shopping this holiday season.

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WALK & SHOP Gulfport

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alkable, shoppable, even swimmable, Gulfport’s got it all. You could and should make a day of it — hit the shops, stop for lunch, maybe play a round of volleyball on the beach or take a swing dance lesson at the Casino before finishing up the day with karaoke at O’Maddy’s. Here on these two pages are a few of the gift ideas we found in the ’hood; turn to pages 20 and 21 for more info about these businesses and others that make Gulfport such a special place. —DW

BoTiki

3015 Beach Blvd. S., botiki.com “A unique, chic beach boutique” is how BoTiki describes itself, and it couldn’t be more apt. Owner Maddy Guenther stocks her sparkling, sun-filled shop with a wide variety of giftables, from high-end jewelry to tongue-in-cheek greeting cards, as well as such coveted apparel lines as Johnny Was and Oh My Gauze! And then there are unique items like the leather motorcycle jacket emblazoned with bling, a recent attention-getter in BoTiki’s window.

Rhodium-plated silver jewelry with Swarovski gems by Rhode Island-based designer John Medeiros: Pedras necklace, $350, bangle, $275, and earrings, $155. Hand-sewn leather jacket with bling by Alberto Makali, $375.

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dR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE SumitrA Espresso Lounge

2838 Beach Blvd. S., sumitraespressolounge.com Affable owner Maurice Loeb was born in Morocco and has experience as both a jeweler and a microbiologist, all of which contribute to SumitrA’s elegantly laid-back vibe. And so does the CBD-infused coffee, which sounds like a contradiction in terms but actually “calms the coffee down,” says Loeb. A basket of CBD-infused coffee beans and teas with names like Berrijuana and Peach Floyd, edibles like CBD-infused peanut butter cookies and perhaps a gift certificate for future lounging would make a great gift basket.

Ask Maurice to help you assemble the gift basket; price will vary according to your selections.

Custom House Decor

2901 Beach Blvd. #103, customhousedecor.com One of the shops that opened earlier this year in the new North End Village complex, Custom House Decor is serendipity in a store. Owners Mike and Andrea Knettel, who used to own the wonderful Domain Home Accessories down the street, have created another fascinating haven for distinctive housewares with a Florida flair, with a mix of pieces by local artists, well-crafted items from around the country and, at this time of year, wonderfully droll Christmas ornaments.

Doggie ornament by December Diamonds, glass, $15.

Gulfport Cigars

2901 Beach Blvd. #101, gulfportcigars.com Another new North End Village business, Mike Allgire’s comfortable, spacious retreat is a boon for cigar aficionados, whether they’re looking to relax with pals or purchase a box of fine cigars. Lined with humidors filled with top brands from Latin and South America, the shop is a must if you have a cigar lover on your list.

Gift certificates available; cigars can be purchased individually or by the box.

Prices vary.

Brenda McMahon Gallery

2901 Beach Blvd. #104, brendamcmahon.com The exquisitely subtle colorations of Brenda McMahon’s hand-thrown pottery will draw you into her gallery, which opened in May in the North End Village building. But she also has an eye for other talented artists, such as Zoe Bocik. Well-known as part of the husband-and-wife team behind Funktionhouse, the custom furniture makers, Bocik gets the chance at McMahon’s gallery to realize her personal vision, combining form and function in benches, tables, Ikebana vases and ingenious “wine trees.”

Zoe Bocik Equilibrium table, African mahogany, brass and glass, $3750, and Ikebana vase, $225; Brenda Montgomery saggar fired vessel, $520. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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The Beach Town with a Difference

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rovincetown. Rehoboth Beach. Key West before the cruise ships. Gulfport seems to remind people of all of those idyllic beach towns.

But there’s a difference. Gulfport is the quintessential Gulf Coast beach town — a place where Olde Florida co-exists with New, where kitsch intermingles with chic, where the plus sign in LGBTQ+ is more than just symbolic.

A good case in point is the new mixed-use building known as North End Village at the corner of 28th Avenue South and Beach Boulevard. I wondered how it would fit in when I first saw it going up earlier this year, but now it feels like it’s always been there, not least because it’s brought in several new businesses that complement the town nicely. I mentioned three of them in the preceding pages — the Brenda McMahon Gallery, Gulfport Ci-

By David Warner

gars and Custom House Decor — and another, A Friend Who Bakes, already has people clamoring for owner Brittney Sherley’s cinnamon rolls (get there early — she closes at noon).

That name is so Gulfport, isn’t it? A Friend Who Bakes. The town seems to bend toward friendship, toward banding together — whether to celebrate or to help each other out. I still have a photo of Barbara Banno, now head of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, smiling broadly as friends helped to board up the windows of her award-winning restaurant, Stella’s, in anticipation of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Stella’s has since moved up the street to the Art Village, and I missed seeing Barbara during my visits to Gulfport this time around because, as BoTiki’s Maddy Guenther told me, the restaurateur was getting married — and Maddy was on her way to the wedding.

Purveyors of Fine Hand-Rolled Nicaraguan & Dominican Puro Cigars

GULFPORT CIGARS

2901 Beach Blvd S Suite 101/102 Gulfport, FL 33707 727.873.3400 20 20 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

Maddy and her husband Joe are longtime denizens of Gulfport; they also own O’Maddy’s on Shore Boulevard. Named after Maddy herself, the beloved hangout is celebrating its 30-year anniversary November 23 at the Gulfport Casino with “A Night in Havana,” a charity gala from 7-10 p.m. to benefit under-privileged children and seniors in Gulfport.

The food at O’Maddy’s is as delicious as the camaraderie, but that’s not such an unusual combo in Gulfport. It seems to characterize every eatery in town: Pia’s classic Italian; Siri’s handcrafted burgers and pizza; the vegan goodies at Golden Dinosaurs; the elegant environs of Isabelle’s at the Peninsula Inn. SumitrA Espresso Lounge adds another dimension — a spot for relaxing during the day over a CBD-infused coffee (trust me, it really is relaxing) or wine and Champagne in the evening hours.

The town’s come-together spirit is most evident in its frequent community and arts events, from the Tuesday Fresh Market to the annual GeckoFest, from the Gulfport Community Players to the regular art walks. Two stand-out events take place in December. During the ArtJones Studio Tour weekend on Dec. 7-8 (105 Saturday, 11-5 Sunday), artists all over town open up their studios to visitors (artjonesstudiotour.com). And on Sat. Dec. 21, the Merchants Chamber hosts the inaugural Holiday Marketplace from 2-10 p.m., a celebration of arts, crafts and the holidays with visits from Santa and the Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band.

Find more info on these events and everything else going on in irresistible, inimitable Gulfport at visitgulfportflorida.com.

Home Decor • Boutique Store • Gift Shop

Custom House Decor 2901 Beach Blvd #103 Gulfport, FL 33707

727-317-5936

customhousedecor@gmail.com

www.CustomHouseDecor.com

Eclectic espresso lounge with a cozy, chilling Moroccan and Indian vibe, serving fine espresso coffee, tonics, steamers and smoothies.

We also feature CBD infused coffees and teas.

SumitrA Espresso Lounge

2838 Beach Blvd S., Gulfport, FL 33707 HIGH STYLE: A 1950s-era billboard for Clearwater’s Skycrest neighborhood.

(813) 220-4533 @sumitraespressolounge Sumitra.lounge

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Museum Quality

For the discerning gift giver, a museum shop or a gallery hop can yield great finds.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

S

eriously — you could finish up your entire holiday shopping list at area galleries and museums.

Bonus: What you’ll find there is much more likely to be unique and well-crafted than something dropped off by an Amazon drone. Here’s a sampling of the treasures we found.

Florida CraftArt

501 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, flordacraftart.org A nonprofit devoted to Florida artists in glass, ceramics, wood, fiber and more, CraftArt runs a gallery on St. Pete’s Central Avenue that’s a browser’s paradise. The annual Holiday Boutique exhibition is open now through Dec. 31, and on Nov. 23-24 craft artists from all over the nation will be selling their wares up and down Central during FCA’s CraftArt Festival 2019.

Mariel Bass glass bowls, $400-$600 each; David Calvin game table, $1,400; Art by Mele’s PIGGY in wood, fiberglass and resin, $87; William Kidd ceramic flora, $2,500.

Tampa Museum of Art

120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, tampamuseum.org The Tampa Museum is turning 100 next year (yep, 100, through various names and incarnations), so it seems apt that the featured item in their snazzy gift shop this season is something from another venerable institution, the slightly younger (by nine years) Museum of Modern Art in NYC. MoMA’s famous design store is the source for a new line of fanciful glass trees, each lit from within by strings of tiny battery-operated LED lights.

LED-lighted trees, in various sizes and colors, $25-$40 each.

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dR GIFTS: MUSEUMS & GALLERIES The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, thejamesmuseum.org Much has been made of Tom and Mary James’s vast (if in some eyes controversial) collection of Western art, the stunning design of the museum by Yann Weymouth and its thought-provoking special exhibitions. But if you go, don’t overlook the gift shop, where you can find pieces by some of the same contemporary Native American artisans represented in the museum’s Jewel Box gallery.

Sterling silver and coral bolo tie, $4,950, and belt buckle, $4,000, by Navajo artist Vernon Haskie, whose pieces are also found in the Jewel Box. Hand-thrown, hand-etched pots with turquoise accents by Eric Tafoya, $825 (left), and his aunt, Gwen Tafoya, $1,300, both from Santa Clara Pueblo. The museum opens a special exhibition of works by Santa Clara artist Helen Hardin on Dec. 21.

Morean Arts Center

719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, moreanartscenter.org.

There’s so much to the Morean — the clay center, the glass studio, the Chihuly Collection — and the main HQ on Central.

So that means there are ample gifting ideas, too. Arrange a glass-blowing session for you and a date or a private “blow” with 50 of your closest friends. Give a gift certificate for a class taught by a top local artist. Send the kids to art camp, where they can experience the joy of getting their hands dirty with no complaints from grownups. Or give the very special gift of a VIP Shopping Spree, new this year, in which guests hop a golf cart for stops at all of the Morean locations and treats along the way.

Hot Date in the Hot Shop, $135 per couple ($125 for members). Art classes and camps’ winter sessions begin in January, pricing varies. Call for info on enrollment, gift cards, private glass-blowing sessions, and the VIP spree at 727-822-7872.

Duncan McClellan Gallery

2342 Emerson Ave. S., St. Petersburg, dmglass.com The man who pretty much single-handedly jump-started the glass art scene in St. Petersburg, Duncan McClellan is a master of the medium. His sprawling Warehouse Arts District gallery/hot shop is ablaze with wonders of his own creation and works by other renowned artists, and his bowls and vases are among the most coveted gifts on anyone’s list.

Hand-blown glass vases with sandcarved overlays by Duncan McClellan, 10-12" high and 8-10" wide, $950. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 23 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 23

dR GIFTS: MUSEUMS & GALLERIES Dunedin Fine Art Center

1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, dfac.org There’s a riot of arts activity happening on any given week at this multi-faceted, multi-campus center, including a raft of classes for all ages, from calligraphy to clay, from fiber arts to food arts — and you can give gift certificates to all of them.

The Gallery Gift Shop at the Michigan Boulevard campus carries juried works by more than 100 locally, nationally and internationally known artists, including DFAC faculty. And when it comes to DFAC’s excellently curated exhibitions, serious collectors can literally take home the work that’s on the gallery walls (as long as they wait till the show’s over) — like the extraordinarily detailed figures in the current show, Holly Wilson: On Turtle’s Back (through 12/24/19), an enthralling mixedmedia installation that explores notions of family and recalls the elongated figures of Giacometti.

Pictured (from Holly Wilson: On Turtle’s Back): “Bloodline,” bronze, patina and locust, $120,000.

The Dalì Museum

1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg, thedali.org It’d be a shame not to ascend the spiral staircase to see the amazements in The Dali’s collection of works by the world’s most infamous Surrealist (and the new Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads exhibition), but you could be forgiven for being sidetracked by the museum store. Exquisite reproductions of Dalì’s own jewelry designs, pieces by similarly inspired contemporary artists, and even a line of Dalì-created fragrances in bottles whose shapes echo his paintings are among the store’s multiple enticements.

Eye of Time Pin/Watch: Sterling silver set with cubic zirconium, the most celebrated of Dalì’s jewelry designs, can be worn as brooch or pendant, $495. Ruby Lips Pin: Ruby red Austrian crystals and faux white pearls set in gold plated brass, a 1949 Dalì design, inspired by Mae West, $250. Sculpted wire and glass jewelry by Paris designer Sandrine Girard, $195.

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dR GIFTS: MUSEUMS & GALLERIES ARTicles Art Gallery

1445 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, articlesstpete.com Leslie Curran’s indispensable EDGE District gallery is chockablock with top-tier artists, including Nathan Beard, Akiko Kotani, Steven Kenny and Carol Mickett & Robert Stackhouse. Two in particular create work that seems uniquely well-suited to gift-giving: Sarah Hull, whose aerial-view seashore scenes incorporate nautical hues without lapsing into hotel-art territory, and Irina Moldovan, whose gold-leaf checkerboard-patterned paintings glow so richly you won’t even have to wrap them up.

Gold leaf paintings by Irina Moldovan, $300-$1,800. Altitude series by Sarah Hull, Elevations #86 ($4,000, center) and #77 ($2,500).

Museum of Fine Arts

255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, mfastpete.org.

The current exhibition at the MFA, ‘The Grasshopper and the Ant’ and Other Stories, As Told by Jennifer Angus. is a dazzler — a series of installations incorporating thousands of dried exotic insects. The show truly has something for all ages, and the museum’s director of retail operations, Audrie Cuddy Ranon, has ordered a savvy tie-in for the Museum Store: necklaces featuring cameo-style evocations of dragonflies, butterflies and other creatures. Put an MFA family membership card in an envelope, put the jewelry in a box — presto, a family pack! (Throw in a few insect gummies for fun.)

Images from the Jennifer Angus exhibition at the MFA through Jan. 5. 2020; 1-year family membership for two adults and four children, $150. Necklace by Amy Kahn Russell: Handcarved turquoise, hand-painted black onyx, citrine, Peking glass, sterling silver, $958.

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Your Diamonds’ Best Friend

Meet Diamond Banc, a company that specializes in helping clients get the most value for their large diamonds.

SPONSORED CONTENT PRESENTED BY DIAMOND BANC With this service Diamond Banc also provides clients with the most recent sale comparables and other like items on the market to assist them in establishing an optimal asking price. This is notably different than the standard mechanics of a buy/sell transaction, in which the buyer never discloses to the client what they ultimately sell the item for. With Diamond Banc’s Sellers Agents Service the curtain of the industry is pulled back to show maximum transparency, much like working with a real estate broker. Clients are Selling Your Diamond welcome to view all selling contracts and Diamond Banc’s If you’re looking for the quickest way to unlock the hard costs incurred to market the piece from transportation liquidity in your diamond, then selling it outright to to photography. Clients are provided a closing statement Diamond Banc is your best option. Diamond Banc with their check once an item sells, outining all makes industry-leading offers every day because Diamond financial aspects of the transaction. they understand the market and have connections Banc is contractually Mills Menser, the founder of Diamond Banc, to diamond buyers, cutters and retailers all over obligated to operate is personally involved in the VIP Sellers Agent the nation. Diamond Banc will gladly show clients solely in the client’s best Service transactions and regularly speaks directly comparable diamonds that are currently available interest. to clients. If the client needs funding prior to in the wholesale market to reassure them they are receiving the maximum sale proceeds, Diamond getting top dollar.

Banc can extend a sale advance loan. The most unique aspect of the service is that Diamond Banc is a hired agent Get a Jewelry Equity Loan Using Your of the client and is contractually obligated to operate solely Diamond in their best interest, an arrangement unlike any other in the If you’re interested in unlocking the liquidity of a diamond industry. but can’t bear to part with it, Diamond Banc offers their clients the unique option of a Jewelry Equity Loan. With Benefits of Diamond Banc this service, clients still receive the same amount they would The name Diamond Banc is derived from the company’s if they were selling the piece outright to Diamond Banc, mission to offer clients the same professionalism and while still retaining ownership. During the duration of the confidentiality of a traditional bank, allowing clients to turn loan the piece is kept in Diamond Banc’s secure vault, and to their jewelry for their liquidity needs. At Diamond Banc, once the loan has been repaid the item is returned. Diamond on-staff experts will always provide service that is: Banc loans have monthly interest rates that are competitive • Professional with other personal loans that use similar collateral to • Confidential secure loans. They also offer flexible repayment plans and encourage additional principal payments. Diamond Banc has • Discreet • Quick an 85% loan redemption rate and are professional and easy • Transparent to work with.

Diamond Banc has unparalleled experience in working with clients who have diamonds of 2 carats or larger or substantial diamond jewelry collections. Whether they’re looking to sell or would like to use their diamonds to obtain a Jewelry Equity Loan, Diamond Banc has experts who take every value-adding factor into consideration to get clients the most money possible.

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Diamonds and jewelry collections that will yield the seller $50,000+ are eligible for Diamond Banc’s transparent VIP Sellers Agent Service. Diamond Banc exclusively markets the client’s pieces nationwide through a variety of platforms including private collectors, the nation’s top retailers, connected dealers and auction houses. Advocating for top dollar for clients, Diamond Banc charges a transparent, fixed percentage commission on each transaction. Their interests are truly aligned with their clients’ to yield the most money possible. During the process, clients’ identities are kept strictly confidential.

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SHINE BRIGHT: Sell your diamonds, or use them to obtain a Jewelry Equity Loan.

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Over The Top

For those who care to spend the very best.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

Sometimes a gift needs to make a statement.

A statement like: “Money is no object.”

Or: “I know this is ridiculously extravagant, my love, but you’re worth it.”

Or: “You can never spend too much on wine.”

If any of the above sound like something you’d say, these three pages are for you.

Classic Guitars from Replay Guitar Exchange

South Tampa’s Britton Plaza is mecca for guitarists from all over the Southeast U.S. and beyond, because it’s the home of Replay Guitar Exchange, a treasure trove of electric guitars in all price ranges. If you’re really looking to be a guitar hero this season, give the would-be Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix in your life one of these beauties: a 1966 Epiphone Sheraton in Cherry with a USA-made Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard; a 1966 Epiphone Sheraton Blonde, with a USA-made Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and Bigsby Bridge; or a Taylor PS14ce Acoustic-Electric Guitar with Lutz spruce top, Milagro Brazilian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck with satin finish, ebony fingerboard and binding, and abalone trim. replayguitar.com.

Each guitar $14,999, l to r: 1966 Ephiphone Sheraton Cherry 1 of 1; Taylor PS14ce Acoustic-electric; 1966 Epiphone Sheraton Blonde 1 of 4.

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dR GIFTS: OVER THE TOP Barnstable Pool Table with Dining Top

Have you seen Charlize Theron playing pool in those Bud commercials? This would be the ideal gift for a classy shark like Charlize: a pool table that does double duty as an elegant formal dining table. Crafted from Douglas fir with a Silver Mist finish by Imperial Billiards, the 8-foot table features leather internal drop pockets, metal rail sites, K66 cushion rubber for true rebound, and 1-inch backed K pattern slate for true roll. The pedestal leg design with iron bar crossbeam provides stability, and the price includes a matching dining top for when Charlize is through potting the 8-ball and wants to throw a big dinner party. $4,839.99. Also available in 7-foot model for $4,619.99. elitehomegamerooms.com.

Carine Roitfeld Parfums

The former editor of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld is the epitome of Parisian chic, and now she’s come up with a très sexy line of perfumes — excuse me, parfums. Roitfeld’s “7 Lovers” fragrances are named after “fictional paramours” in seven different cities — so there’s lots of video glimpses on the website of couples rolling about, accompanied by musings that recall J. Peterman: “Your ardor outweighed my reason… I remember you slipping an osmanthus flower into the open front of my dress.” That would be Kar-Wai (Hong Kong), who smells like “smoked Longjing tea” among other things.

You can get Kar-Wai by himself or buy all seven fellas in a travel set: George (London), Sebastian (Buenos Aires), Vladimir (the other St. Petersburg) — oh, the places you’ll go!

7 Lovers 7 Cities Travel Set in a vegan leather pouch w. TSA compliant-sized bottles, 10 ml each, $275. Single bottle (90 ml), $285. carineroitfeld.com.

Orlando Wine Festival Grand Cru Package for Two

The 2nd Orlando Wine Festival & Auction on March 13-14, 2020 benefits the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. That means whoever makes a gift to some lucky couple of this deluxe package — accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando and access to all events, including private vintner dinners with celebrity chefs and wineries — is also helping at-risk children in Central Florida. Last year’s inaugural event raised $900,000 for the foundation, which gives funds to non-profit organizations offering youth-based programs in areas of education, health & wellness, homelessness and the arts.

Grand Cru Package for Two, $9,250; Premier Cru Package, $6,500; Reserve Package, $2,500. wineauctionorlando.com.

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dR GIFTS: OVER THE TOP The Ultimate Vineration Gift Package

Readers of dRTB already know about Vineration, the subscription-based wine club that gives oenophiles an edge in finding wines that would otherwise be unavailable to Florida consumers. Founded by Brian Seel (a professional sommelier and the son of Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel),Vineration is a wine matchmaker, creating opportunities for Floridians to learn about wines from California, Oregon and Washington they might never have discovered. With this package, you can give a six-month club membership plus a weeklong stay at the Seels’ vacation home in Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The house was not damaged by the recent wildfires, but here’s something to remember: Sonoma needs wine tourism more than ever, and this package deal offers a chance to help and have a wonderful wine country vacation.

$3,500 (subject to seasonal rates and availability). Standalone gift memberships are also available in 1-, 3- and 6-month durations. vineration.com.

Coravin Model Eleven Wine Preservation System

What, you’re still pulling out your wine corks with a Rabbit? That’s so last-century! The Coravin Model Eleven not only enables you to pour without removing the cork so that you can keep your wine fresh if you don’t finish the bottle (I mean, that could happen), it’s also the first Bluetooth-connected and fully automatic wine preservation system. It also connects to the Coravin Moments App, which is a cool app that pairs wines with movies and music. For instance, the wine/movie pairing for the end of Daylight Savings Time? Altagracia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015, and Back to the Future. (The date Marty McFly and Doc Brown fly to the future is Oct. 20, 2015.) $649.95, coravin.com.

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Bern’s in a Box Now you can package up a Tampa legend — and combine it with dessert.

Courtesy Bramalie Homes and Smith & Associates

STORY BY TRACEY SEREBIN

OPTIONS: Choose wines or spirits, tableside or home delivery, or pick up your order at Bern’s retail shop at the Epicurean Hotel (pictured).

B

But I hadn’t been back to Bern’s since I moved back to Tampa, and I wanted to see if the Dessert Room was as magical as I remembered.

And I wanted to learn more about the Black Box.

Let me backtrack a bit to the history behind this splendid gift idea, which of course has its roots in the iconic Tampa restaurant Bern’s Steak House.

The restaurant, world-renowned for its steaks and wine collection, was born out of Bern Laxer’s desire to create a memorable food and wine experience for his customers. That same philosophy inspired him to develop the Harry Waugh Dessert Room as a unique place to linger and savor rare wines, expensive cordials and delectable desserts after dinner.

More than 20 years ago, when I was living in a condo on Bayshore, I would venture down to Bern’s, walk past the movers and shakers in the famous steakhouse and climb the stairs to the Dessert Room. There, I took the opportunity to explore the 42-page menu of dessert wines, taking my passion for wine to a whole new level.

When I arrived at Bern’s, Cassandra Abel was there to guide us. Cassandra is heading up the Black Box Signature Program for Christina Laxer, who developed the idea after constant requests from Bern’s customers to be able to leave the restaurant with a special gift to commemorate the memory, or to send a special product from the Bern’s family as a gift.

When we sat down in our private wine barrel room, two cappuccinos were awaiting us. My companion for the evening, my friend Peggy, has lived in Tampa for many years but had never been to the Dessert Room, so I was able to get insight from someone seeing it for the first time.

As we sipped on our cappuccinos, Cassie introduced us to Dessert Room Manager Felix Malinowski, who told us that Bern Laxer opened the Dessert Room in 1985 and created the wine barrel rooms from California redwood sent from wineries with which the restaurant had built relationships

ern’s Black Box is to wine as Tiffany’s blue box is to jewelry. Combine it with an evening at Harry Waugh Dessert Room — with the Black Box delivered tableside — and you’ve got the makings of the ultimate VIP experience.

Or perhaps the perfect holiday surprise.

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FOOD & WINE: BERN’S BLACK BOX over the years. There are also larger private rooms called Champagne and Port that can hold up to 40 people for a party or event.

Cassandra then took me to a larger wine barrel room — this one seated six people — to show me a display of some of the fabulous items that can go into a Black Box: Bern’s Select bottles of wine, beautiful red roses, the Bern’s Rare and Well Done coffee table book, coasters, and wine accessories. It was like looking at Christmas presents being displayed under the tree, each one more interesting than the other, from the Bern’s family to yours.

I wanted to learn more about the wines that had been chosen for the Black Box and the options available. Cassandra brought over Director of Spirits Nathaniel Wilson, who told us that the selections included a Chateau St. Michelle Cabernet; the Bern’s Cuvee Tablas Creek, which is from the Paso Robles Region; the Frias Cabernet Sauvignon; and a 2008 Blandy’s Madeira.

Having a love for aged tawny port, I wanted to taste the Blandy’s Cosset Gordon to understand this Bern’s Select. The private label says that it comes from Portugal and was aged for nine years in a single oak cask and then bottled in 2018. But Nate explained that it’s actually from the island of Madeira near Portugal, which makes it more unique. It smells like a tawny, but with a touch of sweetness and a crisp taste versus the smoothness of tawny port.

Which transported me back to my love of the perfect dessert pairing: a glass of port with Bananas Foster, flambéed tableside — a heavenly combination of a caramelized sauce of banana liqueur, rum and brandy, served over bananas and vanilla bean ice cream.

Upon hearing about my favorites, Nate had April, our server, prepare a Bananas Foster dessert for us, and he brought us a Warres 1970 Vintage Tawny Port to accompany it, which was amazingly smooth.

They also sent to our table their macadamia nut ice cream, which is one of the Dessert Room’s signature recipes — it took seven years of experimenting to reach perfection — and their banana cream pie, which has been on the dessert menu in the Steak House since 1956.

Before departing, Nate shared that Bern’s world-renowned wine cellar is built for 100,000 bottles, but that they normally have 70,000-80,000 bottles down there on a regular basis.

However, that is only 15 percent of their collection; the rest is stored in a warehouse. When asked what the warehouse holds, he told me 650,000-700,000 bottles. Now that is a place I’d like to see!

He also explained that a Bern’s Black Box can come with whiskey instead of wine, with several Bern’s Select Whiskeys to choose from, including Dickel, Makers Mark and 4 Roses in a specialty Bern’s bottle.

Whether you choose whiskey or wine, the Bern’s Black Box is the ideal holiday gift. Filled with luxurious gifts, the box can 34 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

be ordered and picked up at the Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits retail location in the Epicurean Hotel, or it can be personally couriered to a house or office.

If you are interested in a gift that is not wine or whiskey, the Bern’s Rare and Well Done book is one of the finest coffee table books I have seen in a long time, especially since it has Tampa history woven throughout. The book can be personally signed by the Laxer family and added to a Black Box with roses or a set of Bern’s coasters. If you are a foodie, a wine enthusiast, or someone who has lived in the Tampa area for a while, it is a must-read. Plus, when you purchase Rare and Well Done, a percentage of your purchase price benefits the Bern Laxer Culinary Scholarship awarded by the James Beard Foundation.

Each high-gloss Black Box is beautifully wrapped with a Bern’s satin ribbon and bow and can be accompanied by a personalized note on Bern’s letterhead if desired. You can order online at bernsfinewines.com or speak to Cassandra Abel about Bern’s personal concierge service or tableside presentation at 813-490-6633.

TREATS: Felix Malinowski, manager of the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, prepares for presentation of a Bern’s Black Box.

dR GIFT GUIDE: MORE HOLIDAY BOX IDEAS

YOUR SUGARWISH IS HIS COMMAND: You can have a Santagram Duet Gift Box postmarked from the North Pole.

Box It Up! More ideas for packaging up your holiday shopping.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

S

o you like the idea of Bern’s Black Box? How about boxes full of candy and popcorn, specially delivered? Or a variation on the box o’ wine, this one with a racy back-story? Or perhaps you’d like to give someone a cute little box to carry things around in — in this case, one covered in precious crystals. Read on for these and other nicely packaged items.

Sugarwish Gift Boxes

Sugarwish.com is like an online candy store. Its shelves are packed with popular brands from A (Atomic Fireballs) to Z (Zotz), from Mike and Ikes to Reese’s Pieces. Choose assortments of your favorites and have them sent to the sweet tooths on your list in pretty blue boxes, or let them order for themselves. (You could also send some to yourself — for parties or personal consumption, we won’t tell.)

Gourmet popcorn boxes, too; choose from over 50(!) flavors.

Candy Sugarwishes range from The Duet ($19.50 for two choices) to Epic Sweet Shoppe (14 types of candy in 150 treat bags, with a scoop, $325). Popcorn Sugarwishes range from Three-Pick ($39.50 for three flavors) to Epic PopShoppe (14 flavors, 50 treat bags and a scoop, $268). sugarwish.com.

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dR GIFT GUIDE: MORE HOLIDAY BOX IDEAS Adobe Road Winery’s Racing Series Gift Pack

Kevin Buckler knows how to succeed at high speeds — he’s a winning race-car driver and team owner — but he’s also attuned to the slower pace of his other field: winemaking. Both of his professions come into play in this deluxe gift box from Buckler’s Adobe Road Winery, a set of four ultra-premium California wines each named for an element of the sport: APEX, the racing term for the inside edge of a turn; REDLINE, whose bottle is silkscreened with a vintage tachometer; SHIFT, its cork topped with a five-speed shift knob; and THE 24, with a metal chronograph label in honor of the Rolex timepiece that counts down the 24-hour races at Daytona and Le Mans. $279 at TheRacingSeries.com. (Wines also can be ordered individually.)

Jeweled Embroidery Four-Ring Box Clutch from Alexander McQueen Just a little sumpin’-sumpin’ for safekeeping milady’s necessities. A black satin four-ring clutch from the fabled British design house Alexander McQueen, this “box” is embellished with multicolour crystal embroideries and detailed with spiders and Swarovski crystals. The hardware is brass with an antique silver finish and the lining is blush suede. The topper: It’s big enough for a smartphone! (Who needs a phone case?) $4,590, alexandermcqueen.com.

The Super Hero Pen

The heroes in your life can’t sign their names with just any old pen. How about one called “Super Hero” made by the Swiss watchmakers Eberhard & Co.? With a minimalist design and contemporary style inspired by the shape of a pencil, this edition is produced in the corporate blue color of Eberhard & Co. and the cap is customized with the “E” shield.

Spruce it up even more by adding the recipient’s initials. And of course, like any good pen (or watch, for that matter) it comes in a nifty little box. $212.18 (190 euro), https://www.eberhard-co-watches.ch/shop/en/super-hero/

F.N. Sharp Home Cutlery

Remember that SNL bit with Dan Aykroyd hawking “Bag O’ Glass” as a kids’ toy, shocking poor Candice Bergen? Well, Candice. how about Box O’ Knives? OK, that’s not what F.N. Sharp is selling exactly, but they do provide a block of knives — a beautiful Acacia wood knife block, in fact, and a set of six knives (Chef, Santoku, Paring, Boning, Bread and Utility) in Damascus steel — plus a sharpening subscription service that pre-ships an identical set of F.N. Sharp knives in exchange for return of your dull knives. How’s that for cutting-edge?

6-knife set, including Acacia wood knife block and three free sharpening cycles (approximately four months a cycle), $1,380, fnsharp.com.

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EBERHARD & CO. NUVOLARI LEGEND “THE BROWN HELMET” Nuvolari Legend "The Brown Helmet" chronograph features a dial in a warm "antique leather" nuance that perfectly matches with the look of this vintage-inspired timepiece. For the choice of the new dial, the Maison was inspired by the natural leather accessories so loved by the great champion Tazio Nuvolari.

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HYT SOONOW SOONOW (DROP ONE) creates a space in which mechanical horology and fluid technology interact with each other constructively. Its intriguing and captivating presentation of time’s flow is a constant reminder that every second counts. Designed with a stainless steel case, titanium dial and 313 yellow gold pins, the timepiece is limited to 5 units.

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CRONOSWISS FLYING REGULATOR OPEN GEAR The Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec features a sophisticated 42-part dial construction on several levels and a retrograde seconds display. The stunning timepiece is available in a blue DLC case and impresses with its high level of sheer craftsmanship. The dial surface is elaborately hand-guillochéd in the workshops of the House of Chronowiss, Lucerne (Switzerland).

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WOLF - AXIS 6-PIECE WINDER Laser cut perforated steel melded with clean, sleek lines. AXIS drives a modern, bold look for safekeeping your timepieces. All WOLF winders use patented technology to precisely count the number of turns given to your watch, ensuring the perfect wind.

Bold luxury, faultless design, take AXIS for a spin. Available in copper and powder-coat.

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dR STYLE

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Courtesy Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort MEET YOUR VEGETABLES: The resort’s Sprouting Project invites foodies of all ages to go on a culinary journey.

Ahhhh, Amelia!

Going from farm to table to family time at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort.

STORY BY TRACEY SEREBIN

I

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is the place to go. Pack up the car and take a leisurely drive across the state, as I did, or go the jet-set route: Hop in your plane and land at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, where Omni staffers will pick you up in their black Navigators and whisk you away.

The end of summer was my excuse to escape. I was burned out from my son’s first year of middle school, juggling the summer camp schedule while working full-time. We both needed a break from reality before jumping back onto the hamster wheel.

I had just two requirements: I wanted to immerse myself in luxury, but I also wanted a family-friendly resort on the beach. The Omni seemed like it would meet both criteria nicely.

From the moment we drove through the gate up a winding road lined with gnarled oak trees, I felt like we were entering a secret enclave. In the hotel lobby, floor-to-ceiling windows provided an unobstructed view of three pools sparkling in the sunshine, with miles of sand and ocean beyond.

I could feel myself beginning to exhale.

44

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Courtesy Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

TRAVEL: AMELIA ISLAND

Consider the options

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: Three pools plus the Atlantic Ocean!

The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is nestled on kids ran off to buy shaved ice to cool off from the sun, and a 1,350 acres at the tip of a barrier island at the northernmost Beach Shoppe was perched next door to purchase pool toys, part of the Florida coast, close to the border of Georgia. swimsuits, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

In the afternoon I could hear a squeal from the kids as There are 402 oceanfront rooms, overlooking miles of open secluded sandy beach with dunes and sea oats meeting endless Tanner the Turtle appeared. The hotel mascot made his way ocean surf. The amenities are myriad: 10 restaurants; a cham- around the pool, handing out lemon ice pops, waving, shaking pionship golf course; 23 clay tennis courts managed by Cliff the kids’ hands and high-fiving everyone. On Fridays Tanner Drysdale Tennis; a health and fitness center; a racquet park throws a dance party on the pool deck, where all the kids dance to the latest songs and play pool games. with an indoor pool; and a variety of fitness classes.

During the summer months and holidays, kids There’s also a nature-inspired Spa & Salon and ages 4-10 can attend Camp Amelia for a half or numerous shopping options scattered throughA nature-infused, full day. They get to explore the resort, discover out the resort. Once you park your car, you farm-to-table resort nature, science and salt life, and enjoy crafts, with never have to leave; everything you need is on with activities for each day organized around a different adventure property. kids of all ages… theme. For rising Rory McElroys and Rafi Upon our arrival all I wanted to do was check Nadals, there are also junior golf and tennis camps. in, put on my bathing suit and relax. We found In the late afternoon, we discovered some tasty two lounge chairs close to the lagoon-shaped temptations in the lobby: fresh fruit juice, Planter’s family pool and my son jumped right in, while I Punch and frozen OJ pops in steel buckets on a long wooden settled in to observe the surroundings. TVs were playing the latest sporting events in the bar area of The Oceanside table, with the chef pouring frozen smoke for an added effect.

Grill, and on a raised patio to the side tables were set up for My son grabbed one of each to take back to the room. lunch and dinner with views of the ocean and pool area. A That first evening we decided to take a hotel trolley to the server came by with menus and I ordered lunch and drinks. Verandah Restaurant, which features a Southern-inspired While relaxing in the sunshine, I noticed an Arts & Crafts menu with ingredients from local farms and fresh traditional shack set up by the pool. Kids young and old sat on barstools seafood. The service was exceptional, the atmosphere peaceful. painting birdhouses, making shell and glass art, and coloring Back in the room, we found a welcoming present of milk and tote bags. On the other side of the pool area, nestled across chocolate chip cookies for my son. Wonderful, thoughtful from the Oceanside Grill, there was Chill Factory, where touches like these added to our experience throughout. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

45

Courtesy Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

TRAVEL: AMELIA ISLAND Relaxing, naturally Over the next couple of days, we both enjoyed the resort and the nature that surrounded it. We took leisurely walks on the beach, searching for shells as sandpipers scampered alongside breaking waves and seagulls shared the blue sky with majestic pelicans searching for fish. Sand dunes, wild oats and brambles separate the hotel from the beach, and the crash of the surf and smell of salt water hang in the air. Each evening, in our wellappointed room with its welcoming balcony overlooking the pool and Atlantic Ocean, the luxurious linens and the music drifting up from the pool area lulled me as I stared out to sea.

But if it’s action you want, there’s plenty, especially in the lobby, Seaglass Café and outside patio areas. Tables and chairs are set up for board games, and families meet and connect as they play. We spent one evening playing Scrabble on the patio until the sun set, lingering with drinks and talking.

Another evening we enjoyed hand-rolled sushi that was being created at a station in the lobby area for purchase. Two fire pits are located on the top of the patio and down by the family pool for parents to gather around in rocking chairs or rattan furniture, enjoying cocktails and hanging out while the kids swim in the pool.

The Sunrise Café is a must. During their Art of Breakfast buffet, fresh ground coffee, honey from the island’s beehives and fresh baked goods displayed above a beautiful fish aquarium all add up to an experience for the senses. Hot and chilled breakfast delights line the two walls, and the omelette station is overseen by Miss Dottie, who will remember your name and your preferred omelette ingredients.

Kids’ activities provide many hands-on ways to connect with the natural world. The Nature Center is situated a short walk from the hotel and provides numerous choices, including paddle-boarding, kayaking, a nature Segway tour, Fishing 101, ecology of Amelia Island and barrier island birding.

My son got to be a Junior Naturalist one morning and had the best time feeding the turtles, taking care of the animals in terrariums, holding a snake, going crabbing, catching shrimp and crab-grabbing. When I picked him up, he said it was the best day of vacation. Another afternoon he went on a Shark Tooth and Sea Turtle Discovery outing, and then played at Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf while I went to check out the Sprouting Project.

An epicurean experience created by the Omni a few years ago, The Sprouting Project invites foodies to join the hotel’s culinary team for a one-of-a-kind tasting journey.

Chef Andrew Brooks led our group of 12, including a family with two kids, on a tour of the spots where freshly grown produce is created for the resort’s 10 different dining locations.

Our first stop was the Greenhouse, where heirloom tomatoes, herbs and multiple varieties of organic lettuce grow. Next we stepped over to the Organic Garden, where strawberry vines, blackberry bushes and pineapple guava trees provide not only wonderful fruit but also a lush intimate setting for monthly 46 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

OUT OF HIS SHELL: Tanner the Turtle serves up treats.

dinners, offering Southern-inspired farm-to-table dining based on a different theme each month.

We then walked from the garden over a hand-built bridge to an apiary that houses 26 beehives holding 50,000 bees. The bees’ honey is harvested for the Sunrise Cafe breakfast buffet and incorporated into honey ice cream, honey caramels and honey vinaigrette. (The cafe also gets fresh eggs, thanks to chickens raised elsewhere on the property.)

Finishing our tour, we made our way over to the Barrel Room, which houses 36 barrels to source the resort’s barrelaged cocktail program. We tasted a yummy honey bourbon cocktail and tried several varieties of harvested honey. Chef Andrew then allowed us to experiment with different ingredients to create our own hot sauce. The two kids on our tour donned aprons and had fun working one on one with the chef.

Mission accomplished Overall, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a unique experience — a nature-infused, farm-to-table resort with activities for kids of all ages in an enlightened partnership with the sea.

We both left feeling refreshed, restored and ready to take on the world.

Holidays at the Omni Resort Omni Resort at Amelia Island is the place to go on Thanksgiving weekend, with activities suitable for adults, kids, and grandkids. There’s a Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot on Thurs. Nov. 28 through the beautiful tree-canopied resort, followed by Thanksgiving dinner, which can be experienced at various restaurants on the property. Then on Friday Nov. 29 there’s a Holiday Lights Celebration and an annual tree-lighting ceremony that shouldn’t be missed, with elf training, holiday crafts, inflatable fun and s’mores. And if you’d rather escape at the end of December, check out the Omni Resort website for all their holiday festivities, available in packages or à la carte. omnihotels.com/hotels/ameliaisland-plantation

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BLOODY GOOD: Create your own Bloody Mary by choosing your vodka and base: Kimchi, Hot & Spicy or OG.

Haven: Brunch, Reimagined Sundays will never be the same.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

B

runch gets a bad rap.

Maybe it’s the sameness of the dishes, always a Benedict here and a French toast there. Maybe it’s the heaviness of said dishes, or that too many Bloody Marys can really mess up your Sunday. Or maybe it’s us brunchers: “Brunch is for douchebags” showed up on a list of “Related Searches” when I started Googling the subject.

And chefs — chefs seem to really hate brunch. “Why Brunch is the Worst: Chefs on Bad Service, Expensive Drinks” reads the headline on a Thrilllist story. “This Is Why Real Chefs Will Never Eat Sunday Brunch,” opines SpoonUniversity.com.

So why would a highly reputable chef from a highly reputable restaurant that had never done brunch before decide to start slinging eggs?

“We just knew we were missing out by not offering it,” said Brooke Palmer Kuhl, director of public relations for Haven. “So our executive chef Chad Johnson was like, let’s try it. And it has been a huge hit!”

No wonder. I had Sunday brunch at Haven recently. And it was like no Sunday brunch I’d ever had before. This was a brunch that did things I didn’t know brunch could do.

48 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

dR DINING: HAVEN Like what they do with bacon, for instance. Haven — part of the Bern’s family of restaurants in South Tampa, not far from the Steak House and Élevage on South Howard — doesn’t just serve you a few slices of crispy Applewood. They serve five kinds of bacon. The “Traditional (thin & crispy),” yes, but also “Adobo Braised Bacon,” “Pea Meal Bacon,” “Chicken Fried Bacon” and “Bacon Eggroll.” For a bacon lover, which I am, this posed a dilemma, because of course I wanted it all. I suggested to our delightful server Danielle that the restaurant do a flight of bacon, and one indication of how delightful she is is that she treated my suggestion like it was some kind of brilliant and that she would share it with the chef. Chef Chad, hear my plea!

Though in fact a flight of these bacons might prove problematic if they’re anything like the Adobo Braised version I had. A generous serving of pork belly coated in a thick, delicious sauce with a gentle kick, I can’t see it marrying all that nicely with the Pea Meal and its apple jam or the Chicken Fried with its sawmill gravy. But I’d be willing to try! And at just $4-$7 a serving, I could make a whole brunch of it.

But then I would miss the Foie Gras French Toast. I’ll pause a minute and let that sink in. Foie Gras French Toast. The menu’s full of little “Huh?” moments like that. You don’t just get scrambled eggs. You get to choose from Brisket Scramble and Truffle Cheese Scramble and Chile Crab Scramble and Caviar Sea Urchin Scramble. The croissant’s not just a croissant — it’s a Salted Macadamia Croissant. And instead of a sad little fruit garnish, how about a whole plate of Oven Roasted Grapes — on peanut butter powder?

What Chad Johnson is doing is elevating brunch (he was, after all, executive chef of Élevage for a while, too). He’s reimagining it. And it’s not an over-the-top expensive reimagining. You can, believe it or not, order a single egg and a single piece of toast for four bucks total, and I bet it’d be the best egg on toast you’ve ever had. But come on… there’s the Foie Gras French Toast!

Granted, that may sound too rich for some brunchers’ blood (and you may have a problem with the whole foie gras thing), but believe me when I tell you it’s not cloying, it’s not even all that sweet. The toast has the perfect amount of crunch, the foie gras the perfect degree of unctuousness, and there’s shredded duck confit in there, too, to add another layer of texture and flavor, plus real maple syrup (but not too much) and bits of green apple for tartness. Unbelievably good, and the only entree on the menu that’s over $20 (it’s $22).

Johnson reimagines the humble pierogi, too. His melt-inyour-mouth Corned Beef & Potato Pierogies ($10) take the familiar Polish dumpling to a whole new level, enriching the flavor profile with ramp butter and an almost imperceptible tang of sauerkraut. The Brisket Soft Scramble ($8) is equally subtle and satisfying, with poblano pepper, cheddar and scallion ash complementing but not overwhelming the steak and eggs.

SLEEK & CHIC: Haven’s outside patio..

SPEAK FRENCHY TO ME: Haven’s sublime Foie Gras French Toast.

www.duPontREGISTRY.com 49 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

dR DINING: HAVEN I haven’t even mentioned the cocktails yet. In the same “let’s not take ourselves too seriously” mood as the rest of the menu (the oyster section is headed “Shuck and Slurp,” the grapes and croissant are under “Munchies”), the cocktails are named after the ladies (and gentleman) of Sex & the City. I had a Miranda ($10), a brunch-friendly sweet/savory concoction of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, Averna Amaro liqueur, white peach, lemon and mint. (Mr. Big, by the way, is a $20 brew involving George Dickel Bottled in Bond 13-year bourbon.) There’s a Bloody Mary menu, too: You can choose your vodka and your base: Kimchi, Hot & Spicy or OG. Among the many pungent anti-brunch comments I found on Reddit, there was this one from a server who had clearly worked too many Sundays: “Brunch is a mutant, bastard stepchild of a meal, served at a time when decent people should be sleeping off hangovers or minding their own business.”

But Haven, rethinking brunch on so many levels, even has an answer for those decent, if drunken, people: “Hangover Fried Rice,” fortified with oxtail, kimchee and a fried egg. We weren’t hung over but we ordered it anyway, and had it the next day.

For Monday brunch — because we sort of didn’t want Sunday to be over yet.

Haven Restaurant, 2208 W. Morrison Ave, Tampa, 813-258-2233, haventampa.com.

I’M A MIRANDA: A sweet/savory concoction that starts with Irish whiskey.

EGG ME ON: Caviar Sea Urchin Scramble, one of the many eggy creations at Haven.

SAM I AM: Yes, it’s green eggs and ham for the kiddos.

50 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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AUTO

Making Waves

Looking for the perfect holiday gift combo? How about a $3.6 million Lexus superyacht and a new $100k Lexus LC Convertible?

STORY & PHOTOS BY HOWARD WALKER

56 www.duPontREGISTRY.com

AUTO

H

ear the words “Honey, I’m thinking of getting a new Lexus for the holidays,” and you might presume your better half was pondering the purchase of a shiny new Lexus LS sedan or sporty LC coupe.

Maybe have it delivered Christmas Eve with a big red bow attached to the roof and a dusting of faux snow all around.

You know, just like on the TV ads.

What you might not expect is for the Lexus in question to be a sleek and sexy, 65-foot, 2,000-horsepower mini-superyacht, base price $3.6 million, or $4.6-mill very nicely loaded.

Say ahoy to the stunning new Lexus of the seas, the breathtaking new LY 650.

Wait a sec, a Lexus yacht? You heard it right. Lexus is on a mission to become a true luxury lifestyle brand. They reckon that building a range of exquisite powerboats is one way of achieving that.

To help with its mission, Lexus has partnered with Wisconsin-based Marquis Yachts to build this spectacular 65-foot, super-luxe gin palace. And, happily for me, the folks at Lexus kindly invited me over to Boca Raton to take it for a spin. What, you think I’d say no?

Plus, to add frosting to the offer, Lexus gave us the chance to crawl all over the upcoming new LC 500 Convertible, due in showrooms next summer, priced around $100,000.

The new LY, bobbing gently on the dock outside the historic Boca Raton Resort & Club, is a jaw-dropper. With its dramatic bow, expansive windshield, voluptuous hind quarters and rich copper-and-steely-gray palette, it looks like 10 million bucks rather than a mere 4.7.

The spectacular interior oozes Lexus-style craftsmanship, quality and elegance. In the light-filled central atrium, doors lead to three spacious en-suite cabins.

The full-beam owner’s stateroom is breathtaking, with its vast hull windows, sexy lighting and curvy cabinetry. The mirror-finished eucalyptus woodwork could have come straight out of a Lexus LS flagship sedan.

Our plan is to head out from Boca into the Atlantic and cruise down to Lauderdale. But today the forecast is enough to send The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore into a frenzy, with winds steady at 22mph, gusting to a feisty 28.

But I’m not going to back out now. We fire up the twin12.8liter Volvo turbocharged inline-six diesels and ease out of the Boca Raton inlet. Helming from the protected flybridge, we brace for the gnarly Atlantic rollers lunging toward us. Time to power up.

Alas, Lexus doesn’t build an engine muscley enough to drive the LY, so it has to make do with mighty 1,000-horsepower Volvos. On flat water these can thrust the 73,000-pound LY 650 to a top speed of 33.5 knots — that’s 38.5mph. That’s fast.

Push forward the throttles, hang on, and the LY’s flared bow lifts gently and scythes through the heavy swell. Despite the big Volvos spinning at wide-open throttle, there’s only the faintest hum from the heavily insulated engine room.

In the big seas, the carbon-reinforced hull does a stellar job of parting the waves, tracking straight and riding smooth through the washing machine-like water.

After an hour or so running at an easy 28 knots, I steer hard to starboard to enter Lauderdale’s ship channel. Despite the confused sea, the big Lexus carves oh-so-easily into the turn, shrugging off the whitecaps, feeling stable and secure.

I can honestly say that this LY has the best wet-weather handling of any Lexus I’ve driven. It may feel a little “floaty” over bumps, but that’s OK. Could there possibly be a better holiday gift combo than this LY 650 and the gorgeous LC 500 Convertible? I doubt it.

A few lucky people may soon be saying, “Honey, I think we’re gonna need a bigger garage.”

To test-drive a road-going Lexus, call Lexus of Tampa Bay, Lexus of Clearwater, Lexus of Wesley Chapel or Wilde Lexus of Sarasota.

Look for Howard Walker’s online column, “Weekend Wheels,” every Friday at dupontregistrytampabay.com.

The LY’s flared bow lifts gently and scythes through the heavy swell. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com www.duPontREGISTRY.com 57

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Galleria Misto The Plaza, 100 Indian Rocks Rd. N., Suite A, Belleair Bluffs, 727-559-7767, galleriamisto.com

Gallery at Creative Pinellas 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo, 727-582-3600, creativepinellas.org

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120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-274-8130, tampamuseum.org

Tempus Projects

4636 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-340-9056, tempus-projects.com

BEER

DIAMONDS Cappello & Company

12941 Park Blvd. N., Seminole, 727-585-5700, cappellofinejewelry.com

Diamond Banc of Tampa

2202 N. Westshore Blvd. Ste. 200, Tampa, 813-367-3372, diamondbanc.com

Gold & Diamond Source

3800 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater, 727-573-9351, goldanddiamond.com

Mavilo

3410 Henderson Blvd., Ste. 300, Tampa, 813-877-8663, mavilo.com

Todd Alan Gallery

506 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-217-4969, handwovenbands.com

EYES Belleair Opticians

100 Indian Rocks Rd. N., Belleair Bluffs, 727-584-0730, belleairopticians.com

The Optic Shop

533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa 813-254-5050; 109 2nd St. N,, St. Petersburg, 727-822-2020 theopticshops.com

Warby Parker at Oxford Exchange

420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-981-5100, warbyparker.com/retail/tampa/oxford-exchange

FLOWERS Botanica

1713 W. Cypress St., Tampa, 813-831-0965, botanicaflorist.com

Carlson Wildwood

1488 Clearwater Largo Rd N.., Largo, 727-446-4610, carlsonwildwoodflorist.com

Posies Flower Truck

4946 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33703, 678-313-6823, posiesflowertruck.com

Big Storm Brewing Co.

The JillTed Florist

Cigar City Brewing

The Potting Shed

Coppertail Brewing

2601 East 2nd Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500, coppertailbrewing.com

GOLF

Cycle Brewing

3125 W. Black Diamond Cir., Ste. 100, Lecanto, 352-746-3440, blackdiamondranch.com

12707 49th St., Clearwater, 727-201-4186, bigstormbrewery.com 3924 W. Spruce St, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com

534 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, 727-320-7954, cyclebrewing.com

Dunedin Brewery

937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com

Green Bench Brewing Co.

1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836, GreenBenchBrewing.com

1425 S Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater, 727-461-9055, thejilltedflorist.com

4127 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1969, the-pottingshed.com

Black Diamond Ranch

Congo River Miniature Golf

20060 US Hwy 19 N., Clearwater, 727-797-4222, congoriver.com

Golf Locker

6200 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-265-8999, golflocker.com

TBBC

Innisbrook Golf Resort

3 Daughters Brewing

Streamsong Golf Resort

CARS

Valspar Championship

1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1422, tbbc.beer 222 22nd St. S., St Petersburg, 727-495-6002, 3dbrewing.com

Crown Jaguar/Land Rover

6001 34th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714, 877-283-6306, crownjaguar.com; 727-228-3963, landroverstpetersburg.com

36750 US Hwy 19 N., Palm Harbor, 727-942-2000, innisbrookgolfresort.com

1000 Streamsong Dr., Bowling Green, 888-294-6322, streamsongresort.com

ValsparChampionship.com

HAPPY HOURS Annata/Alto Mare

300 Beach Dr. NE #128, St. Petersburg, 727-851-9582, annatawine.com

In our summer A to Z issue, we introduced you to top local businesses in categories from A to Z, as selected by our editorial board. Here again is a directory to all those fine establishments. For information on how your business can be listed among the best of the best visit AListTampaBay.com.

58 www.duPontREGISTRY.com

Bernini of Ybor

1702 E 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-248-0099, berniniofybor.com

Cassis

170 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-827-2927, cassisstpete.com

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Argentine Group

111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 813-837-8023, argentinegroup.com

Phil Graham Landscape Architecture

535 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-821-5225, philgrahamla.com

Datz

2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000 / 180 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-202-1182, datztampa.com

FarmTable Cucina at Locale Market

179 2nd Ave. N.. at Sundial, St. Petersburg, 727-523-6297, farmtablecucina.com

Grace

120 8th Ave., Pass-a-Grille Beach, 727-317-4770, gracestpete.com

Haven

2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, haventampa.com

Hotel Bar

200 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-533-2650, hotelbartampa.com

Rococo Steak

655 2nd Ave S., St. Petersburg, 727-822-0999, rococosteak.com

Rooster & the Till

6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940, roosterandthetill.com

Ruth’s Chris

131 2nd Ave. N. at Sundial, St. Petersburg, 727-821-4139, ruthschris.com

Sea Salt St. Pete

Practical Gardening Services Inc.

61 Citrus Ave., Dunedin, FL 34698, 727-797-2090

MARINAS

Marina Pointe

4900 Bridge St., Tampa, 813-421-9148, marinapointe.com

Maximo Marina

4801 37th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-867-1102, igy-maximomarina.com

Renaissance Vinoy Marina

501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-824-8022

NEW DIGS

Belleview Place

275 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, 727-469-7070, belleviewplace.com

ICON Central Apartments

855 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-456-5108, iconcentralapts.com

The Sanctuary at Alexander Place

2619 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-213-0212, SmithandAssociates.com

183 2nd Ave. N. at Sundial, St. Petersburg, 727-873-7964, seasaltstpete.com

Sunset Pointe at Collany Key

ICE CREAM

Virage Bayshore

Bo’s Ice Cream

7101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-302-9644

Larry’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream & Gelato

6595 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-4259, larrysicecream.com

Lickity-Splits

941-242-2464, lickitysplitsicecream.com

Paciugo Gelato

300 Beach Dr. NE #120, St. Petersburg, 727-209-0298,paciugostpete.com

Revolution Ice Cream Co.

6701 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-513-5053, revicecream.com

Strachan’s

310 Main St., Dunedin, 727-733-3603, strachansdesserts.com

Sweet Charlie’s

1010 Central Ave. #102, St. Petersburg, 727-502-9154, sweetcharlies.com

The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops

1110 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde, 727-865-1000, SunsetPointeFL.com

2905 W. Julia St. , Tampa, 813-336-3460, VirageBayshore.com

OUTDOOR LIVING Decker Ross Interiors

1445 Court St., Clearwater, 727-442-9996, deckerross.com

Ethan Allen ethanallen.com

Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa pinchapenny.com

Restoration Hardware

International Plaza, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Ste. B221, Tampa, 813-258-9062, restorationhardware.com

PETS

Dr. Aimee Burke

Sunshine Animal Hospital, 2807 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, 727-791-7242, sunshineanimal.com

thehyppo.com

Doodle Dog

JETS

Pawsitively Posh Pooch

Execu Jet Charter

4751 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 888-635-9538, execujetcharter.com

Sheltair Aviation

4751 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 813-319-8000, sheltairaviation.com

VistaJet

Lynn Parkhurst, 727-455-9260

1425 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-892-9303, pawsitivelyposhpooch.com

St. Petersbark

2435 9th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-217-5366, stpetersbark.com

QUESADILLAS

vistajet.com

Cider Press Cafe

KICKS

Lolis Mexican Cravings

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-7222, ciderpresscafe.com

10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa, buschgardens.com/tampa

8005 Benjamin Rd., Tampa, 10011 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 3324 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa lolismexicancravings.com

Happy Feet Plus

Marina Cantina Tequila Bar & Grille

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Red Mesa Cantina

Multiple locations, happyfeet.com

rowdiessoccer.com

59

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25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-443-1750, marinacantina.com

128 3rd St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-896-8226, redmesadantina.com

www.duPontREGISTRY.com 59

Red Mesa Mercado

Listening Room Festival

1100 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-954-7430, redmesamercado.com

listeningroomfestival.com

ROOFTOP BARS

Opera Tampa

3701 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, 727-888-4291, thehotelzamora.com

Palladium Chamber Players/Side Door at the Palladium

360 Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Zamora Berkeley Beach Club

109 8th Ave., St Pete Beach, berkeleybeachclub.com

The Canopy at the Birchwood Inn

340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-896-1080, thebirchwood.com

Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge at The Epicurean 1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-999-8731, epicureanhotel.com

The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant

9th Ave. & Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-9558, thehurricane.com

M. Bird at Armature Works

1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, 813-250-3725, armatureworks.com

Mole Y Abuela

1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-370-1000, moleyabuelatampa.com

operatampa.org

mypalladium.org

St. Petersburg Opera Company

2145 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-823-2040, stpeteopera.org

VIP EXPERIENCES Innisbrook Ultra VIP Club

727-942-2000, innisbrookgolfresort.com (Mike Williams, Managing Director)

The Mahaffey/Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts

727-892-5716, themahaffey.com (Lori Belvedere, Membership Manager); Bill Edwards Foundation: 727-300-2000, themahaffey.com (Amy Miller, President)

Ruth Eckerd Hall Friends of Music

727-712-2720, rutheckerdhall.com (Suzanne Delaney, CFRE, Chief Development Officer and VP of Development)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Annual Flyaway

813-998-3877, buccaneers.com/tickets/suites (Carey Cox, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy)

STYLE Apropos

2102 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-251-8180, apropos-tampa.com

WATCHES

Atlas

Mayors Jewelers

919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-873-3500, @atlasbodyandhome

2223 N Westshore Blvd #165, Tampa, 813-354-8080, mayors.com

Cozette’s Boutique

Old Northeast Jewelers

645 Central Ave., Suite #1, St Petersburg, 813-317-1241, cozettesboutique.com

Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing

117 E. Whiting St., Tampa, 813-226-3207, GreinersClothing.com

MISRED Outfitters

615 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-827-8310, bemisred.com

Mermosa Winery & Boutique

400 Beach Dr. NE #161, St. Petersburg,727-498-8984, mermosa.com

SaltLight Art Boutique

649 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 334-341-1035, saltlightartboutique.com

Sartorial Inc

400 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-290-6783, sartorialinc.com

Seersucker Sassy

1131 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-898-4377, oldnortheastjewelers.com (also at International Plaza)

Pasadena Jewelers

South Pasadena Shopping Center, 6856 Gulfport Blvd. S., South Pasadena, 727-345-3337, pasadenajewelers.com

XTREME SPORTS Little Everglades Ranch

17951 Hamilton Rd, Dade City, 352-521-0134, lerevents.com

Skatepark of Tampa

4215 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-621-6793, skateparkoftampa.com

Sky Dive City

4241 Sky Dive Ln., Zephyrhills, 813-783-9399, skydivecity.com

801 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-723-7277, seersuckersassy.com

YACHTS

White Owl Market

6810 Gulfport Blvd., St Petersburg, 727-343-6520, marinemax.com

683 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-235-4706, whiteowlmarket.com

TRAVEL

American Concierge americanconcierge.com

Fast Lane Travel

Oldsmar Town Center, 3980 Tampa Rd., Ste. #203, Oldsmar, 813,343-3001, fastlanetravel.com

Water 4 Mercy

727-439-4222, water4mercy.org

UNPLUGGED Craftsman House

2955 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-323-2787, craftsmanhousegallery.com

Florida Orchestra

244 2nd Ave. N, #420, St. Petersburg, floridaorchestra.org

The Hideaway Cafe

1756 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-892-3337, hideawaycafe.biz

.# LIC

C

-9 09 5

Marine Max St. Petersburg Quality Boats

17389 US 19 N., Clearwater, 727-530-1815, qualityboats.com

Tom George Yacht Group

17116 US 19 N., Clearwater, 727-734-8707, tgyg.com

ZINFANDEL

Bella Vino Wine Market

Belleair Bluffs Plaza, 100 Indian Rocks Rd., Belleair Bluffs, 727-584-5552, bellavinowinemarket.com

Bern’s Steak House

1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-2421, bernssteakhouse.com

Cru Cellars

2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com

Nelson Construction and Renovations

1174 Court St., Clearwater, FL, 727-596-9006, nelsonconstructionrenos.com

Total Wine & More

1720 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com

Vineration

info@vineration.com

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

60

PRESENTED BY:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! BENEFITING

Enrollment

Open Houses Nov. 21, Jan. 15 & Feb. 11

Visit our campus between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at your convenience

www.skycrest.us 129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-797-1186 tel • 727-797-8516 fax

dR BENEFACTORS

Remembering Hazel Hough

St. Petersburg’s thriving cultural scene owes much to the generosity of Hazel and Bill Hough.

St. Petersburg Times

STORY BY PAUL WILBORN

IMMERSED IN THE ARTS: Hazel and Bill Hough in 2004 at their former home in Bayfront Tower, with a bowl by the glass artist Dale Chihuly.

A

s a guy who has lived and worked on both sides of Tampa Bay, I’m often asked how sleepy old St. Petersburg awakened to become a vibrant city of the arts.

The answer is an easy one: the generation of philanthropists who made their money in the 1950s and ’60s and invested it in arts and culture. The Museum of Fine Arts, American Stage, the Mahaffey Theater, the Morean Arts Center, the Dalì Museum and so many more institutions benefited from their vision and generosity.

There’s no better example than with two of the founders of The Palladium Theater – Bill and Hazel

62

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Hough. We lost Hazel this past August at the age of 92.

While the Houghs funded and endowed countless cultural institutions — including the Hazel Hough Wing of St. Pete’s Museum of Fine Arts — the story of their involvement with the Palladium, where I’ve been executive director since 2007, is a perfect example of their vision.

Between the 1960s and the 1980s, performing arts centers sprang up around the country — three in the Tampa Bay area alone. What communities quickly discovered was that, while these cultural palaces worked well for Broadway roadshows, touring orchestras, and pop music stars, they could be deadly for local theater and dance artists. The high rent and union stage hands

dR BENEFACTORS at the big centers — requirements for touring shows — tante who wrote a check but never left the country club; were just too much for local companies. she showed up at concerts, plays, recitals, art openings, The Houghs realized this early and went looking for a talks. place that could serve as an affordable professional venue Hazel’s love of the arts went back to her youth, said for the community. her daughter, Susan Hough Henry. She studied classical It was Hazel and Mary Wyatt Allen, another St. Pete piano and even sang in a trio called the Swing Triplets. visionary, who first walked into what was then a Christian “But when the Museum of Fine Arts opened in the early Science church on Fifth Avenue North and reported back 1960s,” Susan said, “she immersed herself in everything to Bill that they had found the perfect building for their it had to offer. She became a member of the first docent community venue. The 1925 church was beautiful and class, setting the course for her taking leadership in the historic, but more importantly, instead of pews there educational component of the museum. Her joy was seewere theater seats. Bill and Hazel made the case to other ing children who had never been in an art museum unfriends who invested in the non-profit project. I don’t derstand and appreciate art for the first time.” know how much they invested, but I was asked to coordinate music for turning a church into a performing the opening of the Hazel Hough Wing arts venue and running it year-round at the Museum of Fine Arts soon after She shared her with full-time staff costs millions. The taking my job at the Palladium. I made old-school Southern charm Palladium’s 831-seat mainstage was sure there was a grand piano available with everyone lucky enough named Hough Hall in recognition of and asked Hazel what song she wanted to cross her path. their generosity. to hear.

But the Houghs didn’t just give “I love ‘Body and Soul,’” she told money. After the Palladium opened me. I learned it — and let me tell you, in 1998, Bill and Hazel were regular it’s not an easy song to do — and made audience members. Bill’s health has kept him away for sure she was at the piano when I played it. the past few years, but Hazel remained a regular, her Hazel, as always, was smiling and complimentary. She last visit coming in late May when she sat in her favorite brought the best old-school Southern charm to her life. seat at the top of the center stairs for a Florida Orchestra And she shared that with all the people who were lucky concert. Even though getting to that seat was a challenge enough to cross her path. for her weakened legs, she was smiling broadly that night, especially after seeing that the theater was full.

A philanthropic spirit In the Palladium’s first eight years, she liked to tell me, Other arts and development executives have similar she and Bill were often called in to bolster an otherwise stories. small audience.

Continued next page We haven’t had to call Bill and Hazel to fill seats for a long time.

I met Bill and Hazel before I took the job running the Palladium. My journalism professor and mentor, Don Baldwin (a former St. Petersburg Times editor), and his wife Pat, had included my wife and me in dinner parties at their home, and the Houghs were among the guests.

Hazel loved the songs of the Great American Songbook — she was a good singer herself — and it was fun playing and singing for her.

At those dinners, when I was lucky enough to sit beside her, I learned that Hazel grew up in Fort Myers in the 1930s, married Bill, a guy she met on a blind date arranged by relatives, in 1951, and raised three children in St. Petersburg, Robb, Susan and Helen. As her husband’s bond business — William R. Hough & Co. — flourished, the couple shared the wealth with their community, particularly local arts organizations. And Hazel was no dilet-

Photo courtesy The Palladium

“Body and Soul”

“THE PLACE WE ALWAYS HOPED IT WOULD BE”: Hazel and Bill Hough at The Palladium in 2012 for the USFSP graduation with their daughter and son-in-law, Susan Hough Henry and Pat Henry. The family was awarded the Regional Chancellor’s Award for Civic Leadership.

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

63

dR BENEFACTORS “Mrs. Hough was deeply involved with the Museum of Fine Arts in so many ways,” Kristen Shepard, the executive director of the MFA, told me. “I had lunch with her a few times a year and treasured those times. She was intellectually curious, loved seeing what we were working on, and was enthusiastic about everything from contemporary art to our ancient mosaic project.

“The Houghs’ generosity to the museum over the decades made our growth possible, both in terms of the physical building and the strength of our curatorial department, which they supported through an endowment which allowed us to create a position for a curator of contemporary art. Both Mrs. and Mr. Hough served on the MFA’s Board of Trustees and were members of our Collectors Circle.”

Hazel, Kristen said, “led by example in supporting the museum and the entire arts community.”

Jesse Turtle, a longtime development executive who now heads the St. Petersburg College Foundation, recalled how in 2007 the Houghs gifted St. Petersburg College with the Palladium and created an endowment to support the theater for the long term.

“Many years after Hazel and Bill gifted the Palladium to St. Petersburg College, Hazel still spoke about the venue with pride and its importance in the community.

She always thought of others first, and her philanthropic spirit inspires others to give back to better our community.”

After coming on board at the Palladium, I met with Bill and Hazel regularly to keep them up with the operation of the theater. The Hough Family Foundation continued to be the Palladium’s largest annual supporter.

We’ve achieved a lot during the past 12 years, but my proudest moment was when Hazel told me that of all the things she and Bill had supported, the Palladium was the closest to their heart.

“And you’ve made it into the place we always hoped it would be,” she said.

And then she smiled, and her smile lit up the room.

The Palladium’s 2019-20 season is filled with classical music, Broadway singers and other shows Hazel would have loved. We’re dedicating this season to her memory.

“The Benefactors” is a new series from duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay, telling the stories of men and women whose thoughtful philanthropy has enriched the Tampa Bay community in countless ways.

64 www.duPontREGISTRY.com

www.duPontREGISTRY.com 65

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Oversized Lot | $3,250,000 Jim DiMartino

ISLE

416 19th Ave NE $799,000 $1,415,000 Total Sales Total Sales 1308 50th $764,900* 19th AveAve NE NE $799,000 $1,390,000* $1,415,000 Volume416 Since Volume Since 10116 Gulf $707,000* 50th AveBlvd, NE #305 $764,900* $1,299,000 $1,390,000* 2017* 1308 2017* 1927Gulf Massachusetts 10116 Blvd, #305 Ave NE$707,000* $649,000 $1,285,000 $1,299,000 1927 Massachusetts Ave NE $649,000 1148 Seville Lane NE $625,000 $1,285,000 $1,225,000 ZIP CODE 1148 Seville NE NE $625,000 1346 EdenLane Isle Blvd $590,000 $1,225,000 $1,190,000* 1346 Eden Blvd $590,000 4260 13thIsle Lane NENE $589,000* $1,190,000* Total Sales Total Sales $1,150,000 4260 13th LaneStNE $589,000* 4901 Dover NE $549,000* Volume since Volume since $1,150,000 $1,185,000 St N NE#218 $549,000* 2017* 4901 2017* 218Dover 7th Ave $525,000 $1,185,000 $1,025,000 218 7thHuntington Ave N #218 St NE $525,000 $1,025,000 5124 $449,900* $995,000 5124 Huntington NE N $449,900* $995,000 5029 DartmouthStAve $439,900 $979,000** 5029 Dartmouth $439,900 $979,000** 2528 3rd Ave NAve N $419,000* $825,000* 2528 3rd Ave N $419,000* $825,000*

1

33704

$198,212,000

1

SNELL ISLE $123,879,000

Since 2015, the Strickland Group has been responsible for the 8 most expensive luxury home $ 5on5Snell 2 ,56 , 0 0over 0 half a billion $ 198, 212, 000 Experience $123, 00 sales Isle7and dollars in closings. what 879, we can0do for you; schedule your complimentary home evaluation today.

Since 2015, the Strickland Group has been responsible for 8 of the most expensive luxury home sales on Snell Isle and over half a billion dollars in closings. Experience what we can do for you; schedule your complimentary home evaluation today.

Picutred Lauren Kraczyk, Kraczyk,Keri KeriThigpen, Thigpen,Alicia AliciaWarburton, Warburton, Crissy McWilliams, PicutredRight RightTo To Left: Left: Tom Tom DeGroot, DeGroot, Lauren Crissy McWilliams, Bonnie Pagano, Laura LauraKlement, Klement,Christine ChristineCarvin, Carvin,Doug Doug Waechter and John Lee. BonnieStrickland, Strickland,Jim Jim DiMartino, DiMartino, Nikki Nikki Pagano, Waechter and John Lee.

BONNIE STRICKLAND BONNIE BONNIESTRICKLAND STRICKLAND Executive Director Executive of ExecutiveDirector Director of Sales Sales of Sales

o.727.698.5708 m.727.432.6982 727.432.6982 O:727.698.5708 I M:727.432.6982 o.727.698.5708 I Im. Bonnie.Strickland@elliman.com Bonnie.Strickland@elliman.com Bonnie.Strickland@elliman.com 100 Beach Drive NE, Suite 102 I St. Petersburg 100Beach BeachDrive Drive NE, Suite 102 St. Petersburg Petersburg 100 NE, Suite 102 II St.

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BY BUYER YO U R O W N ATSELLER. TO R N E Y, SOLD A R C H I PROPERTY T E C T O R ZO N I N G E X PE R REFLECT T. ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL THE AND AMOUNTS PRICE. ONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. * REPRESENTED THE BUYER ** REPRESENTED THE BUYER AND SELLER. SOLD PROPERTY AMOUNTS REFLECT LAST LISTED PRICE.

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REAL ESTATE

L F EXI U S R BE R K ON KG E. LI U YT TLE A E TLH IEVL IAN 7 122 2 2 GGUU NN H I GHH IWGA H Y W | OADYE SO S AD, EF S L 1 71 1 NN Enjoy waterfront living and privacy at this Lake Keystone estate. Spanning over 12,700 sq ft on three manicured acres, this home offers over six bedrooms and eleven bathrooms. Peaceful water views beckon you outside to enjoy this Florida lifestyle. The tranquil grounds are equestrian friendly and feature heated pool and spa, outdoor kitchen and tennis/basketball courts all with a view of the picturesque waterfront. $3,200,000.

Learn more at evanpedone.evrealestate.com Evan Pedone . Engel & Völkers Madeira Beach 14225 Gulf Blvd . Madeira Beach . Florida 33708 727.459.5543 evan.pedone@evrealestate.com ©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

REAL ESTATE

196 Bluff View Drive, Belleair Bluffs 196BluffViewDrive.com Offered at $4,400,000

T

ranquil waterfront living in Belleair Bluffs. Magnificently redesigned in 2017, this gated estate spans an impressive 6,721 sq.ft. featuring vaulted ceilings with large windows & skylights. The open floorplan has vast lower level master bedroom features his/hers custom closets, rotunda sitting area, overlooking the glimmering waterfront with access to pool lanai. En-suite master bath with travertine floors, soaking tub & crystal chandelier, dual vanity with large mirrors and rainfall glass framed shower; opens to home office which enters back out to master hallway. Rejoice in the awe-inspiring water views from the floor to ceiling windows & sliding doors of the living room featuring wood burning fireplace. Natural lighting continues to beam throughout this home from the plantation shutters. Enjoy the gourmet kitchen featuring 2017 Wolf, Jenn-air & Viking appliances + breakfast nook overlooking the water. The mudroom/ laundry room conjoins to lower level guest bedroom with bathroom and has nearby storage closet and garage access. The open banister stairway leads to the second floor corridor where you can see captivating water views from the two-story living room windows. The upper level guest bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms and large custom closets, perfect for any guest to feel right at home! Fun weekends will be added to your calendar thanks to your salt system pool/spa & local boating will be a must from your dock with 25,000lb boat lift featuring all updated landscape lighting. High Elevation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no flood insurance required. This home is a MUST SEE! Martha Thorn | 727-432-9019 The Thorn Collection | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Waterfront Collection

180 BEACH DR NE #2600 | ST. PETERSBURG | $7,000,000 LIZ HEINKEL | 727-239-5623

418 ST. ANDREWS DR | BELLEAIR | $3,500,000 SCOTT & AMY FERGUSON | 727-744-0993

11 BAYMONT ST #901 | CLEARWATER BEACH | $2,950,000 JEANNE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN | 727-365-1818

7849 10TH AVE S | ST. PETERSBURG | $1,889,000 DEBBIE MCGINTY | 813-416-2646

971 BAYSHORE DR | TARPON SPRINGS | $1,595,000 DEB GARRIGAN, 727-434-3322 & BRIDGET BRELAND, 727-421-0573

650 COLLANY RD #203 | TIERRA VERDE | $1,550,000 LIZ HEINKEL | 727-239-5623

115 8TH ST E | TIERRA VERDE | $1,385,000 BOB & MARSHA CARGO | 727-798-2656

PURA VIDA | CLEARWATER BEACH New Construction Condos | 727-744-0155

W W W.COA S TALPG I.COM B E L L E A I R | C L E A R WAT E R | C L E A R WAT E R B E A C H | D U N E D I N | E A S T L A K E / PA L M H A R B O R | I N D I A N R O C K S B E A C H | I S L A N D E S TAT E S N O R T H R E D I N G T O N B E A C H | O Z O N A | S T. P E T E B E A C H | S T. P E T E R S B U R G | T A M P A | T I E R R A V E R D E | T R E A S U R E I S L A N D

1180 Gulf Blvd #2206, The Grande $2,250,000

59 N Pine Cir, Belleair $1,580,000

Call Mary Ann For Every Real Estate Reason Mary Ann McArthur | 727-460-5906 | www.MaryAnnMcArthur.com

Beyond gaining a competitive advantage in our local market with Coastal Properties Group, Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Real Estate affords you the opportunity of engaging a worldwide audience of high-net-worth homebuyers outside your local sphere.

17 Country Club Lane, Belleair $819,000

946 Bay Esplanade Dr, Clearwater Beach $699,000 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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exclusive Featured Properties

843 Lantana Ave, Clearwater Beach 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,328 SqFt $600,000

839 Lantana Ave, Clearwater Beach 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1,328 SqFt $599,000

937 Bruce Ave, Clearwater Beach 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,189 SqFt $499,00

619 Island Way, Clearwater Beach Represented Seller 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,726 SqFt Sold for $1,550,000

1090 Eldorado Ave, Clearwater Beach Represented Buyer and Seller 6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 5,762 SqFt Sold for $4,100,000

4601 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa Represented Buyer 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,867 SqFt Sold for $2,070,000

850 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach Represented Buyer 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,374 SqFt Sold for $735,000

<linda <ross preston> 72

Real Estate Advisor

813.318.2408

757 Eldorado Ave, Clearwater Beach Represented Buyer and Seller 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,553 SqFt Sold for $795,000

LindaRossPreston@CoastalPGI.com www.ExclusiveCoastalHomes.com 423 Mandalay Ave., Suite 102 | Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

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P R I VAT E L A K E K E YS T O N E E S TAT E 1 7 1 2 2 G U N N H I G H WAY O D E S S A , F L 6 B E D R O O M | 1 1 B AT H | 1 2 , 7 8 3 S Q F T

Learn more at evanpedone.evrealestate.com

744 Eldorado Ave Clearwater Beach Rare single family home on the sands of America's #1 Beach. North Clearwater Beach offers serenity and relaxation Unobstructed water views abound in this three bedroom, 4 bathroom beach house with ample outdoor entertaining space. Just reduced: $2,859,999.

Evan Pedone . Engel & Völkers Madeira Beach 14225 Gulf Blvd . Madeira Beach . Florida 33708 727.459.5543 evan.pedone@evrealestate.com evanpedone.evrealestate.com ©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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802 DRUID ROAD S., HARBOR OAKS OF CLEARWATER

Unparalleled Waterfront Estate. Overlooking Clearwater Harbor, pure privacy, grandeur and breathtaking views await behind the stately walls of this expansive 3.5-acre resort property. Boasting a lavish 16,000 SF Main House and 5,000 SF Guesthouse, the noteworthy address is the jewel of the historic Harbor Oaks neighborhood. Designed for refined living and entertaining, a porte cochère entry and circular drive welcome you to impressive architecture, period features and designer finishes, a grand ballroom, movie theater, full service wine cellar, fitness, Chef’s kitchen, executive office and library. An opulent master retreat provides the perfect escape with a sitting room, custom dressing room, luxurious bath and private terrace. The magnificent manicured grounds deliver endless hours of recreation with lighted tennis courts, 2 saltwater pools, a 60 ft covered dock/lift, waterfront promenade, historic bell tower and terraced gardens.

A guesthouse greets distinguished visitors with generous living areas, 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, game room and sitting room. Positioned high on a bluff and featuring 304 feet of waterfront and seawall, Submerged Land and Riparian Rights are in place for waterfront protection. Appointments include original marble and hardwood flooring, French doors, professional-grade appliances, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, Versace wallpaper and carpet, internal and external sound systems, video security and garage parking for 10 vehicles. One of the last great estates on Clearwater Harbor, this one-of-a-kind work of art is not to be missed.

Price upon request. | 802Druid.com

The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The property information.

196 BLUFF VIEW DRIVE, BELLEAIR BLUFFS

Tranquil waterfront living in beautiful Belleair Bluffs. This two-story, magnificently redesigned, 6-Bed/6.5-Bath gated estate spans 6,721 sq.ft. Featuring vaulted ceilings with large windows & skylights, open floorplan with lower level master. Additional features include 2017 kitchen appliances + salt system pool/spa & dock with 25,000lb boat lift. Offered at $4,400,000 | 196BluffViewDrive.com

1 SEASIDE LANE #802, BELLEAIR

This modern 3/3.5 penthouse features unbelievable views of Clearwater Harbor and Sand Key. Located in a gated mainland development including Belleair Country Club and a marina, this condo features kitchen granite and stainless, breakfast bar, two living areas, dining room, master his and her baths and walk-in closet, study, laundry room and covered terraces. Offered at $1,895,000 | SpectacularSeaside.com

1348 PLAYMOOR DRIVE, BELLEAIR

Highlands of Innisbrook - 15th hole of the Island Course! The quality crafted home features a library, tropical resort style pool, outdoor kitchen, guest suite with private entrance/garage + gourmet kitchen & split bedroom plan. With custom height ceilings, solid wood doors & accents along with golf front views, this incredible home offers comfort & elegance.

Offered at $1,299,000 | 1348PlaymoorDrive.com

The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com Š2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The property information.

Dania Perry

Luxury & Waterfront Specialist MOBILE: 727-215-2045 dania.perry@gmail.com www.DaniaPerry.com

#1 Selling Realtor in Tampa Bay

CAPRI ISLE – TREASURE ISLAND, FL

SUNSET BEACH – TREASURE ISLAND, FL

A True Rarity – The Essence of Zen in Coastal Luxury. Remarkable 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 6830 total sqft open waterfront floorplan of masterful design and function. Towering ceilings and extraordinary finishes throughout. Impressive list of superb features and amenities. From your dock to the Gulf in four minutes! Offered for $2,380,000.

Toes in the sand in just 10 seconds! Beachfront luxury & versatility with spectacular views. Feel the sweet Gulf breezes & gentle rolling waves!

Block construction home offers 4BR, 3+2 half baths as a single family, or 2-family with 2BR, 1.5BA & 2BR, 2.5BA. Entire interior has been wonderfully updated with elegant coastal contemporary themes.

Offered for $1,895,000.

HADDON HALL PLACE – CLEARWATER, FL

SUNSET DRIVE – ST. PETERSBURG

This unforgettable 6 bedroom, 7 bath, 5795 sqft (living area) New England style estate features grand gated entries, incredible 300 linear feet (MOL) of wrap around balconies and 1.92 acres of exquisite grounds. Majestic 22-24ft high ceilings, large bedroom suites, elegant updated kitchen, superb pool/spa, private tennis court and much more. Centrally located yet very private. Offered for $1,649,000.

This fabulous 8228 total sqft coastal contemporary luxury residence delivers commanding 270-degree open water views across its sweeping 215ft of water frontage! All block construction, high ceilings, elegant finishes, splendid gourmet kitchen and a staggering 1100sqft of covered waterfront balcony. Offered for $1,499,000.

The Dania Difference • The Professional Difference • The Real Difference in Real Estate 78

CENTURY 21 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

JIM WHITE AND ASSOC. • 10645 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL 33706

#1 CENTURY 21 Realtor in the World For the 6th time!

Dania sold $105M+ in 2019 and over $900M since 2010

Dania Perry

Luxury & Waterfront Specialist MOBILE: 727-215-2045 dania.perry@gmail.com www.DaniaPerry.com

BEACHFRONT - REDINGTON BEACH, FL

SANDS POINT – TIERRA VERDE

MILLION DOLLAR PRICE REDUCTION! Built in 2014 on a deep, wide beachfront lot in one of Tampa Bay’s finest beach communities, this astonishing 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 11,622 total sqft coastal contemporary estate with separate guest house is the pinnacle in design, craftsmanship and luxury. Top-of-the line features and finishes throughout. Offered for $6,495,000.

Magnificent open water views across a sweeping 213ft (MOL) of seawall!

This scintillating 5 bedroom, 5 bath, 10,454 total sqft residence offers an uncommon 112ft of width along the waterfront – delivering waterviews thru-out! Exceptional deep water dock boasts 2 jet ski lifts, covered boat slip and 54K lb Yacht lift! Many luxury features. Offered for $3,700,000.

KIPPS COLONY – PASADENA Y & CC

TAMPA PALMS - TAMPA

This spectacular and luxurious 10,769 total sqft executive estate enjoys miles of dazzling open water views! Towering ceilings, grand open living spaces and brilliant craftmanship give this remarkable home a plush, lavish appeal. Huge master suite, wide covered balconies, pool/spa, updated seawall/dock and 2 boat lifts. Offered for 3,100,000.

FORTUNE 500 EXECUTIVE ELEGANCE across the sweeping grounds of this extraordinary 5 Bedroom, 6.2 Bath 14,064 total sqft Luxury Estate. Mammoth 23ft-high ceilings, fabulous theater/game room, plush CEO’s Office, Grand Master Suite, stunning 55,000 cu.ft. pool deck enclosure, lavish overnight cabana. An absolute dream. Offered for $2,450,000.

Independently Ranked one of Florida's 10 Best Real Estate Agents CENTURY 21 JIM WHITE AND ASSOC. • 10645 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island,www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com FL 33706

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#3BridgeRace

We are forever grateful for our sponsors and everyone who came out to support this great cause. More than 8,000 Clearwater youth will benefit this year from your support of the #3BridgeRace. Thank you!

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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WHAT TO SEE IN A&E

BY DAVID WARNER

Lost in the light maze at Enchant Christmas.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Photo by David Pritchard

Want to be considered for dRTBestBets? Send your event info to dwarner@dupontregistry.com.

Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker.

ENCHANTMENTS ‘Tis the season to be dazzled, or at least you hope for a little dazzlement here and there. Seems like a safe bet there’ll be whole arenas full of dazzle in two attractions coming up at the Trop and the Amalie.

Enchant Christmas is first, opening at St. Pete’s Tropicana Field on Nov. 22 and continuing through Dec. 29. Five words: World’s. Largest.

Christmas. Light. Maze. And St. Pete is only one of three U.S. cities to host it this year, along with Seattle and Washington, D.C. An elf named Eddie leads visitors on a search for Santa’s lost reindeer through the maze (we bet one of them will have a blinking red nose), there’s a light-adorned ice skating trail, a food and Christmas Market, live entertainment, and much more. (enchantchristmas.com) Do you prefer your holiday celebrations to include rigorous athletic feats and a live orchestra? Then head to the Amalie on Dec. 18 for Cirque Musica, featuring “the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the sensory majesty of a symphony orchestra.” You’ll never be able to listen to “Jingle Bells” the same way again. (amalieliearena.com.) Also in the Cirque mode: Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts at the Mahaffey Theater on Nov. 21 (themahaffey.com). Expect a Broadway-show vibe, combining the usual leaps and bounds with flying penguins and snowmen and Christmas carols galore.

But the season can’t start until you get your tree, can it? And the best place to do that is The Festival of Trees, returning for its 35th year on Nov. 22-24 to Clearwater’s Long Center. It’s a delightful display of trees and wreaths splendidly decorated by local volunteers, with special events along the way including a premiere night gala on the 22nd. The best part: Proceeds benefit The Arc Tampa Bay and its empowerment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (thearctbfoundation.org) As with any holiday season, you’ve got your choice of Nutcrackers. At the Straz, the Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, is a chance to see the upcoming young dancers of Patel Conservatory’s ballet program strut their stuff (strazcenter.org). And after Christmas, the Mahaffey hosts Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 12/26-27.

Newer traditions abound, too. The Family Blessing, at the Mahaffey on Dec. 21, tells the story of a young girl named Aliyah and her Grandma Zola, on a journey together to find the true meaning of family. Dance styles include ballet, jazz, hip-hop, African, Mexican, Brazilian dance and much more. If that appeals, you might also want to venture down to Sarasota for A Motown Christmas, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s revue

of holiday hits and R&B classics by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5 (Dec.4-6, Sarasota Opera House). Hitting entirely different notes, no doubt, is A Tuna Christmas (Straz, Dec. 11-22), “a two-man, 20+ character pageant” set in the third-smallest town in Texas (that would be Tuna), where comic mayhem threatens to upend the annual yard display contest.

And if it’s Christmas, it must be time for Holiday Classics at Tampa Theatre. The 1947 heart-warmer Miracle on 34th Street kicks things off with a ho-ho-ho at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1; guests are invited to a pre-screening meet-and-greet with you-know-who and the chance to pose with him for a free 4x6 commemorative photo, courtesy of series sponsor Bank of America. The series continues with Elf on Dec. 8, Sing-Along White Christmas on Dec. 14-15, It’s A Wonderful Life (of course) Dec. 20-23; and Love Actually on Dec. 29. And because someone at Tampa Theatre clearly has a sense of humor, the cinema is doing a little adult counter-programming with a late-night REWIND series at 10:30 on Friday nights featuring Bad Santa on Dec. 6; Black Christmas on Friday the 13th; and Eyes Wide Shut (they insist it’s a Christmas movie!) on Dec. 20.

SEASONAL SOUNDS The musical offerings this season run the gamut. On the classical front, The Florida Orchestra follows up Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathetique”) on Dec. 6-8 with a Holiday Pops program Dec. 13-15; a Holiday Brass concert at Tampa Theatre on Dec. 19; and last but certainly not least, sheer emotional impact-wise, Handel’s Messiah, performed with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay at the Mahaffey on Dec. 20 and at churches in Lutz and Largo, respectively, on Dec. 19 and 21. (Tickets and info at thefloridaorchestra.org.)

St. Petersburg Opera gets into the spirit with its annual Holiday Sparkle show Dec. 12-15 and 19-22 at Opera Central, where that human sparkler Maestro Mark Sforzini will no doubt come up with some holiday hijinks as well as a cast of marvelous singers (stpeteopera.org).

The heroes and heroines of holiday pop will be out a-caroling in full force at local concert venues, with Ruth Eckerd Hall hosting a triumvirate: Dave Koz & Friends on Dec. 3, Celtic Angels Christmas on Dec. 5, and Rockapella Christmas on Dec. 22. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Continued

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

dRTBestBets

TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART: 100 YEARS YOUNG Wait, what? The Tampa Museum of Art is 100 years old? Didn’t it just open in 2010? Or no, wait — that cube on the river is their second home, they opened first in 1979 in a building on the other side of Curtis Hixon, right? Think again. In fact, the museum has existed in multiple incarnations since 1920, when it was the Tampa Museum of Fine Arts, holding its first exhibition on the second floor of City Hall. If this is news to you, it was to me, too, until I started editing the Museum’s new centennial history, coming out next year. You can get a taste of that history right now in the exhibition The Making of a Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works, a representative selection of the museum’s holdings including its renowned collection of ancient Greek and Roman art and its increased acquisitions of modern and contemporary art, as well as the archive of German-American sculptor C. Paul Jennewein (who has family ties to Tampa) and a breadth of objects in the areas of painting, decorative arts and sculpture, photography, works on paper, and new media, video, and installation art. Given the aspersions that used to be cast at the museum by certain ink-stained wretches, I suspect you may find its history surprising.

I know I did. On view through 3/20/20, Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, tampamuseum.org. Pictured: C. Paul Jennewein (1890-1978), Greek Dance, 1984 (cast from the 1926 original). Bronze with gold patina. Tampa Museum of Art, Gift of Brookgreen Gardens in honor of C. Paul Jennewein. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Cirque Musica sets acrobatics to a festive score. turns up the volume on the holiday songbook with Christmas Eve & Other Stories at the Amalie on Dec. 15.

The name’s Christmasy and not much else, but iHeart Radio’s annual Jingle Ball extravaganza on Dec. 1 at the Amalie promises some of pop’s sweetest treats, including the hottest act of the moment, Lizzo, along with Sam Smith, Normani and more. And if that show is meant to encapsulate the music of the moment, Ruth Eckerd is celebrating the more seasoned talents of John Oates (of Hall & Oates fame) on Nov. 22, the Brian Setzer Orchestra on Nov. 30 and our own John Prine Dec. 7. Speaking of seasoned pros, there is no singer more seasoned than Tony Bennett, still going strong at 93 and showing off his remarkable chops on Dec. 5 at the Mahaffey. For fans of the Great American Songbook, or Broadway musicals, or even the TVLand series Younger: the blazingly talented Sutton Foster hits the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on Dec. 6. And for fans of blazing guitars, check out The Guitar Masters Showcase at The Blue Note in Seminole Heights on Nov. 30. “Masters” is apt: Alejandro Rowinsky is a virtuoso classical guitarist who’s played everywhere from Walt Disney World to HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones; Shaun Hopper is a blisteringly fast finger-style guitarist; and Steve Arvey is considered one of the top cigar-box guitarists in the world.

Stages Set

Photo by Joan

The bumptious comic energy and brightly colored milieu of Disney’s Aladdin (Dec. 19-Jan. 5) ought to fit right in with a holiday mood, no matter which tradition you follow. But the show that pre-

Rockapella Christmas at Ruth Eckerd.

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cedes it at the Straz could prove to be even more of a delight: the Tony®-winning revival of Once on This Island (Nov. 19-24), a lilting musical set in the Caribbean about a peasant girl in search of her place in the world. The folks at freeFall are taking a more seasonal turn, and potentially a topical one, too, with The Lion in Winter (Nov. 23-Dec. 22, freefalltheatre.com), about the epic (and at times comic) battle between Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, for the future of the throne of France (and yes, it’s set at Christmastime). American Stage turns its eyes to the sky with Lauren Gunderson’s affecting romantic drama Silent Sky (Nov. 20-Dec. 22) about the pioneering Harvard astronomer who refused to let her gender stand in the way of scientific discovery. At the start of 2020, look for scientific explorations of a different sort in Tampa Rep’s The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence Jan. 10-26. And in A Shayna Maidel at Innovocative Theatre January 10-19, a concentration camp survivor finds her way back to her family in America after WWII and reconnects with the joys and sorrows of her life before the war.

Two comedy icons grace local stages in coming weeks. Steven Wright, whose hilarious non sequiturs established him as sui generis from the start of his career, comes to the Capitol on Nov. 23.

And another comic actor with a killer deadpan, Nick Offerman, comes to the Straz Dec. 7 with his All Rise tour. (Can we make a Christmas wish that he bring along his equally genius wife, Megan Mullally?)

Lights, Buttons, Happy New Year!

We’ll keep you posted via dupontregistrytampabay.com (and our dR Daily and Weekend Top 10 posts) about the multiple tree lightings, boat parades and Santa sightings on tap for December.

But just so’s you can plan ahead, here’s your best bet for New Year’s Eve: First Night St. Pete, of course — and the swanky party at the heart of all the action, NYE@ MFA. Unbelievably enough, it’s the 27th year for First Night St. Pete. In addition to all of the attractions we’ve come to love — the bubble stomp, the

crazy hats, the flashing buttons and the fireworks — artists and organizations like LOST Creations, James Oleson, Zulu Painter, Creative Clay, NOMAD Art Bus (and more) will transform South Straub Park into an Interactive Arts Park. That’s on top of everything else — a full eight hours of music, interactive exhibits, puppetry, aerial arts, fire jugglers, street performers, scavenger hunts and so much more all over town. The ticket for entry into 10 of the venues requires the purchase of a custom-designed First Night St. Pete button, this year’s model designed by Carlos Culbertson, aka Zulu Painter. You can buy buttons at an advance discount at FirstNightStPete.com.

Nick Offerman

And what would New Year’s Eve be without Champagne at midnight? That’s only one of the many temptations in store at NYE@MFA: Flights of Fancy at the Museum of Fine Arts. There’s magic all around, including (this is especially magical in Downtown St. Pete on New Year’s Eve) complimentary valet parking; open bar; admission to special exhibition galleries — and, if you choose to attend the dinner in the first half of the evening, entertainment by a world-renowned illusionist.

Dinner + party (7 p.m.-1 a.m.) is $275 per person or $500 per couple, and includes cocktails & hors d’oeuvres in the MFA Garden, early fireworks viewing at dusk and a gourmet seated dinner, plus the party (9 p.m.-1 a.m.), which will feature unique desserts, music by DJ Curtis Carrasco, prime viewing of First Night St. Pete fireworks and that important midnight toast. (Party only: $150 per person, $250 per couple.)

Whether you’re twirling the dance floor or stomping on bubble wrap, make this a happy and art-filled entry into 2020!

dRTBestBets

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CABARET & CALLAWAY If there was ever a room made for cabaret, it’s Side Door at the Palladium. Low ceilings, round tables, a space so intimate you can be practically eye to eye with the performers — the only thing missing is a plume of cigarette smoke unfurling under the spotlight. It’s the kind of room where a singer can connect with an audience — especially if she’s the kind of singer who can turn the lyrics of a pop standard into a conversation, whose voice can whisper as well as soar. That singer would be Ann Hampton Callaway, and the chance to see her up close and personal, accompanied by her legendary music director Billy Stritch, should not be missed. Better yet, she’s singing The Linda Ronstadt Songbook, and I can think of no one better equipped to match the range, the purity and the heartache of Ronstadt than AHC. Note: This concert is the first in a new cabaret series at the Side Door. If you like the idea of lounging in a cozy boite, listening to performers who can sing the hell out of everything from Cole Porter to Joni Mitchell, come to this cabaret, my friends. Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook, 12/19, 7:30 p.m.; Steve Ross: Crown Prince of New York Cabaret, 2/6/20, 7:30 p.m.; Blue: Queenie Sings Joni Mitchell, 3/21/20, 8 p.m. Side Door Cabaret at the Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-822-3590, mypalladium.org.

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Ready to dance at the Straz Center.

STARRY NIGHTS!

BROADWAY BALL, HARD ROCK SMASH, UNDER THE UMBRELLA & MORE www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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UNDER THE UMBRELLA GALA

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The Dysautonomia Project held their Under the Umbrella Gala on Saturday, October 5, at Crown Mercedes in Pinellas Park. With an outstanding attendance of almost 300 guests, TDP was able to net over $470,000. Gala Chairs Angela and Kevin Hawkins did an amazing job bringing together the Tampa Bay community for the fight against dysautonomia, a condition in which the autonomic nervous system does not work properly, potentially affecting multiple internal functions of the body. Photos by Fallbrook Photography.

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4 1 Under many umbrellas at Crown Mercedes. 2 Amanda Makki, Maria Loder, Matt Loder and Shelly Page. 3 Sam Goodman, Whitney Goodman, Angela Hawkins, Kevin Hawkins and guests. 4 Top Row: Hunt Brand, Beth Pike, Jason Jensen, Nate Freeman, Al Ruechel and Carlton Ward. Bottom Row: Karen Crown, Lisa Rooker, Alexandra Key, Angela Hawkins, Kelly Freeman and Molly duPont Schaffer.

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2019 BROADWAY BALL

1 Inspired by Disney’s Aladdin, which comes to the Straz Dec. 19-Jan. 5, the performing arts center’s annual Broadway Ball on Oct. 19 was redolent of Arabian Nights, complete with flowing satins, bejeweled turbans and lush brocades — and that was just the guests! Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Ruth Silbiger Lobby, attendees proceeded to the Carol Morsani Hall stage for dinner, where lavish table settings set an exotic mood evocative of the musical’s fictional locale, the city of Agrabah, and Aladdin cast members, belly dancers and Patel Conservatory students performed on a runway stage. Later, at the after-party in the lobby — aka Broadway Ball After Dark — the be-gowned and be-tuxed throngs cut loose on the dance floor. The event, including silent and live auctions, raised more than $400,000 for the Center’s programs.

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1 The scene on the Morsani stage. 2 Exotic table settings evoked Agrabah. 3 Tom and Mary James. 4 Judy Lisi, Straz CEO (center), with Ernest Lisi and guest. 5 Dancing up a storm at Broadway Ball After Dark.

5 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CELEBRATION

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On Oct. 3 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa unveiled its $700 million expansion with the brand’s signature Guitar Smash and a highwire walk by Nik Wallenda and his 66-year-old mother between the property’s two hotel towers. DJ Jazzy Jeff and Keith Urban performed during the weekend, and Urban’s wife, actress Nicole Kidman, and model Christie Brinkley were also on hand to help celebrate. The renovation includes a new 14-story hotel tower; a 26,000-square-foot spa and salon; an additional 1,000 slots and 41 table games in the completed 223,900-square-foot casino; and Elvis Presley’s 24kt gold leaf-plated 1928 Kimball Piano Company grand piano.

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1 Kidman, Brinkley and friends. 2 Urban and Kidman with WWE star Titus O’Neill. 3 Rita Gilligan, 79, the first employee of Hard Rock Café when it opened in London in 1971. 4 The guitar smash. 5 Reality TV star Kim Zolciak and her husband, former NFL player Kroy Biermann.

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HEELS TO HEAL FALL FASHION SHOW

1 The Heels to Heal Fashion Show in Tampa took place on September 27 at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza in support of Heels to Healâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crisis Counseling Program. The program helps survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence receive free crisis counseling services by licensed mental health counselors who specialize in helping those affected by abuse process trauma. The next Heels to Heal event will take place on April 4, 2020 at the James Museum in St Petersburg.

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1 Heels to Heal volunteers. 2 Seema Bhalani, Event Chair Rina Patel, Cyndi Edwards, Parita Patel. 3 Lissette Campos and Heels to Heal Founder & Executive Director Melissa Mihok. 4 Brian Cox and Yanelle Nieves.

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SUSTANY POINT OF LIGHT LUNCHEON 2019

1 Close to 300 people attended the 2019 Point of Light Luncheon at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park on September 6. The annual event benefits Lighthouse of Pinellas’ programs to advance independence and quality of life for individuals in Pinellas County who are blind or visually impaired. This year’s Beacon of Light Award went to The Free Family Foundation for their dedication to research in the area of age-related macular degeneration and for the support they have given to Lighthouse of Pinellas youth programs over the last 13 years. The Hon. Judge Joseph Donahey received the 2019 John Wilson Spot Light Volunteer Award. Guest speakers Marisa D’Amore and Richard Salem, Esq. shared their inspirational stories.

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1 Kim Feaster, Leslie Freedman, John Wilson, Robert Freedman and George Feaster. 2 John Wilson and Joan Kline. 3 Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, Mary Howe, Event Chair Joan Kline and Michael Kline. 4 Cathy Bence, Judy Klein, Bonnie Rubin-Herzberg, Mark Klein, Joyce Cotton, Susan Crockett, Barbara Mazer Gross and Meg Carlone. 5 John Lelekis, Carolyn Cretekos, Hon. George Cretekos, Cappy Lelekis, Dr. Louis Michaelos and Mary Michaelos.

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WORKING WOMEN OF TAMPA BAY 10TH ANNIVERSARY 1 On September 5 at the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center in Tampa, more than 400 attendees celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Working Women of Tampa Bay. Guests honored 10 community leaders who have helped the organization become the largest professional network of women in our area. The fundraiser raised more than $16,000 for seed money that will assist female entrepreneurs in launching or expanding their business. The Working Women Foundation has awarded more than $30,000 to over 40 women-owned businesses since 2016.

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1 Honorees celebrating with a pop of confetti (left to right): Kristi Campbell, Michele Northrup, Laura Sokolewicz, Patricia Rossi, Effie Santos, Lana Walsh, Beth Kerly, Jen McDonald, Sharon Fekete and Brandi Morris. 2 Working Women of Tampa Bay members Amy Harris, Lori Piencykoski, Michelle Turpeau and Dauri Kowitz in the photo booth sponsored by PBX-Change.

3 Rita Lowman, CEO of Pilot Bank and Chair of Outback Bowl, and Preston Scott presenting a $5,000 donation to the Working Women Foundation to Event Chair & Sponsor Michelle Turman and Working Women of Tampa Bay Founder Jessica Rivelli. 4 Mayor Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman presenting a proclamation to Working Women of Tampa Bay Founder Jessica Rivelli in honor of the 10-year anniversary.

4 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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CREATIVE PINELLAS EMERGING ARTIST RECEPTION 2019

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On Sept. 12 at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo, 350 guests attended a reception and art opening for the recipients of this year’s Emerging Artist grants: singer Siobhan Monique, who performed; writer Lisa Rowan, who read from her work; and visual artists Anna Ayres, Christina Bertsos, Linda Costa-Cheranichit, Javier T. Dones, Sondra Elder, Jim Gigurtsis, George Retkes and Laura Spencer. Selected by a jury on the basis of their portfolio of work, history of success and vision for the future, each artist received a $2,000 grant from Creative Pinellas, the county’s arts agency, and was assigned a professional mentor who met with them one-on-one for a minimum of 12 hours.

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1 Laura Spencer (center) and friends in front of one of Spencer’s paintings.

2 Anna Ayres and Lisa Rowan. 3 Siobhan Monique, an Emerging Artist grantee, performed. 4 George Retkes and Linda Costa-Cheranichit.

5 Sondra Elder with one of her ceramic works.

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PLANTERS FALL LUNCHEON

1 Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation held its annual Planters Fall Luncheon at Opal Sands Resort on October 16. The inspiring event featured the presentation of 15 Lois Odence Nursing Scholarships and special guest speaker Lee Woodruff. The purpose of Planters membership is to provide supplemental financial support to Morton Plant Mease nursing students. Since its inception, $270,000 has been awarded to over 140 nursing students, helping to alleviate the financial pressures of working and attending nursing school.

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1 Rosemary Nye, Molly duPont Schaffer, Ruth duPont, Tom duPont, Lee Woodruff and David Warner. 2 Nurses Shawn Conrad (Bardmoor Hospital) and Mingzi Bian (Mease Countryside) will use their scholarships to help fund their studies at the SPC Health Education Center. 3 Lee Woodruff spoke with disarming candor and wit about her journey as wife, mother and caregiver after her husband, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, was critically injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq. 4 Scholarship recipient Hannah Kruedelbach, a patient care tech at Morton Plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Morgan Heart Hospital, with her fiance, Eric Fisher, a nurse at Morton Plant. Hannah will use her scholarship to help with tuition at the Galen College of Nursing SPC Health Education Center.

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