duPontREGISTRY Tampa Bay November/December 2020

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DECK (AND UNDECK) THE HALLS

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CONTENTS THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

DEPARTMENTS

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44 Style: Glow!

by Michelle Cappelli Gordon

BY DAVID WARNER

50 Beauty: Indulge!

by Michelle Cappelli Gordon

WINTER COLORS Gardens that sing of the season

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LEADING LIGHTS Custom holiday lighting

BY ERIC SNIDER

18 ETERNAL FLAME Permanent holiday lighting BY ERIC SNIDER

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TREE TOPPERS The Festival of Trees

BY DAVID WARNER

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CYBERLOCAL Shopping local online

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BY CATHERINE S. MITSEAS

FAB FOUR A quartet of over-the-top gifts

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52 Fitness: Tips from #12

by Resie Waechter 54 Wine Girl: All in the Familia

by Tracey Serebin 56 Travel: Wanderlocal Diary

by Lauren Davenport 60 Travel: Puttin’ on the Ritz(es)

by Cindy Cockburn 64 Travel: Inn on 5th in Naples

by Tracey Serebin

BY DAVID WARNER

66 Boats: The Yacht Designer

by David Warner

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70 Auto: Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur

by Howard Walker

40 GUEST STARS Let local chefs do the cooking.

73 Real Estate: Luxury Living in Tampa Bay and Beyond

CELEBRATE, 2020-STYLE

New ways to throw a party BY WENDY MALLOY

BY JENNA RIMENSNYDER

46 JUST MY STYLIST Need to perk up your wardrobe?

87 Best Bets: A&E Calendar

by David Warner 92 People Helping People

BY TRACEY SEREBIN

IN EVERY ISSUE: PUBLISHER’S LETTER PAGE 4 | EDITOR’S LETTER PAGE 6 | BACK PAGE 96

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COVER PHOTO: Courtesy Andrea Lauren Elegant Interiors

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FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Reader, Well, here it is — the annual holiday issue of duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay. As always, it’s chock full of wonderful ideas to enhance your holiday celebrations: gifts, party planning, travel and much, much more.

This is also our end-of-the-year issue. Which means that 2020 is over (almost). And it’s time to start in on those 2021 New Year’s Resolutions. Be sure to use 2020 hindsight to help you prioritize next year’s aspirations and goals.

New to our ever-changing and growing array of media platforms is “Wednesday Marketplace.” This innovative e-blast is designed to provide immediate exposure to our media partners every Wednesday of every week. Do you have something important to tell everyone? New store hours? Events? Special offers?

Wednesday Marketplace is a fast, digital and unique way to reach over 12,000 residents of the Tampa Bay area via our proprietary “Legacy and Leadership” list. Packed with influencers, this list has a steady 18%-20% open rate, which translates into around 2,000 duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay enthusiasts seeing your message. When you combine a multi-week Wednesday Marketplace e-blast with print advertising, you get quick response and long-term branding. Special discounts apply for multi-level media partners.

During these volatile and confusing times, it is somewhat difficult to pause and be grateful for our many blessings. It is important to do so and also to reach out to those less fortunate. We must not let the spirit of the season get lost in the rapidly changing world of today. Please select a cause and help someone else. From socks to bicycles, turkeys to backpacks, there are many, many ways to help others in need. And the Tampa Bay area is known for its generosity.

All of us at duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay are reaching out to all of you to wish a very Merry Christmas and the happiest Happy New Year. Stay healthy and be safe.

Have a Great Day Tampa Bay,

Thomas L. duPont Publisher/CEO tdupont@dupontregistry.com P.S. When we talk about the generosity of the Tampa Bay area, we need look no further than our own Editor-in-Chief, David Warner, and his husband, Larry Biddle. They are highlighted on the Back Page of this issue, in a feature first published in Creative Loafing which recognized them as exceptional community leaders. These two “Happy Warriors” have made our community better, and through their efforts have made each of us proud to call them neighbor. We salute them and say “thank you.”

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What a year, eh?

And yet... There’s an art exhibition coming up this month for which artists were asked to create “a piece based on a positive aspect of 2020.”

Positive? 2020? Really?

“I didn’t want anything negative to end the year with,” replied Chad Mize of MIZE Gallery in downtown St. Pete, where “Something 2020” opens on Dec. 4. So far, submissions have included testaments to spending more time with family, learning a language, gardening — though now, post-election, he suspects he’ll get more politically oriented pieces.

For Chad himself, it has been a good year; he and his partner, Dan Schmidt, bought a house and Dan opened a restaurant, Uptown Eats, right next door to the gallery.

Chad’s own piece for the show will likely focus on the notion of being safe at home.

As he and I talked, it occurred to me that, in spite of everything, I’ve had a pretty good year myself. My husband and I also bought a house, I am gainfully employed by an organization I’m proud of, and, like the artists who’ve responded to Chad’s call for entries, we’ve found surprising benefits in staying at home. One such benefit, ironically for a couple that goes out to shows and events all the time, is the rich trove of art now being made available online.

You’ll find many examples of such digital inventiveness in this issue’s A&E Calendar —the first time we’ve run the feature since March. Elsewhere in the magazine, we let you know about options for celebrating the holidays without risk — whether it’s hiring professionals to do the chores or shopping online from local retailers who aren’t Amazon. And, because this magazine alway likes to give you something to dream about, we found some way-over-the-top gifts and luxurious vacations to add to your wish list.

The mixed-media work reproduced above from the MIZE Gallery show embodies our wish for you. The artist, Elena Øhlander, says that the Japanese characters on the helmet translate to “washing one’s hands… conceptually exploring the idea of a clean start or a fresh start.”

May you get all you wish for — love, health, happiness and, yes, if necessary, a fresh start.

David Warner Editor in Chief

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Carol Bressler

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The duPont REGISTRY™ is copyright 2020 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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DECKED OUT: Extending the holiday spirit outdoors in South Tampa with a view of the water. All photos courtesy Andrea Lauren Elegant Interiors.

Winter Wonderlands

The professionals at Andrea Lauren Elegant Interiors will deck — and undeck — your halls.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

L

ook into the future for a moment — say, Jan. 2, 2021.

Your holidays may have been all happy faces and good cheer, but now the fun is over. It’s time to undeck the

halls.

And therein lies a chief reason why interior designer Priscilla Castellano of Andrea Lauren Elegant Interiors has such success decorating clients’ homes for the season.

She and her team will not only purchase, curate and install your holiday decor — the trees, the garlands, the wreaths, everything — they’ll also take it down.

“The fact that we put everything away is key,” says Castellano.

That’s one reason why she can charge a flat fee that’s, in her words, “nice and hefty.” Hers is a full-service operation — “we’re not there to service a tree for a hundred bucks.”

And in most cases, we’re talking not just one tree but several trees — plus doorways, staircases, even outdoor decks, all bedizened with the expert eye of a veteran designer who scours the markets for the highest-quality materials she can find.

In the design business since 1999, Castellano added holiday decor to her firm’s portfolio five years ago. Since then, the company (named after Castellano’s two granddaughters) has bedazzled the mansions of local pro sports coaches, politicians and multimillionaire execs from Belleair to Bayshore.

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As with so many businesses, the interior design field has faced many uncertainties due to the pandemic. Castellano usually shops for materials at a huge market in Atlanta that devotes multiple floors to holiday decor, she says, but “this year will be a little more challenging.” And while she recommends that prospective clients contact her as early as July if they want their homes adorned by December, she’s been getting calls from people who are only just now making their Christmas plans.

Whenever she does a home, it’s the client’s tastes, not her own, that are paramount. And she’s dealt with a wide range of challenges, from hanging an 8-foot upside-down tree to devoting an entire room (and tree) to UF football. “There’s always room for their personal items,” she says.

But there’s one item she’d prefer not to use: a real tree.

“We stay away from fresh trees,” she says. “The limbs come down, the ornaments come down.” And anyway, given the high quality of the artificial evergreens she uses, “You can’t tell the difference.”

And how does a top designer decorate her own home for the holidays?

Well…. Sometimes she doesn’t.

She designed clients’ homes nonstop last year from November 1 through December 18. Afterwards, she says, “I was so burned out I just didn’t want to see another bulb.”

HOLIDAY: Home Decor

BELLE RUSSE: A Belleair couple with Russian roots hired Castellano to create a holiday mise en scène as ornate as what they remembered from their home country.

“It was the first year in their new home,” says the designer, “so they wanted to go all out.” www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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HOLIDAY: Home Decor

WARM WELCOME: Enhancing the elegance of a doorway with well-chosen decorations.

UNDER THE TREE: An 8-foot upside-down tree in a Bayshore Boulevard mansion in Tampa. “I was worried that it would fall,” said Castellano. “All those ornaments!” But nothing untoward happened, and guests were dazzled.

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HOLIDAY: Landscaping

’ROUND THE FOUNTAIN: Dragonwing and greenleaf white begonias border a fountain in a Largo garden. All photos courtesy Landscapes by Randy Lee.

Winter Colors

Landscape designer Randy Lee creates gardens that sing of the season.

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STORY BY DAVID WARNER

ights and wreaths and inflatable snowmen may be the sum of most outdoor holiday decorations, but a landscape designer can give your outdoor decor a makeover you can enjoy all year round.

“We do what I call a seasonal color change,” says St. Petersburg-based landscaper Randy Lee. “Typically in the winter we spend the month of November doing winter flowers — geraniums, begonias, impatiens, snapdragons, alyssum [a low white creeper]. It’s really a multitude of colors. And we’ve got to have good ol’ petunias.”

Red and white is a popular combination, but Lee likes to “mix it up a bit” — because, he reminds clients, by the time

January rolls around “red and white gets old — you’re going to have it till May or June.”

Most of these brightly colored flowers and shrubs are annuals, which have to be replanted yearly. “Come the heat of summer,” Lee says, “these all go away and we have a beautiful selection of perennials in their place, like lantana, periwinkle and blue daze.”

If you’d like to plan for a holiday-ready garden, it’s best to start planning in the summer. He’s heard from clients who ask for 20 poinsettias when it’s time for the seasonal changeout.

“But a lot of that is booked out several months in advance.”

RED WHITE & BLUE: Red and white impatiens and blue daze. “The impatiens are very happy because this is a very wet area,” says Lee. “They like water.”

ROYAL FLUSH: Palms bordered by geraniums and alyssum. Geraniums are salttolerant so you can have them by the water. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Courtesy Nick Schriver ALL LIT UP: An award-winning design by Decorating Elves on Snell Isle in St. Petersburg.

Leading Lights

Bay area businesses give high-end homes an extra sparkle with custom holiday lighting.

STORY BY ERIC SNIDER

“M

y clients will lose a lot of money if they try someone else do it. putting their own lights up,” declares Nick Several businesses in the Tampa Bay area set up Schriver, owner of Decorating Elves, elaborate holiday lighting arrays that include design, which festoons local homes and businesses with full installation, turnkey usage, quick service if Sure, you could holiday sparkle. something breaks, and thorough disassembly put the lights up Let’s take a few seconds to unpack that not long after the holidays. Their projects yourself and emerge include lights on the house, trees, shrubs statement. Decorating Elves generally charges unscathed, but why and elsewhere, and also lighted wreaths, from $3,000 to $10,000 to design and install bother? a lighting array that’ll dazzle the neighbors bows, garlands and other elements. (None of and passersby. So, not cheap. What Schriver the business owners interviewed for this story means is this: Homeowners who can afford his mentioned inflatable snowmen, but if you simply service cannot afford to tumble off a roof or ladder have to have one…) while stringing their own lights — thus losing a lot of Holiday lighting on luxury homes doesn’t change much dough. Sure, a homeowner could emerge unscathed, but from year to year. The thinking goes that anyone who why take the risk? And furthermore, why bother? Have can afford to have a company come out and dress up the

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HOLIDAY: Outdoor Lighting overlay of his design, then delivers a JPG picture of precisely how the customer’s home will look with his lighting. They can then tweak it to perfection. The entire development process can be handled remotely. Rather than string lights on homes, R&R uses 48-inch metal frames mounted with LED lights. The modular units, which he had custom-built, make for easier installation and breakdown.

Advances in technology have introduced exciting new concepts into the holiday lighting business. Computerprogrammed arrays enable a tree or entire home to become its own light show, full of movement and shifting shapes and colors. Another hot trend is to project animated Santas, Grinches, Snoopys and other images on select windows and blank spaces like garage doors. They can even be synced to music.

Then there’s the “Covid tree,” which Reed decided to build on his own. The 34-foot-high metal structure shaped like a Christmast tree is covered with ornaments loosely shaped like Covid-19 molecules. Viewed from a distance, it looks like another bright red holiday tree, but up close it’s a reminder of the complicated times we’re living in. It’s not often you see a Christmas tree as a sociopolitical statement, but Reed felt compelled to create it.

“We built it as a tribute for businesses and families impacted by loss from Covid-19,” Reed says. “I haven’t placed it yet, but the tree will go up.”

The Bay area’s holiday lighting specialists clearly love their work and the joy it spreads — and they also recognize the benefit of operating in Florida. Schriver, who started his company in the early 2000s while a college student at Ohio State, says, “I appreciate that I get to wear shorts and sunglasses in November instead of a heavy winter jacket.”

Courtesy Ray Reed

exterior of their house will have some measure of taste. That means, “a classy warm look with mostly white lights,” says Melissa Christensen, who runs Christmas Light Girl out of her home in Brooksville. “I like to throw a bit of color in, but some people insist on all white.”

“I encourage my clients not to go Griswold,” says Ray Reed, owner of R&R Decorative Landscape in Zephyrhills, referring to the family in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “If you put up too much it becomes one big glaring light and takes away from each element.

I do have one customer who insists on the full Griswold, though.”

Local companies take different approaches, but all have similar aims — to ensure that clients are thrilled with the results, and that their work adds an uplifting feel to the holiday season (with perhaps some neighborhood bragging rights along the way). Certain installations defy the imagination. Decorating Elves outfits a home in St. Pete that, Schriver says, requires 180,000 mini-lights, many of them wrapped around 12 royal palms that rise 40 to 50 feet, along with 15 to 20 smaller foxtail palms.

Schriver says his year-round company, based in Clearwater, employs 60 people during peak season. He has four designers on staff. His 8,500-square-foot warehouse, 24 feet high, is packed with materials. Just to be clear, companies that decorate large luxury homes rarely sell the customer lights and other ornamental gear. Rather, it’s effectively a short-term lease of a holiday package — which means the homeowner does not have to store the stuff after it comes down.

Reed of R&R does his own design work. He consults with clients, downloads photos of the home, does a computer

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HOLIDAY MAGIC: Lights by R&R Decorative Landscape.

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HOLIDAY: Landscaping

BLUE CHRISTMAS: Or... Go Bolts!

Eternal Flame

Holiday lighting that stays up permanently and is fully programmable.

STORY BY ERIC SNIDER

W

hat if you could do holiday lighting year-round? And no, I’m not talking about just leaving the Christmas strings up ’cause you don’t feel like getting on the ladder again. What if you could expand the concept of holiday lights to include Halloween, the 4th of July, Valentine’s Day, Easter, even Arbor Day? Or customize your exterior lighting with Bucs colors when they play in the Super Bowl?

All of this and more is doable — and easy.

Land O’ Lakes-based Nebula Lighting Systems — a 13-yearold company whose flagship product is state-of-the-art lighting for pool cages — has added a new line called Permanent Holiday Lighting. “It’s a one-and-done system and you’ll never have to get on a ladder and hang lights again,” says Marc Baykara, Nebula’s vice president of revenue operations & information technology.

Here’s how it works: Using a brand called Gemstone Lights, Nebula installs track lighting into the soffits of your home — a hockey puck-shaped LED light every nine inches. A 10x10inch controller box is also installed on the side of the house.

You then download a Gemstone app that connects to the box via WiFi or Bluetooth, enabling you to change the lighting in infinite ways. There are presets for different holidays and sports teams. Every single light is programmable, so you can set up your own designs — with patterns, motion, brightness control and more.

Let’s say you want to celebrate the start of the Tampa Bay 18

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Lightning’s new season — you know, the one where they defend their Stanley Cup title. You tap your smartphone a few times and, boom, up comes the blue, black, silver and white in a preset pattern or one you’ve created. Voila! Go Bolts!

The Nebula system is also ideal for architectural lighting — motionless, soft-white lights that accentuate and enhance the shape and look of the house, adding to its curb appeal.

You’re wondering about the cost. Easy enough — $35 a linear foot. Baykara says that 100 feet should suffice for the front of an average-size home, up to 200 feet for a larger one.

“That’s for the exterior front,” he adds. “Some customers want to include the sides and even back of the home. In that case you can be looking at up to 600 linear feet and more, depending on the size of the house.”

And in that case, you need more controller boxes. Each additional 200 feet requires an extra box at the cost of $600.

Let’s talk efficiency. “LED lights don’t burn out and they run on low voltage, so you can leave the system on 24/7 and you won’t see a spike in your electric bill,” Baykara says.

Nebula systems are controllable from anywhere in the world, so there’s the security aspect as well. And let’s say you’re at Mt. Everest base camp (there’s Internet, I checked) and all that ice reminds you of something: “It’s the Lightning home opener tonight!” Just punch a few buttons on your phone and your neighbors will see that you haven’t forgotten to root for the reigning champs.

All photos courtesy AmeriLife FESTIVE FOREST: AmeriLife’s feature trees from 2014 (Candy Castle) and 2018 (The Grinch’s Christmas).

Tree Toppers

As the Festival of Trees expands its footprint, AmeriLife remains its enthusiastic presenting sponsor.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER

I

t seems safe to say that tree decorating wasn’t always at served by The Arc Tampa Bay. Now in its 36th year, the the top of Nathan Hightower’s to-do list. festival has morphed from a weekend of sales and But as the chief legal and administrative officelebration at the Long Center into a more cer of AmeriLife, the national insurance company socially-distanced format for 2020 themed “It’s The public will get based in Clearwater, he’s proud of the fact that Christmas Time in the City,” during which to view trees at more his company is in its eighth year as presenting the public will be able to view and purchase sponsor of the Arc Tampa Bay Foundation’s than 40 “pop-up” locations trees at more than 40 “pop-up” locations Festival of Trees. throughout north and central Pinellas from throughout north and “We love the event,” he says.

Nov. 20-Dec. 4. Per usual, AmeriLife as central Pinellas.

And who doesn’t? It’s an awesome display presenting sponsor is responsible for providing of creativity and kindness, in which volunteers the centerpiece, an 8- to 10-foot tree that will go decorate holiday trees and wreaths and sell them to up for auction. This year they’re doing three trees, benefit those with intellectual and developmental disabilities which will be on view at Westfield Countryside.

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HOLIDAY: Festival of Trees his department who was “hellbent we were gonna win... I remember her going out spending money left and right to buy these ornaments. She was disappointed we came in second.”

Last year he challenged his legal team to enter the fray — not to create the centerpiece tree, but to try their hand at a “legaloriented Christmas tree.” Ornaments included a Limoges-style scales of justice, a male and female figure holding “I’m a lawyer” signs, a Judge Barbie doll, and, instead of presents under the tree, law books decorated with ribbons and bows.

He wouldn’t put his department through it again, he says — “too much stress.” But... “It sold! I’m not sure if it was an outsider or a mercy buy. I was prepared to buy it myself.”

(He’s bought trees before; a few years ago he won the auction for the featured tree, and now it reappears each holiday season in AmeriLife’s three-story atrium.)

He has fond memories of novelty trees — an M&M tree, an upside-down tree, a tree dressed in one big ugly sweater.

Amerilife’s CEO bought that one, Hightower remembers, and wore the sweater — “which was ugly, I gotta tell you.”

Rumor had it at press time that the three trees in the Westfield Countryside display would have a “Candy Wonderland” theme. But Hightower doesn’t want to know.

“I don’t peek,” he says. “I like the surprise.”

For a map of locations participating in Festival of Trees: It’s Christmas Time in the City, and to view the trees online, go to thearctbfoundation.org/event/festival-of-trees.

NORTH POLE: 2019’s Once Upon a Christmas.

“You really want to have something that’s eye-catching,” says Hightower, “because the idea is to raise money for UPARC.” The Arc was known as UPARC until a name change in 2015. Hightower’s use of the former name reflects his long history with the organization, where he’s been a volunteer and president of the board. When the opportunity came up for AmeriLife to sponsor the festival, it made for a perfect match: “We were looking for ways to partner with the community, and this was a meaningful way to help a meaningful organization.”

It’s fun, too — employees get to go to the event, and if they’re on the design team they get to be involved in the treedecorating.

The AmeriLife tree isn’t eligible for judges’ awards anymore, but when it was Hightower remembers a young woman in

LEGAL ACTION: The AmeriLife legal department’s contribution from last year. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Important Information Regarding COVID-19 We know you are being inundated with information regarding COVID-19. This is an unprecedented, global epidemic and no one has the ability to absolutely forecast its long-term residual effects. While we continue to grapple with the epidemic, there are some legal actions you should consider taking in order to help mitigate potential problems in your businesses and personal finances that often result from economic uncertainty, temporary business and public resource closures and quarantines. Here are 10 legal issues you should consider addressing during this time: 1. If you don’t have a will, make one now. Even if you are sick or if you are actually in the hospital, it is not too late. You can get these documents notarized and witnessed without people being in the room with you. Our laws are evolving in real time to allow things such as remote notarization to occur so that people can get these types of things done.

2. If you don’t have someone that can get medical information on your behalf (perhaps you are no longer married or have never been married and you don’t have any adult children) you may want to execute a medical health care proxy in favor of a close friend or loved one. This allows people to talk to the hospital for you if you can’t.

3. You may want to execute a general Power of Attorney in favor of a spouse or trusted loved one just in case you are out of commission for a while and that person needs to help you manage your affairs – this may be needed in the event you have been quarantined overseas.

4. While we are discussing paying your bills, before you have any significant debts coming your way, you may want to consider a self-settled trust in South Dakota or Alaska to protect some of your assets in the event this gets worse before it gets better; if you need to file personal bankruptcy it may protect those assets from creditors.

5. If you are an employer, read the new Coronavirus bill just signed into law by the President. You may owe sick leave pay to your employees affected by the pandemic. You may also be entitled to tax credits for that leave – this also applies even if you are self-employed and miss work! Also know your responsibilities for accrued vacation pay and other notice requirements if you have to lay off employees.

6. If you are an employee, look at the previous paragraph and make sure your rights are protected.

7. Make sure you set money aside for 2019 income taxes or get on a payment plan. Although the IRS has now given us a break on paying taxes, they didn’t relieve us of the obligation, but instead just gave everyone more time to pay.

8. Do not use money set aside for payroll taxes for anything else – even if you do business through a corporation or an LLC – federal law imposes personal, non-dischargeable debt in bankruptcy, liability for use of payroll and tax withholdings for anything other than payment over to the government. The penalties are substantial.

9. Check operating and shareholder agreements for provisions regarding shortfalls of cash – do you have capital contribution requirements coming up? If you do not have such agreements, now may be a good time to discuss these issues with your partners.

10. Review your insurance policies, business and personal, to determine whether this pandemic results in a covered loss for you. Remember, if you do not make a claim as provided for in your policy, you will be waiving your right to recover benefits.

Older Lundy Alvarez & Koch has attorneys that work exclusively in the areas of wills, trusts, and estates as well as business law. We are available around the clock to help you get through this time. If you have questions about or want to take any of the above-referenced actions, call or text me directly on my cell phone 813-857-2248 for a complimentary consultation to discuss your options.

Harry Teichman

Corporate & Tax Estate & Probate Email: hteichman@aolalaw.com

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CyberLocal You can get great gifts from local retailers and still do all your shopping online.

STORY BY CATHERINE S. MITSEAS

I

t’s so easy now to shop through online big-box retailers that we forget we can find easy-to-send gifts in our own back yard. Everything you love – and your friends will adore, too – is available online from a business near you. With minimal effort, you can both support local retailers and stay safe. Here are nine Tampa Bay companies featuring unique items for sale through their ecommerce sites, complemented by customer service sure to exceed any mega-store’s best-programmed bot.

Bernie’s & Son Jeweler

berniesandsonjeweler.com, 727-823-2000 That rare find among retailers – comprehensive selection backed by stellar customer service and a proven, 43-year-old track record. The longest-lasting jewelry store on Beach Drive in St. Petersburg, Bernie’s covers all the basics – tennis bracelets, diamond pendants, unique and rare designers – all ready to order online and ship anywhere in the country. Finish your purchase by choosing a custom gift-wrapped branded box or wrapped in a plain box to ensure a surprise. Custom jewelry design is available online as well, although most creatives check out the piece in person before selecting “buy.”

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

Carter’s Florist

cartersflorist.com, 800-327-5568 Founded in 1956, this St. Petersburg florist showcases high-quality florals paired with candles, wines and locally sourced gift items in one-of-a-kind arrangements.

Although the shop has grown far beyond its beginnings as a simple retail florist – its commercial division designs the winter decor each year at the Renaissance Vinoy — owner Terry Hagstrom still insists the best flowers are found at neighborhood florists and delivered nearby. Carter’s “Home for the Holidays” arrangement features products from Sweet Divas Chocolates and Kahwa Coffee and is available online and delivered regionally. BTW: Hagstrom wanted us to tell you: “Stop by and say hello and don’t forget to ask to see our chickens… seriously!”.

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HOLIDAY: Shopping PetWorks

petworksmarket.com, 727-954-4577 Opened in downtown St. Petersburg in December 2019, PetWorks quickly gained a reputation for selling naturally-based, mostly organic products made with zero chemical components for dogs and cats. Owner Kelli Garrity and husband Robert also house a plethora of holiday tchotchkes — from Christmas and Hanukkah dog cookies to ornaments, collars and toys — all ready to properly stuff any stocking. Go to their website and bundle a selection of grooming products, supplements or toys for same-day delivery locally or for shipping across country. All gifts are packaged in nicely branded gift boxes and are guaranteed to satisfy.

Salt Essentials Wellness

SaltEssentialsWellness.com, 727-275-SALT (7258) This newly opened spa in Largo features a lovely, calm ambience offering full-body massages, Halotherapy (dry salt), infrared sauna and magnetic resonance therapy services to ease a myriad of conditions. Owner Karen Koch says the spa serves both adults and children. Choose to ship one of their “Get Salted for the Holidays Packages,” which include a 16 oz.

Himalayan Salt Bath and 16 oz. Grinder Salt along with $50 Gift Card for $60 or a $100 Gift Card for $110. Or opt for a Children’s Himalayan Night Light and Boo Boo Cream, with $25 Gift Card for $50.

Salt Pines

saltpines.com, 844-800-8880 The owner of this Hyde Park Village retailer, Andrew Smith, selects merchandise with one idea in mind – helping people live their most enjoyable outdoor lives. Stock ranges from fanciful bowties to vintage casual dress shirts to lightweight hoodies for fun and fishing. Women’s wear includes baubles, dresses and accessories with a touch of Southern charm. My top picks — Toadfish Outfitters’ Stowaway Cutting Board and “Put ‘Em Back™” Oyster Knife. But the one can’t-live-without gift? Costa Del Mar Dry Case — it keeps keys and wallet safe and dry, fits most phones, and latches easily onto boats and backpacks. Order online and add a personalized message to notes section.

Smith will ensure it is handwritten on a stock card and included in your gift.

Sartorial Inc.

sartorialinc.com, 727-290-6783 Owned by the delightful Jose Martinez and established in 2017, St. Pete’s comfortmeets-fashion men’s store Sartorial Inc. rapidly gained a fan base, surviving even in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown. This holiday, consider lightweight flannel shirts by Duck Head or USA-made Raleigh Denim Workshop slim-fit sweatshirts.

Sartorial’s American-made clothing stock includes Bills Khakis and Halsey 44 as well as accessories specialists Roma Industry, Lewis Accardi and Truefitt & Hill, among others. Martinez will add a personal note upon request and deliver your gift in time for the holidays. www.duPontREGISTRY.com 25

HOLIDAY: Shopping The Shave Cave

theshavecave.com, 727-914-7700 Owned by Max Glazer, The Shave Cave in St. Petersburg’s Sundial complex proffers products made in-house and sells items useful to every bearded male, including beard bombs, oils and conditioners in invigorating scents like Tobacco Vanilla, Signature Citrus and Sandalwood Lavender. For the smooth-faced love of your life, pre-shave oil, shaving cream and aftershave, along with razors, brushes and tools, provide proven solutions to ages-old grooming challenges. All are sold on The Shave Cave’s ecommerce site along with a selection of holiday gift boxes. This full-service barber shop, and soon-to-arrive men’s spa, prides itself on helping men feel comfortable feeling their best.

Syd Entel Galleries/Susan Benjamin Glass Etc.

sydentelgalleries.com, 727-725-1808 Established in1980 in downtown Safety Harbor and representing hundreds of artists, Syd Entel/Susan Benjamin offers a delightful array of charmingly givable artwork online: glass woven bracelets, paperweight-sized hand-blown glass sculptures, even whimsical silver or gold salt and pepper shakers. For the holidays, master glass blowers turn their sights to ornaments available only once a year. Everything in the online shop can be shipped directly and personalized with handwritten notes and gift-wrapped, if requested, with a bio of the artist included in each box. Owner Susan Benjamin is happy to answer questions about pieces not listed in the shop and can ship items directly from the artist.

Pictured: Pendant by Alex Sepkus.

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery

woodfieldfineart.com, 727-254-6981 For the last five years Woodfield Fine Art Gallery and its owner, Jim Woodfield, have introduced St. Pete to dozens of local artists — 46 at present, many living within 50 miles of the city. If your gift list includes an art aficionado who prefers to collect work produced in the Tampa Bay area, a virtual trip to the Woodfield website should be on your list. Delivery and installation available locally and Woodfield guarantees purchases; if the piece does not work in your space or is shy of expectations, call him up and he’ll make it right.

Pictured at left: “Autumn Showers,” a watercolor by John Bayalis.

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“ T h eAr tGa l l e r yf o rCi g a rAf i c i o n a d o s ”

Awe l l e s t a b l i s h e dV I PL o y a l t yPr o g r a mwi t ha c c e s st oPr i v a t ePa r t i e s , So c i a l E v e n t s&p e r s o n a l l o c k e r st os t o r ey o u rc i g a r sa n ds p i r i t s .

Amo d e r nu p s c a l ec i g a rl o u n g ewi t hf u l l l i q u o rb a r / s i g n a t u r ec o c k t a i l s , wi n ea n dg o u r me tc o f f e eb a r .

F e a t u r e si n c l u d eau n i q u ea i rp u r i f i c a t i o na n ds mo k ee x t r a c t i o ns y s t e mf o raf r e s ha i ra t mo s p h e r e .

ACu b a nMa s t e rr o l l e rwi l l b et h e r ee v e r y d a yr o l l i n gc i g a r sa n dc i g a re d u c a t i o nwi l l b ep r o v i d e d .

Al wa y sal a r g ei n v e n t o r yo fwe l l e s t a b l i s h e dc i g a rf a mi l yn a me s ,b r a n d sa n da c c e s s o r i e s .

400Be a c hDr i v eNo r t h e a s t , Su i t e142, Sa i n tPe t e r s b u r g

7279548255 | i n f o @Ci gar Par adi se. com

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We now design and build custom furniture!

In n Your Y Downtown. Shop local.

This year, reclaim the magic of the holidays in your own downtown – shop the wondrous variety of stores, boutiques and galleries St. Pete is so rich with. Find the perfect gift and a little something for yourself, because the season is alive in St. Pete and waiting to enchant you. Safely.

Facebook.com $"!3T0ETE Facebook.com/DBAStPete www.StPeteDowntownBiz.com www.StPeteDowntownBiz.com SP98569

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HOLIDAY: Over-the-Top Gifts

The Fab Four

A quartet of fabulous finds for those who prefer to give the very best — and then some.

STORY BY DAVID WARNER Treat them like royalty Need to show your besties that you hold them in the highest esteem? As high as, say, a president and his cabinet, a queen and her court, or a rock star with an entourage? Then consider giving them the Ultimate Suites Experience & Top Floor Buyout at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. This jaw-dropping package at the Walt Disney World Resort includes the nine-bedroom Royal Suite, with its three luxurious living rooms, and the four-bedroom Presidential Suite. In addition, eight guestrooms beyond the suites are included in the buyout. The entire floor can be privately keyed off at the elevator, providing exclusive access only to guests of the 16th floor. Sure, it’s $65,000 per night, but that includes butler service and extra treats, and hey, what a party you’ll throw! ’Course, if you’re on a budget you can opt for the Royal Suite for a mere $17,000 per night, or go Presidential for $14,000 per night. fourseasons.com/orlando/accommodations/suites/ultimate_suites_experience_floor_buy_out, 407-313-6868.

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HOLIDAY: Over-the-Top Gifts

This is their life Put your loved one in the picture with an astonishing portrait by Madeira Beach artist David Michael Bowers. Choose a trompe l’oeil (trick the eye) painting incorporating mementos from a subject’s life, as in “Art’s Vision” (above) created for the Steelers’ Art Rooney, Jr. He was a scout for the Steelers in the late ’60s and ’70s and served in the Marines, which is why the dog tags were included. (Bowers wound up creating eight pictures for the Rooney family.) Or choose to have your favorite person memorialized as a great warrior, as in the portrait at right of Lisa Barnett as “Lisa, the Shield Maiden.”

Prices are based on Bowers’s auction sales, which come out to approximately $35 a square inch, or $15,000. Contact dmbowers.com for your commissioned painting.

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HOLIDAY: Over-the-Top Gifts

Pour it on Have friends who adore fine wines and fast cars? Then you must arrange to give them Adobe Road Winery’s Fast Cars & Fine Wine Tour Package, featuring “The World’s First Mobile Winery & Pop-Up Racing Paddock.” The winery promises to deliver “the elegance of fine wine and the thrill of the raceway” to a location of your choice, complete with six beautiful oak barrels; two authentic redwood tasting tables; two matching pop-up wine tents; flatscreen videos and audio; a famous TRG race car (or have them showcase your own exotic vehicle); elegant seating in front of the eye-catching GMC 40-foot trailer with customized interior; and, of course, Adobe Road Wines. You can go even bigger by adding wine-country-only experiences such as barrel tastings, vertical tastings, winemaker or racing-world guest speakers and more. $7,500, theracersgroup.com, 707-939-7967.

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HOLIDAY: Landscaping

She wants a yacht And really, Santa Baby, that’s not a lot. Especially when we’re talking about the ultimate in cutting-edge water-borne luxury, The Ocean Alexander 36L at MarineMax. Brilliantly conceived by Evan K. Marshall, the Ocean Alexander puts unexpected spaces to clever use, adding surprising details that make life on the 36L pure pleasure. Consider just the design’s attentiveness to light: It pours in and opens interiors in entirely new ways, beautifully reflecting how owners and their guests really use a boat: for privacy, luxury and intimate entertaining. Offered exclusively by MarineMax Yachts.

Contact Sales Consultant Scott Roberton at 727-638-7890 or email scott.r@marinemax.com.

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David Michael Bowers

Christy, The Warrior of Light

24 x 18

Oil on panel

Portraits done in the manner of the Old Masters.

You can be a King, Queen or whatever character fits your personality.

To schedule an appointment to discuss your ideas at David’s studio send an email to rogersartrep@yahoo.com or ph 412-296-6000 Unveiling party for Christy 34

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www.dmbowers.com

SUNSETS & SERENITY ON FLORIDA’S BEST BEACH UNIQUELY SANDPEARL. UNIQUELY YOU.

500 MANDALAY AVE., CLEARWATER BEACH, FL

855.559.5155 | Sandpearl.com

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GO OUTSIDE: Take advantage of our beautiful winter weather — and fresh outdoor air.

How to Celebrate, 2020-Style ’Tis the season for safety and sanity — and new ways to throw a party.

STORY BY WENDY MALLOY

C

ontrary to some reports, the holidays haven’t been canceled. Adjusted, yes. Revamped, for sure. But not called off.

This season, with its Mount Crumpit-size challenges and uncertainty, could be a catalyst for a new kind of celebration. We might not be able to safely embrace friends and family who are far away, but we can create ways to come together and experience the grace and joy of the season more intimately, more meaningfully.

“There’s just so much we need for our souls that we haven’t been able to experience this year,” said Betsy Byrd, owner of The Stuffed Mushroom catering and boutique in Safety Harbor. “People are desperate to be with loved ones and celebrate. We need it.”

And with a little care and imagination, we can make it happen.

Dr. Marlene Bloom, a Tampa psychologist, suggests taking a fresh approach to holiday planning: Think about the pieces of your traditions that truly matter. “For Thanksgiving, it’s likely not literally about eating the turkey, right? It’s gathering with your loved ones,” Bloom said. “It’s talking about what you’re thankful for. It’s sharing time.”

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So this year, focus on ways to get together safely. Just for 2020, set aside the idea of piling into Nana’s house with 30 relatives down from Ohio. Think cozy and intimate. Less Grinchian chaos, more Miracle on 34th Street.

“If you’re creative and look at what you can do, rather than what you can’t, the potential is there to have really nice holidays,” said Bloom. “And if you present the changed traditions to your children as a fun way to be imaginative, rather than as a loss, they’ll go along with you.”

Teens are harder, of course. “They’ve lost so much this year, and they’re aware of it,” said Bloom. “So engage them right away with the holiday planning. Make them a part of discovering a new way to celebrate.”

As you begin to plan for the season, start with the basics. What are the guidelines in your community regarding wearing masks, limiting the size of gatherings, and other considerations? Within those parameters, how can you ensure your family and friends feel safe and comfortable?

And if you’re able to move your celebration into the backyard or

HOLIDAY: Entertaining poolside, do it. Revel in the glory of our Florida winter weather.

Because in 2020, outside is safer — and it’s spectacular.

Party tricks A few ideas to help you celebrate: Double-dip Thanksgiving. Break the holiday into two events: brunch with one side of the family, and dinner with the other.

“Smaller groups are safer, so split the day in two and celebrate twice,” said Jessica Ralph Bova, founder and executive planner of Parties a la Carte. “You can create a beautiful table with a fall theme, and have a double-shift holiday.”

Park it. The Tampa Bay area is rich with outdoor spaces perfect for an elegant holiday picnic. Call ahead to reserve a park pavilion with plenty of tables for social distancing, and invite a few families to join you and bring their own meals. “Decorate the space, or have an event designer create an environment for you,” said Bloom. “This kind of gathering can be even more meaningful than going out to a restaurant, where you generally just talk to the three people near you at the table. Outside, we can mingle safely with everyone, the kids can play, and everyone can relax.”

GO TRADITIONAL: A table set with Arte Italica’s “Natale” china.

“GO” TO THE MOVIES: A safe way to enjoy a Christmas classic.

Backyard picture show. What’s better than cozying up under the stars for a drive-in holiday movie? Not having to leave home to do it! Rent a big screen, or just project the film onto an exterior wall of your house. Spread out beach chairs and individual s’mores kits, and light up the fire pit. “Your guests can bring their own blankets and pillows, and everyone will enjoy a safe night of Christmas classics,” said Bova. Some faves suitable for kids: Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

A catered affair. Are we tired of cooking yet? In pandemic life, many families are preparing most meals at home. And let’s face it, it’s getting old. Instead of your traditional week of prep for holiday meals, this year have your special days catered. You’ll give yourself a well-earned break from the kitchen, and support local businesses at the same time. Caterers will work with you to meet your comfort level. “We’re now typically serving food in a buffet-style situation as opposed to guests serving themselves,” said Byrd. “Our servers wear masks and gloves, and we’re taking extra precautions.”

Here we come a-caroling. Reboot this timeless tradition with a few close friends — masked, of course, and don’t get too close.

Select a few holiday favorites, print lyrics for all, and set out in your neighborhood to spread good cheer. Map your route so that you start and end with tasty cocktails at an open-air bar or your own back deck.

The giving season. This year has been brutal for so many. Help brighten the season for someone in your community who may be alone because of travel restrictions or financial circumstances.

“Cook a nice dinner or get takeout from a local restaurant and share a meal with them,” Bloom recommends. And there’s no shortage of organizations in our area in need of support. Among them: Metropolitan Ministries; Pinellas Opportunity Council; St. Petersburg Free Clinic.

For info on businesses and nonprofits mentioned in this story, go to dupontregistrytampabay.com. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Daunted by holiday dinner? Let MasterChef’s Jeff Philbin and other local chefs do the cooking.

STORY BY JENNA RIMENSNYDER

CULINARY COOL: Celebrity chef Jeff Philbin has cooked for Gordon Ramsay, so you know he can handle stress.

T

he big holiday feast can be stressful in the best of times, but nowadays…

Fortunately, help is at hand. Tampa Bay is home to a number of high-quality private chefs who can take over the turkey (or whatever you’re serving) while you relax.

One such chef is Season 8 MasterChef competitor Jeff Philbin. Philbin was among the top five finalists, creat-

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ing dishes for Christina Tosi, Aarón Sánchez and the king of mean, Gordon Ramsay. Talk about stress!

But, while getting feedback from Ramsay and the gang might have sparked some gray hairs, Philbin says cooking for a high-end client is more nerve-wracking, because, as he puts it, “No one is tasting the TV.” A private event with anywhere from 10 to 20 guests, all of them relying on a flawless dish, can make or

Courtesy Jeff Philbin

Guest Stars

HOLIDAY: Private Chefs break a local chef’s reputation.

“I deal with people who are in the [Tampa Bay] market, and word of mouth can go a long way,” Philbin says with a laugh.”Word can spread like wildfire.”

But can expectations be set too high? What exactly should you expect from a private chef?

Simplicity is crucial.

“I am a one-stop shop. My method is all for one and one for all, meaning every person is going to have the same dinner. You got one person cooking for 10 to 20 people, and you don’t want it to be harder for the chef to give your guests the full experience.”

In other words, keep the modifications to a minimum, and select a menu that will work for all of your guests, whatever their dietary or religious restrictions.

One of his most elaborate private holiday feasts preCOVID was an event for a party of 50 in collaboration with Toast on the Town, the pop-up private dinner series.

“While the guests were interacting, they were able to see me prepare and slice a massive Beef Wellington.

The theatrics of the performance of executing for 50 people simultaneously for the holiday season was quite the undertaking.”

Unfortunately, the pandemic has made elaborate events with extensive guestlists a cringeworthy prospect. Accordingly, Philbin predicts that this holiday season will look different from the ones before.

“I think everything will be unique because of COVID. You’ll see people leaning more toward intimate gatherings rather than a big affair like years past.”

That means a lighter meal, with an emphasis on hors d’oeuvres and appetizers and more mingling outdoors to take advantage of the cooler weather. Having guests swing by on a rolling basis to limit the crowd could also be a viable alternative.

The chef has been tailoring his Zoom cooking courses to this type of menu, with recipes like his feta meatball flatbread (see recipe p.40).

While the celebrity chef and caterer hopes traditional large holiday parties will make a comeback in the future, he’s still happy to offer an escape through food for his clients and their loved ones, even if it’s a small family dinner.

“Food can get people out of whatever problems they’re having. All it takes is one good meal that could turn it around for everybody. I’m thankful to be in a position to bring people together to celebrate one another, with good food around the table.” chefjeffphilbin.com. For info about other private chefs in the area, see sidebar.

Holiday Helpers These private chefs can make your festivities delicious.

Allan Armstrong: If you’ve dined around Tampa Bay, you’ve most likely tasted a dish from Chef Armstrong’s kitchen. He has worked at some of the most celebrated local restaurants, including The Mill South Tampa and Hyde Park’s Timpano Italian Chophouse. The chef is currently the sous chef at Jackson’s Bistro on Harbour Island. Armstrong has also competed in the 5th Annual Epic Chef Showdown and is always up for a challenge, whether crafting a menu for a special event or cranking out tables on a slammed night at the restaurant. Specializing in fine dining, Armstrong is comfortable providing exciting fusion dishes for both intimate and large gatherings. chefallanarmstrong@gmail.com.

Ava Evans: A disabled veteran mom and former NBA personal chef, Ava Evans owns an eatery in Lutz. When she isn’t running her restaurant, she’s conducting private dinners, in-home chef services and cooking classes, and catering special events. The classically trained chef specializes in Lowcountry favorites with a Southern twist. Evans has been featured on ABC’s Morning Blend, The Session Magazine and Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to booking Evans for your private event, you can either swing by Ava’s Lowcountry Cuisine at 112 Flagship Dr. in Tampa or try your hand at recreating her pumpkin fettuccine with spinach stuffed beef tenderloin (see recipe online at dupontregistrytampabay.com). avascuisine. com.

Jesse Layman: Founder of a virtual kitchen, The Foodie Labs, in St. Petersburg, Layman has worked with such world-renowned chefs as Thomas Keller, Alice Waters and Jeremiah Tower. His techniques reflect his passion for health, wellness and global cuisines, using unique ingredients and fresh flavors. The chef can create seasonal weekly meal planning as well as personal custom events; all customers have to do is describe their desired experience, and the chef and his team work to recreate it through menu curation. If you want a hint of what Chef Layman can create, follow his blog, Mind Body Kitchen, where he shares recipes and advice on living a healthy lifestyle. thefoodielabs.com.

Jorge Marquez: A classically trained chef with two decades of high-end restaurant and private chef experience, chef Marquez offers catering services throughout the state of Florida and beyond. In addition to dinner parties, you can book chef Marquez for a hands-on cooking class as a unique experience for groups of friends or families during the holidays. His dishes lean more toward tropical influences, but he’s willing to accommodate any palate. The personal chef is no stranger to press: He was featured on MLB’s Team Behind the Team series in May 2019, sharing his experience working for former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer. chefjorge.com.

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HOLIDAY: Private Chefs 1 pound lean ground beef 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs 1/4 cup chopped fresh leaf parsley 3 tablespoons grated onion 1 clove garlic, grated Zest of a lemon 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 egg 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste 2 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled 1 medium red onion peeled and sliced crosswise into halfinch planks 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup white vinegar 1 small clove of garlic, halved 1 cucumber 1 pack of pita flatbread 1.

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Directions

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the panko, parsley, grated onion, garlic, lemon zest and juice, egg, spices, salt and pepper.

If you aren’t planning to stuff the meatballs with a cube of feta, add the feta crumbles to the mixture.

Add the ground beef to the mixture and combine with your hands, being careful not to over-work the meat mixture. Form approximately 1 tablespoon-sized meatballs. If you are stuffing the meatballs with feta, stuff a small cube of feta into the center of each meatball, making sure it is completely covered.

Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spray the tops with cooking spray, then place the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Peel and thinly slice the onion into approximately quarter-inch moons. Peel and cut the garlic clove in half. Place onions in a bowl to the side.

Add into a small saucepan sugar, salt, vinegar, garlic and flavorings. Stir to dissolve as you bring it to a quick boil.

Slowly pour the boiling liquid over the onions and stir gently to evenly distribute the flavorings.

Toast the pita bread in the oven for the final 5 minutes with a wet paper towel.

Remove the meatballs from the oven.

Slice thin ribbons of cucumber using a mandoline or chef knife.

Add a layer of Greek yogurt onto a pita, smear, then place meatballs, followed by pickled red onions, cucumber ribbons and any remaining feta cheese.

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Fluidz

Chef Jeff Philbin’s Feta Meatball Flatbreads Ingredients

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dR Style

D

GLOW!

BY MICHELLE CAPPELLI GORDON uring the pandemic, we have needed to cover all but our eyes in order to prevent the spread of the virus. I can’t help but think that this is the perfect invitation to give our eyes the gift of vibrant colors and details this holiday season. Cheers! To shop more of my selections or receive my virtual styling services, visit lovemichellestyle.com.

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Moscotl-Lemtosh round-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses, for blue skies from here on in. $360.

Ermenegildo Zegna Quindici exploded paisley silk tie. $310.

Franck Muller Vanguard Yachting Skeleton stainless steel, alligator & rubber strap watch. $37,400.

Bally High Point Hassel leather backpack. $995.

Salvatore Ferragamo Parigi Bit suede drivers. $595.

Johnstons of Elgin colour-block cashmere scarf. $525.

William Lockie MĂŠlange cashmere sweater. $435.

Moscot Miltzen round-frame acetate optical glasses. $280.

Gucci Princetown fur-lined leather slipper. $995.

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Dior Diorlink1 58mm square sunglasses. $415.

Bottega Veneta twisted cassette leather crossbody bag. $1,900.

Albert Ferretti ruffle chiffon lace trim blouse. $1,595.

Christian Louboutin embellished suede charm bag. $3,990.

Sharon Khazzam shimmer 18kt rose gold watermelon tourmaline pink sapphire ring. $10,400.

MSGM metallic one-shoulder sweater. $325.

Rosetta Getty asymmetric split apron wrap top. $490.

Lafayette 148 New York Ashford cashmere coat. $2,698.

Cult Gaia Venus bauble-heel leather ankle boots. $558.

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YES TO THE DRESS: Tracey in the cocktail dress from Jackie Z recommended by Michelle (left).

Just My Stylist

Need to perk up your wardrobe? Let Michelle be your guide.

STORY BY TRACEY SEREBIN | STYLING BY MICHELLE CAPPELLI GORDON PHOTOS BY LUXE LIGHT IMAGES

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lothes have long been a challenge for me. When I lived graduated with a BA in Art History from SUNY. She has always up north, I couldn’t find styles that I liked or sizes that wanted to learn and grow and has been entrenched in every facet fit me correctly. My favorite boutique in South Tampa of the fashion and beauty industry with various luxury brands.

Michelle currently has her own lifestyle brand, “Love Michelle was Apropos; I could find everything I wanted there. But after they closed last year I was heartbroken, and haven’t shopped for Style,” and she can help any busy working woman make over her wardrobe or her collection of make-up and creams. She has clothes since. affiliate partnerships with thousands of retailers, and can Enter Michelle Cappelli Gordon. Regular readers of I was so create a style board with shoppable links to create your duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay know her as the magexcited to have own personalized looks. azine’s style and beauty editor, a post she’s held since all my questions So who better to seek out for style advice? the spring. I began following her on Instagram and I invited Michelle to my house. She went through my Facebook to see her latest tips, and just as I was begin- answered by one person. closet and suggested two blouses she thought would look ning to contemplate how to update my wardrobe for great with three skirts I hadn’t worn in a long time, since the fall, I saw a picture of Michelle on Instagram in a pair I’d originally bought them to go with sweaters. By adding those of beautiful pumpkin-colored pants and matching silk shirt. two shirts, I now had five new outfits to wear. Through Michelle’s There’s my answer, I thought: Call Michelle.

With over 30 years of experience, starting out as a licensed cos- connections with clothing retailers, she was also able to find me metologist, Michelle began her journey in a salon. Wanting more, several outfits to spruce up my fall wardrobe. And since I had she went on to study art at the Australian National University, fell the beauty expert on hand, I asked her advice about a skin care in love with New York City while attending the renowned FIT and program for nighttime to complement my daytime regimen. She 46

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HOLIDAY: Fashion

TOP PICKS: Michelle brought skincare products for Tracey to try as well as the red cashmere topper.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Michelle points out the grommet accents that caught Tracey’s eye.

gave me several skincare samples to try and I ended up purchasing two of my favorites.

A month later I stopped by Michelle’s house to see several outfits that she’d found for me from Jackie Z Style Co. in St. Petersburg to try on for the holiday season. One of my favorite designers, a brand that Apropos used to carry, is Frank Lyman, and she told me Jackie Z carried his designs as well.

One dress that caught my attention right away was a black cocktail dress that fit me perfectly and had a flare at the bottom, prompting me to spin around like a schoolgirl. The square neckline and grommet accents add a touch of sophistication, and the material is a sturdy yet comfortable fabric reminiscent of St. John Knits.

Another combination that I loved was a pair of black stretch pants and a soft rose cashmere topper, worn off the shoulder, with tiny pearls accenting the edges. It is so feminine and classy, I can put it over anything as a cover or wear it as part of the outfit.

Michelle said it comes in a plethora of colors. She also brought over an Escada Plisse Maxi Skirt in multiple colors with fluid pleats and a holiday-accented sweater.

I already knew Michelle was expert at reporting on fashion, but after spending time with her I realized that her wealth of experience also makes her the ideal personal stylist and beauty consultant. I was so excited to have all my questions answered by one person.

For the holiday season, I recommend booking a few hours of Michelle’s consulting time to get yourself set up for your best you. www.lovemichellestyle.com, Facebook & Instagram @michellecapelligordon www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Holiday: Beauty & Wellness

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Indulge!

BY MICHELLE CAPPELLI GORDON

earing a mask can diminish the enjoyment of our senses, so why not drench ourselves and others with luxuries that reveal delightfully better skin, hair, beauty and aroma. Happy indulging! For more style inspiration or to work with our style & beauty/wellness editor, follow her in instagram at: @ michellecappelligordon or visit her website at: lovemichellestyle.com.

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La Mer The Treatment Lotion. Rich with humectants to prevent dry skin. $115.

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim high-intensity refillable lipstick. $36.

Aesop Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion. Botanical-based with hydrating post-shave comfort. $50.

Diptyque Hourglass 34 Diffuser. One of the most creative ways to diffuse one hour at a time. $190.

Parfums de Marly Layton Eau de Parfum. A handsome scent with bold confidence. $310.

Delina Hair Mist by Parfums de Marly. An alluring and addictive scent you’ll want to spray all over. $70. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Acqua di Parma Advent Calendar. Memories of Italy come to life. $550.

8. The SkinStore Holiday Edit. Luxurious beauty products you’ve been wanting to try. $150 (worth $544).

9. Mason Pearson Detangling Comb. The comb of combs. $36.

10. Foreo Luna 2 For Men. Bring your skin to life while cleansing. $169.

11. Nuface Trinity Break the Ice Collection. Lift, sculpt and repeat. $299.

12. Angela Caglia Self-Love Rose Quartz Eye Mask. $140.

Tips From #12

Tom Brady isn’t just helping the Bucs. His TB12 centers are helping Tampa Bay get healthier.

STORY BY RESIE WAECHTER YOU BETTER WORK: Brady toughs it out with longtime trainer Alex Guerrero.

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hen legendary quarterback Tom Brady signed his two-year contract with the Buccaneers in March, the entire Bay area did a collective touchdown dance for joy. But in true Brady fashion, the athlete didn’t stop there: TB12 Performance and Recovery Center, his passion project, opened its doors to a welcoming reception in Tampa in September.

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TB12 — as in, Tom Brady #12 — is a wellness brand created by Brady and his trainer of nearly two decades, Alex Guerrero. Brady’s 2017 book The TB12 Method: How to Do What You Love, Better and for Longer establishes the 12 principles of the quarterback’s philosophy, including functional fitness, holistic training, healthy nutrition, hydration and — perhaps most of all — lengthening and softening

dR FITNESS of muscles before and after physical activity, which are big fans of simple accessories such as vibrating Brady refers to as pliability. Overall wellness is the foam rollers, resistance bands and jump ropes. future of fitness, and Brady knows that finding the Hart tells me the main message they want to proper balance among these elements is vital to a put out there is that they can “see anybody, help person’s long-term well-being. anybody, make them comfortable and give them TB12 mirrors the health and wellness work Brady hope.” and Guerrero have done their entire careers. Their Professional athlete? TB12 can work with you.

Performance and Recovery Centers in Foxboro, Never played a sport in your life? TB12 can help you, Boston and now Tampa offer one-on-one sessions too. Whether you are dealing with an old nagging with body coaches for athletes and non-athletes alike. injury or looking to prevent one from happening in Recently I spoke with Brian Hart, a TB12 Body the first place, the Sports and Recovery Center is Coach who journeyed from New England to Tampa there to assist. with the ex-Patriot.

If TB12’s Performance and Recovery Center “We conduct one-on-one sessions with all in Tampa is not an option for you, coaches clients in the center,” says Hart, who has are meeting with clients in virtual sessions as “We want to let been part of Brady’s team off the field for well. Many products can also be purchased people know they the past five years. “TB12 Tampa hosts online for those looking to spice up their can get better.” personalized sessions, injury assessment, home gym. Even Publix has jumped on rehabilitation, sport performance training board and is now offering TB12 protein and nutrition consultation. We establish and powders, electrolytes and supplements for train recovery techniques and cognitive fitness.” sale. Catering to clients of all ages and abilities, Each TB12 client gets an individual plan based TB12 hopes to help people take control of their on their specific needs. During an initial consult health from the inside out. with a certified TB12 Body Coach ($200 for a “We want to let people know they can get better,” 90-minute session), clients can expect a mobility test, says Hart. hands-on deep-force pliability work, an introduction Can the TB12 approach to health and wellness truly to functional strength and conditioning that will transform an individual? How about an entire team? work best for your body’s needs, and nutrition and Bruised, battered and beaten as we may be, Brady hydration coaching. brings an optimistic outlook and potential for true The Performance and Recovery Center also hosts a transformation. retail space where customers can browse through an TB12 Performance and Recovery Center, Midtown array of functional fitness gear, nutrition products, Professional Center, 4809 N. Armenia Ave., Unit supplements and TB12 apparel. Brady and Guerrero 240, Tampa, tb12sports.com.

GO TEAM: Brady and Guerrero bring years of experience to the TB12 method. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 53 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 53

By Tracey Serebin

All in the Familia

Spanish wines shine at Capa, the rooftop steakhouse at Four Seasons Resort Orlando.

SHE’S THE BOSS: Capa GM and Master Sommelier Nga Ly-Henschen.

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hen I read that Wine Enthusiast had named Capa one of the Top 100 wine restaurants in the U.S., I decided it was time to pick up my pal Michelle and head down I-4 to the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. That’s where we got to meet the woman in charge: the restaurant’s general manager and master sommelier, Nga Ly-Henschen.

Capa is a Spanish-influenced rooftop steakhouse inspired by the Basque Country, an area of north central Spain and southwestern France. The decor is elegant and dramatic, with a color palette of black, grey and crimson and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Disney property in the distance.

Ly-Henschen, a petite woman with intelligent eyes, guided us to a private room where she had set up five wines for us to try. She explained that she chooses wines for Capa based on prestige, the history of the wine and where it comes from.

She likes smaller wineries that are family-run, knowing their lineage and the love and care they show their wines.

Capa does carry a few of the big-name wines like Opus One and Caymus, but she particularly likes to serve elegantly made Spanish wines. One example is the Vega Sicilia Unico 2006, from a winery which distributes based on the peak aging of their wines rather than the calendar year.

The first wine we tasted was a Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine.

Raventos i Blanc 2017 tasted like Champagne, with creamy notes and bigger bubbles. Three different grapes go into producing Cava: Xarello, Parellada and Maccabeo. I was intrigued by the taste; in fact, the next time I have a choice between Cava and Prosecco, I’ll definitely go with the much smoother Cava.

The next wine she shared was Amezto Getariako Txakolina, another Spanish white. It tasted like a Pinot Grigio with a luscious fruity finish and a touch of effervescence.

Moving onto the reds, which are my favorites, Nga opened a Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2015, which falls between a cabernet and merlot in America. Rustic but yummy, the taste had me continuing to sip as she talked. She also let us

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taste a white wine from Marqués de Murrieta; it tasted similar to a Chardonnay, with toasty notes and a nutty flavor that would be a great complement to a charcuterie plate.

She poured two more wines for us in a side-by-side blind taste test. Both were exclusive wines aged for a minimum of five and 10 years. Since I love aged tawny port, I immediately responded to the elegance and refined aging in the Unico 2006. It goes for $800 a bottle or $150 a glass.

The Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5, 2014 is aged in an American oak barrel a minimum of five years and two years in the bottle.

It is a deep and silky red wine with a blend of 80% Tinto Fino and 20% Merlot & Malbec. Priced at $350 a bottle, it was delicious.

As we were winding down the interview, Nga brought up Laurent-Perrier Winery, Champagne’s most famous house.

She shared that Capa carries their Champagne because it is a family-owned winery and is currently run by women. The two daughters of Bernard de Nonancourt; Stephanie Meneux Nonancourt and Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt, currently control the winery.

Later at dinner, as a surprise, Nga came by and poured us a glass of the Laurent Perrier Cuvee Rose, the most recognized rose Champagne in the world. It was amazing — and it’s now my new favorite Champagne!

HIGH DRAMA: The interior of the 17th-floor rooftop steakhouse.

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Our Crazy Airstream Adventure

Life aboard a silver bullet in a shop-local odyssey through the U.S.

All photos courtesy Lauren Davenport

STORY BY LAUREN DAVENPORT

WORKING REMOTE: The couple’s outdoor “office.”

Editor’s Note: Remember Lauren Davenport and Daniel Fernandez? They’re the globe-trotting nomads from Pinellas (dRTB Summer 2020) who got stranded in Morocco just as the pandemic hit. They decided upon their return that they’d continue their journeys, but this time inside the U.S. — with a mission.

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our difficulties, it felt like we were the lucky ones. We hen we returned from Morocco, we were so had friends who were shutting their doors and others thankful to be back on American soil. But it declaring bankruptcy as entire industries collapsed. wasn’t long before our nomadic reality set in.

Our glamorous lifestyle living in posh hotels and chic There had to be something more we could do. rental homes simply didn’t work anymore.

Local everywhere Now, we were just homeless.

Thankfully, my father who lives in St. Pete was I started doing some research. We’ve always been happy to take us in. For months, we spent our days huge advocates for shopping local, and it didn’t take navigating the craziness that COVID brought long to find compelling evidence to back up to our communications firm. And our its importance. According to Fundera, more When we moved nights were spent around the dinner table than $9.3 billion would be directly returned into our 30-foot swapping travel stories and talking about to our economy if every family in the U.S. Airstream, we had never spent $10 a month at a local business. where we would go next when the world righted itself.

The idea for our next chapter was born. stayed the night in an Months went by, and it soon became clear What if we tried to shop 100% AmericanRV in our lives. that our old lifestyle didn’t fit into the new made and as locally-sourced as possible for normal that was slowly emerging. a full year? Was it possible? We had to know, But a new passion — one beyond just travel — and figured documenting it on YouTube made was bubbling up for us. sense. We knew we wanted to highlight as many locallyWe saw first-hand how the pandemic was pummeling owned businesses as possible, so visiting all 50 states small businesses. Many of our clients were struggling, seemed to fit right into the plan. and we had to lay off two team members. Despite But it meant we had to figure out a way to travel again.

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Travel: Wanderlocal Run, Daniel, run!

THE GLAMOROUS LIFE: Daniel studies the workings of the waste tank.

To do that safely, we wanted to control our living space. We researched all kinds of homes on wheels, from van life to renovated buses. At first, what we found had us rethinking our game plan. We’re adventurous, but not exactly low-maintenance travelers. We wanted a home-on-wheels with the luxuries of our old travel life, and the flexibility required by the new one.

Thankfully, Daniel found a solution — an Airstream.

The iconic silver bullet trailers are manufactured in Ohio, which worked well with our American-made mission. And their Classic line was like stepping into an upscale New York City apartment on wheels, complete with a full home automation system. It was perfect.

We started our journey by traveling to the Smoky Mountains, with short stops in Orlando and Atlanta.

During our trip, we learned that driving more than three to four hours a day while towing your camper isn’t advisable. More than that, it’s exhausting. By the time we got to our destination, all we were ready to do was crash.

That wasn’t an option, though, because in addition to our crazy Airstream adventure, Daniel had already committed to running four marathons within 45 days.

One of which was happening the day after we parked in Tennessee.

You see, this year is also Daniel’s 20-year anniversary being cancer-free. To celebrate, he had planned to run four out of the six World Major Marathons. Like most events this year, the races had been canceled, but they still offered the option of running them virtually. While many participants opted out, Daniel decided to run.

He ran the first marathon in Townsend, Tennessee.

I biked it with him, carrying supplies and water. The next day, we decided to hike Mount LeConte, the tallest hikeable peak in Tennessee.

After seven hours of hiking, we came back to the Airstream to discover our biggest RV newbie mistake yet: We’d left our awning out while we were gone and a freak storm destroyed it — teaching us a valuable lesson.

Rookie mistakes When we moved into our 30-foot Airstream, we had never stayed the night in an RV in our lives.

We had no clue what we were doing.

In the first week, we traveled 700 miles across three states towing our 10,000-lb.

Airstream. We blew four fuses, smashed a tail light and drove off with a hitch pin on the back bumper. And no, we didn’t take the week off work.

We were thrilled and overwhelmed, all at the same time.

Our original travel plan was to head straight north toward Michigan and then out west. We mapped a route that would be efficient in hitting all 50 states, but also would allow us to visit national monuments and parks along the way.

But — this is 2020. Between unexpected cold fronts, wildfires and the resurgence of the pandemic, we decided it was best to just take our adventure a week or two at a time.

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN: Hiking Mount LeConte in Tennessee post-marathon. (They returned from the hike to find their awning had been destroyed in a freak storm.) www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 57 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 57

Travel: Wanderlocal Bourbon, beer & doughnuts Next was Kentucky, where we hiked with giants at Bernheim Forest and sipped delectable bourbon at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

In Ohio, we were delighted by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Cincinnati Zoo. Daniel had another marathon to run while we were there, so we found a fun doughnuttrail experience in Butler County complete with 13 family-owned doughnut shops to run to. It was a sugary delight.

Michigan brought some of the most spectacular sunsets we’ve seen on our trip thus far. And, under a rainbow of fall colors, Daniel finished his third marathon in South Haven — capped off with a craft beer or two from local breweries.

We ran into frigid weather from an unexpected cold front that hit in Illinois. Thankfully we left a day early, as it apparently snowed the next morning.

From there, we drove through Missouri, staying at a local winery just outside of St. Louis, before settling in Springfield where I ran my first marathon the day after Halloween with Daniel by my side, running his fourth, in a Cousin Eddie costume from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation .

The U.S. & us Now, with seven states under our belts and counting, we’re simply in awe.

When we started this adventure, we thought we were settling. Instead of jetting to far off lands, our backyard

MORNING COFFEE: A relaxing moment on Stone Mountain outside Atlanta.

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LIQUID REWARDS: A prize bottle of Blanton’s from Buffalo Trace Distillery.

felt like sloppy seconds. Today, we’re so thankful there wasn’t a choice.

If not for the pandemic, we might never have realized the incredible beauty of our own country. Not just the vast billowing plains of farmland or stunning sunsets over the Great Lakes, but also the spirit of the people who live here.

Despite everything that is happening in the world, we’ve experienced so many random acts of kindness. From a man parking our Airstream to a teenage boy lending me his bike for a day when all the rental shops were closed, people have gone out of their way to show us kindness and compassion.

That spirit is truly what makes me proud to be an American.

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Puttin’ On The Ritz(es) Feel like pampering yourself this season? The Ritz-Carltons in Naples and Sarasota await.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CINDY COCKBURN YOUR OWN PRIVATE SUNSET: A couple from England enjoying sunset at Ritz-Carlton Sarasota’s beach club for guests and members only.

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keep it nearby. Do we prefer the complimentary ello holidays and cheers to 2021! Time to transportation over to the private beach club? pack the car, put the top down and head There’s a tiki bar waiting. south for a stress-free COVID recovery What a difference a day makes? What a difference getaway. Ritz-Carlton may have properties in 30 a floor makes! The Club Lounge on the 8th floor countries, but, lucky for us, two of their resorts are just a short drive away on Florida’s west coast. offers views of the Bay and five food presentations First stop: Sarasota. Second stop: Naples. a day with unlimited beverages. The rate is We’re promised to be treated like royalty more expensive than a normal room (from with private beaches, luxurious spa $600 a night and up) but the personalized I challenge you to amenities and outdoor culinary dining service is superb. Concierge team find a task, favor or options. It’s always fun to get dressed up member Silvia knows my preference for special request that a and go all in for a “Puttin’ on the Ritz” Ritz-Carlton staffer can’t a French rosé and goes out of her way to escape. have a bottle on hand during my stay. accomplish.

Yes, there’s pampering at The RitzRitz-Carlton Sarasota: Charmed Carlton Spa and Salon. But meandering Call me old-fashioned, but it’s soothing around the Rose Garden overlooking the to see and hear that familiar Ritz-Carlton water and pool brings priceless calm. There’s training in action when we arrive in SRQ. The tennis or a tee time at the private Golf Club in staff call us by name and refer to each other as Bradenton, but it’s the private Beach Club on Lido ladies and gentlemen; they’re not just attentive Beach that calls my name. We jump back in the car, but proactive. Immediately upon arrival, you sense cross the bridge and in 15 minutes are walking the the Ritz-Carlton’s charms in full effect: the valets beach and hanging at the tiki bar with a few other are courteous, the lobby is grand with chandeliers guests and club members at sunset. and high ceilings, there are beautiful fresh flowers We were happy to have made a post-sunset dinner and marble everywhere. Do we need our car to reservation at Jack Dusty, the resort’s signature get over to the beach before sunset? They will dining room. It’s popular with locals and offers 60 60 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

Florida Travel what they call coastal cuisine and crafted cocktails.

The ambiance on a breezy fall night is tropical paradise with twinkling lights overhead. Happy to be getting dressed up in a long flowing tropical dress, I love our high-top table (number 500) overlooking the water. The choice of fried green tomatoes to start and the special of diver scallops was the perfect option.

I hear a younger guest whispering about a black Ferrari that just pulled up with a Bucs license plate.

I am told it’s one of the stars from the show Siesta Key , the reality television series that airs on MTV. Sarasota two ways: Ritz-Carlton allows you to experience two sides of Sarasota, a bonus for those who aren’t familiar with its bustling downtown: You sleep in the city hotel in town and can explore the outdoor cafes and shops on Main Street, but you play over on the private beach, near St. Armand’s Circle.

A less-than-two-hour drive south of Sarasota and we’re at the guard house of the Ritz-Carlton Naples, where gate ambassador Lynne Transky and at least six gentlemen with name tags jump to attention when they see us. Not only do they unload the bags within five minutes, but we’re escorted inside like royalty. Staff member Juan treats my car and bags like precious cargo. I feel like the red carpet has been rolled out as we arrive at the front desk, past the grandeur of the lobby with the sound of live music and dozens of beautiful floral arrangements. Kevin hands each of us a class of champagne. We gasp at the Moet-Chandon champagne vending machine in the lobby. Sign me up! Within 15 minutes of arrival, we’re on the balcony toasting the Gulf of Mexico, listening to the waves.

While the rest of the country is dealing with staff shortages and cuts in hotel staff and service, we see no evidence of this here. Life in Room 820 is perfection. We’re reading about resort options: a world-class spa, two heated outdoor pools and an adults-only Junior Olympic relaxation pool with whirlpool. We’re craving more bubbles, but can’t open the second bottle of champagne. Within five minutes after my call to the desk, two Ritz-Carlton team members in gloves and masks appear in the hallway and are giving us lessons (push down and twist the cork…duh!)

My New York (now Naples resident) foodie friend Bruce raved about the fine steaks at the signature dining room called The Grill. Sorry to learn it’s closed for COVID but will reopen soon. He says Dusk is another highly recommended dining room with lots of sushi options and an oasis of privacy.

Cindy Cockburn

Ritz-Carlton Naples: Is this Monaco?

SPA-TACULAR: Naples’ three-level spa is massive and ornate.

There’s superb seafood at Gumbo Limbo, where we can catch the sunset and have dinner with an ocean view. A boardwalk leads past a tiki hut and we feel we’re really in the tropics: It’s raining! We choose dinner at Terrazzo for menu options from coastal Italy, including grilled octopus. I order chicken Milanese with arugula, cherry tomato, capers, parmesan and preserved lemon butter. Chef Lazaro Galicia greets us in person, and I remember we met at the Grande Lakes Orlando Ritz-Carlton opening when he was the chef at Primo. He feels like family.

The three-level spa is massive and ornate — a pampering paradise. I feel like I’m back in Monaco, not Florida. They have a philosophy —Let Us Make The World Revolve Around You — that celebrates the holistic properties of nature. Treatments incorporate local herbs and botanicals, as well as www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 61 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 61

CITY BY THE BAY: A view from the Sarasota hotel.

stones from the Gulf. The second floor has a private pool, lounge and a spa café with organic food offerings. For the holidays, Spa Director Michelle Kelthy said to call ahead and/or check the web site to see if holiday specials are available. Yes, it’s pricey, but oh-so-worth-it: a massage starts at $270 and a romantic option is a couples massage for two at $560.

Why R-C’s Get An A

Service: I challenge you to find a task, favor or special request that a Ritz-Carlton staffer can’t accomplish. I was carrying around a new license plate with me in my new car and before I could say, “Can you assist?” the bellman found a screwdriver, my license plate was changed, and I was legit.

Ordering in: When in doubt, room service at a Ritz-Carlton rocks. There’s nothing better than

FLORAL FLAIR: Flower arrangements and live music welcome guests to the Naples lobby.

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hanging out in a Ritz-Carlton bathrobe and drinking bubbles, knowing the knock on the door is a delicious dinner and all you have to do is enjoy. We were only a 25-minute drive away from the Naples shopping and dining options on historic Main Street, but it was hard to leave the property.

Specials: Call ahead to check out holiday specials.

Through December 15, 2020, stay three nights and receive 15 percent savings. Stay four nights and receive 20 percent savings.

COVID safety: Face coverings are required in all indoor public areas. COVID-19 updates are offered on the web. All in-room dining is contactless and food transported with to-go single use utensils.

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Escape to the Inn on 5th, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Naples.

STORY BY TRACEY SEREBIN CENTER OF IT ALL: The Inn on 5th in downtown Naples.

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lounge to enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast, afternoon f you’re looking for a luxurious Florida getaway, it snacks and evening cocktails with appetizers, but due to seems all roads lead to Naples. Not just to the RitzCOVID food and drinks weren’t available there. Instead, Carlton (see Cindy Cockburn’s story, p. 60) but to an we could call and place orders to be delivered to our room. extraordinary 119-room boutique hotel in the heart of That’s what happened one rainy evening when I called downtown: the Inn on 5th. to ask about appetizers and drinks. They said they would This AAA Four Diamond, Forbes Four-Star hotel is send up a platter of hors d’oeuvres and suggested a glass located in two iconic buildings across the street from one of Champagne. Who turns down a glass of Champagne? another on 5th Avenue among award-winning shops and Especially when she told me it was Veuve Clicquot restaurants. I visited there with my son for a few and that she’d be very happy to continue bringdays this fall. We stayed in one of the hotel’s ing glasses of bubbly to my room until 10 p.m.

32 club suites, where the opulent but comMy son watched fortable décor included two queen beds, a the NBA playoffs from Talk about heavenly!

We decided to stay in the room for dinspacious living room area, a small table and the tub on the bathroom ner, due to heavy rains outside and the fact chairs that overlooked the balcony where it TV (he’s not spoiled or that the suite was so cozy; with a television was comfortable enough for me to work on anything). in every room, including the bathroom, I my laptop, an amazing bathroom with overdidn’t feel the need to leave. My son decided the-top amenities and a refreshment center to take a bath in the very large tub and watch the dividing the two rooms. This is where I found a NBA playoffs on the bathroom TV (he’s not spoiled welcome bottle of Swanson Merlot with a note upon or anything) while I watched a movie in the living room as our arrival.

I enjoyed my Champagne.

The abundance of personalized service made our visit We were happy to discover that room service at the Inn unforgettable. The club suites are in a building of their own, with a Concierge Lounge that has access to a roofon 5th comes from Ocean Prime across the street. We had top terrace. Normally, guests can roam in and out of the dinner delivered to our room and enjoyed an outstanding

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Courtesy Inn on 5th

Room at the Inn

meal without having to leave our comfortable cocoon.

The next day we wanted to explore Naples and were told that someone from the hotel could take us on a tour in the golf cart and drop us off at one of the shopping areas. My son said this was one of his favorite parts of the trip. While on our tour, we saw all the shops and restaurants located close by, learned that the ocean and sandy white beach were only a short stroll from the hotel, and window-shopped the beautifully manicured homes near the water.

That night we had dinner at Truluck’s, the hotel’s swanky seafood and steak restaurant, with an expansive wine list that included a special Rare Gems Collection of bottles from Napa, Italy and Spain, and a Sommelier Selection by the glass.

Courtesy Inn on 5th

Florida Travel

SUITES COMFORT: A Club Suites queen room.

Courtesy Inn on 5th

during your stay.

And do ask about specials. This fall, the hotel’s “Time for You” offer, available through January on midweek stays (Sunday-Thursday), includes a range of discounts on twoto five-night stays. And the “High Life, Wild Life” package combines a four-night stay in a spacious standard room with massage and facial, dining credit at Ocean Prime and a $300 credit with Everglades Area Tours.

Reservations must be made online by Nov. 30 for either of these packages, so act quick and prepare to be pampered.

For more information, visit InnonFifth.com or call (239) 403-8777.

Christopher Lee, the restaurant’s manager and extremely knowledgeable sommelier, steered me toward a wine I hadn’t tried before: Adaptation, Napa 2016, a lighter cabernet closer to a pinot noir. A yummy choice! Zack ordered lobster bisque for an appetizer and sea scallops for dinner, while I ordered a filet mignon with pan-seared broccoli.

Then, as a special treat, Christopher brought over a baked Alaska dessert: coffee ice cream and marshmallow inside a hard chocolate graham cracker shell. He told me this is ‘off menu’ and only for anniversaries, engagements and birthdays. He also shared that the restaurant is known for stone crabs when they’re in season; I may have to go back and try them, as everything about our dinner was impeccable.

You can escape to the Inn on 5th by flying into the Naples Airport and having the hotel pick you up (complimentary) in their big black sedan, or you can take an easy drive down from the Tampa Bay area. Go for a pampered weekend with a loved one, or spend a few days more to fully experience the luxurious rooms, outdoor pool, hot tub and bar on the 2nd floor, and top-of-the-line spa. There is plenty to do within a short distance from the hotel, including shopping or golfing on one of the 100 courses in the area. The concierge is eager to serve you with restaurant reservations, golf tee times, spa choices or any requests you may have

Tracey Serebin

DIVE IN: The hotel’s pool and courtyard.

DRESSED FOR DINNER: The author’s son outside the hotel. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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Susan Winchester brings experience and a sure sense of style to a couple’s first yacht..

STORY BY DAVID WARNER SEA DOG: A view of the salon with the couple’s 6-year-old Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Mia.

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a 53-foot sailboat at the Miami Boat Show in February of nterior design poses many challenges, but perhaps no task 2018. Then they decided to take an extra loop around the is more exacting than the design of a yacht. show and wound up meeting the Palmetto-based yacht builder “Every inch counts,” says Susan Winchester, and she David Marlow, who sold them on a 53-foot Marlow Explorer should know. An established residential designer and textiles and connected them with Susan, who has built more than 30 expert, she added yacht interiors to her portfolio 10 years yachts with Marlow. ago. Raised on the shores of Lake Michigan, she calls herself “a child of the water” and is extremely well-versed in the “Built” is the operative word, because when the couple demands of nautical design, from fabric choices (“There began working with her, the boat didn’t exisit.

“We are certain fibers you just don’t want to use on the “It was on paper,” says Susan, “a blueprint.” looked for an water”) to on-board storage (“When you start That meant Jack and Christian were able to putting things away, get a pad of paper and write expert, and that’s partner with her throughout the design process, down where you put everything”). where Susan came which lasted from March, 2018, to March of 2019.

Her expertise was key for Christian Strong and Marlow Yachts are customizable, but most have a in.”

Jack Thomasson, whom I interviewed along with traditional look, marked by extensive use of teak and Susan aboard the couple’s yacht, Passa la Page. Jack other fine hardwoods. The couple wanted something was the house planner for HGTV Dream Home for 20 brighter, more contemporary. They also wanted to make years and worked on numerous other home-related TV shows, changes in the layout to afford them more space and better and the couple was integrally involved in the design of their views. own homes in Atlantic Beach, FL and Roswell, GA. Susan’s deep familiarity with Marlow Yachts was invaluable “But doing a home was so different from doing a boat,” says in realizing these changes.

Christian.

“You discover something new with every boat you build,” “We looked for an expert,” adds Jack, “and that’s where she says. For instance, she explains,“This is the first ‘53’ with Susan came in.” galley forward” — meaning that passengers have a great Both avid boaters, they’d originally intended to purchase view whether they’re dining or or cooking. Other innovations 66 66 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

Photo by Andrea Hillebrand

Beauty On Board

Andrea Hillebrand

Yacht Design

HIS MOTHER’S HAND: The yacht’s name, which translates to “turn the page,” is a phrase Strong’s mother frequently used; the inscription’s in her handwriting.

David Warner

include three sleeping rooms below (unusual for this size boat), clever storage solutions, ample wall space for art, and his-and-hers (or rather, his-and-his) bathrooms in the master, with a shower in between.

Marlow yachts are designed at the company’s headquarters on Snead Island and built in China. Susan ships some elements to China for installation, like fabrics and light fixtures, and keeps others, like custom-ordered furnishings, in her own warehouse. Once construction is finished, the yachts are brought to the States via

container ship, off-loaded in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and taken round to Snead, where Winchester brings everything aboard.

The Miami Boat Show would once again play a role in the couple’s yacht-buying saga. The boat was featured there the year it was completed, and that’s where Jack and Christian first saw it.

Aptly enough, given that she was working with an HGTV veteran, Susan managed to pull off a big reveal.

“She was fun with keeping us at bay till it was ready for us to view,” says Jack.

“It’s just so exciting that first time the owner gets to walk on board,” says Winchester. “It’s one of the best parts about what I do.”

But... did they like it?

“We were beside ourselves,” says Jack.

“We knew what we picked over the year working with Susan,” adds Christian, “but it so exceeded any expectations we had. Walking in and immediately feeling the comfort... It wasn’t like we had to get used to it. We didn’t change a thing.”

After the reveal, the couple decided to keep the boat in St. Pete’s Vinoy Marina in case they needed to take it to Palmetto to work out any kinks. But then something else happened, says Strong.

“We very quickly fell in love with St. Pete.”

And they weren’t the only ones: Strong’s 86-yearold mother bought a home on Snell Isle, and his sister bought in the Old Northeast.

The yacht’s name — Passa la Page — was inspired directly by a phrase Strong heard growing up in his Italian-American household in Miami, where his mom

TEAM EFFORT: Winchester with clients Christian Strong (left) and Jack Thomasson on the salon of Passa la Page. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 67 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 67

Yacht Design

Andrea Hillebrand HAVE A SEAT: The “galley forward” arrangement in the yacht allows for extra seating and better views.

raised five kids on her own. “If you were having a bad day or you were whining about something,” he recalls, “she’d always say that — passa la page — turn the page, move on.”

It’s inscribed on the boat in an exact replica of his mother’s “beautiful penmanship,” says Christian, which she regained after recovering from a stroke several years ago. “We handed her a notepad and asked her to write

Andrea Hillebrand SLEEP TIGHT: The yacht has three bedrooms below deck, including the master (left) and a guest room, all with built-in storage.

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it down, I gave it to my sister, who’s a graphic designer, to put it in the right format, and we gave it to Susan and Marlow.”

So, I wondered, given that they’ve poured so much love and inspiration into Passa la Page , would this be the couple’s last boat?

They answered with an emphatic “No!” Susan added, “I hope not!”

Andrea Hillebrand SAIL AWAY: The ocean-worthy yacht, a Marlow 53 “fast trawler,” can cruise at 21 knots.

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AUTO

Flight of Fancy

Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur combines grace with pace, and a whole lot of luxury.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY HOWARD WALKER

The Flying Spur, photographed outside the Ringling Museum of Art and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

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o drive. Or be driven. That’s the dilemma. Do you honed by standard active all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering slide behind the wheel to pilot the world’s fastest and the world’s first 48-volt electric anti-roll system. four-door sedan — 207mph flat out? Or luxuriate in Power it through the curves and this 5,300-pound leviathan the back, watching the world whoosh by, while massaging, feels more like a sports coupe. Dial up Sport mode and reclining, heated-and-cooled seats do the pampering? the suspension firms up, the throttle sharpens, and the Either way you’ll be overjoyed. This is the spectacular transmission becomes even more eager to shift. duality of Bentley’s latest Flying Spur, arguably the world’s And if you have to stop in a hurry, the car’s massive rotors grandest luxury grand tourer.

— 16.5 inches at the front, 15-inch at the rear — halt forward The third-generation Spur — the first debuted back in 2005 progress as effectively as an F-18 jet landing on a carrier.

— has the distinction of being all new from the hubcaps up.

There are also few more commanding, more cosseting It’s a tad longer than before, with five inches added to the driving positions than the pilot’s seat of this new Spur. Power wheelbase, giving it a sleeker, more elegant, more muscular adjustments seem endless, plus an array of massaging options look. that wouldn’t seem out of place in a spa.

The new headlights alone are worthy of a eulogy. These LED One true surprise and delight is the three-sided fascia panel. At wonders feature cut crystals in a stunning saw-blade design that the press of a button it morphs from being a glass infotainment lets them sparkle, even when not lit. They’re nothing less screen, to displaying a trio of analog gauges, to an elegant than automotive works of art. wood panel. Just stunning.

Do you Now gaze in awe at that Flying B mascot But if you want to leave the driving to others, the slide behind the standing proud on top of the grille. The wings Flying Spur’s rear seats are a sanctuary of silence wheel of the world’s of the B are also fashioned from cut crystal and and serenity. fastest four-door illuminate at night. And, in Rolls-Royce style, They offer 14 power adjustments and five different sedan or luxuriate the Flying B can retreat into the bodywork at the massaging modes. And with soft, squishy pillowed in the back? touch of a button. headrests, taking a nap back there is as easy as closing Sharing the same basic chassis as Porsche’s your eyes. The rear-facing glass screen on the center Panamera sedan, the new Spur features an all-aluminum console is another surprise and delight. At the press of a button, body with more curves, haunches and bulging muscles than an iPhone-like touchscreen pops out. an Olympic weight-lifter.

From here you can sit back and control everything from the See it in profile and it looks achingly gorgeous, especially window shades, the rear sunroof shade, temperature, even the rolling on the optional 22-inch alloys. Head-on, the new optional 2,200-watt, 18-speaker Naim surround sound audio. super-sized grille seems huge and imposing. Only the new Add amazing stretch-out legroom, leg-crossing kneeroom, rear end lacks visual presence; it looks like something from and plentiful headroom and you might never want to leave.

Volkswagen.

The price of all this luxury kicks off at $214,600, though start For the driver in you, this new Flying Spur just might make checking the options boxes — that Naim audio alone costs an you sprout a pair of horns. Under that mile-long hood sits eye-watering $8,800 — and it’s not hard to reach the $286,000 Bentley’s iconic 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder, the of our test car. same one used in the latest Continental GT two-door.

As for having a car that makes you want to drive and be There are nuclear reactors with less might. With a massive driven in equal measures? That’s priceless.

626 horsepower on tap, it can catapult the Spur from standstill Test drive the new 2020 Flying Spur at Dimmitt Group’s Bentley to 60mph in a crazy-fast 3.7 seconds. And the eight-speed dual- Tampa Bay in Pinellas Park. clutch automatic can fire off shifts with the rapidity of an AK-47.

Look for Howard Walker’s online column, “Weekend Wheels,” every This is one superb driver’s car with handling sharpened and weekend at dupontregistrytampabay.com.

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REAL ESTATE

Waterfront Oasis on Harbour Island 1117 Abbeys Way, Tampa $3,995,000

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rban Living doesn’t get any better than this waterfront gem located on beautiful Harbour Island, an oasis in the Heart of the City with convenient walkable access to Downtown, Tampas iconic Bayshore Boulevard, Amalie Arena (concerts & hockey games). This treasure is positioned on one of the largest waterfront home sites on the Island and was solidly constructed and custom designed to take full advantage of the amazing water frontage it provides. With nearly 7700 sf of living space, there is plenty of room for large or extended family and wonderful indoor and outdoor entertaining. The floor plan provides a large great room connected to the kitchen which opens to the beckoning pool and amazing waterfront where you’ll find a boaters paradise with access to deep water dockage equipped with shore power and water providing perfect space for your large yacht in water, plus a boat on a 16,000 lb capacity lift and a separate jet ski lift. Back inside the home you’ll find comfortable living spaces with formal living, dining, parlor, a downstairs bedroom w/ ensuite bath, media room, two separate office spaces and 5 bedrooms on the 2nd floor. The masters suite is spacious and opens to a large 2nd floor balcony overlooking the pool waterfront, and includes two separate walk in closets with loads of storage and so much more. In addition, the home includes a 4-car attached garage, a rarity in this urban community. Harbour Island offers a unique lifestyle in this meticulously planned community with parks, playground, continuous water walk all with convenient access to loads of great restaurants, arts, entertainment. Located on the Seddon Channel, the owner enjoys amazing views of the water, Boat Parades, Gasparilla celebrations and so much more.

Traci Burns, Brokers Associate 813-833-7510 | 813-839-3800 Smith & Associates Real Estate www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 74 www.duPontREGISTRY.com

REAL ESTATE

Modern Classical Residence

110 Harbor View Lane, Belleair Bluffs $4,590,000

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his modern classical residence is well situated at an elevated position of 36.5 feet in the Belleair Bluffs area overlooking the intracoastal waterway with Gulf views. Through the grand entrance of this new construction estate, you are presented with a stunning double staircase designed with a distinctive wrought iron railing which leads into the expansive living room with floor to ceiling windows. Every glass door and large window sets the tone for picture-perfect views of the spectacular sunsets. Exquisite white pearl marble flooring throughout with hardwood floors in the bedrooms. Some of the features include professional grade appliances (Wolf, Sub Zero, Bosch), luxurious linear fireplace, a recessed LED lighting system, an elevator, full laundry facilities on both floors, fully outfitted closet systems, large three-car garage, varied ceiling heights from 11’ to 23’, exquisite dental molding, beautiful natural stone elements, temperature-controlled wine coolers, a game room, formal living and dining rooms, outdoor marble terrace, infinity pool/spa, tiled fire bowls, The luxurious master suite features sitting area and his and her walk-in closets. There is over 100 feet of water frontage with various boat-dock options available. Simply put, this is an unforgettable estate where lot size, location, water frontage, and high elevation make it the best in waterfront living and a “must see” for the most discriminating buyer.

Martha Thorn with The Thorn Collection | 727-432-9019 Coldwell Banker Realty www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com www.duPontREGISTRY.com 75

REAL ESTATE

Exquisite Belleair Estate

430 Bluff View Dr, Belleair Bluffs | $10,900,000

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ne of Tampa Bay’s most noteworthy homes, this impressive estate captures the true essence of luxury living. Gracious living areas inside include a classically proportioned living room with 24’ wall of retractable glass doors, an elegant master suite, a striking bar with climate controlled wine room that stores over 600 of your finest bottles, an executive home office and space for your home gym. Outside, lush landscaping provides an element of privacy to the gently cascading lawns.

Additional outdoor features include a beautiful pool with a waterfall, multiple terraces for entertaining, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a grill, beer keg and ice maker, putting green and a gazebo. The ideal home for a boating lifestyle, this location presents its owner with easy access to Clearwater Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, it has 100 feet of water frontage, a private dock with a 16,000 pound covered lift and a floating 10,000 pound lift for smaller vessels.

Kerryn Ellson

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727-408-4888

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BelleairLuxury.com

Magnificent Gated Waterfront Estate 14275 Siesta Road, Largo | $11,900,000

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racefully gated, this 2010 Italianate Style estate, custom-built to the highest quality with no detail overlooked. An exceptional Architectural experience awaits you. Stylishly set on a 4.5 acre parcel on the intra-coastal waterway of the Central Coast of Pinellas County, this 17,599 square foot home has amenities including a private guest suite, outdoor playground, pond, boat lift and dock, pool, outdoor living space/kitchen and so much more! 14275SiestaRoad.com

Martha Thorn with The Thorn Collection | 727-432-9019 Coldwell Banker Realty www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 76 www.duPontREGISTRY.com

REAL ESTATE

Luxurious Beachfront Living

15912 Gulf Boulevard, Redingtonton Beach $6,849,000

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XTRAORDINARY AND LUXURIOUS BEACHFRONT LIVING IN THE FINEST GULF-FRONT ESTATE AVAILABLE IN TAMPA BAY! A masterful and expansive private, resort-style ocean-front estate on a remarkable 80 feet of pristine natural white sand beach affords endless and unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico. Uncompromising in its architectural details and craftsmanship, this brilliant Tuscan coastal design is situated in a secluded and quiet residential area. Your majestic 11,622 total sqft of space takes advantage of natural light and sweeping waterviews. Enjoy 4 lavish bedroom suites, a detached private guest home, and 6,200 sq ft of living area with an additional 3,000 sq ft of recently remodeled lower level entertainment space. Prepare a meal in the breathtaking gourmet kitchen with custom designer cabinetry, hidden pantry, granite counters, natural gas cooking & Thermador refrigeration. Relax in the great room with soaring 21’ ceilings and floor to ceiling window views of the beach and Gulf. Retire to the luxe master suite and your private balcony with commanding panoramic views of the Gulf, built-in entertainment center, sitting area, fireplace & lavish oversized closet.

Take a pampered retreat in the master bath complete with luxury fixtures & sumptuous appointments, jetted spa tub, posh open shower, and dedicated cosmetics area. Never miss a sunset on your private 1,000 sq ft beach patio – only steps away from white, powdery sand. You’ll love the 1,400 sqft of balconies, plush oversized central elevator, a spacious state of the art gas-heated salt-water swimming pool with LED light show, two gas fire pits, Travertine pavers that are cool to the touch, zero maintenance pet turf and lush landscaping. A grand driveway and attached garage provide parking for up to ten vehicles. Relish romantic beach walks, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, dolphin watching, windsurfing and more.

Dania Perry, Luxury and Waterfront Specialist 727-215-2045 Dania Perry Real Estate www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com www.duPontREGISTRY.com 77

110 HARBOR VIEW LANE, BELLEAIR BLUFFS FL

Enjoy picture-perfect sunsets with endless water views in this modern classical residence, elevated at 35’ in Belleair Bluffs. Through the grand entrance of this new construction estate, you are presented with a stunning double staircase which leads into the expansive living room with floor to ceiling windows. A few features this exquisite estate offers include professional grade appliances, a three-car garage, an infinity pool/spa and over 100 feet of water frontage with various boat dock options.. Offered at $4,590,000 | 110HarborViewLane.com.

OVER $146

MILLION SOLD IN 2019!

The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com Proud Supporters of:

and

11 BAYMONT STREET #1504, CLEARWATER BEACH Located on the fifteenth floor of the Sandpearl Residence, just along the sugar sand beaches of Clearwater; this penthouse features elegant design throughout and water views from every room. Feel like you’re floating on air from the glass framed balconies with open Gulf views and enjoy the first-class kitchen with Wolfe and SubZero appliances. Offered at $3,699,000 | LuxuryBeachPenthouse.com

343 BLUFF VIEW DRIVE, BELLEAIR BLUFFS FL

This Belleair Bluffs estate will immediately feel like home. The captivating 26ft limestone mantle of the fireplace will draw your attention into the two-story living room with soaring coffered ceilings. With lower level master and large guest suites, this vast 5-BD/5-BA floor plan has room for all. Enjoy waterfront sunsets and a large pool plus 2016 updates. Offered at $2,199,000 | 343BluffViewDrive.com

312 SPOTTIS WOODE COURT, CLEARWATER FL

Beautiful 3 BR/3.5 BA home in the gated community of Spottis Woodes has leaded glass front doors that open into a spectacular round foyer. The dining room is adjacent to the gourmet kitchen and the family room has built-ins and a cozy fireplace. Upstairs is an office, 2 large bedrooms, and an enormous master suite.

Community pool, tennis and boat dock, too! Offered at $1,590,000 | 312SpottisWoodeCt.com

THE ISLES ON BAYSHORE, DUNEDIN Gated collection of 17 luxury townhomes across the street from waterfront sunsets with 4 floor plans to choose from with added bonus space including 6 end units with fireplaces. A short walk or bike ride to golf cart friendly Downtown Dunedin. Now accepting reservations. Starting at $700,000 | TheIslesOnBayshore.com

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The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com

RANKED TOP

10 COLDWELL BANKER TEAM IN THE NATION!

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.

One of a kind paradise awaits at 14201 Carol Manor Drive largo, enter through the gates to this Executive Home with 8 Beds, 6.5 Baths, dock and 10,122 sqft, Offered at $6,940,000

305 Spring Court Clearwater, FL 33755 Step into another world when you enter this home with New England cape cod architecture 4 Bed, 4 Bath Unique layout | 3,464 sqft, Offered at $1,599,000

Waterfront Land located at 1504 Sunset Drive in beautiful Clearwater Florida on over 1/4 acre to build the home of your dreams, Offered at $1,100,000.

PENDING Spotless finishes throughout this modern home at 602 Mehlenbacher Road Belleair with in-law suite which has it's own private entrance and a total of 5 Beds, 4 Baths at 3,035 sqft, Offered at $498,990

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JUST LISTED In the desirable Waters Edge tower at 331 Cleveland St. #302, Clearwater this modern condo is steps from parking, the pool and gym, Offered at $599,000

430 Jasmine Way, Clearwater Sold for $1,225,000

TERRI NOVITSKY BROKER

CONTACT US (727) 298-8888 82

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906 Drew St. Clearwater laurenmichaelsrealestate.com TerriLMREP@gmail.com Lic# BK3316546

We Provide Concierge Service Beyond Business Hours

430 Bluff View Dr, Belleair Bluffs • $10,900,000 • BelleairLuxury.com

15 Glendale St A8, Clearwater Offered at $1,029,000 Move2CWB.com

692 Bayway Blvd #303, Clearwater Beach Offered at $600,000 ClearwaterSunsets.com

4 Belleview Blvd #205, Belleair Offered at $395,000 BelleairLife.com

502 S Florida Ave, Unit #145, Tarpon Springs Offered at $389,000 TarponSpringsWaterfront.com

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

PENDING

1047 Victoria Drive, Dunedin Sold for $3,200,000

530 Ponce de Leon, Belleair Sold for $1,415,000

908 S Florida Ave, Tarpon Springs Sold for $997,000

435 Buttonwood Lane, Harbor Bluffs Listed for $2,500,000

727-408-4888 • Gu l fVi ewL i v i ng.com 603 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 83

COLUMBUS DRIVE – TIERRA VERDE, FL

ISLE OF PALMS - TREASURE ISLAND, FL

SUNSET BLVD – REDINGTON SHORES

SURFSIDE BLVD – APOLLO BEACH, FL

Located directly on the intracoastal waterway at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico rests this beautifully updated 4 bedroom 3.5 bath, 4988 total sqft coastal contemporary home!

Dazzling finishes, exquisite Wolf/Subzero kitchen, lavish baths, gorgeous pool, 16,000 lb boat lift, spectacular water views throughout.

Offered for $2,195,000.

Located on a quiet side street, this 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, luxury beachfront residence offers 4000+ sqft of magnificently finished living space. Sumptuous gourmet kitchen, all en suite bedrooms, beautiful covered beachfront balconies, large theater room, 4-car garage parking, gorgeous Pebbletec pool/spa and many extras.

Offered for $2,550,000.

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Brand new luxury waterfront construction located just a few minutes walk from the powder soft sands of Treasure Island Beach. Fabulous 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 5615 total sqft home boasts stunning coastal contemporary finishes in a lavish Euro-style minimalist appeal.

Offered for $1,500,000.

Enjoy miles of spectacular sweeping open water views of Tampa Bay from this 4-bedroom, 6842 total sqft, block construction, executive estate residence located in an exceptional community. Brilliant Carrera Marble chef’s kitchen, plush great room, large bedrooms, wonderful covered waterfront balconies.

Offered for $1,695,000.

BELLEAIR BEACH, FL

BRIGHTWATERS – ST. PETERSBURG, FL

MONTEREY BLVD NE - ST. PETERSBURG

WILLADEL – BELLEAIR, FL

Enjoy sweeping intracoastal views from this spectacular double lot with an amazing 256 feet of seawall! Located in one of Tampa Bay’s premier communities, this 3245sqft home features a sumptuous kitchen and exquisite living spaces. Updated seawall, composite dock, 35K lift, dual jetski platform & much more.

Offered for $2,990,000.

This wonderful 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 5564 total sqft coastal country home in exclusive Snell Isle offers a huge back yard and a grand, wide waterfrontage. Lovely kitchen, fine casual waterfront dining, private office/den, large media/game room. Fabulous master suite with private balcony. Gorgeous pool, boat dock and lift.

Offered for $2,250,000.

The pinnacle in waterfront luxury and a rare opportunity in Tampa Bay. Astonishing 554ft of water frontage with deep, protected sailboat water. 10 bedrooms, 10 full baths, 4 half baths, 8-car garage and 26,383 total sqft. ‘Villa Terranova,’ nationally awarded the U.S. custom home of the year, is complemented by ‘Amanyara,’ a lavish contemporary guest home.

Offered for $19,995,000.

Resting high above the intracoastal waterway on an impressive 1.82 acres, this palatial 15,000+ total sqft estate delivers sensational open water views! Towering ceilings, grand living spaces, steam room, sauna, spectacular pool/cabana, separate guest house, private tennis court, deeded boat slip/dock and so much more.

Offered for $6,995,000.

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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HOLIDAY 2020

dRTBestBets

WHAT TO SEE IN A&E

BY DAVID WARNER

Back in mid-March in this section, I highlighted more than 80 plays, concerts, exhibits, festivals and more — almost all of which wound up being postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19. Since then, the pandemic has continued to ravage our lives, and artists have been among the hardest hit. But the need to go on with the show has continued, yielding new forms of entertainment that have nurtured both audiences and artists. So here, once again, are my dRTBestBets — theA&E events I’m looking forward to in Tampa Bay from now through mid-January 2021. Fingers crossed.

Lucky Bird, an outdoor sculpture by the Borowskis, showing at Syd Entel Galleries Dec. 5-Jan. 2. See p. 90.

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dRTBestBets

HOLIDAY 2020

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

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party at Ruth Eckerd Dec.13.

With so much uncertainty about when and how audiences will be able to return to theaters, local companies are mixing it up.

American Stage entertained us this summer on Zoom and began its 2020-21 “Reimagine” season with a Digital Theatre Series. Kate: The Unexamined Life of Katherine Hepburn starring Janis Stevens continues through Nov. 29; Nosotros La Gente (We The People), a commissioned work by Jerry Montoya about two brothers working the date palm fields in the California desert on the verge of WWII, runs Dec. 2-20. The company will also reprise its “live radio play” version of It’s A Wonderful Life in December, and in January will begin its new Hybrid Theatre Series, a combo of livestreaming and “an intended return to live onsite performances on Mainstage.” The series will open with The People Downstairs, the much-anticipated world premiere comedy by local playwright Natalie Symons that was forced to close hours before opening night last March due to the pandemic lockdown.

Stageworks Theatre in Tampa has been going hybrid, too, with digital offerings like Stageworks Staycations (including the flat-out hilarious “Take Back My Kids” video starring Alison Burns-Jackson as a locked-down stay-at-home mom). Their 2020-21 season continues this winter with outdoor concerts in English and Spanish and a return to their Channel District theater in February with a revival of the delightful man-meets-dog comedy Sylvia.

The social-distancing solution at St. Pete’s freeFall Theatre was truly spacey (in a good way). Michael Raabe and Eric Davis had the inspired idea of updating Orson Welles’s infamous Martian-hoax radio play from 1938 and staging it in the retro environs of a drive-in — the theater’s parking lot — with audiences watching from their cars with cellphone audio. The premise — a musical variety hour is interrupted by TV reports of a Martian attack — lends itself both to barbed topical humor and clever pop medleys sung by a talented cast, with video, local celebs and bleach all playing a role. War of the Worlds: A Live Drive-In Radio Experience has been such a hit that the run has been extended through Dec. 6. After that, they’ll be doing A Christmas Carol: In Concert Dec. 11-24.

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If you’re bummed that the 2020-21 Broadway touring season at the Straz Center was erased because of COVID (the series resumes in June with Hamilton), the arts center has been making up for it with livestreams from NYC. Next up: Vanessa Williams on Dec. 5. Not all the theatrical offerings from the Straz are online: Through Dec. 6, the center is presenting Always… Patsy Cline at the Jaeb, starring one of Tampa Bay’s most dynamic singer/actors in the title role, Heather Krueger.

And we can’t have a holiday season without a Nutcracker, can we? The Next Generation Ballet at the Straz is going al fresco with Nutcracker Outdoor Wonderland (Dec. 11-23), an immersive performance that will lead audience members through the Straz campus and conclude inside a tent on the Riverwalk.

Photo courtesy Rod

STAGE DIRECTIONS

Vanessa Williams livestreams from NYC Dec. 5 for the Straz.

HOLIDAY 2020

dRTBestBets

Roman Imperial period, Roman, Syria, Kline (bed/couch) Monument with a Reclining couple and Erotes, c. A.D. 175–200, marble.

On loan from a private collection.

THE MFA’S NEW LOOK

You know how, when you’ve been away from home for a long time, everything looks different when you return? That’s what it’s like seeing the revamp of the Museum of Fine Arts’ original 1965 galleries. Except it’s not your eyes deceiving you; the galleries, which reopened to the general public in October, really are different. Closed since the spring because of the pandemic, they’ve been rethought, reorganized, repainted and completely refreshed. Chances are a visitor’s own understanding of the collection — and of art history, for that matter — will be refreshed, too. PS: If you go, do not miss the two enthralling shows on view through Nov. 29 in the Hazel Hough wing: Derrick Adams: Buoyant and Copper, Silver, Salt, Ink: The Chemistry of Photography’s Enduring Desires. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-8962667, mfastpete.org. Timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance online.

The Mesoamerican Art gallery, or “Jade Room,” features jade, serpentine and obsidian glass works. All gifts of Dr. Robert L. and Chitranee Drapkin.

The view across centuries in the American galleries, from George Inness’s 19th-c. moonlit landscape to the distant glow of Leon Berkowitz’s 1970 “Big Blue.”

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Courtesy of the Jacobs Collection © Harold Newton Photography by Tariq Gibran

A painting by Harold Newton from Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen at Tampa Museum of Art CONCERTED EFFORTS

The Florida Orchestra has been reimagining the concertgoing experience with a combination of live and livestreamed performances at the Mahaffey.

On Dec. 5-6, the string section gets to soar in “Tchaikovsky & Vivaldi for Strings,” led by concertmaster Jeff Multer, while woodwinds, brass and percussion take the spotlight in “American Heroes.” Dec. 11-13 brings the return of “Holiday Pops,” and on Dec. 16-17 and 20 you can cozy up to the “Classical Christmas” Coffee Concerts.

St. Petersburg Opera is also finding multiple alternatives for its fans to enjoy. Its Artists Recital Series features eight of the company’s favorite singers recounting their personal journeys through song, with themes like “A Soprano Gone Mad” and “All About That Bass.” The mobile POPera series continues at various outdoor locations, with “Holiday Sparkle” returning on Dec. 13.

The Palladium in downtown St. Pete is moving its Side Door Cabaret concerts to the much larger Hough Hall, where audiences can spread out.

Coming up: Damon Fowler’s Holiday Blues Bash on Nov. 25.

“WE’RE BACK!” declares the Ruth Eckerd Hall home page — an understandable expression of relief in the wake of what the Tampa Bay Times called “the ever-growing list” of postponements and cancellations at the

Clearwater venue. But things are indeed looking up. December mainstage bookings include Styx,Travis Tritt, Collective Soul, and what sounds like the most fun Christmas show around, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party! The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre features slightly more traditional holiday fare by Michael W. Smith and Rockapella. And January brings a slew of big names, including Air Supply, Leo Kottke, Jay Leno and Rosanne Cash. Seating restrictions apply.

INNER SPACE

Something we might not have considered before: Museums are great for social distancing (unless we’re talking about, say, the Mona Lisa room at the Louvre).

The glorious interior of the Yann Weymouth-designed James Museum in St. Pete is full of wide open spaces, an apt context for the current special exhibition Blake Little: Photographs from the Gay Rodeo, on view through Feb. 14.

The expansive galleries of the Tampa Museum of Art make for an ideal backdrop to Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen (Nov. 19-Mar. 28), an exhibition of 60 paintings by the celebrated African American artists who were so in tune with the beauty of Florida’s natural environment.

The Gallery at Creative Pinellas provides plenty of room to roam through its Arts Annual exhibit, an exciting survey of work by CP grantees on view through Dec. 20 — and since CP is located in the heart of the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, you can cap off your visit with a refreshing stroll.

Florida CraftArt found a way to reduce the size but not the charm of its annual outdoor craft festival, renaming it CraftArt with a Twist (Nov. 21).

And crafty fans will enjoy the whimsical glass creatures by The Borowski Family at Syd Entel Galleries/Susan Benjamin Glass Etc. in Safety Harbor, on view through Jan. 2 with an opening event on Dec. 5. And who knows what surprises will surface in response to the latest challenge from Chad Mize? He asked artists to create “a piece based on a positive aspect of 2020.” Now that will take some creativity; the show, “Something 2020,” opens at MIZE Gallery in St. Pete on Dec. 4.

MOVIE TIME

“Duck Tape” by Kevin Grass at Creative Pinellas Arts Annual.

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Judging by the plummeting attendance figures at major chains, the public hasn’t quite taken to the idea of hitting the multiplex just yet. But how about trying a small art house instead? Green Light Cinema in downtown St. Pete is filling the gap for discerning moviegoers with screenings of buzzy films like Ammonite, Sound of Metal and Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President, with social distancing solidly in place. Tickets and showtimes at greenlightstpete. com.

And if you’d rather watch your movies at home, Tampa Theatre offers a stellar and ever-expanding lineup of arthouse theatrical exclusives not available on other streaming platforms — festival award-winners like Martin Eden, suspensers like The Informer, the latest documentary from Frederick Wiseman, City Hall — and you can watch ’em all at tampatheatre.org.

dRTBestBets

An installation view of Van Gogh Alive.

VINCENT LIVES! The familiarity of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, reproduced everywhere from dorm walls to coffee mugs, could sap them of their power — unless, that is, you’ve been fortunate enough to see them in person. At the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam last year, I was gobsmacked by how alive his images are; even the most familiar of them, like his ubiquitous sunflowers, seem to vibrate on the canvas. Now a touring show making its North American debut at The Dalì, Van Gogh Alive, will attempt to convey the quivery, invigorating impact of his artistry via an immersive art experience featuring more than 3,000 Van Gogh images at enormous scale, viewed through high-definition projectors and synchronized to a powerful classical score.

Nov. 21-April 11, The Dali Museum, One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, thedali.org.

Trinity, 4, has been battling neuroblastoma since she was 2.

Despite being on daily chemo treatments and enduring more hospital visits than any child should, Trinity is a fighter and you’ll often see a smile on her face.

GOOD FOR YOU! SHAKES, PICNICS, PLANTERS & 5,000 LBS OF FOOD

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE “FREAK SHAKES” FIGHT PEDIATRIC CANCER The Best of the Bay-winning bakery Bake’n Babes makes fantastical Freak Shakes with a different theme each month, with part of the proceeds from each $20 Shake going to a local non-profit. September’s beneficiary was the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and the bakery’s Instagram account featured sweet photos of young survivors alongside their Shake, a towering vanilla concoction topped with a gold Hershey bar, a Fruity Pebbles cookie, an ice cream sandwich, a lollipop, whipped cream and a celebratory gold star. “Helping the community has always been an important part of Bake’n Babes,” said bakery founder Julie Curry.

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11- The York family. Ellie (in leopard), 6, with her sisters Eva and Nora and parents Jaclyn and Michael. Ellie was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April of 2016 at just 2½ years old. She was in treatment for 799 days, received chemotherapy for 568 days and had to take 20 different types of medicine and underwent multiple transfusions and infusions. Her parents say, “We are blessed to say that we have one strong and brave little girl that survived leukemia!”

22- Ellie, 10, with her sister Jayda. When Ellie (left in the photo above) was 5, she was diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma delta T-cell lymphoma, a cancer so rare that Ellie is the first female under the age of 21 to ever be diagnosed with it. After undergoing surgery to remove her spleen and three rounds of chemo, Ellie was in remission and needed a bone marrow transplant.

Jayda was the perfect match, and Ellie is now almost four years cancer-free!

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33 - Aubriana, 8 (in pink, with her older sister Abigail), was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in December 2019. She underwent surgery that successfully removed her tumor but left her right side paralyzed. She is currently undergoing a year of chemotherapy while also relearning how to sit, stand, walk and feed herself. Her surgeon is confident she will make a full recovery from her paralysis.

www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE HUNGER FREE 2020

The St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s Hunger Free event is usually a big, informative luncheon gathering at St. Pete’s Coliseum, but for Hunger Free 2020 SPFC pivoted to a COVID-friendly food and donations drive-thru to help food-insecure families in Pinellas. Held on October 10 at SPFC’s Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank, the event raised beyond the $200,000 goal, and those gifts were matched dollar for dollar thanks to the generosity of The Loving Friends of Sister Margaret Freeman. More than $400,000 was raised in all, and more than 5,000 pounds of food was donated.

Above: St. Pete Free Clinic staffers and volunteers help out at Hunger Free 2020.

TABLE MANOR: PICNICS HELPING PEOPLE Feel like having a sumptuous sunset picnic on the beach like this one, complete with flowers, linens and fine china? How about ordering all that, knowing that your picnic purchase will help feed the hungry and bring holiday joy to deserving kids? That’s the deal at Table Manor, led by Leah Karimdadian and Nicolette Tiliakos, whose delightful soirees come with a side of generosity: They donate 200 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay for every booked picnic, and 75 percent of proceeds from all new bookings through Dec. 24 will benefit their toy drive for underprivileged children. Plus, Table Manor raises funds through raffles and silent auctions for the Children’s Cancer Center. Email tablemanorco@gmail.com for info or follow @table_manor_ on Instagram.

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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE THE PLANTERS VIRTUAL FALL LUNCHEON

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The Planters of Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation usually holds an in-person luncheon each year to honor recipients of the Lois Odence Scholarship. But this year, due to COVID-19, the event committee chose to go virtual and focus on honoring the scholarship recipients, all of them true health care heroes. TheVirtual Fall Luncheon was held on Thursday, October 8, during which 13 scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to nursing students at the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. Thanks to the generosity of community and sponsors, the event raised over $68,000, and to date $270,000 has been given to deserving nursing students.

1 Event committee member Danielle Ciliento and her mother, Rita King, laid out an in-home buffet as they watched the virtual luncheon.

2 Scholarship recipient Mingzi Bian. 3 Scholarship recipient Phanio Late Lawson Hellu. 4 Event committee member Nancy Bomstein. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com

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dR BACKPAGE

Happy Warriors

A surprise honor for dRTB’s editor in chief and his spouse in Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay. Profile by Jon Palmer Claridge FALL GUYS: Warner (right) with husband Larry Biddle and Walter the Cairn terrier at the Hyde Park Village Pumpkin Patch in October 2020.

Publisher’s Note: We were pleased to discover — and our editor in chief, David Warner, was surprised to learn — that his former employer, Creative Loafing, had decided to include him and his husband, Larry Biddle, on a list of “16 people or places that’ve undoubtedly changed Tampa Bay for the better” in their 30th Anniversary Best of the Bay Issue, which was published Oct. 1. David says he’s “gratified but somewhat embarrassed” by the whole thing, but we decided that duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay’s readers might like to read this tribute, too. The writer, Jon Palmer Claridge, has graciously allowed us to reprint it here.

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bashes in days of yore, to serving on boards including the St. ll hail the happy warriors! If David Warner and Larry Petersburg Free Clinic and Creative Pinellas. When CL was Biddle didn’t exist, it would be wise for us to invent sold at the end of 2018, the new business plan meant cleaning them. I returned to the Bay Area after a multidecade hiatus in 2010. As a devotee of alt-weeklies, I sought out house at the top. David got the axe. But, ever the nimble editor, Creative Loafing and discovered its multi-talented editor. David he took his newly available head over to duPont REGISTRY Warner is a lesson in total immersion in one’s community. And Tampa Bay and managed to morph the glossy magazine for the then I learned of Larry Biddle, David’s multi-decade partner well-heeled crowd into an exploration of luxury living that and husband as of 2012. These guys are everywhere, fully calls upon all his years immersed in our community. The politically and socially engaged change agents. publication still teases dream cars beyond the reach If David Warner Despite pedigrees that link to Merrick Garland (reof mere mortals, but also offers profiles of “People and Larry Biddle member him?) at Harvard (David) or ancestral ties Helping People” and Warner (or Tom duPont) didn’t exist, it would to one of Philadelphia’s great families predating our coaxing tales from the region’s fascinating personalibe wise for us to founding fathers (Larry), both gents are firmly rooted ties via Tampa Bay Talks on Facebook Live. invent them. in the present. And that present is not about selfBiddle used his considerable fundraising and oraggrandizement, but about lifting up the lives of others. ganizational skills well into his 70s before retiring, but I realized that David and Larry knew everyone. Their both men remain fierce advocates for all the myriad wonnetwork had vast roots that spread deep and wide—long before ders our region offers. And more importantly, happy warriors social media weaseled its way into our every waking moment. for equality in all senses of the word. They are quick to laugh David worked to tell extraordinary stories—to shine a light on and invariably seen with infectious smiles. Larry’s quick wry the activities and people making a difference in and around the and dry wit reflects his keen intelligence. David’s incisive obBay. Larry raised money for a wide range of causes to uplift the servation skills serve a dual purpose as editor and professional underserved and unburden good-hearted folks with much to actor. One loss among the many in this year of COVID-19, is offer, but without the skills to find the necessary funds to soar. the chance to see David as one of Stageworks’ Twelve Angry Warner has seemingly been ubiquitous over their 16 years Men. But, if past is prologue, these two will continue to spread in the Bay Area. From moderating a conversation with Susan the message of our region’s kaleidoscope of gifts and to advoSarandon at The Dalí to judging for Theatre TampaBay, to cate for all that serves the common good and, by force of will, serving as the ringmaster for CL’s annual BOTB and Gasp! work to transform our future.

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