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Warming to artists; locals buoy aquarium
© St. Petersburg Times Carolyn Heller greeted everyone who walked through the door of her South Tampa condominium Thursday evening with a smile and an Alabama accent that 40 years in Tampa has not changed. The local artist was having her 5th annual holiday happy hour, and her warmth was equaled only by ... well, the warm weather we've been having lately. Sure, you could buy one of her paintings, and she jokingly said she gave everyone a stare who left empty-handed (at least I think she was joking). But this was an event as much as it was a reception. A live jazz ensemble was on the patio, roasted pecans were served in the living room and everyone was raving about Heller's gumbo. Among the guests were county commissioners Pat Frank and Jan Platt and Judge Susan Bucklew. Joining Heller for the second consecutive year was fellow artist Josette Urso. The New York resident has had her paintings exhibited in major cities, but she is one of our own, having grown up in Temple Terrace. Like Heller, the night was about reconnecting with old friends for Urso. And about her crafted jewelry, something of a side hobby that attracts plenty of attention. For me, it was just another chance to enjoy Tampa's art community after being immersed in sports for years. I'm discovering an eclectic, yet wonderfully friendly group of people. No one in the tourism industry is doing business like gangbusters these days, but outgoing Florida Aquarium director Jeffery Swanagan said attendance at his attraction is on an upswing. Swanagan's theory is fairly simple. He believes the Sept. 11 attacks have prompted people to spend more time with families, so while tourists may not be flocking to town, people are coming to town to see relatives. And when families look to do something as a group, they come to the aquarium. "The locals are really coming through for us," said Swanagan, who has accepted a new job as executive director of a planned $200-million aquarium in Atlanta. I talked to Swanagan at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon Thursday. Of all the things on the program, the most impressive was the chorus of girls from a group called Entertainment Revue, who regaled the crowd of 1,100 with a medley of patriotic songs. They never missed a beat and were as polished as Britney Spears -- maybe more so when you consider they were not lip-synching. The Seabreeze has shuttered its doors for now, but it's not gone forever. International Ship Repair, which owns the venerable seafood spot, is searching for a new restauranteur after a failed managing attempt by Rita Carlino. Carlino was splitting her time between the Seabreeze and Carlino's on 7th, and now both restaurants have shut down. International Ship Repair president Tad Humphreys said he believes the longtime patrons of the Seabreeze, which has been on Causeway Boulevard since 1922, are ready to come back if he can find the right person to handle the day-to-day operations. Quick hits: Here's another art event to check out: The Tampa Museum of Art and Avant Garde are expecting more than 3,000 people to attend The No Show tonight outside the museum. Art images will be projected on the outside wall and there also will be a fashion show, a laser show and plenty of funky art on display. ... Former Gov. Bob Martinez was honored as the outgoing chamber chairman at Thursday's Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and then Thursday night the Sales and Marketing Executives of Tampa Bay named Martinez the marketing executive of the year. ... Viva La Frida, the cafe and gallery on N Florida Avenue in Seminole Heights, is having a daylong benefit for foster kids Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Admission to the entertainment in the courtyard is an unwrapped toy. ... Former Buc Jorge Diaz read A Visit from St. Nicholas to a group of 68 underprivileged kids at Verizon's downtown headquarters. It's part of Verizon's literacy program, and more important, it's great to have good-guy Diaz back in the community. -- Ernest Hooper can be reached at 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com.
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Times columns today Robert Trigaux From the Times Metro desks |
