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Letter to the editor

On the town

By Mary Jane Park, Times Staff Writer
Published February 20, 2008

02.08.08

Organizers held their collective breaths for a bit, but the weather was perfect for "Wine Lovers in Paradise," the Napa Valley Vintners event to benefit Abilities Foundation.

Patrons gathered at the St. Petersburg estate of entrepreneur Fazal Fazlin to sample numerous Napa vintages and food from some of the bay area's best restaurants.

Some of the best: a Camembert soup, buttery escolar, lamb meatballs, lamb sausage and - perhaps the surprise of the evening - mouth-watering morsels of pork belly.

Raymond James was the presenting sponsor for the event, whose chief organizers included Frank DeLucia and Sandy Libertore of Abilities,KatCorcoran from the Napa Valley Vintners,Howard Sachs, Kathleen Calkins and Tom Pritchard.

Abilities serves numerous clients, providing employment, housing and health care for people with disabilities.

02.02.08

Big lighted palm trees and chameleonic multicolored bar covers gave a tropical theme to Hot! Hot! Hot!, the All Children's Charity Ball held in the Palm Court Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

The 77th annual event was an ambitious fundraiser for the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Petersburg's All Children's Hospital.

The crowd included All Children's president and chief executive Gary Carnes and foundation executive vice president Joel Momberg, Stephanie Goforth, Joe and Joanne Fleece, David and Harriet Dyer, Drs. Reggie and Mendee Ligon, Jay and Cynthia Fleece, Janet Raymond, Mary Wyatt Allen, Bill and Sylvia Lane, Scott Wagman and dozens more community supporters.

Chairwoman Trudy Ramsay and assistant chairman Tish McQuillen led a huge committee of volunteers from the hospital's evening branch guild that included Leslie Bridges, Twila Davis, Tricia Davidson, Judy Dreyer, Judy Edwards, Suzie Fulton, Lee Given, Shonee Hadlock, Sue Hands, Rosie Jewel, Terri Kiefer, Claire Lesinski, Janet Lynn, Cheryl Matala, Carole McGurk, Estelia Messimer, Sandy Moss, Carol Nelson, Mary Nelson, Jarrett Potts, Marjie Ruth and Carol Strother.

01.26.08

Organizers of this year's Art Festival Beth-El dedicated the 35th anniversary exhibition to Ellie Argintar and Sonia Miller, whose good cheer and indefatigable efforts have been hallmarks of the event.

To both women's surprise, Tampa glass artist Duncan McClellan created two vessels of red Murano glass for them and donated the works in their honor.

Both were sand-blasted with symbols of tzedakah, a Hebrew word that indicates charity, and Adonai, translated as "Lord," as well as a tree of life with flames.

The works signify the women's passion for the arts, life and their community.

The presentation was made in connection with one of the festival patron parties at Temple Beth-El.

[Last modified February 19, 2008, 23:01:10]