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Roughly 300 guests crowded into the Marly Room and the gardens at St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday night for Splendor in the Glass, a fundraiser for children's art education programs at the museum.
Co-chairs Wendy LaTorre and Kevin Harrington, both veteran infomercial experts, invited friends and colleagues to the benefit, which drew a host of new patrons and was, by all accounts, a smash social and financial hit.
"There was a lot of energy in that room," said Carol Upham, who heads the board of directors. "These people never sat down. It was a spectacular event."
The crowd toured the Dale Chihuly glass exhibition, heard performances by singer Rick Derringer and comedian Frankie Kramer, and bid enthusiastically during the auction conducted by Allan Baitcher, of Red Baron Antiques.
All the food and libations, served primarily in the gardens, were donated by Outback Steakhouse, Cafe Ponte, Amici's Catered Cuisine, Rita Carlino's Catering, Bonefish Grill, Royal Chocolates and Custom Cakes, and Mattison's Culinary Group.
Event team leaders were Dawn DiTata, Monica Sinclair, Will Ezell, Elaine Lucadano, Johnny Green and Donna Hamilton.
Attendees included Dr. Bill LaTorre, Jen Holloway, Reginald Roundtree, Mel Arthur, Sean and Beth Morean Manning, Valerie Scott Knaust, Tim and Anje Bogott, Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside, Bill and Michelle Barlow, Alice Roess, Cecil Martin, Brenda Thompson, Roger and Sally Zeh, John Schloder and Tom Gessler.
Major sponsors were the Manning Family Foundation, Outback Steakhouse and Reliant Corp.
Fragrant gardenias, jasmine and a garden of other flowering plants scented the Mahaffey Theater for Saturday's Stars on the Bay gala to benefit the theater's foundation. The plantings, from Jene's Tropicals, also were onstage, where patrons were seated for dinner and a Stages Production performance of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Because I had double duty, I missed the production, but several guests later said the adult version of the children's classic struggled in its attempts at humor and was puerile and strained. That's not the sort of thing you want to hear at a fundraiser, but the Mahaffey's core supporters are a staunch, loyal bunch.
Attendees included Ed and Marlene Camejo, Bill and Sally Wallace, Tom and Victoria Dunn, Wanda Hayes-Riddick, Bill and Jeanne Heller, Helen Feinberg, Kerry and Linda Kay O'Reilly, Dick and Natalie Oliver, Hal and Michelle Reddick, Marcie Grymes, Jack and Barbara Haining and the Rev. Fred Terry.
Major sponsors were Bright House Networks, Tampa Bay Metro, Star Graphics and Raymond James Financial.
The April 28 party to launch Citi Life, the slick new St. Petersburg-centric magazine, drew an eclectic crowd to the Martini Bar in BayWalk, where publisher Sterling Powell was the man of the moment.
The artist, writer, radio personality and interactive-media celebrity often wears brightly colored satin suits, but Powell chose a more laid-back look for last week's event: straw cowboy hat, tropical print shirt, vivid pareo. Think sarong, as in the garment recently popularized by Brit soccer superstar David Beckham.
Citi Life's premier edition features profiles of several Sunshine City cultural leaders, fashion photos featuring swimsuits for men and women, activity listings, and a letter from St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker. Excerpts from his book Mangroves to Major Leagues will appear in each issue; the initial publication schedule is eight times per year.
Marilyn and Roy Deeb, the unofficial parents of ALPHA, were among the first to arrive at Thursday night's gala celebrating the organization's 25th anniversary.
The acronym stands for its founding principles - acceptance, life, purpose, hope and accomplishment - key ingredients in the lives of many pregnant girls and women who have needed help since the Deebs organized ALPHA in 1979.
Kelly Crowe, the residential program director, is on maternity leave for another few weeks but stopped by the St. Petersburg Woman's Club with baby daughter Lindsey. Crowe's husband, Forrest, had another commitment for the evening.
Members of the gala committee were Christina Broadwell, Debra Gramlich, Patrice Hammill, Mary Ann Smith, Larry and Maureen Ahern, Bill Holmes Jr., Rob Broadwell and Sue Brett, who was mistress of ceremonies. Lonnie Malatino is ALPHA's board president, and Diane Gerber is director of administration and development. The benefit's major sponsors were Saunders & Walker and Allergy Associates.
Community Action Stops Abuse changed its fundraising strategy from a nighttime event to a luncheon and fashion show on Thursday and drew a capacity crowd to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club ballroom.
It was Luci Sheehan's idea to theme the event "A Good Night's Sleep," which abuse victims rarely experience. Stein Mart's Karen Agnello devised vignettes throughout the ballroom that featured home decor from the store. Informal modeling featured leisure wear and night clothes; board members Mike Gilson and Jason Green wore pajamas and robes.
CASA executive director Linda Osmundson introduced residential director Clarissa Hersey-James, who spoke of experiencing degrading physical abuse in her childhood home, seeking refuge in substance abuse and eventually becoming an accomplished professional.
CASA Auxiliary members, or Amigas, Audrey Wood, Rosemary Schrader, Susan Fisher and Lisa Munafo helped coordinate the event along with CASA staffers Cory Adler Leidersdorff and Deborah Williams.
SPIFFS, the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, honored people of the year at its international ball April 24, singling out Mayor Rick Baker and St. Petersburg College president Carl Kuttler for leading the joint celebration of the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, Russia, and the 100th anniversary of St. Petersburg.
The Filipino clubs' Amy Mancol chaired the event; founder Bethia Caffery was the speaker, and president Macari Bishara presented awards.
- Mary Jane Park can be reached at 727 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.