Final Phase Open for Sales
A Breath of Fresh Air © Belleview Place, LLC 2014
From sweeping fairway views to grand, light-filled floor plans, Carriage Homes brighten your outlook while giving you more time to explore the wonders outside your door. Each Carriage Home boasts a private elevator, expansive terraces and no need for flood insurance as our serene, gated community rests atop a 35-foot bluff. Enjoy carefree, low-maintenance living and world-class, resort-style amenities just steps away, from 240 acres of stunning golf courses at Belleair Country Club to poolside leisure at the Belleview Inn. Come tour one of our extraordinary model homes today—but don’t delay. Our last, highly sought-after Carriage Homes are moving into the final stage of construction. After these homes are completed, no more are planned for development.
© Belleview Place, LLC 2014
Mid-rise Residences & Carriage Homes from the mid $700s
6 Hibiscus Lane
n
Belleair, FL 33756
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BelleviewPlace.com
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727-469-7070
© Belleview Place, LLC 2014
Experience town home living like never before. Carriage Homes from the low $800s.
Last luxurious Carriage Homes open for sales at Belleview Place Only six homes remain in this renowned resort-style community Belleview Place, Belleair’s most esteemed new resort-style community, nears the final stages of completion with the last Carriage Homes open for sales. After these six exquisite properties are sold, no more Carriage Homes are scheduled for development. Truly Unique Two-Story Homes Unlike traditional, tightly designed town homes, these revolutionary two-story properties are purposely built much wider—grand, open floor plans and oversized windows brighten living areas while further enhancing every inch of space. Beyond sheer square footage, beautiful, purposeful design is built into every facet of these low-maintenance homes. The master suite is situated on the first floor of both A and B floor plans, and all Carriage
Homes feature a private elevator to easily transition between floors. Additionally, all homes feature a two-car garage, a customizable selection of cabinetry, floors and fixture and two spacious terraces to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. Most remarkably, no flood insurance is required as this serene, gated community rests atop a 35-foot bluff. A Community Like No Other Belleview Place offers much more than luxurious homes. Here, neighbors become close friends and families of multiple generations grow together. Just steps from your front door, you’ll find a wealth of amenities including the Belleair Country Club, a world-renowned club with two championship golf courses, a 10,000-squarefoot fitness facility and spa. Best of all, the
purchase of any residence includes a credit toward the initiation to this prestigious club. Additionally, the Belleview Inn, a restored grand hotel, resides at the heart of the community. Ideal for entertaining company poolside, the Inn boasts a palm-tree lined deck, soothing spa and colorful cabanas. After your swim, indulge in Maisie’s Coffee & Treats, a re-imagined ice cream parlor from the original hotel. With ample floor plans and a bountiful community to match, all six Carriage Homes are sure to sell quickly. For more information, visit our Welcome Center at 6 Hibiscus Lane, Belleair, FL 33756, call 727-469-7070 or visit BelleviewPlace.com.
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
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CONTENTS THE A TO Z ISSUE
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PIER ONE Photos from the first two days in the life of the new St. Pete Pier. BY DAVID WARNER
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FROM AUTO TO ZOOM From A to Z, they’ve been making a difference in the quality of our lives.
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BY DAVID WARNER
53 PARADISE WITHOUT A PASSPORT Introducing our new in-state travel series with a jaunt to Longboat Key. BY CINDY COCKBURN
56
BOURBON STREET A review of “Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon?”
58 ITALIAN OR AMERICAN? A trans-Atlantic wine list at Olivia.
BY MICHELE CARDINAL
BY TRACEY SEREBIN
59 LIVING COLOURS A sampling of the best in Black design.
BY MICHELLE CAPPELLI GORDON
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THE BAILEY BUNCH Ron Bailey and sons award more than $2 million in scholarships a year. BY ERIC SNIDER
78 ROLLIN’ DOWN THE TRAIL A trip down Tamiami in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge.
BY HOWARD WALKER
IN EVERY ISSUE: PUBLISHER’S LETTER PAGE 4 | EDITOR’S LETTER PAGE 6 | REAL ESTATE 61 | PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE 80 | BACK PAGE 88
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FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Reader, Here at the duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay, our goal has always been to build a mediabased community where people can learn how to be livelier, more informed and more interested in the exploration of life. We have endeavored to not advance any kind of deliberate political rhetoric that might undermine that goal. Of course, everything is somewhat political, and we have encouraged our editors to embrace that provided they do so with intellectual and social rigor. Lately our efforts to achieve our goals have seemed somewhat shallow, especially at a time when almost every major metropolitan area in the United States is in the midst of a crisis and we are still facing the resurgence of a worldwide pandemic. Perhaps the greatest injustice before us at this time is the one upon which everything else is predicated: the malicious mistreatment of Black Americans by some of the very forces that have been sworn to protect them. To that end we have spent some time with KanikaTomalin, deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, and Freddy Barton, executive director of Safe & Sound Hillsborough. Both have provided unique insights into the daily struggles of the Black community to engage the white community in a process that should be called “Understanding Understanding.” While we cannot put on each other’s shoes or experience each other’s lives, we can seek to understand how each of us “Understands.” That’s going to require a lot of listening and a lot of thoughtful cooperation. All of us at the duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay are on board and ready to accept those challenges. We urge you to do the same. Have a great day Tampa Bay,
P.S. A special note to draw your attention to this issue’s Back Page feature. This special double-page tribute reflects our efforts to find unsung heroes who go about their daily lives trying to make the world and our community a better place. In the face of a worldwide pandemic, leadership comes in many forms. Our profile features Jim Myers, president and COO of the Crown Automotive Group. He is one of those businessmen who believe the bottom line is just as much about people as dollars. 4
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FROM THE EDITOR “She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B.” That’s the infamous quip reputedly made by Dorothy Parker about an early performance by Katherine Hepburn. Witty, yes, but slightly unfair, given Hepburn’s subsequent career. Still, a limited emotional palette seems almost enviable at the moment, given that we’ve all been running the gamut from A to Z and back again, buffeted by an unprecedented confluence of disasters both natural and man-made. Which brings me to this, our annual A to Z issue — which, given the circumstances, needed to be more than our usual encyclopedia of luxuries great and small. We decided to celebrate the people and businesses who have been successfully riding the turbulent waves of change. Some you may recognize from past issues, some are new to dRTB — but all have stepped up to improve the quality of our lives. Hospitals and Realtors, restaurants and theaters, schools and salons — they’ve faced unprecedented challenges, yet found innumerable ways to adapt. Then there are the businesses we turned to when others were closed to us. In our new stay-at-home-but-getoutside-safely mode, we needed new bicycles and boats, gardens and pools to maintain some semblance of sanity. And we could not survive the current crises without our lifelines: Banks, newspapers, volunteers, even the U.S Postal Service made it onto this year’s A to Z list. Even in the midst of the uncertainty we’re living with, we can’t stop dreaming. So we hope you’ll enjoy Cindy Cockburn’s report from the Resort at Longboat Key Club and Howard Walker’s Olde Florida excursion in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge. Closer to home, the new St. Pete Pier is finally open, and I took a few shots during its opening days. Speaking of shots, no one will begrudge you an extra tipple these days, so the time is right for Michele Cardinal’s review of a new book about entertaining with bourbon and Tracey Serebin’s interview with a sommelier. (And whether you’re staying in or venturing out, Michelle Cappelli Gordon’s alluring selection of fashions by Black designers offers plenty of dress-up options.) Generosity of spirit is a valued commodity at any time, but especially needed right now: Eric Snider introduces us to a family of benefactors named Bailey, and our People Helping People section once more celebrates the selfless. May you stay safe and healthy throughout this unpredictable summer, and please stay in touch. Thanks for reading!
David Warner Editor in Chief dwarner@dupontregistry.com 6
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PUBLISHER/CEO Thomas L. duPont EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Warner We are following full guidelines to provide a safe and clean environment for your benefit.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bruce Bicknell DIGITAL MEDIA Eric Kennedy SALES MANAGER/COMMUNITY RELATIONS Molly duPont - Mdupont@dupontregistry.com DIRECTOR OF MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS Rosemary Nye - Rnye@dupontregistry.com DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS Tracey Serebin - Tserebin@dupontregistry.com DIRECTOR OF BAY AREA SALES Sharon Castellano - Scastellano@dupontregistry.com ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Ron Barreto, Marty Binder, Cindy Carr, John D. Chapman, Jill Massicotte CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Michele Cardinal, Michelle Cappelli Gordon, Cindy Cockburn, Tracey Serebin, Eric Snider, Howard Walker PRESS MANAGEMENT Charlie Walsh PRODUCTION MANAGER Tony Alvis
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Carol Bressler
SALES ASSISTANT Kaitlyn Bland CORPORATE ADDRESS 4600 140th Ave N, Suite 210, Clearwater,FL 33762 727-897-8337 WEB / SOCIAL MEDIA www. dupontregistrytampabay.com @dupregtampabay
The duPont REGISTRY™ is copyright 2020 by Registry Media, LLC. All rights reserved. duPont REGISTRY™, duPont REGISTRY Luxury Living in Tampa Bay, the Steering Wheel design, dupontregistry.com™, and various titles and headings herein, are trademarks of duPont Publishing, Inc. and may not be reproduced without written consent. Printed in the U.S.A. Published six times per year. Single copies available at your newsstand or call our publishing office for shipping information. Canadian GST not included in cover price. The pictures for sale and the written offer for sale are the responsibility of the individual advertiser. duPont REGISTRY™ and duPont Publishing, Inc. make no representation or warranty for accuracy or content. All photos become the property of duPont Publishing, Inc. when printed unless otherwise agreed to by the Publisher.
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Pier One
Photos from the first two days in the life of the new St. Pete Pier. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID WARNER
WATCH THE BIRDIE: At the Pier entrance on Bayshore Drive NE, new signage and an errant pelican, part of the sculptural installation “Myth” by Nathan Mabry.
dR Around Town
WHATTA VIEW: The St. Pete skyline as seen from the Pier Teaki Rooftop Bar on July 5.
A
fter years of debate, the new St. Pete Pier is finally here. I attended the media preview on a cloudy Sunday evening, July 5, and returned to celebrate a friend’s birthday the following night when the Pier officially opened to the public. In the upcoming pages of “A to Z,” I take note of the plantings (“L is for Landscaping,” p. 34) and the Yucatan shrimp at Doc Ford’s (“Y is for Yum,” p. 51), but there’s so much more — 26 acres in all. So wear your walking shoes or hop on one of the free (and frequent) trams, and expect to return again and again.
WATCH THIS: The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is compact, but full of fascinating displays like this “One-Second Wave” made of 1,500 plastic bottles — the number of plastic bottles discarded in the U.S. every second.
St. Pete Pier
GROWING STRONG: Sand cordgrass is one of the many Florida native plants in the Coastal Thicket.
TABLES WITH A VIEW: The bay as seen from a perch on Doc Ford’s deck.
NIGHT & DAY: Janet Echelman’s much-discussed aerial installation Bending Arc makes its strongest impact after the sun goes down.
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A
is for AUTOS
Though deemed essential by the state, auto-related businesses have had to deal with all manner of financial pressures, from plant closures to the unpredictability of the car-buying public. But none of that stopped Crown Automotive from giving back. The company extended its 50-years-and-counting record of generosity by purchasing and delivering hundreds of meals to hospital workers. Amidst a slew of closures and cancellations in Tampa Bay’s arts scene, a well-known name in auto sales — Dimmitt Chevrolet Managing Partner Liz Dimmitt — delivered hopeful news. She is the founder and CEO of Fairgrounds, a 12,000-sqft. immersive arts attraction in South St. Pete slated to open in 2021, and in April she and her team issued a request for proposals. “It’s exciting to launch our first call to artists, especially during this extraordinary time,” Dimmitt told the Tampa Bay Times. Finally, it’s good to know that in times of crisis, you don’t have to worry about your car getting stuck in the garage: Banko Overhead Doors not only responds quickly to emergencies with a team of full-time technicians, they’ve put in place a proactive Safe Servicing policy in observance of WHO and CDC guidelines. 16 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
Liz Dimmitt, second from right, with (l to r) Olivia Mansion, Haris Adele Peteranecz, Tyson Johnson and Mikhail Mansion of the Fairgrounds team.
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Carrollwood’s Salon Inga (below left) has been beautifying Tampa heads for more than 30 years, attracting a devoted following that includes both women and men. Run by the powerhouse mother-daughter team of Inga Handing and Tanja Catoe (who’s also co-owner of Crown & Mane in Hyde Park Village), the salon supports such organizations as the American Cancer Society, The AIDS Institute and Children with Hair Loss. The eyes have it — and if your eyes (and eyelids) are showing the wear and tear of worries, weariness or late-night Twitter obsession, then Tampa’s Dr. Adam Scheiner is the man to see. A nationally known ophthalmologist with a specialty in laser eyelid and facial plastic surgery, he has literally written the book on beauty; it’s called The True Definition of Beauty (below center), and its philosophy — that cosmetic procedures should reveal “a patient’s innate natural beauty” — is truly enlightening. And let’s not forget our fingers and toes; Happy Nails in Tampa Palms (below right) stands out not only for the quality of its manicures and pedicures, but for its safety procedures — among the most reassuringly stringent we’ve seen.
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C
is for Celebrations
Chaise Campbell enjoys the drive-by graduation ceremonies (and her new diploma!) at Shorecrest.
Though there’s been so much separating us in the past several months, we humans have found multiple ways to come together and celebrate: drive-by birthday parties; salutes to first responders from balconies and front stoops; virtual happy hours with friends. Most ingeniously, we’ve found new means of observing life’s most significant milestones — for instance, getting married on Zoom so guests from far away can still take part. In some cases, the alternatives have proven so successful that they may become the norm. Take graduation car parades like the one at St. Pete’s Shorecrest Preparatory School; what graduates would ever again want to sit in a football field for hours when they could pick up the diploma in the family mini-van and cruise past friends and faculty with balloons and banners streaming? And consider the virtual solution devised by event planner extraordinaire Brooke Palmer Kuhl of RSBP Events; though she was crushed that her biggest client’s biggest celebration — Bern’s Winefest — couldn’t be held in person, she still found a way to throw a party that everyone loved, complete with a live-streamed performance by Electric Avenue that drew thousands of pageviews and WineFest Quarantine Kits that sold out in two days.
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Join us online for Planters Virtual Fall Luncheon
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
a virtual event honoring our Lois Odence Scholarship Recipients Thursday, October 8, 2020 11am-12pm Virtual Reservations begin at $50 Sponsorships begin at $500
Make your virtual reservation at: give.mpmfoundation.org/2020Planters
Planters Virtual Fall Luncheon
For more information, please contact Marykate Cavanagh at (727) 461-8660 or Marykate.Cavanagh@BayCare.org A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES ON THEIR WEBSITE (800HelpFla.com) OR AT 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. MORTON PLANT MEASE HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, FLORIDA REGISTRATION #CH321 RECEIVES 100% OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS AND DOES NOT USE PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISING SOLICITORS. Please write, email or call us if you wish to have your name removed from the list to receive fund-raising requests supporting the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease Health Care and their affiliates.
FROM A TO Z LET IT BE
W E D D I N G S | E V E N T S | P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S 727.528.9544 | HELLO@RSBPEVENTS.COM | RSBPEVENTS.COM 20 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 20 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
Cappello & Company
D
is for Dining
Restaurants have struggled valiantly these last few months, but many were able to make adjustments that may prove beneficial in the long run. Take take-out, for example; eateries that hadn’t ever made it part of their business found a new audience, and customers found reason to sample places where they’d never dined before. In St. Pete, takeout standouts included Beau & Mo’s, whose ribeye to go was a wonder (and a deal); Trophy Fish, who invented ways to pre-package their stellar cocktails; and Alésia, who built a whole new “Side Window” to accommodate their new pick-up protocols. In Tampa, Whiskey Cake and Rooster & the Till devised ingenious meal kits — the former offering special-occasion kits for everything from Mother’s Day to graduations, the latter putting together alluring packages called Sunday Suppers. With restricted indoor capacity, some eateries took to the streets: Forbici Modern Italian made national news when, thanks to the City of Tampa, they were able to set up a tent on the street outside their restaurant, helping to turn Snow Avenue in Hyde Park Village into an outdoor block party (above). And we can’t neglect to mention the many restaurants that offered free meals to first responders and just plain hungry folks, including Gratzzi, The Burg Diner, Newk’s and Smokin’ J’s. www.duPontREGISTRY. 21
Congratulations Shorecrest Class of 2020! Visit www.shorecrest.org/2020 to meet the class and see the full matriculation list.
#Shorecrest2020
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Campuses of all kinds had to contend with major challenges to classroom routines this spring. Still, students were able to learn online, teachers were able to teach at a distance, and parents discovered to their chagrin that home-schooling is really tough. Higher-ed institutions from the University of South Florida to the Bradenton branch of LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) have met these challenges with frequent updates and multi-phased re-opening plans. The Pinellas County School District, one of the state’s biggest, is making admirable efforts to get input both from medical professionals and the public in its plans for the fall. Meanwhile, top private schools in Pinellas like Shorecrest and Canterbury are offering multiple learning options and keeping parents and students informed of the latest developments via web communiqués. And let’s hear it for the teachers — dedicated, fun-loving souls like the ones at Farnell Middle School in Tampa who reconnected with the students they missed via a Teacher Car Parade.
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F
is for Fashion
Fashion retailers have been riding a roller-coaster of openings, closings and reopenings, and smaller shops have found that the close personal relationships they’ve established with individual customers have paid off. Gianna Accardi, owner of Cabana South in South Tampa, offered at-home try-ons, bringing clothing to clients’ homes. At Canvas Fashion Gallery in St. Pete and Hyde Park Village, owners Michelle Burtch and Shelby Pletcher reopened with “Covid-Friendly” shopping, allowing shoppers to start their own fitting rooms (rather than having a salesperson do it). Jackie Zumba and Brian Kins, co-owners of Jackie Z Style Co in downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping complex, moved across the plaza to a new location and threw a grand opening party — on the night before everything had to close due to the pandemic. They quickly adjusted by going live on Facebook to showcase their luxury fashions and gifts and offered shipping and same-day home delivery. The downtown Tampa location of Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing reopened in May; the upscale men’s store (which has outposts in Tampa, Sarasota and Beverly Hills) has found particular success with its line of masks, which are made by an in-house tailor. Sartorial Inc., the men’s clothing boutique just off St. Pete’s Beach Drive, also reopened in May, but before they did, they sanitized the whole store and now steam every piece of clothing customers try on but don’t buy, and then put it aside for 24 hours. Owner Jose Martinez says the response since he reopened has been “uplifting. Customers are genuinely trying to come out and support small businesses.”
Thanks to Style Editor Michelle Cappelli Gordon for her tips.
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Enrolling for 2020-21 School Year Call to schedule a tour of our campus
www.skycrest.us 129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-797-1186 tel • 727-797-8516 fax
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G
is for Giving
Crises raise consciousness — and funds. The Vinik Family Foundation gave $1 million to Metropolitan Ministries to help the organization meet increasing food demands due to steep increases in unemployment. Tampa’s newest power couple, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, paid for 750,000 meals through Feeding Tampa Bay. Publix Supermarkets also made food and monetary donations to help the hungry, and addressed cries for racial justice with a $1 million gift to the National Urban League. Committed to the idea that progress toward equality can only take place when there is equal opportunity in education, many foundations are making notable investments in children’s futures. The Bailey Family Foundation annually awards scholarships to top students in every high school in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties (read more on p. 75). The Bullard Family Foundation, led by Thaddeus Bullard (above), gets Hillsborough’s kids fully equpped for school with backpacks, physicals and a Back to School Bash. The Milkey Family Foundation gave $50,000 to the Dr. G. Carter Woodson African American Museum’s Woodson Warrior Scholarship Fund, inspired by artist Jane Bunker’s collaboration with the museum to fund college scholarships for African American students through auctions of her paintings. The Milkeys committed an additional $50k each year to the fund for the next 10 years. (Kevin and Jeanne Milkey also showed their support to education this spring with a $1 million donation to the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center on the new St. Pete Pier.) And circling back to Jeff Vinik (as things often do around here): The Tampa Bay Times reported in June that his foundation has committed $3 million to improving early-childhood education. He calls it “venture philanthropy;” we give that idea a G — for Great.
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H
is for Health Care
We ran the now-iconic image above in our last issue without explanation. Here’s the story behind it: The couple, Mindy and Ben Cayer, are certified nurse anesthetists at Tampa General Hospital. Ben told a TGH videographer that they’d been arguing about “unimportant things” on the way to the hospital the day the photo was taken, but later — after doing “intubation after intubation after intubation,” said Mindy — they finally got a break. “At that point,” said Ben, “we’d just realized that all that stuff we were arguing about was trivial and that we were just grateful we were able to serve together as a couple.” The courage of dedicated medical professionals like these has been in daily evidence throughout the pandemic, their good work prompting generous gifts like that of Eddie and Candy DeBartolo, who gave $7.65 million to TGH, including $2.5 million toward treatment of patients with COVID-19. For the 15 hospitals in the BayCare Health System, from Morton Plant to St. Anthony’s to Winter Haven, the bywords are “Screening, Separating, Sanitizing and Safeguarding” — raising their already superb standard of care to an even higher level of excellence. And for those patients — particularly the youngest — who need care outside the hospital, it’s good to know there’s a resource like Sonas Home Health Care. In its more than 20 years of operation (including an expansion to the Tampa Bay area in 2011), its personnel — skilled nurses and nurses’ assistants certified to work with adults, children and the elderly — have more than lived up to the company’s goals of providing home care “that inspires people to live life to the fullest.” Photo by Nicole Hubbard, CRNA, courtesy Tampa General Hospital.
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I
is for Interior Designs
“A knack for bringing the indoors and outdoors into perfect, contrasting harmony”— that’s how Kim Levell describes her design skills, and the combination would seem to be the perfect match for this moment. Her interiors (above) are alive with the brilliant colors of Florida’s landscape, while her welcoming exterior “rooms” blend natural settings with elegant furnishings so that you’re at once inside and out — a tonic at a time when the world beyond our doors is so unsettling. Stephanie Smart of S.P.A.C.E. is another designer who’s keenly aware of the new demands being placed on interiors now that we’re spending so much time at home; her own designs, from the deluxe condos of ONE St. Petersburg to her own bespoke bungalow in Roser Park, marry comfort and Zoom-ready style. Ethan Allen’s design teams are a reliable source of inspiration whether you’re upgrading your home office, prettying up the patio or just generally sprucing up your shelter. And even though the future of going out to entertainment events is still hazy, it has been wonderful to see the transformation of Ruth Eckerd Hall, where thanks to the vision of Decker Ross Interiors and the generosity of donors Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton, a portion of the newly expanded lobby has become a glamorous cabaret (below).
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J
is for Jets
Private jets, that is. Right now, they may be the best way to travel. At Sheltair, the nationwide aviation services company with five hangars at Tampa International, GM Clayton Lackey has seen more and more people switching to private aviation instead of flying first class on commercial; that increase has helped pump up the company’s business from rentals and charter services. Staying open through the pandemic, Sheltair created an extra layer of customer service, making sure to put safety protocols in place and encouraging employees to get a sense from customers what their comfort levels were as they got ready to fly, and to give them the space they desired. And for the busy executive or impulsive traveler who needs a private jet in a hurry, a Wheels Up membership is the answer, with a range of options from the airborne equivalent of ride-shares to a guarantee of aircraft access up to 365 days a year with as little as 24 hours’ notice. And there’s this: Wheels Up teamed up this spring with Feeding America in an initiative called Meals Up to provide 10 million meals to those facing hunger during the COVID-19 crisis.
K
is for Kitchens
Cooking at home a lot more? Why not make your kitchen as beautiful and efficient as possible? Thankfully, there are local businesses that are able and willing to help. Londos Fine Cabinetry in Largo offers designs in Modern, Transitional and Traditional styles, from the gleaming expanse of white and glass in an ultra-modern home on Snell Isle to the subtle silver and taupe of a kitchen on Crescent Lake (above). At J&B Fine Cabinetry, the design team maps out the process for remodeling or creating a new kitchen from budgeting to installation, with results that can be as sleek and shiny or as warm and welcoming (below) as the client wishes. With roots in Tampa Bay since 1983 and showrooms in Tampa and St. Pete, J&B gives back to their communities by donating reusable cabinetry to Habitat for Humanity. The folks at JAMCO Unlimited, a family business in Safety Harbor, call themselves bath and kitchen magicians, and judging by the multiple awards they’ve won from Houzz and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, they’ve made plenty of magic. Plus, they’re upfront with customers about the potential vagaries of supply chains and permitting during these uncertain times, and help clients maintain social distance through online tools that allow them to manage and receive support for their projects remotely.
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L
is for Landscape Design
Much of the (seemingly endless) controversy over the new St. Pete Pier has focused on showy bits like Janet Echelman’s multi-million-dollar aerial installation Bending Arc. But the biggest kudos should go to the landscape design teams. Brooklyn-based W Architecture & Landscape Architecture worked with local partners KimleyHorn on the Pier approach, including the Gateway — a formerly nondescript stretch of 2nd Ave. N. that’s been transformed into a grand palm-lined boulevard (pictured). And NYC-based Ken Smith Workshop worked with St. Pete’s Booth Design Group on the over-water section of the Pier, where the lush Coastal Thicket pays enthralling homage to Florida’s native plant life. Homeowners never have to deal with landscaping jobs on the scale of the Pier, of course, but they expect the same attention to quality, to natural beauty, and most important, to the details which make a greenscape unique. That’s what they get when they enlist the services of Landscapes by Randy Lee. “You are original and so is your home,” says Lee. “We understand that.” His expansive portfolio, encompassing gardens from Fort Lauderdale to Clearwater Beach, stands as clear evidence of his exquisite eye and versatility.
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Photo by David Warner
M
is for Money
For small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, a rescue loan from the government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was the only thing that enabled them to keep their doors open; according to a USA Today study, community banks were found to be particularly effective in securing such loans. A standout in this regard was Pilot Bank, which funded over 730 PPP loans totaling $119 million; during the second round of loans, its employees worked through the night to make sure loans were expedited in time, Pilot President Rita Lowman told the Tampa Bay Business Journal in April. Bank of America has stepped up on both a local and national scale, granting $875,000 to 18 Tampa Bay nonprofits dealing with issues related to COVID-19 and committing $1 billion nationally to help drive economic opportunity, health care initiatives and racial equality, particularly focused on creating opportunity for people and communities of color. And when businesses are faced with multiple challenges as they are now — a time when clear messaging and quick action are imperative — they know they can turn to Tucker/Hall. The Tampa-based PR and communications consulting firm usually counsels its clients on just one aspect of their business: strategy, crisis or planning. Now clients are seeking counsel on all three.
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Newspapers were already in a beleagured state before the pandemic; print advertising was cratering, politicians were crying “Fake News!” and readers were retreating into cable and social media bubbles where the news actually was fake. Come the pandemic, conditions worsened for many publications, leading to layoffs and reduced page counts. Yet look at the vital work newspapers are continuing to do, both in print and online. The Tampa Bay Times wins deserved awards for the work of writers like Lane DeGregory, whose humanity shines through in every word she writes. The alt-weekly Creative Loafing (my former employer) manages to produce an amazing amount of excellent content in print and online despite having had its full-time edit staff reduced to two. The Weekly Challenger continues to be a strong voice for the Black community — a voice we should all be listening to. And at a time when local papers across the country are dying out, it’s been great to see one getting reborn: The Gabber, the heart and soul of Gulfport. The 52-year-old independent weekly seemed in danger of going away forever when its owners decided earlier this year to throw in the towel, but a former Gabber columnist, Cathy Salustri, came to the rescue and purchased it with her husband and business partner Barry Loper. Returning at first as an online-only publication and debuting in print on July 9, the new Gabber shines with a mix of sassy attitude and solid reporting that should assure its survival for at least another half-century. (Pictured: Gabber Publisher Cathy Salustri Loper and Creative Director Joey Neill with their first issue. Photo: David Warner.)
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O
is for Online Arts Courtesy Creative Pinellas
These are trying times for artists, but they’ve got one big thing going for them: they’re good at creative problem-solving. Chad Mize, unable to throw the festive openings that Mize Gallery is known for, leads virtual patrons through his group shows via Facebook Live. David Michael Bowers, a nationally known painter who recently relocated from Pittsburgh to Madeira Beach, is rethinking ways of showcasing his work that don’t depend on galleries; you can see multiple examples of his remarkable “Realism with an Edge” at dmbowers.com. The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete, opting to remain closed for the summer, assembled a full slate of #MuseumfromHome programs, including reports on its rooftop honeybees. The Straz Center’s “The Show Must Go On” linked to a wealth of performance content and lore. freeFall hosted Zoom discussions of productions streamed by the UK’s National Theatre Live; Stageworks and Jobsite offered storytimes, games and favorite performers; and American Stage went all out with a summer of virtual performances and classes, including a superbly acted Zoom Othello set in a contemporary police station (below right). Bob Devin Jones, the artistic director of the Studio@620, reprised his acclaimed one-man show, Uncle Bends: A Home-Cooked Negro Narrative, as a livestream from his living room. And at Creative Pinellas, the online innovations were manifold, including a Virtual Arts Festival that raised thousands for the Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund; “walk-through” exhibitions of work by established and emerging artists (above); Cindy Stovall’s international variety show Beauty & the Burg Live! Around the World; and an ever-expanding roster of content under the rubric “Arts In” (below left). Courtesy of American Stage
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Creative Pinellas
David Michael Bowers
“Listen”, 24 x 18, oil on panel If you would like to be added to the distribution email list to see future available work, please send your email address to rogersartrep@yahoo.com.
For more information about David’s work visit www.dmbowers.com For a private studio tour in Madeira Beach - 412-296-6000 www.duPontREGISTRY.
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P
is for Pools
“With people sheltering at home, and with their backyard available, it’s an attractive idea to add to them.” So said Olympus Pools President James Staten in a story in our Health & Happiness Issue this spring, in which he told dRTB’s Eric Snider that his company was getting more and more inquiries about pool upgrades, especially from the luxury sector. By the look of the pools they create (pictured), Olympus clearly knows how to make those upgrades look as snazzy as possible. IslandWay Pools, a repeat Best of Houzz winner based in Clearwater, specializes in turning dream pools into reality, even previewing the designs via 3D animations so clients can virtually see themselves diving in. And if you like to lounge around the pool after dark, ask Nebula Lighting Systems to show you the light; the Tampa-based company makes an LED lighting system that’s designed exclusively for screen enclosures, turning that utilitarian pool cage into your own private galaxy.
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www.duPontREGISTRY.com 41
is for Quarantinis According to various sources, the first person to serve up a “quarantini” was the actress Tara Reid in a 2005 episode of the medical sitcom Scrubs , in which a doctor triggered an accidental SARS quarantine. Fifteen years later, for obvious reasons, the quarantini has popped up again in the lexicon of liquor, and its definition — “just like a martini except you sit at home and drink it by yourself” — has expanded along with the rate of alcohol consumption. Now it can refer to any drink you’re imbibing during the pandemic, whether you’re buying gigantic bottles of bourbon while on a masked shopping spree at ABC Liquors or picking up cocktails-to-go at restaurants like Forbici and Trophy Fish. To-go cocktails, we hope, will remain a go-to after quarantinis are long gone. Here’s another trend we hope will stick around: how-to cocktail videos by entertaining folks from local theaters and museums. We’re talking about Margaret Murray of the MFA (her healthy horchata looked so good!), Matthew McGee, whose martini-themed muumuu almost outshone his mixology during his online intro to the American Stage “New Shorts” series; and Teresa Wilkins of the Leepa-Rattner Museum, who’s doing cocktail tutorials every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at leeparattner.org.
Photo by David Warner 42 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
R
is for Real Estate
Though real estate sales slowed during the first wave of stay-at-home orders this spring, the situation has changed. “There’s not enough listings,” Smith & Associates CEO Bob Glaser told us during his “Tampa Bay Talks” video interview (pictured) with dRTB Publisher Tom duPont in June. “It’s a seller’s market.” Mortgage rates are low, homeowners have become more conscious of what their own homes are lacking — and with the increased reliance on virtual data, the audience of prospective buyers has expanded. During virtual home tours, said Glaser, “agents are able to walk through and really talk to the heart of the home and the neighborhood.” Robyn Gunn of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has long seen the benefit of videography and 3D “Matterport” tours, she says, but she’s found that lately “buyers have really embraced, and relied upon [those technologies], especially for sight-unseen property purchases.” In-person showings are still important, though, and Realtors are vigilant about safety measures for agents and clients; turn to p. 85 to see how The Thorn Collection | Coldwell Banker prepares. Smith, Thorn and many other real estate companies are also doing their part to help those affected by the pandemic, as with Thorn’s Lunch for Lifesavers fundraiser and Smith’s food collection drives. And while we’re on the subject of real estate, we can’t ignore the most celebrated property of the summer: Bill Edwards’ spectacular home and guest house on Snell Isle is now on sale for $19,995,000, offered by luxury and waterfront specialist Dania Perry — more info on p. 74.
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S
Photos Courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
is for Sports
They’re baaaack!!! The long hiatus is coming to an end, pro sports fans. Of course, we may not actually be able to attend games — like, you know, in person — but we can rev up our devices and watch as Tampa Bay’s teams return to action. Rays: The 60-day schedule begins with a three-day homestand July 24-26 against the Blue Jays, followed by two games vs. the Atlanta Braves. Buccaneers: Players are scheduled to report to camp July 28. A shortened pre-season follows, and then the Bucs kick off the regular season on Sept. 13 with a game against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. And oh, by the way: Did you hear that Tom Brady’s our new quarterback? And that Jameis Winston went to the Saints? Oh, you did. Right. I guess it was in the news. Lightning: Plans to resume the NHL’s 2019-20 Seasonus Interruptus were still in flux at press time but here’s what we know: Training camps were slated to begin July 13, and playoffs were to begin in the two hub cities, Edmonton and Toronto, on Aug. 1, with specific game dates for the Lightning TBA. Rowdies: The team was slated to resume play July 11 against Atlanta United at Al Lang Stadium.
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As for pro basketball, you’ll be able to take in all the action just by driving up I-4 to Orlando for the NBA restart, which is slated for July 30 at the Walt Disney World Resort, or by heading down to Bradenton’s IMG Academy on July 24 for www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com the beginning of the WNBA season.
T
A to Z is for Travel T-Travel
It may seem like the worst of times for travel, but it may be the best — particularly when it comes to traveling in-state. The Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach is offering exclusive room rates for Florida residents through September, the Gates Hotel Key West is showing room rates as low as $109 per night through March, and Fort Lauderdale’s Pelican Grand Beach Resort (pictured) has a “Shelter in Paradise” package from $399-$899 per night for stays through December 17. Closer to home, the Marriott Water Street and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa and the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort are perfect for quick weekend getaways, and all are taking ample precautions to assure safety of guests and staff. (Another nearby option: The Resort at Longboat Key Club, covered by Cindy Cockburn in our new series Paradise Without a Passport on p. 53.) But perhaps you’d rather cruise around in your own little hotel-on-wheels? If that’s the case, head to RV One’s Airstream of Tampa in Dover, the #1 Airstream dealer in the world, and drive away in a classic Silver Bullet.
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U
is for United States Postal Service Photo by David Warner
This one’s personal. I can’t imagine losing an institution like the United States Postal Service, and here are four reasons: My nephew, Jeff, is a mail carrier. So is his fiancée, Janel. My late stepmother, Dorothy, was postmistress of the small Massachusetts town where I grew up. And David McLean (pictured), the mail carrier in the West St. Pete neighborhood where I moved with my husband earlier this year, is one of the reasons we’re glad we live here. He knows everyone and everyone knows him (at 6-foot-5 he’s hard to miss), he’s unfailingly friendly and cheerful, and he really does seem to like his job, delivering the mail through rain, heat and pandemic without complaint. In a world where so much has become automated and impersonal, he’s an everyday reminder of how essential essential workers are — not just because of the jobs they do but because of the human connection they provide. But beyond the personal, there’s the global. Consider this passage from a recent article about the USPS by Philip F. Rubio, a professor of history at North Carolina A&T State University and a former mail carrier: “Who else will distribute stimulus checks, census forms, online purchases, letters, parcels, books, magazines — in fact, anything that takes postage? How else can Americans vote by mail? Postal workers are out there right now, delivering face masks and test kits, and hopefully one day soon they’ll be delivering vaccines as well.” Who else indeed?
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Epicurean Hotel
V
A member of Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans who volunteered their time to help with Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mega-Mobile Pantry.
is for Volunteers
Anyone who reads dRTB regularly knows that our pages are frequently graced by stories and pictures of volunteers — never moreso than during the last few months, when our People & Parties section morphed into People Helping People. But the thread tying them together, whether we’re talking about a dressed-up gala or a drive-by food bank, is love. Volunteering is widely acknowledged to be a boon to one’s physical and emotional health, too, a tonic against stress and depression. So, in honor of all those loving, healthy folks who have made the time to help others this year, here’s a roll call of some of the volunteers whose efforts we’ve covered in the last several months: the busy elves behind the scenes at The Arc Foundation Tampa Bay’s Festival of Trees; the elegant crew whose Wine, Women & Shoes event raised hundreds of thousands for the Children’s Cancer Center; the inspired organizers of the Heart Gallery’s Be Mine Gala and the Clearwater Free Clinic’s Martinis + Matisse; the Rays, Bucs and Lightning players who gave of their time to help raise funds for the causes they support: the many companies whose employees pitched in to help with food drives for the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and Feeding Tampa Bay; and the armies of maskmakers who kept us protected, from Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa to Irmi’s Alterations in Belleair Bluffs to our own Molly duPont, who jump-started Masks for Pinellas County Health Providers. This issue’s People Helping People section (beginning on p. 80) provides still more evidence of the many volunteers putting heart and soul into their communities at a time when selflessness is more important than ever. 48 www.duPontREGISTRY.com
W Quality Boats
is for Watercraft
“The Boat Business Is Booming,” declared the New York Times in a July 2 headline. As evidence, the article cited hot sales, low inventory and happy boat owners from coast to coast, as families seek socially distanced escapes to offset summer camp closings and cancelled vacations. Among the examples: Florida’s own Quality Boats, where “May was the best sales month the company has had in 46 years.” According to the Times, owner David Bair has been delivering boats as far north as Connecticut “to satisfy impatient customers who want to be on the water faster than you can say ‘seaworthy.’” So... sounds like you’d better hightail it over to Quality Boats if you’ve got a yen for a yacht. On the other hand, if you don’t have a place to dock a boat or a vehicle to tow it, a Freedom Boat Club membership could be the alternative you’re looking for. Members can take out a boat whenever they need one — whether they’re hankering to fish, cruise or joy-ride — from any of 29 (and counting) locations in the Tampa Bay area. Either way — whether you opt to buy your own 44-foot Tiara from Quality Boats or take a spin in a Tritoon or a Bow Rider from the Freedom fleet — freedom is the operative word.
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X
is for eXercise
Pebble Creek Golf Club in New Tampa.
Even though gyms reopened when Florida entered Phase 2 in June, many fitness enthusiasts (and fitness wannabes) have confined their exercise to solitary, online or outdoor pursuits. As St. Pete Bicycle and Fitness’ Mark Yeager told dRTB in April, the bicycle biz is off the charts. Taylor Smith of SweatNET connected with at-home members by streaming workouts and hosting virtual 5Ks. Then there’s Peloton, which has everything: cycling, competition, online instruction and at-home exercise — as long as you’re able to shell out close to $3,000 for the bike and the monthly membership. But maybe you’d like to focus on mental as well as physical fitness via meditation or yoga; at St. Petersburg Yoga, the practice of yoga is about uniting body, mind and spirit. And there’s always golf; as Ace Golf President Bill Place told dRTB’s Eric Snider this spring for his story “Still Swinging,” it may be the original social distancing sport.
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Y
is for Yum
Photo by David Warner
Ever hear that expression “Never trust a skinny waiter?” Well, it applies to editors, too — which is to say you can trust me with the following recommendations. Here’s a rundown of some of my favorite tastes from the last year, including takeout orders, outdoor meals, and dishes I just can’t forget. The half chicken with couscous, lemon preserve and roasted tomatoes at Baba on Central; the sausage and pepper pizza at Bella Brava; flash-fried calamari with tomato coulis and shaved Parmesan at 400 Beach (best enjoyed outdoors while sipping on a Grey Goose martini and looking out at Straub Park); the ginger beer-braised Berkshire pork chop at Sea Salt (best enjoyed outdoors while sipping on a Downtown St Pete Manhattan and looking out at Sundial); the sublimely messy peel-and-eat Yucatan Shrimp (pictured) at Doc Ford’s (best enjoyed while gazing at the new St. Pete Pier); Deepest Darkest Chocolate Secret ice cream from Bright Ice; a grouper sandwich from Frenchy’s; a Cuban sandwich from Bodega; anything from Armature Works, especially a steak at Steelbach or the Belgian waffle & mushrooms at Oak & Ola; a lobster roll (and splendid fresh pasta and charcuterie) from Gracie in Pass-A-Grille; the black n’ blue cheeseburger from Engine No. 9; the fresh mozzarella made tableside at Rocca; and anything from Mise en Place. (Sigh. See why I’m not skinny?) www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 51 www.duPontREGISTRY.com 51 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 51
Z
is for ZOOM
Once upon a time (in 2012, to be exact) a company in San Francisco launched a videoconferencing program called Zoom that could host no more than 15 participants. Usage of the platform exploded during the pandemic, and now a meeting can host up to 1,000 video participants and 10,000 viewers at a time, and Zoom estimates that there are 300 million daily meeting participants. So it’s simple, really: This is Zoom’s world. We just live in it. See you on screen.
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Paradise Without A Passport: Longboat Key A luxurious stay at The Resort at Longboat Key Club introduces our new in-state travel series. STORY BY CINDY COCKBURN | PHOTOS BY JAMES FLYNN NO PASSPORT REQUIRED: A couple begins their hassle-free escape.
D
uring the height of the pandemic, I spent hours organizing my closets. Why does everything I own remind me of a vacation? I fold a French red bikini and think of sizzling St. Tropez. I’m hanging up an aqua blue strapless dress and am transported back to a romantic St. Martin escape. I keep looking at my lonely, oversized suitcase sitting in the corner and I swear if it had a voice it would be screaming: “Are we outta here yet?” It’s summer! What about vacation? I think I may be a travel-holic. And then Dina called. My friend from New York City, still in lockdown and craving the beach.
“You are so lucky. I would do anything to be able to escape to your Florida paradise.” She was right. No passport required to enjoy my go-to slice of paradise. The cure for anything is sand and sea and a stay at the luxurious Resort at Longboat Key Club. I head south over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. The resort is just south of Anna Maria Island, between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. An hour and a half from home, I drive through the private resort gate, find the reception area and check in. Staff (all in protective masks) offer a warm www.duPontREGISTRY.com 53 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED: Beach, pool, golf, tennis, spa — the resort has it all.
welcome. Just like the best private clubs in the country, many of the associates have been there for decades. Wonderful to see Resort General Manager Rick Benninghove and find Executive Chef Bob Weil still overseeing all of the culinary offerings. We reminisce about the celebs like Kevin Bacon and William H. Macy who’ve stayed here during the Sarasota Film Festival. No need to crave the Caribbean or endure the hassle of travel out of the country. This place is magic! The AAA Four-Diamond resort is an Opal Collection destination. The wide sandy beach is blissfully free of crowds from sunrise to sunset. Tropical. Peaceful. Tranquil. The Gulf waters the color of the Caribbean. Bonus: The shops and cafes at St. Armand’s Circle are close by and re-opened. What is the resort like during the virus? It’s pristine, with extra precautions taken to maintain a safe environment. To limit exposure, no daily housekeeping service is offered, but guests can simply ask for what they need. Food and beverage services are open and a major resort renovation (or transformation, they call it) is taking place. The GM is proud to point out major room renovations with a décor he calls “Florida Nautical Beach.” He continues the tour, saying, “Phase One, including the three beachfront buildings and the pool, is complete, and we are now starting Phase Two of our renovations, which include the golf course and lagoon54 54 www.duPontREGISTRY.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
view buildings. All of the buildings will be open by Thanksgiving.” The lobby has been newly renovated, and the new restaurant, Latitudes, has indoor and outdoor seating and plans for a July opening. The restaurant design has an open feeling, with finishes in bluestone, natural teak and stone. “We will have music on the weekends and added seating,” he says. Guests can expect a better view of the Gulf of Mexico from inside and a new bar outside called the Banyan-Poolside. The renovated suites are extremely spacious and
TRANSFORMED: The newly renovated suites are extremely spacious.
dR Travel designed for entertaining — think family reunion. Hot tip: Do as I did and stay in one of the newly renovated deluxe two-bedroom, two-bath suites. At 1,750 square feet with raised ceilings, beach-themed decor and a view of the Gulf, they’re wonderful: oversized living room, private balcony, spacious kitchen, a separate dining area that seats up to eight guests, even a full-sized side-by-side washer and dryer. Under current short-term promotions, the rate is about $1,000 a night. Looking for golf? Tennis? A spa with an islandinspired sanctuary? Fitness center? Gourmet cuisine? It’s all here. For breakfast, dine outside at Spike and Tees restaurant. Listen to the birds and watch the golfers on Longboat golf course. I feel like I’m back in Bermuda. Make dinner reservations in advance for the private Portofino Ristorante & Bar located in the Marina Village. (Heads up: there are no signs for
the dining room.) The cuisine is spectacular and the atmosphere spotless. Staff and servers are friendly, knowledgeable and masked. The menu offers classic Northern Italian cuisine, fresh seafood, handmade pastas and wood-fired, brick-oven pizzas. There are beautiful harbor views in a trattoria-style atmosphere. We highly recommend the outdoor seating on the Mediterranean terrace. My dish, vitello al limone, was delicious: veal scaloppini, lemon and white wine sauce, herb-roasted potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. My friends raved about their grilled organic salmon and red snapper. Hot tip: Order dinner on the beach, serving up to eight people, for a special treat. Want to arrive by boat? The resort offers shortand long term rentals, and the deep-water marina can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet. And here’s some good news for Florida residents: Special room rate offerings will be announced through the summer.
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Bourbon Street
A new book will help you host a tasting party worthy of Louisville’s Whiskey Row. BOOK REVIEW BY MICHELE CARDINAL
ANOTHER ROUND: Bourbons set up for tasting with a variety of treats.
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All photos courtesy University of Kentucky Press
bourbon cocktails along the way. everal years ago my wife and I decided to give up beer Which brings me to Which Fork Do I Use With My for Lent. I know, I know, who gives up beer… for Lent… at the start of baseball season and — duh — right before Bourbon? For anyone who hasn’t yet found their way to St Patrick’s Day? Well, if not for Lent, I might not have been bourbon, this book is the perfect introduction to my friends introduced to Mark — Maker’s Mark, that is — and boy, is Mark, Basil, Jim and Elijah. I am now equipped to host a he fun! bourbon tasting in a most funtastical way. I am now Thus began my relationship with bourbon. As I Peggy Noe Stevens, the first female master bourbon e quipp e d to became acquainted with Mark and his cousins, I taster in the world, and Susan Reigler, a former ho st a b ourb on learned about their culture and wanted to become restaurant critic for the Louisville Courier-Journal, t ast i ng i n a mo st a part of it. For my 50th birthday I chose to go provide a four-prong (see what I did there?) approach f unt ast i c a l way. to Louisville, Kentucky, home of Whiskey Row, to celebrating bourbon. Each tine (again?) of the the bourbon mecca. We started at the Kentucky fork represents a specific focus: Arrangements and Bourbon Trail Welcome Center and obtained our official Decorations; Eatables; Type of Party; and of course…The “passport” to drink around the town, and trust me — we earned Bourbon. our t-shirts fair and square. One of my favorite bus tours was City Planning is the key part of any party, and the authors go over Taste, stopping in at Churchill Downs and The Brown Hotel, every detail from invitation graphics to food pairings. They even home of the Hot Brown, bringing us through the country’s largest suggest seating charts for the headliner and its supporting cast — display of Victorian mansions and matching famous bites with the bourbon and bitters, syrups and tonics, plates and napkins 56
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dR Food & Drink
WOMEN OF WHISKEY: Authors Stevens (left) and Reigler pause for a toast.
— and how they can be arranged for aesthetics and flow. In accompanying photos, their beautiful tablescapes burst with character, texture and color. We then come to the bourbon tasting — and the decisions. Should you have atomizers for those who prefer to avoid getting too tipsy too soon? Or Glencairn tasting glasses? What foods plays well with bourbon’s flavor notes — caramel, honey and citrus? Start with an arrangement of nuts, cheese and chocolate, try antipasto with a bourbon chiffonade dressing — or both? Finish with the yummy “boozy milkshake” the Entrepreneur or the just-as-delicious Kentucky Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie? Party tricks, recipes and, of course, the cocktails, are peppered throughout the book. There’s even a Bourbon Geek’s Guide to Vocabulary. The gals also throw some well-deserved shoutouts to a few of Kentucky’s own distilleries, bringing to life the purpose of the book. During the ’70s and ’80s, interest in bourbon dwindled, possibly because kids those days thought of it as Grandpa’s boring after-work drink, or because of the dominance of “white spirits” like vodka and rum. (Maybe it was Tom Cruise’s fault for slinging all those Singapore Slings in Cocktail in 1988.) Then, about 20 years ago, due to some outstanding marketing and the hospitality industry, bourbon came back into vogue, so much so that Maker’s Mark could not keep up with the demand. The company stated, “Demand for our bourbon is exceeding our ability to make it” and determined they would decrease the alcohol content in order to increase their supply. The bourbon faction was outraged and Maker’s reneged. So yes, bourbon is definitely not your Grandfather’s or even your Aunt Eunice’s drink anymore; it’s no longer just a drink to be sipped in a paneled smoke-filled room. But we still can. That is indeed the beauty of bourbon. It is a culture, to be enjoyed with two or three friends in a tucked-away boîte like Room 901 in St Petersburg. With a group of folks rooting for their favorite
team. With family and friends celebrating the first snowfall, or watching the greatest two minutes of the most celebrated sport, the Kentucky Derby. Thanks, Peggy and Susan, for providing a roadmap of suggested routes toward celebration of that old rickhouse tenant, bourbon.
Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon? Setting the Table for Tastings, Food Pairings, Dinners, and Cocktail Parties by Peggy Noe Stevens & Sue Reigler, University of Kentucky Press, $29.95.
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dR Wine
Now That’s Italian. Or Is It American?
Thanks to sommelier Tyler Wolff, the wine list at Olivia takes diners on a transatlantic journey.
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STORY AND PHOTO BY TRACEY SEREBIN
livia Restaurant in South Tampa has extraordinary food, devised by Chef Chris Ponte, but the wine list is equally interesting. It’s a two-sided affair —one side for Italian wines, the other for American. Each is broken down into sparkling, whites and reds. The list includes 30 wines by the glass, split between the two countries, and there are currently close to 130 bottle choices in their collection, with plans to expand to 180-200. Most of my experience with Italian wine has been confined to a Ruffino Chianti from Tuscany, so learning about the different regions with Olivia’s Managing Sommelier Tyler Wolff was a lot of fun. He calls his list a “tasting experience,” helping wine enthusiasts to explore different wines with their meal. For instance, if you find your favorite American wine on one side of the menu, you can flip it over and locate a similar wine from Italy. Under the full-bodied American reds, I prefer the lower part of the list — cabernets by Jordan, Silver Oak and Caymus. On the Italian list there are blends of cabernet and merlot and cabernet with cabernet franc varietals from Tuscany that would match my taste. Tyler chose Italian wines from larger regions in Italy that diners may be more familiar with and would have confidence in ordering by region, similar to American wines. In setting up a blind tasting for me, Tyler poured a Michele Chiarlo Barbera and a King Estate Inscription Pinot Noir and placed them side by side. I found them to be very similar; after tasting both I couldn’t tell which was from America and which from Italy. We discussed how the Barbera, having a little more acid, should be paired with
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food, as Italian wines are created for sharing with their meals. These two wines could be enjoyed as starter wines with appetizers. In looking through the Italian choices I noticed two Travaglini wines, which are from the region of Piedmont where my grandfather is from. I can remember there being a bottle of Travaglini wine on a shelf in his house when I was growing up. The wine comes in a very distinctive bottle and sells for $76 to $102. Tyler explained that Travaglini is a full-bodied wine that is very dry and is age-worthy. It can be kept for 30 years. For our next tasting, Tyler ordered a few light appetizers to taste and share with the robust wines I prefer. Tasting side by side was a Ruffino Modus “Super Tuscan” blend of cabernet, sangiovese and merlot, next to a Bellacosa cabernet from the North Coast. These reds were smoother, full-bodied and robust, with a dark fruit finish. They also tasted similar, but the Ruffino is earth-driven and rustic, causing me to reach for the appetizers to complement the deepness of the wine. Tyler ordered three yummy appetizers for me to enjoy during the tastings. The arancini is a 4-cheese risotto ball, lightly fried and served over a delicious cacio e pepe sauce. The peppadew is red peppers stuffed with goat cheese, almonds and parsley, and the olives come in a stacked tray with provolone cheese cubes and petit pickles to munch on. Going out to eat can be fun, but having a sommelier direct your wine choices and share stories about the wine makes dining out an experience. Tyler can usually be found at Olivia Wednesdays through Sundays but always on the weekends. Stop by, tap into his knowledge and take a wine journey.
Living Colours
dR Style
A sampling of the best in Black design.
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BY MICHELLE CAPPELLI GORDON
n this showcase of Black-owned brands and designers from around the world, two of the brightest lights are locally based. The tailored yet feminine ensemble in white is by Audrey Pat McGhee (@audreypatmcghee) and the alluring earth-toned dress is by Elizabeth Carson Racker (@ecrdesigns), both incredibly talented and located right here in Tampa Bay. To shop for these altogether gorgeous looks and more — clothing, handbags, shoes, makeup and jewelry, too, like the “love” earrings by Serena Williams Jewelry — visit: lovemichellestyle.com. @michellecappelligordon.
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A prestigious Snell Isle property offered by Dania Perry for $19, 995,000. See p. 74 for details. www.duPontREGISTRY.com 61
REAL ESTATE
Exquisite Mediterranean Estate 11207 Sunny Delight Court, Odessa $1,739,000
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xquisite taste and meticulous attention to detail are showcased in this custom Mediterranean estate tucked away in the gated community of Steeplechase and rests on 2.33 acres of conservation and water views. From the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by quality craftsmanship, materials and amenities, all working together to create an atmosphere of pure comfort and elegance. With over 6,640 square feet of living space, this home offers 6 true bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half baths, study, bonus room, media room and office, deep lanai, and heated pool and spa, plus 3 car garage. Complimented by 10 foot Brazilian door entry which grants you access to the magnificent foyer with 22 foot ceilings, one may appreciate the living room with stone mantle gas fireplace tucked underneath double tray ceilings. Perhaps one might prefer the columned formal dining area or the chefs kitchen with exquisite granite, stainless steel appliances, and 6 burner gas cooktop all married to brilliant Brazilian cabinetry. One can also opt to cook outside in the spacious outdoor kitchen area with teak wood ceilings parallel to the family room that wraps around the pool and spa area. If you are still not sold, enter the master suite with hardwood floors, and his and hers closets. Maybe the master bath with granite, a center island custom Jacuzzi, walk around shower dressed with dual rainmaker shower heads impresses you, or if preferred, there is also an outdoor shower and pool bath. When it comes to getting things done, the decision to work in the upstairs or downstairs office is up to you. Upstairs, the north wing holds 2 guest suites and elongated balcony overlooking conservation pond views. Traveling to the south wing, is media room with wainscoting and hardwood flooring, and second study and/or exercise room. Extensive outdoor area offers privacy and tranquility with mature landscaping, saline heated pool and spa, brick paver drive way and patio and abundance of yard to play or garden. Live, play, and entertain here for the lifestyle you deserve!
Dina Sierra Smith 813-760-6354 | www.SmithandAssociates.com Smith & Associates Real Estate www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com 62 www.duPontREGISTRY.com
REAL ESTATE
Waterfront Estate on St. Joseph’s Sound 1047 Victoria Drive, Dunedin | $3,700,000
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arely does such a special property become available. Featuring a privileged setting overlooking St. Joseph’s Sound, this majestic waterfront compound offers spectacular water views and meticulously updated interior features. Featured indoor spaces include an indulgently comfortable formal living room, a study with wet bar and a formal dining room. The epicure’s kitchen has commercial grade fixtures, Viking appliances, Cambria quartz counter tops and custom built-in seating that will accommodate the entire family. Out back, relax in a courtyard setting with salt water pool and a brick terrace that is perfect for al fresco dining. The detached four car garage provides plenty of room for all of your toys and the second story has a brand new, 1,174 square foot, 2 bedroom guest living quarters complete with its own kitchen and laundry room. From this legacy home on historic Victoria Drive, you can enjoy peaceful sunsets from the gracious front yard of this crown jewel on the waterfront. Dock with 12,000 lb lift, submerged Land and Riparian Rights are included. Kerryn Ellson | 727-408-4888 | Move2Dunedin.com
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SMITH IS HOME.
In times of change, we are always here. Smith & Associates Real Estate has been deeply embedded in the community and moving the real estate market since 1969. “For fifty years, Smith has focused on customer service and embracing innovation. More than ever, we are committed to using the most advanced technology available to help our clients buy and sell homes,” says Bob Glaser, President of Smith & Associates Real Estate. Start your search today at smithandassociates.com. Virtual Tours & Showings | Virtual Open Houses | Virtual Staging | Digital Property Ads | Neighborhood News
THE FLORENCIA 100 Beach Drive NE #1900 4 Bed | 5/1 Bath | 4,831 SF | $4,219,000 Momberg / Stratton 727.560.1571
DAVIS ISLANDS WATERFRONT 190 Blanca Avenue 4 Bed | 4/1 Bath | 3,690 SF | $3,300,000 Jennifer Fuddy 813.538.8016
THE BELLAMY ON THE BAYSHORE 4201 Bayshore Boulevard #1504 3 Bed | 3/1 Bath | 3,166 SF | $1,650,000 Traci Burns 813.833.7510
HIGHLANDS OF INNISBROOK 1066 Roundstone Place 6 Bed | 3/1 Bath | 5,289 SF | $1,375,000 Tiffany Spyridakos 727.641.9869
HARBOUR ISLAND 1044 Royal Pass Road 4 Bed | 3/1 Bath | 3,404 SF | $1,175,000 Traci Burns 813.833.7510
CYPRESS LAKES ESTATES 2790 Meadowview Court 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,564 SF | $940,000 Christina Gultepe 727.741.9872
ST. PETE BEACH 400 64th Avenue #PH-A 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath | 1,973 SF | $750,000 Hockensmith / Womack 727.422.6127
HARBOUR ISLAND 320 Inner Harbour Circle 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath | 2,520 SF | $739,500 Traci Burns 813.833.7510
MARINA BAY 10 Franklin Court S #62B 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,218 SF | $689,000 Newman / Petelle 727.688.3638
Ideally located on Bayshore Boulevard in the Hyde Park Historic District, this stately residential tower offers sweeping views of Hillsborough Bay and the Downtown Tampa skyline. Appointed with the finest quality interior finishes, features, and appliances, contemporary open floorplans include soaring great rooms with chef-inspired kitchens that flow into spacious dining and social areas. Abundant terraces extend living space outdoors, creating the perfect setting for entertaining family and friends. Starting in the $900s NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Schedule your virtual presentation today! 813.649.3700 hydeparkbayshore.com
Saltaire arrives to take its place as the dazzling new crown jewel of the St. Petersburg bayfront. This iconic tower features luxurious residences with dramatic walls of glass and over-sized terraces showcasing fabulous city and bay views. A private, elevated amenity deck with resort style pool and private cabanas overlooks Tampa Bay. The ideal bayfront location puts all the arts, dining, culture and conveniences of downtown St. Pete at your doorstep. Starting in the $800s NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Schedule your virtual presentation today! 727.240.3840 saltairestpete.com
LOCAL ♼ GLOBAL REACH
OurGlobal Global Partners Our Partners
TAMPA | ST. PETERSBURG | CLEARWATER | BEACHES | LONDON | 813.981.7410 | SMITHANDASSOCIATES.COM
Referred to as “Tampa Bay’s Diamond Broker”, Terri opened her real estate brokerage in Clearwater after relocating from Malibu, CA in 2015 and teeming with drive to serve her clients with the utmost care and service, has created a name for herself as the areas predominant closer of luxury homes. With years of experience buying and selling property and as an investor herself Terri has lived the life with her clientele, some of the most affluent achievers internationally located around the globe. "The luxury lifestyle, the exquisite sunsets and grand water views along the Gulf of Mexico replete with the island oasis ambiance that completes the glamorous neighborhoods" - these are the things about Tampa Bay
as seen in angeleno magazine power players issue & dynamic women issue business observer's fastest growing 500
Terri Novitsky
that Terri Novitsky appreciates and admires. The area is growing like wildfire with new enterprises filling the downtown commercial capacity and creating increasing demand while raising the bar on residential luxury. Terri has kept the closest watch on the trends and transformations of the market making Tampa Bay into America's next up-and-coming midsize city.
14201 CAROL MANOR DRIVE WATERFRONT | $6,940,000 CUSTOM LUXURY 1.55 ACRES, PRIVATE COMMUNITY 8 BEDS | 6.5 BATHS | 10,122 SQFT
SUNSET DRIVE - WATERFRONT LAND CLEARWATER | $1,100,000 NEWLY AVAILABLE 0.28 ACRE RARE CORNER LOT
Terri Novitsky - BROKER TerriLMREP@gmail.com 727.298.8888 BK3316546
906 Drew St Clearwater, FL 33755 laurenmichaelsrealestate.com 66
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602 MEHLENBACHER ROAD BELLEAIR | $580,000 4 MINUTES TO IRB & BELLEAIR BEACH 0.29 ACRE LOT 5 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 3,035 SQFT
REAL ESTATE
Luxury Waterfront Condo
11 Baymont Street Apt. #1504, Clearwater $3,699,000
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pen Gulf and beach views as far as the eye can see! This stunning penthouse located on the 15th-floor of the Sandpearl Residence of Clearwater Beach features elegant design, first-class kitchen, split bedroom plan and water views from every room. Feel like you’re floating on air from the glass framed balconies and relish luxury beach living like you have never before experienced. This resident only building has secure entry with two assigned parking spaces, sparkling pool/ spa, social sites as well as 24-hour concierge service, fitness room with steam/sauna. Enter the foyer of this home to immediate water views. The cozy home office near front entry has built-in granite desk with cabinetry; while the living room will be your restful retreat with framed mural television and sliding doors to balcony with impressive Gulf views, overlooking the Sandpearl Resort. Create delicious meals from the large central kitchen with SubZero/Wolfe appliances, and center island with storage and wine fridge; plus breakfast nook with sliding doors opening to the Gulf front balcony and separate nearby dining area with tray ceilings and columns separating living room. In-unit laundry room has easy access to the impressive master suite featuring jawdropping panoramic balcony views of the open Gulf and multiple intracoastal waterways, two walk-in closets and en-suite bath with Jacuzzi tub, glass framed shower and separate vanities. Both guest beds have en-suite baths and amazing water views; one with balcony access. Elegance awaits!
Martha Thorn with The Thorn Collection | 727-432-9019 Coldwell Banker Realty www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
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14275 SIESTA ROAD, LARGO
Gracefully gated, this Italianate Style 2010 custom-built estate is an exceptional Architectural experience. Stylishly set on a 4.5 acre parcel on the intra-coastal waterway of the Central Coast of Pinellas County, this 17,599 square foot home has amenities including a private guest suite, outdoor playground, pond, boat lift and dock, pool, outdoor living space/kitchen and so much more! Offered at $11,900,000 | 14275SiestaRoad.com
117 16TH STREET, BELLEAIR BEACH
Water views that will wow & amaze from your very own living room! Enjoy a spacious lower level master retreat, full-sized wet bar + pool with spill-over spa & dock. Nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac street; with beach access just one block away for sunsets and a next-door sunrise park; this home features all the best of waterfront living. Offered at $1,635,000 | 117BelleairBeach.com
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7893 BAYOU CLUB BLVD, LARGO
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Located just along the 9th & 18th fairway of the Bayou Club golf course, this impressive two-story home features lower level master, salt water pool, a spacious floor plan with new interior paint, high ceilings & attention to detail throughout. Community features include, 24-hour secure/gated entry, tennis, fitness center & clubhouse with a full social calendar. Offered at $1,187,000 | 7893BayouClubBlvd.com
The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com
OVER $146
MILLION SOLD IN 2019!
11 BAYMONT STREET #1504, CLEARWATER BEACH
Located on the fifteenth floor of the Sandpearl Residence, just along the sugar sand beaches of Clearwater; this penthouse features elegant design throughout and water views from every room. Feel like you’re floating on air from the glass framed balconies with open Gulf views and enjoy the first-class kitchen with Wolfe and SubZero appliances. Offered at $3,699,000 | LuxuryBeachPenthouse.com
1324 PLAYMOOR DRIVE, PALM HARBOR
Enjoy modern luxury! Located in Highlands of Innisbrook; along the 15th hole of the Island Golf Course. This immaculate & completely modern 4-Bed/4.2-Bath home features two stories of living space. With home theater, stunning pool with golf views, wine closet, executive home office + unique bonus/playroom and kitchen of imported Italian cabinetry. Offered at $1,599,000 | 1324PlaymoorDrive.com
228 PALM ISLAND NW, CLEARWATER BEACH Located in the Island Estates neighborhood of Clearwater Beach; this thoughtfully renovated home brings to life a modern coastal essence. Featuring 4-Beds/3.5-Baths, sparkling salt water pool with boat dock and lift. This home will be your escape. Offered at $1,449,000 | 228PalmIslandNorthwest.com
The Thorn Collection | 727.432.9019 | www.TheThornCollection.com
RANKED TOP
10 COLDWELL BANKER TEAM IN THE NATION!
©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The property information.
1047 Victoria Drive, Dunedin • Offered at $3,700,000 • Move2Dunedin.com
15 Glendale Street A8, Clearwater Offered at $1,029,000 Move2CWB.com
44 Sunset Bay Drive, Belleair Offered at $1,015,000 GulfViewLiving.com
2125 Scarlet Oaks Street, Clearwater Listed at $925,000 ClearwaterSunsets.com
505 Mandalay Ave #55, Clearwater Offered at $725,000 LoveCWB.com
203 Palm Drive, Harbor Bluffs SOLD | $795,000 HarborBluffsForSale.com
118 Harbor View Lane, Belleair Beach PENDING | $3,500,000 LiveInHarborBluffs.Com
409 Bayview Drive, Belleair SOLD | $1,250,000 BelleairLand.com
1322 Gulf View Drive,, Belleair SOLD | $935,000 BelleairLuxury.com
727-408-4888 • G U L F V I E W L I V I N G . C O M 603 I N D I A N R O C K S R OA D , B E L L E A I R
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1778 OCEANVIEW DR | TIERRA VERDE | $2,295,000 Denise Reilly | 727-458-6161
100 1ST AVE N #2101 | ST. PETERSBURG | $2,195,000 The Simms Team | 727-599-7980
10210 TARPON DR | TREASURE ISLAND | $1,925,000 Margot Toomey & Mark Leongomez | 727-515-1445 & 727-312-2682
3608 SHADY LN | PALM HARBOR | $998,000 Laren Jansen | 727-510-7153
PURA VIDA | CLEARWATER BEACH New Construction Condos | 727-744-0155
GRAMERCY CT | DUNEDIN New Townhomes | 727-474-9050
$ 5 BIL L IO N and 1 1 , 0 0 0 H O M E S S O L D in Ta m p a B a y S IN CE 2 0 12 over
2012
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W W W.COASTALPGI .COM B E L L E A I R | C L E A R W AT E R | C L E A R W AT E R B E A C H | D U N E D I N | E A S T L A K E / P A L M H A R B O R | I N D I A N R O C K S B E A C H | I S L A N D E S TAT E S N O R T H R E D I N G T O N B E A C H | O Z O N A | S T. P E T E B E A C H | S T. P E T E R S B U R G | TA M P A | T I E R R A V E Rwww.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com DE | TREASURE ISLAND 71
Dania Perry
Luxury & Waterfront Specialist MOBILE: 727-215-2045 dania.perry@gmail.com www.DaniaPerry.com
Dania Sold $112M+ in 2019 and more than $1B in residential real estate throughout Tampa Bay
BAYSHORE DR NE – ST. PETERSBURG, FL REDINGTON GRAND – REDINGTON BEACH One of the most spectacular beachfront luxury condominiums available anywhere in Tampa Bay! This 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 5200 sqft residence boasts magnificent coastal contemporary finishes, a sublime gourmet chef’s kitchen and a dazzling 1000 sqft (mol) oceanfront balcony with separate dining and sitting areas, large wet bar and an astonishing, oversized mini-pool/spa! Beautiful and rare. Offered for $2,100,000.
Brilliant artisan-quality workmanship with extensive
BAYSHORE NE – ST. PETERSBURG use of castDRIVE stone/marble/granite and cherry wood,
Brilliant artisan-quality workmanship with extensive use of cast combine to deliver a plush, lavish living experience throughout this bedroom, bath,to5000sqft estate. stone/marble/granite and4cherry wood, 4.5 combine deliver a singularly Soaring 22ft ceilings, superb luxury kitchen, inspiring living experience throughout this 4 bedroom, 4.5spabath, cious media room, elegant office, gorgeous family/ 5000sqft estate. Soaring 22ft ceilings, superb entertainment luxury kitchen, spacious living rooms, wonderful outdoor area. mediaOffered room, elegant office, gorgeous family/living rooms, wonderful for $1,599,000. outdoor entertainment area. Offered for $1,750,000.
CAPRI ISLE – TREASURE ISLAND, FL
A True Rarity – The Essence of Zen in Coastal Luxury. Remarkable 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 6830 total sqft open SUNSET ISLAND waterfrontBEACH floorplan –ofTREASURE masterful design and function. Towering ceilings and extraordinary finishes Toes in the sand in just 10 seconds! Beachfront luxury &throughversatility with out. Impressive list of superb features and amenispectacular views. Feel the sweet Gulf breezes & gentle rolling waves! ties. From your dock to the Gulf in four minutes! Block construction home offers 4BR, 3+2 half baths as a single family, Offered for $2,380,000. or 2-family with 2BR, 1.5BA & 2BR, 2.5BA. Entire interior has been wonderfully updated with elegant coastal contemporary themes. Offered for $1,699,000.
HUNTER’S GREEN – TAMPA A magnificent “Southern Living” estate located in a highly-acclaimed golf community. This 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath, 6620sqft home boasts a dazzling array of luxury finishes. Brilliant gourmet kitchen, spectacular wine room, impressive outdoor luxury kitchen/bar and 2800sqft screen enclosed pool, hot tub and wet bar. Offered for $1,395,000.
The Dania Difference • The Professional Difference • The Real Difference in Real Estate 72
CENTURY 21 www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
JIM WHITE AND ASSOC. • 10645 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL 33706
#1 CENTURY 21 Realtor in the World for the 7th time!
Dania Perry
Luxury & Waterfront Specialist MOBILE: 727-215-2045 dania.perry@gmail.com www.DaniaPerry.com
KIPPS COLONY – PASADENA Y & CC
This spectacular and luxurious 10,769 total sqft exec-
BELLEAIR BEACH utive estate enjoys miles of dazzling open water views!
Enjoy huge open intracoastal waterviews from spaces this spectacular double Towering ceilings, grand open living and brilgive this remarkable plush,Bay’s lotliant withcraftmanship 256 feet of sprawling seawall! Located inhome one ofaTampa lavish appeal. Huge master suite, wide covered balcopremier waterfront communities, this remodeled 3245 sqft home nies, pool/spa, updated and 2spaces boat lifts. features a sumptuous kitchenseawall/dock and gorgeous living thru-out. Offered for $2,799,999. Swimming pool, updated seawall, composite dock, 35K lift, dual jetski platform and much more. Offered for $2,990,000.
KIPPS COLONY – PASADENA Y & CC This spectacular and luxurious 10,769 total sqft executive estate enjoys miles of dazzling open water views! Towering ceilings, grand open living spaces and brilliant craftmanship give this remarkable home a plush, lavish appeal. Huge master suite, wide covered balconies, pool/spa, updated seawall/dock and 2 boat lifts. Offered for $2,850,000.
REDINGTON GRAND – REDINGTON BEACH, FL MARINA BAY – ST. PETERSBURG Magnificently finished 4-bedroom waterfront estate located in a beautiful community. Grand open gourmet kitchen. Deep water dock with dual boat lifts and rapid access to the Gulf. The best waterfront commuting location in Tampa Bay! Just 5 min to the beach, 8 min to downtown, 25 min to Tampa Airport, 30 min to Sarasota. Offered for $2,395,000.
One of the most spectacular beachfront luxury con-
CAPRI ISLE available – TREASURE dominiums anywhereISLAND in Tampa Bay! This 4
bedroom, bath, 5200ofsqft A True Rarity – 4The Essence Zenresidence in Coastalboasts Luxury.magnificent Remarkable 4 coastal contemporary finishes, a sublime gourmet chef’s bedroom, 4 bath, 6830 total sqft open waterfront floorplan of masterful kitchen and a dazzling 1000 sqft (mol) oceanfront baldesign and function. Towering ceilings and extraordinary finishes cony with separate dining and sitting areas, large wet bar throughout. list ofoversized superb features and amenities.Beautiful From your and anImpressive astonishing, mini-pool/spa! dockand to therare. Gulf Offered in four minutes! Offered for $2,380,000. for $2,100,000.
Independently Ranked one of Florida's 10 Best Real Estate Agents CENTURY 21 JIM WHITE AND ASSOC. • 10645 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island,www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com FL 33706
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REAL ESTATE
Prestigious Waterfront Luxury Snell Isle, St. Petersburg $19,995,000
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HE PINNACLE IN WATERFRONT LUXURY AND A RARE OPPORTUNITY IN TAMPA BAY! ASTOUNDING 1.74 ACRE GATED PRESIDENTIAL WATERFRONT COMPOUND IN ST. PETERSBURG’S PRESTIGIOUS SNELL ISLE COMMUNITY. Astonishing 554ft of water frontage with deep, protected sailboat water that provides safe harbor for multiple yachts. Totaling 10 bedrooms, 10 full baths, 4 half baths and 8-car garage parking - ‘Villa Terranova,’ nationally awarded the United States custom home of the year, is a palatial 18,350 total sqft Tuscan Manor that is complemented by ‘Amanyara,’ a lavish contemporary 8033 total sqft retreat and guest home. Built by celebrated builder Windstar Homes, this magnificently constructed estate enjoys a definitive, commanding presence within an enclave of the finest luxury waterfront homes in Tampa Bay. Take in towering ceilings, grand/opulent finishes, extraordinary craftsmanship, extravagant details and exquisite accoutrements – all with the goal of uncompromising perfection. Lavish gourmet kitchens, sumptuous pampered baths, posh and indulgent beverage bars, brilliant lighting, resort-class pool/spa areas, world class technologies, reliable infrastructures and proven redundancies – nothing is left to want for the most demanding of estate-tier, luxury waterfront buyers. A transcendent, sophisticated and singularly inspiring waterfront environment unlike any other. Offered for $19,995,000.
Dania Perry 727-215-2045 | | DaniaPerry@gmail.com | www.DaniaPerry.com Century 21 Jim White and Associates 74 74
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The Bailey Bunch
The family foundation of Ron Bailey and sons awards more than $2 million in college scholarships a year. STORY BY ERIC SNIDER FAMILY, VALUED (L to R): Kyle, Ron, Beverly and Kent Bailey.
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he late 1950s was a bad time to look for a job in every high school in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties. the coal mines of West Virginia. Automation had “We give out one to every school so that [students] will only drastically cut the need for manpower and coal was be competing with kids in their high school,” says Kyle Bailey, not bringing a good price. Still, Ron Bailey, just out of high 47, Ron’s son and the president of the foundation. “We want school, got hired to shovel up loose chunks and heave them the scholarships to go to lower-achieving schools and not just into a coal car. kids from all the brightest and best ones.” Although Kyle is foundation president and his On his first day, Ron, who was raised in the brother Kent, three years younger, is a trustee, southern part of the state, knew that busting his “I’ve seen so many “Dad is really the boss,” the elder son says. “It butt and emerging from a mountain covered in families that had so black dust every day was not for him. The kid many fights over money keeps him engaged.” The organization runs out of the pink two-story worked two weeks — just long enough to get that I said, ‘I’m never Bailey Building in the Hyde Park area of Tampa. his first paycheck — and quit. Then he bought going through that.’” It has three part-time employees and does not a bus ticket to the small town of Winchester in raise funds or accept donations. Since inception, northern Virginia and got a gig greasing cars. the Bailey Family Foundation has awarded $37.3 The decision to leave what would’ve been a steady, good-paying but exhausting and dangerous job in the mines million in scholarships and $11.2 million to other charities. was just one of many wise decisions Ron Bailey made over the The three Bailey men contribute as volunteers, meeting for years. Those choices led him to accumulate substantial wealth lunch a couple times a week to discuss foundation business two decades ago when, as principal owner of Strayer University, and other matters. Beverly Bailey — Ron’s wife, mother to he sold most of his stake for $180 million, according to a 2001 Kyle and Kent and an original trustee — died in November Washington Post article. He steered $50 million of the pro- 2018 at age 77. Kyle, a University of Tampa graduate, founded Replay ceeds to the Bailey Family Foundation, which he founded with his family in 1997. The organization awards a renewable Guitar Exchange, which opened its doors in Tampa’s Britton $20,000 scholarship ($5,000 over four years) to one student in Plaza in August 2016. Kent, who has a law degree from www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
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dR Benefactors the University of San Diego and worked as an attorney, founded and owns Coppertail Brewing Co. Located in an industrial stretch of Ybor City, it’s one of the Bay area’s more successful craft beer brands. The Bailey sons’ passion projects were made possible in part by a generous gift from their father about five years ago. “I gave them [the money] and said, ‘That’s all you’re gonna get,’” says Ron Bailey, 79. “I made them wealthy and do not interfere with what they do with the money. I’ve seen so many families that had so many fights over money that I said, ‘I’m never going through that.’ If they want to take me out to dinner, they can take me out to dinner. But they don’t have to do it to suck up to me.” After interviewing Ron Bailey by phone on a Tuesday morning when he was at the foundation office, I described him to Kyle as a “lovable hardass.” The son laughed in agreement. “When I was a kid, I wanted a BB gun,” Kyle recalls. “It cost $45. I remember mowing lawns so I could buy it. Now I realize it was a good lesson. I came to realize that it’s not healthy to tell kids right off the bat that they’re rich and don’t have to worry about anything.” Back in 1962, Ron Bailey made another astute choice: After his short stint as a grease monkey, he joined the U.S. Army. He had two options — advanced infantry training or computer school. Ron opted for the latter, and passed a test to get in. “I didn’t know what a computer was,” he says, “but if I didn’t get accepted, there would’ve been a good chance I would have been [in the trenches] in Vietnam.” Ron showed a strong aptitude for computer programming, and after leaving the Army in ’65 continued his studies at Northern Virginia Community College, then got his bachelor’s degree at what was then called Strayer College, a business school founded in 1892, and earned a master’s in
Jalaycia Lewis, FSU Graduate and 2016 Bailey Scholar.
Jalaycia Lewis graduated May 2020 from Florida State University with a degree in Social Work. She writes,
“Never in a million years did I imagine graduating from college debt free. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”
The Bailey Foundation HQ in South Tampa
dR Benefactors computer science at American University in D.C. He worked in data processing for the National Association of Home Builders and began teaching computer information systems at Strayer in 1974. Ron worked his way up to managing the college’s information systems. In 1986 he was named senior vice president and effectively ran the entire operation. Three years later, “the owner was 74 and wanted to retire,” Ron recalls. “People kept offering him IOUs. I said, ‘I’ll give you three hundred thousand and sign a note for $5 million.’” Ron mortgaged his northern Virginia home to raise some of the money. Strayer was in pretty bad shape when he took over, with a student population of about 800. So the new president embarked on a campaign to boost enrollment and update the curriculum with a computer emphasis, and to focus on serving students, many of whom were working adults. Bailey added a graduate degree program, which enabled him to rename the school Strayer University. Under his watch, the student census rose to roughly 15,000 on 15 campuses. He took the college public in 1996, with shares trading on the Nasdaq exchange. In 2000, he cashed out his controlling interest. “I handed them the keys and never looked back,” he recalls. Stricken with Guillain-Barre Syndrome around that time,
Ron moved to Tampa, where Kyle was living and starting a family. Kent arrived in 2002, and both brothers live on Davis Islands. Besides overseeing the foundation, which quietly awards more than $2 million a year in scholarships, Ron stops in at Replay and Coppertail — “I’m not much of a drinker; I’m good for about half a glass” — as well as visiting his 220-acre cattle ranch in Plant City and 1,300 acres in Wimauma he calls a “dirt pit.” Ever the educational advocate, he says he’s putting his eight grandchildren through private school and college. The father remains close to his sons and their families. They continue to take meals together — without a money agenda. The Sunday prior to my interview with Ron, Kent brought his wife, who is pregnant with a girl, his son and two daughters to his father’s Harbour Island home for dinner. “I got to see my grandkids,” Ron Bailey with granddaughters Ron says, his voice soft, without Sofia and Megan a trace of hardass.
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AUTO
Rollin’ Down the Trail
Cruising South Florida’s Tamiami Trail in a $382,000 Rolls-Royce is a step back in time. STORY AND PHOTOS BY HOWARD WALKER
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Does your gator bite?” It seemed like a reasonable question as four feet of beady-eyed, scaly-skinned baby alligator was thrust into my hands for a quick photo op. “Not right now. But you wouldn’t want to be doing that in six months’ time,” deadpans Tom, our tour guide, who just a few minutes earlier had been scaring the bejeezus out of us in his thundering airboat, careening, seemingly out of control, through the Everglades’ grassy rivers. Welcome to Coopertown, home of air boat Grand Central, and our first stop on a gentle meander along the trip-back-intime Tamiami Trail. While the Trail — it’s really Highway 41 — runs all the way from Miami to Tampa, we’re doing the more fascinating 100-mile stretch through the very heart of the Everglades, to Naples. We needed a bit of an adventure for our test drive of the very latest Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge. Normally we would have taken the road less traveled and taken it down to Miami’s South Beach to cruise Ocean Drive and count the thumbs-ups. But the Cullinan is a bona fide sport-ute, with all-wheel drive and the ability to crawl up the side of Everest. It needed mud under its tires, or at least a bit of crushed shell and sawgrass. That’s a lie. The Black Badge is not for getting dirty. Here is a $382,000 — more like half-a-million-nicely-loaded — masterpiece of quality and craftsmanship. I admit it; on our trip across the Tamiami, I avoided every puddle. Where the regular Cullinan — if such a thing exists — is perfectly adept at wading through goopy mud, the Black Badge is an altogether more sophisticated animal. This is the Cullinan that goes over to the Dark Side, to appeal to a new generation of younger, more diverse, selfmade buyers looking for an edgier look. See it loitering outside one of those uber-hip Miami Art Deco hotels, and it radiates a menacing “Don’t mess with me” attitude. For its Black Badge status, pretty much every piece of shimmery chrome has been given the full Sith treatment and chemically blackened. Even that lovely Spirit of Ecstasy “flying lady” has a full-body coating of high-gloss black
chrome. Up front, that iconic parthenon grille gets the full Darth Vader noir look. All this might be considered window dressing if it weren’t for the upgrades in performance, handling and braking that come with the Black Badge spec. The stock Cullinan’s mighty 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 gets a 29-hp power boost to take the new output to a nice round 600-hp. There’s also an extra 37 lb-ft of torque on tap to lift it to a stump-pulling 664 lb-ft. Now when you squeeze the throttle, feeling that immense Gulfstream-on-takeoff thrust, you whoosh to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. More aggressive transmission shifting only heightens the Rolls’ athletic, more dynamic, more urgent feel. Here is a 6,100-pound pachyderm that thinks it’s a sportscar. We test out the Rolls’ gravel-crushing capabilities on the 26-mile, unimaginatively named Loop Road, through Big Cypress National Reserve, to play Spot The Gator. We stopped counting after 100. Then we pull over to gaze in wonder at the amazing work of acclaimed Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher at his must-see Big Cypress Gallery. A detour into Everglades City leads to lunch at the historic, waterfront Rod and Gun Club. In its 100-year history, five presidents, Ernest Hemingway, John Wayne and even Mick Jagger have stayed here. Stone crabs — along with gator and frog legs — were on the menu in the rustic restaurant overlooking the Barron River. We could have stayed a week. And yes, they do have rooms. As we eased into the Naples urban sprawl, I felt we’d just spent a day truly stepping back in time and experiencing a magical slice of Old Florida. Next time, skip the tedious I-75 Alligator Alley and experience The Trail. Before it’s gone. Test-drive the 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge at Dimmitt Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Tampa Bay in Pinellas Park. Look for Howard Walker’s online column, “Weekend Wheels,” every Friday at dupontregistrytampabay.com.
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE LOVE WALK
2 Titus O’Neil (Thaddeus Bullard) and Dave Bautista led a Love Walk June 27 that crossed the symbolic Fortune Taylor Bridge. Ms. Taylor, a former enslaved person, once owned 33 acres on the eastern bank of the Hillsborough River. In 1892, she allowed the construction of the bridge over her property; it was later seen as a symbolic connection between white residents in West Tampa and Black residents to the east and allowed the cigar industry to flourish. The walk ended with the unveiling of a Love Wall created by local artist Bianca Burrows. Photos by Foto Bohemia.
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1 Dave Bautista and Titus O’Neil (center, with fists raised) lead the march across the Fortune Taylor Bridge. 2 Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and the Love Walk team; Love Wall artist Bianca Burrows is at her right. 3 The unveiling of the Wall in Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. 4 Raising a sign of love during the Walk. www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE BELLEAIR PARADE FOR GRADS
1 On May 30, the Belleair Community Foundation, along with the Town of Belleair, honored their local 8th and 12th grade graduates with a parade through the streets of Belleair. “It was a small way to show our graduates and their parents that our community is very proud of their accomplishments,” said foundation president Karla Rettstatt.
2 1 Quintan Mantilla. 2 Brielle Bender. 3 Anna Loope & Izzy Kiesel.
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE dRTB DONATES TO MORTON PLANT MEASE HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
duPont REGISTRY TAMPA BAY publisher Tom duPont presented a check for $5,000 last month to the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation for the benefit of its family help fund. dRTB remains committed to supporting our health care heroes by providing resources for them during this trying time.
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE SMITH & ASSOCIATES GIVES BACK
1 During these unprecedented times, Smith & Associates Real Estate is doing its part on multiple fronts to help those in need. Each office location is equipped with a food collection site which Smith team members fill. Every week the Realtors present donations to various organizations across Tampa Bay “to make our home and community a better place to live.”
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3 1 Smith & Associates’ Leslie Minder and Mary Beth Byrd. 2 Leslie Minder prepares to make a delivery. 3 Patsy Beke in her office with food collected by Smith team members.
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE LETTERS OF HOPE FROM THE LAMPLIGHTERS
On July 1, LAMPLighters President Charlene Bleakley and fellow volunteer Michelle Cappelli Gordon (dRTB’s Style Editor) presented notes of encouragement to the children of Metropolitan Ministries. Tim Marks, president and CEO of MetroMin, along with VP Cindy Sofarelli and Molly James, SVP of Advancement and Community Engagement, were excited to receive the 200 notes written by various LAMPLighter volunteers — and, of course, so were the kids! The intention of the notes was to bring a personal message of encouragement to each and every child. LAMPLighters (Ladies Assisting Metropolitan People) work on behalf of the children of Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House in Tampa. Their motto: “Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” —Dalai Lama. To donate or become a volunteer, visit lamplighterstampa.org.
THE THORN COLLECTION KEEPS THINGS SAFE
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Martha Thorn knows that it’s important these days for everyone to feel safe during a property showing, whether they’re Realtors or prospective buyers. That’s why she and her team provide Safe Showing Kits, each one containing gloves, a mask and hand sanitizer. The color choice for these useful kits? The Thorn Collection’s trademark hot pink, of course. 1 The Thorn Collection’s Safe Showing Kits. 2 Patricia Valladares, Martha Thorn (center) and Kandra Covert www.duPontREGISTRYtampabay.com
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE COVERING UP IN STYLE: HAL & WILLI
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Now that face masks have become so central to our health, we might as well wear them in style. In that regard there are few couples with a stronger mask game than Hal Freedman and Willi Rudowsky. A stylish pair no matter what the occasion, they’re longtime supporters of the local arts scene, particularly theater — Hal’s a board member at American Stage, Willi’s on the board at Jobsite — so it follows that they not only have a distinctive mask “wardrobe,” they also like to highlight designs by local artists, like the exuberant styles being made by artists with disabilities at Creative Clay and those being turned out by American Stage costume shop manager Jill Castle (aka Nilla Bean). Here’s a small selection of the couple’s favorites. (All photos courtesy Hal Freedman.) — David Warner
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1 Hal in a mask by Johnny Was. Willi sewed the button on his cap to hold the ear strap. 2 Who is that masked woman? 3 Hal & Willi with Kim Dohrman, Executive Director of Creative Clay. 4 The couple in masks by Nilla Bean with Allison Harris of Baba, a restaurant in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. 86
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE COVERING UP IN STYLE: HAL & WILLI
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4 1 St. Petersburg City Council Member Gina Driscoll in a mask by Creative Clay artist Cornell W. 2 A selection of mask designs by Creative Clay member artists, available at redbubble.com. 3 Hal in a 2-ply cotton mask with filter pocket and filter by Vida. The solid color would work “for formal wear,” Hal suggests — or, it seems, when you’re working mermaid security. 4 The couple’s mask wardrobe.
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dR BACK PAGE
PROFILE: JIM MYERS
“Leadership in a time of crisis demands courage, character and a true sense of values”
dR BACK PAGE
Actions in Times of Crisis A Profile of a Bay Area Leader STORY BY THOMAS L. duPONT
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t is not always fun to be in charge, to be responsible and to be where the “buck stops.” The weight of decisions made in a crisis environment and the impact of those decisions on business operations, on clients and on workers and their families can be ominous and mostly “not fun.” It hasn’t been much fun for the last few months for Jim Myers, president and chief operating officer for the Crown Automotive Group, as he crafted decisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules and regulations issued by federal, state and county authorities. Like so many Bay area business leaders, Jim carefully navigated uncharted waters for Crown’s 20 dealerships when crafting policies and plans that would impact customers, communities and over 1,100 employees and their families. Soon there were fewer people that wanted to even look at cars for sale as everyone stayed home to stay safe. Unemployment and uncertainty began to rise. What Jim decided next would be remembered as having a lasting impact on business and our communities. The decision was to do the remarkable, not the expected. Jim, in consultation with Crown management, decided to retain all employees and not furlough anyone during these difficult times. He wanted to provide peace of mind and support to dedicated employees. Having structured plans for business, Jim turned toward organizing efforts to feed Bay area hospital workers by utilizing local restaurants and delivering meals to the hospitals. Then, he and his team decided to create four GoFundMe charitable campaigns to feed the needy in the Bay area as well as Tallahassee, Chattanooga TN and Dublin OH, all areas with Crown automotive dealership locations. The goal was $95,000 to feed the hungry. Jim also set up income support for employees who not only could but needed to work from home to help with family logistics. You can ask many Bay area residents about Jim Myers and you’ll receive a broad smile as they express their appreciation for his compassion and leadership. Jim has always been concerned for others and generous with his time. Ask any Crown team member and you’ll hear stories of off-hours phone calls from
Jim trying to find out if “you’re OK?” He is a longtime member of the board of the Pinellas Education Foundation, also having served as its president. He is also on the board of Starting Right, Now, an organization that supports unattended high school children. He supports the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and numerous other charitable organizations as well as being a leader and mentor at his church. Yes, the employees and families of the Crown Automotive Group and the Tampa bay area appreciate being able to call Jim Myers a friend, especially during times of crisis. Jim, thanks for all you do and God bless.
Jim Myers: President and COO for the Crown Automotive Group.