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On the town

Bayfront on Vine tasters raise a healthy amount

By MARY JANE PARK
Published January 29, 2006

Bayfront on Vine raised more than $125,000 for the Bayfront Health Foundation on Jan. 21, reportedly the largest sum in its 10-year history.

With writer Stephen King and artist Peter Max featured at other events that evening, I arrived late to the wine and food tasting, held in St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Plaza building.

There were goodies from Einstein Bros., Fresco's, the Melting Pot, Marchand's at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, O'Bistro, Sunshine City Grill, Toojay's and Red Mesa in St. Petersburg; Michael's on East, Sarasota; Salt Rock Grill, Indian Shores; Island Way Grill, Clearwater Beach; and Wild Fish, Clearwater.

Eighteen wineries were represented at the tasting, and Premier Beverage Co. set up a martini bar.

I did get a taste of scrumptious duck and lentils from chef s Tom Pritchard and Barry Spaulding.

The crowd included hospital executive Sue Brody, Colleen Vieux, Kanika and Terry Tomalin and Ralph and Mary Lou Crawford. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, also a Republican gubernatorial candidate, was there, escorting Katie Pemble.

The guest list also included Dr. Akshay and Seema Desai, Dr. Susan Beaven and Tom Beaven, Russ and Nancy Bond, Dr. Kenneth and Nancy Bryant, Kevin and Stephanie Dyer, Cary and Joan Putrino, Bill and Sylvia Lane, Pat Mason, Clark Mason, David and Teddi Robbins, Charlie and Laurie Lowe, Jeff and Janice Harring, Bill and Jean Heller, Mary Wyatt Allen, Niel Allen, Dr. Royce and Priscilla Hobby, Nancy Rutland and Chris Sabo.

Friday evening's premier vintner partner parties, held Jan. 20, took place in the homes of Dick and Sandy Averitt, with dinner by Julian's and wine from Icon Estates; Fred and Karol Bullard of Clearwater, with dinner from Michael's on East and wines from Morgan Winery; Dr. Mehul and Nila Shah, dinner from Wild Fish in Clearwater, wines from Charles Krug; Drs. Casey Gaines and Virginia Ward, dinner from the Wine Cellar, wines from Rutz Cellars; and Norm and Maureen Dobiesz, dinner prepared by a private professional chef, wines from B.R. Cohn.

The Renaissance Vinoy participated in the evening in the Pollywog Room at the Sunset Vinoy Golf Club, with dinner from its own Marchand's and a wine discussion with Phil Dickhaus.

Jeff Hearn led the event committee for the third, and we hear, final year, assisted by Emily Benham, Kathy Carlson, Martha Little, Susan Clarke, Amy Dowden, Bob Hilton, Lynda Jollay, Chip and Ginger Jones, Deborah Menendez, Kathy Nelsen, Risa Young, Clark Smith, Terry Stubensey, Renee Svec, Colleen Pelton, Mike Prainito, Donna Hearn, Ericka Baltz, Brenda Shaffer and Debbie Janes.

The St. Petersburg Bar Foundation's second annual Heroes Among Us dinner at the Don CeSar Beach Resort on Jan. 21 honored four lawyers - Pam Campbell, former St. Petersburg Mayor Bob Ulrich and partners Lenny Milcowitz and Ed Lyons - for their community leadership and volunteerism.

The foundation also recognized retired Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Thomas E. Penick, who attended with his wife, Leeanne.

The St. Petersburg Bar Association established an award in Penick's name in 2001 to honor his contributions to the community; it is awarded annually to a Stetson University College of Law graduating senior who has exemplified community service.

The foundation surprised Judge Penick by announcing a $28,000 endowment for the award.

Campbell represented Bob and Mary Schindler, parents of the late Terry Schiavo, in a right-to-life lawsuit. She has been a political worker in Washington, D.C., and volunteers in numerous public service organizations.

Ulrich, the bar association magazine said, "has created, developed, directed and led organizations, firms and companies for 45 years" in St. Petersburg. He helped to attract Major League Baseball and encouraged business development downtown and had a prominent role in the Salvador Dali Museum, the Florida Orchestra and First United Methodist Church.

Milcowitz and Lyons established the Extra Innings Youth Foundation, which works with at-risk children to improve academic achievement and develop skills in every aspect of baseball.

Judy Stanton and Nancy Biesinger were co-chairwomen for the event, assisted by David Abbey, Campbell, Danell DeBerg, Camille Iurillo, Eric Ludin and Tom Masterson.

Faux pas on my part: The Junior League of St. Petersburg's inaugural Mayoral Ball on Jan. 20 raised more than $100,000 for three children's charities: the league, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and the Doorways Scholarship Program.

Wednesday's On the Town column dropped a zero, vastly understating the amount of money that will be contributed to those three organizations.

Today

ART FESTIVAL BETH-EL: 33rd annual event. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Beefy Cafe open. 573-1553.

Monday

ART FESTIVAL BETH-EL: 33rd annual event. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Performance, luncheon (reservations required). Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 573-1553.

EBONY FASHION FAIR: Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sponsors 48th annual event. 8 p.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $30 advance, $35 at the door; includes subscription to Ebony or Jet. 871-2265.

Saturday

DIAMOND DREAMS - DIAMOND MIRACLES: 75th annual Charity Ball. All Children's Hospital Evening Guild event features dining, dancing, jazz, comedy club. Black tie. 7 p.m. Palm Court Ballroom, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $250. 823-4300; www.allkids.org

WINE, ART & HEART: Food and wine tasting, museum tour, silent auction benefit King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church, Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. 7-10 p.m. Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. $50. 560-3863.

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.

[Last modified January 29, 2006, 01:27:17]