It wasn't too difficult for revelers to find Krista Soroka's home Saturday night.
All they had to do was drive through South Tampa until they heard the wah-wah bass of an extremely familiar song or saw the big white sign that said, "Festivus Yes, Bagels No."
Seinfeld fans need hear no more to figure out that Soroka, who owns and manages Wonder Events, was staging her second annual Festivus party. The first proved to be such a success, she brought it back and turned it into a fundraiser for The Children's Home.
And what is Festivus? It's for the rest-iv-us, of course.
Festivus is the creation of character Frank Costanza, George Costanza's father. When George was a child, Frank went to the store to buy him a particular doll. There was only one doll left and when he reached for it, so did another man. After struggling for the doll, he thought there should be another way.
The doll was destroyed, but a new holiday was born. It's replete with a heavy silver pole without tinsel (instead of a tree) and an event called "Feats of Strength" where the head of the household tests his strength against a friend's.
Diehard Seinfeld fans also know to look for the Festivus miracle, and Soroka notes that while her party was taking place, U.S. forces were capturing Saddam Hussein. Coincidence? You be the judge.
The episode was so memorable that Soroka carries on the quirky traditions, including a "festivus pole," the picket sign Kramer toted in front of the old bagel shop and the "airing of grievances," a list detailing how family and friends have disappointed you over the past year.
Soroka put her grievances on the invitation, and they included Bob "The Bachelor" losing 35 pounds ... and his personality.
Soroka, however, did not complain about the generosity of her guests. Asking for donations of no more than $5, she raised more than $200.
I always love a party with a purpose.
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Angels Unaware has been providing group homes and living services to the developmentally disabled for 30 years in Hillsborough County. And thanks to Hawver Aluminum Foundry, it has provided folks with decorative Christmas ornaments for more than a decade.
Hawver owner Jim Hawver came to Angels Unaware in 1990 with the idea of casting angel ornaments that could be sold to raise money for needed projects. Because the funds are matched by various grants, Angels Unaware has been able to use the money to help with the renovation of existing homes, purchase of new homes and equipment and scholarships for their consumers.
The service doesn't end there. Along the way, people have bought ornaments as gifts for soldiers overseas. Angels Unaware executive director Ross O'Banion said they have pictures of the angels hanging from the rearview mirrors of Hummers.
Thanks to Angels Unaware and some long and "hot" hours of volunteer work by the Hawver employees, comfort is being provided on both sides of the world. For more information, telephone 961-1159 or go to www.angelsunaware.com Angels Unaware also invites folks to come to its corporate offices at 4918 W Linebaugh Ave. and purchase angels.
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So what would I include if I could air my own Festivus grievances? One would be the loss of Bucs general manager Rich McKay. Forget about choosing sides in the feud between McKay and Bucs coach Jon Gruden and simply recognize that this community is losing one of its most devoted citizens. McKay's love for the Bucs led him to serve through tough years, learn on the job and eventually make the key decisions that brought the team a Super Bowl win.
But his love for the community frequently saw him quietly working behind the scenes for an array of charitable causes. Just this year, he was the featured speaker at events for the Child Abuse Council and the Arthritis Foundation, to name two.
The Bucs will find someone to handle personnel, but I'm not sure they will find someone who cared about Tampa as much as McKay. To be honest, I still can't believe he's leaving.
